---

Twilight stares at the figure sitting in the center of the room. She feel's magic emanating all around her. She currently sits on a throne made of a mixture of Marble and quartz. The chair itself resonates with the room. It almost looks like the chair was unearthed from the rock, rather than chiseled or made by hand. Next to her is a simple lever, Around her are small tables with various items, including food and water and other such treats. Behind her is a small hanging cage which is currently facing away, and 6 other cages placed near the exit of each tunnel.

Twilight looks around and notices 5 other tunnels leading to the center chamber as well. Each with a metal looking cage next to the opening. Behind Eris is a cave leading out and 5 doors that are next to her which are currently open. Under further scrutiny she notices that each tunnel is slightly constructed differently then the next. They look the same, but clearly they were designed specifically for its occupant.

 

Eris smiles. Which sends shivers up Twilights back.

 

"We will wait momentarily for our guests.." a Gravely deep yet melodic voice emanating from the smoke. Definitely Feminine and old. Yet every word with tempered vile.

 

"What is this place Eris!" Twilight speaks finally. Her voice is a bit coarse, She wonders how long she was in that cave. Eris just sits staring and smiling in silence.

 

Slowly one by one, the others appear. First Applejack. Twilight recoils in horror. Applejack has such a sickly smug look about her. Her hat gone, her main all firmly pressed as she walks straight-backed and with such smarmy confidence. It oozes contempt ness. She can clearly see her talking to herself and shouting out something. But in directions that warrant no attention. As if she is barking orders at something. It reminds her of overconfident bullies she has seen in the past.

 

Next comes out Pinkie Pie. Hair all straight and short! Though it looks tucked away. Also in a rather confident manner, But with a scowl and eyes filled with anger and hatred. She is intentionally sucking in her stomach and constantly looking at her figure in the tubes slight reflection. She has a snooty look about her as she looks casually around and also mutters things. At this point Twilight realizes that she can not hear them. Only see them. She plants her hoofs on the side of the tube and starts hitting them hard.

 

Eris laughs still staring at her.

 

"It will do you no good. It is sound proof. Also...if your thinking about causing trouble, that won't work. Especially your tube. It is made of anti-magic material. Especially reinforced Just for you. How honored?"

Twilight starts to use her magic to test her theory. Attempting to fracture the tube. Resonating energy builds up on her horn, circulating and growing as she concentrates. She hit's the side of the wall....and then nothing. No reaction at all. She looks up and starts to go through all her books that she has studied on magic and anti-magic material.

 

"Consider your options all you want. I will wait for the others."

 

After a bit of time. Rarity slowly slinks out. Lowering her head and crying. She is rather jumpy, overlooking her shoulders and being skittish. She shouts with tears in her eyes at some unseen horror. A mixed look of sadness, anger, and apologetic.

"What have you done to my friends!" Twilight half whispers. Eris just stairs straight at her. Not even noticing the others. A few times Rarity collapses on the floor, just to struggle to pick herself up again and continue forward.

Then Fluttershy approaches. Her visual shocks Twilight to the core. She walks out of the cave slowly. Hair all disheveled and unkempt. She looks like she just crawled out of a dumpster. Yet...upon closer inspection you notice that she is all dolled up. Very attractive and sultry looking. Eyes half closed, with a stark look in her eyes. The only time Twilight has seen this look on somepony, were those ad's in manehatten or those on stage personalities. She looks like one of those models! Striking yet completely shambles.

Finally Rainbow Dash zooms into her tunnel. Now if anything were to identify these things as sound proof. This did. As Rainbowdash enters the tube, She bounces around like a ping-pong ball. Hitting the sides and floor. Twilight cringes as her wings are all bruised and beaten up. She finally stops and Rainbow dash is seen shouting with such a vile and sinister look to her. She is almost unrecognizable.

 

"Ahh this one shows promise!" Eris suddenly cackles. But then quickly replies

"No matter. This will all be over shortly. It seems only you have seen through my ruse. Very clever Twilight. As expected. No, I will not call you...Princess" She spits out the last word.

"Fun time is over." She snaps her fingers, and all 5 of them suddenly collapse onto the floor. All shake their head as if waking from a dream. Each with a horrible look on their face as they survey their surroundings.

 

Twilight looks towards the others and then look at the tubes. The one Applejack is in looks thick. With struts and something that looks like brace mounts to reinforce the walls. The tube that holds Pinkie pie has a strange hue to it. The surface shimmers and is rather reflective. Rarity's tube looks to be made of the same material as Twilights, but not as thick. Fluttershy and Rainbow dash looks to be padded with clear material, and structured to be braced on all sides. Almost like support for a centrifuge.

 

"I get it. They are made to withstand the strengths of each" She then looks at her own. The tube she is in has all the structures combined. She rolls her eyes but Eris just cackles.

"Yes, you are the special one. You deserve only the best. This...this one was expensive..." She taps the entrance of the tube with a staff that just suddenly appears and then disappeared.

 

As she said this, the others start to rouse from their dream state. They look around and start shouting, kicking, moving around. Twilight puts her hooves on the side and looks towards the girls. It takes them a while to realize that they can't be heard. Rainbow starts to fly in circles very fast, trying to break the tube. But just as she tries to hit the side, she bounces off. Pinkie attempts to vibrate and suddenly disappears. SPLAT! She hits the side of the tube suddenly out of nowhere and slides down. Her ability to pop in and out of the 4^th wall...nullified.

