A Little Pony Dragon Legend
Chapter 18: Honoring Festival Gone Wrong
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Hi, I'm Crystal Diamond. I don’t have any unique role in Equestria or Harmony City, luckily I have amazing friends and partners who are there for me no matter what. I know that with them by my side, I’ll eventually find a destiny for me one day. But some things you just can’t prepare for.
Now on with the main movie plot!
I was in the halls of the Canterlot Palace, being calm. “Ooommm… Oooommm… My goodness! I can’t handle this!” I stated in a panicked tone. “Alright, alright.. Get it together. Just go in there and ask. This is your friends Friendship Festival. Everyone’s happiness rest in your hands.” … Yeah that pep talk to myself did not do anything to help me. “Ooooh.” I groaned. The door opened and out came Spike, Twilight’s dragon assistant. “Alright, Sarah, I have all your charts and graph.”
“Oh thank goodness, you’re here Spike. I’m just so nervous about this meeting.” I said.
“What are you talking about?” Spike asked.
“I’m about to ask the most royal ponies in Equestria a huge favor. What if they reject me?” I asked.
“I’ll be fine. Just remember the most important thing.”
“... Smile?” I suggested, giving him and large a somewhat creepy smile. “Uh..no.” he said. “You’re their friend.”
“...Right!” I said. I took a deep breath and pushed opened the doors to the throne room, seeing the royal family. Queen Leilani, Queen Celestia, Princess Luna and Cadence “Good morning, Princesses and Queen. Thank you all for seeing me. I have an idea that I think will make our Friendship Festival the most wonderful celebration Equestria has ever seen!”
“Yes, Crystal! We are very excited!” Leilani said.
“Ponies have been arriving from all over all morning.” Cadene added.
“I'd like to think it's to see us, but Songbird Serenade might be the bigger attraction.” Luna stated.
“Yes, she is the... "mane" event!” I giggled a little. “And to make it extra special, I could use your help. Spike?”
Spike rolled out a large white board and as I talked Spike drew out everything. “Songbird Serenade's performance is not scheduled to start until after you begin the sunset. And based on my precise calculation, to get the very best lighting for the stage, Princess Celestia, I was hoping you could make sure the sun stays about 28.1º to the south, and, Princess Luna, if you could raise the moon 62º to the north at the same time, it would reflect the sunlight on the other side and really frame the entire stage perfectly!”
“I…” Luna stuttered.
“But wait! There's more! Cadance, if you could use your crystal magic to create an aurora above the stage, the sun and the moon will shine through it and create a truly amazing light show!”
“Presenting Songbird Serenade!” Spike cheered holding a little stick with Songbird Serenade’s sticker on it. “Ta-da…”
"I'm guessing this was Akari and Iris' plan?" Korra smirked.
"Yes, yes it was." Spike answered.
“So you're saying you want us to move the sun and the moon for the party?” Luna asked.
“Well, I'd do it myself, except I don't have your magic.” I laughed nervously. Princess Celestia came up to me, “Sarah, each of us uses our powers to serve Equestria in our own way. You are the Princess of Friendship. You already have all the magic you need.”
“So... that'd be a no?” I questioned.
Third Person POV
Meanwhile the Mane 5 and Akari, Iris, Nori, Chi, Gallent Seed, Hiro and Mal were getting everything ready for the Friendship Festival. Rainbow Dash had finished clearing the clouds. “Skies clear and ready for the festival.” She zipped down and saw Rarity and Kaede placing diamonds on the ribbons. Pinkie and Hrio were blowing up balloons for the party. Twilight and Mal were making sure everything was in tip top shape. Applejack came over hauling a large barrel of apple cider. “Anypony up for some free samples of my family's apple cider?” she asked aloud.
Rainbow grinned and zipped over, “Thank you.” and zipped back. “Love’d it.”
Applejack admired Rarity work. “Wow, Rarity. It's a fine job you're doin' there. 'Course it might not get done 'til after the concert.”
“ Applejack anypony can do "fine". Akari and Iris asked us, so clearly, she's going for fabulous, and fabulous takes time.” Rarity said.
