I DON'T CARE ABOUT ANY GODDAMN POTENTIAL

Faster, must move faster. Beat your record time.

This was the mantra that kept playing through Applejack's mind as she ran through the orchard early in the morning. Her breathing came in at a steady pace, in spite of the occasional pain that would spring up in her side. The only indication that she acknowledged the sharp pain was a small wince. But she steadily shrugged it off as she continued to run.

Gracefully and with great speed, she ran through the orchard as fast as her legs could carry her. Though her speed could never match Dash's, her strong, muscular legs made it so she was at least a match for anyone when it comes to a quick run. Granted, this run did not distract her from her duties. She was still a farmer, and a dang good one.

It had taken her months of training and practice, but now, she had her routine down to an art. There as a confident grin that came to her face as she ran to her fourth sets of trees that she had planned to run across during this run. Doing a hard spin with one, she followed with a spinning back kick into the other tree. This made both trees bear their fruits and fall to the ground. With a light groan, Applejack got down on her one knee and rubbed her thighs.

Taking a few minutes to catch her breath, and to rub out the pain she was feeling in her legs, the orange pomelo pony got back to her feet and continued her run. The air passing in and out of her lungs giving her a feeling of freedom that she kind of envied Dash for. However, she would never trade the crunch of branches under her feet for nothing. She loved and lived and breathed life on the farm and that was how she loved it. A fancy title for her meant nothing, and neither did Starfleet.

As she neared the end of her run, she slowed down in her prance and began to pant, "25 miles, in 90 minutes. Heh, broke my own record." she chuckled to herself as she grabbed a towel from a tree branch and a bottle of water to drink. Turning her head to some crying, she walked to the sound. There, sitting on the fence that bordered the outside of the farm, was a little red filly, "Daphne? What are you doing, sitting on the fence?"

Daphne gave a little sniffle and looked up from a photo that she held in her hands. It was a picture of her and her cousin, hugging each other tightly, "Oh, hello Applejack. I was just waiting for the bus."

"The bus to school?" Applejack asked, leaning her elbows on the fence and taking out an apple to eat.

"N-no, to the orphanage," whimpered Daphne. "Starfleet, they couldn't find any other relatives for me to live with, so I am being sent to the orphanage. Then, I'll live there for a bit and probably be sent to Starfleet Academy to train to become a soldier."

"Ah thought that was a choice," Applejack said, taking another bite of the apple.

"Yeah, if you have a family, but if you are an orphan... you are drummed into service at age twelve," she gave little whimper as she looked back at her picture. "I-I-I don't want to be a soldier. I don't want to fight Grand Ruler's battles. I don't want to go out there and die. I don't wanna die."

As Applejack watched the young filly cry, she shook her head slowly, "You're too young to be thinking about death," she muttered under her breath. " Then what do you want to do?"

"I want to be an herbalist," Daphne said, looking down at her id code on her chest, "I just want to use my talent to find flowers and make medicines and stronger mana potions. Or at least, that's what I want to be if I could get a cutie mark. Do you know how jealous I was when Applebloom got her mark? She now had her destiny set out, and me... I got nothing but this stupid ID code. It means nothing to me, or anypony else. And now, I can't even dream."

"Oh Sugarcube, come here,' Applejack said, pulling Daphne into a hug, letting the filly cry onto her shoulder, "Just cry it out."

Daphne began to cry hard, "I... can't fight like Buddy. I'm not like him, I'm no hero. Being a hero means to be willing to die. I'm not ready to die. I don't want to die!"

"And you ain't gonna to," Applejack said, smiling. "You're staying here, with us."

Daphne pulled away and wiped a tear from her eyes, "I- am? But, you don't like my cousin. Why am I-"

"Now, Ah won't lie. Your cousin did annoy me to death. But, you are a friend of Applebloom's and Ah live by my paw's word 'a friend of mine is family,'" Applejack said, smiling and winking.

"But, I thought Applebloom didn't like me either. I thought the CMC just saw me as a stuck up know-it-all who lacked imagination," Daphne said.

"No, that was Diamond Tiara," Applebloom said, getting to the fence and sitting on it. "Ah just think you can be a little silly when it comes to Starfleet."

"See? Ya have a home here. That is, if ya are willing to stay." Applejack said with a kind smile

Daphne almost tackled Applejack with her hug as she shouted, " Oh yesyesyesyes! I accept!"

"Well, it's about time," Granny Smith said stepping out from behind the tree. "I was wondering when you were getting to telling her. All right, Big Mac, you go and set a table!"

"Eeyup," Big Mac said, saluting and running off.

"Applebloom, you go and fix a space for your new sister," The wizened old mare said, letting the two fillies run to the farm house. Granny Smith then turned an eye to Applejack, "And YOU better get yourself to that table and eat some breakfast, you hear?"

Applejack nodded, " Yes ma'am.' She then sighed and leaned her back against the tree as she let out a sigh, only to wince in pain.

"Applejack, what's wrong?" Caramel asked, looking at Applejack.

Applejack waved him off,"It's nothin'. One of Rep's blades done and got me good in the side. Ah'll be fine in a bit. Just need a few more days to heal."

Caramel shook his head and knelt down beside her, "Lift up your shirt, please." With a roll of her eyes, Applejack lifted up her dirty shirt to show off her well toned stomach. Taking a quick look, Caramel placed bandages where he saw the wounds, "That should help heal you faster."

"Thanks," Applejack said, a soft smile on her lips.

Caramel then reached over and gently took her hands into his, "Now, let me show you some stretches. You could do this instead of your usual exercises." He then bent her elbows and began to cross them across her chest. Pulling her arms gently to the left and right, he smiled as she began to let out little breaths of contentment while he helped her stretch. Walking around, he pulled a little on her back, getting some of the cricks out and eliciting a little moan from her.

Guiding her to a tree, he waited until Applejack leaned against it and looked at him. Taking one leg in his hands, Caramel began to slowly push it up until she told him to to stop. He repeated this process with her other leg, giving Applejack a good massage on her leg as he stretched her. After he lowered her legs, Applejack leaned forward a bit and placed her arms around his neck,"Thanks, that made me feel a little better."

"You're welcome. Say, how about after breakfast, I show you some more stretches?" Caramel asked, smiling a toothy grin.

"Ah would love that," Applejack said.

"Hey AJ, how about you lean in a little closer and kiss him while you're at it!" Rainbow Dash shouted, chuckling. Her laughter increased as she watched Caramel stiffen and blush red.

"Rainbow Dash, what the buck do ya think you are doing up there?!" Applejack shouted as she looked up to the trees.

"Well, I was doing some flying around, getting some early morning flying done before I get to my squad when I saw you guys dancing. I was a little curious and wanted to see if you guys were getting ready to go at it," Rainbow Dash responded, laying on the branch and smiling.

Applejack was too angry to notice the blush on her cheeks, "We weren't dancing, we were stretching. Caramel wanted to show me some."

"Oh," Dash confirmed with a nod, "So stretching is what you are calling it now."

"Rainbow," Applejack growled, wagging a finger to her friend, "Come here for a second."

"I would love to, but I got to get my squad in for some training drills," Dash said, taking off, "See ya!"

"Ya mangy varmint, get back here so I can kick your can!" Applejack yelled to the disappearing dot. Shaking her head, she turned to Caramel, "Ah swear, that mare can get some-Caramel?"

"Us, kissing," was all the red-faced stallion could say.

Applejack gave out a gentle chuckle as she walked to her friend, "Well, thanks for the help. Ah'll see ya after breakfast. Until then, here's a reward for helping me," and with that, she gave a kiss on the stallion's cheek, making him faint on the ground. Applejack rolled her eyes, "Stallions."

---

The city of New Horn Kong had grown very quite during the day. Whether it was because the populace had grown complacent with their hell or if there was an undercurrent of fear that rebellion would only bring more pain, it was impossible to tell. Titan watched from the pagoda at the city that was his domain, his golden fingers tapping along the railing.

He had to admit, there was a feeling of power that he enjoyed watching the ponies and Unicorpiams work and train beneath him. He would've smiled at the sight, but his eyes displayed other thoughts. He turned to look back at the room that served as his quarters. Within, his general Magus was busy sharpening her crystal blade while looking at the two tables in front of her.

Titan sighed softly as he walked to the two tables, each holding a Go board on top. Seated at one table was a pair of statues facing off. One was armed Dark Conquest. The other was Princess Celestia. The second table had statutes that resembled Luna and Grand Ruler. With a contemplative breath, he ran a golden hand along the boards. The one with Luna had most of the board covered with black stones, while the other had a mixture of both black and white stones.

Titan looked to his general as he began to speak, "Let me tell you something that my father once told me." he said taking up a white stone and placing it on a point on Celestia's board. "You can be the most powerful being in the planet, but without friends and family, you are just as weak as a mortal. This lesson, sadly, is not one the Grand Ruler has taken to hest. He chose to tell his ponies that it is better to abandon your connections, choosing to focus instead. On being the strongest and the best. We see how well that has won them.".

Taking a black stone, he placed it onto the board and switching the stones to black, and changing two white stones, " As you can see, Grand Ruler has made it so that Lightning is losing friends, becoming more and more alone. But, what of Artie? He who is losing more if his reason to fight. What will he figure is important: Friendship or solidarity?" he said putting the white stone somewhere on the board.

---

Artie stormed up along the hallway of the castle, a frown on his face as his eyes glared at the path that led to his destination. Many of the workers in the castle could see the fire in his emerald eyes and rightfully chose to step out of his way a she stormed through the castle. Once he reached Lightning's room, he pounded on the door, "Lightning! Come out! We need to talk!"

Lightning sighed from the other side of the door and opened it so only his face could be shown, "Yeah, Artie?"

"We need to talk. We need to bring Starla back from wherever you stationed her at and get her here!" Artie said.

Lightning frowned and turned away, "Starla is fine where she is. She doesn't need to be here, where she can get hurt."

"Are you listening to yourself!?" Artie fumed as he slammed his hand against the doorframe, "We are losing members by the second: Myte, Dyno, and now Buddy. Who's next on the list? You, Rhymey? Or even one of the Equestrians? Now is not the time to be worrying about who is going to get hurt. Now is the time for us to stand together as a team, as frie-"

"Don't you dare start with that frie..."Lightning yelled, but then stopped himself as he opened the door a little more, "Sorry. What I mean is. Starla isn't strong enough to fight by our side against this. If she fights, then there is no way I could protect her."

"Is that you talking or your pride?" Artie asked, only to be met with silence as Lightning looked down. 'Lightning, Starla is a strong girl, I know she is. She may not be like the Equestrians, but she can fight with us. We need her here so we can stand together."

"She can't, that's it. I sent her there because that is the only way I know how to protect her," Lightning said, looking away.

"And us, you are just going to let us die instead?" Artie asked with a growl.

"We know what we're getting into. We are prepared to die," Lightning said, looking away from Artie.

Artie growled and let out a low sounding, "Buddy didn't. He didn't want to die. He wanted to live, Lightning. We all do."

Lightning looked up at Artie at the mention of this with a broken look. For a brief second, he held in a breath, wanting to say something, but then he turned away, "That is not the Starfleet way."

"Neither is being a hero apparent;y," Artie said.

"What do you mean, we are heroes... right?" Lightning asked.

Artie shook his head, "I used to believe that. I used to think that following the Starfleet doctrine meant I could be a hero, that all it took was fight a monster and maybe help a person. But, I've been finding out we're not. I over hear them you know. The bile, the insults, and the way they mock us. Every place we have ever been too see us as either invaders or just monsters. How can we be heroes if we don't have the onies trust behind us? I abandoned my family because I hated the way they saw heroism, because I felt like they hated me for wanting to help people."

"But Artie, we-"

As Lightning reached out with a hand, Artie brushed it away, his eyes narrowing, "Maybe Dyno's right. Maybe you aren't much of a captain, that you are only focused on following Grand Ruler's command. You don't see us as friends, only teammates and that's it."

Lightning shook his head, "Artie, that isn't true, you are my friend. You all are."

"Oh yeah? Then why haven't you done more to protect us? Why is it that when I look at you, I see a stranger! I don't know anymore about you then when we first met," Artie said, looking away and growling, "Buddy was afraid in the end you know, not that you cared."

"So, what now. Are you gonna leave like Dyno?" Lightning asked, narrowing his eyes.

Artie shook his head, "I told you before, I did this because I want to help ponies, because I want to be a hero. Right now, I don't know what it is I am fighting for, but I will find out. One thing, I won't do, however, is walk away from ponies who need me. Goodbye, Commander."

Lightning watched with wide eyes a s as Artie slammed the door in his face. For a few brief seconds, the white unicorn stood in front of the door before falling to his knees and began to beat at it, "ARrie! Come back, please. I want us to be friends, I want us to be more than teammates, and I want to be a hero. I don't want this anymore. I don't want to be a commander or some chosen one," tears started to flow down Lightning's cheeks as he began pounding on the door. "I wish I wasn't some chosen one, that I never had this power, and then maybe Grand Ruler wouldn't have taken mein. Then maybe we could we friends...real friends."

A tiny hand placed itself onto Lightning's shoulder, "I am your friend."

"Krysta," Lightning sniffed as he gave his friend a hug, "Why... why do stay? You could've left me a long time ago, you know."

"I know, but I won't," Krysta said, hugging her friend tightly, "Because I know you better than anyone. I have seen you at your best, I've seen you in your quiet moments away from the rest, and I know the real you. Before Grand Ruler started to beat into your skull about the power of believing, you used to want some good friends. You used to like your birthday, and you used to know how to have fun. But ever since Grand Ruler placed that whole spiel into your head, you've been like this."

"I know, I... I'm just doing what my father expect of me," Lightning said, sighing.

Krysta then looked p at Lightning, "Why aren't you telling them about what happened to Starla?"

"Because I... I," Lightning found his words tipping on the edge of his lips, and then turned away.

"Lightning, you don't really blame her, do you?" Krysta was about to begin, only to see Lightning shake his head and then hug her tightly.

---

The training field, outside of Canterlot, was once home to the pegasi training quarters. Today, it is the home of the newly inducted Knights of the Wind, and the Griffon and United Equestrian teams were filling up the field with sounds of training. Punches, kicks, and fake sword clashes were heard throughout the entire battle field. There were shouts of battle and screams of pain as some made good hits on each other. High above the field, was Rainbow Dash, looking down on her team, "Ok, men, lets keep this up. Those Harpies know everything about how to kill griffons, but they don't know us. Just the same, we don't know everything about griffon fighting style, so let's keep learning from each other. Keep those drills going ponies!" she shouted, blowing the whistle.

Gild let out a grunt as she swiped her wooden sword at Ace, "Ok, so why the nickname?"

"Trashinator?" Ace chuckled as he struck out with his bo, "Flew into the garbage on my first day. Took me months to wash it all out. Ok, I told you my embarrassing story, now you."

"When I was 14, I accidentally put hair remover on my sink," Gilda blushed as she moved aside of the staff and moved closer, "Bare all day after that."

"Oh Celestia, that is just hilarious," Ace said as he tripped Gilda. Surprised, she grabbed Ace by the shoulder and pulled him down on top of her, forcing them both to kiss.

"Hey you tow, stop that flirting right now!" Dash shouted from above. "Why can't you too act more like Spitfire and Soarin over there! You don't see them flirting on the battlefield while training!"

Spitfire nuzzled against Soarin's neck as the two grappled, "You need to let go, Clip."

"Don't wanna babe," chuckled Soarin.

As Rainbow Dash facehoofed at the sight, she turned to the sound of chuckling from her side, "You know, I am kind of glad that Lightning and Starla never acted like that."

"Oh, hey Artie," Rainbow Dash said, smiling a little. Chuckling, she wiped her hand through her mane, "Yeah, it's not easy working with couples. So, what brings you here?"

"Confused, and a little lost about what I should do," Artie said as he looked up to the skies."I just, want to know why I should be fighting anymore."

"Hey, we have those moments," Dash said, placing her hand on Artie's shoulder, "Maybe you should go to ponyville for a bit and relax there."

"You think that'll make me feel better?" Artie asked.

Rainbow Dash smiled a little, "Sure, just watch."

---

"Thanks for shopping at Sugar Cube Corner! Hope you enjoy the cupcakes!" Pinkie said, smiling. Turning to look back at the counter and seeing the low number of sweet treats, she decided to go into the kitchen to bake more. Whistling a little happy tune to herself, she opened the doors and was pleasantly surprised at what she saw. Smiling contently, she leaned against the doorframe and watched as Artie began to talk to the two young foals at his side, "Now, if we add a lot of pink swirl to the cupcake, like this," the orange unicorpian said, putting the frosting on it, "What does it look like?"

"Momma!" squeaked Pound Cake.

"Mommy!" said Pumpkin as she thrusted her little yellow hands into the air.

"That's right," Artie said, smiling at the twins. Taking out some small chips, he placed them onto the swirl, making a little face. "And now it's a smiling Mommy!"

Pumpkin giggled as she patted her hooves together, "Smiling Mommy!" Then she looked at Pinkie Pie and shouted, "Sissy!" the little unicorn cheered ass she crawled over to Pinkie Pie. Not wanting to be left out, her twin Pound quickly crawled over tp his big sister and hugged her leg.

Pinkie Pie giggled and picked up her little 'siblings'. Looking at the two little foals in her arms, Pinkie Pie asked, "And what do you two think you were doing with Artie?"

"Oh, I was looking to find a way to relax and I figured the best thing to do was to be to teach the kids how to mix baking with art," Artie said.

"Oh, and did you two enjoy yourselves?" Pinkie Pie asked the twins.

As the two twins nodded, Artie chuckled as he placed his hand behind his head, "I think they did. They were absolutely fascinated by what I was doing here."

"Well, I suppose that's ok, just as long as they remember who the boss here is, and who the best cook in the kitchen is," Pinkie said, looking at the two foals. "Now, they can watch the mistress at work." with that, she bounded over to three little cupcakes and taking out a frosting gun began making creative little stars in icing on each. "There we are. Now, who did it better?"

Pound looked from left to right, and then crawled over to Artie. Pinkie watched in shock and growled, "Traitor!" looking down at the orange unicorn filly at her leg, Pinkie smiled.

"Sissy is best!" cheered Pumpkin as she hugged her big sis, and then gave a little boop to her sister's nose.

"That I am, Pumpkin. Now stand back, Pinkie Pie has to remind the boys who the boss is," the pink mare said, grabbing some icing from the counter.

Looking back a Pound, Artie winked at the white colt, "Well, I suppose this means war. It's a shame that this will be a one-sided battle." with a chuckle he spun a bottle of frosting in his hand. Looking at Pinkie Pie with a challenging grin, he began to spray frosting onto some of the cupcakes, making several designs in the shapes of cutie marks.

Pinkie Pie gave a unimpressed shrug at this, before taking out her blue frosting guns and began to spread it out along a series of cupcakes. After a few moments of spraying the frosting evenly, she added little white star sprinkles on top of each cupcake, making the entire row a perfect representation of Luna's mane. With a turn, Pinkie Pie gave a hoof bump to Pumpkin Cake.

As Pinkie Pie finished her cupcake collection, Artie was already fast at work on a single layer cake of his own. Taking out some white frosting, he covered the cake, and then began to draw the shape of a green tree onto the cake. Once done with that, he added little cherries onto the green icing to make the tree into an apple tree.

