From where we left off, a strange case of illusion has blinded Equestria, the Mane Six have been captured by a new individual named Loki A. Fool, And now only Ben Mare, his young family members Nyx, Spike, & Phobos must rescue those taken. Accompanying them are Golden Heart, Pinkamena, long with new faces like Armor Stark & Gemini Sparks. The group reached the spot closer to see the ominous & terrifying outlook, of the castle that stood out against the skyline like a shadow from a horrible nightmare. As the group were lost in thought as they came near what looks like the outside path to the castle, where it lead through a foggy forest. But, they were fate with the intervene surprise, in the guise of a mysterious old Earth stallion in a wizard’s cloak and hood.

“Who are you sir?” Nyx asked off in being curious of who this stranger was.

“I am but traveling pony in these woods, but tell me, why have many of you come here?” The mysterious stallion spoke up in being one who means those no harm.

“We followed a guy named Loki A. Fool.” Spike explained the case of what they are doing here.

“He Pony-napped our pals, the Mane Six.” Pinkamena issued off to mention this off about what the guy named Loki did.

“And now Equestria’s under some illusion and we gotta stop him.” Phobos stated off the worse matter that they gotta deal with along with a rescue.

“Caution, my friends, for Loki’s plans are truly unpredictable.” The mysterious stallion held out his front right hoof to state this factor.

“You sound like you know about him.” Golden Heart raised an eyebrow in hearing that sorta strange claim there.

“In ways we do and in ways we don’t.” The mysterious stallion spoke in riddles that kinda confused some of them. “For you see, Loki is using a spell to keep all ponies under his control by using illusions to cause panic and chaos. But there is more.” He stated in what was happening that Loki was plotting to do.

“More?” Gemini raised an eyebrow in not liking the sounds of this.

“Loki may plan to siphon off the magic essence of six maidens that show the true value of friendship for a plan that he has concocted.” The mysterious stallion spoke which made the others earn the attention of six maidens of friendship, the Mane Six. “Your friends will lose their magic to be left as empty shells. The gift of their friendship will be as nothing of meaning as like Loki’s heart.” He spoke wary that if nothing is done, the Mane Six will lose their warm light of friendship and become unable to feel things.

“Oh No!” Ben, Nyx, Spike & Phobos yelped in having heard such scary things to happen.

“Now I see, so that’s what Loki meant by having them as entertainment! He’ll keep them around to entertain him while siphoning their magic!” Armor Stark spoke to hold his armor chin in having heard the story of what’s ahead.

“Tell us, how can we save Twilight and the rest?” Ben asked off the mysterious stallion to give them clues.

“Yah, what do we have to do?” Phobos asked off in hoping there was a shot they can save the others.

“First, you must locate the 7 Rainbow Gems.” The mysterious stallion spoke off in mentioning this of what the group here needs.

“Seven Rainbow Gems?” Spike raised an eyebrow in hearing something like that but not understanding it.

“They will create the fabled Rainbow Bridge.” The mysterious stallion spoke off to say while many were listening to know more of the story. “It will take you to where those you care and love for are being held.” He put his hooves in his cloak in finishing the claim of what those here need to do to rescue those in peril.

“I’m sensing a ‘But’ is gonna come in.” Pinkamena stated in feeling there was still more to what they are hearing.

“But you must beware of the Gem Keepers. They are Loki’s prime-ministers of misery & they won’t just give up their treasures easily.” The mysterious stallion pointed a right hoof off as another notion of caution to take here of what those must face to acquire the gems.

“Gems, Gem Keepers, okay, we got it.” Phobos nodded off in understanding everything they need to know here.

“Wait a moment! Where do we even find these guys that have the gems?” Goldie asked off the next question that was on their thought.

“Within Loki’s Castle Of Illusion…” The mysterious stallion stated off to mention where one may find the Gem Keepers that hold the Seven Rainbow Gems inside the castle. “But beware, my young friends.” He points his right hoof to begin speaking cautiously about another matter. “Through Loki’s strange magic, he has created strange worlds & bizarre creatures to prevent any from reaching where your friends are.” As he spoke, vague images of strange worlds are seen with strange looking creatures that appear seem to fit themes of wooden creatures and…toy castle objects. “Each of the gem is guarded by one of Loki’s known: Masters of Illusions; you must defeat them to claim your prize.” The old stallion issued forth while seven vague imagines of strange characters, each holding a rainbow color gem is seen holding a gem.

“Sounds like things won’t be easy.” Gemini Sparks stated to say in knowing the course of this action sounds mighty complex.

“Trust me Gemini, in this job…it isn’t.” Armor Stark shook his armor suited head in stating that things like what they face, are never easy.

“And remember, young ones….use great caution!” The mysterious stallion stated in giving the final advice to those to heed the words of an old pony.

“Thank you sir, we’ll remember your words.” Ben thank the stallion for taking the time to give them much of this info to help them along the way.

The gang knew they mustn’t take the old stallion they meant of his words lightly. Once they all thank the guy, the Rescue Team goes through the castle gates. Everything began to go dark at this time, as those that were heading to rescue the Mane Six, trend lightly in preparing what’s ahead.

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The scene changes to where Ben’s group of rescuers had entered the Castle of Illusion, looks like a forest path with a few ruin and broken walls and wooden boards. But so far, there wasn’t much notice of a threat level upon sight of their entry.

“This is supposed to be the Castle Of Illusions, I don’t get it.” Phobos scratched his head in not seeing much to the gate entrance.

