> Aeternitas Book I: Lunar Shadow
>  by Shadowlight Wanderer
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Foreword and big thank you
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I cannot believe that I am actually doing this.

When I first thought about a fanfiction, I couldn't decide in which direction I should go. This show is so amazing and showed me so much that I am really, really sure that I was born in a wrong world. I was always a loner and a stranger. Well, I have my quirks and I am cool with them, but sometimes I wish that I had more acceptance in my life.

My first interaction with My Little Pony was at second half of November 2010, shortly after first episode was aired. I had a private English teacher at the time and she showed me first episode. I watched it and I liked it. I really, really did. But then I forgot about the show. And this is something I think I will never let go. I mean, I was 10 years old and I thought a bit stereotypically. "Oh, it is fine, but this is a show for little girls after all". I realized how wrong I was after six years.

By the time you read this, I will probably be turning 17. In February I will be a brony for a year. This year was full of magical events, full of excitement and discoveries. I joined the herd completely but I was still a bit sad. Though I had a new perspective of a teenager and not the one of the child, I still had a grief cause of the time I missed outside the fandom. I missed the conventions, I missed the airing of the older seasons, the creation of the fan-pages, I missed the time of the biggest creativity in the projects. I lost it all. When I realized that, I legitly cried all night. There is nothing more frustrating in my life than the fact that I often screw up but I can't fix it later cause I have no influence.

This series is truly the one of the most magical and changing experiences in my life. There was a time of great curiosity when I was learning all I could about ponies and everything related to them. There was a time when I started collecting items, mostly shirts and figures. (I have a small collection of my Rarity figures watching me when I work in my room). But then I ran out of ideas. I sorta burnt out. And because I love this show, I didn't want it to go. But there was nobody to talk in a large area. I was sole brony in my town. I felt lonely. So I decided to read works of other people and watch reactions. I started to spread the lessons of friendship across my school in a form of simple acts of kindness and help. Following the hoofsteps of my beloved Rarity, I decided to always try to see divine beauty in other people and help their talents shine.

I am a mystical person. Besides Rarity, my favourite ponies are Luna and Discord (pony and a draconequus, but you all know what I mean). They both gave me strenght to move forward, despite all that I lost, opened me to impossibilities, taught how to love both chaos and order, to feel the beauty in everything. I loved that feeling of kindness and love igniting my soul.

But there was one little Tantabus inside of me. Still, no one to share and talk. So I decided to write this.

This story, at least the first part of it, may not be the most happy one. It may not be sunshine and flowers. But this is the main difference between G4 and the other pony generations. Life of our ponies is not always easy. But there is no doubt that the friendship is worth fighting for and that there is always hope that things will get better.

This story is a study of many characters involved in a major plot. The many chapters tell about experiences of each pony separately (you will see why) but believe me, there is continuity in there. Even if it is a little bit twisted.

I will always love mane 6. Each one of them represents things I wish to be better in or one of my own virtues. I was like Twilight when I was little. I had my books and that was enough. Later I become like Rainbow, proving to world that I am not weak and I can leave my mark. I tried to be strong and stand against any obstacle. Later, I tried my best to live by the gospel truth to get along with people around me and it had written Applejack all over it. Later came a time of various mood swings and I was either enjoying life or wrote poetry in my room. It was my Pinkie Pie time. Later, I started to search beauty and Rarity's influence never actually left me. Now I decided to spread love and kindness, in hope that this will make me a better person, just like Fluttershy.

But enough of this sad cheat-chat. Now here comes the joyful and sentimental part

I hope you find this story enjoyable enough. I cannot thank enough for what that fandom did too me. I will never able to do it properly. But for all the bronies and pegasisters out there: Thank you all for your kindness and awesomeness. For making this show even greater than it already is. I love you all. Thank you Ashleigh, Tara, ThabithaAndrea and John DeLancie for voicing one of the best friends and life teachers I have ever had. All the crew, drawers, editors, scriptwriters, animators and all of you working with our ponies...I will always appreciate your effort. I have to thank all of the brony groups I am a part of, such as We all love my little or The Brony and Pegasister Clan: A family like no other. Thanks for letting me share and show my works and thoughts. Thank all of the amazing artists whose work inspired me in my search for new ideas. I thank that few friends and colleagues, especially Ioli Gikopoulou and Ricky Maska III. Always good to have friends, even a few. I wish that someday I will meet most wonderful people to you. I dedicate this story to the whole brony and pegasister community.

I also want to say thank you to my favourite reactors for giving me episode feedback, shared laughs and many more. I really appreciate and admire you all. Thank you Rarity Dash (Every Rarity lover is my friend, you were the first reactor I have ever watched,) Alex Side (For reactions to the fan projects and Bride of Discord), Stormlight (For honest and objective reactions), Blank Slate (I felt many similarities in our reactions and it made my very happy), Applegeek (for the attitude and cool Stetson), Kickassreaction, Ranger Bravo (For warm reception and cheerful reactions), JhonnyFireFlame (for reacting to foreign language of mlp, you won my heart with this), BronyBurningAxe (for the guitar and cool oc. Really, Iwanted to draw my oc after seeing yours), LaDix (For general coolness and reactions of the old seasons) and SumrfVlogs (For letting me watch as you develop into a brony. Stay cool, watching with love). Also, special thanks go to Ashley H, Magpiepony ,DisneyFanatic and Scribbler, for inspiring me to start acting writing and audio dramatizing. I love all your work.I dedicate this story to you. Stay awesome.

And finally, I have to thank the ponies. It wouldn't be fair to exclude them. I thank Twilight for teaching me that sometimes you need to come out to meet new friends cause with them you can achive everything. Applejack, for reminding me of the importance of hard work, honesty (It is important cause sometimes I can be kind of lazy) and importance of a family. Pinkie Pie, for filling me with hope and joy every morning. Fluttershy, for teaching me that kindness is the key to the soul. Rainbow Dash, for motivating me to keep moving forward just for the sake of moving. Rarity, for being the prettiest mare in all of Equestria... well, also cause she gave me a gift of seeing beauty in every creature. Luna, for making me a wanderer through dreams. And Discord, cause thanks to him I love living a life without plan and security.

Fillies and gentlecolts, I humbly present the first book of the Aeternitas Trilogy, Lunar Shadow,my very first MLP fanfiction.

Enjoy!
> Just a Usual Day
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 1

It was a regular but beautiful day in Ponyville. Celestia's sun just rose and Equestria was ready to begin a new day. Inside of a huge, tree- shaped castle a certain purple alicorn was shifting in her bed. She was sleeping soundly, enjoying the warmth of her slumber until...

"Twilight!!!" yelled a voice behind bedroom's door.

Spike, the baby dragon and number one assistant of Twilight Sparkle, princess of friendship, went to the room.

He sighed seeing no apparent reaction from a purple mare. He said more gently:"Twilight, please wake up!"

Twilight's reaction was a muffled mumbling: " One second I have to grab my skirt"

Spike sighed once again: " She was talking to Lyra, wasn't she ?" he thought.

Drake got closer to sleeping Twilight and whispered her into the ear:

"Remember the party? You are going to be" Spike inhaled quickly and said a magic word" tardy!!!"

Twilight's eyes opened widely. She flew up from her bed. She was still tangled in bed sheets so the flight ended as quickly as it began.

Spike smiled slightly, seeing Twilight Sparkle, The Powerful and Wise Princess of Friendship, in her full glory of becoming one with the floor.

Twilight was lying on a floor with her legs pointing in different cardinal direction and head slightly higher than the rest of her body .

Spike chuckled when he said "Good morning Twilight. So, you are awake, huh?"

"You don't say, Spike" muttered "purple pancake" "you were saying something about some party?"

" Yeah, the party that we are throwing with girls for Cutie Mark Crusaders" replied Spike.

Twilight quickly stood up and galloped away, brushing her mane quickly and looking for saddle bags.

Spike was trying to keep up with her.

"Oh no this is bad, bad, like really bad" Twilight panicked "we've so much to do. How could I oversleep? I should wake up earlier. I should-"

"You should relax. Party starts in the evening. We've plenty of time before then."

"So why you sounded so...in a hurry ?" Twilight frowned.

"I think I found a quicker way to wake you up" explained Spike honestly.

Twilight rolled her eyes but didn't said anything.

Later this morning, Twilight and Spike was heading to a Sugarcube Corner to buy some cupcakes.

Suddenly, their saw a wave of pink and then were hugged tightly by a pink earth pony

"Twilight! Spike! Are you ready for some PAAARTY!!! I'm sure I'm! It's going to be so super-duper-luper-crazytastic!!!! Oh, I can't wait, really!!! It's so nice of you that we're throwing a party in your castle, Twilight, and I am a party planner. WHEEEEEEE!!!!!!!" exclaimed overenthusiastic Pinkie Pie.

Her pink, cotton candy-like mane flew up and down when Pinkie bounced around in excitement

"Where are you going? No, no, no ,no let me guess... Carousel Boutique? Sweet Apple Acres? hmm... Canterlot High...no, no...HYYYYYPPPP!!!!!."

Pinkie hyperventilated and turned to look directly on Spike and Twilight "Or you are going to Sugarcube Corner. You are, aren't you ? Do you need any possible assistance in finding the treats ?"

Twilight shook her head and replied

"Thanks for the offer Pinkie but I think we will manage. Still... you can accompany us to Sugarcube Corner if you want."

"How funny" said Pinkie Pie" Cause I was just going to the castle to redecorate. I got my party canon ready for this. Look, it has a full party-mix inside, ready to launch. I even put some cake inside. Look at-"

Twilight interrupted Pinkie's speech by gently pressing a hoof against her muzzle.

Pinkie Pie made a "squee" sound and become silent... or at least wasn't that loud anymore

"As I said, Pinkie" Twilight was really trying to not lose her patience "we will manage. We gotta go now. Time is of the essence"

"Oki doki loki. See you in the castle. Bye Twilight! Bye Spike" said Pinkie Pie and bounced away.

Twilight sighed slightly and smiled as she watched pink mare fading in a distance.

Though Pinkie Pie could be annoying from time to time, her optimistic attitude and energy always made Twilight's heart a little warmer and she felt so much happier.

Twilight and Spike finally got the Sugarcube Corner and bought some pastry supplies for the oncoming party.

Just when they were about to start their way back to the castle, they heard a familiar, warm voice with characteristic southern accent.

"Howdy Sugarcubes. Preparin' for an evening party?" asked Applejack. She was pulling a large cart completely filled with apples.

" Hi AJ , what are you doing here ?" Spike waved to orange farm pony.

"I am just deliverin' some apples for Cakes. I bet Pinkie will have a plenty of fun bakin' them"

Applejack stopped and looked the pair with playful grin

"I have gotta say, I' m pretty excited for our party. It is goin' to be nice and warm friends and family celebration, don't ya think?"

" I feel very happy that we are throwing this party too" Twilight trotted in place " I know it is basically nothing special but... hey, I taught Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. I really think we should appreciate all the effort they put in to increase their personal growth"

Applejack stared in space for a moment and then said slowly " Yeah, it is just what I had in mind. My sister is so happy that we are going' to celebrate."

"Their achievements are pretty impressive for ponies that age" Twilight slowly added "especially during their recent invention, Camp Cutie Mark".

After chatting for a while, Applejack left the apples meant for baking. Waving Twilight and Spike, she went back to Sweet Apple Acres.

Twilight turned to Spike:

"Come on Spike, now we head home. We have to make our castle worth a party! Hop on! We will fly back"

Twilight unfolded her wings and looked at Spike, who just pulled out of nowhere familiar seatbelt.

" Spike, you know that you don't need that anymore?" asked Twilight

"Yeah, I always believe in your flying abilities... this is only... just in case" Spike smiled widely.

He hopped on Twilight's back and they flew through the sky back to their castle.

The day shines brightly upon us 
the smiles are like pure gold
But behold the void of secrets
that soon here will be told
> The Begining of the End
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 2

Twilight Sparkle was delighted. With Spike's and Pinkie's help she prepared friendship castle for celebration. The guests were just starting to gather.

First arrived Applejack with her younger sister, Applebloom. Little filly with fiery red mane and vibrant amber eyes smiled to Twilight. "Thanks again for throwin' this here party, Twilight." exclaimed Applebloom with joy

" It is my pleasure. But it wasn't my idea to throw you three a party. But thank your sister for it"- Twilight answered, smiling in return.

Applebloom turned to Applejack. "Thanks big sis" she murmured shyly " ya know, our camp is not such a big deal"

Applejack gasped. " You have to be jokin', sugarcube. You did a heck a lot of a good job helping those ponies realize what are their special talents. Don't call it unimportant. All ponies in your school are talkin' about y'all with respect, I heard by my own ears. It' s nothing bad about being a little appreciated". Applejack move closer to her younger sibling and hugged her tightly. "I'm very proud of you. We all are. Mom and dad would be too" Applejack sighed when some tears fall inside of her soul.

Twilight was really touched by the scene in front of her. She step aside to give Applejack and Applebloom some space. She summonedparty checklist/schedule with her magic and quickly read it. " Oh, where they are?" she said to herself "we should be starting by now"

Suddenly, she heard a sound of wings beating the air. Twilight ran to the door but didn't saw anypony. The sound was still distant. "I wonder if it's Fluttershy or... "

Moment later, the voice echoed in the dark " And now prepare yourself for most awesome and cool flying feat you have ever encountered"

"...Rainbow" Twilight nodded. She should predict that the athletic pegasus will make a great entrance.

Voice in the darkness continued " Fillies and gentlecolts, may I present you: The one and only, the fastest and the coolest pony in all of Equestria...RAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNBBBOOOOOWDAAAAAASH"

Twilight was pressed against the ground by the shockwave created by blue pegasus who flew into the castle with full speed. Rainbow's flight ended when she crashed into the wall before she managed to stop herself. Still, she was able to turn to her friends and swirling around, came near them: "Nailed it she " she shouted.

After Rainbow Dash arrived Scootaloo. The orange pegasus filly was accompanied by Rainbow Dash as her honorary little sister. Rainbow slightly nodded in the direction of Applebloom " Come on Scoot,it is your night. Go play or do whatever you like". Scootaloo' s face lightened up and she went for a search of Applebloom that was exploring the castle on her own.

After a while, finally arrived last three guests: Fluttershy, Rarity and Sweetie Belle. Rainbow Dash smiled widely to Rarity " What s the matter? You are so slow that I was afraid that the party will end before you arrive" Rainbow stared at Rarity'snewest creation that unicorn was wearing with pride.

Then Rainbow raised her hoof into the air " Oh right, you are not that slow. Not always. But you could for once forget about this fru-fru nonsense and go somewhere faster?" she asked.

"And ruin my newest couture?"Rarity gasped " Oh Rainbow Dash, don't be so ignorant. When you are going somewhere, you have to do this with elegance and grace. Besides, I am just fashionably late. It is called tradition. Not that you care about that, Dashie?"

Rainbow Dash frowned "Why you-" started furiously.

"Cut it out you two, it is time for partying not arguing" Applejack sent the two disapproving glare.

***************

It was already two hours after party started. Pinkie Pie and Vinyl Scratch were having tons of fun combining their party and musical abilities to create best dance music and remixes in history of partying. Meanwhile the guests listened two beautiful song written and performed by Sweetie Belle (Rarity was constantly bursting into tears so Sweetie had to start all over again). After playing Pin the Tail on the Pony Rainbow Dash accidently almost pinedthe tail on Fluttershy which cause timid rose-manned pegasus to hide on a crystal chandelier.

" No, I am not going down" whispered Fluttershy, still shaking " this is to sharp. Somepony can be stabbed or worse..." Fluttershy covered her face with her wings.

While Rainbow Dash and Applejack were trying to convince Fluttershy to get down, the rest of the group was in the another corner of the banquet room.Spike was just dancing his famous dance feat known as " the fire shake" when music changed. It slowed down and become quitter and more gentle. Spike noticed that Pinkie Pie winked to him . He smiled. Of course it was for him. Now he had a chance. He quickly found Rarity dancing alone nearby. He slowly approached white unicorn and gently touched her to get her attention. Spike, with his heart beating faster than it ever beaten, spoke gently "Rarity, the night is still young and everything can happen. May I have this dance-"

"Flutter shy, darling, what are you doing on this dreadful height. Wait, I will try to help you" Rarity interrupted Spike's confession and galloped away. Spike turned around and saw the situation with the chandelier. "Well, this is just awesome. Very convenient...again" Spike sighed and looked at Rarity in the distance "Oh Rarity, please, just say something for once. Don't run away. Don't leave me like this" he thought with a mixture of sorrow and grief in his soul.

"Spike..." said voice behind Spike's back. He turned around to see Sweetie Belle, watching him with a timid glare of green eyes. She was brushing her swirly mane in two shades of purple with her hoof as she was somehow nervous " If you like, I can always...I would like to tell you something..."

"Yes Sweetie, what is it?" Spike was trying not to show that his eyes are still searching the sight of Rarity

Sweetie Belle opened her mouth but before she said what she had in mind, castle's main doors opened widely with loud BOOOM. Somepony went inside. Or maybe rather fell inside. Everypony in the room gathered around the mysterious figure. Twilight removed a travel cloak form a stranger and gasped.

" Shining Armour!!!" shouted everypony. Twilight's older brother slowly arose from the floor and looked at sister with tired expression.

"You must go with me. All of you. Nopony will be safe here" he said with effort " the end has just began"

After this words, he sighed heavily and fell to the floor, unconscious.
> Crystal Revelation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 3

Shining Armor awoke after a moment and when he did, he stood up and looked at party guests more calmly " Twily, you and all of your friends have to go with me to Canterlot right now."

"Whoa, hold on. We can't just go with you without any explanation what is going on" Rainbow Dash hit the ground with full force of her four hooves. She slowly circled Shining Armor " Come on, bro! Spit it" she said, performing boxing-like moves in front of a stallion.

"Rainbow!" hissed Twilight. Blue pegasus was suddenly consumed by violet magical aura and moved away from Shining Armor.

Twilight frowned and turned back to Shining Armor " You are my B.B.B.F.F so I believe you have a good reason for what you are doing. But Rainbow is right. You can't just pull as out on an adventure without any explanation"

Shining Armor lowered his head " I'm sorry Twily, but you really have to trust me on this one. I only can tell you that I'm following orders from Princesses. Ancient evil is rising. Balance and harmony in Equestria are in danger. We must hurry up, we have to leave right now or you won't have a place to come back later".

The ponies in the room were stunned by Shining's confession. Twilight looked at her friends who came closer to her.

" I trust Shining Armor. We should go, especially when Princesses need us" said Twilight

"I don't know, Twilight" said quietly Fluttershy " It all sounds so spooky and dangerous. And if you don't mind that I say that, look at Shining Armor. Poor deary."

"Fluttershy is right" Applejack thought out loud " there is something off about him"

The six stood there in silence for am moment. Then Spike grabbed his stomach and belched out a letter, signed by insignia of sun and moon. The letter contained only two words "GO.NOW".

"Well, I guess that solves it. We have to take a risk and save Equestria once again" said Twilight

"Oh, whhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?" cried Rarity

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes "What is it, Rarity ?" she asked

"Only that I'm can't ever be packed properly for saving the world. Really, just once."Rarity sobbed quietly.

Twilight looked at Shining Armor once again " Oh right, we are ready to go. Count as in". The group were starting to leave when Shining Armor shook his head and pointed at Cutie Mark Crusaders " They must go too".

"What? Why us? We didn't do anything, you have no proof" stated Scootaloo

"Oh shush yourself Scoots" said Applebloom.

Shining Armor went out through the door "Your presence is required in Canterlot. You too, little fillies. I can't explain now. To the Canterlot, here we go"

****************************

Road to Canterlot was fast and undisturbed. In the train, ten ponies were still trying out to figure out what exactly is going on. When the group finally wasentering the Canterlot Castle, they saw two silhouettes flying down from one of the castle's towers

"Princess Celestia! Cadence! It's so good to see you" Twilight and the others bowed before two princesses

" Can anypony tell us what is going on here ?" asked Rainbow Dash, visibly irritated.

Princess Celestia smiled weakly " Of course. I believe that we owe you some explanation, my little ponies. Go inside. You are going to understand not before long..." suddenly, her front legs folded under her as fell to the floor. The sun in the sky became incredibly bright then turned completely black and after that, it returned to its usual state. Cadence ran over to her aunt arise. Meeting with Twilight's concerned gaze, Celestia smiled weakly once again "It is nothing" she reassured quickly "I'm just dealing with certain crisis but it is nothing I can't handle on my own".

The group of ponies went to castle, led by alicorns. All ponies but one. Applejack stayed behind, looking at the entry with hesitation. Something was definitely wrong and Element of Honesty can felt the lies in the air as if they were almost substantial. Farm pony slowly walked into the castle: "We all can only hope that this is not as bad as I feel" she thought.

Celestia and Cadence welcomed ponies with tea and when whole team sit by large table in the throne room. Cadence stood up and began "I'm really sorry for the hurry and surprise but there is a matter of great importance we must address to you. It all started few days ago in the Crystal Empire. The group of my subjects mysteriously disappear. And later, more and more ponies went missing. But yesterday, something bizarre and terrible has happened . I was just preparing for meeting with some delegates from Griffinstone when all of the sudden, somepony ran into audience room. It was a unicorn with black coat and blue mane. He looked crazy... like a madpony. His coat was all sweaty and his mane messed up. And his eyes... oh, his eyes was like a shattered lenses. He was chased by place guards and they caught him before he ran to me. But he was still shaking and looking me with that seeing-through gaze. He smiled widely, too widely for his muzzle and exclaimed with voice that certainly didn't belonged to him "Oh my dear crystal princess, long time no seen. Have fun with eternal night. The daaaaaaaarkkknessss ssssss cooooming. Lucky lucky princess, sitting on the throne. Watch out watch out, your friends will be gone. See ya. I'm coming. This is the beginning of the end." After that, his horn began to glow and he exploded in flames. I had only time to shield myself from the wall of fire and it was so powerful feat that it knocked me out. When I awoke I found only three grilled pony skeletons. And then I felt something. It was coming from downstairs. It was somehow summoning me. I followed the summon until I recognized the familiar sight of Crystal Hearth. In that moment. I noticed something. There was a beam of light illuminating fragment of the floor. On this fragment was written something that may explain to you why you are here. Here it goes:

"When darkness and light gets head down

Beware the eclipse of shadow and sun

Foe bended by hearth only by another

May be killed to welcome a night as a brother

Be careful who you trust, look for reflection of sun

When doom returns, the flesh cannot be undone

Six by one and three in one might be the only cure

The only light will be see while darkness can endure

Sometimes the way to live is to choose the death

Only love can save you from your lasting breath

And the reflection may only be gone

When somepony will claim time as a rightful throne"

The ponies in the room remain silent as they listened to Cadence's story. Finally Rainbow Dash broke the tension " So... what all of this has to do with us?". Princess Celestia gave Rainbow another tired glare "Despite the fact that you are bearers of the Elements of Harmony, it seems that your presence here is required for bringing back balance and harmony and Equestria, finding the missing crystal ponies and... face the foe. As you probably noticed, my sister Luna is not here. She has been missing for a week now. I don't know where she is and what happened. I was looking for her everywhere. I am expecting the worse. You see, now it is not daytime at all. It is an illusion. For a week the moon is standing in the place Luna left it and for some reason it's enchanted. I can't lower it as I was doing for thousand years when Luna was on the moon. There is something wrong with my celestial magic in general. So I keep performing the illusion as the cycle of day and night was never broken. But I can't do this forever. And I'm sure that I know somepony who would love the eternal night over Equestria. I'm afraid that my sister might transformed herself into Nighthmare Moon once again."

The group listened to Celestia's confession. This time it was Rarity who spoke first " Princess, we certainly do understand the great problems you are dealing with. But why we have to bring on this dreadful mission our dearest sisters" She pointed at Cutie Mark Crusaders.

"Yeah Princess, why are we here?" asked Applebloom

Princess Celestia nodded at Cadence who cleared her throat and explained " After receiving this...revelation, I met with my advisors to discuss this riddle. One those advisors happened to be on your Cutie Mark lecture, Twilight" she turned to purple alicorn" and he stated that the words "Six by one and three in one" could be about you. You six" she pointed at Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Fluttershy "got your cutie marks because of Rainbow Dash's Sonic Rainboom. And you three" pointed at CMC "achieved your destination simultaneously and your cutie marks are almost identical. You nine are bonded by fate on different levels..."

"We are here, princesses! Where are we meant to start?" asked Twilight

Before Celestia or Cadance could answer, a loud explosion was heard. Cadence frowned and turned to Celestia " We must check what was that" she said and ran through the throne room's door. Celestia stopped at the door " Don't wander off. It is important that for your own safety you can't leave this room. This is an order. We will back in a moment". And after that, she was gone.

Twilight looked at her friends "This is weird. Why they didn't let us help?"she wondered out loud

"Yeah they really should. Whoever is that troublemaker, I would smash him to pieces" Fluttershy pressed her hooves together.

Twilight backed away "Fluttershy what is wrong with you?" she asked quietly

Behind her back she heard voice of Rarity " Oh darling, it is better that they went there without me. I will never become as great as them. Why can't I be so fabulous?

"Are you ok, Rari? You look strange. You want a hug?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Girls" Twilight shouted "answer me, what is going on ?"

"Hold on there partner" Applejack stared at Dash "since you like nicknames so much?" she looked at direction where Celestia disappeared and sighed " I really hope that she will come back. I don't think I can't stand one more...

Twilight's calm wore off. She quickly moved closer to Cutie Mark Crusaders. She shielded them with her wings while still trying to comunicate with the rest of the girls. Suddenly the world started to spin around. Twilight turned to Pinkie Pie who was sitting quietly in a corner. "Pinkie, what is going on" she asked pink pony.

Pinkie slowly turned to Twilight to reveal a toothy grin, too wide for anypony to smile with.

"Now you take a nap" she said, licking her lips

And in that moment, everything was consumed by the sea of blackness and Twilight fell in the darkness
> Never Come Back
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 4

In which Twilight discovers a strange absence of her friends and has the strangest conversation in her life

Twilight woke up in a darkness. She lightened up her horn and looked around.

She was still in the throne room but now it was darker and kind of... deserted. All of her friends disappeared.

Twilight started to walk around the throne room, calling the rest of the girls. Silence was the only answer...Twilight started to analyze the situation.

She checked that all the doors and windows were still open. She thought that looking for the clues outside of the throne room is the only logical option so she went to the corridor. When she was consumed by the shadows, she sadly thought that now she feels more scared and clueless than ever before.

Surely, she battled many foes before but she was always with her friends. Now she felt almost like a few years ago when all she did was studying harder, harder and harder. Twilight shook her head. She wasn't feeling too great.

Suddenly she heard a loud scream of pain coming from somewhere near her. Twilight froze in place.

"Rainbow Dash! Is that you? Where are you?" she shouted.

There was another scream. Twilight moved forward, quickly galloping in the direction of the noise.

*************************************

Twilight sighed as she crossed another dark corridor. She stopped under a large wallrock that presented the five alicorn princesses of Equestria. Twilight looked at the wallrock.

Even if she became a princess some time ago, some details connected with it were never fully explained to her. She was still carrying the heavy burden of fear of outliving her friends. Life wouldn't be worth living without those five amazing ponies who filled her heart with hope, love and light. Still, none of the Princesses was sure if Twilight possessed immortality like Celestia or Luna.

Purple alicorn was trotting slowly through the corridor when she heard terrifying sound: high-pitched, maniacal laughter and later, sound of shattering glass. Twilight started galloping again and she rushed into a large empty ballroom. For the first time in hours she wasn't alone. She immediately recognized tall, white silhouette in the corner of the room.

"Princess Celestia!!!" Twilight moved closer to the sun goddess " I'm so happy that I-"

"You didn't listen. You all should stay." Celestia turned to her student. Twilight was petrified by an mixed expression of pain and hatred on alicorn's muzzle " you just couldn't listen for once. Twilight, I know everything that is going on under the light of my sun and for my own reasons I'm particularly interested in you. I know that you had challenging fillyhood. Never perfect for your parents. They are great ponies but I know that I was only a hiding place for you. Since they discovered your potential for magic, they kept pushing you.And you ran, Twilight. You don't want to be punished anymore for being second best. You are running your whole life. Within your own world when you was safe. Even if you become a princess you can't stop fearing judgments of the world. How long Twilight? How long will you be driven by search for acceptance for who you really are?

"Princess ?" whispered Twilight " why are you telling me this ?"

Celestia's gaze was cold as ice

"Because I can't stand the cost of your behaviour. Do you have any idea how many hopes and dreams you shattered because of your isolation ? You know the price that your friends are gonna pay because of your starving for answers. We both know that great wisdom might be the great burden. And no knowledge is more dangerous than seeing true nature of ourselves..."

"No!!!" Twilight backed away from the sun princess " There was a time when I excepted the cost of knowledge. But friendship offered me something I couldn't achieved in any other way. I sometimes suffer because within my friends I see reflections of the ways that I rejected so long ago. I'm still afraid. But friendship gave me not knowledge but true understanding of errors of my ways. With my friends, I no longer have to fear the unknown cause I learned not knowing all the answers. I don't have to hide now. Friendship is my port, from where I sail. My friends won't judge me cause with friendship comes true acceptance. With friends I can discover even more than when I was alone. They offered me peace and sanity. And for that, I'm eternally grateful"

Celestia was still smiling during Twilight's speech. She circled Twilight and spoke, tickling the mane on Twilight's neck " Such erudition. As always hiding from the truth behind the words. But it won't save you this time. Look at the truth. Look what have you done when you failed as a leader and as the Element of Magic!!!!"

Twilight screamed in pain when her eyes were opened by force and even if she struggled very hard, she couldn't close them again. Tears flowed from Twilight's eyes when she looked at the Princess once again.

“Who are you? You are not Celestia. She would never be such a cruel beast like you!!!"

Twilight noticed that Celestia disappeared and voice was now echoing around, disembodiment.

"You would be surprised. But yes, I'm not your precious sun goddity. Not... specifically" it whispered.

Twilight's still opened eyes saw another scene and she gasped in disbelief

" Pinkie!!!What are you doing? No, please!!! My Celestia, Applejack, just run!!! No no no no! Dash, don't do this... noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" howled Twilight " You monster, what have you done to my friends ?"

"Me ? " echo brought the sound of a quiet giggle " No Twilight, your friends are to blame. They just needed a little push in the right direction. But the pony who gave them that push was none other than you. The magic of friendship died because of you and nopony else"

" No, this is not true. I would never do that. Even if it is real, I will stop you or myself, if needed" said Twilight, sweating heavily. Her horn started to glow in a shade of dark purple " That spell will forever banish from this world anypony, who will be responsible for this... massacre...in proximity of a hundred hoofsteps. If the level of probability is higher in any of us, the spell will be directed" she lowered her head " Beware Starswirl's Sword of Destiny. I'm willing the sacrifice myself to save my friends from the fate you showed me".

" Oh, that is so sweet and...predictable. I knew it was going to turn out like this. So, my dear Twilight, take this !”

Suddenly, the beam of golden light appeared out of nowhere . Twilight hadn't got time to doge from the incoming stream and she felt a warmth in her chest as the energy devolved into her. Twilight gasped when her body glimmered with golden aura which faded a moment later.