 

"Uh uh uh! None of this portal hopping your so fond of doing Ms. Pie. Oh and yes. Your "Pinkie Sense" doesn't work here" She spits out vile words, literally spitting out something green which grosses pinkie. All Twilight see's is Eris mouthing something about Pie and hop.

 

"So that's a trick. Being able to talk to only one person at a time. I need to learn this..."

 

Eris suddenly turns her stair towards Twilight as the others stop moving. Except for Applejack who keeps on kicking the side of the wall. It flexes and bends, and for a moment the struts start to buckle a bit but hold.

 

"Whoa..She MUST be mad...never seen her kick so hard" Twilight thinks to herself. Pinkie Disappears and reappears a dozen times. Slower then the next. The others start to slow down as well. There is something odd about this room.

 

Twilight looks around and points towards the back of the tube. They are still open. Both ends are open. She waves and points. They look to her and the back and nod.

 

"Of course you can leave. I never wanted you in here in the first place." Eris spits, her voice deeper than before.

 

"Or you can come in here..."She nods towards the lever.

"You can walk right in, pull this lever, and you can go forward. In fact, I won't stop you. I won't even fight you."

 

Each looks back to the tube entrance and then to the Lever. They all think about the possibility, but of to what avail? Will they leave spike in her hands?

 

"In fact. Not only will I not stop you. You can go for help, do what needs to be done. You can choose what you want...."

 

Twilight squints her eyes. Knowing that this is a trap. It has to be. Of course she didn't mention about letting spike go, or even stopping what she has planned. In fact. She suspects that either way, she will continue to do what she plans. Regardless of the choices, they make...but why present it?

 

The others look uneasy. Looking back and forth. Not sure what to do and they turn to twilight.

 

Of course! This is no choice at all! This is just planting doubt and confusion in their minds. She IS a master of manipulation as is already evident. She needs to make a stand and let the others know. Or disaster could happen. With all eyes on her. She straightens up, stands right in the middle of the tube and stares straight at Eris. Unflinching.

 

Out of the corner of her eye, she see's the other attempt it. But the odd feeling is still present. What is this?

 

"Splendid! I knew you wouldn't choose either! Not worried at all. Ha! This is so much fun. Oh and the option stands. Of course you won't take it. But it's always available...but its not going to be that easy. GIRLS!"

 

Twilight's blood turns cold, as the 5 open doors behind Eris, spill out 5...ponies.

 

"Meet my pretty ones!"

 

Slowly a dark mist envelopes each pony.

 

"For you...Applejack! Meet your other! Apate!"

 

A Sickly Beige/White pony with flowering Red and blue mane, short and cropped like a bowl cut almost. Skin roughened and scaled a bit. An Eerie mask as her cutie mark.

 

"Hello Applejack. Nice to meet you!" She curtsies with a rough and smokey voice. As if she has gravel scraping her throat as she talks.

 

"Next up! Just for you! Fluttershy! My favorite here...Erida!"

 

A Pale Pony with Dark black and red skin mixes together. With the same as her mane. With a touch of pea soup green. Her eyes are almost on fire with red. Her expression is a permanent scowl with fangs showing through. A bit more muscular than the previous one. She jumps in front of the Tube.

 

"Let's get this over with! After I am done, I will enjoy devouring you all! And the rest of you!" She points towards the others including Eris. Eris just laughs. Her cutie mark is a single pony skull.

 

"Oh and you Ms. Pie...so easily amused, but so easily misled...Achlys!"

 

An all Grey Pony with short gray straight hair, droopy eyes and a sad face as a cutie mark.

 

"Hey Pinkie...." she droll's on. Pinkie's eyes widen and squint them at her.

 

"She is worse than those ponies in that equal town....This Eris chick...she is good..." she says to no one in particular. Eris smiles and bows at her comment.

 

"Now for you the shining gem! Rarity! Meet your better! Oh, Plutus!"

 

Out comes this gaudy looking pony, covered with gemstones of all colors and kinds. Gold everywhere. A cutie mark of gold coins, gems, and just a mix of all things expensive. He smiles and saunters right in. He is so covered that you can't even tell what cover his mane is, Except for his face. Which is gold on its own. You wonder if he is gold all the way through!

 

"My My! What a surprise! " He looks at his hoof and all the gems on it.

"Why Yes! I do look fantastic don't eye! Out of all these.."He gestures the others.

"You seem to have the best fashion sense and a good eye! Of course, these are mine..." He eyes her carefully then steps in.

 

Rarity rolls her eyes, but after her dream like state earlier. She straightens up and says out loud. "Do not underestimate this one. After what I just have been through. I have to consider this a life threat."

 

"And finally for the Loyal one. My My Rainbow dash! How the mighty have fallen!" Twilight realized that Rainbow dash has difficulty standing up straight. All bruised and battered. Obviously whatever she was experiencing took a bad toll on her. She looks ashamed!

 

"For you...Come out Sisyphus!"

Suddenly a Crimson pony comes out looking very similar to a Shadowbolt. Goggles included. Cutie mark of a pony with a snake around it.