“Careful, we don’t know what to expect.” Golden Heart spoke in being cautious of what they are looking at.

“He’s right. This appears to be Loki’s twisted playground of trickery & peril. Nothing here is as it seems.” Armor Stark spoke off in stepping lightly in his big bulky suit of mech armor, as his scans were trying to determine their surroundings.

“Like that Life-Size Toy Soldier?” Pinkamena pointed off in making some example of what isn’t as it seems.

Ahead of the group, was what look like a large toy soldier who seem to be sleeping on the job.

“What’s so dangerous about…” Spike was approaching the sleeping Toy Soldier until it woke up to notice him. “Uh-oh!” He yelps in seeing that the guy was holding his toy rifle, but it might not be a fake ‘POP’ gun type.

“Powwfruvhmmm…Bamgruvhmm…” Suddenly, a white beam was shot off that blew up the Toy Soldier foe to pieces; the savior was Armor Stark’s Buster Armor. “Don’t you know to be careful when you play with someone else’s toys? These might be the bizarre creatures to watch out for.” Armor Stark pointed out while making a nice witty quota from blasting an enemy.

Everyone nodded in agreement and had to proceed with some notice of what they are finding. As the Toy Soldier guards were proud & regimental in their task granted to them by Loki’s magic, to Ben and company with a mission, they were merely speed bumps to a higher calling. They weren’t that difficult as the group managed to clear pass them with ease. Soon they reach what was the castle’s drawbridge, and upon arriving, the bridge lowered itself to the gang. Carefully moving again, everyone was walking over the bridge before opening through a double door way before entering…the castle entryway as it seems. As the rescuers stood there with hearts as strong as steel, unyielding determination, Phobos & Spike felt a bit spooked in seeing this place. With what looks like suits of knight armor blocking stair paths, strange magical flowing foundations, there were some doors that seem to be…locked.

“We’re in, now what?” Gemini Sparks asked off in looking around, what’s the next step of their course of action.

“We need to find a way to get those 7 Rainbow Gems. That means finding those Gem Keepers.” Goldie stated in knowing what they need to find around here.

“But what about Twilight and the others, how long do they have until Loki has…well, you know…” Ben didn’t wanna finish that sentence, while they are searching for those seven rainbow gem things, what if Loki’s doing something to them?

“I’ve been looking into the matter of the situation, Ben. JARVIS, what can you tell us?” Armor Stark spoke off to say while getting his A.I. friend to help them figure out something.

“Sir, to siphon off the magic flow of the Mane Six while continuing the illusion over Equestria will keep Loki busy. The process to finish siphoning the Mane Six will be underneath 72 hours.” JARVIS was heard speaking loudly in explaining the case in point of how long they have.

“So we got 3 days to get the gems or all is lost?” Phobos asked off in feeling like that doesn’t give them much time at all.

“Then where should we go?” Nyx asked off in where they oughta go.

“Well let’s check out one of the doors right here.” Pinkamena suggested, but one door with chains was...not coming undone. “Eeeeehhhh….drat, these chains are really tough to get off. Better break them down…” She was preparing to break the chains off when...

“No need, allow me.” Gemini Sparks spoke off in approaching the spot it’s self at the time being. “HUURRAGH/Trususpvhhmmm…” Then he struck his golden gauntlet, which phase through the door which surprised many of the others; Gemini has a unique ability.

Then in the next moment, the chains glowed red and they along with the lock fell off the center door before the group. Which meant the door could be accessible without any fuss or complaints.

“The seal was weak, so I could undo it through the wave-link of electromagnetic waves.” Gemini Sparks spoke out to explain the case of how he was able to weaken such things.

“That’s amazing, can you unlock all of the doors?” Spike spoke out in being curious about something here.

“Let’s start with what’s beyond here.” Goldie stated in seeing where they need to go now.

Then everyone goes through the door, only to find a chamber with three more doors, two in the middle and right are locked up tight but the one on the left isn’t. Gemini Sparks tries to undo the other two doors, but senses there is strong magic holding them.

“JARVIS, any chance we can blast or bash these doors down?” Armor Stark asked his AI system for any details on the stuff to blast through.

“Unfortunately Mister Stark, they seem to be connected by a link. One must first find a way to sever the link to weaken the locks.” JARVIS responded in regrettably stating that to break through the doors still chained up, one must do something to weaken it.

“Then I guess we’re going through Door Number One.” Pinkamena pointed out in seeing what door they are taking here.

“Wonder what’s behind this door anyway…?” Phobos asked off in being curious of what is behind the door.

“Hopefully leading us to those Gem Keepers, let’s go.” Ben stated off in hoping they can get to one of the Gem Keepers that has what they want.

Then without warning, Ben was opening the door while passing through it, slowly followed by the others that went along with him. Then everything began to fade out now in what’s gonna happen next here…

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Then a strange door appeared like magic and out of it came the rescue gang, and they soon found themselves in…a strange open space that was not something to find in a castle. They seem to have crossed the threshold & emerged only to again be in a forest. But this wasn’t the Everfree Forest, this was different from what anyone who lives by would recognize such woods.

“This isn’t the Everfree Forest.” Phobos stated off in seeing this was not their usual forest area.

“Where are we?” Spike asked off in not knowing where they landed in.

“Sir, I’ve managed to learn of your position, you’re in a world called the Enchanted Forest.” JARVIS responded to tell his master in the mech suit and out loud for everyone else to hear.

