//------------------------------// // Chapter 13 // Story: Twilight Sparkle, Bringer of Chaos // by Caligari87 //------------------------------// Fluttershy screamed and cowered as another chunk of stone slammed into the wall next to her. “How could they escape? How!?” The iron bars of a nearby door crumpled. Princess Luna growled and turned to the adjacent dividing wall. “It's just! Not! Fair!” With each punctuated word a brick was ejected, shattering on the wall behind. Ricocheting debris rained down on Fluttershy’s head and she squeezed even tighter into the corner of the cell. “No! Please!” she wailed. “Oh, for the love of Celestia, STOP your incessant WHINING!” Part of the wall next to Fluttershy’s head exploded. The ragged chunk of brick and mortar zoomed past Luna’s shoulder as she reared back into the throw. Fluttershy bit down on her lip, turning the scream in her throat to a mere whimper. She squeezed her eyes shut and covered her face with both forelegs, waiting for the thrown brick to strike. But it never came. After a few seconds, she peeked one eye open. The princess was standing with hooves spread wide. Her head was down by her knees, ethereal mane drooping forward over her face. Her sides heaved, and each great breath blew clouds of dust and dirt from the floor under her nostrils. Gradually her breathing slowed, then her back legs buckled and she slumped to her haunches. The brick floating next to her shoulder dropped to the ground with a loud clunk. “Ahem.” Luna cleared her throat and tossed her head back. The ethereal mane didn’t behave exactly like hair, but seemed to follow in slow motion as it fell back into place. She stared at the wall for a few seconds. “Forgive my little… outburst,” she said. Her voice was cool and casual, without a hint of the unbridled rage it held mere moments ago. Fluttershy didn’t lower her trembling forelegs. Her heart was galloping erratically and her breath came in shallow gasps. “As is most likely apparent,” Luna continued, “I seem to have a slight anger problem.” She stood up and kicked away the brick. “It isn’t so easy to remain composed when one’s plans are continually thwarted, you see.” The kick drew a gasp from Fluttershy, and she cowered again. The gasp made the princess pause. She glanced briefly down to the deadly chunk of stone. “Did you really think…?” “…Yes!” The word squeaked out of Fluttershy’s throat, barely audible. Luna made a noise that was half derisive snort, half mirthless laughter. “Oh, hardly. I need you and there is still a battle to win, as you may recall.” Fluttershy’s heart redoubled its galloping pace. In the terror of the moment she’d forgotten Luna’s reason for bringing her here in the first place. “Without you, I would be without one Element of Harmony, and I’m not sure a suitable replacement could be found in time.” Luna shook her head. “No, no… I need you healthy and well to play your part.” It was too much for Fluttershy to bear. “B-but how?!” she wailed, the words escaping unbidden. Fresh tears brimmed in her eyes. “I… I don’t know what you want me to do!” “Shh, hush now…” Luna said, stepping forward and kneeling next to Fluttershy. Her voice was suddenly gentler. The words carried at least a veneer of kindness. “Shhh, shhh… quiet now, it’s okay…” Deep blue magic reached out to stroke Fluttershy’s dusty and tousled mane, brushing the strands behind her ear. “You’ll know how when the time comes.” “B-but…” Fluttershy whimpered again. In spite of herself, she soaked up the superficial comfort. “I’m just me! I take care of little animals, I help ponies! I can’t f-fight!” The tears were rolling now as the sheer horrible impossibility of such a task crushed down on her. “And w-what if—” “Shhh…” There was a subtle shift in Luna’s magic. Fluttershy felt it press her mouth closed and tighten around her throat. Her eyes widened. “You can, and you will,” Luna said in a venomous near-whisper. “Everything depends on you and your friends fulfilling the measure of your creation. If you don’t…” she glanced at the brick she’d kicked away, then back to Fluttershy “Do I make myself perfectly clear?” Fluttershy nodded immediately, but to her horror the pressure on her throat did not lessen. “Now,” Luna continued, “there are things I must do. Your friends have escaped; if we are to prevail I must find where they’ve gone. Only when all the Elements are gathered will the circle be complete, and we will defeat the Lord of Chaos as he defeated us.” The words sounded hollow, faint. Fluttershy blinked and shook her head. Blood was pounding in her ears and her vision