"... and the trees are all kept equal...", said Fluttershy. "... by hatchet, axe and saw."

  "That story was amazing.", said Rainbow Dash, while the rest of the group clapped their hooves.

  "Hey!", said Pinkie Pie. "Twilight's waking up!"

  Twilight opened her eyes, to find herself back at the Fire Spring, along with all of her true friends.

  "What happened, Twilight?", asked Trixie. "You kept squirming and crying..."

  "The Pinkie Valley!", said Twilight.

  "Pinkie Valley?", said Derpy. "What's happening there?"

  "I'll show you. Let's teleport!"

  Twilight teleported the whole group to the Pinkie Valley.

  "Wow!", said Pinkie Pie. "This place looks so much better than the last time!"

  "Hey, Derpy, ain't that your father over there?", said Applejack.

  The ponies spotted Dr. Peanuts and Twist working on something really cool-looking. Twist saw them and waved for them to come closer.

  "Yahah!", exclaimed Dr. Peanuts. "Congratulations, Twilight. Your sister here is a very exceptional young filly... very different from other kids."

  "She's not my sister...", said Twilight. "... although I can see why you thought that."

  "You two have so much in common. Ahem... anyway, the prototype Phase Distorter was stolen--"

  "That fat ol' meanie!", said Twist. "He stole our creation!"

  "I wonder who that is...", said Spike, now sharing the same hatred for Snips as Twilight.

  "Well... doesn't matter. I think we're done with the 2.0 version."

  "Care to give it a test?", asked Dr. Peanuts.

  "I'll go.", said Twilight. "If anything happens, I'll use my magic to come back."

  Twilight entered the Phase Distorter and pushed the button... nothing happened.

  "Hmm... it's not working.", said Dr. Peanuts. "There's one thing missing."

  "What is it?", asked Rarity.

  "Well... that material cannot normally be found on the earth. The material I'm thinking of came from a meteorite that fell when I was much younger. Have you seen a meteorite anywhere recently?"

  Twilight looked at Spike, who looked back at her. They knew exactly where to go now.

  "Yes I have.", answered Twilight.

  "Where?", asked Trixie.

  "Back in my hometown, at Canterlot!"

  "With just a piece of the meteorite...", said Dr. Peanuts. "... I can synthesize the material Zexonyte. I doubt that your mortal enemy, Discord - or whatever - will allow you to go to Canterlot and get a piece of the meteorite. By now, Canterlot is in his evil hands. You must go, though, so take every possible precaution."

  "I wonder what Canterlot is like at this point in time?", wondered Twilight, before teleporting the whole group back to her hometown.

  The group arrived back at Twilight's house. Twilight instantly saw her hometown turned into a nightmare land. The skies were red, and all the ponies were running away and getting diamondized by evil eyes. The group didn't have much time.

  "What in tarnation is goin' on here?", said Applejack, surprised.

  "This... was my hometown.", said Twilight. "Let's hurry up! There's not much time left!"

  Twilight led the way to the meteorite, while the other ponies looked at all the chaos happening at once. They have never seen anything scarier than that. Eventually, they arrived at the meteorite's landing spot, which stole everypony's attention.

  "I've never seen anything like that...", said Rarity. "... looks perfect for a dress I'm making."

  "Now's not the time to think about your personal business.", said Trixie.

  "Okay... got it.", said Twilight. "Look at it... it's so peculiar."

  "Could we get out of here before we look at it?", asked Fluttershy. "... please?"

  Twilight glanced at the evil horizon before teleporting the whole group back to the Pinkie Valley.

  "Ah, yes!", exclaimed Dr. Peanuts. "This is fantastic!"

  "Oooh...", said Twist. "... so shiny!"

  "I've never seen this incredibly rare element before... it is very intriguing."

  "How long will it take?", asked Rainbow Dash. "The Princess's town is in danger!"

  "I don't know... you guys can rest at the hotel for a while. I'll wake you up when we're done."

