Chapter 4: Sparkle's Seven
On a normal day at the School of Friendship, we see Spike flying into the school in a hurry.
Meanwhile inside their office, Chase and Twilight were signing some papers as Darkshine and Starlight held them.
"You know, guys. I don't understand how much these bills cost us for buying so many school supplies." Chase said with a tired sigh.
"I agree with you on that, honey." Twilight said to her husband with a smile. "But you know what they saw, you live and learn."
Darkshine and Starlight shared a smirk with each other.
"Who says that?" Darkshine asked teasingly.
Chase and Twilight rolled their eyes playfully when the door opened as they saw Spike with a scroll in his hand.
"Twilight! Chase! Look at the scroll I just got!" Spike said excitedly and opened it.
It appears to be a picture of a silver toy crown with a symbol of a eight pointed star and on the bottom right corner shows Shining Armor's Cutie Mark. One look at it caused Chase to widen his eyes in realization before he groaned in irritation.
"Oh no." Chase said with an annoyed moan.
"What's wrong, Chase?" Starlight asked curiously as Twilight excitedly gasped and flew over to Spike.
"Do you know what this means?" Twilight asked Spike with an eager grin.
"Uh-huh!" Spike replied back as he nodded as Chase joined Twilight, not looking very amused by this.
"Looks that way to me." Chase said with a flat look as Starlight and Darkshine joined them with curious looks.
"What are you three talking about?" Darkshine asked with confusion, not getting the picture of this toy crown. "I don't see what this is all about."
"Me neither." Starlight added in agreement. "What's so exciting about a toy crown?"
Chase shook his head in disapproval about it as Spike laughed.
"This is no "toy crown". It's the hard-won helm of the Sibling Supreme!" Spike explained with an excited smile.
"When Shining Armor and I were small, we competed over everything." Twilight explained as Chase looked to the side with an annoyed look.
Flashback
As a filly, Young Twilight flew a kite as little Spike as on her back as Young Chase was standing beside her too, flying a kite. Then Shining Armor bluntly appeared, knocking her kite aside with his Cutie Mark. Young Twilight glared at him for that while Young Chase looked annoyed by this as he winked and then her kite landed over Spike's head as he ripped a hole through.
(Scene changes)
Sometime later, Twilight was sculpting and modeling some clay before she soon made it into a vase. Shining Armor tried to do it was well, but it didn't stayed together since he was supposed to keep his hooves on it as it finished spinning.
(Scene changes)
"To keep it friendly, our parents gave us gold stars every time we did something special with Chase keeping score." Twilight explained as Twilight Velvet placed a chart with Twilight and Shining Armor's Cutie Marks as she hangs it over a wall.
Their parents each placed a gold star on the chart while Young Chase kept score on who would get the best.
(Scene changes)
At a table, Shining Armor splits an apple in two and he gave one half to his sister.
"Sharing..." Twilight continued to explain as Shining Armor was about to eat his half, but then Spike appeared and decides to splits his as he gave half of it to him.
(Scene changes)
Twilight excitedly ran home after school, and showed her parents her test with a perfect grade as Chase casually joined her with a calm smile.
"...getting good grades..." Twilight's voice continued as Shining Armor soon appeared but with a sad look and then showed his with a failed grade.
Young Chase gave Shining Armor a pat on the shoulder, making him smile at the unicorn colt.
(Scene changes)
"...even telling a really funny joke." Twilight's voice continued.
Later, they were in the living room as they sat on a couch while Shining Armor used a lamp as he told a joke and they laughed. Young Chase smirked as he shook his head in amusement.
(Scene changes)
"And at the end of each week, we'd add up the stars." Twilight's voice continued as her younger self, Young Chase, and Shining Armor looked at the chart, and clearly saw Twilight had more. She and Chase turned to each other with smiles as Shining Armor looked sad of not winning. Below them, Spike drew a picture of him and some stars as if he was in it as well. "The Sibling with the most would win the Crown of the Sibling Supreme - and bragging rights - 'til next time."
Soon Night Light and Velvet appeared, and he placed the Crown on his daughter's head as Twilight smiled happily.
Flashback ended
The memory fades as Twilight smiles at that moment while Chase had a flat look at this.
"Guess that explains your love of charts and so much else." Starlight said, realizing now with an unamused look she shared with Darkshine.
"I always wanted to be Sibling Supreme one day." Spike said at the thought with a smile.
That's when a thought came to Starlight as she realized something else.
"Wait. If Chase was keeping score of the Sibling Supreme, how come he didn't compete?" Starlight asked as she turned to Chase curiously. "Were you able to compete against Shining Armor, Chase?"
Chase turned to the lilac unicorn with an unamused look.
"Well, this kinda thing happened too much for me." Chase explained as Twilight turned to her husband with a glare. "Twilight and Shining Armor were too competitive towards each other for the crown so much I had to confiscate the crown at my home. With Twilight Velvet and Night Light's permission as well as their understanding, they decided that it was too much for Twilight and Shining Armor to get the crown. To be honest, I thought that having the crown in such a manner was not worth it."
As Chase explained, his younger self continued to keep score of how many scores Twilight and Shining Armor were getting. But as time went by and with the two unicorns competing for the crown, Chase became more annoyed by this and decided enough was enough. His younger self asked Twilight Velvet and Night Light to hand over the crown since he thought competing for the crown was not worth getting respect in such a lousy manner. Chase's younger self placed the crown in a vault at his home and locked it up as Young Twilight and Shining Armor looked devastated at that since they wouldn't be competing for the crown ever again.
Once the flashback ended, Chase was looking at the note not noticing Twilight was giving her husband a glare.
"I don't even know why you had to confiscate that crown, honey." Twilight said sternly as Chase turned to face his wife. "That crown was the only thing that either Shining Armor and I would compete with each other."
"And having a manner like that will not be accepted under any circumstances, sweetie." Chase replied back as he looked at the note. He then remembered something. "I wonder how Shining Armor got the crown out of the vault. It was supposed to be locked up with the best locks."
"I don't know, Chase. But I guess Shining Armor must've found a way to pick them." Spike said as he read the note with Chase. "It looks like he wants us to meet him. Meet me at Celestia's castle to decide who deserves the crown once and for all."
Spike and Twilight happily turn to each other.
"Race you there!" They both said in unison and then they excitedly rushed out of the office, racing to Canterlot.
"Guess I'll watch the school with Darkshine?" Starlight said as she poked out of the office with Chase and Darkshine walking out of the office.
Chase just had an annoyed look on his face since he knew that this might not end well for Twilight.
"I'll go with them to make sure Twilight and Shining Armor don't get ahead of themselves. You guys stay behind and take care of everything." Chase said as he flew off to catch up with Twilight and Spike.
"You got it, Chase." Starlight said as Darkshine shook his head.
*Main theme*
Chase, Twilight, and Spike raced to Canterlot and to the castle. But on the way, Chase was feeling a little worried and concerned about this.
"Honey, I really don't think this is such a good idea. Maybe Shining Armor has got something up his sleeves that might outsmart you." Chase said to Twilight as his wife turned to him with a confident smile.
"Don't worry, Chase." Twilight said with a smirk. "If there's anything I can handle what my brother throws at me, you'll be by my side all the way."
"The thought of him being smarter is what worries me. And if I'm right, he's probably wearing the crown for himself." Chase said as the three entered inside.
Soon the three entered the throne room, but they suddenly landed with a halt and horror as the first thing they saw was Celestia, Luna, and Shining Armor with the Crown on his head.
"I knew he would be up to something." Chase muttered to himself.
"You're wearing it?!" Twilight exclaimed in shock and horror by what she was seeing.
"Look, I know you've always held a grudge because I left home with this." Shining said to his sister with a near accomplished looking smile.
"No you didn't just leave home with it, you took it out of my vault." Chase said with a stern look, making Shining Armor flinch before he glared at him.
"I asked your folks for it, Chase. Besides, you've always kept score and this crown was always the prize for me." Shining Armor said arrogantly before he realized something as he stuttered. "I-I mean for Twilight and I to have a little fun."
Chase was convinced by this one bit as he shook his head.
"Anyway, back to the grude." Twilight said as she scoffed. "What grudge? Just because you've had it for way longer than you should have and I never got a chance to win it back!"
She smiled innocently, but Chase still didn't look convinced by this.
"Celestia, Luna, what the heck is all of this about exactly?" Chase asked the royal sisters, wanting to know about this.
"Certainly, Chase. With the return of Sombra, Princess Luna and I felt it was time to reinforce the castle's defenses." Celestia explained.
