Equestria, today, deep below in the Ranger HQ

Nodding over to some griffins, the Harmony Rangers in the command center had built heavy fortifications towards the one and only entrance and rifles were pointed at it. Speaking into a communication crystal, one of them spoke directly with Vinyl.
“Ma'am, I'm not sure how long we can hold this command center against their storm.”

Vinyl's voice sounded off with some mechanical background noises.
“Our only chance is to hold this facility and wait for the human rangers to return. We'll hold the Descendants back for as long as we can. Hang in there, I'm coming!”

A few hundred years ahead in the time vortex, the TARDIS was losing speed and Derpy gave her best to steer the time machine. As she came to a halt,the TARDIS made that distinctive sound of landing, Derpy looked at the others and nodded.
“And we're back... I hope...”

Taking a deep breath, Twilight trotted over to the exit.
“I only hope that everything is right at home.”

Tyler on the other hand shook his head and smiled down to her as he gently nudged her.
“Oh Twilight, you worrywart. I mean we have a time machine here and Derpy said she would get us as closely as she could to the point of our departure. So we're probably gone only a few minutes, maybe only a day.

But as he opened the door of the TARDIS, they saw that the TARDIS was standing right in one of the corners of the command center. The alarm howled while the announcement echoed through the base.
“Mayday! All stations: Ranger HQ remains under attack!”

Throwing his arms into the air, Tyler rolled his eyes in annoyance.
“Oh, come on!” In the next moment, the doors to the Command Center were detonated and the Descendants stormed in. Going into cover, the human Rangers gave their best to counter the threat in front of the TARDIS while the girls remained inside the time pony spacecraft.

Closing the door behind her, Derpy shook her head with a smile.
“Don't worry... The Doctor told me that this door withstood supernovae and destruction of planets. There is no way they can't get in without our permission.”

The girls first looked at each other before they shot Derpy strict looks.
“That's fine and all, Derpy... But what about the others?” Griffins and ponies now fought side by side with the humans with firearms and magic, doing their best to repel the threat. Lyra tried to ignore the shots and blasts all around her and charged Tyler as best as she could, always remaining in cover behind Sam. Tyler looked over to the others. In this dire situation, the Rangers were pushed back into dead ends and fought for their very lifes. And frankly he didn't knew of a way to regain some ground now.

But suddenly, a tremble in the distance became noticeable and grew rapidly in strength. The shooting stopped as the Descendants turned towards the corridor they had entered the command center in.
“What in Tacitus' name...?”

And all of a sudden all hell broke loose as the corridor wall detonated and made way for a large sphere of magic, which blazed a trail through the tight corridor, bending the walls out. The door, already damaged and battered by the detonation, literally flew through the command room with several screaming Descendants with it as the hover tank made its entrance. A brief pause was all it took before the turret began moving towards a group of Descendants flanking the Rangers. Frozen in shock, they were unable to move as the attack came. While the main cannon was not firing, a deafening blast of sonic waves hammered against their little fortification in a tight beat, slamming the crates and ponies against the wall and rendered them immobile. As the attack ceased, the crates and ponies fell down and the ponies were knocked out. The other rangers held their ears shut. This weapon was loud, even more so in a subterranean command center hall such as this.

The turret turned towards another group of Descendants, but they threw away their weapons and surrendered. After the griffins took care of the Descendants, the hatch opened and Vinyl's head peeked out.
“Awesome! Tavi! Have you've seen what my bass cannon did to these suckers?”

From within the tank, another voice became audible.
“I heard it, Vinyl... Probably the entire base has heard it...”

Pumping her hoof in the air, Vinyl was visibly in a cheerful mood.
“Aww yeah! THAT will teach them to attack us!”

While Rachel gave the girls the all-clear in the TARDIS, Tyler climbed over some fortifications.
“Vinyl!”

“Headranger Jones!” Jumping out of the tank, the white unicorn saluted. “Sorry, but they attacked us in surprise. Suddenly they were all around the base. Chaos! We held them back as best as we could but they kept streaming through the corridors. Lots of Rangers are kept as hostages now.”

All of a sudden, one of the technical communicators from the Descendants sounded off.
“Hello? Why aren't you fools answering? I demand an answer! Have you taken the HQ already?”

Octavia's head now peeked out as well and she shot her partner a strict glare.
“Vinyl, we should tell him!”

This visibly seemed to be an issue that was difficult for the unicorn.
“Uh... Yeah... Uhm... Ranger Jones?”

Reaching down to the enemy communicator, he paused and looked at the white unicorn.
“What is it?”

With sinking ears Vinyl looked down as she delivered the bad news.
“You've been gone for three months now. And today we got attacked. They took Princess Celestia... And Princess Luna is missing as well.” A gasp came from the girls once they heard that.

A short tremble went through Tyler as he picked up the enemy communicator. This was bad news, extremely bad. He had to contain himself now. Looking at the others, he raised the communicator to his ear.
“Hello...?”On the other end he could hear Celestia's whimper for his name. In the next moment, the casing of the communicator he was holding cracked open. The others, standing around him, noticed this boiling anger in him, threatening to break loose. His whole body was shivering and he gritted his teeth. “Celestia? Are you alright? Did they hurt you?”

Now a completely different voice took over and harrumphed briefly.
“I think our guest is occupied right now for the time being. I will be your conversation partner from here on.”

Taking a deep breath through his clenched teeth, Tyler closed his eyes. His breath was shivering in rage as the adrenalin was pumping through his veins. He really had to contain himself now.
“Congratulations! You’ve made the worst mistake of your life… You took someone very precious from me. But I give you this one chance now... If you bring her back, never to return to Equestria, that will be the end of it.”

A dark giggle sounded off now.
“Aw, how sweet... But I have no intention to bring her back to you.”

Turning away from the others, his eyes became cold as they flashed up in a blue glow once.
“Then this is your decision. Now I will get you and if it takes me to the ends of this world! I will look for you, I will find you... and I will kill you.”

“A monkey throwing threats around while beating his chest... How adorable.”

“I couldn't care less about your opinion about me. I'm coming for you. I will bring pestilence and plague to you and to all who follow you! And I will continue to bring ruin to every war citadel and Descendant until you break and yield!”

The communicator got another squeeze and was then thrown to pieces by Tyler before Sam approached him.
“So... What are we going to do now, Tyler?”

Looking at Sam for a short time, Tyler arched a brow.
“We? We are going to do nothing... YOU guys stay with the girls and protect them. And I will clean up this headquarter...”

Following Tyler with his eyes, Flynn got confused.
“What? All by yourself?”

Standing up, Rachel looked at Tyler and shook her head.
“He's going to slaughter them! Hold him back!”

Stepping into his path, Twilight shook her head as well.
“Tyler! No! Don't go down that path! I understand your anger that they took Princess Celestia, but you mustn't-”

Gritting his teeth, he rudely interrupted her.
“I mustn't do what?!? In our absence the world had become a place where the villains wear a smile on their face while they take what you can never replace!” A sadistic grin formed on his own face as he began to grin into hers. “Well, tables can turn as our enemies will soon enough learn. I will strike them and shall then watch them burn on the pyre of obsession! Lust for riches and greed are a great motivation, but even greater is the motivation of fear... I will carry hell to their doorstep; I will make them pay! They will reap the rage they’ve sown on my judgment day!” As he spoke, his eyes began to glow more and more in a blue tone. “Now... Step out of my way, Twilight!”

Coming to Twilight's side as she stood her ground, Applejack shook her head.
“No, she ain't! And neither will Ah step out of yer way, Sugarcube!”

Looking to his side at Applejack, Tyler arched a brow.
“What?!?”

