A day later, the friendship school, it was another day when the friendship school was open, come Equestria was not yet safe, four tyrants lurked in an unknown place and the image of the scarlet legions terrified many, but it was not a state where everyone locked themselves in their homes, whether the authorities had the intention of introducing any state of emergency, life was actually going as normal as every day, and so was that day in Ponyville and the friendship school that was full of rumors and whispers.

Many knew what was happening now in the crystal empire and White Tail Woods, many whispered about the man and his unexpected help, many saw it as a sign of heroism, so a spark of hope was born that connected all the speakers in and before the school, having a good view of the crystal lock.

On the one hand, there was a spark of hope that a man would be their hero, but on the other hand, there was also a great fear, the image of the ruined mountain, the roar, the earth quake, the whole Ponyville trembled and then the power of renewal, the power of time that united the mountain before the devastating blow, and the vision of a man destroyed Ponyville with one blow put many into a state of natural fear and fear, because the question was when and whether Alex would hit the ponies and peoples of the known world, knowing his power, it could happen every day, at any hour, unfortunately the questions that arose with every rumor, they did not bring comfort, but only fears.

Yes, and the friendship school was full of gossip at breaks and even during classes, even the principal herself, a unicorn mare with lavender hair and a slightly curly mane in an overwhelming blueberry color, was walking down the hall in deep thought, not paying attention to most of the students and teachers, almost colliding with the wall, Starlight Glimmer could not actually figure out a man or his power, she had never met someone like this, with such powers that even the power of friendship, the power of harmony could not overcome, and Alex himself was able to overcome anyone without any signs of fatigue or weariness, it was a mystery to her.

- good morning, Starlight. The blue griffin Gallus said greeting the headmistress, but Starlight Glimmer passed the golden-bowed blue griffin without a word, hitting another wall again.

- what is. Starlight Glimmer asked in surprise.

- Starlight's fine. Gallus asked.

- Er, yes, I'm a little thoughtful, this whole situation.

- yes, I know, this man cheered yesterday, defeated Cozy Glow, her legion and destroyed the great summit, it is scary to think what he can do tomorrow and even today with his power and his own madness. Gallus said, looking down at the ground in deep thought.

- you know, everything is possible, but we must believe, hope that man is not our enemy here, I want to believe it, and besides, his action accelerated important decisions, your decisions are true. Starlight Glimmer said smiling at the reddened griffin.

- Er, yeah !, it was foolish to postpone my decision. Gallus said.

- I can see that it was paying off, right, I heard that Cherry Berry accepted your proposal. Starlight said, really wanting to change the subject.

- so she accepted and I have never been happier than today, oh, if this whole situation with the man were obvious to us, if he turned out to be our defenders, I would be taken into heaven. Gallus said.

- I believe it. Silverstream said.

A pink hippogriff with a bluish mane and tail appeared from the adjoining corridor as the bell for lessons rang throughout the school, such a new addition similar to those of the human world, Silverstream approached her friend wanting to cheer him up and throw away his fear when his heart found your happiness at last.

- I believe that man will be our friend one day. Silverstream said

- maybe someday because so far it has effectively kept us all at a distance, at least we know that he will never raise his hand to a pony or any other creature driven by his hunger. Gallus said.

- oh yes, it's a great relief. Said Sandbard, yellow green earth pony.

- at least we don't have to be afraid that a man will ever hunt for one of us, it's really a great relief. Sandbard added.

- Starlight!. Another scream woke everyone up, being a scream of fear, terror from one of Starlight Glimmer's best friends who immediately recognized the voice of her friend running into the school through the main entrance.

- Sunburst!. Starlight screamed when she saw her friend, a yellow unicorn dressed in a robe with stars.

- Sunburst, what happened. Silverstream asked.

- me, me, Star Swirl. Sunburst said between breaths.

- Calmly Sunburst take a deep breath first. Sandbar recommended.

- Wait a minute, Star Swirl, what about him. Gallus asked.