 

"So...Rainbow Crash. Failed again to get into the Wonderbolts? Always an opening in our team. Always..." she shivers at the concept. Sisyphus looked just like the one that challenged her so long ago.

 

"We know you would do whatever it takes to get ahead..whatever it takes...." His eyes suddenly turn green and she actually cowers under her wing. Twilight starts to pound on the side tube. Shouting.

 

"Let her go. LET HER GO!" and the struts on the side start to crack a bit. Eris' eyes widen on what just happened. Amazed at her strength. Twilight charges up and sends a blast that fills the tube. It blows out both ends causing the various items to be toppled around Eris central room.

 

"Now Now. No need for a mess. "

 

Twilight turns to face Eris

 

"So, where is MY pony? Huh" Eris smirks and laughs.

 

"Why isn't it obvious? You don't have one. I am your enemy. But for now. You will just have to watch." She pushes a button on her chair closing the doors on both ends.

 

"Now you can just watch." Twilight stops to look at her friends and try to wave and point towards the lever and the back way. But each is faced with their counterpart. Though they just stand by the entrance to the tube. They do not approach. In fact. Ever since they came into the tube, they haven't moved at all. Strange.

 

****Rainbow Dash****

 

Rainbow dash falls to the floor as images of the Shadowbolts and how she treated her friends. She cries out.

 

"No! I did not choose that! They are my friends. I would never!"

 

Oh, really Rainbow Crash? You never once considered leaving your friends? How about to join cloudsdale on the competitions? Or when you left the maze...or just all the pranks you have taken way too far!"

 

"But they were just pranks!"

 

"Of course they are. They are just in jest. Why are they so sensitive? They need to toughen up. Be cooler, Radical, Awesome like us! Just leave them behind. They slow you down anyways!" Sisyphus approaches. The others just look at the interaction and can not say or hear anything. Twilight though, can hear everything. She shouts back...but realizes that Rainbow dash can not hear her. Eris smiles with a mischievous grin.

 

"Just so you can watch..and listen..." Twilight zaps the door with a bolt which just gets absorbed.

 

The others. Not hearing Rainbow Dash, but seeing her in distress. They try to tap the walls. Out of the corner of her eyes, she see's her friends and is bolstered.

 

"They are my friends! They know I am not like that!"

 

"But inside..inside you are Rainbow. Just...Like...Me. Do you know why I am the best? Because I sold out the other Shadowbolts. They were all weaker, slower, and just in my way. Some were a challenge...but I took care of that. No need for a team. Don't you think so? I know you do!" He eyes her with such a conniving look. She backs away.

 

"Oh come on. You know they just slow you down...especially that one!" He points towards Fluttershy.

 

Rainbow Dash suddenly bolts and start to Pummel Sisyphus. At lightning speed. He can not keep up with her kicks, jabs, and wing attacks. He starts to get damaged but smiles.

 

"What are you smiling at!" Rainbow notices that she is tiring quickly, but doesn't let that stop her. She is relentless.

 

Applejack notices this and runs towards the side of the tube again.

 

****Applejack****

 

"You should be paying attention to your own situation Applejack...but..no need. No one counts on you anyways..."She turns to face Apate. Who just saunters in.

 

"You want to fight. I get it. But I haven't made a move. Oh, I won't...I don't need to. Your such a hypocrite you know. Wanting to help..but do you really?"

 

Applejack is taken aback by the sudden statement. Sudden images of Applebloom, The Flim Flam brothers, Her arguments with Rarity and the others, and her stubbornness fills her head.

 

"I think you need to fight Applejack. It will make you feel better. Revenge always does. I am your target. Do not forget that." She approaches slowly. Pinkie looks over at both of them and starts to get worried. Then she looks straight ahead. Achlys just saunters in and just slumps on the floor.

 

****Pinke Pie****

 

"I am just going to sit here for a bit..and rest. These guys can fight. I don't need to. Do you want to? She looks over sheepishly towards her.

 

"Well, of course not. I would rather not fight. But I have to help my friends!"

 

"Well, I won't stop you. You can help them. Just leave this tube and enter theirs."

 

"Really? Why Help me? Achly..Achl...Achy?" She says as she starts to bounce her usual bounciness. But immediately after one bounce, she feels like a lead weight is on her and she can't move like she used to.

 

"Oh that..don't mind that...it's just the tube. I don't care. I don't even want to be here...She" She points towards Eris who is focused on Twilight. At this point Twilight is flying around, zapping things, kicking things, and just making a mess...She smiles at her. But realizes the gravity of the situation.

 

"...She made me do this. I don't care nor do I want to care. If you are bored we can fight...but I can just enjoy watching TV or eating or not doing anything. Don't you ever feel that way?"

 

"Well...sometimes...sometimes I just want to sit. But there is so much fun to be had. So,...you're saying you won't stop me or fight me? Why that's awfully kind of you Achy!"

 

"Kindness? Not really. I just don't care. Anyway. That one..." She points again "She will just destroy you and the others anyway. Help if you can...but it's fruitless. She is one step ahead of you. Oh yes, she will eventually destroy us as well...but I personally don't care."

 

"But why? It looks like your not evil...just sad...maybe I can cheer you up.." Pinkie says as she starts to approach her. Twilight suddenly gestures wildly at Pinkie.

