Chapter 26: To Where and Back Again, Part 1
It's been a few days since the battle for Equestria had ended, and things were starting to go great for the ponies in Equestria after Zhao's defeat. Chase and his team were training out their new abilities as well as their new weapons in the process after the Zeo Crystal gave them the power of the five Dragon Guardians too.
One day, Twilight, Starlight, Chase, and Spike were walking down some stairs while carrying some boxes loaded with heavy books. The others didn't have to put much effort since their magic was holding the boxes.
Poor Spike had to use his natural dragon strength to carry his box. Suddenly, he lost his balance and fell forward down the stairs and yelped. But before he could hit the floor below, Twilight grabbed him with her magic and Starlight used her magic to grab Spike's box of books before it could spill out its contents. Twilight then set Spike softly onto the floor below.
"Well, we don't all have magical horns," said Spike.
"Yeah, and not to mention magical abilities." Chase added as he juggle several books above his head before he set them down.
"I've been meaning to move these older books to my reference section for a while. Got to keep the new books front and center! Thank you for your help." Twilight thanked her husband and student with a smile on her face.
"No problem," said Chase.
"Are you kidding?" said Starlight, "After all you and Chase have done for me, this is the least I can do."
"Oh, please," said Twilight, "I haven't done that much." Chase nodded in agreement.
"Nah," said Starlight in a not-so-modest tone, "You both just taught me the value of friendship. And Chase became the best brother I could ever have and understands my issues. Not much at all."
"I may have offered some guidance," said Twilight as she walked up and put a fore-hoof on Starlight's shoulder, "but you are responsible for the pony you've become. We're proud to call you our student."
Chase nodded in agreement with his wife.
"Now we just need to get rid of these boxes," said Twilight, "Spike can you-"
The three ponies soon noticed that Spike wasn't with him. The little dragon was actually looking outside of a window.
"Spike?" Twilight called out.
"What's that?" Spike asked as he pointed toward something in the distance.
Twilight, Chase, and Starlight all look out of the window.
"Is it a bird?" Twilight asked.
"Is it a parasprite?" Starlight asked.
"I'm not sure." Chase said as he squinted his eyes at the object that was coming their way. "What do you think, Spike?"
"It's...it's...incoming!" Spike yelled as they all ducked and covered.
The object then flew through the window at high speed and crashed into the boxes of books. The object soon recovered and revealed itself. It was Muffins, wearing her postal pony uniform.
"Muffins!" Chase said in a fatherly tone, "How many times have I told you to be careful with that high top speed of yours? You know your brakes have been rather slippery lately."
"Since the beginning of time," Spike remarked as Twilight and Starlight gave the dragon a glare.
"Oops! My bad!" said Muffins, "But this has postal for same day delivery!" Muffins then reached into her mail bag and held a letter in her mouth.
"Oh, I usually get letters by dragon," said Twilight.
"It's the fastest way to get mail," Spike boasted.
"If you don't mind the smokey after-stench," Chase teased.
Starlight giggled as Spike gave the alicorn prince a raspberry. Twilight then went to take the letter with her magic, but Muffins refused to let go.
"What's up Muffins?" Chase asked, "Isn't this letter for my wife?"
Muffins shook her head and walked over to Starlight.
"For me?" said Starlight as she took the letter with her magic, "Who'd be sending me a letter?"
"Gee...there's this handsome orange stallion who's known you since you were a cutie in pigtails..." Chase said in a not-so-innocent tone.
"Stop it!" Starlight scolded in a playful tone, "You know Sunburst and I were just best friends and all."
The lilac unicorn went to open her letter and quickly scanned the contents. Starlight was shocked at what she had read.
"It's...the ponies from my old village," said Starlight.
"Are they in danger?" Twilight asked.
"Are they upset with you?" Spike asked.
"Did they do something?" Chase asked with concern.
"No...it's worse!" said Starlight, "They've invited me to the annual Sunset Festival!"
Starlight looked like she was about to have a panic attack. The rest of the group all had puzzled looks, except for Chase as he sighed at the others for being clueless. Correction, Twilight and Spike's cluelessness to be more precise.
"I can't believe Twilight would forget her own anxieties meeting our old Canterlot group," Chase muttered to himself.
*Main theme*
The day of the Sunset Festival had arrived. Starlight's old village was busy setting up table, banners, food, and other things. Starlight had just arrived outside of the town area. She nervously took a few steps forward, took a deep breath, and walked into town. It was then she found Party Favor and Double Diamond were putting up a party banner. They immediately turned around to look at the lilac unicorn.
"Uh, hey there, everypony," said Starlight.
"Uh...Hey, Starlight," said Party Favor slowly, "What are you doing here?"
"I-I...I was invited," said Starlight timidly as everypony else started staring at her, "To the Sunset Festival?" Starlight then held out her invite letter with her magic.
"Uh, yeah," said Double Diamond sternly, "but we didn't think you'd actually show up."
"You didn't think we really wanted you here, did you?" Party Favor added as Double Diamond sternly shredded the letter. Starlight cringed at the letter shredding.
"But...I...apologized," said Starlight, "I thought everything was fine."
Double Diamond and Party Favor started laughing at Starlight. The rest of the surrounding ponies then did the same. It wasn't long before their faces contorted from laughter to make them all look totally insane.
"Please...! Stop...! Stop...!" Starlight pleaded with her eyes closed.
Suddenly day turned into night and all the ponies surround her were gone, leaving the lilac unicorn all alone.
"What happened?" Starlight asked, "Is anypony there?"
It was then a white fog appeared and it was then Luna appeared with a warm smile on her face.
"Princess Luna?" Starlight said in surprise. "W-What are you doing here?"
"Dreams are my domain, Starlight Glimmer," Princess Luna answered. "I am here because you need me to be."
Starlight blinked.
"Oh," said Starlight with relief, "It's only a dream."
"It may only be a dream," said Luna, "but the feelings in it are real."
Starlight sighed.
"Great," Starlight remarked sadly as she lowered her head, "So I guess I'm more afraid of going back to the village than I thought. What do I do now?"
"I have been helped time and time again by seven very special ponies," Luna answered, "they've helped me overcome my past. You're fortunate to have them as friends. I suggest you share your concerns with them. I know that Chase Young and his family have always been open to you and your feelings."
Starlight smiled back, but she still felt a little worried. Luna walked into the sky using some stars. As the Princess of The Night was halfway up, Luna looked back at Starlight.
"I see much of myself in you, Starlight Glimmer," said Luna, "and Chase can relate to your fears better than anypony. Just like I tell him all the time, I can tell you from personal experience that things do indeed get better."
Starlight smiled back at Luna as the alicorn princess headed into the moon and disappeared.
It was a few seconds later, Starlight found herself inside her bedroom and woke up with a start. Starlight looked out at the moon shining outside her window and pondered to herself.
(Scene changes)
The next morning, she had the Mane Sixteen gathered inside the throne room so she could discuss her situation as well as her dream. Spike and Nyx were also there as well since they cared about Starlight's issues as well.
