THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: 3

Twilight stood in Golden Oaks Library, frantically panicking as she scurried around, digging through a multitude of different books, tossing them left and right as her eyes scrolled through the pages of the ones she grabbed before tossing it and repeating the process. But amidst her frantic attempts to fix whatever it is she did, somepony called out to her from the upper level of the library.

"T-Twilight! Is everything okay? What're you-"

Twilight yelled out in reply, "E-Everything's just fine Spike! Go back to sleep okay!?"

Spike stood on the top step of the stairway as he just scratched at the back of his head with tired eyes. "Wha- well, alright Twilight. Whatever you say I guess." Spike tiredly yawned as he patted his mouth before heading back into the room.

Twilight sighed with relief before closing her eyes.

"Momma momma momma momma!"

Twilight's eyes snapped wide as she immediately glanced back and down at the ground, revealing a tiny purple alicorn foal sitting there in the middle of her library surrounded by magical dust consisting of all colors of the rainbow.

The foal had a blank expression as it sat there. It then reached out towards the mare before its horn started to glow, forcibly pulling her towards her steadily. "Momma momma momma!" And it suddenly squinted, as if concentrating to bring Twilight closer to her.

Twilight cringed as she immediately used her own magic in order to try scurrying back, but it was taking its toll on her and she knew this was dangerously surprising. She struggled to speak as she also tried to stay away, "I-I'm...noooot...y-your....mom!" before the foal let go of her telekinetic grip on Twilight causing the mare to stumble and role back and slam against her desk.

The foal clapped its hooves. "Play?" It then started to disappear as it was now sitting on top of one of the bookshelves. "PLAY!"

Twilight gasped as she shook her head at the foal. "N-No! No play! C-Come down from there please!"

The foal blinked a bit, before scrunching up its face angrily at Twilight. "WE PLAY!" And with a swipe of its hoof, it brought down one of the bookshelves causing an intense crashing noise. It crossed its hooves before closing its eyes stubbornly.

Twilight now appeared annoyed. "NO! I SAID-"

"T-Twilight? What's happening down there!? D-Don't worry I'm coming!"

Twilight gasped yet again before she'd hurriedly teleported over and up in order to snatch the filly, before teleporting yet again and reappearing outside Golden Oak Library. It was the middle of the night as she gulped, breathing heavily as she glanced around in paranoia, unsure of herself. She then looked down at the foal whom was still exposed, and actually nibbling at Twilight's coat hungrily. Twilight shook her head, as if realizing just how dire the situation was. She muttered, "What have I done? What am I going to do with you?" Twilight then ran a hoof down the filly's cheek for a moment before frowning heavily.

The foal then spread its wings before it disappeared yet again.

Twilight shrieked as she looked around hurriedly, "No no no no! Where'd you go!?"

And in the distance she saw the little alicorn foal crawling upon the dirt, before it looked to the fountain, igniting it with its magic and causing the water to turn into sludge. "HOORAY!" The foal just clapped its hooves in excitement.

Twilight teleported over to her, before snatching her up yet again now pacing heavily. She looked around frantically as well, questioning what she could possibly do. And in the distance, she caught sight of Rarity's boutique. She then glanced down at the filly, "Rapid progression in magical capability. Only seconds old and has already common knowledge of basic words. Just how talented are you?"

The foal spoke to Twilight, spreading its hooves. "Everything!"

Twilight's eyes widened as she continued to observe it.

The foal continued. "Everything everything! Everything mine! You mine! Momma mine! Magic! Everything!"

Twilight blinked a bit, before her brows furrowed. "I see...."

And Twilight bore a blank expression as she looked upon Yucca now, cutting off what seemed to be, distant memories.

The mane six stood in a different area of Ponyville now, near the same fountain from long ago.

Princess Yucca sat some distance away from them upon a white puffy cloud, as she just looked upon Twilight with half closed eyes and an interested smile as she blinked. "Rules? All games need to have rules you know! Rules rules rules!"

Twilight sighed, "Okay okay, just be a little patient okay? We're discussing the rules still." She continued, "Can you do that for me?"

Princess Yucca just groaned as she rolled onto her back and began kicking her hooves. "BUT I WANNA PLAY PLAY PLAY PLAY!"

Twilight just shook her head as she turned back towards her friends and nodded to each of them. "Just like we discussed..."

They all nodded back to her.