“Peachy. So this must be one of the strange worlds that old stallion told us to be careful about.” Armor Stark spoke off in stating this while seeing what was going on here, they must be in a different world of an illusion Loki made.

“Heads up, living Mushroom heads are popping from the ground!” Goldie pointed out in seeing some red mushroom creatures popping out of the ground.

“I’ll clear the way!” Pinkamena used her sword to chop through the bizarre creatures that vanish into thin air. “Easy!” She smirked in feeling proud of taking care of such problems.

“Watch out for them living stump creatures!” Nyx spoke off in seeing a creature stump thing approach them.

Ben sliced such a creature with his Master Sword and the baby Dragons blew fire against bizarre dragonfly creatures that tried to attack them. As the gang was making their way, they came across a steep cliff and some trampoline rope was swinging from the trees; how that get in the forest is a mystery. But from across their view from a far distance, the gang saw what look like some large body creature made of wood, it has two small arms with five fingers and two big arms with hollow logs on the end, has a crack dark mouth with its teeth made of wood and has clear blue eyes. It was marveling at some large red gem stone in its branch clutches until…it saw some visitors that notice him.

“Urraugh! Arrrrughhh!” The wooden creature stood up in noticing those that have seen him and then moved off to hid further in the forest.

“Hey, that thing had a Large Red Gem!” Spike spoke off in having seen what that guy was that ran off in a hurry.

“That must have been a Rainbow Gem!” Ben stated in feeling what they saw were their targets.

“No doubt about it, I had a quick scan, and no mistake.…that gem’s packing some strange rainbow kinda power.” Armor Stark explained off in seeing what they saw was one of seven objects to acquire.

“Then we gotta go after it, let’s swing across!” Nyx stated off in seeing how they can get moving here.

The group was moving out here, trying to continue to go through the Enchanted Forest, but they had to watch out for any mushroom creatures & in a surprising note, red flowers from the other side that fired off seed-bullets at them. Seeing that the projectiles were coming, Ben used his Hylian Shield to protect his family, Armor Stark was well protected in his armor suit, Gemini just phase out to not be harmed, while Goldie & Pinkamena just decided to stick on the side of the Buster Armor that can handy such wimpy shots that wouldn’t harm it. Wasn’t long before they reach what look like a crossing path with five different directions from a sign posted in the middle.

“Where to now?” Golden Heart asked off in where they should go now.

“That wooden creature ran with the gem on the far side of the forest, so we’ll need to cut him off.” Armor Stark stated to say in thinking of what their next stop should be.

“Oh, let’s go this way!” Pinkamena spoke off to take the lead here.

“Why?” Gemini raised an eyebrow in why they should go down one path.

“I think it’s a good idea.” Pinkamena stated off in thinking that it’s a good idea to take.

Deciding to let Pinkamena take point, everyone went down the path passing a big oak tree. Of course what they didn’t know, is that the signpost spin around at the time showing different directions while the gang came back to the same spot.

“Wait, how’s we end up back here?” Phobos asked off in seeing they are back where they started.

“Let’s worry about that later, let’s just take another a path.” Ben stated to say in thinking they just need to take a path they didn’t go down.

The gang went down the further left part of the old oak tree’s path to take. But the signpost again spun itself to lead in different directions when the group returned.

“Okay, I’m thinking a fool’s in play and that means Loki. JARVIS, what’s the deal we’re dealing with?” Armor Stark spoke off in getting serious that this was getting whacky, and needed to figure out what was going on.

“Sir, it appears this signpost was created by Loki in terms of misdirection.” JARVIS spoke out from the armor in explaining this to all of the case here.

“So of course the signpost had a mischievous streak, just like Loki makes himself.” Armor Stark signs to say in seeing that someone wants them to make fools of themselves by going in one direction and come out another place, right where they started from.

“Well it’s not gonna fool me!” Phobos protest to say while rushing on down a different path, which everyone saw the sign spin out to make a different direction where the Moon Dragon return. “Oh man, I sure wish this signpost would make up its mind!” Phobos groans in seeing this was gonna lead them around in circles.

“Hold it, it’s lost every arrow to point a direction, which means…” Gemini was stating before he took a path to go and the sign spun around when he came back from another spot. “It’ll only point in one more direction to go.” Gemini Sparks stated in seeing that now the signpost had one arrow that pointed to…the old oak tree. Then without warning, a magic spell was dispelled and soon a door pops from the ground, this might be a clue they are searching for.

“Nice work Gemini, let’s keep going here.” Armor Stark commented their ally on the deed, now they can continue to move forward without much distractions.

Then everyone heads through the new open door path that appeared by the old oak tree. Once they went through, everything began to change around while things darken now.

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And the scene opens up to where we find the rescue team, but in another part of the wood. But there was something different here, for all the sizes were…different. The trees were gigantic and it look like the group somehow shrunk when they are in these neck of the woods.

“What happened to us?” Ben asked off in seeing what was going on with them and their surroundings.

“Did we shrink?” Nyx asked off in thinking they were shrunken to be tiny.

“Don’t worry, this must be Loki’s little illusion game, he’s trying to psych us out by making us seem small in his eyes.” Armor Stark spoke off in seeing what the foe was up to, trying to get them to think they are small and have no chance.

“Well its working, do you know what this means? Now Lorcan’s gonna call me SHORT if he appears normal size here!” Phobos was panicking out in thinking that if he’s this small, someone back home will tease him for it.

“Hay, I thought we agree not to bother about my brother’s height?” Spike asked off annoyed that Phobos still liked to toy with Lorcan’s height issues.

