THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: 5

In the middle of Ponyville near the highly popular Sugarcube Corner, it appeared to be any other ordinary day. The sun loomed overhead, bright and beautiful as ever before, and there was a light breeze which'd also made the weather more tolerable. Ponies trotted about, going on with their ordinary days, conducting their usual business, or just going for a stroll. Yet despite how ordinary this day seemed, something was amiss, well, something only a few others were currently aware of. And that feeling of isolation caused them to feel trapped like rats.

Mrs.Cake stood, trembling behind the front counter of Sugarcube Corner as she gave a light nervous chuckle, while talking to somepony in particular. "I-Is that so hunny? O-Oho...that must've been quite hard on you." Mrs.Cake was only attempting to sound convincing as she glanced over at her husband on the far end of the eatery, as he to was trembling as he was cleaning a glass with a cloth. Many of the fillies, colts, and ponies were all huddled up trembling in the corner with shocked expressions. Mrs.Cake then looked back to the estranged guest still with that nervous smile, "S-So, erhm, what happened after that? Did you manage to choose?"

Sitting on a rotatable chair at the front counter with a milkshake and a bitter expression would be a tiny purple filly alicorn. She sipped on her milkshake but her cheeks were flushed red, as she also had a jug of apple cider. Her eyes were droopy as she took both a gulp of her apple cider and then downed her milkshake as well, even going so far as to grab a donut grumpily, then munching on it. She just sat there with tears in her eyes as she sniffled. "M-Mhm! And they just don't get it! Neither of them! Momma is mad at me, but that's not all! Momma #2 is now making me choose!? It's just not fair, no no no!" She paused with a gasp, "THIS IS THE WORST, POSSIBLE, THING! I mean, I-I gave her enough play time didn't I!? SO WHAT!? Hmph! Both of them can...w-well they can-..." She puckered her lower lip and burst into tears then. "WAAAAAAH!!!" Yucca just continued to wail and wail in misery. Her voice practically shook the entirety of Sugarcube Corner as she was crying in her Canterlot Voice.

Mrs.Cake just cringed in that moment out of panic. What was she supposed to do in this situation!? She then began patting the alicorn's head cautiously before looking to Mr.Cake in order to help her out. She chuckled nervously yet again, "O-Oh I'm sure neither of them meant it, I'm sure everything will work itself out soon enough honey, eheheheh. S-So don't cry please. P-Please!"

Suddenly approaching hurriedly would be Mr.Cake as he to let off a light and nervous chuckle. He then chimed in, "Y-Yea don't feel so beat about what's happenin kid! With every down there's also an up, something positive will surely come of this!" He frowned heavily as he whispered in his wife's ear. "You all leave, I'll talk to her for the time being. But find out who she belongs to please, it's not often we get a random alicorn stumbling on in here! Especially one like this, Princess Twilight will more than likely know what to do." He then went back to distracting Yucca, talking to her casually and attempting to stop her from wailing and disturbing all of Sugarcube Corner. "S-SO! Come on, instead of crying, why don't we do something fun? Something a little more enjoyable? I've got two kids of my own you see, and they just love their pops! So maybe we can play a game? You like games?"

Mrs.Cake gulped as she was already leading the other customers out of the store cautiously and slowly, before nodding to her husband and blowing him a kiss before they all proceeded outside trying to make as little noise as possible.

Princess Yucca sniffled as she glanced up at Mr.Cake. "G-Games?" She crossed her forehooves and shook her head grumpily. "NO! I don't wanna play any more games! Nopony ever likes playing with me!" She blinked a bit in thought, as if not wanting to waste this opportunity or offer for that matter. She paused, before tapping her muzzle. Her eyes soon widened as she thought about it, as if she'd became enlightened about what to do. She suddenly seemed a little excited as she muttered quietly. "Althooooough, there is ooooone thing! Hehehe!" She bit her lower lip and buried her cheek into her shoulder before shoving both forehooves into her hind thighs while looking up at Mr.Cake almost frighteningly expectant now. And Mr.Cake actually gulped in reaction to such words. Princess Yucca grinned fiercely then, still quite excited to share her thoughts with Mr.Cake. She then raised her forehooves to the air, looking up as her horn glowed, and appearing above her would be a large brown one-strapped satchel. "I shall show you all my stuff!"