had started to go dim around the edges until all she could see was the princess’s maniacal, predatory smile. She struggled for breath, trying to get stave off the blackness. “Of course I can’t have you escaping while I’m working... so I think it’s time to lay that sleepy head to rest. Sweet dreams, my little Element.” Unable to resist any longer, Fluttershy slipped into cold, empty nothingness. “I don’t understand why you can’t just tell me what it is,” Applejack grumbled. “Believe me, you gotta see for yourself,” Spike said. He passed the second floor landing and made for the attic stairs. “C’mon,” Nonplussed, Applejack followed at a trot with Apple Bloom in tow. She almost had to take the steps two at a time to keep up. At the top of the stairs, she coughed and squinted. Spike had kicked up faint clouds of dust in his wake and was now standing at the far end of the attic near the open gable window. He motioned her over. “Look!” Applejack obliged. Like Fluttershy and Zecora’s cabin, the Apple family farmhouse was situated near the boundary edge separating the Everfree Forest from Ponyville and held a commanding view of both locales. From the higher vantage of the attic, she would be able to look over the tops of most trees and buildings, several miles out. Whatever Spike wanted to show her, it would definitely be visible from here. The sun was still bright overhead and it took her eyes a few moments to adjust. True to Rainbow’s description, a dome of sky above Ponyville was bright, clear blue, as if the influence of the Everfree had covered the town like a bubble. Beyond that, patchwork chaos dominated the horizon in random splotches of pattern and color. But those things she’d expected to see. It was the next which made her breath catch: Out in the direction of the old castle a darkness was rising. It swallowed the horizon like an empty hole, sucking the sunlight into a formless void so black she could barely comprehend it. She tried to speak but no words came. None seemed sufficient to break the grip of terror suddenly clutching at her throat. Something brushed her side. The sensation was just enough to make her tear her eyes away and glance down. It was Apple Bloom. She was standing on her back legs to peer over the edge of the window sill. Her eyes widened and she gasped upon seeing the darkness over the forest. “Throw my shoes!” Applejack couldn’t bring herself to chide Apple Bloom for the curse. Looking back to the forest she forced herself to swallow the terror. “You said it...” she muttered. She felt Spike pull himself up on a box next to her. “That’s not the half of it,” he said, pointing. “Look.” Applejack’s eyes followed. She hadn’t thought it possible, but the terror rose again even stronger: In the faint distance a surge of chaos was sweeping toward them, rolling over the landscape, a portal into some unknown dimension that swirled and twisted in ways her mind simply would not accept. It might as well be dismantling reality itself in its wake. “What… what is it?” Apple Bloom’s voice was thin and quavering. “It means she was right,” Applejack whispered. “What?” “Twilight was right.” she repeated, turning away from the window and striding toward the stairs. The chaotic energy was a long way off, but the rising blackness seemed like it would reach Ponyville in a matter of minutes. When those two forces met, she didn’t want friends or family anywhere near. “C’mon, we gotta get. Now.” Spike and Apple Bloom took one last panicked glance out the window before following Applejack. Claws and hooves alike scrambled over the dusty floorboards. “But I haven’t got-” Spike began. “No time,” Applejack snapped as she rounded the second floor landing. “Grab packs from the closet, get blankets, boots, and whatall other travelin’ gear or food you can carry. Meet me at the barn!” She took the last five steps in a single running bound and threw her shoulder against the front door. The latch shattered. Without missing a step she galloped across the yard and within moments had reached the barn. She reared back and drove both forehooves into the locking crossbeam, snapping it in half and swinging both doors inward. The cows were mingling aimlessly inside, and all of them jumped at Applejack’s entry. They stared slack-jawed at the destroyed beam. “Land sakes Applejack!” Big Darla said. She struggled to her hooves, favoring the wrapped, bruised leg from what seemed like ages ago. “What in the world— ” “Listen,” Applejack interrupted, “We got two angry alicorn princesses and Emperor Discord himself ‘bout to start a brawl right on top