“Fabulous takes forever!” Rainbow whined, “But "awesome"...” Rainbow and Chi flew past the stage, putting the diamonds on the ribbons in a sloppy manner. She returned to Rarity’s side. “...can get done in four seconds flat! Faster if I do my sonic rainboom!”
“Aah! No, no, oh no! Don't you dare, Rainbow Dash! It looks wretched enough already.” Rarity exclaimed.
“It looks fine to me.” Chi stated.
“If you were raised in a barn! Ahem, no offense, Applejack.” Rarity said.
“None taken. Especially since I wasn't raised in a barn. My family just happens to have a barn. Where I was born. And... spent most of my formative years…”
“Raised in a barn!” Rainbow said quickly in unison.
POV Ends
Then, I came over with Spike holding a list with my hands, “Okay, just two hundred and eighteen things left to do and we're ready.”
“Hey Sarah.” All my friends greeted.
“So how’d it go with the Royals? Did they like your idea?” Applejack asked.
“I bet they loved it!” Pinkie called out in the background. I sighed, “Not exactly. They think I can make today perfect without their magic.”
“And they are absolutely right.” Kaede said.
“Yeah, this festival was Akari and Iris’s brilliant idea to honor you and all your done both Equestria and Harmony City as well as friendship and we all know your up the task.” Rarity encouraged. I still wasn’t convinced. “Are you sure?” I asked. All my friends nodded. That’s when all of our dragons came onto the scene. They all roared happily, having heard our conversation from above.
That’s when Pinkie grabbed my face and literally smashed it against hers. “Sarah, look at me! This will be the biggest celebration Equestria has ever seen! As the only one of us who has no certain role in Equestria or Harmony City, you cannot fail! This day will define who you are! The pressure is intense! It's almost too much for any single pony to handle!” She then screamed and ponies nearby gasped.
“Too far, Pinkie. Too far.” Hiro said with a sweat drop.
“Yep.” Mal agreed. I blinked twice and Pinkie hopped off of me. “But you have us. So stop worrying.” she said. Music started playing as I smiled nervously and Applejack and Mason helped me up.

(Applejack and Mal)
It's time to show 'em what you've got
(Rarity and Nori)
It's time to go and get things done
(Fluttershy and Gallent)
But you don't have to do it on your own
(Pinkie Pie and Hrio)
'Cause you've got friends right here to make it fun
(All)
We got this, you got this
We got this together
Rainbow grabbed me and took me into the sky with Chi following behind me
(Rainbow Dash and Chi)
Sometimes the pressure gets you down
And the clouds are dark and grey
Just kick them off and let the sun shine through
And scary as it seems, more help is on the way
'Cause friends have friends that wanna help out, too
(Rainbow Dash, Chi and Wonderbolts)
We got this, you got this
We got this together
(Crowd)
It's the Festival of Friendship
And we can get it done
A festival that they won't forget
A person to be proud of
A day of games and fun
Just you wait and see
A magic day in perfect harmony
(Fluttershy)
You got this
(Bird)
[whistles melody]
(Fluttershy and bird whistle)
We got this together
(Applejack)
With friends and family, you are never alone
If you need help, we've got your back
You can be honest, let your problems be known
(Applejack and Apple family)
'Cause you got us to pick up the slack
We got this
(Big McIntosh)
Eeyup!
(Apple family)
We got this together
(Rarity and Nori)
Pay attention to the details
Every gem even-spaced
Make the colors perfect
(Spike)
Takin' one or two to taste
He took one of the gems and at them
(Rarity)
Inside and out, beautiful throughout
Generosity is what we're all about
(Spike)
(mouthful) You got this
(Rarity and Nori)
You got this
(Rarity, Nori and Spike)
We got this together
I flew into the sky, overlooking the area.
(Me)
Today needs to be perfect, it all comes down to me
I don't know if I'm ready
For all the things they need me to be
I have no role as of right now
But I’m sure that one day I will
It's my promise to bring creatures together
And never let anybody down!
(Pinkie Pie and Hiro)
We've got an awful lot to bake
Each pony needs a piece of cake
Oh, wait! There's something better we can do
We're gonna need some more supplies
To make a really big surprise
She'll be so shocked
She's sure to love it, too!
You got this!
We got this together!
