//------------------------------//
// Supermare 05 
// Story: Rise of the Supermare! 
// by Kaliann25 
//------------------------------//


Dominic Dumbsey, pursuer of potency, treading on treachery, damned for eternity


Most ponies believed that Tartarus was the epitome of torment. Having escaped that prison, Tirek knew better. What he had suffered there was nothing compared to the torment that greeted him every night. In his dreamscape, he curled in a ball with his eyes shut and his hands clamped over his ears. It didn't help. He could still hear them. Inexplicably, he could still see them. He was surrounded by the princess of friendship and her friends, copy upon copy, withers to withers, as far as the mind's eye could see. They sang that horrid song about family, friendship, and love in umpteen-part harmony, over and over.


I love you, you love me
We're best friends like friends should be
With a great big hug
And a kiss from me to you
Won't you say you love me too?


Self-preservation bypassed conscious though as a powerful ball of magic erupted from between the centaur's horns. In the dreamscape, the blast passed through his tormentors without effect. In reality, the ball sped toward the nearest wall. Master Mind's reinforcements kept it contained within the room. The ball plowed a path of destruction as it ricocheted from wall to wall to ceiling to floor until it struck Tirek in the back of the head, waking him as he was deposited onto the floor.

Enraged, he tore himself from the cocoon that his sweat-soaked sheets had become. Unsteadily, he rose to his hooves. "What's happening to me," he asked. "Why is she always in my dreams?"

His stomach answered his question with a complaint. He opened the door and muttered, "Breakfast."

There was a solid thunk as his head refused to lead his body through the doorway. His torso bent back uncomfortably until his backed his body into the room.

Taking a moment to compose himself first, he then charged to the doorway. Once more, something held his head back. After the fifth attempt to escape, Sombra and Chrysalis approached from opposite directions, stifling yawns. Sombra groaned, "What is is this time?"

Tirek replied, "Something is keeping my head from getting out of the room."

Sombra and Chrysalis looked at each other, concerned. Chrysalis asked, "Are you feeling all right? Are you seriously trying to get out that way?"

Tirek backed up a few paces and charged at the doorway again. Once more, his torso bent backward while the rest of his body started out of the room. He snarled, "Don't just stand there! Let me out! I swear, when I figure out which one of you did this, I'll suck you dry!"

Chrysalis said, "You know what your problem is? You're too horny,"

Tirek groaned. "I already told you; you're not my type."

Sombra facehoofed. "Your horns are wider than the doorway, stupid! Turn you head sideways before you walk out the door.

Tirek followed the directions and made his escape. He said, "The things must have grown while I was sleeping."

Chrysalis replied, "They haven't grown a hair's breadth since you stared eating those magic crystals."

Tirek mumbled an apology and made his way to the kitchen while the others watched with concern.

Chrysalis asked, "Is it my imagination? I know he was never a genius, but have you noticed?"

Sombra shook his head. "He really is getting dumber each day."

The floor shook when a loud thump came from downstairs. The two rushed to find the cause. The found Tirek with his horns embedded in the doorframe. Sombra cleared his throat. When Tirek backed up and turned, Sombra pantomimed turning his head and ducking through the doorway. Sheepishly, Tirek followed directions and entered the kitchen.

“Shall we keep an eye on him?” asked Sombra.

“He will make a mess with the coffee like yesterday, and the day before," replied Chrysalis.

Sombra sighed.

“Fine!”

The two followed Tirek into the kitchen where they found him holding a slice of toast in one hand while he reached for a knife with the other.

Chrysalis's eyes widened when she saw he was reaching for the blade. "Stop!" she cried.

Tirek ignored her and picked up the paring knife by its blade. The razor-sharp edge curled under when it met with super-tough skin.

As he absorbed magic from his morning crystals, he muttered, "I just don't know what's going wrong."

The others stared at him as they wordlessly ate their breakfasts. Hastily, he finished his meal and hurried to the doorway. Once more, his head snapped back.

"TIREK SICK OF DOORS!" He pushed the frame out of the wall. When it fell to the floor, he walked through the widened opening.

When he reached his room, he again found himself stymied by the doorway. The reinforced room proved to be more than a match for his might. He slumped to the floor as his shoulders spasmed. He reached back and touched his shoulder blades. Pain was erupting from the woody nodules that were growing there.

Pain was clearing the fog from his mind. "Lady Catrina said too much magic would eat your mind. Must stop before . . ."

He suddenly stopped, confused. "What was Tirek doing?" he asked. Something turned his head sideways as he walked into his room.