"I said we could do it ourselves, but some ponies are a bit stubborn." Luna said, a bit annoyed and glared at Celestia.
Celestia momentarily glanced back to her younger sister with a small glare, which Chase noticed.
"So I asked our old Captain of the Guard to handle the job." Celestia went on and gestured to Shining Armor.
"Uh huh." Chase said a bit skeptical.
"I've taken the security here to a whole new level." Shining Armor explained with an excited smile as he went up to Twilight and Chase. "The only thing I need now is somepony to test it. Or rather two ponies to be precise."
"Oh no." Chase said in realization as Twilight gasped, knowing what Shining Armor was talking about.
"You want me and Chase to break into Celestia's castle?" Twilight asked in surprise as Shining Armor nodded in reply.
"If you and Chase can get past our defenses, steal the crown, and get out, you'll be Sibling Supreme forever!" Shining Armor said as he set the crown on Celestia's throne.
"For-ev-er..." Twilight smiled as the crown reflected on her eyes.
"But!" Shining said, snapping her out of her trance. "If you both fail, I keep the crown."
"Deal!" Twilight said as she shook his hoof.
But then they were given the surprise when Chase pushed them apart from each other with a stern look.
"Wait a minute!" Chase said sternly as he turned to Shining Armor. "How do we know that this isn't another one your schemes that will louse you up big time like you nearly flunked out of Canterlot Military Academy?"
That caused Shining Armor to widen his eyes at that.
"What?!" Shining Armor said in surprise before he recomposed as he tried to defend himself. "Come on, Chase! It was one time when I nearly fell asleep on security protocol!"
"That's probably because Cadance walked past you while smiling. Wasn't it?" Chase remarked as Shining Armor froze and looked to the side nervously.
"Uh… um… well, sort of." Shining Armor admitted nervously before he snapped out of it. "But I'm one hundred percent that this will work."
Chase shook his head in disapproval.
"Wait." Twilight said as she realized something else. "Are you sure this counts? Mom and Dad aren't giving us any stars."
"I will represent their authority." Celestia informed. "And thank you, Twilight and Chase. Your help will reveal if there are any holes in our security."
Luna annoyingly rolled her eyes and nicker's.
"And there aren't." Shining Armor said as he turned back to his sister and brother-in-law. "I've designed a multi-tiered, impenetrable, triple-backed-up line of defense."
Flashback
Eariler, Shining met up with Star Swirl earlier with a chest.
"The castle is surrounded by shards of Queen Chrysalis' throne." Shining Armor explains as he opens the chest, and reveals old shard fragments reminiscent of Chrysalis' old throne. "Thanks to Star Swirl, its anti-magic powers are now tuned to stop anycreature from using a spell to get outside and not even the Quinkan can get past this." Star Swirl then used his magic to surround the shards around the castle's base. "You can't fly in, either."
A guard placed a huge fan and it turned on.
"Giant fans keep anycreature from flying too close to the castle." Shining Armor continued as a bird struggles while it flies through the maze of fans, bit soon lost control.
(Scene changes)
One of the entrances has been sealed off by bricks as Shining checks on the process with the two guards and the bird walks near then becomes completely dizzy.
"Plus, the entrances to the tunnels below the castle have been sealed, so there's no underground access." Shining Armor explained further and he soon checks on the inside.
"And even if you could get in, which you can't, I've doubled the ranks of security. Ponies protect every hallway and door, which can only be opened with royal guard medals." Shining Armor said as he marches across the hall looking at every possible entrance before he got to an entrance and placed his medal over a red symbol as the door opens.
Flashback ended
"Even if you brought an army, the throne room is the safest spot in Equestria." Shining Armor explained further as they moved up to the thrones. "I rigged a floor trap to activate at the slightest touch."
He then gently placed his hoof on a section of floor near Celestia's throne, and then a hidden floor trap opens up. Chase, Twilight, and Spike looked down as it led to a long drop.
"Whoa." Chase said in shock, impressed by this.
"But say you avoided the floor - still no luck, because I've employed nature's alarm system." Shining added.
High above hiding behind the pillars, appeared a swarm of geese.
"Geese?" Spike asked as he frowned, turning back to him.
"This is your best security alarm?" Chase asked his brother-in-law curiously.
"Yeah, Chase. You can hear their honks all the way to Ponyville." Shining Armor informed.
Then a hidden goose behind the crown appeared and snapped at Shining Armor, which he retracted quickly.
"Plus they bite." Shining Armor advised and laughed nervously. He then turns back to Chase. "So what do you and Twily think, Chase? Is that proof enough for you?"
Shining Armor couldn't resist smirking at the alicorn stallion arrogantly. Chase looked around the room of the geese and the trap door. So far, he may think this was impressive, but it doesn't seem that possible.
"I think you're nuts." Chase said firmly. "More to the point, have you even thought about making sure to account for any threat inside the castle as well as out without dismissing it like the last time Chrysalis cast that spell on you?"
That took Shining Armor surprised by this as well as Twilight as they glared at him.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Shining Armor demanded angrily.
"This is a new low, even for you!" Chase said sternly as he fired a magic blast at the geese, making it squawk and fly away. He then took the crown in his wing and glared at Shining Armor and Twilight, who were shocked by this. "Lucky for you two, I was able to come because taking the security protocol to a new level is more than just waltzing in here to steal an artifact. More to the point, you can't use animals in here as security alarms. You're still an air head to even try to think of something. Now, I'm taking this crown with me and locking it up back at the Castle of Friendship where it won't be used for any sibling rivalry. Ever. Again."
Chase walks away to make his exit as Shining Armor and Twilight widened their eyes in fear. Then Shining Armor decided to talk Chase out of it.
"No no! Wait, Chase!" Shining Armor said pleadingly as he took out a stack of cards. Chase stopped dead in his tracks as he noticed Shining Armor giving him an encouraging smile. "Maybe I can sweeten the deal with you and Twily. If I choose a higher card than you to prove that this security is better, I win. See? Fun."
"Not much fun in it so you can rub it in your own sister's face when you get the crown, huh?" Chase remarked with a flat tone.
Shining Armor realized this.
"Uh, no." Shining Armor admitted before he smiled gamely as he used his magic to hold out the cards. "Pick a card."
Chase looks at the cards for a minute before he smiles deviously.
"Wait a minute, Shining Armor. Wait a minute." Chase said with a smirk. "If I win and prove that you're still an air head, you get me some of my favorite sweet honey."
"Alright, I'll get you honey from the store." Shining Armor said, agreeing but not getting what Chase was saying as he placed the deck of cards onto the ground. "Now pick a card!"
"From the Hill of Doom." Chase finished with a smirk while using his magic to open a portal behind him as he pointed a feather tip like a thumb offscreen somewhere. "Over there."
Shining Armor, Twilight, Luna, Celestia, and Spike turned to where Chase was pointing at. They see a creepy part of the Everfree Forest where there are lots of thorn bushes, large jagged pointy rocks, and a lake with a hill in the center of the water. But what was scary about it was a school of Bite-acudas jumping out while chomping their teeth, two Cockatrices hissing at the ponies, and on a tree was a Flash Bee hive as one of them looked at Shining Armor with an insane glare.
"WAH!" The bee shouted a battle cry with two swords in his hands and pointed them at the six.
Twilight, Shining Armor, Celestia, Luna, and Spike looked at the sight with wide eyes.
"Whoa." Shining Armor said in shock.
"Yikes." Spike said as he clung onto Twilight fearfully.
Chase continued to smirk before he opened another portal behind Shining Armor.
"Or maybe that peach from that tree." Chase said while pointing at the portal as Shining Armor, Twilight, Celestia, Luna, and Spike turned to see a peaceful part of the Everfree Forest that had a waterfall, some animals grazing on some flowers, and a peach tree that had ripe trees.
The sight of it was enough to make Shining Armor smile in hope that won't go to the Hill of Doom as he turned to Chase.
"Peach! Peach! Peach! Peach!" Shining Armor said with a cheerful smile, but Chase had a bored look on his face.
"Nah, Hill of Doom." Chase replied back, making Shining Armor look annoyed by this before he recomposed himself.
"Okay, we have a deal." Shining Armor said as he pointed at the cards. "Now pick a card!"
Chase then used his right feather tip on a card and flipped it over to show a three.
"Oh! A three!" Shining Armor said with a laugh. "I'll never be able to beat a three." He grabs five cards together with a smirk he sent to a Chase, not noticing he actually showed a Deuce. "Read 'em and weep, Chase! Read 'em and weep!"
"Uh, that's a Deuce, Shining Armor." Chase said with a bored look.