" What have you done? What was that?" howled Twilight

" A gift from our common friend. You will see one day. And now about that spell...See ya someday, Twilight"

Twilight felt somepony's horn touching her own and a moment later she realized that her hooves are not touching the ground anymore.

Suddenly she heard four voices shouting in unison "Twilight, fight with it. Resist!!!!"

Twilight recognized the voices of Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. But the fourth one... no, it was impossible!!!Princess of friendship almost smiled. But she was still struggling with her foe's spell. Then she felt a pain in her head and once again during that day, she passed out.

The four ponies couldn't do a thing and watched in horror as Twilight was lifted into the air and disappeared within a flash of a white light.
> Party in the Dark
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 5
In which Pinkie Pie dodges flying furniture and picks up an internal call

Pinkie Pie's tail twitched. She dodged from another flying object, that came from the darkness in front of her.

" Show yourself, you big bully!!! Who are you and what have you done to my friends"

Pinkie Pie was awoken nearly hour ago by warm breath on her neck. When she got up, nopony was nearby and Pinkie Pie decided to went on an investigation. She was bouncing around for half of an hour, trying to find her friends. She searched everywhere: from the chandeliers to the Celestia's secret cake cave under her throne. Nothing. But Pinkie didn't lose her spirit and went on an adventure even further. Even if she was still cheerful, she was a little concerned about her friends.

"They all disappeared so quickly... There is only one pony who could solve this case... and it is...can you guess ? No ? I will guess !!! I will, I will!!! It is me!!!" giggled pink pony.

Then she heard a loud crying in a room close to her. She jumped up in excitement

"Rarity, I know you are there!! I found you. Now you are going to seek".

Suddenly, Pinkie was nearly hit by a vase flying through the air. Surprised, she saw a shadow which passed near her and faded in the distance. She galloped, chasing mysterious silhouette.

Then her tail twitched and only because of her pinkie sense she wasn't hit by another flying... whatever that was.

"Who are you and what have you done with my friends" Pinkie said, filling her voice with all the courage she had.

The only response was high-pitched, maniacal laughter that came from the darkness around her.

Pinkie swiftly turned right into the next corridor that didn't have any doors except for one on the very end. Suspicious shadow slipped through them.

" Don't run or fly or whatever your doing right now. I was just thinking if you know where are my-" said Pinkie, bouncing through the door. And then she stopped, frozen in shock. The room's walls were mirrors. Mirror walls, floor and ceiling.

But there was only one reflection in whole room. Pinkie watched in horror the pony in the mirror. The pony from her nightmares. The pony that she wished to never see again. But also a pony with which she had more in common than with anypony in all Equestria.

" Hi Pinkie" said malevolently Pinkamena, lying lazily on the couch. She stretched and brushed a straight, pink mane, a shade darker than Pinkie's.

She looked Pinkie in the eyes while eating a cupcake pulled out of nowhere. Her eyes ignited with dark fire when she smiles widely

" Did you miss me ?"

Pinkie stepped forward and started singing " It is over now, I know inside. No one will ever know..."

Pinkamena snarled "Shut up! Wrong story, you little looser."

Pinkie smiled playfully and looked at her dark alter-ego with an angry expression " Why are you here?You just one big party pooper that had no control over me anymore."

Pinkamena started to trot slowly around the room.But then, within a second, faster than anypony could react, she grabbed Pinkie's neck and lifted her into the air

"You dare ask me what am I doing here ? You ?" roared Pinkamena "You caged me up!!! I was the original, I was the first. But then you came. And you knocked me out for years. But you can never defeat me. I will always be with you, wherever you go and whatever you do"

Madpony throw her counterpart into the air. After a while she hit the ground, shattering one of the mirrors. Pinkamena's shadow grew and the room got even darker

Pinkamena giggled again " You can't hide from your memories! You remember our fillyhood, right ? Or rather that poor facade of fillyhood. It was stolen from us. That is why I am here!!! I was invited here by another to make this funny deal with you. Oh well... give me control back. Let my feast and feed me, Pinkie Pie. I'm starving for such a long time. Wanna cupcake?" she licked the treat " trust me, it was baked with some inner delight"

Pinkie Pie laughed loudly. She was shaking but she decided to follow her grandmare advice: Giggle at the ghosties. She confronted a psychopathic mare with a smile on her face " You are no longer any part of me. You are like a liquorice cake with a pink top. I wouldn't eat you... I was you. But my friends helped my to put you asleep. They help me become whole. You see, every laughter is like us. Is warming and filled with love when you laugh with somepony but horrific and evil when you laughing at somepony. I will never be completely healed. But my friends show me something magical. They showed me that I'm worth giving a chance to change. The saddest ponies smile the brightest. And I suffer because of you but with every pony a cheer up, I repay for what is hiding inside of me. I finally found peace among my friends and I am never letting anypony touch them, you meanie”

Pinkamena raised an eyebrow.

" Interesting" she hissed "but you are forgetting one minor detail..."

She suddenly grabbed Pinkie in dance - like move and moved her head closer to Pinkie's. " I AM WHO YOU ARE!!! YOU CANNOT CHANGE YOUR LEGACY!!! LIFE IS OUR PARTY AND THEY ALL SHALL BE PUNISHED!!!! YOU AND I SHARE NOT ONLY BODY BUT WE BOTH CAN MANIPULATE REALITY!!! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW POWERFUL YOU ARE!!!! ME ON THE OTHER HOOF...

She dropped Pinkie on the floor and become dancing through the room

"Whooooooooaaaaaa!!!! I am in your head. I know what you think, I am what you think!!! If you won't release me now, I will take over sooner or later. And believe me, you will prefer "sooner" option"

Pinkamena closed her eyes. Couple of scenes flashed in Pinkie's mind. She gasped as she saw her friends, cut in various manners, with innards out and bodies stitched in a random configurations.

" Stop it!! I will never do this!!! I won't lose control!!!"

Pinkamena's smile widened " Check out in your tail"

Pinkie slowly grabbed her tail with her hoof. Since some strange pony in a tie left some weird glowing crystal and Pinkie (by accident, pinkie swear) swallowed it, her mane and tail became infinite in space and density. She can hide uncountable amount of objects in her mane.

She reached into her tail and pulled out a butcher knife with a blood on it.

Pinkie almost dropped it. How could it be there ?

Pinkamena whistled

"Oh no, this must be from my shift. You don't remember? Don't worry: those little creatures in the forest won't forget..."

Pinkie faced Pinkamena with knife in mouth

" Go awy or I wll hrt you " she growled.

Pinkamena looked back with playful gaze

"Really? Ya think????"

She stared at the blade and giggled. After a moment, she lazily licked it.

" Mmm, not fresh but still good. But come on, you are too..." she suddenly stopped and chocked slightly. She looked down at the knife in her chest. She then started to laughing over and over, maniacal laughter so loud that was heard by certain princess of friendship.

Pinkamena smiled at Pinkie.

"You are really silly!!! I am in you. You can't hurt me, not hurting...

Pinkie screamed as she lowered her head to see a knife in her own chest

...yourself !!" laughter echoed around.

Pinkie grabbed a knife. She hissed with painfully as she pulled it out.

Pinkamena reappeared behind the glass surface.

The Element of Laughter charged at the mirror and crashed it with a full force. Pinkie ran further until she finally caught Pinkamena and howling, stabbed her again.

Pinkie's dark side shook its head

" Big mistake!!!You are so predictable!!! All emotions, zero brain. Our little playtime is over... for now. If you will survive to when Revelation will be completed, say hi to my boss for me. And now I have a surprise for you"

Her features started to change and melt. Pinkie watched in horror the familiar face, now looking at her in disbelief and shock.

"Ca-ca-ca-ca-catch you later" Pinkamena's voice faded away.

Pinkie Pie grabbed pony lying by her side and let out the scream of sorrow and agony.
> Not Good Enough
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 6

"Pinkie Pie ?" Rarity raised her head as she heard familiar sound of bouncing on the corridor nearby. Sound faded in the distance before Rarity managed to get to the door.

" Oh for Celestia's sake. Who would be so very unkind to get us into this dreadful situation. All this gloomy and spooky dark castle, I mean really, what happened to those curtains?" Rarity stopped by the window and looked at the drapes closely. She sniffed the curtains and started coughing. "Oh dear, it is really dusty in here. This is really strange. Everything looks so old and dark and du-du..." monologue was cut shortly by a sudden, quiet sneeze.

Rarity tried to focus and ignore tickling in her nostrils "It is like it is a totally..." Another sneeze "different place. But how can it be? A second ago we were having a lunch in a beautiful, clean ca-a-achoooooiee!!!!!" Third sneeze echoed loudly in an empty castle. Rarity quickly moved away from dusty curtains and, still sniffing and coughing, stared at them with disbelief

" Well, I guess lighting really makes a difference. Now Rarity, you must focus yourself on much more important things. Where are the girls ? I wouldn't mind some company right here ?" monologued fashionista, trotting in the direction of the door.

"Oh, if you need company, I can make your wish come true" whispered the voice in the darkness. Rarity made a very unlady- like scream and hide behind the nearby pillar.

"Who are you ? Where are my friends? And what have you done to those curtains ?" she shouted before realizing the last question was not entirely necessary in her current situation.

The voice from the shadows laughed " Oh, my sweetest gem is not feeling too well? Do not worry,comparing too your friends your time is passing pretty well".

The darkness in front of Rarity's eyes lightened as she saw images of her friends facing various horrors and nightmares. Rarity covered her muzzle with a hoof as she took the terrifying view.

"I do not know who you are, but please, don't do this to them. Take me instead." Rarity begged unknown foe.

The tendril of shadow lifted Rarity in the air.

"No little filly, you will not take their pain away and leave me without any pleasure. You are the last who should take their nightmares. After all, you are the Element of Generosity. Believe me, betraying your element by taking, not sharing, would be very, very unwise under those circumstances." echoed the shadows " besides, it is not your destiny. You are just a puppet in a very old plan. It was said very long ago :

"Nine will come in the shadow cage

to suffer through the fury of immortal rage

One will rise and beaten by the hearth

One will endure the true destiny of her demise

One will be gone in a trip when she began

One with her shadow will become one

One will be alive but gone forever

One will be killed by the one who she trust"

Rarity rolled her eyes " Darling, could you say it more clearly? I think one prophecy for one evening is enough"

Suddenly, Rarity was raised in the air even higher, to met pair of eyes glowing with dark light

"It is an honour for you that I'm involved into your nightmare personally. I can turn you into a shadow of yourself if I wished to.And I am going to do this because of your ignorance. You are very intuitive one Rarity. You are a soul trapped in soooooo beautiful body" roared the voice. Rarity shivered when she saw a toothy smile under the pair of eyes " You may be seemed as beautiful, distinguished, refined... but behind that, you are worry about not being good enough for others. Fear of rejection is sooooo...delicious"

A shadowy tongue licked lips still stretched with toothy grin

"Before I will leave you to play, I want you to be my messenger. You don't need to understand what and to who you need to deliver the message. It will reveal itself in time. That messenger must be you, Rarity. You and your friends triggered a mechanism that is going to change the world. You should be proud of that. On this moment you can choose your fate... yet. If somehow you will be alive in the end... we can have some delight... later.. Sweet dreams" the foe in the darkness laughed deeply once again.

Rarity fell to the ground. She was only able to raise her hoof in shadow's direction and whisper "no" before the darkness consumed her.

Rarity woke up. She was in an entry hall of the Canterlot Castle. She smiled weakly, remembering two Grand Galloping Galas that she attended and both started in this hall when Princess Celestia always greeted guests.

Rarity slowly arose, cursing evil shadows and dark castles.

"This is quite a riddle. I really have to find girls and check on the princesses. I hope that what that shadow brute said wasn't true. I wouldn't stand my friends suffering such a horrible fate."

Rarity sighed, desperate, and turn around to face an empty hallway. She started galloping at full speed. Before she realized it, she found herself in front of a stained glass, showing the scene of Nightmare Moon's defeat. Rarity stopped. Unicorn felt... bizarre stream of sentiment. She slowly lower her head and her horn touched the glass.

"But what if this is all true? Oh, do not fool yourself, Rarity. You know it is..." Rarity whispered as memories took control of her mind...

******************************

In the blink of an eye, Rarity was standing in a kitchen in her parents' house as a little filly. She was standing there and waiting for parents to acknowledge one of the very first dress she made. Filly Rarity was trotting in place from the joy she felt.

"Mom, Dad, look what I just finished. Isn't it just gorgeous ?" filly Rarity proudly demonstrated her creation. The dress wasin a colour of purple with white patterns on her.

Hondo and Cookie Crumbles didn't notice their daughter at first. They were completely focused reading their usual breakfast magazines: Cookie's was some mare-gossip and Hondo's was the latest hoofball statistics. Rarity cleared her throat and looked at two ponies with an irritated glare

"Mom, Dad, can you please just look here"

Finally, Cookie Crumbles turned her head and noticed Rarity and her dress.

"Oh honey, I'm sorry, I didn't heard you. What was that you wanted ?" she said in apologizing tone

"Look mommy, look at my dress. It is simply divine. It perfectly matches my coat and mane"

Cookie slowly lowered her gaze

"Yes Sweetie, I think it is lovely. Why don't you go and make some another one so we can admire it ?"

Cookiegot up and gently pushed Rarity in the door's direction.

" Rarity,me and daddy need to talk. Go on! We will call you back"

Rarity slowly trotted to her room. "But my dress... why she didn't even looked at it closely ? They both don't even want to talk about my passion. What is wrong with me ?" little white unicorn sniffed quietly and small tear flow through her face

Present Rarity suddenly found herself in a different location. Her younger version was watching herself in a mirror. In that time, Rarity first noticed that she is maturing. With everything connected with it. Her body was turning itself into a body of a full grown mare.Rarity often heard of her stunning beauty. Many stallions in town wanted to go out with her. When she was walking down the street, the male population of Ponyville just went crazy. One pegasus who saw her from above, lost control over his flight and crushed into a nearby tree.

And with all of that admiration from the world, there was still something missing from Rarity's hearth. She was looking at the mirror and it was still the same.

"I do not deserve them. Even if diamonds are on my flank, there is still some flaw that I do not see. I am not what they are expecting. I just try to share and make everypony beautiful as I wish to be. I am not beautiful. I am just trying to be" younger Rarity sighed deeply, her sapphire eyes looking tired form the mirror " By making everypony achieving their dreams, I just wish to find a missing piece of myself. I need to be original... 'cause my life must mean something".

Suddenly, there was a knocking at the door and Rarity's parents went to the room.

Rarity rolled her eyes " Let me guess, another trip ?" she asked.

Hondo moved forward and look sadly at Rarity

"We have to, sweetie. We don't have much to say in this. We are needed at this ceremony"

Rarity screamed in fury "And you are leaving me again ? Even if you are both a celebrities in a world of interior design and hoofball, I won't let treat myself like this. It is a difficult time for me... it is such a horrible manner to leave me when I need you"

Pearl shook her head " You said before that we have to treat you like an adult mare. So be it . It is time to deal with your problems and have a strength to face them like an adult pony. Come on Magnum" She grabbed her husband and pulled him through the door, shutting them behind her.

Rarity was still looking at shutten door. She lowered her head and screamed loudly

And the scene changed once again

"Rarity meet your new sister. Isn't she sweet ? Me and your father are still thinking about the name for her. Now, we leave you two for a minute" Pearl, freshly back from the hospital, presented newborn pony to Rarity. Then she backed away closing the door.

Rarity looked at her new sister with a tears of joy in her eyes

" At last I won't be alone. I already love you. I always dreamed of a sister. Ooooh!!!!" Rarity hugged little unicorn a little tighter. She looked at the first patch- like resemblances of future mane. They were in a mixed shade of purple and pink.

" You know little sis, I think we will have a rough time with our parents on their... trips. So I will be a better mother than my own. I will be there for you. I will make you confident, compassionate and sure that you are worth the world. When I say I am beautiful, I only believe in a part of it. You are such a sweet beauty. Oh my Celestia... idea!!!!! I was recently studying some Prench and it gives me some idea. Sweetie Belle. Yes, that fits very well and I think mom and dad will buy it too. Sweetie Belle-Sweet Beauty. What do you think ?" she asked a foal.

Sweetie Belle burped loudly and let out a small giggle.

Rarity smiled "I love you too, Sweetie Belle".

The scene faded and changed once again

Rarity was preparing city hall for oncoming Summer Sun Celebration. She was just checking the decorative ribbons when she heard a opening door. When she was done with the décor, she turned to the strange pair: purple unicorn with mane in a dreadful style and some... dragon ? Rarity had never seen any dragons before but what worried her was a certain gaze he was giving her. Gaze she knew too well. Rarity quickly turned her attention on purple unicorn and offered her help with fixing her mane. But inside she was still thinking of that hearth-melting glare the little dragon gave her. He looked nice and sweet but she was worried. And over the years she was both amazed by strength of Spike's feeling and devastated that she couldn't make herself to properly talk to him...Even if she was slowly beginning to be unsure of what she was really feeling.

*******************************************

"What Element of Generosity? I am just a reflection of a mare I want to be" whispered Rarity, slowly re-emerging from the well of her memories "And Spike. Oh my dear Spikey-Wikey, where I went wrong ? The way I treated you... is unacceptable. I try so hard. But the more I try, the more I have to fix"

Rarity collapsed on the floor under the stain glass. She tried to rise up but she couldn't.

"Fight it, Rarity, you always were strong. This is not the end" hissed Rarity to herself.

Then she felt a wings wrapping around her and her body was pressed against another, shaking one.

"Rainbow Dash ? Is that you, darling ?" Rarity asked with a broken, quiet voice.

"If you are real, Rarity, just stay with me. Stay with me before we move on. Just be with me" said Rainbow fearfully.

Rarity pressed herself to blue pegasus and they both lied on the floor together
> Hard Love
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 7

Rainbow Dash flew around the castle once again. She was almost hit with lightning that stroke from a nearby cloud.

"Come on is that really the best you got!" shouted rainbow-mane pegasus, pointing at the castle. She almost felt like that time when she and all of her friends wandered to Castle of The Two Sisters and were scaring each other to death.

Only this time it felt a lot worse.

"When in all of Equestria I agreed to all of this ?" thought Rainbow Dash as she flapped her wings furiously, fighting with the wind.

Since she awoke nearly an hour ago, she spent time flying around, trying to find her friends and find some cool monster to fight with. But an unknown foe decided to be more subtle. Rainbow was still flying around the castle and cursing out loud.

She shouted out loud "I am Rainbow Dash, one of the best flyers in all of Equestria and bearer of the Element of Loyalty. If you are there, just show yourself and we will avoid bloodshed. And I am asking one last time ? WHERE ARE MY FRIENDS ?"

A roaring laughter echoed from the darkness and the hollow voice answered "Those who fly the highest, fall the hardest. Your friends are haunted by many things: fear, memories, shadow of mind, grief and frustration. Let your pain guide you. And do your best not to die. I want to save you for later. You really think you can stop me. It is so hopeless that it is almost amusing. Watch for the ground" said the voice become fading away.

"Hmm... that bastard's voice... I heard it once. But where?" thought Rainbow Dash.

Then she heard it. But even she was too slow to dodge this time. She felt electric shock when lightning hit her. Probably sent by that shadowy bastard. Rainbow wouldn't be concerned about it very much cause this type of a lightning could only make her dizzy. As a pegasus she could take in more electricity than earth pony or a unicorn. But there was a more problematic part. During the shock, her muscles were shut down. Which meant she couldn't fly.

With her wings folded and immobilized, Rainbow Dash started falling down. She tried to remain as calm as she could. She made an attempt to flap her wings... nothing. Ground was nearer and nearer. Rainbow Dash suddenly stopped. Acceptance flashed through her head like lightning itself. She watched approaching doom with resignation. She only wished to check if her friends were okay. She wanted to say goodbye so much. And kick AJ's butt for the lack of apple cider this year. And...

CRASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

***********************

Rainbow Dash gasped and opened her eyes. Everything hurt so badly. Rainbow managed to look around. She found herself on the statue on the roof of one of the castle's lower terraces.

Rainbow quickly check the state of her body. It was emanating with pain from everywhere. Also both of her back legs and one wing seemed to be broken. But there was still one mystery that Dash couldn't solve.

"How in Tartarus am I still alive?" Rainbow muttered. Not that she was complaining, but still. Fall from that height should definitely kill her. There was no chance of surviving. But she was still alive.

"Maybe this is some crazy dark magic. I bet that this sadistic freak wanted to "play" with me a little longer so he prevented my death" thought Rainbow Dash

Then she shivered slightly

"Can he be that powerful that he can bring ponies back from the dead? I thought that nopony could do that. Twi said so..."

A loud scream came from the top of the tower that Rainbow had crashed.

"Oh no!!! Not on my watch, you fool." muttered pegasus, slowly slipping from the statue " you messed with wrong-"

And then she felt it. She was expecting the pain but it wasn't pain. It was painful, killing agony of her entire body. Dash had to concentrate her entire willpower not to scream out loud.

"No...I...must...save...the-them" she had hissed, as she used her front legs to move forward. Pain was overwhelming and Rainbow first time in her life wished to be disconnected from her body. She couldn't take it.

But she couldn't stop either. If her friends were in danger, she had to be there in time to do...she didn't know what she could do in her state but she didn't care. Even with half of her limbs working she was still Rainbow Dash. The most awesome flyer in all of Equestria. She will find the way. She folded her front legs and moved once again. This time she couldn't stop scream of pain. She looked at the entrance to tower with fury in her eyes.

"I am Rainbow Dash. I know that you still hear me, so listen, you freak. I don't know who you are or what's your plan. But if you hurt my friends in any way, I will end you. Even now I have more power then you can imagine. I will always be loyal to those I love. And if anypony has a problem with that, to Tartarus with you all." Rainbow moved forward, screaming in agony " I have a friends to save."

******************

10th step

Rainbow missed her speed more than ever. She yelled in frustration

"Come on, move, move....Mooooooooooovvvveeeee!!!!!"

She closed her eyes and stream of tears flow down her face. She HATED being powerless, especially in cases like that. She must be there before it will be too late. Step by step Dash was ascending to the top of the tower. But making it to the tenth step took her nearly ten minutes. She will never make it in time with that pace. Besides, it was humiliating for a pegasus who could fly to the top in a two second flat...

****************************

" Gaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!! No more, please!!!" cried Rainbow Dash after step number twenty.

One move... wave of agony... one more...tsunami of pain.

Rainbow shouted with her eyes red from crying " I do not want your pity. I REFUSE to stop!!!!"

****************************

After twenty more steps, Rainbow couldn't see the staircase. Her vision was shaking along with her body.

"This all is impossible. This can't be real. My body couldn't fail like this. No no no no no no no no no no no no no...." she thought, fighting to stay conscious.

And in the moment she heard a loud "CRACK" inside of her mind...

I have to go on, save them...

Just sleep her and never wake up...

I would not forgive myself...

Let me die here...

I won't ever leave them... I can't...Even if I fly away, I always come back

Just lower the guard... Love me, hug me, I can't continue... Why I have to be strong one ?...

Never surrender... fly to the things... not run away...

Why I have to shield myself... Why can't I be soft for once... Just...rest...

Please...Let me go to them...

I do not want to lose anymore... Please let this be a dream... I can't trust myself..

****************************

60th step

Fold legs, push up, flap the wing, fold legs, push up, flap wing, fold legs, push up, flap wing, fold legs, push up, flap wing, fold legs, push up, flap wing......

****************************

70th step

.....

****************************

80th step

Just rest and never got up. Always the fastest, the strongest... I can't let them down... they are counting on me... KILL MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

****************************

90th step

Always hard, since the beginning. I need love too. I need caring. I need to be the best to the world so I can be seen and accepted. But what now ? Without myself I am no one....

****************************

Rainbowcould not believe what she was feeling. Her hoof slowly searched the space where the next step was supposed to be. It wasn't there. She really made it and she got to the top of the tower. Her friends... she managed to rise her head. She didn't saw a thing. Sweet Luna, she could not do a damn thing right now. She was devastated.

After some time, when her vision cleared up a bit, she acknowledged that the tower she was climbing was one of the small ones, that were surrounding the endings of the stain glass corridor. She heard some kind of a roar. She shivered and continued her way through the short dark corridor. In the end she found herself in a stain glass corridor. Suddenly, she heard crying and saw Rarity, fallen under the stain glass showing the defeat of Nightmare Moon. Rainbow slowly moved closer and wrapped her not-broken wing around the unicorn. Dash was still shaking and she didn't believe in anything anymore.

"Rainbow Dash? Is that you, darling?" Rarity asked quietly.

Rainbow blocked the desire to burst into a maniacal laughter and exclaim " I don't know".

"If you are real, Rarity, just stay with me. Stay with me before we move on. Just be with me" she said fearfully.

Rarity hugged her back. Rainbow were slowly calming down. Rarity's presence always affected her this way. Rainbow could lay there whole day, inhaling sweet smell of her perfumes and crying into her perfectly soft fur.

"Rari ? Is there any sense in continuing?" Rainbow asked as they were still laying on the floor

"Rainbow, darling, I just... don't know anymore. But I believe that moving on through dark times shouldn't be based on rational decision. We should be going on just because it is decent and right. Just for the sake of our survival" Rarity said slowly

Rainbow gulped "Rarity, I just feel that I need a change. I know I am awesome. But I fear that my awesomeness will become more me than...well, me. I have always been so tough and strong because I believe this is the way to be seen and appreciated. My parents were supporting me so much... And I loved them so much that I didn't wanted to let them down. I chose to become that awesome but now I do not know that I can be soft and caring anymore... Oh my Celestia!!!Come on, I am talking like you or Twilight. Rarity, did you noticed that this place sort of works like an..."

"Illusion? Yes darling, I am certain it does" Rarity nodded

Rainbow shivered

" I heard a roar later and I think rest of the girls might be in danger. We have to keep moving" she gave a look to Rarity " Just for the sake of being better."

Rarity giggled

"Oh Rainbow, my words in your mouth sound quite funny"

Rainbow rolled her eyes

" Yes, hilarious. Let's go!!!"

Suddenly, they noticed a light emanating from the Elements of Harmony former treasuring place in the end of the corridor.

Rarity examined Rainbow Dash closely

"You won't go anywhere in that condition, darling. Wait, let me try something" said the unicorn.

Her horn glowed and Rainbow was bathed in a blue light. It lasted only a moment before it disappeared.

Rainbow opened her eyes. The pain decreased and she was able to stand in some way.

"It was the simple healing spell I learned from Twilight. It will wear off shortly, so must hurry up" exclaimed Rarity.

************************

When they opened the door of the treasure/hiding room, they were greeted with amount of chaos that Discord himself would be proud of it. Rainbow noticed Twilight disappearing in a flash of light, Cutie Mark Crusaders standing with some other pony, whose name Rainbow couldn't recall.

Rarity rushed into direction were Twilight disappeared and jumped into the air but couldn't catch her friend before she vanished. Rainbow wanted to help her but something else caught her attention. Pinkie Pie were sitting, with blood on her hooves. Rainbow's eyes widened when she saw who she was hugging.

"No, not her! Please, not her" Rainbow thought. Then she saw knife, probably thrown away by Pinkie after she...she...

Rainbow galloped faster than ever in her life. She wrapped the wing around the knife. She was left with only one choice how to save the day.
> Embrace it
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 8

In which Fluttershy searches for the answers in the hedge maze and discovers that some beasts cannot be tamed easily

(You all thought that we are going to start Fluttershy's part with wandering around empty castle ? Well, Gotcha!)

Pure chaos. Absolute and total chaos. When Fluttershy awoke, her first thought was that Discord came to visit Canterlot and now the party was out of control. But when she looked around, she understood that it was a lot worse than that. All around her friends were running and screaming.

Fluttershy saw Pinkie Pie galloping with a mixed expression of fury and sorrow in her eyes. In her mouth she was holding...a knife ? Fluttershy squeaked and became one with the ground again... But Pinkie was running further and further and soon disappeared. Fluttershy raised her head, still terrified.

"What in Celestia's name is going on ? Oh my, I hope that this is just some sort of a... joke or... something" yellow pegasus gulped and got up. She started slowly walking towards the centrum of the big hall.

"No, this can't be happening. I am sure that if I ask somepony what is going on, we can all found a way out of this. They all just... having a hard time because..." she gasped " Maybe something happened to the princesses. Maybe it was an attack and now we are in a trap EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Fluttershy jumped into the air when she felt somepony's hoof touching her back.

"Fluttershy ? " said familiar, warm voice.

Fluttershy, still two meters over ground, slowly opened her eyes

"A-A-Applejack ? " she asked. She noticed famous Stetson hat and shortly after, the whole silhouette of apple farmer.

AJ rose an eyebrow. Her emerald eyes looked tired but have a tough gaze.

" 'Course it's me, sugarcube. Who else ?" Applejack said, staring at Fluttershy with confusion.

Fluttershy slowly landed on the floor and moved closer to orange farm pony

"Applejack... if you don't mind that I ask but do you know what is going on ?" she said quietly, hiding behind the veil of rosy mane.

Fluttershy came a long way to become confident. Now she was much more bold and brave comparing to Fluttershy three years ago. But that situation made her feel like in the old days: afraid and uncertain. She looked at Applejack.

"Are you all right ?" she asked, wrapping a wing around her friend. Applejack was contemplating something in the distance and it seemed that she didn't hear Fluttershy's question.

"We need to get movin' " she finally answered, staring at shadows in front of her with determination " Whoever is hiding up there, won't hurt any of you tonight. Let's go ! " Applejack galloped away, entering the dark clouds and leaving Fluttershy behind.

"Applejack, wait ! " screamed Fluttershy, trying to keep up. But when she passed through the shadows, she found herself in a very different location.

"Where am I ? " Fluttershy looked around. And then recognized that place. She was standing in the middle of the Royal Gardens of Canterlot and around her was a bushes and fields of green grass, crossed with some thin, sandy paths.

How she get here ? All of this was very, very disturbing.

"Applejack ?" Fluttershy shouted as loud as she could. Her voice echoed in the garden and remained without any answer

"Oh, this is so freaky"yellow pegasus started to slowly trot in the direction in which, in her opinion, should be the castle.

Suddenly, a shadow passed through the path in front of her, some branches cracked in the scrubs.

Fluttershy let out a short scream and once again jumped into the air, closing her eyes.

For a moment, nothing happened.

When she slowly opened her eyes and gave quick peek down and her eyes widened. She was high, very high over ground. She had to fly there almost subconsciously. She almost covered her eyes with her wings but she then understood that it would be suicide.

Fighting with her fear of heights, Fluttershy used the opportunity to look around from above. She noticed that the aura around the castle was very strange and there was a strong lightning storm over her head but besides that, she didn't see anything suspicious. Fluttershy had to quickly dodge from some of the lightning bolts. All of the sudden, she heard a loud scream of pain. She looked around but she could not locate the source.

In her search, Fluttershy saw a weird light emanating from one point of Royal Hedge maze. Even though she was a little scared, she decided to investigate it. She was going to puke from the height anyway, so she had to descend. She slowly landed near the source of light.

She galloped through the twists and turns of the maze to find herself on a little piece of ground where the paths from different directions were joining together.

Fluttershy stopped and shivered. She knew this place. In this place she was turned into her opposite self by...

"Hello Fluttershy" said a voice over her.

Fluttershy looked up to see a draconequus laying on a cloud of pink cotton candy

"Discord ?" whispered Fluttershy.

