Seems like only yesterday I was saving this place from being totally destroyed.
Hey, you guys remember that?
You only mentioned it about fifteen times on the train here.
Yes, and we never hear a peep out of you about your exploits.
Point taken.
I'm glad you all wanted to come,
but I don't think it's gonna be that exciting.
I pretty much just have to smile and wave as the dignitaries arrive.
Yes, but you get to smile and wave like a princess.
How exactly is that different from smilin' and wavin' like
not a princess?
It isn't.
What's wrong, Twilight?
Why the lo-o-o-o-o-o-o-ong face?
I've just been felling a little unsure about things lately.
It doesn't seem that my new role as a princess equates to all that much.
That's just silly. You got a real important role in Equestria.
Princess Celestia wouldn't have asked you to come today if she didn't think so.
I guess you're right.
Of course we are!
Now hurry along!
You don't want to risk having that important role diminished
because you're tardy for your regal meeting greet.
The Duke and Duchess of Maretonia!
That was it?!
Princess Celestia had you come all the way to the Crystal Empire just to do that?
I mean, wow, really regal and important, he-he.
Your Highness.
Thank you for understanding our desire to keep the numbers of those privy to our confidential discussions to a minimum.
Of course.
Is there anything else I can do to assist with their visit?
I'm sorry, Twilight, but the visit is already over.
Something wrong?
I guess I just don't really understand why I'm here.
Couldn't one of the Royal Guard have unfurled the banner?
Having all four of us in the Empire to greet them,
lets the dignitaries know that their visit is considered an important one.
Plus, it gives me an opportunity to see my favourite sister-in-law.
And I'm happy to see you.
All of you.
But… ?
But I…
Well, it's just that Princess Luna raises the Moon,
Princess Celestia raises the Sun,
you protect the Crystal Empire,
and all I seem to do is... smile and wave.
It isn't that I'm ungrateful For all the things that I've earned
For all the journeys I have taken All the lessons that I have learned
But I wonder where I'm going now What my role is meant to be
I don't know how to travel To a future that I can't see
I have my wings, I wear this crown I'm a princess, this is true
But it's still unclear to me Just what I am meant to do
I want to have a purpose Want to do all that I can
I want to make a contribution I want to be a part of the plan
Your destiny's uncertain And that's sometimes hard to take
But it will become much clearer With every new choice you make
Patience is never easy I understand wanting more
I know how hard it is to wait To spread out your wings and soar
But you stand here for a reason You're gifted and you are strong
That crown is upon your head because You belong
Know that your time is coming soon As the sun rises, so does the moon
As love finds a place in every heart You are a princess, you'll play your part
We understand you wanting more A chance to shine, a chance to soar
Soon will come the day it turns around
Know that your time is coming soon As the sun rises, so does the moon
As love finds a place in every heart You are a princess, you'll play your part
Your time will come.
Very sorry, he-he, you came out of nowhere.
Is he friend or is he foe, the pony wonders…
I can assure you, I am no friend.
I am Lord Tirek,
and I will take what should have been mine long ago!
Sister, are you alright?
I've just had the most terrible dream!
Why do you think I'm here?
You know as well as I that this was not a dream but a vision.
Then we haven't much time.
The stronger he becomes, the more we are all in danger.
Tirek and his brother Scorpan came here from a distant land,
intent on stealing Equestrian magic.
But Scorpan soon came to appreciate the ways of Equestria,
even befriending a young unicorn wizard.
Scorpan urged his brother to abandon their plans.
When Tirek refused, Scorpan alerted us to Tirek's intentions.
Scorpan returned to his own land,
and Tirek was sent to Tartarus for his crimes.
But it appears he has found a way to escape.
We believe, it happened when Cerberus has left his post at the gates.
But that was a long time ago!
Why is he just now starting to steal magic?!
His time in Tartarus left him very weak.
He has just now gained enough strength to use his dark powers.
But with each passing moment he grows stronger still.
And I know just the princess who can stop him.
Yes! I'll find him…
No, Twilight.
I'm afraid I must call in another to stop Tirek.
Discord.
As in "Discord" Discord?
Yes.
I don't think it's that big of a surprise.
He can be very helpful.
He can sense when there's a magical imbalance.
The next time Tirek steals magic, Discord will be able to track him down.
So, what are you supposed to do in the meantime?
Nothing.
Less, of course, one of you needs me to smile and wave.
Where're you going?
To the Castle of the Two Sisters.
I'm not really needed anywhere else.
Might as well catch up on some of my reading.
You want some company?
It has been a while since we've visited the Castle.
Might be fun!
Maybe I could use a little company right now.
I still can't believe we had to give back the Elements.