Mr.Cake glanced around the eatery, taking notice of the fact that everypony had already gone. He raised a hoof in that moment, seizing his chance. "O-One second kiddo, j-just make yourself to these sweets alright? I'll be right back!" And Mr.Cake didn't hesitate to sprint for the door as he'd made his way out of Sugarcube Corner, retreating to safety with his wife and kids.

Princess Yucca just blinked, just sitting there for a moment before gritting her teeth and just swiping her hoof angrily atop the counter and knocking everything down, then using her telekinetic magic to toss the bag away from her. She just sat there for some time with a blank stare as she thought back to the decision Twilight had given her, while also reflecting on Queen Chrysalis's disappointment with her. She then frowned heavily before muttering while slumping over, "Why is everypony so serious?" She just began spinning her tail, propelling herself into the air like a helicopter while flapping her wings to keep herself elevated. She just made her way out through the front doors of Sugarcube Corner, as gathered outside would be a large crowd who just stared at the filly. Princess Yucca just looked at them for a moment, then began just continuing on in her depressed manner throughout town.

Many of the citizens only watched with curiosity as the stray alicorn just continued to go about the town. It wasn't long before actual news ponies were starting to appear frequently throughout the town and just start snapping photos of the filly. Princess Yucca didn't care however, she just made her way to a curb and sat on it while looking at the dirt pathway silently. Her cheeks were puffed and she was obviously upset, not her usual bundle of joy. Of course she knew the ponies were there taking pictures of her, but she really didn't understand why. She glanced up at some of them for a second questioningly as they all reacted in suit, scurrying behind the houses they were attempting to remain hidden by. Princess Yucca just muttered, "Jeez, ponies are so weird." She continued to sulk alone then.

As the crowd continued to follow the filly's movements, Mare Mayor in particular just stated loud and clear. "N-Now everypony! Don't go approaching her so hastily! Give the child some space. She may be an alicorn but we still have no idea which kingdom she belongs to! So until then, for your own safety and her's, keep your distance unless she requests you to approach!" Mayor Mare just covered her face with a hoof and sighed, before suddenly being approached by four particular individuals from the crowd. It was Big Macintosh, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. Mare Mayor just raised a brow at them for a moment before greeting them warmly. "Why hello there you four, as said, please don't go readily approaching the alicorn. She seems to be upset for the time being."

Apple Bloom peeked in the distance at the alicorn sitting on the curb. "Oh wow! She iiiis an alicorn!"

Scootaloo seemed puzzled, "Why can't we talk to her though? We talk to Twilight all the time!"

Mare Mayor shook her head. "This is different girls, Princess Twilight and the other princesses are familiars of Equestria, yet nopony, not even I, have any idea who this little one is. She also doesn't really to seem very well aware of her, erhm, prestige. She could be a missing foreign princess for all we know. Or she could be something else entirely, for now we don't want to test the waters judging by her mood. It's best to probably just see who she's waiting for and let them come pick her up and explain the situation, better yet, hopefully Princess Celestia or Luna, or Princess Twilight, any of them really, just comes to lend us a hoof! But for now, I like where this is going. Everypony is safe including the alicorn, and nothing is going blatantly wrong!"

Big Macintosh nodded plainly. "Eeeeyup!"

Sweetie Belle frowned with a light whimper. "What happens if she's lost?"

Mrs.Cake cut in at that point. "N-No! It seems she isn't lost whatsoever. Apparently she has had a quarrel with her, erhm, mothers?"

Mare Mayor appeared puzzled as did the rest of them. "Mothers?"

As Princess Yucca just continued to sit there, ominously watching from the background would be two ponies with absolutely cold stares as they just continued to peer at the princess from afar. And in a brief second, both of their eyes flashed green as they remained silent and hidden in the background, blending in with the other ponies who also just continued to watch the alicorn.

Queen Chrysalis peered up from her throne room as she watched everything play out. She could see Yucca in a floating hazy image, a sight she shared with the changelings whom she tasked with ensuring they didn't lose track of Yucca. "So there she is..."

Her changelings remained silent as the Queen seemed annoyed by the entire situation, as if hesitant.

