Note: Welcome to part 5 everyone! Well... It appears that it is going to be option number one by a landslide. Here we go!

Dimension: My Little Pony

Planet: Equestria Earth

Specific Location: Ponyville

Time: A week after the invasion of the Paradox

The Paradox stood in Mayor Mare's room, looking out the window. Outside, there were at least a hundred Phasetroopers standing around, ignoring everypony. Oddly enough, Ponyville's citizens were going about their daily chores, only once and a while casting worried glances at the Phasetroopers who stood around in town square.

"See how well we can cooperate, mayor?" said the Paradox calmly, "There is no need for hostilities. I am simply here for a short time."

"I very much doubt that!" snapped Mayor Mare. Her voice sounded strong, but her eyes reflected terror. "You captured me and imprisoned me before. How do you think I can trust you?"

The Paradox turned to face the mayor of Ponyville. Though she tried to resist, Mayor Mare could not help but shrink back a little.

"You don't need to trust me, mayor," said the Paradox, "You just need to do as I say. I will be leaving soon to see to other matters, and I trust that all will go well here in my absence."

At this moment, Mayor Mare gathered up enough courage to snap, "The moment we see an opening, Paradox, we will strike! We are free ponies! No one can take that freedom away!"

"No one is, my friend," said the Paradox. His voice was full of mirth. In his mind, he was reasoning with an insect.

"I am not taking your freedom away," he continued, "I am simply securing some interests of mine. I am just being careful. See how your ponies outside go about their daily lives? Look, even Button Mash is playing at the arcade again."

"This isn't freedom," snarled Mayor Mare, "this is fear."

"Perhaps…" sighed the Paradox, straightening up, "But I can see that I cannot trust you. Nevertheless, I thought of a countermeasure to that."

The Paradox then tapped the side of his helmet, opening an intercom. "Phasetrooper seven-billion? Let him in."

The door opened and a hooded figure moved in slowly. Suddenly the figure threw back his hood, revealing the owner's face. The being standing before Mayor Mare looked young. However, he was a human. He was skinny, and his hair was long, black, and straggly. However, that was not what sent tingles of naked fear up Mayor Mare's spine… it was his eyes. The eyes of the human reflected nothing but pain, terror, hate, fear, horror, and self-loathing.

"Meet Dimensional Traveler Ravencroft Solace," said the Paradox, rather smugly, "He will be the taskmaster, my enforcer, of Ponyville while I am away. Naturally, he doesn't have an all-seeing eye like me… but I think he makes up for it with flair and ruthlessness."

"When are you leaving?" said Mayor Mare in a small voice. She then suddenly found herself very much wanting the Paradox to stay.

Almost as if he had sensed her thoughts (which, in all probability, he did) the Paradox said, "Immediately. Now, I suggest you keep your distance from Solace. However, the only way you do that is by sticking to the rules that I have set. There are not many, and they are easy to observe: no leaving town permanently, always be inside a house by midnight, and no weapon-related activities. It's easy to keep. You will be fine. If not… well… Let's just say Solace keeps no prisoners."

"Paradox," said Solace in a deathly quiet voice, "I will be outside."

"Well then," said the Paradox, almost cheerfully, "let me walk you out!"

Solace gave Mayor Mare a long, mournful look, and then turned around and stalked after the Paradox. There was a lengthy pause after the door closed, and then suddenly Mayor Mare let out a long sigh of relief.

A spot next to Mayor Mare's chair shimmered, and an invisibility shield dropped from around Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash.

"Wow, I think he's getting cocky!" breathed Rainbow Dash, "You would have thought he would look around for eavesdroppers!"

"I think I wet my hoofs," gasped Twilight, her face still red from apprehension. After a pause, she said, "I agree though, you would have thought he would be paying attention. But then again, he's almost a god; he probably couldn't care less what we do."

"Well, we're about to make him care," said Rainbow Dash, "If he chooses to ignore us, then that is just fine! Less chance of us getting caught, I say."

