Phoenix flew towards the school as the others prepared to go to work helping the rest of town. On her flight, she thought about how she'd deal with whoever was holding the school prisoner.

As she arrived at the school, she saw several stallions standing guard, waiting for her to arrive. "Great." She muttered. "Looks like they're expecting me." As soon as they saw her, the stallions licked their lips and moved to the side to let her through. She stopped and took a deep breath before holding her head high and trot up to the door as it swung open revealing a rather uptight stallion.

"Welcome. I see you accepted our invitation." He announced smugly.

"You didn't give me much choice."

He looked around tilting his head. "And you came alone?"

Phoenix smirked. "What? Don't think you can handle me? Or were you expecting more of my clan to face you so the shades can grow?" Seeing the stallion's eye twitch, her smirk grew. "Now… about the kids you're holding hostage."

He smirked and stepped back into the school. "Come in and see for yourself."

"I'm not going in there unless you let them go." Phoenix snapped.

"Pity. Because if you don't give us what we want. We'll just have to get it from them." He countered.

Phoenix's eye twitched. "You really don't want to test me like this."

He shrugged and went deeper into the school and called out to her. "Best make up your mind soon."

Phoenix went inside with the other guys following her, none of which noticed the frost or scorch marks that were left with each step.

Once inside, Phoenix saw a line of foals tied to the desks, ready for a stallion to mount. Seeing this, Phoenix clenched her teeth as she fought the urge to cut down the stallions.

She forced herself to stand in place as the stallions tied her in place. "Don't worry dear." The leader mocked. "The kids will be free. And get a show."

"Tread carefully." She warned. "There's only so far your threats will get you."

The stallions laughed as one got in position behind her. "You're ours. And your clan won't be able to show till we're long gone." The leader laughed. "And seeing these ropes are enchanted so you can't break free…" He nodded to his comrades as they positioned the kids so they saw what was coming. "What do you say? We give them a chance to see what to expect." He laughed as Phoenix snorted out smoke.

Luna paced in her room as some of her night guards stood watch with coolers full of water balloons. "You sure about this princess?" One asked.

"Yes." She replied sharply. "My sister informed me that there is a chance that whatever had taken me over may still be lingering in me."

The guards looked at each other in concern for a moment before nodding and each prepared a balloon. "Then we will do our best to help in any way we can."

Luna nodded. "If I start acting like… her. Then feel free to hit me with one, until I return to normal." With a nod from her guards, Luna sat on a pillow. "As long as my only tasks are my night duties, then I should be in the clear."

Just then a knock came on the door. "Princess." A voice called from the other side of the door. "Your sister is out tending to matters with the other nations. And needs you to tend to some of the day court matters."

Luna facehoofed and nodded to her guards. "Very well." She replied. "I will be there soon." Luna and her guard gulped as one set her balloon down to help her get ready.

Rainbow and Scootaloo made their way out by Fluttershy's cottage to check on the animals as the others checked on the rest of the town.

"Looks like everything is fine so far." Scootaloo noted.

"I have a bad feeling about this squirt. Twilight said these things were strong. And had unexpected effects on whoever they possess." Rainbow warned. "So keep your guard up. And let me know if you see anything strange."

"Like the animals closing in around us?" Scootaloo asked, looking behind them.

"That counts…" Rainbow agreed before glancing back. Narrowing her eyes she looked around. "Looks like they're herding us to the hut."

"What do we do?" Scootaloo whimpered.

Rainbow thought for a moment. "What was it she said about this?..." The two slowly backed from the animals as she racked her head. Blinking, she sat and took a deep breath and listened to her element.

"What do we do Dash?" Scootaloo asked, hiding behind her.

Sighing, Rainbow got up and went to the hut. "We need to go inside and find the shade responsible for this."

Steeping inside, the two noticed the strange smell. After a few steps, the door slammed shut as a voice sent a shiver up Rainbow's spine. "Hey Rainbows. I knew you'd come for me."

Rainbow turned to see who spoke as her face paled. "Fuck…"

Not much to say about this chapter. Mostly settling up for what's coming.