Taking down her Stetson, the earth pony mare looked up to him.
“Tyler, how can ya seriously consider murderin' all these ponies and then carry our foal in these bloody hands of yers?” Struggling, Tyler had to look to the side, vindicating Applejack. “Exactly... Yer not that type of guy, Tyler. Don't let them make ya something like that!”

Tyler remained silent for a long time until he looked up again.
“Rangers! It's time to secure HQ again. Time to get our comrades free again.” Looking at his two herd mates, his eyes now seemed more to seek for approval. “This I have to do...”

When they gave their nod of approval, Tyler went through between them and Applejack looked over to her herd mate.
“Twilight? Ah have a very bad feeling about him.”

Nodding in thought, Twilight looked after Tyler.
“Me too... It's just not like him to be that harsh. Something's amiss.”

Rainbow nudged Fluttershy in the ribs.
“Come on! I have a feeling that T-Man is having trouble keeping his mind together.”

In the living quarters, the Descendants had gathered a small group of hostages. While the hoof-cuffs held the earth ponies in place, certain wing-cuffs took care of the pegasi and horn inhibitors of the unicorns. Finally victorious, the Descendants couldn't but gloat.
“So there you have it! The Harmony Rangers are a joke after all! And all that defiance is just a pathetic gesture not to be taken seriously. Where are the humans now that you need them?”

One mare gritted her teeth in anger.
“The humans taught us to fight for our rights! They would never abandon us!”

“But where are they now? For three months they have been away... Nothing!”

Spitting at the Descendants, one stallion sneered at them.
“Get lost, traitors!”

Wiping the spit from his hoof, the unicorn stallion stood above the Rangers and hauled off his rifle, obviously to beat them with the stock. But as the rifle reached up, a sudden detonation caused the unicorn to halt in movement as his eyes popped wide open. The door on the other side of the corridor was blasted away and slid over the ground to the Descendants, who looked into the corridor. Smoke blocked their view, but in the dense smoke a pair of eyes glowed in a fierce blue shine.
“Am I interrupting something?”

Tyler's voice made the pony Rangers listen up.
“That voice!”

“Ranger Jones!”

“I knew he would return.”

Aiming at Tyler, the Descendants got into position.
“It's one of the human rangers!”

Pointing at the human Ranger, the squad leader of the Descendants barked his orders.
“One of them alone is not much of a threat... Get him! If he resists, shoot him!”

As the Descendant stormed at Tyler, guns blazing he supercharged and illuminated the entire corridor while he conjured a shield against the bullets and a swarm of magically enhanced parasprites. The swarm hungrily befell the Descendants and began to chomp on their armors, rifles and swords and the more they ate, the more they multiplied and devoured more metal and iron, cleaving a way through the corridor plates and hoof-cuffs chaining down the other Rangers. Once freed from their chains, the loyal ranger forces used their chance to free themselves and took the fight back to the intruders in a fierce brawl.

Overwhelmed, the Descendants were on the run for the exit, only to spot Tyler in front of them as he suddenly teleported to block their way.
“Going somewhere? You were bragging a moment ago!” As they crawled backwards in fear, a chuckle of madness escaped Tyler's throat. Unnoticed by himself, his eyes flickered up blue once more as he slowly followed them, his voice cold and unkind. “Yeah, crawl like the worms and snakes you are. Crawl on your bellies and let me see you squirm! Fall down on your knees! I want you to beg for the same comforts you gave Celestia! You will rue the day you took her from us! From me...” Deep within, a male whisper that was not Tyler echoed in his mind as he cracked his knuckles, no doubt to finish the Descendants now.

'Let them pay... No forgiveness! No way out! Only bloody justice!'

Flying high to see over the group of Ranger ponies in their way, Fluttershy and Rainbow gasped a bit, but Fluttershy wouldn't stand for this unkind behavior.
“Head Ranger Jones! Arrest these Descendants at once!” she ordered aloud, only to wince a bit afterward.

Looking over to her, Tyler snapped out of his frenzy for a moment, which was enough to get a grip on the situation again. The blue glow of his eyes ceased with a silent inner roar as the unknown force deep within was caged away by Tyler's will to do the right thing. One moment later, he ordered the other Rangers to arrest the Descendants and the ponies were relieved not to have firing squad duty.

While the headquarter still was in disarray, the Rangers more and more cleaned up and repaired some of the broken walls, doors and machines while also taking ground until every last Descendant was brought to the prison cells. Coming back into the Command Center, Rachel looked over to Tyler.
“Well then, Jones... You raged against them for some time now. How do you feel?”

Looking down at his hands, Tyler silently let these last few moments go through his head over and over again. Something that was not him tried to make him stay on this course. Was this the influence of the Darkness Sisters or something completely different? He had to look out for this. He couldn't afford to become a monster and lose the girls like this. Closing his eyes, he gently turned his head towards Rachel.
“After this here? I feel...” Taking a deep breath in and out Tyler nodded. “I feel unsatisfied, but fine!” Kneeling down to the girls, he put his arms around their necks, embracing them. “Thanks for putting my head right, folks...”

As he went over to some other Rangers, Twilight followed him with her eyes, her glance deeply worried.
“It's not over yet. Far from it! The Darkness Sisters seek out to harden his heart. Girls, keep an eye on him, as often as you can!” All six mares nodded in agreement. If Tyler was indeed a target for the enemy to corrupt, each Element was out to do her best to make him withstand their attacks. Fluttershy, however, was the one feeling most uncomfortable. While Tyler was her good friend, it hurt to see him growing so unkind. Surely the loss of Princess Celestia brought out the worst in him. She could understand, but never approve of such harsh reactions.

And then of course was the thing with Grinko.
“T-Twilight? What if Tyler is at least a little right? I mean... I am worried over Grinko's well being as well and I don't know what I would do if they did something to him.”

“I can understand that. But there won't be any executions without a fair trial. We're still civilized ponies and no Descendants.”

Coming over to her herd mate, Applejack rested a hoof on the alicorn's shoulder.
“Twilight...”

Patting the hoof on her shoulder with her own, Twilight nodded.
“I know. Right now we almost lost him. We two and Luna must now make sure he doesn't cross over. It's the arsenal of the Princess of Malice. Stabbing into pure hearts to turn them evil. Maybe Tyler is a fighter, but right now he himself is at stake.”

* * * * *

Two hours later, the four humans and seven mares left the Ranger HQ. After getting adjusted to the bright sunlight, they took a look at Equestria. It was still in one piece unlike so many things below. Seemingly there really had been only three months of their absence. Tyler nodded and looked over to the girls.
“Luckily this is still our time. Alright... as a safety precaution, I will make use of something I didn't make use of in the recent time at all.” The girls looked up to Tyler and he whistled sharp before he yelled up the Canterlot mountain. “Tellyhawks!”

There was a distinct eagle cry in the distance as two dozen pegasi in silver coat and armor came down from the cliffs of Canterlot Mountain. Landing in a straight line in front of the Elements and Harmony Rangers, their fine silver plate armor shimmered and glittered in the sunlight while they saluted and stood at attention.
“Sir, it has been a while since you needed us!” one of them spoke up as he saluted as well.

Rachel arched her brows.
“Friends of yours, Jones?

A grin formed on Tyler's face.
“I got them from Celestia and Luna while I fought the Changelings in the past. They are sworn to me, the most loyal soldiers I have. I trust them with my very life.”

Nodding with a smile, the leader of the Tellyhawks looked up to Tyler.
“In your absence, they tried to undercut us as well as they tried to undercut the guard and castle servants.”

Sam cocked his head.
“They tried and failed?”