of Ponyville. I can’t promise you’re gonna be safe here, so you gals gotta leave.” Ignoring the stunned looks from all around the barn, Applejack rushed to the few pull-carts stashed along the sidewall. She began pulling harnesses and straps into place. “Now, you can use these carts to haul your pers’nal effects, travelin’ gear, and whatever feed you can carry. I recommend headin’ to Westfoal or further.” The cows glanced at each other, waiting for one to take charge and agree to the sudden instructions. Applejack’s urgency had them spooked; they’d never known her to exaggerate even in times of emergency, and this was possibly the most serious they’d ever seen her. Still, cows were by nature a bit on the slow side and generally preferred to “wait and see” rather than take action. Applejack didn’t have the patience for that. “C’mon girls!” she urged. “You can either sit here an’ get caught in the biggest throw-down in history, or you can saddle up an’ go, but it’s gotta be now!” A few more nervous glances passed around the group. Finally one stepped forward. Bella was the largest cow who’d ever stayed at the Apple farm, boasting almost a full ponyweight over Big Darla. She was also the most junior of them, having started less than a year ago, but this time was the first to take initiative. “Alright then,” she said, “time’s a wastin’ AJ; yoke me up to that big cart.” One by one, the rest of the cows followed suit. Some began gathering personal belongings into saddlebags, others went straight to the feed storage and started grabbing sacks of grain to load into the carts. The barn came alive with bustling activity. Clarabell, the tipsy cow from the other night, nudged Applejack’s shoulder. “Thanks for thinkin’ of us,” she said. “Some other farms I’ve been on would have abandoned all us stock. Just know when everything’s over, I’ll be happy to come back if I can.” “Me too AJ,” Bella said, stepping into the harness. “If this barn’s still standing, you can bet I’ll be here.” Applejack smiled; considering the cows held most of the negotiating power in their business relationship it was nice to know she’d built a place they’d want to return to. “An’ I’ll be happy to have y’all. Now come on; let’s get loaded up.” Twilight stood in shock. Everypony was staring at her expectantly, their faces betraying emotions from confusion to intrigue to disbelief. It took more than a little effort to keep her composure with so many eyes boring into her. “I don’t understand,” she said. She kept her gaze focused on Celestia. “How have I ‘shown you their hearts’?” “When thoughts were shared between me and thee,” Celestia replied. “Thy memories of these, thy friends, held no room for error.” A soft scoff came from Twilight’s left. “’Friends’ is a pretty strong word,” Rainbow said under her breath, just loud enough for Twilight to hear. Apparently Celestia heard the jab as well. She turned and frowned. “I am surprised at thee, Rainbow Dash. For one so seemingly loyal, thou art quick to speak ill of thy friend.” Rainbow’s jaw dropped. She sputtered angrily for a moment. “Me?!” she exclaimed, pointing at Twilight. “She’s the one who stabbed us all in the back and sold us out to Discord!” “Be that as it may—” “Buck that!” Rainbow shouted. Rarity gasped in horror, looking at Celestia as if she expected the princess to bring down divine wrath on the insolent pegasus. “She doesn’t get a pass on this!” Rainbow continued. turning on Twilight now. “It’s your fault everything went wrong! You think you can just come back all hurt and play the victim? Over my dead body! You’re not special! Just because you’re the Emperor’s student, doesn’t give you the right to walk in and ruin everypony’s life!” Even Zecora looked taken aback now. Pinkie Pie was wincing as if she were in actual pain. Twilight just stood, hooves rooted to the floor as she bore the brunt of the verbal assault. Rainbow’s mouth opened again, but no more words came. Suddenly she deflated and slouched back on her haunches. “I wish you’d never come here,” she said quietly. “I wish I’d never met you.” Stunned silence fell over the room for a moment, broken only by a soft sniffle from Rainbow. “Be that as it may,” Celestia repeated, voice firm, “our time is short. Even now the Lord of Chaos himself descends on this place, ready to destroy all who stand defiant. Only the magic of Harmony can defeat him.” “You speak of Harmony which we know from lore,” Zecora said, “but it was not enough to defeat him before.” Celestia’s mouth worked silently a few times before she spoke. “The first time, we were not