After the door closed, the caterpillar crawled out of the shadows. He said, "You should be proud of your student, Catrina. I had to intervene again. He's smarter than I thought, but not for long."

Fortress of Solitude:

Morning had broken, but in the months-long polar day, one couldn't tell just by looking. Twilight had eagerly anticipated this moment. She had been been standing on the doorstep, scanning the sounds around her for a specific heartbeat, and she could hear it rapidly approaching.

She turned her telescopic vision toward the sound and focused on the verdant glow that was drawing ever closer. She smiled as the emerald guardian landed in front of her, carrying a set of panniers with her cutie mark embroidered on the flaps.

Lantern softly said, "Twilight, this is a surprise. It's good to see you outdoors."

Twilight replied, "It's good to see you too, Spike. I mean, I can see the real you, and not the bones and organs under your skin."

Lantern stepped forward and hugged her warmly. "I missed you."

"Me too, Spike. I wish I could hug you, but I'm still trying to get all these crazy powers under control."

Lantern enveloped himself in a green glow. "Go ahead and try, Twilight. I've given myself soft power armor."

Hesitantly, Twilight wrapped her wings around him. She released her grip when she heard the sound of crumpling metal. Shocked, she stepped back and said, "I'm sorry, Spike."

In a somewhat pained voice, Lantern replied, "I'm all right. That was nothing compared to the affection that the Vaxasaurian family showed after I saved them the other day." He paused to take a deep breath. "I'm surprised how much your control has improved in just a few days."

"There's not much else to do out here. I mean, there are only so many ways you can describe snow."

Twilight blinked. "What's a Vaxasaurian?"

Lantern shrugged, "They're an intelligent species on another planet. I'm sure you don't want me to bore you with my work."

"Are you joking? You should write a book! Better, still, a comic book! Imagine this: 'Outer Space Adventures of the Green Lantern'."

Lantern blushed as he pulled a newspaper from the bag. He showed the picture on the front page to Twilight. "I'm not the only one who's been busy."

Twilight looked at the picture of her flying from the side of a mountain, carrying a dozen miners with a rope harness. She said, "I had to do it. They would have suffocated in another minute. I might not have my magic, but I can still do some good."

Lantern smiled. "Magic or no magic, superpower or no superpower, you can do good because you are you."

Twilight nodded. "Thanks, Spike. You always know how to cheer me up."

Lantern nodded before flying away.

As Lantern neared the teleportation beacon, a shadow loomed overhead. Reflexively, he raised a shield as he turned to face the threat. He blinked in surprise. "Twilight?"

The alicorn replied, "I need to see them."

"Who?"

"Everyone. My friends, my family. I've spent far too much time alone."

"What about Celestia and Luna?" asked Lantern.

Twilight said nothing as she turned her head away. Spike nodded in undersanding. 

Sighing, Twilight said, "I know they never meant to hurt me but I'm not ready for them yet." She turned back to face Spike. "Can you do that for me? Can you get everypony together some place where I can escape if I start to lose control?"

"How about the Crystal Empire?" asked Lantern. "Cadance and Shiny would be ecstatic to see you, and once you're outside the empire, it's just wasteland."

"That sounds good, Spike, but tell everypony that this is going to be a test. Tell them that I'll need to flee if things get too hard to bear."

"I'll get right on it. I'll send a letter when the time comes." With a broad grin, Lantern added. "Oh, Twilight! They are going to be so happy to see you!"

"Not as happy as I'll be to see them."

"I know a practically perfect party planner who could have everything set up by this evening."

"I'm counting on you, Spike."

Lantern nodded. He flew to beacon. With a crack of displaced air, he was gone.

Watchtower:

The graveyard shift was wrapping up when Lantern entered the Monitor Room. Arrow was at the main console while Canary and Sweetie Borg studied the enhanced Cutie Map. The emerald guardian glanced up at the ceiling. The red rose was conspicuously absent. He could talk freely.

Sweetie Borg stifled a yawn as she looked up. "Spike! How is she?"

"She's getting better. She actually wants to see us all!"

Canary replied, "That's great, Spikey Wikey! This is the perfect opportunity to test out my new line of winter clothes. I can hardly wait to see her and her new ice palace."

Lantern shook his head. "She wants the reunion to be in the Crystal Empire. I'm sure Shining Armor and Cadance will be happy to see her. The only thing is I kind of promised I'd try to set things up for tonight."

Arrow snorted. "We should talk to the pink menace. She lives for parties like that."

Sweetie Borg said, "Let me tell Dash. She's in Griffonstone. I think she's helping her friend Gilda."

