If the guy does not get the girl, he is to become the primary antagonist of the fic (Usually not by choice. It is by brainwashing)

Unicornicopia-950 years ago.

Unicornicopia, the jewel of the frontier system within the outer rim of it's native galaxy. The only planet that was capable of supporting life in it's little solar system, it was just far enough away from Equestria that interplanetary travel was possible but one would need a powerful starship to reach it. Within this green colored orb laid a single supercontinent, containing a large population of winged unicorns.

The large landmass was split into various countries and lands, where they tried to eak out a living on their own. Watching over this large land was a giant castle in the sky where their ruler watched over them with a careful eye. However his mind was not focused on the well-being of his people at the moment, no. His mind was focused more on the proceedings in his throne room. The large throne room had a long red carpet leading from the door to the throne, with the carpet flanked on both sides by Starfleet guards.

Tapping his fingers along the arm of his throne, he waited as the doors opened slowly and three four-legged figures entered, letting the guards that stood in the line bow to the newcomers. In the front of the quartet was a yellow alicorn who wore his armor proudly. Behind him, an old alicorn was in chains and was dragged in by two other soldiers.

Grand Ruler placed his fingers to his chin as he looked at the olden pony, "Shield Ward, what is this that you bring to me?"

"This sire," Shield said, brushing his hand through his mane with a cocky grin, "Is the last free unicornicopian. This man has managed to repress your brainwashing and your powers for a long time."

"I see," Grand Ruler said, "And you caught him that easily? To hide for so long, he must be great at stealth."

Shield shook his head, "No, he turned himself in."

"Why did you-"

The stallion chuckled as he reached into his pocket and pulled out six gems, "Do you know what these are?"

"T-Those are," Grand Ruler said, shaking his head, "But they can't be!"

The stallion smirked, "Let me remind you of the tale. In a distant and magical land known as Equestria, six brave heroes found a crystal seed. This seed came from the life tree, Yggdrasil, and was given to the land to represent harmony. These heroes, these pillars, then put their virtue, their life essence, their magic into this small seed which then blossomed into the Tree of Harmony. This tree then bore fruit of magical gems that would be given to those who were worthy of their gifts, and these chosen six would be ready to defend the land against the forces of darkness and disharmony."

"Yes, I have heard the legend of the Elements of Harmony," Grand Ruler said.

"Seems that seed was not the only one of it's kind," he said, using his unicorn magic to make the six gems float in his hand, "There were other trees, other heroes who planted seeds with the power of their virtues. There was a similar legend on this planet, similar heroes that planted a seed which gave birth to the the Tree of Fate. And I found the gems!"

Grand Ruler was undeterred, "And you are going to use this magic against me?"

"Yes, to finally break my world free of your control!" the stallion said, before looking into Grand Ruler's eyes, "Why do you not fear it."

"Do you not know what happens when you use the elements alone or if you are not worthy? They become corrupt and who knows what happens then," Grand Ruler said, "You could end up banishing the one you are trying to save, or experience a rebound that turns you evil. It takes six to unlock the element's full power. Those elements of faith are useless to you, now hand them to me!"

This revelation spurred the stallion to begin to laugh, "I know this! I didn't come here to let you know that it will be me who uses them, but those who are worthy. I just came to make sure that I will not live to see you unite these gems!" and with that, his magic glowed brighter than the sun as he lifted the gems into the air.

"Shield, stop him!" shouted Grand Ruler as the gems flew out.

Nodding, Shield flew after the gems, only managing to catch one. Holding the gem in his hand, he could hear the faint whisper of it's name in his head.

'Tenacity'

"What did you do?" Grand Ruler shouted.

The stallion smirked at this, "I sent the gems across the galaxy. Now, you will never find them in my lifetime and soon, the ones worthy of the rainbow's glow will be able to defeat you. It's a shame," he panted, feeling his heart slowly give out, "I won't see it."

Grand Ruler glared his eyes at this, "That fool! Those gems would've been perfect to use for my final subjugation of this world."

"What do you you want me to do sire?" asked Shield.

Grand Ruler levitated the tenacity gem to his hand and then watched as it began to blacken. A smirk came to his lips as he looked upon the gem, "Tell the men to keep an eye for the other five. Meanwhile, I think I have an idea how to use this."

Ward walked forward, his front hoof kneeling before Grand Ruler, "And what would that be, sire?"

"I know a small colony of ponies that I would love to test the orb of reality on," Grand Ruler said, glaring at the stone.

---

Unicornicopia-21 years ago.

Rhymey stepped through the halls of the castle, his brow furrowed as he growled angrily to himself. With each step he took, he could only feel his anger increase. Standing outside of the throne room, watching this, was Harry leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, "Congratulations, son. You took the equivalent of a chainsaw to something that required a scalpel."

"At least we can confirm that the power of Serpentari is a success! That annoying Brain's device was a perfect tool for use in war," Rhymey said, smiling.

"And yet, you destroyed a planet to do it," Harry said, shaking his head before placing his hand onto his son's shoulder, "Son, I am not going to be a part of Starfleet for long. If you are to take my place at Grand Ruler's side, I need to make sure that you are prepared for the role. Using a weapon like Serpentari on what was supposed to be a simple collection mission is not the way."

"If I had let the planet of Harmonia live then someone would've told the galaxy about Grand Ruler and then gotten the Elk Federation on our-"

Grand Ruler's deep voice interrupted them both, "Rhymey, Harry, come in now. I wish to see you both."

"Yes sire," they said at the same time. As the two entered the throne room, they would find Grand Ruler sitting there, smiling as he tapped his finger on the throne, "My two soldiers, tell me, were you successful today in your missions?"

"Yes sire," Harry said smiling and nodding, "Galaxia and her team are no more. What's more, I had brought with me the Gem of Protection." reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the small gem. Then with a sigh, he added, "And if I may, sire, I do regret having to kill my entire team. In a way, I'll miss them. Of all my old teammates, they were-"

"I am happy to announce my own success sire," Rhymey said, interrupting his father, making him frown and shake his head.

Grand Ruler frowned and squeezed the arm rest, "And why is Lighting Dawn not here?"

"Sire, I know you want him for your sword and that you only wanted his family killed, but think about this, by using a weapon like Serpentari, we have put an even worse tragedy in his head. He now has a monster to fight and one that will drive him further," Rhymey began to explain, "This falls in line with my plan to give him a perfect team that is marred by tragedy. I have already killed this stallion by the name of Bristle that will help inspire his grandson Artie, and then there is this boy I have been watching name Buddy that I think if I kill his-"

"I fail to understand how any of this makes me forgive you for losing my sword," Grand Ruler growled.

Rhymey smiled as he held up a small stone, already becoming dull and black from corruption, "Because, I think you might be interested in this. An Element of Fate, I found it on the barren wastes of Harmonia."

Grand Ruler's eyes lit up at the sight and levitated the two stones to him, "Protection and Courage, ah, how I was hoping to find you so close to home."

"See, with the power of one stone, we left the planet lifeless," Rhymey chuckled, "Imagine what we could do with three or more! If you let me find the other three I could-"

"Yes, yes, I know," Grand ruler said dismissively as he let the two stones float before summoning a third, " I have seen the reports from the test run. I have a better plan for the stone."

"Project Rainbow Rod, sire?" asked Harry.

Rhymey looked confused for a few seconds, "Project Rain-"

"When we finally get Lighting Dawn in our possession, he will be given a golden horn," saying this made Rhymey growl, "and on that day, he will have the power to tap into the corrupted magic and summon the Uniforce. On that day I will use one of these stones and place it into the Rainbow Rod. This, in turn, will serve as a focusing tool for his powers."

"And leave us puny soldiers in the lurch, correct?" asked Rhymey, frowning.

Grand Ruler narrowed his eyes, "Watch your tongue boy. Dismissed."

"Yes sire," the two Wards said before leaving the throne. Once the door slammed behind them, Rhymey stepped forward, anger in his eyes.

"Can you believe this, after all we have done he is still focused on that boy!" Rhymey shouted, "Our family is far greater than that little louse. What does he have that we don't?"

"He is a potential bearer," Harry said calmly, ignoring his son's rambling, "And as such, allows our master the power to corrupt the elements. We have been over this, son."

"While we are left in the lurch?" Rhymey growled, "I swear father, if you just let me have access to our family's legacy then I could show you my potential."

"Your potential lost us Lightning Dawn," frowned Harry as he narrowed his eyes at his son. "Your abilities, your skills, and everything else about you are still maturing, yet you do not respect our roles in this story."

"But I-"

"-am still impatient, narrow minded, power mad, and boastful. You think rarely of others and have too much of an ego about yourself," Harry said, shaking his head. "You need to learn to control this rage when you don't get what you want. It can lead you to trouble."

"I know my limits, father," Rhymey said.

"Then show me. I want to know that you can do better, son," Harry said, walking away, "I am going to the press and announce my own sorrows over the deaths of my team. Maybe I can put some actual tears on for them."

---

Unicornicopia-5 years ago.

"Sire, I must protest," Rhymey said, following his master through the castle with Shaina by his side, "Do not send those rookies on this quest."

"Those rookies, Rhymey, are picked by you. Are you telling me that you picked weaklings for my sword?" asked Grand Ruler. "And quit it with that rhyming, we are not in public."

Remembering himself for a moment, Rhymey nodded and said, "Nevertheless, my opinion still stands. Let me find the remaining elements, or Star Stones as you call them."

"There is a legend," Grand ruler interupted, "Of a king that had sent out his bravest knights to find a holy object of unbelievable power. It was believed that this object would serve as a beacon for his people to follow. So shall these star stones be our symbols."

Shaina smiled, walking a little further, "Besides, Rhymey, why should you care? The less work for you right?"

"It isn't that. It's the fact that I will not be getting the glory," Rhymey said.

A few months later.

"The Gem of Hope was on the Elk colony," Grand Ruler said, looking at the last two gems that he had obtained. He smiled as he caressed the gem as he heard the name of the gem whisper it's name

'Hope'

He purred at the next gem, letting his fingers run along the facets of the light magenta gem, "And the other was found in the realm I had locked Titan in. I must say I am impressed that he found a way to break the seal." Much like its brethren, it began to whisper in a faint female tone.

'Wisdom'

"Which means that the last gem must be Faith," Grand Ruler couldn't help but laugh softly to himself, "Fitting that it's in Equestria. The place that I had been wanting to find for so long, the place I had faith in and my old home."

"Master," Rhymey said, stepping into the throne room, the light blue gem glowing faintly, "I am pleased to announce that the quest is over. All six gems are now in your possession. Most importantly," he paused as he smiled, "I found Lost Lenore."

"My lost Lenore?" Grand Ruler said, chuckling and smiling, "Good. Get your team ready, I think it's time for the final parts of my plan."

"Yes sire," said Rhymey, walking away.

As he left, Emerald Shaina appeared and bowed, "You called me, sire?"

"Take these gems on board Serpentari and prepare to charge the shot. It's time to prepare for a move," said Grand Ruler.

"Move, sire?" Shaina asked, "Are we going to move so soon?"

Grand Ruler nodded, "Take one last look around this planet my dear, this will be the last time you look upon our homeworld."

"Yes sire," bowed Shaina, "Shame, I loved Orange Range in the evenings."

---

Present day, on the eve of the last day.

Grand Ruler shook his head as he woke up from his reverie, looking towards Shaina, "Is everything ready, Shaina?"

"Yes sire," Shaina said, crossing her arm over her chest and bowing, "The one hundred Equestrians and three hundred Unicornicopians have been picked for deportation onto Serpentari."

"Good," Grand Ruler said, looking at the gem in his hand, the one of Tenacity which had been now discolored to a solid black. Looking up at Shaina, he asked, "How much longer until the beam has been fully charged?"

"Twelve hours," Shaina said, "Once you place the final gem back into the generator, the machine will take that long to charge and ready to fire." looking up at him, she had a curious, "Why are you holding the Element in your hand?"

Grand Ruler pulled back a small sheet from a round orb, "Ever since the battle in Neighpon, my powers have been weakening. Now that Lighting has died, no one truly believes in my power anymore, thus the horns are failing me. I am too weak to use the full power of the Orb of Reality. However," he said, placing the gem on top of the orb. "I can use the power of the Element to increase my power of control over the orb and increase my power a thousand-fold."

His horns began to glow bright, allowing lighting to flow from his horns and then down to the orb and gem, "And with the power of the Tri-horn Crown, and the Orb of Reality, the most powerful of Meadowbrook's items, I can bend the reality to how I want it."

"Yes sire," Shaina said, "I assume that this sleep spell will avoid me and your soldiers so we can move the survivors on board the ship?"

"Yes," he said. Grand Ruler then put a sad frown as he looked at the orb, "It's a pity though, though there is room for me and my family... we'll have to abandon Luna." he sighed as he saw the image of Celestia in tears, "Think of what will happen to Celestia when she receives news that she has lost her dear sister. She will be so broken that... she will bow to me at last. She will belong to me, heart and soul."

As he did this, he did not notice the appearance of a white unicorn looking from an open door. Letting out a gasp of horror, she quickly ran away, trying to make it to Luna's bedroom, "I have to make it to Luna. She has to know that-"

Come little children, I'll take thee away,
Into a land of enchantment.
Come little children, The time's come to play,
Here in my garden of shadows.

Hearing the song in her head, she began to pant, "No, no, no!" shaking her head, she continued to run faster in spite of her legs feeling tired. As she ran, she could see ahead at the other guards, watching as they each began to fall asleep. A tired moan escaped her lips as she said, "H-have to make it."

Follow sweet children, I'll show thee the way,
Through all the pain and the sorrows.
Weep not poor children, For life is this way,
Murdering beauty and passions.

Eyes drooping, she soon found the doorway to Luna's chamber. Her body began to sway as she started to feel her body succumb to the power of sleep. Letting out a long yawn, she said, "No, I won't let this beat me..."

Come little children, I'll take thee away,
Into a land of enchantment.
Come little children, The time's come to play,
Here in my garden of shadow

"Luna..." she whispered, "Please help..." Fleur whispered as her body finally collapsed to the ground alseep.

---

Luna awoke that morning, feeling her strength renewed for that day. A bright smile graced her lips as she walked out of her chambers and towards her balcony. With each clop of her hooves, she could feel her excitement growing as she made her way into the fresh open air. High above her, was her beautiful moon in the sky, allowing ponies to wake up in the morning to her object.

"Your night is beautiful this morning, my princess," said a servant as she bowed.

Luna smiled, "Yes it is. And my moon fruit smells lovely this morning." she said, grabbing an apple from a plate and walk away. "Remind me to thank Applejack and her family for this beautiful fruit. Imagine, plants that grow in the moonlight! What a marvelous idea!"

"Yes my queen," the mare said, nodding calmly.

Luna let out a small joyus laugh as she walked through the halls. While she dreaded the morning routine, she eagerly looked forward to talking with her subjects. For now, her life could not be better.

"Mommy!" shouted a filly as she ran out of the kitchen with a cookie in her mouth. Her little bat wings were extended as she tried to take off from running.

Luna smiled at seeing her daughter, using her magic to catch the little bat-filly alicorn in mid run, "Nidra, what did I tell you about running through the halls?" she asked, using her hoof to pat down her daughter's light blue mane.

"I'm sorry mommy," said Nidra, rubbing her hoof along the black floor. Then, she smiled and asked, "Can I go flying with you later tonight?"

"Yes you may my little one," Luna said. For a few moments she could feel the warmth in her heart increase, but then she paused. Slowly, her head began to look around the castle, her ears twitching as if she was missing something. After a moment, her face turned into a frown and she lowered her head.

"Momma, w-what's wrong?" Nidra said, watching as her mother nuzzled her neck.

"Nidra," Luna whispered softly, crouching down so she could hug her daughter and nuzzle her,"I do not know if you are my future, or just a dream. But, if I do get a daughter, I pray to my mother that she will be every bit as wonderful as you are."

"Mommy," Nidra said, fading away, "I love you..."

Luna then began to rise to her hooves, her teeth bared, "To whoever has done this to me, be warned. I do not like having my dreams and desires waved in front of my face like a carrot to be devoured only to be taken away. Especially when you left out my sister from this equation," her eyes began to make a scan of the area, watching the walls fade away, eroding from her glare, "Tonight, you have made your greatest error."