  "There ain't time for sleepin'!", said Applejack.

  "Now, Applejack...", said Spike. "... every little thing's gonna be alright."

  "Oh, Spike...", laughed Twilight. "... you don't know how much I missed your terrible jokes!"

  At the hotel room, Derpy was the only one asleep. The other ponies were too excited, with their fight against evil nearing its end. It didn't really matter who would take the bed, as they were all spread across the room. Rainbow Dash hugged Fluttershy the whole time.

  "Is there something between you two?", asked Rarity, looking for something to talk about.

  "Well...", said Rainbow Dash. "... kinda."

  "Yeah...", said Fluttershy. "... kinda."

  "You look cute together.", said Rarity.

  "Even though everything's going to be alright...", said Pinkie Pie. "... all this evil Discord talk looks scary."

  "What if we don't actually make it?", asked Trixie. "What if we die on the way?!"

  "Relax, you guys.", said Twilight. "The Apple of Enlightenment has foretold that Discord will fail."

  "What are you talking about?", asked Spike.

  "It's a long story."

  Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. It was Dr. Peanuts. Derpy instantly woke up.

  "Daddy?", said Derpy. "What brings you here?"

  "The Phase Distorter 2.0 is complete!", said Dr. Peanuts.

  "Huzzah!", cheered Spike, while the whole group went outside, except for Fluttershy.

  "Fluttershy?", said Rainbow Dash, coming back inside. "Didn't you hear him? Let's go!"

  "... but... what if we don't succeed?", said Fluttershy, letting out a few tears of pessimism.

  "Sweetie, we all have the same fear as you of not making it to the end. But you should know that we still have a chance of actually getting out alive. That chance might increase if we keep our heads up and never forget to be there for each other. Do you understand?"

  Fluttershy smiled and hugged her marefriend, while letting out a quiet yes.

  "Where did you get so good at lecturing?", asked Twilight, who just invaded the scene.

  "Oh...", said Rainbow Dash. "... I don't know. The words come up in my mind, and I just get them together..."

  "I'll have to interrupt your lovey-dovey moment. We're all waiting for you outside."

  "Sorry about that...", said Fluttershy.

  "The Phase Distorter 2.0 is complete!", said Twist.

  "There is just one thing, though...", said Dr. Peanuts.

  "What is it?", asked Derpy.

  "... you might not be able to return. Make sure you're all properly outfitted."

  "We're ready.", said Twilight. "Right, guys?"

  "Ready!", said the whole group, in chorus.

  "... kinda.", said Fluttershy.

  "Come on, we can do it.", said Rainbow Dash.

  The whole group entered the Phase Distorter, and teleported all the way to a very familiar place.

  "Hey, I remember this place!", said Twilight. "It's that scary cave at the Lost Underworld!"

  "What if Discord is living here?...", asked Trixie.

  "He probably is. I can feel his presence."

  "Hey, look at that funny tentacle over there!", said Pinkie Pie. "Haha!"

  "Excellent! You are truly excellent!", said an old-sounding voice.

  "I've heard that voice before...", said Rainbow Dash.

  "It's me, Rainbow Dash!"

  It turned out to be that old pegasus they met in Scaraba.

  "Hey there, dude!", said Rainbow Dash with a high hoof. "What're you up to now?"

  "You, Rainbow, are simply awesome.", said the old pegasus. "You are truly the best pegasus in Cloudsdale!"

  "I knew that a long time ago."

  "Scootaloo told me to give you this."

  The old pegasus lent her a cool-looking pendant.

  "What is this?", said Rainbow Dash.

  "It'll give you luck. Whenever you are in trouble, remember that the whole world is cheering for you."

  "Gosh, I didn't expect to get so famous doing this...", said Rarity, surprise replacing pride.

  "Thank you, man.", said Rainbow Dash.

  "See ya later...", said the old pegasus. "... best pegasus in Cloudsdale..."