Looking fairly impressed, the earth pony mare cracked her neck side to side and took out a single layer cake of her own. Bringing out several frosting tubes at once, she began to attack the cake with a marksman precision. After a few minutes of work that made her hands seem like a blur, she pulled away from the cake and leaving behind a design of her and her friends with their cutie marks above their heads done in multicolored sprinkles.

Grabbing several cake layers, Artie threw them on top of one another, making a tower. Then, he began to grab candy sticks, gumdrops, and yellow frosting. With impeccable timing, he placed the ingredients on the cake until he made a replica of Canterlot castle out of candy and frosting. Then to finish, he walked over and put a dollop of icing onto Pinkie's nose. Joining in, Pound crawled over with some frosting and rubbed it against his sister's cheeks.

Pinkie Pie went cross eyed looking at the frosting that had appeared on her ose. Grinning with a manic glee, she took a basting brush and smeared red icing and licorice onto Artie's chest in a x shape. Then she spun in mid-air to fire white frosting onto some eclairs to make various arrow signs.

Dipping his fingers into the red icing that now adorn his chest, he licked it off. Taking a licorice whip, he flung it at Pinkie Pie and wrapped around her leg. Pulling her to him, he dumped some caramel onto her mane and back. Then he took the caramel and began to put it onto some apples. Before the apples could dry, he placed some strawberries onto the tops of each to be out-done, Pinkie Pie took some chocolate shell and put it onto his hands. Then she took the shell and put it onto some marshmallows. Taking the sugary treats, she placed the marshmallows onto a large loaf of bread to make little logs.

Giggling, and half covered in caramel and chocolate, Pound threw some marshmallows at his sister and then at Pinkie. Deciding to defend her sister, Pumpkin turned on her twin and tackled him to the ground. Finding himself alone, Artie pulled out the frosting and began to shoot at Pinkie Pie. Letting out a gasp, Pinkie Pie locked the shots with a series of cookies.

This war would've continued, were it not a shout of, "Sweet merciful Celestia! What on earth is happening here?" Mrs. Cake shouted, looking at the messy kitchen and the four perpetrators now covered in food.

"Um, nothing, Mrs. Cake!" said Artie with a blush and a chuckle.

"I was just showing him the ropes!" Pinkie said with a smile, white icing dripping from her nose.

"Pinkamena Diane Pie, when I am gone, it is up to you to watch the store and the twins. If you want to train a new recruit that is fine, but please do not mess my kitchen while you are at it!" reprimanded Cup Cake, he magenta eyes narrowed at Pinkie.

"Mommy!" squealed Pound and Pumpkin as they crawled to their mother.

Smiling softly, Cup Cake picked up her twins in each arm, "Hello, dears. Look at you, you're both are so messy," she said, getting affectionate nuzzles from them both. This left behind smears on her cheeks, "And now you are getting your Mommy messy too. I will have to give you both a bath. And as for you two," she said, glaring at the two guilty ponies. "Clean yourselves off at the lake, now!"

"Yes Ma'am!" said Pinkie and Artie as they saluted, running out of the door and passed an entering Carrot Cake.

The yellow earth pony could feel his mane shoot up as he looked on in shock, "Oh my Celestia, what happened he-"

"What happened is that our 'daughter' decided to have a baking war with a friend of hers, and now we are going to clean my daughter and your son!" Cup Cake said, handing Pound to Carrot as she turned to walk up the stairs.

"But hunny bun, I thought that they-"

"When they are messy like this, you have the responsibility of the boy, I get the girl. 50/50," Cup Cake said as she walked up the stairs, and then with a wink, she lifted her tail a little. "And after we clean the babies...you can lick me clean."

Carrot's bow tie practically spuu off his neck as he went to the door and locked it, before running after his wife.

---

"Geronimo!" Pinkie shouted at the top of her lungs as she performed a cannonball into the lake. After a few moments of staying under the water, she breached the water with a gasp of air. Throwing back her mane and arching her back, she let the sunshine along her naked body. Her lovely curves shining, while her naked form was on full display. Straightening back up, the pink mare took some of the water from the lake and began to rub it up and down her arms making sure to wash the frosting off her bod. Sitting across from her was Artie with a towel draped across his legs, "Um, Pinkie are you sure you are ok with skinny dipping in front of me?"

"Sure! Why do you ask," Pinkie asked, lightly rubbing the water along one of her breasts. Pinching the nipple and lightly tweaking it to rub some of the water, she giggled, "Oh yeah, you Unicorpians have this thing about being naked in front of each other."

"Y-yeah," Artie said turning his head so he wouldn't look at Pinkie Pie. "It's kind of taboo to be wandering around front of somebody without any clothes on."

Pinkie Pie sashay out of the water with a sway of her hips, shaking her head, "I don't' see the big deal. Back home I saw ponies naked before and never had any problems. You Unicorpians are just so-"

Artie handed Pinkie Pie a towel and let her dry herself off, "Skittish?"

"I was going to say touchy but that works too," Pinkie said, laying down with Artie and draping the towel over her body. Snuggling up close to Artie and laying her head on his shoulder, she took a look up at the sky. "Oh, look, a cloud that looks like a cupcake."

"You know, pegasi can control the clouds, why are you so interested in how they change?" Artie asked.

Pinkie nodded, "Oh I know, but sometimes they miss one and let a cloud fly on its own. It's just fun to see which ones they miss and let fly on their own."

"Fascinated by the little things in life, no matter how small," Artie chuckled as he looked up at the sky, "How... how do you do it? Keep that attitude of yours?"

"Simple,"Pinkie said with a wink, "I know the truth of life. That reality is not really that bad at all, You just need to embrace each day with a bright smile and the knowledge that you can make it better if you try hard enough."

"I wish it was as easy for me to do that," Artie said, sitting up and laying his hands onto his knees."

"What's the problem?" Pinkie asked.

Artie let out a pained sigh and shook his head, "Lately, I just don't know what to fight for anymore. I want to be a hero, I want to protect everypony I can butit's just so hard now. You remember why I joined Starfleet?"

"You wanted to get away from your snobby parents because you wanted to be a hero instead of just staying home and counting your money," Pinkie said, sitting up with Artie.

"I wanted to put my skills to good use, you know. Wanted to prove to them that there was more to life than money, but lately, I wonder if they're right. That this hero life isn't what it's cracked up to be," Arite said, shaking his head. Looking back at Pinkie he asked, "How do you find something to fight for? What keeps you going?"

Pinkie looked up at a cloud and sighed, "Let me tell you a story. When I was young, my granny pie died. She was, beyond Maude and my friends, the only pony in the world who really got me. She knew the real me, helped me with my jokes, taught me how to laugh, and made me smile. It was she who helped me, become me. So when she died... I broke. I couldn't laugh anymore and I was always frowning all the time. I was just so... miserable," she gave a little sniffle as her memories came back to her. Then she looked up at the clouds passing by, "On the day of her funeral, the pegasi had decided to make it rain and we had to walk out in it. My family and I, we walked home with our heads hung low to the ground, just looking miserable. Then, I looked up at the sky and a raindrop landed right here on my nose."

To empathise her point, Pinkie pointed to her nose with a finger, "That is when I did something that nopony knows why I did it. I laughed."

"You... laughed?" Artie asked.

"Yep! I laughed, I began to laugh for the longest time," Pinkie said leaning against the tree, "Then, Maude started to laugh with me, then Ma, Pa, Limey, and Marble. Soon we were all just laughing together right there in the middle of the rain. But, as we kept laughing, the rain let up until it finally stopped to let the sun in. That was when I knew what I had to fight for."

"What was it?" Artie asked.

Pinkie pointed to her heart, "To bring out the little light of hope inside of all of us and keep it there. I want to remind ponies that, it's not really that bad out there. There is always a little bit of hope out there, no matter how bad it gets, you just need to find it. And if you can't find it? MAke it, create it on your own and hold onto it as long as possible. Then things will get better, because you will find a light at the end of the tunnel. It's why I am so silly when everypony else is so serious. I like making ponies relieve their stress or just learn to laugh about themselves. Sure, it doesn't always work, but if I can still make somepony laugh and look forward to tomorrow, then I am glad to be me. That is why nopony takes away my smile."

"Think I could find something like that?" Artie asked.

With a quick nod, Pinkie Pie said, "Yeppers!"

"Pinkie, you are... something else," Artie said with a shake of his head. Then he looked to Pinkie with a frown, "Pinkie, do you and your friends hate us?"

"Applejack and Dashie do. They want you dead," Pinkie said, and then she giggled, "Rarity just sees you as a bunch of uncouth hooligans, and Twi-" she paused for a moment, before shaking her head and letting out a sigh, "Twilight found you to be another mystery to solve. And Fluttershy, well, she can never hate anything in her life. You could kill puppies, rape foals, and she would still forgive you."

"And you?" Artie asked.

"Like I said before, I see you as party crashers. Annoying and rob you of the treats you had set out for everypony else, but if you get to know them, you can find out that they are pretty fun," Pinkie said.

Artie let out a chuckle as he laid down, Pinkie Pie cuddling up to him and laying her head on his shoulder, "Party Crashers huh? I kind of like that. Hey Pinkie, think we could just lay here for a little while longer." In response to his question, Pinkie Pie let out a soft snore. Smiling, Artie pulled Pinkie Pie into a hug and fell asleep with her in his arms."

---

"Surprised by my mention of my father? Did you think I was some sort of failure, who's poor treatment at the hands of others led him to darkness? Or that in her rage my lady love threw acid in my face and my friends abandon me? Heh, both stories are interesting, because they all seem to be derived from memory," Titan smiled as he took away some black stones and put two new white ones onto the field in between Celestia and Dark Conquest. He gave a long sigh as he looked back up at Magus, "Memories are an interesting thing aren't they? We swear by them, we let them brighten our moods, and they make us who we are. The problem is, thought, they are fickle little things."

Walking away from his go boards, Titan opened up his robe and brought out the orb that he had Mage touch before, "Memories can be manipulated, changed, or taken away. Memories can be lost thanks to time and age. Tell me, do you remember how many breads you ate in your lifetime? Of course you don't no one can. Scientists have studied for years on the subject of memory and our mind's ability to retain information and what they have come up with is very interesting. Our memories change, that is the truth."

With a chuckle, he placed the memory orb back into his cloak, where it joined several other orbs. Then he closed the robe around his body, and began to walk back to the board where the figures of Celestia and Conquest sat, "So, if memories are so fallible...why do we put so much faith in them?" he then took out a white stone and placed it on the board in between Luna and Grand Ruler, "Because they give us hope."

---

Rhymey looked out the window at Fluttershy taming her birds and then sighed. He looked at his hands as they close into fists, "

This is a job I dread

But I need to clear Fluttershy's head.

Maybe after this she will see

What I need her to be," Rhymey said, looking out at the window at Fluttershy. Opening it slowly, he called out, "

Fluttershy dear

Could you come here?"

"Yes Rhymey?" Fluttershy asked, walking through the door, "What is it? You're not going to take away my outside privileges are you?"

"Nothing of the sort, my love.

I want to talk about your actions, my dove," Ramey said, sitting at the kitchen table.

"My actions, what do you mean?" Fluttershy asked with a questioning look.

"Your will, your heroism, and your bravado

These things will just not do," Rhymey said, tapping his fingers together

"But, that is me. I can help the others if I try hard enough. I can stand with my friends and would never abandon them if they are in trouble," Fluttershy said/

Rhymey slammed his hands onto the table, "No, that is wrong of you~

And thinking so will just no do!

You can either be strong or weak and docile

To be both is impossible!

Fluttershy gasped and shook her head as she walked to the counter, "But I am both! I know I am weak and helpless, but my friends know that there is an inner strength inside of me that is deep inside. And if you cared a thing about me, you would know that!"

"That is not how my Fluttershy should act.

Now drop this tact!" Rhymey growled.

"Why do you love me?" Fluttershy whispered.

"Eh?

What's that you say?" Asked Rhymey.

"I said, why do you love me? Fluttershy asked, her eyes looking at Rhymey's, furrowing her eyebrows. "And don't say it's because I am soft and sweet. Anypony can say that about me. My friends all have different reasons for loving me, but I don't know why you love me, at all."

Rhymey chuckled, "Well the answer is simple, it's because-"

"As a matter of fact, I don't know why I love you!" Fluttershy said, slamming her fist against the sideboard of her cabinet. "You-you fell into my life from the stars, acting like some brave and handsome knight and I fall for you on first sight. I, I, I would never do such a thing. I don't remember our dates, our courtship is a blur in spite of us going out for two years, and all I can remember from that time is that you used to be sweeter and less controlling than you are now-"

There was a small smirk on the yellow unicorpian's face as he slowly got up, "Well, the truth is-"

"Yes?" Fluttershy asked.

Rhyme's voice then dropped a few octaves as his horn began to glow, "

Of this discussion, this isn't the first.

Though this time, your attitude is the worst."

"W-what?" Fluttershy asked, her body beginning to sway back and forth, placing a trembling hand onto her counter for support.

"Remember when I told that bitch

Rainbow Dash, of my trick I use in a sinch?"

"T-that mind trick," Fluttershy whispered, "The one that you used to make my friends idiots! The one that you used to confuse me with you. You said it was an infiltration trick."

"Yes, one designed by my family,

We are proficient you see.

At using such trickery," Rhymey said calmly getting up from his chair.

"You see when I first came here.

I knew I wanted you my dear.

So, on the night of the dance

It was time for me romance

But at the dance, what I saw gave me a start

And I saw I couldn't win your heart.

So in order to make you mine,

I needed to mess with you mind.

Fluttershy's mind flashed for a few moments before she whispered, " That story! You made made it up, you... planted that memory in my head. That's why I don't remember anything about that stallion. Why would I dress up for a rich and handsome stallion I never knew? And then get broken hearted just because he was embarassing me? I was told never do such a thing It made no sense for me to act like that... you," Fluttershy tried to keep herself steady, in spite of the attack on her mind. Her legs began to tremble and her breaths came out in short pants, "Put that memory in me?"

"An unfortunate chore

But a broken heart would make you want me more

If I were to have you

I did what I needed to," Rhymey said, beginning to walk around her.

Fluttershy let out a whimper as she felt Rhymey lightly touch her chin, "Y-you never loved me."

"That is not true my dove

It was you, I will always love.

You looked so much like my mother

So kind, so gentle, and with grace like no other.

I despise only one part

The strength in your heart!" Rhymey growled, moving his hand away from Fluttershy and looking down. "Those traits, will and strength, I resent

It makes you less than perfect."

For a second, Fluttershy felt her feet slip and it took her a moment to regain her footing and she began to shake her head, "But what is part of me! It's always been a part of-"

"Not without the proper training

Otherwise you would always be wanting," Rhymey said, as if he was speaking to a child,

"I needed to make you into the mare I wanted,

Into the mare I needed.

It's how my father controlled my mother after all

Perfect, like a porcelain doll."

"I-I am not, a," Fluttershy gasped, her legs giving out, "A doll!"

"But you are my perfect doll, Fluttershy. A perfect doll that should be only seen and not heard, to be controlled and taken out when I need her. It's how my father ran his home, and it will be how I run it. To do otherwise will be a disgrace to my family's name," Rhymey said with a growl and walked back towards her.

"That last part, wasn't in-"

"Rhyme? Oh I know. The Rhyming is a mnemonic device that we wordsmiths have been trained in since birth. I allows us to manipulate emotions when we need to. Either hatred, or love. Depending on how long they listen to me. It helps me manipulate you better," he said kneeling in front of Fluttershy and placing his hands against the sides of her face, "Now I won't remove all of your memory, just this conversation and remind you of our love."

"No, Stop," Fluttershy whispered, her strength fading "Girls, I'm so sorry... I wasn't strong enough."

"Guess who's home!" Shouted a loud voice, slamming the door open.

As Rhymey drew his hands away from Fluttershy, the timid pegasus smiled a cunning grin as she recognize the voice, "Zephyr!"

"... Zephyr?" asked Rhymey.

As if to answer his question, in stormed a green pegasus with a blonde beehive mane, "Flutter Butter! OH, I am so glad to see you, my favorite big sister." Zephyr said, pushing past Rhymey and then picking his sister up in a hug. Putting a hand through her mane and messing it up, he continued, "I was about to hit the ol' homestead to see Mom and Pop, but then I remembered I hadn't checked in on my little sister since she got married. So I flew on over to say hi!"

Fluttershy gave Zephyr a hug and then smiled at Rhymey, "Oh, little brother, it's been too long. I am so glad to see you."

"Glad to see you too!" Zephyr said, hugging her back. "And who is this fun looking guy?"

Fluttershy held out her hand, "OH, this is my husband, Rhymey. Rhymey, this is my little brother Zephyr. I am sure you tow have a lot to talk about. Zephyr, I need to go to Sugar Cube Corner. Let's talk later," and with that, she made her way out the door.

"Bye Flutters!" Zephyr said with a smile and sat down on the chair, "Man, she's something isn't she?"

"Yes, something indeed for all to see

And very special to me," Ryhme said, sitting down.

"Though personally,

She can be bossy.'

"Why are you talking in that wacked out style?" Zephyr asked.

Rhyme shrugged, "This is just my way of talking in Rhyme.

I do it all the time."

"Wow, that's pretty out there!," Zephyr said.

Rhymey said nothing, but looked out the door, "Maybe you can help put Fluttershy in her place.

Remind her of her responsibilities to her face."

"What?" Zephyr asked.

"Your sister is too strong willed

Her will needs to be culled," Rhymey said calmly.

Zephyr got up and began to walk away, "Dude, my sister is one of the greatest girls in the world, she doesn't need to be culled or tamed or anything. And if you can't see that... maybe you don't deserve her."

"To you, I offer an apology

To offend was not what I meant, you see

I mean that her drive

Hurts her ability to survive

For my poor waif

I only want her to be safe."

---

With a brooding frown and a pained glare, Lightning Dawn stormed into the training room. The words from the morning still ringing in his head as he kept replaying Artie's talk again and again. All the while, the images of his dead teammates and his love's rape continue to flash through his mind, acting as a horror theater for him. Looking at a punching bag, he reached back and punched it hard. The force of the blow caused the bag to swing back, and made him wince in pain. As the pain coursed through his arm, three words from Grand Ruler ran through his mind.

Not Good Enough.

Buddy lay in the streets of Fillydelphia, his body broken side to side in a horrifying way, looking less like a Unicorpian and more like a broken puzzle.

With a gasp, he punched the bag again, harder. He groaned in pain as he delivered that same punch again and again.

Never good enough

Myte laid on the building, his neck broken with his head facing his back.

Lighting let out a howl of rage, tears flowing down his cheeks as he punched and kicked the bag hard enough that his skin began to break.

Never good enough

Starfleet wants perfection

I want perfection

Starla laid on the bed, tears flowing down her cheeks as she reached out for her lover. He could only lay on the ground, helpless.

His eyes began to sting with tears as he punched and kicked the bag, treating the weighted object like it was every opponent he had met. His grunts of rage, were only matched by the yelps of pain that shot through his limbs as he began to wail on the punching bag. The more he punched, the more the images would flow through his skull. Words of condemnation from others for his failures began to drive him further on as he stuck with an overwhelm force. It was only by the force of a calming voice and a gentle yellow glow did he stop, "The point of training is to live long enough to see the fruits of your labor, not to leave yourself a bloody mess in the end."