Queen Chrysalis bore a light frown and a bitter expression as her eyes saddened in regards to her adopted daughter's depression. But she didn't comment on this, she only remained silent as she sat patiently on her throne, waiting for something in particular. "Good Yucca, just stay there for the time being. Don't run off too far." She sighed heavily and leaning forward, and glaring ahead. "On guard my loyal subjects, here they come." And suddenly, the sounds of crashing could be heard down the halls of the ebony castle.

A changeling spoke out, "Are you sure it was wise to make the entrance so obvious my Queen?"

Queen Chrysalis only spoke with little reaction, "I do not plan to be cooped up in here after today. Everything else matters little now."

One of the changeling guards nodded before glancing up at the floating scene of Yucca and then with a swipe of his hoof, causing it to disappear. He unsheathed his own lance as the rest of the guards present in the room got into defensive positions as they pointed their carapace lances towards the throne room door. Queen Chrysalis remained leaned forward with piercing eyes as the sounds of the fighting steadily grew closer and closer, and soon enough, bursting through the door would be a bundle of changeling guards.

Trotting in without hesitation would be Princess Celestia beside her sister, Princess Luna. Accompanying the two would be also a group of their own personal guards, consisting of bat ponies and celestial pegasus, whom each glared at Queen Chrysalis.

Queen Chrysalis chuckled happily, spreading her hooves in a welcoming gesture. "Aaaaaw, unhappy to see me my dear ponies?"

Princess Celestia didn't hesitate to get straight to the point. "So, it seems you weren't taken hostage Queen Chrysalis. How come I'm not surprised?" Princess Celestia's face darkened as her look of innate rage intensified. "Where is she? Where is the alicorn?"

Queen Chrysalis shrugged. "Whatever might you bet talking about dearest Celestia?"

Princess Celestia was losing her patience. "I have little patience for such jokes Chrysalis. We know that you've created an alicorn! Now where is she? I shall not tolerate your childish games!" Princess Celestia and Princess Luna fluttered into the air as their horns started to glow, fastened on Queen Chrysalis as the changeling matriarch just glanced up at them tiredly.

Indeed, that amused expression Queen Chyrsalis had, melted away. She just sat there in annoyance as her face darkened and she glared up at Princess Celestia. "Created? Now isn't this interesting, I didn't find you as one who'd often dabble in dark magic Celestia."

At that moment Princess Celestia's eyes widened as she realized her fatal mistake. S-She didn't know?

Queen Chrysalis was now the serious one as she even seemed to regard Celestia with disappointment. "Hmph. I guess I shouldn't be surprised however, you were one who also didn't hesitate to plunge herself into the study of King Sombra's black magic as well. But to think you actually played around with something such as this Celestia, oh, I'm quite impressed indeed."

Princess Celestia gritted her teeth with a squint, absolutely frustrated as she just let off a light grunt, before lowering her head. It's pointless to try bluffing out of this now. We'd only be wasting one another's time.

Princess Luna whom was puzzled, looked upon her sister in confusion and worry. "Sister, what're you-"

Queen Chrysalis understood perfectly, as did Celestia, this was her playing field now. Queen Chrysalis continued, not budging from her throne. "I always had the suspicion that this situation was far too convenient, well, how about a trade-off then Celestia?"

Princess Celestia commented tiredly, "So it truly wasn't you then Chrysalis?" She sighed, How come that's such disappointing news?

Queen Chrysalis shook her head. "No, it wasn't. You might want to question one of your own perhaps?"

Princess Celestia sighed, lowering her head as she commented yet again. "I already have an idea..."

Queen Chrysalis closed her eyes as she leaned back, uncaring about Celestia's drama. "Well, then I wish you luck in correcting the issue. But how about we get back to business? If you possess the knowledge of such magic, I'd like to have it."

Princess Celestia's eyes widened, baffled by the idiocy of such a lay to claim. "ABSOLUTELY NOT!"

Queen Chrysalis glared at her then. "Don't test me Celestia. Who do you think you're talking to? I'm not one of your measly little subjects nor am I some powerless little girl. How long would it be before I discovered this magic myself now that I'm certain it's a possibility? That, and I have what you desire most, an alicorn created from this magic. You would only be delaying the inevitable, what I offer you is an easy way out, for the both of us. No matter what you say, I will find the method towards creating such weapons, I only wish to speed up the process. Or perhaps you would rather I have some fun with the little alicorn, finding out what she's made of myself?" Queen Chrysalis smirked at Princess Celestia then. "After-all, I have little interest in experimental rejects."