As she rose to her bipedal state, her black barding began to form along her body. Chestplate, greaves, and gauntlets attached to her in a flash of moonlight while a sword flew to her side. Her voice deepening to a low boom, she began to speak in a voice that brought forth memories of her darker half, "You have trespassed upon my sacred realm, and thus have insulted my honor! You tried to take over the realm of which I am the ruler and the guardian of!"

Her voice now a deafening boom, she shouted loud enough that it caused the dream to shatter in a bilion shards of twilight, "I AM LUNA VON SOLARIS! QUEEN OF THE NIGHT AND DREAMS, AND I WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS BLASPHEMY AGAINST MY PERSON!"

For a few moments, Luna stood in the void of the dream realm, seeing all of thee countless doors surround her. Turning to her right, she saw the nearest one with a Fleur de Lis cutie mark. Nodding, Luna opened the door, letting the white unicorn fall out with an, "Oof!"

"Welcome, LAdy Fleur," Luna said smiling.

Upon seeing the princess, Fleur immediately took a knee and bowed, "Princess Luna. You must know, Grand Ruler, he is initiating plan 'Board Wipe'."

"And am I to assume that this is all his doing?" Luna asked, looking around. Her ears could pick up hundreds of millions of voices all around her.

"Yes," Fleur said, "I have been doing some investigations here and there and discovered that he has the last object, the orb of reality. He combined it with a gem and his horns to-"

"Put the entire planet to sleep," Luna said taking a few steps forward, her eyes looking on in shock, "The power to be able to do this on this magnitude, it's on scale of a draconequus! What was Meadowbrook thinking making such powerful items."

Fleur shook her head, "I don't know. But, I do know we only have twelve hours before it's complete."

"Even less so depending on the time we spent here," Luna said, before looking down the hall, "Go, awaken your husband and get him to the mansion in Whitetail Woods. I will meet you there."

"What will you do, my princess," asked Fleur.

"Awaken the heroes of course," Luna said, running down the hall.

---

Trixie stood before the roaring crowd of ponies, her smile lighting up the room. Next to her was the remains of her latest escape act and before her was a sold out show. With a bow, she began to say, "Thank you, thank you all! Trixie has never been welcomed before by such a grand crowd as this! Oh, thank you!"

"Trixie, Trixie!"

Trixie laughed and furled back her cape, "Now, for Trixie's next trick she will unleash-"

"Trixie Lulamoon," Luna said, floating down from the rafters.

Trixie looked up at her master, her tail wagging in happiness as she went up to her, "Princess Luna! What brings you here?" with a smile she nuzzled Luna's foreleg, "Are you here to congratulate Trixie on her thirtieth sold out show?"

"No, I have come to bring you out of the dream," Luna said.

"Dream, what do you mean dream," Trixie said, looking behind her, "Why just look at it. This is no-" she then paused as she noticed the absence of six mares, "Where are they?"

Luna smirked at this, "Where is, who?"

"Trixie's friends," Trixie said, her eyes widening to dinner plates as she stepped back, "Raindrops, Carrot Top, Lyra, Cheerilee, Ditzy, and Spark? They promised to come to Trixie's shows! Where are they? Why are they not here?!"

"Grand Ruler is a very one-dimensional fool," Luna said, walking forward towards a dream door. "When he made his spell, he thinks in terms of 'one-trait' to only one pony. So thus, he doesn't think of other desires or wants that a pony might want. He creates a dream world with only your desire and that is it. Like for me, he gave me a world of eternal night, but Celestia was nowhere near my side."

"And Trixie just gets the show of her dreams," Trixie frowned as she walked through the portal ad into the dream void. "He just gives us our base desires and expects us to take it. But Trixie is...different since those early days. She has spent a year adventuring with six great mares that she loves dearly, and she would not imagine her greatest successes without them by her side."

Luna smiled and placed a hand onto her student's shoulder, "And that is the magic of friendship, my dear student. I allows us to see past our base desires and see that there is something more out there. That is why I picked you first, I need you to go and gather your friends."

Calmly, Trixie nodded as she straightened her cape, "Right."

"I'll go and free the Knights of Harmony, and then meet you at the mansion," Luna said, flying away through the dream realm.

---

When Luna reached Applejack's dream, she let out a forlorn sigh at the sigh. Standing in front of her was Applejack talking to a light orange mare with a carrot top mane and a yellow stallion. With a gasp, she whispered, "Applejack's parents..."

"Yeah, so everything's going swell here. Big Mac and Applebloom are doing all right and Ah think Ah've got my life in check. Oh, and uh," Applejack blushed a little before saying, "Ah've got a colt friend. Can you believe it? Oh, Ah need to tell you all about him, but maybe later..."

"Applejack," Luna said, raising a hand to her.

"Because it looks like Grand Ruler has finally gotten his plans ready for us and Ah got to take care of it," Applejack said with a chuckle, tipping her hat with her thumb. "Talk to ya later."

As Applejack walked away from her parents, Luna noticed the scowl on her face, "You...knew?"

"It weren't rocket science to figure out," Applejack said looking behind her. "All Ah could see was farmland from here to there. It was like the guy thought the only thing Ah care about is farming and being friendly, nothing else." looking back at her parents, she sighed, "But the dream didn't have my parents alive to talk to me, and no dream of mine would ever leave my parents out. And worst yet...Twilight wasn't here to tell me what a good job Ah did."

Luna looked confused, "Then who are they?"

"Ah brought them up, just so Ah could talk to them for a bit," Applejack said, looking down, "As long as it was a dream, figure might as well see them again so Ah don't forget."

"Oh," Luna said, looking down forlornly.

Frowning, Applejack calmly walked out of her dream door and looked around at the others. Her emerald eyes looked down at the door with Pinkie's cutie mark on it, "Let's free Pinkie Pie first."

"Pinkamena?" Luna asked.

Applejack nodded, "I figured out mine was a dream because of my element, but Pinkie's also a smart gal. She's probably got this whole thing figured out by now." she said before grabbing the door handle and opening it.

Inside the dream door, they could see Pinkie Pie pushing back a series of smiling and laughing ponies with a stick, "Back! Back you fiends! Stop with the laughing and the-"

"Haha, listen to her so funny."

"Bet she's so funny."

"No problems at all.

"Of course not, the only serious moments are temporary and then she is back to being silly again."

"This is so much fun."

"Brain full of pudding that one."

Pinkie let out a scream as she looked around, "Stop it, stop it, stop it!" looking to her left, she saw Applejack and Luna standing in the doorway, "Applejack!"

"Uh, you might want to stand to the side," Applejack said, watching as Pinkie became a blur as she raced towards her best friend. Nodding in response, Luna stepped to the side just as Pinkie tackled Applejack to the ground and hugged her tightly.

"That dream was the worse, absolute worse!" Pinkie said, panting in and looking behind her. "It was happy, all of the time. All of the time! Everypony had on these weird smiles and were laughing at the weirdest things, it was insane!"

Applejack sat up and dusted herself off, "You can thank Grand Ruler for that. He's putting us in dream worlds with what he thinks we always want out of ife."

"But, I don't want everypony smiling all of the time," Pinkie said, shaking her head, "I want real smiles from the heart, not fake ones. You don't think I'm that stupid, do you?"

Applejack shook her head, "Weird, a little nutty, but stupid? Not in the least. You do have your moments of genius after all, and we love ya for it. You pretend to be happy all the time because you want the world to be as happy as you." she said ruffling Pinkie's mane with a chuckle.

Pinkie giggled before rolling off of Applejack and giving her another hug, "Thanks, AJ."

"If you two are done with your friendship moment," Luna said, crossing her arms and frowning, "We need to get a move on and save the-Oof. Pinkie what are you-"

"You were left out," Pinkie said with a smile before walking over to Rainbow Dash's door. "Now, let's save Dashie." she said, opening the door and then was blasted back by the loud sound of applause.

Inside of the dreamworld, Rainbow Dash had just accomplished her next lap much to the cheers of the ponies watching. With a triumphant yell, she punched the sky and cheered herself on, "Aw hell yeah! That's right, I am the best."

"Dashie!" Pinkie cheered, waving her arms wildly. "Hey Dashie!"

Rainbow Dash looked down from the sky and smiled at the sight of her pink best friend. Smirking she said, "Hey Pinks. Give me a sec to fly down." with a laugh, she flies down and landed right in front of her two friends. Waving a hand through her mane, she said, "What brings you here? Just here to watch me be awesome?"

"No, Dash, we're here-"

"Oh, just to watch me be awesome with my team, or just cool and great in general." Rainbow Dash said, her voice having a larger bravado than awesome.

Applejack held up her hand and said, "Dash, if you would just listen for a moment."

"Oh, wait, maybe you want to race me! Hey how about-"

"RAINBOW DASH!" Pinkie Pie shouted at the top of her lungs and then ran to her, grabbing her flight jacket. "What are you thinking? This isn't you!"

"What do you mean Pinks?" Dash asked.

Pinkie shook her head and looked at her eyes, "You are not just a jock who loves racing. That's only part of you! You are also the loyalist, bravest, and heroic pony I've ever met. You love hanging out with your friends because you love it, and you are inspirational, because you want us to touch the sky with you! You would never just want to stand alone in the sky."

"Alone, what are you talking about? My team is," Rainbow Dash then paused, looking around as she noticed the lack of a few mares. "Where...are they? Where is she?"

"Where's Twilight?" Applejack asked.

Dash shook her head, "I know where she is. If this is my favorite dream, then Twilight is at the field where she died. She's waiting for me to save her. Then I come back here, you girls cheer me and then I sky write my proposal to Fluttershy in the sky!"

"So, you are saying that without us, this dream is empty?" Applejack asked with a smirk.

"Yeah," Rainbow Dash fumed as he walked to the door, "Of all the nerve, calling me just a jock."

"Yeah, you're much dumber than one," Applejack joked, winking at her best friend. Then, walking out the door, she patted her friend on the back, "Ponies who say that, never saw the pony who cheered up her little sister when she needed it, or pushed Fluttershy to her limits because she knew that she could do it. That's the Rainbow I know."

Pinkie Pie nodded and skipped ahead, "And you just got better through this adventure."

Applejack nodded, "Although, Ah think it's sweet that you dream of sky writing a proposal to Fluttershy. 'Ah can see it now, 'Dear Fluttershy, marry me. You are the mare of my dreams!"

"Oh, do you think that Fluttershy would skywrite back?" Pinkie asked, straightening her mane and speaking in a perfect impression of her friend, "Dear Rainbow, Um sure...want to have three or nine foals?'"

"Oh laugh it up!" Rainbow Dash said through gritted teeth in spite of her redding blush.

In the midst of the teasing, Luna shouted, "If you three would mind? Your other friends?"

"Sure sure, we got this," Rainbow Dash said, opening Rarity's door.

Within the dream world, their eyes were assaulted by thousands of clothes and diamonds. Standing there in a pretty dress, was Rarity with makeup on and a purse on her arm. Looking at her friends, she said, "Oh, mah, gawd, girls! I am so glad to see you. Look at all of these outfits, aren't they like so great?"

Applejack quirked her eyebrow and then shook her head, trying her best to not laugh, "Oh, man. Ah never thought that Grand Ruler thought so low of Rarity but...there you are!"

"What's so funny?" asked Rarity looking at her friends. "All I am doing is looking at my outfits and-"

"Looking like a moron in the process?" Dash asked with a shake of her head.

Pinkie stepped forward, "Rarity...come on. You are an artist, an awesome one! You don't live for the shopping but the making! Come on, you hate shallowly ponies."

"Oh, come on," Rarity said, "Everyone knows this is the real me. Just ask my-" when she looked behind her, she narrowed her eyes and frowned, "My daughter, is not here. MY Spikey is not here, and Twilight is not here to talk my ear off about how to raise her granddaughter."

"Nope," the three agreed, nodding.

Rarity frowned and began to use her magic to put on a proper business lady attire, "Of all the nerve! Who thinks that I am some bimbo or some sort of tramp! I am not a moron or an idiot."

"No, you ain't," Applejack said, opening the door and letting her out, "No pony who can work a business and act as a mother like you can is an idiot."

Rarity smiled, "Thank you, dear. Now, is this all of us?"

"Only Fluttershy left," Applejack said, looking behind her as Pinkie quickly opened the door. Once the door was open, the quartet was taken back by the sight of Fluttershy standing in her little cottage, surrounded by cute wide eyed animals. Her body was dressed in a very modest outfit with an apron on her.

When Fluttershy saw her friends, she said in a softer and kinder voice than normal, "Oh, hello everypony. Welcome to my home." she said, extending her arms and smiling a warm smile. "There are no wars to fight, no battles, and no one has any real problems at all. We are all happy and content here to be with the ones we love. Isn't this a wonderful and happy life."

All around them, the animals happily played with each other. Not a single creature was angry or upset. Outside, the sun had a smiling face while thousands of ponies danced outside. Everywhere outside, it was plain to see how happy and free everything was.

Pinkie turned green a little, "Oh, this is a little too much even for me."

"Fluttershy, snap out of it," Applejack said. "We all want happiness like that, we all do, but you know that there is bad stuff out there. You know you can't deny that!"

"Yeah, you may be innocent and kind, but you ain't naive," Rainbow Dash added.

"Fluttershy come on," Pinkie said, taking her friend by the hand, "I want the world to be all sunshine and rainbows too, but we need to work for it. And the first step is to get out of this dream!"

"But Pinkie," Fluttershy said, holding onto her friend's hand. Then she paused and looked around, swaying a little bit. Shaking her head, she looked up and asked, "Oh my, where am I?"

"A dream my dear," Rarity said, looking to her right and shaking her head, "A horrible, and nasty dream."

Fluttershy shook her head as she looked back and forth, "But, my dreams aren't like this. Where are the others, where are the predatory animals. And where's Twilight with Owlowiscious?"

Applejack leaned against the dream door as the others got ready to leave the realm, "It seems to me that all our dreams have something in common... no Twilight."

"Yeah, why is that?" Dash asked, helping Fluttershy leave and stand in the dream realm.

"Ah think it's because Grand Ruler thought we all got over her death just a little after it ended," Applejack said, shaking her head, "But a death of somepony that close to you, doesn't go away in a month or even a year. It stays with you for the rest of you life."

"It doesn't help, that these dream he placed you in are flimsy at best, with only a bare understanding of who you are as ponies," Luna said, stepping forward. "It ignores the basic laws of growth, change, and the many other sides of your personality, breaking you down to just a simple persona. Thus, it was easy for you lot to use your friendship to break out of it. Now, come, to the wak-"

"Wait a sec!" Pinkie said, "I want to check on Belle."

Luna shook her head, "Pinkamena, there is no time. I only wanted to grab you five and-"

"Please," Pinkie asked, looking up with her wide innocent eyes. "It'll only be a second, I promise."

"Fine," Luna said with a growl as Pinkie walked up to Belle's door and opened it.

When Pinkie opened the door, the sight that she saw made her smile warmly. There in an open field next to a hill, was Belle running with her five friends. She let out a soft sigh as she watched the unicorn play and laugh with her friends, a smile on her lips as she did. Then, she could feel her heart jump into her throat when she saw the pony sitting by a tree. It didn't take her long to recognize the figure, as she remembered the purple coat and the tri-colored mane of her lost friend, "I, don't believe it..."

"Twilight," Belle said, running up to the unicorn and sitting down with her. "I am so glad that you let me join in the picnic with you."

Twilight smiled warmly as she looked up from her book, "The pleasure is all mine, Belle. I've always wanted to meet you. I am just glad that we've had a nice day to relax."

Belle nodded and leaned against the tree and smiled at Twilight, "So do I. No battles, no wars, just us friends hanging out."

Pinkie Pie sniffled at this and sighed, "Don't worry Belle, I'll protect you and make your dreams come true. Promise," she said, crossing her heart and whispering, "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

"Pinkamena, let's go," Luna said, turning away.

Slowly Pinkie Pie nodded and walked away from the door, "Ok, so, do we wake up now?"

"Yes," Luna said and then looked towards where she could feel Trixie, "After that, meet me at the mansion in the Whitetail woods. Fluttershy, I trust you know the way?"

"Are you talking about the old mansion in the middle of the woods? I helped to clear out a family of raccoons there once," Fluttershy said, nodding. "I'll get us there."

"Good," Luna said. Looking at Trixie, she whispered, "Be well my student."