Rarity whispered, "You can count on us darling."

And Rainbow added in, "Definitely, we got this."

Twilight smiled at them with confidence, trusting them.

While in the distance, Discord and many others simply watched, observing the game about to take place.

Scootaloo had tears in her eyes as she shook her head. "P-PLEASE RAINBOW! DON'T PLAY THIS GAME!"

Apple Bloom replied in suit, "Yea Applejack! What're ya gonna do if you lose!?"

While Sweetie Belle didn't hesitate either, "Rarity! You better not lose!" She sniffled as she lowered her head with a whimper.

Discord called out to Fluttershy, "FLUTTERSHYYYYY~ OH don't think you don't have a fan out here as well!"

Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake sat with sad eyes as they each waved at Pinkie Pie.

Mr & Mrs.Cake each looked to Pinkie Pie, giving her a reluctant nod.

And Twilight took a moment to look at Spike in the crowd, who appeared equally as worried.

Twilight gave him a reassuring nod, before she looked back to Princess Yucca with a determined glare.

Two anonymous ponies in the crowd seemed particularly focused on Princess Yucca, as they bore cold expressions.

Princess Yucca yawned as she laid on her belly with a bored look, poking at her cloud.

Princess Twilight spoke out. "The rules of the special talent game are this. The game will consist of six tests, each test focusing on a certain aspect of one of our special talents. If you can manage to pass each of these tests, then you win. But if you fail even one, then we win. So basically it's all of us, against you. Of course you can back out if you don't want to play or you think that's unfair."

Princess Yucca rolled onto her back before kicking her legs as if she were riding a bike. "Nope! It's okay! I always used to play games where I was outnumbered by Momma! I like it that way! Makes it harder!" She spread her hooves. "Haaaaaaarder! Yep yep yep!"

Princess Twilight smiled. "Good." Confident, just as I expected. "Then how about we start with the first test?"

Princess Yucca's eyes widened as she raised a brow at Twilight, obviously curious.

Twilight stated simply. "The test of speed. A race against Rainbow Dash, the fastest pony in Ponyville. 10 laps around the town."

The crowd gasped, as Princess Yucca chuckled playfully, immediately rising as her ears perked up. "OH!? A RACE!? FUN!"

Rainbow Dash rose to the skies as she made her way towards the border of Ponyville, while appearing quite bored herself. She patted her muzzle as she leaned on her own cloud as well. "Well hurry up kid! I've don't got time to waste!"

Princess Yucca clapped excitedly as she hurriedly made her way towards Rainbow Dash, bouncing on her own cloud. "RACE RACE!"

Scootaloo cheered as she appeared confident and happy. "AWESOME! A RACE!? THAT PRINCESS STANDS NO CHANCE!"

Fluttershy fluttered up towards Rainbow and Yucca, before blinking a bit and looking to each of them. "E-Excuse me? Are you two ready? I mean, n-not to rush you or anything of course. B-But, I would like to get the race started with your permission."

Rainbow shooed Fluttershy as she yawned, "Yea yea, I'm good. Just hurry and start it."

Princess Yucca nodded hurriedly at Fluttershy with her tongue sticking out like a dog. "Uhuh uhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuh!"

Fluttershy nodded plainly before raising a hoof. "Reeeeeeady, seeeeeeeeeeet,...........................go please..."

And Princess Yucca blitzed off from the starting point, having already completed two laps in mere seconds.

Rainbow Dash just continued to sit on her cloud, yawning.

Scootaloo cringed as she shook her head, then yelled up at Rainbow Dash. "R-Rainbow Dash, what're you doing!?"

Much of the crowd raised their hooves to their heads, also in complete bafflement of what Rainbow was doing.

As Yucca completed her fourth lap she immediately paused at the start, looking down at Rainbow. "You're not playing!"

Rainbow gave a bored glare towards Yucca, before rising off her cloud and just fluttering there for a second. "You know what? Because I don't feel like playing! I'm not risking my freedom for these bozos!" She turned and faced the mane six, glaring down at them. "Why should I? Hah! I got much better things to do with my life, such as becoming a Wonderbolt! If Twilight wants to become a prisoner, then she can do it by herself! You win kid, I'm done with this." And Rainbow simply fluttered off. "Hah, games, seriously? What a joke!"

