//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3- The Scars That Never Heal 
// Story: Only the Broken, Only the Cursed (please read blog post) 
// by DougtheLoremaster 
//------------------------------//

“She ‘fell’ out the sky, Sugarcube?”
“Y-yes.”
“And then she landed on ‘er hooves inches from ya; th’ impact breaking one of ‘er legs?”
“That’s right.”
“Ah see. Tell meh what happened after that.”
“I ran into her and she tumbled d-down the hill…”
Fluttershy took a sip of her tea before continuing her explanation. Across from her sat an orange Earthpony with a cluster of three apples as her cutie mark; scrutinizing her every motion, word, and vocal pattern as she listened to Fluttershy explain what happened for the third time.
Finally satisfied, she nodded before turning to a white Unicorn behind her that boasted three diamonds on her flank. 
“Don’t know what ta tell ya, Rarity. She ain’t lyin’ and she ain’t bein’ mind-controlled.”
“Applejack, Dah-ling, you can’t be serious!”
Applejack shook her head and laughed; the stetson on her head, wiggling slightly with the movement.
“No Rar, Pinkie’s the one that can’t be serious. Ahm certain she’s tellin’ the truth.”
“Dah-ling you expect me to believe that poor creature in my medical cot fell out of the sky covered in scars and burns? Not only that, she then broke her leg landing, managed to somehow go several minutes without fainting from the blood loss? On top of that, she transformed into a nightmare and encased six armed ponies in blocks of indestructible purple ice after killing them before they could blink by summoning a blizzard? You expect me to believe all that?”
Applejack shook her head.
“Nope. Sounds crazy, even ta meh. But regardless, that’s what happened Rar. I’ll stake mah hat on it; Flutters ain’t lyin.”
Rarity stayed silent for a moment before changing the topic.
“Did you see the burns on her face? Or those lacerations covering her torso?”
“Yeah, pretty gruesome. That filly’s been through the wringer. You managed to fix her up though, right?”
Rarity’s medical skills were comparable to none. Any wound, cut, scrape, bleed, burn, or broken limb; Rarity could heal all with ease. It was easily an understatement to say if any pony could heal them; Rarity could. Surprisingly, and with a hint of sadness, Rarity shook her head.
“I couldn’t. I tried but every time they vanished; moments later they reappeared. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Applejack adjusted her hat, revealing the eyeless socket she had suffered from the escape from Ponyville, 8 years ago.
“Rar, what are you sayin’ Sugarcube?”
“Those aren't normal scars, Applejack, dah-ling, those scars are the remnants of a truly cursed event. Just like your eye. Those scars are permanently etched upon her soul.”
Lowering her hat over her eye once more, Applejack spoke softly.
“Take meh to ‘er.”

***

Celestia sat on her throne, eyes ablaze in the darkness of the shattered throne room. The fire slowly died down on her body as she folded her wings once more. The charred stone of the throne room was covered by the still forms of almost one hundred invaders; lying unconscious before her. She paid them no mind; they weren’t even worth killing in her eyes, and most certainly were no threat to her. Her thoughts were focused on only one thing. Please be safe, Twilight. 
The Tyrant had a soft spot for her apprentice. Why wouldn’t she, when Twilight had been adopted by her 8 years ago, in the aftermath of the Ponyville Massacre? For 8 years she had refused to let Twilight set hoof outside the safety of her castle. Not a day went by that she didn’t think about that night. And worse still, the state she had found her in; amidst the rubble that had been her hometown. I never should have let her out of my sight. And I’ll never forgive myself. 
Her eyes hardened as her blood began to boil at the thought; causing half of the throne room to erupt in a raging inferno. Or them! The unfortunate souls that lay scattered about that half of the throne room, no longer had any reason to worry about anything; instantaneously reduced to mere ashes. Ever. Folding her wings once more, she sat down upon her throne; lost in thought. The flickering flames in the room reflected in Celestia’s eyes, forcing her to recall the haunting memory of that night.

***

Celestia leaped from her golden throne and bounded across the entire room in less than the ticking of a single second. Pinning the guard against the wall with her hoof; her eyes blazed in anger as she roared into his face.
“What did you just say?”
The guard’s face was the perfect picture of utter terror. Never had he once known Celestia to react to any such news; in anger or otherwise. It was well known she didn’t care what her ‘toys’ as she called the inhabitants of Equus did; as long as they did not disappoint her. To see her enraged over the takeover of one small town, when hundreds had fallen just the same, was mortifying; to say the least.
“A-A-According to the re-report, Ponyville has fallen, Your Majes-urghh.”
The royal guard had just enough time to utter a strangled gurgle before his lifeless form crumbled to the ground in the hallway outside the throne room. Celestia turned away from the now two-foot-wide hole in her wall; unconcerned. Her mind was processing what she had just heard. Ponyville had been taken by the Cult of the Nightmare Moon. That, though slightly annoying, was not what concerned her. 
Earlier that day, Twilight Sparkle had become the youngest Unicorn to ever graduate from the Academy in Canterlot. At 8 years old, Twilight had created a living, breathing, baby dragon; whom she had named Spike, shattering all expectations. This had brought a smile to the eternally scowling face of Princess Celestia. Twilight had done the impossible. Celestia announced her decree of taking Twilight as her apprentice; to be groomed as Heir to the Throne.
Thoroughly enjoying the moment, Celestia gave Twilight permission to stay the weekend in Ponyville; with her parents, to celebrate. And now, Ponyville had been taken by the cultists. 
Normally that wouldn’t matter; Celestia had watched countless supposed kings and queens alike, stand against her before. It always ended the same way; with her hooves striding across fields of ashes. Though she would never admit it, not every citizen was against her rule; much to her amusement and secret delight. 

