Dear Princesses,

I'm sorry I didn't tell you as soon as I found her. I should have, it would have made all of this so much easier. But before you ask, I'll start from the beginning. I was exploring a cave in the Everfree, and I could sense that I was not alone. Going deeper into the cave, I cam across the first changeling I had encountered. Queen Chrysalis. She was a prisoner, that much I could tell. After saving her, I brought her back to my camp. Soon after, some old friends of mine had found me, and told me that they needed help. Long story short, I did just that. After that, I had gone into the innermost part of my mind, completely unaware of the outside world. When I came back to my senses, I was in some sort of cocoon. After breaking out, I ran into some changelings. Taking care of them, I took notice of my surroundings. It seemed that I was in some sort of cave. Chrysalis was nowhere in sight. Going deeper, I saw that she was about to be executed. I should have let her die, I shouldn't have saved her. But I couldn't stand idly and let her die. After escaping from the cave. We made our way back to our camp, but we had to relocate. But, after an hour or two, the changelings found me. I killed one, and another dropped from the trees. I stepped out of the way, letting the changeling hit the ground face first. I decided to bring it with me, for whatever reason. After walking for a while, I got the feeling that something was stalking me, so I turned around, but I couldn't see a thing. When I turned back, there, only half of a foot away from me, was this world's variation of my brother, Slendermane. He told me that Chrysalis was only using me for her personal goals, ensuring her place at the throne. Soon after he left, I woke the changeling up, covering his mouth to keep his yells muffled. I told him 'revolt', the code word that identified rebels among the changelings. He told m everything I needed. He even told me the code name he worked under: Final Hour. After I took him back to the camp, I met with Chrysalis, who had found the swords that had been gone since I woke up in the cocoon. I asked her all I needed, confirming my suspicions. I killed her, feeling no emotion. I burned the body, wanting what was left of her out of my sight. As soon as I was done, Slendermane reappeared. He told me that with Chrysalis out of the way, he would take the throne. He seeks to control all of Equestria, maybe even all of this world. By the time this gets to you, it may be too late. I just hope that Slendermane is too busy to launch an invasion. A single swarm of changelings will ask permission to enter the city. Final Hour will, hopefully, be leading the swarm. They are the rebels, and do let them inside. They are one of the only allies we have fighting with us at this time. This is all my fault. If I hadn't saved Chrysalis, this could have been prolonged, maybe this could have been avoided entirely. I'm so sorry. Forgive me.

From, Red.

As soon as he was done with the letter, Red snapped his fingers, turning the letter into smoke, sending it in the direction of Canterlot at surprising speed. Red looked at Final hour. "Hour, if you can, get the rebels, and get to Canterlot as fast as you can. If you can, lead the swarm. Ask permission to enter. I'll already be there. Be careful." As soon as the words left his mouth, both of Red's eyes turned pitch black, and his skin turned pure white. He had turned into his Slender form. It allowed him to teleport instantly, covering large distances in a short amount of time. He only used it for travel when all hell would break loose. He teleported to the front of the royal castle, and his skin and eyes returned to normal. He rushed into the castle. The two guards on the inside shouted for him to stop. He ignored them, rushing through the castle. Turning a corner, Red nearly ran into Twilight.

"Red?" Twilight asked, "What are you doing here?"

Red didn't stop, only shouting from over his shoulder, "No time to explain!" Red ran straight for the throne room, which was up ahead. Once he reached the doors, he stopped to catch his breath. Once he was able to think straight, he opened the doors.

In front of him was Luna, Celestia, and Discord, reading the letter Red had sent. "Good, you got the letter in time. We have to prepare for war. I've seen how big a swarm of changelings can be, and we're going to be going up against at least five times what I saw."

They all looked up from the letter to Red. Celestia was the first to speak. "Red? How did you get here so fast?"

Red shook his head, "I'll explain after we make preparations."

Now it was Discord's turn to speak, "Well, if you could get here that fast, why not go after Slendermane?"

"I have no idea where he could be."

Then, Luna ran up to Red, and hugged him with all her strength. "Oh thank goodness you're okay. I thought we lost you."

Red smiled, and returned the hug. "Trust me, it's going to take a lot to kill me. Besides, I won't leave you. I promise."

"Uh, I'm sorry to interrupt this tender moment, but I think we have a war to prepare for." The two separated, and looked at Discord. "Now, I'm sure we don't have time to dilly dally, so let's get a move on!" Discord clapped his lion paw and his claw together for emphasis.

Red nodded. "He's right. You three get this place ready for an invasion."