 

****Twilight****

 

 

"No! Pinkie It's a trap! Don't go near her!!!" Ugh...This tunnel. It is like the before. It is sapping our strength. They just don't know it!! UGH!!!" Twilight shouts.

 

"Very perceptive Twilight. I can see why Discord was cautious of you. You are very smart....very smart indeed. But so am I. I have been around countless millennia and countless realms. I have been in places you could never consider. She pauses for a second remembering something from the deep past.

 

"There was only one other place that I had great difficulty with...I had to leave there...but I will return. After I gather the power here...that realm will be next. I will destroy it completely."

She picks up a piece of parchment and sets it aside. She stabs it with a pen that suddenly appears and disappears.

 

"For another day..."

 

"Discord! What does he have to do with this?" Suddenly the back of her head tickles a bit. She shakes it off.

 

"Why that disappointment of a son. He is everything that is WRONG with this situation! He should have the world on a platter before me! That wretched thing..." Twilight is shocked at the word "son" She suddenly feels overwhelming sadness. Achlys looks over to Twilight suddenly and waves with a small smile.

 

****Pinkie Pie****

 

"Hey! Over here!!" Pinkie shouts

"Yeah..I see you. Your friend there just learned a bitter truth. See?" Achlys mumbles Pinkie looks over to see a shocked and saddened Twilight. The others caught this as well. As Rainbow Dash looks over. Sisyphus chuckles and flaps his wings, Knocking her down.

 

"Uh Uh Uh! No peeking"

 

****Applejack****

 

As Applejack slowly approaches Apate. Her knees start to Buckle. Every step seems heavier than the last. She crouches down and then attempts to Bolt towards Apate.

 

"Come on...You can do it..come fight me. Applejack. For Applebloom. Maybe I will visit her after this?" She starts to think. Applejack eyes widened and flare her nostrils. Twilight hears this and turns to look at her.

 

****Fluttershy****

 

"No!"

 

"SO Fluttershy. Look around you? Like what you see?"

 

"No. Not at all Erida. "

 

"Get used to it. Bah, how did I get stuck with you? At least that one has spunk," Pointing towards Rainbow Dash. "And that one is strong!" Pointing towards Applejack "And that one! I think I would be defeated by that one!" She points towards Twilight.

 

"I can see why that one" Points towards Eris.

"why that one set each of these up. Bah I hate her. But she is smart. YOU on the other hand. What opponent are you? I heard that I was going against one of the best! But you're a pitiful looking thing. "She is all full of love and joy. She said...Gentle and kind...BAH! You are just a frail thing!"

 

"No, I am not. I just don't like to fight."

 

"Fight? FIGHT? Ha! This isn't even worthy of the word!" Suddenly images of Zephyr, Her parents, flight school when she was a foal and made fun of, Nightmare Night, and other times she was scared. Start to flood her thoughts. She cower's. Still sensitive to her dreamscape earlier. She shakes her head and realizes those thoughts have entered as well.

 

"You are so pitiful." Erida starts to approach

 

"I am going to make you fight. I don't like these tubes...but I will like what I am going to do to you. I despise you. Everything you are. I read the dossier on you. "Affinity to animals" and "Can speak to them...bah!."

 

"They are my friends, as they are. When times are tough they are always there."

 

"Where are they now? Your "Friends"
"Well, they are safe and protected now, Because of what's going on.." Fluttershy points towards Eris.

 

"Well true. That is understandable. She would destroy them...wait a minute. This is about you!" Suddenly the thoughts intensify. Images of how she treated Twilight and the others when she was corrupted. Thoughts of how her friends looked when she scared them...she was suddenly stilled as images of the vile Talent agent offering her "Jobs" for "Quick cash"

 

"No. I will not fight you. But I have friends. I don't even have to look to know they fight for me and for all of us"

 

"What good that will do you Fluttershy. I will devour you. I will destroy you piece by piece. Your Kindness will turn to me. You will hate as you have always hated. Remember?"

Fluttershy shies away but remembers the time when she took that self-confidence course that turned her into a monster. Then the time when she became big mean and green. Then more images of that hole in the wall from the dreamscape.

 

"Stop. I will not fight you, but I will not dwell on this." She starts to hum a familiar tune and some birds appear as well as some insects as she sits down

"Oh no? I will beat you. I hate you with all my being. That is who I am...Look into my eyes." Suddenly her red eyes start to glow.

 

****Rarity****

 

"So Rarity...all this activity. Plutus trots in and starts to immediately hit rarity with his hooves. But she quickly realizes that he isn't hitting her hard. Though the gleaming gem's catch her eyes.

"To be truthful...I don't want to fight. She paid me to be here..and paid me well! I always acquire wealth. My goal is to outbuy Filthy Rich...little does he know that I have 10 times more then he does...but I want to crush him. Not just buy him out."

"Well..if you don't want to fight..why do it?" She sends a roundhouse kick that he blocks, but he gets thrown off his hooves and tumbles.

"Well..as I said. I got paid. So I have to at least look like I am trying...say. You seem to like fashion...why not pretend for a moment. I have a business proposal for you."

"I am not falling for it!" She kicks him again. Which angers him. He charges at her as she attempts to use magic to throw him against the tube. But as soon as she charges up and shoots a beam, it gets redirected into the side of the tube.

"No, No Rarity. That is no good. Look..." Plutus charges up and attacks and the same thing occurs.