"...and Princess Luna said I should tell you all how I was feeling," said Starlight, "So...there it is. I'm afraid to go back to the village for the celebration."
"But why, darling?" Rarity asked, "You went back to apologize. They accepted. Everypony has moved on."
"But have they?" said Starlight, "They don't really know how much I've changed. Or even worse, maybe I haven't changed as much as I think I have!"
"Trust me," Rainbow added, "You are a totally different pony now. I mean, you were pretty awful!"
"Rainbow Dash!" Applejack, Chase, Jade, Trini, Clay, and Sunray scolded.
"What? She was!" said Rainbow in her defense, "It's a complement!"
Applejack, Chase, Jade, and Trini gave her stink eyes. Sunray and Clay just rolled their eyes in annoyance.
"You seriously need to learn to be considerate with what comes out of your mouth, you know that?" Nyx remarked with a glare.
Rainbow snorted since she didn't like being criticized by a filly.
"I don't think they would've sent the invitation if they didn't want you to come," said Fluttershy, "I'm sure they'd be happy to see you."
"Assuming nopony's trying to lure her into a trap for revenge and humiliation," Sokka remarked.
"Sokka! That's an awful thing to say!" Fluttershy said sternly.
"Now, Fluttershy." Chase said firmly, making Fluttershy flinch a bit at the alicorn stallion's tone. "He's not teasing or being mean. But considering they already had their chance to do that to you when you originally apologized and didn't. I don't believe that's anything you need to be worried about."
Despite that, Starlight still felt very anxious.
"And getting an invitation to a party and not going?!" Pinkie remarked, "That's like...I-It's like...! Well, I don't know what it's like, but it is definitely bad."
Starlight just winced and gave the pink pony a skeptical look. Chase and his Elite Ninja just glared at Pinkie unamusingly.
"Just be honest with them," said Applejack, "I'm sure they'll understand where you're comin' from."
"We understand how hard this is for you." Twilight said with a soft smile. "Maybe if you took a friend along, it might make things easier. Somepony you trust who would look out for you?"
Twilight gave a large smile and batted her eyelashes to give Starlight a very obvious hint. Spike, Nyx, and Chase all rolled their eyes at the purple pony.
"Way to be subtle, Mom," Nyx muttered to herself. Starlight then pondered for a moment and smiled.
"Actually, I can think of eight friends that I would like to take with me," Starlight said confidently.
Twilight smiled excitedly, nudging her husband to make him think Starlight had chosen the two of the eight for her trip. Chase just rolled his eyes, smiled, and sighed.
(Scene changes)
It wasn't long before Starlight was helping Trixie, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Dojo, and Nyx load up their saddle bags into the cerulean unicorn's travel wagon.
"Thanks for much for doing this, Trixie, same for you, Chase," said Starlight, "When Twilight said I should bring a friend, you guys as well as Chase's family, Dojo, and Nyx were the first ponies and serpent I thought of."
"I still can't believe you had decline my offer to help you guys fly over to your village, Starlight!" Dojo complained as he climbed on Starlight's head, making the unicorn mare look at him for a moment. "You could've at least accepted it!"
"Thanks, but I think you can give us a ride when we get back home. Okay?" Starlight proposed with a smile on her face.
Dojo just sulked for a minute before he smiled.
"Alright." Dojo said.
Twilight just stood nearby, putting on a big smile on her face, but was struggling to keep it on her face.
"Great idea, Princess Twilight," said Trixie in her egotistical manner, "Asking me -Starlight's best friend as well as your loving husband, his family, and Dojo - to help her on this difficult journey really shows how wise a princess you have become."
Twilight looked annoyed but then saved her a rather irritated smirk once Trixie said she was wise.
"Thanks Trixie," said Twilight through gritted teeth as one of her lower eyelids twitched uncontrollably. Then she turned to Spike, who was standing next to her. "I was talking about me."
Spike just smiled.
"Relax, honey." Chase said with a chuckle. "We'll make sure she behaves."
It was then the rest of the Mane Sixteen gathered around Twilight and Spike.
"The festival lasts a whole week," Starlight told the group, "but I'm sure we won't stay for that long."
"Oh, I don't know, Starlight," said Trixie, "Time really flies when you're spending it with your best friends!"
Trixie then giggled as she looked at Twilight. Twilight just smiled, gave a inward strained noise as her eyelid twitched again. Chase sighed in annoyance as he grabbed Trixie by the collar of her shirt, pinning her against her wagon as she yelped in surprise. Twilight forgot about her irritated expression as she became stunned by Chase's sudden movement as the others shared the same expression on their faces.
"And that is why we are coming with you guys on the road trip because I don't wanna hear any gloating from you, Trixie!" Chase said sternly, making Trixie intimidated by the alicorn stallion. "If you ever rub this event in my wife's face one more time, you're gonna wish you never owned this wagon under any circumstances. Do you understand?!"
Trixie gulped nervously as she smiled sheepishly at Chase.
"Yes, sir." Trixie replied back nervously.
Twilight sighed in relief with a sigh.
"Thanks, honey." Twilight said with a smile. "Promise me you'll keep them out of trouble?"
"Don't worry, sweetie." Chase said reassuringly to his wife. "We'll be careful."
"Bye everypony!" said Nyx, "We'll see you in a week!"
Starlight, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Antonio, Trini, and Dojo then waved as well as they started headed out of town. The rest of the Mane Sixteen and Spike waved goodbye until the eight ponies and Dojo were out of sight.
(Scene changes)
Several hours later, Starlight, Trixie, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Dojo, and Nyx arrived at the mountain top where the lilac unicorn's old village could be seen at the bottom of the valley.
"So that's your old home," said Nyx since this was the first time she had ever seen the place. Until now, she and her family had only heard stories about it from Starlight and Chase.
"There it is!" said Trixie, "The town where you-"
"-Magically stole everypony's cutie marks, replaced them with equal signs," said Starlight shamefully, "and forced them all to hide their natural talents? Yes."
Trixie, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Dojo, and Nyx were stunned. Chase understood what she was feeling.
"I was going to say where you came from," said Trixie, "but yours is a more...emotionally traumatic answer."
Starlight just sighed. Jade walked up to the lilac unicorn and gently patted her back.
"Don't worry, Starlight," said Jade assuringly, "You'll be okay."
"She's right, Starlight." Chase added with a smile. "Everything will be just fine."
"Assuming if she was evil from the start." Dojo muttered to himself, making the Elite Ninja, Trixie, and Nyx glare at him. "What? I'm just saying."
"Dude, that is insensitive." Antonio said with a glare.
"I just want to...blend in," Starlight told the seven ponies and Dojo, "Be just another pony in the crowd enjoying the Festival with my friends."
Chase, Jade, Sunray, Dojo, Antonio, Trini, Nyx, and Trixie smiled.
"Sounds good to me!" said Trixie, "And if things get weird for you, just let me know. I've got your flank!"
