[AiE] Disharmony - Part 7

>You are Twilight Sparkle.
>The time of day still eludes you, but your best guess is that you've been in this world for roughly 5 or 6 hours.
>That would put the time at roughly mid-afternoon.
>It's amazing how much has happened in that short amount of time.
>Anonymous in this world is a terrible person and is basically holding the world hostage.
>That's still so hard to believe, regardless of what your duplicate tells you.
>The ponies of both groups had gathered for the plan and are getting prepared elsewhere.
>It took some explaining to your friends about the changeling spies as well.
>They overreacted just as you did, but they came to terms with it faster than you.
>You stayed behind in the cave to go over the plan a few more times in your mind and make sure the Elements of Harmony are okay.
>Alter-Twilight is with you, though she's looking through her charts and maps.
>She's also laying out those small sacks she'd used on the guards back in Ponyville to cover your escape with smoke.
"What exactly are those?"
>She looks over towards you.
>"Oh, they're something Zecora came up with. They're little pods of smoke that come from a certain plant somewhere deeper in the forest. It spews the smoke as a defense when an animal comes to eat it."
"Wow. I haven't heard of that yet."
>"Yes, Zecora knows how to detach the pods without them bursting, so we use them for distractions. She's managed to acquire quite a few for us."
>She seems to keep plenty on hand…
>Guess if she's trying to save her magic, she'd need them at a moment’s notice.
>Despite planning all of this, you can't help but feel as if something is skipping over your mind.
>You look around this room of the cave again.
>The walls have those maps and diagrams on them still, along with names of the Royal Guard ponies and their patrol routes.
>The other wall has the bench and boxes where you first saw this world’s Rarity, Spike and Trixie.
>And of course, in the back corner, there's the case on the pedestal.
>...
>Why have you not checked that out yet?
>Moving over to it, it looks like the same sort of case that you use to store the Elements of Harmony in.
>Glass cover, red pillow, pedestal... the black rock within is different.
>Could that be what you think it is?
>You turn around to ask Alter-Twilight, but she's already walking over to you.
>"Yes, that's exactly what you think it is. When a part of his crystal broke off after what Fluttershy did, he only recovered the larger piece before he... betrayed us."
>She said she had been getting nothing from it whenever she tried to examine it.
"May I?"
>"Of course."
>You levitate the glass casing off and move the crystal fragment to the table.
>Examining it from all angles with your eyes and your magic...
>... it's just a simple crystal.
>Nothing more exciting than a rock.
>You continue examining it for a few more minutes before you give up.
"And you're sure that this is what he's using?"
>"Absolutely. I told you I couldn't get much from it. Keep trying, though. You'll see what I meant earlier today."
>What she meant when?
>You continue examining it with magic, focusing your efforts on detecting anything out of the ordinary.
>...
>...
>...
"Oh!"
>"There it is."
"It's... really faint, but it's there..."
>"And that is the magic I told you about. That's what Anonymous has been using against us."
>But there's so little in there… how can he even tap into that?
>It took you a few minutes just to find it.
"How could such a little amount have such devastating effects like you described?"
>"I'm not sure. Even when the crystal was whole, I didn't feel much more when I examined it than what's in that little fragment. And yet, it's proven to be far more powerful than anything else we know of besides the Elements of Harmony."
>This doesn't help you feel at ease since she hasn't had the opportunity to use the Elements against him.
>It may be their only hope, but there isn't anything definitive to say that they will work.
>Everything is riding on hope.
"Look, not that I don't think this will work, but I need to ask... do you have a backup plan?"
>She looks at you, seemingly afraid of the answer.
>"I don't. This really is our last chance. If it fails, we get out of there immediately and I send you back to your world."
>No pressure then.
>Well, as long as each pony performs their roles, everything should turn out alright.
>Alter-Twilight takes the crystal fragment and returns it to the case.
>As she returns to her notes, you notice Alter-Rarity walking in.
>She's now wearing a black body suit like Alter-Pinkie and Rainbow.
>Surprisingly, it’s not even stylized… just plain black.
>"We're all set, Twilight. Everyp0ny is ready to leave when you are."
>Alter-Twilight rolls up a map and some notes, while you retrieve your bag with the Elements of Harmony in them.
>"Alright. Go tell the others we're heading out now. I need to inform Trixie that she's in charge while we're gone."
>Alter-Rarity nods and moves out, you following behind her.
>Rejoining your friends at the cave entrance, everyp0ny seems nervous.
>None of you expected to be doing anything like this today.
>They're all looking to you for leadership.
