Across the kingdom known as The Highlands, tension continues to build up. More battles begin to spread across the mighty kingdom... and within these battles, new heroes begin to rise to the challenge to find the "Fourth Alicorn".

Far away from these incidents, in the capital city of The Highlands; "Diamond Peak", the tyrant king sits on his throne, and observes his two prisoners who are trapped in a cage, under the effects of a sleep poison that can only be undone by a spell... and locked inside of the cage with a spell that can only be broken by an artifact that he carries.

King Goldheart sat on his throne, listening to his advisers' suggestions for his next plan of action. His right fist was balled up, and his right cheek was scrunched on top of it, with his elbow rested on the golden throne with a red cushion.

"I say we scatter our forces across the lands! Make it so they don't have a chance at escaping!" one of the advisers said.

Another one retorted, "Nonsense! Have you not seen what they are capable of?! We should only focus on the main areas, so our numbers don't deteriorate slowly!"

The last one countered, "So let more of them die at once, and allow us a quicker death?!"

"SILENCE! ALL OF YOU!" King Goldheart roared through the entire room. At once, the entire room grew silent. Mere moments after the room grew silent, however, a weak feminine groan could be heard from overhead.

From deep within the lowest parts of the dungeon, Pinkie Pie was chained to the walls again. She was being guarded by a pair of Minotaurs dressed in Black Wings outfits; a black sleeveless leather vest with a pair of red outlines that were shaped like a pair of wings that spread out, and black leather pants with the same emblem on the left side of the thighs.

As grim as the situation was, however, they quickly came to realize just how much of a mistake it was to choose to guard this one...

"So yeah! That was the story of how I got my Cutie Mark! Boy, was it a huge day for my family and me! Hey! Would you like to hear what happened at that party? I'm sure you'll really want to hear about it, if you were a fan of how I got my Cutie Mark! You see, it all started when-"

The Minotaur on the right side of the jail cell had his ears cuffed inside his hands, and was looking at the other one on the opposite end. "Someone get this thing to shut up!" He groaned.

The other one, however, shook his head. "Don't look at me! My orders were to stay out here and keep watch!"

From inside the same cell, however, a chuckle could be heard. There, chained on the same wall, was Thor'lok. He was giggling at Pinkie Pie's story. "Ooh! Thor'lok enjoying the story! Please tell more!"

Pinkie Pie nodded her head with a smile. "Okie Dokie Loki! So anyways, my Pappy Pie wasn't much on smiling, but when he saw my party, it was almost like he's never even seen one before!"

The Minotaur on the right groaned again. "Why did we even sign up to guard the idiots of the group, exactly?!" he silently asked himself.

The other one, however, decided that enough was enough, so he turned around and opened the gate. Before the other one could ask what he was doing, he shushed him and said, "If anyone asks... they tried to escape."

At that statement, Pinkie's eyes widened. "H-hey! What are you talking about? Are you trying to help us escape?"

The Minotaur froze in place with the gate halfway opened at that point. "What? No! I'm trying to-"

"Because if you are, then wouldn't that mean that you're betraying your king? Or maybe you're a good guy in disguise! Or are you even a guy? Hey! Is that you, Twilight? Did you cast some sort of illusion spell on yourself?" Pinkie began to continue rambling on, causing both Minotaurs to cover their ears and growl.

Finally, the first one to speak (the one that was stepping into the room) shouted, "SHUT THE BUCK UP!"

That statement caused the room to grow silent, until he stepped into the room and slammed the gate shut. "I'm not gonna save you, you annoying little Pony..." he drew his scimitar, and pointed it towards her, "I'm gonna cut your bucking TONGUE out!"

Pinkie gasped at that statement, before a worried look grew on her face. "W-wait! You don't want to threaten me like that!"

The Minotaur ignored her statement and drew dangerously closer; now with a menacing smile on his face.

"N-no! Really! You don't want to know what happens when... when..." Suddenly, Pinkie's heart rate began to build up. Her pupils then started to shrink, and her irises began to grow darker... followed by her coat and mane altogether. As soon as the darker shade reached her mane and tail, the two of them instantly deflated, and her worried expression dropped into a demented glare.

Then, in a lower tone, she smiled at the Minotaur who stopped in place, and said, "Alright then, tough guy... do it!"

The Minotaur raised an eyebrow, and tilted his head in confusion at the mare's sudden change of personality. Then he shrugged his shoulders and continued towards Pinkie Pie.

When he was within reach, he said, "Alright, then... you asked for it!" With that, he lifted his scimitar back, and sliced horizontally; aimed at her throat.

