“Where’s. My. Dragon!”
The shout thundered throughout the building. Applejack and Rarity, walking side-by-side turned to look at each other. Applejack seemed unconcerned as she asked.
“Rar, who’s watchin’ ‘er?”
At that moment, a cry echoed down the hallway, answering her question.
“My spear! Not cool, Nightmare! Not cool!”
“What’s not cool, you wretched Pegasus is you poking me with this! Let’s see how you like it when I shove this shaft right up your plot!”
“Don’t you d-ARGGH!”
Applejack sighed.
“Oh, fer th’ love of apples. C’mon, let’s go save Rainbow before our guest kills her, or worse.”
***
Bursting through the door to the room, Applejack surveyed the scene; her one eye glancing between the two figures before her. A Cyan-furred Pegasus lay on the ground, groaning, with a broken shaft of a spear firmly lodged in her flank. Next to her, stood an indignant-looking Purple Unicorn filly muttering to herself.
“Poke me with that...That’ll show you. Now to find Spike and get home.”
Turning to Rarity, Applejack spoke gently.
“Take Rainbow t’ th’ medical wing and...see what you can do about ‘er...issue.”
At that moment, Twilight noticed them and with a wild look in her eyes, charged towards Applejack; roaring.
“Where’s my dragon? Where’s Spike?”
Instinctively, Applejack kicked out with her forehoof, slamming into the forehead of Twilight. With an audible crunch, Twilight was thrown back against the wall. Horsefeathers, I hit her too hard.
However, disbelief crossed Applejack’s face as seemingly unaffected by the stream of crimson coursing down her face; Twilight slowly stood back up. Her eyes were no longer narrowed in rage; instead, they watered with tears. And even more startling, she simply sat down as though she was used to such blows. Her words were no longer angry; instead, they carried a tone of despair. she looked around her, while speaking; as though desperately searching for something.
“I’m sorry I attacked you; I seem to have misplaced my better half. Please, I need to find Spike. Can you take me to my dragon?”
Next to Applejack, stood Rarity, with Rainbow Dash on her back; who was groaning groggily, from the extreme pain her flank was in. Rarity was staring flabbergasted at the display. While it was clear to her Applejack had not meant to; the dripping cracked skull of the Unicorn before her told Rarity that the filly should be dead. Yet, there she was, paying it no mind as she asked about a dragon.
Unable to contain her disbelief at the sight; Rarity called out to her.
“Dah-ling, how are you still alive?”
Twilight seemed confused for a moment.
“Huh? Oh, you mean this?”
Placing a hoof to the dripping wound, she gave a morbid chuckle staring at the crimson coating her foreleg.
“Great, looks like I got hurt again. Spike’s gonna be all fussy now.”
Rarity though confused; refused to let it go untreated. Her tone became commanding and her horn glowed a light blue.
“Hold still. I simply can’t leave such a wound unattended. Don’t move.”
Applejack’s eyes went wide as Rarity; still carrying Rainbow on her back, pinned Twilight down with a single hoof. Surprisingly, Applejack noticed that she didn’t argue or struggle.
Twilight remained perfectly still and docile as Rarity delicately used her magic to stitch Twilight’s forehead back together after rebuilding the bones in her skull. Not once did she wince, or tremble but stayed completely still, allowing Rarity to do as she pleased.
Within a minute, the wound was completely gone; healed through magic. Twilight smiled up at her.
“Thank you, uh...what’s your name again?”
Rarity, however, was not smiling. Huffing, she started towards the door, pausing at the doorway she called behind her.
“Name’s Rarity. I’m the doctor here. Normally I would charge you, but as this was an accident, consider this generosity on my part.”
And with those words she started walking down the hallway; talking to the twitching form who still lay, crying, draped upon her back the broken haft still jutting from deep within her plot.
“Oh shush, Rainbow. It’s your own fault. I told you not to go near her. There’s a reason I’m in charge, after all. Maybe next time you’ll listen when I speak. Now let’s take care of that unfortunate result of your idiocy. And yes, I am going to lecture you, so shut up and listen; for once.”