---

Ditzy laid on the table, her mismatched eyes opened wide in horror. Above her was a machine that had two claws out at it's sides with little drills in it's hands. Her ears could pick up the sounds of her daughters as they were being dragged away by Grand Ruler's men. As the machine got ever closer to her eyes, she screamed out, "Help!"

A staff came flying out from the shadows and hit the machine, breaking it. Standing in the shadows with her cape flying behind her, was Trixie," Get away from Trixie's friend!"

"Trixie!" shouted Ditzy as Trixie went to the straps and unhooked her. Once free, she happily smiled and hugged Trixie.

"What was this nightmare about?" Trixie asked, looking around.

Ditzy sighed and looked away, "Ever since I left, I always had this fear that we would fail and I would lose my daughters. Then they would come for me and try to change me, but..."

"But what," Trixie asked.

"Well, I didn't have this nightmare for months, mainly because I knew it would never happen," Ditzy said with a warm smile.

"Why?" Trixie asked.

"Because I know of five mares who would fight Tartarus itself to save me," Ditzy said, hugging Trixie tightly.

Trixie smiled, "Was there any doubt that Trixie would come for you? Now, come on, we have got to get the others."

"Others?" Ditzy asked, "You mean that the rest of the girls are put to sleep too?"

"The entire planet has been put to sleep," Trixie said. "Luna's getting the knights together," she continued as she opened the door and ran to Raindrop's door, "and Trixie is saving her team."

"Did you get Spark?" Ditzy asked.

Trixie frowned, "That mare right now has so many mental wards and defenses in her mind that Trixie couldn't break through. Either that or she isn't really asleep and she's doing something else."

---

Spark walked through the halls of the fortress, looking back and forth at the fallen soldiers. They were, unique, among the species of Equestria, bipedal and hunched over like a weird mix of a minotaur and a yeti. Turning her head, she tried to keep focus on the path ahead and the mare who sat in the throne. The mare in the throne glared her sea green eyes at Spark and demanded, "What brings you here?"

"I've come to request aid," Spark said, wincing a little while rubbing her right arm. She could feel a dull throb in her head as a small magical surge corsed through her body.

The mulberry mare narrowed her eyes and said, "Aid, while this crisis is going down? My boss's soldiers are asleep and he is throwing a temper tantrum about it! I think I am a little bit too busy for aid right now."

"But, you are the only other Equestrian who woke up,:" Spark said, looking at the mare with a curious eye. "Which means you either are very powerful, or have a strong will like me."

"You, have a strong will?" asked the unicorn.

Spark nodded, "Having no emotions helps to solidify your will and mental abilities. And more-" before she could say anything more, her body lurched over and she started to fade for a few brief moments.

The mare pulled back, "What on earth?"

"This is another reason why," Spark said, slowly getting back up. "I, am fading away. If I do not find my heart by next month, I am going to disappear."

"And this bothers me how?" asked the mare, her black armor glistening in the moonlight.

"You are a bounty hunter, a mercenary, correct?" Spark asked, waiting for the mare to nod. "I am willing to pay you a handsome sum to protect my friends in the advent of my death. All ten of them are going to need somepony to watch over them, should I fail."

"And what if you do find your heart in time?" the mare asked, "You will have no reason to pay me."

Spark shook her head, "Then I will pay you for helping to protect Equestria when Conquest makes his final push. Do we have a deal?"

"I see merit in your little bargain," the mare said, and smiled. The scar across her right eye was now visible in the room and it made Spark take note of the damage she had taken in her life, "Spark, you are very brave for traveling this far south, I must say."

"It was worth it to meet the leaders of the free people of Equestria, even if they are ruled by a despot," Spark said.

The mare smirked, "A despot, up against a despot, fighting to see who gets killed by a mad god. What a world we live in."

---

Ditzy watched as Trixie opened the door, "So, that means-"

"Our magic is right now down to our singer, seamstress, Alicorn, and of course, yours truly," Trixie said, opening the door and leading Ditzy in. "All in all, Trixie would say an even-" the words left her mouth as the two stepped in, seeing a freak show laid out before them.

Everywhere they looked, they saw monstrous ponies or ponies that were horribly disfigured. Some were missing limbs or had limbs placed where they should not have been. One mare freaked Ditzy out as she saw a mother sitting with two corpses of fillies, above her head a sign that said 'don't touch the monster.' Taking a step back and into Trixie, she asked, "What kind of horror show is this?"

"A show of monsters," a barker shouted to the crowd. "Mares who strangled fillies, stallions who ate hair, and now our prize of the collection."

When the curtain pulled back, Trixie gave a gasp of horror as she saw Raindrops chained to a wall, with a muzzle strapped to her mouth, "Behold, the monster that walks like a pony. Her biggest contribution to our world is the elimination of the retard."

As the words escaped the stallion's lips, tears came to Raindrops eyes as she roared in rage. The words in her throat were blocked by the muzzle on her mouth as she pulled and struggled against her chains.

"See how she fights, ready to strike out again at those-"

Trixie interrupted with a shout, "Ok, Trixie has had enough." with a glow of her horn, she used her illusions to make her look like a giant bear. This caused the barker to run off in terror while Ditzy freed Raindrops.

"Are you ok, Raindrops?" Ditzy asked, helping her friend to her feet.

"Y-yeah," Raindrops looked up at her friends, "Please tell me this is all just a dream!"

Ditzy nodded and hugged Raindrops, "Yeah, don't worry, Snails is alive. He's safe."

"T-thanks," Raindrops said, looking around the battlefield, "I've always been proud of my strength. Always glad that I could use it to protect my little brother, he needs it. He, can be annoying and stupid, making mistakes that he didn't mean to. I-"

"You're scared of losing your temper at the wrong time?" Trixie asked.

Raindrops frowned, "I have a short temper, I know. And if I let go at the wrong time I could kill him."

"Won't happen," smiled Ditzy, "Because you are not a monster and you can hold back. That is the pony who you are."

Raindrops smiled at Ditzy and hugged her, "Thanks."

"Hugging later, saving Lyra now!" Trixie said, stepping through Raindrops door and into Lyra's.

In the Lyra's dream world, they could hear the faint echos of Bon Bon speaking out, "Weirdo, freak. Not much use without her voice is she? She should just die."

A faint squeaking noise was heard next to them, and when Raindrops turned around, she began to feel sick and quickly used her wing to cover Ditzy's eyes. Trixie could only mutter, "My Celestia," under her breath as she looked at Lyra.

A pathetic whimper escaped Lyra's throat as she looked at her friends. Gone were her hands and horn, cut off by a butcher who called himself a surgeon. When she opened her mouth to speak, she revealed that her tongue was ripped out and what some can assume was her vocal chords.

Immediately, Ditzy went to Lyra and hugged her, "Shhh, it's ok. This i only a nightmare, and you know it. Bon Bon, she loves you like I loved my husband. The way you talk about her, the way you care for her, it shows that there is something there between you both that is more than just songs. You love each other because of what's in your heart and nothing can take that away."

Lyra looked into the mismatched eyes of her friend and nodded, her eyes tearing up before opening her mouth, "Thank you, Ditzy. I needed that." as she slowly got up and felt her body heal up, she said, "Bonnie had always been the first mare I had ever met that was ok with me being a little nuts. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have been friends with Minuette and Lemon Hearts." Looking down at her flank, she smiled at her mark, "Or gotten this."

Raindrops put a hand on her shoulder, "Hey, I would've been your friend. I like weird."

Ditzy giggled, "We're all a little weird, aren't we?"

"Well, some us are a little less weird than others," Trixie said, opening the door and walking through it to reach Carrot Top's door.

Once through it, they watched as the world flowed by with ponies. Each one was poor and destitute. Many were covered with leisures and wounds, while others were moaning in pain, suffering from a disease. Above all of this, blind and limbless, was Carrot Top in a little cage. Tears rolled out of her greyed eyes as she said, "I am sorry. I want to help you all, but I can't I just can't. I have nothing to give."

Raindrops flew up to the cage, grabbing the bars, "Oh no. Not having any of this!" she growled, ripping the bars apart with a roar, "You are not the one to give up."

Ditzy smiled as he flew up next, taking her friend in her arms, "Yeah. You are Carrot Top, the most non quitting pony I know. You worked on your farm for years with no help from your family and you have been helping all of us out since this whole thing got started. Now come on, where is your spirit?"

Carrot shook her head, snapping herself out of her depression, "Ditzy? What on earth is," she looked down at the ponies and gasped, "Oh Celestia. Those poor ponies. Ditzy, let me go, I need to go and-"

"This isn't real," Trixie said, "Grand Ruler is just making you face a world where you couldn't help ponies like you love. Now, come on, we got one more and then we are out of this mess."

"What about Spark?" asked Carrot Top.

Trixie let out a sigh and lowered her head, "Couldn't open her door." she then walked away moving to Cheerilee's door.

"She's really hurt about that," Ditzy said, "She should know that maybe it's a good thing. The poor thing can rest and-"

"You forget, she hates failing," Lyra said as the group made their way through the door.

In Cheerilee's dream, they found themselves in a little psych ward. For the most part it was silent save for the buzzing of the lights and the creaking of chairs. As they stepped through the lone and white hallways, they soon came to the activities room where they spotted a mulberry mare with a fading mane. Her wrinkles seemed to cover her body while each movement of her body seemed to bring her pain. A voice with the weariness of age came from her lips, "Ok class today I want to teach you all about loneliness. Loneliness happens when you spend all of your days pining for the right guy but never comes." she said, looking at her fingers.

"Oh, my," whispered Carrot Top as she looked at the aged mare, "Cheerilee. But why is she like this?"

A young nurse came to Cheerilee and patted her arm, "Miss Lee? It's time for your medication. Come along now."

"N-no, I need to teach my kids and then it's time to go home. My husband will be waiting for me," Cheerilee said, shaking as she was taken up and off her chair.

"What's wrong with her," whispered Lyra.

Trixie shook her head, "Dementia. She's a teacher and love to spread her wisdom to others, think of what it's like, knowing that your mind could go at one point and never be able to do what you love. Add onto that, what if you get that way and never have a chance to get married?"

Gasping, Ditzy ran to Cheerilee and took her by the arm, "Cheerilee, please listen to me. I know you're scared of tomorrow and that one day you might end up like this. And that's ok, you might one day. But," looking down, she said, "You can't let it take over your life. You can't just let that one fear rule you. I remember how you loved to go out and have fun, because you want to make everyday memorable."

Taking Cheerilee's hand in hers, she said, "And that can start right now. You have a coltfriend who is waiting for you, and been wanting to be with you for so long. We are so close to winning it all, and you can be with him again. Please, come back to us."

The words from Ditzy's mouth flowed into Cheerilee's head, and began to generate a spark of memory. For a moment, her eyes opened wide and she looked down at Ditzy, "Ditzy? What on earth am I? What's going on?"

Raindrops crossed her forearms and frowned, growling as she spoke, "Grand Ruler's making his final push to kill us all. And he's doing it by putting us into these dreamworlds and keeping us stuck here."

Trixie put a finger to her chin, "What Trixie does not understand is why you five are getting nightmares and why Trixie is unaffected."

"Maybe your dream didn't become a nightmare yet," suggested Ditzy.

Cheerilee, her age returned began to walk in thought, "Trixie, you have been trained by Luna. Perhaps the magic couldn't affect you because you know how to ward off nightmares. But that doesn't explain-"

"Corruption," Lyra said, her eyes widening. "Maybe it has to do with something that is corrupting a part of us that caused the magic to become different."

"Ok, genius, what?" Trixie asked. As Lyra shook her head, she frowned and began to charge her horn, "figure that out later. We have a planet to save and a mad man to stop."

---

When Trixie opened her eyes, she was first made aware of other presences in the room by a call, "Took you long enough to wake up. Thought you never would," the raspy voice said.

Raindrops, being the next to wake up, looked at the cyan mare in the room with a bit of confusion, "R-rainbow?" turning her eyes to look at the other four mares, she said, "Girls? What the heck are you doing here?"

Applejack pointed to Luna who was standing in the corner of the room while her mane began to billow softly, "The princess invited us in and Fluttershy was the one who found it."

"My word," Rarity said, looking around the mansion in admiration, "I never thought that such a place existed in the Whitetail woods."

Lyra looked to Trixie with admiration, "Blame Trixie for that. With her illusion magic and some perception filters, you have to be a freaking alicorn to find this place."

"Or," an upper class voice said, stepping in. All eyes turned to behold the white unicorn with a small blue mustache and monocle, "Know what it is that you are looking for." As the white unicorn began to clean his eyewear off, his wife kindly snuggled up to him and kissed his cheek.

"Fancy Pants? Lady FLeur? What on earth are you doing here? How do you know of this place?" asked Rarity.

"Well, I own it," Fancy said, "It's been my home away from home for the past fifteen years. I come here to think, rest, and to," he then looked to Fleur and smiled at her before kissing her lips, "have some personal time with the most beautiful mare in the world."

Cheerilee paused for a second, and then gasped, "You are our benefactor?"

"Yes," Luna said from the shadows, looking to Fancy Pants. "If I were to provide funding for this little rebellion, then it would become suspicious when they noticed a deficit within the treasury. However, if it were to come from another source."

Fancy Pants nodded, "I am a very charitable stallion. Any loss in my coffers would be seen as nothing more than just me being my usual self. Nothing more or less. It doesn't help that I have a 'floozy' for a wife."

Fleur giggled at the joke, "Oh yes, your floozy of a wife who just married you because of your big thick...wallet. Why, if I disappear once in awhile, I just might be cheating on you. Or spying for you," she giggled at this.

"Trixie is the master deceiver of this group," Trixie grumbled.

Fleur winked sexily at Trixie, "Give it two more years, hun. Now, if you could please use your magic to create some illusions? I need to discuss Grand Ruler's plan 'Board Wipe.'"

As Trixie nodded and began to create a map of the world in front of them, "That's what Ah'm wondering," Applejack said, stepping to the table with the others, "Just what is this plan 'Board Wipe'?"

Fleur sighed before beginning as the image showed a large snake hidden behind a moon, "Behind our moon is a giant planet buster machine known as Serpent-Tyrant. From what I have read, it was meant as a protection device. It was the intent of Brain to use it to protect planets from incoming invasions, seeing that Starfleet had no interest in space travel."

"I do not know what's worse, the corruption of an innocent device for a mad plan or," Luna growled and clenched her fist in rage, "The fact that he is using MY moon to hide it."

"I am sorry, your highness," Flues said compassionately. She then continued, having the magical hologram showing a group of ponies being flown into the large serpent, "Taking one hundred Equestrians and two hundred Unicorpians, he will load all of them, plus some guards and soldiers and his family-"

"Excluding me, because I am not important in his eyes," Luna said, looking down. Pinkie and Ditzy immediately hugged her in response.

"On board the ship and then," Fleur turned her head away as the large serpent fired it's primary cannon at the planet, making it explode into million of pieces, "Blow it up."

"How, horrid," Rarity gasped, her eyes wide in terror.

Fluttershy could barely let out a whimper as she said, "But, that's genocide! He would kill everyone! Why?"

"Get rid of the annoyances," Luna said, looking down. "I bet he also plans on starving Conquest. No planet, no food. He thinks that will make Conquest leave this plane and he is free to start anew on one of the off-world colonies."

Fancy Pants sighed, "However, Lady Fleur has discovered some grim news. Conquest has been attacking other worlds as well, leaving the other colonies for dead. As it stands, we are the last remaining planet in Starfleet's repertoire."

"How! How is he doing this?!" Rainbow Dash asked, rage in her eyes. "How can he have the power to wipe out a planet?"

"The Star Stones," Lyra said, looking down, "We figured out that those 'Rainbow Stones' weren't destroyed at all but were taken on board the planet buster and used as a weapon. Those five-"

"Six," Fleur said, "There are six stones."

Lyra looked confused, "Six stones? But I thought there were five, or four if you believe one account."

"How do you think that he was able to mess with an entire planet in spite of him losing so much power," Fleur said, "The power of the two items comes from believing, and since he has had been losing so much, he had to rely on one of the gems in order to give the two items full power over the world."

"So that explains it, he kept one star stone and let the other five rest," said Lyra.

Fleur looked down, "And there's more. Shaina called the stone, an Element. She didn't say Star Stone or Rainbow Stone."

Carrot Top spoke up in shock, "There are more than six elements?"