(All)
It's the Festival of Friendship
Together we are one
A day we will never forget
And now special girl is ready
So when the day is done
(Rainbow Dash and Chi)
The weather
(Applejack and Mal)
The banquet
(Rarity and Nori)
The style
(Fluttershy and Gallent)
And music
(All)
All will be in perfect harmony!
Suddenly, I heard a large ‘POP’ sound behind me. I turned around and look up… only to be consumed by giant cake pieces.
“Oh dear!” Rarity exclaimed. I popped my head out, “Pinkie! Hiro!” and a lit candle landed on my head. Pinkie and Ren popped out of her cannon, “Oops sorry, guess my large party cannon needs a little more fine tuning.” Pinkie admitted. “Sorry.” Hrio apologized. I only groaned. I walked out of the cake and cleaned myself just as ponies were whispering.
“Songbird Serenade, is it really her?”
“It is, It is.”
Through the crowd came two bodyguard ponies and in the middle was a beige pegasus pony with a tan and black mane and tail. The mane covered her eyes and she was wearing a black jacket. “Hi, I’m looking for the pony in charge.” she asked. Cameras flashed and she did a few poses. “I need to get ready for my soundcheck.”
“Songbird Serenade!” I called. “Hi, my name is Crystal and I’m the human in charge.”
“Ah good-” Before she could continue, there was a sound of thunder. We all looked up and saw dark clouds coming over and filling the air. “Storm clouds?” Chi asked.
“Rainbow Dash?” I asked.
“Uh, I don't think those are storm clouds.” Rainbow said.
“Yeah. I have a bad feeling about those clouds.” Mai said. Then a weird looking airship came out of the cloud.
“Ooh! I bet those are the clowns I ordered!” Pinkie cheered, but when the ship got closer she added, “...Or definitely not the clowns I ordered. The airship was stationed right in front of us and broke of the thin pillars. A walk path came out and out came a small hedgehog carrying a loudspeaker and a mic. The hedgehog cleared his throat and said, Ponies of Equethtria, we come on behalf of the fearsome, the powerful, the almighty...Storm King!
I narrowed my eyes a little as the rest of my friends started in concern and suspicion. The hedgehog continued, “And now, to deliver the evil, evil methage, put your hooves together for Commander Tempeeeetht!”
We heard footsteps and out came a unicorn mare wearing gray armor. She had a scar over her left eyes and… she had a broken horn!
“Is that a unicorn?” Twilight asked.
“I think so, but what happened to her horn.” Spike asked.
“It looks like it was cut off or something.” Hiro stated.
The children all stepped back when Korra, Twilight, Leilani, Celestia, Luna, Cadance and Flurry Heart all flew down, landing in front of the airship and Tempest, shielding the others. Mako and Shinning Armor rode on Discord's back and both flipped off once they reached the ground, standing alongside their wives, while Discord stood near the alicorn queens. Flash Sentry landed right beside Twilight, both pairs of their wings spread out in intimidation. The rest of the Team Avatar stood beside them, taking fighting positions. The Mane Six each were accompanied by their husbands.
"I don't believe your "Storm King" is on the guest list." Korra said, her voice as powerful as her presence.
“Tempest.. Is it? How may we help you?” Celestia asked.
“Oh I’m so glad. How about we start with your complete and total surrender.” Tempest said. Okay. She’s bad news and the rest of the gang knew it too. I decided to step forward but Iris held me back and shook her head, telling me it was too risky. "Here's the deal, Your Majesties. I need your magic. Give it up nicely, please, or we make it difficult. For everyone."
"And why should we cower before you?" Queen Luna said, stepping forward. "There is one of you and hundreds of us!"
Right behind the rulers and Team Avatar, a grand number of humans, spirits and ponies all puffed up their chests, ready to fight. A few parents shielded their kids and or spouses or the elderly. The police force was already in position, accompanied by the WonderBolts and the airbenders.
Rohan, along with his older siblings and little nephews and nieces took front and center. Lin, Suyin and the rest of their family from Zaofu were also in position, even Baatar Jr., who protected a woman, who had been his wife for several years now. Even Aiwei, despite his old age, stood firmly alongside his spider-scorpion companion.