The sounds of whimpering were then heard in the hallway along with Rarity’s voice speaking in what could only be a sultry sounding tone.
“Some very brash and ‘awesome’ Pegasus has a lesson to learn, doesn’t she? Oh Yes, Rainbow, I am going to make it hurt. I know, very generous of me. Now hush, you’ll need those tears for later after annoying me like this.”
As the voice faded down the hallway, Applejack noticed The purple Unicorn before her was looking her up and down as though sizing her up. But that’s not what Applejack saw. Applejack found herself staring into the eyes of a monstrous serpent intent on devouring her. Blessed with the Element of Honesty; Applejack had always been able to see the true soul of every creature and right now, the jade-green eyes of Twilight were trained intently on her. Like those of a viper, waiting for the ideal moment to strike.
Applejack stared back at her considering everything she knew about the strange filly’s actions. She thought about the blow she had hit her with and how it had calmed her rage. She thought about Rarity’s commanding tone and how the Unicorn had immediately complied; once more docile. Like a timberwolf. I have to show her I am in charge. Alright then.
She paused. She couldn’t explain why but she felt if she said the wrong thing or showed any weakness, she would be slain instantly. Bracing herself as the sweat dripped down her muzzle; Applejack’s normally hospitable voice took on a harsh tone.
“Get yore flank up an’ follow meh, now!”
The effect was immediate. Twilight stood up and though the murderous intent in her eyes was still there; Applejack noticed it had lessened. Twilight seemed somewhat excited by the outburst.
“Okay! So, can we go see Spike now?”
Applejack stared at her in silence. What has she been through? To be so accepting of pain and brutality at such a young age. What horrors have you endured? And stranger still, why are you so obsessed with that dragon? Only one way to know. From what I’ve seen, that might be best to maintain the harmony here.
“Yeah, let’s go see yore dragon. Follow meh.”
***
Walking down the hallway next to Twilight, was a lot harder than Applejack thought. The mysterious Unicorn exuded a strange feeling; a pressure of sheer darkness. The flesh beneath the Earthpony’s fur prickled with goosebumps and a feeling of dread slowly enveloped her.
The air around her grew colder and colder still. The hallway seemed longer to her than normal as her hooves grew heavier with each step. What’s going on?
Her eyes dilated as an inexplicable feeling of imminent doom hovered over her. It grew harder and harder, still to draw a breath. Why am I afraid?
The door to the room that held the dragon loomed ahead but it took everything Applejack had to reach for it. Her mind was fraying, her will being shredded. Her thoughts had devolved into absolute panic, still, she turned the handle.
*Click*
In the back of her mind, Applejack knew she had to open that door. She didn’t know how or even why she knew, but it felt like if she didn’t open that door now, everycreature in that building was going to die. I can’t do this. I’m going to die! We’re all going to-
With everything she had left, Applejack ignored her own fears and flung open the door; panting and breathing rapidly; her heart pounding like a drum within her chest. And just like that, everything changed.
The instant Twilight peered through the doorway and her eyes beheld the sleeping form of a baby dragon; the tone shifted. Applejack suddenly felt warm; cozy even. The chilling despair that had gripped her vanished and had been replaced by a comforting warmth. She found it easier to breathe, and her pounding heartbeat slowed to normal. What the hay just-
Glancing at Twilight, she was startled to see the wicked jade-green eyes had transformed to soft amethyst ones. Not only that, but the predatory nature of the Unicorn before had completely vanished. No longer was she a deadly timberwolf, but an innocent puppy; happily gazing at the form of the sleeping dragon.
“Hi, Spike! I-”
“Shhh!”
A pale yellow Pegasus hovered before her face, squinting fiercely at her. Twilight froze at the sight. She wasn’t scared; she was waiting. Waiting to see what the angry Pegasus wanted. Fluttershy didn’t move for a moment as she made eye contact with Twilight. She stared forcefully into Twilight’s eyes; seemingly causing the Unicorn to become mesmerized.
