Two and a half months after the Summer Sun Celebration

At the ice fortress, Glacio and five of his high ranking officers, along with Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow were gathered in the throne room, discussing their plan.

“While we invade Canterlot with the rest our allies helping us, the Thracian army shall attack the Crystal Empire and destroy the Crystal Heart,” Glacio said.

“This should be easy, since we have the advantage of numbers and the Bewitching Bell in our possession,” Frostbite replied, “According to a report from Blueblood, Twilight Sparkle and Storm Blade’s coronation is today.”

“Because of that, I’ve managed to spread distrust of Princess Twilight, Prince Storm, and their friends among many ponies,” Chrysalis added.

“Good thinking, Chrysalis,” Wind Rider said.

“I presume it was difficult to spread slander about them since the Journal of Friendship is a best seller with its lessons and all,” Blueblood added.

“You are correct. We could take down Twilight and her friends a hundred times, but as long as they have the ‘love’ of Equestria behind them, they’d crawl back to defeat us. Not anymore,” Chrysalis replied.

“No friendship, no magic! It's so obvious when you think about it,” Cozy Glow added.

Just then, Hot Shot, Thundercracker, and Skywarp entered the room, along with Lightning Dust, Rolling Thunder, Short Fuse, and their gorgon partners.

“Welcome back, Hot Shot. How are things proceeding?” Glacio asked.

“My lord, the reindeer have agreed to join our cause. We promised them they could have Yakyakistan,” Hot Shot replied.

“The sphinxes and trolls have also agreed to join us,” Lightning Dust added.

“The diamond dogs and the banshees have agreed to join us as well,” Hydia finished.

“Very good. Now our alliance is complete,” Glacio replied, “Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow managed to find some additional information on the Bewitching Bell while you were away.”

“Do tell, Lord Tirek,” Hot Shot said.

“According to the book we stole, the bell can steal any creature's magic. It holds that magic until it is released by this spell. Which means all the power inside is ours for the taking!“ Tirek replied, reading the book.

“Cool,” Hydia remarked, with a cackle.

“Let’s try the spell immediately,” Chrysalis replied.

“Take my hands,” Tirek said, as Chrysalis and Cozy Glow have him looks, “So we can all be part of the spell.”

“Tirek is right. We must join hooves and his hands together so we can activate the bell,” Glacio told them.

Cozy Glow joined her right hoof with Tirek’s left hand, while Chrysalis joined her left hoof with his right hand. Glacio hovered over the floor as he joined hooves with Cozy Glow and Chrysalis.

“Our pact stands. What we do, we do together,” Chrysalis said, “I shall rule at Glacio’s side, Tirek shall rule his homeland as promised, and Cozy Glow shall gain a place in Glacio’s ranks.”

“Precisely. We shall destroy all who stand in our way!” Glacio replied.

Tirek and Glacio used their magic on the bell, making it glow and float up. It released a swirling black and yellow vortex from the bottom. The four of them were staring into it as a burst of light shot out and struck them. This caused them to change and grow more powerful. They all laughed evilly upon receiving a huge upgrade of their power.

It wasn’t long before Glacio’s army was amassed outside the fortress.

“A new power is rising. Our power, and its victory is at hoof! This day, the land will be stained with the blood of my sisters, Princess Twilight, Prince Storm, along with their friends and families! We march to Canterlot! We attack now!” Glacio announced.

“Hail Prince Glacio! Hail Prince Glacio! Hail Prince Glacio!” his troops and officers chanted.

Frostbite blew the wooden horn, then Glacio led his army southward with Chrysalis, Tirek, Cozy Glow, and Frostbite close behind him. Soon enough, they ran or flew at the highest speed they could as they made their advance.

A few hours later in Canterlot, the castle entrance was decorated neatly for Twilight and Storm’s coronation. In the throne room, the thrones of Celestia and Luna were replaced by a single large throne with enough room for both Twilight and Storm.

“Don’t they look so adorably regal up there?” Celestia asked as Luna and Emerald each took out a tissue.