"Tadaaam!!! The one and only ! " Discord grinned and lowered his cloud to be on the level of Fluttershy's eyes. Then he put on more serious face, though malevolence was still sparkling in his eyes

" Fluttershy, you did see the light, didn't you ? It was my signal for you. Something odd is going on here and I wanted you to be safe. "

Fluttershy smiled

"Oh, that's so sweet of you. So you noticed that something is going on too ?"

"Of course I did. I am Discord, the Lord of Chaos. The level of disharmony in this castle can be smelled from miles away. And the most frustrating thing was that I am not responsible for this. Bizarre..."

"Discord, why are you even here anyway ?"

Discord smiled, his single tooth shone in the darkness

"I was on a way to my monthly tea with Bill Cipher, when I accidentally overheard you talking about going to Canterlot. I just couldn't stop myself and I had to pay a visit to Celestia, cause she is such a hardflank. When I arrived, you were sitting there with princesses and talking.

Starlight promised me once that we will go out and turn Celestia's castle into cheese. But I am not very patient creature, so I wanted to make you a little present and later get invited to a cup of tea. But just before I crushed, ekhm, modified the program of your party, something threw me out. It literally pushed me away right here. Look..."

Discord stretched his claw and a bolt of lightning appeared out of nowhere. It flew into the air and then exploded, crushing with the invisible obstacle.

Draconequus shook his head

"I was extremely upset that I was kicked out before I even did anything. And after I realised that this here barrier is preventing me from entering, I got really furious. I tried whole arsenal. Cotton candy, plastic ducks, vines, plasma guns, tanks, flying pigs, power rays, bazookas, Flurry Heart, My "Capitan Wuuz" arrows, spaghetti, traffic lights, lamp shaped in shape of moi , grenades and most terrible weapon of choice...Celestia's underwear. Not a scratch. Even I could not penetrate it. But after several hours I realized that the things are really out of control..."

Fluttershy moved closer to Discord

"So what you are saying is..."

Discord was now playing with his goatee

"Well, normally I would be proud of this havoc. But as you might remember, I can sense alterations in magic. And this magic" he inhaled deeply and shook his head once again " This magic... this magic is older than Equestria, older than me. Older than this universe. We are dealing with the most powerful force in entire creation. And it is very, very evil"

Fluttershy squealed and hugged Discord tightly, closing her eyes

"How do you know that ?"

"There was a moment of silence and then she heard Discord's whisper in her ear

"Because I am here and you are here with me...just as planned"

Fluttershy's eyes opened widely as she looked at spirit of chaos and disharmony

"Wha-what ?"

Discord giggled malevolently

"My dear sweet Fluttershy...my sweet, naive Fluttershy...you honestly thought I could change so easily, so permanently... when there is such an opportunity for chaos and disorder"

Fluttershy tried to break free from Discord's arms but he kept holding her still very tightly. Yellow pegasus started to shake.

"Discord...please let me go ! What happened to you ? Are you all right ?"

Discord snarled and chuckled

"More than all right actually. Now you are all mine and nothing will stop me from realising my plan. Don't try to fight me, you know what I can do. Don't worry, I won't hurt you. Now that you are here we can spend that time more...efficiently, if you know what I mean".

Fluttershy's eyes were now full of tears

"Discord, please just stop ! Whatever is going on, stop acting like this !!!"

Discord threw Fluttershy on the ground and she screamed in pain

"Acting ? No way !" he hissed " I was goodie goodie for far too long. You ponies are all flexible with your plans and destinies. Well, till the time you got your cutie marks. But you can easily reshape your fate. And I... I was born into chaos. Since my birth, I was destined to cause disharmony and all that reformation of yours took it away."

Discord rise above Fluttershy, his eyes glowing dangerously in the darkness.

"Do you happened to know what it is like to be ripped off the essence of who you are ? I didn't ask to born the way I was born, but this is just who I am. And you forbid it to me because you were just scared of the things you couldn't understand. I am not one of your animals, you can't tame me. I will get this world the way I like it. The ponykind doesn't care for me so...so I will not care for ponies then. But firstly I must destroy the Elements to assure that I will not be stopped. Well, here we-"

Crack

Fluttershy felt the wave of heat coming through her body. She suddenly felt very dizzy and her body was vibrating with adrenaline

Everything was shut down.

Only the hatred remained.

Fluttershy roared and tackled Discord, making him smash on one of the headgemaze's walls

"YOU THINK YOU CAN TOIL WITH MY EMOTIONS AND GET AWAY JUST LIKE THAT ???!!! NO WAY I AM GOING TO DESTROY YOU, BRING YOU SUFFERING FOR THE REST OF YOUR WRETCHED EXISTANCE. I WILL END YOU AND YOU WILL PAY FOR FOOLING ME. I WILL ASK ONLY ONE TIME WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY FRIENDS??!!!OR ELSE I WILL KICK YOUR ASS SO HARD THAT YOU WILL FEEL IT THROUGH MILLENIUM"

Discord laughed weakly, looking at Fluttershy, who was not Fluttershy anymore. He smiled.

"Everything is going according to the plan. Let it out Fluttershy, let the beast out. Come on, finish me. I won't run. I want to see if I was correct about your kind. Come on, I have all eternity but you have limited life, so just do it !"

"WANNA BET I WILL !!!"

Fluttershy jumped on Discord's body. She was getting ready to punch.

"YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW LONG I WAITED TO BE FREE ! I WILL ARANGE EVERYTHING IN ORDER SO MAYBE THEN YOU WILL BE GONE FOREVER!!!!"

She raised hoof in the air...

"Fluttershy, don't listen to him ! Stop!!!"

Wave of energy thrown Fluttershy from Discord who was now raised into the air and faced with...himself

„Keep yourself away from my lady” yelled real Discord

The imposter’s eyes widened

„You...how...but you shouldn’t...you couldn’t...”

Discord’s eagle claw ignited

„I recommend to you my book, “Discord 101”. First rule in dealing with me: Don’t ever question me”. Saaaaaaayoooooonaaaaraa!!!!!!!!!!”

He blasted the imposter with the energy. Fake Discord was squashed with a full force on a hedge wall and disappeared.

Discord quickly teleported closer to Fluttershy

“Fluttershy, are you all right ?”

Yellow pegasus’ breathing was now more stabilised and her eyes had a clearer sight.

“Discord...Is that really you ? What happened to me ?”

Discord sighed with irritation

“Of course that it’s really me. That Discord who I just sent to Tartarus was a preposterous rip off. I have to admit, quite handsome rip off, but he was still the fake news. Anyway, I am really sorry that you have to get through all this mess. He said the truth about me wanting you safe. I really arrived here but then he took me by surprise and managed to immobilize me. I tried to fight him after you arrived but I couldn’t broke the spell until now.”

Fluttershy was still lying on the ground

“I don’t know if I should believe you. That evil one sounded so convincing...” she sobbed

Discord nodded his head

“Oh right, we are on this level. Okay, I understand that after all of this you need some proof. What if I tell you something only we know...”

He whispered something into Fluttershy’s ear. She immediately blushed and rubbed her mane

“Oh right, so it really is you... Discord, can you tell me what happened to me ? I was so...so terrified”

Discord helped Fluttershy rise up and bit his lip

“Fluttershy, in all of us there is good and bad. Sometimes we deny some part of us but their doesn’t die. It is waiting right there inside of you. And that creep... he apparently had a power of darkness that allowed you to awoke your dark side. It messed with you turning you into worst version of yourself. I did this to you many years ago in this very place” he looked around in bizarre sentiment “ but that was different. That magic is ancient, toxic and full of hatred. I am sure that our friends are suffering from living nightmares too. Whatever is influencing you with darkness, really wants to kill you. Luckily, I am here and I won’t allow it”

He snapped his claws. Suddenly, he was wearing and armour and handing umbrella in his paw.

“Discord is ready to rumble. I will avenge you, Fluttershy, our friends and my privacy. My image belongs to me and Hasbro. No one else can use it.”

“What ?” asked confused Fluttershy.

Discord coughed

“Nothing. So, I will try to locate our enemy. I am not sure if we will be able to see each other again because something was keeping me away even before." he waved his paw and a portal materialised out of thin air. “ This portal will lead you to your friends. I am really sorry but I really got to go. Ta ta !”

He jumped and disappeared in the flash of white light.

“No Discord, wait” said Fluttershy but draconequus was already gone.

Fluttershy lowered her head

“I wonder “ she thought “ if Discord knows more about what is going on that he wants to tell ? And what that dark Discord told me about Discord being so fed up and frustrated...can it really be true ?”

She slowly approached the portal and took a deep breath

“Oh, let me be brave “ she muttered.

She passed through the energy veil

She landed in the middle of scene so unrealistic that she had to close her eyes and open them again to be sure that it was really there.

She took a deep breath and shouted

“Guys, what is going on ?”
> Endurance
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 9

“In which Applejack meditates while falling down and finds herself in moment to die for”

“I have a bad feelin’ about all of this” muttered Applejack

She turned around to see her reflection everywhere on the surface of crystal cave

Caves... Twilight told them about the caves under Canterlot once. This was a place where Queen Chrysalis imprisoned Princess Cadence and later Twilight during the royal wedding. Applejack heard that the caves were a part of old mines, from ancient times when unicorns were exploring Canterlot mountain to find more gems. But the place was deserted and empty. This was why she didn't have good feelings about whole situation.

"Well then... Let me think. What can be wrong here ? The first thing may be the fact that I awoke in this darn cave, not on my place by the lunch table. Yeah, the problem is that I am here where I am and not there where I am not " muttered orange farm pony and then stopped, giggling " Whoa, I am startin' to goin' deep. Applebloom is right, maybe I should write down my thoughts a bit more. But anyway... what happened to me ?"

Applejack started to trot around the cave. She looked around, not knowing what to expect from the hands of the invisible foe. She closed her eyes and listened. Nothing. Just a sound of water, usual in the cave like this one.

"Well then, it looks like we will have to do it the hard way. Maudtold me once that those crystal walls always have a weak spot. So ..."

She moved closer to the wall and examined it for a while. After a while, she turned around

"Aaaaaaaaappppllleeee KIIIIICK!!!!" she yelled, bucking the wall with all her great strength.

The wall cracked and a hole appear, big enough for Applejack to crawl through

Blond mane earth pony smiled, her emerald eyes gazing at the hole with triumph.

"Well, that sure is convenient. I guess Pinkie Pie was right. Battle scream really helps in situation like this..."

She crawled through the hole and found herself and long tunnel, carved in crystal. Applejack's smile faded.

"That was easy...too easy... something is downright wrong. Something is hiding up there. This whole thing is stinkin' more than Granny's underwear after sunny day.”

She was slowly moving towards the end of the tunnel. But everything just seem so peaceful. Maybe that was some kind of a weird joke after all...

"Applejack !!!" the scream echoed throughout the passage.

Applejack gasped and started galloping in the voice direction.

"Shut, why I have to always jinx everything" she muttered.

"AJ, over here !!! " the voice's source was definitely nearer and the earth pony could identify its owner. Yeah, it was Twilight without mistaking.

Finally, Applejack spotted a silhouette of a lavender mare, lying at the end of the corridor.

"Twilight ! Twilight ! Is that really ya ? Speak to me, sugar. Ya don't look good. "

Twilight lifted her head. She looked extremely tired, her eyes were glassy and red.

"Thank Celestia that you are here. We must get out of here, find princess Cadence and warn her about princess ."

Applejack shook her head

"I am sorry Twi, but I don't think I understand ya. What is wrong with Princess Celestia ? And why are we even here in the first place"

Anger flashed in Twilight's eyes

"Applejack, something is very wrong with princess Celestia. I think she went crazy for some reason. She tried to blame for causing you harm so I tried to perform a spell to punish whoever is responsible for...for... anyway, my spell was affected and I was teleported down here. I was lying unconscious for some time. After I woke up, I spotted you in the distance and I can't tell you how much of a relief you are to me. I was imprisoned here once with Cadence and I know that it is better to be here with somepony and not alone."

Applejack rubbed her head

"That's a heck of a crazy story Twilight. Are ya sure that was exactly what happened ? "

"Applejack, we really have to hurry and destroy our enemy. You have to trust me on that" the unicorn said, arising and pulling Applejackwith her magic.

"Well, well, I am followin' ya, hold on !" said Applejack, galloping behind her.

They ran through the crystal cave and found themselves on the edge of the deep pit with the corridor beginning on the other side of the dark space.

Twilight quickly spread her wings and flew to the other side.

Applejack's coat suddenly stood straight. Something on the edge of her consciousness was tingling, something alarmed her that something still was not right. Did Twilight said something about destroying Celestia ? Twilight would always consider turning foe back to good first...

"Applejack, now it’s your turn !" shouted Twilight

"Twi, wait. I have to ask ya something..." Applejack shouted back, but then she was consumed by the magical aura, which lifted her over the void" are ya seriously consider destroying the princess. You don't sounded like yourself back then..."

She was suddenly suspended in the middle of the way.

"Twi... ?" farm pony carefully asked into nothingness

In the shadow covering the other side of the cliff ignited two dots of golden light... a pair of eyes.

"Well, well, well, it seems that you are not a dumb proletarian after all. But I remember that you were always good in breaking the illusions. You are always the Element of Honesty, able to see through false to reveal the truth."

"Twilight, no, this can't be happenin'.... I was just..." Applejack stared at the golden eyes in disbelief.

"Joking ? Well, I can assure you that Twilight is far away now and your friends... oh, they probably won't survive till the dawn. I will make sure that my plan will go without annoying bearers of the Elements of Harmony around. I will find you and end you, one by one."

"Who are ya ? What is yer plan ? What have ya done with Twilight ?" Applejack tried to move, desperately struggling over the blackness. She only managed to move a few inches.

"Tsk, tsk, my dear Applejack. You are the support of your friends and family, you are so strong and dependable...and yet you still failed to save those precious to you. Everypony knows that everypony dies. And nopony knows it like you do"

Applejack bucked into the air and started swearing in such manner that is better not to mention it in this story.

"Ya are crazy ! Ya're just tryin' to let that craziness of yers in my mind. But I do not believe ya one bit " she screamed through her tears." When I get out of here, you will pay and you will pay dearly"

Loud giggle echoed in the shadows

"You are so naive. You trusted me when you saw me. And it wasn't even because I chose the form of Twilight. You were afraid of rejecting somepony, even if he or she might turn out to be an enemy. And that was exactly what I needed to eliminate you. You can tell that I am not lying in the case of your friends, can't you"

Applejack hesitated for a moment

"Yeah, ya're not lyin' '" she muttered.

"Great " whispered the voice in the shadows " and now you are going to die. It is nothing personal, sugar. You just cannot stand in my way with all this power inside. "

"What have ya done with Twilight ? The real Twilight, my friend ?" cried Applejack, still trying to figure a way of surviving.

"Well, I can tell you that Twilight is very, very close to me and we share most of things. But it turns out that she didn't mentioned me at all. Such a good and caring friend"

"Twilight would never put us in risk ! Ya're tryin' to erase her good name but I know that she is the most friendly and nice pony I know. We are a team through her. We would have never find the Elements without her and without her my life is incomplete. So understand this. I will never lose faithin my friends and I will never abandon Twilight !!!"

There was a moment of silence and then a soft, broken whisper emerged from the other side of the abyss of darkness

"I am sorry... I loved you so much...please forgive me..."

Applejack's eyes widened

"Who's there ?” she asked, trying to recognize familiar but also strangely aloof voice.

"DIEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!" roared the more recognizable voice of the unknown enemy.

There was a blast of a magical energy and Applejack was released from telekinetic grasp. She started falling down in the dark well, swirling around through the air. She was dizzy but still conscious. Falling down, she was recalling memories... her watching the sunset at Sweet Apple Acres, singing songs with Big Mac, Applebloom and Granny... Defeating Nightmare Moon... spending day after day with her friends and trying to do all she can to keep them safe to not to lose them. Not like her parents... not like... them...

"No !!!" She shouted, still falling down

After her parents' death all she ever wanted was to have someone around. Someone who won't go away so easily. Applejack was always the toughest one from the six of their group. But she was also the most venerable when it came to loses. She learned longtime ago that if she won't leave any imprint of herself to the world, she may be forgotten.

So she worked hard to prove herself to the world, challenging herself with each day. Before Twilight came around, she didn't havemany friends. Even Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rainbow and Rarity were just some faces in a crowd. She sometimes spent time with them but until the events of the Summer Sun Celebration, they weren't exactly very close. It was Twilight's arrival that truly united them. And now Twilight is gone... and maybe the rest of her friends too. Rainbow... she was arguing with her ona way to Canterlot. She didn't say a proper goodbye.

She failed again. Just like when her mother, Buttercup, was dying, growing weaker and weaker after AJ's father went to Everfree and never came back. There was nothing Applejack could do. She still could recall last words of her mum "Don't cry, my little Jackie. I know you will take care of everything. Please look after for Bloom for me. Don't cry, I will be always there for you, just go to the field and I will be there, in all of the buttercups and in the sun and the wind. I will never leave you, my sweet. It just have to be like this. I love you Applejack... remember, always be honest... and never fail to...be...kind..."

There were tears floating in the dark abyss. Tears floating up and then falling down.

"NOOOOOO!!!!" Applejack shouted again through the wind " I won't let ya die. I will never cease to be with ya so ya won't have to feel this. Whoever ya are, Ya will pay. This ends now"

Her body was getting hotter and hotter. It was vibrating with adrenaline

"TONIGHT EVERYPONY LIVES !!!"

CRACK!!! CRASH!!!

*******************************

Applejack opened her eyes.

She opened her eyes ?

She was still alive ?

Her eyes slowly moved around to see where she was.

She was lying on a rocky shelf, which was extending far from cliff's wall

Applejack was stunned. A fall with that velocity should definitely kill her. She raised. All bones in her body cracked loudly but nothing besides that. What in tarnation was going on ?

She marched to the cliff's wall and looked up. Above her, in the distance, she could spot the light of the crystal cave,

Applejack blown her blond mane from his face. The rubber bonding her mane was lost (maybe during the flight ) and now she was surrounded by the yellow veil of her mane.

"Listen here careful if ya still here me ! If ya tryin' to scare me, it is doin' a very good job. Even now, I won't lie. But ya must also understand this. I am Applejack, the eldest daughter of Bright Macintosh and Buttercup. I will find ya and I ya will regret ever to cross my path. I don't mind torturin' me. Brin’ it on, do it as much as ya wish. But don't ya dare make my friends suffer too. I will never allow ya to take them away from me. Everypony die and everything will fade. But not today, not when I am here. So prepare yourself cause ya're going to be bucked !!!!"

She looked at the cliff. She once attended climbing course with Rara, on Camp Friendship. Let's see how much she could remember.

She started to climb up the wall and the higher she get, the faster she was climbing. She was surprised how easy it was. It was like earth was shaped just for being a support for her hooves.

And on that impossible place, in the middle of the black abyss full of howling wind, Applejack started to sing as she climbed higher and higher

The orchard humming on the hill, the streams of water cold

The old barn that is standin' still, it starts the story told

I lived my life through many years and crossed so many ways

But in my home I found the peace I felt in good old days

I've lost so much, I cried so hard, I thought I lost my way

Cause every step was with great cost, so will I live next day ?

And seasons changed and fallen stars

Have marked track of my tears

Oh, what I'd give for you to live

To save me from my fears

I never known what is like to feel this calm

Cause even though I had my place, I've never could belong

Cause I've walked with those who loved,

Who hated, laughed and smiled

But over time they all just left

I had to say goodbye

When you are gone, I cannot find the place in my soul

Why I keep standing, and not just...let go ?

Applejack was in the middle of the cliff. She was paying attention to not look down. Her ballad was motivating her to move forward, in the light's direction. She won't give up. She could not do that. Higher, higher...

Cause now I must go

Into the place that I don't know

To face the threat, to make the stand

So my own story will never end

I will go on, through night and day

And they will never be far away

Inside of me, in my heart

Forever will stay

Like a tree from the ashes growing forth will soon

Will gave the world the beauty of it's lovely bloom

I won't gave up, I will not kneel

Whatever I say, Whatever I feel

And in my triumph they all will say

I love ya, here forever stay

I will not fail, I will not fall

I must stand strong, stand through it all

Cause past is past and sun will rise

And you must now how to be once

And through the fields, in grass of gold

The one mare's story once will be toooooooooolddddd!!!!!

The last word was shouted as Applejack reached the top of the cliff. She fell to the ground and started laughing through tears. She made it (Even though she still was shocked how quickly she could climb this distance ). She smiled weakly, staring at the crystals above her

"Thank y'all, everypony, thank ya for yer strength"

Suddenly, the earth under her body faded. She started falling down. She screamed, thinking that she accidentally rolled over the edge or something like that. But her fall ended very quickly.

She was in a different location now, she could not say where exactly. Patches of cloud-like darkness swirled around her.

She spotted a silhouette in a distance. She slowly approached it and placed a hoof on pony's back.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" the pony jumped into the air.

Now, Applejack could recognize the pony

"Fluttershy ?" she asked gently

Fluttershy, still two meters over ground, slowly opened her eyes

"A-A-Applejack ? " she asked. She noticed famous Stetson hat and shortly after, the whole silhouette of apple farmer.

Applejack rose an eyebrow. She tried to stand still, despite how tired she was.

" 'Course it's me, sugarcube. Who else ?" she said, staring at Fluttershy with confusion.

Fluttershy slowly landed on the floor and moved closer to orange farm pony

"Applejack... if you don't mind that I ask but do you know what is going on ?" she said quietly, hiding behind the veil of rosy mane.

Applejack was now thinking very hard. She had to tell the others about the danger they were facing. Together they will put the end to all of this.

"Are you all right ?" Fluttershy asked, wrapping a wing around her.

Applejack was contemplating something the shadow clouds. The rest must be in there...somewhere.

"We need to get movin' " she finally answered, staring at shadows in front of her with determination " Whoever is hiding up there, won't hurt any of you tonight. Let's go ! "

Applejack galloped away, entering the dark clouds and leaving Fluttershy behind.

She was galloping at her full speed. But after some time, there was still nothing in sight.

Then she noticed a familiar figure galloping in her direction. She would recognized that mane everywhere.

"Pinkie, over here !!!" she shouted

It was too late when Applejack realized that something was out of place

Pinkie jumped and tackled her to the ground. Her eyes were radiating with madness and in her mouth... she was holding a...

"Pinkie, what are ya- ?"

Pinkie howled, lowering her head faster than anypony Applejack ever saw.

She had no time to react.

She sighed as the knife pierced through her skin. She could feel it. Not to shallow, not to deep.

That was it ? That was her end ?

But...

"Why ??" she whispered, reaching in Pinkie's direction.

The pink pony's eyes suddenly cleared as Pinkie Pie blinked as if awoken from the long dream. She stared blankly at her before realization struck her

"Applejack ? It is you ? Nonononononononono.... Noooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!" she screamed, hugging apple famer " I am so sorry AJ. I could not stop myself. She...she tricked me. But I will not let her have satisfaction. I will get help"

Applejack shook her head

"No need ! I understand, it seems...probable that it was not ya. I will never forget ya, Pinkie. I forgive ya. Go find the others and tell 'em... tell 'em... that I have always loved ya...all..."

"No, wait ! I will fix that, I have to fix that. Be with me Applejack, stay here. You are the best maybe- cousin that I have ever had. I...I won't able to...." Pinkie said, leaning close to her wounded friend

"Sssshh, all ya want to say. I feel that too... " Applejack gazed at the ceiling " I see...my orchard in full bloom.."

"AJ, please ! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" Pinkie Pie shouted, shaking her hunches

Applejack smiled as her eyes began to close...
> Blooming light
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 10

A wind howling through the branches of the apple trees...

A sun warming her face...

Applebloom sighed, shifting slightly on the ground, feeling the grass under her back. So peaceful, so quiet.

Her thoughts were flowing really slowly. But finally, after a couple minutes, she managed to form one question that rather needed to be answered.

How did she got here ?

The last thing she remembered was Twilight shielding her and the other Crusaders from some invisible enemy and now she was here... on that soft and warm grass... if only she could lay there forever...she didn't feel so relaxed in ages. If only she could be here a bit longer...

The heat in her body was rising. She shifted again. No...something here was not right

"Applebloom..."

That voice...

Applebloom...

She knew that voice...

Applebloom, help !!!

Applebloom's eyes suddenly opened and she was immediately welcomed by the rays of the sun. She raised up to semi-sitting position, still fighting off the urge to stay and lay on that grass forever.

What was going on ? Something was wrong, she was foolish to not notice that earlier.

She looked down the grassy hill. She seemed to be on Sweet Apple Acres.

Applebloom slowly raised an eyebrow. Both she and Applejack were known for their pragmatic thinking style and on this occasion, there was no exception.

"Wait an apple pickin’ minute. There a few things I don't around here. Firstly, I am not in Canterlot anymore. And the weather also changed. I have a feelin' that somepony is messin' with me..." red manned filly thought, slowly trotting down the hill.

She could not stopped the feeling of being watched as she trotted through the familiar countryside, through the maze of apple trees.

"Maybe this is just a paranoia. After all, what could possibly..."

She didn't finish the sentence when she spotted familiar but yet unrecognizable location

She leaned on the nearest tree, covering her face with her hoof

"Why the universe hates me ? I didn't even finish that sentence " she whispered before galloping to something that partially resembled the Cutie Mark Clubhouse.

She slowly ascended the ramp and got inside.

Inside was a mess. Cracked walls, spider webs, bird nests and many other signs of degeneration and destruction of once clean place of many joyfully spent days.

Tears formed in Applebloom's eyes. She quickly blinked rapidly to suppress them. That was not possible. How long she was asleep for the word to change so much ?

This was her home. Her, Sweetie Belle's and Scootaloo's. Applebloom was devastated. She painted and decorated that tree house by herself.

She looked through the enormous whole in the roof. What could have happened here ?

She slowly walked through devastated room. She looked around . All the furniture was still there, all the posters, thinking corner... It looked like a place left in a hurry.

She heard something cracking under her hoof. She recoiled and looked down

It was a photo of her, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle in a photo booth during their short trip to the Crystal Empire with Spike. It was always hanging on the wall, but now it was lying abandoned on the floor and the glass cover was shattered.

Applebloom looked closely. Something bothered her and she finally saw what it was.

Sweetie Belle was headless. The part of the photography was ripped off.

Applebloom's breath hitched. She saw something like that before. She asked Applejack why some of the family photos lacked the parts. She answered that it allowed to move on more easily...

move on...

"No. Not you" Applebloom screamed as she started to run faster than ever. She must reach Scootaloo. It could not happen.

She dashed through Sweet Apple Acres and shortly afterwards, she found herself on the outskirts of Ponyville. Luckily Scootaloo's home was nearby. After a million eternities she reached the door and knocked furiously.

After some time, a familiar violet eye peaked out. When it noticed Applebloom, it narrowed.

"OUT" was the only command.

Applebloom shivered from the hatred in Scootaloo's voice. She waved her hoof timidly.

"Hi, Scootaloo, it's Applebloom. Yer friend. I was just in a clubhouse and it was kinda...trashed. Can you explain to me what happened ?"

The eye kept looking through the small rift

"You are kidding, right ?" hissed the voice in the darkness

Applebloom shrugged and hesitated for a moment before slowly answering

"Noooooo...."

The door suddenly slammed against the wall, opening widely.

Applebloom watched as the orange silhouette emerged from the shadows. She gasped.

"Scootaloo..." her voice broke

The orange pegasus was a mess, lightly speaking. Her coat was dirty, her mane twice her usual length. But what was most terrifying was Scootaloo's face. It was covered with lots and lots of bruises and cuts and her one eye was covered with eye patch.

"You dare going back here after everything that happened... after that accident, I told you to never to contact me or else..."

"Scootaloo, please, just explain what happened here. I...I don't seem to remember"

Scootaloo suddenly jumped on top of her. Applebloom fell to the ground, eye to eye with the furious pegasus.

"Scootaloo... please let me go... I don't know what happened, but can't we just talk about it... as friends ?"

Scootaloo growled, a hint of an oncoming storm of sorrow in her heart

"You are not friend of mine, Applebloom. Nopony would ever trust a pony who killed the one they loved."

Applebloom's heart froze, then slowly cracked, breaking and falling apart.

"Do you mean... Sweetie Belle ?" she whispered

"Who else ? If I need to remind you, she died, trying to protect her baby, which you failed to take care of. She trusted you. She beloved that being a mother was in a way of our cutie mark duties. But you just could not do it right, could you ? There was that big fire... and she burnt in it, trying to save the baby from the flames. I tried to help, but even I could barely survive. Oh and I also got this as an extra"

She unfolded her wings and Applebloom noticed that one of them is made of metal. She recalled a glimpses of Twilight's stories about different realities. In one of them, the warrior Rainbow Dash had a very similar wing.

"Scootaloo, I am terribly, terribly sorry but.."

"Oh, you will be sorry. I warned you to never see me again" Scootaloo raised her hoof up. "It all had to end like that anyway. After all, how did you want to be a mother. You never even had one"

Tears flew down Applebloom's cheeks

"Scootaloo, stop!!! This is... this is..."

"True" said a quiet voice inside of her mind, as she watched Scootaloo's hoof descend slowly. Whole world went grey, andtime seemed to slow down. Applebloom watched her incoming fate with blank expression

Scootaloo was right. Applebloom was afraid her entire life that her friends won't be a together forever. They were more of a family to her and she always wanted them safe, But this whole scenario was...sadly realistic enough.

Applebloom never felt like somepony successful. Sure, he had a talent in seeing others talents but she also felt that none of her talents could help her became a better mother or a wife. She didn't want to be alone. But it was clear that she could not be as responsible as her older siblings. Well, she knew that she wasn't such a failure since she got her cutie mark in something really special and she worked really hard to discover it. But she didn't think that she will be able to build a stable family. After all, her own was broken, no matter how much they tried to keep it together. And if she fails in keeping around the most valuables of treasures she had, her two dearest friends, was there anything to stand for ? Moving on could easily turn into cowardice. If it really was her destiny, she should just give up. There was no way to change the past anyway...

"But it isn't. Can't you see it, dear Applebloom ? Open up your eyes !"

A spark igniting overwhelming grey and dull world. Something shivered in Applebloom's soul. That was the voice from before. Yet it was still unrecognizable.

"Applebloom, this is not true. This is just an illusion. You must trust me and you must believe in yourself. You still got a power to change your fate, young Apple."

The world lightened up even more.

She had the power ?

It was not too late ?

"Fight well, young one. Don't be afraid. Use your strength." the voice started to fade

"No, wait ! " shouted Applebloom " Who are ya ? Why are ya helpin' me and why I hear ya in my head ?"

The voice was silent.

Applebloom looked at Scootaloo, her hoof nearly reaching her by now.

She made her mind. She maybe not be able to change what was destined to come. But she can had faith in yourself and her friends. Applebloom had faith that it was not too late their destiny for the better.

She believed.

And believing in truth meant facing the illusions and destroying them, if necessary.

She was still looking at Scootaloo

"I am sorry" she whispered

Before Scootaloo's hoof collided with Applebloom's face, orange pegasus was bucked in stomach with full force.

Applebloom was shocked by the sight in front of her.

She only meant to knock Scootaloo off her. But the pegasus was blown across the room and crashed to the wall, which then collapsed on her.

Applebloom slowly raised and trotted carefully to the remainings of the wall.