- if Star Swirl is in danger. Starlight Glimmer asked, grabbing her friend and shaking him left and right.

- yes, no, I don't know!. Sunburst said.

- but if you don't know what happened, tell me what happened as soon as possible. Starlight Glimmer said, interrupting her friend's struggle.

- I don't know what happened, me and Star Swirl sensed some magical hesitation in the Foal Mountain area, we found something there, some strange veins for a potato, one of these veins has been touched by Star Swirl, now it's in some kind of cocoon or something, I don't know how To help him, I came to you first.

- oh no, it must be one of the scarlet veins, let him go back there as soon as possible. Said Starlight Glimmer.

- what you want to do?. Sunburst asked.

- I want, I have to, I have to go there. This thing certainly drains his magical powers, you have to hurry, you need to inform the princesses.

- I already did it, as soon as I showed up in Ponyville I met Pinkie Pie on my way, she promised that she would be in a hurry like when organizing a birthday party. Said Sunburst to which his friend responded with a smile.

- anyway, I can't wait for them, if they are there first, maybe by then they will solve the problem themselves, but if I don't try to deal with it myself, and Sunburst you haven't seen scarlet legions or monoliths there.

- no Starlight, I haven't seen anything like that but one strand, it's like a new monolith is yet to be built. Sunburst replied quickly.

- okay then let's go. Starlight said.

Starlight Glimmer and Sunburst were about to leave the friendship school but were stopped by three of their friends who categorically wanted to join them.

- we go with you. Gallus said.

- exactly friends do not leave their friends. Sandbard said.

- and do not say no, without talking we are going with you, and not alone I will call the others in a moment and we will all go. Silverstream said.

- I know that we are friends, but most of all you are needed here, you have your duties and you are my subordinates, you have to stay here and I do not want to expose you. I know I am using my position here, but I am doing it for you. Said Starlight Glimmer.

- do you really have to, and if you run into whole legions of scarlet foes there. Sandbar asked.

- we can handle what not Sunburst. Starlight Glimmer said, winking at her closest friend and even at someone even closer.

- yes, together we will not give a damn, and you stay here, do it for us, be responsible. Said Sunburst, the three friends lowered their heads knowing they had the least to talk about on this point and agreed with the words of the two unicorns by staying at school watching their friends dash out through the main entrance.

The three friends breathed heavily looking at each other in a meaningful way, until they heard the voice of their friends, Yona, a young brown yak, a turquoise Ocellus with a pink tail and an orange dragoness Smolder behind them.

- so how, we stay to be responsible for the school, do we follow our friends, being responsible for them. Smolder asked.

- right, we should not be so selfish and listen to the clever manipulations of our friend. Yona said.

- no matter if he saves us all, I do not want to stand here and wait for the worst. Ocellus said, flapping her wings in a pose ready to run and fight.

Silverstream, Gallus and Sandbar looked at each other, knowing what each of them had come up with and what decisions they had made, no one wanted to just stand there and wait for their friends to face an indescribable threat, even if only the princesses appeared at Foal Mountain, in the face of the scarlet legions, nothing was certain and obvious except a man.

- you have to inform the school. Gallus said.

- I will take care of this. Silverstream said, racing on its wings through the halls, and another alarm bell rang the school.

- I heard everything. A voice said from behind New Six's back.

Everyone looked back to see a couple of hippogriffs they knew. The first was the red hippogriff with the golden mane of Justice Dusk standing as always at the front, ready to fight, the second of the hippogriffs was the golden-haired princess Skystar with the blue mane. They both listened with curiosity to the collected words themselves, having their own plans.

- Justice Dusk, Princess Skystar, what do you mean here. She tried to mumble Yona in surprise, not knowing where to start.

- we only planned. Sandbard said, trying to explain himself to the plan everyone had agreed to.