"Courage, Protection, Hope, Tenacity, Wisdom, and Faith," Luna said, looking down. "It is said that when the virtues of old became the seeds to be sent to the various planets by Yggdrasil, she did not make only one seed. She made several that contained the essence of the virtues. These seeds flew off and landed on different worlds where heroes could infuse the power of their virtues within them to help the grow into a tree of life."

"The Tree of Harmony is one of those trees, right?" Lyra said, at Luna's nodding, "When a group of six heroes find one of these seeds, they infuse their virtues into it and then they plant the seed which grew into the tree and produce the fruits that would be given to those who've proven themselves worthy of their power. This would then unlock the power within those ponies to protect their world," with a chuckle, she said, "Like how a tree's fruit holds its seeds to be delivered through the woods. Wow, I wonder kind of tree those gems came from."

"I don't know," Cheerilee said, sighing, "But you can be sure that Grand Ruler corrupted them."

Applejack punched the table, letting out a growl as she said, "Dammit! Just what kind of monster is this guy. He ain't that smart, so how the hell did he get this much power."

"It isn't power, Abbigail," Luna said, stepping out and holding out her hand to show an image of a foal, "Imagine a child, who has been given the power over his favorite game. He is able to change the rules however he wants, make the world his, and fix what he sees as errors. If a couple did not get together, he can force them together in spite of what they want, or if a character acts the way he doesn't, then it would be nothing for him to force a change into this character."

"But, ponies aren't like that," Rarity said. "We have our own personae and ideals. You can't just force us into doing things that you want without thinking about us first."

Luna nodded, "Precisely, now tell a child that. Tell him that there are rules he must follow and he must do things by the book. What happens then?"

"Well, when Dinky was five, I told her not to play a game in a certain way and she threw the board away."

"Correct, " Luna remarked. "A mature adult would respect and understand the rules. He would play by them and have fun, but a child would just throw the board away and find a new game."

Raindrops frowned and punched her palm, " We're not dealing with a god or a mastermind here. We're dealing with a child who got too much power."

Rainbow Dash flew up and asked with a smirk, "So what are waiting for? Let's get Luna to fly us up there, free everypony, destroy the machine, and then kick Grand Leper's sorry can."

Luna shook her head, " Not so fast, Rainbow Dash. Think for a moment, what if Conquest attacks while you five are away? We need you strength here with us.'

"So, what's the plan, princess?" Dash asked with a frown.

Luna looked outside and spoke calmly, "Your task is simple. You and the others work on freeing the others from the sleep spell and get as many awake as you can. We will leave the destruction of Serpentari to my team."

Trixie shook her head and said, "Wait, what!?"

"I will not lie," Luna said, stepping before the six mares, "This will be your final mission and perhaps your greatest mission. You must board Serpentari, destroy its generator, free the slaves, and then come home."

"Us, alone?" gasped Ditzy. "In space?"

Applejack smirked a little, "Don't you worry. We'll hold down the fort here."

"I'll try and see if I can get in touch with Avarok on El, and see if her ships can provide adequate transport," Rarity said.

"I'll get the circle a ship," Fleur said, looking up at a clock. "From what I understand, we only have ten more hours until the machine launches its assault."

---

Raindrops sighed, her eyes on the stars. She looked at the group of twelve bright stars and watched as they twinkled their bright colors. Her mind was so focused on the stars, she didn't hear the footsteps behind her, "Scared?" Trixie asked, "I am too."

"Who wouldn't be," Raindrops said, walking around the courtyard of the mansion. "In all of our other missions, we fail and it's just us that lost. This time, we lose and it's all over. Our families, our homes, and hell our entire freaking planet dies. Yeah, I'm scared out of my mind."

Lyra stepped out, flanked by the other members of the Umbra Circle, "I gotta admit, it is terrifying to think that we are all that stands between Equestria and total annihilation."

"Part of having courage, you know?" Raindrops said with a warm smile before turning to look back at her friends. "It isn't just about being the fastest, strongest, or even the most powerful. It all about looking fear in the eye and not letting it control you. Just using it to make you stronger, giving you the push you need to change things. Like your fate, or your destiny. Yeah, I am scared, but I'd be damned if I'm going to let fear of failure control me."

Trixie and the others smiled and nodded, their doubts long since banished from the backs of their minds. Lyra then pulled out her lyre and began to strum a slow steady beat."

I was all alone, scared and hopeless

Staying alone, wanting to be courageous,

My loneliness kept me bottled inside

But I kept my head up

And now my heart will fly

---

"...And for the thousandth time," Lightning said, walking with Dementia at his side, "I am sorry I ever ever thought that way about your daughter. I was an asshole and a moron who let his own thoughts about strength control him. I do not deserve her, I left her behind when I should've risked life and limb to save her. I should've paid attention to her and spent more time with her. Please forgive me for being such an asshole, bastard, dick-waffle, dreck, and shit cheese around your precious daughter!"

Rep-Stallion walked behind the two, chuckling as he watched, "So, how long has this been going on?"

"Since we arrived an hour ago," Mysterious said, "It was kind of funny around minute thirty, then was sad, now I think it has become funny again."

"Well, I hope she gives up soon," Krysta said with a frown, "I mean, I know he was a bit of a moron, but I think he's sorry by now."

Lightning sighed, "There are you satisfied?"

"No, but I think I will save more for later," Dementia said with a coy grin.

"Swell," Lightning said with a snarky tone and roll of his eyes. "Can I just say this, I am sorry that you spent six months fighting your own daughter, and then to see Conquest-"

Dementia quickly interrupted with a snarl, "I know, and trust me, when I see my baby girl again I will make sure to love her every day of my life."

"I would just settle for her forgiving me," Lightning said, trying to hide the despair in his voice.

Krysta flew up a little Into the sky, straightening out her long yellow sundress as she looked ahead into the horizon and saw a small little fort, "Guys, I see something. It's about a few yards to the north."

Rep smiled as he said, "Good, maybe they might have seen Inquirious and the others. Or, maybe some food."

"Well, at least it would be something to go on," Lightning said, leading the troupe as the walked to the fort. After a few yards, Lighting looked up at the tower and gasped at the glint of a scope, "A sniper!"

With a spit of a shot, the bullet traveled from the gun and, in between Lightning's toes, "Oh, nice warning shot, Church!" a slight nasal voice said.

"I wasn't giving a warning shot," Church yelled at his subordinate, "I was aiming at his skull. And I don't see how I keep missing him!" Each word was punctuated with a shot from Church's gun. Somehow, each and every one of his shots missed the target.

Krysta looked to Lighting strangely, " He is aiming, right?"

"Hey, guys, what's up?" An earth pony mare with long curly blonde hair and purple eyes asked. At her sides were two golden gauntlets that rested by her cutie mark of a flame fist.

"Church is a terrible shot," Caboose said as Church let out another bit of rage.

A redhead filly with a long red cape peaked over the parapet and said, "Church is missing a lot? Let me see!" Then she let out a loud gasp, "It's Dementia and the others!"

The older Blonde looked over her sister's shoulder and said, "You're right Ruby! I need go and tell Inquirious, about this. She is going to be so happy! We are going home!"

"And Lightning is with them,"Ruby said, a little frown crossing her lips.

"He is?" Yang said, looking down at the group of travelers, "Oh, Starla is not going to be happy." Looking back at her little sister, she ordered, "Ruby, you go and open the gates and I'll tell Inquirious about this."

Ruby nodded and did a silly salute with two fingers pointed to her head and sticking her tongue out. Turing to look back at the group, Ruby cocked her head to the side at the sight of Krysta, "Who is that?"

The inside of the fort, though disheveled it was and ramshacked, was very much the equivalent to a small town. While most of the houses were made with whatever refuge and scrap were laying around, they provided adequate protection for the small populace of ponies, ex-slaves, and refugees that made their home there. For Yang, this was a nice home for her to look at as she ran through the streets.

Excitement and pure energy poured through her body as she ran through the streets, until she had reached a small torn building that was once a small library. Opening the door slowly, she saw a white unicorn with long silvery hair talking to a mare with long black mane and what looked like cat ears, "So, you say that you believe that there are other creatures like your father in Equestria?"

"Yes, from what I heard, there has been a group of cats, sea-ponies and other creatures that have been isolating themselves from Grand Ruler," The mare with the long black mane said, folding her wings to her side, "I think they call themselves the free peoples of Equestria and are led by St-"

"Blake, Weiss," panted Yang,"Have you seen Inquirous? I need to tell her something important."

Weiss looked confused, "What?"

"We are going home!" Yang said, pumping her fist into the air.

"Oh, and what inspires you to make such a bold claim?" Inquirious asked, closing a burnt book that she had been trying to fix.

Yang smiled as she looked to Inquirious, "Dementia's group is here! And if they found a way to get here, then that means they know of a way home!"

"That is excellent news, I'll be sure to tell Starla immediately," Inquirious said, smiling warmly.

"Oh, and," Yang looked away, a slight snarl in her tone ass she said, "Lightning is here too."

"Oh, dear..." Inquirious said.

As this conversation went on, the quintet made their way into the fort, with Ruby happily opening the gates for them. Rep's slitted eyes looked back and forth as he walked ahead, watching the ponies playing and talking, "You know, when I heard that she got sent into a dimension that was taken over by Conquest, I was expecting a little more-"

"Depression and destruction?" Krysta asked, walking close by Lighting's side, her hand in his. She nodded as she watched a mare and stallion kiss next to a furnace, tears in her eyes, "This looks more like if you put Ponyville into a post apocalyptic wasteland than anything else."

Dementia smiled as she looked back at the fillies playing little games while some mares practice swordplay, "Well, this is my daughter we are talking about. We Shines do know how to make the best of a bad situation." A content breath escaped her lips as she walked through the small town, the pride showing in her eyes.

After walking for a few more feet, they made it to the center of town. Once there, they saw an all-too familiar alicorn, flanked by two other mares. When they could make out the features of the group, they smiled when they recognized the faces of their was the first to step forward, eyes brimming with tears as she saw Dementia and immediately began to run, "Dementia! You're really here!"

Opening her arms, Dementia grabbed Starla and lifted her up in a powerful and warm embrace, "Starla! Oh, I am so glad you are all right!" Dementia said through her own tears, nuzzling her daughter softly, "When I found out what he did to you I thought I lost you forever."

Starla sniffled, holding onto the back of her mother's head, "It was tough going, but I never lost hope. It's just like you told me, stick to it and be strong."

Dementia sniffled, pulling away for a bit and looking into Starla's eyes, "Yeah, that's right, be strong," she said, smiling. With a chuckle, she ran her hand through Starla's short mane, "You know, short hair...t-that's a good look for you. But, you should really be more careful on how you cut it. Now, have you been eating right? Bathing well? Or have they been taking care of you?"

"Dementia? What's this?" giggled Starla with a smile, "You're acting more affectionate than usual. I know we haven't seen each other in months, but you're acting like it's been years."

"It...it has," sniffled Dementia, before looking into her daughter's eyes. "Starla, look into my eyes. Do you see something familiar?"

For a few moments, Starla looked into the eyes of the woman who had saved her, protected her, and cared for her. As she did, her mind began to remember where she had seen those eyes before. They were the first eyes she saw when she was born, the woman who had protected her from the dark, and the woman who had loved her unconditionally. Her mother looked back at her and smiled. Starla shook for a few moments, trying to rationalize the sight before her, speaking in a soft whisper, "M-Mom?" When Dementia nodded through her own tears, Starla shouted, "MOTHER!"

Starla's tears ran uncontrollably down her cheeks as she hugged her mother tighter, choking back sobs as she held her mother to make sure she would never leave her again, "Mom! I... I can't believe this is really happening, you are actually here!"

"Yes, and Mommy's never leaving you again, my little Star!" Dementia cried, holding her daughter tightly, making sure she was in her arms.

"How? When," Starla asked, refusing to let go.

Dementia pulled back and sniffed, "It's a long story, and you and I have a lot to catch up on."

"Y-Yeah, we do, twenty years worth," Starla said, wiping her tears away.

"Speaking of catching up," chuckled Lightning and waving, "Uh, I'm here too."

Starla broke the embrace and turned to look to Lightning. All feelings of sadness and happiness faded as her eyes glared daggers into his soul. Lightning, though trying to be fearless, backed up a few steps as he looked at her and gulped in horror. With fire in her eyes, Starla let out a loud, "You bastard!" and pulled back and delivered a hard punch that sent Lightning flying across the street.

Wincing in pain and rubbing his cheek, Lighting moaned, "So, you heard it huh?"

"Every...word," Starla said, turning away and walking off.

As Dementia walked with her daughter towards a small building, Krysta sat down and helped Lighting up, "It will be ok. She just needs some time with her mom before getting to you."

"Y-yeah," Lightning said, a little sullen. Then he looked up as he noticed several of the ponies looking right at Krysta. Sighing, he nodded, realizing some ponies didn't know, "Guys, this is Krysta. She is actually a Flutterpony."

"Wow, check her out."

"Beautiful simply beautiful."

"No wonder Lightning didn't look for Starla,"

Krysta blushed a little and waved hi to the onlookers, trying her best to hide behind her long blonde mane. Blushing a little she moved to Lighting's side, "Wasn't expecting this..."

Inquirious chuckled, "My today is just full of revelations, isn't it Mr. Stallion?"

"Oh yeah," Rep-Stallion said, pulling her close to him, "And I think there is one more big surprise your way, my love."

"My dear Rep," said Inquirous said with a coy smile, "You seem to be more amorous than usual."

Rep-stallion smiled at her and said, "That's because I have twenty-plus years of loving you I need to catch up on."

"Lovin-" anything else that she could've said was lost in the air as Rep pressed his lips to hers and kissed her deeply and passionately. She gave off a quiet moan as she kissed him, finding her arms wrapping around him as she kissed. For a few precious moments the world stopped, lost in the power of his kiss. After breaking the kiss for a moment, her eyes opened wide as she remembered his lips, his warmth, and his heart, "...Swift? SWIFT!" she shouted, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him, pushing him to the ground in the process.

After a few moments, Rep was the first to break the kiss, panting, "So, you missed me huh?"

"Yes, oh," she kissed his cheeks while rubbing his sides, "Yes, so much." then she let out horrified gasp, "Our son! We need to find him, they took him and-"

Rep-Stallion held her hand and looked up at her, "We'll find him, just like we found each other."

Inquirous let out a girlish giggle, running her hand through her mane, "Must look like an old maid to you."

"Nah," Rep said, "You look heavenly. Now, I think you get off, we're making a scene."

Inquirious giggled, running her finger along his chest, "Let them look."

Rep smiled as he caressed her cheek, "How about this, you and I can 're-connect' at your library."

This made Inquirous both blush and smile like a wild woman, grabbing his hand and taking him down to the library while putting up a closed sign. Krysta watched this, and laughed a little, "So, got any family here, Myst?"

"No, sadly, I do not," Myst said looking down, "Brain is back on the planet El. I promised my friends that I would not see him again until they were reunited."

Lightning nodded, "I see." he looked back at the building in the distance, "Krysta, do you think-"

"She will, it just takes time," Krysta said, holding Lighting's hand. "She just went through hell, found out her Mom's alive, and now has to deal with you? I think she needs a few moments to get adjusted."

Lightning let out a laugh and nodded, "Yeah. So, how are you adjusting to being big?"

"It's great," Krysta said, flying in a circle before landing on the ground, "No more dollhouses and no more dealing with getting drowned when it rains." Then with a smile, she added, "Plus, it lets me do this!"

"Do what?" Lighting asked, before being hugged around the neck. Lighting smiled warmly at this, wrapping his arms around the waist, "Yeah...you know, this kind of hug from you is a little better than the old ones."

Krysta cocked her head to the side, "How so?"

"It's warmer, and I get to hug more of you," Lightning said, winking at his friend.

"Hey, asswipe," Casca said, stepping into the center, "Starla said she's willing to talk to you on the roof."

Krysta whispered in Lighting's ear, "I think she's talking to you."

"Thanks, Captain Obvious," snarked Lightning, which he couldn't help but notice her giggle at this.

As Lightning flew away, Myst walked to her, "Wait, you talk about the obvious on purpose?"

"Well, duh. It's to get a rise out of him," Krysta said with a giggle before flying to the roof of the nearby building.

---

From inside of the doorway to the roof, Dementia watched the scene unfold between the two former lovers. By her side was Krysta, "Now, while I trust my daughter to be civil," Dementia said, "I would be remiss in my motherly duties if I didn't watch her."

"And I am here to make sure my best friend is ok," Krysta said.