“Focus guys, we need to keep moving.” Goldie cuts off the baby Dragons debate issue to focus on what they outta be doing.

Then in a weird nutshell, the group decided to…ride on a loose leaf that was falling from above. Armor Stark made his mech suit vanish to less likely be too heavy to cause them to fall from any heavy weight. The gang were riding the wind, or duck down from hitting tree branches or spider webs, and from jumping from branch to branch to move around, sometimes they came across spiders that were their size, but Spike & Phobos blew their flames to burn off their webbing they held onto and drop like…well, flies really, no pun intended.

“Well at least Rarity’s not here, she scream if she saw spiders that big.” Spike stated to say in seeing what they are seeing here that scare someone they know.

“Right and Fluttershy probably think they need to be understood, not these creep-os.” Phobos rolled his eyes in thinking even Fluttershy can’t make these freaky spiders be nice.

“Come on, let’s keep moving.” Gemini issued that they need to keep going here.

The group continues to move on, but they had to be weary of the brown giant leaves they step on, cause it seem they were too weak to hold up than the green ones. After escaping a leaf trial pass a giant spun web, more spiders are seen that the gang had to watch out from them being snatched. Golden Heart swung his own sword to cut a path and then the group had to jump from green leaves to go up before they broke off from their branches.

“Nicely done Golden Heart.” Armor Stark complimented the stallion for his effort there.

“That’s my bro!” Pinkamena smiled off proudly in what her brother did.

“Come on, that was nothing, really.” Goldie rub the back of his neck in feeling blushed a bit.

“Let’s keep going you guys.” Ben stated that they gotta keep going here.

The rescue team continued to follow along in going from branch area to branch area, jump across giant leaves in paths and avoid spiders. Wasn’t long until they finally were going down a path that seem to take them…to another area. But along the way, Nyx grabbed a strange playing card before the gang fell into another part of the woods. And from a whirl and flash, everyone notices they appeared in their regular size again. And it seem that another signpost spin around to point in a direction leading somewhere new.

“Well, we’re back to our normal sizes!” Pinkamena issued off to say this in what has happened to them.

“Good, now I’m not short!” Phobos smiled off in liking it better if he’s not so small.

“Again with that issue.” Spike narrow his eyes that Phobos was discussing the subject.

“Hey Nyx, what’cha got there?” Ben asked in seeing the black filly had something with her.

“I don’t know daddy, something I just found.” Nyx shrug off to say in showing the play card she got.

“JARVIS, what can you tell me about this thing?” Armor Stark spoke off in magically getting in his Buster Armor to scan the play card Nyx had.

“Uncertain at this time, but may I point out, you’re on the other side of where that large wooden creature was last seen with the object of your task.” JARVIS responded off in not knowing much about the card, but did state in where they are.

“He’s right, there are the spitting roses!” Gemini pointed in seeing the same roses from before that were attacking them.

“Then let’s make our way through them.” Goldie issued off in knowing what they gotta do next here.

Now the rescue team was going the direction of the spitting roses that were not letting anyone pass them. But Ben, Goldie, & Pinkamena used their swords to perform a little ‘gardening’ touch that made them go ‘poof’ like a deflated balloon that vanished. There was still some mushroom creatures, dragonflies, and stump creatures to deal with, but Nyx, Spike & Phobos were handling them pretty good. Armor Stark used his Buster Armor to stomp like a giant, and knock over some trees in the way, even flatten a few foes in the way, Pinkamena laugh herself at how funny the SQUASH bizarre creatures look like afterwards. Afterwards, they approach what was a bench spot of pick apples and then another magical door appeared by another old oak tree like before.

“Just like last time.” Ben stated in seeing the same door that appeared before, but in a different spot.

“Then it means we’re moving forward. There were three doors from that room in the castle, maybe they’re all connected to this Enchanted Forest.” Armor Stark spoke off to say this in figuring out what this could all mean in a way of thinking of how this works.

“Then let’s keep moving, Twilight and the others are counting on us.” Goldie stated that they must keep going if they are moving forward.

“Then let’s roll with it!” Pinkamena cheered forth in knowing what they gotta do next.

Seeing this was another way to travel, the gang soon go through the door that was there in the old oak tree before it closed in on itself. Many were hoping to appear where they can go after the Gem Keeper, as everything begins to fade

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But at the sudden moment, something happened that many were not expecting as we find ourselves seeing everything gigantic size with a giant apple that came from the basket of collected apples. Then what happened next was that we find the Rescue Team, shrunk down again it seems and hit the top of the giant apple before setting down on the ground. But there was no time to relax for they had to move fast cause what their action did was…cause the giant apple to rotate and they are on a low hill spot…

“Uh-oh!” Spike, Phobos & Nyx yelped in looking back in seeing that they got something big about to come at them.

“RUNAWAY APPLE!” Goldie yelled out loud in seeing they gotta flee here.

Now the group are soon running to get away from a giant apple rolling down a hill to come flatten them to pieces. Nyx transform into her Battle Form to get Spike & Phobos a lift, Golden Heart had his wings to fly and Gemini Sparks was traveling an unseen wave that made it look like he was skidding on thin air. But Pinkamena, Ben & Armor Stark look to be the slowest bunch that were not picking up enough speed.

“Sir, this suit wasn’t meant for quick mobility on land.” JARVIS’s voice states this out to Armor Stark in the suit from noticing the action being done.

“Tell me something I don’t know.” Armor Stark groans to say that he knows about that matter.