"Just don't get yourself kicked out of the village while you're at it." Sunray said jokingly, making Trixie glare at him annoyingly.
"We'll be right by your side all the time, Starlight." Chase said to the lilac unicorn mare.
"Is that a promise?" Starlight asked hopefully.
"Not just a promise," said Trixie as she stood on her hind legs, "A great and powerful promise!"
Trixie then threw down a smoke bomb. Starlight, Chase, Sunray, Antonio, Jade, Trini, Nyx, and Dojo coughed until the smoke cleared.
"Okay...that was a bit much to make a point," said Dojo.
"Dojo, I'm a performer," said Trixie smugly, "That's called a promise with pizzazz."
"Lame or alphabetical?" Chase asked sarcastically as Trixie glared at him.
"Well, I couldn't ask for more than that," said Starlight, "If we're gonna do this, let's do it."
"At a girl." Antonio said with a grin.
With enough being said, the eight ponies and Dojo headed to the village.
(Scene changes)
It didn't take long for the eight ponies and Dojo to reach the main street where everything was decorated for the Sunset Festival. Starlight looked around nervously. Trixie, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Dojo, and Nyx gave her assuring nods to let Starlight know she would be okay. In the center of the street, Double Diamond and Party Favor were hanging up a banner when Starlight approached them.
"Oh! Starlight, you came!" said Double Diamond excitedly.
Starlight just gave them a nervous giggle and waved in reply.
"We were worried you wouldn't be able to make it!" Party Favor added, "Are you staying the whole week? We are having different events planned each day!"
"How is living in a castle?" Sugar Belle added as she and Night Glider appeared behind Starlight.
"It is so good to see you!" said Double Diamond as he clapped his fore-hooves excitedly. Starlight just smiled and bit her lower lip, despite the cheerful greetings, she wasn't feeling much better.
"Oh, yeah," said Trixie in a mock-whisper, "These ponies are terrifying."
Trixie giggled. Starlight just rolled her eyes and groaned.
"It's good to see all of you, too," said Starlight, feeling rather embarrassed. Chase took notice.
"Never mind, Starlight," said Chase, "But at least you know they are pleased to see you." Suddenly there was a long silence as the group was suddenly staring at the Elite Ninja in surprise and awe.
"Hey, everypony, look! It's the Elite Ninja who saved Manehattan from Zhao!" Double Diamond shouted excitedly as the ponies cheered for Chase, Jade, Sunray, Antonio, and Trini.
"Oh, this is amazing!" Party Favor shouted in excitement.
Chase, Jade, Sunray, and Trini were visibly surprised by this before they turned to see Antonio waving at the ponies with an enthusiastic grin. This made his family and friends look at him with deadpan looks, which he noticed.
"What? Can't just enjoy the moment?" Antonio asked with a smile.
"Antonio, we're here to help cheer Starlight up. Not to take all of the glory we have done to save the world from the Quinkan." Chase said sternly as Antonio just glared at him indignantly.
"Master Chase, we just wanted to congratulate you and your family for saving the world from Zhao!" Double Diamond said as he shook Chase's hoof excitedly before he ceased as the alicorn master retracted his hoof from the unicorn stallion as Sugar Belle gave his family some cupcakes. "We've heard the news of what happened in Manehattan and we've been meaning to see if you might come here for the party."
"Well, we are, but this is for Starlight." Chase said with a smile he gave to Starlight as she nervously returned it to him.
"You got here just in time," said Party Favor to Starlight, "We were having some debate about these banners." Some pegasi appeared holding about three different banners, "Which do you think feels more "sunsetty"?"
"Hmm..." Jade pondered as she finished her cupcake, "I'm kinda feeling the middle one. What do you think, Starlight?"
"O-Oh, you don't need me to decide that," said Starlight, backing up a bit, "Heh. Whatever you think is probably best."
"Uh, well, how about helping us with the routes for the relay races tomorrow?" Double Diamond suggested with Party Favor still smiling behind him, "Can you take a look?"
"Oh, I-I shouldn't," said Starlight quickly, "You all go ahead. I-I just want to enjoy the festival."
"But you will be a judge for the backing competition, right?" Sugar Belle asked.
"Oh! Can I be a judge?" Nyx asked hopefully.
"Nyx!" Chase chided his daughter as she smiled nervously at her father.
"We had a few questions about the order of the acts for the talent show," Double Diamond asked before anypony could answer Nyx's offer.
"And the unicorns have a fireworks show planned!" Night Glider asked as she hovered from above the lilac unicorn, "We could really use your help!"
Soon the four ponies were all taking to Starlight as once. Starlight quickly felt flustered as everypony seemed to be getting louder and louder.
"Everypony! Stop!" Trini pleaded, "You're overwhelming her!"
Even Trixie was looking very worried. Soon Starlight's teeth were chattering, her brow got extra sweaty.
"NO!" Starlight screamed as she created a huge bubble to shove everypony away from her, except for Chase, his family, Dojo, and Trixie.
Once the magic bubble disappeared, the other ponies were dazed as Starlight crouched low to the ground, trembling heavily. Everypony else stood back up on their hooves, feeling rather weary from the sudden knock back.
"Uh oh, I think she's got that look in her eyes." Dojo whispered to Chase nervously.
"Quick, get us out of here, Trixie!" Jade whispered frantically.
"The Great and Powerful Trixie would like to thank you for all being such an amazing audience," Trixie said nervously since she was coming up with an idea on the fly, "But it is time for us to depart. Good night, fillies and gentlefoals!"
Trixie then dropped a smoke bomb. Unlike her other attempts at this little trick, she actually was successful with it. When the smoke cleared, she, Starlight, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Dojo, Antonio, Trini, and Nyx were gone. None of the ponies even noticed that Trixie had tucked Starlight under her cloak as they, along with Chase, his family, and Dojo, ran away from the village as quickly as they could. Once they were far enough away, they stopped to catch their breath, but poor Starlight was still breathing heavily.
"Starlight," said Chase, "Starlight, look at me!" The lilac unicorn, still hyperventilating a bit, looked at the alicorn master as her eyes were filled with tears.
"It's okay," said Chase reassuringly, "Those ponies overwhelmed you! You didn't do anything wrong!"
Chase then gave Starlight a gentle hug. Starlight said nothing as she quickly wrapped her fore-legs around the alicorn stallion and just broke down crying. Trixie just put a supportive fore-leg around her shoulder and held her close until Starlight had run out of tears. Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Dojo, and Nyx gathered around Starlight for support as well.
(Scene changes)
Once Starlight felt like she was stable, they quietly headed back for Ponyville. Starlight was still feeling rather troubled.
"Ugh, I was horrible when I led that town!" Starlight told the two ponies, "I was ready for them not to trust me, but...I wasn't ready for them to put me in charge again! With my past, I should never be in charge of anything!"
"Well, you were kinda mean from what Chase told us." Dojo said out loud making everypony turn to him with glares. "What? You guys remember what happened when I told you I was on Zhao's side long ago after he brainwashed me.