On the roof, Lightning and Starla stood far apart from each other, the grey ground beneath their feet an ocean of distance between them. Time seemed to drag on for hours for the two as they stood there, silent and emotionless. Were it not for the rise and fall of their chests, one would think them to be statues overlooking the city. After a few moments of tension, Starla was the first to speak, "Lightning, I-"

"Starla I-" Lightning began at the same time. At this interruption, both looked away from one another. With a deep breath, Lighting spoke up, "Starla...I was a jerk."

"I have other terms for what you are, but go on," Starla said with her arms crossed, looking at him.

Lightning sighed and kicked the ground, "I will admit, I did think that of you and no matter what I do now will ever make up for it, but Conquest killed the golem before he could also say that I don't think that anymore. If anything, I blame myself."

"You do, do you?" asked Starla, her tone softening a little.

Lightning nodded, and placed his hands on the side of the roof, "I was just so filled with pride and arrogance that I let what Grand Ruler said about strength and power cloud my mind, making me think that. It made me think that you were weak because you couldn't stop a monster from hurting you. Instead, it was me."

Starla shook her head as she took a few steps forward, "I was always afraid that you did think that, that you were going to blame me for what happened to me. Worse, I had a feeling that you would make it about you! Because that's what it always boiled down to, how a tragedy affected you. It was always about you while we got shoved into the dirt!"

"Starla I-"

"And this wasn't the first time I was kicked to the side just because you can't wipe your own asshole without Grand Ruler's help! Remember Sombra? You were willing to let me die by his hands, just because the laws told you not to rush off to save me," Starla said, clenching her fist and looking away. "The supposed love of your life wasn't worthy of you breaking the rule just this once."

Those words stung Lightning and hurt worse than Conquest's claws. Sighing, he looked down at the side of the roof and nodded, "I was a jerk back then. I really thought you were ready to die for our country."

"But I didn't want to die!" Starla said, looking away before taking a step back, "Do you even know how much it hurt, knowing that you left me there? That you, my team, and everypony else had to wait until Grand Ruler said it was ok to save a life? It hurt, it hurt me and broke my heart."

Lightning looked up, and took a step forward, letting a tear fall from his eye, "Starla, I;m sorry, I never knew."

"Because I never said it, I kept it hidden because it wasn't important, it didn't benefit you to know I was so heartbroken," Starla sniffed. The tension around the two increased as they said nothing, just looking at each other. For the moment, the two fighters began to see past the masks and armor they had and the equines within. And they could see how weak they really were.

Starla, for a brief moment, lifted up her hand and rubbed her ring, "Lightning, what did we mean to each other?"

"I...dunno," Lightning said, kicking the ground, "I thought we loved each other, but now, I can't say."

Starla frowned and shook her head, "We went on playdates Lightning, we played around a romance like a couple of kids! You took me on an amusement park on our first date when I wanted to star-gaze with you. Every time I wanted to go somewhere nice, you picked restaurants that you liked. We never really, connected like adults."

Lighting sighed, stepping forward a little, "I...know, I know. I always thought that being in love was just a given thing. All you needed was two pretty people looking at each other and saying 'I love you' and that's it. But then I look at Rarity and Spike, or Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash and I see how love needs to be a partnership. Where two people help each other and love one another."

Starla paused, "Wait, Rainbow and Fluttershy are together? What happened to Rhymey?"

"Oh, he's evil now," Lightning said nonchalantly.

Starla cocked an eyebrow at this, "Wait, what? Rhymey's evil?"

"Yeah," Lightning said, looking down, lightly kicking the ground "And I think our lives up to this point have all been a lie by Grand Ruler. And Krysta is a Flutterpony now."

"That winged pony was Krysta," asked Starla. "Great, my mother was a villain, Grand Ruler is a liar, and now you tell me that we were living a lie? Next thing you know, you'll tell me that Titan was actually on our side!"

Lightning began to chuckle a little at this, a smile on his face, "How did you know?"

Starla stood for a moment, dumbstruck at the revelation, "I have a lot to catch up on."

"Yeah," Lightning laughed at this, "You kind of do. It's something we can do when we get home. Right now, I want to know, what about us?"

Starla looked at her wedding band, and began to turn it, "I think I made a mistake on this."

"I agree," Lightning said, making Starla look up, "We never really spent any time together, or did things like close couples should. And we barely know each other outside of our backstories and hobbies. That...isn't a relationship." Slowly, he pulled his wedding ring off, "Artie said that he wanted to start over as friends, and not commander and subordinate. I think we should do the same, just be friends."

As Starla watched Lighting take off his ring and throw it to the ground, making an audible clink, she let out a chuckle, "No fair, I was going to do that first." she said , throwing the ring onto the ground.

"So, want to try and be friends?" asked Lightning with a warm smile.

Starla nodded, "Let's try."

Not realizing that they were getting close to each other the whole time, Krysta popped up between them with a happy smile, "Ok, so we are all friends now? Ready to move on from this drama and begin to live our lives?"

Starla nodded and laughed a little, "Yeah, I think we're ready to be friends now."

"Good!" Krysta said, taking Starla by the hand and walking towards the doorway, "Because, you, Dementia, Inquirious, and I need to do something I have been wanting to do for ages! A sleepover between us! Oh, we are going to have so much fun: Talking about nothing, doing our hair, and having a blast.'

"W-w-wait, what about me?" Lightning asked.

Starla smiled warmly and looked over her shoulder, "Sorry, Lightning, girls only!"

"But I," Lightning sighed and slumped his shoulders, lightly kicking the ground.

Rep-Stallion patted Lightning on the shoulder, "Hey man, it's ok. If it'll make you feel better, I can take you with me to Mysterious and we can have a guys night out."

"Sure," Lightning shrugged, looking over his shoulder and smiling warmly at his friend before leaving.

And so it was, for the evening the small group mended friendships, reunited their family, and forged bonds. Underneath the stars of a dead world, the group found solace within the arms of each other. They were unaware of the danger that had slowly come over their world, and the shadow of the snake that loomed.

---

In a secret place near new Canterlot Castle, sat a space port. Though only small enough for the one ship that was there, it was still valuable for Operation Board Wipe. Here, the soldiers that were allowed to be awake dragged and carried the unconscious ponies into the ship to be delivered onto Serpentari. It was also here that the Umbra Circle had found themselves hiding behind a wall, "There they are, the last group to be loaded on board the ship," Trixie whispered.

Raindrops frowned, "Hard to believe that with all of the tech they have, the resources, and the knowhow, they can only build one ship."

"They say it's because the space bridges are more practical and travel faster, but it's still one bridge meant to service an entire planet," Cheerilee said, "And with the sorcerers and mechanics here, we could easily help them with an entire fleet of ships that could handle the teleporters. If only they would ask."

"Those bridges aren't even all that fun," Lyra said, growling, "I should know...I rode them."

"Wait, girls, look," Carrot Top said, "Some helpful guards willing to donate us some uniforms." Nodding to the side, Cheerilee smiled and stepped out, unbuttoning the top of her shirt.

"Oh boys," Cheerilee said with a sultry grin, "Want to play."

The six soldiers smiled and ran towards her, only to pass out from the gas of Carrot Top's bomb. After taking the knocked out unicorpians into the hiding place, they began to put on their uniforms. Trixie was the first to say, "Um, Carrot, problem."

"What?" Carrot Top asked, before looking at Raindrops and Ditzy.

Ditzy blushed, noticing that her bust was threatening to pop out of the top, "Only three of them have our sizes."

"Yeah, and I hate showing my belly button!" Raindrops said with a frown.

Carrot Top chuckled and looked at the next set of guards, "Ok, let's try this set."

After four tries, they group finally had the right amount of outfits for the entire team to wear, and with a flash of Trixie's magic, they were all changed to look like space alicorns. Nodding, the sextet walked over towards the spaceship, being careful not to draw attention.

As they walked, on particular soldier said, "Well, hey there guys. Wanted to take one last look at this planet before it goes boom?"

Ditzy was the first to speak, Trixie's illusion magic giving her a gruff voice, "Well, yeah. Wanted to see this place and wish the weaklings a bon voyage before it goes sky high."

"Yeah," the guard said, sighing as he looked around, "But, that's what they get for not being us. For being so naive as to let the pathetic inferior ponies live. Like this one retarded unicorn colt-" his next sentence was stopped by a hard right into his jaw that laid him low.

"Raindrops!" Trixie said, frowning.

"What he got me mad, besides it was a dull conversation anyway," Raindrops said, leading the team on board the ship.

Lyra sighed, "Well, I was hoping we would leave this port with at least a few of the soldiers conscious."

"Well, there are the three on board the ship," Raindrops said, with a nonchalant shrugged. This, in turn, made the rest facepalm as they boarded the ship and took off into the sky.

As the ship soared through the air, quickly breaking the atmosphere into the blackness of space, Lyra took the time to look outside of the window at the scenery. Her golden eyes were open in awe and silent wonder as she got a look at all of the myriad of stars that lied ahead of her. Behind her, she could hear Ditzy gasp, "Wow, look behind us! You can barely see Equestria."

"Space is amazing isn't it?" Cheerilee said with glee before leaning back in her seat, "The wonder, the size, the majesty."

"The vacuum, the void, the fact that we are in a tin can that if broken we will drift off into and endless wasteland of nothingness," Trixie said, grabbing her seat and holding on tightly.

Raindrops chuckled, "Not much for space?"

"No!" Trixie said, eyes open wide in panic.

Carrot Top smiled a little and said in an almost mocking tone, "But Trixie, there is air out here, and teleporting magic, and the space bridges act as a tool to get to other planets."

"But, that wouldn't work," Cheerilee said, shaking her head, "The reason why space is a vacuum is because of the size of it all. Gravity is weaker out here in space, so there is no place for the air molecules to collect, thus the lack of air in space. The only way for there to be air out in space is if there was a lot more gravity to make things dense. All of the teleportation magic, all of the pseudo-science, calling it by a different name, can't really argue with basic multiversal physics."

"But, you forget," Trixie said, looking up, "Starfleet says that this is a magical dimension! It's where physics don't matter."

"Bullshit!" said Ditzy in a german accent, which ended up making the group laugh.

Lyra sighed as she looked to her friends, and then out the window at the planet, "Girls, do you think...we'll still be friends, after this?"

"What do you mean?" asked Cheerilee.

Raindrops sighed and leaned back into her seat, "I know what she means. Pretty positive this will be our final mission. After this, we can all go back to our normal lives. We wouldn't really have a reason to talk to one another or do anything with each other."

Carrot Top shook her head, "I don't believe that's true."

"Indeed!" Trixie said, standing up and looking at her friends, "If anything, Trixie has more of a reason to visit Ponyville! After all, Trixie still needs to see little Dinky graduate, Cheerilee's wedding, and more."

"Yeah," Carrot Top said with a smile, "Who cares if we have different jobs or lives from each other. Doesn't mean that once this adventure is over, that our friendship has to end. We spent a whole year together guys, and the end of that journey can't wash it all away. Look at the Knights of Harmony. They have been through so much together, and in spite of being of different walks of life, they have stuck together through the worst trials that you have ever seen. If they can stay friends like that, then why can't we?"

Ditzy nodded, "I know when this is over, you guys are all coming over to Dinky's birthday party."

"Oh, maybe we should get Pinkie to throw us a party to celebrate," Cheerilee asked, smiling warmly.

Lyra nodded and then said, "After we drink ourselves stupid at Berry's!"

This brought out a round of laughter from the group, easing the tension that had been on their minds since take off. As Trixie looked around the room, she opened her mouth, "Girls, before we dock, I just want to say-"

"Hey, guys in the back, prepare for landing. We're teleporting the refugees into the holding bay while we land on the docking port," said the pilot as the ship approached the station.

Trixie, her words forgotten ran to the side of the ship along with Lyra. Their eyes opened wide in shock and amazement as they looked upon the massive station, Serptantari. Much like it's name said, it resembled a giant snake ninety nine miles in length and coiled up to keep itself hidden behind the moon of Equestria. Floating over the head of the snake, the girls could see the silver sheen of the large serpent that seemed to add additional terror to the red eyes that laid within it's head. Two giant fins rested aside its head to serve as solar energy collectors. All along it's back were weapons that were carefully concealed beneath its large scales.

"Where do you think it's generator is, and the stones?" asked Ditzy.

Carrot Top shook her head, "I don't know. That's what we need to find out."

"Maybe if they gave out a map or something, it will be easier," Cheerilee said.

"Now that is ridiculous," Trixie said. "Trixie knows that Grand Hobo is a moron, but he wouldn't be so stupid as to give out floor plans to the soldiers so enemies can easily use them to their advantage."

"Hey guys," the pilot said as the tractor beam guided the ship into the docking port on the side of the station. "Grand Ruler knows that the ship is kind of large, and he tends to get lost easily on board the station. So he has orders to give out maps of the station to each and every soldier that boards the station so they, and in effect he, doesn't get lost."

Trixie stood there, her eyes widened in utter shock at what just happened, "Every time Trixie tries to give him the benefit of the doubt...Raindrops, hit him!"

"Will do," Raindrops said, getting up and decking the pilot unconscious.

Taking off the uniform, Ditzy asked, "Was that really necessary? I thought we wanted to keep a few awake."

"He made me mad," Trixie said, putting the map into her hat's pocket. Then, after the girls took off their uniforms, Trixie grabbed hers by the shoulder and pulled it off with a flourish, instantly getting into her hat, cape, and normal stage back at her friends, she gave a smirk as she walked off, "When you got it, flaunt it. Now, let's find those prisoners, the generator and then we can lea..." the words died on Trixie lips as she stepped off the ship and onto the loading dock.

When Lyra stepped off next, her eyes went wide at the massive size of the ship, and then back to her map, and then back to the size, "We, might be here for a while."

---

8 hrs. 16 mins until Serpentari fires.

Applejack sighed, looking up at the moon as it hung overhead, "Guess Luna wants to keep it there, no sense in raising it if the world blows up." she said, looking at the snow covered fields of her farm. Turning her head back, she looked at the little farm house where her family were waiting for the news. Lightly kicking the snow, she began to walk from the trail to the fence of her farm. She would never show it on her face, but her heart was heavy with worry. The presence of a giant ship that could destroy her planet in one blast was unnerving.

As she exited her farm, she looked ahead at the rest of her small town and frowned. A part of her looked at the lights and began to wonder if it was better for the civilians to be awake or not. Shaking her head, she tried not think about it, "I've talked with Avarok," Rarity said, walking up to applejack and pulling her shawl in close. "They said, even if they brought in the entire fleet here, and worked their teleporters to the bone. They would save only about a third of our population at best."

"Only a third!" Rainbow Dash shouted from the sky before landing on the ground. "What are their ships so tiny they can't-"

"They can only do so much," whispered Fluttershy, stepping up next to Rainbow Dash, "Just like all of us."

"Yeah but it's just that, I mean there has to be," Rainbow Dash sighed and looked down, shaking her head.

"You can say it dear, we are all probably thinking the same thing," Rarity said, frowning.

"I never felt so useless!" Rainbow growled, "Conquest, a dragon, or even Grand Ruler! Those are something I can hit, I can fight, but this thing?! And we are stuck here million miles away from it to do anything. And all we can do is...is..."

Applejack finished, "Just sit back and watched the fireworks." looking back up at the moon, "And hope an pray for the best."

Fluttershy decided to ask a question to help ease the tension, "Did you wake up your families?"

"I woke up Scoots," Rainbow Dash said calmly, "Figured she might want to stay with the other Crusaders. I also woke up Drops and Ditzy's families."

"I did as well, along with Trixie's," Rarity said, watching the moon.

"Yeah, and so did Ah. Ah mean, if they succeed, it would be nice to provide them with a good homecoming," Applejack said.

Pinkie Pie happily bounced in, making prints in the snow, "They are going to succeed. Just wait, they'll come back riding on that big ol mean snake's head and then we can go beat Grand Knucklehead!"

"Not to burst your bubble, Pinkie, but this isn't a recon mission or a stealth mission. They are going up against some of Starfleet's best, and this time, they don't have a powerful wizard by their side. They are going to be all alone up there," Applejack said, frowning.

"Aw, pischa," Pinkie said, waving her hand. Then she held up her left hand, showing a long since faded mark. "They all have what we have, and I think we all know what a power that is. It's helped bring us all back together when we were thinking we were lost, it helped us take down armies, and even a god. They've had an entire year to build up their friendship, and if they are half the friends we are... then I know they are going to win. Just you watch!"