"But what can we do?" sighed Mayor Mare mournfully, "The only ponies around that are powerful enough to fight are Sunset Shadow, Flaming Star, and Night Shade. Unfortunately, they are being watched and followed every second of the day…"

"I suppose," said Rainbow, "But if they are being watched, then it means we aren't! It is obvious the Paradox thinks he has gotten his priorities straight."

"Then I suppose the responsibilities fall to us to begin working against him," said Mayor Mare, "However, I cannot do much for now. I am constantly followed by Phasetroopers. You two are on your own as of yet."

"We understand, Mayor Mare," said Twilight with respect, "We will be going now."

With that, Twilight and Rainbow Dash crept out of the window. They slowly began to creep away when they bumped into Ravencroft Solace, who had been watching them from the moment they had left the office.

It wasn't so much the thought of being caught by this enforcer that terrified Twilight, it was the enforcer's eyes that blazed through her skull. In short, Solace's eyes held pure terror. She felt her bladder weakening.

"What were you doing in there?" asked Solace in a quiet voice.

"Heh… Um… nothing!" said Rainbow, trying to sound casual.

"I hope you two were not eavesdropping. Such treachery is worthy of death. However, death is not a bad thing," sighed Solace, sounding empathetic. Twilight, her pupils a tenth of their regular size, began to back up.

Solace didn't move to stop them. He sat down in the grass and picked up a daisy and held it in his hand. Suddenly the little flower blackened, and crumbled to dust. "Death allows you to reach places you never could have dreamed of… and be rejoined with those you love," said Solace, not talking to anyone other than himself now.

Suddenly he looked up and said, "You two may go… Please try to be careful. I am not averse to killing you, especially if you have loved ones on the 'other side.'"

Twilight nodded slowly. She then spread her wings and took off into the sky. Rainbow quickly followed her. Solace stood up and watched them go. Then he sat down again, slowly plucking strands of grass and draining the life from them as he watched Phasetroopers patrol the occupied town of Ponyville.

"Who was THAT guy?" asked Rainbow as they continued to fly, "He was mucho weirdo!"

"I don't know, but he was terrifying," breathed Twilight. Her voiced trailed away as she slowly became lost in thought. Then she snapped out of it and said, "We need to meet with the rest of our friends. We need to figure out our next step."

"How?" exclaimed Rainbow, "There are Phasetroopers everywhere!"

As if to compound that statement, Rainbow suddenly shoved Twilight out of the way as an Enigma hover-ship akin to a MK-84 VTOL drop-ship blasted by them, carrying a payload of explosives, probably to wipe some rebellious Griffon province off the map as recompense.

"I really need to work on my constant awareness," gasped Twilight as she realized how close she had been to being smashed to pieces like a bug on a windshield.

"You're such a rookie, Twilight," chuckled Rainbow, "Anyway, you still haven't answered my question!"

"I'm thinking…" muttered Twilight, and then suddenly she exclaimed, "I got it!"

She exclaimed it so heartily that Rainbow almost fell out of the air in shock. "Got it? Got what? Huh?"

"We can ask Pinkie to throw a party! A crazy Pinkie party is the perfect cover for us! You, me, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie can then meet together and discuss some plans for retaliation! Then Fluttershy can relay what we have to Sunset, and he can give us feedback!"

"Twilight… There is no Rarity," said Rainbow, her voice suddenly heavy.

Twilight's face saddened, and a couple of tears began to sting in her eyes. "I know…" she sighed, "But it just seems like she never left."

A single tear fell and spiraled away to earth. Rainbow immediately tried to brighten the situation. "Hey, chin up Twilight! Rarity may be gone, but that doesn't mean she's dead! For all we know, she could be with Doxia, safe and sound!"

Twilight tried to smile a little. "I suppose. Sorry Rainbow Dash, I'm a bit of an emotional roller-coaster right now. Even my books aren't helping."

Rainbow gave a snort of genuine laughter as she said, "Well, maybe that means you are becoming less of an egghead! No matter, I like your plan. Pinkie probably would love to through a large party for her new Phasetrooper friends."

"Friends," sighed Twilight, still a little troubled, "Pinkie would call a Chimera that didn't eat her a 'friend.'"

