I can feel the tension in the room, like an ache in my horn, although even without my telepathy, it is easy to read in the faces of everyone here. Even Danny looks serious, which tells me how much trouble we are in.

'Hey, Ribbon!'

I look up at Lofty, who is staring at me with her sternly maternal way.

'Sorry. I was just thinking, that's all.'

'I worked that much out. And I know what you were thinking, too. Well, we've been in worse spots than this and with less help around us. We aren't beaten yet.'

'You're right. Things are bad, but we can make it, together.'

She paused, looking around the Council Chambers, at the gathered Ari'nasid.

'If only everybody felt the same way.'

'What do you mean?'

Lofty asked.

I drop my voice to a whisper.

'Look around. You can see how worried the Ari'nasid are. It doesn't take my telepathy to feel that much.'

Magicstar leant in, keeping her voice low.

'With Kahn's Fortress sitting out there and his Darklings attacking the mountain day and night? We should all be worried.'

'Ssh.'

Lofty admonished.

'Here's Dis'ya.'

Looking up, I see that Dis'ya had mounted the Dias that overlooked the Chamber. The quiet whisper of voices fell silent as her gaze swept across the Chamber. Ribbon felt her spirits lift at the sight of the Winglord, although she still hadn't grown accustomed to her armour. In the gloom, her plume and wings glowed with a faint golden light.

'I will waste no time on eloquence, today. Our situation is dire. Kahn has us firmly within his trap. Between the palling he has summoned, and his army of Darklings, we are cut off from any escape or hope of rescue. We cannot hope to withstand Kahn forever. After consulting with General Grifor, Cleric Minore, Syras and Lumir, I have decided that we have only one course of action. Infiltrate Kahn's Fortress and challenge him directly. It is a slender hope, but better than being killed by his Darklings, one by one. However, this strategy is dangerous and I will not impose it upon you, without giving you a chance to decide. Please, speak your minds.'

I see the shock that ran round the room and she was as stunned as any. The silence was eventually broken by Megan, who had risen in her seat.

'I don't see that we have much choice, Dis'ya. Besides, it's just what he won't expect. We're with you.'

Dis'ya nodded;

'Thank you, my friends. I had hoped that you would be the ones to infiltrate Kahn's Fortress.'

'Why us?'

Button asked.

'Quite simply because you have already bested him once. There are few Ari'nasid who can say as much, even myself. With your armour, you're powers will be heightened and enhanced. I believe that you have the greatest chance of success.

Megan fingered her locket, thoughtfully.

'There's the Rainbow, too. It might be powerful enough to give us the advantage.'

She turned to look at the Ponies:

'I'm willing to try. But, I won't force anyone to come. Besides, some will need to stay behind and look after the Babies.'

She didn't add 'in case we don't make it back.' They all knew what she meant.

'We're all with you, Megan.'

Buttons said.

'We won't run away from this.'

Dinah growled in agreement, extending her claws.

Cherries Jubilee exchanged looks with Poesy.

'We'll stay behind, Megan.'

Megan nodded, solemnly. She knew how painful the decision must be.

'Thank you. Molly, I want you to stay behind, too.

'No! I'm not letting you do this without me.'

Megan squatted down, resting her hands on her Sister's shoulders.

'Listen, Molly. Someone needs to tell Mom and Dad if...if the worst happens. Okay?'

Molly chewed her lower lip, but she nodded.

Megan turned back to the Dis'ya.

'Will you be coming with us?'

'No, Megan. I have another duty to fulfil. To ensure that you can reach Kahn unchallenged.'

Megan felt a leaden weight settle in her heart, as she guessed Dis'ya's intention.

'You're leading an assault on his fortress, to draw out the Darklings.'

Dis'ya nodded;

'It is the only way, Megan.'

'No!'

'Dis'ya, you can't.'

'It's too dangerous.'

Megan's voice cut through the clamour.

'That's enough!'

'It's Dis'ya's decision. And she's right. It is the only way. Now, get yourselves ready to go.'

Danny was heading for the Crèche, with Gingerbread, Magicstar and Shady.

'...just want to check in with Molly, before we go. Just to...you know.'

Magicstar grimaced;

'Danny, you shouldn't...'

She was cut off by a scream from the Crèche, suddenly silenced.