It had to be done or the Tree of Harmony wouldn't have survived.
But Twilight was right.
Even without the Elements, our friendship is as strong as ever.
I just hope another "friend" of ours never makes us sorry we had to give them up.
You're talking about me, I presume?
How'd you guess?
My ears were burning.
What are you even doing here, Discord?
Oh, just a bit of light reading before I head off on my extremely important mission.
I suppose you all know that I've been tasked to capture a certain escapee!
Big deal.
You're right, Spike. It is a big deal.
Seems I possess a magic that gives me quite an important role in Equestria.
Maybe they should make me an Alicorn princess.
In your dreams!
I never dream of such things.
Ask Princess Luna.
Don't you have a creepy magic-stealin' villain to track down?
Yes yes yes, of course.
It's just that I couldn't help but notice that Twilight hasn't yet opened this little chest of hers.
It got me thinking: what if what's locked inside
is something that could help her prove her royal worth?
I only bring it up because she said that she's been feeling
like her role as a princess doesn't equate to much.
Wait a minute!
How do you know how she was feeling?!
Oh, my. Is eavesdropping not the way you're supposed
to find out what your best pals are up to?
Oh, woe is me. Will I ever learn the intricate nuances of being a good friend?
Well in any case, I suppose
now is as good a time as any to make my exit.
And good riddance!
Oopsie-doopsie,
I almost left with the little journal you've all been keeping.
What a fascinating read. Haven't you girls just learned so much?
I've bookmarked a few more interesting passages you really should take a look!
We're still on for tea later, right, Fluttershy?
I wouldn't miss it.
Well, I'll bring the cucumber sandwiches...!
Sometimes I think the 'reformed' Discord
is more obnoxious than the before-he-was-reformed Discord.
Indeed.
But he could be right, couldn't he?
What if there is something important in that chest?
There's only one way to find out.
Anything?
No...
There must be something in this library that can help me figure out how to open it.
The answer's in one of these books, I just know it.
Tirek, I presume?
Discord.
You're free?
As a bird.
I commend you on your escape.
I'm afraid the feeling isn't mutual.
I should have known you would want to have Equestria all to yourself.
Oh, I'm not doing this for me. I'm doing it for my friends.
Just between the two of us, it's mostly for Fluttershy.
Fluttershy?
You're not saying you're friends with ponies?
Surprise!
I am surprised that someone with your intellect
does not see this 'friendship' is but a new form of inprisonment.
Clearly you've had to abandon your true nature to stay in their good graces.
I have done nothing of the sort!
Oh, please, I've seen this before.
But he was always weak minded.
You are Discord, you are legend,
you cannot fall into the same trap that claimed my brother!
Help me to grow strong, and be rewarded
with something far greater than friendship.
Freedom.
Once I've stripped these ponies of their magic,
nothing will give me greater pleasure than to see
their world turned upside down.
Who better to do so than the master of chaos himself?
Join me, Discord, and reclaim your greatness.
Unless, of course, 'pony errand-boy' is the role
you've always wanted to play in this world.
I think I found something!
I've been reading our journal, and there's something interesting
about the sections Discord bookmarked.
Applejack, do you remember when you had to tell everypony
that the tonic Granny bought from the Flim Flam brothers didn't really work?
How could I forget? It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do.
I hate to disappoint everypony,
but there's no way Granny could have made that dive,
because this tonic is a fake!
And in that moment, I knew I had to be honest,
I just knew it.
But what's that got to do with openin' the chest?
I've found that each of you has had to face a situation
where living up to the Element of Harmony you represent wasn't easy.
Fluttershy, it was when you realized
that the way to show kindness to the Breezies
was by forcing them to leave their home.
Oh, the looks on their poor little faces!
But I knew that was difficult as it was,
pushing them away was the kindest thing I could do!
Rarity, even after Suri took advantage of your generosity at Fashion Week in Manehattan,
you didn't let it cause you to abandon your generous spirit.
I simply couldn't have lived with myself
if I didn't do something special for the friends
who have always been so generous to me!
Rainbow Dash, you had the chance to fly with the Wonderbolts
at the Equestria Games,
But instead you chose to compete with your friends.
Sure, but being loyal to my friends was way…
Ooh! My turn, my turn!
Pinkie Pie, you realised that seeing your friend laugh
was more important than proving you were a better party planner than Cheese Sandwich.
Best party I've ever had!
It's clear we've all had our moments to shine, Twilight.
But I'm with Applejack.
What does any of this have to do with the opening of the chest?
All of you had tough choices to make,
but when you made the right one and embraced your element,
It helped somepony else make the right choice too.
Each of you recieved something from the pony
whose life you helped change.