Rainbow laughed, "You're right! Never mind, though, we should get going! There's Sugarcube corner!"

With that, the two ponies dove down and landed outside the building. Two Phasetroopers were standing stock still, on guard, outside the door. They were both covered in flowers and Hawaiian leis. The one of the Phasetroopers turned his masked helmet towards Twilight and said, "Twilight Sparkle. Alicorn. Rainbow Dash. Pegasus. DNA scan confirmed. ID complete. Clear."

The two Phasetroopers stepped aside and let the ponies pass.

"Nice outfits," sniggered Rainbow Dash. Neither Phasetrooper responded or moved. Twilight quickly hurried Rainbow into the room and slammed the door.

"Heya everypony!" exclaimed Pinkie happily as Twilight and Rainbow Dash entered the building.

"Hello Pinkie," said Twilight with a small smile, "How are you?"

"Picture perfect!" shouted the pink party pony, "I have two new friends outside. They keep me all cozy and protected from those scary Phasetroopers. I made sure to dress them up though, so ponies wouldn't mistake them for one of those bad guys."

Rainbow Dash facehoofed hard as Twilight chuckled a bit. After a short pause, Twilight said, "Pinkie… I need you to throw me a party."

Pinkie's eyes lit up (if it was possible for them to do so even more), and she exclaimed, "A PARTY?! Of course! IlovetothrowpartiesallthetimetheyareamazingIloveparties! Where do you want it?"

"Here, if that is okay," said Twilight smiling, "I would like to invite Fluttershy and Applejack as well as me and Rainbow Dash."

"And Rarity of course!" exclaimed Pinkie, hopping up and down. There was suddenly a deathly quiet.

"What? Where is that fashion pony anyway?" said Pinkie, oblivious to the now saddened features of her friends.

"Um… she's gone away… for a while," said Twilight slowly.

"But she'll be back of course!" said Rainbow, trying to bolster the mood once again.

Pinkie immediately threw off the heavy mantle of depression as if it was a napkin in the wind. "Okie Dokie Lokie!" she exclaimed, "Sundown! Don't be late! Pinkie promise?"

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," said Twilight and Rainbow Dash in unison. With that, they turned around and trotted away.

"We've got a couple more hours before sundown," said Rainbow, glancing at the sky as they exited Sugarcube corner, "What the hay are we going to do until then?"

Twilight gave a deep sigh. Then she said, "Nothing. There is nothing we CAN do but wait. I'm going to my Library to read. You do whatever you want."

Rainbow looked at Twilight in surprise. This was quite out of character for her. "Hey… are you okay?" she said slowly.

Twilight shook her head. "No. I'm not okay. We are completely under the control of a lunatic!"

"He might not be THAT bad," stuttered Rainbow, still trying to keep the mood casual.

Twilight sat on her haunches and straightened up, exposing her belly. She then pointed to the white scar that ran from her collarbone to her pelvis. "The Paradox gave me this. He ordered his enforcer to do this. He is evil, and I know it."

Rainbow looked at her hoofs and mumbled something unintelligible. Twilight sighed again, and then spoke in a kinder tone. "I'm sorry Rainbow. I guess I am a little flustered."

"We're ALL flustered," said Rainbow, nodding her head slowly, "However, just because we feel that way doesn't mean we need to act that way."

Twilight blushed. Rainbow was absolutely right. "You're right," admitted Twilight, "You are absolutely right. I'm sorry."

Rainbow couldn't help but wink. "I'm right for once! That's a first."

Twilight smiled and got up. She then departed for her Library. Inside was Spike and Flaming Star.

"Hello Twilight," said Flaming Star cheerfully, "The cat's got the salad."

Twilight nodded. They had developed several code names for certain conditions. "The cat's got the salad" meant that they were being watched at that moment.

"Hello Flaming Star," said Twilight, putting on a forced smile, "What are you two playing?"

"Go fish," said Spike in a matter-of-fact tone of voice, "This seems to be the only game I can win, other than rock-paper-scissors."

"Make that only rock-paper-scissors," said Flaming Star, winking, "Do you have an eight?"