Danny sprang towards the door, slamming his shoulder against the wood.

'It's locked!'

'Stand aside, Danny!'

Magicstar called, racing over.

Bracing herself, she delivered a solid kick that ripped the door off its hinges and Danny darted before she could move.

Inside, he saw a sight that made his heart stop. The Babies, Molly and Spike lay slumped on the floor, unconscious, with Syras standing over them. For a second, Danny could not understand what he was seeing, until Syras turned towards him, his eyes cold and empty. And he knew that Kahn had seized his mind. He sprang forward with a wordless yell that tore from his heart. Syras raised his hands, eyes glowing with purple energy and Danny dived aside just in time. The energy blast struck the floor, pitching him off his feet. Danny tried to rise, but his legs felt leaden.

'As'kor mekesh tiinar vas'tarion che!'

Syrus chanted, raising his arms above his head, purple lightning crackling between his fingers. The energy lanced out, racing around the room, striking each Baby Pony, as well as Molly. Danny could only watch helplessly as the energy engulfed them and, before he could even move, they vanished, along with Syras. As if a switch had been thrown, Danny found that the force holding his legs disappeared and he scrambled to his feet. He was dimly aware of Magicstar asking what had happened, but all he could think of was that he would have to explain to Megan how he'd let her sister be kidnapped.

Fizzy glanced surreptitiously at Megan, trying to be discreet.

Turning to Windwhistler, she spoke softly;

'I'm worried about Megan. She's got to be terrified for Molly.'

'If the truth be told, it's Kahn who should be worried. By taking Molly and the Babies he's made a fatal mistake. We'll stop at nothing to get them back, now.'

'Oh, I hope that they're okay. If Kahn's hurt them...'

'I don't think that he will have, Fizzy. If he'd intended to harm them, Syras could have accomplished that by himself. No, Kahn wanted them alive for some reason. And that gives us some time.'

'Or, it could be a trap and he wants us to come to him.'

Before Windwhistler could respond, Megan's called out;

'Alright, everyone. Gather round. It's time to go.'

Megan nodded towards the Cleric who was operating the Fire Portal. He manipulated the control crystals and a burning circle appeared on the floor.

'The portal is ready. Simply step within the circle and activate the red crystal. '

Megan thanked him, gesturing towards the circle and Fizzy and Windwhistler joined the others. It was crowded with Dinah there, but they managed to squeeze in. Megan touched the crystal and the burning line erupted into a wall of flame that encircled them. After several seconds, it collapsed, and they were somewhere else. The sight of the dark stone Walls made Fizzy shiver and she knew that they were inside Kahn's Fortress. She looked left and was relieved to see Windwhistler standing next to her. Following Megan, they headed deeper into the Fortress and their confrontation with Kahn.

Dis'ya stood at the head of the assembled host of the Ari'nasid, silent except for the scrape of armour or the rustle of wings. Above them, clearly visible despite the paling sat Kahn's Fortress. The rocks, hidden in shadow, looked like jagged teeth and the chill wind seemed to emanate from some evil place. Turning to glance at Lumir, Dis'ya pointed her sword to the sky, drawing on her power. Phoenix song broke the heavy silence, as a lance of fire erupted from the blade, slicing through the darkness. The bolt became a sphere above them, burning away Kahn's paling.

'Kahn, Lord of Darkness, hear me. Winglord Dis'ya commands you. Depart this land at once, in the name of the Ari'nasid.'

In answer, a piercing scream split the air that Dis'ya recognised instantly. Darklings!

'Form ranks and stand firm.'

Dis'ya commanded, as the Ari'nasid drew together, a forest of swords unsheathing with a deathly rasp. Beyond the circle of light, the scream came again, seeming to echo from all around them.

'Stand firm.'

Dis'ya repeated, before starting to sing.