Shining Armor realized this as he widened his eyes as Twilight, Spike, Luna, and Celestia were visibly surprised by this. Shining Armor looks at the Deuce in disbelief.
"Uh, you…you, uh-I, uh…" Shining Armor stuttered as Chase casually placed the crown back Celestia's throne chair. "How, uh…"
"I'm gonna make some toast to go with that delicious Hill of Doom honey!" Chase said with a smirk as Shining Armor turned to see the Bite-acudas smiling at him with jagged sharp teeth shown.
"You gotta do it, big brother." Twilight said teasingly with a sly smirk.
Shining Armor groaned with an annoyed look before he tossed the cards aside and went into the portal to get some honey. That's when chomping, hissing, and biting sounds could be heard.
"OOH! OOH! OY!" Shining Armor's voice was heard as Chase, Twilight, Spike, Luna, and Celestia looked away while wincing at the sight.
Then Shining Armor came back with ten Bite-acudas clamping their jaws on his fur, mane, and tail as he had an irritated look of being outsmarted by Chase. His armor was also in bad shape from the fishes biting him. He hands him a jar of honey as the alicorn stallion takes it and the Bite-acudas twitched a big as they kept a hold on Shining Armor.
"Thanks, Shining Armor. I'd invite you in at home, but you're all smelly and fishy-like. Eww." Chase said with a playful disgusted look.
Shining Armor just looked at the fourth wall, not removing his annoyed look.
Twilight then had a puzzling look on her face as she began to think things through.
(Scene changes)
Later after heading home, Twilight and Chase have explained the situation to the others in the throne room.
"So that's what we're up against." Twilight said to the group.
"And I gotta tell you guys, Shining Armor is just not taking this thing seriously." Chase added with a firm look.
"I can't believe it." Jade said in disbelief as she turned to Chase. "I thought you locked the crown up for good, Chase."
"I thought so too, but Mom and Dad thought it would be for the best. I still say that Shining Armor is going way over his head for some ridiculous stunt." Chase replied back with a sigh.
"Whew. That's a barrel and a half of obstacles." Applejack said. "Plus a bushel and peck of impenetrability."
"And all of this to win some fillyhood competition with your brother?" Rarity questioned.
"It's more than that!" Twilight protested. "Okay, it's exactly that." She admitted. "And to protect Celestia's castle!"
She brought a model of the castle to show it.
"And all of this is so he can get Chase some honey?" Sunray asked in shock as he turned to Chase. "From the Hill of Doom? You gotta be kidding me, bro!"
"Yeah, Daddy! That just seems really intense." Nyx said, feeling a little concerned.
"If he was smart enough to learn more about cards, then he might win. Which apparently he won't." Chase said bluntly.
"I still think it looks funny that he wasn't able to outsmart you, honey." Twilight said to her husband with a smile as she giggled while Chase smirked in reply to his wife. "I hope we can get the crown."
"I wanna help you, Mom. This is gonna be fun to sneak in undetected." Nyx said as her mother smiled in response.
"If it means that much to you, Twilight, we're in." Fluttershy said.
"I was already in!" Pinkie cheered. "Come on, who doesn't want to hang with geese?!"
Sokka shook his head with a smile.
"Of course we'll help." Rainbow said with a cocky smile before she remembered something. "But how?"
"Shining Armor may have come up with some great security, but he'll never guess Twilight and Chase's plan." Spike said.
"We play to our strengths and defeat all of the security measures." Twilight explained. "That way, if one of us fails, the others will still have a shot at getting the crown." She then turns to Pinkie. "Pinkie, you and Antonio will distract the guards with a surprise party."
"Yes, sir, Twilight, sir!" Pinkie said as she saluted.
"Don't you mean ma'am?" Antonio asked curiously as Pinkie turned to him while smiling.
"Applejack, you and Clay will buck your way into the sealed tunnels." Twilight said as she turned to Applejack and Clay. "Rainbow Dash, if anypony can outfly those wind turbines, it's you."
Rainbow winked.
"Rarity, you'll sew us guard costumes so we can sneak past security." Twilight turns to Rarity. "Then Fluttershy and Sokka will disable the throne room alarm by charming the geese while Nyx, Chase, Jade, Sunray, and Trini will use their jiu jitsu skills to sneak past them."
"You got it, Twilight! We won't let you down!" Sokka said with a smirk as Fluttershy clapped.
Suddenly, Spike burps as a letter appears and he reads it.
"It's from Shining Armor." Spike said as he then read through it. "Dear Twily, hope your idea isn't just..." He then reads through it. "Tunnels? He guessed your whole plan!"
"Huh?!" Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio said at once.
"What?!" Twilight exclaimed and takes the letter. "Pinkie party, Rarity costumes... "Signed, the future Sibling Supreme"?! Oh, come on!"
She angrily grumbled. Chase realized something as he felt something suspicious.
"Wait, how did your brother know about this so quickly?" Chase asked the others curiously as he looked around the room.
He turned to see a long red tube behind the open doors going from an open window. Curious, Chase got out of his throne chair and walked to it. He opens the door to see a coconut that had the red tube from behind it as if it was some kind of speaker.
The sight of it made Chase glare at that.
"Cheater." Chase said as the others were surprised by this.
"A coconut?" Clay asked in surprise before he glared disapprovingly. "Does Shining Armor even understand the rules of not cheating?"
That's when Chase smirked as he got an idea in his mind.
"Wait, I have an idea of how he won't hear us." Chase said with a smirk as we switch the screen to Canterlot.
In the throne room, Shining Armor was with Celestia as the unicorn stallion held the other end of the speaker with his hoof.
"With this, I can listen in on Twily and Chase's voice." Shining Armor said to Celestia and Luna. "That way I can figure out the best way to win the crown!"
Celestia smiled gamely while Luna just looked in disappoint of that.
"Yeah, I think you're right about that, Sokka." Chase's voice was heard as the three remained quiet.
"It's them!" Shining Armor said while listening.
"Hey, Twily. And if we can figure out how to get the crown with our skills, we'll make you Sibling Supreme soon enough to out smart his protocol since we all know it's lousy!" Chase's voice said as Shining Armor widen his eyes in surprise.
"What? He thinks my work is lousy?" Shining Armor asked before he smiled. "Wait, I think I know of a perfect idea on how I can outsmart Chase!"
"Oh really?" Chase's voice was heard. "What would that be?"
"Well, the first thing is-" Shining Armor began to explain, but then he widens his eyes realizing that Chase had actually listened to him and was tricked as Celestia and Luna were shocked by this as well. He became infuriated and angry. "Hey, wait a minute! Get off my coconut, Chase Young! You crazy alicorn!"
Shining Armor tried to shake the coconut to knock the speaker out, but to no avail as he went back to listening.
"Oh come on, Shining Armor! Give it up!" Chase's voice was heard. "What's the plan?"
Back at the Castle of Friendship, Chase was leaning on the wall with a single foreleg resting on it with a smirk.
"I said HANG UP!" Shining Armor's voice was heard even louder and angrier.
"Well, okay." Chase said as he used his magic to conjure a sledge hammer and held it in the air, ready to strike the coconut. He turns to the others with a smirk. "But there's only one way to hang up a coconut."
The others silently giggled and snickered uncontrollably as Chase turns back to the coconut speaker. He slams the speaker with his sledge hammer as a huge bubble of air goes through the tube and moves straight back to the castle in Canterlot when…
BOOM!
Part of the castle throne room exploded as huge chunks fell down. Inside the throne room, Shining Armor and Celestia looked very annoyed as their manes were very messed up as they clearly knew Chase was smarter enough to hear them.
Back at the Castle of Friendship, Chase made the sledge hammer disappear as the others laughed uncontrollably from that. They settled down with a few giggles.
"Now that was funny." Antonio said with a smirk.
"Maybe, but we still need to find a plan to work on how we can get the crown." Chase said with a determined look before he added bluntly. "So that Shining Armor does not go over the hill this time."
"I agree with Chase." Rarity said as she turned to Twilight. "Twilight, darling, nopony knows you better than your own brother."
"So you're saying I should give up?" Twilight inquired as she and Chase turned to each other.
"I'm saying your brother will win." Rarity said. "No matter how brilliant your plan is, no matter how many variations you and Chase try, it will be something your brother expects, and he'll always win! Unless... when the perfect chance comes along, you do something he can't expect." She then approached the alicorn couple. "Then you'll win."
"You've been practicing that speech, haven't you?" Spike asked.
"A little bit." Rarity admitted. "It felt like I rushed. Did I rush it?"
"Not really, Rarity." Sokka said with a smile.