Spike threw his cards in the air in frustration. "Can't you lose at ANYTHING?"

Flaming Star stroked his chin for a moment. Then he said, "Rock-paper-scissors. I know that for a fact."

Spike rolled his eyes dramatically and got up. "At least I can cook and you can't," he muttered as he stalked off into the kitchen, disgruntled.

Twilight couldn't help but smile genuinely a little as she started lovingly at the two arguing. After a moment of silence, she said, to Flaming Star, "We're having a Pinkie Pie party at Sugarcube Corner tonight. We're playing Wolf Pack Charades."

Flaming Star winked at her. "Wolf Pack Charades" was another code; it meant that something pertaining to rebellion would be involved.

"I'll stay here then and fill out paperwork," replied Flaming Star, "You have fun."

Twilight understood what he was saying. He would stay here in order to keep spying eyes of her.

After yet another pause, Flaming Star slid over a bit on the couch he was sitting on and patted a spot next to him. Twilight smiled and sat next to him. The cuddled closely as Twilight sighed. "I missed these," she murmered.

Flaming Star nodded. This was no ploy to exchange information, or a distraction of some sort. Twilight and Flaming Star were simply enjoying each other's company.

Spike strolled in carrying a stack of sandwiches. He winked at Flaming Star and said, "Here's something I can do that you can't!"

Flaming Stack winked back. "You keep that up, Spike, and I'll learn how to cook so that I can compete with you."

Spike blanched, but then grinned immediately afterward. The three began to laugh.

"Who's up for a game of Settlers of Catan?" exclaimed Flaming Star cheerfully.

"I'll play," said Spike, "But only if I get every handicap the rule book has to offer."

"Done," said Flaming Star emphatically. He then turned his head to smile at Twilight. "And you?"

Twilight grinned excitedly, her eyes brightening. "I'm in!"

The three played Settlers of Catan as the sun crawled across the zenith of the sky, and tumbled down behind the west hills of Ponyville.

"Let's see, we've progressed through about 25% of the game," said Spike in a sarcastic tone, "A hearty cheer for whoever invented this game."

"Hey, at least it isn't Monopoly… Or Dungeons and Dragons," said Flaming Star, laughing.

Twilight was about to ask them to wait until her turn was over for them to reengage in an argument when Owlowiscious hooted and landed next to her.

"You're right!" exclaimed Twilight, glancing at a clock on the wall, "It IS time for me to go! Sorry everypony."

"Eh, that's alright Twilight," said Spike nonchalantly, waving a claw off in a randomly picked direction, "I'll take all your stuff for you."

Flaming Star raised an eyebrow at Spike, but then turned to Twilight and grinned. "You go have fun now!"

"I will," said Twilight, winking at him. She then got up and trotted off to Sugarcube Corner.

As she was trotting through town to her destination, she was joined by Applejack.

"How are you, sugarcube?" said Applejack cheerfully.

"I'm fine, Applejack. Thanks! How is Sweet Apple Acres?" replied Twilight, not taking her eyes off the road.

"Just dandy! I'm actually sorta likin' this Phasetrooper protection in all honesty," said Applejack, blushing a little, "They keep them nasty apple-eating critters off my land!"

"Well, that's the ONE thing they're good for, then," said Twilight stoutly, "And I hope you don't get too used to them, because soon they will be gone."

Applejack blinked. Twilight seemed quite cold when it came to anything Enigma Empire related. "Um… sure, sugarcube. You goin' to the party?"

"Yep."

"Wolf Pack Charades?"

"Yep."

Applejack shook her head and stopped trotting. Twilight glanced at her and stopped as well.

"Twi, what's the matter with you? You've been all cold-like since them Phasetroopers showed up!" exclaimed Twilight.

Twilight nodded. "I know I've been a little out of character lately. But it just makes me so MAD that they think they can come in here and just take over everything!"

"It makes us all mad, but we can't let it show!" said Applejack sincerely.

Twilight nodded. "Rainbow said that as well. I'm sorry, Applejack."