"Scootaloo !!!" she cried

Suddenly, entire room began to shake and tremble. Applebloom had only time to thought " Darn it, what now ? " before she fell into the abyss of the darkness.

*********************************

"Oooow..." Applebloom massaged her head, opening her eyes and looking around.

She was in some dark chamber, filled with cloud of dark mist.

She smiled. So mysterious voice was right. It was just an illusion after all.

She could at least hope that it was.

She felt a paranoid sensation. Some time ago, her fears trapped her in a series of dreams-in-dreams, from which she was saved by Princess Luna. What if her current situation wasn't different ?

She started to move forward, trying not to think about that possibility.

This place had a really strange aura. Heck of a frightening spot.

BUMP!!!

Applebloom was thrown to the floor when all of the sudden somepony collided with her.

"Ow, watch where ya..." she looked up to see Rainbow Dash, staring furiously at something behind Applebloom

"Rainbow Dash ?" Applebloom asked, unsure what to think about terrifying pegasus.

"I would move from my way, if I were you " Rainbow's voice was angry and vibrating with emotions.

Before Applebloom could answer, Dash jumped over her and resumed running. Applebloom followed her.

Rainbow was heading towards a shadowed silhouette that appeared in the mist.

"Pinkie Pie ? What is she doing here?" thought Applebloom.

Then she saw Rainbow pounce and she screamed.

She didn't see a knife wrapped by RD's wing. She didn't saw it at all. Rainbow was directing it at Pinkie

"Pinkie !!!" Appleboom shouted, trying to alert the pink mare.

Pinkie turned back from... Applebloom's eyes narrowed. Pinkie was with somepony else. That other pony was lying on her back.

But before he could see the identity of the mysterious shadow, she was distracted by loud

"hiyyyyyyaaaa!!!"

There was a lightning of whiteness that crashed with Rainbow Dash and changed her trajectory. She fell into the shadows. Applebloom ran along, keeping the safe distance. She left Pinkie behind.

On the floor, she saw two ponies struggling fiercely with each other. The second one was Rarity.

Applebloom's jaw dropped. She heard a gossip that the elegant fashionista was not all as soft as it seemed. But that was clearly too much to take in.

"Rainbow, darling, just stop !!" Rarity, trying her best to hold down the struggling pegasus

"Let me go !!! She killed her. And I didn't even say... Let me go before I make you. I will have revenge"

"Rainbow, please, just listen to me. This is all not real, this is just an ilus-"

Rarity was kicked off of Rainbow, who stood up and looked into direction where was Pinkie.

"I will avenge her !!! And there is nopony who can stop me !!!"

She tried to fly away, but she was suddenly consumed into blue magical aura.

"Rainbow Dash, you ARE going to listen to me. Cause you are my friend and I want to save your unappreciative flank." said Rarity, pulling the cyan pegasus into her reach.

"How are you doing this ???!!!! Gah, let me go !!! Go to Tartarus !!!" Rainbow Dash growled, spilt flowing into the air

Rarity smiled

"No darling, I am going to send to Tartarus that dreadful thing that hides in your head"

She pulled Rainbow even closer. She quickly put her hooves on Rainbow's temples and closed her eyes.

"******* ******* ******* ****** !!!!" Shouted Rainbow Dash. Her moves and screams were getting quieter and quieter until finally her whole body collapsed to the floor with a deep sigh.

Applebloom was amazed and terrified at the same time. She looked at Rarity. Her hooves were ignited and bathed by blue light, her mane flowing on the invisible wind, constantly emanating the waves of the deep blue magic. Her irises were turned into the deepest shade of blue that Applebloom has ever seen.

"BY THE POWER OF HARMONY, BE GONE !!!" The voice was filled with wisdom and compassion and certainly didn't belong to Rarity

Rainbow Dash's body shivered profoundly.

Rarity put her hoof to her own forehead

"Oh my..."

She collapsed and magical aura vanished, melting into nothingness.

"What was that ? I did not know that I can do that ?"

"Neither did I. Powerful stuff, whatever that was " Rainbow coughed, rising from the ground .

"So, are you okay now ?" Rarity asked, carefully approaching the pegasus.

"Rarity, I...I am so sorry. I don't know what came over me. I never felt that much rage in my entire life. But it turned out to be a bad dream. Thank you so much. But anyway, where did you learn to do the stuff that you did ?"

Rarity blushed slightly

"I just tried to perform a trick that one noble stallion preformed on me, freeing my soul from that darkness. But I didn't expect it to work at all, not to mention with such power."

"Anyway, thank you. That was really cool. And I am sorry that I almost hurt you "

Rarity shook her head with the tears of joy visible in her eyes

"Apology accepted, darling. Now we must hurry and find the others"

Rainbow gasped

"That is right. Applejack !"

She dashed through the dark mist

"Wait for me darling !" Rarity followed her, trying her best to keep up.

Applebloom tried to reach past the clouds as well but suddenly she smashed to wall.

"What the- ? This place is sure messin' in mah mind with all those crazy directions"

She walked through the hallway and entered the corridor. She noticed a pony lying under a beautiful stained glass window.

She reached her hoof to touch pony's back.

But then the pony turned around and looked her in the eyes.
> Scooting high
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 11

Scootaloo was seriously annoyed.

How long can she hang on this tree ?

When she slipped from the Twilight's wing's grasp, she surely did not expect to end up in the Royal Gardens.

That was the most horrible position she was throughout her entire life. Her butt was stuck between tree branches and she was hanging there, twenty meters above the ground.

" Seriously ? Something epicis happening and all I get is being stuck on a tree ? Really ? This is humiliating ?" Scootaloo thought, struggling with the branches clenching her flanks.

If there was some danger, Scootaloo wanted to be in the first line of the battle, impressing everypony around. Now, everypony was probably facing some evil monster, villain or anything with evilness inside. Scootaloo, on the other hoof was just lamely hanging with her butt stuck between the branches.

She knew that the situation was serious.

She knew that this was probably "threat on Equestria" league and she should not feel the way she felt.

But she was bored and annoyed from the lack of...well, any action around. She could not help it.

"Think, Scootaloo, think ! Don't let some stupid tree beat you" she hissed, trying once again to change her position and fell to the ground.

She then stopped herself. She hated to admit it but she needed a better plan for this. Freeing herself will not change a thing. If she falls down from that height, she will probably break her spine. Or worse.

It would not be a problem if she was a normal pegasus.

But she wasn't...

Scootaloo was starting to have a headache. She could not be upside down for much longer. She sighed and tried to fold her body, pulling herself up

"Hyyyyyyyppppp!!!!"

She find a place for her head to rest. But now her body was now shaped into an asymmetrical letter U and she knew that she won't be able to remain in that position either.

It was a good thing that Rainbow Dash wasn't around. Scootaloo would be so embarrassed

Scootaloo sobbed quietly. For some reason, her emotions were resurfacing since she got into the castle even though she did not wanted them here. Not when she was fighting for her life.

But as always in her life, fate did not know the art of proper timing.

Her emotions exploded inside of her as a volcano.

Scootaloo burst into tears. She could only cry, she did not have the luxury of moving.

She cried for hopelessness of current situation. She came a long way since she met Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. All of the three craved for a not-broken, happy family. Sweetie Belle's and Scootaloo's parents were unconsciously but consequently shuffling them away and Applebloom's parents were dead. After Crusaders met each other, they became closer than friends, even closer than sisters. Scootaloo usually didn't like to be all softy and caring, but the truth was that there was no words that could express her emotions towards Applebloom... and Sweetie Belle.

Beside family, she also wanted an acknowledgement she never received. And she wanted it even more since that faithful day... Her eyes widened as the memory consumed her...

************************

"Scootaloo, you can go to the park and play with your friends. I will check on you later." said Summer Blaze, rubbing Scootaloo's head.

Scootaloo was trying to keep her smile up, when she heard that sentence. They never checked on her... she had to head home all by herself.

Maybe her mommy didn't care after all. She didn't even realize she had no friends in fillygarten.

Scootaloo recently turned 7 and sometimes her parents let her play with other fillies. Except there was never any others. She was sitting there and wished to not know why she is avoided. Unfortunately, she had a rather good explanation.

She still could not fly. Of course, no one tried to tease her in public, but she knew that everypony was whispering and giggling behind her back. Even her own parents. Scootaloo could not understand why nopony could understand her. If anypony did care, they would brought her to the doctor, tried to fix her up...if there was anything that could be fixed.

But her parents noticed and did not do a thing. How could that be ? She was not a freak. Right ?

Right ?

She didn't do anything to this world. She did not ask for this. So why nopony could understand ?...

" Watch out !!!"

Scootaloo snapped out of the dullness of her thoughts to see a grey silhouette flying with incredible speed towards her.

"Take cover !!!"

Luckily, Scootaloo had a time to duck and the flying pony collided with a nearby tree.

Scootaloo closed the distance between her and the crash-landed

"Miss... are you all right ?"

After a few moments of struggle, a grey head with a messy blond mane emerged from a hole in a tree. The mare shook her head

"Whoa...that certainly was something" she giggled

She flew down and landed in front of Scootaloo. The face with two amber wall eyes was now adorned by a big grin.

"Sorry for that, I did not mean to scare you. Sometimes I am losing control of my flight." she reached a hoof, still smiling widely " My name is Ditzy, Ditzy Doo. But you can call me Derpy. My friends call me that and you seem like a nice filly"

Scootaloo smiled timidly

"Thank you, miss...Derpy. This is nice, not many ponies are saying a good stuff about me"

Derpy's smile slowly turned to a frown.

"Why would they ever..."

Scootaloo sadly pointed at her undeveloped wings.

After a moment, understanding flashed in Derpy's eyes.

"Oh, I see. Do you have a time to sit with me for a while ?"

Scootaloo hesitated for a while, remembering all the times her parents told her not to trust strangers. But then she felt the anger burning inside of her. If she reasons that way, she will have to exclude her parents as well since their level of care for her daughter was...well, pretty low.

She sighed and answered bluntly

"Sure"

Derpy gently wrapped her hooves around Scootaloo and they flew to the spot on the nearby tree, designed especially for pegasi to sit on.She sat next to Scootaloo and they started observe the park from above.

"So, little one, does anyone tease you for being not like everyponyelse ?" asked the grey mare.

Scootaloo gave her an irritated glare and then shouted

"What do you think ? Of course they are !!! Those jerks are treating me like a trash even though I did nothing to them, to the world, to anypony anywhere !!! Why can't they just see who I really am !!!"

She closed her eyes and began to shake, tears dropping down to the wooden platform.

Suddenly, she felt a motion in the air and felt a hoof touching her back.

"Hey..."

"Get off me !!!!!!! You are all the same !!!! Just leave me be !!!!" Scootaloo yelled again.

Derpy was silent.

...

...

...

...

What was that smell ? Scootaloo carefully opened up her eyes. She was been lying on the platform, crying, yelling and bucking the air for ten minutes before she finally calmed down.

And now it was that smell...

Scootaloo looked around and noticed Derpy, reaching to her. In her hoof was a muffin

"Do you want some ? A muffin is always a good medicine when a pony feels blue. "

Scootaloo dried her eyes and accepted the treat.

"You stayed... you really stayed ? Normally ponies are freaking out after a show like this. And I really...can't blame them."

Derpy giggled

"Oh, I've seen worse. I did worse. You see, I only want you to know that I do understand. I really do. I know what it's like to be different and not liked because of it " each of her eyes looked at the different direction "I know what is like to be frustrated to not be who you want to be. But I am not going to tell you I am sorry for you, this never truly works." She throw her hooves into the air " I am here to show you there is always hope, no matter who you are."

SNAP!

"But firstly I will get you out of here " she said, pulling Scootaloo up just before platform collapsed and fell to the ground

Scootaloo's jaw dropped

"Was...was it you ?"

Derpy laughed nervously

"What make you say that ? Now, let's go, I want you to take you somewhere"

"Scootaloo" said Scootaloo softly

"Wha ?" Derpy did a barrel in the air

"I said *ugh* that my name is Scootaloo " Scootaloo explained, trying not to puke with all of her force.

******************

"Well Scootaloo, here we are ! I want you to meet my friends !" exclaimed Derpy when they entered to a small cottage outside of Ponyville.

The room inside was cosy and small but in the same time very welcoming. There was a whole bunch of mixed up things lying on the tables close to the walls. There weretwo beds with two desks by the side of each one. First was filled with a candy formulas, the second was adorned with a beautiful lyra and the sketches of some weird, five pointed-limbs that Scootaloo has never seen.

This first room had only two doors, one to the bathroom and the other to second bedroom/living room. Derpy and Scootaloo entered the room. The room was splitted in half. One side was covered with all sorts of electronic units, vinyls and pizza slices. The other half was perfectly clean, painted in a shades of brown. The working desk was filled with perfectly organised books about classical music.

Derpy looked around, disappointed.

"Oh, I thought Vinyl should be here by now. Well, I can show you my room or make you something to eat..."

But then the pile of discs, laundry and pizza boxes near the door exploded and somepony resurfaced from underneath.

"Hi Derps " Said Vinyl Scratch, her mane in punky style was messy, telling right away that she was sleeping "What's up ?"

Derpy pointed at Scootaloo

"Vinyl, I want you to meet Scootaloo. Scootaloo, this is my friend Vinyl Scratch. She is a DJ in Ponyville."

Scootaloo stared at blue-manned pony in amazement.

"Wow, this sounds pretty cool."

Vinyl smiled widely

"I know, right. It is really an awesome thing to make everyone shake their tails and loose themselves in this rhythm. One day..."

"What is going on here ?" came a new voice from behind.

Another pony entered the room. It was a grey mare with an ebony coat with a towel on her back.

She scanned the room and found Scootaloo staring at her, her jaw dropped once again

"You are...you are...so...pretty..." little pegasus whispered.

Vinyl rolled her eyes

"Duh, she is my marefriend, course she is gorgeous. I am well known for my good taste. Scootaloo, this is Octavia. Tavi, please cover yourself. I do not want to see those eyes staring on you like that"

"My dear, Vinyl, she is only a little filly. I cannot believe you are jealous of her" Octavia protested, dramatically raising a hoof into the air.

"I am not jealous of her, I just don't want her to get hurt. When you are taking a walk after shower, percentage of accidents throughout the population of Ponyville increases by 100%.It is mainly the stallions, but there are some exceptions. Me and the little one here."

"Oh, all right, I will get decent. But only because I want to, not because you told me." Octavia marched out the room.

"Of course you did. "

Derpy winkedto Vinyl

"Now where are..."

One of room's walls exploded.

When the dust came down, Scootaloo found herself in front of the remainings of some strange machinery.

A green unicorn slowly slipped down of the machine. She cleaned out her protective glasses and squealed

"Nailed it !"

Vinyl approached the unicorn and shouted

"This is a third wall in a month !!! Lyra, what was that now ?"

The unicorn called Lyra frowned and made the puppy eyes

"But Vinyl, I was so close. That was a prototype of something humans called a "jet" and I was so close to discover its true purpose. But I suppose I should test it elsewhere. I am sorry, I didn't meant to cause any harm"

"I am sure it was an accident darling, but you need to be extra careful " exclaimed Octavia, entering the room. She looked at the big hole in a wall and smiled " Though we can keep that hole. Fresh air is supporting my creativity with violin"

Vinyl facehood

"Unbelievable" she muttered

Another pony galloped into the room. It was an earth pony with a cream coat andindigo and pink mane

"Lyra Heartstrings !!! Come here, you" she grabbed a unicorn by the ear and started to pull her across the room

"Ow,ow,ow,owowowowowooooo,ayyyy, Bon Bon, stop it " hissed Lyra.

Bon Bon dropped her and looked her deeply in the eyes

"Don't ever blast yourself like this again without me knowing ! I was so worried..."

Bon Bon drew Lyra closer and kissed her carefully

"I am just glad that you are okay."

She turned around and noticed Scootaloo. She smiled and moved closer to the pegasus

"Hi there. My name is Sweetie Drops, but you can call me Bon Bon. And that show off over there is Lyra"

" I am not a show off" muttered Lyra. She trotted to Scootaloo and started shaking filly's hoof

"My name is Lyra Heartstrings, I am an anthropologist and a musician and I am really, really glad to meet you"

Scootaloo nodded, smiling back

"My name is..."

"Scootaloo, you are living near the east outskirts with your portents, Summer Blaze and Thunderfall, you are 7 years and 2 months, you're a great fan of the Wonderbolts and you always loved taking risk and being a tomboyish mare" completed Bon Bon

Scootaloo's eyes narrowed

"I don't know if I should find it creepy or impressing. Are you like a spy or what ?"

A droplet of sweat flew down Bon Bon's cheek

"Whatever do you mean ? Spy, me ? Nah, just crazy talking"

Suddenly there was a series of a strange noises from upstairs and soon enough a chestnut coloured stallion with a brown messy mane fell downstairs. He quickly raised up and fixed his gaze on Derpy.

"Derpy, I need your assistance. There is a potential problem with a Weeping..."

Then he noticed Scootaloo and his faced changed into a some weird mix between understanding and confusion

"...ponies outside the house. Some big bully smashed their cupcakes and they are soooo sad. I thought you can, uhm,bake them some muffins to cheer them up" stallion smiled, touching his red tie on a blue suit. Scootaloo rarely saw ponies wearing clothes and this outfit was rather weird.

This whole house was a crazy place.

And she loved it.

"So, Derpy, you wanted to show me something..." Scootaloo said, watching the grey mare.

Derpy nodded

"I just wanted to introduce you to my friends and show to you that no matter who you are, there will always be somepony who will not judge you and love you just for who you really are. You are perfect in your imperfections. When I was your age, I was always alone. I spent days making soap bubbles and watching butterflies. I was sick of living alone and one day, I wanted to leave this place and never come back. But I got lost and I nearly got eaten by the Timberwolves. But then Lyra found me and hypnotized the beasts with her music so we could run away."

"It was nothing, just a cheap trick with a freaquency" said Lyra with a wide smile.

Derpy continued her story

"Lyra showed me very much compassion and understanding, more than I ever encountered. She introduced me to her friends and each of them gave so much to me. Thanks to Vinyl, I came to me first party ever. Octavia was playing music to calm me whenever I felt down. And thanks to Bon Bon's candy formulas, I started to bake sweeties and discovered the magic of muffins. Those ponies mean everything to me and we love each other, no matter who we are but what we feel inside. And I can assure you that if you will have hope in your heart, friendship will come to you one day"

Scootaloo nodded and looked curiously at the chestnut stallion

"What about you ? How did you met Doctor ?"

Derpy chuckled and blushed slightly

"Doctor and I share a very special kind of a bond. Our first encounter is really interesting story but..."

Doctor raised a hoof

"If I may interrupt, I just want to say that I am well assured that your future will be great, Scootaloo. Trust me, I know what I am talking about. It is very good that you are with us, cause after exactly fifteen seconds something will change your life and life of many others in Equestria... forever."

Derpy gasped

"Are you talking about..."

Doctor smiled and nodded

"Yes, yes I do. Now come on !!! To the hole !"

Seven ponies galloped to the hole and looked up

"Seven, six, five, four, three, two, one !!!" Doctor counted down.

There was a loud thunder throughout the sky and suddenly, a ring of multicoloured fire appeared out of nowhere, spreading itself across Equestria.

Scootaloo watched with wide eyes as the Sonic Rainboom painted the sky as a kaleidoscope

"I need to find the pony who did this"

"And you will, dear Scootaloo. And then you will find peace of your lonely soul. You will get a sister" said Doctor softly

"What ???!!!" Scootaloo looked at the Doctor with confusion.

"Nothing, don't listen to me. I was just a bit carried away" Doctor stepped back between his friends.

Scootaloo faced the six other ponies

"Thank you all for giving me hope for the better future. I will never forget it."

"It is nothing, Scootaloo. Now you have six ponies who can be your friends." said Derpy

"Yeah, you can come here whenever you want. I can show you some cool tricks with my base cannon." exclaimed Vinyl

" I will gladly see you again Scootaloo" added Octavia.

"You will find somepony your age to play but for now..." Bon Bon smiled

"You have us !" finished Lyra.

Scootaloo smiled back, her heart warmed by the kindness of recently met group.

Derpy winked to Scootaloo

"And before you go, we have a little gift for you"

She whispered something into the Doctor's ear. He thought a minute and then galloped up the stairs. A peculiar sound was heard

"What's that ?" asked Scootaloo

"It is just...the pipes. He had to went to the toilet." answered Derpy

After a moment, a sound repeated itself

"Oy, something must be really hard to flush" Lyra muffled her laughter

Doctor came down and took his place next to Derpy

" It is done" he said, pulling from behind a colourful box. " Open it."

Scootaloo slowly opened the package. Inside of it was a brand new scooter.

"Woow!!!" her eyes lightened up as she gazed at the gift " A scooter...but I don't know how to drive a scooter".

" I am sure that you will learn it. This scooter will allow you to move fast and maybe even fly without wings. We built it together for you, added some gadgets. And this is super cool" Vinyl lifted the scooter with magic and left it in front of Scootaloo"

"But how did you manage to built it in such a short amount of time ? I know you for like half of an hour !"

"What do you mean ? Doctor told us to built it a week agah" Lyra was silenced by another of Derpy's muffins.

"Doctor is wonderful in time management, it is indeed his talent." Octavia explained.

Scootaloo nodded

"I am really happy. This scooter is awesome. Thanks for giving me hope guys. Maybe I will achieve something big after all"

Doctor smiled

" One day, Scootaloo. One day..."

**************

"No...I can't give up...I will not lose hope. For all my friends, who always believed in me"

Scootaloo focused her will. Just move a little...Just move...move...

She will get out of here for the ones she loved.

Break free...

Suddenly, the tension around her waist and under her neck disappeared.

Scootaloo screamed, expecting a fall that will break all of her bones.

But when she opened her eyes, she immediately considered the situation as a dream.

She was almost at the bottom of the tree. And to make it even more weird, she was floating above the ground.

"What the..." she shouted before the earthunder her opened with a crack and she was sucked into black void.
> Closing Anthem
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 12

"Hyyyyyyyypppp!!!!" Applejack gasped loudly, pushing Pinkie Pie off of her. The knife in her chest exploded into white light. So did the woundwhich closed and didn't left a single mark.

"Applejack, you are alive !!!" Pinkie cried and before Applejack could react in any way, she gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

Applejack frowned

"Pinkie, what are a doin’ ?"

Pinkie giggled and blushed

"I am sorry. I was just too excited for you being all right. I don't know what happened but I was just trying to do to some rescue action when you came back to life."

Applejack slowly arised

"Pinkie, what do ya think happened here ?"

Pinkie put her hoof to her chin

"Well, I think we triggered all the Pinkiejack haters. " she waved at something in the distance " But I would not mind if I were you. Related or not, I still believe in our ship"

Applejack blinked a few times, before shaking her head and explaining.

"No, no, I meant that I was dying and now I am fine ? How does that work ?"

Pinkie raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"I don't know but I am super duper glad that you are ok again !!!"

Applejack sighed

"I think our story here is far from normal and far from over" she gestured around " We don't even know where are we "

Suddenly, a powerful punch collided with Pinkie's face.

Pink earth pony fell to the ground and saw Rainbow Dash with a face changed from fury, her hoof lifted for another strike

Applejack shielded Pinkie with her body

"Hold it right there. What do ya think yar doin' ?"

Sweat was dropping from Rainbow's face.

"She wanted to kill you. I saw that. I am going to... "

"What are you going to do , Rainbow Dash? Do I need to remind you that you didn't act any better ? If it wasn't for me, you would kill Pinkie for sure." Rarity said, emerging from the shadows and breathing heavily.

Rainbow shivered

"I was trying to protect AJ. I...I was so worried that you...you..." Rainbow suddenly burst into tears, her emotions overwhelming her. " I would never forgive myself if I would let you die."

Applejack hugged tightly the crying pegasus.

"There, there. I know ya didn't mean it. We all came through some pretty scary stuff since the tea with the princesses. And I bet we also did some pretty scary stuff ourselves. But the important thing that none of us meant it and now we are all awoken from this nightmare. I guess nothin’ back there was real. Both Pinkie and I had wounds. The illusion was somehow broken and now there is no sign on us. So we should just forgive, move on and stick together like friends should. Who is with me"

"Ihhh behhhiiinn thhhrahhhingggghh thhhooo theilllll yuuuuu. Rhaaaainhof, chhhouuut yuuu plhhhiisssh mooof, yuuu ahh squhhhishhinnghhh mahhh liverhhhh" came a voice from down below.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash parted from their hug. Rainbow was still standing on Pinkie, squishing her to the flat level.

"Ouupsie" Rainbow moved back.

Pinkie exhaled and inflated herself back.

Rainbow looked at Pinkie

"Pinkie, you can reconstruct your body in a second. I wasn't sure if you actually had a liver"

Pinkie smiled

"I have liver when I want to have it and you kind of taken me by surprise"

Both mares started giggling and after a moment hugged each other, laughing.

Rarity hugged her friends with tears in her eyes.

Applejack laughed as well. Four friends laughed and cried at the same time, letting go all the stress and pressure gained through the dangerous journey.

Suddenly, a small discharge of energy appeared on the edge of their vision and familiar voice shouted

“Guys, what is going on ?”

Ponies looked up to see Fluttershy, staring at them in disbelief.

Then yellow pegasus jumped upon her friends and hugged them too.

"I thought you are all in danger" she cried " O, guys I am so happy that you are okay."

"Yeah, we are glad to see you too Fluttershy.What's with the portal ?" asked Rainbow Dash

"I met Discord and he helped me get to you." Fluttershy explained

"Discord is here ? Well, in that case we may have a chance of winning this game. Where is he ?"

Fluttershy lowered her head

"Our ways parted before I walked into the portal. But I trust that he will do the right thing."

Applejack sighed

"Well, this is not as good as I thought but nevertheless, we have each other and we are safe"

"Darling, your definition of safety is rather wide. We still don't know where we are and we can be trapped here forever." Rarity exclaimed, lifting her hoof to her forehead.

"Wait a minute, do you hear that ?" Pinkie Pie looked through the mist " Is that singing ?"

"I think it is. Come on girls, we have to find our sisters and Twilight " said Rarity, as the group started galloping towards the source of the sound.

*********************

"Ouch, my head" Scootaloo complaint, arisingfrom the cold floor.

At least, she wasn't hanging on that stupid tree anymore.

Well, now she was in some kind of a hallway. Spooky, what else it could be called ?

She trotted forward, trying to recall correctly the events before landing down here.

She was flying when she snapped out of her flashback. No, not even flying. More like floating.

There was some weird stuff going on.

She started to back away until she touched something warm and then...

********************

"Have any of you seen Twlight ?" Fluttershy asked, when the rescue group was running through the main hall.

"I am afraid I saw some glimpse, darling. But it was not the best one. She disappeared in the flash of white light and probably teleported far away."

"Oh my, that sounds terrible" Fluttershy whispered.

"Well, we must find our sisters first. Maybe they know something about Twilight and we will be able to continue our search" Applejack cut the dialogue.

After a several minutes of running, ponies spotted light in the distance.

"What is that ?" asked Rarity

"I don't know, but I think we are getting close. Come on !!!" shouted Rainbow

Suddenly, the translucent wall appeared before them.

"I am afraid you are not going anywhere" hissed the voice from nowhere.

"You again !" cried Rarity

"Let us go to our sisters !" screamed Rainbow Dash.

"This is not an option. You will be needed here."

Applejack's eye twitched

"LET.US.THROUGH !!!!!" she yelled as she stumped her hoof to the ground.

The earth beneath her trembled and glow in a dark green light. Suddenly, a few stalagmites shot through the ground , passing through the barrier.

Applejack gasped

"Wha' ? How did I ?..."

Rainbow Dash flew above and dashed towards the wall

Fluttershy close her eyes.

With a sudden flash of cerise light, the tunnel was filled with hurricane wind and temperature visibly lowered.

Barrier was shaken but didn't break.

Voice laughed

"This is perfect. I just need one more to confirm my suspicion. My dear Fluttershy, if you want to see your Crusader friends again, attack me. Now !"

Fluttershy shivered

"You want me to attack you. ? Please no..."

Voice sighed

"Well I am sorry..."

A circle of dark, magical energy surrounded Fluttershy.

"But I am not expecting any objections today !!!"

Fluttershy screamed and all of the sudden, her irises turned from blue to orange.

She looked stared at the wall with emotionless expression and said one word

"leave"

Her voice was softer than quietest whisper, but just as it was said, a wave of yellow energy crashed with the barrier, shattering her.

Fluttershy collapsed. She covered her ears

"I hear the voices ! From everywhere !"

Rainbow looked around

"What did you do to her ?"

Voice seemed really amused

"I did not do anything. I just needed to confirm that you indeed posses the powers of the legend. Sadly, you won't live long enough to discover your capabilities. See you"

The voice faded

"Emm, guys, whatever just happened, you may want to check this out" said Pinkie, pointing at something beyond the shattered barrier

Five ponies looked at quickly extending blackness.

"What in the heck is that ?" asked Applejack

"Trouble" muttered Rainbow Dash

"I am scared " Fluttershy hugged Rarity.

The unicorn hugged Fluttershy back

"There, there, we will figure the way out, darling" Rarity gulped, looking at the void.

"Maybe with this weird powers out of nowhere we have a chance ?" suggested Pinkie

"Forget it. I don't know anything about this stuff or how it came out !" replied Applejack, slowly moving backwards.

"Yeah, me neither " Rainbow flew over them trying to find the way out of the room.

"Are we going to die here ? " asked Fluttershy, when the five friends gathered on the island on the ocean of nothingness

Pinkie waved her hoof

"No silly, we are too important to the plot to die right now"

"To what ?!" asked the rest

Pinkie Pie rolled her eyes, smiled and cuddled with her best friends.

"Let's just say that every good story needs an element of suspense".
> Sweet heart
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 13

The last thing Sweetie Belle remembered was a sweet smell of Twilight's feathers.Note to self: She really must ask her for a shampoo advice. But anyway, she fell into the darkness. She was falling and falling. She could just close her eyes and scream, hopelessly. She couldn't measure time of her fall.

When she opened her eyes, she found herself in a dark, cloister-like chamber. Perspective of her standing there and screaming for no good reason for Celestia knows how long caused her to blush. Sweetie started to trot around, looking at the long, dark corridor. She was worried about her friends but she also knew that she won't be able to do anything useful if she doesn't know where she is. The corridor was dark, lightened only by rays of weird light coming through several small windows.

Sweetie stopped when she found herself in a little room at the end of the corridor. Besides the entry to the corridor that she just have trotted through, there were only two doors.

Sweetie carefully moved closer to the doors on the left. She knew that she shouldn't just open strangely looking doors after being somehow magically transported to dark and empty cloister. But she didn't have much of a choice. Besides, Sweetie's curiosity always got the better of her. She placed a hoof on the door and pushed it gently.

She looked in the darkness in front of her. It seemed like the door was floating without any physical bonding in the pure night. But then Sweetie Belle saw something. It was a small point of light in the darkness slowly moving towards her. Sweetie screamed in shock when the light suddenly consumed her.

Sweetie opened one eye. She was standing on the... grass ? How in all of Equestria she was standing on the grass ?

When Sweetie looked around with attention, she noticed that the scenery was even more peculiar than she thought at the beginning. There was another Sweetie Belle lying near her. She was sunbathing and slowly sipping the lemonade.

