Hey, all! Wow is this chapter crazy? :))) I had to read it three times just to be sure I didn't mix things up. I usually don't do this, but this chapter had a different style I found. Please tell me if I'm imagining things, but it's a bit darker and the characters feel just a bit off. Well, not off, but they are not as full of emotion as in previous chapters. The plot makes up for it, thought :D

The chapter starts with someone running from a yet unknown corporation (Grogar corp). He uses some pretty powerful artifacts to dispatch the squad of sorceresses after him but is wounded in the process. He them makes sure his suitcase is intact and goes towards Mistmount.

Meanwhile we have a funny scene with Molly. At first it seems like she's building up the courage to ask him out, practicing everything, then she goes to his house, asks to speak with him and messes everything up in funny ways. Just as she manages to somewhat fix the mess she's made and is about to ask the “big question” (what the question is remains unspecified) Athena literally breaks into her reality and asks if Molly loves him. The scene crumbles and we discover this is all a dreamscape. Molly is furious, while Icelos just comments that at least she's gotten better at dreamscaping. We find out the girls have been sharing a room since Molly’s return. Athena is amused by the development, while Molly blasts magic at her indiscriminately. At one point Danny pops in and tells them to keep it down. (I love it how no one is surprised that Athena is invulnerable at this point.) There's some girl talk (Athena shares she never was particularly interested in romance) and they go to have breakfast.

Blazen and Caprice soon come visit (we see there's a slight rift between them). There some talk about what's going on. Seems like Euryala has refused to come (she fears Athena for some reason) so she went off to in estimate something. A bit later Eric rushes in with a warning. Apparently he received a dream from Princess Luna that a danger is approaching and they should be ready. Icelos comments to Molly that he hasn't sensed anything, when suddenly the guy running from the Grogar corp enters, a knife to Bellucio’s throat and demands a favor.

At the same time we have a scene with Cassandra, her brother, and a Felina witch squad investigating the scene of the battle earlier. Cassandra is talking with her father asking why Grogar is invading their territory. Her father seems visibly worried, and tells her to show extreme caution. (Grogar are clearly a big deal.) Cassandra tries to find more about them, when she's suddenly pulled into a pocket reality by Euryala. Cass is ready to fight, but Eury says she's not here for that, and shows two cars with the Grogar logo on them. The two then start searching through the cars for information.

The standoff in Danny’s house increases. The guy (called Jay) seems unimpressed by anyone there, including Athena, and just wants them to ensure him safe passage through Mistmount. In exchange he says he’ll give them something that would help them keep off the corporate radar. Reluctantly Danny agrees and starts calling the rest of the grand 9, when suddenly the Everprince appears outside one of the windows, claiming that Jay is not to be trusted, thus starting a double standoff.

Euryala and Cassandra get out of the reality bubble, after finding that Jay has stolen “the Minutes”. Almost immediately Cass gets a message from Megan telling her how things stand. Despite Eury’s reluctance they go there only to find Grogar sorcerers (yes, male!) have engaged with the Everprince. Meanwhile the rest of the grand 9 flee with Jay. There are a number of chases and rights across town with Jay insisting they go to the mana power plant (reference to the original series?). Athena is suspiciously calm the entire time, with the exception of one moment in which the Everprince casts a spell on her and she deflects it with a shield of her own. Jay reveals that there's a way to use the power plant to escape on another dimension safe from the corporations, and he starts his preparations.

Meanwhile outside we have Felina, Skyla, and Grogar squares fighting, plus the Everprince who acts like a chaotic element. Then, suddenly, the overseers appear kill Jay and leave. Euryala is annoyed they didn't get to find what “the Minutes” is, but Athena appears with Jay’s suitcase (she claims she made a copy for Hercules to fool him). The chapter ends with them opening the case to find a smaller box with the names of nine corporations written on the cover (some known some unknown) and Euryala saying that one of the names is the old name of the Overseers.

So many questions! And a few answers potentially? I loved it :) What so you think?

PrinceEric

@PrinceEric: Nice, if a bit overly complicated. I agree with you about the style. Seems a bit different.

On a side note, RRBB and the rest of my class won't be active much next week with exams going on. I have an extension because of my situation so I will.

Back to the story, I have a theory but will keep it to myself. If it's what I think… I'll send mental hugs to the author who wrote it. :)

PaintDrop

@PaintDrop: She’ll be very happy to hear it. :)

Indeed you are correct. This was the test chapter of one of our newly appointed authors. It has been polished slightly by the rest of the team, but it's the work of one person and we're all glad that you found it entertaining. The author is currently working on the Blazen spinoff with a few others :)

Luna

And after Blazen there will be a Karl spinoff in which he goes between worlds in search of rare magical creatures to talk to.

Also the Everprince will be revealed to be a giant panda.

TheRealLuna

@TheRealLuna: I missed you :)

Luna

Wow, so quiet today. Is that normal?

GriffinGirlfriend

There’s school, the Elements are doing elementary stuff, we’re still dealing with a minor Crystal crisis, Max is still going on about Jade winning, and Canterlot is preparing for the fall Gala tomorrow. Lyra told me she's having some family issues again, so won't be posting for a while.

Nothing to worry about :)

InItForTheShipping

Just my luck. I'd have hoped what the others thought of this chapter… oh well :) Nothing going on in Cloudsdale :P

PrinceEric