Episode 2: The Cutie Map - Part II

Twilight and all of her friends had lost their Cutie Marks to Starlight Glimmer via her Staff of Sameness. And now they were her prisoners.

Starlight smiled in relief, "Excellent... Now we are all equal. Anything else you wish to speak?"

"You miss one," Shadow Dragon said calmly.

Everyone looked confuse, shock yet surprise of what he had said. Then, they were in shock yet surprise. They saw Shadow Dragon's flank still had his Cutie Mark. HOW?!

"That's impossible!" Starlight exclaimed in shock.

Starlight then fired her Staff of Sameness at Shadow Dragon again. Though he grunted and groaned painfully, his Cutie Mark still stuck on his flank. They were in shock yet surprise and amazed by him.

Starlight quickly ceased from firing her staff. With that, Shadow Dragon shook his head and body in recovering from the attack. He stood firmly and seriously as he glared at her.

"Nopony could resist that magic! Unless-!" Starlight stopped as she realized about Shadow Dragon. She looked closely at his appearance carefully. She gasped, "Of course... You're not the Earth Pony, aren't you, Mystic Pony?"

Everyone including Twilight and her friends gasped in shock and surprise. How did Starlight Glimmer figure that out?

Shadow Dragon hummed, "Really? Care to emulate?"

"Your mane, your eyes and your Cutie Mark - I thought it's just a doppelganger. But when I fired my staff right at you, your Cutie Mark didn't remove. And I knew that only one species can resist that - it's a Mystic Pony. Am I right, Shadow Dragon?"

"Yeah... Now you know who I am. Surrender and everything will be fine."

Starlight smirked before chuckled a bit, "Did you really think this will be that easily?"

Shadow Dragon gave her a suspicious look at her in wondering of what she's planning. Starlight Glimmer smiled in amusement as she fired her dark greenish ball-like at him. He yelped painfully before coughed out loud as he struggled in keeping his eyes open. But all he can see was blur vision. With his last breathe, he fell to the ground hard. He sounded asleep.

Twilight and her friends gasped in shock and concern of what they witnessed. They checked on him carefully to see if he was okay.

"He- He's sleeping," Nyx said in concern.

Twilight glared at Starlight Glimmer, "Wha- What did you to him?!"

Starlight smiled, "Relax, princess. I put him to sleep. He may have withstand the Staff's power but not some simple magic. And for now, he and I will have the chat. Once I find the way to remove his Cutie Mark from his flank, I can finally help him and the rest of Mystic Ponies."

"You can't be serious!" Applejack exclaimed in shock and denial.

Rarity nodded, "Indeed! You'll anger them! They'll find and sent you to Tartarus for attacking, insulting and mocking them!"

"I'd take the chance." Starlight smirked darkly, "Now, take them to 'safe house'. Let them learn our ways of 'equality'. They'll be appreciated it."

The locals moved and took Twilight and all of her friends to safe house. Double Diamond and two other ponies held Shadow Dragon up as they followed Starlight Glimmer to her house.

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With two 'Equal' ponies on guard duty, Twilight and all of her friends were trapped in safe house for listening and learning about equality. They struggled in ignoring the recording messages yet they went into their heads.

Rainbow Dash and Steel Blaze banged the door as 'hard' as they can but no effort in breaching it. Pinkie read through the books which pages shown only 'equal'. Rarity was staring at the curtain. Fluttershy looked at the window. Boomer screamed in anger while complaining wildly and angrily at through the window. Applejack walked around in thinking of the plan. Twilight and Nyx did the same thing but sitting down. Lance groaned and grunted as he struggled in summoning his Dual Blades. And so far, there was nothing they can do.

Twilight groaned painfully as she got up and spoke, "We've gotta find a way out of here! I can't take much more of that voice!"

"Tell me about it," Nyx complained as she covered both of her ears tight down, "It's giving me a headache! I wish my Battle Mode was ready!"

Lance groaned in anger, "I can't even summon my Oblivion Dragoon Blade or Bloom Oathkeeper Blade. I guess we're stuck."

Rarity cried and sobbed, "Oh, this is horrible!"

"There, there, Rarity... It's not so bad..." Fluttershy comforted while patted on her back.

"Yes, it is!" Rarity scolded as she pointed at the window's drape, "Look at those drapes! I have no idea if they're tacky or not!"

Fluttershy hummed in concern, "Well, I think they're nice."

The equal glowed darkly as Rarity cried unhappily, "So do I!"

Heard the tweeting, Fluttershy gasped as she found a bird landed on the window. She approached, "Oh, thank goodness! Can you help us, little birdie?"

Fluttershy's Cutie Mark glowed darkly. The bird answered was tweeting. And usually Fluttershy understood the animals very well. But now, it was nothing but tweeting. Fluttershy was saddened that she couldn't understand it.

Fluttershy squealed in upset, "Oh, even tweets don't make sense any more!"

Both Rainbow Dash and Steel Blaze moved aside at once. Applejack galloped and charged straight at the door. She banged it hard but instead, she rolled over back down.

"This door's shut tighter than a... summer of..." Applejack sighed. Her Cutie Mark glowed darkly. She groaned, "...uh, piglets in... Shoot! I can't even make countryisms no more!"

"I don't know! Maybe it'll be super fun to be all the same!" Pinkie shrugged before her Cutie Mark glowed darkly. She sighed, "Sort of. More pleasant than fun, I guess..."

Twilight hummed in concern as she spoke, "Something odd about that staff. I haven't studied Eastern unicorns as much as I should have, but I'm pretty sure Meadowbrook only had eight magical items, not nine. And I don't remember any of them being a staff."