  "Ha, you're awesome too, dude."

  The old pegasus teleported away.

  "Hey, Twilight!", said Applejack. "Look!"

  An exact copy of the Phase Distorter 2.0 teleported out of nowhere.

  "The Phase Distorter 3.0 is completed.", said Dr. Peanuts, coming out of the machine, along with Twist.

  "How did you manage to do it so fast?", asked Twilight.

  "With the help of this awesome pony.", answered both scientists at the same time.

  "This is why I love you, daddy!", said Derpy, hugging her father for the umpteenth time.

  "Discord is attacking from this exact location...", said Dr. Peanuts. "... but he is attacking from many years in the past."

  "You must warp to the past and fight him, but...", said Twist, unable to finish her sentence.

  "But...?", said Twilight.

  "This is very hard for me to tell you...", said Dr. Peanuts.

  "I'm sure we've heard worse."

  "*sigh* In order to defeat Discord, who is attacking from the past... you must warp to the past. This can be done by way of the Phase Distorter 3.0."

  "And...?"

  "However... the machine cannot warp living things, I mean, lifeforms. Life is demolished in the process of warping."

  "... oh."

  "The only way to accomplish the time travel is to transfer your brain 'program' into a robot, and send the robot to the past. What I mean is, your spirit will go with the robot while your body is left behind. I cannot promise that your spirit will come back after the battle in the past. But you must understand that you are the chosen ones. Do you still wish to face Discord by travelling to the past?"

  Twilight looked at her friends, who nodded in acceptance. Some of them were tearing up.

  "Yes I do.", said Twilight.

  "Hmm...", said Dr. Peanuts. "... you accept this while knowing that you may not be able to return to your current form, right?"

  Twilight looked at her friends, who nodded again.

  "Yes I do."

  "Hmm...", said Dr. Peanuts. "... you accept this while knowing that you may never come back again, right?"

  Twilight looked at her friends, who nodded in frustration.

  "Yes I do."

  "Hmm...", said Dr. Peanuts. "... you accept this while--"

  "Darn it, yes we do!", yelled Applejack.

  "*sigh* Okay... Twilight, come here. You guys turn back. This is kind of disturbing."

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  "Whee!", said Pinkie Pie. "Look, I'm a robot! I feel so funny..."

  "What have I gotten myself into...", said Twilight to herself.

  "Well, it's kinda cool.", said Rainbow Dash, testing her new robotic wings. "That transfer hurt like a bitch though..."

  "There is no turning back now.", said Dr. Peanuts. "Twilight, activate the Phase Distorter 3.0 by your own hoof..."

  "... thereby following your destiny.", finished Twist. "We trust you."

  Twilight thought back at everything they have done so far, since the day Snips knocked on her door. It all led up to that moment. She could not turn back now. The whole group entered the machine and Twilight pushed the button. Next thing you knew, the Phase Distorter was gone.

  "Only a few people know of your amazing courage...", said Dr. Peanuts. "... but the number of people you save through that bravery is immense."

  "I feel very fortunate...", said Twist. "... to be present at the beginning of this monumental undertaking."

  "Ditzy Doo... my only daughter... I wish you luck, along with all of your friends."

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  As the robotic ponies came out of the machine, they saw a place even scarier than the evil-infested Canterlot. There was no horizon, and no walls could be seen. The floor also seemed to rearrange itself. It seemed to lead the way to Discord's lair.

  "Twilight...", said Trixie. "... how do you think Discord looks like?"

  "He better be extremely scary...", said Twilight. "... after all we've passed through to get here."

  "Don't say that...", said Fluttershy.

  The ponies eventually arrived at what looked like a slit in the walls.

  "This may be it.", said Twilight with a gulp.

  "What are we waiting for?", said Spike. "Let's kick his butt!"