But the stallion soberly shook his head.
“They tried and died. We were authorized by the princesses to eliminate everyone who tries to force himself into our section of the guard.” When the girls dropped their jaws in shock, he shook his head once more. “Each Tellyhawk here had to endure a complete thought screening by Princess Luna and Princess Celestia in order to serve as a Tellyhawk. We have no secrets from each other. Whosoever wants to avoid this screening, is unfit for us and probably with ill intentions. One warning is spoken. Once they get persistent, we are free to deal with them.”

Rainbow frowned at this.
“While I get the loyal part... That's a bit harsh, don't you think?”

But the stallion simply shook his head with a sober face.
“Not at all! We have very high standards, since we protect our target, even if it takes our lives to do so. We are more of an extreme version of the Wonderbolts. Higher risk, higher glory.”

Nodding, Tyler took a step forward.
“Right... And this is why I called you. For the time being, I will extend your service as my personal guard to the Elements of Harmony.”

Twilight's eyes darted to Tyler
“What?”

Saluting, the leader now smirked.
“We understand, Sir. We will oblige.” Turning around, he raised his voice. “Atten-HOOF! Six teams of two! Volunteers one step forward!”

When the entire group of twenty four pegasi stepped forward, Twilight frowned at Tyler.
“Do we really need bodyguards?”

Tyler sighed and looked down to her.
“I would prefer it otherwise as well, Twilight. But they took Celestia already. And with Luna gone into the nether regions of Canterlot, I have to make sure that you are safe and inform Shining to keep an eye out for Cadance.”

“But-”

Yet just as Twilight wanted to say something in protest, Applejack held her back and looked up to Tyler.
“Sugarcube, we don't need this! At least not for ourselves. But while we're away from home, maybe the Tellyhawks could keep an eye out for our families?”

Tyler looked over to Twilight who nodded in agreement and saw the nods of the others behind her as well.
“Families... Families it is.” Looking over to his personal guard, he arched a brow. “Would it be asked to much if you-”

Shaking his head, the stallion smiled.
“Not at all. You point us at the ponies, we guard them with our very lives.”

Giving Twilight and Applejack a kiss on the nose, Tyler nodded at them.
“This takes care of the ones I love... I will see you two later. Sam? Flynn? You go and bring the girls down to Ponyville in order to fetch the Elements and determine who the Tellyhawks should give security to, Rachel and I have things to do up here in Canterlot.”

As she came to his side, Rachel eyed him for a short time.
“If you go nuts, Jones... I swear I will kick your sorry ass down to the ground!” And while the majority of the human Rangers went to Ponyville, Tyler shook his head and headed towards the castle with Rachel at his side. It was about time to find out how bad the situation was and then spread the news.

* * * * *

On the next day, it was rather quiet in Spitfire's office. Since Rainbow's absence in the academy it was mostly routine. Routine... All things get worse if they become routine. In things you had to achieve, routine spoiled the achievement and the taste of victory. And things of daily routine lost their spice, lost their challenge and wonder they had before.

It was then when the experienced Wonderbolt Captain noticed a sudden commotion outside. Turning around to the window, she saw that many of the cadets were flying out of order, heading towards the main training place while the alarm siren began to howl. Something was happening and it wasn't good at all. Opening the window, she took off and flew towards the main training place as well while yelling over to her fellow Wonderbolts.
“What's going on? Hey, Soarin! What's happening?”

Turning over to her in flight, the stallion shook his head like not believing his own words.
“War!!! Equestria is at war!!!”

Arriving on the main training place, the Wonderbolt pegasi looked up as several members of the royal guard gave a situation report.
“The devastation we are reported about is unparalleled. Judging from early refugee reports coming from unicorns at the border, tens of thousands are dead. The capital city lies in ruins.”

Many of the cadets gasped at these horrific news, looking at each other to clear things up.
“Canterlot has been attacked?”

“Yes, but not to this extent, this is somewhere else.”

As more and more pictures were shown, the Wonderbolts recognized the casualties and refugees.
“Aren't these shadow ponies?”

Grimacing in sympathy over so many losses, Spitfire shook her head.
“These damn Descendants whacked our allies even worse than us, Soarin.”

The guards continued, remaining calm every moment.
“The attack was performed by a gigantic war citadel with a firepower never seen before and was, from what experts rank, of alicorn magnitude.” A depiction of a map was shown now, presenting the canyon of Shadowgate and the area of effect the attack had. “Nothing lives in what was once deemed the equine pride of the southern hemisphere.”

The one or another pony gasped in shock at the pictures depicting a sea of flames.
“How terrible!”

While pictures of refugees were shown, the guard then continued.
“Shadowgate has been wiped off the map.”

Heads were shaken, not understanding this magnitude of destruction.
“Who could do such a horrendous thing?”

Raising a hoof, the guard then looked around to the pegasi in front of him.
“Due to the disappearance of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, Head Ranger Tyler Jones as well as other foreign high officials called for an emergency mobilization against this common enemy. If you should be drafted, please report to Canterlot at once!” Spitfire's face grew grim. This was bad, really bad. It was a challenge and insult at once to every Wonderbolt that the princess was taken away just like that.

* * * * *

Meanwhile, down below in the valley, the Elements of Harmony made their way from the station towards the library. Rainbow snorted in worry.
“Shouldn't we keep an eye out on T-man? He seems to need a helping hoof right now.”

Flynn shook his head while looking up to Rainbow.
“Rachel said that she should be able to reel him in now that he's calmed down enough. Keeping him busy will sure do the trick for now.”

Sam gave this a grimace and nodded
“True... With all the talk about impending war on the street, Tyler sure has his hands full more than enough than to even think about raging some more.”

Cringing a little, Fluttershy shook her head in worry.
“I don't like the sound of that... I don't know what he would have done if we didn't interfered."

But Flynn looked up to the yellow mare.
“You did good back then, Fluttershy! You seemed to reel him in just in time. I dare to bet that Tyler would regret a bloodbath at his hands far more than a few harsh and unkind words against some fanatics. But taking a princess responsible for the turn of the sun is a threat going at the whole world. Who knows what's the best way to go here?”

Patting Fluttershy's hoof in assurance, Sam nodded at her as well.
“Flynn is right. You did good. Now Tyler might find a way to save Princess Celestia, Grinko and Prince Griffith rather than to regret the slaughter of several squads of Descendants.” He then looked around. “While we're speaking of it: Before we left, I saw that the Nephelion had left her place and was on her way to the east. Seems to me the Griffins will take drastic measures now themselves now that their crown prince was taken...”

Rarity arched a brow now.
“As did Tyler...” Looking around, it was obvious that four Tellyhawks flew above the group in a small circle while four of them trotted in a larger circle in front, behind and to their sides. “While I do enjoy being treated like a jewel, being guarded like one at all times is becoming tedious."

While arriving in her library in Ponyville, Twilight and the others found the library ransacked. At that point, three Tellyhawks were searching the place, careful to look at every spot to clear possible ambushes. Once again, Twilight was fearing for Spike, but he was nowhere to be found. Upon checking the Elements of Harmony, they found the showcase shattered and broken in its corner. Close to a hysteric outburst, Twilight shook her head in a frenzy, as a well known voice spoke up behind them.

“It seems crisis is always near
Whenever I decide to visit here.”

While the Tellyhawks whirled around in suspicion, Twilight raised a hoof in order for them to step down before she approached her.
“Zecora! Spike is gone! And the Elements! We need to-”

Raising a hoof in front of Twilight's lips, the zebra shook her head with a smile.
“Reason to panic there is none,
since no baby dragon or element is gone.”

She then eyed the Tellyhawks with an arched brow.
“But I see friend Tyler's fear,
For he sends stallions to protect what he holds dear.”

Leaving the library, the zebra lead the friends back to her hut, where Spike sat in a corner with the priceless trinkets. Looking over to him upon entering, Zecora smiled.

“When the attack came, Spike showed no fear,
and in wisdom brought the elements here.”