“Our little Twilight and Storm, all grown up,” Luna added as she and Emerald wiped their tears of joy.

“Should we tell them that we've cleared out our royal suites so they and Spike can move in?” she asked her sister.

“Oh, maybe wait until after the coronation. Twilight and Storm don't need anything else to worry about today,” Celestia replied.

“Except for Glacio, since Storm told us that this would be the perfect time for him and his forces to attack,” Emerald said.

“Duly noted. Twilight and Storm also suggested that we all prepare for Glacio’s invasion,” Luna replied.

It was then that Spike measured Twilight and Storm’s heads to make sure their crowns would fit. Eric just stood by them as he was on edge ever since the final Summer Sun Celebration, along with his tenth birthday.

“So, you freakin' out yet?” he asked them.

“About what?” Twilight asked.

“Oh, I don't know. It's not every day the princesses that have ruled Equestria for hundreds of moons retire and pass all their responsibilities on to the both of you and your friends,” Spike said.

“Oh, that. Actually, we’re feeling pretty good. We've all faced so much and come out okay,” Twilight replied.

“Even though Glacio is likely to attack with his whole army and the Bewitching Bell in his possession?” Eric asked.

“I told the guards to secure every entrance to the city and sent a letter to Starswirl and the other Pillars, asking them to secure Canter Fields,” Storm explained, “If that’s not enough, we’ll have Discord send word to our allies and they’ll come to our aid. We’ll be ready for them.”

“We know we're up to the challenge of keeping Equestria safe and happy. There's nothing we can't handle together. Which reminds us...” Twilight added, as she presented Spike with a box.

“Royal advisor? What's that?” Spike asked, as he read the medal within the box.

“A new position Storm and I created for you,” Twilight replied as she put the medal on him, “You've been with us for every step of this journey. Knowing we had you to count on gave me the strength we needed to grow and succeed. We wouldn't be here without you.”

“Thanks, Twilight and Storm. You know I'll always be your right-hoof dragon,” Spike said.

“We were hoping you'd say that. Because now that our crowns have been fitted, we have some royal errands to run!” Twilight replied.

“Mom, Dad, I’ll be back. I need to get my friends,” Eric said.

“Good thinking. We’ll need all the help we can get,” Storm replied.

It was then that Eric got on his broomstick and flew out of the castle. He flew around the castle courtyard until he found Nightshade.

“Hi, Nightshade,” Eric greeted.

“Hello, Eric,” Nightshade said, “Something odd is going on here.”

“What is it?” Eric asked.

“I overheard various ponies gossiping about your parents and their friends, but I don’t believe any of it. I know they always manage their character flaws,” Nightshade replied.

“This smells like Chrysalis, just like when she persuaded the unicorn firework troupe to stop performing at the last Summer Sun Celebration two and a half months ago,” Eric said.

“You might be right,” Nightshade replied.

“We need to get the others, hop on,” Eric said as he got on his broomstick.

Nightshade got on behind Eric as he took off for Ponyville. Once there, they went to Sweet Apple Acres to find Apple Bloom. They noticed her helping Big Mac and Sugar Belle with some apple deliveries bound for Canterlot.

“Hello, Apple Bloom,” Nightshade greeted his girlfriend.

“Hi, Nightshade,” Apple Bloom greeted back, hugging her boyfriend.

“Hi, Apple Bloom,” Eric said, “We’re gathering the whole gang together since we’re needed in Canterlot for the coronation.”

“Big Mac, could you and Sugar Belle please tell Granny Smith that I’ll be in Canterlot for a while?” Apple Bloom called out.

“Yup!” Big Mac replied.

Eric flew on his broomstick to Sweetie Belle’s house with Nightshade and Apple Bloom running behind him. Once there, he knocked on the door and Sweetie Belle answered it.

“We’re needed in Canterlot,” Eric said.

“I’m right with you, Eric,” Sweetie Belle replied.

It wasn’t long before the four of them found Pincer hanging out with Lyra and Bonbon. They told him that he was needed in Canterlot for the coronation and be transformed into a roc. Nightshade and Apple Bloom got onto his back, while Sweetie Belle got behind Eric on his broomstick.