Sweetie Belle looked at her copy.

"Hi there... me. Can you tell me what is going on ? " asked unicorn filly.

Sunbathing Sweetie Belle didn't answered.

"Maybe this is some kind of a vision. Not memory I think. But this is...interesting. I have never seen myself from the outside."wondered Sweetie Belle " Oh, why Twilightisn't here. She would've help me.Dumb magic."

And then she heard somepony else running. Both Sweeties rose their heads. And from then on Sweetie didn't wanted that vision to end. She just started to observe and take in every word. She flowed along with the stream of thoughts and feelings of her another self and their souls were united.

***************

Spike slowed down when he noticed Sweetie Belle sunbathing. He walked to the white unicorn and stared at the ground, visibly nervous. Sweetie looked at young dragon.

"Hi Spike. What brings you here. You want to come and lay down with me? It is such a great day for sunbathing."

Spike didn't answer at first, but then he took a deep breath and exclaimed

"Sweetie Belle, do you want to be my partner for Summer Sun's Celebration Gala ?".

Emerald eyes of young unicorn widened and she enthusiastically shouted: "Yeeeeeesssss!!!!!!"

Looking at Spike, little confused by this sudden outburst, she cleared her throat and spoke in more distinguished manner

"Yes, Spike. I would love to".

Spike smiled and offered his hand to help her arise from the grass

The scene faded and become replaced by another one.

Sweetie Belle and Spike were sitting under the gazebo at Sweet Apple Acres, commonly known as the most perfect spot for the romantic dates in Ponyville. Spike looked at Sweetie Belle, half-asleep on his shoulder. He asked:

"Sweetie Belle, not that I am complaining, but why are you dating me again ? I was fancying your sister for such a long time . Why you still wanted me ? You are really pretty, Sweetie Belle. I bet that you could have any young colt in Ponyville. For example, when I was on a gaming retreat with Rumble and Button Mash, we had a chat and Button told me.."

Spike was gently silenced when Sweetie placed a hoof on his lips.

"Spike, I guess love doesn't need any explanation. And Rarity thing doesn't bother me...anymore. What important is that we are together now". whispered Sweetie Belle.

Spike smiled

"If you say so, Sweetums" he said, gently brushing her mane

Sweetie sighed and purred like a little kitty

(FLASH(of light, not that form EG))

Sweetie Belle was standing on a stage , breathing profoundly to calm herself. She looked at the audience and noticed Spike sitting in front row. She smiled, blushing furiously. It was so nice of him that he took his time to be here with her.

Spike was accompanied by Starlight Glimmer (or, as Scootaloo liked to call her, Aunt Glimglam. That nickname always made Sweetie Belle laugh). Starlight was dressed in a strange red shirt with yellow words : "Marx rules". Starlight once told the Cutie Mark Crusaders about a weird alternate dimension where some creatures called humans were walking on two legs and had a very good taste in ice creams (The truth about alternate universes should remain hidden but Starlight, bold as always, wasn't known for listening to the orders and rules very well).

Starlight told them that the red shirt was a gift from a good friend of hers from that world, Sunset Shimmer. It meant to be a remembrance of a great fighter for equality in that other world. Sunset added certain modification, so Starlight could wear it in pony form. Even that Starlight didn't want others to know about that, those close to her knew, that the idea of equality among ponies still had a special place inside of her hearth.

Even with her friends on the audience, Sweetie was a bit nervous.

Besides her duties as a Cutie Mark Crusader, she was attending to the Equestrian Royal Singing Group of Countess Coloratura for some time now. Countess (or as Sweetie and her friends called her: Rara) was very nice to her and helped her achieve even better singing abilities than those she already possessed. Tonight was the last the day of the series of performances and Rara wanted her to sing the ending song. And there she was standing before a crowd of ponies. Sweetie levitated a glass of water and gently sipped it. Finally, the time has come. She moved closer to the microphone and opened her mouth. But before she was able to sing, there was a loud screamin the audience

"Sweetums!!! Wait!!!" shouted Rarity, making her way to the front row "I made it!!! Here I am, sis. Now let's begin this divine performance."

Sweetie let out a small giggle and started singing:

All my life I wondered

Is there a star above

All my life I wondered

Is in me any love ?

The life of mine, the love inside my hearth

Blooming in my soul, it will play it's part

As sun always rises, I'll shine in the sky

To be a guidance to those who long and cry

There was a time when I lost my way

There was a time when I missed the day

I have to face sadness, fearful and alone

Solitude was slowly turning me to stone

The life of mine, the love inside my heart

Blooming in my soul, it will play it's part

As sun always rises, I'll shine in the sky

To be a guidance to those who long and cry

Till I saw the light and I found my heart

And then I got my very fresh start

I found my star to guide my way

And for my happiness I cannot repay

The life of mine, the love inside my heart

Blooming in my soul, it will play it's part

As sun always rises, I'll shine in the sky

To be a guidance to those who long and cry

Not alone until the end of time

With the true love enchanted in rhyme

With company to end of the world

So my hearth will not be cold.....

There was a moment of silence and audience exploded with fanfares and applause. Spike winked to Sweetie Belle and showed her thumbs up. Rarity was sobbing into a napkin. Sweetie smiled and...

(FLASH)

"Are you sure about this ?" asked Princess Celestia, looking at Spike and Sweetie Belle " You are both fully aware of the risk of that kind of interference ?"

"Yes Princess " the unicorn and the dragon said in unison.

"Very well. Sweetie Belle, I need you to come here and lay on your back. Do not move" answered the sun princess.

She lowered her horn and touched Sweetie's belly, which shortly after was consumed in magical, golden aura. There was a flash of golden light and Celestia turned back to Spike.

"It is done. You may now enjoy the blessing of being parents..."

(FLASH)

"Careful, Clarity. Do not fall" Sweetie Belle gently moved little filly unicorn with swirly purple and green mane away from the edge. Little pink unicorn giggled and produced a spark of green magic that ignited the table cloth. Sweetie screamed and quickly lifted her daughter in the air.

" I’ve got this, Sweetie." Spike rushed to the rescue from the corner of the room. He grabbed the second unicorn filly and smiled to her " So what, Twilight Ruby ? Wanna help daddy saving the day?"

Twilight Ruby was a white pony with spiky mane in a colours of purple and red. Her deep green eyes with vertical pupils lightened up when she looked at her dad. She quickly jumped in flames and shortly after, the smoke and burnt table cloth was the only sight of disaster.

Sweetie Belle looked at Spike.

"How many times it has to happen before you buy a cloth made from something not as flammable as this ?" asked Sweetie with a playful grin.

Spike winked to her and they both started laughing...and... laughing...laughing...

**********************

Sweetie Belle closed the door. She was speechless and she was all shaky. But the tears flowing down her face was a tears ofhappiness. Sweetie felt lighter than ever before.

She turned to face the dark corridor and shouted in the darkness

"True love doesn't need any explanation. Maybe it was because he is so caring and sweet. He was, and is, so loyal and persistent that I feel safe with him. I just love Spike. I know it maybe weird. And I know it may not be good, logical choice. So guess what: I don't care anymore. I only wish the best for him. Oh sis, what are you doing with him...with us?" Sweetie's voice broke.

She looked at the mirror placed between the pair of the doors. But instead of her reflection she saw...Spike and Rarity kissing each other. Sweetie Belle frowned in a second and came closer to the mirror, her lips slowly stretching in a malevolent grin

"Oh, I see. Once again you are doing this to me "She twisted her head and looked at the kissing couple " Oh, Rarity, Rarity, Rarity. If you can just once...only once see something beyond yourself ? Can you?!!! "

Sweetie Belle started shouting at the mirror.

"I cannot believe how such a self absorbed mare became an Element of Generosity. Why can't you just tell him how you really feel ? I see that you don't return his feelings. So why I can't be happy ? Why I can't have him to myself ? I was trying... trying so hard that it hurt.... to be a good sister" Sweetie's scream was so loud that echoed in all cloister. Unicorn's eyes and horn were glowing, emanating green light. With each breath she exhaled a green mist.

"And this is where I get it... my reward... BUT IT IS NOT RIGHT !!!!!!!!! IT IS NOT FAIR !!!!!!!! WHERE IS MY LOVE ?????!!!!!!!"

Sweetie Belle moved towards reflection and passed through it ,grabbing Rarity and moving her away from Spike

"I AM SO SICK OF WAITING!!! IF YOU WILL TAKE WHAT'S WORTHY IN MY LIFE, THEN YOU SHOULDN'T BE A PART OF IT. BE GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Sweetie watched as Rarity, Spike and reality over them started to break and crack. Finally it shattered, exploded in a blast of a green aura...

*****************

Sweetie Belle stood in front of the remainings of the mirror. Around her was a circle of half-melted stone, licked by green flames.

Sweetie's smile faded as she slowly looked at her partial reflection in a broken mirror

"Oh...Oh.....Oh no.... no ....no" whispered little filly " I... I ....have gone too far... oooooohhh" Sweetie sighed, falling swiftly to the floor.

She was laying there, Celestia knows how long. Then she managed to rise her head

"For the sake of the love inside my heart... the love I feel towards both of you: my big sister and my gentledragon, I am going to leave the things the way they are. I love you so much that I only wish both of you could be happy. I may always feel sorry for what I have missed but it doesn't matter as long as I see you full with hope and light. With envy and hatred instead of love and understanding... I don't know what I can become. You are my light, nothing else matters"

Sweetie made an effort to stand on her hooves. She pointed her horn at the fractured glass and focused. She didn't know what she was doing but she just gave up to it. The fragments glimmered in green light, danced in the air and reconnected. In front of her was now a stain glass mirror showing Rarity and Spike kissing and with words "Love for eternity" on the top.

Sweetie didn't know that she is capable of such magical feat. But after everything she experienced, she wasn't in mood to question it.

Suddenly, she felt somepony's presence behind her

She turned around and...
> Reemergance
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 14

"Sweetie Belle!! Scootaloo !!! Applebloom !!" the Cutie Mark Crusaders shouted in unison.

"But how ? Why?? Ya were jus' like... like ya fell from the sky" exclaimed Applebloom.

"Who cares? I am so glad I see you and we are all here together again" Scootaloo hugged her two best friends.

The trio moved closer to each other and started to look around. They quickly shared their experiences since they were separated.

"This is all bad, I tell ya ! Where are we ?" said Applebloom

"I don't know. But I think that questioning the rules this place follows is the last thing we should do." Sweetie Belle bit her lip

"Sweetie is right. We have to follow our emotions and maybe....maybe even go mad " whispered Scootaloo

Applebloom knocked in Scootaloo's head

"Knock, knock, knock, apple to chicken, apple to chicken..."

Scootaloo blushed

"I told you that I hate that codename like, I don't know, a thousand times ?" hissed orange pegasus.

"Maybe little more" giggled Applebloom

Sweetie Belle got up and interrupted the teasing.

"Applebloom, I think Scootaloo said something important. Besides, we didn't talk about one very important thing."

"What ?" asked Applebloom and Scootaloo.

"The prophecy. Or the revelation. You know, that poem which Princess Cadence heard from that mad stallion. The more I think about it, the more I feel that it can give us some clues" explained Sweetie Belle.

"Oh right ? That stuff. But..." Scootaloo was seemingly hesitant " shouldn't we find our sisters and their friends and told them about it ? I bet they will know better what to do with it."

Scootaloo was suddenly grabbed and turned around by Applebloom, so she looked red-manned filly in the eyes

"Scootaloo, look at me ! "said Applebloom, tears slowly flowing down her cheeks " If tha' what I saw was true, it may be too late for what ya are sayin'. Our sisters may be in great danger and maybe now it's time... to help them. The' saved Equestria so many times. Wha' if today is our turn to be the heroes ? We have to figure this out on our own. "

" Applebloom is right. There is no time for even for a proper search. Besides, I bet we will find ourselves with them in no time. " resumed Sweetie Belle

Scootaloo slowly nodded and looked at her to companions

"So... I guess none of you remember the text of the revelation ?" she asked

After a second of silence, Sweetie Belle raised her hoof

"Oh, oh, oh, I do , I do !!!"

Scootaloo's jaw dropped

"How in all of Equestria did you manage to remember all of this bla-bla-bla by hearing it just once ?"

Sweetie Belle shook her head

" I didn't memorize it. I wrote it down."

Applebloom gave a unicorn a look full of confusion.

"What the hay ?"

Sweetie blushed slightly

"When we were writing down our gossip column, I really enjoyed it. Even if we... missed the point with the topics. But even when we ended Gubby Gums stories, I still loved to make mine. And when we earned our cutie marks, I was still writing. So I always keep a notebook and quill nearby."

Sweetie pulled a quill and the notebook out of her mane.

Scootaloo facehoofed.

"HOW ???"

Sweetie rolled her eyes

"You were the one laughing when I decided to hang out with Pinkie Pie. Turned out that she can teach you some really hoofy tricks".

"All righ', all righ' y' all " now it was Applebloom's turn to silence arguing pair " Sweetie Belle, ya were sayin' tha' ya got somethin' written down ? "

Sweetie Belle cleared her troth. She found the wanted page and started to read:

"When darkness and light gets head down

Beware the eclipse of shadow and sun

Foe bended by heart only by another

May be killed to welcome a night as a brother

Be careful who you trust, look for reflection of sun

When doom returns, the flesh cannot be undone

Six by one and three in one might be the only cure

The only light will be see while darkness can endure

Sometimes the way to live is to choose the death

Only love can save you from your lasting breath

And the reflection may only be gone

When somepony will claim time as a rightful throne"

The trio were as stunned as when their first heard the revelation.

Scootaloo put her head on her hoof

"Nah, nothing so far. And you ?"

Applebloom climbed on small pile of rocks so now she was standing on a rostrum, like in their clubhouse.

"It's our job to see wha' is in there. Let's start from the beginin'"

Sweetie Belle began to slowly read again

"When darkness comes and light gets head down

Beware the eclipse of Shadow and Sun "

Unicorn sighed

"I think it is obvious that "light gets head down". We are in a castle that is... well... lightless."

"Beware the eclipse of Shadow and Sun... What is this part about ?" Scootaloo gasped " Do you think... maybe princesses turned evil ? They represent darkness and light, right ? Maybe they went bananas... Well, Celestia already went bananas but you know what I mean."

" I don' know Scootaloo. This sounds a littl' extreme. Didn' ya heard that Starligh' helped them get along ?" said Appleblom

Sweetie Belle touched her chin with her hoof once again

"But you all heard what Princess Celestia said about the disappearance of Princess Luna. Maybe Nightmare Moon really came back"

"But why ?" questioned Applebloom

Sweetie turned around and looked at the dark chamber.

"I don't know but whatever is the reason, we have to find it"

Appleboom nodded and added

"Beside' there should be Eclipse of Moon and Sun and that would ruin the poem's harmony"

Scootaloo frowned

"Since when you are a poetry expert ?"

Applebloom looked at Scootaloo with half-closed eyes

"Since am hangin' and helpin' Zecora, thank ya were much. Now Sweetie, wha' have we got next ?"

Sweetie Belle resumed reading

"Foe bended by heart only by another

May be killed to welcome night as a brother"

Scootaloo shivered

"It is getting worse with each new line"

"Bended by heart...how could somepony be bended by heart ?" muttered Sweetie Belle "There is something in my head... but it's keep slipping away"

Scootaloo looked at the revelation's text

"Be careful who you trust look at the reflection of the Sun. How can Sun have reflection ?"

You know that feeling when all is on place except one little element ?? Gaaahh!!!" Sweetie Belle yelled in frustration

Scootaloo read further

"When doom returns the flesh cannot be undone... Maybe somepony or something is rebuilding itself ?"

Sweetie Belle started to move towards chamber's walls, using only her back legs while keeping front ones by her sides

"Duuuummmmmbb braaaaaaaiinnnnn!!!!!!"

Applebloom gasped

"Scootaloo, I know understand, what did ya ment that we can allow them to die"

Scootaloo look at yellow earth pony

"You do ?"

Applebloom pointed at revelation's fragment

"Yeah, right there. The only light will be se when darkness can endure, sometimes the way to live is to choose death. Scootaloo, I bet this is a trick. Maybe this place is ruled by some strange rules. So life means death, death means life. If we will tryin' to save them, they will be dead. I can't believe that but... it seem' as rational as it can be in our situation.

Scootaloo pressed her hooves together

"But we can't just sit here and do nothing"

Sweetie Belle responded, still moving in circles

"And we won't. We are going to find one responsible for all of this and we will save our sisters"

Applebloom raised an eyebrow

"And how exactly we are going to do that ?"

Sweetie Belle got up on to her hooves and smiled to her friends

"I have no idea. But it is still a good plan, isn't it ?"

Applebloom and Scootaloo's hearths warmed with love for her friend. They hugged Sweetie tightly.

"Ya know what ? The most importan' is tha' we are together again. " said Applebloom

"Yeah. And we won't get separated no matter what" added Scootaloo

"Some destiny brought as here. And we all came through the darkness and learned something. That sometimes you embrace true love when you give it to others instead of attaching yourself to your own desires" whispered Sweetie Belle

"That who you are is defined by hope in what you dream and it makes you a better pony " said Scootaloo

"And there is no use in believing' in somethin' when ya are not belivin' in yourself and spread faith across those that ya cares about" quietly added Applebloom

The group stayed in a hug for a moment, until Scootaloo noticed something

"Guys... why are we glowing ? "

Two other Crusaders screamed when they acknowledged the presence of the bright light illuminating from their bodies.

Sweetie Belle was the first to calm down

She hugged her friends even tighter

"Just stay in friendship moment. I think that light is our saviour"

"But... how ?" asked Applebloom

Sweetie Belle shook her head " I don't know. But... we are related to the Elements of Harmony. For our sisters glowing is a daily basis. I once had a chat with Discord (since he is our honorary member now, it is easier) and I learned that sometimes you just have to trust yourself. AND DO NOT QUESTION THINGS. Come on, just hug me !!!"

And then the trio felt it. They looked in amazement as the wave of pure, white light crashed the walls around and raised them in the air. Everything went white...

*****************************

Cutie Mark Crusaders opened their eyes. The dark chamber vanished. Now they were in a main throne room of Canterlot Castle. But it was still darker than usual.

Three fillies looked at each other

"Wow, I didn't have any idea that we can do what we just did" shouted Scootaloo, doing back-flip in the air.

"Yeah, I guess it was pretty awesome... whatever tha' was" Applebloom nodded with enthusiasm.

"Girls!!!!!!!" Sweetie Belle's scream echoed through the throne room.

Applebloom and Scootaloo turned around. What they saw, froze the blood in their veins.

Shaking Sweetie Belle pointed hoof at the glowing hexagram, carved on the floor of the throne room. On the each arm of the star was one pony. Cutie Mark Crusaders needed only one look to know that those ponies were the incarnates of the Elements of Harmony. Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Applejack. They all were there, simply standing and staring blankly in space. CMC stood there, feeling nothing but hatred for the mysterious foe.

"He... he is sucking their life forces" Scootaloo pointed at the stream of multicolour magic, flowing from the six ponies to the centre of the diagram, beating like a heart.

Sweetie Belle moved closer to Rarity. Beautiful mare's eyes were wide open, her mane was messed up and there were streams of tears constantly flowing down her face.

Applebloom and Scootaloo checked Rainbow Dash and Applejack in the same time.

" He will pay for this! Rainbow... she... she has everything broken. I don't know how is she even standing straight" said Scootaloo, with tears in her eyes.

"And Applejack looks lik' she is strangled or somethin'. But it doesn' make any sense. I saw them earlier. I saw them all, runin' and screamin'. What is goin' on here ? " Applebloom grabbed her head in her hooves.

Sweetie looked at hexagram.

"They must be stuck in a illusion or something like that. They look like they're in a...coma. This is no good. Look at Twilight, she is glitching, like she is not really here. And where are the princesses and...." she gulped " Spike ?"

She suddenly gasped and felt her mane rising on her head

"Sweetie, are y'all right, sugarcube ?" Appleboom gently put a hoof on friend's shoulder.

Sweetie removed the hoof from herself

"Stop Applejacking me. No, but if I am right... it all finally clicked together. Shadow...foe bended by heart... rebuilding itself... hatred and fear....illusions. I know now. He is someone powerful. His dark power was crushed and he was destroyed by heart. A Crystal Heart. He is The Master Of Shadows.... King Sombra.”

Roaring laughter came all around the ponies. Deep, hollow voice said

"Right you are, my little youngling. It was time to discover that. Welcome..."

Dark purple smoke started to flow from the mouths of the ponies on the arms of the hexagram. The smoke swirled, forming itself into the shape of a massive stallion with a eyes glowing with dark, green and purple light.

King Sombra smiled at three fillies frozen in place by fear. He slowly licked his lips and hissed

"Isn't this just a perfect day to die ?"
> The eclipse of shadow and sun
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 15

~Power does not corrupt, fear does... perhaps the fear of losing power~

-King Sombra

King Sombra smiled as his ethereal body floated in the air. He spotted the terrified looks at fillies faces and tried to made

himself look as genuine as he could

"Oh, why the long faces ? I am just teasing about you and dying... well, actually I am not, cause I will kill you in the end. But for nooooooooowwwww...." his smile widened and the room got even darker " it's a playtime. Maybe I will spare you so you will become my slaves. Yes, sllllllaaaaaavesssss!!!!!!!!! I like the sound of that. I didn't have anyone around for over a thousand years. So what do you say ? Do you fear the old umbrum ?"

Applebloom was first to come to senses

"Ya-Ya are alive ? Ya talk and everythin'..."

Sombra rolled his eyes

"Are you as dumb as you look ? Of course I can talk. Maybe you thought that I can only repeat "cryssssssstallllllsssss" and "crysssssssstallllsssss" over and over again ? I am not a parrot, you know. But about my current state, this is more reasonable and interesting question. You see, I am not dead and not alive at the same time. Right now, I am reconstructing myself by help of this kind ponies" he pointed at the arms of hexagram " The Elements of Harmony to the rescue. They are the perfect power source. You know how pleasure I get with torturing them...mmmm, their pain is so delicious. It is only the matter of minutes when I recover completely. All my plan for getting you here worked"

He suddenly frowned. He floated closer to the Cutie Mark Crusaders, acidic saliva dropping from his sharp teeth.

"I don't know how you broke my illusion but there is nothing you can do to stop me. If you try to broke the connection, you will kill your dear friends." Sombra yelled, frustrated " You three are a mistake ! I needed only The Elements, why she had to bring..."

Sweetie Belle twisted her head

"She ?"

Sombra hissed

"No, no Sweetie Belle, do not pull me by the tongue. I don't have it yet. Since I rather foolishly revealed it, yes, I do have a... gah, that word is so awful... companion".

Sweetie Belle stepped forward , almost to the glowing line of hexagram.

"Stop messing with us ! We may be just a little fillies, but we are related to the living reflections of Friendship after all. Some of their power can live inside of us. Tell us what have you done with the princesses and our dragon...friend".

Sombra laughed

" Your precious princesses and that little dragon ? Well, I am a sadist, tyrant, sex beast and The Lord of Shadows. I think I know the best what it is like to want revenge very badly. Do you know how furious the pony can get when he is finally released after a thousand years of waiting under the glacier and then... dragon picks his crystal heart, some bloke throws his wife at him and later he is blown up to million pieces ?" Sombra pressed a hoof to his forehead " I was still alive, even if it hurt so much. My horn was a part of my when my essence was held and I survived mostly by that. And I was just lying on the ground... but after a year, something happened. Somepony touched the horn (what an idiot) and I was able to used the remaining of my powers to switch places with him. I had a new body. I destroyed my old horn, along with that miserable idiot. I never known why he touched it anyway. Whatever. I started to use my powers to collect ponies energies by using dark magic, simply sucking their essence into me. But over time, their absence was noticed and I had to run away. But first I wanted to give a warning and scare this.... princess of love. I tried to manipulate pony from the distance. It didn't go quite as I planned. But it wasn't a total waste of time. When I made that pony explode in flames, I made a contact with princess Mi Amore Cadenza's mind. She was in shock, trying to protect herself. I came unnoticed, through the flames. And I waited. Over time, Princess Cadence went ill and no physician could help her. But there was no illness... only me. I finally got access to her memories and learned what happened to the world during my absence, I learned about your heroic sisters...and I learned about you. With all that knowledge I was finally ready to come back. I made a "suggestion" to Cadence to invite Luna for princess relax in Crystal Mountains. She gladly accepted the offer. But when she arrived then, I took over Cadence's body completely. Luna is living incarnate of The Moon Spirit, her age rivals my own. She is an alicorn many times more powerful than Cadence. But it was no longer Cadence. I encased Luna in Dark Crystal. Later, after I locked her in my place, I gave the control back to Cadence, erasing her memory of the event. It was good have a flesh once again, but I couldn't be a mare for that long. I couldn't stand that rosy shampoo, all that grooming..."

"Amateur...." whispered Sweetie Belle

"And later I met my companion. She decided to help my go back to power. We should split Equestria in half and rule together. It was her idea to summon the Elements here. And when you were here, I started to influence on you. You are strong, I got to admit, but you ARE TOO LATE!!!!!!!!! LOOOOOOOOOKKKKKK!!!!!!!!! "

All of the lines of the hexagram started to glow even brighter. Suddenly Sombra-cloud was consumed in a multicolour tornado. Crusaders heard a scream such full of pain that all of their fur stood straight. Multicolour tornado exploded, emitting a shockwave that pushed Crusaders away and smashed throne room windows. And suddenly, everything was over. There was only a cloud of purple smoke in the middle of the hexagram. And then a dark figure slowly arised. It stretched and burst into a maniacal laughter:

"Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!! I aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam baaaaaaaaaackkkkk!!!!!!!! LOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGG LIIIIIIIIIIVEEEEEEEE THEEEEEEE KIIIIING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

***********************

King Sombra examined his body, suited with armour and royal red, ermine cape.

He slowly walked through hexagram lines and inhaled deeply

"Haah, now it is your time to die. But firstly" his horn glowed and dark crystals surrounded three fillies " I will allow you to watch the end of your friends and family. I can firstly damage them even more, some cutting and stuff...or maybe first shag them ? I am afraid we don't have decent bed in here, but it doesn't matter. Maybe I will start with the orange one... Applejack ? Yes that's it ! The most delicious treats are always at the end " she looked at Rarity, licking his lips.

"Let them go, you bastard !!!" shouted Scootaloo.

Sweetie Belle concentrated. She felt the hatred, flowing through her veins. She hated Sombra for all the pain he caused her and her friends. Concentration, concentration... Sweetie wished to be with her parents and Rarity. To say how much she loved them. To find Spike.... Spike...Spike...

"NO!!!" white unicorn shouted. She shot a beam of energy from her horn. Dark mixture of purple, black and green light. The dark magic energy.

Dark crystals ignited and turned to ash.

Scootaloo caught Sweetie Belle, preventing her from falling.

"Sweetie...what ? did you..." Scootaloo said with fear in her voice.

" I ...don't know " Sweetie coughed " Sombra... what have you done ?"

But Lord of Shadows looked as shocked as them. He roared :

"I haven't done anything. That is my magic, I am certain of it.But... this magic is on alicorn level. Wait...no, this is imposssssiiiiaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!"

Sombra was so focused on Sweetie Belle that he didn't noticed Applebloom sneaking behind him. And then Applejack's sister bucked. But that buck was SOME BUCK. Sombra was thrown through whole throne room and he crushed on the wallwith thunderous "CRACK".

Applebloom looked at her back legs in amazement. Scootaloo already opened her mouth, but Sweetie Belle's hoof was pressed against it before she could speak

"Scoot, we glowed moments ago and I can somehow use dark magic. So just...sush!" said Sweetie Belle

Scootaloo rolled her eyes but said nothing.

Sombra arised, with fury in his eyes. He screamed and all the shadows in throne room swirled around and attack the Crusaders. But before the tendrils of darkness reached the fillies, they were blocked by the forcefield made ofgolden energy. Sombralooked at the entrance, so did they Crusaders. Their jaws momentarily dropped. In the doors of the throne room stood no other than Princess Celestia.

White alicorn charged at Sombra, but former ruler of Crystal Empire simply turned himself to shadow, materialising in the other corner of the room.

"Sombra !!! Stop this at once or I banish you to the sewers of Canterlot. Believe me, you don't want to go there."Princess Celestia floated over Sombra, shining like sun.

"Where is she ?" said slowly Sombra

"Your friend is out. I managed to relive the world of her" yelled Princess Celestia.

"Is that so ? Well, let me show you some trick I was mastering on the exile" Sombra started to speak slowly in thundering language. Celestia dove, trying to reach him but he dogged quickly. However, when he turned to Crusaders, they saw a scar crossing his cheek.

Sombra continued his spell. Finally he exclaimed "As everything has a shadow, I summonthe darkness in you to reveal itself. I name you Celestia, the Living Sun, daughter of Dusk and Aurora, born before the Dawn of Time, The Eternal, The Regretful, The Fire of Heart".

Celestia screamed and fell to the ground. She made ineffective attempt to rise up. She looked at Crusaders, running to the rescue.

“Run...In the name of me, just run. I cannot contain her with him in control.” She turned her head in Sombra’s direction, her cerise eyes full of pain “Sombra, I beg you. I will do anything. Just don’t let her hurt them. I will do anything. Just...stop...please”

Sombra laughed loudly

“No Celestia, I’ve been waiting too long for this. And now...I have three in one package. Or should I say.... four in one”

His horn glowed once again and under the throne burst violet flames. Then the dark blue silhouette materialised. It was Princess Luna. She was tied and unable to speak. Only dark blue eyes were looking at gathered ponies, begging for help.

Celestia jumped back

"Luna!!!" she cried " I am so, so sorry. I never wanted this to happen. Oh dear sister ...and you little fillies...May you forgive me one day..."

Sombra winked at Celestia

"If I recall correctly, my companion doesn't like your sister very much..."

Celestia tried to rise up once again and once again failed.

"Sombra... please..." she begged quietly

Sombra froze at the moment. All the ponies remained silent. Sombra seemed hesitant.

But only for a moment.

Then Sombra's face turned into some hellish mask as he yelled in horrific voice

"ARISE!!!"

Celestia screamed. Her back cracked when her head were thrown back in a very not-natural angle. She looked at Crusaders and Luna one more time

"Please, forgive me.." she whispered

And then Princess Celestia exploded in a white light, a blaze of energy. It started to spin around until it congested in a ball of pure light and heat.

Crusaders had to look away. All three were scared that if the weird globe will continue heating up the room, they all willbe burnt. But then the light faded and heat slightly decreased. Crusaders slowly opened their eyes. What they saw, made their jaws drop once again this faithful day (or night, it was really hard to tell). In the place of Princess Celestia, in a circle of pure magma, were standing white alicorn with a burning, lava-coloured eyes. Her mane was one big, vivid flame

Sweetie Belle gasped. Her predictions were right. She listened carefully to Starlight's stories and she knew who was the flame-mane pony.

Standing in front of them was Daybraker, Princess Celestia dark alter-ego, The Reflection of The Sun.

Daybraker giggled and stretched

"Oh my, good old Tia is finally asleep. What a boring little crybaby." she looked at the Crusaders " Oh, splendid. Look Sombra, we have guests. Did you greeted them ?"

"They definitely greeted me, when we are on it " mutteredSombra.