>This situation may be worse than the previous times you needed to use the Elements, but you'll treat it just the same.
>As long as your friends are by your side wearing the Elements of Harmony proudly, you can correct all the wrongs of this world and return back to yours in no time.



>Hours pass and you're coming up on Canterlot now.
>Anonymous may have more power than he should, but he hasn't exactly prevented ponies from going about their daily lives.
>Well... the exception being Ponyville.
>Canterlot is still the shining city it always was though.
>It's a safe bet that ponies continue on with their business to distract themselves from the lack of the transition from day to night.
>This makes it somewhat easy to blend in with the crowd.
>Anonymous isn't expecting the ponies he's looking for to appear on his doorstep every day, so most of the guards are out and away from Canterlot searching.
>It's not like he needs protecting while he has that crystal, anyway.
>Supposedly, Shining Armour sent any remaining guards on special searches away from the city.
>Not all the guards, however; that would look suspicious.
>Of course, just enough remain for everyp0ny to play their roles for the plan.
>You're all gathered outside the walls of the castle, close to the gardens.
>Looking into the grounds of the garden, you can see two specific statues that are unfamiliar to you when compared to the gardens of Canterlot Castle in your world.
>And yet... you recognise something about them despite that unfamiliarity...
>Focusing on them harder, they appear to be ponies.
>Considerably taller than the average pony, both pegasi... with horns... and a look of terror on their fa-
"Oh sweet Celestia!"
>"Shhh!"
>Alter-Pinkie grabs and pulls you from behind, placing her hoof over your mouth to keep you quiet.
>"Don't yell out like that or you'll give us away."
>You nod and she releases you.
"Those statues in the garden... are they who I think they are?"
>She nods.
>Alter-Applejack moves to your side to look at them as well.
>"When they were turned ta' stone, they were just out in tha’ forest or off tha' side of tha' road. Tha' guards brought ‘em back ta' Canterlot as soon as they were found. Apparently, Anonymous didn't like seein' them in the palace with him. Says he regrets doin' it and it upsets him every time he sees them."
>As it should.
"So of all the places to situate them, they're kept outside in the gardens?"
>"That's what Shinin' Armour says he told 'em ta' do."
"That's horrible... it's like they're on display as trophies!"
>How does this Anonymous keep claiming these things to be accidents, yet he continuously brings harm to some while disrespecting others?!
>He can't possibly be able to sleep at night.
>Your Anonymous certainly wouldn't do anything like this.
"Well. It ends today. We'll bring him down and free the Princesses."
>"Ah' sure hope so."
>Alter-Applejack leaves to rejoin the others.
>"Can I ask you something, Twilight?"
>Alter-Pinkie is still watching the castle while addressing you.
"Of course."
>"...I've been talking a bunch with your Pinkie and Fluttershy. They keep talking about your Anon and I keep telling them not to trust him."
"Yeah?"
>"Well, the only thoughts of him I have any more are what he's like now. I only see him as an evil meanie... Seeing Fluttershy again really excited me and made me happy again. It's so good to talk to her again."
"I could imagine..."
>"I don't want her to go through the same thing that ours did. That's why I keep telling her to stay away from your Anon, but she just keeps telling me how nice he is... how good a friend he is, how much he helps everyp0ny with whatever they need and how much she likes him... Is it true?"
"Absolutely. I'm only guessing that both our Anons were the same before they took their journey, but ours actually stayed out there for three months and returned with a much friendlier and better attitude towards life. According to your Twilight, he was only gone for a couple weeks?"
>"Yeah. To think I was sad to see him go that day..."
"I'm really sorry for everything that happened, but trust us when we say that you have nothing to worry about with our Anonymous. We consider him a great friend and he returns those feelings."
>Alter-Pinkie is silent for a while before responding.
>"Well, I have to take your word for it. Like you say, I'm not from your world so I can't possibly know. But can you please do me one favour when you get back?"
"What's that?"
>"Question him. Make sure he doesn't have the crystal. Make him spill any feelings he might be hiding. Just make for certainly sure that he doesn't do anything even close to this!"
>As excessive as that sounds, you probably should do that.
>You don't want to believe what the Anonymous of this world has done, but he DOES bear similarities to yours...
>It's possible he could be hiding how he really feels from you.
>Plus you need to make absolutely sure that he doesn't have any such crystal as the Anon here does.
"I will, Pinkie."
>"Pinkie Promise?"
"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."
>After avoiding jabbing yourself in the eye with your hoof, she wraps you in a hug.
>"Thanks, Twilight."
>You return the hug for a few moments before she breaks it and you both start moving back to the group.