They flew over to pick up Scootaloo, then Zuni, Marina, Slapstick, and finally Holly. Marina flew alongside Eric and Sweetie Belle on his broomstick as Pincer carried Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Nightshade, Slapstick, and Holly. En route to Canterlot, Eric and his friends quickly noticed Glacio’s army in the distance.

“We need to get back to the castle,” Eric told his friends.

“Right behind you, Eric,” Marina replied.

Upon landing in Canterlot, Eric and Sweetie Belle got off the broomstick while Nightshade and the others got off Pincer as he resumed his normal form. Soon enough, they rushed into the throne room where the Mane 7, Spike, the royal sisters, Lord Emerald, Discord, and a few guards were gathered.

“We got here as soon as we could,” Eric said.

“Perfect timing, Eric,” Storm replied.

“How’s Midnight?” Eric asked nervously.

“He’s safe with your Uncle Shining and Aunt Cadance,” Storm replied.

“Phew, good to know,” Eric sighed in relief.

“We've faced enemies of Equestria before. And we've always succeeded, no matter the odds. That wouldn't be possible without all of you,” Twilight said.

“You're welcome!” Discord spoke up.

“Dude, read the room,” Spike told him.

“So Storm and I ask for your help again today in what is our biggest battle yet. All of Equestria is at stake, and the both of us can't do this alone. But we’re not afraid. Because with friendship as our armor and teamwork as our power, nopony can ever bring us down!” Twilight finished.

Just then, Cozy Glow entered the throne room as she carried several unconscious guards with her magic. Everyone was shocked to see her as an alicorn.

“Oh, come on! Where'd you get that?” Cozy Glow remarked, “A daily affirmations calendar? Yeesh.”

“Cozy Glow?! You're—!” Twilight tried to say.

“About to wipe the floor with you!” Cozy Glow replied, cutting Twilight off and blasting her.

“Aah!” Twilight exclaimed as she was knocked down to the ground, then groaned.

Everyone else gasped in horror at this.

“Mom!” Eric shouted.

“Are you alright, Twily?” Storm asked.

“I’ll live,” Twilight replied.

Storm tried to blast Cozy Glow, but she cast a shield and blasted him into the wall. He groaned as he was stunned.

“Are you alright, Dad?!” Eric asked rushing over to his parents.

“I’ll live. Go get her,” Storm replied.

“Wow! It's true! Alicorns really do have more fun!” Cozy Glow said as she tried to blast the others.

Eric got in front of them and shouted, “Protego Maxima!”

“Hello, Eric! You want a piece of me?!” Cozy Glow taunted.

“Stupefy!” Eric shouted as he tried to blast her with his wand.

Cozy Glow blocked his blast as a duel began between them.

At the foot of Mount Canter, Starswirl and the other Pillars stood ready to face Glacio’s army.

“Stay ready, friends! Canterlot depends on us!” Starswirl said.

“I don’t have time for this. Tirek, drain their magic!” Glacio told him.

“With pleasure,” Tirek replied.

Glacio and his army continued their advance as they ran and flew up the mountainside. The centaur then hopped three times until he was right in front of the Pillars. Starswirl tried blasting Tirek, but he blocked it with his arm. Rockhoof charged at the centaur only for Tirek to stomp on the ground and knock him out with a dike of rock. Mistmane and Starswirl tried blasting Tirek only for him to block it as he cackled. Flash Magnus flew straight at Tirek only for the centaur to grab him and throw him into Starswirl, Mistmane, and Meadowbrook, knocking them down. Somnambula flew straight at Tirek, only for him to knock her out of the sky in one punch. Tirek drained their magic as Rockhoof got back up.

“No!” Rockhoof said as he charged at Tirek again. He hit the centaur’s leg with his shovel only for it to break.

It was then that Tirek drained Rockhoof and Somnambula’s magic, turning the former into his past scrawny form.

“Ahhhh. The perfect dessert to a legendary meal,” Tirek said as he continued on towards Canterlot.