Panting, Lightning turned to the voice. He then quickly bowed, taking a bloody knee and placing his arm across his chest, "Q-Queen Celestia."

"Just Celestia, please. My husband is not around and I do not want any formalities," Celestia said, holding up a hand. Taking a sip of her tea, she looked to the punching bag and ran a hand along the blood, "You have been training harder than normal."

"I have to, I have to be stronger to protect my team, what's left of it," Lightning said, looking away.

Celestia sat in front of Lightning and pulled out some bandages, "You do not have to do this alone you know, you have your team."

"B-but I have to. I have to be the strong one, I am the Enticorn, it's my destiny to be there for them. If I am not strong enough to protect them, then what good am I?" Lightning asked.

As Celestia bandaged Lightning's hands, she shook her head, "Lightning, I do not think that it will be strength that will win the war with Conquest."

"But, if we are not stronger than him, then how do we expect to win? We have to be stronger than our opponent in order to win," Lightning said.

"Strength is not the only way to win a battle," Celestia said, walking to a wooden sword.

"That's not the Starfleet way. We win by overpowering our opponents," Lightning said.

Celestia shook her head and pulled out a staff, "Tell me, who do you think is stronger, a master of the sword or a pony wielding a staff?"

"The master swordsman, because he has the strength and speed to cut through the staff," Lightning said.

Celestia chuckled and threw the staff to Lightning, "What if I were to tell you that you were wrong?"

"What?"

"Once upon a time, near a river in Neighpon, a master swordspony was traveling along a bridge when she was encountered by a pony wielding a bo-staff. The pony with the staff said that if he could defeat the swordspony, then the swordspony will have to give him some of his food and drink."

"The mare was very confident in her skills at the time, believing herself to be unbeatable and accepted the challenge. The stallion with the staff bowed and awaited for the mare to strike. At first, the mare thought she had him, but her overconfidence led to her not being quick enough to catch him as he dodged or fast enough to duck under the stallions staff when he hit her. Thus the stallion with the staff won the match."

"But why? How?" Lighting asked.

"Because the stallion had the knowledge of his opponent, and where it was best to hit her for a clear victory. As you can see, there is more to a battle than just being stronger than your opponent," Celestia said.

"And I suppose the mare in the story was you?" Asked Lightning sheepishly.

"No," Celestia said, smiling to herself "It was Luna. She has never forgotten that day."

"But then what do we know about Conquest that can let us win?" Lightning asked.

Celestia sighed, "Very little, sadly. I have a little birdy who tells me some information that she gets from the Crystal Empire, but that is very little even with what I had gained from the archives. All we know is what he has told us: That he is a multiversal conqueror, and that he has laid waste to many universes beyond this one. Beyond that..."

Lightning walked to a window and ran his fingers along the cold glass, "So, we still don't have a good weapon that can help us win."

"That is why we must rely on our friendships and the bonds that we have made with each other to win this. If it is not strength of power that will win this fight, then we must rely on strength of heart and the strength of our friends hearts to guide us,"

"I just wish I wasn't so weak. I want to be able to protect my team but I just seem to keep losing them," Lightning said, looking away and letting out a sniffle. "I know I should blame them for their deaths but-"

"Lightning! What a horrible thing to say, how could you think that?" Celestia asked with a gasp.

"Well, it's what you told me to do when Twilight died," Lightning said calmly.

"What?" Celestia asked, her eyes wide with horror.

Lightning began to feel the room warm up slowly as he began to speak, "When Twilight died, you came to me as I was feeling down. You told me that it was all Twilight's fault, that she was to blame since she disobeyed orders and acted-" the heat gave him pause and when he turned around he could see a brief glimpse of pure hatred in her eyes. For a second, he stepped back in horror.

Almost as quickly as he anger rose, it quickly faded as she put a comforting hand on to Lightning's shoulder, "Lightning, when it comes to things like this, no one is truly to blame. Especially the person who died, and definitely not you. If you do that, then you make their deaths feel worthless. What Twilight did, she did because she was a hero until the end. She did it to protect the ones she loved."

"But, she went against orders, and she defied-"

"Lightning, tell me, if an assassin threatened someone you loved and you were told to not attack when you have a chance to save your loved ones, what would you do?" Celestia asked, looking into Lightning's eyes with a kind heart.

"I-" Lightning paused, as his instinct told him to follow command, but there was something else in the back of his mind that said differently, "-don't know."

Celestia frowned at this, "Lightning, the best thing to do right now, is not to let anger fester within you, but instead live. Remember your fallen friends as they once were, and live just as much as for them, as for yourself."

"But, it's so hard to do. I-"

"You have a friend in your little fairy, correct?" Celestia asked, looking at a little fairy as she floated outside the door. "Go with her, take a break and spend real time with her and see if I am wrong."

Lightning nodded and ran off. As he did, Luna walked in from the shadows, "I trust this means that you are going to have words with Celesto?"

"You assume I am going to let that bastard talk," Celestia said calmly as she stormed out the door. With slow determined steps, she walked through the castle halls and walkways, making her way through to the throne room.

As she walked, her strides carried with her purpose. Her body began to radiate with such heat that it caused the ponies in front of her to quickly jump out of the way and hide from her. Guards and workers who knew her from before the founding of United Equestria had never seen such anger, and now they had seen it, they never wanted to see it again. After she had passed the ponies, the ones who dared to step into the hallway behind her could still feel the heat from her passing.

When she made it to the throne room, she slammed open the doors with a harsh force that caused the court inside to jump. As her eyes gazed over the room, she flashed a look that told all present to vacate the room or else. After they all had left, Celestia glared daggers at her husband, "Celesto!"

"Celestia, my dear, what brings you to the throne room so angr-" his question was interrupted when he felt himself taken in by a golden aura and then thrown from his throne into the ground.

"You! You used my image to plant that horrible lesson into Lightning's head, and then you had me spout horrible nonsense to him!" Celestia said, stomping towards Celesto with her hands wreathed in fire.

"Yes, it is true. I used some of my mind powers to create an illusion of you to talk to Lightning. He was going on about how he felt bad about Twilight's death, I had to," Grand Ruler said, panting thanks to the heat.

"I do not care that you would use my image to further your own insidious propaganda. What enrages me," she said, blinking away the tears as she focused on Grand Ruler, "is that you dared to use me to besmirch Twilight's good name. That you would think that I would say something so vile about Twilight Sparkle, the mare who I loved as I would a daughter!"

"You have a daughter," Grand Ruler said, looking Liliane. The young girl half breed just watched the scene with wide eyes, as if she didn't even notice Celestia's rage.

Celestia did not pay attention to the young girl as she glared down at Grand Ruler, "Why? Why did you have me insult Twilight like that. Why did you make me say such bile!?"

"Because, it was to get Lightning to where needed him to. Be. If he kept on crying about Twilight's death, then he would never become an Enticorn," Grand Ruler said, trying to back away from the heat.

"You, used Twilight as a means to turn Lighting into your little weapon? You monster!" Celestia roared.

"Well, I had to. It is true of course, I mean, Twilight acted like a-"

"My daughter acted like a hero that day. She was willing to give her life to fight for me in spite of the odds. Something that you and your Starfleet are incapable of doing! While she was willing to fight for me, you were willing to hide behind your castle and guards like a coward! She had more heart on that day than your team has ever had!" Celestia said, raising a hand in front of her and pointed it at Grand Ruler, "I should burn you into cinders where you stand for your insolence."

Grand Ruler swallowed hard as he trembled, "B-but you won't because of the treaty. You kill me and it will incite riots, a civil war will break out and you can't possibly fight a war on two fronts. And you know it to be true, "Grand Ruler said, trying to get up, a false bravado on his face. "And you know it. That's why you gave me so much power in our treaty, so you could appease the Unicoprians. I have all of the power, and you can't do anything about it."

"Do not talk to me of our treaty, I know all too well how it was written. But do not think that it will protect you for long," Celestia said, lowering her flames.

"It give me the power to protect myself from your flames, my wife. It give me the power to make sure that those pathetic Equestrians know their place and fight in the correct way. That's all I need," Grand Ruler said as he walked out of the room.

With a roar of rage, Celestia threw a fireball at the door. Luna watched it fizzle and sighed, "It is a good thing I had the enchanters put a protective ward since the last time you were this angry."

"Luna, that bastard, he... he," Celestia panted as she felt her sister's arms wrap around her.

"I know Tia, I know," Luna said, and then frowned, "Why did you give him so much power in the treaty?"

Celestia shook her head, "I don't know. That question haunts me, everything about the signing does. There is a hole in my memory and I can't figure out how to replace it."

Luna nodded and broke the embrace, "You know what you said about Lightning being his sword, some would say that you use Twilight in the same manner."

"I know, but the truth is, I have always seen her like my daughter. Much like Sunset was," Celestia said, walking passed Lilliane and then picking up the sleeping Castor. "I saw great potential in Twilight and her ability to become the Element of Magic. All I did was give her the tools to become that. Looking up the legend about you, researching, telling me about the gems, that was all her. She was the one who took that step through the door I opened for her. I even made her a princess because I felt archmage was too small a reward."

"A reward?" Luna asked, picking up Liliane.

"For saving you," Celestia smiled softly. "But, if she had ever said no to me, if there was ever a moment when she said no... I would accept it. I would understand her desire to not do it. But, I know she wouldn't... she has too much of that stubborn heart of a hero."

"Yes, it is quite annoying!" Discord said, riding in on a while pillar of marble cake.

"Discord! What are you-"Luna began, but was quickly covered by a censor block.

"I saw Tia upset and decided to talk to her," Discord said, taking Castor in his arms. "Are you ok? Do you need a little feather?"

"No, I'm fine," Celestia said.

Discord then winked t Luna who had gotten the sticker off, "You better go Lulu. Me and Tia are about to go all lovey dovey here. I'll catch up with you back in your team's segment."

Luna walked away with a huff and Celestia giggled, "Discord, love... what would you do if you found out about an assassin hunting for me?"

"They would never get a chance. I would hunt them down with every fiber of my being and then subject them to such horror that they would never wake up again, "Discord said, kissing Celestia on the cheek. "Because, you know... I am quite fond of you."

"And I am fond of you too... Dissy," Celestia said, kissing her lover on the lips.

---

Belle smiled softly as she pulled out a book from the shelf of the library, taking a look at the cover and placing it under her arms. Softly, she took a deep breath to appreciate the book's scent and the wood smell of the giant tree that she had lived in. Turning around to her ladder, she looked at the library and took in the sight. Though it had only been five months since the mayor had let her stay in this library as both the librarian and owner of the house, it had felt like she had lived there for all of her live. A small frown did cross her lips as she had thought of how unused by the members of Starfleet the place was ,"Why can't they ever come here to read just for fun?" she asked with a sigh.

Shaking her head, she lifted the book and placed it on her lap as she sat on the ladder step. Opening the book, her eyes widened when she saw the picture of Twilight Sparkle and her five friends standing together in a group hug. Looking over to the dedication, she read "Dedicated to the greatest group of friends I had met." Closing the book, she reread the title out loud, "The Elements of Friendship book 1: Harmony"

She let out a small chuckle, and opened the book back to the photo. Tracing a finger along the image of Twilight, she whispered, "Hey Twilight. I hope you don't mind me adopting your friends as mine for a while." only to be interrupted by the sound of the door opening and the sound of feet walking across the wooden floor. Taking a look from her book, she waved at the little white teenager with purple and pink mane, "Hello Sweetie Belle! What are you in the mood for today."

"Hi Belle," Sweetie Belle said with a smile. "I was seeing if you had any more books on music magic.'

"Music magic?" Belle asked.

Sweetie Belle nodded, "Uh huh. Lyra calls it bardic magic and I was hoping to go to Bard School like her when I graduate. I've been kind of wanting to study that magic and learn more about it." she said, looking back at her cutie mark with a smile.

"Sure, I think it is," Belle held out her hand to try and levitate a book, and then frowned when she saw that she couldn't lift it. Getting off the ladder, she walked to a shelf and pulled out a book. "Here."

"Thanks," Sweetie Belle said, looking at the book. "You know, Twilight used to teach me all sorts of magic, when she could find the time for us. I kind of miss it."

"I could help you with some lessons," Belle said, getting off her ladder.

"But, you can't do magic... right?" Sweetie asked, confused.

Belle shook her head and placed a hand onto the teenager's shoulder, "That doesn't mean that I don't like to learn about it. It's kind of fun, and maybe learning from somepony who doesn't know how to wield unicorn magic can help you see from a new perspective?"

Sweetie Belle smiled and clasped her hands together, "Then you could watch me sing with some of the others. I already have about seven other people coming with me to hear me practice."

"Seven?" Belle asked.

"Yep, When Rarity comes by, I count her as two people because of the baby. Mina said that the baby has developed enough that I can sing and she will feel it. So, I sing to her so she knows most of the town is happy to see her."

Rarity called out from the doorway, "And you are sure that my baby is a girl, how?"

"Auntie intuition!" Sweetie Belle said, and then turned to look at Rarity. "Rarity!"

As Rarity gave her little sister a hug, she patted Sweetie Belle on the head, "Mother and Father are waiting outside for you."

"A trip, at this time? Is that wise?" asked Belle.

Sweetie Belle gave a nod, "Starfleet has said that Detrot is safe right about now, since they don't think Conquest is going to make another play for it. So, Mom and Dad said they were going to take me to see the radio city music hall."

"Sweetie Belle has been looking forward to this for a long time now," Rarity said, patting Sweetie belle on the head. "And besides, she knows if Conquest attacks-"

"You will come running for me," Sweetie Belle nodded and ran off to the carriage.

"Sweetie Belle can be such a sweet thing," Belle said, putting her book down and walking to one of the book shelves to organize it.

Rarity sighed and walked into the library, "She is indeed. I just wish Mother and Father could make more time to appreciate that fact. It makes me worry."

"Worried?" Belle asked, turning around to watch Rarity rub her belly.

"Well, it's just that... it feels like I raise Sweetie Belle more than my parents do, and while I have no doubt that my Mother and Father will become doting grandparents, I worry f I don't become too busy with my life to pay any attention to the little one. My life can be so hectic at times." she said, a small frown creasing her face and a tear rolling down her cheek

Belle walked over and gave Rarity a hug, "From what I have seen of you, I don't think you need to worry about that. From what I have seen of you, I think the little one is going to wind up becoming Mommy's Little Child."

Rarity smiled at Belle and looked down at her stomach, "You hear that, little one/ Mommy is going to dote and smother you with love and affection, and gifts when you come out."

Rarity then looked over Belle's shoulder and noticed a book on the table. Picking Up the book, she smiled when she looked at the title, and then to the picture on the front page. Looking down at the photo, she turned her eyes towards Belle, "We simply must take a group photo like this with you in it."

"Oh no, that isn't really-"

"Nonsense," Rarity said, putting the book down and then turning to look at Belle, "You are one of us now. You are as a dearest of friend as can be."

"Do you mean it?" Belle asked with a blush.

"Yes, dear of course," Rarity nodded.

Belle sighed and then ran a finger through her mane, blinking her grey eyes to remove the tears, "Rarity, thanks. You know, for everything.. For opening your heart to me even though I'm not really Twilight and giving me a name."

"Oh posh," Rarity said, waving a hand dismissively, "I believe in offering an open hand out to anypony who needs it. Giving them a chance to feel, complete and whole. No pony should be without the knowledge that there is a friendly face and a open hand out ready to help them in need. You are a friend, and that is all that is needed for me."

Belle nodded, and smiled as she gave Rarity a hug. Then she watched as Rarity led her to a seat and sat her down, "Rarity, what are you doing?"

"Your hair's a mess my dear," Rarity said with a smile as she sat Belle down. Then, the fashionista reached into her purse and brought out some combs and brushes. Holding some of her friends hair, she took a comb and began to brush it.

Belle let out a few groans and winces when Rarity found a few knots to undo, but within a few minutes she began to let out a sigh in contentment, "Thanks, Rarity."

"You are welcome dear," Rarity said. "You know, this takes me back, to when Twilight was around. I would help with her mane and she would help me with my business. You know, do little things like give me some figures or some possible business models for me to use. She would even give me her opinions on certain economics."

Belle closed her eyes and began to say, "Your shop has gone up point eight percent in the stock market. Sales look good for your fall wear."

"I see," Rarity said, smiling, "And would you say, Miss Belle, that I should hold a Nightmare Night sale, or should I hold off on that and wait until the Hearth's warming sales to really go at it."

Belle put a finger to her chin, "I think you should have a Nightmare Night sale. After all, I heard Gand Ruler is holding another ball soon in honor of his son."

"I see," Rarity said with a giggle.

The door then slammed open, and there was Fluttershy, paintinG-girls." she whispered.

"Fluttershy, you look frightened, what-"

"Get the girls, now. We have a problem." Fluttershy said.

---

"Pinkie Pie!" Dash shouted as she flew through the skies of Ponyville. Her magenta eyes were ever vigilant for her bright pink friend, flying at at top speeds across the sky and laying out a rainbow contrail cross pattern across the blue sky. In time, she caught sight of her friend asleep by the tree near a lark, "Pinkie I need-Whoah, am I interrupting something?" Dash asked as she looked down at the naked Pinkie Pie asleep next to Artie.

"Oh, morning Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie said, getting up from her sleeping position and standing up, "Nope, you're not interrupting anything. I was just catching some winks with my friend Artie."

"Right, sure," Dash said with a nod. After shaking her head for a moment she said, "Look, get dressed and meet me at Carousel Boutique, we're having an Element Meeting and we need everypony."

"Sure," Pinkie said, putting on her shirt and blue skirt, "Why?"

"It's about Fluttershy," Dash's said flying off.

With a quick nod, Pinkie waved goodbye and turned to look at Artie, "Bye Artie, see you later!"

"Bye," Artie said sleepily, "My friend."

After a few moments of travel, Pinkie Pie made her way to the Boutique and took a seat at a round table that Rarity had set up for them to sit at. This was when Fluttershy began to describe the events of that morning and as the words hit Pinkie's head, she slammed her hand against the table, "That jerk!"

"I had worst words for him but Rarity didn't want to hear it," Dash said, crossing her arms.

Rarity sipped some tea as she looked to Rainbow Dash, "As much as I loathe the man, I refuse to have us devolve to such vulgarity."

"Ah knew there was a reason why Ah didn't like that low down snake," Applejack said, laying her feet on the table. "Bad enough he messed with our heads to make us look like idiots, but to mind rape Fluttershy? Now that is going to far!"

"Not to mention, who knows how long he has been doing it to you," Belle said, putting down her book. "He could've been doing anything to your minds since you first met."

"And who knows who else has been doing this to us, Grand Ruler?" Dash said, leaning back.

"Artie wouldn't," Pinkie said, smiling, "I trust him."

"But, Grand Ruler messing with our minds would explain a lot about what has been happening to us over the last few years, wouldn't it?" Fluttershy said, looking up from behind her bangs.

"What do you mean?" Belle asked.

"Well, ever since we have met Starfleet, we have all had moments where we have acted... peculiar," Rarity said, looking down at her tea. "Me with that whole Midas thing, Pinkie has acted more eccentric, Fluttershy is more timid, and of course Rainbow acts brasher."

