A/N: Just to be clear, this isn't an 'I'm immortal, kill self', fic, nor is it yet another conventional 'Tyrannestia' fic.  While the story brushes with both those tropes - the first merely in passing, and the second more heavily - I've put a lot of effort into portraying these ideas from a new angle.  I'd be very grateful if you would give the story a chance before impulsively downvoting.  Thanks, and carry on.

In a dark, alternate Equestria where Celestia has become unstable and dangerous, Twilight Sparkle receives a package in the mail... one, final test.  But what comes after will utterly destroy her and the few things she still holds dear in a cascading avalanche of mistakes, betrayal, and exploitation.

Author's Notes: Given I cranked this out in less than a week following the airing of Magical Mystery Cure, I'm pretty happy with the quality.  But, as usual, this is unedited - feel free to suggest corrections and such to me.

This story was powered by Evanescence's 'Lost in Paradise'.  I literally left the song on loop and wrote up a storm.

Author's Note: This story takes place in the world established by several of my other stories, specifically Harmony's End and Steampony.  This story is very much standalone, but I don't go into much detail about the world here.  If you want to know more, or want to see more of Whitefire, feel free to check out Steampony.  Also, this story is getting on in age, I only just now thought to post it - I'm aware it needs a fair bit of work, particularly on its *very* weak beginning.

Anywho, carry on!

-Winged

The Harvester Engine.  This miracle machine made life for most ponies a breeze - harnessing Unicorn magic and using it to generate steam, it has made electricity and automation not only practical, but commonplace.  It seemed perfect - a glorious industrial revolution from which all could benefit, until it became painfully clear that not everypony would.  The Unicorns suffered the greatest blow, as the Harvester Engine could harness magic as efficiently as any caster, but the damage was not reserved to them alone.  Earth Pony labourers were suddenly penniless as machines stole their jobs, and even the Pegasi, now a rare sight following the devastation of the Harmony's End War, found themselves replaced by sophisticated aircraft and industrial-scale weather manipulation machinery.

With unemployment skyrocketing, quality of life plummeting, and unrest at an all-time high, large gangs and criminal organizations have emerged from the chaos and seized control.  As time progresses, their poisonous claws snake into more and more, even corrupting the diligent Manehattan Police Force... and leaving Detective Whitefire feeling like she's the only good cop left on the streets.  

But soon, even her shining example of a record will find itself stained by these hard times.

One thousand years ago, something happened in Canterlot.  Two Princesses entered a room, and only one walked out again.  The people were told something to keep them quiet, to keep them from talking, but it wasn't the truth...  only Celestia remembers what actually happened.

Dawnstar is a much darker take on the story of the two sisters - opening with a more believable set of events that may have occurred the day Luna was banished, then following Celestia as she lives a thousand years without her sister.  Unlike my other stories, it's almost completely lore compatible - it fits so well it's practically a conspiracy theory.  

The only thing that doesn't click in perfectly with show lore is the conversation between Luna and Celestia at the end, but the one that took place in the show's second episode no longer made sense, so I call artistic liscence ;)

Hope you enjoy it!

Years ago, Equestria was freed from the oppressive control of a Unicorn dictatorship by Rainbow Dash and her rebellion.  Since then, the progress engine has roared onwards, and for Pandora, Dash's estranged daughter, the supposed glamour of the war seems like it would be an exciting and most preferable alternative to her meager existence.  She hashes out her life from day to day, drifting from bar to bar, but when she makes some new friends, her life takes a turn for the better as she finally finds a sense of direction.  Little do the three ponies know, however, that they and their legendary parents will have a critical role to play in the days to come as Equestria faces what is potentially the greatest threat it has ever known - the remarkable dangers of magic truly unleashed.

THREE CAVEATS:  

1: This story follows the adventures of three characters, all of whom are original characters.  Rainbow Dash and Spitfire will join the primary cast soon enough, and references are made to other characters, but they are infrequent.  If you have a problem with OC's, this is not the story for you.

2: This story takes place in a universe I've already laid out in prior stories.  You don't have to read them, by any means - Steampony is standalone, or is supposed to be, at any rate - but there are a lot of references and such that add to the story if you've read what came first.  Check my story list for the three stories in the Harmony's End trilogy if you want to know about the war and the rebellion that followed, or if you're fond of Rainbow Dash, Spitfire, or the RainbowxFire ship :P

If you notice anything that's not explained by A: the story itself or B: show lore, then let me know, by all means, so I can edit the story and make it easier to follow.

3: This story is still very much in progress, but don't expect updates to follow any sort of standard pattern or schedule.  I have a lot of stories in progress, and my muse can be a fickle hellcat.

Enjoy!

Note: This story assumes you've read parts one and two.  Links at the bottom of the description.

After years of seemingly endless battle, the end of the rebellion is finally upon Rainbow Dash and her rag-tag army of revolutionaries and malcontents.  They prepare themselves, cleaning weapons and singing songs in high spirits - but nothing, no amount of careful thought or rationalization could have possibly prepared any of them for what lay ahead.  Within the fortress-city of New Canterlot lie many of the answers they've been looking for... for better or for worse.

Fire, Harmony's End part 1:

http://www.fimfiction.net/story/45314/Fire-%28Harmony%27s-End-Part-1%29

Vengeance, Harmony's End part 2:

http://www.fimfiction.net/story/45457/Vengeance-%28Harmony%27s-End-Part-2%29