“I’ll deal with Starlight Glimmer!” Chrysalis shouted as she flew to the outskirts of Ponyville.

At the School of Friendship, the Student Seven were in the underground caves helping their fellow students inside. Starlight and Trixie were at the grate guiding the students into the caves.

“Stay with your buddy! No running! Just follow Counselor Trixie!” Starlight said.

“Starlight, star bright. Where's the pony I want to fight?!” Chrysalis spoke up from outside.

This made Starlight look out the window, she then turned to Trixie and said, “I have to go. You got this?”

“Nopony does a great and powerful escape like Trixie,” the magician replied as she and Starlight shared a hug.

Trixie went into the caves as Starlight closed the grate, then teleported outside to face Chrysalis.

“Ah. Just the headmare I want to see,” Chrysalis said, turning to face Starlight.

“You didn't make an appointment!” Starlight replied.

She then tackled Chrysalis and teleported both of them to the Crystal Mountains.

“What is this place?” Chrysalis asked as she and Starlight got up.

“Somewhere you can't hurt anypony!” Starlight replied.

“Wrong. I can hurt you!” Chrysalis said.

She tried to blast Starlight only for her to teleport behind her. Chrysalis kept trying to blast Starlight repeatedly, but she teleported out of the way every time.

“Stay still so I can blast you!” Chrysalis growled.

“Oh, yeah, real motivating!” Starlight remarked as she appeared behind her.

Chrysalis once again tried to blast Starlight, but this time she barely jumped out of the way, onto her side. She then teleported underneath an overhang as Chrysalis flew up to her, snarling as she tried to attack. It was then that Starlight managed to blast Chrysalis.

“Ugh! You'll pay for that!” Chrysalis said.

“Put it on my tab!” Starlight replied as she teleported off the peak.

As she was falling, Starlight blasted the snow and triggered an avalanche.

“No!” Chrysalis shouted as she was buried by the avalanche.

It was then that Starlight teleported closer to the ground, then stood back up. Just as she thought Chrysalis was beaten, the former changeling queen freed herself from the snow. This sent a shockwave which knocked Starlight down, “Aah! Ugh!” she exclaimed.

Chrysalis wrapped Starlight in a green silken cocoon, then said, “Now I'll have all eternity to take my revenge on you!” She then carried her off elsewhere.

Back at the Canterlot Castle, several unicorn guards tried to blast Cozy Glow, but it was futile as she cast a force field around herself. They charged at the filly only for her to open a portal outside the castle and sent them falling into the moat. Cozy Glow laughed evilly as she was enjoying her alicorn powers.

“Stand down, Cozy Glow!” Celestia said.

“Gee, I guess I could. But... I'm having too much fun!” Cozy Glow replied as she tried to blast the three princesses and Storm.

“Aah!” the princesses exclaimed as Twilight and Storm cast a force field.

“Ready, sister?” Celestia asked as Luna nodded.

“Wait! What are you...?” Twilight tried to ask as the two sisters went to face Cozy Glow.

They lit up their horns and tried to blast the filly, only for her to use the bell to drain their magic. This made them scream and fall down on the floor.

“NO!” Twilight and Storm shouted as they ran down to the royal sisters.

“That's the problem with you magic-types. You're so reliant on all your special power, you forget to use your brains!” Cozy Glow said.

“Keep telling yourself that!” Twilight replied, then told her friends, “Now!”

It was then that the other mares and Spike rushed out from behind the throne. Rainbow zoomed past Cozy Glow, his made her dizzy as she was spinning across the room.

“Whoaaaa!” she cried out.

Upon regaining flight control, Cozy Glow came face to face with Pinkie, who was being levitated by Rarity.

“Surprise attack!” Pinkie shouted as she fired her party bazooka. This knocked Cozy Glow back as she coughed up confetti.

“Fly, my pretties!” Fluttershy said as she flew up with some guard geese.