Twilight gave Spike a big hug and held him dear for a minute, while the others praised him for thinking ahead. But it wasn't for long until Lyra spoke up.
“This is a dangerous situation. The Descendants tried to attack us Rangers now, not Equestria. They were after those who can defend the land. They attacked the Harmony Rangers, so they had nothing to rival their armies. And they went after the Elements of Harmony because of their magical power to deal with mighty enemies.”

Sam nodded and gently stroke over Lyra's back.
“But they failed! Our rangers drove them back and are determined to get even throughout Equestria. And Vinyl was so quick-witted to secure our greatest advantage.”

“That hover tank?” Flynn asked with an arched brow.

Sam nodded in confirmation.
“The technology in there will get us even with them. The ability to store magic will give airship crews even without unicorns a temporary shield. Or at least the need for unicorn crew is reduced to a minimum.”

Stepping in front of the Element Bearers, Lyra eyed each of them.
“There's another thing... If they want to remove us Rangers, chances are they intent to get rid of the Elements of Harmony as well. The Tellyhawks' assignment couldn't have a better timing than now.” This thought frightened and comforted Twilight a bit at the same time. Tyler saw it coming, she did not. His mind was that of a fighter, a protector and he used that mind of his to protect them all. But this tactical understanding was not achieved by reading books about it. Coming to think of it, she never asked him about his past on Earth. Out of respect, she always waited for him to approach that topic, but now, seeing his intriguing expertise in tactical planning, she began to doubt that this was merely achieved in the fields of the Amasian Enclave fighting Changelings.

Her thoughts, however, were interrupted by Zecora as she spoke up again.

“What they plan I know not,
but surely one can sense a plot.
Like you I can see that they conspire.
And what they have in store for us will turn out quite dire.

Friend Tyler ventures out to fight
and get back what is dear.
But like him you must fear no fright
and hold him always near.”

Nodding, Twilight looked over to the others
“Yes, they want to corrupt him. Zecora, do you have an idea what they want to awaken in him?”

Shaking her head, the zebra closed her eyes.
“There are things in this world one should never try to reveal.
If they succeed to open such a door, friend Tyler might never heal.”

Twilight's mind began to wander, but she looked up to the others once more.
“An irreversible damage... That's what I fear, too.”

* * * * *

On the next day, the girls took the train up to Canterlot to meet up there with Tyler. The destruction of Shadowgate caused the equestrian ponies to show their best solidarity and compassion. This of course not only sparked sorrow, but also anger.
“The only good Descendant is a DEAD Descendant!” was the word out on the street

Holding a speech in Canterlot castle, Tyler stood in front of the empty throne as he held a speech in front of some delegates from other cities and nations.
“We must face this threat with all our valor, our blood, indeed with our very lives to ensure that peace and harmony, not fear and terror, dominate this our free world now and always!” Receiving standing ovations from the Masar and Griffins, Tyler nodded and spoke to some Griffin and Masar. Rachel eyed him the whole time, analyzing his every word.

As he left the castle, Twilight trotted to his side and looked up to him in worry.
“Tyler, please! Don't lead Equestria to war. I'm sure we can-

Coming to a halt, Tyler got down to her and looked her in the eye.
“We can what? I hate to break it to you, Twilight, but they struck deep into the heart of this nation and took the one responsible for the sun's turn. And whatever they are up to, they are not out to make friends with us. They took hostages. They want to hold us back with this, probably in the believe that this will break our will. Oh I will show them will... I will let them taste the resilience of man. They will learn that taking Celestia was a wise choice, for it means they have the one thing holding me back not to kill them at once!”

Once more, Twilight's face grew stern and she stood in front of him once more, this time as an opposing force.
“No!”

Arching a brow, Tyler looked down at her.
“No?”

“The Darkness Sisters already tried to make your heart hard and unkind when they sent Mimesis with his mind trap! You are falling right into that trap once again! And now that you took over leadership in the princesses' absence, the ponies begin to grow unkind. Maybe you haven't noticed, but you lead by example!”

Looking at the ponies on the street, Tyler wondered for a bit. The princesses had influence on him and his behavior. Could he have influence on the ponies as well? If that was possible, then his actions had to be taken with care and Twilight was right. In a matter of seconds, his hard expression withered away.
“You have a valid point there, Twilight...” Closing his eyes, he gently turned his head to the left, almost like looking over the shoulder. “Fluttershy!”

Gulping, the yellow mare looked up.
“Y-Yes?”

Now turning to her entirely, a genuine smile formed on Tyler's lips.
“I will bring Grinko back to you... I will unite you two again. In fact, I will take all of you with me.

In unison, a collective “What?” was the answer.

But Tyler nodded assured of this way.
“Oh, you girls can bet on it. I will not leave the Elements of Harmony unguarded, so the enemy can take them away in my absence. You girls will accompany us, so we Rangers can have an eye on you and the elements you are wearing. And if needed, we will make use of the elements. They took care of Nightmare Moon, so they could take care of the Darkness Sisters.” Twilight nodded. That logic was sound. Either to cleanse the Darkness Sisters or to banish them to the moon, the elements could be used to end this for good. Her train of thought, however, was brought to an abrupt end as Tyler spoke up again. “Yet we lack something. Currently we have... what? Earth ponies, unicorns and pegasi along with bat ponies, Masar and probably griffins against the Descendants... But to get every last one, I have to address another tribe. One Luna always warned me to visit ever since Flynn stumbled into their territory. The one and only dark tribe Equestria offers to the world...”

Twilight gasped at this statement.
“No, you don't mean... Tyler! No! Ever since I became a princess, Celestia and Luna also told me about what lurks down below the crystal caverns under Canterlot! You can't actually plan to go down there to the dreaded Castle Ensanglanter!”

Now the others were left stumped and Rainbow arched a brow.
“Excuse me, Miss Egghead. What castle?”

Turning around, Twilight shook her head explaining things.
“It's ancient! From a time when Equestria wasn't even founded. The vamponies built a shelter deep below the surface, hidden away from the Windigos and their lust for hatred.”

Hearing this, Applejack took off her Stetson and looked up to Tyler.
“Sugarcube! Twilight is right! Ah don't want ya to go down there either. Not without a mob with torches and forks.”

But Tyler simply shook his head.
“I have to. I believe they are the current hosts of Luna. If I want to see if she's right, I have to go down there. Besides... If Equestria is about to be engulfed in a longer night, I must make sure they stay down there. For that I need Luna's help!”

Stomping her hoof to the ground, Twilight insisted upon being heard.
“But Tyler!”

Taking her cheeks into his palms, Tyler placed a long passionate kiss onto her lips.
“I know you worry about me going down there, my love. And I hate to do this to you. But I swear to you, whatever comes: I shall not perish. I will bring back Luna AND Celestia. But for doing that I need to meet them.”

Twilight watched him leave to the bat pony district and the girls remained silent as Applejack came to her side. There was no word needed, AJ could read it in Twilight's face.
“Ah hear ya, Twilight. The situation is rotten like a bad apple. And now he wants to go down there all by himself. A part of me wants to force him to stay, but Tyler already faced much for us. Don't ya dare to lose hope on him!” But when Applejack looked over to Twilight again, she saw tears in her eyes as the alicorn began her lament.

♫“Twisted is this way, what hope is there to give?
Is he to risk himself for our chance to live?
Can I bare to risk the man who once inspired my heart?
Does he become their prey? Or will he take them apart?
They kill without a thought, they murder all that's good.
I know I can't refuse and yet I wish I could.
Oh Celestia, if his evil side breaks free, what horrors wait for you and me
In these our hero's arms...”♫

As she ended, a silent sobbing became audible and the earth pony rested a hoof on Twilight's shoulder.
“It's a nasty situation, Twilight... No doubt about it. But Ah have faith in Tyler. He won't succumb to whatever awful stuff they will throw at him...” Twilight turned over to her and they shared a hug. One after another, the six friends joined the group hug to give each other comfort. On one of the upper balconies Rachel stood and looked down to the girls, her face being stern.