"Absolutely not." Applejack said as she shook her head.
"Oh, no." Fluttershy said.
"Yeah, it was fast-ish." Pinkie said.
"So how are we going to do this exactly?" Jade asked Rarity with a curious look.
"We have to do the opposite of what Shining Armor expects." Rarity explained. "Therefore, Twilight cannot mastermind the plan. But I can!"
They all looked at her completely stunned.
"What?" Chase said with a confused look.
"I'm not sure we got that part, Rarity." Sunray said and broke the momentarily silence with a curious look he shared with Jade and Trini.
"That's... definitely unexpected." Applejack added as Clay nodded in agreement.
"Uh, how is you making a break-in plan the opposite of Twilight doing it? And how will Chase and his team be able to outsmart Shining Armor?" Rainbow inquired.
"Because my plan is for each of us to devise our own unexpected part of it." Rarity explained as her horn glowed and flashed. "Allow me to demonstrate."
(Scene changes)
In the world of Shadow Spade, ponies were in a bar and then, a Rainbow Dash counterpart enters the bar as Rarity as Shadow Spade enters.
"We're looking for a pony with information." Rarity informed.
Hearing this caused all of the ponies to quickly zip off, leaving the bartender the only one remaining as he was cleaning the counter and Rainbow flew to a seat.
"We got questions, and you're gonna serve us up some answers, juice jockey!" Rainbow said sternly.
"Where is the secret entrance to the passages under Canterlot Castle?" Rarity inquired.
"Shining Armor seal 'em all." The bartender explained. "There's no secret entrance."
"There's always a secret entrance!" Rarity snapped and Rainbow grabs around his shirt.
"So make like a glass of O.J. and spill!" Rainbow said firmly.
Then Pinkie suddenly jumped into the scene.
"Ooh, ooh, ooh! I know what I can do!" Pinkie said as she zips off.
(Scene changes)
"You're gonna need a lookout, so I can be your eye in the sky." Pinkie said as she hops onto different planets in space.
(Scene changes)
We return back to the real world as the others stared at her. Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Clay, Sokka, and Nyx looked visibly disturbed by that.
"Huh?" Chase asked in curiosity.
"What?" Pinkie asked as well and shrugged.
"Rarity, you can't be serious. We're talking about getting the crown for Twilight." Sokka said with a stern look as Rarity flinched at that and smiled nervously.
"How about somethin' a little more down-to-earth?" Applejack suggested. "Like, I distract the guard ponies with a farewell performance my alter ego, famous country-western superstar Apple Chord!"
Chase, Twilight, and Spike glanced at each other with curious looks.
"I didn't know you had an alter ego." Twilight said. "And why would she be giving a farewell performance?"
"Did you learn that from somepony in your family, Applejack?" Clay asked his wife curiously.
"Well, Clay, it's a long story." Applejack said as she blushed. "Back on the farm, playin' music was about makin' her family smile. Word of her talent spread, and soon, Apple Chord was playin' real shows. The more she played, the bigger those shows got. But she missed playin' for her family... So one day, she gave it all up. Seein' her family smile was all she ever wanted from her music. Of course, Apple Chord could come out of retirement for a farewell concert this one time."
The others just stared.
"Wait." Rainbow said as she frowned. "Did you just make all that up, or did that actually happen?"
"Um..." Applejack said as she glanced around unsettled.
Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio looked at her unamusingly.
"Doesn't matter." Rarity quickly said. "It's perfect. Fluttershy? Spike? Jade? Sunray? Trini? Antonio?"
"Well, I guess the opposite of what I'm good at is..." Fluttershy said meekly and then gasped. "...being in small spaces."
"We'll be with Fluttershy and Spike all the way to help Twilight be the Sibling Supreme." Jade replied back with a smirk as the rest of her family shared the same expression.
"I always wanted to be a super-spy." Spike said. "Is that the opposite of anything?"
"Mom." Nyx said as Twilight turned to her daughter. "Do you think I can help them out as well?"
"Mm-mm." Twilight replied back as she nodded. "I guess Chase and I are the only ones left that still need a plan."
"Oh, on, darling. That is the plan. You and Chase shall do nothing!" Rarity said as she laughed at that.
Twilight gasped.
"Shining Armor definitely won't expect that." Spike said.
But Twilight wasn't completely sure of this.
"Well, I'll think of something with my team while you guys figure out which plan it will be." Chase said with a smile. "Cool?"
The others nodded as Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio were about to walk out when Spike joined up with them along with Sokka and Clay.
"We'll come with you guys." Spike said with a grin as Chase nodded in reply before the six walked out of the throne room.
"So what did you want to talk to us about, Chase?" Jade asked her older brother curiously.
"About Shining Armor. I mean I know he's impressing Luna and Celestia, but not taking any threat seriously is like a game." Chase answered as Spike was following along with what the alicorn stallion was thinking.
"Well, it sure sounds like a game to me." Antonio said, not seeing what the problem is.
"That's because he's still a cheater, Antonio." Chase said to Antonio and smirked sarcastically. "Why do I get the feeling Twilight will only finish last when Shining Armor beats her first? I can just hear him now." He then starts to mimic Shining Armor's voice. "'Gotta admit, it was unexpected for you to do everything exactly how I thought you would. But you should know by now there's no way to beat the true Sibling Supreme!'"
He then had a flat look on his face as his family realized his point.
"Huh, now that you mention it, Chase, he really doesn't learn anything. Since Clay and I were in the Royal Guard, we've had a few partners in our place telling us that Shining Armor can't learn anything of a threat coming his way." Sokka said while rubbing his chin with his left hoof.
"And the way you're describing is that he just won't admit he's too stubborn to admit he and Celestia are wrong." Clay added as well.
"Well, at least you and I managed to strike a deal with Luna about the security protocol, Chase." Spike said with a hopeful smile. "We'll be able to teach Shining Armor and Celestia what happens when they don't listen to you."
"Wait, you guys managed to strike a deal with Luna?" Trini asked Chase and Spike in surprise.
"Yup, but the hardest part is if we can pull it off." Chase said with a concerned look.
"I'm sure it will, Chase. I mean what have we got left to lose?" Spike asked Chase with a cocky smirk, which the alicorn stallion smiled back in reply.
"You're right, little buddy. We'll just focus on the plan and make sure Shining Armor gets the message clear." Chase said with a smirk.
(Scene changes)
Meanwhile, Shining Armor and the guards were at their stations outside the castle. Suddenly, a stage appeared and then the curtains opened as it revealed Applejack dressed as Apple Chord.
"Applejack?" Shining asked as he frowned and went over to the stage. "What are you doing? Where's Clay?"
"Applejack?" Applejack said, acting as Apple Chord and laughed. "Who's that? My name's Apple Chord, and I've got a couple of songs to play for ya. Clap your hooves if you know 'em! And a one, and a two, and a..."
[Applejack - she plays a guitar as the guards joined the group to watch her play]
My love is like a barrel
A barrel full of hay
Meanwhile, outside the castle, Spike was testing the wind. And a hot air balloon is getting ready as Fluttershy, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, and Pinkie were in it. Soon the balloon takes into the air.
"Alright, let's see if we got this clear, Rainbow." Jade said as Rainbow turned to her. "Are you sure the Wonderbolts did a fly-by?"
"Yeah, Jade. The Wonderbolts did a fly-by, and the only way past those giant fans and into the castle ducts is here." Rainbow explained and gestured to a section of map. "But there's no room for mistakes!"
Sunray facehoofed himself in annoyance.
"Man, Shining Armor's really taking this a little too far." Sunray said as he looks at the others. "He probably won't even let this down either."
"Let's just focus right now, guys." Trini said, getting back on track. "We know that his guards are armed, but they won't be smart enough to fool us. We need to do this quicker than ever."
"Just like space travel!" Pinkie said with a helmet on as she put one on Gummy, who was with them.
"Uh, Pinkie?" Fluttershy asked, a little confused. "We're not actually going into space, right?"
"No, silly!" Pinkie said as she giggled. "I'm dropping you guys off as soon as we're close to the fans! Then I'm going into space!"
Jade shook her head with an annoyed look.
Meanwhile, Chase, Twilight, Sokka, and Clay were over at an area by the castle. Twilight was pacing back forth nervously as Chase looked at his wife with concern.
"Honey, you won't have to pace around every time about this. You'll win, I'm sure you will win." Chase said to Twilight.
"I hope you're right, sweetie." Twilight said to her husband when she bumped into her brother.
Twilight stepped back as Shining Armor glared at her suspiciously and Chase joined his wife.