***

The majority of Equus was content in the freedom her control gave them. They were allowed to govern themselves; food, commerce, society. They were permitted to do as they wished; as long as they did not interfere with her desires. When she said something they would listen. If she wanted something, they would do it. Otherwise, they were free to do as they pleased. It wasn’t her being nice as far as any of them knew.  She was not a heroine, she was a monster; and she deserved to be hated. She preferred it that way. She had made that clear day one of her rule:
“You may yell at or hate whomever you like, even myself, but the instant it escalates past words; I will kill you. Steal anything; you’ll die. Any age, any species, any time I see an action I don’t like; you’ll perish on the spot. All are welcome in any town; regardless of species. I do not care what conflicts you may have with any tribe or species, you will bury the hatchet. Or I will bury you.
And yes, I understand some of you will not stand for this...or perhaps shall decide to form a little rebellion against me. That’s fine; complain to me all you wish, stand against me with all your might, but understand the following:
I do not care. I do not care what you feel or think about a situation. By all means, scream your frustrations to the heavens. In the end, however, you’ll do as I want. Or you’ll die. Because your Goddess is here, and I’m fresh out of mercy.”

***

Celestia flew towards Ponyville at breakneck speed. She didn’t remember taking off, she didn’t remember even leaving the castle. There was only one thing on her mind; Twilight. Her young apprentice was her only concern. She had good reason to be concerned.

***

The Cult of Nightmare Moon had a very particular way of showing their adulation towards their idol: live sacrifice. Those who refused to denounce Celestia and embrace Nightmare Moon were captured and publicly executed. Their entrails and vital organs were removed, one by one, while they were still conscious amidst the watching crowd

***

Celestia’s hooves touched down while she surveyed the area. The desecrated corpses of the inhabitants littered the street. Celestia glanced from one to the next. Not Twilight, where is she? She began making her way towards town square when she heard it: the screams of a young filly in excruciating pain.
Her eyes narrowed as she rushed headlong into the crowd of creatures by the town fountain. Ignoring those around her, her eyes fell upon the form of Twilight; screaming and crying for help. Screaming for her; calling out to the heavens above.
“Celestia please, help me!”
“Ha! You really think she cares about you?”
The words of the cultist were cold and harsh; causing Twilight to grow silent for a moment. Celestia stared at the display; her body growing hot with hatred. That’s when Twilight gave a strangled chuckle. Celestia watched as she saw it; the reason she cared for the young filly. The fire that burned within her.
“I do. A-and she will come. Heh and when she does, no moon in the sky will possibly protect you from her r-r-ra…”
Twilight fell silent as her head lolled to the side. Once more, the cultist spoke up, shaking his head.
“You little fool, she cares for no creature. And now you’ve died for her, just like the rest of this worthless- ARGH!”
Fire had begun raining from the sky; slamming into the cultists below. 
“You want an apocalypse, your wish has been granted...little fool.”
Celestia’s words thundered throughout the town as all standing within its boundaries were struck by the falling hellfire. The screams of burning creatures played a dirge of pain and vengeance within the ears of the tyrant. Not her. Her anger reached a boiling point, and her body erupted with a mixture of red, yellow, and orange flames. You will not take her from me! And then, she saw nothing more.

***

Sitting again on her throne amidst the slain or unconscious would-be attackers, Celestia touched a hoof to her heart. Or rather where her heart should be. There was no pulse, no heartbeat. She felt the scar that ran across the spot and smiled weakly as the searing pain washed over her. A memento from the events of that night. 
Celestia had greatly weakened herself; permanently, to save Twilight. Inside of her chest lay a container forged purely of magic that mimicked her heart. No blood flowed within her veins. For 8 years, she had continued ruling with her much weaker constitution. Though still stronger than most, Celestia had been unable to leave her castle; prone to fainting spells. Her magical potency was almost non-existent now in comparison to what she was. 
Still, she smiled. For as painful as the scar burned; her heart beat on. In Twilight’s ribcage beat her hopes and dreams for Equestria as a Daybreaker. As well as the cursed blood of the Nightmares. The passion to change the world; the desire to destroy it all. For 8 years it had been Twilight’s burden to bear. 
Still touching the scar, Celestia’s eyes shone with a forgotten vigor as elsewhere Twilight encased her enemies in an impenetrable barrier of ice. Her smile grew; she had felt the magical outburst from her daughter. Twilight had awoken her inner Nightmare. It won't be long now.
Around her, the groans of pain from the would-be usurpers could be heard as they struggled to stand. Turning her attention to them, she spoke calmly.
"Leave or die. This is your only chance."
Watching as they reached for their weapons, Celestia sighed wearily.
"For Nightmare Moon!"
The Princess's response conveyed her disdain at the proclamation. 
"So be it-"
The entire room erupted in a raging inferno. 
"I offered."