I know it sounds crazy,
but maybe there's something special about those objects
that could lead us to the location of the keys.
The chest is connected to the Tree of Harmony.
The Tree is connected to the Elements.
And the Elements are connected to all of us!
There must be a connection!
I hate to admit it,
but maybe Discord was trying to be a good friend after all.
I don't see anything on them that would give us a clue
as to where the keys might be.
They're just ordinary everyday objects.
Come on, Boneless!
Give us a key!
I don't think that's going to work.
There's still one key missing.
The key that represents the Element of Magic.
My Element.
Oh, but I'm sure that if we've gotten our keys,
you have too, Twilight!
Think, Twilight, when have you completed a difficult magical task,
and in doing so encouraged another pony to do the same?
I haven't.
If I had I would've written about it in the journal.
Don't worry, Twilight, I'm sure you'll get your key eventually.
What's it say?
That I'm needed in Canterlot at once!
I came as quickly as I could!
Is something wrong? Is it Tirek?
I'm afraid I put too much trust in Discord,
and the effect that friendship would have upon him.
Discord have betrayed the ponies of Equestria
and joined forces with Tirek.
How could he do this?!
I thought our friendship meant something to him!
I thought he had changed!
Tirek has stolen enough magic
that he now has the strength to steal flight as well.
Without pegasi to control the weather
there will be no rain in Equestria.
There's word he has gone after earth ponies as well.
Without their strength they will not be able to tend the land.
Ponies will no longer be in control of their world.
That power will belong solely to Tirek.
There's no doubt that Tirek is after alicorn magic.
With Discord by his side we will not be able to stop him from taking it.
Once it is in his posession, his power will know no bounds
and all hope will be lost!
But there is one solution.
It is only by making this sacrifice
that Equestria and the lands beyond it might be saved.
We must rid ourselves of our magic
before Tirek has the chance to steal it from us.
What's wrong, Twilight?
It doesn't seem that my new role as a princess equates to all that much.
I am Lord Tirek.
And I will take what should have been mine long ago.
With each passing moment, he grows stronger still.
And I know just the princess who can stop him.
I'm afraid I must call in another to stop Tirek.
Oh, you're talking about me, I presume.
Haven't you girls just learned so much?
And there's something interesting about the sections Discord bookmarked.
Each of you receieved something from the pony whose life you helped change.
There's still one key missing.
My element.
Join me, Discord,
and reclaim your greatness.
Discord has betrayed the ponies of Equestria,
and joined forces with Tirek.
There is no doubt that Tirek is after alicorn magic.
We must rid ourselves of our magic,
before Tirek has the chance to steal it from us.
Tirek is set on possessing alicorn magic.
When he comes for us, we cannot have what he is looking for.
I'm more than willing to do my part and give up my magic.
You misunderstand.
Our magic cannot just disappear into thin air.
Somepony must keep it safe.
That somepony is you, Twilight.
Why me?
We do not believe that Tirek is aware that a fourth alicorn princess exists in Equestria.
If we transfer our magic to you, Tirek will not know where it has gone.
Do you understand what we're asking of you?
Yes. It's just...
I'm only now learning how to control my own alicorn magic.
To take on even more...
Twilight, you represent the Element of Magic.
If there is anypony who can do this, it's you.
Taking on this task will be one of the most difficult things I will ever do.
But with the help of my friends…
I'm sorry, Princess Twilight,
but you must keep your new abilities a secret.
I fear that your friends being aware of your new power could put them at great risk.
Do you still think you can take on this responsibility?
This is the role I meant to play as a princess of Equestria!
I will not fail to do my duty!
Then we must begin at once.
That can't be right.
What can't be right?
Nothing.
Carry on.
It is done.
You weren't gone very long.
Does that mean everything is okay?
Yep. Everything's fine.
In that case, I'm going back to bed.
Sun's not up...
And neither am I.
That's strange.
The sun should be up by now.
The sun should be up by now!
You can do this.
Shining Armor, why, whatever are you doing here?
Back off, traitor.
The only one Discord betrayed was himself.
Abandoning his true nature to make friends
with weak-minded equines who offer him nothing.
How could you do this…
Why don't you go and have a little fun?
I won't stand in your way.
What have you done?
Where is your magic?!
I have to gain better control.
I sure can't practice here.
Twiligtht?
Where are we going?
Oh, hi, Spike.
Gotta go…
somewhere… else.
Twilight?!
Oh my goodness!
Are you alright?
Jumping junebugs, Twilight!
Where did you learn to fly that fast?
I mus have caught a particularly strong breeze.
Or something.
Must have been "or something".
Because there wasn't any breeze up there.
I don't know what happened.
But I don't really have time to figure it out right now.