Princess Celestia snarled. "I couldn't give it to you even if I wanted to, I no longer possess the book with the spells."

Queen Chrysalis burst into laughter, causing Celestia and Luna to stagger back a bit.

Queen Chrysalis paused soon afterwords. "Don't play dumb with me! You think I'd actually believe that you simply forgot how to abuse such powerful magic? No no no, you're far more careful than that Celestia. Now how about you stop attempting to dance circles around me and we just get on with a very charitable deal which I'm offering you? A perfect trade-off. You can have the alicorn which I have kindly sought to raise in your absence, and I can have knowledge on the spells to create my own weapons. Or you can reject this offer, I can continue to trifle with my little alicorn's inner workings to find out what she's made of, and I can learn of these dark magics myself now that I'm aware she's not naturally born, and have the best of both worlds. What do you say Celestia? Would you like that?"

Princess Celestia lowered her head before glancing up at Chrysalis curiously before stating. "Now who's playing games?"

Queen Chrysalis flinched.

Princess Celestia only smirked. "And for what reason would you be interested in simply handing over an alicorn Chrysalis?"

Queen Chrysalis turned red in the face as she glanced to the lower right, as if a bit embarrassed as she'd cringed. "Uuuuuh..."

Princess Celestia now raised a brow. "What? Having trouble raising an alicorn? Although can't say you'd make a good parent any-"

Queen Chrysalis snapped angrily then on impulse. "YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH! YOU KNOW NOTHING!" but she flinched and immediately cut herself off, before just dying down in her tone and mood and slumping forward, shocked by her own outburst. She snarled fiercely, trembling even, as if trying to hold back innate feelings of great rage and frustration as she exhaled eventually, just cooling off before continuing. "I-.....My changelings are what come first, not some pony I found in the desert..."

Princess Luna cut in. "It seems you've taken a gamble, changeling Queen."

Queen Chrysalis didn't seem to be too keen on listening to Luna, but she raised a brow at her in interest out of curiosity.

Princess Luna continued, "But was this the result you were hoping for I wonder? Were you truly hoping for an alternative to keeping this alicorn you've found, or perhaps you were hoping instead we'd have nothing to offer. It makes me wonder."

Princess Celestia seemed humored then as she raised a brow at Chrysalis. "Truly, Luna was quite a bit of trouble in our younger days but she wasn't so hard to manage. I'm sure this alicorn is little different in comparison."

Queen Chrysalis just gave her a long dead stare then.

Princess Celestia chuckled confidently for a bit before her chuckles steadily died down as Chrysalis just continued to stare. Soon Princess Celestia's expression sunk slowly as she just commented. "W-What?....What's with that face?"

Queen Chrysalis just covered her face with a hoof and shook her head. "You...have no idea..."

Princess Luna blinked a bit as she regarded the changeling guards. "Erhm...Celestia?"

Princess Celestia then looked to the changeling guards as well as she noticed all of them were also making sickened faces as if they were just extremely tired. Princess Celestia raised a brow at them confused. "Eh?...I erhm, I don't get it.."

All the changelings just had their eyes closed and their heads lowered, just shaking their heads almost as if saying Celestia and Luna and the ponies in general were innocent in the fact they had no idea what they'd been through this past year. Queen Chrysalis just frowned heavily as she seemed a bit depressed about the idea of what she was doing, but commented, "You will, soon enough. I doubt any of you can expect what she's capable of."

Princess Celestia smirked before raising a brow at the Queen. "Try us."

Queen Chrysalis just frowned yet again glancing to the lower right. She then just burst into laughter yet again, unable to contain herself.

Princess Luna and Princess Celestia just glared at Chrysalis in annoyance.

And soon, all the other changelings started bursting into laughter, unable to comprehend such foolish words.

Princess Luna and Princess Celestia then turned red in the face, as Princess Luna commented. "W-What!? What's so funny already!?"

As Princess Yucca just continued to sit on the curb with each hoof planted on her cheeks, she still didn't pay any mind to any of the ponies watching her. She glanced up momentarily as she took notice of a few other colts and fillies  in particular. "Hmmm?..."