"If it makes you feel a little more at ease, I have no doubts that he's worried about us. In fact, he and Spike likely would've contacted Princess Celestia, and they're probably trying to figure out a way to get us back home as I speak."


-Meanwhile, at Ponyville Library in Equestria #1…-
"No! He doesn't need magic! Batman is capable of taking down all the other members of the Justice League if they ever went rogue with his own wits and gadgets because he always has a plan! That's why he's so good; it shows us that even someone that seemingly isn't special compared to the others can quite possibly be the most useful of all! Any regular person is capable of such a feat!"
>"Well, certainly, if that 'regular person' happened to come from what seems like an infinitely wealthy family that could afford all of these gadgets, education and training for these fighting skills and knowledge."
"...Gettin' real tired of your shit, Celestia. Stop trying to ruin my childhood hero for me!"


-Back to the Plot…-
>You're all gathered around a map of the castle.
>While preparing for what's about to go down, a crimson pony starts to approach.
>When out of view from the castle, a green flash appears at her feet and travels up her body.
>Waratah makes her way to Alter-Twilight.
>"Everything is prepared. Shining Armour has personally led a small group of guards away from Canterlot, and has given orders to the few remaining guards at these key locations."
>She begins pointing at the map, at the entrance of the castle, a few patrols on the outside and a few Pegasus guards in the towers.
>Not as many left as you thought there would be, actually.
>"He informed me that Princess Cadance hasn't been notified of any attempt at rescuing her, as a safeguard in case you can't reach her, or she accidentally hints of your plans to Anonymous."
"Uh, that's not going to complicate things, right?"
>Alter-Twilight shakes her head.
>"It shouldn't. Worst-case scenario, we may just need to take a few moments to explain what we're doing to her."
>Your Rarity raises a hoof to address Waratah.
>"Begging your pardon, darling, but what exactly is it you do for Anonymous? Won't he get suspicious that you're gone?"
>Waratah rubs the back of her head with a hoof.
>"I don't think so. He thinks of me as his adviser for some reason, and when I leave the castle for times like this, I just tell him that I'm out getting food. He just sort of accepts it... I don't think he's ever actually questioned whether the Princesses had their own personal advisers."
>Surely it can't be that simple.
>Alter-Applejack raises an eyebrow, thinking the same thing you are.
>"What about when ya come back to tha' cave ta' meet with us? He doesn't ask why y’all are gone for so long?"
>She shakes her head.
>"I'll tell him I'm seeing my family or something. He doesn't seem to care much, as long as I bring him back some food from where I say I'm going. Like for this meeting, I have to bring back some ingredients so he can make something called 'pizza'."
>Pinkie Pie appears by her side.
>"Ooh! He told me about that stuff once! Sounds yummy! But wouldn't the ponies in the palace kitchens still be working there? Why doesn't he just get what he wants from them?
>Applejack sighs.
>"Not important, Pinkie."
>"But it makes no sense! The ponies in the palace would make such great food, fit for the Princesses. He's not going to take advantage of that?"
>Fluttershy speaks up.
>"Maybe he feels bad about taking over and doesn't want to bother the chefs?"
"If that's true, I'm failing to see why exactly he's taken over the castle to begin with..."
>...
>Why are you all talking about his eating habits?!
>Alter-Rainbow brings the attention back to Waratah.
>"What about your two friends? What are they doing?
>"I'm not too sure; I haven't met with them since I got back. I know that they're disguised as guards and are following any orders Shining Armour gives, but I'm fairly certain they'd remain in or around the castle. Any of these guards could be them.”
"You don't know which ones?"
>"If I saw them, I would. Otherwise, they'll just be around. They'll likely break their disguise if they see one of you in trouble, but no guarantees."
>Alter-Twilight starts rubbing her chin in thought.
>"Well, that's good, I guess. Hopefully we won't need the help, but if one or two of us gets cornered by the guards or something, there's a chance a changeling will be among them. That should catch them off guard."
>Just mentioning the thought of somep0ny getting cornered is making you a little uneasy.
>Too much is riding on this plan for that to happen.
>"I'm also going to help if I get the opportunity."
>Everyp0ny looks to Waratah.
>"Like Twilight said, when Anonymous learns that she's here, he'll likely go look for her himself, which means I can drop the disguise and help out as well. I can't just sit by and watch."
>You all become visually worried hearing this.
>Alter-Rarity voices her thoughts first.
>"Is that really wise, Waratah? If anyp0ny were to see you, or notice you're gone, it could be quite disastrous."
>"It's not the first time I've been spotted out of my disguise. I can handle it."
