A week had passed since Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, and Apple Jack had returned to Ponyville. In that week alone Drab-with assistance from Luna and Discord- had most of Equestria under his control. The only exceptions were Ponyville and Cloudsdale but even those were barely holding on. Twilight managed to remember most of the spells in the book left by Princess Celestia for her. Most seemed extremely useful. Others seemed very circumstantial. Pinkie Pie and Apple Jack had also gotten ready for the war by collecting supplies and such. It was obvious when the week was over that they were in no condition to go off against Drab but if they waited any longer, Equstria would most likely crumble.
"Are you sure we shouldn't prepare a little more before we head out?" Apple Jack asked, as they were getting ready to leave. "Yes, we should but we don't have time." Twilights answered. The three were getting close to the train station to take to Canterlot. When they got there, The Cutie Mark Crusaders: Sweetie Bell, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom. The girls thought they were there to see them off but were surprised to hear that they wanted to tag along. "Apple Bloom, go home, this isn't safe and I don't know what I'd do if you got hurt." Apple Jack said. "No, none of us are leaving, we're coming with you" Scootaloo snapped. "Girls we can't you come with us, you'll get hurt." Twilight tried to reason. "Please, my sister is trapped and I would do anything to help her," Sweetie Bell pleaded. "And so is Rainbow Dash, she's like a sister to me." Scootaloo added. Apple Bloom finished with "and there my friends, I have to stay by them. That and I wanna be there to make sure the same thing doesn't happen to you, Apple Jack." Apple Jack opened to mouth to oppose but was cut off by Twilight. "They can come with." "What!?" Apple Jack and Pinkie Pie exclaimed. "I know what it's like to know a loved one is in danger and no be able to help them." Twilight explained, with the sound of fighting back tears in her voice. After a moment of silence the Earth Ponies agreed and the six of them climbed aboard the train.
The train ride was short due to there being no other stops during the ride. The train driver explained that there'd be no other stops because he had orders from Drab to let nopony except for them ride the train. When they arrived at Canterlot it was not as they had expected. They expected it to be destroyed with everypony wearing a face of total misery. But nopony appeared particularly sad. True, none were smiling but none looked miserable either.
The six approached the gates leading to the Canterlot garden, which they'd have to pass to get to the castle. "You three wait here until we come back saying it's safe." Apple Jack commanded of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. They started to complain but Apple Jack held her ground. The three stayed put but they weren't happy about it. Twilight, Apple Jack, and Pinkie Pie walked through the garden, trying not to be heard or seen. They did this successfully and walked through the front door to the castle. Except something wasn't right; they were in the hall meant for protecting the Elements of Harmony. By the time it was too late the ponies realized that it was a trap. The doors slammed shut. The tugged and pulled on the doors, trying to pry them open but with no luck. It was then; a wicked laughter filled the air. A laugh of which they knew way too well. In a puff of smoke appeared Drab's head of guard and weather conditions, Discord.
"Did you really think it was that easy to get past me?" Discord asked, rhetorically "your opinion of me sure has dropped, hasn't it?" "Discord, let us go!" Twilight demanded. "Oh, I'll do as you wish, please don't hurt me!" he said with obviously fake fear and complete mockery. Discord then grew serious. "You three are coming with me. Drab said he wanted you three to watch your friends beheading and the destruction of Equstria first hand." With a snap of his fingers, a staircase appeared. "Now come." Apple Jack charged at Discord, who didn't expect the attack and got knocked down. "Go on, without me. I'll catch up after I take care of him." She yelled, preparing another strike. "Are you sure?" Twilight asked. "There's no time to debate, look." Pinkie Pie said and pointed to the portal, which was slowly closing. "You've had better come back to us, Apple Jack." Twilight said. "Don't y'all have faith in me" she asked with a grin "now go." Twilight and Pinkie Pie ran into the portal, leaving their friend with the Lord of Chaos.
Discord recovered from the attack. Apple Jack expected him to seem worried that her friends had got away but to her surprise, he was grinning. "Good, I was hoping one of you would put up a fight. Now I get to have some fun." Apple Jack gulped. "Except Drab expected this and so, he has somepony else waiting for them. Trust me, when Drab does what he has in mind, you'll wish we had just executed you all from the start." Apple Jack gulped again. Then she grinned, "oh yeah well I'll make you wish that you had from the start too."
To Be Continued… Next chapter Apple Jack Vs. Discord