Rainbow Dash looked at Pinkie, and then chuckled, "How do you do it, Pinkie. Here we are, trying to be sad and depressed about the future and then you come in and ruin it for us!"

"It's a gift," Pinkie said with a big grin.

Before the group could say more, a pink alicorn flew over head. After circling them for a few moments, as if to identify them, she smiled as she looked down and landed in front of the small group, "Oh, thank my aunts that you six are awake."

"Princess Cadance?" Applejack asked, looking shocked, "What on Equestria are you doing here? Ain't ya asleep?"

"Oh, Luna must have woken you up," Rarity said.

"No, she didn't" Cadence said, shaking her head. "The empire never fell asleep. It's been fine since this started, I was just seeing if the rest of Equestria had been put to sleep as Aunt Luna said."

"So far," Luna said, stepping from the shadows, much to the fright of Fluttershy and Pinkie who both leapt into Rainbow's and Applejack's arms. She held back a smirk as she reveled in surprising somepony with her shadow trick, "Only Horn Kong and the Empire seem to be unnaffected by Grand Ruler's sleep spell."

"Why?" Applejack asked, a little confused, "Is his magic that weak?"

Cadence shook her head, "I may not be able to explain Horn Kong, but for the empire, it was a mix of the power of the Heart plus something else."

(A Few Hours Previous)

Cadence stood in the throne room, happily attending to her favorite duty, mothering a crying three month old foal. Mane askew, she looked down at the cooing little filly as she began to calm down, "I have raised three babies in my time as a foal sitter, why are you tougher than the rest." In response, the little baby lightly swung her arm.

Cadence smiled a little at this, only to turn around at the sound of footsteps, "You Majesty, Your Majesty, the heart was glowing brightly just a few moments ago!"

"It does that," Cadence said, sitting down on the throne with her foal in her arms, "You know this, Lion Heart."

The brown maned crystal stallion nodded, running his hand through his short cut brown hair and showing off the scar on his nose, "I know this, your majesty, but there is more. Outside of the castle, the traitor stood slashing this blade of his three times before he collapsed."

"Traitor?" asked Cadence.

"Flash Sentry," Lion Heart said, looking down. "He was passed out by the time I had reached him. He's currently-"

The doors slammed open and Flash stood there, large cuts letting out blood onto his yellow coat. Panting, he looked up with nearly closed eyes, "Oh... good, the sword, worked. Guess Dusk wasn't kidding when he said the sword can cut..." before he could say anymore, he collapsed to the ground.

Gasping in shock, Cadence flew over to his body and held out her hand. Horn glowing pink, she began to use magic to heal his wounds. Looking next to him, she saw the sword that he had with him. A rather normal short sword, were it not for the chains that wrapped around it. Cadence whispered to herself, "Chains... Why would a sword have chains."

"Because it's the Sword of Instant," Chrysalis said, "The blade that can cut through spells with ease. You need to remove the chains to use it's power correctly."

"And how would you know, Chrysalis?" Cadence asked, frowning. She didn't look forward to the queen's visits on even the best of days. Flurry Heart, had a different opinion as she cooed happily at the sight of her godmother.

Chrysalis smiled, "Simple, I watched Meadowbrook herself use the sword to cut through a magical disease that was killing my race. It badly damaged her, but as a reward, I gave her a piece of my chitlin that she used to make her sixth item, the armor."

"But," Cadence looked down at the sleeping Flash and then back up to Chrysalis, "What spell could've been so powerful that he needed to be here and use such a dangerous weapon."

"That is what I want to know," Chrysalis said, leaning down and picking up Flurry Heart. She let out a sigh as she felt Flurry's love energy flow into her. "I had awoken not a few minutes ago to find most of my army passed out. It was only through severe magic that I was able to get them free."

"Auntie," Cadence said.

"We have a lot to talk about..."

---

"So far, only the empire and Horn Kong are unaffected by the magic," Luna said, "Dusk Shine used his armor to create a shield powerful enough to protect his people."

Applejack took a step forward, "Wait, what about Princess Celestia. Is she awake?"

Luna shook her head no, "While my sister's magic and will are matched by only one other mare, she still seems confined to the dream. I can only guess why."

Applejack frowned, " Ah can guess, though. She has lost her kingdom, her two daughters, and her sister over the course of a thousand years. Ah wouldn't blame her for wanting to stay in a dream"

"My sister would never-"

"Hey," Rainbow Dash argued, "You might love her and all, but the poor mare is only equine."

Luna nodded her head slowly, reminding herself all too well of her own moral failings. Before she could say more, Pinki asked, "Does anypony know why the pegasi have a storm cloud out?"

"Storm cloud," Rainbow Dash said, shaking her head. "Pinkie, those aren't storm clouds. Let me go and see." Taking off into the night sky, she flew up to look at the passing black cloud.

Her eyes opened wide in horror as she saw the black chitlin of some very familiar old enemies. Letting out a gasp, the mare flew back to the ground, "Girls. We have changelings up there."

"That's impossible," Cadence exclaimed." Chrysalis said that her army is back at the empire, asleep. They can't be-"

"Of course," Applejack said, her eyes widening in horror. "That's where those other changelings been hiding. Grand Ruler's been keeping them locked up for emergencies."

"But why attack now?" Rarity asked, watching the cloud fly away.

Luna narrowed her eyes, "The bastard wants us all dead. So he is wiping out any chance for stragglers."

"Oh buck me!" Applejack said, putting her hat down and turning away.

"There's no way the empire and Horn kong can handle that!" Dash said, getting up into the air and ready take off. Her speed was stopped by Luna's magic holding onto her tail.

"Dang it, why is it always the tail!"

"Hold Rainbow Dash," Luna said, holding up her hand, "We can ill afford to split our forces anymore than we have to. Cadence!"

"Yes, Aunt Luna!" Cadence said, stepping forward.

"Teleport the knights to the empire, get ready for war," Luna said, looking ahead, "I'll try and awaken my sister and protect Horn Kong."

"Princess Luna, how are you going to do that?" Fluttershy asked.

Luna winked, "You just let me handle that."

---

Flash Sentry, slightly bandaged up from his use of the sword, looked out at the empire from the castle. He sighed as he looked down at his hand and then clenched it softly before looking out once again, "Was it enough? Is this what you wanted Dusk?"

"Titan, he doesn't do anything without a reason, I noticed," Dusk said, looking out from the pagoda of Horn Kong. "He wants me here for a purpose, what that is I do not know. But, what I do know is this, you need to be in the empire. It's where you belong."

"I, don't know. Many still think that I was a traitor who passed out the intel and was only trying to get into Twilight's saddle. I wasn't! It was some changeling who looked like me I would never-" Flash argued, but stopped when he saw Dusk Shine hold up his hand.

"I know, I know," Dusk said. "You wanted to just join the guard to prove yourself. To make yourself better than what most said you were and wanted to show off to someone special."

Flash nodded, "My little brother. I wanted to show him that even a poor kid from Ponyville can make it into the royal guard. I'm not exactly the strongest or fastest of the soldiers, but I needed to try and prove that I can make it."

"For me, it was my marefriend," laughed Dusk. "I told her if she became Celestia's handmaiden before I became a royal guard, then I would marry her on the spot."

"What happened?" Flash asked.

"It was a great marriage," Dusk chuckled, making Flash laugh too. "The thing is, I understand how you have had a dream that was taken from you because of a mad stallion. Then watch in horror as he corrupts something you worked hard to obtain."

Flash sighed, "All I cared for was to prove something. I didn't want to hurt anypony, but because of that changeling, I lost it all."

"What was it that creature stole?" asked Dusk.

"One of Sombra's old spell books," Flash said, "Contrary to what Starfleet said. It was some sort of spell that could empower you to make you into an alicorn. He never used it."

"Penny for your thoughts soldier?" asked Shining Armor, his little filly in his arm.

"Just admiring the aurora, sire," with a chuckle, Flash said, "I don't know what's sillier, seeing a prince holding an infant while the world's about to end, or to see the former captain as a stay at home dad."

Shining chuckled as his daughter grabbed one of his fingers and squeezed it, "Yeah, the problems with having a wife who is more powerful and tougher than you will ever be."

"I understand," Flash laughed. Then he knelt before Shining Armor, "Sire, allow me to say how grateful that I am that you and the Empress actually believed my story and didn't arrest me on the spot."

"No, don't mention it," Shining Armor said, "It was my fault that I didn't stop the guards in time. I was actually willing to believe your story, but they got to you before I did."

"You mean that you believed in me?" Flash asked with a smile.

"Yeah," Armor said, letting little flurry fly to Flash's arms. "See? She likes you. And besides, in a way, you remind me of me when I was younger. Wanting to prove myself, be awesome, and even have a crush on a princess?"

Flash saw the wink in Shining's eyes and shook his head, "That-That was totally a rumor. I mean, I admired her, always did. She was smart, kind, friendly, and always willing to help others. But, she was Twilight Sparkle, you know. It was like trying to love the stars. You couldn't."

Shining Armor smiled warmly, for an instant seeing an younger self standing before Cadence. Placing a calm hand on his shoulder, he said, "If you had asked her, she would've said yes."

Flash said nothing, but returned a smile and looked at the moon, "It's out there, waiting to fire. Do you think we can stop it."

"Do you know the real story about the final battle with Dark King?" Asked Shining.

Flash smirked, "The real one or the one made up by Grand Ruler, because right now I wonder if he's even equine after his lies."

This made Shining laugh with Flurry joining in, "The real one...

---

See, I am just starting to remember the real fight. Twilight's friends were busy fighting the monster the he summoned with his dark magic, while i...

Shining Armor stepped back from Dark King's blade as it slashed at his kneecap. For a moment he paused and looked at the way his opponent stood, a sense of familiarity washing over him.

Letting his analytical mind wander left him open to a slash from Dark King, cutting a gash into his chest. With a howl in pain, he spun his sword so the hilt was facing up, thus it into dark king's xchin. Once his body was open, Shining slashed twice into Dark King, cutting his armor to reveal a white coat and a faded red scar.

Dark King slashed at Shining's arms, only to get the strikes deflected by the princess' shield. Using his shield to push Dark King back, he paused to again watch his opponent.

Looking at his arm, he lifted it up so Dark could get a good look, "What are you doing," Dark King whispered as he watched Shining Armor cut deeply into his arm, trying to hold in the urge to scream.

A cunning smirk came to Shining's face as he watched the same mark appear on his opponent's arm,"Ha," Shining said, "I knew it."

Dark King smiled underneath his helm, before removing it to reveal Shining's face witha beard, "How did you know? "

"Your fighting style gave it away," Shining said calmly, " You fought too much like me for it to be a coincidence." Then he began to walk around, "Now answer me this... how are you possible?"

"Oh, that is a wonderful story," Dark King chuckled, the two scars marring his eyes seemed to light up at the memory, "One year from now, this planet will be invaded by bug aliens and they will kidnap you, turning you evil."

"Bug aliens?" Shining asked, somehow excited at an alien race.

Dark King shook his head, "It's a lot less exciting than it sounds. You will be indirectly be the cause of your wife's miscarriage. Luckily, you use Starfleet tech and magic to create a clone baby due to both yours and Cadence's infertility. "

Shining rolled his eyes, "Ok, now you are joshing me. This sounds like a bad soap opera knockoff."

"Be as it may," frowned Dark King. "The truth remains that this only begins a long series of tortures for both you and the rest of the elements. Without Twily's influence, the five are doomed to slowly separate over time. And in time, each one will die."

"Pinkie will be the first. All of Starfleet's taunts, the separation of her friends, and the loss of Granny Smith will make her fall further into depression. She will then OD on antidepressants," Dark King said looking to the sky as Pinkie fought like a monster. "Fluttershy is next."

"No,"Shining Armor said, watching the butter yellow pegasus in the air.

Dark King nodded, "Her emotional abuse at Rhymey's hands will drive her to the breaking point. When she discovers the she is pregnant, she lured him to her cottage and ignites the gas stove. The explosion was seen for miles."

Clenching his fist, Dark King growled, "Rainbow Dash is next, suicide mission. I just think losing three she cared about was too much for her Then Applejack dies while fighting a behemoth. Rarity is the last to die, her new dragon foal becoming too much for her."

"What does this have to do with me?" Shining Armor asked, arching an eyebrow.

Dark King turned his head away, letting the memory take his mind for a moment, "One year after the last of the six die, Cadence and your daughter will follow. She will die by a monster's hands in the middle of a battle. This will put you into a crippling spiral of depression, making you feel despair and wanting revenge. "

He then chuckled, running his hand through his torn blue mane, "And you find it, oh you find it" he laughed, his laughter becoming more maniacal while his eyes became more manic, "If you remember our family history, we are descended from the most powerful of the old unicorns, Mimic. She was the most powerful unicorn in the dawn of Pony history, capable of unleashing magic that would dwarf the princesses' might. Our family could tap into this power, if we only had the means. And I found it deep in the mountains of Canterlot.."

"I found this book," he said with a smirk, "And with it, I tapped into levels of power that not even our little sister could manage. I became so strong, that I had soon found my instrument of revenge. Using the power at my command, I met with Celestia and Grand Ruler in their throne room, and killed them both. It was quite enjoyable." He said coldly, no emotion in his eyes as he bragged about his kills.

"You killed Celestia?!" gasped Shining.

"Why not? She had failed as a ruler, a teacher, and a guardian, she needed to die." He laughed coldly, holding up his hand as Dark King looked at his fingers, "However, her death was unsatisfying, but Celesto's was oh so satisfying. The problem however, is that it went by so quickly. Just one stab and it was done, poof." Dark then looked up to the sky and smiled, "I needed more. I wanted to hear that scream again, so I brought out the time travel spell from the archives."

"Then why didn't you save Cadence's life?" Shining Armor asked, narrowing his eyes.

A high pitched giggle escaped Dark King's throat, "Don't you get it?! It's not about saving her. Not anymore! No, it's all about killing Grand Ruler now, again and again and again! Until every version of him is wiped from the timeline. HAHAHAHA!" he laughed, echoing through the field, a maniacal laughter that sent the ponies cringing.

"What do you do after he is dead? Stop Starfleet?" asked Shining.

"Of, course." Dark King said, tipping his head to side and smiling unnaturally, "I'll head to Unicornicopia and kill them all until I head to their genesis and wipe them from the map."

"Are you so focused on your bloodfrenzy that you won't stop to think about how this would make Cadence and Twily feel?!" Shining shouted.

A low chuckle escaped his lips, "Oh, I know how they feel, Armor. I see their smile with each kill I make. Each time I kill a Starfleet member, I smile and they smile with me. And so do my minions."

"Look they may be jerks but they don't all deserve to die! They are still living beings!" Shining shouted.

Dark King laughed, "No, they are not, they are pukes that deserved to be wiped off our boots. You should know this, because you are looking at your destiny."

"My Destiny?" asked Armor with an air of disbelief.

Dark King nodded, chuckling lightly as he spun his sword, "I am still here, aren't I? Which means that Cadence will still lose something important, she will die, and you will spin into insanity." He then laughed and shook his head as he began to twitch, "Or maybe not. Maybe I inspire you to become stronger and you find the book. Either way, I am inevitable. Now, stop standing in my way and let me through. I need to-"

A sharp clang of metal on stone stopped his speech, as Shining armor threw his sword to the ground. A smirk came to the white unicorn's face as he said, "I'm done then."

"Does this mean you are giving up?" asked Dark King, not noticing his legs fading.

"No, I just plan on not becoming you, ever," Shining said.

Dark King shook his head, "You fool, have you not been paying attention? I said this is inevitable! You will become me, Cadence will die, and evil will continue. You can't change that. I am who you will become."

"No, you won't" Shining said, watching his evil half fade slowly, "Because I choose what I will become. If... Cadence dies, then I will hold her memory in my heart always, but I won't become a murderer. That is the last thing she would want."

"B-B-ut, what about your loneliness, your sorrow. Your sister's friends will still die!" shouted Dark King.

"Then I'll save them, but I won't become you," Shining said, "and that is the destiny I choose!"

"No, you ca..." and with that he faded away.

---

"So you see Flash," Shining said with a smile as he looked at the window, letting his daughter sleep in his arm, "I don't believe in letting one thing choose my fate or that things have to be one way. I believe that there are multiple possibilities and that you can make your own happy ending."