  "Let's go!", said Derpy, before all the robots entered the cave, to find an even scarier place. Everything looked so... organic. Twilight was proud of Spike, Pinkie and Derpy, the Butt Kickers. They didn't seem scared of anything in their way. She wished she had the same determination as them. Being robots, you couldn't tell the difference between her and Fluttershy.

  "I feel a very hateful presence in the air...", said Twilight.

  "Something cutting into your mind?", asked Trixie.

  "Yeah... exactly."

  "What is that?!", said Rarity.

  At the end of the cave, there was a weird, organic-looking structure, holding up what looked like an egg with Twilight's face planted on it.

  "It looks like... me?", said Twilight.

  "HAHAHAHA!", laughed You-Know-Who, teleporting out of nowhere with a fancy-looking machine. "Twilight! Are you surprised?!"

  "SNIPS?! I... can't believe it! You're assisting that... thing?!"

  "I only assist the strong and able. That's Snips for ya... haha! You guys look pathetic!"

  "I'm sure you don't look any better.", said Rarity.

  "The Apple of Enlightenment has already made a prediction... but I won't let what the Apple of Enlightenment predicted take place. You guys will be beaten by Discord. Discord will be stronger, a more powerful entity than any other! Why? 'Cause of me. I was led by Discord, and now I'm here. The Apple of Enlightenment couldn't predict this."

  "... you motherfucker.", said Twilight.

  "Hahaha... sure, insult me as you wish. Master Discord... no... Discord is no longer the wielder of evil. He has become the embodiment of evil itself... which he cannot control on his own. He is the evil power..."

  "Enough fucking around, Snips. You're the one I want to kill first."

  "Bring it on, bitch."

  Snips let out a very stinky gas, to try and weaken the mechanical warriors. Even with their offense decreased, everypony had a part in kicking Snips's metal mess. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy made a flying formation to attack him from above, while Twilight, Trixie and Rarity each used a different spell to combine into a powerful energy beam. The Twilight-faced egg counter-attacked with a powerful spell, much similar to Twilight's. Applejack, Spike and Pinkie then tried physical attacks, like kicks and tail whips. Derpy was the only one not doing anything, until Snips threatened to attack with a bomb. That's when Derpy's last bottle rocket came in handy.

  "I understand you guys are already claiming to be heroes...", said Snips, after having his butt kicked by nine robots at once. "... well, it's over a gazillion years too early for you to oppose Discord! You must feel pretty stupid to keep fighting without even knowing what Discord looks like!"

  "I know, right?", said Rainbow Dash.

  "If you were to ever see Discord, you'd be so petrified with fear, you'd never be able to run away! That's how scary it is!"

  "Bluff all you want...", said Twilight. "... we're not giving up."

  "So, do you want me to turn off the Devil's Machine? Well, prepare to be amazed."

  Snips turned off the Devil's Machine, much to the robots' despair.

  Twilight couldn't believe it. It couldn't get scarier than that. The face... the cold mist... the lack and excess of emotion... it made "terrifying" sound like a synonym for "beautiful".

  "So, isn't this horrifying?", said Snips, laughing at the robots' faces. "I'm terrified, too. Discord cannot think rationally anymore, and he isn't even aware of what he is doing now. His own mind was destroyed by his incredible power. What an almighty idiot! Yep, that's what he is! Heh heh heh heh..."

  The robots felt a huge pain in their mechanical bodies (it felt more like a short-circuit). They couldn't exactly describe how it felt, or where. The only thing that mattered was that it hurt a lot. Twilight tried using her powerful spell, which didn't seem to effect Discord much. She could hear him mumble her name, though.

  "Heh heh heh heh...", laughed Snips. "... you must really be at the end of your rope. In this bizarre dimension, you guys are the only force standing for justice... and here you stand, waiting to be burned up with all the rest of the garbage of this universe... that's so sad, I can't help but shed a tear. You know, my heart is beating incredibly fast... I must be experiencing absolute terror!"

  "I knew I would hate you since the day I met you.", said Twilight.

