Reflections

10.The Plan

*back in the alternate world the Mane 6 and Colt 6 and Spike, Barbra, Sombra and Oscura with food while Evil Luna and Evil Artemis spy discreetly*

Sombra- *to them* We are sorry for meager fare. We prefer the harvested crops go to our subjects, not ourselves.

Fluttershy- *concerned* The evil Royals really have taken their toll on your land, haven't they?

Applejack*concerned* We saw the dirt out there.

AJ- *concerned* You couldn't grow a weed in that dust, much less an apple tree.

Pinkie- *worried* It's downright depressing! Dying trees! Browns and grays! It's like one big rock farm!

Bubble- *concerned* And we know our rock farms!

Oscura- *upset* This land used to be a lush, green, bountiful and beautiful land. With the royals against us, they've taken to destroying whatever they can get their magic on.

Sombra- *upset* Our Pegasus cities lie in ruins, so the rains haven't come in quite some time. Earth ponies that have our greatest farmers have been forced away from the castle.

*the Mane 5 and Colt 5 look in worry*

Rainbow/Blitz- *worried* That's awful.

Pinkie- *crying* You mean there used to be cake here and now there isn't?!

Bubble- *angrily* Unacceptable! It's inconceivable!

Evil Luna/Evil Artemis- *quietly admits* We remember cake...

Spike/Barbra- *shudders* What was that?

Sombra- *concerned* Spirits here are broken. We fear another fight near the castle might drive anypony left here out to the outlying cities.

Twilight/Dusk- *serious* They're not going to get away with this! *to Sombra and Oscura* Where are the Royals now?

Evil Artemis- *sinisterly* Yes...tell them where to find us...

Spike/Barbra- *arches eyebrow and looks out* Us anypony else hearing this?

Oscura- *serious* I believe you're all aware of The Castle Of The Royal Siblings? Yours is a relic in shambles...ours stands tall at the edge of the Everfree Forest.

Sombra- *serious* It's near a town called Ponyville. They reside there.

Rarity- *worried* Ponyville! I don't even want to think what it must be like in this ghastly place!

Sombra/Oscura- *offended* *clears throats*

Rarity- *sheepish* Sorry.

Barbra- *looks at them* Why haven't you guys just locked them up in your dungeon?

Blitz- *arches eyebrow* Yeah, you two are unicorns. King and queen unicorns! You two must know some kick flank magic!

Sombra- *admits* Our magic is mostly defensive...protective shields and the like. Our guards and us have been unable to capture them.

Fluttershy- *looks at them* Sombra, Oscura? The evil Celestia and evil Solaris were trying to make a deal with you two?

Applejack- *arches eyebrow* Yeah, what was that about?

Oscura- *serious* That Celestia and Solaris are trying to trade us the safety of our Celestia and Solaris in exchange for the spell to your world. They propose that Celestia and Solaris can come live here permanently.

Pinkie- *smiles* Oh, you mean the spell that our Celestia and Solaris told Twilight and Dusk to memorize for this world.

Evil Artemis- *sinisterly looking at Twilight and Dusk* How intriguing...

Spike/Barbra- *worried*

Sombra- *seriously nods* In exchange, those four shall cross over into your world and continue their reign of terror there, unopposed. The idea of another rich and fertile world to conquer is too tempting for them.

Evil Luna- *evilly* Very tempting...

Spike/Barbra- *scared* You know, this place might be haunted.

Twilight- *looks at them* So they offered you two the chance to be with the ponies you love and the safety of your subjects and you two said "No"?

Sombra/Oscura- *nods* Of course.

Rainbow- *shocked* Why?!

Dusk- *looks at her* Because, Rainbow Dash, it would mean dooming our world to fighting the evil Royal Siblings. *ears flatten* To this.

Sombra- *serious* And this fate, we do not wish upon the world our Celestia and Solaris so loves.

Oscura- *serious* Also, the Celestia and Solaris of this world have never been trustworthy. We know they must be plotting away to rule both worlds. They would not give up so readily what they see as theirs.

AJ- *serious* So what are we gonna do to save this place? If we can't hurt these four lowlifes, what can we do?

Bubble- *smiles* Throw them a party and hope that cheers them up? Nobody can be evil after they've had our Cherry-Berry Upside Down Cake!

Barbra- *dreamily* It's true. That cake changed my life.

Sombra- *to them* We don't know. That's why Celestia and Solaris sent you twelve...

Spike- *pouting* Four...teen...

Sombra- ...fourteen to us. They knew it in their hearts that you would be able to find a way to save this world.

Twilight- *looks at them* Well, that's easy. Logic dictates that the things that led up to the defeat of Sombra and Oscura in our world will help defeat the siblings here.

Rainbow/Blitz- *confused* Stairs?

Pinkie/Bubble- Assorted pastries?

Oscura- Neither of those things sound useful.

Twilight/Dusk- *smirks* Crystal.

Pinkie- *happily* Crystal pasties?

Spike/Barbra- *drooling* Those sound amazing!

Sombra/Oscura- *unamused*

Twilight/Dusk- *levitates the four to the side* *to Sombra and Oscura with a smile* As we were saying...we can use the Elements Of Harmony to imprison the evil Royal Siblings in crystal.

Evil Luna/Evil Artemis- *shocked* Crystal?

Twilight/Dusk- *smiles* It will...

Sombra/Oscura- *looks at them with a smile* ...it will keep them alive, unharmed, and most importantly contained! Twilight Sparkle and Dusk Shine, you two are geniuses!

Sombra- *smiles* Truly you two are as wonderful as Celestia and Solaris touted you two to be!

Oscura- *smiles* As clever as Star Swirl himself!

Twilight/Dusk- *blushes but are shocked as Sombra and Oscura pick them up and catch them in excitement* *smiles*

Sombra/Oscura- *happily* A toast to you all! We'll set off at once for the Castle Of The Royal Siblings.

Fluttershy/Butterscotch/Pinkie/Bubble- *smiles*

Rarity- *thinks* Sealing them away in an eternal prison seems a bit harsh, even in a glamorous crystal one.

Elusive- Maybe if it had a damask motif...or a nice chandelier?

Applejack/AJ- *arches their eyebrows at them*

Evil Luna/Evil Artemis- *glares* Drat! Crystal night just work! *glares spitefully at Twilight and Dusk* And all because of you two... *they disappear back to their castle*

Spike/Barbra- *scared* Hey! The ghosts thinks it's a good idea!

Rainbow/Blitz- *confused* What are you two talking about?