* * * * *

An hour later, Tyler entered a shop in the lower streets of Canterlot after bypassing lots of bat ponies. A mare came flapping to the front and looked at a storage list she held in her front hooves.
“Good evening! I'm-”

But Tyler interrupted her with a smirk.
“Vivian Nightshade. And you are the owner of Vivi's Bat Pony Salon.”

Waving her front hooves, the vampony frantically shook her head.
“Head Ranger Jones! I-I-I... I didn't drink from the tap, I swear!”

Raising his hands in comfort, Tyler couldn't but chuckle.
“Easy there, Vivian... I'm not here to investigate and I'm sure you wouldn't give me or Princess Luna any reason to do so.” Vivian then visibly relaxed and Tyler leaned over the counter. “Vivian? I am looking for someone. Or rather... Some place. A place only a vampony like you could help me to find...”

Vivian blushed as he came so close.
“Ranger Jones?” The sudden tickle under her chin surprised her a bit, but it was nice and comforting, making her forget even her thirst for blood. Slowly a blush formed over her nose.

Giving a smirk, Tyler then lowered his voice.
“If you were a princess and mighty angry at someone...”

In an instant Vivian's eyes popped open and she pushed Tyler away.
“Oh no you won't! You are trying to make me tell you where the secret passage lies to Castle Ensanglanter! Well that I won't tell you!”

Looking over his shoulders, Tyler looked if someone was near. As he saw no pony but her, he leaned in and lowered his voice even more.
“You see... I have this fresh batch of Descendant prisoners...”

The next whisper was inaudible for outsiders, but once again, Vivian's eyes popped wide open.
“Suck blood from their what?!?” She arched back from the counter, a deep blush on her nose and a hoof at her chest. Taking two flaps of her wings, she landed a little further away and giggled. “I must say your offer is quite bold... And I doubt you would let me do that anyway... Shame on you for tempting me like that. But here is a price I want you to pay...” Her smile made way to a sly smirk. “I can tell you the path to Castle Ensanglanter, but if you tell another soul about it, you must pay a hefty compensation to the vampony tribe for jeopardizing our safety!”

Tyler eyed her for a moment. She was serious about this and sharing a secret such as this wasn't something to yell from a tower. Finally he gave a nod.
“That sounds reasonable... A secret like this should be kept well guarded and secure. Name the price.”

Giving a grin, she now leaned forward.
“One gallon of blood.”

“You mean my blood?

“Certainly.”

Tyler smirked. That little minx was plotting well to corner him into her demands.
“Then I shall keep this secret with me until I die.”

Getting a piece of paper, Vivian then wrote something down, before she took two little knifes, pushing one to Tyler's side of the counter. Pricking her hoof with it, she then used the shed blood on her knife to sign and turned the paper to Tyler. After a brief reading, he quickly understood it to be a contract of reparation to the tribe, should he ever tell somepony else about the way to Castle Ensanglanter. After looking up to her, he saw the determination in her eyes. Probably contracts were the vampony way for promises, signed with blood. Its meaning deep for them, he deemed it more proper to respect their ways.

Pricking his finger caused Vivian to gasp in delight, and as he looked up to her, he saw the lust in her eyes as she licked her lips at the mere sight of his droplets of blood. After signing the contract, he made sure no blood of his were on his finger or the knife he used while Vivian took good care of the contract. Once stowed away, she then returned and nodded at Tyler.
“This way, please...” Leading him to the rooms behind the salon, she gave him a seductive grin. “Princess Luna sure is a lucky mare, if she has you coming after her no matter what.” Revealing a hatch below a carpet, she then looked up to him. “Follow the corridor down there and you should find your way to the castle. The corridor goes directly through the crystal caverns and below. You won't see much of it, though. Mostly bricks. I go down there twice a month. This corridor is safe, don't worry.

Climbing down the hatch, Tyler nodded as he was on the ground of the corridor. It was built for pony height, so walking upright wasn't going to work. As the hatch was closed behind him, Tyler was left only with his magic to illuminate the way in front of him as he began his descent. Strangely, these tight corridors of red bricks had an odd familiarity to Tyler. It wasn't the bricks themselves, more the idea of passing through hundreds of short and tight corridors to go down. Soon, after a felt hour of walk, the brick stones became more withered and aged, making way to catacomb like halls. And yet Tyler had no difficulty seeing in these dark halls; some of the mushrooms and crystals down there were fluorescent lighting the way for him. More and more even these simple stone bricks were gone and made way to a passage of pure cave walls. Cut, yet crudely executed. Whoever was down there, he sure wasn't expecting lots of traffic.

Finally coming to a large cave, the claustrophobic feeling ended and Tyler took a deep breath at the sight in front of him. The flora down here was mostly fluorescent mushrooms, sometimes whole fields of them lighting the way. Down here was a small landscape. Hills, a small canyon, even a large waterfall with a river.

And then he saw it after passing the next hill. A gray castle, its walls and towers bathed in a hellish light from a thousand torches. The faint scent of blood was in the air, which was barely moving here. Maybe this huge cave was completely enclosed. On the ceiling, Tyler could make out large formations of crystal. Maybe the crystal caverns Twilight once mentioned were up there. Which could only mean that he was at least half a mile away from the bright light of the sun.

The castle was surrounded by what seemed to be a bottomless pit, at least Tyler couldn't see the bottom in pitch black darkness. The only way over was one stone bridge, sturdy and thick with dozens of statues on each side. As he began to walk on the bridge, he couldn't decide what should worry him more, the red eyed statues of vamponies or the fact that their heads followed him slowly. One could see the movement, this was way different than the weeping pegasi. Maybe these statues were the guardians of this bridge.

But as he looked at the castle again, two wings of leather blocked his way and two stallions of the Lunar Guard stood in front of him.
“You are not allowed to pass this point!”

'Where did they come from all of a sudden without noise?' Startled for a second, Tyler quickly regained his composure and nodded over to the castle.
“You know why I'm here. I wish to see Princess Luna!”

Both stallions looked at each other, before they looked at him once again, their voices now pleading instead of intimidating.
“Please, Tyler Jones... We were ordered by the princess to stop you from seeing her. And we are going to be punished if we hurt you. Please don't make it harder for us.”

This left Tyler truly stumped.
“What?!? But why? Why wouldn't Luna want to see me?”

A calm and sober-minded voice spoke up now.
“I think she doesn't want you to see her that outraged...”

Behind the two vamponies, another one appeared and Tyler recognized him.
“Earl Draco von Hoofington!”

Giving a short bow with the head, the earl smiled.
“You remember me, thank you...” His smile, however, withered now. “We were instructed not to let any Harmony Ranger to the Princess, especially not you. If you are here to pursuit a meeting with her, I am sad to disappoint you.”

Tyler looked around, spotting several red pairs of eyes in the shadows. Seemingly the vamponies were eying him from their hideouts. Nonetheless he had to gain something for coming down here.
“Well, you drive a hard bargain there, good Earl... What if I wish your tribe to fight among my side as well and also came down here to speak with you?”

Bursting out in wild laughter, the earl now showed his vampony fangs.
“You really are an entertaining young man. I suppose you know our reputation: The vamponies serve the Princess of the Night. And after 5000 years I see no reason to back-stab the hoof that feeds us well. I have seen many come and go, but none were important enough for her to push away if she is so enraged. That's why it's such a pity that I can't let you go to your lover. I really can't disobey my princess after so many years, now can I? I'm afraid I have to send you away, Tyler Jones. So sorry...”