- calmly, we will not inform anyone that you want to follow your friend, on the one hand you are irresponsible for the school, but on the other hand you are responsible for your friends. Princess Skystar said and her words gave everyone a deep breath of peace.

- I mean, you won't want to stop us if what, right?. Silverstream asked as she stepped closer to the princess of her people.

- of course not and you know, I have a great idea, Justice Dusk you want to go with our friends from Ponyville when my mother met the princesses to report on the scarlet legions, or rather the lack of them in the oceans, so between us, my mother is nothing about it he doesn't know, Justice Dusk had a great idea. Skystar said winking at Justice Dusk as she went over to her own plan.

- now I had a great idea, if you are coming to help, let's join you too, not Justice Dusk. Skystar said, surprising virtually everyone, not just the New six, but most her own husband.

- this what?. Yona asked, surprised.

- you too, no! It's not appropriate. She tried to translate Silverstream.

- it can be dangerous there, the scarlet legions can surprise anyone. She tried to explain Ocellus when the young turquoise changeling addressed her words to both Skystar and Justice Dusk glanced at each other but with different emotions.

- Skystar may not be the right place for you, at least, maybe you should. Justice Dusk said.

- Justice Dusk, what are you saying, first you tell me that you are ready to fight the whole legion with a man and now suddenly your senses come back? What is wrong with you, my knight has lost his confidence and courage. Said Skystar come her words and the question were more jocular managed to surprise the red hippogriff with a golden mane deeply, to which Justice Dusk raised his head high and looked confidently at everyone.

- I'm not afraid of anything, I'm only responsible for you, but if you want, we go with me, you'll be safe all of you, have my word, no scarlet, no man will stop me. Said Justice Dusk as he puts his promise on everyone's paws and hooves.

- but I'm still not sure if it's a good idea. Smolder said, folding her hands in front of her.

- and if you are doing well, if your idea is good here, yes, you are doing it for others just as we are doing it for you and everyone, so we go with you. She told Skystar to which no one from New Six was able to deny the words of the yellow hippogriff princess.

- You're right, so let's better prepare. Gallus said, shaking his wings.

As students and other teachers in this CMC met in the meeting place between the school and the crystal castle, Gallus waited for his friends impatiently looking east but this was not what he expected.

- Gallus!. A pink earth pony mare with a yellow mane cried out.

- Cherry Berry, what are you. Gallus asked as his fianc e snuggled into a tight hug.

- I am asking what are you doing here. Cherry Berry asked taking off her cowboy hat.

- you know, I'm planning a little trip related to the important mission that Starlight Glimmer has set for us, that's why we're closing the school for today, and you know, but I should be back in an hour, so we'll meet at the Cakes shop. Gallus said, come on, he wasn't really telling the whole truth to protect his sweetheart.

- oh, it's a pity that I can't go with you, but since this is an important mission, I won't argue, but we'll see you in an hour. Cherry Berry asked, and Gallus nodded his beak.

At that same moment, New Six's griffin friends appeared. Gallus immediately whispered a word goodbye to his beloved, nodded to everyone and ran towards Foal Mountain but no one really knew that that day they were all being watched by a hooded pony who heard and saw everything, a pony clad in a gray robe staring at the school of friendship with apparent reluctance.

In the meantime, Starlight Glimmer and Sunburst appeared under Foal Mountain, and as it turned out at the very beginning, at the very top of the mountain, one of the veins of scarlet steel grew out of the ground, and in the center there was a cocoon with an unknown pony trapped inside.

- Starlight, watch out for this vein if you touch it. Sunburst said.

- I know, you don't have to worry about me baby, I know how dangerous this thing is, I saw it with my own eyes in the swamps and during the great battle for the White Tail Woods, so nothing will surprise me. Starlight Glimmer said, winking at her friend.

- and yet today everything will surprise you. Sunburst said under his breath, showing a strange smile.

At the same moment, Starlight Glimmer, passing the scarlet vein, came closer to the cocoon and they stood three meters in front of him, she saw the face of a pony sleeping in a lethargy, it was not Star Swirl, but someone closest to her.