"See? It takes in all magic. I don't use it much myself...just to help with money. But if we must fight..." He suddenly charges in knocking her down. Rarity does a flip back and recoils.

"Your better then you look...." She looks to his outfit. As a seamstress she is used to looking at outfits all day long. She notices flaws, imperfections, and just down right shoddy work. This one's outfit is impeccable. He charges again knocking her down again.

"I really don't want to do this. " He backs away towards the entrance.

There! Right as he charged me.I noticed...a flaw! A stitch in the wrong place! I can pull on it and cause it to unravel and tangle him up!

"We can talk business if you like...."He replies as her thoughts suddenly flood with the failing store, being bought out and approached by skeevy ponies. She grunts in disgust but is also intrigued.

"Oh! That...no..This is on the up and up. I have a line of clothing..like you see here.Gem wear...I need a partner. 50/50. Just add my line to yours and we can double the size of your storefront! In fact, I can buy out that dance floor.

"You are good...but I don't trust this..."

He sighs! "Fine. Let's fight...I guess. But I am not moving!" He stays still. Rarity charges in.

 

****Applejack****

 

Applejack kicks Apate right in the face, Which tosses her out almost past the entrance to the tube. But the odd thing is. When she kicked her, It was like kicking Jello!

 

"Whooo wee. That was a good one Apples! I like it! I love it! Give me more!" She charges in with a smile. Not a scratch on her.

"You are supposed to be the Honest one correct?" Applejack just wheels herself around trying to gain the momentum from the original kick, Apate narrowly avoids it.

"Well. We ALL know that is true don't we?" She smirks. Applejack wheels back for a moment confused after another kick. Which seemed to land solidly but was just as ineffectual.

"You're saying your not a hypocrite? Come on. You are not as honest as you seem to be?" She asks. Applejack shakes her head just in time for Apate to get a kick in. Knocking her down.

"Why bother fighting? We all know that white lies are what make the world go around anyways."

"I am not like you Apate. I never will be...."

"Oh Never?" She smirks as sudden thoughts of how she lied to Twilight in the maze, and her stubbornness kicks in. Suddenly the dreamscape enters in and she remembers how ruthless as a company owner, and it was her decisions in that world.

"I mean I wouldn't lie just for the sake of lying. But think of how those that you lied to would feel. Couldn't you just keep it to yourself? What if it was someone close to you. What if they could not recover? Like poor aApplebloom. Could you live with yourself if just a single word of truth could crush that little one forever? I know I may be bad, but I am not heartless even to do that!"

 

Applejack starts to feel weaker and she charges again against Apate, Knocking her square down on the ground, bruised and battered, but still able to get back up. These kicks were at full strength and she just seems to absorb them.

 

Suddenly Twilight hears Applejacks conversation. As she stopped attacking for a moment realizing that Rainbow Dash can't hear her and is struggling. The intensity of the fight has caught everyone's attention for the moment.

 

****Fluttershy****

 

"Watch Fluttershy...I love this part" Erida says as she smiles. Fluttershy see's a weakened Applejack and a renewed Twilight trying harder to break out. Eris is focused completely on Twilight and smiling. Erida suddenly jumps at Fluttershy toppling her over. She deftly shifts her weight and tosses Erida against the wall with a solid thud.

 

"Good. That was a tough blow...So there IS spunk in you." Her birds and insects return as the scattered before the blow. They head towards Erida and distract her as Fluttershy kicks Erida squarely. Erida tumbles tossing Fluttershy against the wall.

 

****Rainbow Dash****

 

Rainbow Dash notices this with a shock but returns to hit Sisyphus again, who deftly dodges her attacks but she trips him and tackles him against the wall. She is thrown to the back of the tube. Both a bit beaten. But clearly squaring off again.

 

****Fluttershy****

 

"You are pathetic! Sure you have some friends and such. But I know you. I know you have hate in you." An insect flies by when Erida picks it up by the wing.

"Hmm well, I could just.." without finishing the statement. Fluttershy slams into Erida square in the flank causing a decent amount of damage.

"Go!" she shouts at her flying friends. Realizing that they might be in danger. They flitter away.

"No more Erida! NO MORE!" Erida's eyes widen with the sudden ferocity but smiles. Her eyes still glowing.

 

Suddenly Fluttershy opens her eyes wide and they start to vibrate. Her Stare in full effect. Erida shivers for a moment and is still. But her Glowing Red eyes return to normal.

 

"Wh..How..."Fluttershy recoils, suddenly feeling truly fearful.

"Ha! I knew you would use that old trick. Eris did warn me that you were powerful. I am glad I did NOT underestimate you. That stare of yours...would fell the mightiest foe! What power! I was at full defensiveness and it wiped it clean....but it won't work now." She smirks.

 

****Rarity****

 

She almost reaches the end of the tube! But the closer she gets, the stronger the feel of weight on her. Not realizing the full scope of what is happening. She half charges, half bungles into Plutus. But at the last moment, she pulls on the prone stitch that unravels the fabric, instantly getting tangled up in his gemstone matrix vest.

 

"How undignified!" Rarity slumps down next to Plutus as the sudden weight of the room reels in.

All those thoughts appear back with a strong emphasis on her Sick mother and a wayward Sweetiebelle. Who she protected from Street Rat. But realizes that she can not protect her forever...