"You're up to something, Twily and Chase." Shining Armor said as he looked at her suspiciously.
Chase placed a hoof on Twilight's shoulder as she looked at her husband to see him giving a smile to go with it. Twilight smiled back in reply before she smirked at her brother slyly.
"Nope." Twilight said, casually as she picked up a flower and sniffed it before she and Chase shared a loving nuzzle. "Just looking at the flowers and spending quality time with the most handsome stallion I married."
"Right." Shining Armor said skeptically before he noticed Sokka and Clay. "Wait a second, what are you guys doing here?"
"Thought we could have time to play catch." Clay replied back as Sokka nodded.
"Yeah, and how nice is it on this beautiful day too, huh, captain?" Sokka said as he brought out a red ball before he and Clay played catch.
Shining Armor felt suspicious as he looked at Chase and Twilight for a minute while backing away. Twilight sniffed the flower again, and Shining Armor came back momentarily. Chase and Twilight innocently waved as he then truly left. The alicorn couple shared a smirk with each other and a loving nose nuzzle too when Shining Armor came back again.
"No romance allowed on this!" Shining Armor said sternly as Chase and Twilight glared at him annoyingly.
"Can't we get a little time to each other as well as some quality cuddle time?" Chase said as he held Twilight, making her giggle and she snuggled underneath her husband's chin.
"Romance is not allowed here for the Sibling Supreme, Chase." Shining Armor said firmly before he smirked and brought out a new deck of cards. He shows an Earth Pony dressed as a joker. "Unless you want to keep your eye on the joker."
"Keeping an eye on jokers is my specialty, bro." Chase remarked with an unamused eye roll. "Big white ones."
"Oh yeah?" Shining Armor retorted while smirking as he shuffled the cards a bit and placed them on the ground. "We'll see who's laughing after I dazzle you with my amazing card trickery!"
"Okay, dazzle me, Shining Armor." Chase said as he looked at Shining Armor sternly while using his magic to conjure a portal, showing the Hill of Doom. "If I win, you get me some more honey from the Hill of Doom."
This caused Shining Armor to widen his eyes as he looked to see the Bite-acudas smiling at him with hungry expressions as Cockatrices hissed at him as well.
"Uh…" Shining Armor stuttered in fear a bit before he smirked at Chase. "And if I win, you have to admit my security was right all along so I can keep the crown! Now prepare to be dazzled!"
Shining Armor used his magic to shuffle the cards in quick speed before he stopped. Chase and Twilight were startled by this as well as Sokka and Clay.
"Now, find the card, Chase." Shining Armor said as Chase looked at the cards.
"Hmm… it all happened so fast." Chase said while looking at the cards with a bored expression. "Or maybe I'll just ask that big nasty tarantula hanging over your head."
"TARANTULA?!" Shining Armor exclaimed as his eyes widened at the size of pin holes as he spun around frantically and in fear. Twilight and Chase looked at him with stunned expressions before they looked at each other with smirks. "AH! HEY! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF! EEH! I HATE SPIDERS! UGH! UGH! OH!"
"Nevermind, I must've been seeing things." Chase said reassuringly with a smile before turns his attention back to the cards on the ground. "Now where were we? I pick this one!"
Chase pointed at the card in the middle as Shining Armor laughed at him.
"Wrong, Chase!" Shining Armor said with a teasing smirk as he picks up the card, which it happens to be the joker. "This is not the joker! This is the jo-ho-oker…"
Shining Armor turned the card to him, only to widen his eyes as he was outsmarted again.
"It looks like it's the Hill of Doom for you, buddy." Chase said as Shining Armor glared at him before he begrudgingly went through the portal to get more honey.
Chomping and hissing was heard as well as Shining Armor's yelps of pain.
"Oy! Oy! Get off! Get away!" Shining Armor shouted as Twilight and Chase looked away from the scene.
Once the chaos ended, Chase and Twilight turned to see Shining Armor walking up to them with a flat look. He brought out a jar of honey for Chase, only for a Bite-acuda stuck inside the jar.
"EWW!" Chase and Twilight said in disgust as Shining Armor simply used his magic to toss the fish in a pond before giving the honey to Chase as the alicorn stallion took it with his magic.
"One can never have too much Hill of Doom honey in the pantry." Chase said as Shining Armor came up to him.
"You may have won this time, Chase. But I'm gonna get you back." Shining Armor said as he walked away and was out of hearing range.
"Ooh! Honey, maybe Rarity's plan will work!" Twilight quietly said to Chase as she beamed.
"I hope so, honey." Chase replied back, feeling slightly unsure about this. "But let's not give up our hopes just yet."
"Now all we have to do is worry about the others keeping the guards distracted long enough to sneak in." Sokka said as he and Clay joined the alicorn couple.
"Canterlot!" Pinkie's voice suddenly yelled.
Above Chase, Twilight, Clay, and Sokka, Pinkie's balloon was flying through the air as it somehow got a rip.
"We have a problem!" Pinkie screamed.
The balloon continues flying all over the place as Twilight and Chase flew after it. Clay and Sokka followed them in pursuit.
Meanwhile, Applejack acting as Apple Chord was still distracting most of the guards.
"I know that one's a crowd favorite." Applejack said. "What say we play it one more time? And a one, and a two, and a-"
Then suddenly a big flash of purple flew by them with a smaller purple flash behind it, followed by a brown flash as Clay and Sokka followed them. They turned and watched as Chase, Clay, Sokka, and Twilight were trying to catch the balloon.
"A distraction's a distraction." Applejack said quietly as her guitar shot a suction dart, and hits a guard pony's badge.
It pulls back as Applejack hid it under her hat and Twilight pulls the balloon behind a wall.
"Where are Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Spike, and Fluttershy?" Twilight asked. "Did they make it into the castle?"
"They jumped out right before the balloon went…" Pinkie began to explain as she blew raspberries and the balloon deflates."... but that's all I could see without being in space, where I didn't get to go!"
She crossed her hooves angrily.
"Forget about outer space for once, Pinkie!" Chase said sternly as he pulled the helmet off of Pinkie. "We got more important business to deal with right, liking sure Shining Armor doesn't know what we're up to."
"Let's hope Rarity and Rainbow Dash had better luck." Twilight added a little doubtful.
(Scene changes)
Meanwhile, Rarity dressed as Shadow Spade and Rainbow approached a shop.
But soon they noticed it was closed.
"What's this? Closed?!" Rarity exclaimed as a stallion, named BeauDe Mane, with a brown fur coat, wearing a tuxedo, yellowish mane and tail, light blue eyes, and his cutie mark had golden horseshoes.
"Oh, the seedy juice is always closed around this time." BeauDe Mane said.
"Then how are we meant to shake down ne'er-do-wells for information?!" Rarity demanded and grips his vest.
"What sort of information do you need?" BeauDe Mane asked.
"Um, the location to a secret entrance to the passages under Canterlot Castle." Rainbow said obviously.
"You mean that one?" BeauDe Mane said as he pointed somewhere.
Nearby, were two guards standing by a sealed tunnel.
"Yes, thank you." Rarity said uneasily as she released him and fixed his bow-tie. "That will do nicely."
They quickly hid behind a bush, and they peaked over and strangely saw Luna landed near them. The two guards saluted and flew off when strangely Zephyr appeared in a guard uniform.
"Zephyr Breeze?!" Rainbow exclaimed in shock and then Rarity looked as if she had an idea.
"Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho, darling, this couldn't be more perfect!" Rarity said with a smile and then they ducked under the bush.
"How is this perfect?!" Rainbow asked. "He's the most annoying pony in Equestria, and he's totally obsessed with me since he still can't get over the fact I have Soarin as my boyfriend, and we have to come up with a way to distract-"
Then Rainbow noticed the smirk Rarity had and raised her brows as she immediately realized why.
"Oh, no." Rainbow denied with a stern look. "Oh, no-no, no way! Unh-unh!"
Unfortunately for Rainbow, Rarity had her in a fancy dress and mane style completely different, much to her annoyance.
Zephyr meanwhile fixes his mane when Rarity uses her magic and pushed Rainbow over to him.
"Wha...? Rainbow!" Zephyr said as he excitedly beamed. "I knew you'd come running when you heard I got this job!" He placed his helmet on. "The mares love a pony in uniform, am I right?"
"Not really?" Rainbow said with an annoyed groan.
But then Rarity emerged form the bush with a face as Rainbow glared at her.
"I mean, eh, totally." Rainbow said reluctantly. "Why don't you step into the light so I can see how... ugh... handsome you look in it?"