"Or like with Twilight's death!" Dash said, slamming her hand on the table. "Remember? She ran half-cocked after Raven without thinking, and that's my job! She would've been hanging back thinking of a way to take her down, not running off!"

"Indeed," Rarity nodded.

Rainbow Dash then punched her fist into the palm of her hand, "Then I say, let's go to Flutter's cottage, kick his ass, and then interrogate him. Lets get to the bottom of this whole mess."

"We can't!" Applejack said, staring at Rainbow Dash. "We don't got any proof."

"Fluttershy can testify!" Rainbow Dash said.

Rarity shook her head, "A wife cannot testify against her husband in United Equestria, we wouldn't have a leg to stand on."

"But we have proof! Fluttershy's word-"

"Can easily be thrown out.,' Applejack said with a shake of her head. "We need to have proof that he is doing something before we make a move, otherwise it looks bad on us."

"Then Fluttershy is just going to head back home," Belle said.

"No, no, and heck no!" Dash shouted, "You heard the story Belle, she goes back and she is going to get her mind raped again."

"Oh, you didn't let me finish," Belle said, laying her elbows onto the table and entwining her fingers together, "I want her to head home, because that's part one..."

---

"-you know, all things considered," Zephyr said, placing his arm over Rhyme's shoulders, not noticing the look of rage coming across his lips. "I think that you're little club, isn't exactly the place for me. I mean, I have heard that it get routinely burned down, you don't come by too often to manage it, and the place looks like a pig stye. Now me? I think I could run it better, if I wasn't busy myself."

"I see,

Please leave," Rhymey groaned.

"Like you see, I just got served a 'pink slip' from my latest job at Barnes But No Bell. Because they didn't like the way I stacked the books or arranged things. But within a day, I was able to make it so that all of the interesting books were up front and all of those boring books were in storage. That's the way I could run your place, if you let me."

"Surely you have to roam.

Why don't you go home?" Remedy growled, narrowing his eyes while his horn began to glow.

"Aw, but I haven't finished telling you about some of my best work!" Zephyr said, frowning a little. "I mean, did you know I did try to spend a stint in trying to help out Starfleet with their uniforms? Got all of them painted a wonderful green. Just like me. Or how about when I-"

Rhymey slammed his hands against the table, "Listen here you miserable-"

"I'm hoe," Fluttershy softly said, stepping into the kitchen. "Oh, I am so glad to see you two getting along. Zephyr, I want to spend some time alone with my husband. Do you mind?"

Zephyr got off the chair and walked to his big sister, and quickly drew her into a hg, "Aw sure thing, Bis Sis! Maybe you and I can catch up some more later."

Fluttershy hugged Zephyr back and kissed his cheek, "Sure thing. Let's eat a Sugar Cube Corner and I'll order you a really nice cupcake."

"Wow, I must have done something really special to warrant a surprise like that," Zephyr said.

"Oh, trust me... you did," Fluttershy said, leading her younger brother out the door. Then she turned to look at Rhymey, a soft smile creeping on her lips as she placed her hands onto her dress, "Rhymey, I want to apologize."

"You do?" Rhymey asked, getting up from his chair.

Fluttershy noded and blushed, "Yes, I was acting like such a meanie back there. You are only trying to look out for me, and that is no reason for me to act all mean back there."

"Oh really?" Rhymey asked, standing up and walking close to Fluttershy. His eyes then narrowed at the yellow pegasus, making her flinch a little, "Does this mean you see the truth, finally?"

"Yes, that you love me. I," Fluttershy shook her head as she began to rub her face against the palm of his hand. "I-I was foolish for ever questioning it. I know why I love you, and why you love me and that is all that is important."

"Now you see, my dove?

That is the answer I want, my love," Rhymey said, leaning in and kissing her lips softly.

Fluttershy blushed, "Oh, you make me giggle when you do that. This also why I have, decided..."

As she trailed off, Rhymey looked on in curiosity as he turned to looked into her eyes, "You have decided what, Fluttershy?

Why is there a tear from your eye?"

"B-b-because, I have decided to leave Starfleet and abandon my friends," Fluttershy said, holding Rhymey close as tears began to roll down her cheek ,"I want to stay here, where I belong. All of this fighting, it's too much for me. I want to be here, where I can be safe and protected by you. My love, my only."

Rhymey smiled and hugged Fluttershy tightly, "Oh, my beloved wife

This is the happiest I've been in my life."

"I thought it would make you happy. After all, the battlefield i s no place for a meek, weak, and defenseless girl like myself," Fluttershy said, walking away from the embrace.

"That is correct

Though your attitude makes me suspect," Rhymey said, looking at his wife as she began to make her way to the cabinet.

"Of your decision

How did you come to this conclusion?"

"Well," Fluttershy smiled sweetly, giving a wink to her lover, "Starfleet is strong and always right. That is all I need to know that I am in the wrong. Friendship, thinking that there is more to us than what is on the outside, that we could be more than what we are, what a joke, am I right?"

"Right," Rhymey nodded, enjoying this side of Fluttershy.

The demure pegasus nodded and then placed two cups onto the table. Taking out some leaves and some herbs, she began to boil water, until the leaves turned the water into a light brown color. Pouring out the water gingerly, she turned to Rhymey, "This is why, I think we need to toast. To my new lifestyle and maybe," Fluttershy blushed.

"Maybe?" Rhymey asked, taking the tea in hi s hands.

"Maybe, discuss, a family?" Fluttershy blushed, trying to advert her gaze from Rhymey.

Rhymey had a smile on his lips as he tipped his glass against hers, getting a squeak from her in response, "Nothing will make me happier,

Than to see you in a family matter."

"I'm glad to hear that," Fluttershy said, sipping her tea along with Rhymey. Then, she clasped his hands and sighed, "Rhymey, what do you think of my friends?"

"You friends? You mean those wimps that you hang out with? Those pathetic morons, are nothing more than the worst of the worst. Filling the populace with ideas like friendship and love, thinking that they can fix everything. Bah! They know nothing, they are useless and I am glad that you are spending time away from them!" Rhymey said, smirking as he waved his hand off in a dismissive manner, not realizing that he had stopped rhyming, "Why, Applejack is nothing more than a hick who I am surprised has managed to survive this long, Pinkie Pie is just an overly emotional puppy, Rarity is a snooty and stuck up damsel, but those are just the small fry. The worse of the lot if Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle."

Fluttershy then smiled a little bit as Rhymey's eyes opened in horror as the realization that he had stopped rhyming dawned on him, "And what about them?"

Rhymey tried to place a hand onto his mouth to stop talking, but the world bled from his mouth, "Rainbow Dash is an egotistical jock who needs a good beatdown in order to teach her a lesson. And Twilight-" he finally managed to stop himself before going any further. He then glared at Fluttershy as she stood up from the table, "What did you do to me?"

"Gave you a truth serum," Fluttershy then put a hand to her mouth and blushed, "I'm sorry. I mean a truth poison."

"A truth... poison?" Rhymey asked, getting up as his face became red with anger.

"Yes. Oh didn't I tell you? Sorry," Fluttershy blushed, "Before coming here, I paid a visit to Zecora. She gave me some flowers to make a special tea just for you. I think she said that they come from the seeds of truth and really add a bit of cherry flavor to a tea. Oh, and they can force a pony to tell the truth when ingested."

"You miserable cunt! How could you do this to me!" Rhymey growled.

Fluttershy frowned, "You had no right to treat me like a porcelain doll! I am not some toy that you can just hide away and put on display, only to take out when you want to show me off! I am a living being with real thoughts and emotions that you can't deny. There is more to me than thi a weak defenseless damsel. I can be strong when I want to be and I will always want to be there for my friends. But you don't see that, no, you don't want to see that because that would ruin your little doll. Well, I am not going to stand for it. You can either accept me for who I am or leave! I tried to honor our vows, I tried to treat you like you deserved to be and think that you could become better, but I can see now. You never wanted me, you wanted a doll."

"You bitch!" Rhymey roared as he threw a punch at Fluttershy's head, which she quickly dodged. Growling, he threw a kick and another punch, "You can't dodge forever." he said, throwing another punch, only for it to be intercepted by a blue blur."

"She doesn't have to," Rainbow Dash said, holding the fist in her hand, glaring her magenta eyes at Rhymney. Before he could make a move, He was thrown back into the couch by a blue aura, and a hard kick.

When he had time to clear his senses, he looked down at a cake that read 'got you.' and when he looked up, he saw Applejack standing on one side of the sofa, with her leg resting on the arm, draping her arm over her knee. Tipping her hat, she smirked, "Howdy." When Rhymey looked around the room he saw Pinkie on the other side of the couch, resting her hand chin on her hands. Standing behind him were Belle and Rarity, Belle with a book in her hand, while Rarity's horn blazed bright blue. Looking ahead of him, were Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, the latter holding one arm around Fluttershy while giving her a potion,

Belle smiled, "See, I was correct. All the drink would do to Fluttershy is just remove her inhibition, but since Rhymey has had his mind so trained and due to his irregular biology from us, it took away Rhyming powers as well as force him to tell the truth. Excellent deception Fluttershy."

"Who's the idiot now," Rainbow Dash smirked.

Before Rhymey had a chance to protest, Applejack began to speak, "Now, here's how this is gonna work. We can't exactly prove that you mind raped Fluttershy."

"Nor can we be sure that if we did, that you would be subject to a fair trial and Grad Ruler would not use this little legal fracas against us ruin our reputations," Rarity said.

"Or to make our lives worse," said Belle before adding, "Not to mention, we know that your family is very deeply rooted in the inner workings of Starfleet. As a matter of fact, you are one of the first families that existed, and your ancestor was one of the first members. So to bring this up would be very detrimental to you, wouldn't it?"

"You probably have so many secrets!" Pinkie said, rolling onto her back, "Secrets about Starfleet that you have no choice to get you if we asked. Grand Ruler wouldn't like that, would he? He might do ANYTHING to make sure that your secrets wouldn't get out. Not to mention, your family would look bad."

"And ain't nothing more important than family," Applejack said, fixing her hat. "So, here's the deal. We give ya the cure, and that'll fix your truth problem. Sadly, your rhyming magic is so ingrained into your head that the potion kind of blocked it off, permanently."

"Why are you giving it me," asked Rhymey calmly.

Belle let out a sigh, "It seems that Starfleet still holds a lot of respect in the eyes of Unicorpians. A scandal like this would break their trust in you, and that can give Conquest more power than we are willing to give him. So, for now, we still need you on the team and in high standing."

"What's the condition? You are not giving this for free." growled Rhymey.

Dash narrowed her eyes, "You leave Fluttershy alone. You leave this cottage and go on home. Make up some story about you wanting some time away and wanting to respect your fallen teammates. But you never come here again, got it!?"

"Fine," Rhymey said, rolling his eyes in disgust, "I'll leave, now the potion."

Rarity levitated the potion to Rhymey and handed to him, "Hear you are dear."

Growling, Rhymey took a drink of the potion. Then he go t up and began to walk away, "You can keep my stuff, after all... I might need it again."

As the door closed behind Rhymey, Rainbow Dash fist bumped the air, "All right! We kicked him out! We are rad!"

"Everyone, I just want to-" Fluttershy began

Applejack was quick to silence her friend, "Don't mention it. We are always there for each other, remember?"

"Especially when you need us," Rarity said.

Dash hugged Fluttershy, "Yeah, we always will be ready to stand by you. No matter what you decide. Marry a jerk, mess up your life, anything. We will stand by you, because we love you."

"Thanks Dashie," Fluttershy said, hugging Rainbow Dashi, "I love you too."

As Pinkie watched Rainbow Dash hug Fluttershy, she felt her toes tingle. With a giggle, she said, "Hey, Belle, lets go and read the Cakes a little bedtime story."

"But, it isn't." Pinkie lightly nudged Belle, silencing her . Belle then glanced to Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash as they stayed in each other's embrace, "Oh, right. We should be reading to the little foals, shouldn't we?"

"Yeah, and Ah need to help Daphne with her... botany," Applejack said, winking at the two mares.

Rarity let out a giggle, "Take care you two. I think you made a wonderful choice, Fluttershy."

"What does she mean by that?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Fluttershy blushed, "I, don't know. But, do you want to help me clean up?"

"Sure," Rainbow Dash said, shrugging. "Then maybe we could go and watch some of the eagles flying."

"But, don't you get bored?" Fluttershy asked.

"So what? It's something fun to do," Rainbow Dash said, winking at her, "with you."

---

Titan pulled away from his go board, and turned back to the one with Celestia and Conquest. Walking to it, he took away three black stones and placed down one black stone, "I have heard it said, that the worst kind of opponent is the one you know personally. After all, if your enemy is a faceless foe, then you you do not care if you kill them or not. However, if you know their name and their family, it becomes harder to kill them doesn't it. Suddenly that faceless foe who you kill is now a father, a mother, or a brother."

Looking at the board, he let out a sigh, "It was easy for my generals, now they have been corrupted. They are slowly gaining a heart and starting to see how hard it is to keep on fighting. Especially when your opponents now have faces."

---

Rep-stallion strutted down the halls of the slave quarters, a pair of headphones on his ears. He was glad to have them playing out a rock song, it helped to drown out some of the slaves' screams as he passed them by. With his lizard-like feet leaving behind a slimy step as he walked, adding to the haunting atmosphere. Occasionally, he would hear a plea or a scream that would cause him to shudder or pause. He would be the first admit that he hated the slave quarters, the things that he had seen some of the men do was too nightmare inducing for him to forget.

As he walked by one of the prisoner's chambers, he caught sight of two of his subordinates standing over a trembling form, "We'll, look at this," said a pegasus mare, licking her lips, "Another pathetic Unicorpian found her way to the prison. I think it's about time we gave her the welcome rutting."

"How about I take the ass and you take the face, love," said the earth pony by her side.

Rep quickly pointed the end of his scythe at their backs, "How about you both stand down and back away nicely?!"

"Rep-stallion, sir!" the mare said, saluting. "We were just-"

"Forgetting my orders? You know the law, as long as I am on watch, you are not to rape any one, am I clear?" Rep growled.

"But sir, it's just an Unicorpian," said the stallion, but was quickly punched in the gut.

Rep hissed, "I do not care if she is a freaking whore, you are not to rape anyone when I am around. Try this again and I will cut your groins off with a spoon and serve them to the Harpies, am I clear?"

"Yes sir!" they both said and ran off.

"Those guys really get on my last nerve," Rep said, returning his scythes back into his arms. The he looked down at the fallen mare, "Hope they didn't get too far with their-I know you!"

The light brown scorpion smiled and brushed back her unkempt mane, "And am I supposed to thank you?"

"You're that Inquierus girl! That chick who keeps asking questions all the time," Rep said.

"And you are Rep, are you not?" she asked, adjusting her shirt and vest before sitting against the wall.

"Guilty as charged," Rep said with a bow.

"Why did you help me? "Inquierous asked.

"Because I don't believe in rape," Rep said. "I don't like it and I think prisoners should be treated with respect. I am here to show off how badass I am, not to torture my captives. I maybe following Conquest's orders, but that doesn't mean I have to do everything he says." he then sat with the mare, "So, let me ask you a question, do you have to speak like that all the time?"

Inquierus thought, and then through for a little bit more, and then giggled, "Actually, truth be told, I only talk in questions to mess with everyone's minds. Ha ha, you see the looks on their faces when I pull that off and they are left getting so mad at me."

As her explanation hit Rep, he smiled and shook his head, "You little troll, you."

"Guilty!" Inquierus laughed. "But, truth be told, that's becoming less fun as of late. As soon as we fused with Equestria, it seems that everypony has forgotten about me. They don't even come over to my library anymore. It's like I-"

"Don't exist? Yeah, welcome to the club," Res daid. "It seems to happen a lot to you Unicorpians. The moment you are not useful to Grand Ruler or serve any purpose to him in any war, you are forgotten about and thrown away like trash. It makes me sick!"

"To tell you the truth, I would've almost welcomed the rape, at least then I would've felt like someone recognized me and noticed me, even if it was for only a minute," Inquierus said, a depressed sigh escaping her lips.

"Hey," Rep objected, "I notice you, and I can see you."

Inquierus blushed a little a this, "Thanks."

"Hey," Rep said, placing his hand behind his head and letting out a few chuckles, "I have this garden outside of the base."

"I thought nothing grew out here in the wasteland," Inquierus asked.

"Well, it doesn't, but me and the gang made a little garden with some magic and some tricks," Rep smiled. "I was kind of wondering, maybe we could take it in together? Maybe sit in the garden and watch the sunrise? Dementia isn't really into that thing and Mysterious spends way too much time philosophizing about life and death when we spend time there."

"I-" Inquierus hesitated for a moment, and then smiled, "would love to. On the morrow then?"

Rep smiled as he took her hand, "On the morro-"

As their hands touched, Rep's eyes went wide as his vision was obscured by a blinding white light.

In his vision, he saw two figures sitting on a couch together and gazing into each other's eyes. The male of the duo placed his hand onto her very visibly pregnant stomach and smiled as he looked into her eyes. Though Rep could not hear the words spoken between the couple, he could read the words on the male's lips "I love you, marry me tonight."

As Rep-stallion pulled away, Inquierus looked down, "Are you alright?"

"Y-yeah, I'm fine, just fine. I got to go," Rep-stallion said, leaving the room. As he ran out, he quickly bumped into Mysterious.

"And, so another falls," Mysterious said, chuckling. "It seems that the lady has caught your eye, much like Dimentia has had been entrapped by Starla."

Rep rubbed the side of his face where he ran into his friends, "It isn't like that Mysterious, I'm just-"

"Being kind, friendly to her, and caring for her. It is all right, we all seem to be getting those moments. It probably won't be long until I get close to an Unicorpian myself," Mysterious said with a sigh. "I blame this world. It's been opening up our hearts more and more we spend here. Do you think that is what a heart truly is? Our bonds, emotions, and memories?"

"I don't know, I just came here to kick ass and take names," Rep said.

"Yes, but there are times when i wonder," Mysterious said, looking out the window, "Did you hear about Titan's latest minion? Magus?"

"Yeah, she used to be a pony, but then he took her memories and turned her into that... thing," Rep let out a shudder, "I hope that never happens to us."

"Why?" Mysterious asked.

Rep turned his head to the side and growled, "Because I like who I become, I like who I am, and I love who my friends are! To think that can be so easily taken away is, scary."

Mysterious nodded, "Indeed, but if we had a secret past, would that make us more complete?"

"I don't know, I just hope the me now would like the me back then," Rep chortled.

---

"Starla?" Dimentia asked, walking into Starla's room and seeing a ladder in the middle. With a curious gaze, she looked up to see it leading to a dome, "Starla? You up there?"

Popping her head over the rim, the white unicorn nodded, "Um, yes. Care to come up?"

Nodding, Dimentia followed the ladder up to sit under a glass dome. Necx to Starla was the telescope that she had brung to her a few days ago," Did you make this?"

"Yeah," Starla said, smiling softly, "I wanted to use my magic for something at least. I just wanted to, you know, start to feel like a living being again."

"And you chose stargazing?" Dimentia asked, leaning against the dome and looking at her young friend.