"How about this...instead of being partners. I can be an investor. I believe in your boutique. Sure, we may be enemies here...but I think I can make a very good profit. I have resources. You want to expand and make more money. I will even throw in this vest! I really do not want to fight. I don't even care for what all this is about. I heard you were here...and have wanted to make a business proposition. There is money to be made...."

 

Rarity suddenly get's overwhelmed with tiredness. Intense thoughts of money needs. Business proposition versus sleazy Rat approaches. Things are starting to look good here. If anything. He seems legitimate. Even if some of those attacks were solid, I can tell by his stature, that if he was serious, She would be in a lot of pain now. Her mind is foggy.

 

****Pinkie Pie****

 

"Well, I got to do something!" She bounces around.

"If you must..."Achlys replies. Suddenly the tunnel is filled with this swampy like gas. Achlys just coughs a bit but doesn't get up.

"What IS this stuff! Eewwww"

"I don't know. But I am sure it's for you."

 

Pinke shakes her head.

 

"I know what will make you feel better. A PARTY!" Achlys looks over to her hopeful. As Pinkie suddenly pulls out a Party canon out of nowhere and....it fizzles.

"Now Now Ms. Pie. I told you. None of that!" Eris chimes in. Pinkie looks over and Twilight has stopped fighting for a moment. Focused on Applejack.

"Wow, she looks peeved! But Hey! My Party canon!" she attempts to fire it again. Fizzled out. The swamp-like gas has gucked the inside of her canon!

"No worries! I got other goodies!" One by one she attempts to pull out all sorts of contraptions, from exploding gift boxes to a full ensemble musical instrument, to various dolls, cakes, and all sorts of things from nowhere. She practically fills the tube. But nothing works.

"Oh Well. I guess I have to do the old-fashioned fight. But I don't want to. Achlys you seem to be ok"

 

Achlys shrugs and stands up

 

"Well, we can fight. But I won't hit. I will just stand here..."

 

Pinkie looks at him confused.

 

"But...no fight..I ...I can't just hit you! That wouldn't be fun at all!"

"I guess..."

 

Just then she hears the conversation with Applejack and Apate.

 

****Elements of Harmony****

 

Applejack, Fully Angered, slowly approaches Apate.

"You know Apate. You have a big mouth on you. I will shut you down. I have my friends here. Lie or No lie. I know deceit like you. I have the biggest power of all."

Applejack starts to glow as the other main notices and they all square off suddenly facing their foes. None of the anti-ponies even flinch. Dead stare at their opponents. Each reaches behind their clothing. Applejack slowly approaches as Twilight smiles and reaches behind in her pack

"Yes! That is it Applejack! That is the key!"

Applejack reaches back and pulls out her Element of Harmony symbol.

"This ends now." She suddenly starts to levitate and glows as her eyes start to shine like the stars. The element of Honesty radiates from her. One by one the mane 6 start to glow embodying their Element of Harmony. Rainbow Dash with her element of Loyalty. Fluttershy with her element of Kindness, Which Erida spits at. Pinkie Pie with her Element of Laughter. Which Achlys doesn't even budge or even notices it. Rarity with the Element of Generosity, where Plutus rolls his eyes still tangled up. He mouths.

"I see." He reaches behind in his pack as well.

Twilight stares right at Eris and smiles. But Eris is smiling back! Could she be this clueless? A sudden feeling of warning and dread appears in the back of her mind. She attempts to push it down, but Eris's unwavering smile and her stare right at Twilight. Disturbs her.

"Why is she..." She turns to look at the Anti-ponies who are all standing now. Facing off, each with a hoof in their pack.

"No..it can't be..."

Twilight starts to levitate and her eyes glow brightly, but from Pure white to a ferocity of Red.

She starts to concentrate. Pooling Energy. Eris laughs and just watches.

"My My..such power...and it's growing...but it's fruitless..."

 

****Applejack****

 

Suddenly Applejack Shimmers as she shouts

 

"My True power. The power of Friendship!"

 

Suddenly a Beam of Pure light emanates from Applejack and the others.

Swiftly before the beam hits the anti-ponies. Apate suddenly pulls out a dark black crown with a rotten apple core at its center.

 

"Fear me APPLEJACK! And my Element of DISHARMONY!I Apate of the Untruth. Of Lies and Deceit! Fear me!"

 

Suddenly the white light hits a black light.

 

"And the ultimate Lie. Come on Applejack. You lie to yourself. EVERY single day. Your true lie. What about...." Applejack's eyes widened as Apate has an evil grin. At this point, the other main 5 all hear this in shock.

"What about your parents."

 

The beam hits Applejack square in the chest, causing the Element to fly off her head. She slumps onto the ground. Stunned.

 

****

 

Erida suddenly tosses on her Element of Disharmony, A symbol of a bloody ax and a net. Her beam hits Fluttershy's square on. But they are evenly matched. Twilight cheers her on. Attempting not to stay focused on Applejacks situation. "Fight! Fight!" Twilight shouts to no one.

 

Frustrated Erida attempts to fly and spits vile threats and taunts at Fluttershy.

"You are weak, You can not even touch me! Even your precious friends and Element are of no use! Doesn't that bother you!"

"No! If I can try my hardest. No. It doesn't"

"Ugh.Your infuriating..." Erida suddenly smiles mischievously.