"That's not the point, Dojo." Chase said firmly. "Starlight is just having a hard time because she can't forgive herself from what she has done in the past."
"So you messed up. Big deal." Trixie said before she scooted closer to Starlight, "Don't you ever tell another pony I said this, but even Trixie's made mistakes."
Trixie then giggled until somepony smacked her by the back of her head.
"OW!" Trixie yelped as she turned to see Chase and his family glaring at her.
"Trixie, you're not helping!" Sunray said sternly.
"Sorry." Trixie said sheepishly before she continued. "The trick is to just move on and pretend they never happened."
"I feel like that's almost good advice," said Starlight.
Trixie smiled.
"Moving on? Totally," said Trini, "but rather than pretend it never happened, I think Trixie means you should put it behind you and not focus on the past anymore. Just keep focused on the now. Easier said than done for ponies like us, but...it is the best solution to this kind of problem."
"That's why I thought of it," said Trixie proudly.
Chase, Jade, Sunray, Antonio, Nyx, Trini, and Dojo just rolled their eyes as Starlight chuckled to herself.
"Nevermind that. Let's just get you back home, Starlight." Chase offered Starlight with a smile. "You need some rest for a while."
"Good idea, Chase." Starlight replied back with a smile.
(Scene changes)
It was such a long trip to and from the village that it was late afternoon by the time the eight ponies and Dojo arrived back at Ponyville. Everypony was just doing their own routines when Starlight saw Pinkie bouncing casually in the background.
"Hey, uh, Pinkie Pie!" Starlight called out to the pink pony.
"Hey..." Pinkie froze for a moment before continuing, "you!"
Starlight, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, and Dojo rushed up to her.
"So...you're probably wondering why Chase, his family, Dojo, and I are back so soon," said Starlight sheepishly.
"Where were you?" Pinkie asked. Starlight, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Nyx, Dojo, Trini, and Antonio gave Pinkie a funny look.
"I...went to my old village?" Starlight replied slowly, "For the festival?"
"You were there when we said good-bye?" Nyx added in the same tone.
"Ooh, sounds fun!" Pinkie answered, "How was it?"
"It was kind of a disaster," Starlight replied, "I came back early because I freaked out!"
"It's wasn't her fault," said Jade, "The other villagers overwhelmed her."
"Ooh, sounds awful! Bye!" Pinkie said quickly in an over the top tone and bounced away. Starlight, Chase, his family, and Dojo were left stunned and puzzled.
"Well that was...insincere," Dojo remarked.
"Yeah, that was...strange," added Starlight as Trixie walked up to her.
"Isn't she always strange?" said Trixie dismissively as she removed her hat and cloak.
"Random is the correct word, Trixie," Chase remarked, "But that wasn't typical Pinkie Pie randomness. This was...shallow..."
"Chase's right," said Starlight, "Pinkie can be...strange, but not like that."
It was then Starlight saw Applejack, Clay, and Rarity walking nearby.
"Hey!" Starlight called out as she rushed up to them, "I'm back early."
"Ah. Welcome back?" Rarity said in a rather nervous tone.
"Good… to see ya." Clay said in the same tone as well.
"Have you two noticed Pinkie acting a little strange?" Starlight asked them as Trixie, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Nyx, Trini, Dojo, and Antonio caught up with her.
"Pinkie Pie always acts strange," Applejack replied. Rarity nodded in agreement.
"Told you," said Trixie smugly.
"Anyway, I wanted to talk to all of you," said Starlight, "Things didn't go the way I thought they were going to go at the Sunset Festival."
"What happened?" Rarity asked.
"I kind of freaked out and ran out of the village," Starlight admitted shamefully. Then the eight ponies and Dojo were stunned when Applejack, Clay and Rarity started laughing.
"You freaked out and ran away from a festival?" said Applejack as she slapped Rarity's side, "Ha! That's the funniest danged thing I've ever heard all day."
"Oh my," said Rarity, "Let me guess. The decorations were terrifying!"
They kept laughing, leaving Starlight puzzled. The lilac unicorn looked at Trixie, who just shrugged her shoulders. Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, and Dojo glared at them angrily.
"What in Equestria is wrong with you two?" said Nyx, "This isn't funny!"
Applejack, Clay, and Rarity ignored her and kept laughing. It was then Fluttershy, Rainbow, and Sokka flew down. Fluttershy then whispered something to Rarity.
"...Applejack for friendship business," It was all Chase, his family, and Dojo could hear from the yellow Pegasus.
"Hello, ponies," said Rainbow as she landed and rudely shoved Applejack out of the way, "We need Rarity, Clay, and Applejack. Very important friendship business."
"What kind of friendship business?" Nyx asked.
"Something on the topic of nunya," Sokka replied before saying rudely, "Nunya business little filly!"
Fluttershy and Sokka both laughed. Nyx hurt as Chase, Sunray, Trini, Jade, Antonio, and Dojo were shocked by what they had heard before they glared at them.
"Hey! She was being serious!" Chase said, feeling very angry, "She's part of the Council of Friendship after all!"
"Oh, you didn't hear the news, darling?" Rarity said in a very insincere tone.
"The Counsel of Friendship only allows grown up and important ponies on the counsel!" said Rainbow sternly, "not little fillies like your daughter!"
"So go play with your little dollies or something," Applejack remarked in a condescending tone to Nyx.
The six ponies then stomped off. Rainbow then turned around definitely, whipping her tail at both Starlight and Nyx's faces. Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, Dojo and Starlight were shocked. Trixie was indignant.
"I have to say," Trixie remarked, "I'm really not as impressed with your friends as the rest of Equestria is."
"I don't think those sounded like our friends, Trixie. Something's wrong." Chase said with a concerned look on his face.
"Chase is right! We need to talk to Twilight!" Starlight said urgently.
"Same for me!" said Nyx angrily, "It's one thing to be mean, but it's another when I'm suddenly not even welcome on the counsel anymore! I'm Twilight and Chase's daughter for pony's sake!"
"Well, whatever they've said, we need to get a closer look at this." Chase advised as the seven ponies and Dojo then rushed to the castle. Starlight was surprised to see that the door was locked.
"Hey, what's gives?!" Dojo remarked as he tried to pull the doors open, but it was no good.
"Twilight? Hello?" Starlight called out and knocked on the door.
"Honey, are you and Spike in there?" Chase called out as well.
It was then a sliding peephole appeared with a familiar dragon glaring at them.
"When did that get installed?" Dojo remarked.
"What do you want?" Spike asked rudely, "Twilight is very busy!"
"Spike, you idiot! Open this door right now!" Chase demanded angrily.
"Yeah or we'll make you!" Sunray added furiously.
"Spike, we really need to speak with her!" Starlight answered desperately.
"Make an appointment!" said Spike "She is a princess after all!"
"Well Nyx and I happen to live here too ya know!" Chase shouted angrily. "I'm her husband!"