"Well, yeah," Starla said, running a finger through her purple mane and twirling it in her finger, "I remember how I used to love it. I used to spend hours just laying under the stars and reading them and making up stories about them. It's how me and Lightning first me you know, I told him a story in the stars. I kind of wished... we spent more time doing that. But instead, stuff just kept happening. He would get caught up in his duties all through the day and we barely had any time to ourselves. Shoot, it got to the point where I forgot how much happiness this brought to me. Reading these stars, they...made me feel alive for the first time in months. I remember how me and my Mom used to watch the stars together. Maybe I should've listened to my selfish Dad and went with this instead."

"How was your Pop selfish? "Dimentia asked.

Starla shook her head, "He... wanted me to stay out of Starfleet. He didn't want me to end up like my Mom and wanted to be more peaceful."

"And is that really such a problem? He only wanted to keep you safe," Dimentia said. "It sounds more like he just wanted you to stay alive. Let me guess... Grand Ruler told you he was selfish."

Starla said nothing, only looking down and sighing. She let out a little sob as she said, "I just wished he was alive, so I can say I was sorry."

Dimentia looked to Starla, and then placed a comforting hand onto her shoulder, "How about you tell me a story."

"Me? Tell you a story?" Starla asked, her eyes widening in shock, and then with a smile said, "Sure! See, there is something weird about the stars in this dimension."

"What?" Dimentia asked.

Starla pointed her telescope to the sky and then let her friend look at it, "Well, you see, the stars change almost every week to some other starry sky. I began to notice it about a month after I got here, but only really started to put the puzzle together right now. I think this is because every time Conquest takes over a world, he pulls in the stars from that dimension. I think it keeps it from getting boring for him."

"I see," Dimentia said. "But why are some of these stars different colors?"

"Oh, those are planets, and that brings me to the story I want to tell," she said, pointing to a group of stars in a circle, "See that circle of multicolored stars?"

"Yes?" Dimentia nodded.

"Well, you see, just as there are multidimensional entities out there that represent chaos like hatred, death, and corruption, there are multiversal entities that represent harmony. These are meant to protect life and keep balance in the multiverse," She said, and then began to point to the different stars, starting with an orange star" Honesty."

Then she pointed to a cyan star, followed by a white star, and then a pink star, "Loyalty, Generosity, and Laughter."

Moving next in the clockwise circle, she continued, pointing to a yellow star, a carrott orange star, a jasmine star, a grey star, a mulberry star, and a mint green star, "Kindness, Tenacity, Courage, Hope, Wisdom, and Protection."

Then she pointed to a light blue star, "And finally Faith. These eleven were meant to protect the multiverse, but there was a tragic part of their mission."

"What was it?" asked Dimetnia.

"They were not united. They did not know that the others existed and thus were left standing all alone. This made them weaker, and left them with a hole in their hearts that needed to be filled. But, they did not know with what, for they did not know how to communicate with each other. That is when Harmony itself gave birth to one more virtue, and unless I miss my guess, you should see it right... now!" Starla smiled as a bright lavender star began to shine in the middle of the eleven stars. "She gave birth to Friendship and with Friendship came its little sister Love. When friendship entered the picture, she brought the eleven together at last letting them meet each other together for the first time."

"Thanks to her, she showed how each other offered protection for each other. She showed that together, weakness faded and their strengths shown brighter. Through her light, she showed how they could stand united and become almost invincible. Squabbles, arguments, and even past pains could be redeemed as long as each was together. And so with Friendship's light, did the twelve virtues protect the multiverse.:

As Starla finished her story, Dimentia sat back and looked on in wonder, "Wow."

"Thanks," giggled Starla. Then her face narrowed in seriousness, "Now you tell me a story. What happened on the day Equestria fell? Tell me the whole story. You and the other trio are the only ones I can trust to give me the truth."

"Tell you the whole story? Ok, but you aren't going to like what you hear, but it's all true," Dimentia said.

Starla nodded, "Right now, after knowing that Grand Ruler might have messed with me and everything Conquest said to me, I think you are the only one capable of telling me the truth.

Dimentia nodded, "First, tell me what you remember about that day."

"Well, it was a celebration for the coronation of Princess Twilight Sparkle, and you guys invaded. The Element Bearers tried to band together as one with the elements and zap you with the power to do something. It failed and then you enslaved them. Then we came in to liberate the planet before everything went south," Starla said.

"And there we have a problem," Dimentia said, pointing a finger to herself. "I remember it differently. The Element Bearers never had a chance to use the elements because they weren't there. You guys came in after the fun was over.'

"But, that is how I remember it, or at least how Celestia told it. It was back when Grand Ruler had his heartwarming reunion with his lost love," Starla said.

Dimentia chuckled, "Oh yeah, 'lost love'."

"What, it's a heartwarming story," Starla said.

"Yeah, if any of it were true," Dimentia said.

"What do you mean? They met somewhere else than Princess Camp?" Starla asked, looking a little shocked.

"No, I am saying that the whole thing is a bunch of bull," Dimentia said. "Celestia and Luna were homeschooled by their parents, King Titan of the Sky and Queen Terra of the Earth."

"King Titan?" Starla asked.

"Yeah, same name as my boss, intersting world isn't it?" Dimentia said. "They were then trained in the art of magic by Starswirl the Bearded when they were teenagers. So care to tell me when they had time to meet in between all of this? Heck, barring all of that, how come he made no mention of being there when the three tribes united?"

"The unification of the... well, it's because it," Starla then tried to find the right answer but could only squeak out, "Never happened?"

Dimentia shook her head, "Then what about Discord, Sombra, and Nightmare Moon? We are talking a period of centuries, if not millennia! How can a pony become a royal guard and stay that way for so many years and not only not age but not marry his so called 'true love'?"

"Because... because," Starla looked down, "I don't know. I thought I knew but the more I think about his story, the less it makes sense. It feels like everything I have been taught is right is being destroyed in front of me."

"Can I continue my story?" Dimentia asked.

"Y-yes," Starla whispered.

(three years ago)

It all began when me and the boys were just lounging around the old HQ, when 'Nightmare Moon' appeared before us. Flying high in the sky above our heads, she bellowed, "If you wish to conquer a new world, come and follow me. I will bring you to a world full of power."

Not having anything better to do, we decided to follow her. If I had known then the opponents we were fighting, I would've said no. But, she said they were weak and defenseless, and that we could win easily... we were wrong.

It was a bright and sunny day in the Crystal Empire. The ponies had gathered for a celebration in honor of the Lunar Princess's birthday. With such a large crowd present, Luna had felt a little nervous and would occasionally look to her sister for help;however, Celestia would just smile and give her an encouraging nod. This helped eased her troubles.

As the cake was being brought out, that was when the sky began to darken, "Twilight? What's happening."

"I don't know," Twilight said, looking back at the Crystal Heart. "The Crystal Heart is ok, so the weather should be-"

She was interrupted by a shout from above, "Foals! Bow before your new Queen, Nightmare-"

"Cease your blasphemy demon!" Luna shouted with all of the might of the Canterlot Voice. "Remove your facade and reveal your true form! Stop this disgrace to my name!"

"Why I am Nightmare Moon," Nightmare Moon said, holding her hoof to her chest.

"Silence! You cannot be Nightmare Moon for she is me!" Luna growled. "I can still feel her in my head, wishing to be unleashed, so tell me how you have taken on my form."

"Simple, when the Elements of Harmony blasted you, it separated me from you. Then I went into an alternate dimension and became stronger," Nightmare Moon said with a calm expression.

Luna was not impressed, "Unless you had a mad unicorn mix the blood of the most powerful unicorn with the remnants of my armor to create a reincarnation of myself, I doubt that. Now, I ask again, who are you?"

"How about you beat me and find out?" asked Nightmare Moon as she dived for Luna.

Celestia looked to Cadence as she took flight, "Cadence, take Shining Armor and protect the civilians. I'll help Luna."

"Yes, Celestia," Cadence said, walking off.

Twilight was about to give commands to her friends, when Dash shouted, "Twilight, up there!"

Twilight looked up and saw Dimentia, Rep, and Mysterious hovering in mid-ari before landing, "They're bipedal? But how? I have to ask later."

We would've said something, but frankly we got distracted by the three alicorns fighting above our heads. Celestia would pelt Nightmare Moon with sun bolts from above while Luna just wailed on her with hooves and ice strikes. By the time we had focused on the battle, the six had already formed a line and stared us down. I could faintly remember Rep saying how easy it was going to be.

"Whoever you are, you can back off right now and surrender. We don't have to do this," Twilight said,

"Trust me, we do. We work for that girl in the sky, " Rep-stallion said, spinning his scythe in one hand. "But hey, look at it this way, slavery ain't that bad. So, just give up."

I wanted to say something else, but when got a look at Twilight's eyes, it was a little overwhelming. It was like she was deconstructing us as we were standing there, and then was taking in the abilities of her friends. If I didn't know better, I could've sworn she was calculating the best way to beat us with the least amount of damage. But, we still thought we could win. After all, you Starfleet twerps are pathetic without your powers, so why not the inferior ponies?

"Hey!" Starla shouted, though a smile was on her face.

"Ok, talking is out and we are lacking the elements. Call it, Twilight!" Applejack said, pushingher hat over her eyes.

"Applejack, Rainbow Dash, take on the guy in the cloak. Pinkie, Fluttershy, fight the reptile. Rarity, follow me!" Twilight said, igniting her horn. Around her, she created a shield that teleported her and Dimentia away from the ponies. This left the four left to face down their opponents.

Applejack raced to Mysterious, "It is futile, my body is like steel, you can't hurt me!"

"Shame," Applejack said, ducking under Rainbow Dash as she flew straight at the pony in a cloak and delivered fifty punches into Mysterious' gut in a second. Then the blue flew away, letting Applejack to punch hard with her right hoof, sending Mysterious flying back, "Because steel breaks."

"AHHHH!" Mysterious let out a howl of pain as he was sent flying back from the hit.

Rep-stallion smiled as he leaned to the trembling Fluttershy and said, "Boo!"

Starla nodded, "Now this I remember. This is where Fluttershy screamed and fainted."

"You don't know Fluttershy," Dimentia said.

Fluttershy then straightened up, narrowed her eyes and focused them. Rep began to back away as he could feel Fluttershy's Stare burrow deep into his soul and make him feel like he was the worst piece of slime on the planet, "How dare you! Why do you need to come to our world and attack it? We did nothing to you and now you go and ruin our world for everypony. Why? Now, you go and apologize before I talk to your mother!"

Before Rep could apologize, Pinkie Pie knocked him out with a hammer.

Dimentia looked at Twilight with a smile. Bringing out a staff, she charged at the purple alicorn. Twilight flew above her and moved to the left. With another dodge, she moved to the right. Twilight repeated the process two more times before standing in the middle of the building. Dimentia charged, only to watch as Twilight's horn began to crackle with electricity. Surprised, the white mare looked up to see the places where Twilight had dodged to were now replaced by crystal pillars made by Rarity and her magic. Before Dimentia could get out of the way, she was electrocuted by Twilight's chain lighting spell.

"You were taken out in three minutes?" Starla asked shocked.

Dimentia nodded, "I thought it was two myself. But this is what appens when you fight with brains."

"But, what about Nightmare Moon?'

Nightmare Moon and Luna clashed in the sky, hoof against hoof. After a series of punches from each alicorn, Luna swiped one hoof away from her face and delivered a three hit combo that sent Nightmare Moon reeling back. As the Nightmare recoiled, she charged up an ice bolt and fired it at Luna. This bolt was melted thanks to a sun shield casted around Luna by Celestia. Before Nightmare Moon knew what happened next, she felt a scorching ray hit her in the side, followed by a flare that blinded her. When her eyesight returned, she was greeted by a hoof that knocked her out of the sky and into a roof of the building.

Nightmare Moon shook her head as she stood up, letting out a gasp as a series of fireballs and ice spikes flew down from the heavens. Backing away from the series of strikes, she took to the skies once more to glare at the two sisters. With a growl, Nightmare Moon flew at Celestia with an ice spear aimed at her heart. However, Luna flew under the nightmare queen and threw five hoof strikes into the chest and stomach. Then she flew to Nightmare Moon's side to blast her with a white beam of ice magic.

Struggling, Nightmare Moon tried to craft a shield to reflect the ice magic back at Luna. However, Celestia used the opening to blast Nightmare Moon with a solar ray, allowing Luna to punch and hit her with an ice spear that impaled her hind leg to the ground. Using a spell to heal her leg, she growled as she looked at the two sisters, "So, it seems that I am unable to beat you when you two are together. You back up one another and keep the other safe. I'll have to remove that advantage."

"What do you mean?" Luna asked, before watching in horror as Celestia is enveloped in a dark blue bubble. Then before she could move to break her sister out, she could only watch helplessly as Celestia blinked out of existence, "TIA! What did you do to her?"

"I sent her far away, to a place where she would not bother us," Nightmare Moon said, panting a little. "So now it's just you and me."

"Bring her back," Luna growled, her horn becoming white from the glow of her ice magic. "Bring her back or I will force you to."

"Then beat me, and maybe I will tell you," smirked the nightmare as she began to fly away from the wave of cold sent her way.

Dispelling her cold wave, luna flew in front of the nightmare to punch her chest repeatedly. Letting out a gasp and howl of pain, Nightmare Moon quickly managed to cast a spell that fire an ice spike into Lina's shoulder. Using this opening, Nightmare Moon punched Luna hard enough to send her flying across several city blocks. Before Luna could react, Nightmare Moon formed a long ice spear and sent it flying at Luna. Seeing the spear aiming at her, Luna caught it in her magic, broke it into several smaller pieces and sent them flying back into Nightmare Moon, leaving deep gashes in her body. Luna then flew at Nightmare Moon, slamming her foreleg into the nightmare's throat and slammed her body into a rooftop, "Tell me where she is or I will rip the information from your dying dreams!" growled the lunar princess as she glared into Nightmare Moon's eyes with a look that would kill a normal pony.

"Never!" Nightmare Moon spat out, her horn crackling with electricity. Knocking Luna into the air with a hard buck, Nightmare Moon unleashed a stream of powerful lightning that struck with such a force it would've killed a normal pony. For Luna, she was just left writhing in pain and agony in the sky. Using this to her advantage, Nightmare Moon took to the sky and struck at Luna with a powerful wave of ice magic that sent her opponent into the ground, making a crater where she landed and turning Luna into an ice statue.

Nightmare Moon's laughter echoed, "Now, do you realize what you are up against?"

"Yes," Luna spoke, moving the ice around her, keeping it close to her body like armor. "A filly playing a mare's game,"

Before Nightmare Moon could react, Luna forged spikes on her ice armor and flew at her opponent.

"Luna had the advantage, why didn't she win?" asked Starla.

Nightmare Moon cheated.

Nightmare Moon screamed in pain as she flew through a building and into the street below. Her body was covered in wounds, blood trailing along open cuts while her breath came in short pants. As she struggled to get up, she got a good look at Luna. While the night princess was injured in a similar fashion, it was clear that if the battle kept on that it would end in Luna's victory. Holding up her hoof, she ordered, "Halt, stand down and tell the Element Bearers to let my men go."

"Why should I?" Luna asked.

"Because if you don't, I will cast my final spell that will send every foal into a deep eternal slumber. There, they be forced into slaves for the Nightmare King. Now, I am sure you could stop me before I can hit all the foals in Equestria, but what of the ones you missed?" Nightmare Moon chuckled.

Luna growled and shouted to the element bearers, "Bearers of the Elements, stand down!"

With a sad nod, the six nodded and stepped away from the prisoners. Nightmare Moon laughed wickedly as she stepped up to Luna and punched her hard in the gut, "That's right, kneel before the queen like a good servant."

"This should be where Celestia came to tell Grand Ruler what had happened to Equestria and then we came in to save it," Starla said.

Actually, you missed the good part.

Nightmare Moon sat on her throne, Luna next to her in chains. Every Time the nighttime mare moved, she would feel a surge of electricity flow through her body. Occasionally, Nightmare Moon would kick Luna in the stomach, As she took a pear in her mouth, a guard came running in, "Nightmare Moon, there is a mare here to see you."

"Send her in," Nightmare Moon said, smiling.

Rarity stepped through the open doors of the throne room, leaving behind a rage filled Rainbow Dash as she shouted, "Rarity, you cheating no good bitch! I will kill you!"

"Oh, hush cretin," Rarity said, brushing off Rainbow Dash with a wave of her hoof. Turning to look at Nightmare Moon, she bowed, "Nightmare Moon, I am here to offer my services to the crown."

"Your, services?" Nightmare Moon asked. "And what services would that be, and why betray your friends?"

"I do not see it as betrayal, as knowing who the winning side is. I would rather stand with a mare who is going to win, rather than a bunch of uncouth losers," Rarity said. Then taking a few more steps, she smiled, "as for my services, why several. I can be a shrewd diplomat for the other countries who might object to your eternal night, and I can help with your palace. Why, take this throne room for instance, it is beautiful."

"Yes, I might put it in when we march on Canterlot," Nightmare Moon said.

"Indeed, you might, but you might consider doing something about the right side of the throne," Rarity said, her horn glowing softly.

"What about it?" Nightmare Moon said.

Rarity shook her head, "Well, your right side seems to be the most vulnerable. I would definitely guard that side the most."

"Again, why?" Nightmare Moon said.

"Because that is where your soul gem is," Twilight Sparkle said, teleporting into the room and pulling the gem out with her magic. Holding it up, she took flight before Nightmare Moon could strike at her.

"You!" Nightmare Moon growled, "Tricked me!"

"Well, of course. I would never betray my friends," Rarity said. "I was just here to use my gem finding spell to hunt for your soul gem."

Nightmare Moon growled as she looked to Twilight, "And you, how did you escape? I had a horn ring on you!"

"Oh that," Twilight giggled, "I figured out how to break out of those the day I became an alicorn. I decided that I should try and help the royal guard prepare to hold me in case I went rouge so I took the horn rings that they used on unicorns and tested their magical limits. It took me about five days to figure out what those limits were. Now, one question before I break this, spirit, who sent you?"

"How did you-"

Twilight rolled her eyes, "Evil spirit taking Nightmare Moon's form? Wanting to overthrow Celestia? You are some sort of spirit sent from somepony to open us up for invasion. Now who sent you?"

"Go to Tartarus," Nightmare Moon said, flying at Twilight.

"Not today," she said, breaking the gem and destroying the spirit.

Starla had a confused look on her face, "But, then this is where we should be coming into the picture."

You did, after we had run from the empire. See, when we saw Nightmare Moon fall, we did the only smart thing we could think of. We ran away before they could catch us. That was when we saw you.

Rep-Stallion kicked the ground, a sneer on his face, "Easy pickings she said, they are wimps she said, we would have an easy victory because they know nothing of battle. Well, look at us now! We're stuck here with no way back, and deep into enemy territory."

"Indeed, it seems that our battles with Starfleet have left us ill prepared for a battle with ponies who have faced off against true evil," Mysterious said, sitting on a rock and leaning back to look up at the skies.

"Yeah, and I kind of want to go back. At least with them I felt like I had a fair fight," Rep sighed. Tracing his finger in the snow, he added, "I'm also cold."

Dimentia walked to Rep and took out a cloak. Gently she placed it over his shoulders and hugged him, "Here, you need this."

"But won't you-"

"You're part reptile, your cold blood is bad in this kind of weather," Dimentia said, a soft smile gracing her lips. Then she looked back to the Empire in the distance, its light shining ever brighter, "I hate to say it, but maybe we should head back."