Princess Yucca gave Rainbow an absolutely estranged look. "W-Wha?..B-But that's so mean! Where's your loyalty!?"

Rainbow Dash shrugged, "Hah! Loyalty? PFT!" She then continued off and on her way, before winking at the crowd and Twilight.

Twilight smirked, as she nodded back to Rainbow, as Scootaloo and the others only looked even more confused.

Apple Bloom looked to Scootaloo, "What was that about?"

Scootaloo shrugged, just as clueless as the rest of them were.

Twilight then frowned heavily before shaking her head, calling out to Rainbow angrily. "FINE! WHO NEEDS YOU ANYWAY!"

Princess Yucca crossed her hooves as she raised a brow at the departing Rainbow, confused. "Huuuuuuh?"

Twilight and the rest of her friends sighed heavily as Twilight just shook her head sitting there.

Princess Yucca once again sat some distance away from them, looking upon them curiously as she blinked.

Twilight looked to each of her friends. "Alright guys, we don't need Rainbow to win. We'll just continue with the next test."

Princess Yucca smiled as she propelled her tail, rising up and into the air as she crossed her forehooves. "You suuuuuure you wanna keep playing? You'll be my prisoners forever you know! There's no way you can beat me! I play lots and lots of games! I'm also the legendary Queen Sombrero and Princess of Nightmares! I defeated the second one in my dreams ya know."

Twilight and the others just looked at Yucca as if she were crazy, well all besides Pinkie, as Twilight just shook her head and continued with a confident smirk. "Yea, we're not giving up just yet. Besides the next test is a harder one, it's the test of strength!" Twilight then looked to Applejack with a nod. "You ready for this Applejack!? This is the rock toss contest!"

Applejack smirked as she nodded to Twilight, "Ya betcha Twilight, let's do this!"

They all now stood in an open field near Ponyville, with the crowd having followed.

Princess Yucca and Applejack stood off in their own little area, each with a rock of similar size.

Twilight made her way over to the two of them, as she glanced down at each of their rocks. But she looked in particular at Applejack's rock as she blinked a bit. "Applejack, is there something wrong with your rock? It looks a little funny."

Applejack gasped, "W-What're ya talkin about!? There ain't anything funny goin on with my rock! It's a completely normal rock!"

Princess Yucca blinked a bit, as she just sat there, tilting her head to the right curiously.

Twilight shrugged before smiling, and made her way over to Yucca's rock before glancing down at it. "Hm, looks good! Well then!" She then teleported her way further down the field, before raising a hoof and looking at the two. "Everypony ready to start? Get in positions!"

Yucca just lifted her rock easily with one hoof and a blank expression.

Applejack turned as if she were preparing to buck a tree as she lowered her frame.

Twilight nodded before raising her hoof, "3!.......2!.........1!.................START!"

And just as quickly as Twilight said start, Princess Yucca tossed her rock as it flew far and off into the distance. She rose to both hind legs as she clapped excitedly and did a twirl on one leg, "Hooray! Nopony can beat that! Sorry apple pony! YOU LOSE!"

And as Applejack kicked her rock, it burst into a bunch of pieces of crumpled up paper colored gray.

Yet again, the crowd gasped as they looked upon the scene.

Twilight to gasped as she shook her head, "A-Applejack! YOU LIED!?"

Princess Yucca's face scrunched up angrily as she fluttered over to Applejack. "H-HEY! Why'd ya lie to your friends apple pony!?"

Applejack immediately made a scrunched up face herself as her eyes shifted from the left to right suspiciously as she retreated, running off and through the crowd hurriedly in her escape. "I DIDN'T DO NOTHIN! YA'LL DON'T KNOW WHAT YA TALKIN ABOUT!"

Princess Yucca just glared angrily at the retreating Applejack as she started to fume as her cheeks puffed up. "Rrrrrrrrrr...."

As they'd returned to the fountain, Princess Yucca still appeared upset with Applejack as her hooves were crossed and she just fluttered there in annoyance with a frown. "Hmph! Sompeony needs to teach those ponies a lesson!"

The crowd just continued to watch as they all seemed just as upset as Yucca.

Especially Apple Bloom who looked to Big Mac, "Did ya find her Big Mac?"

Big Mac shook his head. "Nope!"

Twilight chuckled as she shook her head as they all returned to their original positions as she raised her hoof. "No, they can do what they'd like. Maybe if you win you can go and teach them a lesson, but for now we concentrate on the game."