Dragon Lord Ember, King Thorax and Gilda all stood alongside their respected races. Fluttershy had her wings spread out, as did her children, ready to fight. The Apple Family were in position and Asami had already pulled her electric glove out. Several more of her Future Industries employers all carried gloves of their own, in case of an emergency, and this one definitely qualified as one.
Korra's parents, Mako and Bolin's family, the Mane Six's families, even the former Prince Wu took a flying pan from a nearby stand and swung it a few times, ready to hit somebody. Wan Shi Tong spread his wings wide, his neck outstretching to appear all the more monstrous. Spike, Ali, Mika and San stood alongside Korra and Twilight. Spike was already flaring his nostrils, while his girlfriend Mika hissed, a fork tongue sticking out and slithering like a snake in mid air.
Everybody who shared a close connection with Team Avatar Harmony was ready to fight. After all, what more damage could one hornless unicorn and a chubby hedgehog really do?
Tempest chuckled, “I was hoping you’d choose ‘Difficult’.” That’s when more airships came in and large Storm creatures came out and landed in the area. Ponies screamed and ran for their lives.
Tempest leaped into the air and threw an obsidian orb at Celestia. “Celestia!” I cried. Cadence stepped in front of her aunts and used a shield to protect them, but the orb broke through and hit her, “YAAHHH!” she cried. I gasped in horror as she was turning into a statue. “Oh my goodness!” Rarity cried.
Right behind the rulers and Team Avatar, a grand number of humans, spirits and ponies all puffed up their chests, ready to fight. A few parents shielded their kids and or spouses or the elderly. The police force was already in position, accompanied by the Wonderbolts and the airbenders.
Rohan, along with his older siblings and little nephews and nieces took front and center. Lin, Suyin and the rest of their family from Zaofu were also in position, even Baatar Jr., who protected a woman, who had been his wife for several years now. Even Aiwei, despite his old age, stood firmly alongside his spider-scorpion companion.
Dragon Lord Ember, King Thorax and Gilda all stood alongside their respected races. Fluttershy had her wings spread out, as did her children, ready to fight. The Apple Family were in position and Asami had already pulled her electric glove out. Several more of her Future Industries employers all carried gloves of their own, in case of an emergency, and this one definitely qualified as one.
Korra's parents, Mako and Bolin's family, the Mane Six's families, even the former Prince Wu took a flying pan from a nearby stand and swung it a few times, ready to hit somebody. Wan Shi Tong spread his wings wide, his neck outstretching to appear all the more monstrous. Spike, Ali, Mika and San stood alongside Korra and Twilight. Spike was already flaring his nostrils, while his girlfriend Mika hissed, a fork tongue sticking out and slithering like a snake in mid air.
Everybody who shared a close connection with Team Avatar Harmony was ready to fight. After all, what more damage could one hornless unicorn and a chubby hedgehog really do?
As for this Storm King character, they went up against the spirit of darkness himself, not to mention Ronin and Chrysalis before her reformation. Whatever he would throw at them, they had the numbers, they had the means, they could face him.
Tempest, on the other hand, didn't look at all threatened by their impeccable bravery. If anything, she chuckled in amusement.
"I was hoping you'd choose… ''difficult ``.
Behind Tempest, a couple of large, hulking looking creatures emerged from the inside of the ship. They were as tall as P'Li herself, maybe a head or two higher. They wore black masks that covered their faces save for their blue eyes. They wore thick, black armor that only partly covered their furry white and gray bodies. They had large paws, canine-like legs and long tails that whipped around from behind them.
Two more airships appeared, followed by more. And more, and more, and more to the point in which not a single trace of sunlight, or even the blue of the once beautifully clear sky could be seen for miles and miles. Their once beautiful, colorful festival had turned dark and gray in a matter of seconds. President Iroh placed a protective hand on Lu Ten's shoulder. The young man could feel his uncle's hand trembling.
"It's a nation sized army!" Iroh said, his voice trembling as well, droplets of sweat dripping from his brow. "How is that possible?"
"Doesn't matter." Queen Luna said, "We have armies of our own."
"Warriors, get ready! Children and elderly, take for cover!" Celestia boomed. The others obeyed her orders and got into position while others helped the ones who couldn't fight to move to a safer location.
