It's... the ponies from my old village.
Oh. It's only a dream.
With my past,
I should never be in charge of anything!
They've taken my sister and I!
It's worse than the last time!
Chrysalis and the changelings are back.
They've ponynapped all
of the most powerful ponies in Equestria!
...this is Thorax. He's a reformed changeling.
They took Fluttershy?
I think I have a pretty good idea where she might be...
Oh, this is so strange.
We're here and that's there,
and I clearly meant for us to be there and not here.
Oh, I-I can probably explain—
Oh, well. If at first you don't succeed...
Maybe we should come up with a plan first?
A what?
You know, figuring out the best way
to do something before you actually do it.
Oh, that's adorable.
But you see, unlike you, I can do anything.
Uh, actually—
That's all very nice,
but really a waste of time.
We have me.
And what else could we possibly need?
A draconequus with magic and half a brain might help.
Why are you here again? I mean,
it's not like you're going to stop
the changelings by pulling a rabbit out of a hat.
At least my magic can do something.
The thing about magic here is—
Like this! For Fluttershy!
I've been trying to tell you!
Nothing other than changeling magic works here.
Chrysalis' throne is carved
from an ancient dark stone
that soaks up outside magic
the same way changelings soak up love.
It's how she keeps the hive safe.
So, uh, what kind
of plan were you thinking?
Without magic, I have no idea.
But nopony else is coming.
So somepony better come up with something.
Anypony?
Anything?
This throne –
if we get into the hive and destroy it,
can we get our magic back?
Well, that's a terrible plan.
How are we even supposed to get to the hive?
We walk.
I haven't walked that far in a millennia!
Oh, I don't know how any
of you manage not being able
to disappear and reappear whenever you want!
Well, I, for one,
definitely miss you being able to disappear!
Give Discord a break.
None of us knew we weren't going
to be able to use magic.
I did.
If we get separated,
it might make sense to have a way
to make sure we are who we say we are.
Oh! Like a secret code! How about if I say
we are and you say "doomed"?
Or you say "rescue" and I say...
How about if we say "klutzy"
and you say "draconequus"?
Klutzy draconequus.
Works for me.
I'll definitely remember it.
Okay. I am definitely glad you came.
I don't think we'd be able
to find our way without you.
You definitely wouldn't.
Um, where's the way out?
It's a changeling hive.
It shifts and changes like we do,
and we're the only ones who can navigate it.
It's total chaos to non-changelings.
Well, it's decent chaos.
I don't know if I'd call it "total".
Are we sure that I'll get my magic back
when we destroy this throne thingy?
If Thorax is right, then yes.
Well, that's reassuring.
And how are we supposed to destroy
the throne when we find it?
I... don't know.
That's reassuring.
I don't suppose you brought any throne-destroying
tools along with these useless sideshow props.
Asks the Lord of Chaos who can't go
for a walk without whining nonstop!
Yes, but when the throne is destroyed,
I'll be able to rip the very fabric
of reality to save our friends,
while you'll still be a self-absorbed,
below-average illusionist!
Self-absorbed?!
Why, you...!
Cut. It. Out!
I'm just barely keeping it together,
and it would be wonderful if you two could
actually try to help instead of bickering like foals!
Okay.
How can we help?
Don't ask me! I couldn't even handle
giving advice at the Sunset Festival,
and I had magic then!
And the three of us are as good as useless!
At least Thorax knows where we're going.
Um, guys?
I think we're lost.
Oh, great.
We might as well just sit here and wait
for the changelings to soak up
all of our love or whatever gross thing
it is that they do.
How often do you all get hungry?
Actually, I haven't been since I met Spike.
And changelings are always hungry.
We can never get enough love.
Well, that's just super—
But you aren't hungry at all now?
Huh. Once I made a few friends,
I guess I just sort of forgot
about the whole feeding thing.
Is that about the same time your wings changed?
I guess so.
While I would love to sit around
chitchatting about feeding and not feeding,
I have a Fluttershy to save!
Can you please lower your voice?!
You're gonna get us all captured!
Oh, you keep saying that,
but I haven't seen an actual changeling
since we got into this hive.
W-What's that?
A changeling patrol!
This seems like one of those moments
where we need a plan.
What kind of plan?! We have no magic,
and it's not like my illusions
are gonna save us!
Do you have any of your smoke bombs?
Are you kidding?
Looking for somepony?
Is that the best you've got?!
Not exactly great and powerful,
but effective.
Hm. I'll take it.
Klutzy...
..."draconequus"!
I really think we need a new code word!
That was a pretty good plan.
But we still don't know where we're going.
Actually, we might.
Two of the changelings didn't go with the rest.
Oh! With an intruder in the hive,
they went to protect the queen!
Good thinking, Starlight!
Now what?
We... go in.
Even if I wanted to,
there's no way past the guards.
We'll be spotted for sure.
We need some kind of...
distraction.
I'm fresh out of smoke bombs.
Normally, I'm the most distracting thing
I can think of, but without magic...
You shouldn't underestimate yourself.
Hello, changelings and changelettes! Believe me,
I was just as surprised
as you are that I'm here!
When I heard that I'd be playing
for a bunch of changelings,
I was beside myself!
Then I realized, it was just one of you.
But, seriously,
this isn't the toughest crowd I've ever been in front of.
But it's definitely the easiest to bug!
To bug? Is this thing on?
Well, if you think that you can do any better,
be my guest!
It is absolutely ridiculous that that worked.
It is certainly a pleasure
to have such dedicated fans.
I'll have to come back
with some new material after I rescue Fluttershy.
Please, help!
Fluttershy!
Discord!
I'm stuck!
You certainly are.