prepared,” she admitted. Then she squared her shoulders. “But now the advantage is ours. We know he is coming, and this time we have the Elements of Harmony!” A flash of golden magic illuminated the room, and five large gemstones appeared above Celestia’s head. Each was larger than a pony’s hoof, and all appeared to be glowing with internal light or magic. Rarity gasped. “Oh my! They’re absolutely gorgeous, but…” “What are they?” Pinkie finished, one eyebrow raised. “These are the Elements,” Celestia explained. “Each embodies an aspect of Harmony: Honesty, Laughter, Generosity, Loyalty, and Kindness.” Suddenly tilting her head to the side, Rarity stepped forward and examined one of the gems more closely. “Um, if you don’t mind me saying so, that one appears to be cracked a bit.” Celestia floated the gem closer for inspection and nodded. “Indeed. This was how it came to me, yet I cannot say why it would be thus.” “So you’re going to use those to defeat Discord?” Rainbow asked, her voice tinged with bitter skepticism. “From what I’ve seen you and the Princess of Night aren’t exactly on the best of terms right now.” A darkness seemed to pass over Celestia’s face. “In days past, my sister and I… we were not united. We relied on our own strength, and we were punished greatly for that foalishness. I hope to close that division, but in this moment I admit: we cannot hope to bear the elements ourselves. They must be borne by friends, pure in heart, who embody these aspects.” Zecora stepped forward. “You are building to something, it’s plain to see,” she said. “Tell us who are these bearers, who might they be?” The other ponies nodded and mumbled assent. They seemed restless, waiting for the implied revelation. “I would suggest asking the one who knows best,” Celestia said. She again motioned a hoof toward Twilight. It seemed to Twilight as if the floor had been dropped from under her hooves. “Wha— me?” she stammered, praying the tremor in her voice wouldn’t betray her. “What makes you think—” Celestia frowned. “Make no trifle of this matter,” she warned. “Thou wrote of harmony in thine journal, and in letters to Discord. Tell thy friends who shall bear the Elements.” Twilight knew the names Celestia wanted her to speak, but shook her head. “I… No,” she said, trying to puff out her chest in defiance. “I won’t.” “But thou must,” Celestia said, her voice lowering dangerously. “All our futures depend on this.” Twilight was about to open her mouth again when she suddenly felt a hoof on her shoulder. She turned with a start. Rarity was standing next to her, bearing a sympathetic smile. “You don’t have to dear,” she said. “Pinkie and I read your last entry, before you sent the letter to Discord.” Relief, panic, and horror simultaneously washed over Twilight. “We’re the element bearers, aren’t we?” Rarity surmised, turning to face Celestia. “If I read correctly: Rainbow Dash is Loyalty, Fluttershy is obviously Kindness, and who else could be Laughter but…” she threw a sidelong grin and motioned at Pinkie, who shrugged modestly and smiled in return. Rarity continued, “I can only guess that Applejack is Honesty, and…” She preened her mane as if preparing to have her portrait taken. “…If Twilight had anything to say about Generosity…” Rainbow scoffed. “Good thing there’s no element of humility.” Pinkie had to stuff a hoof in her own mouth to keep from guffawing. Rarity scowled, but it was tinged with good-natured chagrin. “Yes, well…” She cleared her throat and turned to Celestia again. “So about ‘bearing’ these elements… is that a… physical effort thing?” A guttural groan sounded and Zecora’s eyes nearly rolled out of her skull. “In faith, I cannot say,” Celestia admitted, treating the question seriously. “The prophecy spoke only of the elements themselves, not the manner in which they would be used.” “So what do you want us to do?” Rainbow asked dubiously. “I don’t exactly know how to ‘use’ a magic gem. Or any magic for that matter.” Celestia shrugged. “Verily, I had hoped to try the simplest means first.” Her horn glowed brighter. “Twitchy tail!” Pinkie cried out. One of the gems, a deep red ruby with shimmering multicolored highlights, darted forward. “Wait—!” Rainbow backpedaled a few steps. “What—” Before she could finish speaking, the gem had flown through the air and reached her. Instinctively she raised her forelegs to catch it, and just as she did the golden glow of Celestia’s magic released. The gem seemed to surge briefly with light, bathing the room in a deep red glow. A moment later the light faded, but the gem continued pulsing with