In the center of Port Greenhold, Zero Gravity held his Ninjato Sword in a defensive position; both hands on the handle, with the blade lifted up, and tilted forward diagonally. Directly in front of him was a suit of horse-shaped armor with a glowing blue orb in the center of its chest. Next to it were two other ones.

Considering the size difference between a Pony and a Horse, they towered over Zero by at least two feet. The size and numbers, however, didn't scare Zero at all.

Finally, after a moment of staring, the front Armored Golem charged after him, and swung both fists downward, while Zero angled his sword to catch the gauntlets.

Before any contact could be made on Zero's sword, however, a pair of talons caught the gauntlets from over the Golem's shoulders. Looking up, Zero gasped at the sight of an unknown creature shaped like a six-foot-tall bird, with a human-like face.

Nightshade looked down at the confused Pegasus Pony, and said, "Don't worry, we're here to help."

Then, from directly behind him, the other two Golems attempted to strike him with their fists, only for the one behind Nightshade's right shoulder to get blasted by a white ball of light with blue electricity surrounding it; and for the one behind Nightshade's left shoulder to be caught by another Armored Golem that glowed a light blue color.

Zero then looked towards a nearby market stall, and noticed Heavenly Quill sitting beside it with the quill from his hat, which was glowing green with a blue outline (the outline being the same color as the glowing Armored Golem), and a notebook opened in his left hand. Within the notebook, he was writing in an ancient, and long-lost language that none would understand. What he said, though, appeared to be verbs like "Attack", "Catch", "Defend", and a few others.

Without sparing another second, Zero quickly dashed towards the last two Armored Golems (excluding the one Quill controlled), and sliced through each of their chests; destroying the orbs in the process.

From the distant mountains in the far northern areas of The Highlands, Maud Pie, Boulder, Swift Justice, Zula, Topaz Claw, Storm Light, Sand Barrier, and Gilda all sat in Topaz's ship, "Snowflake". They were gathered in the Captain's Quarters, talking about the situation they were in.

"So wait... you mean to tell me that you are Pinkie Pie's older sister?!" Gilda asked in a shocked tone. Her eyes were wide at how different Maud Pie was, compared to the famous "Party Pony" that she knew of, and recently became friends with.

Maud looked at her emotionless, and replied with an equally emotionless tone, "Yes."

There was a moment of silence, until Swift hummed to himself. "Though I've only seen her briefly, I can't really see the resemblance... were one of you adopted, or something?"

Maud then looked at him and shook her head. "No."

Again, more silence.

Finally, Topaz was the one who decided to speak. "So... how did the two of you find us, exactly?"

Maud turned towards Boulder, and then explained her side of the story.

"I was in Atlantis when I felt it... the sense that one of my loved ones is in danger. To have a clearer view of who it was, I sent a letter to my parents in Equestria. They then told me that Pinkie Pie was, according to her friends from Ponyville, missing for a little over a month. So, I followed my senses, and traced her steps... which led me to you guys."

As soon as Maud finished her story, Swift and Gilda looked at each other confusedly. "Wait... you mean to tell me that... you sensed that she was in danger?" Gilda finally asked.

Maud nodded her head. "And sensed the locations that she's been. It's kinda like her sense, which foresees certain events before they happen. As for me, I sense when and where my family members are, and the situations that they are in at the present time."

The rest of the group, aside from Maud and Boulder, rubbed their heads in confusion. Then Swift decided to use that last statement as a vantage point. "So... how is she feeling right now?"

Maud closed her eyes, and hummed to herself... but then, her eyes shot open, and she let out a loud gasp, which caused the entire group to look at her worriedly.

Maud then stuttered, "S... she's..."

"Oh, no... don't tell me she's... dead?!" Gilda asked, only for Maud to shake her head.

"Worse... she's... angry." Maud replied.

Swift then raised an eyebrow out of confusion... followed by Gilda. Then Swift asked, "Wait... how is her being angry worse than her being dead?!"

Maud looked at him and, for the first time since they've seen her, she had a worried look on her face. Then, in a grim tone, she replied, "Because when she's angry, she won't hesitate to kill anyone that tries to throw a punch at her."

The group stared at her with wide eyes. "Wait... Pinkie? Kill?!" Gilda asked, before weakly chuckling. "You're kidding me, right? I've seen her in a battle before, but so far, I haven't even seen her kill a fly!"