From the airships, more of the hairy masked creatures jumped down and landed onto the plaza with crushing force. Several guests were already screaming in terror and running for their lives, while the fighters remained to defend the city.
Several airbenders and spirits tried to lead the defenseless guests away, including the world leaders, but the creatures keep on landing on them faster than they could blink. In a matter of minutes, they had half of the city surrounded, smashing all of the once beautiful decorations and games of the Festival, while more and more guests ran for their lives. It was complete chaos, but not the kind Discord would have enjoyed.
The pegasus ponies and spirits aimed at the creatures, ready to fight, unleashing their bending and unique spirit powers, but they weren't prepared for what came next.
The Storm Creatures all pulled from their belts black glowing orbs with electrical currents coursing through the surface and tossed them at their incoming attackers. The pegasus ponies attempted to block the attacks with their airbending, only their attacks had little to no effect. None at all, in fact.
The orbs flew right through their attacks as if they were none existent, heading directly at the pegasus ponies as if the orbs had minds of their own. Upon close contact, orbs expanded. In a flash, they trapped the ponies and spirits in electrical cages before landing hard on the ground where they manifested into thick cages that was a perfect blend of some kind of otherworldly metal and rock.
Airbenders ponies tried using their bending, but just like with the pegasus ponies, their powers did nothing. Royal guards and even Naga, Akhlut and Timber charged at the storm creatures, but the orbs quickly expended upon close contact. Even for those who didn't have powers, the creatures had precise aiming and could trap the defenseless guests with ease. The guards and the three canines whimpered upon imprisonment.
The objects appeared to activate upon close proximity, and there were thousands of the creatures swarming the city as even more airships came over, knocking down pillars of the castle, the roofs of houses and the creatures smashed through the streets, destroying everything in sight. Their shields blocked the attacks of the heroes, and while they were distracted with one, it gave another creature the opportunity to throw an orb and trap them.
The process repeated itself, with each of the creatures trapping every magically powered citizen in their stone cages. The energy around them were unlike anything they had ever felt. Eska, Desna and Tonraq were immediately subdued, trapped inside a cage that prevented them from bending the water. Whenever they tried, the cage would sent out electrical currents that knocked them out the harder they fought, their bodies feeling heavier than ever.
Wan Shi Tong and Goldie the dragon bird swooped down, claws at the ready, but they too had met the same fate as their comrades. The orbs acted fast and without warning and any magical attacks they had were rendered useless. It was as if their very powers called the orbs towards them, like a moth to a flame.
Dragons, Griffins and changelings were knocked down from the sky, metalbenders and firebenders fought to break free, but like Korra's family, they were knocked out the harder they fought. Mai was even forced to see Iroh and Lu Ten, both fighting side by side with their fire and water, get beaten and trapped. Mai wanted to go and help, but was pulled back by her brother. If she did anything, she would get trapped too.
Team Avatar watched helplessly as each of their friends and family got defeated one by one with such ease. Chrysalis stared with a horrified look. These rocks, she knew she had seen them from somewhere before. She noticed that no matter how hard the heroes fought, their magic only made the orbs come directly towards them, as if it was… feeding off of their magic.
"Surprised?" Tempest voiced, getting their attention. "Just a little something I found and improved during my exile. Got some inspiration from your old friend, Amon. Of course, I'm not here to rid the world of magic. If anything, it will only bring me back what you took from me!"
Tempest jumped up, her horn emitting lethal looking sparks of magic. A green stone, wrapped inside a see-through black orb emerged from her pocket. She kicked it in mid air and it was aiming directly for Celestia and Luna.
Discord jumped in between the orb and the alicorn sisters, creating a shield to protect them. Just when he was about to pat himself on the back, he realized something was horribly wrong. This energy felt familiar… too familiar.
His red pupils became slits as he fought the force of the orb, but the harder he fought the more it tried to reach him. The orb broke through the shield, striking Discord in the chest, where a thick layer of black crystalized stone began to grow and rapidly engulf his entire body.
"Discord!" Fluttershy, Thorax and Starlight all screamed his name, seeing their comrade turning into stone once again.
Discord grunted struggling to break free of its hold. "I can't... stop it!" The spell was reaching his neck and he shouted his final words of warning. "It sucks up magic! Run! RUN!" Discord was silenced when the last of the stone covered his afce, freezing him in a state of terror and regret.