  "Heh. Do you want to scream for help here in the dark? Hahahahaha! Why not call the princess, Twilight? 'Help me, Celestia! I'm so frightened, I can't take this anymore!' I know you have telepathy, or something, so just try and call for help, you pathetically weak heroes of so-called justice! NO ONE WILL HELP YOU NOW!"

  "Don't get Celestia involved in your words, you fucking faggot."

  "Hahaha... the more you try to hurt me with words, the more amused I am by your current situation. Don't worry... your pitiful suffering will be over soon."

  Snips then disappeared into thin air, leaving the robot ponies alone with their pain and isolation.

  "Somepony...", said Twilight. "... do something..."

  "There's nothing we can do...", said Trixie. "... whenever I consider getting up, the pain comes back..."

  Twilight saw Fluttershy praying in the distance. She felt bad for taking her through all that horrible stuff. She never deserved it. Rainbow Dash looked at her pendant, before holding it to her chest, having failed her job as Scootaloo's heroine. Derpy, Rarity, Spike and Pinkie had a group hug, wanting to die as good friends. Applejack was praying too.

  "That's it...", cried Twilight. "... looks like we failed."

  Twilight felt something poking her. She turned around to see Pinkie Pie, inviting her for a group hug. Her robotic mane was puffed up, for some reason. Usually, when Pinkie was sad, her mane would flop down.

  "Pinkie?... why is your mane up?"

  "Everypony...", said Pinkie Pie. "... looks like our only option is praying for help."

  "Didn't you hear Snips?", said Rainbow Dash. "No one will help us..."

  The only thing keeping Pinkie from bursting into tears was the fact that they were robots. Otherwise, her face would be soaking wet.

  "I know.", said Pinkie Pie. "But... it's worth trying."

  Everypony started praying for help.

  "Please, give us strength...", prayed Pinkie Pie. "... if it's possible. Please... somepony help us."

-----------------------------------------------------------

  "Do you think they will make it?", asked Twist.

  Dr. Peanuts didn't answer.

  "What's happening?"

  "I'm feeling something new... something startling... something I've never experienced before..."

  He started praying for his daughter, and her friends. Twist did the same thing.

-----------------------------------------------------------

  Twilight noticed that the occasional pain she was feeling lost a bit of intensity. Discord also looked scarier, and she felt like somepony had answered their prayer.

  "Pinkie...", said Twilight.

  "... what?", said Pinkie Pie.

  "... I think it's working."

  Pinkie Pie smiled.

  "Your turn, Spike.", said Pinkie Pie.

  "... please, give us strength.", prayed Spike. "Anyone who can hear our plea... help us."

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  At Jackie's Cafe, Vinyl and Octavia were having a good time, when suddenly, Vinyl felt something stop her.

  "What is it, sweetie?", asked Octavia. "Anything wrong?"

  "I... don't know...", said Vinyl.

  Vinyl started praying for Twilight's safety. Octavia felt the same thing, and started praying too.

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  "I can't get that song out of my head...", said Spike, thinking of Octavia's music.

  "Your turn, Fluttershy.", said Pinkie Pie.

  "... please give us strength.", prayed Fluttershy. "Speed this prayer to all the ponies in Equestria."

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  As Caramel walked down the street, he thought he heard Fluttershy's voice. He then prayed for her and her friends' safety.

-----------------------------------------------------------

  "Somehow, I feel more confident...", said Fluttershy, before suffering that horrible pain again.

  "Your turn, Derpy.", said Pinkie Pie. "I think I know who you'll be calling to."

  "Please, give us strength.", prayed Derpy. "Anyone who can hear our plea... help us."

-----------------------------------------------------------

  "Yeah, right.", said Jackie. "Do you really think we'll believe in you just because you're saying you saw Tessie?"

  "I swear, it's true!", said Timmy, before suddenly remembering about his girlfriend.

  "What's happenin', man?", asked Maxwell.

  "Ditzy Doo..."