As Zephyr beams and he followed Rainbow, Rarity in the bush moves over to the sealed tunnel. Then she quickly got to work and started removing the bricks.
"I told the sarge that gold kinda clashes with my aura, but apparently, they aren't big on input." Zephyr bragged with an arrogant smile. "Still, I totally managed to rock the look, don't you think?"
"Yep." Rainbow said with a forceful smiled and glanced at Rarity. "You're real guard material."
"I'm part of the castle team now, so I'm basically-"
Zephyr then stepped on Rainbow's dress, causing her to be pulled back and bumped into him.
"Whoa! We got a swooner!" Zephyr said and then caught her before she fell. "It's good you're finally being honest with your feelings for me, Rainbows."
Rainbow gagged at that tone and at this point more likely to kill Rarity if this isn't over soon.
"The truth is such a gift." Zephyr said and Rainbow got to her hooves. "Like, I had to follow my bliss to see guarding is my calling."
Rainbow glanced over as Rarity had finally finished with the tunnel, and gestured to her to hurry.
"Like, look at me go." Zephyr continued. "I'm gonna walk over here, and I go whoo! Over there! And I go, "Yeah!" And sometimes, I just stand like this and look real cool, and I go down the hallway and go, "Unh, unh, unh, unh, unh!"
He took several poses as Rainbow and Rarity went down the tunnel.
"One... Don't ever do that to me again." Rainbow said as she glared at Rarity. "And two... Don't ever say this to Soarin."
"I make no such promises." Rarity replied back with a smile as Rainbow groaned.
(Scene changes)
Meanwhile, in the throne room the geese were sleeping at their posts as Spike, Nyx, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, and Fluttershy appeared outside the window. Spike uses his claw to trace a circle and catches it before it falls.
"Good catch, Spike." Nyx whispered to Spike with a smile as he returned it with a grin.
"Now, we're just at the hard part, guys." Jade whispered to her team.
"Yup. Getting the crown and getting out of here before we get caught." Antonio replied back.
"Which won't be easy by the looks of it." Trini said in a hush tone as she turned to the geese.
"Trini's right. We'll have to glide to the throne." Fluttershy hushly said. "No flapping."
"You guys do that. We'll use our skills to go down." Jade replied back as she, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio quickly yet quietly slid down the window without making a sound.
Nyx, Spike, and Fluttershy silently glided in the throne room. Soon the seven made it to the throne, but the goose hiding behind the crown woke up as it saw them. Spike, Nyx, and Fluttershy crashed into Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio as they hit the ground.
Soon the other geese woke up and saw them.
"Aw geez!" Sunray said in worry as the geese started honking as Fluttershy accidentally stepped on the hidden trapdoor.
The seven fell through as it closed, and the geese continued honking as Luna peaked through the door.
"Sister! Another false alarm from Shining Armor's guard geese!" Luna called to her sister.
Outside, Celestia was with Shining and they walked inside to take care of the problem. Behind a wall, Twilight was getting concerned as Chase gently placed a hoof on his wife's back.
"Calm down, honey. We'll help you win this, I promise." Chase said soothingly yet concernedly.
"But we should have heard by now, sweetie!" Twilight said to her husband with concern. "Something must have gone wrong!"
"Probably, several somethings." Pinkie said as she managed to patch the balloon and tries blowing it back up.
"No lookout, no distraction, and no word from the ponies inside! Chase, I don't think this going to work!" Twilight said concernedly to Chase as he turned to his wife. Four sides of the screen broke apart as the rest of the gang turned to her with worried looks on their faces. "I'm starting to think this whole operation might be a giant flop!"
(Scene changes)
Meanwhile, in the throne room Shining was struggling to restrain the honking geese.
Underneath, Jade, Nyx, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Spike, and Fluttershy were still trapped.
"I can't believe that we fell right into the trap door! Why does Shining Armor have to make things so hard?!" Sunray said angrily.
"Because his attempts to trick us are his way of thinking he will expect what Twilight's plans are." Jade said to her younger brother with a blunt look on her face.
"Oh no!" Fluttershy said in panic as she was hyperventilating like crazy.
"What's wrong, Fluttershy?" Nyx asked the yellow pegasus with concern.
"You're not letting your fears get the best of you again, are you?" Trini asked gently.
"Gee, Fluttershy, I thought your whole small spaces thing was just part of the plan to be unexpected." Spike said.
"Once, I got trapped in the Castle of the two Sisters, and Angel Bunny and I were separated!" Fluttershy explained the night of the Castle of the two Sisters-Mania. "Now whenever I'm in a tiny room, it's all I can think about! I was so worried he felt alone and forgotten! I just wish Sokka was with me right now to help calm my nerves!"
"Well, he's with the rest of our group right now, Fluttershy." Jade said gently as she placed a hoof on Fluttershy. "And right now, we just need to get out of here so we can regroup with Twilight and Chase."
"I don't know about you guys trying to comfort Fluttershy, but I know what that's like to be left alone." Spike sighed.
"What do you mean?" Fluttershy asked as she and the others turned to him.
"I was always excited to be a part of Twilight's and Shining Armor's rivalry, like I was their little brother." Spike said. "But they never really thought of me that they. The only pony who does look at my as a little brother was Chase. He was always there for me when I needed him too."
"You know that's not true, Spike." Jade said as Spike turned to her. "You still look like a little brother to me and Sunray. Chase wasn't the only one you felt like you needed the most, we're always there for you too."
Spike smiled at her as Sunray nodded in agreement with his sister too.
"And you know, even if we might share a little sibling rivalry, we're still a family too. Chase would want us to understand that sometimes we've got to put aside our differences and work together to get through something like this." Sunray said with a smile.
"I know they both have a special place in their heart for you, but sibling dynamics are hard." Fluttershy said as she sat next to Spike with Jade, Trini, Sunray, Nyx, and Antonio sitting with them. "Trust me."
"Right. Zephyr Breeze." Spike said, knowing who she meant.
"Honestly, he could learn a lot from you being a little brother." Fluttershy said.
Then suddenly a wall opened in front of them as they saw Rainbow pulling a torch which is a secret lever and Rarity was with her.
"I am sick of being lost in these slimy corridors, too!" Rarity complained. "But you shouldn't pull every lever you come across! Half of them are traps!"
"And the other half might open a secret passage to the castle!" Rainbow added.
"IT'S NOT WORTH THE RISK!" Rarity shouted. "Oh, hello, Spike." She glanced to Spike, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, and Fluttershy before she turns back to Rainbow. "Even if we did find our way back to the castle, we'd still have all of those guar-Spike? Fluttershy? Jade?! Nyx?! Antonio?! Trini?! Sunray?!"
The seven went over and hugged her.
"Uh, what are you guys doing down here?" Rainbow asked.
"We, uh, kind of fell through the floor." Spike said.
"Literally. Uncle Shining Armor is really too crazy to set up something this nuts." Nyx added with an angry look.
"I don't think our plan is working." Fluttershy said.
"We've both hit dead ends." Rarity admitted. "Perhaps we should return to the outside and reevaluate."
Then a group of mice rushed by as some spiders were seen hanging upside down.
"Eugh!" Rarity said as she groaned in disgust.
(Scene changes)
Meanwhile outside the castle, Twilight was pacing back and forth as she hyperventilates like crazy, completely out of ideas as Chase, Clay, Sokka, Applejack, and Pinkie watched her.
Chase then went over to his wife and tries to calm her down.
"Twilight, honey, you've got to pull yourself together." Chase said as Twilight turned to her husband, still worried. "I know you're worried, but this won't help if you keep getting worried."
"I'm trying, honey." Twilight replied back. "But Shining Armor is going to catch us in the act at any moment."
"Psssssst!" Called Spike just as Chase was about to say something.
"Hey, guys!" Sunray said with a whisper.
The alicorn couple looked over and saw a drainage cover opened as Spike waved his hand while Sunray waved his hoof to them. Chase and Twilight went over to them as Jade, Trini, Nyx, Antonio, Fluttershy, and Rarity were with Spike and Sunray.
"What are you all doing out here?" Twilight asked in shock and surprise just as Chase was.
"In retrospect, our plan might have been too unexpected." Rarity explained uneasily.
"What?!" Chase asked in a whisper.
"Every part of it failed?!" Twilight gasped as she drops flat to the ground on her back. "Oh, now I'll never get the crown!"
"We can't give up now! We're still going through the castle to get the crown, Twilight." Chase said to his wife as Spike came out.
"Maybe we should go back to doing things the Twilight way." Spike suggested, making Twilight look at him in shock.
"You mean totally expected way?" Twilight said while getting up as Chase stood beside his wife.