Fluttershy was on the verge of tears. Discord had been turned to stone again, and not because of his evil actions, but in trying to save everyone. Team Avatar wanted to fight, but for once, their magic was becoming their undoing. They couldn't fight like this. They needed a different plan.
Leilani, desperately turned to her two daughters. "Celestia, Luna, quick! Go south beyond the Badlands! Seek help from the Queen of the Hippo—" Leilani gasped and used her magic to blast everyone around her out of the way as another green stone came at them.
Korra and Mako were thrown back, but they held onto Iris. Twilight and Flash held onto Akari as they were pushed back. Kombu bravely held both his wife and daughter, while Applejack and Double Diamond kept their children away from the blast. They all watched in horror as the oldest alicorn took the hit, her entire body turning to stone in the blink of an eye.
"MOTHER!!" Celestia and Luna felt grief and rage overfill them as the tears shed.
"NO!" Korra was already shedding tears as well, seeing her mentor literally petrified.
"We must go!" Celestia ordered. "We can't waste anymore time!"
"We can't just leave everyone!" Cadance protested.
"Look out!" Shinning Armor knocked both his wife and daughter out of the way just as another green stone came at him. Just like Leilani, he was turned to stone on the spot.
"Dad!"
"Shinning Armor!"
"Everybody, this way!" Rainbow Dash led the way and the others followed. Mako gripped Iris's wrist, dragging her along with him and Korra. The Seven Elements of Harmony and the rest ran for their lives. They hated running, but they had no other choice.
"What are those things?!" Nori asked as she galloped alongside her father and Rarity.
"I think I might know!" Chrysalis said, "They're made of the same material as my old throne! It feeds on the nearest magical energy and traps it!"
"And Canterlot is filled with nothing but magical energy!" Starlight Glimmer said horrified. "The more we fight back, the more those cages stick onto us like magnets!"
"So, magic won't help us now! Fantastic!" Flurry Heart said with a sarcastic and irritable grunt. They needed to reach the Badlands to find this queen Leilani spoke of, and they had to do it without using their magic or risk getting captured as well.
They were blocked by more goons, which managed to trap Bolin and Asami in an orb as they ran. The two parents blocked their children, taking the hit themselves. It rolled around like a ball before stopping and materializing into these stone cage. The two were already knocked out.
"Bolin!"
"Asami!"
Mako and Korra cried out, both held back by Celestia and Luna. Flurry Heart and Cadance stepped forward, blocking the others from the rest of the creatures that surrounded them. "Keep going!" Flurry Heart ordered. "We'll hold them off!"
"But, Flurry--" Akari protested, only to be silenced by her cousin's insistence.
"GO!"
Akari was forced to comply and galloped ahead alongside her parents. She looked over her shoulder and saw her aunt and cousin fighting the creatures, only for Tempest to come rising up into the air and kicking another stone.
"NO!" Akari cried, witnessing her family turning to stone before her eyes. Twilight didn't feel right leaving them, but they didn't have a choice.
"We can't keep this up!" Nova cried out, galloping alongside Sunset and Eclipse. "There's too many of them!"
Just as he said, another orb came at him and his family, trapping them in cages. "No!" Chi cried out. Little Eclipse tried reaching out for his aunt, but to no avail.
"Keep going, Chi!" Sunset cried out. Chi was dragged away by Rainbow Dash. The rainbow haired pegasus couldn't bare to look at them like this. She fought back the tears, which was more than could be said for Chi, who's vision was already becoming blurry.
Celestia and Luna flew up, blasting the creatures in their wake, but it didn't take long for them to also get petrified in mid air. Korra and Twilight each used their magic to save their fellow queens from falling and breaking to pieces. They were aware of the risk, but they couldn't allow their fellow alicorns to perish. The two struggled to keep them steady, the rock being heavier than anything they had ever felt.
The rest of the Mane Six saw Tempest about to send another stone at their friends. Acting on impulse, they all ran up and shielded their friends.
"Korra!"
"Twilight!"