"Not anymore!" Spike snapped, "Now get lost!"
Spike slammed the peep hole shut.
Chase and his family glared angrily by what the baby dragon said.
Starlight then tried knocking again.
"What's wrong with you?" said Starlight, "Why is everypony being mean to Chase and his family? What are you being so-"
It was then the doors opened and Twilight was there. Spike was shown standing on a chair.
"Rude?" Twilight finished as she gave Spike a glare, "I think a certain dragon didn't get his nap today."
"Yeah, right, whatever," Spike mouthed off as he jumped off the stool and pulled it with him as he walked away.
Starlight, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, and Dojo looked more puzzled than ever.
"Sorry, he's been acting a little off all day," said Twilight bitterly, "I think he missed a meal or something."
"He's not the only one," said Starlight, "Everypony's acting a little strange today and they're being rude to Di."
"Yes, it's definitely been one of those days!" said Twilight dismissively before saying in an overly cheerful tone, "How are you?" Then she turned to Chase. "Hi, honey. What's up?"
"What's up?! First our friends are being mean to us! And Spike is acting like a big jerk telling us that we didn't live here anymore!" Chase said angrily. "I'm married to you and know that, right? And Nyx is our daughter!"
Nyx nodded in agreement with her father as she glared at her mother along with her family and friends. Twilight just nervously looked around a bit.
"It's nothing… personal." Twilight answered before she recomposed herself as she turned to Starlight. "You didn't answer my question?"
"Not great," said Starlight, taking a step forward and taking a step back, "You're probably wondering why Chase, Jade, Sunray, Antonio, Trini, Nyx, Dojo, and I are back from the village so early."
"I didn't want to bring it up, but yeah, it did seem strange," said Twilight, "Did it not go well?"
"The town ponies kept asking me things," Starlight explained, "like they expected me to be in charge again. But being a leader is the last thing I should ever be. So we left. Very suddenly. In a literal puff of smoke."
"Wow, you should definitely never go back to that village." Twilight said rudely.
"What?" said Starlight, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Dojo, and Nyx, stunned.
"Quiet you!" Twilight said to her husband, daughter, and family, making them more puzzled than ever.
Chase was feeling suspicious of Twilight's behavior.
"You know, we need to talk about this attitude of yours lately. What's wrong with you?" Chase asked his 'wife' with a glare.
"Nothing!" Twilight snapped before she recomposed herself as she spoke to Starlight. "If you were worried about what they thought of you before, it's probably way worse now. I'd cut my losses."
"That's...surprising advice, coming from you," said Starlight.
"Trust me. I'm the Princess of Friendship," said Twilight, "You don't need those ponies. You can always make more friends."
Twilight then gave an over the top smile.
"Right…" Chase said as he and his family became more suspicious of Twilight's behavior.
It was then Rainbow appeared from a set of double doors and sternly gestured for Twilight to come.
"Ah! Speaking of friends, if you'll excuse me, important business to attend to!" said Twilight as she headed into the room.
Spike then gave them a "I'm watching you" gesture with his claws before rushing inside as well and slammed the door. This left Starlight, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Antonio, Trini, Nyx, and Dojo alone in the foyer.
"Well, that was… comforting." Dojo said, puzzled by their behavior.
"Maybe they must've slipped their marbles." Antonio guessed as his family, minus Chase, and Dojo looked at him with blunt looks on their faces.
Chase felt suspicious of this.
"I don't know, Antonio." Chase said as he glared at the room. "Something about them just seems familiar."
"Well, I'll see you guys tomorrow. I'm gonna get some rest." Starlight said as she went to her room.
"Goodnight!" Chase, his family, and Dojo replied back as they went to their dojo.
(Scene changes)
By nightfall, Starlight was pacing about next to her bed.
"Cut my losses?" Starlight pondered aloud as she tucked herself in her bed, "That can't be right."
She turned off her lantern and went to sleep.
(Scene changes)
Starlight soon found herself back at her old village, but this time it was nightfall and the area was surrounded by ominous smoke. Starlight initially thought the village was abandoned, especially when two tumbleweeds rolled across the fore-ground.
The doors to the houses then opened up as ponies walked across to the other houses with stern looking faces.
"Hey, I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier," said Starlight but found that all the ponies were ignoring her. She then smiled at Party Favor, but he took no notice of her, "Party Favor, can you hear me?" But there was no reply.
"I told you," said a stern voice, "you can never speak to them again!"
Starlight flinched. There before her were the six girls of the Mane Sixteen. They were all looking at her with angry faces.
"What are you all doing here?" Starlight asked.
"Making sure you do what I said!" Twilight yelled as the six ponies approached the lilac unicorn, "I'm your teacher, aren't I? Didn't I say never to come back here?!"
"Yes, but that just doesn't seem right," Starlight replied, "You aren't acting like yourself!"
"Something is wrong!" Starlight shouted. As well as somepony else.
An ominous wind blew past, making the other ponies disappear into the wind and leaving Starlight alone. She quickly realized what was happening.
"A dream?" Starlight said in realization, "This is another dream!"
"Starlight Glimmer...!" said a voice in a whisper.
"Princess Luna?" Starlight called out. It was then Luna appeared from the moon, but she was struggling to exit her portal.
"Starlight Glimmer!" Luna called out.
"Princess Luna, where are you?" Starlight said again.
"Starlight Glimmer, there is no time!" Luna pleaded desperate while trying to keep herself from being pulled back from her portal, "You and Chase must get help!"
"What? What are you talking about?" Starlight asked confused, "This is just a dream!"
"Not here!" Luna clarified, "In the waking world! They've taken my sister and I! It's worse than the last time! Your dream called to me, and I was able to break through! You must find help!"
"What are you saying?!" Starlight asked, trying to make sense of Luna's warning, "Who's taken you?!"
"Be careful who you trust!" Luna warned, losing her grip on the portal's edge, "You need all the help you can find! Including Chase and his family! The changelings have returned and...GASP!"
Before Luna could say anything more, she lost her grip on the portal edge and was sucked back inside of it.
"Princess Luna!" Starlight called out. She tried to pursue the moon princess, but fell into a bottomless pit.
"Starlight! Starlight!" A new voice shouted.
(Scene changes)
Back in reality, the screen split in half as Starlight shot up out of bed, sweating and panicking.
"Starlight!" Chase said as the lilac unicorn turned to him, his family, and Dojo.
"They're back!" Starlight said together as she got into Chase's face, "They're back!"
"I know, we had a vision while we were meditating in the dojo." Chase answered Starlight. "Chrysalis is back as well."
(Scene changes)
It wasn't long before Starlight, the Elite Ninja, Nyx, and Dojo had managed to sneak out to the castle balcony. Starlight used her floating magic to get herself, Chase, his family, and Dojo into a nearby bush. Starlight peeked out of it was quietly and quickly as she could. She then noticed that Trixie had parked her wagon nearby.
"Are we clear?" Chase whispered.