“You’re about to be squash by a giant apple in exactly 2.53975 seconds.” JARVIS spoke out in making a noted fact of what’s coming up in 2.5 minutes behind his creator.

“Sarcasm from a AI, what a way to live by.” Armor Stark rolled his eyes in his suit in having to take such issues from his own AI making jokes at such a time.

“How’s about we focus on more running?” Ben spoke out in seeing they gotta get away from being flatten by an apple the size of a boulder.

“Don’t threat Ben, I’m about to get us out of the pinch, prepare for Arachnid Armor!” Armor Stark stated to get ready to have to change his armor now to something else here.

Then suddenly, the Buster Armor glowed in magic before it suddenly vanished to be replaced by something else… A big, bulky, red arachnid man with gold line-plating, a spider mark on the chest & four eye marks on the mask. Then something pops out within a gold 'circle' on its back, showing four mechanical spider-arms with small grippers at the tips working as pseudo fingers. Then during the running, Armor Stark quickly swoops Ben Mare & Pinkamena to begin moving on a faster rate on his metallic spider legs to avoid a giant apple crushing twigs the size of logs.

“Wow! You had another armor!” Pinkamena replied off impressed, Armor Stark had another armor to help him out, and they thought he was limited to just ONE weapon type in battle.

“Hey, when you’re a genius & chosen to wield the Element of Armor, just one isn’t enough.” Armor Stark was making a light conversation while they are rushing with his new extended legs to get them away from the giant rolling apple. “What you’re seeing from the Arachnid Armor from the mechanical sider-arms, or Waldoes, re-created from rapid grown mono-atomic iron alloy crystal. Thanks to them, not only can this baby crawl on walls, but can help move this big, heavy & bulky armor with a lot more mobility.” The guy was explaining how this Arachnid Armor had such things to make things better for such things, but…

“That’s all really fascinating, but maybe save that for after we’ve escaped being flatten by a giant apple.” Ben cuts in to say that they gotta focus on the giant apple coming at them.

“Alright, time to get away!” Armor Stark replied off in seeing that they’ll just get away from the danger behind them.

Everyone was quickly getting down the hill in leaving the giant apple behind, but even from it slowing down from hitting branches, it still was coming down fast. Why, they even were passing by a giant yo-yo that was left on the ground while they were coming across a very steep hill.

“That’s the SECOND Biggest Yo-Yo I ever seen!” Phobos spoke out to say in what he just saw was really big.

“What was the biggest?” Adult Nyx asked off in what Phobos saw was the last big thing that was a Yo-yo.

“The last one Pinkie Pie made for me the size of a basketball.” Phobos pointed out in what sorta Yo-yo he saw that was big.

“Seriously?” Spike raised his eyebrows in finding that was pretty awkward to be discussed.

“Look out! There’s a hole ahead!” Gemini appeared out of nowhere to warn the others while fading out again.

Just as the alerted warning was said, the gang was approaching a hole in the ground. Those like Adult Nyx & Golden Heart flew over with the black mare carrying the baby Dragons, Gemini Sparks appeared on the other side really fast from his speed. But now Armor Stark using the Arachnid Armor that was approaching with Pinkamena & Ben, and soon the bulky spider-bot then leap off with the two carried ponies letting off slow yelp sounds. But then they soon made it, the giant apple fell into the hole, and Ben & Pinkamena were let down to stand on their own hooves that they all made it.

“Phew, that was close.” Goldie sighs in feeling relieved they made it out alright.

“I can’t believe Loki used my term LETS ROLL in such a manner! Curses, curses, CURSES!” Pinkamena cursed herself that Loki must have heard what she said and was trying to toy with them with a ‘let’s roll’ quote with escaping rolling object.

“Easy, it’s over, and look, another door.” Ben patted Pinkamena to calm her while pointing out that another door has appeared by an old oak tree.

“Hopefully it’s not gonna take us to where there are giant picnics and we face against giant picnic ants.” Armor Stark rhetorically stated that as a joke of what else they may face.

Soon the group go forth towards the door within the old oak tree that seem to have the label sign…’EXIT’ as if stating it was easy to determine it was the exit out of here. Soon the group were making their way to go through the door and hoping that the next place they end up in, be a little more better than having their life flash before their eyes from being near a death experience from a giant piece of fruit. With that, everything goes dark now….

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Suddenly, we find a separated stone structure castle door opening out in the middle of a tall cliff existing the forest behind it. And so the Rescue Team emerge from the door to see from a lit lantern on a pole, they were above the Enchanted Forest to see the trees below and mountains across the distance. Looks like they made it from what they face before to enter the next act of what they are facing here, a kinda spooky part of what awaits them. And without warning, the door they came from vanished from sight, they were stuck here for the time being.

“Sir, I’m detecting a weaken link hold of the Enchanted Forest. Also, Loki’s aura signature is detected in this location.” JARVIS spoke out in giving a report of something that seem urgent to bring up now.

“Then that must mean we’re getting closer to Loki now.” Armor Stark stated to say within his Arachnid Armor in how close they must be to catch up where Loki is.

“I think I know what you mean. The very air around me is all tingly with mischief and danger ahead.” Pinkamena stated in feeling like her Pinkie Senses are going a little wonky in not knowing where danger may come from this illusion world.

“Let’s move carefully for now.” Goldie stated in what they best do now, keep moving forward.

“Right, down this and over the next hill!” Phobos race down a wooden slide from the cliff they were on, and leap over the next step hill…only to be collided against a sudden magical grown thorn wall. “OUCH!” He yelped from the impact to back away while feeling splinters in him.