Princess Yucca snarled beneath her breath as she grumbled, sitting upon her cloud. "HMPH!"

Twilight continued, "Next up is the test of style. Whomever can sell the most clothes is the victor! Rarity of course is our choice!"

Princess Yucca immediately manifested a cart full of clothes as she stood beside it with a determined expression. "Well I've already given away lots and lots of my stuff! So does that count? I mean I can make some more if you want you know!"

Twilight smiled with a nod, "Why yes, it actually does count. So Rarity will have to pick up the pace!"

Rarity gasped as she looked to Twilight. "What? Why I never agreed to this part of yours Twilight! What is this nonsense?"

Twilight looked to Rarity worriedly. "R-Rarity what do you mean? We need your help to win the game."

Rarity shook her head with an annoyed expression. "At the cost of my marvelous clothes!? Hah! Why I spent ages creating them and you simply want me to give them away for free? Darling you obviously do not know the first thing about me!"

Twilight frowned heavily as she shook her head. "B-But Rarity, please!"

Rarity just began trotting off and away, much like Applejack and Rainbow. "HMPH! In your dreams sister!"

Twilight growled with an intense frown as she watched Rarity depart.

Princess Yucca however didn't appear very surprised as she just appeared to be holding in her silent rage.

Twilight just shook her head, "You know what! FINE! None of you could've pulled this off anyhow!"

Fluttershy gasped, as did Pinkie.

Twilight continued, "I'll just deal with this myself! If none of you are willing to step up to the plate either! I'll win this alone!"

Fluttershy whimpered as she made her way closer to Twilight. "B-But Twilight, I promise I won't be so-"

But Twilight swiped her hoof. "NO Fluttershy! I don't need your help! You wouldn't really be able to anyway." She glanced to the lower right with a conspicuous look. "To be honest with you, I suspected that you'd lose from the beginning."

Fluttershy's eyes watered as she just lowered her head and began trotting off, sniffling supposedly.

Pinkie Pie blinked a bit before looking at both Twilight and Fluttershy, her eyes widened then. "O-Oh yea! That's my que right!?" She then gasped before looking to Twilight, before trailing after Fluttershy with a bounce. "Fluttershy! I will be with your bestest friend!"

Now Twilight stood alone as she smirked, then looked to Yucca with a determined expression. "As said, I'll end this game myself."

Yucca's eyes were wide as she appeared dead in her expression as she just glared at Twilight seriously. "You hurt her feelings..."

Twilight cocked her head to the right. "What's it matter? She's not your friend."

Princess Yucca shouted angrily in her Canterlot Voice. "YOU WERE FRIENDS!!!!! SO THAT'S, NOT, NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE!!!!!!!!!"

Princess Twilight sighed heavily. "Well, neither is taking us as prisoners but you were going to do that right?"

Princess Yucca rose to the air, flapping her wings before poofing on her cardboard uniform of King Sombra's armor as the air around her began to shimmer and distort as the chaotic storm only became more intense. "BUT THAT'S DIFFERENT! YOU ALL KEPT BREAKING THE NICENESS RULES! AND SO YOU MUST SAY SORRY! MY SIX NICENESS RULES! BEING NICE, GIVING FRIENDS LOTS AND LOTS OF STUFF, TELLING TRUTH TO FRIENDS, ALWAYS HELPING YOUR FRIENDS AND THOSE YOU CARE ABOUT, AND ALWAYS HAVE FUN! YOU ALL MUST BE PUNISHED!" Princess Yucca rose her hooves to the air as she growled. "YOU ARE NO BETTER THAN THE EVIL PONY OF NIGHTMARES! NOW, I SHALL USE MY SUPER PONY BLASTER!"

The entire began to cower as they backed away, in fear of Yucca's oncoming destruction.

Princess Twilight then yelled out to Princess Yucca, "Wait! We haven't finished the game yet!"

Princess Yucca's face scrunched up as she glared down at Twilight, "HUH!?"

Princess Twilight smiled as she swiped her hoof, and lowered her frame. "The final test, the test of magic." And suddenly appearing over her head, as well as Yucca's almost as if she'd expected them to reach this point, would be floating flags. Each of them bore a distinct color and symbol, as Twilight's flag was blue while Yucca's flag was red. "Whomever destroys the other's flag first, wins."