"No, Sweetie," replied Canary. "Properly communicating this news requires a more nuanced approach than she can manage."

Arrow added, "Dash is coming off duty soon. I will let her know."

Smiling, Canary said, "I can always count on you, Blue Blood! Now, let's go home, Sweetie Belle; you need to get your beauty sleep, and I need to tell our friends."

The cyborg filly yawned. "You don't have to tell me twice. Let me make a nice, warm glass of milk first."

Lantern trapped her in an energy field while Canary said, "Let me get that, Sweetie. Remember our agreement? Until you can boil water without burning anything, the appliances up here are off limits."





It was a short walk from the teleportation array in the Castle of Friendship to Carousel Boutique. Rarity tucked her sister into bed before going to find the rest of the Element Bearers. The first stop was Sugarcube Corner.

Pinkie was in the kitchen when Rarity gave her the news. As the party pony prepared pastries, she said with uncharacteristic restraint, "So, Twilight is ready to see us all?"

"You're taking this rather calmly."

"I'm super-duper excited on the inside. Calm will keep the cakes from collapsing."

"Of course, darling, but this is only a test. The strongest members of the League will be there in case things get out of hoof."

"Not every Pinkie Party is super wild. I'll keep things quieter. Don't worry, we'll have desserts to die for."

Rarity smiled as she headed to her next stop.

As Sweet Apple Acres, Rarity cringed as she picked her way to the dairy barn. Applejack was pouring a bucket of milk into a large can when Rarity gave her the news.

"That's wonderful, sugarcube!" Applejack beamed. "Ah can bring a barrel of our best cider, or maybe I should bring Granny's special apple pie? Aw, shoot! Ah'll bring both!"

“Do what you think is best, darling. I’ll let you know when it’s time. All right?”

“Ah’ll be there. Let’s just hope that Dash doesn’t get all the cider.”

"The Crusaders will be there. I'm sure she'll set a good example."

The two shared a laugh.

“Well, I’ll be in touch, dear. Now, if you'll excuse me, I’ll tell Fluttershy.”

Applejack nodded. "Ah'd join you, but Ah have a lot to do to get ready."

“Don’t worry darling, she'll understand. See you soon!”

Applejack sighed. “Soon.”

The unicorn hurried to her final stop, Fluttershy's sanctuary. She followed the sound gnawing and scraping to an isolated part of the stream. There, she found the yellow pegasus busily helping a family of beavers build a new den. She wove the wattle for the chimney while Harry the bear dragged a felled tree to where the beavers could more easily work on it.

The shy pegasus beamed when she heard the news. "That's wonderful! Should I bring her something?"

"I'm sure your presence will be more than enough, darling." Rarity stifled a yawn. "The way you have all your animal friends looking for her magic is more precious than anything you could bring. I haven't the time to prepare the perfect gift on such short notice."

"You have time now," said Fluttershy.

Shaking her head, Rarity replied, "I need my beauty sleep. I've been up all night making sure the Crusaders didn't burn everything down."

"We all need our rest, but aren't you used to late nights?"

"Quite so, darling, but late nights normally mean late mornings, and I've barely slept since the incident." Rarity stifled another yawn. "It's all been for Twilight; it's been worth it."

Fluttershy turned to the bear. "Did you hear that, Harry? Twilight wants to see us! It's going to be a huge party!"

The bear roared enthusiastically. On his head, Wormy the Caterpillar tapped his head with his tail. The bear looked up and grunted before looking at Fluttershy.

“What’s happening to him?” asked Rarity.

“Oh, it’s nothing.” Fluttershy smiled. “It seems that Wormy has something to do and Harry promised to help him. Of course; Harry, you’ve been of great help. Go help your best friend!”

The bear walked away as Rarity said goodbye to Fluttershy and finally went to bed.

Crystal Empire:

The private sitting room in the Crystal Palace could barely contain the joy. Cadance said, "Of course we'll host the party. I can hardly wait to see Twilight again."

"Are you sure she's really ready?" asked Shining Armor.

Spike shook his head. "Foal steps, Shiny. The only way we can tell is to try. We'll have the strongest members of the League on hoof in case things go wrong." He sighed. "She's made so much progress. She should be fine."

Cadance's smile faded. "What if things go wrong?"

"We'll have multiple escape routes. Twilight know that she just needs to get out of the empire, and I've made sure the ballroom roof won't collapse if she has to fly through it."

“And what about my aunts? Are they coming too?” asked Cadence.

Spike shook his head.

“She doesn’t want them here. Not yet.”

“But it wasn’t their fault. It was Master Mind’s!”