Nyx nodded, "Yeah... And above all, some of his do damaged Mystic Ponies. I'm kinda surprise that staff didn't work on him."

"Not me," Lance corrected, "I'm half-Mystic and half-Equestria. So, I've got my Cutie Mark taken."

Boomer screamed in anger, "Who cares?! Try and help us figure the way out from this stupid house! I can't stand on it!" He turned and glared at Fluttershy, "This is your fault!"

"My fault?!" Fluttershy startled, "How is this my fault?!"

"If you hadn't been so pretty 'nice and kind' pony, we wouldn't have stuck in this mess! And the worst about you, you tell her about our secret, bitch!"

Fluttershy sniffed in pain as she looked down. Everyone turned and glared at Boomer. They really had enough with his attitude.

Pinkie exclaimed, "Hey! That was me who spill the secret out, not Fluttershy! She has nothing to do with Starlight getting us!"

Steel Blaze groaned angrily, "What is wrong with you, Boom?! This is so low you ever said to her!"

Rainbow groaned, "You know what?! Ever since you came to Ponyville, you did nothing but being mean and selfish to her! You're an asshole!"

Rarity nodded, "Indeed! Why can't you give her a chance? She maybe too kind and gentle but she's sensitive! She's not like us."

"It's now or never, Boomer." Lance said angrily, "Apologize to her!"

Boomer sighed, "Yeah, I'm sorry to say something I'd never want to say again." Everyone turned and looked at him. He snapped angrily, "You ponies are dumbest ponies I ever met! Did you even realize of what happen?! We're goddamn stuck here because of her! She wanted here so badly! And she got it! You know what happen next?! We're gonna become slaves! Think carefully, genius!"

Boomer turned and glared at the window as he shouted wildly and angrily in demanding to be out. Everyone groaned in annoyance and angry. Boomer was hard and stubborn to understand ponies! Why would Lance and Nyx even brought him along with them?!

Fluttershy sighed, "I'm sorry." Everyone turned and looked at her. She cried and sobbed in despair, "He's right. He's right. I was selfish and stupid for not realizing what ponies really want. And now, we're becoming what Starlight wanted us to be!"

As if the idea hit her, Twilight gasped, "I've got it! I know how we can get out!"

Everyone turned and looked at her. Was she for real? Or did something hit her head when they were trapped at the small safe house? The door was locked up while they have no strength to breach it. The window was too small for them to escape. There was no help either. It's impossible for them to escape it.

Twilight smiled, "We don't actually have to escape. They'll just let us out when they think we've accepted their philosophy!"

"But they're never gonna believe we switched over in just one night," Applejack said in concern.

"There's one of us they might believe," Twilight answered calmly as she turned and looked at Fluttershy.

The rest of her friends turned and looked at Fluttershy. They smiled in approval and agreement that she was right. Fluttershy was perfect.

Fluttershy gasped, "Oh! Me?!"

Rainbow nodded, "You've been saying how great this place is since we got here!"

"But-but-but-but-" Fluttershy explained but with losses of some words. She sighed, "Oh, you're right. They probably would believe me. I hate to lie to them. They've been so welcoming and friendly... aside from locking us in here and trying to brainwash us into abandoning the things that make us special... Okay. I'll do it."

Twilight and her friends smiled in approval and pleased with her.

Boomer huffed, "So, the bitch finally doing it. About time."

Nyx poked her horn at Boomer's butt as she scolded, "As for you, you're going with her! And you have to make sure that she make it out!"

"What?! Are you kidding me?!" Boomer exclaimed in annoyance, "I'm not going with her!"

"Yes, you are!" Everyone but Fluttershy exclaimed in annoyance and anger.

"Like it or not, you still owe Fluttershy apology!" Lance exclaimed in anger, "And you're gonna do it. Trust me, you do not like my temper."

Steel nodded, "That kid got the point. You start the mess, you clean it up. And best of all, you give the idea in the first place."

Boomer groaned in annoyance, "Me and my big mouth."

"But what do we do once we're out," Fluttershy asked in concern.

"Find Shadow Dragon. See if he's okay. I had the feeling that Starlight will do anything to make Mystic Ponies 'equal' as others. We can't let that happen," Twilight instructed, "And above all, you've gotta find a way to get our cutie marks back."

Fluttershy gulped in concern as she was worried that she won't able to perform it. Boomer nudged her stomach hard.

"C'mon, Flutter. I wanna see if you got guts of not," Boomer snickered in amusement. "I might say 'sorry' to you."

Fluttershy took a deep breathe as she had enough with his bad attitude, "Fine. I'll prove it."

"You'd think daddy'll be fine?" Nyx asked in worry.

Twilight nuzzled Nyx's head gently, "Don't worry, he'll be fine. After all, he's the tough one. He's a hero."

Nyx smiled back to her mother as she gave her a hug. Everyone sighed as they all can prayed and hoped that everything will be alright and especially Shadow Dragon. For now, they had to wait till morning.

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At the basement, Shadow Dragon was tied to metallic bed with strapping belts. His body had lots of bruises and burnt marks. He groaned and moaned painfully like he was being beaten or electrocuted. His vision was blurry and struggled in keeping his eyes up. He then saw Starlight Glimmer glaring at him.

Starlight sighed calmly, "We'll continue our 'discussion' tomorrow. And hopefully, you'll be more cooperative. If not, our 'little' friend or your girlfriend will help me."