Tyler now spotted the vamponies coming forth in combat stances. Slowly the situation at hand began escalating as the earl spoke up again.
“The vamponies are great warriors! You are a great warrior, too, no doubt! Please don't force our hooves and return to the light. We will be lead to battle by the Princess of the Night! And she will determine our stratagem.”

An adrenaline rush pumped through his veins and Tyler knew that he had to remain calm. Any wrong move could end bad now. Running was out of the question and fighting would turn out quite ugly Standing still, he took a deep breath before he spoke up calm and collected.
“You know I really have nothing against vamponies since you obeyed the law bestowed upon you. Indeed I admire your loyalty and devotion towards Luna. Even to the extent to part two lovers if one of them orders you to. Yet I wonder about the fairness if I have to first shed blood for the sake of giving you a message for her. But if that will entertain you...”

Arching a brow, the earl couldn't but chuckle.
“I see... Well, you make a good argument, young man. How interesting... If you only wish us to deliver a message to our princess, I shall lend you my ear. I swear I will deliver it to her as soon as possible, if you leave then.”

Up above in the highest castle towers, two turquoise eyes looked down to the bridge as Tyler started to write down a letter while the Earl and his vampony guards patiently waited. After giving the piece of paper to the earl, Tyler then turned around and made his way back to the surface, but not before he took a last glance at the castle. The Princess of the Night looked down to him, her heart aching as her closest allies had to send him away.
“Down the deepest caverns of darkness thou would follow me, my love... But I have to send thee away from here. My influence would harm thee and pull thee over into complete darkness, never to return.”

Being near to tears, she found her composure quite quickly again at the sound of approaching hoofsteps. A short knock on the door and upon Luna's order to come in, Earl Draco entered and presented the letter.
“He left as you wished, but he persisted on leaving a message for you. Do you wish to read it?” Nodding briefly, the black alicorn mare levitated the letter over to her, unfolding it on the way.

My love,
For the sake of everything we both cherish: please don't turn evil again. I will find a way to get Celestia out of the clutches of the Darkness Sisters and if it takes me to strangle them into submission. But if all precautions fail, I will need your assistance, my love. As you read these lines, the Masar and Griffins are preparing for war and we Rangers will perform a rescue mission in order to get Celestia back. I will need some time to get to her, though. Luna, please don't do anything stupid while I'm gone. Let this be my rage, not yours.

In love,
Tyler

Reading these lines, Luna sighed a bit and looked into the mirror. Her now completely black coat shimmered below her battle armor. She was ready for war as well. Not allowing her to fight for her own sister's safety was... bold of him, but she knew he meant well.
“Von Hoofington...”

The earl stood attention and saluted.
“Princess?”

Turning to him, Luna continued to talk as she trot by him and within her levitation magic, the letter was folded and put into a small box like a treasured item.
“Once the armies of our allies leave, we will give them five days until we catch up. I will grant Tyler this one wish. Five days patience... But not even he could tell me not to fight for my sister's freedom.”

Giving a nod, the earl then went to a table to a glass, pouring some blood into it before he emptied it in one go. Once done, his eyes looked over his shoulder to Luna.
“This young man has a very big place in your heart, your majesty... None could ever hope to dim your rage simply by bidding for your patience. Not while you're so angered that your rage compels you to unleash your full powers and look like the dreadful Nighmare Moon again...”

Closing her eyes, Luna gave it a smirk.
“That's right, thou are a very observant one, old friend.” A slight blush rose over her nose. “He will one day become the father of my children...”

Taking a step back, the earl's jaw now dropped.
“But... He's a child! An infant if one looks at it from our perspective! You and your sister are as old as... well... I don't know! I know you two now for over 5000 years and you barely even aged a day! I dare to claim that you may be ageless. What does he have that makes you yearn for him that much? What could he as a mortal being offer to gain such attention?”

Looking down, Luna's eyes became dreamy and another blush came over her nose.
“I think he's just going with the flow and takes us with him.” Turning around, she saw the earl's confusion and chuckled a bit. “I mean, he's just natural with my sister and me. He shows no signs of intimidation like so many of the others. Oh, he knows that we are powerful, yet he...” A genuine smile rose up her otherwise strict face. “He treats us like any other mare. No! Rather... Better than any normal stallion would treat any other mare. Can thou understand what I'm trying to put into words?”

Giving a smirk, the earl nodded.
“I guess I can. The older we get, the more we yearn for these individuals, who are as rare as black diamonds. I can only wish you the best of luck with this young man. I hope you and your sister are soon reunited with him and can cherish happiness once more. The entire castle enjoys it when your canto echoes down here.

Touched by his words Luna smiled and raised the earl's chin.
“Thou are indeed my greatest ally in these times, Von Hoofington. Who would have thought that the most dangerous tribe would be the most loyal one in these times?”

Giving a wholehearted laugh, the earl showed his fangs.
“This is easy... Anypony of the vampony tribe answers to me and I would sense even the slightest sign of treachery. In all these millennium you have taken good care of our needs. I have no desire to betray you. Although I'm curious...”

With a wholehearted laughter of herself now, Luna shook her head.
“Neither a drop of alicorn or human blood for thou anytime soon, old friend. This is the limitation I will maintain with you.”

“He has made a contract with one of my servants, though... Keeping this place secret. If this contract is breached, the tribe will gain one gallon of his blood.” When Luna looked over to him with a strict glare, he simply shrugged. “It was his decision to make...”

Arching a brow, Luna eyed the Earl.
“Thou think he would ever lead down an army to this place? Thou don't know him like I do. So he made a contract that he will pay this price. If this should ever occur, I am most certain that he will be betrayed somehow.”

“We shall see... If that man makes a mistake, I will hand the corked bottle over to you. But I will demand the full price. I'm curious about what kind of individual he is... If he is as honorable as you describe him, he will pay the price.”

Looking down to the bridge where Tyler was returning to the surface, a gentle smile formed on her lips.
“For his mares he would go down the deepest depths of Tartarus... Literally!” For the rest of the journey up it lifted Tyler's spirit as below him the Royal Canterlot Canto accompanied him until he was on the surface again.

* * * * *

Once he returned to the surface and his fellow Rangers, he was surrounded and bombarded with questions as the ponies seemed to ask for guidance.
“And?”

“Were you able to achieve something?

“Are they giving us some vamponies for our joint operation?”

Holding up his hands in a comforting manner, Tyler then explained the situation.
“Princess Luna is fine enough to sing cantos, so I deem her to preparing something of her own as well. There are some things I don't fully understand yet, but I can give an all-clear for her, so spread the news. No Nightmare Moon threat is going to happen anytime soon. But until divine alicorn intervention kicks in, we have to do as best as we can. Our allies are preparing as we speak and the plan stands, folks. We and the Elements of Harmony will go and rescue Celestia, Prince Grinko and Prince Griffith and get the hell out of there before the three armadas attack the citadel fleet and destroy that super large one.

By now, Rachel, the only other human Ranger present, cocked her head and shook it slightly.
“You want to sneak into the enemy fleet and get the only three hostages out that they ever made?”

“Yes. Twilight and I must work something out on the way there. If we get Celestia back, we can unleash all hell unto their fleet. This maybe is not something Celestia would approve of much, but way better than to let them harm her subjects. Also, she ordered us to do whatever is necessary to counter this threat.”

Arching a brow, Rachel nodded.
“Yes, she said that... But Jones... leading them to war so soon after they recovered from the last attack?”