internal power. “The element of Loyalty is embodied in thee, Rainbow Dash,” Celestia said, beaming. “I saw thy heart in the mind of Twilight Sparkle, when thou didst save her from certain death with no thought for thine own safety.” The timberwolves. The memory came flooding back to Twilight with more detail than she’d ever recalled before. The terror, the growling of the wolves, the flash of color as Rainbow swooped in and saved her. How her quill trembled as she tried to pen a letter to the emperor, and later record the incident in her journal. Slack-jawed, Rainbow looked from the gem, to Celestia, to the gem, to Twilight, and back again. Her momentary panic seemed to be replaced with awe. She hefted the gem between her hooves. “It’s lighter than it looks, and… it tingles.” “Good tingles or bad tingles?” Pinkie asked. She was batting at her tail, which continued twitching sporadically. “Good tingles… I think,” Rainbow said. “Hmm…” Pinkie trotted over and eyed the glowing jewel with a raised eyebrow. “Where are they? My grannie once said if the tingles are everywhere it’s probably good, but if they’re in one place it’s usually baaad.” “Definitely all over,” Rainbow said with an enthusiastic nod. Pinkie’s suspicious demeanor dispelled. “Well that’s good enough for me,” she exclaimed, turning to Celestia. “Harmonize me, Princess!” Celestia chuckled. A light, aquamarine gem darted across the room, suspended in golden magic. Pinkie dove dramatically to catch it, and when the gem touched her hooves it briefly bathed the room in a deep blue glow. “Whoa, you weren’t kidding,” she exclaimed. “This is better than a Fluttershy massage.” “The element of Laughter,” Celestia noted. “I saw thee in Twilight Sparkle’s mind, using thy gift to ease suffering…” The memory assaulted Twilight’s mind louder than spoken words. A drenching rain of hot coffee. Stumbling as she ran for cover, one foreleg plunging into a deep puddle of the scalding liquid. The intense burning, soon tempered by a cool spring deep in a cave and a liberal application of what Pinkie called “the best medicine.” She’d laughed until she cried, and it seemed her wound had healed all the faster for it. She backed away from the group until her haunches met one of the bookshelves, where her knees grew weak and she slumped to a sitting position. “Oh Discord…” she gasped. She’d expected Celestia to engage in sedition and all-out war. She had even expected the use of magical gems forged from the cursed Tree of Harmony, but she hadn’t expected the princess to weaponize Twilight’s friends as literal conduits for the elemental forces of Harmony. Somewhere in the distance muffled voices echoed. She tried to focus on the words, and realized Celestia was bestowing the element of Generosity on Rarity. Unbidden the memory came: She was standing in a cold town hall, warmed only by a weak fire and a hundred shivering bodies. For hours she’d helped distribute Rarity’s hastily-crafted blankets until she was nearly numb from the chill, but finally the last pony was warmed and Twilight had received her own fluffy patchwork blanket. As her vision went blurry around the edges, she let her mind drift to the blanket that still resided in the upstairs bedroom above the library, and pulled it close to her body. With the local suppression of Chaos magic, the fabric had defaulted to some kind of geometric floral arrangement, instead of the constantly-shifting patterns it held before. She squeezed her eyes shut, the day’s physical and mental fatigue flooding over her. Why couldn’t her life be as simple as this blanket? Paradoxically, Chaos seemed to be the one thing she could count on, while Harmony tore her apart inside. Inexplicably, she felt somepony slide into the bed behind her. A warm chest pressed against her back and a snout nuzzled into her neck. A foreleg draped comfortingly around her torso, and something soft and feathery cradled her stomach. She hummed appreciatively and scooted tighter against the newcomer for a moment before her brain came back to rational thought. Her eyes snapped open and glanced down to see a butter-yellow foreleg and wing wrapped around her. In the corner of her vision was the hint of a soft pink mane. “…Fluttershy…?” she whispered. “Shhh…” The voice that replied was icy cold and definitely not Fluttershy. “She’s sleeping.” Twilight froze as solidly as if the voice had been a windigo breathing down her neck. “Wha— What are you doing here?” she asked. The voice scoffed. “You escaped and thought I wouldn’t come looking for you?” Of course Twilight knew the princess would