Shadow Dragon groaned, "Why are you doing this? What exactly are you trying to achieve?"

"Something you'll never understand. And I rather not waste my time on explaining it."

"You're insane. If you think making Mystic Ponies 'equal' as others, then you're wrong."

"Oh. I will make it happen. Once I find something that help me to achieve it, Equestria and Mystic can finally be one. No one is special..."

Starlight turned as she was ready heading off to her room. Shadow Dragon turned and glared at her climbing up the stairs to the top.

"You're wrong. Anyone can. It's matter how or what you can," Shadow Dragon muttered painfully, "Now I know who you really are. And you won't fool the world much longer. But only one thing I need to know - who helped you."

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Twilight and all of her friends trapped in the safe house as they struggled in ignoring the 'philosophy of equality'. And so far, they did well of accepting it but they still can't take it much longer for whole night.

As soon as the morning risen, Starlight opened the door as she smiled happily.

"I trust you had a pleasant night? This way, please. There are some friends who'd like to see you." Starlight said calmly as she led Twilight and her friends out.

Twilight and her friends smiled and smirked. It's time to put their plan in motion. As Twilight and her friends gathered outside, Starlight made the announcement to her locals and then asked her 'guests'.

"Gather round, friends, gather round! We've come to ask if any of you are ready to join us! There are so many friends to be made once you realize you don't need your cutie marks or the talents that come with them."

Double Diamond smiled in agreement, "We have a welcome ceremony for new friends! The whole village joins together to build you your own cottage—"

"Not interested!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed in annoyance, "You may have them now, but we're going to get our cutie marks back!"

Applejack nodded, "Y'all don't understand, do ya? You can't force nopony to be friends! It don't work like that!"

"Yeah! Snap out of it! This is not the way to earn friendship! This is force!" Steel Blaze agreed.

Unfortunately, the locals ignored the Mane Six and their friends' words as they cheered and begged the latter to be one of them. Starlight smiled as she was expecting it. She turned away to look at her own ponies while Twilight and her friends glared at her.

Starlight sighed in disappointment, "It's all right, everypony. This is a perfectly normal part of the equalization process for those who haven't... quite seen the light yet. We'll try again tomorrow once you've had a bit more time to consider our philosophy!"

As Twilight and all of her friends entered the safe house, Fluttershy followed them as well. Boomer groaned in annoyance. Why did he had to do it?! He quickly nudged his feet at her back leg.

Fluttershy gasped as she forgotten the plan. She turned and exclaimed, "I'd like to join!"

"Me too! Just please! Don't send me back to that prison! I can't take it!" Boomer begged and exclaimed frantically, "Please, don't send me back!"

Starlight Glimmer and her ponies cheered happily and proudly in seeing both Fluttershy and Boomer gave in at once. Twilight and her friends were in 'shock'.

"Fluttershy? How could you," Twilight exclaimed in 'shock'.

"I trusted you! I thought you've got guts! You're a coward!" Lance exclaimed in 'anger', "And you're gonna leave everything behind?!"

Boomer scoffed 'arrogantly', "It's better than copping in the prison! Not going back!"

Fluttershy nodded, "If giving up my cutie mark means I get to stay in this lovely village with these lovely ponies, then I'll do it."

"COWARDS!" Nyx exclaimed in 'anger'.

With two friends 'betrayed' them, Twilight and her friends locked up in safe house. Starlight smiled in please as she approach to both Fluttershy and Boomer.

"We have a new friends, everypony!" Starlight announced proudly. The local chatted happily of having new ones among them. She continued, "Now, there's one more order of business. It seems some in our midst might be... dissatisfied with the village life!"

The locals gasped in shock and feared of what Starlight had said. Party Favor, Sugar Belle and Night Glider were in feared and worried as they knew that they'll be caught for 'betraying' her and their friends.

Starlight nodded as she continued, "Unfortunately, it's all too true, my friends!" She turned to both Fluttershy and Boomer, "Will you kindly tell us the names of those friends who so desperately miss their cutie marks that they would sneak around in the shadows talking to strangers about it? Just so we can be sure your intentions are indeed pure.

Both Fluttershy and Boomer gulped in concern. They knew it was too easy. They now had to sacrifice the ones they were entrusted to keep their secrets for Starlight's trust. They were in dilemma to answer it as they dared not betray their friends' trust and hope.

Feared for his friends' safety, Party Favor decided to do what he had to.

Party Favor galloped towards Starlight as he bowed down to her, "It was me! It was only me! But I only wanted it back for a little while!"

Starlight raised her eyebrow at him, "And you're quite certain it was only you?"

"I just wanted to remember what it was like."

"And no thought to the pain you'd cause your friends. Such selfishness."

With Starlight's wave gesture, two local ponies moved Party Favor into safe house. He turned and looked at his friends for one last time. FLuttershy, Boomer, Sugar Belle and Night Glider looked upset and pain to see him get locked up.

Party Favor pleaded, "I'm sorry, everypony! I never wanted to leave the village! I love all of—" As the door shut, he sighed in upset as he knew they won't forgive. He banged on the door once as he muttered in upset, "What was I thinking?! I can't believe I even considered asking for my cutie mark back."

Rainbow Dash smirked, "Don't worry. Fluttershy will have us out of here in no time!"

Party Favor got up and gave Rainbow Dash a shock and feared looks, "Didn't you see what just happened out there?! Your friend has accepted our way! You will all accept our way! It's only a matter of time!"

Party Favor looked away and sat down before the door. Twilight and her friends had their own discussion.