The fillies and colts watching her curiously from afar, but then began to tremble and back away.

Princess Yucca just blinked a bit before raising a brow at them, before she glanced at the ground noticing a large shadow looming over her. This caused the princess's eyes to widen before she immediately rose, and looked behind her. "Hmmmm?

Standing there with his arms crossed and a curious look was Discord himself as he stated, "Now now now, who might you be?"

Princess Yucca's eyes immediately grew wide with utter fascination as her jaw dropped.

Mayor Mare immediately called out to Discord in desperation as most ponies remained weary of him. "M-Mr.Discord! PLEASE!"

Many of the ponies started to back away from the scene, frightened and hesitant about what would unfold from such a situation.

Discord ignored Mare Mayor of course. He just continued to observe the filly before scratching his chin. "Could've sworn I met all of the Princesses of Equestria? Or perhaps, you're not a princess at all hmmmm? Ohooooo how interesting!" He placed both his claw and paw on his slender hips before lowering his head almost at eye level with the filly. "You knoooow~ you seem oddly familiar but I can't place my tongue on it. Hmmmmm, who else do I know of that's a purple little-" Discord immediately paused before his expression died down a bit and he glanced to the right not only in silence, but utter annoyance. He then snapped his claw, immediately manifesting a fake horn on his head as well holding a thick book. "Oh my oh my! Pwincess Cewestia will be ever so angry with me if I do not learn yet another lesson on friendship!" Discord snapped his claw causing both manifested items to disappear before sighing. "Kidding kidding! No need to get dramatic." He then rose and glanced back down at the alicorn. "But this is surely strange. I wonder what-" Discord's eyes widened as he paused, looking down at his leg with a raised brow and blank stare. "What do you think you're doing?"

Princess Yucca was too busy nuzzling Discord's leg with her eyes closed while all four hooves were wrapped around it.

Discord immediately teleported away and into the sky, as he stood atop a pink cloud. "Eyeck! A little too touchy for my tastes if I do say so myself! But the little twerp is quite fast, hmmmm, guess I shouldn't be surprised with her being an alicorn no less."

"Oh gosh oh gosh! Will you be my pet? Pretty please!? You look like such awesomeness! We can be the best of friends!"

Discord's eyes snapped wide as he immediately looked behind him to see the filly fluttering no more than a few feet away happily.

Princess Yucca spun around in a circle before spreading her hooves happily. "I promise I'll take care of you! I'll feed you and give you so much yummies and we can go on so many adventures! Momma never let me have pets so I just can't help myself! You look so cool!"

Discord blinked a bit, before soon becoming a little weary and cautious while remaining silent. He simply snapped his claw before a cage appeared around the filly and then plummeted down towards the ground while she was still talking.

"Hehehehe, fluffyyyyyy~"

Discord's pupil's dilated as he glanced back, feeling the sudden frightening sensation on his tail. And what he saw only horrified him even more, as the tiny alicorn was wrapped around it, hugging him tightly. A shiver ran down the draconequus's spine. This isn't any ordinary filly. I can't keep track of the speed of her spell casts. She cast a teleportation spell with no traces of magical residue or smoke left behind in the blink of an eye, then snatched onto my tail. Where'd this little monster come from? Discord crossed his arms in irritation before flinging his tail towards the right and causing Yucca to flail off and into the air. Discord immediately pointed one sharp claw at the alicorn before muttering, "Sorry to say, but nopony makes child's play of I, chaos itself!" Discord used his free paw and placed it casually upon his chest with a snicker. "I mean, do you know who I am? I am Discooooord~ I play the tricks, and have the impressive gimmicks! Not the other way around my dear." He smirked, "So how about we just tone you down a notch?" And the draconequus let off a rapid fire of ethereal licorice ropes and blobs gum. "Quite a sticky situation! If I do say so myself!" Discord placed his paw and claw on his hips as he closed his eyes, throwing his head back yet again. "Bwahahahahaha!"

"HYAH HYAH HYAH HYAH!"

Discord flinched, before he looked hesitantly upon the filly yet again.

Floating beside Princess Yucca would be two ethereal pairs of giant scissors, as behind her would be what was left of Discord's ropes and blobs of gun, now segmented into tiny little floating pieces. Yucca's tongue was sticking out as she immediately pursued Discord with a greedy expression of both anticipation and excitement. She also had a collar floating above her head.