The melody was soft, compared to the shrieks of the Darklings, barely audible amidst the din. But then, it was taken up by the Ari'nasid host, rising to a powerful crescendo that drowned out the hideous wails. It was then that the attack came. From all around the circle, Darklings appeared, eyes alight with the murderous will of their master. Claws met shields with a fierce clattering, followed by the screams of the fallen. Dis'ya could spare no attention to their fate, as her sword cleaved Darklings left and right. Phoenix blades did not cut, but delivered a magical shock that knocked out those they touched. After days of agonising waiting, it felt good to act, to think if nothing but the sword in her hands. From within the circle of swords, archers sent volleys of arrows into the darkness. Faint sparks and cut off shrieks were testament to their success. As she fought, Dis'ya hoped that Megan and her friends were alright. Then, she felt a stab of pain and stumbled to the ground. Fighting a wave of dizziness, she turned her head to see a Darkling standing over her, teeth bared in a triumphant growl. She scrambled for her sword, even though she knew it was too late. And then, the Darkling lunged.

Megan pressed her back against the stone wall, peering cautiously round the corner. So far, they had only seen a few Darklings and those had been easy enough to avoid.

'So far, so good.'

Megan whispered to Surprise, next to her.

'We must be getting near to the top of the tower by now.'

Ahead of them was a door, bearing a carved sigil that brought a chill to Megan's blood. That, as well as the two Darklings stationed outside, told her all she needed to know.

'Must be Kahn's Sanctum.'

She hissed.

'Nowhere else has been guarded so far. There'll be something valuable in there, that's for certain.'

'It is possible that this may be a trap.'

Windwhistler said.

'There's only one way to find out. Galaxy, I need you to wink behind them and distract them. Just get their attention and get away. Whizzer, Magicstar, when they turn, take them down, as fast as you can.'

They nodded and Galaxy winked out, appearing behind the guards. Megan's heart leapt into her throat, as Galaxy called out;

'Hey, guys!'

Even before the Darklings could begin to turn, she winked out. Magicstar and Whizzer shot past Megan, catching them unawares. Hooves struck hard, slamming them into the walls, and they slumped to the floor.

'Come on.'

Megan urged, darting out into the corridor and wrenching the door open. The Ponies thundered through, and Megan closed the door behind them. Inside, they found a wide, circular chamber, dominated by a crude stone altar. The air felt cold and Megan shivered, involuntarily.

'I don't like this, Megan.'

Northstar whispered, a slight tremor in her voice.

'Nor do I. This isn't right. Let's get out of here.'

Megan turned and pushed against the doors. However, they would not budge.

'They won't move!'

Then, a cruel laugh filled the air.

'You have come. As I had hoped you would. As I knew you would. To rescue these pitiful creatures that you care for so much.'

Cold light filled the chamber, revealing the Babies chained to the altar, and Syras standing in the middle of them. Danny started forward, but Megan grabbed him, dragging him back.

'Don't! The Babies.'

Raising her voice, Megan called:

'Show yourself, Kahn.'

The cruel laugh came again;

'Such courage, even now. Very well, child. It will make no difference, now.'

A dark cloud seemed to coalesce in front of the altar, becoming the shape of a cloaked figure with burning white eyes.

'By coming here, you hoped to save these children. However, you have merely doomed them, and yourselves.'

'What do you mean?'

Megan asked.

'I have prepared a curse that will wipe the stain of the Ari'nasid from this world forever. Even now, they resist me. They have cost me too many Darklings this day, alone. However, my curse requires the life energies of the pure. And that is the need that I have for you. Darklings!'

From out of the gloom, they came, fangs and claws bared.

'Surrender. Do not suffer, needlessly. The result will be the same, either way.'

Megan set her jaw.

'Not to us. Everyone, let's do it.'

Megan yelled, and the Ponies charged. The Darklings were caught unawares by the suddenness of their attack and fell back under the onslaught of diamond hard hooves. Megan saw Danny dodge aside from a Darklings charge and it thudded into the wall. Firefly, Windwhistler and Northstar lead the Pegasus over the battle, and they darted around, striking at the stragglers before they could react. Fizzy winked in, kicking out at a Darkling that had been about to take a bite out of Gingerbread. Truly slammed into another, throwing it into a wall to leave it stunned. Gusty used her power to summon gale force winds, sweeping the Darklings off their feet. Heart-throb and Cherries Jubilee stood back to back, their hooves driving back any Darklings that came too close. Dinah sprang to the defence of the Babies, striking down any Darkling that dared come too close. Windwhistler dived, flattening a Darkling that never saw her coming. Ribbon stood amid the battle, guarded by Buttons, using her telepathy to warn the others of danger. Shady charged across the chamber with Spike on her back, sending fireballs with deadly accuracy. Through the mêlée ran Megan, towards the altar and Kahn. Suddenly, Syras loomed up in her path, his hands crackling with purple energy.