“I know, and I know Twilight knows. But, at the end of the day, the one who did this to her was Celestia, and Twilight cannot forgive her that easily.”

Cadence sighed as Shining placed a hoof on her withers.

“You know we cannot expose Flurry to an angry Twilight, especially with the way she is now. Also, Twiley will know when she’s ready. Don’t push her.”

Cadence nodded. “I think you’re right. She needs time to deal with her emotions.”

Forest of Tambelon, Grogar’s Fortress:

Tirek's dreamscape was the polar opposite of a sanctuary. His ears bled as copy upon copy upon copy of Element Bearers sang in perfect harmony about the virtues of family, friendship, and love.

The centaur woke up, screaming in anger as the energy blast that he had unleashed in his sleep ricocheted off the ceiling and crashed onto his belly with enough force to break the bed in two.

He stumbled to the bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror. "What wrong, Tirek?"

A voice from his window replied, "Nothing to worry about, big fella."

Tirek turned and glared at the caterpillar. What was its name again?

The caterpillar continued. “I know what will make you feel better -- magic, lots of magic.”

Harry the bear entered the room carrying a big box full of magic crystals.

Tirek drooled as he greedily reached for the box. He then slapped it away. "NO! Magic bad! Magic make Tirek dumb!"

Master Mind nodded. “I know. There’s a limit to the amount of magic you can consume before it consumes you”

“WORM KNEW?”

Master Mind gave him an ironic smile. “To be honest my friend, I never needed you. What I need is a mindless puppet.”

The caterpillar sighed. "I was actually enjoying watching the magic gradually eroding your intelligence. I was actually enjoying feeding your hate of Princess Twilight with those dreams. All good things must come to an end, though. She has learned to master her new powers much faster than I had anticipated. You can blame this all on her; I need to have you ready today."

"TIREK SQUISH!" The centaur sent his balled fist down at the caterpillar. Master Mind simply looked Tirek in the eye.

The fist abruptly came to a stop and opened. It reached down to the crystals scattered on the floor and shoved them into the centaur's mouth. Try as he might, Tirek could not stop the overwhelming force that had taken over his mind.

Desperately, Tirek begged for it to stop. The widening grin on the caterpillar's face showed that Master Mind had heard the pleas.

The centaur silently screamed as the core of his being was burned away by the immense influx of magic.

A single tear fell from his eye as a last memory of Cozy and Lady Catrina crossed his mind before it disappeared forever.

One final thought floated out: I’m so sorry.





Grogar hurried through the door. The pillar of smoke had told of bad tidings. Debris was scattered on the floor. Every wall had massive holes.

“AGAIN? WHO WAS THE MORON WHO DESTROYED MY HOME?!”

Sombra and Chrysalis shrank in fear as they saw the monster ram generating an aura of raw power from his body.

“It was Tirek, my lord! But he's not himself!” said Chrysalis.

“SILENCE! If that moron wants to destroy my home, fine, but you all will see what happens when you earn my wrath!”

The screams of agony drowned out the crack of displaced air as Grogar teleported his two minions and himself into Tirek's room. The sight left the three speechless.

Tirek was writhing on the floor. His skin transformed into bark as the bumps on his shoulders erupted though, revealing wicked thorns. He scrabbled at his skin, tearing away at the bumps. Each bump erupted into another thorn. His teeth lengthened into wicked fangs while his hooves grew to form sharp points at the tips.

When it was finally over, he looked at them with blank eyes and roared. What had been a centaur was now a dark parody that seemed to have been made of plunder vines.

"Tirek!" Chrysalis cried out.

"Tirek is gone," replied the caterpillar as he crawled in front of the three. "All we have now is a mindless beast."

Enraged, Sombra lifted a forehoof, but Grogar held it back. The ram said, "You don't stand a chance."

"But, Tirek . . ."

Grogar replied, "Do you have any idea what true power is?" Pointing at the caterpillar, he continued. "Next to him, I'm nothing."

"You have learned well, my faithful student," said the caterpillar. "As for the two of you, you better thank Faust that I need you as yourselves. Come now, my toy. It's time to take on a certain purple metapony."

Chrysalis looked at the caterpillar and gulped. She shivered as she finally realized why Grogar was so cautious around him. She looked back at the centaur and said plaintively, "Tirek."

The caterpillar replied, "There is no more Tirek. This is now Dumbsey!"

Sombra shuddered. "Dominic Dumbsey, pursuer of potency, treading on treachery, damned for eternity."

The caterpillar gleamed with pride. "It's good so see that not all my works are lost to the sands of time. Let's go, Dumbsey. It's time for your dream encounter."