“Phobos, what happened?” Nyx asked off in seeing her dragon pet pal was hurt.

“How should I know?” Phobos complained off to say while picking out some thorns he caught.

“That wall of thorn vines just grew out of nowhere.” Ben stated in studying what happened while being puzzled by it.

“And…it’s gone.” Spike stated in surprise, the wall of thorny vines just…shrunk back into the ground.

“Hmmm.” Gemini approached to reach out a hoof, only for the thorny vine wall to emerge out to block anyone from coming through. “Looks like they’re magically sensible, if we approach where they are planted, they’ll grow to stop anyone from entering.” Gemini explained in seeing how this defense was capable of working.

“Then we’ll just go over the problem.” Armor Stark stated off to mention a simple plan to get by.

Soon Armor Stark magically changed into his Buster Armor, and then used jet proportions to blast off with Ben getting a free ride which he kinda liked. Nyx changed into her Battle Form to give Spike & Phobos a ride, Gemini faded out to travel by phasing through the vine wall. Golden Heart picked up his sister to carry her over the thorn vines. Soon the group finds a green chubby ghost, who gives them a ‘Boo’ call to scare them.

“Boo yourself!” Pinkamena then let go from her brother, and to everyone’s surprise, bounced off the ghost’s head to land on the ground afterwards. “Wow, and I thought I go through him!” She stated to say this as the others landed near her.

“Sis, be careful the next time.” Golden Heart scolds Pinkamena for trying something without warning.

“Though it was interesting, perhaps some of these ghosts can’t perform intelligibility for things to go through them.” Armor Stark stated in seeing they got a glimpse of what to expect from these ghosts that might appear later on.

“Well as long as they don’t do anything but try to say ‘Boo’ to us, then we can take them!” Phobos smirked off to brag here about not being scared of funny chubby ghosts.

The group continues to travel through this strange place, and they face against Blue Mushroom color creatures which were disposed of easily. Then the group saw more chubby ghosts across the farther distance of where they currently are, the green ones look free to scare in a pathetic matter, the blue ones are chain to a head & hand board with lanterns, and there were red ghosts that shared the same appearance as the blue ones. In a surprise matter, Phobos step on the blue chubby ghost that he jump across any that were nearby to get to the other side and the others followed that example.

“Neat-o, it’s like hopscotch, only with hopping over ghost.” Nyx stated off in finding this to be a neat kinda thing to try.

“Look, there’s a free red ghost!” Pinkamena jumps over to bounce off the red chubby ghost, but suddenly…she went through it. “Yikes!” She yelps from having just touch the edge of a cliff to balance herself before falling off.

“Wooh-ho-hooo!” The red chubby ghost wiggled its fingers to taunt the pony and vanished away.

“MEANY!” Pinkamena yelled out in what that ghost almost did to her.

“Well, now we can say the red ghost will be intangible if you try to touch them.” Gemini stated off in seeing what they have learn here.

“Okay, let’s be careful around those guys then.” Ben nodded off in a serious manner of seeing what to be watching out for.

After learning of what to expect, the gang soon come across lily flowers that spit off bullet seeds from a distance towards them. They used the same technique of defense as before, shield, armor, and phasing through to avoid damage. Then from coming across more chubby green ghosts, much of the rescue team decided, what the heck with it, and bounce off those guys to reach the next distant area of where the lilies were firing at them before taking them out. Then they came across blue & red ghosts rotating in a circle up & down motion, and recalling from before, those that didn’t have wings step on the blue ghost with their wooden shackle board frame. Armor Stark hovered with his Buster Armor as the gang then bounce off green ghost that appear before making it to the other side.

“Look, more green ghosts going up.” Spike pointed out in seeing more green ghosts ahead of them and forming to go above the clouds.

“Whoever is last gets to be crown king of heights!” Phobos spoke off in making this into a contest now.

Then Phobos was rushing ahead to jump off a line of green chubby ghost sthat lead him higher, and higher, and higher until… Suddenly, Phobos found himself catapulted into the clouds which surprised the baby Moon Dragon. Then the rest of the group followed after Phobos, only to be caught off guard when they could…stand on the clouds like solid ground.

“What? How’s this possible? I’m not a Pegasus Pony?” Ben asked off in how he’s standing when only Pegasus and Alicorns can stand on clouds.

“Perhaps since this is Loki’s Illusion World, he makes the rules around what is logic or not.” Armor Stark stated off in thinking what the opponent is doing to make things different.

“Then what could be up here then?” Gemini asked in pondering the very question of the thought.

“Let’s search and find out.” Nyx suggested in what they do then from here.

The gang decided to explore this mysterious land that reminded some of Cloudsdale. And then for many, there was nothing up here but air. But when Spike was searching, he found one of those play cards and took it. But then without warning, something happened that the cloud he stood on lost supporting him, and he fell. Nyx change into her Adult Form, flew down with Phobos on her back, Armor Stark flew down with Pinkamena & Ben while Goldie flew on his own. And after a short flight, Armor Stark caught Spike while the group were back in the haunted forest that had its own ghost residents, but this time, Spike presented a playing card.

“Thanks guys, I just grab this and poof.” Spike sighs to say while handing Nyx another of the play cards.

“Man, that was random or what?” Pinkamena stated to say in what just happened out of no reason at all.

“Better stick around here to see where else to go.” Armor Stark stated to say in seeing they best not try anymore sky diving experiences.