Rainbow commented in annoyance, "This guy's a barrel of laughs."

Pinkie shook her head, "Laughs don't come in barrels. They come from inside you as your body's response to delight."

"So what are we gonna do while Fluttershy's out there lookin' for Shadow Dragon and our cutie marks?" Applejack asked in concern.

Twilight smiled, "We have to stay as positive as we can. If Party Favor sees how much we really do like each other, even though we're all different, maybe we can use him to spread our message to the rest of the village."

"Good idea, mummy! This is a perfect advantage for us," Nyx agreed, "Like Sun War says - 'To win the odds, you must win the hearts of ponies'."

Lance whistled, "I didn't know that you like Ma's Art of War."

"Daddy and Azure Phoenix inspired me to do it," Nyx squealed happily.

Starlight's recording speaking got turned on in turning Twilight and her friends to become 'equal' as others. They were gonna have a long day to do. And hopefully, they won't become one of them. And they prayed Fluttershy and Boomer get the job done.

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As Fluttershy and Boomer followed Starlight Glimmer to her home, the ponies greeted them calmly and warmly. They both smiled in relief and pleased.

Fluttershy commented, "Gosh, you really are the nicest ponies I've ever met."

"You bet. I hate to admit it but it's kinda cool to have peace and quiet like this and Ponyville. It's way better than my old home. A happy smile." Boomer agreed. Surprise of what he had just said, Fluttershy smiled at him. He yelped before he looked away and had his arms crossed, "Of course. It's not like I care about it so much."

"Come. All new friends stay with me until their cottage is completed." Starlight said calmly as she led both of them into her home, "Let's get you settled, and then you can enjoy all that our little village has to offer. But first I need you to do something for me."

Both Fluttershy and Boomer looked concern and scared of what Starlight might ask them to do. They prayed it's not about them.

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Starlight helped both Fluttershy and Boomer get comfortable in her house by having lunch and dinner, settled their beds and gave them some rules. As the night fell, she led both of them downstairs to basement. It was time to see if they were willingly to convert Shadow Dragon to her side.

As they arrived to the basement, they spotted Shadow Dragon slept on the metallic bed. What shock and scared both Fluttershy and Boomer the most was seeing him bruised and wounded with some marks.

"Wha-What happen to him?!" Fluttershy asked in concern.

Starlight sighed in concern, "Ever since I put some sleeping spell on him, he had a sudden nightmares. And he tried to attack me. So, I left with no choice but to knock him out and strapped him up."

"Wow... That's serious bang up," Boomer commented in concern.

"Now that you both are here. I need you to talk and convince our little friend to help our cause." Starlight smiled as she turned away from them, "I hope you both prove your loyalty to me and our ponies."

As Starlight Glimmer climbed up the stairs, she closed the door. Fluttershy and Boomer approached and checked on Shadow Dragon as they tried waking him up. As Shadow Dragon groaned and moaned painfully, he slowly opened his eyes. He was awaken. He saw both Fluttershy and Boomer in front of him.

"Fluttershy? Boomer? Is that you? What happen? Did you escape?" Shadow Dragon asked hopefully.

"Escape, nope. We just make Starlight Glimmer believed in us, so we can find you and get the Cutie Marks back! Easy peachy," Boomer commented proudly.

Fluttershy sighed, "Unfortunately, she thinks we can 'help' you to accept their philosophy. Oh... I don't like it. I don't even want to think of what happen to us after what she did to you."

"You don't have to. I'm fine. Her attacks are nothing to me. She just want the Mystic Power to increase her spell." Shadow Dragon said seriously, "But that's not important. The Staff of Sameness is not real. It was her magic. She's the responsible of the mess from the start."

"What? How?!" Fluttershy asked in concern.

Shadow Dragon continued, "That magic is called 'Unmarking'. And you already know how it works. And who taught her is something we need to solve the mystery."

"How, genius?" Boomer asked in annoyance.

"You have to earn and win her trust. Once she accepted you, then she will let you know her secret. Something has driven her to do it. Only you two can do it."

"Oh... If only that was easy," Fluttershy said in concern, "Oh... I don't think I can handle it. It's too much."

Boomer quickly closed her mouth at once. He gave her a sign of 'silence' as if he heard something. He then pointed up to the stairs. They both slowly walked up to the stairs gently and quietly. Upon reaching to the top, they opened the door halfway for they to peek and see.

Fluttershy and Boomer spotted Double Diamond brought the box of some familiar Cutie Marks to Starlight Glimmer. She was waiting at the entrance.

Starlight smiled, "Excellent work, Double Diamond."

"Of course, but I don't understand why you wanted me to bring them here." Double Diamond asked in concern, "Fluttershy is one of us now. Surely she can be trusted."

Starlight smiled as she levitated the box in. She looked at Twilight's Cutie Mark, "This one belongs to a princess. It could be very important to our cause."

"But if Twilight Sparkle becomes our friend, then why do we care about this old cutie mark?"

"I just want to keep them close until everything is... settled. You may go, Double Diamond."

Double Diamond nodded as he turned and headed off. Starlight Glimmer smiled as she brought the Cutie Marks canisters up to her room.

They looked at each other for the moment as they had both worry and scared now. They had no hope to get the Cutie Marks from Starlight now.

"Great! How the hell are we ever going to get the Cutie Marks back now?!" Boomer asked in anger.

Fluttershy quickly covered his mouth up at once. Starlight screamed in shock with the splash of water. They both looked at each other as they nodded.