- what Sunburst, it's impossible!, but how!. Said Starlight Glimmer, unable to understand the sight of her lover in a scarlet cocoon, suddenly a cold shiver ran through the body of the lavender unicorn as she looked back at the laughing yellow unicorn.

- you are not HIM! Who are you! What you did to my friend, come on!. Screamed Straling Glimmer activating the power of her horn ready to fight, ready for anything, even to fight the scarlet legions.

- it's obvious what I did with him. Chrysalis said, emerging from the illusion, facing a startled unicorn with a scarlet amulet around her neck.

- Chrysalis, so it's you!, no matter what you did to mine. Starlight Glimmer said angrily as she walked towards the evil queen.

- I did with him what I'm going to do with you in a moment, with you your friends from the school of friendship.

- what but how!.

- Oh Starlight, you don't know, your friendship is your weakest link here, they go here I know about it and when they also fall into a trap then Canterlot will fall, the princesses and then everything, all for my master!. Screamed Chrysalis as the scarlet vein grew large enough to touch Starlight's hooves, it was the moment when the vital and magical force began to leave the unicorn mare, and the scarlet power wrapped Starlight Glimmer in a cocoon sucking from her the essence of her power and the essence of the dogma she represented.

- my master, soon I will give you everything you want and you will give me a chance to regain what is rightfully due to me. She said Chrysalis to the scarlet amulet through which her master's voice was heard.

- Soon but get ready they are close, I know I can feel it. Akeron said.

Meanwhile, Cherry Berry, standing outside the Cakes state store, began to stamp nervously impatiently as the hour actually began to pass, but it was only after another twenty minutes that Cherry Berry felt a twinge of fear that the mere thought that something might have gone wrong made her feel highly agitated and even panicked. Cherry Berry would fall out of the alley every now and then, thinking that she would finally meet her lover here, but she had passed another twenty ponies so far and so far she had only patience.

At one point, Cherry Berry heard someone running, she quickly stormed out of the alley, only to collide with a tall red dragon, who also turned out to appear outside the Cakes state store, just as his sister Smolder had recommended him.

- Sorry, wait, Cherry, what are you here. Garble asked, getting to his feet and helping the smaller mare to stand up.

- what am I doing here, what are you doing here. Cherry Berry said, asking a question.

- soon your sister too, she told you that you were to meet her in this place in an hour.

- Yeah. Why.

- oh no, we were deceived, but why. Cherry Berry asked. Maybe they dropped out of what I heard, Starlight Glimmer assigned them to some important task at Foal Mountain.

- You know where it is right away. Cherry Berry asked immediately, putting her hat over her head.

- of course, although now as I look at it, it seems to me that Smolder probably said it, but what can it mean?.

- and it's my dear Garble that our friends, family, they all made us into a snowman and now they are at Foal Mountain, for what and why I do not know but I know one thing, they are in trouble, that's for sure. Cherry Berry said, ready to go.

- if they are in trouble, and everything points to it, I will not let you go. Suddenly said the strong and confident voice of a maroon, broken-horned unicorn in a black outfit and a red mane, who had just left the Cake shop and was listening to the conversation between the red dragon and the earth pony mare.

- Tempest Shadow, you. Cherry Berry, surprised, said.

- yes, I'm coming with you, I'm the toughest pony here so I'll watch over you in case of trouble, you know those scarlet legions. Tempest Shadow said as she walked over to the pony and the dragon.

- you tough, we dragons are the toughest here, even Ursa beasts are a small problem for us. Garble said in his lofty pose, but the certain gaze quickly faded as he met the sharp gaze of a unicorn with a broken horn.

- believe me, nipple, you don't want to fight me, so save your strength for the scarlet legions instead.

- and a man after all. Cherry Berry said, which made Tempest Shadow tremble for a moment.