It was then that the geese swarmed Cozy Glow. Spike flew up, trying to blast her with his fire breath. She was once again blasted by Pinkie’s party bazooka. After being swarmed by the geese once more and almost burned by Spike, Cozy Glow was lassoed to the ground by Applejack. She almost dropped the bell, but managed to hold onto it as the Mane Seven and Spike surrounded her.Twilight activated her magic as she prepared to take the bell and return the royal sisters’ stolen magic.

Just then, a bright light appeared behind her and Storm. Cozy Glow flew up as it got brighter, then the air horn alarm could be heard in the background. The Mane Seven and Spike, along with the royal sisters and Lord Emerald looked back as the window exploded and sent a huge shockwave that sent them flying back. Glacio and Chrysalis flew through the window as Tirek pulled himself through it. Eric and his friends saw this and ran over to the Mane 7, Spike, Lord Emerald, and the royal sisters.

Tirek knocked over the throne, revealing Discord behind it. He tried to stop the centaur only for Cozy Glow to drain his magic with bell. She then grabbed him in her magic and threw him next to the others. Twilight saw them as she got up and cast a force field around them all.

“You think your pathetic shield can stop us?” Chrysalis asked as she laughed evilly, “The Pillars have been defeated. Your school is abandoned. Face it, Twilight and Storm. You've lost!”

“You can attack us and we may fall. But Equestria will still stand, united in friendship,” Twilight replied as the others got up, “And we won't stop until we defeat you, no matter how many ponies you take down!” The four villains laughed at this.

“Didn't you all notice something was wrong in Equestria? We've been busy,” Tirek said.

“A whisper here, a rumor there...” Chrysalis added.

“Destroy some crops, cause some damage...” Tirek continued.

“Turning ponies against you…” Cozy Glow continued.

“Until your whole kingdom is on edge, waiting for just one tiny thing to push them over the brink!” Chrysalis finished.

“There's no backup friends or rainbow magic to save you now!” Tirek remarked.

“After today, Equestria will feel our freeze!” Glacio yelled, then laughed evilly.

“Golly, I think it's time for some redecorating!” Cozy Glow said as she smiled deviously.

It was then that the four villains combined their power and destroyed a large portion of the castle. She looked around them as some leftover rubble was falling, then Chrysalis flew up to the shield.

“You know what's stronger than friendship, Twilight? Fear!” the former changeling queen said as she slammed her hooves onto the shield.

“Aah!” Twilight exclaimed fearfully as this caused a powerful magic surge caused the shield to shatter.

“'Cause when you have to protect yourself, you don't have time for anypony else,” Tirek added as he magically pulled Twilight and Storm into his arms.

The centaur grabbed Twilight by her wings and Storm by his neck. Everyone else looked on with fear and anxiety in their eyes.

“Too bad you never taught that in school,” Cozy Glow remarked.

“Prepare to die!” Glacio said as the four of them smiled deviously and prepared to kill Twilight and Storm.

Eric gasped in horror upon seeing his parents about to be killed. Twilight and Storm covered their eyes, until the four villains were knocked over by a flying chunk of rock. This caused Twilight and Storm to fall onto the floor.

“Huh?” they wondered as Rarity smiled at them looking exhausted.

“Thanks, Rarity,” Storm said as he and Twilight smiled back.

Just then, the four villains recovered and tried to attack Twilight, Storm and the others. But the royal couple blocked their combined powers with a slab of rock.

“Go, Twilight and Storm! Take the children and get help!” Rarity said as she ran up to the rock.

“We'll hold 'em 'til you get back!” Applejack added as she and Rarity held it up.

“No! We can't leave you here!” Twilight replied.

“They’ll kill you!” Storm added.

“It's our only chance!” Fluttershy replied as she ran up to the rock.

“You'll both come up with something to save the day!” Rainbow added as she and Fluttershy helped support the rock.

“You always do!” Pinkie continued.

“We believe in you two!” Spike finished as he, the royal sisters, and Emerald rushed over to the rock.

“Fly, you foals!” Discord said as he faced them.

Twilight and Storm activated their magic and teleported themselves, along with Eric and his friends somewhere safe. It was then that the rock exploded as everyone else was enveloped by the bright light.

Stay tuned for Part 2!