"I think I get it," Flash said, smiling.

"You know," Shining chuckled, "I wonder if Dark King coming here, brought in Conquest. All of his hate from so many timelines just acting as a homing beacon, and in turn maybe he-"

A flash of pink light interrupted Shining's thoughts as Knights of Harmony and Cadence appeared before them. Before Shining could ask, Applejack looked to the prince and said, "Shining, prepare for war."

---

"Ok, listen up, Krysta said that the spell she had worked on with Spark will be able to get us home," Starla said to the large group of ponies."So if there is anything that we can salvage from here or take home with us, I want you to all grab it and meet back here in 1300, got it? Now move!"

Dementia smiled as she stood off to the side, Mysterious with her as he watched Starla give orders, "Your daughter has become quite the leader in her time."

"Well, she gets it from my side you know," Chuckle Dementia. Turning her head left and right, she asked, "Where is Rep-Stallion."

"Where do you think?" asked Mysterious.

"Oh, yeah," chuckled Dementia before turning to watch Starla talk some more. Soon she noted the appearance of Casca walking up behind Starla.

"Commander, I know we aren't native to your world but, can we come too?" Casca asked. "This world, there is nothing left here. We need a home too."

Starla smiled, "I don't know how Grand Ruler or Starfleet will feel about a bunch of refugees coming with us, but I do know of a great queen who will be willing to let you all in."

"Hear that, boys? We have a new home!"

"YEAH!" cheered the men behind her.

Krysta smiled as watched the scene before her, before turning around and concentrating. After several long minutes, a blue portal opened before her, "Are you sure?" Lightning asked, "We might not get any real answers."

Krysta's mind began to think back to a few hours ago, a conversation she had with MYsterious.

"Krysta, there is something you should know," Mysterious said. "Titan, when we first met you, one time said something about the lost colony and that he can't believe Grand Ruler used them as a test subject. When I asked him about it, he sad to one day show us the planet Yoakenohoshi. I checked the star charts and, I found it to not be too far away from Luminoth."

"What do you think he meant," asked Krysta.

"I don't know, but from what I heard, there is a queen known as Zurline...who looks like a Flutterpony," Mysterious finished.

Narrowing her eyes in determination, Krysta said, "Yes, and besides, there is a time difference between this dimension and our home one. I should be back in a few minutes." Before she could walk, she felt a hand on her arm.

"Not without me, remember?" asked Lightning. "We're friends to the end, and if this could provide answers...then we need to see through it together."

Krysta smiled warmly at this and nodded, blushing a little before stepping through the portal.

While Krysta and Lighting left that plane for a few moments, Dementia and Starla sat against a dead tree and watched as everyone there began to prepare to leave for home. Starla sighed and watched her work continue, "So weird you know."

"What is?" asked Dementia.

Starla giggled a little and snuggled up, resting her head on her mother's shoulders, "To call you Mom from now on. It's just so so..."

"Wonderful?" asked Dementia with a smile, before turning around and watching the group, "You made me proud, you know."

"I...have?" asked Starla.

Dementia nodded, "You were so broken from your rape, so lifeless. It was almost like you were a different mare altogether. But, with a little hard work, love of a friend-"

Starla smiled, "And awesome mother."

"Yes," chuckled Dementia, "and awesome mother, you fought back, grew stronger, and became a hero in your own right. I'd say that is a lot to be proud of."

"Yeah, I guess," Starla said, looking up at the sky, "Think Dad would've been proud?"

"Your father," Dementia sighed as she looked up, "I know you probably thought we fought every second of everyday, but we didn't. We had our differences, but he was a pacifist you know. I was a warrior, so of course he and I had our arguments. How to raise you was one of them."

Starla nodded, "I know, he wanted me to not get involved with Starfleet, while you-"

"Wanted you to become an Astrologer," said Dementia with confidence.

"W-What?" Starla asked, shocked.

"Look," Dementia said, looking down, "This kind of life, I knew it was tough, and it would be hard. I never thought it would be right to have someone else go through the hell I did and I wanted my first born to go into something better, something that didn't risk your life everyday. I was hoping to make a difference in your life."

"Mom, you did make a difference," Starla said, rubbing her mother's arm, "You inspired me to try and become a hero. You made me want to become a fighter and all that." she then smiled warmly, "Though, now that you said something, I think after the war is done...that's, I'm retiring from this whole damn mess. Just focus on stargazing."

"You sure that's what you want? If you ever want to change your mind," Dementia said.

"Yes mother! I am positive," Starla said with a roll of her eyes before smiling and laughing, "Ok, we need to do that more often. You missed out on me being a rebel teenager."

"All of those wild parties and disobedience, oi," Whimpered Dementia, "Maybe I should've stayed a villain."

"Don't," Starla said, winking at her mother, "You sucked at it. You are a way better mother."

Dementia smiled and hugged Starla, just as a blue portal opened up. As it did, Lightning and Krysta, holding each other's hands, stepped out. Krysta smiled and said, "Ok, guys. I'm home! And I brought with me a little something special."

"What-" asked Starla, only to stop when she saw several winged figures step out of the portal. "I don't believe it."

---

"I can't believe that this place is so damn huge!" Raindrops said, walking through the station, following Cheerilee as she led the way with the map. "Just how much space do you need for a generator and a planet buster any way?"

Lyra looked around, her eyes wide in amazement, "Well, according to Mysterious, this place was meant to be a place to protect Unicornicopia. So maybe it's also meant to house supplies and stuff."

"Still, we are walking for hours!" Raindrops growled as she stepped ahead. "When are we gonna get to some action or the guards?! Give me something to fight!"

"Patience," Cheerilee said, looking over her shoulder, "The map says that the engine room and the prisoner chambers are just behind this hallway."

Trixie panted as she took a sip from Carrot Top's water bottle, "Good, because Trixie cannot stand to-"

"Look out"! Lyra shouted, watching as a staff with a long point came rushing at them.

Seeing the incoming spear, Raindrop's jumped over the heads of her friends and grabbed it. Growling, she looked behind at her friends, "Well, now, this is interesting. And here I thought we weren't gonna have any fun."

"Raindrops, we don't have time to fight," Carrot Top said.

Cheerilee nodded, "We only have about seven more hours before the machine fires!"

"Wait a minute," the voice behind the spear said as he stepped out from the shadows. "Lets not be too hasty. I kind of want to see the faces of the loser brigade for myself." he then laughed when he saw the mares, "Oh, well if this isn't a surprise. The Knights got scared and sent the rebellion instead."

Lyra stepped forward, "So, Luna was right. You were expecting us."

"No duh," the unicorn rapped the side of his head with a lull look in his eyes. "Planet's about to go boom in a few hours, the whole damn population might go extinct, and you guys are heroes. Even big dumb Grand Ruler could see you guys coming a mile away. Boss man, though, never really paid attention to GR's plans. Seems GR wanted each of us to match up with a knight and kick their cans. Figured the if it failed with the assassins then it could work if he tried it a second time." his gruff deep south voice said, a low growl to it.

Pulling back his spear, he then added, "But it seems the boss is smarter that I gave him credit for. He took GR's plans and then kicked them into a trash bin. Instead, he had each one of us pick a knight to kick the ass of while he got the rest of our kind off world."

Ditzy stepped forward, shaking her head, "But, if you know that this is going to cause mass death, then why agree to all of this?"

"Because it's a chance to watch that wimpy world go boom," He chucked, spinning his staff to rest behind him. "It's going to a big old show of fireworks and I'll get a front row seat. Then the fun starts where I get to put these Equestrians in their place."

Cheerilee shook her head as she looked to the Starfleet member, " Why do you Starfleet soldiers always think like this?"

"Really it ain't anything personal, it just I like teaching weak little girls what's what," he said, shrugging. "Ideals, what's right? None of those are really important. What's important is power, pure and simple. And I just love using mine to put those weaklings In their place. Just like you. You guys...ain't strong, brave, or the best. You are just shadows who watch the real players. You just sit back and hope that someone will tell ya your story."

Lyra stepped forward and glared, "Just who are you?"

"Oh, plum forgot to introduce myself," the stallion said while tapping the side of his head. "It's Rocky Road, Id code OP4E."

"You!" Lyra growled, " You got me arrested because I stopped you from hurting Bon Bon."

"That was you with the earth pony?" Rocky laughed. "Shame you didn't let me cure her before the planet go boom. I would've loved to taste her before she went. Oh well, at least I can have fun with the leftover Equestrians. Who knows, might teach them their place."

With golden eyes narrowed, Lyra took a step forward to attack, but Raindrops arm stopped her, " This guy isn't the type you fight while angry."

"But didn't you hear what he just said?" Lyra asked.

Raindrops smirked happily, "Yeah, and that's why I'm gonna love kicking his ass."

"Wait, maybe we should stick together,"Trixie suggested, a worried look in her eyes.

"Look, we all knew this was all or nothing," Raindrops said, holding Trixie's arm. "This mission was a suicide run for all of us. Now, go!:

Trixie shook her head, mouth open in silent objection. Before she could utter her objection, she felt Ditzy's hand on her shoulder and after looking into the mismatched eyes, she sighed and turned to look at her friend, "Just don't die, all right?"

"Hey, I got an awesome show to catch," Raindrops said, smiling back, "So I can't die. Now, get going."

Trixie nodded, running off down the hallway after her friends. Lyra left off with a shout of , "Punch his dick for me!" which made Raindrops laugh.

"Shame, thought you were brave, not suicidal," Rocky Road said, spinning his staff slowly by his side. Shrugging, he spun and then pointed his spear at Raindrops before thrusting it right at her chest.

With practiced ease, she stepped to the side and struck out with the heel of her palm. Rocky leaned back to dodge the blow and then struck at her side, making her yelp in pain. Before she could retaliate, Raindrops was stabbed three times by the spear. Without missing a step, he slammed his pole into the ground to lift himself off the ground and then launched a double kick at her.

Crossing her arms in front of her face, Raindrops blocked both hits, and then jumped out of the way of a roundhouse kick. At the moment he landed, Raindrops threw a cross at his head. When he blocked the hit with his forearm, Raindrops thrusted a few jabs into his stomach, before doing a spinning back fist at his face.

This blow struck with an audible crack, breaking Rocks nose. Ignoring the pain, he swiped his blade tip at Raindrops, her quick reaction allowing her to duck in time. However, this left her open for Rocky to thrust the blunt end into her stomach.

As she keeled over in pain, her chest was quickly slashed by the blade. Using the swing's momentum, he planted the blade into the ground and launched himself into the air so he cloud deliver a kick into her face. Before she could even recover, Raindrops was slashed in the right arm by his spear, and then Roxy planted the blade into the ground and sent him into the sky. After doing a summersault, he yelled out, "Art shuriken!"

Raindrops watched as three black spinning discs came flying at her. With no time to dodge, she caught one of the flying blades, letting the other two wizz by her and making tiny nicks In her flesh. The black blade in her hand began to glow blue for a brief moment, before exploding.

The other two shurikens exposed behind her, sending her flying into the blunt end of the spear. With a cruel grin, Rocky sent her flying into a wall. Running his hand through his mane, he stepped slowly towards the fallen mare, "Now, you might be wondering why I didn't impale you there. Simple, I love dishing out the pain as much as I can and as long as I can."

Ramming the spear next to Raindrop's head, Rocky then asked in a low tone. "Are you scared yet?"

Unaware of their friend's battle, the other members of the team ran down the corridor until they had reached the central room. Much like how the rest of the giant serpent was silver and colorless, so was the large antechamber. Standing still for a moment, the group looked at the two corridors that traveled along the forked path. Each of the two had a red line leading one way while the other was blue. Trixie stepped towards the right one, looking down the line as it led ahead through a straight path. Then she looked back down the other path, her eyebrow raised questioningly, "Wait, how can this have branching paths? It's a serpent, isn't it?"

Cheerilee stepped forward, a finger on her chin, "Well, if you remember, from the outside of this station, we saw it coiled around itself in a circle, like a snake."

Lyra nodded, "Yeah, we did. Now that I think of it, makes me think of the World Snake that is said to live north of the forest near Glidedale."

"World Snake?" asked Trixie.

"Yeah, the deer of the woods have legends about it," Lyra said, walking forward, "It's also called the Midgard Serpent in Impala. It's said to be old as Equestria itself and watches over the land. But, what does it being a snake have to do with anything?"

Cheerilee raised a finger, her teaching instinct kicking in, "Elementary my dear student. A snake may be a long slithering creature, but the inside of it has many tubes for thing like eating and breathing. If we used the snake analogy, we came in through the anus."

"EW!" Trixie shouted.

"And we went through the intestines until got here. Now, we have two directions to go in," Pointing her mulberry finger down the red line, Cheerilee continued, "The way to the head, where I guess the head is."

"And where we need to go if we want to destroy this thing permanently," Trixie said.

Cheerilee nodded and then pointed down to the blue corridor, "And then the way into the heart, where the engine room, power generator, and most likely where the prisoners are being kept."

"Good, should be easy then, we just need to-" before Carrot could finish her thought, a large metal wall came up in-between them. Leaving Trixie and Cheerilee on one side and Carrot Top with Ditzy and Lyra.

Trixie let out a shout as she slammed her fists against the wall, "No, girls! Hang on, Trixie will find a way to get you free."

"Attention, Serpentari extending, Serpentari extending. All workers please move to your corridors and remain still while station extends."

"Damn, must be getting ready to fire," Lyra muttered under her breath. Looking up at the wall, she pressed her horn against it to use her magic, "Trixie, you and Cheerilee run to the head of the station and take it out. We'll stop the generator."

"No, we can't," Trixie said, laying her hand onto the side of the wall. "We need to stay together."

Letting out a small chuckle, Lyra said, "Trix...you always tell us to have faith in you, but you also need to have faith in us. Remember, you are never alone, you have us."

Trixie frowned, before nodding, "Just don't die, ok. I need the best musician in the world to play a song for me."

"And don't worry, I got no intention of making Dinky an orphan," Ditzy said, not noticing the quiet and reserve look in Carrot Top's eyes.

Trixie chuckled, wiping a tear from her eye, "G-good, because I want you to be amazed when I train your daughter to be the most amazing magician next to me."

"Oh, I look forward to it," Ditzy laughed."Just remember, the password is probably 54321."

"Oh, come on!" Trixie said with a roll of her eyes. "Even Grand Imbecile, wouldn't be so stupid as to put in a worse password!"

"Just, trust me," Ditzy shouted.

Trixie nodded and turned away, racing down the hall. Panting from the running, she tried to ignore the feeling of worry that was weighing on her. Her run was only stopped when a mulberry hand landed on her shoulder, "Wait, Trixie. I need to check on you."

Frowning, Trixie shouted, "We don't have the time Cheerilee. We need to get to the head, now!"

"You're scared, aren't you. You're worried about them," Cheerilee asked.

"What?!" Trixie said, shaking her head, "No, I'm not. I have the utmost faith in my team. "

Cheerilee gave Trixie a disbelieving look, mixed with compassion, "You aren't speaking in the third person, that means you are being serious right now."

Trixie pulled back a little and then frowned, looking to the ground and giving a little shuddering breath, "Ever since Myte's death, I have been working so hard to makes sure that everything falls into our favor. I want to make sure I don't fail ever again. And now, we are all separate and I can't do anything to help."

"Trixie," Cheerilee said comfortingly. " I know I can be hard when we are all seperate like this, but these are the times when you need to trust us the most. We have been through a lot this past year, but you should know just what we can do when we put our minds to it."

"I should know, but" Trixie looked down at the ground, letting a tear fall down, " You girls are the first friends I really ever had and I don't really want to lose that."

Cheerilee shook her head, "You won't lose us, even after this is all over. I think we've started to like each other too much."

Trixie chuckled at this and nodded, "True. Now come, this will be Trixie and friend's greatest adventure."

Cheerilee smiled at Trixie's return to form and raced after her.

---

On the other side of the station, the other three members of circle began to travel along the path as fast as their legs could take them. Miles upon miles of long and distant silver corridors laid before them as they ran through the serpent's insides. It wasn't until they reached another fork in the path did they stop. Lyra looked up at the signs, taking a note, "Okay, the engine room is to the right and the prisoners is to the left."

Carrot top nodded and stepped to the right, "All right, I'll handle the engine room and you two take the prisoners."

"Wait a sec," Lyra said, "I think we all need to be together on this one. I don't want to split us up any more than we already are."