Applejack smiled and lifted her chin. "Don't go worrin' your head 'bout that, Twi. Let's go!"

The two mares trotted into Sugarcube corner. They were immediately met with a solid wall of pure sound the second the opened the door. Apparently Pinkie had invited Vinyl Scratch to play some choice songs at the party.

"What is going on?!" yelled Twilight, her voice barely sounding over the noise.

"I don't know, but I'm sure Fluttershy won't be able be heard at all here!" yelled Applejack back.

At this point, Rainbow Dash spotted them and flew over there. "Hey guys!" she shouted, "This was my idea! Isn't it great?"

"It depends on your definition of 'great,' Rainbow Dash!" yelled Twilight, "Can't you turn it down?"

"NO! With Vinyl pounding those tunes, the Phasetroopers won't be able to hear a thing!" shouted Rainbow back.

"She's got a point!" bellowed Applejack.

"Yeah, I do! Come on! Everypony is waiting in the other room!" roared Rainbow Dash.

"What about Vinyl Scratch?" shouted Twilight.

"She'll be fine! I think she's sort of enveloped in her own world right now anyway," yelled Rainbow Dash.

The rainbow-colored pony then proceeded to lead her friends into a side-room. It was covered in pink streamers, and there were several chairs organized around a large oak table. Balloons of many colors floated around the room.

Applejack slammed the door as she entered the room, as if the sounds outside had taken a physical form and were attempting to forcefully enter.

"Wow, that Vinyl Scratch certainly knows her thing," gasped Applejack, as she shook her head to clear it of the ringing sounds that reverberated through her head.

Twilight nodded wordlessly as she wiggled a hoof in her right ear.

"It's so nice to see you two," said Fluttershy quietly, smiling throw her flowing pink mane, "How are you all doing?"

"We're doing fine, thank you," said Twilight, smiling, "How are you? How is Sunset and Starlight?"

"They're both fine. Sunset is at home, taking care of Starlight. All is well," said Fluttershy, blushing a little.

"Enough of the formalities, you guys," said Rainbow Dash, "We need to discuss our plans of retaliation!"

There was a moment of silence as everypony looked at everypony else expectantly.

"Twi?" said Applejack finally, "Don't you have a plan or somethin'?"

Twilight shook her head as she sighed in resignation and exasperation. "I'm sorry, Applejack, but I don't have anything. There doesn't seem to be a way around any of this. I've inspected the Phasetrooper emplacements. They are well positioned. In fact, this entire invasion was thought through meticulously."

"That's no way to start a glorious rebellion," snorted Rainbow Dash with a roll of her eyes. She then hovered in the air and snapped, "Listen up you guys! What we need first is weapons!"

"Oooooh! Are those the shiny sticks that shoot those blue, glowing streamers?" exclaimed Pinkie Pie enthusiastically.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes again. "Yeah, Pinkie… Those. Now, we need to find a way to get either those Phasetrooper blasters, or projectile weapons."

"I don't know… weapons are a little… scary," mumbled Fluttershy.

"Don't worry Fluttershy, you won't need to worry about that," said Twilight, "You will mostly just be relaying all these meetings to Sunset."

"Weapons were banned in Equestria, in case you didn't remember," interjected Applejack as she raised an eyebrow at Rainbow.

Rainbow rolled her eyes, "Yeah. I know THAT. However, that is where Sunset would come into play. He knows everypony. Literally. Maybe he could give us some leads to some gun-ponies in other countries. If he could hook us up, then perhaps we could really start this thing."

"There's a lot more to this than gun-toting, Rainbow Dash," said Twilight skeptically, "But you are right. If we want to protect ourselves, that would be a start."

"I still don't like the thought of weapons," said Fluttershy quietly, "We are the elements of harmony; we should be able to fix this through friendship…"

There was an immediate lull in the conversation as each pony present thought about what Fluttershy had said.

"I know what you are trying to say, Fluttershy," said Twilight, her eyes full of pain, "But I don't know if that would work this time…"

"Why not?" asked Fluttershy, looking at her friends in genuine confusion.