"I think so," Starlight replied quietly, "Come on!"
The seven ponies and Dojo quietly approached Trixie's wagon. Starlight then gave the door a light knock.
"Trixie?" Starlight called out in a soft tone, "Trixie, it's Starlight, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, and Dojo! Are you awake?"
"Of course, Princess Celestia," Trixie replied in a muffled and bleary tone, "...I'd love to perform for peanut butter crackers."
"Oh boy..." Dojo remarked quietly with an eye roll. Starlight knocked on the door a little louder.
"Trixie, wake up!" Starlight called out more firmly.
It was then the wagon bounced about and several fireworks went off, startling Starlight, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Antonio, Nyx, and Dojo. Then some smoke can out of the window as Trixie opened it and stuck her head out, coughing from all the smoke. She was also wearing a starry nightcap on her head.
"Starlight?" Trixie replied in a tired tone, "What time is it?"
"It's late," Starlight replied, "But we think we figured out what's wrong with our friends?" Trixie yawned.
"I have a whole list of things that are wrong with your friends," said Trixie "We can go over it in the morning."
Trixie closed her window and headed back to sleep.
"Will you get serious, Trixie!" Chase snapped.
"Chase's right, Trixie," said Starlight as she used her magic to pull the cerulean unicorn out of the wagon, "we're in danger!"
"Okay, fine!" Trixie replied hastily with a sigh, "Aside from a lack of sleep, how are we in danger?"
"I think the-" Starlight began but then stopped as Chase whispered something to her. Starlight and Chase then gave Trixie some fierce glares.
"What did you tell us never to tell another pony?" Starlight asked slowly as Chase kept glaring.
"Guys, is this really necessary?" Jade asked with worry.
"Starlight, Chase, if you woke me up to play guessing games-" Trixie tried to protest.
"Quit stalling and answer the question," Chase demanded, "Now!"
"After we left my village," Starlight continued as she grabbed hold of Trixie's shoulders, "what did you tell me to never tell another pony?" Trixie sighed.
"That even Trixie's made mistakes," the cerulean unicorn replied through very gritted teeth.
"We can't hear you," said Chase in a low tone.
"Trixie, there's no time for this!" said Starlight, "What did you say?"
"That's even Trixie's made mistakes!" Trixie blurted out, "Are you both happy?!" Starlight, Chase, his family, and Dojo both sighed with relief.
"Yes, we are," Starlight replied, "Sorry, I just had to make sure you weren't..." Starlight then added in a hushed tone, "...one of them!"
"One of who?" Trixie asked in the same tone.
"A changeling!" Starlight replied, "We think they've taken Princess Celestia and Princess Luna!"
"What?!" Trixie exclaimed as she bounced nervously in her hooves, "Are you sure?! I mean, who do we-? We have to tell Twilight!"
"It's too late," said Sunray sternly.
"WHAT?!" Trixie exclaimed in horror.
"If we're right, then it's too late for that." Chase said gravely.
(Scene changes)
A few minutes later, Starlight and Chase quietly opened the front door, looked around, and gestured for Trixie, Dojo, and Chase's family to follow them. The eight ponies and Dojo nervously followed behind the two ponies. It was then they saw a small amount of light peeking from a pair of double doors. They quietly peeked inside of the room while trying to avoid being seen.
Inside was the throne room, the Mane eight and Spike were just chattering about with rather stern and irritable looking faces. Applejack had just eaten a banana and tossed the peel right behind her. Clay and Sokka were growling at each other, looking for a fight. Sokka then went to take a step forward when he stepped on Applejack's banana peel and fell onto his face. Clay laughed at Sokka's expense.
Sokka growled at him before he tackled Clay and the two fought inside of a dust cloud. Meanwhile, Spike was drawing a mocking picture of Fluttershy on her throne. Fluttershy glared at him and then slugged him back so he bumped into Pinkie's throne. Spike yelped at being knocked back. Then Pinkie grabbed his head and made him smack the cutie map table face first. Spike groaned as he slumped to the floor. Rarity laughed at him maliciously. Starlight, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Dojo, and Nyx were shocked.
Inside the room, Pinkie gave Spike a raspberry as he glared at her. It was then that Twilight arrived.
"It is ready?" Twilight asked.
"Just one more," said Applejack.
"Well set it up already!" Clay barked.
Applejack just glared as she set what appeared to be some sort of black seed on the table. The one seed then glowed as it shot a green beam of magic to each other seed, making it open up and glow. The four seeds then grow some ominous looking vines that joined together in the center, creating what looking like a video screen. There on the screen was the changeling queen herself.
"Queen Chrysalis!" Starlight exclaimed as Chase, Jade, Sunray, Antonio, and Trini glared at the evil queen.
The so called Mane eight bowed before her, but all the changeling queen could do was roll her eyes.
"Ugh, I can't take any of you seriously when you look like that," Chrysalis remarked.
"Oh, right," said what was now fake Twilight. The nine changelings returned to their true forms.
"Much better," said Chrysalis, "Now report!"
"Everything here is going according to plan!" said the changeling that was supposedly Twilight, "We've replaced the eight ponies and their dragon and have taken control of the castle. The other changelings cheered, except for one. And that was the one who was impersonating Clay.
"Excellent," said Chrysalis, "And I've just received word that the princesses from Canterlot have successfully been replaced as well."
Starlight, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, Dojo, and Trixie pulled away from the door a bit and winced.
"We thought too small last time," Chrysalis continued, "One ponynapped princess wasn't enough. With all the most beloved ponies of Equestria taken care of, nopony can stop us!"
Chrysalis than laughed evilly. The other changelings laughed as well, except for one. Chrysalis took notice.
"Is there a problem?" She asked that one non-laughing changeling rather irritably.
"Well, your majesty," said changeling impersonating Clay. "Master Chase Young is still around with his Elite Ninja. And they've grown suspicious of our behavior lately."
Chrysalis glared before she smirked sinisterly.
"Of course Chase would be suspicious of us, but I personally want to deal with that annoying alicorn stallion. He won't even know what hit him." Chrysalis said before she added sternly. "After that humiliating defeat in Canterlot, I want him brought to me and finish him myself."
Chase glared at her angrily for taking his loved one and friends away. Now it was personal for him that the queen still has a grudge against him.
And with that, the video communication ended and the four seeds closed back him. The changeling impersonating Clay just had a bitter look on his face.
"Ha-ha!" said the changeling personating Pinkie, "You got in trouble! You got in trouble!"
"That's enough!" said the changeling impersonating Clay fiercely, "The whole reason Queen Chrysalis's plan failed the last time was because she underestimated any potential threats. Chase has grown stronger than ever since the last time he and Chrysalis fought in Canterlot. But I still say that I want to finish him too."
"No matter," said the changeling impersonating Twilight, "We'll take care of him and Queen Chrysalis won't have anything to worry about."
"Bring him to me first," said the changeling impersonating Clay before adding deviously, "I'll take care of him myself."