Celestia gave Red a questioning look. "And what are you going to do?"

Red grinned. "I'll be getting some more help. I'll be back soon." Red snapped his fingers, opening a portal behind him. He winked, then stepped through. Emerging on the other side, Red was inside the mansion, snapped his fingers, closing the portal.  Hm, looks like my memory of where to come out is getting better. "Yeah, yeah. Now, can we hurry this up? I'm sure a certain country full of talking horses is waiting for you." Right. Red took two steps, then was tackled. Red sighed. "Dammit Pinks, are you going to greet me like this every time?" The mare on top of Red only nodded. Red sighed, and smiled. Looks like she's never going to change. Pinkamena rolled off of Red, letting him get up. "Pinks, can you get Jeff, Jane, Jack, Masky, and BEN?"

Pinkamena nodded, and turned around. She began moving, but then turned around again. She tilted her head and asked, "Uh, which Jack?"

"Eyeless Jack."

Pinkamena nodded, and turned around to get the others. Then, a voice behind Red said, "If you wanted to see me, you could have just said so." Turning, Red saw Jeff, along with Jeff's brother, Liu, and BEN.

"Jeff, how are you feeling?" Red asked.

Jeff shrugged, "Eh, you know, like I always do."

Red looked at Liu, then back Jeff. "So, how's your brother doing?"

"He's fitting in, though he's a bit creeped out by Jack."

Red nodded, "I can understand. Listen, Jeff, I know you're still recovering from your wounds, but I need your help, along with the others."

Jeff shrugged, "Oh, you mean the little scrapes I got? That's nothing. Besides, you know that I owe you. What is it you need help with?"

"Yeah, what is it, Red?" Said someone behind Red. Turning, Red saw Pinkamena, along with Jane, Masky, and Jack. "From the way you said it, I'd think that the world was in danger."

"Well, that's just it. Remember the world you found me on? I kind of put it in the danger of being ruled by it's version of my brother."

Everyone, aside from Liu, blinked, and they all asked, except Jack and Liu, asked, "What?"

Red nodded. "Yeah, and he's in charge of an entire species who can change appearance to look like anyone."

"Wait, you have a brother?" Red looked back at Liu.

"I had a brother. I killed him."

Liu's eyes widened. "Wait, what? You killed your own brother? Why? Who was he?"

Red sighed. "He was Slenderman. As for why I killed him, I'd rather keep that a secret."

Jeff rolled his eyes. "Okay, so, a pony version of Slendy is in charge of a shape-shifting army, and threatens to take over that world?"

Red nodded. "Now, I know that it's not something you usually do, but-"

Jeff held up a hand, silencing Red. "Dude, whatever you need. I'll be there to help." Everyone, besides Liu, nodded.

Red looked at Liu, and asked, "What about you? I need all the help I can get."

Liu looked at the others, then to Red. "I don't see why not. I'm in."

Red smiled. "Thanks." Then, snapping his fingers, Red opened another portal. They all gathered around it. "So, who's first?" Jeff ran straight into the portal. Then, Jack walked through. Next was BEN. Then Jane. Liu walked up to the portal.

"Uh, is this thing safe?" Red nodded. "Well, here goes nothing..." Liu stepped through the portal. Pinkamena began to bounce toward the portal. She giggled, then jumped through. Then, Red walked through the portal. Emerging from the other side, they were all in the throne room. Red looked around the room. On the throne was Celestia.

Red bowed. "Princess, I know it isn't much but I got more than enough help to repel the changelings."

Celestia raised a brow at the other brought before her. "Very well. I trust your judgement. I've sent a letter to Twilight explaining the situation. She and her friends are going to arrive shortly." As soon as Celestia said this, the doors to the throne room opened. Red snapped his fingers, closing the portal. Red turned to the ponies standing in the open doorway. Well, this is going to be interesting.

"Hello everyone. As you can see, I've brought some friends." Red said, gesturing to the group next to him.

Twilight looked at the group in front of her. "Um, well, that's great, but, are you sure they'll be enough to do anything?"

"Trust me, they're all more than enough. Oh, and, about the... Other Pinkie..." Red rubbed that back of his neck. "She's kinda from a parallel universe. It's very different from this one." Pinkamena looked at the ponies in the doorway. Then the two Pinkies approached each other. Oh god, this is going to end horribly... "Well, anyways, I think you should get acquainted with each other. Hopefully this won't end like I think it will..." Next Chapter: Making a Stand Estimated time remaining: 13 Minutes