Princess Yucca touched upon the ground before puckering her lower lip. "You will be my prisoner Momma #2! I won't let you win!"

Twilight lowered her frame as she spread each of her hooves. "We'll see about that. You remember our deal right?" Twilight's eyes saddened as she just looked upon Yucca, and for a moment she saw a flash of that same foal from long ago. "If I win, you must leave Equestria, and learn to live in a land far away from here. Returning is out of the question."

Princess Yucca growled as she poofed on a drinking hat with two large jugs attached to the side as she sipped out of the straw, revealing the two large jugs were filled with milkshakes as she uttered. "I don't lose to meany heads."

Twilight remained silent to this as she just took in a deep breath, then nodded to Princess Yucca.

As the wind-blow only continued to pick up, much of the crowd had already begun to retreat away from the scene.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders in particular were shielded by Big Mac, as somepony suddenly called out to the four of them.

"Over here you guys!"

They all immediately glanced back, to take notice of Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Rarity all huddled together behind a house.

They all raised brows at the three of them, as they hurried over to them and joined them in that location.

Apple Bloom looked angrily to Applejack. "APPLEJACK! WHAT WERE YA THINKIN! NOW LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE!"

Scootaloo crossed her hooves and turned away from Rainbow Dash in disasppointment. "Yea Rainbow, I thought you were better than that."

While Sweetie Belle didn't fail to join in as well. "How could you all abandon each other like that?"

Big Mac nodded in agreement. "Yup!"

The three of them soon burst into chuckles as they just continued to laugh in amusement.

The four others just looked at them in puzzlement, lost.

Rainbow was the first to speak, and answer. "Don't ask us, ask Twilight! It was all her plan!"

"Ah, what a strange plan it was. But it looks like it worked."

They all then glanced back and over in a different direction, as approaching with Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, would be the collared Discord as he had his arms crossed. "I say, I figured it out the moment the multi-colored one pulled her little abandonment performance. But I must say, what is the point? What would handing that filly your own defeat accomplish? But then I thought about it!" Discord frowned as he tugged at his collar a bit before forcibly tearing it off. "Saving the test that requires the most concentration for last? And while poking at the buttons that obviously made that little devil operate. I see when she's not looking at it in such a fun fashion, she ends up becoming a bit, unstable, if I do say so myself." But Discord raised a brow with an interested look, leaning down towards the three of the six. "But I must inquire, how is it that ol Ms Twilight Princess managed to come across such precious information?"

Rainbow, Rarity, and Applejack all glanced to one another nervously as if avoiding the question.

Discord peeked out towards the two powerful alicorns with a little cackle. "Unleeess, ohohoho, one is very familiar with the other."

Yucca started by letting off a ferocious multi-colored spell towards Twilight.

Twilight however simply teleported out of the way before reappearing atop the fountain, glancing down at Yucca. Her own horn began to ignite then, but she didn't fire, almost as if she were charging up her spell for a later moment.

Princess Yucca frowned heavily as she stood on her hind legs and gritted her teeth at Twilight. "STAY STILL MEANY HEAD!" And she flapped her wings, rising to the air before letting off a series of spells at Twilight's flag, as Twilight simply continued to dodge with ease using her own teleportation spells. As the spells began to follow and pick up on Twilight's trail, Yucca's annoyed expression never left her face as she just began to think back on certain memories. Despite Twilight having been so mean to her friends just now, such issues weren't the only things that poked at Yucca as she continued to let off a rapid series of spells while remaining in place.

In the image, Princess Yucca saw the hazy image of Princess Twilight as she bore a hood, and turned away from her.

Princess Yucca shouted angrily, "STAY STILL HOODED PONY!" And she teleported reappearing in front of Twilight as her horn ignited.

Princess Twilight gasped as she leaped back and began to fade, preparing to teleport yet again, unsure if she'd make it. And by mere seconds, she disappeared, reappearing some distance away as she huffed. "What're you talking about?"

Princess Yucca turned angrily towards her as she only continued letting off an infinite amount of spells which began to kick up dirt and sand from the surface it touched. "YOU'RE THE HOODED PONY! ALL ALONG YOU WERE HERE! YOU BIG JERK!"

Princess Twilight frowned as she just continued to teleport. "That sounds like an entirely different issue." She paused, "But how come I suspected it'd come up in this situation? Are you mad at me? Have you always been mad at me on the inside little one?"