"Oh sush, you emo. Well then, you are very unlucky, young fillies. I am afraid I have to kill you" Daybraker made a puppy eyes " It is nothing personal, I am just planning on taking the entire world. I sense the magic within you. So..." she suddenly breathed fire at the fillies. But once again, the strange white light emanated from the Crusaders, shielding them.

Daybraker snarled

"It seems that we have reached an impas. But don't worry, because of me we have all of time in the world and there is no one in this world that can save you know.

Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo hugged each other tighter. They didn't see the way out.

And then strange voice echoed all around them

"Lucky for them, I am not from this world"

Ponies heard a weird but beautiful sound, that couldn't really be described or compared to anything they have ever heard.

They watched in amazement when blue box slowly materialised out of thin air on the left hoof from them.

The box's doors open and chestnut coloured stallion with a brown, messy mane picked out.

"Good evening there !!!" he yelled with enthusiasm " Pardon me, but is there any chance of finding extrapolated temporal crisis nearby ?"
> Time healers
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 16

Applebloom whispered to Scootaloo

"Is he goin' to save us ?"

Scootaloo put her hoof to her head

"I think, that we are equally safe and screwed".

Mysterious stallion popped out of the box. Now he was wearing weird, two-coloured glasses and holding some buzzing and beeping device in his mouth. He looked around and exclaimed

"Oh look at that !!! Now that is fascinating, all of this room simply floated with subtemporal chronomolecules. Bizzare."

He turned around and noticed Sombra and Daybreaker. Fury in Daybreaker's eyes could literally melt the hardest of gems in Equestria.

Chesnutt coloured pony waved at them

"Oi, Sombra ! How are you ? I didn't see you around in a centuries...literally. You are still in good shape I see ? But let me repeat... did any of you noticed jumps in time or some...errors that may alarm of the occurrence of the temporal schism ? The TARDIS brought me here to find and..."

He suddenly shook his head and look around, moving the gaze from the Crusaders to the dark (and light) duet. Then he gasped and shouted.

"Oh right, this is it !! I understand ! You three here... that means...oooooooohh!!!!"

He ran back to the box and went inside. After a while...

HUUUUUUUUUUUUU-HUUUUU-VREEEP-VREEEP-HUUUUUU...

and box disappeared.

Applebloom twisted her head in confusion

"What the..."

But before she could finish...

HUUUUUUUUUUUUU-HUUUUU-VREEEP-VREEEP-HUUUUUU...

The box reappeared and the stallion came back

He started slowly moving forward. When he was in the line with Crusaders,he hissed " You. Into the box. Now".

Sweetie Belle protested, pointing at Princess Luna. Immobilized alicorn was struggling with the ropes

"We can't just leave Princess here. They may kill her... or do something worse. We have to help her"

The earth pony looked at Sweetie Belle, who saw in his eyes... sadness ? compassion ?

Before she was able to figure it out, Daybreaker landed at front of the mysterious pony.

"Enough of this ! If I were you, I wouldn't interfere in this, son of time. If you will continue trying to protect those fillies, I will roast both of your hearts and eat them."

Crusaders look at each other, slightly shivering.

"Wait... did she say... hearts ?" whispered Applebloom

The pony twisted his head, looking at furious alicorn

"Interesting... I do not recall meeting you and I have good memory, trust me... so you are saying we met before ?"

Daybreaker's eyes lightened up even more " In my old castle, so many centuries ago. You tried to make a trap and..."

The pony covered his ears

"Shhhhhhhussssshh!!!! If this is going where I think it is going, you are creating a fixed time. It is cross-timeline interference and from my point of view, it is not happened yet. The less we talk about it, the better."

Daybreaker laughed maniacally

"As you wish ! I wasn't planning on chatting anyway ! Prepare for your ultimate demise. You've tricked me last time but now... I have company !"

The wave of darkness pressed the chestnut coloured stallion against the ground. He let the beeping device out of his mouth. It rolled almost to the front legs of Scootaloo. When the pegasus looked at pony suffocating by darkness, she could swear that he gave her a wink.

Scootaloo spotted the note on the device "LUNA.GO.PRESS". When did he stick this ?Scootaloo felt very confused, but she had to put her doubts aside . She had a princess to save. Scootaloo started crawling quietly in Luna's direction, trying very hard to be unnoticed.

Luckily, Sombra and Daybreaker were too busy torturing Crusaders’ rescuer, suffocating him in the dark cloud.

Scootaloo heard Daybreaker's laugh

"I know what your kind is capable of, but even you have to breathe, Doctor"

Scootaloo froze few meters from Luna. Doctor... she knew that pony. He was some kind of Ponyville's crazy scientist. He was the one who invented those awesome fireworks for Cranky and Mathilda's wedding. But why was he here ?

Scootaloo had to quit thinking once again. Her destination was so close. Finally she got close enough to the princess. Holding the device in her mouth, she pressed the button on it. After series of buzzing and beeping, Luna moved and spread her wings. She was free.

"Oh, thank you so much dear Scootaloo." The Princess of the Night looked at orange pegasus" now we must prepare ourselves for an oncoming struggle with the forces of evil"

Luna was speaking using "royal we", which was a certain sign of her fright and desperation.

Then she touched her horn.

"Forsaken Sombra disabled our magic" muttered the blue alicorn "but I know one trick he couldn't block"

She raised her hoof into the air. A scythe materialised in a flash of a indigo light. When Luna swung it around, the blade shone like moonlight itself.

Sombra didn't have much time to acknowledge what hit him. The furious Luna charged at him with full speed, holding the scythe in her mouth but somehow spinning it with incredibly fast.

Sombra grinned

"Ahhh, that scythe... it is the same one, isn't it ? The one that you used against me thousand years ago, when you and Celestia fought with me in your castle. I planted the seeds of doubt inside of your heart. It turned out that I was right, wasn't I ? Look at your sister, what she has become ? You cannot trust her..."

He was silenced by the scythe swinging dangerously close to his neck.

"U are a liarh. U hef alwaysh been a liarh, Shombra. Thish ish all your fault for the very beginning. Nightmare, Celeshtia. U will pay for thish" muttered Luna

Suddenly Luna was hit by the spear of fire. She shouted and began to back away when she repelled both fire and darkness.

"Sadly, it is all true ! I never should let you live, Luna. You are just pitiful excuse for a princess, so weak and sentimental. A vermin , separated from the real world. There is no place in our new kingdom for you" exclaimed Daybreaker.

"We are doinh thish for our shishiter. I will afenge hew " Luna mumbled back.

Meanwhile, Crusaders gathered around the Doctor who looked at Luna with an expression of pain on his muzzle

Luna shouted, trying to sound as clearly as possible, when you are spinning scythe around to avoid being roasted to death.

"Doctor, take them away from here. Show them the truth. Explain. They are our only hope"

Doctor lowered his head

"I am so sorry Luna. I..."

Luna started shivering. Her foes didn't stop attacking her even for a moment and amount of strength needed to protect herself, Doctor and the Crusaders was simply too much, even for an alicorn goddess.

"Doctor... I forgive you. I know what you have to do. I accept it. It was truly an honour to meet you. And Sweetie Belle..."

Sweetie rushed forward

"Yes, princess ?"

Luna's body started to shake hardly

"I am sorry for my life mistakes. Try to be better than that. And always... always follow your heart. Now gooooooooooooo!!!!!"

Doctor looked at CMCs

"I can save you. All you have to do is go to that blue box with me."

Applebloom proudly shook her head

"I am not goin' to some tiny boxes with a stallion I jus' met"

Doctor tried his best to remain calm

"Box or being roasted and... shadowed. Trust me. Just follow me into the box."

Hesitantly, Crusaders started galloping in the box's direction. The door was opened once again and the Doctor swiftly got inside, following three fillies.

Inside, three friends were frozen in shock and disbelief. That box... it was so tiny. It shouldn't... no, it couldn't be true. But it was right in front of them. Behind the door there was an enormous room, almost as big as grand hall in Canterlot Castle. The walls were shaped in form of a sphere, like a half of an egg. The room had also some.. coral structures, looking like something between arcs and columns. In the middle of the enormous space was some kind of console full of levers, buttons and switches and a big column emanating gentle, greenish light.

Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle's simply couldn't explain what they were seeing.

"What in tarnation ?... How...?" Applebloom scratched her mane

"It must be fake..." muttered Scootaloo, looking for anything what could demask the trick.

Sweetie Belle's eyes lightened up and for a moment she forgot why she entered here and about all of the terrible things she and her friend have been through. She looked in amazement at the majestic chamber in front of her.

"It's... It's bigger on the inside... This is so amazing" unicorn swirled around, singing with joy " I don't know how it works but this place is... so magical."

Doctor galloped to the console and started to press various buttons.

"Cutie Mark Crusaders, welcome to the TARDIS. Normally, I would give you a time to compliment her, but I am afraid we have to hurry" he said, still working on something by the console

Sweetie Belle slowly calmed herself down and examined the surroundings

"So Doctor... are you sure we are safe here ?"

"The entire armies tried to enter the TARDIS and they failed. No one can come here without invitation... well, except of some brides full of huon particles but that was a total exception."

Sweetie Belle slowly nodded. She then looked at the door

"And what about Princess Luna ? Is she going to be safe too ? " she asked.

Doctor didn't answer. Suddenly, they heard a loud, painful scream of Princess Luna and whole was shaken by the force of outside explosion.

"No..." whispered Scootaloo

"Luna !!!" Sweetie Belle started to running towards the exit but the Doctor was faster. He blocked the way out before she managed to leave

"I am sorry but I can't let you go there. I promised Luna I will keep you all safe " said the Doctor

"But why have you let her die ? " cried Sweetie Belle

Suddenly, Doctor shouted outloud

"You think I am not sorry ? They just killed the embodiment of one of the most important forces in this universe and... my friend. Not many ponies could understand my solitude and slow ageing. Without her this world may fall into the chaos and darkness. But no... this was the moment in which any of us, and especially me, couldn't do a thing. Some things cannot be changed. Fixed points in time, the curse of my race. I will surely miss her... very... very much. If I could, I wouldn't let her suffer so many times. But I couldn't prevent her banishment, I couldn't prevent her death..." a small tear slowly flown down the Doctor's cheek " Luna... I am so sorry..."

Sweetie Belle calmed down a little and put a hoof on the chestnut ponies back.

"But we should do something in her memory... Avenge her. Those monsters already took our sisters from us I can't bear loosing the Princess too. She helped me once with my... sibling issues."

Applebloom cleared her troth

"Eee...Sweetie Belle, she kinda helped us all"

Doctor galloped back to the console

"Yeah, and this is not a coincidence. Luna's last will was to took you away from our enemies and the best way to honour her memory is to do exactly as she said. So..." he placed his hoof on a big lever on the back of the console.

And then, the high-pitched, crazy laughter echoed in the room

"My dear ponies, I have a warning for you " Daybreaker's voice whispered in the silence " You can run but you cannot hide. No matter the time or place, I will find you and kill the last hope of Equestria. That includes you Doctor. I will be killing you until the end of your lives. And to assure you will come back..."

There was a moment of silence and four ponies heard another voice, tired and changed, but recognizable

"No girls ! I am not worth it ! Just run ! Jus..."

The message was suddenly cut in half

"Spike!!!" Cutie Mark Crusaders shouted in unison.

Daybreaker's voice came back.

"You are right, little Crusaders ! If you want your dragon friend alive, come for him. Especially you, sister of Generosity. Luna mentioned your little... affection. Don't blame her, it was Sombra's job after all. So ... see you !"

The voice faded away in the distance.

Sweetie Belle's turned from pale to red and then from red to pale. She opened her mouth but didn't say a thing.

The column in the middle of the room started moving up and down

HUUUUUUUUUUUUU-HUUUUU-VREEEP-VREEEP-HUUUUUU...

"Done. We are in flight" Doctor stepped away from the console

Sweetie Belle turned her face to him, her beautiful emerald eyes filled with tears

"How could you leave them behind ?" she sobbed quietly

"Yeah, you said you can rescue us but we don't even know you. Who said we can trust you ?" Scootaloo hugged Sweetie Belle, looking at the Doctor malevolently.

"Why we can't do anythin' ? Why are we runnin' away ?" asked Applebloom

"We are not running away !" Doctor protested " I simply bought us some time. I couldn't save the Elements or the dragon there, I have some limits. That situation is more complexed then you think and... Pfff!!!"

He sighed and collapsed to the floor, then continued.

"Since I locked us in a perpetual orbit of temporal stasis in the Time Vortex, we have some time in which I can explain some things to you. I have to admit that I owe you some explanation. Firstly, my name is the Doctor. And before you ask, yes, it is just the Doctor. I really enjoy when ponies ask " Doctor Who ? " but right now we have more important matters at hand...hoof...whatever. You might have recognized me since I visit Ponyville so often that it almost seems that I live there. But my home, my first and true home... it burnt long, long time ago. I am not really a pony. I am a Time Lord. I came here from another universe, through the rift between the worlds. Then I was found by a mare called Derpy..."

"Oh oh, I know Derpy . Her muffins are soooo good." Applebloom licked her lips

"That reminds me. Do you happen to have any food around here ?" asked Scootaloo, looking around the vehicle.

"Take those stairs, then enter the corridor, go left, trot straight for a minute, then turn right, pass the swimming pool and you will find the kitchen. You will find there bananas, fish fingers with custard (Yes, I know you don't really eat those...) and apples. I also left there a bag of jelly babies about... hundred years ago. But they are still fresh." Doctor instructed the pegasus " I am sorry that I won't go for it myself but I have to stay by the console just in case."

Scootaloo had a confused expression on her muzzle but slowly took the stairs down

" Scootaloo!!!" Doctor shouted

Scootaloo turned to face the Time Lord

"Yeah ?"

Doctor looked at all of the Crusaders

"I just want to reassure you, that I am on your side. I will keep you safe and I swear that I will find a way to save your friends. I know you may not trust me but right now, we only have each other. Can you believe me ? "

Cutie Mark Crusaders looked at each other and slowly nodded in agreement.

Sweetie Belle smiled at Doctor

" You saved us ! If after all we've been through we can trust anypony, we well trust our rescuer. You could just let us die"

Applebloom and Scootaloo nodded, agreeing with Sweetie Belle.

Doctor smiled back

"Good. Now go for our treats so I can finish an explanation. I hope that everything will be clearer then."

********************

When all four ponies had their bellies full, Doctor continued with his tale

" Derpy found me, took care of me and, as I have never been a pony before, taught me how to live as a pony. I discovered your culture and customs.

I was so grateful, that in return I offered her the endless possibilities of travelling through time and space. She became my companion and..."

“Hold on right there partner!!!" interrupted Applebloom

Doctor sighed and brushed his mane

"Oh for Rassilon's sake, what is it now ?"

Applebloom looked around her

" So you are sayin' that yer ship...

"It is called the TARDIS. It states for Time And Relative Dimensions In Space" added Doctor.

" ...can time travel ?" Applebloom finished the question.

Doctor proudly nodded

"Yes, it can indeed. In fact, it is its primary function. This is the gateway to everything that ever happened or ever will. TARDIS can take you to every planet in the universe and every time of this planet's existence"

"Cool!!!" Scootaloo did a flip in the air.

" Yes, as I was saying...Derpy and I started travelling together, exploring the wonders of time and space. But later she needed to have a break from adventuring. She felt that she needed take better care of her daughter, Dinky. I understood, of course. I was a father once too. So I was left on my own. You see, when you are a Time Lord, time can be very flux in your perception. Is like if you are waiting for the bell in school to ring but it just doesn't. I am an active individual so I quickly got bored waiting for Derpy to come back. I decided to learn more about the history of equestrian universe. I travelled back in time to witness the banishment of Princess Luna to the moon and foundation of Equestria. Then I landed in the middle of the changeling attack on Canterlot and was trapped with some poor mare and surrounded by changelings. Luckily, I set my sonic screwdriver..."

"Your what ?" asked Sweetie Belle

"That device that Scootaloo used to release Princess Luna " answered Doctor.

"Aaah... Crystal Empire clear " Sweetie Belle pushed her chest forward.

“I set my sonic screwdriver to the frequency that knocked the changelings out. After the royal wedding I travelled to Appleoosa during the conflict with buffalos. Then I found myself in the middle of the Crystal Empire when King Sombra was in power. I was the one who alerted the princesses about his tyranny.

Afterwards, I travelled to the point when the Elements of Harmony purified Princess Luna’s spirit from Nightmare Moon. I met your sisters. I was especially interested talking to Twilight Sparkle. She was the smartest non-Time Lord that I have ever met. Later, I realized why I found her so special. During my adventures with Derpy we were stuck for nearly two months in one period of time. During that time I met Nightlight and Twilight Velvet. I sotra... helped Nightlight go out with the mare of his dreams. He was so grateful that when we saw each other after six years ( from my perspective it was only a day later) he presented to me his newborn daughter. He told me that I can choose a second part of her name. I chose Sparkle cause the foal was so beautiful and yet so powerful in the same time that almost sparkled with light in my eyes.

So when I realized that the Twilight I know from Ponyville is the same Twilight I was holding in my hooves, I became even more interested with this impossible mare. I attended her coronation and both battles with Tirek...”

Doctor became quiet when he noticed a shocked expressions on Crusaders faces. He then understood and apologized nervously.

“Oh, sorry for spoilers. Anyway, when I gathered same information, I started to live in Ponyville to meet Twilight. After time, when there was an alien crisis in Ponyville, me and Twilight had our first adventure together and she became my companion. I didn’t forget about Derpy of course. Their were both my companions in two separated points  of the timeline. When  wanted a break, I travelled back and forth. Recently, I wanted them to meet since it wasn't fair to keep it in secret. But, well...I am still have to do this if i survive this adventure. 

And here is where you come in. After my trip with Twilight on planet Hippias V, I received intertemporal crisis alert. It’s like a time-space mail that only the TARDIS can receive. I locked myself into the source of the signal and materialised in the middle of your little chat with Daybreaker”.

“So you knew that we have a problem ?” asked Scootaloo.

“I didn’t know anything about the situation. When I noticed you three, I got back into the TARDIS and went back in time, scanning for biological imprints of our enemies. I heard them discussing their plans and I am almost sure that I know the truth about all of this. I then went back to the present. For you it was a second, but for me it was two days.

Those are the facts: King Sombra and Daybreaker are planning on taking over the world. They used their magic to create an illusion, a pocket dimension. It was all to give King Sombra a new body. You three have something inside of you. Something magical and powerful. Sombra wanted to kill you at once. But this isn’t making any sense at all. How did you broke up the illusion ? What is protecting you ? Why your energy is so off ? Why Luna knew things that only Sweetie Belle could know ? Hmmm...”

“ Don’t forget about me using dark magic!!!” shouted Sweetie Belle.

“And my weird strength” said Applebloom.

“And my moments of flying” added Scootaloo.

“Yes, yes, it is all odd. We must solve this mystery. You are my honorary companions from now on. Right now, we must break into the pocket dimension to find your friends and get some more clues.”

Sweetie looked at the Doctor

“ You know Doctor, now when I look at you for quite a long time, I think that I actually have seen you before. You were that stallion that splashed the mud all over me and Applebloom during Hearts and Hooves day."

"Oh yes. Sorry about that, I've been in a hurry to buy Derpy some flowers." Doctor said, embarrassed a bit.

"And you were turnin' the hourglass during our the battle agains' Flim Flam brothers" Applebloom winked to the Time Lord

"That was a close one, I almost met myself back then and caused massive paradox".

"And... I tried to sell ya some of our apples, a long time ago. You ran away" Applebloom added after a while, blushing a little.

"What ?"

" I know, I was so terrible back then... " Applebloom shuffled the ground with her hoof.

" No, no. I mean... apparently it's in my future. I don't know why I won't like to buy apples, but know I will have to act the way you told me. You said it and created a fixed time. But I still don't get it. I hate pears, not apples."

"Hey, there is nothin' wrong with Pears. I'm a half Pear" Applebloom exclaimed angrily.

Doctor got up, clearly wanting to avoid the confrontation.

"We are going to break to the illusion again and try (just try, I can't promise anything) to save your friends. It seems that each one of them is locked into a single timestream with the same level of probability. You see, there are many universes and many realities but in one certain place only one timestream can be dominant, only one can be canonical. Where we are going, all of the versions of reality are true and false at the same time. This was the problem that brought the TARDIS here. It may fracture the time and space if we won't fix the problem. So... Cutie Mark Crusaders, are you going to help me save the world ?"

CMCs looked at each other and smiled.

"Mr. Doctor, Cutie Mark Crusaders are at your service".

Doctor rolled his eyes

"In that case..."

He trotted to the "take off" lever and placed the hoof on it.

"Allons-y !!!" he shouted.

The TARDIS flew into the unknown.
> Celestial Dilemma
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 17

"Hold on tight" yelled Doctor when column in the middle of the console started moving up and down.

"Where are we goin' again ?" asked Applebloom.

" To the weak point in the ilusion, where the timestreams are synchronising. We are landing.... AAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOUUHHHHHH!!!!!

CRASH !!!!!

****************************

"Oh, on Medusa Cascade. I haven't got such a bumpy landing since meet up with Rani. Fillies, where are you?" Doctor rised up desperately trying to fight the diziness.

The control room was full of smoke and the console was glitching.

Doctor sighed up and shouted

"Girls, where are you ? Are you all right ?"

There was a moment of silence and then...

"Doctor !!!" the scream came from the other side of the room.

Doctor galloped there to see Appleblooom under the one of the spherical walls

"Oh, miss Appleblossom." he sighed in relief " You are all right".

"It is... Applebloom" said Applebloom

Doctor twisted his head

" Is it ? Whatever. I must had you confused with one of your ancestors. Or descendants, it is really quite confusing"

"Doctor !!! We are here !!! " now the scream was coming from above.

Doctor and Applebloom raised their heads.

On the top of the column-arc was Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle

Doctor scratched his mane

"How on Gallifrey did you get up there ?"

He looked at two fillies.

" I understand Sweetie Belle, it is an easy to fly for a pegasus. But you Scootaloo ? It is almost impossible for a unicorn to go out there "

"Doctor, I am a pegasus and she is a unicorn. Are you seriously made a mistake with our races ? How long have you been a pony again ?" Scootaloo gave Doctor a gaze full of pitty.

" Almost two years. Look, you both had... a extra... things attached to your body. Me and Applegloom..."

"Applebloom" quietly corrected Applebloom.

"Yes. Me and Appleplum have only our strenght and intelect. No boosters. This is really impressive, don't you think ?"

Applebloom gently punched Doctor.

"Oh, I think I can agree with this. Now, did we broke throug' ?"

Doctor looked around

"I am not quite sure, but I think so. Since the scaner seems to be broken, we need to go out and check. Besides, TARDIS needs to do some repairs. We must give her some time, maybe an hour or two.Now we must figure out how to get you two down ..."

There was a flash of emerald light, and two ponies apppeared at the base of column-arc.

"...or not" Doctor turned around.

Sweetie Belle's eyes were full of disbelief and excitement

"Oh yes !!! Yes, yes, yes !!!! I teleported us down. I didn't know... I can actually... do that"

The unicorn looked at the Doctor.

"Doctor... you are not going to investigate it? In a way this whole power and magic thing is great but it is also a bit freaky. I mean, back then when we were trapped by Sombra, I used dark magic to destroy his crystals. Don't you think this is a bit... unusual ? What if I am turning evil or something ? Am I that...awful ?” Sweetie Belle lowered her head. Small tear dropped down to the floor

All of the sudden she felt a hoof lifting her head back up. Doctor had a gentle but presistent expression on his muzzle.

"Don't say that Sweetie Belle. I don't know much about dark magic but I know that all princesses of Equestria can use it. And you know that they are not evil... most of the time. Look, the magic is just a tool. It is your choice that you wheels it for good or evil. And about unusuality... I am a 905 years old. I am Time Lord from planet Gallifrey. I have two hearts. I stole the TARDIS from repair shop and ran away. I saw the birth and the death of the universe, I fought in a war that lasted many centuries. I battled Daleks, Cyberman, Weeping Angels, Sontarans, Zygons, Sycorax... the list of my adversaries is endless. I saved every planet in the known universe for minimum 27 times. I walked through eternity, I left many companions and loved ones behind, I fought with my best childhood friend my whole life. I saw a million worlds and shaped the history of million more. So... yeah, I think that I am above unusuality.

But listen here, Sweetie Belle. During 900 years of traveling through universes I never met anyone... or anypony... who wasn't important. You are important, Sweetie Belle. In all of time and space there isn't any creature same as you. Now cheer up. You ponies all think about time from your subjective, present perspective. But your future... oh, Sweetie Belle. You like to sing, right ?... well, let just say that someday, someday... ponies will be singing ballads about you"

Sweetie Belle looked with disbelief at the Time Lord. Suddenly, she embraced him tightly. Shocked stallion's eyes started getting bigger and bigger, as if they were inflating.

"Thank you Doctor ! I guess we all had a hard times lately. I don't know what to say about all of this... but thanks for believing in me anyway" Sweetie Belle said, letting the Doctor go.

"Well, it is just what I do. Helping and stuff. Now let's go outside" Doctor dashed forward

Sweetie shook her head, her gaze following the Doctor

"He is carrying much more sorrow than he wants to admit. I want to help him as he tried to help me" she thought.

*************************

"We are clear " said the Doctor. The group left the TARDIS and searched for any sign of trouble. They landed in a big chamber that looked like a bedroom and a library in the same time. There was a balcony adorned by the symbol of the sun, a little fireplace with a couch and a mini-laboratory filled with beakers and vials with strange looking liquids.

" Oh dear. This must be Princess Celestia's bedchamber. I hope she didn't mind coming here uninvited."

"Sweetie Belle, I think she has greater problems tha' this righ' now" Applebloom pointed at the walls.

Doctor swung his screwdriver around and the device flashed blue.

"Yes, yes this is definitely Celestia's bedchamber, there are lots of her energy frequency around here. And Pinabloom is right, this is... burnt marks. Look at you, you are just beautiful!!! I must check it out " Doctor moved closer to the doors.

Applebloom noticed two crusaders giggling behind her back. Her faced flashed red when she faced them.

"What the hay ?" she asked.

" Nothing... Pinabloom!!!!" Scootaloo fell to the floor and started laughing outloud. Sweetie Belle still giggled gently, covering her muzzle with a hoof.

"Ha ha, hilarious" Applebloom rolled her eyes before turning to the Doctor " Hey there, have ya find somethin' ?"

"Yes, yes !!! Look at this. It looks like some kind of a diary. Some parts are burnt but... I think that we are still going to squeeze some information's about Princess Celestia's problem."

"But this is her private diary. I mean... we shouldn't be looking at her personal stuff. I think... I once stole Rarity's diary and later I regretted that very much. " Sweetie Belle mumbled quietly.

Scootaloo sighed frustrated

" Look Sweetie, if what Doctor says is true, then we are in some kinda weird, alternate world. This is not really Princess's diary. Come on, we don't have time for ethics."

"Scootaloo is right. This entire dimension has been created by the fusion of Sombra and Daybreaker's magic. But it is an ilussion... yet. " the Doctor agreed with orange pegasus.

"I think tha' all this time, Princess Celestia was tryin' to win over the darkness inside of her heart.She was givin' us a chances and for some reason... maybe even she tried to warn us all by this crystal revelation. But I think' we're still missin' somethin'. Maybe the record of princess's fellings will help us solve the mystery. If this all thin' is fabricated, maybe this is kinda... sneakin' message from the Princess" Applebloom was slowly troting in circles.

Four ponies gathered around the journal and started to read

*************************

15th of Late Spring , 2 AR (After Reunion)

I am certainly impressed by the achievements of Twilight's pupil. Starlight Glimmer showed me and Luna that we should both appreciate each other and see the effort the other puts into ruling our kingdom. Latest experiences brought us closer than ever before. And for this, I will always be grateful. Maybe I will consider turning Starlight into an alicorn in the future. But on that fateful day we were on the brink of disaster and Luna nor Starlight knew who is Daybreaker. Surely, she is my dark side but there is a whole lot of more to it than this. I met her many centuries ago. I was so scared and lonely, I lost them all. And then she came, shattering my reign, all of my dreams for the future. Thank me that she was stopped back then.

But right now I can just enjoy my life with Luna and simply be proud of Twilight and her friends.

It's cake break!!!

Night from 21st to 22nd of Early Summer, 2 AR

Dear diary, I just had a most terrifying nightmare. The world around me was burning and my friends were either dead or running away. And over everything was she, laughing... just laughing... nothing more.I looked at my hooves and they were hers, not mine anymore. And then she spoke, using my lips " Oh sweet Celestia, welcome to the game." And in that moment it all went black and I woke up. I am not sure what it meant but I must be very careful.Today is the Summer Sun Celebration and I have to be well rested. But the biggest question is why ? Why is she keep staying inside of me ? I thought I vanquished her forever. It is all so confusing. I wish I knew the answers. I used to know them, when I was just a filly, when I was starting my journey. Then I knew, I had a wisdom. It was so much more wisdom inside of me back then. But even now I remember that I couldn't protect them. It all comes to me like a wave of sorrow and regret. But why now ? Why it comes out after so much time ?

The answer is obvious. It is all going to happen soon. I know it was back then. I just know...

1st of Midsummer

Luna is seriously concerned of the state of my dreams. She keeps asking if I need help. Of course I am fine, I am just a bit tired from all of the... royal duties.

Now all I have to do is just relax. I have the newest edition of Vanity Mane that can help me achieve what I want. That punk hairstyle looks really...

Oh no. No ,no, noooooooo...

Well, this is interesting... new development. Haaaa, it is so good to be alive again. To breath with those lungs, to have a body again. Hmm, you got incredibly fat, you know Cellie ?

Get out of my head !!!

Just you try to stop me. Hmm, what is this again ? You have a diary. How sweet and... boring. True ruler goes forwards, not backwards. Let me see...

Don't you dare. It is my private belonging

Celestia, as stupid as you are, you should be more reasonable. I am you. We share some memories and body parts. There is no point in hiding anything. I see... Elements of Harmony restored, Luna is back... Luna... hmm...

I won't let you hurt her. Why are you even here ? Why are you keep coming back ?

I am your sorrow and regret, your vengeance, vengeance of the sun. Let me out and you will become the queen of a new Empire of the Sun

First of all, we've been through this. I am not letting you hurt other ponies. And I stopped listening to you after a word "Queen". I am a Princess. P-R-I-N-C-E-S-S. Always

So be it. Where are the Elements and Luna ?

GET.OUT

Fascinating, complete mental block, highly effective. Fine, I have all your time... which means forever. You will obey me. I am your better version, after all

But you don't have my advantage

What advantage ?

If you won't leave me alone and you will attack me friends, I will kill us.

You are bluffing

You know me. I love my subjects and I would rather die than let them fall into your terror. I love and have compassion, you will never those emotions. If I die, you die too

Stalemate then. But don't worry. We both share our little "time tricks". I still make the day eternal. And I know that somepony who knows a lot about creating illusions wants to have his revenge too. He will be a perfect tool...

Sombra ? You mean that you can brought him back ?

I am Daybreaker. Of course that I can do it. And the best part is that he will believe that he can trick and beat me. Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

Did you seriously put your laughter on the paper ?

Shut up. You know that the moment is near. The Doctor and his Crusaders of Time will return. And I will be ready

*********************

“Poor Princess Celestia. This...this is terrible. What happened to her ?” asked Sweetie Belle

“I was trying to figure it out earlier and I think it can be a side effect of the alicorn magic. They are filled with magic but the density of their bodies doesn’t actually cover molecular compression of the energetic potential.”

