In the Human world.
Dear Princess Twilight, I need your help. I've been having these really odd dreams about Fluttershy and some strange man that i keep seeing in a mirror. I know it sounds crazy but i could really use your help Twilight, i feel like i'm going mad or something. Maybe I'm just feeling homesick or something Twilight, I really could use your advice on the matter. I hope you get the chance to read this ok?
Your Friend, Sunset Shimmer
She woke up in a panic, her sheets covered in cold sweat. Sunset couldnt believe what she had seen in her dream. There standing in front of her was Fluttershy, wielding a Chainsaw! But the odd part was what she had seen in a mirror behind her friend. She couldnt see his face, but she did see the blades attached to one hand, and a burnt and ripped red and black sweater. Maybe it was too many horror movies. Her and her friends had watched the Nightmare before Elm Street last night. Sunset was about to write in her Journal again, when she noticed that it was flashing now. It was an urgent message for her from Twilight's pony friends.
Sunset Shimmer decided to get dressed and run to the school. As soon as she got there, she saw something unexpected. There standing next to the portal was Pinkie Pie. She realized this was the one from the pony world, because she had just come from Pinkie's House earlier. Waiting on the other side for them were some of her other Pony friends. And PRincess Celestia.
Sunset rushed over to Celestia and hugged her as tight as she could, almost crying in the process. Celestia did the same. She felt so relieved to see that Sunset was here, and she could tell that there was a huge change in her as well. After the tearful reunion, they explained why they had need of her help. And how dire the situation was.
"Twilight's been corrupted by Dark Magic," Celestia tried to hold back tears as she spoke," and apparently so has Sweetie Belle. We tried to reason with them both, but alas it did not work out as i had hoped." Celestia neglected to tell Sunset that Twilight' nearly broke both of Celestia's legs.
"Why..why would she do this, her friends mean everything to her." Sunset looked over at Twilight's friends, and noticed that a certain brash young flyer was nowhere to be seen, and neither was Rarity. Applejack happened to take notice of this.
"Where is Rainbow Dash, and where's Rarity?" Sunset was getting worried, and Applejack wasnt sure how to break it to her. Applejack took a deep breathe.
"Sunset," Applejack paused,"Rarity is in the Canterlot Royal Hospital." Applejack started to choke up as she gave Sunset the last bit of news.
"Rainbow Dash is with Twilight." She finally let out.
As for Rainbow Dash, she was having what would constitute as a nightmare.
I tried my best to block out the screams, but they wont stop. I stoked the fire, seen more pain then you can know. Now ive awoken. Everything falls away around. But the screams haunt me in my dreams. It was the same words she was hearing over and over. Rainbow Dash couldnt understand why she was hearing them, until she realized that she was thinking of how Scootaloo would feel when she found out that Rainbow Dash turned her back on her friends. She tossed to one side and then the other as the nightmare evolved into her standing in front of Scootaloo. They were on a platform in some kind of Factory. She just stood there like she wasnt in control of the dream, and watched as 2 other pegasus foals ran past her. Scootaloo just looked at her with what was clearly pain and confusion in her eyes.
"Why?" the orange and Purple maned pegasus asked, " I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY SISTER?!", Scootaloo in the dream paused, " HOW COULD YOU JUST LET THEM KILL ME?". Rainbow tried to answer but she felt like something was weighing her down. Why was she having a nightmare like this? WHY in Celestia's name was this happening to her? She turned over to see Twilight sleeping peacefully. She tried her best to fall back asleep, but that nagging feeling came back. Even though she loved Twilight, she realized she may of made a mistake. But she had to stick with it now, or at least until they were confronted by the others.
She still couldnt sleep, the Night terrors kept coming back to her in her sleep. She did what she could to lessen the impact that they had on her, but it was to no avail. It kept coming back to that platform.
Why werent you there for me? Why did you abandon me Rainbow Dash? It was the same again and again. Rainbow Dash could feel her sanity slipping away at that moment. YOU FAILED ME SCOOTALOO. She could hear herself shout it in her Nightmare. YOU FAILED THE FLIGHT TEST. YOU FAILED ME. WHAT?! Rainbow Dash realized what the nightmares were all about now. If Scoots failed her flight Test, what would happen to her, and would Rainbow Dash really abandon her like that?
NO. NO. NO. Rainbow Dash thought, I am not like that mare in the nightmare. I'd never abandon Scootaloo like that. The next morning there was a meeting planned with the princesses to discuss possible terms. She knew personally that Celestia would never surrender to Sombra, but she would have the rest of their friends there to act as representatives. As the morning came she put on the armor that Sombra had personally crafted for her. It was Red and Black with Sockets openned up in back for her wings to stick out of .
That morning Celestia were waiting for them just like Rainbow Dash had thought. Sweetie Belle tagged along with them, just in case she'd be able to see her sister again, even if it was for the last time. She didnt. Rarity was nowhere to been seen.
"Where.. Where's my sister?", Sweetie asked Applejack right away.
"She's in the hospital," AJ said this as she glared at Twilight, "Twilight nearly killed her with that stunt in the Crystal palace' Courtyard."
"It wouldnt of happened if she hadnt slapped me, AJ," Twilight cut in, somewhat annoyed.
None of this would be happening if we hadnt let Sombra trick us Rainbow Dash thought to herself. Everything that was happening was Sombra's doing. She knew that. And yet she was pregnant because of him. RD decided that no matter what she raise that foal to be everything she was and the father wasnt. Her kid was not going to be cruel king like Sombra was, her foal would know what friendship means.
As Twilight watched everyone, she was secretly keeping an eye on Celestia. After some more dialogue was exchanged everyone broke for the rest of the day. It was determined that there'd be war after all. Something that Celestia, and surprisingly Rainbow Dash, did not want. There was only one Princess that wouldnt live to see the next day. And that would haunt Twilight for the rest of her life. It was like being in a dream. A dream that turned into a nightmare. Twilight Sparkle's reign would be short lived to say the least. She realized there were two options if they lost the battle, Reformation or being turned to Stone.