MLP: Playing With Fire

Chapter 1 - Preface

Disclaimer: Hasbro and DHX Media are the rightful owners of "My Little Pony". I just own the story.

Author's Note: Now, I know what you're probably wondering - "Why are you publishing this now when An Epic Adventure isn't finished yet?"

Well, that's because… even though that story takes place technically after Seeds of the Past, it's basically a novelization of the actual movie, but with additional stuff… and my stories usually take place in between or after the show's actual episodes.

In other words, An Epic Adventure is, like, a mini-sequel/spin-off story, whereas this story (and the ones that follow) are the actual continuation of what happened after the ending of Seeds.

Now, yes, I will be finishing the other story, but I'm also going to be doing this one, as well… and cause it gives me something to do as we wait for season 8 to come next year.

So, without further ado, let's check in on our pony friends, shall we?


"... and I do believe this is the longest that you've gone without speaking, Princess Twilight."

After saying that, Evil Stardust quietly waited for the chained-up and bruised alicorn in front of him to finally speak, but she simply shook her head, which caused the dark-gold Earth Pony to sigh in disappointment.

"Such a shame… I mean, it was fun to not hear your voice in the beginning, but at this point, it's really getting on my damn nerves."

Making his way over to stand in front of Twilight, Evil Stardust's eyes shined dangerously as he asked, "So, do you want to bring me your special somepony the easy way, or the hard way?"

The purple alicorn refused to speak.

"Fine… it looks like we'll have to do it the hard ways, then," replied Evil Stardust, and in one swift move, he delivered a slap to the right side of Twilight's face, which made her let out a small yelp of pain while he gritted his teeth in frustration.

"Where is he, Twilight?" exclaimed the sinister pony, but Twilight continued to remain silent. "Alright, princess, if we're going to continue playing this little game…"

Placing a hoof on the back of her head, Evil Stardust forcibly brought Twilight closer to him, and a sly grin appeared on his face. "I guess I'll have to start having some of my own fun."

Then, just when it seemed like he was about to have a passionate kiss with the alicorn, they were interrupted by a voice that came from an entering blue-violet Pegasus.

"Look who decided to join us…"

She tossed the body of another pony at the hooves of Evil Stardust, who let out a chuckle before saying, "Well, if it isn't the pony who made all of this possible. I was wondering when you'd show up, Casey… but not much of a successful princess rescue, though, I'll admit that."

As for Twilight, she didn't know whether to be happy about the roughed-up pony lying in front of her… or disappointed since he was part of the reason she, herself, was captured in the first place.

"I didn't come just for her, you a-hole," muttered Casey, and he glanced over at the Pegasus that had brought him in as he stood up, while Evil Stardust just rolled his eyes.

"Whatever… now, where was I? Oh, yeah…" He turned his attention back over to Twilight, and spoke to her in a threatening tone. "If I don't see your beloved Warrior in the next three-and-a-half hours, then I'll make it so that he never sees his beloved goddess ever again… so, I'll ask you one last time - Where… is…"

"I can get him to come here, Stardust."

Everypony in the room looked at Casey after he said that, and Evil Stardust raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Casey nodded his head, and the dark-gold Earth Pony looked back over at Twilight, who was still not speaking. "Well, seeing as the princess is choosing to be an effing mute… why not? I mean, I'd love to see the look on his face when he sees everything that I've achieved, and that you played a major part in all of this."

"Great," replied the light-orange pony, talking like he wanted to get this over with. "But I need to be alone with Twilight, in order for it to work."

A smirk appeared on Evil Stardust's face, and he nodded while starting to make his way out of the room. "Alright, then… I need the time to work on my machine anyway… Emerl, let's go."

Once the sinister pony was gone, the Pegasus that had brought Casey in walked over to Twilight, and a sly grin appeared on her face. "You know, I can see now why these two have a version of you as their special somepony… which is why it sucks that you're taken."

Twilight just gave her a confused look, and Emerl began to walk away, as well, but she paused to smirk at Casey. "Same thing applies to you, hot shot."

"I'm sorry, which Emerl am I talking to again?" replied Casey, who frowned while the pegasus let out a chuckle before leaving the room. "So, um, are you okay?"

The chained-up alicorn gave him a poker faced expression, and he said, "Right… well, then… I hope this works."

Reaching into one of his cloak's pockets, Casey pulled out a small flask, which contained a potion that his special somepony had created, and he shuddered in disgust from the after-taste before continuing his "conversation" with Twilight.

"I know you don't want to talk right now, but I do need you to listen because-"

"Why?" answered the Princess of Friendship.

Casey quickly became silent since he figured that Twilight was going to remain silent, and the purple alicorn repeated her question. "Why?"

"Because… I…" He let out a sigh, and replied, "I'm not so sure anymore, to be honest."

A small sign of confusion appeared on Twilight's face as she said, "Well, what exactly led to all of this happening?"

As Casey's eyes slowly started to change colors, the young Earth Pony said, "Let's just say that I'm glad he gave you a three hour deadline because there's a lot that I need to talk about… now, it started when the four us were saying our last goodbyes during the last few hours of my birthday…"