Of course, the fierce unicorn never avoided a fight, where she accidentally met the great beasts Ursa Major on her way while still young, but after the day she met a man, she felt an irresistible fear in her heart which she was unable to control, but she rejected these memories, wanting to look confident and strongly against the red dragon in particular.

- as if I would be ready for him and now let's follow me. Tempest Shadow said as she led the dragon and the pink mare towards Foal Mountain.

As the three friends and rivals left Ponyville, an unfamiliar pony in gray hooded clothes followed their steps hurriedly, tracing their every step like a shadow, muttering something under his chin.

Meanwhile, at Foal Mountain, where two cocoons rested on the ground and a vein expanding, stood Starlight Glimmer, who, kneeling in front of a scarlet cocoon, looked terrified and distraught as the New Six members appeared on the low horizon, accompanied by two hippogriffs.

- oh not only not that!. Yona screamed seeing cocoons and a terrified Starlight Glimmer.

- Starlight, let's go. Silverstream screamed, flapping her wings.

- don't let her wait faster, time is playing against us. Said Justice Dusk as he accelerated to maximum speed with the force of his wings.

- wait a minute, something does not fit me here. Ocellus said, wanting to keep everyone but it was too late. The scarlet vein began to grow.

- wait, don't stop! It's not StarIing's disguise. He shouted to all Gallus, but it was the moment a scarlet vein touched them all, their paws and hooves caught by the expanding vein.

The New Six and the two hippogriffs were all caught in less than a second stealing strength and essence in tight cocoons and Chrysalis close to her success and looked at her prey, laughed loudly and picked up the scarlet amulet.

- perfect now just call the princesses here, and then we'll hit Canterlot and Ponyville. Chrysalis said.

- so go, hurry up, don't waste any time. Said a voice in a scarlet amulet.

Chrysalis still looked at the eight scarlet cocoons that successively drank their trapped essences and a pair of dogmas that even Tirek himself could not suck out, then Chrysalis disappeared in a bright flash to trap the last victims before finally striking.

Meanwhile, on the edge of the Foal Mountain slope, two ponies and one red dragon looked in shock at what had happened to their friends and family.

- little sister!. Garble shouted.

- no!, Gallus, please don't!. Cherry Berry shouted.

She and the dragon wanted to jump into the fight, save their friends and family, to destroy the scarlet cocoons, but as soon as they got up they were caught by the ears of Tempest Shadow, who held them in check. The red-haired unicorn would hold them for a moment, and her firm gaze and angry words paused the pony and the dragon for a moment.

- get a hold of yourselves, you hear me!. Tempest Shadow screamed, come on it wasn't a malicious or a bad gesture, she was doing it to keep her friends in danger, but her scream held the pony and the dragon in place, which gave the unicorn with a broken horn an explanation of the obvious.

- you don't see it there!, these cocoons and scarlet veins, this is something more unknown to us enemy, I have seen something like this once and I know one thing, you will not help anyone by going there, anyone who stands on one of these veins will be tied up in a scarlet cocoon.

- so what can we do, there is my sister!. Garble shouted pointing to one of the cocoons and a shackled Smolder.

- there is my beloved, I will not leave him!. Cherry Berry shouted.

- I knew it would end this way. Suddenly, the familiar voice of the mysterious pony standing in the back broke everyone off the spot.

A mysterious pony dressed in a green robe watched the cocoons and three friends who abruptly stood up, ready to fight. But this pony turned out to be their enemy, but not what they wanted to see.

- oh no Neighsay, Chancellor of Neighsay!. Said Garble, meeting a white unicorn with a black mane who looked at everyone in anger.

- yes, it's me and down there I have perfect proof of disobedience, these fools went against the requests and orders of their headmistress only to fall into the trap, what is even worse, they dragged into it two unnecessary hippogriffs, this is an extreme symptom of irresponsibility!, and now our enemy wants to repeat it a third time!, I always said that your school is evil!, now finally I have proof, oh yeah. Neighsay said with satisfaction and victory.