>Alter-Twilight nods and turns to face her.
>"Alright, if you're sure. Was there anything else?"
>Waratah thinks for a moment before responding.
>"No."
>"Alright, then. Thank you. You'd better return to Anonymous. We're going to go over the plan again before we move, so expect it to start within the next hour."
>"Of course. Good luck to all of you."
>Waratah salutes and leaves, shifting back to her pony disguise.
>So there are two groups of ponies storming Canterlot Castle with the assistance of three changelings.
>This is going to make quite an interesting story to tell the Princesses.
>Alter-Twilight has started to go over the plan once again to ensure everyp0ny knows what to do.
>"Alright. We're split into two groups. Group #1, comprised of our guests from another world with the Elements of Harmony, will remain in this spot, outside of the castle grounds and out of sight of any guards and Anonymous. We can't risk them being spotted."
>Rainbow Dash speaks up.
>"I really don't like just sitting here waiting; you could really use somep0ny in the air."
"No, she's right, Rainbow. There's no telling what Anonymous or the guards would do if any of us were caught. We need to stay here to make sure we can use the Elements."
>"Ergh!"
>Alter-Twilight continues.
>"We'll be fine, Rainbow. While you're here, Group #2 will be spread among certain areas of the castle’s exterior, causing distractions. That is, except for myself and Rarity. We will be making our way inside the castle to the second-largest tower, just behind the gardens."
>That tower is where Cadance stayed before she took over the Crystal Empire.
>It makes sense that her and Shining would be in there again while all this was happening.
>Though, that does make you question who's been running the Crystal Empire...
>"Pinkie is going to cause a distraction outside of the tower to attract the guards. The two stationed outside the tower should respond, but hopefully all, or most, inside the tower will as well.
>Your Pinkie appears next to her duplicate excitedly.
>"Ooh! Ooh! You know what would be a great distraction? A party!"
>Confetti shoots out from behind Pinkie, somehow.
>Alter-Pinkie doesn't seem amused by her idea.
>"I'm sure that would make a great distraction, but this isn't the time for a party, and I doubt it would work anyway."
>"Well, then... take this, anyway!"
>Pinkie pulls her Party Cannon out from behind a nearby tree and wheels it over to her duplicate.
>"You can use it to blast cake in their faces, too!"
>Alter-Pinkie stares wide-eyed at the cannon.
>"... I never thought I'd see this thing again..."
>She accepts the cannon, admiring it for a few moments before turning back to her.
>"Thanks. I think I will use it!"
>You're almost certain that her mane poofed up a little.
>Alter-Twilight continues.
>"Alright, while Pinkie is distracting the guards of this tower, Rainbow Dash and Applejack will be here and here, making sure to attract the guards stationed in these sections of the castle."
>Pointing to certain sections of the map, Alter-Rainbow and Applejack nod knowing what to do.
>"And while they're doing that, Rarity and I will be moving into this tower after the guards at the doors are removed. Then we'll make our way to Cadance's room and get her out of there."
>Your Applejack jumps in with a raised hoof.
>"And how do ya plan on doin' that? She's a little wounded, right? It'd take too long to help her down all them stairs."
>That's true.
>A lot of valuable time would be used up getting her to safety.
>"That's why Rarity is with me."
>You all look to Alter-Rarity, who looks equally as confused as you.
>"My magic is limited, as I've said. I need to be careful how much I use so I can be sure to send you all back home later. I need Rarity's help with Cadance because when we get to her room, we're simply going to leave through the window, with the use of some hefty levitation spells to slow our fall and reach the ground safely."
>Alter-Rarity rubs her foreleg with her hoof.
>"Well, I'll certainly try my best, but I'm not nearly as skilled in such magic as you, Twilight."
>"Don't worry, it doesn't need to be too intense, just enough to slow our fall."
>Sounds reasonable enough.
>"When we get to the ground, we'll move Cadance back here, out of sight. Then I'm going to run back to the tower or the front of the castle, somewhere in full view of Group #1."
>Your group look to Alter-Twilight with some concern.
>"Hopefully by that point, Anonymous will be drawn out. I'll purposely be in plain sight for him to see me, so you can move and hit him with the Elements."
>All of Group #2 nods in agreement for the plan.
>You and your friends nod hesitantly.
>A lot can go wrong with this plan.
>Not much can be changed to make it any safer, unfortunately.
>You just need to trust that you can get it done before anything bad happens.
"Alright, then... We're ready."
>Alter-Twilight nods and motions to her group to move.
>"Great. Let's move. Today we finish this and get our harmony back."