catch up to her eventually. She just hadn’t expected it to be so soon. Her thoughts turned to the warm body nestled up against her. It hadn’t moved, and in hindsight she realized the limbs had wrapped around her unnaturally, mechanically. “What’s wrong with Fluttershy?” she demanded, more boldly than intended. “You ponies are easier to manage when you’re unconscious,” the voice replied. “Besides, I always did like dolls. They’re far prettier and don’t talk back.” Thoughts of Princess Luna puppeteering the meek Fluttershy around like a toy filled Twilight’s gut with nausea, and she shuddered in horror. “I suppose you’re going to do the same to the rest of us?” she snapped, as revulsion gave way to anger. “Turn us into your puppets and force us to do your bidding against Discord in the name of ‘Harmony’?” She spat the last word. “Better yet, how about I tell you what I’m not going to do?!” Luna snarled. Deep blue magic wrapped around Twilight’s throat. The world spun as she was yanked into the air, then slammed onto her back. Even against the relatively soft mattress, the impact forced air out of her lungs in a violent huff. A moment later the magic had tightened down, and she was unable to draw any breath. The face of the Night-Mare appeared above her, eyes burning, mouth unevenly torn somewhere between a rictus grin and a sneer. “Three times you’ve made the foal of me, Twilight Sparkle!” she hissed. “Three times!” Twilight pawed at her burning throat, but her hooves passed uselessly through the powerful magic that held her down. Her ears began to pound in time with her increasing heartbeat. “I should choke the life out of you just on principle,” Luna said, “but I’m not going to. I’m not going to make you watch while I flay the hide from your friends. By the Heavenly Mother, I’m not even going to lock you in stone for a thousand years, like your precious Emperor did to ME!” Light was fading from the edges of Twilight’s vision now. Her limbs felt heavy and listless. With an effort she turned her head to the side, just enough to see Fluttershy’s unconscious form sprawled awkwardly across the mattress. A sudden jerk pulled her gaze back to center. Luna’s maniacal eyes drew closer to her own, pupils strangely dilated, almost vertical slits. Twilight wondered distantly if it was her oxygen-deprived brain playing tricks on her. “But mark my words: You will suffer. Somehow or another, when this is all over, I’ll make sure of it.” The magic released. Twilight sucked in air hard enough to make her throat raw, then curled up as hacking coughs wracked her chest. Once she caught her own breath, she rolled onto her side and placed a hoof on Fluttershy’s chest. A gentle rise and fall, combined with the rapid pitter-patter of the pegasus’ heart assured her that Fluttershy would be okay for the moment. She realized a moment later that Luna had vanished. With monumental effort, Twilight sat up and found herself sitting at the spot in front of the bookcase again. She tried to shake the cobwebs from her brain. Had she passed out or something? A scream cut through the fog in Twilight’s brain, and the library finally came into clear focus again. A moment later she registered Rarity, Pinkie, Rainbow, and Zecora all scrambling to put as much space as possible between themselves and the library stairs, where Princess Luna had just appeared. Princess Celestia was facing away from the stairs, but barely seemed to flinch at the new arrival. “Hello sister,” she said, turning to face Luna. “I was not expecting thee to rejoin us so soon.” “Spare the platitudes,” Luna scoffed. “I see you’ve been busy collecting the Elements without me.” Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity all pulled their respective gems a little closer, whispering together. Zecora moved to stand slightly in front of them, head high and defiant. Celestia nodded. “Our adversary approaches even as we speak; time is of the essence if we are to have any hope of victory.” Twilight noticed that Celestia’s words seemed measured, cautious even. Luna moved forward a few paces. “We had those two captive,” she said, motioning to Twilight and Rainbow, “and a third as well. I was on my way to capture another when they escaped under your watch, and now I find them here along with these… gems, which you have specifically failed to mention before now.” Luna’s eyes narrowed. “Why do I feel we are suddenly working at cross-purposes, sister?” The words lingered in the air, unanswered for several seconds. Twilight could see Princess Celestia’s jaw shifting and clenching before she