And I should probably help you get free. But...
But what?
But you are obviously not Fluttershy!
I mean, I'm separated from the group
and just happen to come across
the one pony I care most about?
I can smell this setup a mile away.
No. You're right.
There's no way you should trust me.
Just go find the others.
I understand!
Oh, come on!
We're probably all changelings.
You shouldn't rescue any of us.
Unless, you think,
maybe one of us might be the real Fluttershy.
Oh, that certainly would be
a nasty changeling trick, wouldn't it?
I'm the real one.
I'm the real one.
I'm the real Fluttershy.
We can't wait for Discord.
Between seeing him and Trixie,
the castle will be crawling with guards soon.
But if we do manage to destroy Chrysalis' throne,
we'll need him.
He could take on the entire changeling
army by sneezing if he wanted to.
He's probably already been captured!
Hello? Fellow rescuers?
We can't stay here. We gotta find the throne.
I heard some of the changelings
who were chasing me say
that they know where it is!
Klutzy...?
Hmm? Oh. Yeah. I-I can be klutzy.
Now, follow me.
You know that's not Discord, right?
Obviously.
This way! We're almost there!
I know this trick. If he says to go left,
we should definitely go right.
He's leading us to a swarm waiting to att*ck!
Okay, I'll handle it.
You two just get ready to run into the other tunnel.
Wait, what?!
Trixie, you can't!
I won't know what to do!
We've already lost Discord; I can't lose you too!
Without magic, I—
Starlight.
You got us this far with just
my illusions and Discord's annoying personality.
You don't need magic to figure out what to do next.
I know you're afraid to be in charge,
but you are really good at it!
Listen to your best friend.
Hey, Discord!
Want to see the new trick
I've been working on?
I call it the "Changeling Catcher"!
Run!
Ta-da...
One little pony all by herself.
Oh, how will I ever prevent this daring rescue?
Well, well, well.
The Princess of Friendship's sole pupil.
Honestly, I didn't think you were worth
replacing with one of my drones.
You won't get away with this!
I already have. Nopony is coming to save you.
Your little squad was it.
And now, there's just you.
Thorax is still out there.
Don't mention that traitor's name in my kingdom!
He was a fool to leave and even more a fool to return!
When I find him, he'll learn just
what happens to those who betray the hive!
And it seems I don't have far to look, do I...
Thorax?
Very clever.
And clearly Thorax revealed
to you the secret of my throne.
I can't have powerful ponies
using their abilities against me.
Even with your rather embarrassing little rescue attempt,
everything has gone according to my plan.
What plan? Why did you do all this?!
So I could feed, of course!
By replacing the most beloved figures in Equestria,
my drones will be able to store
all the love meant for them and return it here to me.
Everypony will do as I command,
and my subjects and I will feed
on their love for generations!
What if you didn't have to?
Ridiculous! The hunger of changelings
can never be satisfied!
Exactly! Thorax left the hive and made a friend.
He shared love,
and now he doesn't need to feed.
You don't have to live
your lives starving all the time!
You know nothing of the changelings
or what it takes to be their queen!
I decide what is best for my subjects,
not some mewling grub!
I know what it's like
to lead by fear and intimidation!
And I know what it's like
to work everypony to do what you say!
But I was wrong. A real leader doesn't force
her subjects to deny who they are!
She celebrates what makes them unique and listens
when one of them finds a better way!
The only thing Thorax has found is what happens
to those who turn their back on the hive!
No! Stop!
Just as soon as I drain every last ounce of love
from him and show my subjects what a real leader is!
I can feel the love inside me slipping away...!
I can't hold onto it much longer...!
Then don't!
Sharing love is what made
you different to begin with!
You should share yours with Chrysalis!
Give her all of it!
This is what happens when you give love
freely instead of taking it!
Fluttershy?
It's, um, good to see you, too.
Starlight?
What happened?
We defeated the changelings with no magic at all,
they found a new leader, and...
they're all kinda...
good now.
Well done, Starlight Glimmer.
It seems as though you've learned
a great deal since we last spoke.
When Twilight and her friends defeated me,
I chose to run away and seek revenge!
You don't have to!
You can be the leader your subjects deserve.
There is no revenge you could ever conceive
of that will come close to what
I will exact upon you one day, Starlight Glimmer!
Thorax, as the new leader of the changelings,
I look forward to discussing how we can improve
our relationship in the future.
However, for the moment, perhaps it is best
that we leave the Changeling Kingdom to the changelings.
Splendid idea! Now who's ready
for some celebratory tea at Fluttershy's?!
Oh! Uh, everypony?
Actually, now that you can snap
your claws and send us absolutely anywhere again,
I think I have a better option.
Uh, hey, Starlight.
What are you doing here?
You left in such a hurry before,
we kinda thought you didn't wanna come.
Yeah... I guess after the way
I used my magic on all of you,
I wasn't sure I was somepony
who should even be in charge of a baking contest.
I was afraid I might go back to being the pony I used to be.
But I realize that sometimes you don't have a choice.
You have to step up. And I have changed! I can handle it.
Whether that means saving Equestria
or helping friends out with the Sunset Festival.
Speaking of which,
I know the Festival's almost over,
but I kinda invited a few of my friends to join.
Hope that's okay.
Are you kidding? Of course!
Great! Now where's that baking contest?
This pony needs a cupcake!
So I'm able to rip the very fabric of reality again.
Yeah, yeah. And I'm still a self-absorbed,
below-average illusionist, right?
Actually, I was going to say a couple
of those illusions were slightly above average.
If you ever need a little chaos in your act, let me know.
Ha! When pigs fly!
Your wish is my command!
Somepony is really gonna have
to catch us up on what we missed.