Megan stopped dead, staring into his empty eyes for any sign of her friend.

'Syras, please, let me pass.'

'He obeys only my commands, now.

Kahn hissed.

'Syras, bind her.'

Energy sparked from Syras' hands, forming chains that wound round Megan's ankles and hands and she stumbled to land painfully on her knees.

Instantly, a ring of Darklings surrounded her and Kahn rasped;

'Surrender, or she will die.'

One by one, the Ponies turned, freezing when they saw Megan. At Kahn's urging, Darklings herded them towards the altar. At the sight of the parents and friends captured, the Baby Ponies broke into silent tears. Megan looked up at Syras, meeting his gaze again.

'Syras, please. Help us. Look around you. See what you've done.'

Syras looked at the Baby Ponies, then back to Megan and something seemed to change. Next second, he raised his arms, energy blasts striking two Darklings. The chains vanished from around Megan and she scrambled to her feet. Kahn hissed a word of power and next second, Syras' body went stiff as a board, and he slumped to the floor.

Seizing her opportunity, Megan snatched the locket from her neck, opening it as the Darklings sprang towards her. The Rainbow burst forth, sweeping around her in a blazing ribbon that swept the Darklings away. Her every thought was focused on Kahn and the Rainbow understood. Kahn tried to fight, black energy lancing from his hands, but the Rainbow ripped through them, ensnaring him. He gave a shrill scream, as his form dissolved before her eyes. Megan sank to the floor, as the Rainbow returned to the Locket. She looked up at the clatter of hooves and saw Firefly, Fizzy and Windwhistler standing over her. Megan hauled herself to her feet, hugging them both.

'Is everyone alright? And the Babies? Are they hurt?'

'Everyone is fine, Megan.'

Windwhistler replied.

Supported by her friends, Megan moved to the altar, finding that the chains holding the Babies had disintegrated and they were already being comforted. She also saw Syras being helped to his feet by Danny, and gave him a smile. She dropped to the floor next to Molly, hugging her desperately, fighting back tears.

'What happened to Kahn?'

Molly asked, her voice shaking slightly.

'I don't know. Somehow, though, I don't think that he will trouble us again.'

She turned to Syras, looking him in the eye.

'Thank you. Come on, let's get out of here.'

Megan sat in her room at the Dwindling Mountains, staring at the Rainbow Locket. Even though a week had passed, the memory of the battle was still fresh.

A knock at the door snapped her out reverie and a voice said:

'Megan, may I come in?'

'Of course, Dis'ya.'

The door opened and Dis'ya entered, still bearing a few bandages.

'I've been wanting to speak you for several days, my dear, but I'm afraid I've been unable to find the time.

I'm sorry, Megan. I've been meaning to speak to you for several days.'

'It's alright, Dis'ya. I know how busy you've been.'

'Nevertheless, I wished to see how you were feeling.'

'I'm fine. I...'

Seeing the look on Dis'ya's face, she gave in.

'Actually, I can't stop thinking about what happened to Kahn. About what I did to him.'

'He was evil, Megan, and he had to be stopped.'

'I know. It's just, when I used the Rainbow; I knew exactly what I was doing. And that scares me.'

'You saved your friends, Megan, as well as a great many Ari'nasid. With Kahn defeated, his Darklings fled without his influence to drive them. I you hadn't done what you did, that Darkling would have...'

Dis'ya voice trailed off.

'Anyway, that is not the reason that I wished to speak to you. I...did not want to tell you this until we were certain, so as not to get your hopes raised. However, Lumir found something when searching Kahn's fortress; the portal that was used to bring you here. What's more, my artisans tell me that it is fully functional. With luck, you can be home by tomorrow.'

Megan sat in silence for a moment, stunned.

'Dis'ya, I don't know what to say. This is...Thank you, for everything.'

She said, sounding choked.

'There is no need for tears, Megan. For this is not goodbye. We should be able to keep the portal operational. Perhaps we will be able to visit Dream Valley, in time.

Megan grinned:

'We'd like that very much, Winglord.