“We have no other choice. Once Celestia, Grinko and Prince Griffith are free again, we can unleash all the destruction upon the Descendants that we can muster with our joint forces. The Descendants must learn that we won't be crushed under their heel. And the best way to teach them is to strike with a devastating blow so fierce that they never recover again!” Tyler didn't notice how his voice became harsh again and a slight blue glow sparkled in his eyes once more.

But the sound of Rachel's gun cocking right in front of his face caught his immediate attention.
“You know... I've watched you for some time now, Jones... Seems to me we have to have a little 'talk among Rangers'.”

In an instant, the pony Rangers backed off and retreated the scene, avoiding this conflict upon their fellow human Rangers. Tyler on the other hand simply stared at Rachel, aghast.
“Are you really pointing a gun into my face?”

“Fireball Spell, class five, ten of them at once. Not even you could hope to absorb that much all at once without some tissue damage. You are getting out of hand, Jones. Maybe you're the Head Ranger and shit, but I'm the safety precaution here. If you step out of line, we other Rangers will be there to get you back into line or make sure you don't step any further. I hope that you come to your senses now, but just for protocol: What do you want me to tell Twilight if you don't?”

Tyler's eyebrow twitched in silent rage.
“How about: I'm home late today because some gun-crazed bitch from the states thinks she can gun me down.”

Rachel's glare was unbroken as she took a deep breath. Upon exhaling, she then closed her eyes.
“In that case... I'm sorry.”

The gunshot echoed through the streets of Canterlot and at least five blocks wide the ponies scrambled and fled the possible crime scene. Smoke filled the air and Rachel stared at the wound she inflicted on Tyler's temple. Holding her gun at the barrel, he had diverted the shot, so it only streaked him, yet the wound was bleeding nonetheless. Gritting his teeth, he ripped the gun out of her hand and tossed it away, bitch-slapping her in the process.
“See that, bitch? In this world, you insane Yankee can't solve everything with a gun!”

Gaining her balance again, she growled at him in anger. How dared he to say that.
“Like FUCK am I insane! Since Celestia got taken away, you more and more became violent in your behavior! You must be a fool not to notice this!”

Stabbing his finger into her direction, he then pointed down the way.
“If you want violence, I could bitchslap your sorry ass down the street! One should think I had enough to do with Descendants and crazed kidnappers. But no... NO!!! Now I have a freaking Yankee here as well thinking she can police me around! What kind of sick joke is this?!?”

Rachel's eyes opened wide before her face became hostile. Calling names was a game two could play.
“You really think you can judge me for doing my job, Mr. Ponyfucker?!? Don't you see what is happening to you or to those around you? Go on! Why don't you tell me? Did it really took a gun into your face to recognize that we and the girls think that something is terribly wrong with you?”

Looking to his side, Tyler remembered the troubled faces the girls had in the last two days since he heard about Celestia taken away. Did he became so oblivious about his own behavior? Looking up to her, he then nodded.
“You're right! I don't know when I'm crossing this fine line at times recently. I don't know who is behind this. But I intent to find out! And until then I need you to cover me.”

Kicking a table over, Rachel continued to yell at him and grabbed his collar while doing so.
“Shut up! It's convenient for you to wave it away like that! You can't take on the Darkness Sisters while you're freaking unstable like this! God damn it! The last thing we need is you on a rampage! Ever since that day Mimesis had you in that mind bug trap you've been stranger and stranger and now even small things begin to get you off. And we Rangers need you! We humans need your firepower and the ponies need your leadership right now!”

Coming to them from a side-alley, Sam and Flynn stormed to them, but halted as they saw that the two of them were fighting once again.
“We heard a gunshot!”

“Rachel, what the fuck are you up to?!?”

Standing in front of Tyler, Rachel hauled off,
“Beating some sense into this fucker here!!!” There was a loud crack as her punch hit his cheek, but Tyler didn't sway or flinch. He withstood and once more there was utter silence around them both and they looked at each other.

For a moment, Tyler's eyes glowed blue as he looked into Rachel's eyes. They were not full of rage and hatred, but fear and pain. These eyes of her... Were they fearing him or were they fearing for him? Both options were bad. The fine glitter of tears formed in them and slowly the blue glow ceased. His voice, harsh and rough before, was now soft and kind as he spoke.
“Did you forget, Rachel? The Descendants took not any pony, not only the one able to turn the sun, not only the one I love, but the one we all love. The reason why I do this is not just anger or madness, but because I opened myself to Celestia, revealed every dirty little secret I had and still she wanted me as a lover. There was no masquerade needed, no fake smile. And then, just like that, nothing of my ugly past on Earth mattered anymore. The one mare that shook me awake, the one that showed me most that I was accepted no matter what I did before, was Celestia, Rachel. And I swear to you one thing: I won't sit idly by and leave her to these guys!”

Searching for an argument to counter this, Rachel quickly turned to the side and scratched her head. It was a reasonable way to look at it and not a rampage in the making. This approach was just enough to be acceptable.
“Fuck... Whatever... If you start to harm the girls, I'll kill you.”

As she attempted to leave, Tyler spoke up once more,
“Rachel!” Turning around for another look, she saw him nodding with a smile despite the shiner. “Thank you...”

Turning away once again, she showed him the finger while she left, and Sam and Flynn came to Tyler's side.
“Shit, man... I never thought that she would pull the trigger on you, Tyler.”

“Yeah... And we know her longer than anybody else here.”

Closing his eyes, Tyler put the table right that was kicked over by Rachel.
“Rachel did that because she cares. I absorbed the energy that hit me, but that was just a minor part. Fortunately for me I was able to deflect the gun. But this thing... It's her way to signal me that she's worried sick about the situation. Being the woman she is, she would never say that straight into my face. And I did get out of hand lately.” Turning around, Tyler looked at the two of them. “You American shitheads... It feels damn good to know that we face enemies together, but even better to know that you guys have the balls to face even me if you think I'm losing control.”

Flynn replied to this with a big grin.
“Sure thing...”

Sam on the other hand patted Tyler's shoulder.
“I can't let the guy who brought me together with my girls become one of the bad guys, now can I? Don't slack off, man! We're going to whoop your sorry little ass if you step out of line, huh?” With that, Sam gently punched Tyler into the shoulder.

* * * * *

later that day, in the evening hours, in the cloud home of Rainbow Dash, Rainbow sat together with Elise and Spitfire, discussing the situation at hand.
“We Wonderbolts are all going to be there among the armies to repel the enemy armada.

With a slightly worried face, Rainbow looked over to the yellow mare.
“Will you fight with the others at the front?”

Looking over to Rainbow, Spitfire shook her head.
“Frankly I wish I would, but my superiors want me to remain and drill more cadets. The drafting efforts are exhausting right now and it seems my contribution is to chase down more pegasi in order to find more Wonderbolt material.” Putting a hoof over Rainbow's shoulder, spitfire pulled her in. “Take that as a mental note, Lieutenant: Being a Captain makes you one of the figureheads of the Wonderbolts. Ponies on the streets look up to you, take you as the role model. But behind the scenes, you are one in the chain of command with your superiors deciding your way to some extent.”

Hearing a sharp whistle from below, Elise's ears stood up.
“Flynn is below. He wants a lift up.”

Trotting towards the front door, Rainbow chuckled amused.
“Bat ponies have good ears it seems.”

“Well, despite the rumors we don't use them to eavesdrop on others...” Elise retorted, giving Spitfire a glare, yet the yellow Pegasus mare resisted to grin.

“I didn't say anything...”

A few moments later Flynn came in and placed a kiss on Rainbow's lips while Elise and Spitfire received kisses on the cheeks as court mates. It seemed proper for the time being and was enough for each of the two newcomers.
“It's good to see you two again. When we heard that we were gone for some weeks, I was afraid you would take it in a wrong way. Well... here's the news I'm allowed to give from Ranger HQ: We're still on alert. But it seems Tyler has come back to his senses and the plan at hand seems to be that we take the Elements of Harmony with us as a means of defense against the Darkness Sisters, should we encounter them. We will set sail in Fillydelphia and then down south, evade the currents from the south of the Amasian enclave and about some other island we will take some sort of shortcut. Since we have an alicorn princess with us, they predict our journey to be a brief one.”