Boomer mounted on Fluttershy's back. They opened the door at once as they walked up to the stairs. They stopped at the top part of stairs. They found the door was opened. They saw Starlight was wet.

Starlight groaned in annoyance, "Starlight, you clumsy foal!"

Both Fluttershy and Boomer continued watching the event as they wondered what secret she had hidden from the world. Starlight levitated the towel as she wiped and cleaned herself up. As soon as she finished, her flank revealed purplish star with two greenish swirling light. They both were in shock. She actually had the Cutie Mark?!

Starlight levitated both paper with equal sign holes and pink and black powder. She brushed pink powder on hers. She then placed the paper on hers and brushed it with black powder. It revealed an 'equal' Cutie Mark.

Both Fluttershy and Boomer looked at each other for the moment. They nodded their heads in agreement. They quickly went downstairs to the basement before Starlight found out about them.

At the basement, they informed Shadow Dragon of what they had learned. Shadow Dragon was quiet as he wasn't surprise about it.

"So, that's how it is? She concealed her Cutie Mark to win the ponies. She spread lies on them to follow her blindly," Shadow Dragon said calmly. He huffed, "If she thinks that would help her, she has another thing coming for her."

"So, what's next?" Boomer asked.

Shadow Dragon smirked as he explained what plans he had for Starlight Glimmer and her 'loyal' village. Both Fluttershy and Boomer nodded their heads in agreement and understanding. It could work for their advantage.

Starlight went came downstairs in checking on progress. Both Fluttershy and Boomer turned to Starlight Glimmer.

"Starlight, Shadow Dragon has agreed to join our side," Fluttershy reported.

Starlight was about to say but Boomer interrupted, "But bad news - he'll give you the spell if Twilight and her family joined us. That's his one serious condition."

Starlight groaned in disappointed but she smiled calmly. She still had time. She nodded, "Very well. I accept it. Rest assure, they'll join us. Time to go to bed. Tomorrow is going to be a special day."

Fluttershy and Boomed nodded in understanding. They both then went up the stairs to their bedroom. Starlight followed them. All Shadow Dragon did was looking at her. He then smirked secretly like he expected it to happen.

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In the next morning, everyone gathered at the village safe house. They awaited for Twilight and her friends emerged from the house as they hoped they joined their sides.

"I've got a good feeling about today! So, do any of you have anything you'd like to say?" Starlight asked in amusement. No one answered but glared at her. She sighed, "Aw, pity. Well, let's try this again tomorrow, shall we? No new friends today, I'm afraid!"

"Wait! We'd like to lock them up," Fluttershy begged innocently.

Shadow Dragon nodded, "I would like to try and convincer Twilight to join us. She's always listen to me."

"Marvelous, Fluttershy and Shadow Dragon! That's the spirit!" Starlight exclaimed in please. Both Shadow Dragon and Fluttershy approached to Twilight and her friends as they talked and convinced them to join Starlight. She turned and looked at the nervous Party Favor, "Party Favor, will you join us, please?"

Party Favor galloped towards Starlight as he bowed down, "I'm sorry, Starlight! I'm sorry, everypony! I've seen the error of my ways! I never want to look at my cutie mark again!"

Starlight smiled in please, "It seems there's cause for celebration after all!"

The ponies cheered happily for seeing Party Favor returned to them.

Part Favor continued, "They tried to break me! They wouldn't stop talking about how different they are, and that somehow makes their friendship stronger!"

Starlight gasped, "Such backwards thinking."

"But I didn't listen! I knew what they were up to, and I didn't listen!"

"Well done, Party Favor! We welcome you back with open hooves!"

"Um, Starlight?" Fluttershy called. Starlight and her ponies turned and looked at her and Shadow Dragon. She continued, "I think we might have one more friend joining us today."

Shadow Dragon turned and gave a nod. Twilight emerged from safe house. The ponies gasped in surprise and shock.

Starlight hummed softly as she looked at Twilight closely, "Is this true?"

"I-I think so. But I just want to be sure." Twilight answered, "If I agree to leave my cutie mark in the vault, I'll really be happier?"

Starlight smiled, "Just look around! Equality has given us more happiness than you've ever known!"

"And you wouldn't let me just live here in the village with my old cutie mark?"

"Out of the question. A pony with a different cutie mark in our midst would destroy our entire philosophy. We are all equal here!"

The ponies chatted and muttered in agreement with Starlight's concern and ways. Fluttershy quickly carried the bucket of water up. She flew up hight as she glared at Starlight Glimmer.

"Then how do you explain this?!" Fluttershy demanded.

Fluttershy threw the bucket of water on Starlight. The latter dodged aside before the water hit her. Starlight glared at Fluttershy with her angry and suspicious eyes.

"I knew you couldn't be trusted," Starlight snarled in anger.

"How about me, bitch?!" Boomer exclaimed proudly as he jumped on her back. As the water drop flowed down, he quickly wiped Starlight's flank quickly, "Time to show the world of who you really are!"

Starlight gasped, "No! Get away!"

As soon as he finished with wiping her flank off, Boomer jumped off from Starlight Glimmer. Her Cutie Mark revealed to her ponies. Everyone gasped in shock. She had the Cutie Marks?!

Starlight gasped as she quickly had her tail covered her Cutie Mark. She quickly and frantically exclaimed, "Wha... What are you looking at?! They're the problem, not me!"

The ponies continued staring and looking at Starlight's flank. Twilight and all of her friends had gathered at the outside as they all smirked proudly and relief.

"How could you?" Party Favor asked in shock.

Double Diamond asked, "You said cutie marks were evil! You said special talents led to pain and heartache!"

