The last we spotted our heroes, they attended an announcement in the royal courtyard in Canterlot held 由 Princess Celestia. The Princess, under the tight hold of the treacherous King Cobra, handed over her kingdom to the huge serpent. Of course the many residents of Canterlot, who both 爱情 and respect Celestia, followed orders without question. The five souls 《勇敢传说》 enough to ignore her, Mirage (earth pony), Opal(Unicorn), Monsoon(Pegasus), Snowflake(Pegasus), and Daystar(Pegasus), fled back to Ponyville, where we 加入 them now.

Opal: (Panting) Mirage, how are 你 not tired!?

Mirage: Dude, I'm built to run forever.

Snowflake: Guys, look around.

The five caught their breath and gazed at the desolate scene before them. Everything was trashed, as though everypony had taken what they could run with and left post haste. The only building that was intact was Sugarcube Corner, and that's where the five ran to.

Daystar: (leading the way) Ponyville is STILL empty guys.

Monsoon: Wow, 你 are a master of the obvious.

Daystar, beginning to yell his displeasure, stopped abruptly as a clashing of pans ensued in the kitchen. Mirage slowly walked across the room, and quietly stepped behind the counter. No sooner had he done that, an excitable 小马 burst through the double doors that led to the 厨房 beyond.

Pony: LOOK OUT!!!

They collided, and the ice cream head that she was holding in a bowl fell to the floor. Mirage leaped back to avoid getting splashed 由 the ice cream that now covered this pony.

Snowflake: Who are you?

Pony: Tropical Breeze is the name, and breezing is my game! I'm so glad that Ponyville is not completely abandoned, 或者 I'll just have to talk to myself and Toopie!

Daystar: What the heck is a Toopie?

No sooner had he asked that, a purple ball of tentacles soared from the ice cream pile and latched on to Daystar's muzzle.

Daystar: Get it off me! GET IT OFF ME!!!

Breeze: Well, he's not going to do that Mr. Meanie-pants! 你 have to ask Toopie nicely.

Daystar: Toopie, will 你 PLEASE remove yourself from my face?

The octopus clambered down, and crawled back into the unseen kitchen.

Breeze: Would 你 all like some smoothies while we wait? I'm just DYING to have some!

The five consented, and sat down at a table.

Opal: What did she mean, wait? Wait for who? 或者 更多 likely, for what?

Mirage: No idea, bro.

While the five discussed their curiosities, we travel across the land back to Canterlot, in the Princess' chambers. Luna and Cadence are nowhere to be found. A large line of ponies led to the chambers, where something dark and sinister was occurring.

King Cobra: Next!

As the stallion left in a daze, the holes in his back fading into nothing, King 眼镜蛇 turned to Celestia beside him.

King Cobra: Now is Twilight Sparkle still out of commission?

Celestia: Yes my lord. She is still trapped in that human world for at least another 10 moons.

King Cobra: Excellent!

A 小马 walked in, holding her head down and paying her respects. King 眼镜蛇 hissed softly, and the 小马 hurried to the foot of the massive 床, 床上 on which he lay.

King Cobra: Good to see where your allegiance lies, knave. Look into my eyes so I can see 你 better.

Frightened pony: I'd rather not, kind sir.

King Cobra: (Rising and spreading his hood) There are two things that 你 must do in my kingdom! One, always listen to me. And two, there is not a shred of kindness in me!

He struck with lightning speed, the force throwing the 小马 across the room. She stood up, and teetered for a few seconds. Even from where he sat, King 眼镜蛇 could see the green of his poison set into the veins of her eyes. As she started to walk out, King 眼镜蛇 called for her to stop.

King Cobra: Send everyone else away, and bring in my chief blacksmith!

The 小马 bowed, and shuffled out. Only 分钟 later, a strong brown horse strode in and shut the door behind him.

Anvil: Sire, the armor for your forces are almost complete.

King Cobra: Excellent! What of my army? Are they trained?

Anvil: Trained, Mobilized, and ready to depart on your command, Highness.

King Cobra: Good, good... 你 may leave!

Anvil bowed, and clopped down the stairs. The door shut quietly behind him.

Celestia: What happened to the first blacksmith? The one that made your armor?

King Cobra: (Smirking) He would've gone better with barbecue sauce.

The two laughed, and settled into 床, 床上 even though it was mid-afternoon.
Back in Ponyville, the five had received their milkshakes, and were joined in their discussion 由 Tropical Breeze.

Mirage: Who were 你 talking about that would 加入 us?

Breeze: Did I say that? Oh yeah, she's out getting cinnamon. Nope, there she is!

A loud swish of magic sounded from outside the building, and a strong hoof kicked open the door. In walked a red and black unicorn, with two swords strapped at her sides.

Breeze: Hi Rose!

Red Rose: Who are these clowns?

The five introduced themselves, Mirage going last. Rose stopped walking and turned to him.

Rose: I thought 你 looked familiar! I could see your mother's eyes in you.

Snowflake: Who is this?

Rose: (turning to her) Red Rose, master swordsman and fiancee of King Sombra.

Mirage: And killer of my mother!

Rose: Hahaha, I forgot about that.

At the base of Mirage's mane, a 火, 消防 burned red hot. Breeze, noticing the faint trail of smoke coming from Mirage, changed topic.

Breeze: So how about that King Cobra, eh? How do 你 suppose we stop the guy?

Monsoon: I have no clue.

Opal: 你 got me.

Snowflake: 你 both need to think before speaking. Snakes are cold blooded-*

Daystar: So?

Snowflake: (Shooting him a look) So... they're very sensitive to cold weather. Monsoon and I could try to freeze him!

Mirage: You'd need a lot 更多 than that, I'm afraid. He'll probably have armor, and not to mention an army thousands strong. His natural armor also shields him, but he does have one weakpoint. (Gesturing to his neck) Right here, at the base of the skull, a sword needs to pierce through.

Rose: I can provide that service.

Mirage: (whipping around) And how am I supposed to trust you?

Rose: (Shrugging) You're not. But this stupid snake is getting in the way of my soon to be husband's return to power. And 由 the way, Snowflake, even when he is cold and slow, King 眼镜蛇 is still deadly. He is still surprisingly fast and strong. But, when slowed, I have better access to his throat.... It's not a bad idea!

The other six agreed, nodding. None of them noticed a purple shadow dart from the 厨房 and make its way up Daystar's back. It somehow developed an need to be Daystar's friend.

Mirage: We need to 移动 now. Breeze, I can see that 你 were working on an ice cream sculpture of Princess Celestia in the kitchen. I'm sorry, but 你 have to save it for after we make King 眼镜蛇 into the world's ugliest handbag.

Breeze: (Sighing) fine, I'll pack the provisions. 由 the way, Daystar, 你 may want to look behind you.

Daystar slowly turned his head around, and found himself staring into the eyes of a purple octopus.

Toopie: Plooo!

Daystar: AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!