"It may not be a surprise, but you have a pretty good record for planning things." Spike said with a smile.
Twilight turns to the others as they nodded in agreement with this.
"Then I guess it's worth a try." Twilight said, thinking it might work with a smile. "Thanks, Spike."
"What are little brothers for?" Spike smiled with his arms out for a hug, but was shut down as Twilight walked to the window.
Chase gives Spike a hug as Sunray and Jade climbed out of the tunnel, giving the baby dragon a hug as Spike smiled having the three by his side since they were like older siblings to him.
"Okay!" Twilight said as she turned to the others. "You all know what to do!"
(Scene changes)
Nearby, the guards were at their posts keeping watch. Suddenly, strangely to them, a balloon appeared and floated by.
Then it exploded as presents and a party set appeared. Excitedly, the guards went over for a look.
Pinkie, secretly disguised herself as a pinata, watches She taps a large wrapped present, and then Rarity dressed as a guard rushed to the doors.
"At least one part of our expected plan worked unexpectedly." Rarity said as she used the badge to open the door and she quickly entered inside.
Meanwhile, Rainbow and Sokka flew through the fans holding Fluttershy. Then they flew by the unsealed tunnel as a pony was resealing it. A Pegasus guard stood by Zephyr as he was now fired.
"To be fair, it was never made specifically clear to me what "guarding" actually means, so this is on you." Zephyr said indignantly and he walked away.
Close by, Twilight, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, Spike, Clay, and Applejack were over by some rocks.
"I'm strong, Twilight and Chase, but not even I can buck through solid rock." Applejack said. "Not even Clay can get past this."
"Yeah, no offense, guys, but this won't be that easy for us to get through." Clay said with concern.
"That's why I brought a specialist." Twilight said.
That's when Maud stepped out of the bush and she tapped her hoof on the rock testing for a weak spot. She marks a spot at its weakest. Together, Clay and Applejack stretched their back hooves and then bucked the rock.
Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, Twilight, and Spikes enter a tunnel. Clay and Applejack followed.
(Scene changes)
Meanwhile, Rarity approaches the doorway to the throne room.
"Next shift." She said to the guard in a deep voice. "You're on break."
The guard saluted and heads out.
Once gone, Rarity approaches the window and opens it as Sokka, Rainbow, and Fluttershy flew inside.
"Phew, sometimes I just wish I was back to being second in command to the Royal Guard again." Sokka said as he wiped some sweat from his forehead nervously.
"You can worry about that later, Sokka." Rainbow said sternly. "We've got work to do."
Rarity used the badge to unlock the door, and they entered inside as the geese started honking.
"You've been glaring so hard." Fluttershy said with a sweet smile as she flew up to them. "Who wants a feather massage?"
"That will sure make you guys feel better." Sokka said with a gentle smile while joining his wife and then the geese turn to each other.
(Scene changes)
Meanwhile, Twilight, Spike, Applejack, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, and Clay were in a tunnel underneath.
"We mapped this out when we got lost down here." Spike said while holding a map. "The lever to the secret hallway entrance should be... here."
He then pulls the lever, and they went through the tunnel.
Spike pulls back a tapestry as they enter the throne room as Sokka, Fluttershy, Rarity and Rainbow were calming the geese. Then Pinkie appeared still as a pinata.
"I can't believe this worked!" Rainbow said, stunned.
"I guess sometimes the best plan is the one you expect!" Spike said.
"Now we have the crown so they won't notice us." Chase said with a smirk as Twilight happily eyes the crown while light shined down on it.
"All I have to do now is fly over and take the crown, and I'll be Sibling Supreme forever!" Twilight beamed as she spread her wings, ready to get the crown.
Just before she was about to fly up there, however, Shining Armor, Celestia, and Luna unexpectedly appeared behind the throne, much to Twilight's shock.
"Not exactly." Shining said as he smirked at Twilight and Chase.
"Oh, come on!" Twilight angrily said as she groaned in defeat while Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, Clay, and Sokka were unfazed by this.
"Here comes the line, guys. Get ready." Chase whispered to his family and friends as they nodded in reply.
"Gotta admit, it was unexpected for you two to do everything exactly how I thought you would." Shining said, approaching her and Chase. "But you should know by now there's no way to beat the true Sibling Supreme!"
He couldn't resist giving Twilight and Chase a smug smile.
"I am sorry, Twilight and Chase, but it looks as though Shining Armor has truly won the crown." Celestia said, sympathetically as she approached Twilight and Chase.
Strangely though, Chase was smiling calmly yet deviously as Shining Armor took notice.
"See, Twily? Even your own husband agrees on this and is smiling at your demise. So you admit my work is better, huh, buddy?" Shining Armor asked arrogantly while smirking.
"Oh, I'm not smiling our demise, I'm smiling at yours!" Chase said, making Shining Armor flinch in surprise before he smiled arrogantly again.
"Hey, I won the crown, which means you guys lost." Shining Armor retorted, but to his surprise, Chase was still smiling calmly.
"Then why is the crown missing?" Chase asked while pointing at Celestia's throne as Shining Armor, Twilight, and Celestia turned to see the crown missing.
"What?!" Shining Armor shouted in shock before he glared at Chase. "Did you steal it?!"
Chase shook his head in reply while smirking.
"That's the thing about looks." Spike suddenly said as the others turned to him while Chase continued to smirk. "They can be deceiving."
He suddenly brought out the crown and placed it on his head, much to the shock of the others.
"Spike?!" Twilight exclaimed in surprise.
"How in Equestria did you do it?!" Shining asked, completely shocked.
"Come on." Spike said flew up to them. "You two don't think you have the only sibling rivalry. I had an inside pony help."
They turned to Luna at her throne with an ominous look while stroking a goose as Jade, Sunray, Trini, Nyx, Antonio, Clay, and Sokka stood next to her.
Flashback
"I said we could do it ourselves, but some ponies are a bit more stubborn." Luna said as her past self glared at Celestia.
"So, while Shining Armor went on and on about his improved security measures, Luna, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Nyx, Trini, Antonio, Clay, Sokka, and I struck a deal." Spike's voice narrated.
Unknowingly, as Shining was explaining the security, Spike and Chase went over to Luna as they whispered to her ear. Luna was surprised by this before she smiled in agreement as nodded. At the Castle of Friendship, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, Clay, and Sokka nodded in agreement with the two.
"Luna put Zephyr in charge of the catacombs and helped keep Celestia out of the castle hallways. Once Luna, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Clay, Nyx, and Sokka were onboard, Spike just had to do his part and make sure we stuck to Twilight's plan so we'd all get to the throne room at the same time." Chase's voice added.
Secretly, as Fluttershy, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, and Spike left the balloon, Spike rips a section of balloon with his claw.
"We knew Shining Armor would let it play out until the last possible second. Then, while everyone was distracted by his gloating, all Luna had to do was float the crown over to me." Spike's voice concluded.
While Shining was busy gloating, Sunray secretly lifted the crown with his right hoof and then tossed in the air as Luna teleports the crown over to Spike, and he hid behind his back until the right moment.
Flashback ended
The others were shocked by their stunt as Luna, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, Clay, and Sokka joined Chase and Spike, who kept smirking proudly.
"It was also teach Mr. Captain of the Royal Guard of what happens when you don't cheat as well." Chase said as he glared at Shining Armor, who looked nervous by that as he realized his brother-in-law was right. "As well as show what happens when you don't listen as well."
He glared at Celestia, who knew that he was right as she glared at Chase before she clears her throat.
"I, uh, apologize, for not listening to your concerns, sister." Celestia said forcefully to Luna as her younger sister glared at her. "It seems we need to make adjustments to account for threats inside the castle as well as out. If you agree?"
"If you think it's worth discussing." Luna said, forcefully as they smiled at each other forcefully when Chase blocked their way with his left wing.
"Oh nononono! Not so fast, you guys aren't gonna be doing this alone." Chase said sternly. "We brought a few others in here that would like to have a word with you, Celestia."
"And who might that be?" Celestia asked when Kon appeared behind a pillar with a stern look.
"Hello, Celestia." Kon said sternly yet casually.
"AUGH!" Celestia screamed in fright as she turned to see Kon glaring at her firmly. She smiled nervously at her husband. "Kon, what a nice surprise to see you, my darling husband."
"You better come with me. We need to talk." Kon said sternly as he approached his wife.
"Actually, Kon. I already had enough lectures today. So, uh…" Celestia said nervously as Luna smirked in amusement of her brother-in-law scaring her sister. That's when Juto and Chikara appeared out of the shadows as they approached Celestia, making her laugh nervously. "We make this a quick one."