The group continue to follow a path in which lead them down towards the next ghostly setup path to cross over a bottom towards the forest. Those that had no wings leap on the blue ghost and avoided a red ghost when they were in a rotating circle and were just bouncing across the green ghosts. But while some were bouncing across before reaching the edge of a cliff, across the distant was a familiar foe seen flying in the air. And as it stopped, it was actually Loki A. Fool and he lets off a cruel laughter at those from afar.

“Well, well, don’t you look foolish, running around…without a clue that your chances…are bottomless? Farewell and I’ll be certain to give your failed tries to your friends.” Loki taunted off to those here with a wicked smile before he was seen flying off towards the other mountain side.

“Loki!” Ben yelled out and was about to try to attack but….

“Ben, wait! He’s too far!” Gemini held Ben back from trying to fire a Sword Beam.

“I’ll go father!” Nyx spoke off in transforming to her Adult Form and was about to fly off after Loki, but…

“Hold on a minute, maybe that’s what he wants.” Armor Stark stops Adult Nyx from going with this train of thought.

“What do you mean?” Phobos asked off in not following.

“Loki’s taunting us right now to recklessly follow him, but perhaps…” Armor Stark spoke off in where we see the guy thinking about this for a moment in the mech suit. “He’s secretly worried about how close we’re getting.” He spoke off in exposing something Loki doesn’t want them to reach.

“You mean….to finding one of the Gem Keepers with a Rainbow Gem?” Pinkamena stated in realizing what Armor Stark was getting at.

“That’s right, if we stop, won’t that mean we gave up on stopping Loki then?” Spike asked in thinking that isn’t the right way to do things.

“Hugh, your right Spike. I guess my emotions got the better of me. Let’s keep going.” Ben sighs in admitting his wrong and nods to his friends that they need to keep going with what they MUST do then what they WANT to do.

Now the group continues from where they were as they got pass more Blue Mushroom creatures, went over blue ghost that went under a low cliff which some either duck way low or those that could fly just flew below. And soon the group made it on another spooky land spot, went down a wooden board to reach a path that lead to another sign label ‘EXIT’ that meant it was the way out of here, only when they approach, thorny vines emerge to block the path once again for the rescue team.

“Not these again!” Phobos moans to complain in seeing this tricky setup.

“Don’t worry, I’ve set my infer-red scans to find where those vines will pop up and we can get out a path leading to the exit.” Armor Stark spoke off to explain this with an easy smile in having thought three steps ahead of the gang.

“As expected of a guy who’s a tech genius.” Goldie nodded off in having heard what Armor Stark said.

“Lead on!” Pinkamena stated to let this guy lead them against the tricky popping thorn vines.

Soon the group was trying to navigate through this bunch of popping and blocking thorny vines. Going straight wasn’t cutting them any use, they had to make turns; right or left, etc. But after a few moments of coordinating through this thanks to Armor Stark’s guidance and stuff, the group finally made it out, and soon the door popped out as a part of the castle structure.

“Sir, I’m detecting a signature of a Rainbow Gem beyond here.” JARVIS’ voice is heard alerting the group of something they need to know.

“Hear that gang?” Armor Stark spoke off in what they just got word of.

“That means a Gem Keeper is beyond here.” Adult Nyx stated in what they are going to find.

“We have to get the gem!” Spike stated in knowing that they have to get the object in question.

“Right, wonder what Rainbow Gems taste like.” Phobos nods off to say while stating an unexpected question.

“Forget eating it, we need it!” Gemini protest to tell Phobos that a Rainbow Gem is not for eating.

“Come on, there’s no time to lose!” Ben issued off to say this in what they must do now.

Now everyone goes through the door as they will continue to get through whatever lies ahead of them next. And once they went through, the door vanished and things darken. What’s coming next, the group will have to be ready to face it…

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

The scene changes to another part of the Enchanted Forest that seem like a third act of what’s about to come as the same door appeared to let those of the Rescue Team appear out of it & onto the new area. Some were glad that the frights & spirits of that forest were behind them. But now the gang will have to face what’s the next part of the quest they are performing with some courage. In which then after, the door vanished in leaving those here in this part of the world to deal with. As they move down the path, they soon came across from a large tree with a hole shape like a seat, where a grumpy wooden tree creature slept.

“Sir, advise caution. These Wood Beasts have ferocious personality known to disguise themselves as trees to absorb the magical energy from other unsuspecting ponies.” JARVIS spoke from the mechs-armor in alerting those of the creature they are seeing.

“Just like all of Loki’s illusions, this guy is probably no friend to us.” Armor Stark spoke off to state how things might go here.

“Heads up, he’s waking up!” Goldie stated in noticing the Wood Beast creature waking up, narrow its eyes at the intruders before stepping down to the ground.

“Huurraarrrrughhhh!” The Wood Beast roared right in the faces of those before it as his breath blew the baby Dragons backwards from being the lighter weight bunch.

“Man, when’s the last time he brushed?” Pinkamena commented on how foul a tree creature’s breathe could be.

“Hurraarrrughhh!” The Wood Beast stomps its large arms on the ground, makes a battle cry before it started to roll its body towards the group.

“INCOMING LOOOOOOG!” Phobos yelled out in seeing what was coming at them now.

The group had to watch themselves as they either jump or flew above the creature coming to them. But since they were in a curve ‘U’ structure, the enemy rolled back behind them. Those that didn’t fly just simply jump or took off from the ground as the Wood Beast missed and crash into the large oak tree and was dazed. Course then falling walnuts the size of soccer balls fell and look like they could knock anyone out.