"Are you crazy?" Rep said.

"Well, maybe if we told them that we aren't native here they will show leniency and take us home," Dimentia said, looking to Mysterious.

Mysterious nodded, folding his arms, "She is right. We can't teleport home because we don't know this star system. If we try a teleport spell here and now... we might end up in a star, or worse a black hole."

Rep shuddered, "Ok, you guys win. Let's go."

As Rep said this, a black portal opened behind them. When the three turned, they saw seven figures standing within. When the portal closed, the light revealed themselves to be Starfleet, "S-Starfleet? You found us?" asked Dimentia.

Lightning frowned, a red glint in his eyes that was not there before, "You will release your hold on the Equestrians."

"Hold? What are you talking about?" Rep asked.

"Look at all of the torture they are performing on the slaves, horrible," Starla said, her red eyes blazing bright.

The only one of the seven who lacked red eyes, was Rhymey, who just snarled, "

And for what you have done to Fluttershy

You must die!"

"What? We're freezing to death and you think that we are-" Rep could barely get a word our as he watched their magic flare.

"Look at them, they are fusing into one, we must destroy them!" Lightning said, and then they charged at them.

(Present Day)

"And that's all I can remember. Kind of hard to remember anything when you are dead," Dimentia said. "Because that was when you guys killed us, rather violently by the way. I had to watch as they died in front of me."

"B-but, I don't remember that. I remember you fusing into a monster, and I remember seeing Equestria enslaved. I don't remember killing you like that," Starla said with a horrified look her in eyes.

Dimentia pulled down her shirt, showing a wound in her chest, "This was where you stabbed me in the heart when I begged for you to spare my friends. I have to admit, it hurt."

"But, why? Why don't I remember any of this? Why are my memories so different from before?" asked Starla, tear brimming in her eyes.

"My guess, Grand Ruler," Dimentia said. "He decided to brainwash you with some false memories to make your fight with us easier. Probably not the first time either. Remember when we first fought?"

"O-of course," Starla said.

"Who was there?" Dimentia asked

"Me, Lightning, Buddy, Rhymey, and Artie,' Starlasaid.

"And?" Dimetnia asked, "Forgetting someone?"

"Oh, and Krysta," Starla said.

Dimentia shook her head and then added, "And Brain?"

"Oh, Brain, how could I forget," Starla then opened her eyes in shock. "How could I forget him? He helped us so much, and I... forgot him. I don't even remember him being there at all. But, he was there, I know he was. He helped us so much and then he-"

"Disappeared and suddenly your fight with us is now missing one person," Dimentia said. "Grand Ruler probably didn't like the way the events happened and decided to make some rearrangements."

"But, why would he do this to us, why would he mess with our memories? Why would he have us so savagely kill you?" Starla asked.

"Control," Dimentia said. "It's easier to control you when you think that you are fighting for a righteous cause. Don't have to worry about anybody's lives if you are fighting for the greater good. That way, you won't have any regrets when you kill. I wouldn't be surprised if you had committed genocide in his name."

Sarla then shuddered, and some tears fell down her cheeks, "Then, then what happened to Equestria? How did it blow up?"

"Don't know, I was dead by that time. So I can't really tell you what happened to the world," Dimentia said, frowning.

Tears began to roll down her cheeks as Starla sniffled, "Grand Ruler, my own ideals, my friendships, it's like everything is a lie."

"I am sorry to tell you this, kid," Dimentia said, walking over and giving Starla a hug. "But, if you want to believe something, believe this... I will always be there for you."

After Dimentia broke the embrace, Starla's eyes narrowed and she said, "Wait!"

"What?" Dimentia asked looking over her shoulder as Starla looked on with pleading eyes.

"Train me!" Starla said. "Train me to be like you and the other Equestrians! I don't want to be mind raped or raped any more. I don't want to be some sort of damsel waiting for Lightning! I want to be strong, I want to be powerful!"

"You still won't beat Conquest," Dimentia said.

Stalra shook her head, "I-I don't care! I just to have the satisfaction that I hurt him at least once. I just wasn to be able to file in his face that I can hurt him."

"Then We can do business," Dimentia said.

---

Starla walked into the gym, a serious and determined look on her face. With a slow walk, she allowed time for her mind to see different images, A father she once thought to be weak, was now changed to being a father who just wanted to keep his daughter safe. A ruler she believed to be kind and gentle was now a monster, and a lover she believed in, now seemed useless. Closing her eyes, she let those thoughts flow through her head before taking a deep breath and opening the doors to the gym.

Dimentia, Rep-stallion, and Mysterious each stood in front of her. The trio looked at each other with a calm smile before turning to look at Starla as if she was fresh meat. At this look, it first made Starla back up a little in fear, but a bump from behind made her keep going. With a look behind her, she believed she saw Buddy and her father helping her to go on. Shaking her head, she walked toward Dimentia. The white unicorn waved her hand at Starla, beckoning her to come at her. Starla threw a punch at Dimentia, and in a second was quickly thrown to the ground.

After an hour of sparring with Dimentia, her next partner was Rep-stallion. Rep motioned for her to bring out her bow, but as she charged magic for the spell, he hit her. Shaking his head, he made her try again and again, "Look, hun. The point of this training is to show that you don't need to shout your spell for it to work. You just need to concentrate and move a little."

"Like this?" Starla asked, swerving back and forth.

"That's it," Rep-stallion said.

For an hour, the two trained, making her focus not just on weapons, but how to be effective with them. She began to learn all of the ins and out of her bow and how to become a better archer than she was.

Her last partner was Mysterious. And he stood back to reveal a chess board. Nodding, he sat down in front of it, "Strategy."

"Oh, I can handle that. Where's the hopscotch table?" Starla asked, only to elicit a groan from the trio.

"Your leader's judgment when it comes to strategy leaves much to be desired," Mysterious said, sitting her down.

Starla gulped and began to play. Though it took her a while to learn the game, within the hour, she could at least last a little while agains Mysterious.

And so it went on, a week passed by for her and she began to trina in earnest. Every chance she got, she would spend a little time with the trio, learning to fight and get stronger. It was not an easy road for her, especially when Conquest would visit upon her and force her to endure a nightmare of hell. These were the moments when she would wake up in tears and pray that she would make it through the night. However, the trio would always be there with a warm hug, or a kind word to help her get through her pain.

And it was not just the physicals that she improved upon, she also worked on something else that was lacking. One evening, before she was to let Conquest into her room, she walked to a meeting of the slaves, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Inquirous?" Starla asked, and quickly began to cry as shrugged her friend ,"I am so glad to see you! I am sorry that-"

"It is all right. The Starla I see before me is the one I want to start a friendship with. Now, I ask again, are you sure?" asked Dimentia.

"Yes, They need this," Starla then muttered under her breath, "I need this."

As she stepped into the hall, she was greeted with calls of "Look it's Lightning's whore.'

"Conquest's toy," shouted a mare.

One minotaur growled, "You should burn,"

Starla gulped and then shook her head, trying to calm all of her nerves, "I know you all hate me. I know you despise me and wish that Conquest would do more when he rapes me, but I want to tell you to not lose hope. The bearers will come and save us."

"The Bearers? Those wimps?" called out an Unicorpian, massaging the spot where his wings were torn asunder."They are in the same boat we are."

"They're not wimps," Starla said. "I thought we of Starfleet faced true evil, but I was wrong. I thought we were strong and powerful because we faced real foes, but it was all a childish dream. Real villains aren't the ones who sit in a dimension while waiting for their next move while sending out little monsters. Real evil is discreet and manipulative. Real evil is right now living above us, and..." she breathed slowly, a snarl on her face, "Living in Canterlot at this moment. But that's why I have hope, and you should to! The Bearers may have lost a lot, may have been through hell, but they will fight for us because it is the right thing to do."

As she heard some of the muttering and the rumblings of the slaves, Starla sat down, "This is why I am here to tell you a story. You don't have to listen, but I hope my story will bring you a little hope and peace."

As she saw none of the ponies listening to her, she began her story anyway, " In olden times, a mother declared her daughter to be the most beautiful being in the world. This angered the gods and so, they ordered the daughter to be sacrificed to the sea monster. Just when all seemed lost for the young mare, that was when a brave pegasus flew down from the heavens to turn the monster into stone with the head of a gorgon. He then told the gods that if they tried again, he would find a way to beat them. Fearing the hero's heart, they put the princess into the stars as a sign of peace. This is why we have the Andromeda constellation."

Looking up, she saw how the ponies mostly ignored her. Sighing, she turned around, only to feel a stallion's hand on her shoulder, "Hey, got another one of those?"

"Sotires? Sure, got several," Starla said.

"Could you tell more? It didn't fill me up with hope, but it did help lighten my mood, and I think we could all use something to take our mind off of the hell," the stallion said, before holding out his hand, "Blaze Blue.'

"Starla, and thank you," Starla said.

Blaze called out, "Hey, get some of the rations! We're having story time!"

Rep smiled, "And so, our lady has found a way to be a hero. Congratulations kid."

"Is she right? That the bearers will save us?" Inquirous asked.

"Hey, just you watch. One day, they will all be coming in here and freeing every slave here. Then they are gonna kick the boss's ass and then pardon the generals," Rep said, smirking. "Now, to celebrate their early victory, I say we dance!"

"But there is no music," Inquierus said, being taken into Rep-stallions' arms.

"Then let's make our own. Shake shake shake senora, shake your body line!" said Rep, dancing with Inquious.

---

"Do you know why I prefer Go over chess?" asked Titan as he placed a new white piece onto Celestia's board and then began to play with Luna's, "Because Chess is very, restrictive in its rules. You have role assigned to pieces, certain pieces can only move once in awhile, and everything is black and white. We often think of Chess as being a good symbol of war, but war is not a chess game. A knight can easily become a bishop, a king can become a queen, rooks can easily turn on each other, and so on and so on. Chess neglects the importance of chaos in the role of war for an easy summary."

"Go is different. In Go, you can start where you want, and though there are only two colors, it is rarely black and white. Places and people you once thought were safe are taken from you and turned on you. You can find yourself winning and then you lose a vital battle zone and poof, your game is over. That is why I love Go, because war is much more like a good game of Go. Now, lets see how Luna plays her game...

---

"Trixie's Amazing Alliance!" Trixie shouted with her arms out.

Ditzy shook her head, "No, too egotistical,"

"Trixie's Magnificent Magicians!" Trixie shouted.

"We aren't all magicians, though, "Cheerilee said.

"Trixie and her Amazing Friends!" Trixie shouted.

Ditzy cocked her head,"But, you've already used amazing!"

Raindrops gave a shrug "How about the Rolling Storms?"

"What are you doing?" asked Spark as she stepped out from the next room.

Trixie looked to Spark and smiled, "We are trying to figure out what to call our little rebellion faction. When we make our big attack, we need to call ourselves something other than the Rebellion."

Spark shook her head, and then said, "How about the Umbra Circle?"

"The what?" Ditzy asked.

"Umbra, it means shadow in Old Pegasi," Spark said. "So, we are a circle of shadows. We strike from within and do what we need to do. It fits."

"Trixie likes it," Trixie said with a smirk, "Though, we should put some of Trixie's suggestions under consideration."

Spark shook her head, "I came here to tell you that Luna and I are ready to discuss the plan for tomorrow. We'll be waiting in the war room."

As they all got up, Ditzy took flight, "I'll go and talk to Carrot Top." she said, flying out of the dining room and to the upstairs. As she flew through the mansion, she began to think about how Luna gave it to them and told them of the spells that she had placed on it to hide it from all who would come into Whitetail Woods. There was a small chuckle that came to her lips as she wondered how surprised everyone in Grand Ruler's regime would be to know that the resistance were in the middle of Whitetail Woods, under their nose.

In a manner of minutes, she had reached Carrot Top's room, Opening the door, Ditzy had to step back from the combination of odors that wafted from within, "Carrot?"

"Oh, do be careful stepping in," Carrot Top said, snipping a tea leaf, "I am working on some flowers from Neighpon and they are kind of fragrant."

"Wow," Ditzy said, stepping in carefully into the room. Her misplaced eyes began to swirl around in wonder as she looked at the various plants and vines that littered the room. "Are you working on another bomb?"

"Gas, actually," Carrot Top said, turning from her seat. "I was trying to see which herb could work to make a powerful sleep gas. Or even a strong hallucinogen, just a little something to help out."

Ditzy stepped in, taking a look at the potions, "You have been doing that a lot lately."

"I-I have to," Carrot said, putting down her clippers and sighing. "I don't know how else I can help. It's not like back home where I could always help with the farmers and other ponies. Here, I am just the chemical mare, only giving advice and using potions for you."

"Are you regretting joining?" Ditzy asked, looking at Carrot Top with a soft smile.

"N-no, not at all. We are fighting for our kingdom, what better cause can we be called for," Carrot said shaking her head. "It's just that, Raindrops has her strength, Lyra is good at all that fancy tech they have, Cheerilee's streetwise, and Trixie is almost an alicorn when it comes to illusions. Me? I just got lucky that I can still use my knowledge as a gardener for some of my plants.

Ditzy pulled her old friend into a hug, "Hey, that is not true. Luna picked you because she believed in your talents. I bet you just need a chance to prove how great you can be.."

"And you know this how?" Carrot Top asked.

Ditzy smiled, "It's one of those things that I always tell myself when I am feeling down. It helps to keep me smiling!"

Carrot Top let out a smile and hugged Ditzy back, "Maybe you're right."

"I am, trust me," Ditzy said standing up and walking to the door, "Now come on, the meeting's starting."

Carrot Top modded and followed Ditzy out of the door and down the stairs. After a few minutes of walking, they found themselves in the meeting room. Taking their seats, they watched as Luna and Spark walked in front of a wide screen, "My faithful subjects, thanks in part to some information imparted by Discord and some information given by a source close to them, we have found something that can help severely damage Starfleet. Spark?"

The purple unicorn nodded and clicked on a clicker, producing an image of a large planet. The planet itself looked like a barren ice world, without any clouds to obscure its surface, "This is a remote unnamed prison planet located far in the outer rim of the galaxy. It is far from its sun, which explains why it looks so cold right now and resembles a giant ice ball."

"What is so special about this prison planet?" Trixie asked.

"Our informant revealed to us that it is the central prison planet for all of Starfleet. The worst of the worst criminals are usually sent there for incarceration and," Spark clicked the button to reveal a large computer, "It's the home for the central prisoner , they have the data and conviction of every single pony that has ever been put on trial since Starfleet's founding."

"And how does this help us?" Raindrops asked.

Spark smiled, "After spending time running through the numbers, I discovered that with all of its tech and abilities, Starfleet has a high possibility of failure when it comes to its convictions. At least two quarters of the trials this year alone have been mistrials or wrongful convictions. If we can get the data that is stored in this database and expose it to the world, then it will show just how many people have been wrongfully convicted in the past thousand years. This will force Starfleet to release all of the prisoners and give them fair trials. This will end up making Grand Ruler look bad and damage Starfleet's reputation as a peacekeeping force."

"There is also one additional benefit," Luna commented. "Conquest has bragged that some of his forces are prisoners that he broke out of various prisons. This was confirmed by some of the soldiers we have captured. If we end up forcing Starfleet to free these prisoners, we end up wiping out one-third of Conquest's supply of soldiers. It won't be much, but it will make things a little more favorable for our side."

"So, how will we get there?" Raindrops asked, looking at the screen.

"In two days, they are going to bring a small group of prisoners to a ship that will take them to the planet. One of us will be on it," Spark said, showing the picture of the prison ship. "I am going to give the pony we send a special talisman that will teleport the rest of the team to the prison. Then you are to sneak in, find the data, break our little trojan out, and then teleport home."

"So who is going to be our-" Ditzy began, but was interrupted by a shout from Carrot Top.

"I'll do it!" said the farm pony. "Of all of us, I have the least to lose. Most of my family is dead, so even if they find out my real name they can't go after them. I don't have that much that makes me unique and they won't be expecting me. I am a perfect choice."

Lyra put her hoof onto Carrot Top's shoulder, "You will be stuck on a barren world for a few hours surrounded by criminals. Are you you can take it?"

"Trust me, she can," Ditzy said, smiling at Carrot top, "Can't you?"

Spark looked at Carrot, "Ok, if she is sure. Come with me, I'll give you your equipment."

---

Carrot Top kept her head down as she was led through the hallway and into the courtroom. Her vibrant green mane was doing well to keep her face partially obscured from the public eye, "Why did I agree to have my mane dyed green again? Just because I did it one time just to see if it looked good on me. I only stopped because Dinky said it looked silly." Turning her head upwards to look at the approaching stand, she sighed and mentally prepared herself for the trial.

"Golden Harvest,you stand accused of plotting to rebel against the state, assassinating the Grand Ruler, and for kidnapping the children," the judge said, looking down at the young mare. "How do you plead?"

"Not guilty! I would never plan on rebelling against the state, and I love our ruler. This whole court is a mockery of justice!" Carrot said, changing her voice a little.

The judge banged his gavel, "You'll keep quiet or you will be held in contempt!"

"I have nothing but contempt for this court," Carrot Top said, spitting on the ground.

"Now, we have evidence that you were making plans. Several members of Starfleet heard you," the judge continued. "And we found these plans upon a thorough search of your bedroom. But, since we believe in a fair and just trial, we will use this memory device on you."

"No please, not that!" yelled Carrot Top as the two probes were placed on the front part of her head. After a few moments, a screen appeared before the assembled ponies.

One of the prosecutors stepped forward, drinking a cup of coffee and grinning, "As you can see," he said, narrowing his eyes under the red visor, "Here she is talking to herself about how she plans to commit the crime. And here she is drawing the plans, just as the witnesses said she was."

"That's n-not true, that isn't even what I am saying in that video," Carrot Top objected, even though she knew it was useless.

"Do you deny your own memories? We see it right there on the screen, it comes from your own mind so it must be true," the stallion chuckled.

"B-but, you aren't playing any audio from the footage and you-"

"Miss Harvest, Gadot is one of the foremost prosecutors in Starfleet. He is an expert on reading memories from the footage and knows what he is talking about," The judge said.

Carrot opened her eyes wide and waved her arms, "You are just showing me the memories and making me follow along with your narrative, that is leading!"

"My dear, the state is never wrong," the judge said, banging his gavel, "life-time imprisonment. Send her to the central prison planet."

"Perfect."

---

The ride on the spaceship that would lead her to the planet was a very boring one. Unlike a train where there were comfortable seats to ride on, the prisoners were all chained to very uncomfortable seats, with their hands chained in between their legs. There was also no windows for the prisoners to look out, "Not that there is much to look at," Carrot Top thought to herself, "I wonder how many worlds are out there, under Starfleet's 'protection'. I wonder how many of them are actually afraid right now to speak out. I wish I could help..."

The word help began to take her back to several months ago, back when she made the decision that changed her life...

Carrot Top wiped the sweat from her brow as she laid back from her work. Her eyes looked over the small carrot farm that she had owned. It was small compared to the Apple's next door, but it was hers. There was a faint trace of a smile while she looked at her farm and the small town beyond, "You seem troubled," a voice said, handing Carrot a towel.

Carrot did not see who handed her the cloth and began to wipe the sweat down, "Just thinking, about what has become of my home."

"Explain," the mare said, sitting along Carrot Top.