“ All I heard was magic-bla-bla-bla-bla “ Scootaloo rolled her eyes.

“I think he mean’ that their bodies are not prepare’ in a special way so they can’t hold so much magic” wondered Applebloom.

“ Well, initially they can. But when alicorns grow, the quantity of magic inside of them grows. It is the opposite to what happens with other ponies. They magic weakens when they grow old. But the magic is the energy that needs a matter to be catalysed when it is not directly used. That’s why Princess Celestia or Princess Luna are so tall comparing to you and the rest of the ponies. Their bodies are trying to adjust to the quantity of magic inside. You can say that their magic is “inflating them”.

“Oh so that’s why their legs are so long that they could be in a “Playcolt” with all those models “ Scootaloo’s eyes lightened up.

Sweetie Belle to her friend and put her hoof to her muzzle, trying to look as shocked as she could.

"Scootaloo, how could you, darling ?" she placed her hoof on her forehead, imitating Rarity " fillies from good homes do not read such a magazine "

Scootaloo blushed slightly and then said sheepishly

"Do I look like a filly from "good home"? Your so called "good home" is a place for boring party poopers and not somepony as cool as me."

Sweetie gasped, keep playing her role

"Beg your pardon ?"

But then argument was silenced by Applebloom

"Girls ! Y'all want to get outa here, righ' ?"

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo lowered their heads

"Yes..."

Applebloom winked at them

"So let's focus then" Applebloom grabbed her friends by their manes

"Ouuuh!!! Applebloom, are you crazy ? Let go " screamed Scootaloo

"We must help the Doctor, remember ? So. Here. We. Go !" Applebloom looked at the Doctor, who wasn't paying attention to the whole scene

"Doctor..."

"...Daybreaker and Celestia seem to know a lot about the Laws of Time "muttered the time traveller "I wonder if they experienced time travel... cause it looks like it.Daybreaker mentioned "Doctor and Crusaders of Time"..."

"But we already faced Daybreaker. We ran away from her... no, I still don't get it" said Scootaloo

"We are time travelin'. We will meet her again in some time or place." stated Applebloom

"Besides, if we want to save Spike and the others, we have to come for them in some point " Sweetie Belle added quietly.

Doctor trotted to the bedroom's doors

“I guess the best way is to find out by ourselves. Come on, we have to find your friends. By this moment they should be one place” he said, opening the door.

“We are leaving the ship behind ? “ Scootaloo frowned

“The TARDIS needs to repair herself anyway. We will be back when our work here will be done.”

“I still can’t believe your crashed... her. Aren’t you the one who should know how to fly her ?” continued the pegasus filly as the group walked through the door.

“I can fly her. I am perfectly capable of that” Doctor protested

“I am driving my scooter with more grace” replied Scootaloo

Doctor froze in place

“ Did you just compare a wooden scooter to a technological marvel capable of travelling through all of time and space ?”

“Yes. And I already know what is the better way of transportation” added Scootaloo with a grin on her face.

“I can travel through time and space and you can barely cross your own town”

“ It is the efficiency that matters. I can drive without crashing”

“Scootaloo, I have to drive a complex machine that has mind on its own.”

“ You are still a terrible driver. You shouldn’t drive if you want to crush in the end. “

“There is a big difference between a usual time travelling and breaking through the walls of different reality”

„I think that...”

“SHUT UP !!!” hissed Applebloom and Sweetie Belle “Both of you.”

The arguing ponies silenced themselves instantly.

********************

When they were passing on of the corridors, they heard a voices behind the locked door.

“Hang on.”Doctor pulled out his sonic screwdriver. After a loud „bzzeeeeeeppp”, the doors opened.

Behind a door they found a room mentioned already a few times in this story. The Crusaders and the Doctor looked at each other

„Now. Do not separate. We must find all of the...” Doctor turned to fillies and he noticed that somepony was missing. Sweetie Belle disappeared.

„Sweetie Belle!!!” the group started shouting and looking for the white unicorn.

„Where did she go ?” asked Applebloom

„I don’t know. She was just beside me and apparently... now she is not.” answered Scootaloo, shuffling the ground with her hoof.

The group started to search for Sweetie Belle but could not find her anyway. After a ten minutes they didn’t know what to do

„Doctor, is she all righ’?” asked Applebloom nervously

„I hope so. They always wander off, some things never change, aren’t they ?” muttered the Time Lord.

„ What was that?” Scootaloo grinned

Doctor gave the pegasus an irritated glare

„Nothing. We must go on and hope that Sweetie Belle will catch up with us”

„We are not leavin’ before she won’t be found!!!” Applebloom looked at the Doctor, trying to make her most persistent face.

Doctor opened his mouth but before he could say anything, some mare galloped between them. This mare was Rarity. She looked around in panic.

„Where is Sweetie Belle ? Where is my sister ? He was right. She is... she is...” Rarity collapsed to the floor and started shaking.

Applebloom looked around, trying to locate Sweetie Belle one more time

„She jus’ had to disappear now, didn’ she ?”

Doctor quickly scanned Rarity using the screwdriver and checked the readings. He frowned.

„Her conscience is fully incorporated into the illusion. I think that even Sweetie Belle’s presence would not change a thing.”

“If ya say so. Wha’ are we goin’ to do with her ?” Applebloom tried to hug broken Rarity

Doctor sighed and started sadly staring at the unicorn.

“Honestly, I don’t know. But there is one thing I can try. Girls, I need you to hold her that she won’t be moving.”

Scootaloo and Applebloom raised Rarity up, holding her by the front legs

“Good. Now hold your head. I believe this should help...”

Doctor placed both of his hooves on the sides of Rarity’s head and closed his eyes

*******************

POweR. HatriDe. FEar. Hooooooooooooootttttt soooooo hoootttttt!!!!!!!!Burning burning burning. Eternal, endless, hungry. Eat eat eat. So huuuuuuuuungrryyysadlonelyblind heeeeeeelpp please. Sweeeeeetie is dead. I am.... kill destroy slice bite hate I am dying. Die die die die. Lallalalalalalalalala. Swirly flames licking the flesh the bones with juicy sister I am so so frightened sad alone worthlessssss fuuuuuuuurioouss hahahahahahhahahahahaha. I smell like roasted marshmallows. So cold...

************************

„GAAAAAHHH!!!!” Doctor severed the mental connection

„Doctor !!” shouted Appleblooom and Scootaloo

Time Lord shook his head. His body was now shaking like Rarity’s

„I am afraid I cannot purify her mind. Too... much”.

Then ponies heard it

DUM...DUM...DUM...DUM...

Doctor’s hearts fastened. This couldn’t be !

DUM...DUM...DUM...DUM...

Doctor and the Crusaders turned to Rarity. The unicorn was now standing and putting one hoof down from time to time in a certain pattern

DUM.DUM.DUM.DUM

That was the prophecy. That was the rhythm of four knocks.

DUM.DUM.DUM.DUM

Rarity twisted her head and spoke in a voice that ponies recognized as Sombra’s

„Received and understood ?” he hissed in the air

Rarity fainted and stopped moving

Doctor was in shock. But only for a moment. Fury ignited his eyes. He galloped to Rarity and screamed, looking at the ceiling

„Oh no! You will not end it like this ! I am going to die ? Fine then. But I won’t let you kill any of those innocent ponies. You cannot comprehend what have you just started. Try me out!!!”

He grabbed Rarity once again by the sides of her head and begun to sing

We all start out so small, so tiny

We all start our journey as nothing but point

On the map of eternity

But even then we need to be strong

Time to reach the stars, achieve your dreams

Find a place where nothing’ is as it seems

Run away to the places, don’t follow the plan

life is an adventure, your has just begun

Even if time may pass, the sky will fall

you will be gone, you’ve played your role

Never stop dreaming of the time when you tried

When you opened up and got it right

(Rarity moved and sighed. Doctor continued singing, tears streaming down his face)

We are like diamonds in the sky

We all change through the twists of life

You’ll be remembered when you die

They will be with you when time will come

Through the stars and crystal spheres

through the light and darkest fears

Love will always find her way

It will lead you to the day

(Rarity opened her eyes. They were green and purple smoke was evaporating from them. Doctor hummed gently)

Thousands of years will pass and again

You will love with that burning flame

Even what is lost can’t be restored

Never be cruel, you can be more

Let the stars guide you home

When you will be with us

Even if love don’t rome

You will be free at last

We are so different and still the same

We are alive each and every day

Don’t cry, my dear cause I am here

You’re still alive, fight with the fear

Because this is love not much to tell

And where the love is there’s...

SWEETIE BELLE!!!

The Doctor shouted and focused all his strength...

BLAST!!!

Rarity’s eyes went back to normal. She looked around, looking confused.

„Sweet Celestia! Where am I ?”

„You were trapped in an illusion but the Doctor brought you back” explained Scootaloo

„Oh... that explains a lot. I was feeling off since I went here but... where is Sweetie Belle?”

„I am right here” said Sweetie Belle

„She is right... WHAAAAT?????!!!!!” Scootaloo jumped into the air. When she landed, she spotted a familiar white unicorn with a swirly, purple and pink mane „ Hooow...whaaaa...whyyyy...whaaaaat???? Where have you been ??? We were searching for you such a long time. You missed... you missed really nice song... and everything else”

„Calm down Scoots” Sweetie Belle tried to explain her absence „I just heard some noise when we were passing near some doors. I just looked inside... but nopony was there. Then I went back to the corridor and you weren’t there anymore. So I started to run and caught up with you just now.”

Sweetie Belle was indeed breathing heavily and was all a bit sweaty. But Scootaloo still wasn’t convinced

„You weren’t with us for twenty minutes. Something is wrong with time...”

„I don’t know” Sweetie Belle whispered „maybe it was one of those weird time jumps that the Doctor mentioned earlier?”

„Maybe” Scootaloo noted to self that they must solve that mystery later.

Applebloom was helping the Doctor get up. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Rarity trotted to them

The Doctor coughed with golden light. He looked at the other ponies

„That was a close one. The effort almost made me regenerate. But I am just a little weak for now, that’s all”

Rarity looked at the Doctor and smiled widely

„Oh it is you Clockwork. I am so glad you saved me. My hero” she hugged the Doctor, her lips slowly moving down and down...

Doctor quickly freed himself

„It was my pleasure to release you, Rarity. Now, I am going to have a pretty strong conversation with our friend Daybreaker”

„That song you sang...what was that ?” asked Applebloom

Doctor’s gaze became sad and distant.

„This is a lullaby that me and... m-my wife used to sing to our daughter when sh-she was crying. Back home, on Gallifrey. Before they...they...I thought that if I combine some emotional effort into the mental connection and add somepony important to Rarity, I might wake her up. And here she is. Now we must continue our search.”
> In the name of love
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 18

The quartet of the rescuers and Rarity were slowly moving through the chamber. They saw their friends in various situations, happening without any connection to each other. They tried to go there and talk multiple times. But even if they tried very hard, something was just simply stopping them in one place.

“Many timestreams in one location. Ugh, this place is downright wrong and it’s giving me a headache” complained Doctor, visibly unamused with the situation.

“But why we can’t go to them?” asked Scootaloo.

"We are connected to only our home timestream and we can only be in only one at the time. We cannot enter any other besides that certain one. The difference between them and us is that we are not incorporated anymore so we know. We can see through the illusion."

********************

Rainbow darling, what are you doing ? No, it is impossible" Rarity screamed as she saw a cyan pegausus, lifting a knife with one wing targeting Pinkie Pie. Pink pony was leaning over somepony else. Was it ?...

"Is tha' ma sister ?" Applebloom whispered with wide eyes.

"Rainbow !!! Don't!!!" Rarity dashed forward and ran towards the pegasus

Doctor raised an eyebrow

"Apparently she found correct timestream. Good for her"

Ponies observed as fashionista jumped at Rainbow Dash and they rolled over in the shadows. The familiar orange silhouette was still lying on the floor.

"Applejack!!! All ya all righ" shouted Applebloom, punching the invisible wall between timestreams.

"She can't hear you" doctor whispered gently, as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo tried to comfort her friend.

"What about Rarity ?" Scootaloo asked Sweetie Belle quietly.

"Don't worry. Despite her appearance, my sister can be a good fighter if she needs to be. Twilight once told me that he was using some form of karate when Discord turned her into her opposite self."

Scootaloo slowly nodded.

“I saw them together earlier, I think they will be fine”.

Applebloom was now screaming in a very high pitch and she was beyond any reasoning

"Applejack!!!!!!Applejack!!!!"

Doctor sighed

"I am sorry for this, Applebloom. Girls, step aside"

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle hesitantly moved away from Applebloom.

Doctor looked at red manned filly. Then he suddenly punched her in a few points on her body, on the neck, chest and belly. Applebloom looked at the Doctor with confusion and then collapsed to the ground.

Sweetie Belle covered her muzzle with a hoof.

"What have you done to her, Doctor ?"

Doctor gently placed Applebloom on his back

"I've just put her asleep, that's all. It is a part of Venusian Aikido. I wasn't doing it for centuries but I still remember"

"Penpuxian Akhi whhaaaat ???" Scootaloo blinked , staring at the Doctor

Doctor started trotting forward so the Crusaders followed him

"Oh, I guess there is not a planet Venus in this universe. I think your equivalent is planet Cadezia. So it will be a Cadezian Aikido. Oh my, it sounds even better. I must tell you about the mechanics of the celestial movements in this universe some day."

"Well you can tell us as we go. I guess finding our timestream will take some time" Sweetie Belle looked at the Doctor, doing the most adorable and innocent face she could make.

Doctor was seemingly tired but smiled weakly and his eyes lightened up a bit.

"I was planning to educate you on that stuff anyway. So, you know that I came from another universe. In my universe, there is a place called a Solar system. Your planet is residing in this universe’s equivalent of the Solar system. Both systems contain nine planets (well, eight and a half), similar in construction and order. Only difference is the names. In my universe the planets in the Solar system are named by the gods of ancient humans. Of course different cultures in the Solar system have a different names for the planets but let's focus on humans.From the Sun there are Mercury, Venus, Earth (the planet of the human race), Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and... well, kinda...Pluto. In your universe, planets are named after a powerful entities that represent different aspects of pony life. There is Discoria, Cadezia, Equus (or simply Equestria) Hurrikhena, Celesti, Platine, Swirlien, Lunaria, Pudinge. They are named after Discord, Princess Cadence, your country, Commander Hurricane, Princess Celestia, Princess Platinum, Princess Luna, Chancellor Pudinghead..."

"Doctor, we had astronomy in school. This whole alternate planets are interesting but we already know planets in our Solar System." Scootaloo looked at the rest of the ponies with a bored glare.

Doctor cleared his troth

"But this is not the best. When I arrived to this universe, the thing that bothered me the most were the movements of sun and moon. You know, back where I came from, sun and moon doesn't need to be raised, they are moving on their own. I convinced Twilight to do a research with me and we found out... are you ready for me to ruin your fillyhood ?"

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked at each other. Sweetie Belle nodded and smiled

"I think this couple hours in your presence has already turned our lives upside down. Go on !!"

Doctor resumed his lecture

"We discovered that Equestrian Solar System is indeed heliocentrical, not geocentrical (or equocentrical, as you might say) as Twilight initially thought. She was so shocked that the Sun was not rotating around Equus, that I had to take her home afterwards. But later we managed to solve the mystery. If the Sun is not moving around your planet, why Princess Celestia has to raise it every day ? And here is where I came in. I scanned your planet magnetosphere and here is what I found. Your planet has a core made of a rare sort of metal, that emitates magical energy. It is like a battery for every magical sapient creature on the planet. But the magical energy also has a great effort on perception. The light of the Sun and Moon can't penetrate through that veil if some counterspell won't let the perception filter out. This what the princesses are doing. They are not literally moving sun and moon. They are just allowing different types of energy, as heat and light, come to you ponies. They are moving just the image, not the real thing. I know it sounds less... magical. But it is really interesting when it is explained, isn'tit?"

Sweetie and Scootaloo chuckled nervously, tried to keep up with the Time Lord and look as interested as they could

"Yeah, it is all soooo cooool..." Scootaloo scratched her mane.

"Well, we asked for this" Sweetie Belle whispered to her friend's ear.

Doctor smiled widely

"I knew you will like it" he checked on Applebloom still lying on his back, sleeping soundly " Come on then. Allons-y!"

As his words echoed in the void, the loud scream was heard

Doctor froze and then gasped, exhilarated

"If we hear the sound, it means that our timestream is right..." he pointed a hoof in a point in front of them and then his jaw dropped.

The scene that the Doctor and the Crusaders were witnessing was so weird and wrong that they really couldn't believe their eyes...

******************

" Pinkie!!!What areyou doing? No, please!!! My Celestia, Applejack, just run!!! No no no no! Dash, don't do this... noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"howled Twilight in the distance " You monster, what have you done to my friends ?"

"Me ? " echo brought the sound of a quiet giggle " No Twilight, your friends are to blame. They just needed a little push in the right direction. But the pony who gave them that push was none other than you. The magic of friendship died because of you and nopony else"

" No, this is not true. I would never do that. Even if it is real, I will stop you or myself, if needed" said Twilight. Her horn started to glow in a shade of dark purple " That spell will banish anypony, who will be responsible for this... massacre...in proximity of a hundred hoofsteps. If the level of probability is higher in any of us, the spell will be directed" she lowered her head " beware Starswirl's Sword of Destiny. I'm willing the sacrifice myself to save my friends from the fate you showed me".

***************

Applebloom yawned and stretched out on the Doctor's back

"What a crazy nightmare ah jus' had..."

She then acknowledged the scene in front of her

"Or am I still sleepin'" she said in disbelief

Doctor placed Applebloom on the ground

"I will explain later, Applegroom. We have to save Twilight. It seems that she is in danger"

"You think ?!" Sweetie Belle shivered slightly.

"We have to run. NOW !" the Doctor shouted and started galloping towards Twilight.

Cutie Mark Crusaders were by his side

***************

" Oh, that is so sweet and...predictable. I knew it was going to turn out like this. So, my dear Twilight, take this"

Doctor watched in horror as the stream golden light fell on Twilight from the ceiling. His eyes widened and he shook his head

"No, this is... but it can't be ! Just can't"

"What is it Doctor ?" asked Scootaloo

"But... this is regeneration energy : How did she managed to get her hooves on Time Lords regeneration energy? And now Twilight is infused with it. I hope she will survive that... faster!!!"

Twilight was lifted in the air, struggling to protect herself from the evil spell.

"Twilight, fight with it. Resist!!!!" the Doctor and the Crusaders shouted in unison

Twilight looked slightly in their direction and maybe she even noticed them. But then the remaining of her strength wore out. She suddenly disappeared in the flash of white light.

The Doctor finally stopped running

"Blast it! We are too late. She is gone" he whispered.

Evil Celestia approached Doctor and CMC. Illusion burnt out and faded away as Daybreaker smiled widely

"You cannot be more mistaken, my dear enemy. She is closer than you think"

Anger flashed in Doctor's eyes

"What do you mean? Where is Twilight ?"

Daybreaker giggled

"You are considered ancient and wise and yet you can't see..."

" Look, I already lost a friend today. You killed a pony who I knew for centuries. And now you probably killed my companion. So I give you one warning. JUST ONE. STOP THIS MADNESS AT ONCE" growled the Doctor.

"Well, how about that? This is the moment in my history that made me who I was . That plan perfected throughout the centuries. Today by sending Twilight away, I established my supreme reign. I will be the Empress of the new world, the world of eternal day."

Daybreaker started to laugh maniacally, her whole body shaking with adrenaline.

" But why are you doing this ? What madness made you do all of this things? The Elements are dying, you tried to convince the world to blame Luna, you killed Luna even if she was your sister, you brought back Sombra... Why did you do this? What is your point in this massacre?"

Daybreaker grinned

" I already was here once. I made sure that what happened will happen again"

" The Doctor was right. You did time travelled." said Sweetie Belle, moving forward.

Daybreaker's flames got hotter and brighter.

" Warmer, warmer. I am older than Equestria. I am even older than you, Doctor. Twelve centuries of existence, you know what that time can do to a pony if they have to live on with regrets ? I had to move on so I became who I am now, Daybreaker. 1200 years, I lost so much and it all started tonight. Do you know how it feels to have to live with regrets so many centuries ?”

“I know “ said the Doctor in a broken voice

Daybreaker snarled at the Time Lord

“You want to talk ? I thought that you from all ponies would understand me but no, you did something better. You abandoned me!!! You never tried to find me, you just ran away like you always do. Using ponies to fill your solitude.” she turned to CMC “Do not trust him. Believe,I did and it didn’t pay off.”

Doctor shook his head

„Enough! No more games. If you know me, which is quite impossible, then you must certainly know that messing with me is VERY BAD idea. We have questions. And you are going to answer them. Is that correct ?”

This time Daybreaker almost fell to the ground during the laughing feat.

„ It is so amusing, that you think that you can actually achieve anything now. But...fine, I will answer your questions. It won’t change a thing.”

"First of all, how did you managed to time travel? Alicorns can't time travel on the long distances, even those as powerful as you."

Daybreaker's horn lit up and the Doctor was suddenly pulled closer to the burning alicorn.

"Look" whispered the Sun Empress, placing Doctor's hoof on her chest

Doctor remained in place for a moment. Then he backed away, shock clearly visible on his face.

"Your heartbeat... it's a rhythm of four. This is a Time Lord's heartbeat. But I am certain that you have only one heart. You are not a Time Lady. Who are you ?"

Daybreaker rolled her eyes

" Come on Doctor, use that enormous brain of yours. I don't want to kill an idiot, it is below my dignity."

Cutie Mark Crusaders bravely shielded the Doctor.

"If you want to kill him, you need to come through us" said Scootaloo in a tone that supposed to be a confident one.

Daybreaker lowered her head

"Oh, it was so long since I last saw your faces. You haven't change a bit"

Maybe it was only some kind of reflection, but it seemed like a cerise light glimmered in her eyes, only for a moment.

Then Daybreaker looked at Sweetie Belle. Her eyes narrowed and she roared

"Get this thing out of my sight !!!!"

In a flash of golden light a medallion appeared in front of Daybreaker.It was spherical, made from lapis-lazuli and adorned by decreasing moon scythe from pure silver.

"My medallion ! Give it back " Sweetie shouted

"Eeem, Sweetie Belle ? You didn't have any medallion with you. I would notice" said Scootaloo

"No, I had it the whole time... I think..." Sweetie Belle had a confused expression on her muzzle.

Doctor slowly nodded

"A perception filter. Which leads to a different question. How can you see through that kind of sensual trick and how did you stole some of the regeneration energy ?"

"The answer to the question is that I saw that medallion in my family's castle, many centuries ago. You were there and this thing is certainly exact same one. And about the regeneration energy... I will not spoil all of the fun for you".

And in that moment Daybreaker was kicked in the jaw. She did a flip in the air and landed on the ground with a short scream, rather from surprise than actual pain.

Applebloom stood over her, breathing heavily.

"Better start talkin' before I will do to ya what ya've done to my sister".

Daybreaker giggled once again

"Dear, sweet Applebloom. You are incredibly strong. You managed to get me by surprise, I seriously admire that. Well then..." she turned herself in a stream of fire and Applebloom screamed, slightly burnt. She backed away and landed in the hooves of Scootaloo.

Daybreaker repapered again and stated circling the others

"I will tell you, but in my way"

She opened her mouth and began to sing:

Once upon a time, there was a place

when I was safe and sound

Happiness and joy was within a race

And this place was my heart

I had just all the pony could ask for

The wonders I've encountered

I couldn't ask for more

ALL. WAS. JUST. FINE

And then the darkness came

it went to invite me to play

a madness comes cause it's the cost

when you fail yourself and it all is lost.

I have lost my friends, I have lost the light

back then it was my only hope

I didn't have such courage to fight

I. WAS. JUST. GONE

I have travelled years and then a centuries

what was my reward ?

My soul was still broken

But I could change the world

Doctor:

But you say you know my name

Who are you that you are the same ?

Cold in heart but hot as flame

Why did you say that we meet again ?

Daybreaker:

Look into my eyes and you will know the answer

Look into my soul when I spoke to you

Did you really forget me

It cannot be true.

Doctor:

What is that face that I see inside of my mind

What is that face in front of my eyes

Who are you, the voice of the unknown

Are you a secret that within me hides

Daybreaker:

We shared our dreams of the future

We were together in past

How could you leave me behind

I thought that our bond will last

Sweetie Belle:

I am so sorry for you

that you lost your peace

But you've done things that are horrible

This madness must now cease

Doctor:

Just tell the truth, just say, explain...

Daybreaker:

You know me Doctor, you know my name...

Applebloom:

Is there a meanin' all of this

is here, a bigger plan ?

Or all our tears were for nothin'

What is yer point again ?

Doctor:

Why can't I get it out

How can you know if I don't know

What is the thing that mind can show

Oh I am stupid, just let it go

Daybreaker:

I waited for so long...

Doctor:

I know you could be more than that...

Daybreaker:

I lost them, all I've got...

Doctor:

Please, just listen to me...

Daybreaker:

You are not who you appear to be

saviour of the universe, you always move on

when somepony cares you're already gone

You are so tired and alone

All of the journeys you've came to see

what is your choice and your destiny

Doctor:

Never cruel and cowardly I sworn to live

Always trying to help, always to forgive

But I still have a blood on my hands

The only thing that's important are companions, friends

Daybreaker:

Then how could you leave me alone ?

Scootaloo:

What the heck is going on ?

Sweetie Belle:

I think that more than one heart is shattered...

Applebloom:

And we shall retrieve what mattered...

Doctor:

I am so close and so far...

Daybreaker:

Gods in heavens know I tried...

Doctor:

I think I know

But it can't be true

What you mean is that...

Dayreaker:

Doctor, I loved you!!!

Doctor froze

"Wha-What ?" he mumbled in shock

Daybreaker flew to him and placed her forehead on his

"I will show you"

The pair closed their eyes.

For a moment nothing happened. Then a tear dropped on the floor. It was Doctor's tear. The tear was followed by another one and the next one, until a whole stream was flowing down. Time Lord cried and when he opened his eyes, the pony standing face to face with him wasn't Daybreaker. It was Princess Celestia.

Doctor remained speechless for a longer while and then spoke, still shaking and crying

"I had no idea... I am so, so sorry... could you ever forgive me ?"

Celestia slowly nodded

"I forgave you and moved on." her body was shaken by a painful spasm " but she didn't. She is going to regain control any moment now. She will kill you."

She looked at the Crusaders

"Did you happen to see Luna ?"

Three fillies looked sadly on the ground and that was all the answer Celestia needed.

"She sacrificed herself to protect us. She was killed by Sombra and..." Scootaloo hesitated

Celestia's eyes were full of tears.

"So I did kill my own sister. I really don't deserve to be alive"

Doctor protested

"Don't say that. We might be able to fix the timelines, preventing this from happening and..."

"Killing me in the process" Celestia completed.

Applebloom raised a hoof

"Scootaloo was correct earlier. Can somepony explain what in tarnation is goin' on ?"

Celestia fell to the ground with a shriek of pain

"You have no time, my little ponies. She is coming back. I am too weak... I already lost.. or I will loose... my sister... I cannot loose you too. Doctor, thank you for everything you were to me. And... I forgive you..."

"Twilight" whispered Doctor.

Celestia's mane ignited and she exploded in flames. Daybreaker emerged, grinning widely.

"Did you miss me ?” she shouted nonchalantly, looking at the devastated quartet in front of her.

She imitated their expressions

"Why the long faces ? You are going to die for a moment !!! Right about...now!!!"

Doctor screamed loudly and fell to the ground. He hissed with pain.

Daybreaker raised above the group

"I did some research you know, just like in the old days. I read that if somepony will create multitimesteam in one location and kill the link, stabilising the different versions of the universe, the whole reality will fall apart. Look!!!" she pointed at the walls, which started to fade away.

"Luna. Luna was the link. Everything changed, even you. Luna was one fixed point and when you killed her..." the Doctor managed to speak

Daybreaker laughed, her face showing nothing but insanity and madness.

"This whole world will cease to exist. No matter the time or place, the change will affect every last bit of the universe. And what is the greatest thing" She looked profoundly into Doctor's eyes " In that universe, paradoxes kill Time Lords"

Doctor shivered in pain

"I think she is correct. Everything burns, every atom in my body. Only one heart works properly"

Scootaloo facehoofed

"Well, that sucks"

Doctor looked at Daybreaker

"You don't belong here. You are not from this realm. This whole situation was designed to kill me ? You shouldn't kill all of those ponies, the Elements.  If that what you are saying is true, I can be killed by your presence alone."

"Maybe. But I needed Sombra and I couldn't restore him in any other way"

"Where is Sombra ? "

Daybreaker moved closer to the Doctor and whispered

"Spoilers"

Doctor shaken furiously

"Don't you dare !" he roared, trying to get up.

Daybreaker laughed and with that final outburst she disappeared in a flash of white light.

"Where did she go ? " asked Applebloom

"I don't know. What important is that we must move on too. When you travel with me, there is a one important rule. When I say run, run. RUN!!!" shouted the Doctor.

Sweetie Belle helped the Doctor get up and the group started galloping towards the exit of the enormous chamber.

Scootaloo noticed something on the floor. It was a mysterious medallion. She grabbed it and used one hoof to place it around her neck.

And then the ground under her hooves disappeared and Scootaloo fell into nothingness

Suddenly, she was covered with emerald magical aura and pulled back up to the material path. When she landed, she felt Sweetie Belle's hoof bumping her head

"Don't you dare do this again, Scoots"

Scootaloo smiled weakly

"You got it."

After something that seemed to be hours, the group made it to the end of a path. They quickly made their way up to the Celestia's bedchamber. TARDIS was waiting for them. Doctor tried to open it but collapsed and screamed with pain.

"Doctor, hurry up !" Applebloom screamed in panic.

The void was almost at room's entry.

"I seem to be dying, give me time" the Doctor raised up and hold a key in his mouth.

"Doctooooor...." Crusaders moved back.

Almost whole chamber was black now.

Finally, the Doctor opened the TARDIS.

"Go inside!!!" he commanded

Crusaders doesn't need repeating. The entered the time machine quickly. The Doctor entered the last, closing the door.

He started moving towards the console but collapsed once again

"Curse you, death !" he hissed.

He grabbed his sonic screwdriver. He pointed it in the console's direction and the device buzzed.

The TARDIS started to shake

"Here we go" mumbled Doctor, changing the frequency

The engines started and the TARDIS dematerialised and rematerialised after a moment.

Sweetie Belle helped the Doctor get up

"Where are we now ?"

They started slowly moving towards the console

"Few minutes in the future, on the orbit of planet Cadezia"

Scootaloo opened the door

"Whooaaa, look at that" the pegasus said in amazement, looking through the door.

The planet under them was in the mixed shade of yellow, orange and brown. It glowed gently in space, the point of light in the darkness of outer space.

"That doesn' look like Princess Cadence at all. Beside that both are kinda tri-coloured" Applebloom gazed at the planet, observing the storms on her surface.

"This is not the end. I must take us further. I must keep you safe." the Doctor programmed something on the console.

"He is right, look ! " Applebloom pointed at the void, getting closer and closer " how can it be so fast ? Doctor, how many time we have left ?"