“Now’s our chance to attack!” Ben stated off to say, this was the moment to strike, as he summoned his Megaton Hammer here.

“KA-Powvhmm…” Ben took the first swing, and leaped up to deliver a splitting headache on the Wood Beast. “Ugh!” The Gem Keeper yelped from that pain, as it soon stood up. “Urraarrrughhh!” Then it let off another roaring battle cry in being ready to fight again.

“Here comes the rolling trick!” Spike issued off to say this, as the group was getting ready.

Like before, the Wood Beast rolled at them, but everyone flew or jump over the first time and again when the foe rolled backwards. But after hitting the old oak tree again, the Wood Beast was daze and the group was watching out from falling walnuts again.

“Leave this one to me…Rocket Knuckle/Powwwfruvhmm…” Then Gemini Sparks performed a feat where his golden arm glowed bright yellow and then launched a charged hoof fist out towards the target where it made an incredible impact.

“Ow-ho-hoooo!” The Wood Beast yelped from the received pain it got again as that smarted too. “Urrarrrughhh!” Then he stood up to let off a roaring battle cry in not giving up yet. “Nrruuaghh!” Then in a surprise twist, he climb up the oak tree and then jumped up before bouncing from the ground and up again as some sorta stomp attack pattern.

“Watch out!” Adult Nyx shouted out in what’s coming here.

Everyone managed to avoid that strange attack pattern before the Wood Beast reach the end curve hill to then roll behind them. Course the heroes jump or flew up to avoid that as the foe ram into the oak tree and was daze. And again, the gang watch out for falling walnuts again from when he hits the tree.

“Here’s a new headache for yah, Golden Knuckles/Packfruvhmm…” Then Golden Heart cast a spell on his front hooves to be coated in a glowing gold color and landed a heavy physical blow to break the foe’s wooden armor.

“Owww-Hooo!” The Wood Beast yelped again from that, his wood armor was cracking more & more. “Urrarrrughhh!” And once again, he stood up to roar in fury at not giving up. “Hrrruuaagh!” Then he climbs up the oak tree & repeated to jump and bounce off the ground to attack the heroes.

“Sorry, but I’m afraid your about to be made into toothpicks.” Armor Stark countered as he hurl his Buster Armor fist back and then delivered a jet thrust much that knock the wooden enemy away from the group to the other side.

There the enemy ended up rolling behind them and then they jump or flew above to dodge that while the Wood Beast knock himself against the oak tree. And while daze, more walnuts fell, but the group managed to chop them to bits.

“Wanna another serving, try this. Repulsor/Thrushvmm…Powwwchmmmm…” Armor Stark declared in where his palm was charging and fired a white beam that broke through more of the Wood Beast’s armor.

“Gwoh-ho-hoo!” The Wood Beast yelped from that pain again, that really smarted him, he’s on his last bit with how crack his body is. “Urrarrughhh!” And once more, he stood up to roar in frustration at going to end this fight right now. “Hruuuaugh!” Then in a surprise twist, the foe climb the oak tree, but then torpedo himself to hit the heroes.

“DUCK!” Pinkamena yelled out, as everyone ducks down to avoid being hit.

The Wood Beast missed and rolled up the hill, and roll back, but then smack against the same tree again. And while daze, more walnuts fell but the gang managed to take them out.

“Sorry, but…Your Time’s UP/Fruvhmmm…Chompfruvhmm….” Pinkamena declared off as she swung her Blades of Pinkie Pie from above that smack them on the guy’s wooden armor frame to break more the last bits.

“GRUUOOAAAUGH…UUUAGH!” Then at that sudden moment, the Wood Beast lets off a groan from having taken too much damage that he spun around on his last leg roots….and topple down, lying in defeat. Then as if signaling the win for the heroes, a familiar big gem hovered from above to glimmer before them.

“We did it! We got the Rainbow Gem!” Spike stated off in seeing what they obtained.

“Remember Phobos, no eating it!” Adult Nyx told her pet pal what not to do.

“Fine, I get it.” Phobos sighs in regret, and this gem looks tasty too.

“At last, we go one.” Ben stated to say in what they got now.

“That’s one Gem Keeper down!” Pinkamena smiled off in stating this.

“And six to go!” Golden Heart pointed out how many Gem Keepers are left with six other Rainbow Gems.

“Better be ready, the next ones might be more bark than bite than with this guy.” Armor Stark quoted off in stating the next Gem Keepers might be differently challenging then what they fought.

“We’ll have to risk it then, let’s grab the gem.” Gemini Sparks stated to say in knowing what they’ll have to do while getting ready to go.

With the Red Rainbow Gem finally in the gang’s possession, it was now time for the heroes to move on in continuing the rest of the gathering Rainbow Gems. Then a new portal appeared that happened when Ben grab hold of the gem as it was red, and allowed those to return to the Castle of Illusion. As everyone was firm of their action, they slowly entered the portal before it vanished. With this act, it help made the first step towards rescuing the Mane Six and stopping Loki from what he’s doing as everything fades to black with this act…now over…

Author's Notes:

The Wood Beast's is based on Woodmon.

Well this chapter is now done with. Next up, Loki entertains his captives but learns of what Ben's group has done in defeating a Gem Keeper & obtain the first Rainbow Gem. Next is an illusion world of toys. How strange will such an experience be for the Rescue Team? What will happen next, well...they don't know...JACK! So stay tune to find out...