Carrot Top sighed, "Ever since Starfleet came into being, everypony has been forced into lives they don't want. Everypony only does what is necessary to their job and have to exercise to be fit even if you can't do that without hurting yourself. It's like slowly our freedoms are being taken away from us and I can't do anything to help them. Did you know they are limiting what we can grow now? Only what your cutie mark says you can grow," she let out a growl, "Some of us can't do that! Do you know how often I have had to try and support some of the other farms lately just to make sure they can get through the day?"

"Yes, I do, which is why I have come," the mare said, standing up to her full height.

When Carrot Top turned to look at the source of the voice, her eyes went wide and she immediately bowed," P-Princess Luna!"

"At ease," Luna said, holding up her hand. "We are not here as royalty, we are here for something more."

"And that is?" Carrot Top asked.

"I am gathering a team together, of ponies who want to get my sister back on the throne proper and to oust the monster that current;y is in her seat," Luna said. "Yours was on a list of particular ponies that I have been keeping an eye on for some time.

"Me? But I am just a farmer, what can I do to help?I am not a warrior" Carrot top asked.

Luna shook her head, and then placed her hand on Carrot's bicep, " for this job, I require not strength if muscle, but that of heart and mind."

"but, just how many ponies did you pick for this?" Carrot asked.

"I already have two on our team," Luna said with a smile. "And in the end, I plan to have a team of seven."

"Only seven ponies on this team of yours? And you expect that to be enough to change the world?" Carrot Top asked incredulously.

"Why not? It was only six that was able to defeat the darkness, and those same six were the ones who stopped chaos." Luna said with a smile, "You do not have to choose now, but know that one day, I may call upon you."

"And what if I refuse?" Carrot asked.

"J feel as though you will not" Luna said with a smile.

Carrot Top was taken out of her thoughts as the ship landed with a jostling thud. Looking up, Carrot Top watched as she was pulled to her feet by the guards and led outside by the cuffs. Led outside, Carrot Top had a chance to admire the sheer size of the prison. This examination was quickly stopped by a shout from The warden, "All right listen up! My name is Warden Steel Balls. The first one of you butt munchers that makes fun of my name will spend time out in isolation!"

With a grunt and a stomp, the warden continued, her blue and white suit barely hiding her red coat, "Now, this here is the last home you ever know. This is the last place you will ever see. Escape is impossible, and even if you could, the gravity outside is enough to crush you into a stain. That is, if the sub-zero cold does not kill you first. Once we enter the facility, I will go over the rules. Obey them or you will be spending time in the ice pits. Is that under-"

"I can't do it!" Carrot Top screamed, twisting and writhing out of the grip of the guards, pushing her way to the wall, "I need to go! I don't belong-AHHHHH!"

The warden smiled as the metal balls floated from Carott's back and into her waiting hand. Steel gave a wiff of confidence as she brushed her hand passed her orange mane, "This is also why I am known as Steel Balls. If I think you are a danger to my prison and the system I have set up, then I will send out my balls, Crack and Smack at such a speed, it will put a hole into your brain," turning her red eyes to Carrot, she growled, "And who are you coward?"

"G-Golden Harvest," moaned Carrot, trying to stand in spite of the pain in her back.

"Well, little Goldie. It seems you wound up in the wrong hell. If Cerisse Wonder were here, the little idiot would be a little nicer," Steel leaned in so close to Carrot that the farmer could feel the hot breath emanating from Steel's mouth, "I am not nice."

"That much is obvious," muttered Carrot as she was led into the prison, no one noticing the small slip of paper that was on the wall.

"There's the signal!" Spark said, feeling the magic within the paper, looking to the five in front of her. "All you stand in that circle and I'll do the rest." holding out her hands to the side, the purple unicorn made her hands glow bright purple.

"This isn't going to hurt, is it?" Ditzy asked, just as she and the others vanished in a blink of an eye.

The paper on the side of the wall glowed brightly before releasing a blast of magical energy, depositing the five mars in a heap. As Trixie struggled to get up, holding her hand over her mouth, "Ugh, Trixie feels sick."

"Oh Celestia, I'm blind," Lyra shouted, falling back against the wall of the prison.

Raindrops quickly looked to her wings, "Why can't I feel my wings?"

"A little complication of long range teleportation with a scroll," Spark said through a crackling comm. "The symptoms will go away shortly. My apologies but this was the quietest way I could do it."

"Remind Trixie to kill her," Trixie grumbled as she shook her head.

Cheerilee said nothing, walking to the keypad that was on the side of the door, "Now, the informant said that the code is SM1963."

"Yes, and after that, you are on your own," Spark said. "Your mission is to find the central database, free Carrot Top and then make it home."

"Right, just leave it to us," Trixie said with an air of confidence as they walked through the front doors

Cheerilee looked at the entryway and saw two guards. Nodding to her friends, she began to saunter over to the two stallions,"Hey boys,: she said huskily, a sultry smile on her face. "How about one of you come on over and show a cute mare in heat a good time?"

One of the stallions chuckled, not seeing Trixie and the others slink away under invisibility, "I would love too, ma'am, but I don't think my husband over here would like it."

His partner laughed,"I don't know luv, she is a looker."

"But hunny, she doesn't have your string chin," the other stallion laughed, kissing his husband on the lips.

"Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't know," Cheerilee said, a deep shade of red crossing her face.

"It's ok, we try not to talk about it because of... you know," the guard said with a deep sigh. "So why are you here miss?"

"Well, you see," Cheerilee said, "I am a student teacher who is helping organize a field trip..."

As Cheerilee began to schmooze with the guards, Trixie and the others made their way to the locked door. Running a finger along the lock, the magician chuckled, "Hm, such a basic lock, and here Trixie thought they were an advanced race of ponies." with a chuckle, she pulled off her hat and reached in, pulling out a set of keys and lock picks.

"Whats with all of the keys?" Raindrops asked.

Trixie smiled with an air of bragging, "When you are an expert magician such as myself, you tend to hold onto a bunch of keys and lockpicks to make sure you can get out of any trap! It's rule four of being a stage magician."

"Thank goodness she never turned into a thief," Lyra said as Trixie unlocked the door.

"Not nearly as exciting as being a magician, trust Trixie," Trixie chuckled as she opened the door and walked in with the others following. As they stepped into the hallway, Trixie looked to her friends, "Ok, Lyra, Raindrops, you find the main security hub. Get the information on where the main central data hub is and then tell me and Ditzy." Turning her head to look at Ditzy, Trixie then ordered, "Ditzy, you and Trixie make our way through the prison and take out who we can. This will help make our exit easier."

Lyra looked around as she and Raindrops ran off, "I hope Carrot Top is ok."

---

"So, what are you in for?" asked a lanky stallion, pushing up on his glasses.

Carrot Top sighed, " Was falsely accused of a crime I didn't commit."

The stallion scoffed, "Join the club. Over sixty percent of the prisoners here are here because they were falsely accused of some crime that they didn't do."

"S-sixty!?" gasped Carrot. "You mean there's hardly any real criminals here?"

"Oh, they are here. You can tell who they are by their brand. Thieves are branded by their hands being burnt, murderers have a brand on their hearts, and you don't want to know where they brand the rapists," he said, crossing his legs in sympathy.

Carrot Top sweated and crossed her legs the same way, "So, um, why did you wind up here?"

"Crime of passion," said the stallion, looking down at his bowl.

"What?" Carrot asked, tapping behind her ear.

"And here, put this on your ear," Spark said, clipping an ear ring onto Carrot's ear lobe.

"Um, thanks but earrings don't really suit me," said Carrot.

Spark shook her head, "It isn't a normal earring. I enchanted it with an audio visual recording device. Tap it and it will record everything that a person says into that gem. It can take down about five hours of footage."

"Ok, but why?" Carrot asked.

"It isn't enough that we give the press the information on the trias, we need testimonials from the prisoners," Spark said.

"But, won't they see the earring?" asked Ditzy.

"Not with Trixie's spell," Trixie said. "Their visors can detect things based off of DNA and magical signatures, but a simple reflection of light and viola! Gone is earring."

With the earring on, Carrot Top began to listen to the stallion's story, "My wife, Celestia rest her soul, was one of the most beautiful mares I had ever met. We got married and had planned to spend the rest of our lives together. I just didn't count on my best friend. He was jealous, insanely so. He figured the best way to make sure no one could have my wife was if he..."

"Oh no," Carrot Top gasped.

"One night, while me and the wife were asleep, he stepped into our bedroom and killed her. I," the stallion put his face into his hand and began to sob a little "When I woke up, I was covered in my wife's blood, the knife was in my hand, and Starfleet was watching me! They arrested me on the spot and sent me to trial. Of course, this being United Equestria a guilty verdict was quickly struck. After all, Starfleet doesn't go for the trial by jury. All you need is some witnesses and some visors and boom, you are guilty."

"What about lie detection?" asked Carrot.

The stallion scoffed, "If they think you are lying, but they saw me with the knife and had witnesses that saw me. All paid off by my former friend mind you. They didn't even look at the knife to see for fingerprints."

As Carrot Top shook her head, a mare with a light green mane sighed, "You think his story is bad, listen to mine. I am a mother of two, and I thought I was liked in the town I had lived in, but I was wrong. Somepony decided that it was time to send me away, so they claimed that I...I..."

"What?" asked Carrot Top.

The mare slammed her fist against the lunch table, "That I raped my kids! I would never sexually abuse my children. I could never touch them, but the rumors began and started to spread and soon enough, Starfleet was called in. I pleaded my case and they used a lie detector to see I wasn't lying."

'Then how did you wind-"

"They used that Celestia forsaken memory thing on me!" the mare shouted. "Of course, by this time the lies and rumors had affected me so much that I started to believe in it and when they put that memory thing to me, my memories started to get mixed with the les. When they played events for me, it looked like I was touching them inappropriately when all I did was hug and cuddle them. They showed an image of me in bed with one of them, but all I did was try and comfort him when he had a bad nightmare after his dad died! So is it wrong I showed compassion for my son?"

"No, it isn't," Carrot Top said, rubbing the mares arm. "And I promise you, somehow...I will make t all right."

---

Lyra looked up at the air vent and then to the doorway that lead to the central security room, "They really don't mess around, do they?"

"It's a security room," Raindrops said, looking at the two guards. "I think they want it protected."

"Yeah, and now we have to go through the vent. Think you can pull it off?" Lyra asked.

With a quick nod, Raindrops flew to the vent grate and began to pull it off. After several minutes of pulling and struggling, she ripped the grate off and set it down on the ground," There you are."

"How are you-"

"Earth pony grandparents," shrugged Raindrops, "I inherited a lot of earth pony magic that way. It's why I am not really that fast of a flyer. Heck, I only entered the Wonderbolts Academy just to impress the little brother."

Lyra shook her head in shock and then jumped up to get inside the vent, "Ugh, it's really tight in here. Why can't this be like in the books, with nice and wide vents."

"You read that stuff?" asked Raindrops, putting her finger to her ear to activate the communicator.

"Yeah! Daring is my hero, always has been. It's why, ugh, I got into cryptozoology and why I studied up on Starfleet's tech. For all of their boasting and bragging, their otherworldly computers and the like is just plain awesome to look at." Lyra said, squeezing through the vents slowly inch by inch. When she made it to the next great, she softly opened it and looked down at the three guards. Reaching into her pants, she pulled out he lyre and began to strum a few chords.

Hush my guards

Now it's time to sleep

Close your eyes

And sleep so deep

No more

Fear

Worry,

Or trouble

Just a restful sleep.

"Hmm," Lyra said, watching as the guards fell asleep to her lullaby, "Not my best work, but it'll do." with a smile, the bard pulled herself out of the vent and crawled to the computer monitors. Cracking her knuckles, she began to type furiously onto the keyboard, "Let's see, now what was that code again?"

Before Lyra could think of it, she heard the doors behind her slam open. Turning around, she saw the two guards from outside, quickly falling over unconscious. In the doorway, rubbing her hands was Raindrops, "Yeah, sorry, but they looked like they were coming in and finding you."

"Not exactly stealthy," snarked Lyra.

"Hey, I don't do stealth. I do the muscle," Raindrops said, leaning against the doorframe.

Lyra shook her head, "Just keep an eye out for guards. I will hack into this system. Now, let's see, what was the master code again? Oh yeah," Lyra said, quickly tapping on the keyboard, "Friendship is Pathetic. Not subtle are they?" Now lets see,"

Before her golden eyes, Lyra watched at the computer began to show the map of the facility, guard quarters and cells. After inputting a few search keywords, she ran her mint green finger along the screen until she had seen the central database, "Found it, it's on the basement level right beneath us. And, if I am right, Trixie and Ditzy are close to the elevator."

"That's nice and all, but I bet that thing will have alarms and detectors that will awaken the entire facility," Raindrops said.

"I can turn off those alarms and, give me a few moments, I can get those guards off of their backs," Lyra said, and then turned around to see Raindrops standing over the bodies of four more guards. :"What did you-"

Raindrops shrugged, "I did what you said, I kept an eye out for guards."

"I meant, warn me about them so we can hide, not so you can put them to sleep!" Lyra reprimanded.

"Well, guess we don't have to worry about hiding now do we?" Raindrops chuckled, brushing aside her light blue mane.

Lyra frowned at the jasmine colored pegasus before rolling her eyes and going back to the keyboard, "Trixie, there is an elevator two halls away. Go to it, that is where the central data hub lies."

---

"Got it," Trixie said, about to make a move down the hallway, but was stopped by a grey wing.

"Hold it," Ditzy said, closing her eyes and breathing slow, "There are three guards coming towards us, take them ."

Trixie let out a shrug and began to ignite her horn, causing her hands to glow with a light purple magic. Holding out her hands, she began to conjure a spell that began to course through the hallway. After a few minutes, the two could hear the sounds of guards moaning and then fainting, "How did you know?" Trixie asked, walking through the hallway and dispelling the illusion.

"Air currents, it's my special talent," Ditzy said with a smile, looking at her flank. "See, the bubbles represent how I can detect soft and gentle changes in the air, and be able to fly softly along them like a bubble."

"Oh, and Trixie just heard that it meant-"

"That I was a bubble-headed idiot?" Ditzy asked, frowning.

Trixie smiled at her friends, "No, that you have a bubbly personality."

Ditzy giggled and then looked down at the dizzy and fainted guards, "What did you do?" she asked, stepping over them.

"Why Trixie just used her knowledge of Starfleet's visors against them," Trixie said. "They are so confident in their abilities to detect and resist brainwashing that they forget simple illusions. Tixie made the hallway spin, this caused them to get disoriented, added a little flashing lights and you have a recipe for motion sickness that will cause you to faint."

"Oh, nice one," Ditzy said, walking with Trixie.

"Of course, Trixie is fantastic," she said with a bow. Stepping to the elevator, she called on her ear piece, "Lyra, did you-"

"I disabled the alarms, so you'll be able to ride the elevator. And don't worry about the guards, I told them that there was an emergency in the courtyard. I then locked them in," Lyra said through the com. "Now, head down to the third floor and the central data hub if right there in front of you."

The two mares stepped inside and waited for the elevator to get moving. After a few moments, the elevator lurched and began to make its descent down to the lower floors. With a slow creak and groan, the elevator slid down. Trixie looked at Ditzy, "It's hard, isn't it? You know... leaving your family behind? Trixie wasn't exactly close to her mother and sisters, but you-"

The grey mare leaned back against the wall, crossing her arm across her stomach and over her white shirt, "My daughters, they're my world. They are everything to me, and it's why I am here. It's all I have left of their Dad."

"What happened?" Trixie asked. Then she looked away in embarrassment, "Sorry, I shouldn't pry."

"No, it's ok, it's a long elevator ride and we need to talk," Dirty said, smiling softly. "My husband was an unicorn by the name of Sun Star. He was... perfect. He didn't see me for my mismatched eyes, but for who I am. Actually," she let out a soft giggle, "he said my eyes were the cutest he had ever seen. He always made me feel special, and we were... happy. Me, Amethyst, Dinky, and him. We didn't earn a lot, but enough to get by. I helped him with his job and he helped me with mine. One day," Ditzy sniffled, wiping a tear away, " one year ago, a monster attacked Manehatten."

"I... think I know where this is going," Trixie said, inching closer to Ditzy.

"B-before this war got started, Starfleet never talked about what happened to those who accidentally got caught outside of the force fields, they don't look at the damage their little battles caused," Ditzy began to cry, putting her head to Trixie's shoulder, "They didn't care about collateral damage. They never did care! They think that those rules can protect those who can't protect themselves, but they can't. They don't think to look back when they are done at the mare who is grieving over her lover. And they don't think to come back to help the mare who had just realized that her husband wouldn't be there anymore, not seeing his youngest daughter graduate, grandkids, or to... grow old together."

Ditzy let out a little whimper, "Rainbow Dash, she was there. She's Dinky's Godmother you know. She was there to help me say to my daughters 'Sorry, but Daddy's not coming home. ever again.'" Trixie was about to say more, but Ditzy continued, "I was so afraid that I would lose my babies... until Luna came to me."

Ditzy waved goodbye as Dinky ran ahead of her big sister, a smile on her face. Leaning against the doorframe of her house, she let out a long sigh, "You have wonderful daughters. The little one is very talkative."

"Yeah, they are fantastic," Ditzy said, shaking her head with a smile, and then turned to the sound of the voice, "Princess Luna!"

Luna was sitting on Ditzy's couch, lightly drinking some tea, "Hello, Ditzy Doo. Or do you go by your nickname Derpy?"

"Either is fine, your highness," Ditzy said with a bow. "Derpy is a nickname Dash would call me back in flight camp, just for fun."

"I see," Luna said, holding the picture of Fitzy's family in her hand, "I am sorry for your loss. Starfleet should've been more careful when they were fighting and did more to stop collateral damage."

"It still hurts you know," Ditzy said, sighing as she sat on the couch opposite Luna.

Luna frowned, "United Equestria doesn't like you, you know. They want to change you, fix your eyes so you can match the Equestrian ideal. They want to make you better."

"I am fine the way I am!" Ditzy said, frowning. "I don't need to be changed and fixed. I am who I am and I like it like that."

"You also know they want to take away your children," Luna said.

"I know," Ditzy said. "They think I'm incompetent, that I'm not a good mother for my kids and I can't give them what they need. But, I won't let them, I'll do whatever it takes to protect my children."

"That's why I am here," Luna said, putting down her tea.

"Hmmm?" One of Ditzy's eyes moved to the right, while the other looked on in confusion, 'What do you mean?"

"I am putting a team together, of ponies much like yourself. Ponies who have something they need to protect, something they need to save, or even to overthrow the government. They all have the same goal, overthrow Grand Ruler," Luna said, looking at Ditzy.

Ditzy pulled back in shock, "And you think I am worthy to be on this team."

"I think, given the chance, you can prove yourself to be a valuable asset. I have need of ponies who are full of heart such as you, and I hope you will say yes," Luna said, standing up and walking to the door.

"But, how will you know if I agree?" Ditzy asked.

"I will know," Luna smiled.

"And, after giving it some thought, I knew I couldn't let any other wife lose a husband because of their carelessness. I knew I had to do what it took to protect my daughters, no matter what. And, that is why I am here," sighed Ditzy.