Applejack watched the two in silent confusion. It was clear Fluttershy was using her ‘stare’ but that only worked on wild animals; why was it affecting that Unicorn? After a minute of locking eyes with Twilight, Fluttershy blinked and turned to point at Spike; sleeping soundly in his cot. Twilight nodded her head eagerly and Fluttershy muttered.
“So that’s it. I understand.”
Turning to Applejack, Fluttershy exclaimed to her in a soft tone.
“This Unicorn will be allowed to sit next to the dragon while he sleeps.”
Applejack was shocked by the sudden statement.
“Uh...Flutters Ah dun think-”
Fluttershy interrupted her, stating in a more forceful tone.
“I am not asking your permission, Applejack. I am telling you, she will be allowed to sit next to that dragon.”
“Wha-why?”
Fluttershy shook her head and replied in her usual soft tone.
“T-Trust me, Applejack.”
It wasn’t like Fluttershy to demand anything. Applejack was sure she must have good reasoning behind it; even if she wasn’t saying why.
“Alright, fine.”
Turning to Twilight, Fluttershy spoke to her like she was a housebroken dog.
“Go on, it’s ok. That’s a good girl. Make sure you don’t leave that spot. Okay?”
Twilight sat with her back next to the cot and closed her eyes. Soon it was evident she had fallen asleep.
***
The candles in the center of the table glowered low as the five friends ate their dinner. They sat in silence; that is until Rainbow Dash brought up the elephant in the room.
“How about that filly, Flutters found? Pretty vicious, huh?”
Rarity buttered a slice of bread before remarking.
“Indeed, dah-ling. She looks as innocent as Sweetie Belle-”
The bread fell from her hooves as tears formed in her eyes, as she wailed.
“Waa-as!”
Just as quickly as her tears began; Rarity found herself in a warm hug from a Pink Earthpony sitting at the table. Her voice was squeaky and her mane had the puffiness of cotton candy.
“C’mon, don’t cry Rarity! Don’t worry Pinkie’s got you!”
Wiping away her tears with a grateful smile; Rarity commented.
“Honestly surprised she overpowered you, Rainbow. Or were you just letting her vent?”
Rainbow gave a sobering chuckle.
“No, I didn’t let her do anything Rar; she’s leagues above me.”
The table grew as silent as a tomb. Rainbow Dash was not known for her humility, and none of them could ever remember her being humble. Of all five, Rainbow had the most combat experience. Proud of her strength, she gleefully hunted the cultists nightly; even taking their weapons as trophies of her conquests. Applejack looked at her; not believing she had heard Rainbow right.
“Just what exactly are ya sayin’ Sugarcube?”
Rainbow just gave another laugh before downing the flagon of cider before her. Slamming it down on the table, she replied; her tone made it clear that she wasn’t joking around.
“If she had wanted to, she could have ripped me in half without any effort, AJ.”
“Didn’ she attack you though, in anger?”
Grinning, Rainbow shook her head, as though trying to understand herself.
“Nah, She wasn’t angry, just annoyed.”
The others stared at her in disbelief as she continued to explain.
“When she opened her eyes she just narrowed them in disgust. But she didn’t react, even a little. Then she noticed the spear I was poking her with and she glared at it before turning her head to stare at me. Taking the spear in her teeth, she wrenched it from me and snapped it in half while rolling her eyes. She not only didn’t see me as a threat, but she was also disappointed that I wasn’t her intended target.”
Pinkie looked at her inquisitively, while pulling a cupcake out of her mane.
“Her...intended target?”
While Applejack refilled her cider, Rainbow told them what she noticed about the situation.
“The way she reacted to the spear. She recognized it. The second she saw me however, her reaction changed. I think it’s safe to say, she realized it wasn’t mine.”
Munching on her cupcake in deep thought, Pinkie mused aloud.
“So...Because you weren’t the spear’s original owner...She barely bothered with you? So that means...She’s hunting cultists like you?”
Applejack toyed with her hat, as though something was bothering her.
“Ah wonder if it has anythin’ t’ do with those scars and burns she has.”
Rarity nodded.
“Those marks are from cursed magic, I bet she’s hunting somepony in particular.”