The two alicorns shielded their eyes as the stone hit, only rather than strike only the Mane Six, it took all of them at once. Double Diamond, Sweet Gala, Half Pipe, Cheese Sandwich, Cookie Cream, Soarin, Fire Fly, Kombu, Nori, Thorax, Leo, River, Ivy, Flash Sentry, Akari, Mako, Ali, Mika, San and Iris all watched with blurry, tearful eyes at seeing the now petrified bodies of their wives and mothers. Iris and Akari felt a pang of guilt pressing hard against their chests.
The goons took this opportunity to trap each of the families in cages, save for Nori and Kombu, who jumped out of the way in the nick of time. Kombu then harshly pushed his daughter away. She rolled onto the ground, grunting in pain and got up only to see her father already caged. Each of the Mane Six's families were trapped.
Spike, Ali, Mika and San tried to fight them off, by the orbs trapped them as well. Starlight Glimmer and Sunburst pushed Gallant Steed out of the way before he got caged as well.
"Keep going, Gallant!" Sunburst shouted. His son reluctantly complied.
Tempest kicked one last stone, aiming them at Me, Iris and Akari, who ran alongside their friends and respected fathers. We were the only ones left who hadn't been caged, and all because of their parents's and friends intervening. No doubt they were doing this to keep the Elements of Harmony safe. The future of their homeland was more important than their own well being.
This was proven even further when Iris, Akari and I saw another one of the incoming green orbs and froze, knowing they couldn't do anything to stop it. The rock came at them with incredible speed, but the spell never took effect for they had been pushed back by some kind of electrical current, which sent all the other kids flying off, a good ten feet away. It was a powerful lightning move which only Iris's father had managed to master over the years.
"Dad!" Iris and Akari called out, knowing full well what their fathers had done. They watched the two give their daughters one final smile before succumbing to their fate. A green mist blocked their view before witnessing the last bit of stone reach their faces.
Mai and Chrysalis helped Iris and Akari back to their feet and they ran towards the bridge. Their only last means of escape. Their tiaras were left carelessly on the cobblestone floor.
Once the smoke had cleared, Tempest Shadow stood proudly, seeing the silhouettes of a human and winged pony. She chuckled. "Easy as pie."
"Oh, I love pie." said the hedgehog standing beside her, sighing dreamingly at the thought of the delicious pastry. "Oh, you totally got the last princesses!" he said once the smoke cleared, then scratched his chin, studying the now stoned statues. "Uh, they're a lot taller than I thought. And… manlier looking?"
Tempest's rage flared. Rather than a teenager winged girl and alicorn, all she got was a grown man and a stallion pegasus, standing still, with smiles staring at her that read 'you're too late'.
"Those aren't the Princesses!" Tempest growled, her broken horn flaring and then sharply turned to the hedgehog, "Grubber, get them. Now!"
The hedgehog, Grubber, complied and ran off to call to the other goons. "Guys, we gotta get the Princesses!"
Tempest flared her nostrils as she approached the statue of Mako and Flash Sentry. "Smile all you want, your Majesties. You won't get the better of me again."
The last thing she felt were the remaining shards of a fire-based tiara, crushed underneath her hoof.
“Here, guys!” Hiro called over. We all ran onto the bridge when we were blocked by two Storm Creatures. Two of them held obsidian orbs and stared directly at me. They threw them and I gasped in horror.
Iris and Akari then pushed me out of the way and off of the bridge. I fell in the water. I breached the water gasping, “Guys?!” I turned and saw the Storm Creatures moving in on them and heard Iris call to me, "Go Crystal, you're our only hope!" which was the last thing I saw and heard before going over a waterfall.
Third Person POV
Grubber and two Storm Creatures looked over the edge. “Which one of you guys it's goin' down there?” The Storm Creatures growled, “ I would, but I just had a hearty meal, and I will think and I will thide-cramp. I'm very big-boned. I think quick.”
POV Ends
I managed to crawl my way out of the river and was now hiding underneath a fallen tree, drying myself off. I could only watch the dark clouds over Canterlot and the many airships coming in. I was so worried for my family and friends, but I knew I couldn’t go back.
“What am I gonna do now?” I asked myself. If I went back I’d be turned to stone like the others. Suddenly, I heard several warbles and saw my dragon friends running towards me. “Winter, Shimmer, Skyspike, Mist, Spark, Toothless!” I cried with joy. The five dragons pounced on me with great relief.