Another visit to the Castle of the Two Sisters, I presume?
We'd be more than happy to accompany you.
Not today.
Tirek may still be a threat.
I need you all to stay here and encourage everypony to remain inside.
Getting rid of your magic so that I cannot take it from you?
That was your plan?
How does it feel,
knowing that soon every pegasus, unicorn and earth pony will bow to my will?
And that there is nothing you can do to stop it?
You will not prevail, Tirek.
Give my regards to Cerberus.
You meant "our will".
Didn't you?
Of course.
Here, I want you to have something.
This was given to my by someone very close to me.
I give it to you as a sign of my gratitude and loyalty.
Oh my. I do love a good accessory.
I suppose that's Rarity's influence.
Amusing.
But we have no time for such things.
With the princesses out of the way we can now…
Is this meant to be humorous?
Oh, no, I haven't touched that one yet.
There's a fourth?
And you didn't tell me this?
I just needed some assurance that you truly considered this a team effort.
And now I have it.
Then where can we find this fourth princess?
Where's her castle?
Castle?
Oh-ho-ho, no.
Princess Twilight lives above a library in Ponyville.
Castle? Ha-ha.
Not for much longer.
Alright, y'all.
I think we've warned everypony to stay inside.
I'm sure Discord will catch Tirek and this will all be over soon.
I'll bet he takes his sweet time.
Or perhaps these things just take time.
You're back!
Did you bring the cucumber sandwiches?
I did.
I imagine they'll be your last decent meal for quite some time.
Hey, what's that?! What's going on? What're you doing?
Ta-ta!
You've gathered up all of them?
And her little dragon too.
Why are you doing this?
I thought we were friends!
Oh, we were.
But Tirek offered me so much more than just tea parties.
Surely you saw this coming?
I didn't.
I really didn't!
You really think she'd do anything for them?
If Twilight has magic to give,
it will be yours.
Soon there won't be a pegasus, earth pony or unicorn
who will be able to stand up against us.
Us?
Who said anything about us?
You did.
You helped me grow strong.
You've provided the means by which I can obtain Princess Twilight's magic.
And now you are no longer of any use to me.
But you said...
this was the sign of your gratitude and loyalty!
A gift from someone close to you.
My brother who betrayed me.
It is as worthless as he is.
Surely you saw this coming?
I didn't!
I truly didn't!
I can do this!
See?
Perfectly controlled teleportation.
Princess Twilight!
Tirek!
You have something that belongs to me!
You're going to give me what I want.
Now I understand what your fellow princesses have done.
It appears we are at an impasse.
How about a trade, Princess Twilight?
Their release for all the alicorn magic in Equestria.
Don't do that, Twilight! No!
What's it going to be, Princess?
Don't do it, Twilight
We aren't worth it!
Oh but you are, Fluttershy.
You are the pony who tought me that friendship is magic.
I had magic and friendship.
And now I don't have either.
Enough!
I want an answer, and I want it now!
I will give you my magic.
In exchange for my friends.
As you wish.
All of my friends.
After the way he has betrayed you, you still call him a friend?
Release him!
If that's what you want.
Thank you, Twilight. I'm sorry.
I know.
Your turn!
Twilight! What were you thinking!
Tirek tricked me to believing he could offer me something more valuable than friendship.
But there's nothing worth more, I see that now.
He lied when he said this medallion was given as a sign of graditude and loyalty,
but when I say that it is a sign of our true friendship, I am telling the truth.
You think that might be the last one we need?
We have to get to the chest!
Together! I think we have to do this together!
How is this possible? You have no magic!
You're wrong, Tirek.
I may have given you my alicorn magic, but I carry within me the most powerful magic of all!
Sweet Celestia!
Are you all seeing what I'm seeing?
But whose is it?
I believe, it is yours, Princess Twilight.
You've been wondering, what you are meant to do as a princess.
Do you know now?
As princess, I believe, I have the power to spread the magic of friendship across Equestria!
That is the role I am meant to have in our world!
The role I choose to have!
But I didn't defeat Tirek on my own.
It took all of us to unlock the chest!
Then it is unlikely you are meant to take on this task alone.
You are now Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship.
But what is the Princess of Friendship without her friends?
Wait a minute, where's my throne?
I don't think you're quite there yet.
Well, I suppose, not.
Each one of us has something special That makes us different, that makes us rare
We have a light that shines within us That we were always meant to share
And when we come together Combine the light that shines within
There is nothing we can't do There is no battle we can't win
And when we come together There'll be a star to guide the way
It's inside us ev'ry day See it now! See it now!
Let the rainbow remind you That together we will always shine
Let the rainbow remind you That forever this will be our time
Let the rainbow remind you That together we will always shine
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