- Neighsay, listen to me, this is not the time or the place to take out the old filth from ten years ago, now we have a war with the scarlet legions, we have to help each other. Tempest Shadow said, sounding mild this time.

- if it wasn't for your school there wouldn't be all this mess, I'll help you well, but not for nothing!, you know what I want. Neighsay said, looking at each of the business pony eloquently.

- so be it, take whatever you want, but please help us, please. Cherry Berry said in complete panic.

The panic, however, only came when Neighsay agreed to help in exchange for, among other things, the closure of the friendship school, the earth began to tremble and crack, three terrible beasts called colossi emerged from the cracks, huge ten-meter beasts stood in front of the Tempest Shadow and the others screamed at each terrifying way.

After the scream, there will be a furious, unbridled attack, the colossi like wild beasts charged at everyone, tearing and hitting with their huge paws smashing pieces of rock on its way, even Tempest Shadow was surprised by the ferocity and power of the attack, which, in her opinion, was greater and stronger even than the attack of Ursa Major.

- attention!. Tempest Shadow yelled as one of the giants charged Cherry Berry.

The Colossus swung several times against the falling pony and yellow mane, but stopped when it was hit multiple times by half a spark of power fired from the broken Tempest horn and the Garble fire wave, both of them did their best to try to stop the terrible monster formed of scarlet steel, but the monster was left with nothing but pushed five meters from the terrified mare only to fall to the ground and aim his scarlet cannons at the red dragon.

- Garble, watch out. Tempest Shadow shouted, but it was too late and Garble was too busy flooding the enemy with his flame. The great cannon fired a stone missile that pierced the dragon's fiery breath and struck it with all its might.

Garble fell under the pressure of the great rock hitting him, which broke at the moment of impact, creating a shock wave that knocked everyone down. Tempest quickly got up to see two more colossi preparing to fire at Cherry Berry, their cannons fired again, Tempest Shadow using all her powers left in her broken corner fired a beam of light power, half sparks that after hitting the missiles did not destroy them instead of this, both missiles flew sideways fortunately passing the terrified mare by half a meter.

Tempest pushed aside, seeing that her new friend was okay, but this did not improve her personal situation, suddenly above her she saw the sinister shadow of a giant leaping straight at her with open paws, for Tempest weakened from the fight, the sight of the terrible colossus was a sight of her own memories and day when she was attacked by the Ursa beasts, the day she lost her horn but knew that this colossus was something much worse, Tempest could only close her eyes with visions of repeating history before her.

Meanwhile, seeing the turn of events, the unequal fight and the threat that was approaching the dragon and the pony with the broken horn, Cherry Bery managed to get up but did not move a step, but she heard the voices of the former chancellor urging to run from behind, did not move a step.

- Cherry, you hear me, we have to run away, this is the only chance. Be heard, hear!. Neighsay shouted.

- I won't leave my friends, I can't. Cherry said.

- you have to, they would want it for you.

- but I won't, I won't leave them and you, if you want, run, run, save your life, you hear, until it's too late.

- can't you see it, you can die!. Neighsay shouted in desperation as he saw the third giant charging Cherry Berry.

- if it is to be like that, let it be like that, I want to be where my beloved is, I will never leave him!. Cherry screamed as she had tears in her eyes.

Neighsay shook his head and began to run away bearing nothing for the ponies and dragon left in the battlefield fighting in an unequal fight, actually Neighsay didn't wonder why he was doing it, why he was running away, why he had left everyone, he was indifferent to it until Neighsay squealed seeing in front of you something much worse than the scarlet giants.

Neighsay stopped, gliding about a meter on the ground to face the human, both of equal height looked into each other's eyes, Neighsay only with fear and Alex with regret directed at the white unicorn, regret turning into anger as his eyes focused on three colossi.

L

next guards enemies return with claims to the whole world, for old and new enemies, real and insignificant enemies Alex will have no mercy, not on this day.