Princess Yucca didn't answer her as she then raised her hooves to the air, manifesting what looked like a massive floating cannon.

Discord smirked, "Looks like she's made herself vulnerable."

Princess Twilight, who hadn't cast a spell yet had soon disappeared as she reappeared in front of Princess Yucca. "But that isn't the issue here." She closed her eyes halfway before just staring at Yucca, "You still chose to side with Chrysalis in the end." And as Twilight prepared herself, she muttered, "But even now, I still know what you are isn't your fault, and for that-" she paused, "I'm sorry." As she'd let off a spell towards Yucca, aiming straight towards her flag in that moment as she gritted her teeth, now just as determined.

Princess Yucca's eyes snapped wide as she'd disappeared, dodging Princess Twilight's spell.

Rainbow gasped, "D-Did she just dodge it?"

Discord continued with his arms crossed, "Well, that she did, but-"

And as Twilight's spell faded, Princess Yucca had reappeared, but immediately froze a few seconds afterwords, slumping down.

Discord continued, "It looks like she was a little too heated for that even hmhm."

Princess Yucca was slumped down beside the fountain with wide eyes as she held a piece of her flag in her hooves. She just continued to look down at it with a saddened expression as her raggedy mane lost its vibrant purple shade and became straightened.

Pinkie Pie blinked a bit as she puckered her lip with a saddened expression.

Princess Yucca however didn't bear an expression as she just continued to look down blankly at her piece of flag, almost in disbelief as she began to connect the pieces of Twilight's words and the actions of her friends. Soon the storm surrounding Ponyville began to disperse as ponies emerged from the background scenery, slowly encroaching upon the alicorn yet again as Princess Yucca just didn't react as she took another sip from her drinking hat, as her hat tipped over and then fell onto the ground, spilling her milkshakes. She absently dropped her piece of remaining flag as she just lowered her frame onto the dirt, and began to scoop up the milkshake with a worried look with, almost as if protecting it and the hat as she pressed it close to her. "..........."

And soon a looming shadow came over.

Princess Yucca looked up at the individual with her straightened and sulking mane. "Did, did Yucca lose?"

Princess Twilight nodded plainly. "Yes, you did. You lost concentration, and ultimately, lost track of the objective of the game. And now, you've lost the game entirely. As promised you will leave all this behind, Queen Chrysalis, and the changelings included." She frowned, "You're smart, smarter than most on the inside. You just ignore these qualities about yourself, and play around all the time."

Princess Yucca looked back down at her drinking hat with her milkshake mixed in with the sand and dirt floating inside it while wearing a saddened expression as she didn't answer Twilight, and just remained silent for a moment.

Twilight raised a brow as she watched Yucca, along with many of the others who just continued to watch from afar.

Princess Yucca smiled a bit, before shrugging her shoulders. "You were the first to win, Momma #2." She lowered her head and just continued to stare at her floating milkshake. "Sweets made me so so so happy. Because they're really delicious and stuffs. But they also give me energy, and the happy colors always made me not think about Momma's troubles. Momma wanted to take over the ponies, she wanted a lot of stuff, pony kingdoms are very very pretty and look so nice. I can see why Momma wanted them as I read about them in so many stories, with veeeeeery big castles like, like big giant clubhouses. But I could never do what Momma wanted, and I love Momma." She lowered her head as her ears lowered and her eyes saddened, "But Momma can't depend on me."

She paused for a moment before continuing, "I guess, if I can't help her, she'd be better off. She can't win with me there."

Twilight's eyes saddened as well as she shook her head. "That's because, she was never meant to. You two are far too different."

Princess Yucca rose to all fours as she just looked up at Princess Twilight silently and pressed her hoof against Princess Twilight's cheek. "Fluffy. Mhm, yep, I definitely remember you." She chuckled as she then turned away from Twilight and shrugged before spinning her tail and propelling herself into the air like a helicopter. "I didn't want to see anymore black anyway! Black is so scary and always makes me think of the pony of nightmares!" She pointed to the sky, "Well Queen Sombrero is off!" And she manifested a apple as she munched on it, and then looked down at the apple with a soft smile and saddened eyes. Princess Yucca then looked to the entire crowd of ponies, and the creature who stood beside Fluttershy as well. She wondered if things would've been different if Twilight maybe decided to keep her long ago, but also understood what Princess Twilight wanted. She nodded. "Yep yep! Well I lose! And I alwaaaaays remain true to the games I play!" She tossed them a wave, "Welp! See you everypony!" And Princess Yucca casually began making her way off towards the border of Ponyville, in the general direction of the Frozen North, accepting defeat.