Starlight frantically explain as she pointed at Twilight and her friends, "They do! Don't you see?! Look at them!"

"Then why? Why did you take ours and not give up your own?" Sugar Belle asked in shock and concern.

"I... I had to, you fools!" Starlight exclaimed in anger. She got fed up of hiding the truth as everyone witnessed her Cutie Mark. She continued, "How could I collect your cutie marks without my magic?!"

Night Glider said in shock, "But the staff has all the magic we need!"

Starlight Glimmer explained in anger yet dark, "The staff is a piece of wood I found in the desert! It's my magic that makes all this possible! You'd all still be living your miserable lives thinking you're better than everypony else if it weren't for my magical abilities! I brought you friendship! I brought you equality! I created harmony!"

Double Diamond exclaimed, "You lied to us!"

Starlight Glimmer huffed, "So what? E-Everything else I said is true! The only way to be happy is if we're all equal!"

Party Favor muttered in anger, "Except for you."

The ponies grew tired of Starlight's lies. They all chatted and muttered in anger at her. Starlight groaned in anger as she prepared her magic to harm and teach them a lesson.

Twilight spoke up, "Everypony has unique talents and gifts, and when we share them with each other, that's how rea—"

"QUIET!' Starlight shouted at Twilight Sparkle.

Everyone was in shock. Starlight dared silenced the princess?! They had enough of her deception, betrayal and attitude.

Shadow Dragon glared at Starlight, "Then, let me ask you one thing. If you want 'equality', then give your Cutie Mark up. Show them that you really meant it. Show us who you really are."

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement as they all looked and glared at Starlight Glimmer. They wanted to see if she was really meant that she was same as them. They then approached her in making some pressure on her to get the answer.

Seeing that she was outnumbered, Starlight quickly launched her Repulsive Spell at Twilight and her friends out. She then quickly ran off at once.

Double Diamond turned to his friends and ponies, "Come on! Let's get our cutie marks back!"

The ponies went wild as they all agreed with Double Diamond. They then quickly headed off to the cave at once to get their Cutie Marks back.

Rainbow smirked, "Come on! Let's go get our cutie marks!"

"Newsflash, Dash!" Boomer exclaimed in concern as he turned and pointed at Starlight's house, "All of them are inside the bitch's home!"

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At the cave, ponies were trying to break the vault in getting their Cutie Marks back. But it was completely solid and strong for them to breach. It's hopeless!

"Stand back, everypony!" Double Diamond exclaimed.

He brought the staff with his mouth while charging in. He then threw it straight at the vault's glass.

CRACK! The vault's glass broken into pieces. The Cutie Marks flew out as they all returned to their owners. Upon receiving them, the ponies magically transformed into their original selves. Double Diamond had his three Snowflake-like Cutie Mark and his mane and tail were messy yet cooler style. Party Favor's was balloons in shape of pony and his mane and tail were funky afro-like. Night Glider's was moon shaped and her mane was jet-like. Sugar Belle's was colorful cupcake-like and her mane was long fluffy afro-like

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Other than the ponies from the cave, the Cutie Marks headed straight to the town as they returned to their owners. Twilight and her friends witnessed it as how magical and beautiful they really were.

Starlight witnessed everything. She looked angry and disappointed. Everything she worked for was ruined and destroyed. She approached the heroes' Cutie Marks.

Starlight snarled, "They think they can come to my village and disrupt my life? Let's see how they like spending the rest of their lives without their precious cutie marks!"

Starlight turned to her bed. She levitated it, and then threw it aside. It revealed the hidden passage. She then ran down the stairs while levitating the jars of all Cutie Marks.

Twilight and her friends banged and rammed the door as hard as they can. But they were all too weak to breach it. And not even Shadow Dragon could help since he was injured and wounded by Starlight Glimmer during her interrogation.

Double Diamond, Party Favor, Night Glider and Sugar Belle had arrived to help their friends.

"Stand back, everypony!" Night Glider cried.

As everyone moved aside, Night Glider flew and rammed straight at the door hard. The door was opened. And they all charged into the house. They looked around the house in search of their missing Cutie Marks.

Upon entering Starlight's bedroom, they found it empty. No Starlight. No Cutie Marks. They were all gone.

In front of them was the stairs to basement. They quickly entered and followed Starlight's trail of escape...

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Outside of the village, Twilight and her friends emerged from the cave which was led from Starlight's home. They looked around of their surroundings in search of her and the Cutie Marks. As they moved to northeast, they spotted the figure running on the trail of hills.

Hard to spot on the figure, Party Favor quickly blew some balloons out. He made them together into a binocular-like. He looked through it. He spotted Starlight Glimmer kept on running while carrying the wheeled wagon on her back. She was heading straight to the mountain pass's cave-like.

Party Favor gasped, "She's headed for the pass! If she makes it into those mountains, we'll never find her!"

Sugar Belle gasped in concern, "There's a whole network of caves up there! Your cutie marks will be gone forever!"

Applejack snorted, "Then let's get moving, y'all!"

Twilight and her friends headed off at once as they were all chased after Starlight Glimmer. But Twilight and her team were too slow in running as they were unable to catch up with the rest. Double Diamond, Party Favor, Night Glider and Sugar Belle headed off at once while Shadow Dragon and Boomer remained behind with their friends. They had to wait for the rest since they were too slow.

Twilight groaned, "Shadow Dragon! Boomer! Go! Go and get our Cutie Marks back!"

"You're our only hope!" Nyx agreed.