Elise grew pale upon hearing this. Shortly after, she kicked with her hind legs in rage.
“BUCK!!!”

Looking over to her with an arched brow, Spitfire shook her head.
“Is there a reason why you rage so much?”

“Damn straight there is a reason, stupid!” the bat pony now replied. “Maelstrom!” Kicking the ground, Elise looked to the ground, tears in her eyes. “You know? Due to the currents there, sane captains rather go the long direct route against the current leading north near the Amasian Enclave than to squeeze themselves through at the edge of Maelstrom. They do so because this is like a filly virgin. So tight you either crash on the cliffs or go down Maelstrom. And almost no sailing pony ever returned from Maelstrom. A huge vortex in the sea a third the size of Equestria. Captain Lily only did it once and at that point she was forced to. If they take that route, the Rangers and Elements are risking their lives.”

Looking up to Flynn, Rainbow's eyes widened.
“Is our trip really going to be that dangerous?”

Flynn grimaced and nodded in reluctance.
“Tyler and Queen Sheeris agreed on the fact that if we want to get Celestia and the two princes out of there before the main attack force meets the enemy, this is our path... even if the risk is formidable.”

Rainbow looked down to the ground, uncertainty in her eyes for a short while before she looked up with new determination in them.
“We will go and we will return. I once said I'll always be loyal to the princess, and I gosh darn intent to keep it that way! Besides... If our big guy here goes out there all alone, he would miss some decent wings to assist him.”

Looking down, Spitfire grimaced unsatisfied.
“I only wished that there would be more that we could do... Sitting safe in Equestria preparing armies while you risk your lives without any help at all still feels unsatisfying!”

Flynn and Rainbow looked at each other and after a smile they nodded in silent agreement.
“There is something... I want you to have a good look on Scootaloo while we are gone. Would you girls do that for me without fighting?”

Both Elise and Spitfire looked at each other, smiled and nodded in agreement.
“Sure thing!”

“But don't stay away for three more months this time, stud...”

“Oh I intend to come back with Rainbow... I mean, I have three great girls here...” Looking from Rainbow to Elise and finally to Spitfire, he smirked “Awesome, cool and hot. Once we come back, I'll find some time and tell you the whole story why it took us two so long to return... And in the meantime, I want you two to behave as best as you can.” Placing a kiss first on Spitfire's and then on Elise's lips, he went towards the door. “If you behave, there will be more of that later on.”And with that he and Rainbow left again to make some more preparations.

Savoring the kiss, Spitfire leaned a bit back, her eyes dreamy.
“Hehe... He called me hot... Yep, I still have it.”

Rolling her eyes, Elise slowly shook her head.
“Featherbrain...”

Now shooting a glare at Elise, Spitfire's eyebrow twitched.
“Fangface...”

* * * * *

Meanwhile in another dimension...
The car came to an abrupt halt and Rick Marshal approached the house of beige. The garden was well done, the grass green and healthy and there was the laughter of kids in the air. A good neighborhood, it seemed. Ringing the doorbell, he waited patiently at the front door.

As the front door opened, a seasoned old lady, maybe 60 or 70, blonde hair with several streaks of silver stood before him and Rick gave her a genuine smile.
“Mrs. Megan Williams?”

All of a sudden, her mood became slightly hostile and her eyes became hard.
“I thought I had told you people to leave me and my family alone.”

Shaking his head in confusion, Rick Marshal tried to stay polite with maintaining his smile.
“I beg your pardon?”

“You're from the press, right? You louts should learn to leave me alone!”

Shaking his head, he then showed her the bureau's badge.
“No, Ma'am, I am not from the press. Agent Rick Marshal, FBI.”

Right now a little girl stormed to Megan's side and looked up to Rick.
“Grandma? Who is this man?”

Stroking her hair, Megan forced a smile.
“It's alright, Lily. He's having some questions for granny. Why don't you play upstairs?” When Lily complied, Megan arched a brow and turned around on the spot and left the agent on the door sill. “You may come in. What does a federal agent want from me?”

Taking several steps into the house, Rick knew that he had to think of something. Seemingly Mrs. Williams had her share of people labeling her mad and by becoming one of them he would never get any answers from her.
“I am looking for a man who disappeared without a trace. A man who entered a national park and never got out of it as if he just, poof, turned into thin air.”

“And what do you think do I have to do with this? I'm not offering shelter to anyone. And the garden doesn't have any body bags in it.”

“No... But when you and your siblings were children, you also disappeared without a trace and returned. Well fed and unharmed... I think that if there is the slightest chance that the man I am looking for is in the exact situation you were in as a child, you could tell me more.”

The aged woman gave the federal agent a strict look and eyed him for a long time.
“We three had to undergo several years of therapy... No one believed us. And after a while, the connection ceased. Molly was so devastated by this. Danny... He... He tried to find an explanation. If we were doing something wrong or maybe didn't do enough. For three years he blamed himself before we just went on. But not one of us forgot about what we were part of. There are things beyond this world that would blow your mind, Agent Marshal. There are far more things possible than you could imagine. But tell me: Why should I open this book once more for a stranger?”

The federal agent countered her stare, but nodded in the end.
“You are right, Mrs. Williams. I am a stranger to you. Who am I to tell you to do something? A world of talking and thinking ponies, no one would believe that. But one fact remains: This man vanished from the face of the earth and no explanation seems proper. So if I scratch all other options as impossible, the one remaining, no matter how stupid it may be, must be the truth.”

Megan now arched a brow once more and eyed Rick for some time.
“What did he do anyway to deserve a federal agent on his heels?”

“Oh I am the least of his problems for messing with national security. I just want the man found. What happens to him afterward is none of my business. What we know so far is that he was camping and that without a fight or struggle, this man disappeared into thin air with only a clean geometric hole in the ground as if a sphere teleported him away with magic.”

At the word 'magic' Megan's thoughts whirled around. Her eyes ran over the ground as if she was trying to connect pieces of the puzzle.
“The connection opened again...”

Arching a brow, Rick looked at her, puzzled.
“Mrs. Wiliams?”

“If that man truly went to the enchanted place I think he went, then he will be enlightened in a way you can not imagine.”

Shaking his head, Rick Marshal then made his way towards the door.
“I'm sorry I wasted your time, Mrs. Wiliams.”

Looking after him, Megan then cocked her head.
“Agent Marshal?”

Standing in the door, Rick then looked back one last time.
“Yes?”

“If I'm correct, then you might face wonders and terrors that might compel you to think outside the box. The question is not 'Is this crazy?' The real question is: 'What if it's not?'”

Rick gave her a nod and left the house, went through the front garden and entered his car, where his colleague Ben Miller was sitting.
“And? Did you find out anything useful?”

Rick sighed and rolled his eyes as he fastened his seatbelt.
“She still clings to the idea that there is some sort of other world out there and proposed that Tyler Jones might be in that place.”

Giving a chuckle, Ben Miller shook his head.
“What a nut job, right?” as Rick remained silent, Ben Miller looked over to him. “Right?”

Looking forward, Rick seemed to be lost in thoughts.
“I don't know, Ben... She'd better be a nut job. Otherwise Tyler Jones may have more tricks up his sleeve than hacking mainframes. Not to speak of the fact that it would be impossible to arrest him on another world.” With that the car was started and drove down the street.

Author's Notes:

Not proofread yet. Any notice to correct something is welcome.