"It's all right," Carrot Top said, bringing up her bag, "I still got my tricks with me and I am the best equip to disable it. And if the Elements are there, then I can bring them with me. And if I die...so be it."

Ditzy stepped forward, "Whoa, wait a minute. What's all this? Why are you willing to die?"

"It's a suicide run, you know that!" Carrot Top said, and then she looked down, "And I figured if anypony was expendable, it would be me."

"What, no Carrot we never thought-"

Carrot Top looked to Lyra, "Oh no? Need I remind you that out of all of us, I am the only one without anypony to come home to? My family is dead, my farm is gone, and all I have left is you girls. I don't have a Bon Bon, a Dinky, or even a little sibling. I don't even have a job like Trixie to keep my mind off of my loneliness. All I have, all I got...is me."

"Carrot," Ditzy said, holding out her hand as she took a few steps forward.

"All I ever wanted to do in my life, was be helpful to the ponies in the world. I wanted to use my love of botany to show that there is more to me than be a carrot farmer, and now, I have a chance," Carrot frowned, letting out a shuddering breath."To give my life for something greater. To at least make my name mean something. That's why I jumped at the call, because I knew this was my one chance."

At that moment, Ditzy gave Carrot a tight hug, holding her close, "Don't think that. Don't think that you need to kill yourself to make a difference, or that you aren't important to somepony. You have us, and that is important."

"And after this war is done? What then? We go our separate ways? How can I help the ponies like I wanted without my farm?" Carrot asked.

Lyra smiled at her friend, "Then we'll help, all of us. Friendship doesn't have to end because our adventures do, we can keep going on and have more adventures together."

"Besides," Ditzy said, smiling, "I think we've all been finding out ways how we can help each other. You don't have to just rely on the farm to be helpful, you got so many other talents, and if you don't think so we can help you. That's we've been doing, changing out fate and becoming stronger than ever."

Carrot smiled softly and looked up at Ditzy, "Can't let a pony walk around with a frown, can you?"

"Nope, kind of like Pinkie that way," giggled Ditzy. "Although, I prefer to be more like Fluttershy and help a friend by being there."

"Well then, I must be like Rainbow Dash, always wanting to help inspire others and Carrot is Rarity," laughed Lyra.

Carrot chuckled at this and then stepped forward, "All right, I promise I won't be a martyr in there. But, I do have the best equipment, and besides...they won't get me."

"All right, me and Ditz will head into the prisoners and try and detach the prisoner chambers," Lyra said, giving Carrot a hug, "And then we all will get to watch Trixie's big show."

"Well, I am not as good a cook like AJ, but I should make us a victory carrot cake," Carrot said, smiling before running down the hall.

Ditzy Doo yelled out, "I look forward to it." and then she turned to fly off after Lyra. As she did, she took a quick look over her shoulder and then asked, "Do you think she'll be fine?"

"Yeah, I mean, what is the worst that Grand Ruler can send after us?" asked Lyra.

Moving faster than ever, they could hear the clock ever ticking in their minds, reminding them of the mortality of their friends and their homes. While on their faces, they wore looks of confidence, they also had to hide the inner fear that was pulsating in their hearts. As the chamber led deeper and deeper into the prisoner chambers, the weight of their responsibility also came down upon them harder.

Soon, they approached the chamber where the cryo pods containing the Equestrians and Unicorpians laid. The room was a large rectangle, with the captured equines in large cylindrical cryopods behind a glass wall. Also behind the wall was a voluptuous pink unicornicopian as she banged on the glass wall. Her motions began to panic when she saw the two Equestrians and she began to shake her head.

"Hang on, we're getting you all out of here," Ditzy said, flying to the keypad and typing on the pad, "Let's see, 54321."

"Ditz, he isn't that stupid," Lyra said, before watching the door open wide. Eyes wide in shock and horror, she threw her arms into the air and shouted, "HOW HAS HE BEEN KEEPING US UNDER HIS RULE FOR FIVE YEARS!"

"Well, he does have two of the most powerful objects made by pony hooves," Ditzy explained.

"Cheating," Lyra shorted the explanation. Her ears then began to swivel at the sound of fire.

"Rage of Inferno!" shouted Hot Shot as he stood on the railing of the staircase of the room. He smirked as he looked down at the two mares, covered in a golden bubble. "Wow, good timing on the use of the shield spell. I am impressed," he said, with a cocky self sure tone while leaping over the railing and firing a few more bolts, each deflected by Lyra's shield as she sang. "Your speed is incredible."

Lyra smiled, spinning her lyre on her finger before slipping it onto her side, "Second in my class at Spellcasting in the Bardic academy."

"Heh, and I thought all of you Equestrians were weak souls," he said landing on the ground before bowing in a mocking style, and introduced himself, "Hot Rod."

"Lyra Heartstrings," Lyra smirked as Ditzy went into the cryochamber, "Ditzy "Derpy" Doo, pleased to meet ya. Now, I would love to rumble with you, but I got-"

A fire ball hit the door behind her, melting the lock and trapping Ditzy inside. Her mismatched eyes wide in horror, she looked at the door and then back to the cryopods, "What, but why did he do that?"

"To trap you and to kill us," Bella said, looking down.

"Kill them?" asked Lyra, looking back at Hot Rod as he walked around the battlefield. "Why?"

"That mare was being a bitch to me and the others," Hot said, before putting on a falsetto mocking tone, "We need to be kind to the Equestrians, we shouldn't participate in genocide. We don't have to follow orders."

Ditzy could over hear this, and then turned to look back at her fellow captive, "Did you really argue against this?"

Bella nodded, a little tear rolling down her cheek, "I never bought into the idea of might makes right, I just joined because I wanted to use my powers, this super strength to help others. I didn't want to go on a mission like this. That, and I had a crush on Lightning Dawn..."

Ditzy opened her eyes wide at this, letting her eye roll to the side in disbelief. Lyra looked back and then back to Hot Rod, walking slowly around him with her hand near her lyre in readiness to pull it out for her spell casting, "And you just went along with this?"

"Hey, order are orders. We are soldiers, we follow the rules of the big man," Hot Rod shrugged, "Even if I have to mod it a little. We are the strong and powerful, why not fall in line so we can use that power properly. We protect those who ask for it, we give aid, and those who are pure evil are going to be subject to our power."

"And who decides which world is evil and which world is good, you?" Lyra asked. "Grand Ruler? Some 'higher power'."

"Why of course us," Hot Rod said, holding his hands above his head, allowing the flames erupt around him. "We are strong you know. And those who are strong are the ones who determine what is right and what is wrong. That is why I am willing to follow his orders. Those with strength are needed to keep those without safe."

"That isn't real strength!" Lyra argued.

Hot Rod facepalmed, "This is why I wanted Applejack and not the lesbian. She wouldn't spend this long talking philosophy, or would she be a lesbian?"

"You got a problem with gays?" Lyra asked.

Hot Rod looked shocked at this, "What?! No! I just find them strange and icky. I mean, I met a gay pony once, so I am totally not homophobic."

"That is so totally homophobic!" shouted Lyra.

Hot shot shrugged, "At least I'm not a hypocrite."

This comment made Ditzy and Bella roll their eyes in response. Lyra could only frown as she walked along the perimeter of the arena, "So, do you really think that with your strength, you can stop us?"

"Of course," said Hot Rod smugly. "That is what we do."

Lyra narrowed her eyes, "Problem. I am gonna protect every pony in my sight."

"Really, then protect this!" Hot Rod said, pointing his hands out and shouting, "FLAME TORNADO!" at once, a giant flaming tornado flew out from his hands and sped towards Lyra, swirling in a giant tunnel.

Lyra reached to her lyre, spun it out, and played a hard thrumming beat along the strings. This created a giant golden fist that flew out from the music and slammed itself against the tornado. The fist struck the tornado and pushed against it, holding it in place. After a few moments, the flames died down and Lyra stood in front of the ashes, holding the lyre at her side while she stood tall, "Like I said, I am going to protect every pony." she stated, narrowing her eyes and looking straight at him.

Flames erupted onto his arms, making Hot Rod smile, "Oh, this is gonna be fun."

As the battle began, Bella sighed and looked down to the ground. "Why is she bothering with this fight. It's pointless, she can't win this."

Ditzy just smiled back and said, "Sure she can, she just needs to hit him harder than he hits her."

"Are you serious?" asked Bella.

"Nope, but it got you smiling, right?" Ditzy remarked, noting the faint smile on her fellow captive's face.

"How can you be so hopeful?" Bella asked.

"Because, everyday of my life has been hard. But I know of I can keep a bright smile, then everything will be all right, "Ditzy said, "Just you watch."

---

Carrot Top stopped just before the tunnel that led into the chamber of the Star Stones. Becoming cautious, she took a few slow steps forward and reached out her hand. Wincing, she pulled it back when she felt the heat.

"Is the mare in pain, brother?" asked Lock, his voice low and menacing.

"Is it because she found protection like no other," laughed Load with a similar tone as his companion.

Lock smiled, glaring at Top, "A microwave tunnel, of powerful heat."

"Something that cannot be beat," Load laughed.

Carrot Top rolled her eyes, grumbling, "Oh Celestia, no...it's a gimmick."

"Aw gee, you like it?" Lock asked, the menace leaving his voice and replaces with a dumb chuckling tone. "Me and Lock have been practicing it all week"

Load nodded, pushing up his glasses as he began to speak with a high pitched, nasally tone, "Yes, Grand Ruler told us to pick a gimmick for our team, so we went with twins who rhyme. Orange isn't even my real coat color."

"I see,"Carrot Top said, the anger evident in her voice at having to deal with this. Looking back at the tunnel, she said, "Microwaves? As in the entire tunnel is like an oven"

Quickly changing back to his curler persona, Lock said, "Yes, it's to prevent saboteurs. Much like you and others."

"It's to keep the room safe from intruders," Load cracked his neck.

"So, I just need to head there and destroy the engine?" Asked Carrot.

"Yes, just destroy the glass,"Said Lock said, smiling as he prepared a spell.

Load spun a small fireball on his finger as he sneered at the earth pony, " But us first, you must past."

"Alright" Carrot Top said, pulling a small bomb and throwing it at her opponents. She reeled back in shock when she saw her opponents stepped through gas.

The two friends smiled, a small whirlwind spell in one hand while the other had a glowing orb of magic," As you can see, we came prepared for your tricks."

---

"There we are!" Trixie said, smiling, "The bridge!" she couldn't help but chuckle at the ease at which they had made their journey. Echoing footsteps followed their path as they made their way through the brightly lit corridor through the straight path until they had reached a small doorway. Above the door read a small sign that said, "Bridge."

Trixie looked down and began to type away on the keypad, "Ok, now let's see if Grand Ruler is as stupid-" as she input the passcode, her eyes opened wide in shock as she got a response. This then led her to bang her head against the wall, muttering small expletives.

Across from the door was a large staircase. The winding stairs led up to a room just above the bridge. This sight caught Cheerilee's eye and she walked to the staircase and looked up. Smiling faintly, she began to walk up the stairs, leaving Trixie to ask, "Cheerilee, what are you doing?"

"I think I might have found the main computer bank for the station," Cheerilee said, "I might be able to shut down a lot of it's core systems from there."

"Are you sure you can-"

Cheerilee interrupted with a wink at her friend, "Watch me. Besides, you can have the glory of taking out the last big threat on your own"

"But," Trixie said holding out her hand as if to try and stop her, "I wanted," she paused as she looked down and frowned, letting out a sigh, "Us all to be together for this."

Trixie let out a chuckle as she began to talk a little to herself, "It's weird to think about, isn't it? When this whole mess got started, Trixie had been alone in saving so many ponies from Conquest. Hey, she has been saving so many on her own since then: Detrot, Starlight, Steel Balls. But, now, for some reason, Trixie wants nothing more than her friends to be here to share in our final glory."

"Heh, friends," Trixie chuckled, "Maybe that is why, because Trixie knows what it's like to not be in the spotlight while those with better talents come in and take the glory away. She wants that little light she gets to be given to her team for everything. Everything they have done for her and for having faith in her that she could succeed."

Before walking through the doors, Trixie said, "And that's why I want to say to all of you: Spark, Raindrops, Carrot Top, Ditzy Doo, Cheerilee,Lyra...Thank you for being my friend and helping me to become better than I am."

Slowly, with a look of determination, Trixie stepped through the doorway. Meanwhile, up above, Cheerilee walked into the main computer banks of the space station, "Hello subject Cheerilee. Would you like to play a game?"

Cheerilee looked curious at the robotic voice, "A game? And who are you?"

"Yes a game," the voice said, a large robotic eye lowered itself to Cheerilee's eye level, a tv screen with a mouth appeared below the eye as he began to speak, "Hello, my name is Logistics Observant Kalculating Intelligence. Or you may call me L.O.K.I."

"Please to meet you Loki," Cheerilee said with a curtsey, "So why would you like to play a game? Surely you know why I am here."

"Oh, yes I do. Hack into my central data banks, disable the security, help your friends, and turn control of this station to you," said the voice with a roll of it's eye. "Do you know how boring it gets with that? I want a little fun, just before you do that big hero thing that girls like you do."

Cheerilee smiled and blew on her knuckles, "Well, I have been known to be a gambler in my wild youth. What do I get if I can beat you?"

"Access to my inner controls, and if you lose," L.O.K.I laughed, "You become a part of me and my player for life."

"Well then," Cheerilee said, smirking, "guess it's a good thing I won't be losing then, isn't it?"

L.O.K.I laughed, "Well then, let's get started! Game 1!"

Cheerilee watched in shock as the computer room began to spin around to show a room with three doors. One had a baby, one had a mare on four legs, and a mare with three legs, "What is thee answer to the question of "What walks on four legs throughout the day until the evening comes."

Cheerilee knew the answer, it was a foal's question. However, she wanted to see what would happen if she guessed wrong, "I don't know-Ahhh!" she screamed as she felt a small bolt of electricity flow through her.

"Oh, nice test to see what is in store for you when you guess wrong," chuckled Loki. "Oh, don't worry, after the quiz, we still have several more games to play. I hope you're ready."

---

Trixie stepped through the doors and onto the bridge, her cape billowing behind her thanks to her magic. With each step, her eyes focused on the mare that stood before her. While seldom seen within the town of Ponyville, it was not hard to recognize the white coat and green mane of the captain of the royal guard of Grand Ruler.

Emerald Shaina slowly clapped her hands, mockingly, at the approach of Trixie. With a cruel sneer, she slipped off of the captain's chair and said, "Bravo, bravo. Wasn't expecting the wimp of the group, but them's the cards I was dealt."

Trixie, putting on her usual bravado, shouted, "A wimp, am I? YOU should feel honored that you are facing off against the Great and Powerful Trixie. Mistress of magic and student of princess Luna."

"Not impressed," Shaina said with a wave of her hand. "I just wanted to fight someone better for the final battle than Twilight's inferior rival."

"Inferior?!" Trixie exclaimed in shock, "And are you not just a captain of the royal guard in Grand Ruler's employ? Mere cannon fodder in the face of somepony more powerful than yourself? What can you do in the face of-" Trixie barely had a chance to finish her sentence before Shaina struck hard with an uppercut into her stomach.

Trixie doubled over in pain, trying to resist the urge to vomit. Looking up, she could see Shaina smiling cruel at her, "See, I like being in the royal guard. It allows me to be creative when I fight."

"Good for you..." Trixie moaned in pain before she was kicked in the face by Shaina.

As Trixie rose back to her feet, Shaina ran at Trixie and spun a backfist into her face, breaking her nose. Shaking her head, she slowly wiped the blood away from her nose and opened her palm to fire a color spray in Shaina's face. Wiping her eyes to help clear her vision, she began to look back and forth for her opponent, she lifted up her fist to kick Trixie off her feet.

While Trixie was in the air for a brief moment, Shaina raised her leg to kick Trixie through the air and into the wall, "Trixie swears to ass, she is gonna kick your Celestia."

"I am impressed, you would think you'd quit after that beating," Shaina said, an approving grin on her face.

Shaking her head, Trixie created a colorful wall of blinding light and sound in front of Shaina, "What can Trixie say, she doesn't know how to quit!"

Calmly, Shaina drove a side kick through the walk and shattered it. Then she looked around before she drove a fist into Trixie's face and taking her out of her invisibility. The moment she drove foot into Trixie's back, she chuckled, "A valiant effort, but futile."