finally spoke. ““Our previous efforts seemed to be... less than effective,” she said, slowly and deliberately. “The ways of Harmony preclude force, so allowing them to come to a natural understanding—” Princess Luna’s armored hoof slammed into the floor hard enough to crack the wood and rattle shelves. “I KNEW IT! I knew you let them escape!” she cried. “Always! Always you know best, always you undercut me! By the heavens, Solaria! What will it take for you to humble yourself?!” Everypony flinched and cowered. Silence fell over the room again, punctuated only by Luna’s enraged breathing. Off to the side, Pinkie Pie’s ears perked up, and she looked quizzically between the princesses before breaking the silence. “Who’s Solaria?” The white alicorn’s back visibly stiffened. Luna’s breathing caught. “What?” “You called her Solaria,” Pinkie said, “But everypony else calls her Celestia.” Something rang familiar, and suddenly Twilight was back in the dungeon, sharing thoughts with the princess. ‘Celestia’ was the name that had impressed most strongly, although through the noise it hadn’t been clear if it was her true name, a title, or something else. Now Twilight could definitely say that ‘Solaria’ had been one of the other names floating subliminally around in her head. It was then she noticed Princess Luna trembling. “You took Her name?” Celestia took a tentative step forward. “Sister, please understand… it was a complicated time—” “You took. Her. NAME!” Luna screamed. A loud BANG sounded through the library, followed by a deep, low reverberation. At first Twilight thought the sound had been of Luna’s making, until Celestia whirled around. “No!” Celestia cried, looking toward a high window. “No, no no!” The princess disappeared with a golden flash, and the remaining two gems fell to the floor. The already-damaged gem cracked loudly, and additional hairline fractures spread through its core. Twilight’s ears caught the sound of rematerialization just outside. Without hesitation she focused her own magic again, felt the familiar interdimensional pull, and found herself outside. Looking down the street, she gasped. The house next to the library was in the process of being fully randomized. The walls had turned to taffy and were rapidly transitioning to wet leaves, the whole thing crumbling into a sloshing, sticky mess. Animals in the shapes of furniture struggled to free themselves from the muck. The roof had disintegrated into so many tiny rubber balls, bouncing around the street. The inhabitant of the house was crumpled on his knees, screaming as his coat turned into a patchwork of lollipops and brussel sprouts. Above her, in the center of the blue sky was now something else. She couldn’t describe it. It seemed like the whole world had folded in on itself and split into a kaleidoscope of dimensions, each stranger than the last. It was some kind of hole or portal, a doorway into a multitude of incomprehensible realms of chaos. A beam emanated from the swirling hole, aiming at another building. From somewhere nearby, a white-winged form swooped in and met it with a dome of brilliant golden magic. “Forcurs thin módor, swivung mulbáern!” Celestia snarled, as the chaotic energy dissipated against her shield charm. “Oh goodness, little sunbeam!” Discord tsk-tsked, appearing in the sky above. “Do you kiss your celestial mother with that mouth?” The echoing bang made Applejack jump, nearly losing control of the teetering supplies she was roping down to the last cart. Apple Bloom, Spike, and the cows all flinched as well. “Heavens to betsy!” Clarabell exclaimed. “T’wern’t me.” Betsy pawed at the ground and snorted. “Honestly…” “What was that?” Applebloom asked. The filly’s lip quivered as she spoke; she’d been keeping it together fairly well up until now, but the mounting urgency was beginning to wear on her. Applejack lashed one final turn and spit out the end of the rope. In a few galloping bounds she reached the top of a nearby stack of hay bales and looked toward Ponyville. “Oh no…” she breathed. Her insides clenched as if she’d been bucked in the stomach. In her mind she’d imagined there would be more time, opportunity to head back into town and warn everypony, urge her friends to come with her and get as far away as possible. But the surge of chaotic energy was impossibly close now, far sooner than she’d expected. It had to be nearly directly over the town, beginning to block out the sun high above. Toward the Everfree a patch of impossible blackness seemed to be pushing against the chaotic energies, but was being held at bay. “Spike?” “Yeah?” The