"Kick her ass, guys!" Lance exclaimed.

Shadow Dragon nodded his head in understanding. Boomer mounted on him as they headed straight for Starlight Glimmer and the Cutie Mark jars.

As Starlight continued running, she turned her back and found Night Glider catching onto her.

Starlight groaned in anger as her horn glowed, "Are you all so willing to give up everything because of these strangers?!"

Starlight fired her magic on the hill's edge. The snow fell on Night Glider to the ground. Night Glider got out from the snow as Sugar Belle, Double Diamond and Party Favor passed her by. She rejoined her team. Shadow Dragon followed them from behind.

Sugar Belle answered back, "We gave up everything for you, because we thought you were our friend!"

Twilight and her friends continued 'running' slowly to catch up with others.

Rainbow groaned in annoyance, "I can't believe we have to count on these other ponies to save our cutie marks!"

Twilight Sparkle answered, "If we hadn't come here to help them, they'd still be living under her rules! Now it's their turn to help us!"

Fluttershy nodded, "And I know they can do it!"

As Starlight crossing the over-bridge, her former friends were catching up on her. Sugar Belle smirked as she quickly made the snow pie.

Sugar Belle smirked, "My newest recipe – snow pie!"

Sugar Belle threw straight at Starlight and her wagon. It broke the wagon's support, causing Cutie Mark Jars dropped straight to the bottom. Starlight quickly levitated them to her side at once. Before she could run, she quickly fired her powerful spell at the over-bridge. It was destroyed. And her former friends ceased from chasing.

Starlight continued running. As his friends think of how to cross the gap, Party Favor had his. He quickly blew the balloons one-by-one as he combine them together into a large bridge-like. Night Glider flew over as she pulled the balloon bridge down on the edge's end. They then resumed their chasing. Shadow Dragon and Boomer managed to catch up with them.

Upon arriving on the hill's edge, Twilight and her friends spotted the chase event. They were worried and feared that they or their 'new' friends won't able to catch up on Starlight Glimmer and their stolen Cutie Marks.

As Shadow Dragon and the local ponies continued running, Double Diamond stopped at once as he spotted some familiar gears of his. Shadow Dragon and Boomer stopped as well.

Double Diamond explained, "These are my old skis! This is where I first met Starlight!"

"Maybe you can reminisce another time! She's almost to the caves!" Boomer exclaimed in concern.

Night Glider nodded, "He's right! We won't able to catch up to her!"

Putting his gears on, Double Diamond smirked, "Feel like an air drop?"

As Starlight almost reached the cave, Night Glider held Double Diamond up high before she dropped him down on the small hill with snow. As he skied straight down in diagonal direction, it caused some small avalanche on Starlight.

As Starlight was buried deep within the snow, her magic ceased from levitating the jars. They dropped to the ground as its glasses cracked into pieces. Twilight and her friends' Cutie Marks are freed! They all flew straight back to their owners.

Upon receiving their Cutie Marks, Twilight and all of her friends returned to their original selves. They were all happy and relief to see their Cutie Marks.

"Yee-haw! Finally, I can buck like a five-bit snake herder in an Appleloosa ranch house again!" Applejack exclaimed proudly.

Steel Blaze smirked as he had his hooves lighted some fire, "You're not the only one with your countryisms back. Mine back too!"

"Our Cutie Marks are back!" Lance exclaimed proudly as he summoned his Dual Blades.

"We've gotta help the others," Nyx exclaimed determinedly.

Twilight nodded as she flew off at once while her friends were on their way to help their friends.

As Shadow Dragon and others regrouped with both Night Glider and Double Diamond, Starlight emerged from the snow. She gave the angry yet fury looks at her former friends. They but Shadow Dragon and Boomer were scared and startled by her appearance.

Boomer stuck his tongue, "Do your worst, bitch!"

Starlight yelled angrily as she gathered and readied her Supreme Magic Blast at her former friends. Twilight landed in front of them as she unleashed Magical Barrier. Starlight fired it straight at them but got deflected aside for the moment. Steel Blaze jumped and fired his Blazing Fury at the snow which turned into watery liquid. It fell on Starlight's head from firing her spell.

As the blast has passed, Twilight dispersed her barrier as she and her friends glared at Starlight.

Starlight gasped, "Wh– I studied that spell for years! How can you—"

I studied magic for years too!" Twilight interrupted, "But what I didn't know then was that studying could only take me so far. Each of my friends has taught me something different about myself! It was their unique gifts and passions and personalities that helped bring out the magic inside of me! I never would have learned that I represent the element of magic without these five or any of my family! And I certainly wouldn't be here to stop you now!"

Starlight groaned in anger, "Spare me your sentimental nonsense! I gave these ponies real friendships they never could've had otherwise!"

"How do you know that?! You never even gave us a chance!" Double Diamond shouted back.

Shadow Dragon asked, "Starlight! Who taught you that spell?! I need to know!"

Starlight groaned, "All you need to know that the storm is coming! And soon, he shall rise again!"

Before Twilight and her friends could do anything, Starlight unleashed the powerful spell that could blind almost everyone. Aftermath, she disappeared from everyone's sight. And all they could hear was galloping hooves.

"She's getting away!" Rainbow exclaimed in concern.

Double Diamond answered, "We'll never find her in there!"

Twilight Sparkle sighed, "We just have to hope that when she's had a chance to think it over, she realizes that you all have taught her something."

"She's been corrupted and blinded by her hatred. I don't think she can change for the better," Shadow Dragon disagreed in concern.