"Two minutes, maybe three" the Doctor pulled the starting lever. The column flashed red and profound noise of the bells was heard

The ponies heard a female voice

YOUR DESTINATION IS CLOSE TO THE SPACE-TIME ELAPSION LIMIT. TRAVEL CANCAUSE MALFUNTIONS.

Doctor lowered his head

"I am sorry for this"

He pressed a button on the console and spoke as loudly as he could

"ENTERING THE CODE. SIGMA,SIGMA, MEDUSA CASCADE, ROSE, MARTHA, DONNA, TWILEY, DERPYPOO. CHANGING TO MANUAL, STATE OF TEMPORAL CRISIS, SWITCH OFF THE ELAPSION LIMIT, OVERRIDE,OVERRIDE"

He pulled the lever once again and this time the engines started. The column however remained bloody red.

"Hold on" shouted the Time Lord as the TARDIS was shaking in flight. The console was glitching and Doctor could swear that he heard Scootaloo shouting

"WORST.DRIVER.EVER!!!"

And then everything stopped. Doctor slowly moved towards the door and opened it. On the outside there was nothing but black outer space. Only a few stars burnt in the distance.

"Where are we now ?" asked Sweetie Belle

"The most far point the TARDIS could take us. On the very edge of the universe, year 100 trillion. The end of time itself. This is a lot of time from the moment of Luna's death. But it is only an hour, maybe a bit more, before the void will reach us"

Doctor closed the door.

"Scootaloo, go for the medical kit, is under the console. I think Applebloom needs help"

Applebloom almost forgot that she was burnt by Daybreaker. She noticed that was the first time he spoke her name correctly.

"What about ya Doctor. Is there any way we can help ya ?" asked the earth pony

"There is no way. In this universe, such a temporal crisis is indeed fatal for me. I can't even regenerate. But don't worry, it takes days for Time Lord to day"

"Why we should we happy ? You are suffering. How can it be a good thing ?" Sweetie Belle bit her lower lip.

"Because I want to you to understand the whole truth about what is happening and I have a time to tell you the truth. If we are going to die today, you must know this" said the Doctor, sweating heavily.
> Choices and confessions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 19

Four ponies looked at the black, cold space beyond the TADRIS doors.

"So Doctor, ya want to tell us somethin' ?" asked Applebloom, while Scootaloo examined her skin searching for the patches of burnt skin that could be covered with cream from the medical kit. After a moment, orange filly shook her head.

"I saw that Daybreaker burnt you Applebloom. It doesn't make any sense. There is not even one bruise or burn”.

Applebloom was shocked

“But there is no way ! Why ?”

Scootaloo got close to her ear

“Applebloom, we all can do some crazy stuff now. But we should wait when Doctor will finish explaining, then we can think about it”

***********************

Doctor sighed profoundly

"Daybreaker showed me the truth. She shared her memories with me and that kind of sharing is very hard to falsify, especially on that level of mental connection that she had with me. What she showed me was horrible but it all makes sense and I see that now."

"What was that Doctor ? Just tell us" Sweetie Belle moved closer to the Time Lord.

Doctor looked at three little fillies and let the words out

"Daybreaker is none other than our shared friend, Princess Twilight Sparkle"

There was a moment of silence and then Scootaloo burst in laughter.

"Muahahahahaha!!! Tw-Twilight is D-day-breaker.... phmmmm ahahahahhihihihi... this-this is too rich !!!!!" said the overjoyedpegasus.

The Doctor's face was so serious that orange filly managed to calm herself rather quickly.

Scootaloo frowned

"You aren't kidding, are you ?"

Doctor lowered his head to the fillies level

"I know it sounds like some kind of a bad joke. But think about it, consider that possibility. Just. Think. Time is altering, no, not altering, splitting. This is possible. Forget about everything you thought you knew. We are at the gates of endless possibilities"

"But our home world... it is already gone, isn't it ? Our sisters, friends, all of Equestria... it vanished. What are we going to do ?” said Sweetie Belle with tears in her eyes.

"Maybe not forever. I hope this universe can be restored." said the Doctor " But let me tell you everything from the very beginning. Twilight's story started on my adventure with Derpy when my TARDIS was immobilized for two months. I started to teach in a local high school and Derpy was delivering letters or baking muffins. Despite my young appearance, the school hired me as a physics teacher. Nightlight was one of my best students and after time we started to get along pretty well. He don't mind that I was teaching him, not at all. There wasn't much difference in the external age of my body so I guess so he might even treat me as his colleague.

But then I noticed that his grades were getting lower and lower. One day, when he failed another test, I asked him what was the source of his problems. He didn't want to tell me then. But I am quite clever you know and I was young too... even if that was millennium ago. I quickly figured out that he was in love. The problem was indeed cliché. Nightlight fell in love with a school's sport representant, Twilight Velvet. He was afraid that the adventurous and outgoing mare would never want to go with him on a date. I was really touched by his dilemma plus I was worried about his grades. I introduced Nightlight to Derpy and we both swore to help him with his goal, which was going on a date with miss Velvet.

Derpy was especially into this "super romantic adventure" as she described it. She said that Nightlight must show Twilight Velvet that he is courageous and athletic as she is. Nightlight was a calm geek and he didn't know exactly how to "prove" those values. So once again my clever Derpy got an idea of bungee jumping. She wanted to train Nightlight so he would win the contest during the school olympics ( yes, there was such a contest in that school, don't ask). But when Derpy accidently destroyed trampoline three times in a row, I decided to assist with the execution. I used my knowledge of mechanisms of flight to calculate the best angle for doing the triple flip with a spin in the air. I trained with Nightlight for two weeks after school and when the time came, he did it in front of Twilight Velvet. But this is not all.

When I was training Nightlight, Derpy tried to befriend Twilight Velvet. She started to work in a cafeteria. I don't know how actually but it all worked out. Our plan was to pretend that Derpy was bringing Nightlight on a date. In the same time, I left a note to Twilight Velvetsaying that I wanted to meet her. It was a fake of course and she didn't know my writing style so it was pretty safe. When they met in the same place, there were a little ashamed but only at the beginning . When their "true dates" didn't show up, Twilight Velvet became particularly interested in a "best bungee jumper". Interesting thing, we set up the meeting nearby the royal pond. It later became one of the most favourite places of Nightlight’s future daughter. On that day, I might slightly adjusted the timeline so the meteor shower happened earlier than it should. My TARDIS was damaged but that was a trick I still could manage to do.

Then the history went rather quickly. When TARDIS was repaired, I got Derpy home and came back to check on Nightlight. You know the rest of the story. I gave Twilight her second name and left to know her more in Ponyville. And this is the point when the history starts to get important.

You know that Twilight caught an eye of Princess Celestia by performing the enormous magical feat in the entry exam to the School for Gifted Unicorns. She became Princess's protégé and later was send by her to Ponyville, when she meet her friends. They were having various adventures until now. Twilight was tricked by Daybreaker and sent by her to the past. A very distant past. Twilight woke up on the edge of the mountain. She was confused and desperate to come back to save her friends from Daybreaker. But when nothing seemed to work, she started to search for help. She was wandering in the woods for hours. But she was already tired after battle in our times. She knew that she can't walk forever. She passed out five hours after her arrival. Quite by chance she was found by the guards of local king, Dusk Noctis. She was brought into his castle. Dusk and his wife, Aurora, were helping her recover.

When Twilight got better, she thanked them for their kindness. When the royal pair understood that Twilight has no place to go, they offered her a role of a nanny for their newborn foal. When they presented it, Twilight was in shock. The little foal was no other than Princess Luna. On that point, Twilight figured out that she went back in time.But with no better plan, she accepted the position of Luna's foalsitter. She started to live with Luna, following the stories Celestia was telling her on that rare occasions when they were talking about Princess's fillyhood. Twilight was confused with Celestia's absence but Dusk and Aurora told her that the older alicorn went to the magic school and she won't be back until next year's summer. Twilight was also puzzled that Dusk and Aurora weren't intrigued at all about Twilight knowing Celestia.

Months passed. Twilight was still searching for a way to go back to her proper era. She sneaked out from the castle at night to make a ritual that supposed to transport her back to the future. Something went wrong and the spell consumed all life force and energy of Twilight, literally burning her magic aura. She should have died. But she didn't. When she awoke, she noticed that her hooves were glowing with the golden light. Since she travelled with me earlier, she recognized that phenomenon. She whispered "Thank you girls, for all you've been to me. I will be back. Let me see you one more time...goodbye" and she let the energy out. The royal garden was lightened up by the golden light. Twilight was consumed by the golden glow, streams of light and fire licking every inch of her body. After a while, light faded away and Twilight collapsed to the ground. She managed to remain conscious as she trotted back to the castle. She was bit clumsy and she woke up the servants. They were really worried about her state. Twilight was confused why everypony started to address her " Dear Celestia". She was escorted to bed. Then she looked at her reflection and suddenly passed away. Servants were very concerned. "The reflection was none over than Princess's Celestia's silhouette. Why did the Princess didn't recognize her own face..." they thought..."

"Wow wow wow... how did Twilight suddenly became Princess Celestia. A pony cannot change a face like that" said Scootaloo

"A pony can't but Time Lord can" the Doctor muttered with squinted teeth.

"Huh ?" Applebloom twisted her head.

"You see, there is something about me you don't know yet. When the Time Lord's body wears off for some reason, he can change it, healing himself and gaining new physical shape and personality. Memory remains, so it is still the same person... or pony. It is called a regeneration and it is kind of a trick, meant to cheat death. Twilight was dying after the ritual. To save herself, she changed her body, every single cell. And she survived."

"All right... this is a bit hard to imagine...But Twilight isn't a Time Lord...right ?" wondered Sweetie Belle.

"Positive. She is absolutely normal equine being. But remember that glowing energy that Daybreaker transferred to Twilight?That was regeneration energy... a portion for one regeneration I would say."

"But why she began to look like Princess Celestia ? This is awfully big coincidence" Scootaloo drew a circle in the air.

"I am not sure. Every regeneration is different and some individuals can control their final appearance. I guess Twilight was thinking about Princess Celestia and influenced the process when it started. It is completely understandable. Twilight knew in theory how regeneration worked, she knew that her whole life will change forever. In final moments she was thinking about her friends and mentor. She sacrificed her own life trying to get back. To save the magic of friendship.

Anyway, Twilight couldn't believe that she has a body of Princess Celestia. She initially had absolutely no control over new form but mastered it with time. The strangest thing was that all the ponies in the castle had false memories. They didn't remember Twilight, they thought Celestia was with them all the time. Twilight was trying to solve the problem. But now she wasn't only taking care of Luna, she also had to pretend to be Dusk's and Aurora's daughter. She was still playing along with Celestia's stories. Years passed. Twilight started finding Celestia's clues and memories very useful. She mastered the magic in a new form. After regeneration her body started to decay incredibly slowly, it was probably side effect of a fusion of magic energy with the huon particles. When Luna started to mature, 80 years after Twilight's arrival, two alicorns left the castle, searching for their own domain. After so many years with Luna, she was practically like a sister to Twilight now. But the pain inside was only getting worse. Even in their search, Twilight never stopped trying to get back to her friends.

One day, she and Luna found themselves in a vast and beautiful land. From her studies of history, Twilight knew that this happened shortly after foundation of Equestria. She and Luna found the leaders of three pony tribes: Commander Hurricane, Chancellor Pudinghead and Princess Platinum. Alicorns offered their guidance to the rulers (Twilight could "predict" future events) what was really useful. Sometimes, Twilight was a little too hasty. Remembering her vision with the Tree of Harmony, she found its location long before Discord got to Equestria. Twilight and Luna battled him later and after his defeat, the pony tribes agreed that two alicorn sisters shall be a rulers of all of Equestria. Twilight still felt like she was impersonating somepony and she thought that real Celestia will appear rather quickly. But she didn't. When Starswirl the Bearded and the Pillars of Equestria..."

"Who ?" asked the Crusaders

Doctor quickly calculated something in his mind and then smiled

"In your former timeline... well, if we will manage to fix this mess, you will see for yourselves. It will be a great surprise. What I wanted to say is in that time Twilight followed journal of the two sisters. Meeting Starswirl the Bearded, Building the castle of Two Sisters... she knew how it will play along. Even with description in Celestia's diary, she couldn't be prepared for rising the sun for the first time and achieving her new cutie mark. When she and Luna defeated King Sombra in Great War of Shadow, she met me. I was the one who betrayed Sombra and brought upon him his demise. But it wasn't that Celestia aka Twilight. It was Celestia, who was before this whole mess. I am certain of it. But in Twilight's version, she recognized me and accused me of not trying to save her when I noticed her absence. When I am thinking of it now, I think that the realities covered each other. Time Lords can comprehend multiplicity of realities and store them in their memories. But the others can't do it so well. Sweetie Belle, did Princess Luna had a sister ?"

White unicorn frowned

"I think she didn't... have... or maybe..."

She then covered her lips

Doctor nodded with visible satisfaction

"You see, change of reality is messing up with your heads. The TARDIS is protecting us but that power is very, very strong. The void is coming. We haven't got much time... I can feel it. The presence of the void is killing me.So, proceeding...

One day, Twilight heard a scream in Luna's bedchamber. When she arrived, she saw Luna crying, sobbing on the floor. When Luna acknowledged Twilight's presence, she yelled at her and shut the door in front of her. Then Twilight heard wicked, maniacal laughter that she heard over 250 years ago, when she first arrived to Ponyville.

Realisation came slowly, torturing her mind. Twilight knew that this moment will come. But even after a two centuries of existence in Celestia's body, she was still hoping that it is all just some kind of a cosmic misunderstanding. But now she knew. There was no other Celestia and never will be. She was Celestia and Twilight Sparkle was no more.

Celestia tried to change the past, rewrite time and make Luna happy. But with each step, with each thrown party and each conversation, Princess of the Night was falling deeper and deeper into the darkness.

Celestia knew what she had to do. But she couldn't make herself to do that. Knowing that she had failed her friends was already too much. Sending Luna away... she knew all the consequences. But the time was fixed and what happened had to happen again. High above the half-destroyed Castle of the Two Sisters, Celestia battled the one, who she once saved from the darkness so long ago. She taught Luna about fun, she was fighting alongside her with the Tantabus and respected for long years. A pony who became her sister.

When the Elements began to work, she cried .

When Luna was gone, she fell to the ground again. And then..."

Doctor paused and tapped his chin with his hoof

"There is no memories about the event. I assume that was the moment of Daybreaker's first appearance. Celestia lived on for centuries, each day trying to go back to save those who she loved. But it still wasn't working. The madness was increasing. Celestia was in a state of eternal grief and it was all killing her inside, making her hopeless. Life lost sense. Knowledge, which served her from the very beginning of her life, was now her greatest curse. She realised that Daybreaker was the part of her and that she was (or will be ) responsible for bringing doom upon all of her friends. She came such a long way since she was reading about her own adventures nearby the royal pond, back when she was Twilight Sparkle. Such a long time..."

There was a moment of silence. Finally, Applebloom broke the growing tension.

"Doctor, ya said that Celestia...Twilight...was destin' to kill her friends... why didn't she tried prevent this from happenin' if she had that knowledge ?"

Doctor's eyes were closed and streams of tears were flowing down his cheeks

"The thing about fixed time is that it cannot be changed. By sending her younger version to the past, Daybreaker created a fixed timeline. Celestia had to follow what she already knew from...herself. Avoiding events would cause a massive paradox. One of the oldest paradoxes ever, the Bootstrap Paradox. If Twilight Sparkle wasn't sent to the past, Celestia wouldn't have any reason to stop her from being send to the past and therefore, we are entering an eternity loop. Twilight was following Celestia's memories and there is no end or beginning. The only way to end the cycle is by an intervention of the external force.

Celestia lived on through the centuries, trying to fight back the darkness, growing stronger every day. And after nearly a thousand years she found a new mission. She made it to the point of her own birthday. At the beginning, she almost created a paradox, trying to sabotage my and Derpy's doings, when we were helping Nightlight. Luckily for her and the universe, her plan didn't work out.

And then, all of the sudden, Celestia gave up. And stated preparing her younger self for the struggle ahead. Did you ever wondered why Princess Celestia chose Twilight Sparkle as her personal protégé ? Because she wanted to keep an eye on herself. She kept her close, sent to Ponyville, educated, did everything that she remembered from her own fillyhood.

You know what was the real reason Princess Celestia didn't fight alongside with Twilight and the others with the threats made against Equestria ? Because she knew she couldn't interfere. Because she knew all this time what was about to happen. When she spoke with Twilight about her fear of Twilight not wanting her anymore, it had another meaning. Celestia was scared of the events that were supposed to happen. She couldn't warn the Elements about the danger in the future. After all, she was afraid of dying. But the knowledge only made Daybreaker stronger. Celestia knew that she will release Daybreaker on that day... Daybreaker found King Sombra, who trapped you all inside the illusion. Princess's dreams started to go more and more frightening. And then Daybreaker finally freed herself. Tricked Twilight, sending her to the past. Went mad from all of the grief and regret. The cycle was closed. and it was all my fault."

The Doctor sighed, his gaze was distant and empty. Even the engines of the TARDIS sounded as if they were far, far away...

**************************

"That is a heck of a sad story" Applebloom dried her eyes " But what do ya mean that it's all yer fault ?"

"Twilight was right back then, on the War of Shadow. I didn't bothered much to find her. I just...didn't noticed her absence before it was already too late" the Doctor said in a broken voice.

"So Doctor, what should we do ?" asked Scootaloo, starting to trot around the control room

"Do you really want to seek advice from me after all of this ? I wasn't there when Twilight needed me ! I failed her and I failed the world. That's the hero I turned out to be."

Suddenly, the TARDIS's cloister bells started ringing once again.

"The void! It is coming" shouted Sweetie Belle, looking behind the door.

Doctor's head was pulled up and Time Lord was now facing well now the pair of the vibrant, amber eyes

"Listen here partner ! I know ya screwed up. But this is no reason to give up. Now we must fight together. Ya faced Daybreaker, ya saved us from Sombra. Ya're amazin' Doctor. Now get up of yer ass. If ya care about Twilight, Derpy, yer friends... ya will find a way to save them. The world needs ya now" Applebloom started to help Doctor get up.

Sweetie ran over

"Is there some way to stop it ? " she whispered, looking at the black void.

Doctor frowned and hissed

"When Daybreaker killed Luna, the unchanged link between the worlds, this whole dimension started to collapse. I am afraid that stopping this void is beyond our capabilities."

And then the space around the TARDIS started burning with a swirling multicolour light. It shielded the vehicle from the void, like a cloak or a cage.

"Like Harry Potter. " the Doctor stared at the barrier in amazement.

"Like who ?" Scootlaoo gave a Doctor irritated glare

"You know, the wizard ? Fourth book ? Battle on the graveyard and the cage from light ? "

"Doctor you were saying something about a way to end this mess" Sweetie Belle persisted.

"This barrier is the Horizon of Events. It is connected with every moment in time and space in this dying universe. It is the essence of the heart of the TARDIS. She is using it to protect us, but when power wears off..."

**************************

Sweetie Belle heard it. A soft, gentle tune inside of her head. A call... singing inside of her mind. It came from the console's direction

She didn't even noticed when she trotted to the console following the hypnotizing melody. On the console was lying the mysterious medallion. Sweetie could swear that she heard soft but persistent words

OPEN ME. OPEN ME. OPEN ME...

she came a step closer and touched the surface of the medallion with a hoof...

**************************

But what about the fixin' ?" Appleblom asked

"If any living component from this universe could enter the Horizon of events, he or she would be able to become a substitute of Princess Luna and stop the void from expanding. But that substitute would have to represent the majority of Princess's emotions and behaviours...the more similar, the better. Like I said, is beyond our capabilities" said the Doctor, managing to close the door.

“So what should we do ?” Scootaloo saidin high pitched voice.

Doctor looked at the barrier

“We shouldn’t give up. Maybe if we go further into the TARDIS, we will delay our...demise and I will have to figure something out”

„ No, Doctor. You know it will do nothing” said quiet voice behind Doctor'sback

Three ponies slowly turned around to see Sweetie Belle, standing behind them with lowered head.

"What did you say ?" asked the Doctor.

Sweetie Belle stepped forward, her hooves trembling.

“I said that retreating is not an option. I think...” she said, starring at multicolour veil “ I think that I should go.”

Scootaloo and Applebloom stared at her friend, visibly confused. But Doctor’s eyes shown that he understood. He took few steps into Sweetie Belle’s direction but he almost fainted by doing so. His tired face looked at emerald-eyed unicorn.

“No” he said, fixing his gaze at Sweetie’s face “ Just no.”

“Doctor, it is the only way to keep you all safe...”

“I AM THE ONE WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO KEEP YOU SAFE” yelled the Doctor “There is no way you are going to go. I will go, you will stay. I am dying, it doesn’t matter for me anyway”

Applebloom and Scootaloo were moving their eyes from one pony to another

“I think I might be just a liiiitleee bit behind” said Scootaloo “ What is going on ?”

“Sweetie Belle wants to enter the Horizon of Events. She want to sacrifice herself for us to survive” Doctor slowly answered.

Two Crusaders quickly placed themselves between Doctor and Sweetie Belle.

“ Are ya out of yer mind ? There is no way we are lettin’ ya die for us.” shouted Applebloom.

“She is right, are you crazy? How did you even come up with something like that ?” added Scootaloo

Doctor looked at Sweetie Belle

“That is a good question. I don’t believe that you have an idea of yourself. Is this some kind of a trick...manipulation ?”

„I was told ?”

„Told by who ?”

„The medallion told me and give me wisdom and strength to do what must be done”

„You sound so mature. What is this medallion and what have it done to you ?”

„You will find out soon. Keep it safe, it is a matter of great importance”

„Sweetie, I won’t let you do this. It’s too dangerous”

“Doctor, this medallion gave me some glimpses of my own future. It is going to be fine”

Doctor crawled closer to white unicorn.

“I am not loosing another friend tonight. I am so sick of loosing. No more. Please, let me do this”

“Doctor, you are a stallion. It wouldn’t work and it would probably make it even worse. Look, you said for yourself: it has to be somepony representing majority of Princess’s emotions and behaviours. I have always deeply respected Princess Luna, she is kind of my hero. Since she helped me to understand Rarity’s doings during my fifth birthday, I knew that we had some kind of bond. Everypony who knows me can admit that I am idealistic dreamer who ones had an older sister issues. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it ?”

Doctor lowered his head. He knew Sweetie had the point.

White unicorn turned to her two fellow Crusaders.

„I don’t expect you to understand why I want to do this. I wish that you accept it and... let me go “ she whispered in apologetic tone

„And how we are supposed to do that???!!!!! SWEETIE BELLE, WE LOVE YOU!!! PLEASE, DON’T GO!!!” cried Scootaloo

Applebloom nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks.

„Are ya really thinkin’ that we will let ya die for us ? We can’t... we just can’t. We would rather die for you”

“But I love you too. And in the name of that love, the love for you and everything that I have left behind, I have to do what must be done. It has to be me. It is better that you might be able to fix this mess than being absorbed by that void. I will be fine, right Doctor ?”

Time Lord was quiet for a while then slowly muttered

“You won’t be dead if that is what you mean. But I live long enough to know that they are worst things than death “ he glanced at Sweetie Belle, his eyes were cold and serious “ You won’t die. But you will be thrown to unknown time and place. You won’t be able to predict what challenges you will have to face. You might even lose some of your memories. Or all of them.

But I understand the meaning of your sacrifice. If I learned anything valuable during my lives it is that letting go is one of the hardest things to do but it doesn’t make it less right to do it. Sometimes the only choices we have are the bad ones but we still have to choose.”

“Thank you Doctor” said Sweetie Belle softly

Then, all of the sudden, she ran over to the dying Time Lord and hugged him tightly.

“What is it ?” asked the shocked Doctor

“I am... I am so terrified. I know Princess Luna story and I know what... where I will have to go...what I will become. I am not ready but I have to do this...”

“I from all the ponies know the best what it is to becoming someone else. To jump into the unknown”Doctor said, trying to calm Sweetie Belle, now crying on his neck “ It is your choice. Whatever you decide, we will support you. And Sweetie Belle...”

Unicorn’s head moved slightly

“Huh ?”

“It was an honour to meet you. In your future, we were friends and I was attending many of your concerts. I just want you to know that I and your friends, we won’t forget you. Ever.”

“Yeah, no matter what!!!” Scootaloo and Applebloom shouted in unison.

Sweetie Belle turned her head into the direction of the door

“I believe that the time has come.” She then hugged Applebloom and Scootaloo “Thank you girls, for everything you were to me”

Applebloom, crying into her friends white fur, began to sing. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo recognized the tune and joined earth pony:

[Applebloom]

When family cannot be here

Having journeyed far and wide

We sing a song to honour them

To remember days gone by

[Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo]

So take your cup and raise it high

Just as surely I'll do mine

And laugh we will at stories told

As we smile at days gone by

As we smile at days gone by

[Everypony]

For family not here, my dears

Having journeyed far and wide

For loyalty and kindness both

We smile at days gone by

(Sweetie Belle put her hoof under Applebloom’s chin and looked her and Scootaloo in the eyes)

[Sweetie Belle]

Our paths will cross again one day

In time to reunite

For family is always near

Even when the seas are wide

[Scootaloo]

So take your cup and raise it high

Just as surely I'll do mine

And make a toast for family

And the tales of days gone by

[Everypony]

For family not here, my dears

Having journeyed far and wide

For loyalty and kindness both

Take joy at days gone by

For loyalty and kindness both

We smile at days gone by

When the song ended, Sweetie Belle wiped her friends’ tears

“I will be back. I promise. You are my family...” she looked at Applebloom “ And we stick together no matter what. No one is abandoned or left behind. I will go back even if it will take me” she gulped “ a thousand years... Goodbye girls. And you find Spike tell him...tell him...”

She whispered something into Applebloom's ear. Yellow filly blushed and slowly nodded.

Applebloom cleared her troth

“We will always be with ya. When ya will be eatin’ an apple...” whispered Applebloom

“or do something epic and awesome...” added Scootaloo

“Just remember that there is always a home to come back to. We will be waitin’ for ya.” finished Applebloom

Sweetie Belle gave them one last hug and moved closer to the Doctor.

„Doctor, will it hurt ?”

Doctor remained silent then answered, hesitating

„I truly don’t know. I assume that your body will be changed by the Horizon. When you will awake, you will be Princess Luna. I don’t know when or where. But... there must be another way. I should be the one protecting you. I won’t give up”

„ Doctor, what was shown to me says that you are always protecting others. Stopping the void will heal you so let me help you for once. I will be all right. This is my choice, my destiny.” she looked at the Time Lord’s eyes” If you want to do something for me, remember me and kick Daybreaker’s butt for me and my sister."

"Sweetie Belle, come over here. I have to do something I have never done before. It will be my gift for you. It's the least I can do in my current state. Now I must place a hoof on your forehead..."

Sweetie slowly allow the Doctor to place his hoof between her eyes.

"Applebloom, Scootaloo, help me get up. I don't seem to have control over my back legs"

Two fillies ran over and helped Doctor raise a bit so his eyes were now on the level of Sweetie Belle's

"Now all I need is your full name and your parents names"

" For what ?"

"Trust me. It is meant for your protection

"Right... Sweetie Clarity Belle

Despite the situation, Scootaloo giggled

"Sweetie, Rarity, Clarity ? What is your mom's second name ? Majority ? "

Sweetie blushed

" Shut up Scoots. It's a family tradition. I think it is cool"

Sweetie gave the Doctor information he needed.

Time Lord inhaled deeply and said

"Ready when you are"

Then he closed his eyes

For a moment nothing happened

Suddenly, the console roomflooded by the white light. The bells started to rang and the central column flashed gold.

Crusaders looked around, scared and confused

Sweetie Belle glanced at the Doctor

"Doctor, what is hap-"

Doctor opened his eyes

They were emanating their own light and the irises turned from light blue into pure gold

The Doctor spoke and three ponies shivered. The voice Doctor was speaking was filled with wisdom, power and sadness. It was a vibrating choir of eleven different voices in perfect harmony

"I, THE DOCTOR, SON OF ULISSES AND ELARI, THE ONE WHO MAKES PEOPLE BETTER, THE UNCOMING STORM AND BRINGER OF DARKNESS, ALWAYS UNARMED, SPEAK TO YOU. BY THE POWER INVESTED IN ME BY THE FORCES OF TIME AND DESTINY, AS A TIME LORD OF PLANET GALLIFREY I GIVE MY BLESSING TO SWEETIE CLARITY BELLE, FROM THE BLOOD OF HONDO AND COOKIE CRUMBLES. LET IT GUIDE HER THROUGHOUT THE UNIVERSE, PROTECTING FROM THE HARM BY THE FORCES OF TIME AND EVIL. I PROMISE WITH BOTH OF MY HEARTS THAT I WILL BRING HER TO SAFETY AND RETURN TO PEACE FROM THE TORMENT. I SWEAR WITH ALL OF MY LIVES.

WE SWEAR AS ONE"

The white light vanished and the Doctor's eyes became blue again.

Sweetie Belle stared at the Time Lord, her jaw dropped. She tried to smile

"Did you just gave me a lesson of speaking in Royal Canterlot Voice ?"

" Not exactly " answered Doctor, visibly exhausted "I blessed you and I swear I will bring you back. I also gave up 50 years of my life to make a protection for you. That blessing is a strong thing you know".

Sweetie Belle smiled

"Thank you Doctor. For everything. Now" she turned to the door" Here comes nothing. Here we go!"

" The long way around" whispered Doctor.

Sweetie Belle started gallopingtowards doors direction. Doors opened by themselves.

" So the three of us fight, fight, fight!!!!" Sweetie Belle screamed jumpingthe door

Applebloom and Scootaloo quickly placed the Doctor on the ground and ran to the door.

When Sweetie Belle reached the multicolour veil, her body flashed with golden light and was sucked into the shining curtain

"This is... this is..." whispered Applebloom

"I know. She really sang that crap of a song as her last words" Scootaloo cried out

Before Applebloom can answer, the world around them turned to the colour of gold...

****************

" Ahhhhhh!!!!" Doctor screamed. Then he examined his body "She was right. Only the presence of void was killing me but know..."

He quickly raised up and bucked into the air.

"All healed. I am not dying anymore. Yupi!!! Well, the Doctor is back in the game"

" So what is the plan ?" Applebloom ask

"Oh, it is ingenious plan. Observe" he ran to the console and pressed something on her. Doctor smiled widely " I have always wanted to press that button. I loooove pressing buttons"

" So what know ?" Scootaloo screamed

"To the roof " Doctor shouted back

"Whaaat???"

"Just climb up and I will show you"

*************

When Doctor and Crusaders finally managed climb on the roof, they noticed a beam of golden light emanating from the lantern.

" We can't stay here, so I harvested the energy from the remaining of the void to send us to another universe. Just enter the beam and you will find out. Better stick together." Doctor grabbed both fillies "I know it looks dangerous but it is the only way to stop Daybreaker and bring back Sweetie Belle and the others. The TARDIS will follow us. So what will you say ?"

Scootaloo twisted her head

" It looks like a nasty thing but I will do it for Sweetie Belle."

Applebloom approved friends decision.

"For Sweetie Belle"

Doctor nodded, one tear flowing down his cheek.

"For Sweetie Belle"

Holding each other tightly, three ponies entered the stream of light.

To be continued, in the second volume, Stary Eclipse