Kon guided his wife, Luna, Chikara, and Juto out of the throne room. Rainbow, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Twilight, and Shining Armor were surprised by this.
"Wow, we didn't know that you could get the leaders of the Ninja Tribunal here, Chase." Rainbow said as she turned to Chase with an impressed look.
"We managed to send a letter to Kon. He was interested to know what Celestia was falsely doing so that he could come here." Chase replied back with a smirk as the others nodded, understanding.
"So, if Twilight and Shining Armor failed, who gets the crown?" Rainbow asked as she frowned.
Realizing this, Spike sighed and takes the crown off. Shining Armor and Twilight glanced each other.
"The true Sibling Supreme." Twilight happily said and placed the crown on Spike's head. "Spike."
"Huh?" Spike said as he frowned.
"The little brother we've always had." Shining Armor added proudly as he smiled. He brought Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, and Nyx in as well. "Not to mention Chase and his family."
Then they hugged and the rest of the Mane Sixteen join in. Then Chase broke the hug as walked over to Twilight.
"And, uh, Twilight. I got a little something for you." Chase said as Twilight turned to her husband.
"What?" Twilight asked curiously as she walked up to him with the others watching.
"I made you a little something before we got here." Chase said with a smile.
"A present for me?" Twilight asked with a smile.
"Close your eyes and sit down." Chase instructed while smiling calmly as Twilight obeyed her husband while closing her eyes and sat down.
Twilight then felt something on her head as she opens her eyes and looks up to see a golden replica of the Sibling Supreme crown. She gasped in surprise as her eyes widened.
"It's the golden crown of the smartest Sibling Supreme. I made it myself just for you of being the leader and have great intellegence." Chase said warmly as Twilight smiled at the crown just like when she was a filly.
She then gave her husband a hug.
"Thanks, honey. You always know just when to cheer me up." Twilight said happily as she kissed Chase on the cheek.
"Wait! The golden crown?!" Shining Armor asked in shock as he approached the alicorn couple. "How come she gets that one?! I want one of those!"
"Sorry, Shining Armor. But that's what happens when you go way over your head." Chase replied back as the others silently snickered in agreement.
Shining Armor glared at them before he smirked cockily as he brought out his deck of cards.
"Oh, you won't be laughing anymore once you prove my security is still the best to guard the castle, Chase." Shining Armor said with an arrogant smile. "Let's play bluff!"
Chase and Twilight knew where this was going as they gave him unamused looks.
"Oh, Shining Armor, are you sure you want to?" Chase asked curiously yet unamusingly.
"Just give me a minute to focus." Shining Armor replied back as he turned his back.
"Okay, do your thing." Chase said, not noticing the devious smirk Shining Armor had on his face as he lightly dented a card that had an Ace of Hearts.
He turns back to Chase as the alicorn stallion approached his brother-in-law.
"Pick a card, little buddy. Any card!" Shining Armor said as he held the five cards out with his eyes closed.
"Hmm." Chase hummed as he looked through the cards before he saw the Ace of Hearts with the dent part. He smirked at the others as they did the same thing and he picks the card while holding it to show his brother-in-law. "Done."
"My turn." Shining Armor said with his eyes closed as he tried find the dent card, but couldn't find it, much to his confusion. Chase dent one of the four cards as Shining Armor felt it and smirked before he holds it. "Done."
"If my card is higher, you get the last of the honey." Chase said with his eyes closed as well.
"And if my card is higher, you admit my security is the best." Shining Armor betted with a determined smirk.
They opened their eyes with Shining Armor sweating a little, but with one look at the Ace of Hearts, his eyes widen in surprise. He looks at his card that has a four.
"A four?!" Shining Armor exclaimed in shock and smacked his head in frustration. "It's dumb luck I tell you! I'm dumb, he's lucky!"
(Scene changes)
A little while later, the others were busy keeping themselves entertained. Pinkie was playing cards with Rainbow, Clay, Applejack, Antonio, Trini, and Sunray. Rarity was fixing her mane. Fluttershy and Sokka were giving two geese a massage. Finally, Chase, Jade, Twilight, Nyx, and Spike were each reading a book of their own based on martial arts moves.
It wasn't long when Shining Armor came through the portal with three jars that had the last of the Flash Bee honey as the Flash Bees swarmed around his face. The bees flew off him, revealing bee stings on his face with a defeated look. He looks back to see the crazy bee giving him an 'I'm watching you' look before joining the swarm as Chase closes the portal.
"Thanks for all the honey, Shining Armor. It's been a slice. Now, we'll let you be so we can take this back home." Chase said as he and the rest were about to leave when Shining Armor fell on his hind knees in a kneeling position.
"Wait! Wait! Wait!" Shining Armor said pleadingly, gaining the others' attention. "You've gotta give me one last chance, Chase!"
"No way, Shining Armor! I've been onto you from the start." Chase said sternly as Twilight and the others glared at Shining Armor in agreement. "You're a cheater. A mean, white, nasty cheater!"
"Nope, no more cheating." Shining Armor said with a sincere smile. "And I promise not to go over my head. Just give me one more chance."
"And if I win?" Chase asked firmly.
"Anything! Anything you want, little buddy." Shining Armor swore on behalf of his heart as he stood up.
"Well… hmmm…" Chase said in deep thought and smiled calmly. "Maybe I can use some berries from the top of the Tree…"
"Okay, okay! Good, good, good!" Shining Armor said, accepting the offer with a smile. "I'm thinking of a number between one and three! So if you-"
"Two!" Chase said bluntly.
Shining froze as he dropped his smile with a horrified look. Chase and the others smirked at him.
"Berries you said?" Shining Armor asked worriedly.
"That's right, Shining Armor." Chase said as he used his magic to open a portal and pointed at something that made Shining Armor turn to become more shocked. "Over there at the Tree of Misery."
The view showed another part of the Everfree Forest with a molten lava lake with two Manticores sleeping with roar like yawns, a group of chittering Winged Baboons, and a flock of Vampire Fruit Bats smiling at Shining Armor toothly. At the tippy top, it showed fresh red berries.
"The ones on the very tippy top are always the ripest." Chase explained as Shining Armor walked through the portal to get some berries.
"Mmm, nice pick, honey." Twilight said to her husband while licking her lips at the sight of the berries as the others felt the same way.
"Oh man, they are tasty." Sokka said with some tongue clicks when he and the others saw fire glow off the walls before they wince, looking away.
"OOH! LAVA!" Shining Armor's voice yelled. "HOT! HOT! HOT!"
"You're almost there, Shining Armor!" Twilight called to her older brother when one of the Manticores roared at him.
"Oh!" Rarity said as she winced at the sight.
"Nice kitty! Nice kitty!" Shining Armor yelped as the Manticores attacked him. "OOH! OOH! BAD KITTY! BAD KITTY! YOW!"
"Tippy top, Shining Armor! Tippy top." Jade called to Shining Armor as the Winged Baboons chittered at him.
"Fruit bats don't eat ponies." Shining Armor's voice said.
"Those are Vampire Fruit Bats!" Applejack shouted in worry as the bats then bite at Shining Armor constantly, making the others look away.
"OH! I HATE BATS! OW!" Shining Armor's voice yelled as the group watched him.
"Well, honey. I hope he's back in time for dessert." Chase said to Twilight with a smile as she smirked at her husband.
"I hope so too, sweetie." Twilight said as she giggled and the alicorn couple shared a loving nuzzle while the others laughed at Shining Armor's predicament.
(Scene changes)
Unknown to all of them, at Grogar's lair, they were being watched by orange flames before they died down. Dark Chase was glaring fiercely and growled angrily.
"Shining Armor's pathetic little security." Dark Chase said angrily as he crushed a stone on the ground as it shattered. He walks around his room. "His feeble attempts at impressing the princesses make me SICK!"
He growled while smashing some rocks and some gems. Dark Chase angrily snarled before he settled down a bit.
"Over the years of taking over this world, my army has shown me nothing but failure." Dark Chase said as he walked over to a picture of some kind of interest. He smirked evilly. "Maybe it's time to grow a winner."
The picture shows five strange shadowy creatures with lanky yet muscular jet black bodies, and holding five weapons of choice.
"And I know just the ones that will be of use to me." Dark Chase said sinisterly with a chuckle.
Author's note: Hey guys,
Now I know what you're thinking of why I didn't get a chance for Chase to get the crown. I had other ideas and a few twists as well for him to teach Shining Armor a lesson of what happens when you go over the head. I hope you like this one and I'll be back to writing chapter 5 soon enough.
Peace out!