Despite being the Element of Loyalty, even Rainbow Dash can be twisted.
As the newly donned Element of Loyalty, Rainbow Dash is entrusted to protect Equestria. What that means, however, can be skewed. A new acquaintance reveals a friend in a different light, leading her down a dark path.
Rainbow wearily flew home from Summer Sun Celebration cleaning. Setting her elemental crown down, she fell asleep. Under midnight’s moonlight, an icy presence breathed to life. She awoke to a void, shuddering.
The morning newspaper arrived, disturbing many. Rainbow read nervously; she sighed in relief. Trekking away, she reached an abandoned building. Going down a stairwell, she brought a rod.
Basement lights brightened. The rod violently swung, tipping a metal chair. Twilight awoke, chained and bleeding.
Panicked eyes widened. "Dash? What?!"
Another swing. "Pity. I believed you were good, taking down Nightmare Moon."
"What?” she cried in pain. “We defeated-”
Rainbow bashed a knee. “A sloppy attempted usurpation! Your ploys don’t phase me.”
She leaned in, tapping the ring on a writhing Twilight’s horn
“You’ll confess-” Dash motioned to her earrings. "-And your power is mine."
The room became feezing. Twilight shook with visible breath. The door shut her in darkness.
“I’ve told you not to!-” Anger flaring, Rainbow accidentally stabbed Twilight’s shoulder. "-Sorry!”
Twilight chose to conserve energy for coagulation. Rainbow lightly patched the wound and then provided water. Parched, she accepted. Was not speaking a mistake?
As Rainbow stole her magic to heal the injury, Twilight swore Rainbow’s shadow flickered.
That night, nightmares besieged a convulsing Rainbow. Mysterious gray wisps wafted from her heart. Giggling jubilation sounded. Tendrils emerged from the crowns.
They struck.
Merging with the gray mist, dark light pulsated as essence funneled into the sleeping pegasus. Blue sparks erupted in futile resistance. The seeping soon finished
Groaning, Rainbow rolled out of bed. She felt lighter than usual. Looking in the mirror proved nothing. Yesterday’s spell might be the cause. Doubting her resolve would not. Still, something else felt off.
Moving her hoof to the mirror, it phased through. Rainbow felt weightless. Glancing again, she gasped. It couldn’t be her. She couldn’t move.
Yet her slim wings unfurled. Her body was regally sized and sleek. Bodily magic leaked. An inky-rainbow mane waved autonomously. A horn spiraled. Glowing cyan eyes combined with a smirk.
Thank you.
“How-”
Last we met, I partially imbued my soul. Farewell!
Twilight breathed slowly. Thunder sounded outside. With her good eye, she scanned the basement. Dust exposed flesh stung. Positive thinking was the key,
Alone and weakened, she had to fight on. No matter the pain. She laughed wretchedly in boredom. It almost felt numb…
A surprise burst of air lashed at her. Electricity and smoke dissipated. An alicorn appeared chanting; earrings jangled.
Abruptly, Twilight felt violently shaken to her core. The horn ring disintegrated. Spotting her chance… nothing happened. Her magic was gone.
As Twilight's mind scrambled, the princesses teleported in, furious.
“I am Dark Resplendence,” the creature grinned.
They spoke together. “We fight together."
She cackled. “I’ve a pegasus and your beloved student. They might... die!"
Dark Resplendence laughed uncontrollably as they hesitated.