The changeling then laughed in a low sinister tone.
Chase and his family glared at them angrily. Starlight and Trixie both knew they need to leave and fast, especially for Chase Young's sake. Starlight went to close the door when...
CREAK!
"HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!" The nine changelings hissed loudly before they went back to their disguises. They quickly burst open the doors to the main foyer.
"Spread out and search the area," the fake Clay commanded, "Whoever was spying on us couldn't have gotten far! Then once that is taken care of, I want you all to tear this castle apart until you find Chase! And bring him to me! I want him alive!"
The fake Mane eight and Spike quickly split up to search. Only the fake Twilight and fake Clay stayed behind. Fake Twilight began to sniff about since changelings could sense love magic with their sense of smell. As for where the three ponies were hiding, Starlight had quickly used a vanishing spell to make herself, Chase and his family, Dojo, and Trixie invisible.
A faint glow was seen where they were hiding in the foyer, trembling fearfully with large eyes. Fortunately, fake Twilight and fake Clay didn't see them. Then the eight ponies and Dojo felt their hearts drop to their stomach as fake Twilight and fake Clay stood right in front of them, leaned in, and they both took a sniff.
However, Starlight's invisible spell also protected them from being detected because the changelings sensed nothing and walked off. Starlight waited until they were out of sight before making herself, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, Dojo, and Trixie visible. Trixie gasped loudly since she had been holding her breath the entire time. Starlight quickly teleported them out of the castle and back to Trixie's wagon before they could be heard.
Once they were outside, poor Trixie was still hyperventilating.
"I can't deal with this!" Trixie said frantically, "I'm just a performer! This is...This is princess-level stuff! But the changelings have all the princesses! We're doomed!"
Trixie then ducked and covered her face with her flank in the air, trembling fearfully. Starlight, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Dojo, and Nyx winced from all their panicking, but managed to recompose herself.
"Calm down, Trixie." Chase said gently. "We just need to find a way to stop Chrysalis before she takes over the world. This is gonna be a lot harder than Zhao's invasion."
"Maybe not," said Starlight, "Uh, Queen Chrysalis only said they took Luna and Celestia and obviously, Twilight, and the others… but maybe Cadance is still safe. Our best bet is to get to the Crystal Empire before the changelings do. That way we can-"
"There's no help coming from the Crystal Empire," said a familiar voice.
"We lost the battle with the changelings." said another familiar voice. The eight ponies and Dojo turned to see some bushes rustling. It was then that a familiar changeling and Wingquin appeared.
"EEEEEEEEEEEK! EEEEEEEEEEEEEK! EEEEEE-" Trixie instantly started shrieking uncontrollably.
Starlight quickly put her in a bubble of silence as the cerulean unicorn continued to shriek. Starlight, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, and Dojo recognized the changeling and Wingquin.
"Thorax? Grazer?" Starlight, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Antonio, Trini, Nyx, and Dojo said together.
"Your wings look...different," Starlight pointed out.
"So...glittery," Jade added.
"I guess they do," said Thorax modestly as he opened his wings. Starlight, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Antonio, Trini, Dojo, and Nyx smiled but then put on stern looks as the lilac unicorn made her horn glow brightly.
"How do we know you aren't some other changeling pretending to be Thorax?" Starlight demanded.
"Yeah," Chase said in agreement.
"You were there when Spike, Chase, Ember, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio defended the ponies of the Crystal Empire from Dojo's Dragonquin form as well as showing me that I'm different," said Thorax, "Princess Twilight said-" Thorax quickly changed into Twilight and impersonated her, "As the Princess of Friendship, I should set an example for all of Equestria. But it was Spike, Ember-"
"Okay, okay, we believe you," said Starlight quickly, "We don't need the whole speech." Thorax then returned to his original form. But then she turned to Grazer. "And what about you, Grazer? How do we know that's the real you?"
Grazer looked at her gently.
"I was once a normal dragon until Zhao and his Quinkan army took them away from me. He dumped me into the Sanzu River, mutating me into this." Grazer replied as he gestured to himself.
The seven ponies and Dojo felt silent before they smiled at him.
"Yup, that's the real you." Chase said with a smile.
Then Starlight noticed that Trixie was still cowered against the wall of her bubble.
"Trixie, this is Thorax," Starlight explained, "He's a reformed changeling. And this is Grazer, a former dragon turned Wingquin. They're on our side. Understand?"
Trixie was still very tense, but nodded that she understood. Starlight then popped the bubble, making Trixie land on her flank and rub her head since it bumped the wall of her wagon.
"Hi," said Thorax as he extended a fore-hoof to shake, "It's a pleasure to..."
"If Starlight says you're on our side. I believe her," said Trixie nervously, "But maybe just stay over there for now, okay?"
Trixie bit her lower lip nervously. Thorax looked a little hurt, but did as he was told.
"Don't worry, Thorax," said Jade, "Trixie will warm up to you in time."
"Yeah. But what did you mean there's no help? Did the changelings get Aunt Cadance too?" Nyx asked in concern.
"They took Cadance, Shining, and Flurry Heart!" Thorax explained.
"Not little Flurry!" Nyx gasped in devastation.
"Sunburst sent me here to get Princess Twilight and Chase's help, but...but it sounds like it's too late for that, too! But Chase is the only one here! So...what should we do?"
"We're working on it." Chase responded back.
Suddenly, there was what felt like to be an earthquake as the ground rumbled around them. Everypony was knocked off their hooves and Trixie shrieked once again. It was then that a very battered Sokka and Clay popped out of the ground as they landed on their stomachs, grunting in pain.
"Ugh...my stomach..." Sokka groaned as he tried to make the world stop spinning.
"I think I'm gonna puke." Clay groaned as he held his stomach achingly.
"Sokka! Clay!" Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, Dojo, Starlight, Grazer, and Thorax exclaimed before they surrounded them with glares. Sokka and Clay had just recovered when they saw the glares being directed at them.
"My favorite color is pastel pink, especially because my cutie wife has a pink mane and tail," Sokka said bluntly, "and I even wear an apron the same color pink when I do cooking and housework."
"And I like to buck apples with my beautiful wife, because she is the most loving pony I married in my whole life." Clay added bluntly as well. "And I can handle her stubborn pride too."
The other ponies stared as Trixie gave a loud snicker.
Trini, Sunray, Jade, Antonio, Dojo, and Nyx silently laughed as well.
"They're the real Sokka and Clay," said Starlight and Chase in a blunt tone. Sokka and Clay just shakily stood up as they groaned.
"Are you alright, guys?" Thorax asked worriedly.
"Couldn't have been better." Clay replied back.
"We didn't come here alone though." Sokka said as two other familiar ponies got out of the ground, the two made it early.
It was Jewel Hisomi and Santos Blaze.
"Mom? Dad?" Chase, Jade, and Sunray asked in surprise.
"Uncle Santos? Aunt Jewel?" Antonio and Trini asked.
"Grandma? Grandpa?" Nyx asked in surprise to see her grandparents.