"Because the Harmony Tree was a big fat lie, that's why!" burst out Rainbow Dash, "The one thing we thought could protect us was actually a weapon really designed to destroy us!"

"It's true," said Applejack, "Perhaps the time for us to do somethin' the hard way has finally come 'round. Maybe it is time for us to really consider how much are freedom is worth havin'."

Fluttershy looked down at her front hooves, and her face was covered by her pink mane. There was another long pause, and then she said, "I'll ask Sunset. He should know what to do."

Rainbow smiled in relief. She had been worried that Fluttershy would have refused to take a part in the uprising. "Great. You talk to him. So, should we all have another 'party,' say, next week?"

"Sounds good to me!" exclaimed Applejack.

"Me too," added Twilight.

"Me too," whispered Fluttershy.

"Awww… Is the party over ALREADY? Rarity hasn't even made it yet! Boy, is that pony slow!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie loudly.

With that, all the ponies departed.

"You know what to do, Fluttershy," said Rainbow Dash as she flapped off from the doorstep of Sugarcube Corner.

Fluttershy sighed, and looked up at the sky. It was dark now. She shivered as she began to trot home. It wasn't far, but in the darkness and the cold, it seemed nothing less than a parsec.

Suddenly a voice sounded next to her. "A beautiful young mare as yourself shouldn't be walking home in the dark."

Fluttershy squeaked in horror and cowered on the ground. A figure then stepped out of the shadows: Ravencroft Solace.

"I am sorry for scaring you, pretty one," said Solace in a deathly quiet voice. He then extended a hand and said, "Come. It is almost past curfew. I would not want to have to violate such fair flesh as yours."

Fluttershy, who had originally covered her eyes with her hoofs, glanced up at Ravencroft. The first thing she saw was his eyes. However, unlike everypony else, who saw nothing but hellish terror in them, Fluttershy saw something akin to a hurt, scared bunny rabbit.

"Oh, you poor thing," said Fluttershy, taking his proffered hand and getting up on all fours. "What did they do to you?"

Solace looked at Fluttershy carefully. Then he said, "They gave me a future. I am Ravencroft Solace, the enforcer."

"I know," whispered Fluttershy as she continued to look at him in pity, "But what did they do to you?"

Solace shook his head. "I said they gave me a future… But I am sure that you see it was a damned one at that. But I have no choice."

With that, Solace turned his head pointedly away. The two than began to walk to her and Sunset's house. In a couple of minutes they reached the doorstep.

"Please be careful in the future, pretty one," said Solace in his barely audible voice, "I will not hesitate to kill you if you disobey the Paradox."

Solace than turned around and began to walk away. However, just as he did so, Fluttershy whispered, "Thank you."

Solace stopped. He then turned around. "No," he said, his eyes blazing through the night, "There has never been such a thing as a 'thank you.'"

Solace then turned around and left. Fluttershy shook her head sadly, turned around, and entered her house.

Sunset Shadow trotted by. "There you are! Did you guys play Wolf Pack Charades?" he asked with a smile.

Fluttershy trotted up and kissed him on the cheek. "We did. Are you off to bed?"

Sunset nodded his head. "Just finished taking a shower. You going to sleep?"

"Yes. How is Starlight?"

"Sleeping… Sleeping like a baby."

"Wonderful. How are all our little animal friends?"

"Disgruntled. Angel tried to tackle a Phasetrooper earlier. He's fine, though. The trooper just ignored him."

As they talked, Sunset and Fluttershy trotted upstairs to their room and crawled into bed. Fluttershy sighed peacefully as she snuggled in close to her husband. She lay partly on top of him, with her back right leg draped across his haunches.

There was a pause, then Fluttershy whispered in his ear, "Do you know where we could get weapons?"

Sunset sighed and then whispered back, "I do. Why, are they thinking of an uprising?"

"Yes. I don't want them to, but Rainbow Dash says it is for the best. Sunset… I'm scared."

"I know. I am too. But they are right; it is time to fight back. Listen carefully, dear…"

Note: Everyone say hello to Ravencroft Solace! Anyway, let me know what you guys think of this chapter! Thanks!