little dragon trotted over from the cart he’d just finished securing. Applejack lept down from the hay bales and steered him away from the others. “Listen, Spike,” she said softly, “we’re all ready to go here, but there’s somethin’ I gotta take care of. I need you to lead the group to Westfoal as quickly as y’all can move. Take the wide path down by the river; it passes closer to the Everfree but it’s quicker, okay? I’ll catch up as soon as I can.” Spike’s eyes widened and the spines on his back quivered as realization took hold. “And one more thing…” Applejack glanced back toward Apple Bloom. “Do whatever it takes, but don’t you dare let my sister follow me or I’ll have your scales.” “What—” Spike’s voice caught and he swallowed hard. “Whatever you say.” “Good,” she said. “Now, get ‘em moving.” As Spike jogged toward the head of the line, Applejack returned to her little sister. She ruffled a hoof through Apple Bloom’s mane. “Hey sugarcube.” “Applejack…?” Apple Bloom’s voice was trembling unabashedly now. “What’s goin’ on? Putting on her bravest face, Applejack smiled. “It’s alright,” she said. “Just looks like we gotta push on outta here sooner than we thought.” Apple Bloom looked unconvinced, but she set her jaw and nodded, blinking back tears. “Hey.” Applejack sat on her haunches and pulled the trembling filly into a tight embrace. “You’re gonna be just fine, don’t you worry.” “If— if you say so…” The crack in the little voice nearly made Applejack lose control. She squeezed tighter. “I love you, little sis. No matter what happens, remember that.” Apple Bloom stiffened and pulled away. “What?” Her shimmering eyes locked with Applejack’s own. “What do you mean, ‘no matter what happens’? We’re gonna be okay, right?” Applejack winced inside, wishing with all her heart she could just spin some falsehood, something to keep her little sister from worrying. But it wasn’t her nature. She’d pushed against that nature too many times in the past couple days, and she simply couldn’t do it anymore. “Well sugarcube… there’s some things I gotta do,” she said, measuring her words. “I’ve got some friends who’re probably in a mighty bad place, and I gotta help ‘em.” It took only a moment for Apple Bloom to glance toward Ponyville, where the swirling vortex of chaotic energy was quickly becoming visible above the treeline from ground level. She whirled back, eyes wide. “But— but— No!” As if on cue, Spike appeared by Apple Bloom’s side and grasped her ruck strap with one paw. With the other he gave a little salute to Applejack. “We’re moving,” he said flatly. True to his word, the short line of carts jostled and began to roll forward, each pulled by two cows. “Applejack?” The little voice was edged with panic. “I’m sorry sis,” Applejack said, stepping away from the carts. “I gotta go.” Apple Bloom tried to follow, but Spike was already dragging her in the opposite direction. Her hooves dug into the earth, churning swaths of dirt and grass. “Applejack, no!” she cried. Tears began pouring down her cheeks. It if were possible for a voice to tear a pony in half, it would have happened then. Applejack turned and began galloping fiercely toward Ponyville, Apple Bloom’s cries ringing in her ears. It’ll be okay, she told herself. They’ll all be okay. They’ve got a head start, and Spike’s leading them. They’ll be okay. “Don’t go!” She turned her thoughts to the town ahead. Her friends were there. Fluttershy, Zecora, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash… Not to mention all the other denizens of Ponyville. They were the ones that needed her help now. Twilight Sparkle would be there too. Just the thought of the name was enough to make Applejack’s blood boil. Twilight, the one who’d left a trail of pain and broken friendships in her wake. Twilight, the one who’d come back on some mission for the Emperor. Twilight, the reason Applejack’s defenseless sister was screaming her little lungs out in terror. Twilight, the one to blame for all the misfortune and suffering. She didn’t know what she’d do if she met that mare again, and part of her hoped it wouldn’t come to that. Reaching the treeline, Applejack paused and glanced back. In the distance she could see Spike had hefted Apple Bloom bodily into one of the carts. The filly was fighting tooth and hoof, but the dragon was stronger despite his equitable size and held his ground easily. “Come back, please!” She couldn’t bear it any more. Turning back to the forest, she plunged into the underbrush toward Ponyville as one final heart-rending scream pierced the air. “APPLEJACK!!!”