"Hi, kids." Santos said as he and his wife got out of the hole before they noticed the glares they gave from the Elite Ninja, Nyx, and Starlight.
"I was trained by my father to help you overcome your fear since he, Chase." Jewel said to her eldest son with a loving smile on her face. "We've spent years teaching you his secrets. And your father has done the same as well."
Santos gave his eldest son a loving smile as well. Chase and his family blinked before they smiled as they gave the two ponies a loving hug, which they returned as well.
"So how did you guys get back?" Chase asked once they broke the hug.
"Santos and I managed to use our magic to get all four of us out of Chrysalis' hive. The others didn't make it." Santos answered with a worried expression.
"This isn't good now." Sunray said in concern.
"What's going around here?" A familiar tough girl's voice asked. Everyone looked up and found Dragon Lord Ember landed on the ground. She looked confuse and surprise, "Did I miss something?"
"Ember! What are you doing here?" Starlight asked in confusion before giving suspicious looks, "Hold on. How am I so sure you're the real Ember?"
"What are you talking about?" Dragon Lord Ember demanded in anger.
Chase hummed slyly.
"Answer this first: What did you do when your boyfriend was attacked by that mean dragon Garble and Drago during the Gauntlet of Fire?" Chase asked amusingly.
Everyone awed and gave 'ooh' noise while some chatted and giggled amusingly. Dragon Lord Ember yelped and blushed in red.
"He's not my boyfriend! Can somepony or dragons stopped asking me that stupid questions for once?!" Ember asked annoyingly.
"Yep. That's definitely Ember." Starlight said amusingly.
"Okay, seriously, what's going on?!" Dragon Lord Ember demanded in annoyance, "Spike called me here because he said it's urgent and needs my help. For almost a week, I was too busy to deal with Garble because he's trying to convince me to throw away the alliance with the ponies. That guy really needs to let go of his pride!"
"The Changelings took Twilight , the others, the Royal Sisters and the Crystal Empire Royalty." Jewel answered.
"What?! Even Spike?!" Dragon Lord Ember asked in shock and concern, making everyone nodded in concern. She groaned in anger before slammed her punch on the rock, "So, what's the plan?! Get my Dragon Army to attack and reclaim what is rightfully yours?! Coz I'm ready!"
"Can't. Chrysalis will have her army take them down all at once." Chase said to her firmly.
"Either way, we should do something about helping our friends now?" Sunray said in concern.
"Yeah, Starlight and Chase. What are we gonna do?" Trixie asked in concern.
"I... I don't know! There has to be somepony else who can handle this?" Starlight asked in concern and worried.
"There is nopony else! Everypony with powerful magic is already gone!" Trixie reminded in fear.
"Maybe not." Jewel said as she presented a chest with her magic. "We have these since you guys took down Zhao and his Quinkan army back in Manehattan."
She opened it to reveal the Elite Ninja's dragon medallions as Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio were surprised by this.
"Our medallions!" Antonio shouted with joy as the five ponies took their own respective medallions and put them around their necks.
"We're definitely gonna need these babies for this." Sunray said with determination.
"But we're still forgetting that there's no other pony with powerful magic, remember?" Trixie reminded again.
It was then a familiar draconequus appeared reclining on top of Trixie's wagon.
"You know whenever ponies talk about powerful magic," Discord remarked, "they always leave me out. If I weren't so evolved, I might decide to take it personally."
"Uhh, you do realize we said everypony with powerful magic is gone!" said Nyx, "Not every draconequus."
Discord blinked.
"Well, like I said. If I wasn't so evolved, I might decide to take it personally," Discord replied as he looked at the group, "Well, isn't this quite the combination of secondary characters? Where are Twilight and the girls?"
"First," said Starlight defensively, "how do we know that you're really you?"
Discord glared and then snapped his fingers. Some nearby flowers jumped out of the ground and started dancing. Then a tree turned into a cuckoo clock, but the cuckoo bird was just a gloved hand holding a frightened squirrel. Then the ground the group was standing on turned into soapy water, making them all but Thorax lose their footing and landed on their stomachs. The rest of the world looked completely chaotic and Discord had even tuned Trixie's wagon into a pumpkin.
"Shall I continue?" Discord asked.
"I think you've done enough," said Sokka as he, Dojo, Ember, Grazer, and the other ponies that had fallen down stood back up.
"Chrysalis and the changelings are back," Starlight explained, "They've ponynapped all of the most powerful ponies in Equestria! Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Shining Armor, Flurry Heart, Twilight, and the others." Discord was looking rather bored as Starlight spoke, but something snapped when he heard that Twilight and Chase's friends had been taken, "We need to-"
"They took Fluttershy?" Discord said in a low whisper.
"Yes!" Starlight replied.
"Where?" Discord demanded menacingly, his eyes glowing with fury.
"The changeling kingdom," Starlight answered, "Sokka, Clay, Santos, and Jewel managed to escape from there to help us and with you on our side, I can-"
Before Starlight could finish, Discord snapped his fingers. Everypony and creature were then teleported to another location.
(Scene changes)
When they appeared, everypony was carrying lots of camping gear on their backs. Even Trixie was wearing her magicians hat and cloak. Chase and his family were wearing their ninja gear as well.
"Odd," said Discord as he looked around the area, "I was trying to take us right to Fluttershy, but there is no Fluttershy." Discord lifted a giant rock, made his eye extended to the ground like a pair of snakes, and then dropped the rock down with a loud thud.
"Darn," said Sokka in disappointment, "I was really hoping you would take us directly to Fluttershy and Queen Chrysalis so we could end this quickly. Thanks for getting my hopes up Discord!"
"Hey, is it my fault that my magic chose today to be off target?" Discord retorted in his defense as Sokka simply rolled his eyes.
"Alright, enough!" Chase said sternly, causing the two to stop arguing. "Look, let's just focus on finding our families and friends. So, any idea where they are?
Trixie turned around and whimpered at what she saw.
"I think I have a pretty good idea where Fluttershy might be..." Trixie then pointed a fore-hoof.
There in the distant wasteland was the menacingly looking tower of the changeling kingdom. Chase's eyes widened as he looked at the tower and then at Sokka, Clay, Jewel, and Santos.
"You guys escaped out of that thing!?" Chase remarked.
"Yeah, you're tougher than I thought!" Sunray added.
"Thanks...I think," Clay replied, feeling uncertain if that was a complement or a sarcastic quip.
"But it was still hard for us to get out. Chrysalis will be getting desperate now." Santos said.
"Oh man. That is one ugly kingdom." Dojo remarked with a disgusted look on his face.
"I had hoped never to see that place again," Thorax added, "Now what?" Once again, all the eyes were in Starlight and Chase looked at her with a frightened look on her face.
"You've got a plan to get us in there and save our friends," Jade asked, "Right? Big brother?"
Starlight was too afraid to answer. But Chase just glared at the kingdom angrily, wanting to get some revenge.
To be continued...