"Well. You do know...Eris is Discords mother." Fluttershy wavers a bit but keeps her defenses up. Twilight mouths the word. "No...not that.."

"You do know..She has tortured him as a child. She hasn't been with him in a while. But I think once we are done here....she will visit him again. This time. I think she means to really do him harm."

 

Fluttershy's element starts to waver and fluctuate.

 

"No! Stay away from him!" She suddenly gets furious and charges towards Erida.

"Then there is always....whats her name? Scootaloo"

 

Fluttershy's eyes widened suddenly and falter's veering off in all sorts of directions. But regains herself with ferocity. Fangs appear.

 

"Now we see your fight. I may have to visit Discord myself. I will enjoy..." Fluttershy tackles Erida hard knocking both their elements off their heads.

Erida stumbles outside of the Tube, as Fluttershy slams down near the central cave. The floor shimmers brightly as the trap kicks in and Fluttershy attempts to stand up, but is completely weakened. Immobile she just stairs. Erida bruised and clearly hurt, wobbles over and bows to Fluttershy.

 

"See? The hate made you strong" She snickered and falls back.

 

***Rarity***

 

Rarity shakes her head, the sudden gravity of the situation kicks in as she dons her Element. Plutus casually puts his on. The element of the Theif.

 

"Really Rarity. By now you should know it's not going to..." She blasts Plutus square in the chest with her beam of Generosity. The beam just gets sucked up into his Element.

"Sigh. Anything you dish out. I will take. I am Greed you know. I don't need to defend myself. I will just take your power. Similar to an old fellow you met. Tirek?" Another and another blast. He returns a few which she defends,

 

He shrugs and says

 

"How un-sheik, your wardrobe is outdated anyway. I don't need a partner like you."

"OUTDATED!" She charges in attacking, each attack gets absorbed. She crashed into Plutus, physically knocking his element off of his head as well as hers. She slams down onto the ground. Her horn stuck to the floor like a magnet.

"See? We could have been partners. But instead. You are now...Hers..." He points to Eris as he walks out shaking his head.

 

***Rainbow Dash***

 

Noticing the others fall. She stairs at Fluttershy for a moment and shouts.

 

"No! I don't care if you have a stupid element that slows me down!" She starts to fly in a tight circle gaining speed.

"On the contrary. We all know that slowness doesn't stop you at all." He puts on his Disharmony in the form of wings. He starts to fly as well gaining speed. Equal to Rainbow dashes. They chase each other.

"You WILL not outfly me, Sissy!" Rainbow shouts.

"It is Sisyphus to you CRASH! Oh, you think you are so great! Here...have these!" Suddenly images that were not known to her, but of Twilights, alternate time periods start to flood her thoughts.

"Look! How you turned in these timelines. You were never that loyal in the first place..in some of these times. You were downright the enemy!" Other images start to flood her thoughts of horrible sites.

"No. That did NOT happen. Even if it did, Twilight took care of it.."

 

They pick up such speeds as the tube starts to vibrate. Eris eyes it as the reinforced brackets and padding start to warp.

 

"Such amazing speed...alas..." Eris smiles again and returns to stare at Twilight who is unhinged at the moment.

 

Suddenly Sisyphus picks up faster speed catching up to her. Eris positions the cage near the entrance to the entrance opening. As well as to the other 5.

He catches up to her.

 

"But it did happen...." He whispers. Then images of her friends leaving her one by one. Until she is alone. She starts to cry out. Then he whispers even softer.

"I could go for some....Turtle after this"

 

Rainbow Dash Shouts out in such a fury that Twilight has never heard before. But before her fury could be realized, He kicks her square on her bruised wing, flinging her straight into the cage with a hard slam. The cage closes.

 

***Pinkie Pie***

 

Shocked at the outcome of her friends. She attempts to bounce around and use her abilities to the fullest. All attempts fail. She pulls out her element of harmony and instead of aiming at a seemingly defenseless Achlys who is slumped against the wall with his DisElement of thumbtacks. She attacks the opening of the tube.

 

"Ahh smart choice!" Erin cackles as Achlys nods. But the Element of Disharmony cancels out the beam on its own.

"It acts or not without my consent" He shrugs.

"But I must save my friends?"

"Go for it." He puts his element away as Eris raises her Smoke eyebrows.

"I don't care one way or another."

 

Pinkie starts to head towards the end of the tube. When the Swamp gas starts to thicken, causing slow motion. Eventually, Pinkie gets stuck near the entrance. He hair flattens as she slumps next to Achlys.

He looks over to her. Shrugs. Then Taps her gently causing her to fall into the cage. The other anti-ponies shuffle the others into their cages. Suddenly it's silent. Twilight is staring in horror at the events unfolding.

 

"I will save you. I will save you all!" She starts to levitate, vibrate and energy crackles around her. She shouts.

"No Eris. You will NOT win this" a soft voice whispers in the back of her mind but she pushes it away.

"Not now. Not ever. You WILL NOT HURT MY FRIENDS" She starts to vibrate as she physically starts to shimmer as Energy starts to emit and warble around her.
Her skin suddenly turns golden as her mane flares out. Suddenly dozens of small spheres appear around her. Rotating and pulsating. Stronger and stronger. The energy lightning outs to each other and starts to spin like a razor disk. Eris looks towards the cage that now covers the end of the tube. She smirks.