The Minotaur that remained in front of the cell door backed away with his jaw wide open, as he just witnessed his co-worker who attempted to silence a certain pony with his scimitar end up getting said scimitar caught between Pinkie's teeth, disarmed, and then jammed deep inside his forehead by the pink mare, who then somehow managed to "slip" out of her bindings, and remove the scimitar from the Minotaur's forehead. Now, she was standing at the other side of the barred door, grinning dementedly at the frightened Minotaur.

"What's the matter? I thought you would enjoy me not talking! Did you not recall what my other side warned you of? Here, let me explain it for you!" She then reached behind her back, and pulled out a small blue box with a red button. Then she placed it on the ground and stepped on the button, causing the small box to glow, and levitate in front of her left hand, while the scimitar remained in her right hand. When the box made it to her palm, a rod projected out of it, and wrapped around her hand, until it formed a cylinder shape around her entire forearm. After that, a few electric antennas protruded from the center of her covered hand, and began to glow.

"When Pinkie goes away... Dianne comes to slay." As soon as she finished that sentence, the entire front wall that separated the cell from the main room was blasted out by the mysterious arm cannon that, somehow, used a large number of confetti to do so.

When the wall was completely removed, the Minotaur flew onto the back wall, and bumped his back on the opposite end, leaving a crack where the impact was made. Not taking any chances, however, he quickly stood back on his feet and drew his scimitar, then looked around nervously through the large number of dust that covered the entire room.

"Show yourself, you coward!" He shouted.

Suddenly, he heard a giggle behind his back, causing him to turn around, and swing blindly. Then, from his right ear, he heard Pinkie whisper, "Nice muscles you have there... perhaps I could make cupcakes with them!" He quickly swung his sword to his right, only to miss again, followed by more laughter.

"S-shut up! SHUT UP!" the Minotaur shouted, before swinging wildly in random directions where he thought he heard her laughter.

"Why? Are you getting... scared?" She asked him in his right hear once more.

This time, he swung at his left, only to miss yet again... but when he turned to the right, he screamed in fear when he saw her standing right next to him.

Back in Port Greenhold, Zero Gravity, Nightshade, Software Patch, and Heavenly Quill all gathered in the center, introducing themselves to each other. Zero, however, was surprised to see Heavenly Quill there, and likewise for Quill, for they both have already heard of one-another.

After giving Quill a firm handshake, Zero commented, "It's a surprise to see the one who wrote Princess Celestia's latest speech here... Heavenly Quill, right?"

Quill chuckled before replying, "Indeed, and you must be Zero Gravity! It's quite rare to find one who could take as bold a step as to guide a team of Pegasi to stop a wild tornado. By the way, I didn't see you there at the day of the speech... but the other members of the Manehatten Weather Team were there! Did something happen?"

Zero shrugged his shoulders before replying, "Eh, I was just in the mood for more adventure. I'm sure you can relate, being a traveling poet, and all that!"

Quill nodded his head. "Yes... but my reasons are actually a slight bit more different." Then he chuckled. "But it isn't something that should worry you, of all people!"

Zero nodded his head, before turning to Nightshade and Software Patch. "By the way, I'm Zero Gravity... thanks for your help, guys."

Nightshade nodded his head in response, while Software's arm cannons shifted back into his mismatched arms. Then he stretched his right arm out, and shook Zero's hand with a smile. "Software Patch... it is an honor to meet you, Mr. Zero Gravity."

Nightshade then said, "The name's Nightshade. Sorry, but that's all I can tell you."

Then Zero tilted his head in confusion, before his eyes went wide. "Wait... didn't I see you in that book? That little Pony's Tale about that 'Grimsley' creature?!"

Quill's eyes also went wide at that statement. "No wonder I thought you looked a little familiar! I remember reading that book a while back in Druathica!"

Nightshade sighed before nodding his head. "Yes, and I'd appreciate it if you kept your voices down. I don't like being seen in the public... and standing here isn't helping, either."

Before anyone could say another word, a blood-curdling scream echoed through the streets from the prison. Without even saying a word, the entire group rushed towards the prison and, after reaching it safely, ran down the stairs to find the source of the scream.

While they were headed down into the lower levels of the dungeon, they heard the sound of more screaming, blades clashing, blades going through flesh, bone, cloth, and armor, blood spewing on surfaces, and bodies thumping on either the furniture, the walls, the iron bars, the debris, the rocks, or the floor. Then, when they made it to the entrance, they saw a large pile of Minotaur limbs scattered across the room, ranging from heads to hooves, and everything in-between.

In the center of it all, they saw a Minotaur wearing a Black Wings outfit standing still in the center of the room, and a red-coated one that was still bound to the wall; alive and frightened with his eyes closed.