Discord's heart raced as he barely had time to react, literally sidestepping and dodging the filly by a fraction of a second.

Princess Yucca immediately turned as she made the scissors disappear, and immediately spread her hooves. "MINE!"

Discord cringed with a light gasp, before poofing away in a ball of smoke and then reappearing higher in the sky overlooking Ponyville. The draconequus now seemed desperate, serious even. "T-THIS! WHAT IS THIS!? BY CELESTIA WHERE DID YOU COME FROM!?" Discord was beyond flustered as he commented, "Such a devious little creature you are! Where are those blasted six and their cheap magic when you need em? Stay back! Back I say!" He then began letting off yet another rapid fire of chaotic magic towards the filly as he swiped both arms left and right in reaction to her. He raised his arms to the air, summoning a giant gumdrop. "A mere little filly alicorn shouldn't be able to treat my magic like some toy, my word, just- I do believe it is time we stop playing around and I show you just how risky the game you're playing is. Do you see this gumdrop? Mhmmmmm~ yes yes it's quite scary isn't it, and I mean it, I will surely toss it at you if you decide to come anywhere close to me with that collar. Quite a tempting deal if I do say so myself!"

Princess Yucca chuckled as she placed both hooves over her cheeks and her look of adoration only remained. "Ooooooh~ so amazing! You can make candy! Do really cool magic! Talk! And you're like every creature ever in one! I'm so super duper in love Mr.Creature!" She then didn't hesitate in her approach as she immediately disappeared in a flash causing Discord's eyes to widen, before she reappeared in a split second right in front of the draconequus with wide eyes herself. Her muzzle touched Discord's snout as she pressed against it and touched their foreheads together. "I've been feeling sad. But maybe a pet like you will make things, better, hehe."

Discord felt frozen as he just remained in place, "Why in Celestia's name are you here?......"

Princess Yucca just stated simply, "I don't know anymore." And for a split second her eyes saddened, "I don't like thinking about it."

And the ponies of Ponyville just watched the spectacle unfold from below in awe.

Princess Yucca spread her hooves happily, "I won't think about it anymore."

In the Everfree Forest, travelling along the dirt path would be Twilight Sparkle as she sighed heavily, then glancing to her left and right, noticing most of her friends were spread apart the forest, each of them looking for signs as to where Yucca went.

Rarity approached Twilight then, before exclaiming softly. "T-Twilight? When are you planning to let us know what you were thinking by taking that tome and creating that alicorn? Princess Celestia won't be happy with this at all. Just what were you thinking?"

Twilight looked to Rarity in frustration with a squint. "Rarity, I get it alright? I messed up. But I didn't mean to create her. I was actually aiming for something a little different, but it turned out far more dramatic than I initially intended. I guess it's karma that she showed up back here under Queen Chrysalis's care no less. Maybe I wasn't right in the head at the time, but there's no point in dwelling on it now, I made my choices, but I can fix them here and now. We can make this whole alicorn situation work."

Rarity frowned as she spoke softly, "I do hope so Twilight.."

"TWILIGHT! OVER HERE, I THINK AH FOUND SOMETHIN!"

Twilight's eyes immediately widened as she looked to Applejack, as did Rarity's as the two nodded to one another then.

Soon the entirety of the mane six made their way over to Applejack, as the mare lowered her frame and squinted at what appeared to be tiny hoofprints in the grass. She then rose, pointing at them, "It looks like she couldn't have been here less no more than 20 minutes ago!" She looked to each of her friends. "I guess she really isn't movin too fast eh? Wonder why?"

Rainbow Dash then scratched at the back of her mane. "Hey, guys. I don't wanna be the barer of bad news, but," she pointed her hoof ahead, "Isn't that the direction of Ponyville?" As through the trees one could see the small town far off in the distance.

Twilight chuckled nervously a bit, almost appearing just as nervous. "Ahahaha, no no way, she would never go to Ponyville. R-Right?"

Each of them gave Twilight a dead stare.

Twilight sighed lowering her head as she closed her eyes and frowned.

And just as they'd said that, they all looked to the skies to see bright pink flashes followed by purple ones.

Twilight's brows furrowed as she groaned. Next Chapter: The Final Countdown: 4 Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 17 Minutes