Suddenly the spheres start to rotate and revolve around her. Expanding. The wind gets sucked into the tube as the air is silent for a moment. Then a sudden whoosh of intense vibrating energy emanates filling the tube causing the whole structure to vibrate. The energy shoots out the far end, through the cave, past the entrance, and shoots out towards the north. Traveling past the swamp into the ravine, widening the narrow crevice.

The tube starts to shake and crack. The brackets and sound proofing, as well as all the foundation that built this tube, starts to falter.

Eris stands up amazed and for a moment, is frightened.

 

"Even with all my plans..this power...and she is relentless. Never have I seen...Well. I must do what I must do..."

"Oh, Twilight. If you are in there...I would stop if I were you."

 

Suddenly the hanging cage behind her throne floats above her turning 180. Showing a frail and thin looking spike. She magically opens the door and floats him in front of her.

 

"It would be such a shame to kill this morsel"

"Spike...no..." She then looks to eris with such fury.

 

Suddenly she forms what is best described as a mix of a human hand and reptilian claws, with sharp talons or blades.

 

"uh uh uh....bad girl.." she lifts up Spike with her tail and puts her claws around his neck.

 

Twilight freezes in mid powerup.

 

"No! Twilight! Forget about me! Don't let her get to you! I am not important. You have to defend all of Equestria! This is to important....its ok..its ok Twilight...I had a good life. You raised me from an Egg...and I have enjoyed my life every second. Let me go Twilight....let me go." Spike looks at her seriously. Twilights Eyes start to water. She immediately powers down. Eris waits and smirks at the exchange. Not interfering at all.

"No Spike...that is not the way. You are important to me. Everyone here is important to me. I will not give up my friends. You! Eris, and the others. I do not recognize those ponies. But we..."

 

Eris tightens her grip which causes Spike to gurgle

 

"No! Don't...Please don't hurt him!" Twilight lowers her head.

"Then it is simple 'Princess'." She points towards the cage.

"Either you go in there, or I end his life. That is the only option you have.."

 

Twilight looks up again with eyes red. Suddenly in a soft voice, she hears inside her mind...

 

"Do not let her get to you Twilight. Stay strong. You must. " It is Discords voice.

"You have shown me the true power of friendship. I may not be what I once was, but even I have seen the benefits of this. Even with my shenanigans, I have made long lasting friends that actually listen to me...I will help you. But it is going to be difficult. Do not worry, help is on the way. Just stay strong."

 

Twilight looks around to see where the voice is coming from

 

"What? Looking for answers Twilight?" Eris mocks...then shakes Spike.

"There is none. Go before my arms get tired and I make the decision final" Twilight looks one last time at Spike.

"Do not worry, I will think of something Spike. Stay strong."

 

Spike's eyes widened as he shouts "Nooo!!!! Don't!!!" Twilight slowly turns around with her head lowered, and slowly walks towards the cage. Her mane starts to fade to gray.

 

"Stay strong Twilight. Once you're in that cage, I cannot talk to you. But know this. Your friends here...they know what is going on. Help is on the way. Stay true to yourself." She looks up for a moment and whispers "Friends..." and just before the door closes, She turns around to lock eyes with Eris and she suddenly smiles. Eris is shocked at this and closes the door in anger.

 

"NO!!!" realizing something has just occurred. She tosses Spike roughly in his cage.

 

"Ponies! To me!" The anti-ponies jump out of the manmade traps.

 

"We must attack now. My Son has obviously done something. We must destroy Poneyville, Canterlot and anyone else that stands in our way. These cages need time to work. Once it is done though, they will cease to exist and this will be all over. Then I will deal with..." She punches the side wall which explodes.

"I will deal with him personally. A thousand years? Let's talk longer...he will know true pain of chaos. I will bring him back to utter nothingness. Or maybe I will just unborn him."

 

Eris and the other 5 leave the main cave through the rear opening. Just outside of the structure, you see lines and lines of gray ponies without any features or colors. No cutie marks and just in armor. Drones. Eris slides outside to look at her army.

 

"Yes....this is a good day. Everypony. The time is now. We will March. To the north. Now!" They all synchronously turn around and start to march in unison. A cacophony filling the air. 

 

"You five. We need to make sure that these ponies are isolated at all costs. We must allow the cages to work. We need to expect an attack. I left behind more drones to defend this place. But I need you to guard the cages. You know what you have to do." They all sneer in contempt and nod.

 

"Princess Celestia, Princess Luna. By the end of this, I will have your hides adorning my hall's. I do not even care about Equestria or land or property. Just chaos. Once this place is done, I will move on.." She pulls up a mirror out of nowhere and pulls up a vision of Equestria. She swipes the image with her hand and the visage changes.

 

"Maybe I will go back into the past..." suddenly the mirror pans out and the planet slowly starts to move, and spin and the landmass starts to move as eons pass by the second. Suddenly the planet looks like Modern day Earth.

 

"Ahh maybe here...they were really active back then..." She takes the pierced parchment that has the word "Earth" scribbled on it and sticks it next to the mirror. The anti-ponies head back to the central complex while Eris and her drones proceed north. A malevolent cacophony of thudding hooves permeates the swamp as they head north.