  Timmy started praying for the safety of Derpy and her friends. Maxwell did the same thing.

  "You guys crack me up...", said Jackie, while grabbing the last slice of pizza.

-----------------------------------------------------------

  While all that happened, Twilight noticed how Discord looked even scarier with each prayer. The pain would also get more tolerable in the same rhythm. She smiled, now knowing why Pinkie's mane was up. Everything was going to be alright.

  "Your turn, Rainbow Dash.", said Pinkie.

  "Please grant us power.", prayed Rainbow Dash, while holding the special pendant. "Anyone who can hear our plea... help us."

-----------------------------------------------------------

  Scootaloo stared at the horizon, wondering if Rainbow Dash would ever come back. She prayed for the safety of her heroine and her friends.

-----------------------------------------------------------

  "I promise I'll come back...", said Rainbow Dash to herself.

  "Your turn, Applejack.", said Pinkie Pie.

  "Please grant us strength.", prayed Applejack. "Anyone who can hear our plea... we're askin' for this."

-----------------------------------------------------------

  Apple Bloom, Granny Smith and Big Macintosh were at the dinner table, ready to eat. As a good, religious family, they started praying, and dedicated their prayer to Applejack and her friends.

-----------------------------------------------------------

  Twilight hugged Pinkie Pie, proud of her friend's confidence in herself and her friends.

  "Right.", said Pinkie Pie. "Your turn, Rarity."

  "Please grant us power.", prayed Rarity. "Speed this prayer to all the ponies in Equestria."

-----------------------------------------------------------

  "What brings you down, Belle?", asked one of the Tenda kids.

  "I miss my sister...", said Sweetie Belle.

  "I'm sure she's alright."

  Sweetie Belle prayed for the safety of Rarity and her friends.

-----------------------------------------------------------

  "I just hope she's alright.", said Rarity.

  "Your turn, Twilight.", said Pinkie Pie.

  "Please give us strength.", prayed Twilight. "Anyone who can hear our plea... help us."

-----------------------------------------------------------

  Princess Celestia finished dinner, and dedicated a prayer to her faithful student and her friends.

-----------------------------------------------------------

  Discord looked so scary Twilight couldn't even look at him. However, the pain was almost gone.

  "Your turn, Trixie.", said Pinkie Pie.

  "I can't think of anyone else...", prayed Trixie. "Someone... please help us..."

-----------------------------------------------------------

  Trixie's call was absorbed by the darkness.

-----------------------------------------------------------

  "Didn't work." said Trixie.

  "Can't you think of anypony else?", asked Pinkie Pie.

  "AG didn't give me any close friends!"

  "Wait a minute... everypony! Let's say one last prayer."

-----------------------------------------------------------

  Pinkie and her friends' calls touched the heart of AspergerGoodness.

-----------------------------------------------------------

  Twilight heard some threatening sounds, but kept her eyes shut. Discord's defenses became unstable.

-----------------------------------------------------------

  AspergerGoodness kept praying.

-----------------------------------------------------------

  Twilight could hear that special song once again, this time distorted and downright creepy.

-----------------------------------------------------------

  AspergerGoodness kept praying.

-----------------------------------------------------------

  Discord started making extremely loud noises. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy hugged.

-----------------------------------------------------------

  AspergerGoodness kept praying.

-----------------------------------------------------------

  "DANG IT, TWILIGHT!", screamed Snips, who just teleported back. "Well... it's going to seem like I'm running away. But perhaps I'll just sneak away to another era to think about my next plan. It's a good bet that we will see each other again. Alright! I'll be seeing you! So now which one of us do you think is the cool one?!"

  As Snips teleported away, the noise Discord was making turned from extremely loud to simply deafening. Everything seemed to distort itself, while the entire group hugged each other. Suddenly, there was a huge, bright explosion that threw everypony out of the cave, unconscious.

  The war against Discord was over. Next Chapter: The Aftermath Estimated time remaining: 5 Minutes