“Thank goodness. How’d you get away? Oh it doesn’t matter, I'm just glad you’re safe.” I stated.The dragons let me get up and thought back to what Leilani said to Celestia and Luna. "Leilani told Celestia and Luna to find the Queen of the... 'Hippos'." I said. “They and the rest of my friends can’t so I have to. But where do I even look?”
Suddenly, we all heard the sound of flapping wings and saw a familiar stone dragon descending in front of us. “Sentinel!” I exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
“I saw everything that occurred from the sky.. I’m very sorry Crystal.”
“Do you know where the Queen of the Hippos is?” I asked.
“You mean Queen of the Hippogriffs, Crystal. Hippogriffs are these rare creatures that are half pony, half eagle. Even though they aren't that well known, there are still a few legends that haven't been lost. So much so that even finding the feather of one is incredibly rare. But, nobody has ever seen one in thousands of years. Many ponies believed they either went extinct or never existed. I know their location and I can lead you to them.”
I gasped with joy. “Thank you Sentinel.”
“It is my pleasure. Follow me.” The Sentinel then spread his wings but before he took off there was a small rustle in the bushes nearby. The dragons tensed up and growled at the bushes and what came out…. Was a pikachu wearing a detective hat and something that looked like an anthropomorphic cat.
The cat was gray with white paws. She wore a black cape too.
“A Pikachu and a cat?” I asked.
“Hello there.” the cat greeted. “I’m Thunder and this is Pikachu.”
I never saw a Pokemon or cat like her here or in Harmony City.
“Oh jees.” the Pikachu said much to my shock. “I know you can’t understand me but calm the dragons down or I will electrocute you.” the Pikachu said.
“.. Did you just talk?” I asked him.
“Did you just understand me. Wait… that is heavy eye contact there. You heard me. Oh my god! I’m so happy. I’ve been so lonely.” the Pikachu said.
“Yeah.. and what exactly are you doing here?” I asked the Pikachu.
“Oh we were just walking around when we saw the large storm clouds and hid in the bush here. What’s with them anyway?” Thunder asked.
“They’re from the Storm Kings’ army. They captured all my friends and family leaving me and my dragons left. The Sentinel is taking us to the Hippogriffs who may be able to help us.” I explained. Thunder gasped in shock.. “Not again.”
“Again?” Now I was confused.
“Well… the thing is… the Storm King.. is my father.” Thunder said. I gasped in shock. “He had a daughter?”
Thunder sighed and nodded, “And I don’t want anything to do with his.. Legacy.” I could tell Thunder was disgusted with her dad. “Oh can we come and help save your family?” Pikachu asked.
“Well… I don’t see why not.” I said. “The more the merrier.” My dragons agreed by roaring. “Alright, now let’s get going.” The Sentinel stated. Thunder mounted Winter and we and flew off, heading South over the forest.
Winter liked flying through the trees below and I laughed as she did. As we were flying through the forest, something leaped out at us, causing Winter to rear up in fear and was sent flying off and into the bushes. “Oof.” Pikachu groaned from the impact.
We staggered getting up and we saw a half pony and half dragon creature in front of us. “Woah.. a kirin.” I gasped. This kirin was purple with a hot pink mane, tail and scales on it’s face and hooves but what stood out more was that this kirin had wings!
“Hello there, nice to meet you.” she said to us. The others landed beside us.
“Um.. nice to meet you.. Umm.” I trailed off.
“Fire Blossom.” the kirin replied.
“Fire Blossom but maybe next time try not to leap in front of my dragon and scare her, please?” I asked gently.
“Oh of course. Anyway, where are you heading anyway?” Fire asked.
“We’re going to find the Hippogriffs.” I replied. “They’re past the Badlands in the South.”
“Oohh, that sounds exciting, can I come.” Fire asked, hopping up and down. This kirin was as giddy as Pinkie Pie and Hiro which was awkward. “Well…” I turned to the Sentinel dragon.
“She can come along. The more friends you have the easier this will be.” it said.
I nodded and Fire squealed happily. “Come on, let’s go!” Fire said before bouncing on ahead. We all looked at each other and shrugged and we followed the bouncing kirin through the forest.
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