Trixie rubbed her back and gave her a hug, "And that's why we need to be successful. Now come, our destiny awaits!" she said, standing up as the elevator doors open. With a smile, she led the wall-eyed mare out of the elevator.

As Ditzy stepped out, she was amazed by the sight of the giant computer before her. Then her left eye floated over to the right as she felt something in the air, "Trixie look out!"

"Whaaaaaah!" Trixie screamed as something buzzed pasted her arm, cutting it and making it bleed.

The metal ball that hit her, flew back into the waiting palm of Steel Balls, "That was a nice move of your friends to knock out the alarm. It's a shame that this computer is protected by a silent alarm that connects to my office and can only be turned off by me." Steel Balls chuckled as she began t o spin the two orbs above her palm. "Now, identify yourselves."

Ditzy stepped forward, "My name is Muffins."

"Trixie," Trixie smirked.

"I know you," Steel Balls said, chuckling, "You are that annoying little magician bitch that quit Abra's act. You not only ran away, but you are also wanted for helping in the murder of Myte.

"I did not kill him, I tried to save him!" Trixie said, trembling a little and her bravado fading. "It wasn't my fault, I just wasn't fast enough."

"Trixie, snap out of it," Ditzy said, seeing Trixie stand still for the moment.

Steel smirked as she sent two of her balls to strike Trixie in the leg and other arm, "Now, just surrender little magician. You need to face your punishment."

Ditzy, feeling the two balls coming in, quickly pulled Trixie away, "Trixie, come on!"

"Forget her, Muffin, the weakling is about to get what she deserves," Steel said, glaring at Trixie.

The words hit Trixie's ears and made her stand up, "Weak? The Great and Powerful Trixie is anything, but weak!" she shouted, throwing her arms into the air, only to be shoved out of the way by Ditzy. The two balls cutting into the grey pegasus' back, "Ditzy!"

Ditzy winced a little as she got up, "I'm fine, but how are we going to- duck!"

Following her commands, Trixie ducked under one of the balls while Ditzy flew over the other. The two silver balls then began to fly wildly, zig-zagging across the field. Through her special talent, Ditzy began to feel where the balls were coming from and were able to help dodge the balls. However, it was still not enough as each ball was able to cut through their arms and legs and backs.

After a few minutes of dodging, Trixie used a color ray to blind Steel and hid behind a rock with Ditzy. Painting, Trixie looked over the rock, "Trixie just needs few minutes to think, she can come up with a way to beat this mare."

"How many minutes do you need?" Ditzy asked, holding her bleeding left arm.

"Two, maybe three. Why?" Trixzie then let out a gasp,, watching as Ditzy flew around the mare, "Ditzy!"

"Hey, you big jerk, up here!" Ditzy said, flying around in a circle, dodging the steel balls as they flew towards her.

Trixie was about to shout after Ditzy, trying to stop her, but stopped when she watched her friend bobbed and weaved from the balls. With a look of determination, the blue mare pulled some stuff out of her pockets, " Ok, let's see. Trixie's trick rope, cups, and balls. Just what can Trixie do with all of these?" there was a short pause as she looked at the items,and then a smirk came to her lips as she looked back.

Trixie stood up from her hiding place, "Hold it, Steel Balls, for Trixie has prepared her indestructible rope for you.. In mere moments, she will begin to tie-Whoa!" she shouted, tripping and becoming entangled in the rop.

"HAHA! How pathetic!" laughed the mare as she walked towards Trixie, watching as Trixie struggled against her bonds. "You are truly as weak as Abra said you were. Your illusions are weak compared to his and you lack the skill to match him. Did you really think you could beat me?"

Trixie smirked, "Of course Trixie knew she could beat you. That was never the question. The question was... how quickly would she beat you." Trixie then burst free from her bonds, leaping to her hooves, just as the two balls came to her. With a flick of her hand, she conjured up one of her cups and used it to catch the two silver balls. Before the warden could react, Trixie clapped her hands together, forming another cup. Then she smiled as she aimed that cup at Steel Balls and fired the balls back at her, only this time, the balls numbered in the thousands, all glittering like stars in the light. Steel let out a gasp of horror as the balls flew at her, covering her face to block the incoming attack.

Then there was an audible boing sound as she felt some of the rubber balls hit her. She looked down and saw what looked to be her balls coming at her were in fact, just silver balls made of rubber. The mare then looked at Trixie with a smirk, and was surprised when Trixie smiled back. Before she could ask, her own two silver balls came rushing at her at high speeds along with several hard rocks disguised as balls. Before she could block or control it, she was hit hard by her own balls to her face, knocking her out.

STraightening her cape, Trixie stood over the beaten mare, "How did you like that? Your own balls smacking you in the face!"

"Trixie!" Shouted Ditzy, placing her hands on her hips and giving her a frown.

"What?" Trixie asked, incredulously. Then after a few moments, Trixie thought about what she had said, chuckled and ran a hoof through her mane, "Oh, hehe, Trixie is sorry. Are you alright?"

Ditzy looked at the wounds on her arms and legs and cut in her side, "Fine, I think we're just lucky she wasn't trying to kill us."

"Yeah," Trixie said, walking to the computer. Sitting down in front of it for a few moments, she began to examine it, "Hmm, if Trixie was an egotist that wanted to pretend she wasn't an egotist... what would she put down as a password. Oh, of course, it's Grand Ruler, so it would be-"

"12345!" Ditzy shouted.

Trixie looked unconvinced, "Come on, only an idiot would make that their combination." she said, putting the numbers into the password, only to look on dumbfounded as the computer unlocked and the information revealed itself to her,"How does he even function?"

Shaking her head, Ditzy handed Trixie a small little drive, "Spark said used this to take in the information." As Trixie did so, Ditzy put her hand to the comm, "We got it! Have you found Carrot Top?"

"Yeah," Raindrops adi. "Trixie, I hope you have a plan for getting us out."

Trixie had a smirk on her face as she said, "Of Trixie does, just watch... it's showtime."

---

The inmates were all shocked in the cafeteria as they began to hear loud music beginning to play. As they looked around, they could not find the source of the music, but were instead blinded by several flashes of light and color. As the light show began to blind all involved, Carrot Top was grabbed by a green hand that pulled her away.

As the light show stopped, there was a large smoke cloud in the middle of the cafeteria. Standing on one of the tables was Trixie, who threw her hands into the air, "Inmates and political prisoners, rejoice! Your time of boredom has ended. Stay back and enjoy the great and marvelous feats of the Great and Powerful Trixie!"

The inmates all stood in wonder and curiosity as they saw the mare standing before them. Flanking Trixie's sides were Cheerilee, Carrot Top, Lyra, Raindrops, and Ditzy. Each mare was dressed in black leotards with fishnet stockings. Smiling at her audience, Trixie began to speak, "Now, you are probably wondering what brings Trixie to your jail on this day. Well, it is for one reason and one reason only!"

Outside, guards could be heard shouting as they bashed the door, "The ponies who broke into the prison are in there, do not let them escape!"

"And that is to prove the old adage correct, that no place is inescapable!" Trixie said, and then pointed her hand to the door, "You can see, that door is barred by my faithful assistants. Those doors are the only way out, and that is through several more guards and into a barren wasteland. These windows are barred. But, Trixie will guarantee you, the moment they burst down that door, Trixie and her companions will be gone. Ready?"

"3!" as she shouted, the door began to break.

"2!" the cracks on the door began to widen.

"1!" She shouted as the doors burst open. As the doors broke, Trixie snapped her fingers and with a fash of light, they were all gone.

"Teleportation?" asked a guard.

An Unicorpain guard shook his head, "No... I didn't see her horn ignite when the flash went off. She didn't teleport. Besides, it would take an alicorn to teleport that many ponies at once."

"Then what happened?" asked one of the guards.

---

"Yes, what happened? How did you escaped?" asked Spark as Tricie laid against her wall, panting.

"That sigil you gave us," Trixie answered calmly.

"No, from the prison itself?" Spark asked.

Carrot Top nodded," Yes, I am curious myself. All I saw was Cheerilee pulling me into your smoke. Then us running towards the sigil that I had set up."

"Simple," Trixie smirked. "Trixie wanted Lyra to be in the security room for another reason beyond mere distraction. Trixie needed the Midian there to manipulate the cameras as they looked in on the cafeteria."

"Before she released the smoke, she met me and began to cast a spell,: Lyra said.

Trixie smiled as she waved her hand, "The spell turned the cameras and projectors, sending out the images Trixie wanted the ponies to see. While they were distracted, she then used her smoke bombs to obscure their vision with her color ray to give Cheerilee time to pull you out."

"Then we ran to the sigil to teleport out," Cheerilee said, before looking to trixie. "Did you really plan all of that out, ro was that on the fly?"

Trixie said nothing, but adjusted her hat and walked away. Spark gave a sigh and opened her hand, "Ditzy, you have the drive I gave you?"

"Yep," Ditzy said, pulling out the drive from her pocket. Then she dropped it onto Spark's outstretched hand. "Before we left, I remembered to download everything onto that drive."

"Excellent," Spark said with a smile. "I can download and print all of information on this, and then I can prove just how often a mistake was made in the trials, either by evidence or by false witness."

"But, won't that take a while?" asked Raindrops.

A clock that had the numbers backwards appeared, Discord on the front with his arms acting as the clock hands, "That is why I am here."

"Discord can help Spark look over the data in fast manner and will be able to find out wich case were mistrials and which were fair," Luna said, walking in.

"All I need to do is use a time delay spell, and give Spark time to step into the case file," Discord snapped his fingers, turning both Spark and him in little papers, "Have her research the crimes. Find out the truth, and expose it. Lather rinse and repeat," he said, dumping a whole ton of water on them both, returning them to normal, "Until we have enough to go to the press."

"IT should take me a day," Spark said with a smile as she walked away.

---

(Three days later)

The radio came on, followed y the loud voice of Vinyl scratch, "GOOD AFTERNOON EQUESTRIA! You are listening to Grand Doofus's favorite radio station, and to his two favorite ponies here on K-COLT! I am the mistress of the airwaves and alicorn of sound, Vinyl Scratch. And next to me is my lovely host, Octavia/"

"Oh yes, we are on his list aren't we? His hit list," Octavia snarked, rolling her eyes.

Vinyl shrugged her shoulders, "Ah, he's just ticked off because he can't take a little criticism or the truth. And speaking of truth, have we got a dilly for you today!"

"Earlier yesterday, we were handed a box that was labeled the truth. When we opened it, we found a stack of documents with instructions to hand it to every newspaper we could and to Celestia herself," Octavia said. "We thought it was some sort of prank, and then we read it."

"It was documents on every trial that has ever been had been handled in United Equestria and the outcome of each. What's more, there was evidence that some of these cases were, oh how shall we say, handled horribly?" Vinyl asked.

"To put it simply, every case that was on that paper had enough evidence to file for a mistrial. Either there wasn't enough evidence to bring in a conviction, the memories did not match up to the evidence presented, the witnesses had previous reasons for wanting a conviction, or the case was handled wrong by the judge," Octavia said. "And after we talked with a good friend of ours, we discovered that this was legitimate."

"So, we went to the papers and to the Princess with all of this. To say she was a little steamed was an understatement. More like we thought we all were gonna die from the heat she was pissed!" Vinyl said, smiling. "She could not believe just how mishandled all of these trials were and demanded that they were sent in for details. And get this, she personally made sure that these trials are going to be handled by fair judges and an impatial-

"Impartial," Octavia corrected.

"Whatevs," dismissed Vinyl. "A jury with little care to who these ponies are and will have real lawyers on the case. Heck, she even has forced the courts to throw away those memory devices into the garbage. She even made it a law to have Starfleet collect evidence and gather information before they make arrests now. Now, they are acting like the normal police! HAHA!"

"We tried to reach for Grand Ruler for a comment, but he had none, " Octavia remarked.

Vinyl laughed, "Publicly, but privately you can bet he probably had several comments. All four letter words and all probably had to do with how our mothers don't know who our daddies are."

"For the record, my father has no doubt that he is my birth father as he pointed out that, on the nightIi was conceived, there was a snowstorm that trapped him and Mother for three months," Chuckled Octavia.

Vinyl shrugged, "And my Pa may be a ladies man, but I look too much like him to not be related. My brother on the other hand, I wonder."

"Anyway. To add onto that, we have some news about the prisoners. It seems that almost all but the true criminals have been released. This has led to a record three hundred thousand ponies leaving the prisons. We even have some testimonials from some," Octavia said.

"Red Herring says that he got out after being falsely accused of killing his wife and was quickly pardoned. He met up with his wife's sister and they have been talking over dinner together," Vinyl smiled.

"Warm Buns was happily reunited with her two sons, and the moved to Ponyville where they are being helped by the Cakes to find a home," smiled Octavia. "And if you have some testimonials about your time in prison and how you got in, please send to the carrier pigeon and we will get it."

"Speaking of, here is some other news. We got a tape!" Vinyl said, putting in the tape.

A spanish voice came over, "This is Dyno, formerly of Starfleet. I and several other rebels who have problems with Starfleet and United Equestria have formed an organization known as Umbra Circle. Our mission is to overthrow the current government and return Equestria back to what it was. Me and my associates: Trixie Lulamoon, Golden Harvest, Black Cherry Pie, Sunshower, Guyra, and Muffins are all working from the shadows. You will not see us, but you will always know where we've been because we always leave our mark. To show our power, I have used my brothers chemicals to make a powerful explosive that has destroyed three prisons. We will continue to fight for my brother, for the ponies, and for Equestria! This is Dyno, signing off."

"And true to his word, this morning there have been a series of explosions all across the Starfleet territories and planets," Octavia said.

Vinyl wiped her brow, "Whoo, first Conquest and now this whole rebel faction. It's like everything that wants Starfleet dead is coming out of the woodwork. I think that to honor this new little force in our midst, I saw i's time for some music! Here is Sapphire Shores with, Renegade!"

Rainbow Dash fist bumped the air, "Nice one Dyno!"

"Yeah, joined a rebellion intent on taking things down, nice one," Applejack said, taking a drink of some cider as the music played from the radio.

Rarity looked to Applejack as she sat at the cafe, "Hmph, but did he have to join up with Trixie? While I admire the mare for going it alone, she has been known to be a criminal, from the reports."

"A bunch of hooey according to Dyno. Trixie actually saved their lives," Applejack said, smirking. "The question is, who are these other girls with him?"

"I am more afraid of being called to bring them in," Rarity said, before looking up at Applejack. "Do you think we will?"

Applejack sighed as she took another drink, "We might... but we won't. Personally, if it were up to me, Ah would be on their side. Ah know they are causing trouble, but lets face it... Grand Ruler is more-"

"Of a hinderance than a help. Like for Lightning's team, do you know what he is planning?" Rarity asked.

"What?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"He is planning on adding three new recruits to the team, or so I heard," Rarity said.

Dash shook her head, "He can't do that, can he? I mean, those guys are right now in the line of fire, anypony who joins-"

"Is a dead pony walking, Ah know," Applejack nodded. " But, he needs to keep up morale and if they have a whole team..."

"But, they are going to die," Dash sighed.

"I do wish there is something we can do to help," Rarity said.

Applejack narrowed her eyes, "That's why we'll keep them safe. OR Ah will."

"Applejack, you aren't pushing yourself too hard now," Rarity asked, a look of concern on her face.

Applejack shook her head, "Nothing Ah can't handle. Ah'm fine."

Elsewhere, in Whitetail Wood, Trixie lifted her bottle of bourbon high in the sky, "To us! For a successful mission!"

Lyra sighed, "I can't believe that Dyno is our informant."

"Makes sense, his bro died," Raindrops nodded. "Besides, he makes an excellent face while we do the real work."

"Come on Ditzy!" Trixie said, handing the mail mare a bottle, "Celebrate!"

"I will, I just need to talk to somepony," Ditzy said, walking to a balcony where Carrot Top sat, looking up at the stars. "Feeling better?"

Carrot Top nodded as she drank her juice, "Yes, a lot actually. Just sitting around them, listening to those prisoners, I kind of realized why Luna needed me. She needed a girl who could just stop and listen. A mare who could help not because she was strong and fast, but because she is able to listen to other ponies needs. I just I can help others that way."

"You help me a lot," Ditzy smile, rubbing her friend's back. "But, then again, that's what you have always been. It's why you are one of my best friends."

Carrot Top nodded," And you are mine, Ditzy."

As the two mares hugged, Trixie could be heard yelling, "Aww, so sweet! Now stop hugging and let's party on!"

The two mares smiled and walked in.

---

Conquest winced, holding his hand to his chest. And then, he smiled, "Oh, now the game is getting good!"

---

Titan put the last white stone on the board and smiled, "And now, the game is all set. On one side, the heroes of light:Luna and Celestia. On the other, darkness: Grand Ruler and Dark Conquest. Four Players, two games, and one outcome. Who will win? Place your bets, the game has begun! And I... hold the pieces.'

This chapter is again a sort of breather, but its origins are something that are very interest to look at. I wanted to put somehting in here to give you all a break from the big wham stuff, but then I started seeing a lot of things to bring up that could help the plot. So here we are.

The scene where Dimetnia gives out what has really happened during the battle for Equestria, Actually, I had made this scene back in 2014, two whole years before Mykan ever wrote his story "Invasion". It just so happens that he wrote his story while this chapter was being made. It's a funny old world isn't it. But it is one of the things that I wanted to address in this story was how little sense the fight made sense. The whole Nightmare Moon scene also made little to no sense, eve if you ignore the comic's nightmare forces.

Ths brings me to the Celestia scene. I kind of wrote this after I had found out about the ftermath of Twilight's death. A friend of mine said that the chapter had the mane six blame Twilight for her death. I then knew I had to read it and thank goodness wat I saw didn't hve that. What I saw was much worse and made me even madder. So I wanted to address what I felt was probably the biggest OOC thing I had read since Any fic where Mamarou cheats on Usagi with Sailor Neptune!

As for Rhymey...I feel kind of bad here. I have been trying this whole fic to make you guys care a little for most of the cast, so that way, when I made these horrible and cruel things happen to them you would all react with more han a shrug and a cheer. But the more I wrote, the less I was able to do. For some reason, all attempts to make him likable or heroic came off as forced.

...

Then I made him evil. Then he started to become real to me. I guess he just worked as a better villian than a hero. You all have had that happened before, right? You find the charater that is a better villian than a hero? Well, Rhymey did it! He just worked bette r as a villian and his character was just more fun to write.

The Umbra shadow was given the role of support, because I wanted to adress something I found wrong in Starfleet. The judical system.

Trivia!

-There are three Jojo shoutouts here: The bread line, Sun Star, and the name Steel Balls.

-Derpy's backstry was something I wanted to try. Interestingly enough, a discussion abpout colleratal damage fit well with BVS and Captain America Civil War. I didn't intend it, but it happened.

-I didn't intend for Zephry to show up, but after the episode, I had to put him in.

-Rarity doing Belle's hair is without a doubt, the girliest thing I had ever done.

-That thing about th other elements, it came from here

art/Trial-Of-The-Elements-For-Harmony-393305834

-Unlike some authors I remember my characters. And Athestic B? that pony? H reference to Athetic B, the guy who wrote the Immortal Game. One of my favorite pony fics.

-Speaking of the immortal game. Titan and Terra are from thjat fic.

-Yes, I don't think that Grand Ruler's backstory makes sense.