Then, the one that stood in the center of the room fell onto his back, which split from his torso, his arms, his legs, and his neck. There, they saw Pinkie Pie covered in the blood of her fallen enemies, and holding two scimitars in each hand; one reverse-grip stacked next to one that was held properly. In her mouth, she also held two scimitars; both of which had the sharp ends of the blades facing forward. In her tail, she held one in a similar manner to the stinger of a scorpion. The scimitar that her tail held was attached to a dismembered head when the group arrived.

Slowly sliding the scimitar from the head, she looked at the group with an unfazed demented stare, before walking towards them, still carrying her new weapons.

In an uncharacteristically dark, muffled voice (due to the two scimitars in her mouth), she said, "Free him, and meet me at the northern gate." Then she walked right past the group, who all stared at her in shock.

Then Zero turned towards the room, and noticed that Thor'lok opened his eyes. "Hold on, Thor'lok. We're here to help."

Thor'lok nodded his head, and chuckled. "Thor'lok thank friends!"

The next thing they knew, Thor'lok and the others were out of the dungeon, and on their way to the northern gate, only to find another unexpected group of travelers to show up.

When Pinkie Pie made it to the main entrance, she hummed to herself. "Huh... why am I getting the shudders? It's not that cold out here... unless..."

Whenever she made it to the front entrance, she stopped in place, and dropped all of her weapons when she saw the familiar face that walked in with the other familiar faces.

When Maud was close enough for ears' reach, she smiled at Pinkie, and said, "It's good to see you're okay, Pinkie Pie."

For a brief moment, Pinkie smiled at her older sister, until she noticed Topaz Claw, Storm Light, and Sand Barrier standing behind her. Then, Pinkie stomped on the ground, which sent the swords back in the air. While in the air, she caught each and every blade in a similar way to when she headed that way. "Get away from my sister, you bastards..." she growled through the blades in her mouth.

Swift, however, held his hands up defensively and said, "Don't worry, Pinkie! They're on our side!"

Pinkie continued to glare at the Diamond Dog, Minotaur, and Slithian, but nodded her head. "Okay, then..." She then spat the two scimitars that were in her mouth on the ground, and said, "But so help me, if you so much as try to back-stab us, then I'll see to it that each and every one of you, and any of your family members, are butchered into cupcakes, and served to the Manticores and Timberwolves! Understood?"

The entire group, save for Maud Pie, all stared at her with shocked expressions, while Topaz, Sand, and Storm all nodded their heads nervously. Pinkie then smiled at them and said, "Good... then you can start proving your worth by leading us to Justin and Ruby!"

Topaz nodded his head again. "From what I've overheard, they kept the two of them close by each other, so if we find one, then the other would more than likely be there, too!" Then he raised his right hand up, and added, "And as far as I could tell," he then pointed towards the northern gate, "he took them to his castle, in the capital city of The Highlands... Diamond Peak!"

Pinkie nodded her head and stomped the scimitars in her mouth again. "Good... then let's go!" With that, the entire group headed towards Diamond Peak, until Gilda stopped in place, and gasped.

"Wait... where's Gilded at?!" She asked in a panicked tone.

"You just had to be the one I'm stuck with, didn't you?" Gilded asked the Fox tied onto his back, while the two of them dangled loosely on the top of a massive mountaintop with a massive city that rested just overhead.

Stealth Paws groaned before replying, "Well, don't look at me, mate! I wasn't in charge of the operation that involved us getting captured!"

Gilded sighed before stating, "I don't think any of us were in charge of that one... I'll give you that." Then he hummed. "By the way... where are we?"

Stealth looked up, and grinned. "Crikey! It looks like we're in luck, after all!"

Gilded then tilted his head in confusion. "Luck? How so?"

Stealth chuckled and then replied, "Well, for starters... you're a Gryphon, so you can easily fly us out of this mess, once we find a way out of these ropes!"

Gilded nodded his head. "Yeah... and the location?"

With a wide smile, Stealth replied, "We, my dear friend, are in Diamond Peak... the capital city of The Highlands, and the location of the rat bastard that betrayed us!"

Author's Notes:

Finally! Another chapter completed, and JUST in time for breakfast, too!

Anyways, I'd like to remind you all that, if you haven't already, please feel free to comment, and remember to let me know if you'd like to see more!

(Not that I'd risk getting rid of THIS idea anytime soon! (This story is a personal favorite of mine to write, so there's no way I'm getting rid of it!)

As always, stay sharp, My Little Bronies! And remember... "If life gets you down, remember that, to get stronger in life, you have to get broken down first, so that there could be room for improvement! Then, you'll get rebuilt even stronger than last time!"