Party Favor smiled at Twilight, "It's you who have taught us something. We all came to this village because we were searching for something missing from our lives. We thought Starlight had given it to us, but now... now it seems it was in front of us all along. It's us!"

Seeing Party Favor had the point, everyone nodded and agreed with him. Party Favor, Double Diamond, Sugar Belle and Night Glider hugged together happily.

"Does that mean you'll stay in the village?" Twilight asked.

Night Glider answered, "It's our home. I'm not going anywhere."

Double Diamond nodded, "This is a chance for all of us to get to know each other again for the very first time!"

Sugar Belle smiled, "And I finally have a chance to bake something besides terrible muffins!"

"Terrible?! Those muffins are great!" Boomer protested in annoyance, "Less sweet than any cakes I eat."

Everyone then laughed happily yet amusement at Boomer's disappointment of the muffins. Everyone is now freed from Starlight's tyranny of 'equality'...

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As Twilight and all of her friends returned to the village, they witnessed how happy and joyfully ponies really are. They finally freed from their prison...

Pinkie smiled, "Now those are real smiles."

Suddenly, Mane Six's Cutie Marks glowed and pulsed brightly and quickly. Everyone noticed it as they wondered of what was next.

Applejack sighed, "I'll never get used to that."

"I think it's divine." Rarity smiled.

Fluttershy asked in concern, "Does that mean that the map is calling us somewhere else?"

Twilight Sparkle smiled, "I have a feeling it means our work here is done."

"Looks like you were right, Twilight." Applejack said, "The map did have a reason for sendin' us here. We brought real friendship to these here ponies. Guess that's why you're the Princess of Friendship."

Twilight smiled, "But the map didn't send me. It sent us. You're a part of me, all of you. And there's no doubt you're a part of my mission to spread friendship too."

Shadow Dragon smiled, "And we couldn't agree more, my love."

"Group hug!" Nyx exclaimed happily.

As everyone hugged together happily while laughed happily, Lance smiled, "Now this is happy ending."

Pinkie yelped, "This feels like an ending! It doesn't have to be an ending yet, right? 'Cause that Sugar Belle can bake!"

Twilight hummed, "Maybe we can stay a little while longer. Come on!"

Twilight and her friends approached the village as they all party happily together with the locals.

"Fluttershy..." Boomer said in concern. She turned and looked at him, "About that 'bitch' thing we've talked? Sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feeling and some bugs. I'm a dragon. And I've gotta hunt. That's what I do."

Fluttershy gasped for the moment. She smiled, "I know. And I'm sorry too. I should have realized that dragons have their own tastes."

"I guess we both apologize. So, pals?"

"Pals. But you promise that you won't eat too much bugs?"

Boomer scoffed, "If you can bake the roasted muffins, I wouldn't! But then again, I need to. Besides, I'll get the very bad bugs to eat, not the cutie or good ones."

Fluttershy smiled, "I know someone who can help. So, it's a deal?"

Boomer smirked, "Deal! Let's party!"

Fluttershy and Boomer danced happily. Everyone smiled upon looking at the scene. Both of them have finally put their difference aside and become friends finally.

"Shadow Dragon?" Twilight asked in concern.

Shadow Dragon turned to Twilight, "Sorry, Twilight. I didn't mean to make you worried about me. I was thinking something."

"You think someone else was helping Starlight to accomplish her goal?"

"Could be... And I have the feeling that we'll meet her and her master again..."

Twilight sighed, "That's what I'm worried the most..."

Shadow Dragon smiled, "For now, enjoy the party. Let's not waste it."

Twilight nodded as both her and Shadow Dragon danced happily. Everyone enjoyed their happy lives as much as they can...

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Somewhere deep in the caves, Starlight bowed before two figures who were extremely disappointed and angered by her performances. Behind her were the remainders of loyal and terrifying Dark Mystic Ponies who remained silent and still for the moment.

Starlight bowed, "I'm sorry. I really am! Twilight Sparkle will pay for ruining my plan! My harmony! My friendship! They're all ruined!"

"True... And I warned you not to underestimate Twilight and her friends," Amon said darkly at frightened and worried Starlight. He smiled beneath his mask, "But do not worry. We'll have our revenge soon. For now, you must learn more of your enemies in order to strengthen your magic and power."

Starlight smiled in relief, "Yes, my master. I will and never fail you!"

"And remember... Observe carefully and then launch full assaults on them," Amon said calmly.

Crimson Skull smirked, "Good. Phase I is complete. Since that war, everyone believed he is dead. But he'll return to us one day. When that time comes, our enemies will tremble before him! Terror of Darkness shall rise again! Hail, Demon God!"

"HAIL DEMON GOD! HAIL DEMON GOD! HAIL DEMON GOD!" Everyone cried wildly and determinedly.

Crimson Skull chuckled and laughed evilly. Everything is according to his plan. Darkness of Evill once again shall loom both Equestria and Mystic...

END

Review and Suggest...

Main Casts:
Tara Strong: Twilight Sparkle
Matt Lanter: Shadow Dragon
Ashleigh Ball: Applejack, Rainbow Dash
Adrian Libman: Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie
Tabitha St. Germain: Rarity
Jesse McCartney: Lance Justicestrike
Daveigh Chase: Nyx
Quinton Flynn: Steel Blaze
Kelly Sheridan: Starlight Glimmer
Brian Drummond: Double Diamond
Sam Vincent: Party Favor
Rebecca Shoichet: Sugar Belle, Night Glider

Cameo
Liam O'Brien: Crimson Skull
Jason Statham: Amon Blood Statham