Fluttershy took a sip of her tea before whispering.
“You have no idea.”
All chatter at the table ceased as they turned to stare at her. Fluttershy began to stutter.
“I-I mean...um-”
Applejack shook her head.
“Just say what’s on yer mind, Flutters. Nopony here will judge ya.”
Fluttershy looked at her friend’s smiling faces before nodding; once more confident.
“She’s not a filly. She’s older than we are.”
Rarity tilted her head.
“I’m sorry Dah-ling...What? How could that child possibly-”
“S-she may look like a child but she isn’t. She was a filly when she died 8 years ago.”
Rainbow Dash stared at her in surprise.
“What do you mean ‘when she died’?”
Fluttershy shuddered as she spoke.
“When I was giving her the stare; I could see everything about her. She even spoke to me; as animals normally would. 8 years ago, she died...in Ponyville; tortured by cultists.”
Applejack could see she was serious and removed her hat to reveal the marks from that night; her exposed skull making a gruesome display. Not only was one of her eyes missing completely but half her face was missing as well.
“Are you saying she was there that night?”
Fluttershy nodded, removing the satin green bow from her hair, letting it down; revealing a missing ear.
“Yes. However, she received a blessing...or perhaps a curse from the Goddess.”
Pinkie dropped the cupcake she was holding.
“C-Celestia?”
“Yes. She was raised from the dead. Her internal organs are all from Celestia, her magical ability was given to her by the tyrant herself. She has spent the past 8 years being trained and raised by her as her next heir to the throne.”
“So Celestia recreated her body?”
Shaking her head, Fluttershy continued.
“No, she gave her the organs within her own body; using her magic to preserve her own lifeforce. Then she enchanted Twilight’s body to never age. But before that, Twilight-”
“Wait, who’s Twilight?”
“That’s her name. A-anyway, Twilight created that baby dragon during an exam; splitting her soul in half. In the Unicorn lies her darkness. Away from him she's wild, feral. but as long as she is by Spike, she remains content and contained. Tamed and gentle. That dragon houses the light of her soul.”
“And if something happens to that dragon?”
Applejack shuddered remembering the walk down the hallway.
“Ah dun ever wanna find out.”
Rarity seemed to be trying to understand something.
“Why though? Why would the Goddess of the world resurrect a filly, even going as far as to give her unfathomable magic?”
Chuckling, Rainbow down her cider once more.
“Isn’t it obvious? The spear, her indifference to pain, her abilities. She’s being raised to kill somecreature in particular. Though-”
She lowered her eyes to the table, with a pitying expression on her face.
“It doesn’t seem fair that such a young pony should be forced to bear such a burden. Alone.”
Everypony at the table was silent for a moment before Applejack put her hat back on; covering her wounds. She gave a smile to her friends.
“Maybe she doesn’t have ta face it alone. Right, girls?"
***
Celestia stared at the moon, as a shadow crept across its surface. As the flow of crimson dripped down her neck; emanating from the spear embedded in her throat, she smiled. Her magic was nearly used up, and her breathing erratic. It won’t be long now. Before her lay piles of ashes and the chanting fools of the Nightmare Moon cult. Celestia knew she was going to die and she had been counting down to this moment.
When she died, her sister’s seal would be dispelled. She had known for years it would happen; having seen what lay ahead with her gift of clairvoyance. And she welcomed death. She had done all she could to prepare Twilight for her sister’s return. Her eyes grew dim as her body was pierced with hundreds of spears. Her magic had run out and the pain was unbearable.
Celestia just smiled. As her life ebbed away; Celestia’s final thoughts were of her adopted daughter. It’s up to you now, Twilight. Do what I couldn’t. Please, free this world. The former tyrants head lolled to the side, the trickling blood still dripping onto the floor below. The Tyrannical Ruler of Equestria had finally fallen.
The cultists were celebrating their achievement when the world around them suddenly became unbearably cold. Many of them freezing over as ice enveloped them. A haunting voice coldly proclaimed.
“I’m back. And now you shall perish.”