Twilight called out to her, "Fly high! And make east for the land of griffons! B-Be careful!"

Princess Yucca glanced back as she chuckled, "What's a griffon?" She shrugged, "KK, bye bye then!" She waved yet again as she began humming a soft tune to herself and making her way further off. Just as simply as she came, she started to leave. It was almost surprising to Twilight, and she didn't fail to notice Yucca's mane didn't return to normal for the time being, yet even that felt expected.

Twilight called out to her again, this time with an obviously displeased look as she appeared a bit torn over how this all ended and the direction she'd chosen. But for some reason, she couldn't stop herself from not pursuing this route. As wrong as it felt, she still felt it was right at the same time, or perhaps it was just her own hesitation that stopped her from preventing it from continuing any further. She raised a hoof to her muzzle, before crying out to the filly. "I'M SORRY!!! AND, AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!!!"

Princess Yucca just glanced back, before tossing Twilight a wave and smile, and continuing on.

Princess Twilight watched the filly fly off with a sigh before glancing over at her friends whom stood on the side, before flashing a smile.

Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash all made their way over to Twilight hurriedly.

This caused most of the crowd to look upon the scene in confusion, especially after all the abandoning they'd just did.

Rarity gasped, "T-Twilight, are you sure it's wise to just let her go like that?"

Rainbow Dash frowned while crossing her hooves. "Yea what happens if she comes back? Although I guess the kid wasn't so bad."

Applejack just shook her head. "Shucks Twilight, I have to agree with the others, why just let her go? She's raised by changelings."

Twilight looked to them with a soft smile herself. "She'll be alright. She's different from us, and has her own answers she has to pursue. I doubt she'll come back now that she's lost a game, as said, she's a little different. I think she and I will be leaving on good terms." As they all continued to watch Yucca's departing figure fluttering in the distance, fading into a tiny dot as it did spins in the air and twirls, Twilight just continued. "She understands that she has too much history here, and due to my mistakes, far too much capabilities and responsibility. I hope one day she can forgive me. But she has to make a new start, somewhere away from the ponies and changelings, she'll bring too much trouble here as is. And if possible, I'd like to keep this a secret from Princess Celestia if we can. I, hope you all get what I'm trying to say, I guess, I'm still just trying to do what's best for all of us."

Fluttershy whimpered a bit, "B-But do you think she'll be okay? She's still so young..."

They all looked to Fluttershy as if she were crazy for a moment, almost suspended in disbelief.

Rainbow started, "Fluttershy...."

While Applejack continued. "Ya did see what she was able to do right?"

Fluttershy turned red in the cheeks as she just glanced to the lower right. "O-Oh I know, but, it's just, I guess...well, erhm,..nevermind."

Twilight glanced down at Pinkie Pie. "Pinkie, what're you doing?"

Pinkie Pie was currently lapping up the remnants of Yucca's milkshakes. "SHE MAKES YUMMY MILKSHAKES!"

And Twilight just covered her face with a hoof as the others only just started to chuckle. "Probably read up the best recipes."

Applejack sighed as she just smiled a bit, "Well, I guess we can all manage to not share all the details with the princesses."

Rarity continued, "True that darling. But can we just rest for a bit, and get to cleaning up Ponyville?"

Twilight nodded to Rarity, "Agreed. This place is a complete mess."

And watching still beside the house, would be Discord with a bored expression as he glanced down at his broken collar. "Hah..."

Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo soon emerged from their hiding locations as they rushed towards the mane six happily, and practically in tears, each of them embracing their specific few in a hug. While other ponies also emerged, now approaching Twilight and the others, many curious about why exactly they'd decided to pull that little stunt from earlier, while also curious about Princess Yucca.

As did Spike, as he looked back at two particular stallions who appeared distracted, but then shrugged and hurried on over to Twilight.

The stallions nodded to one another, as they each made their way behind one of the houses, as suddenly a green flash emerged from behind that particular house, as two changelings fluttered and rose to the skies, making their way in the southern direction. Next Chapter: The Final Countdown: 2 Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 28 Minutes