//------------------------------// // CH 15 // Story: The Edge Of Harmony // by Alazak //------------------------------// Pearl and Autumn exited the Everfree Forest; the death of Fluttershy weighed heavily on them, she lay still and smiling to them as if she forgave them for what happened, Autumn held her mother's lifeless body tight she wanted to do more than cry for her but Fluttershy simply faded away in a cloud of brightly colored butterflies. They scattered to the four winds leaving the two ponies distraught and left to carry on without her. Pearl stumbled over a root and dropped Gallatais’ blood covered sword, she reached for it and caught a reflection of herself. Her once pristine white coat had seen a lot of wear and tear over the course of her journey, tattered and dirty she could see the small cuts and bruises scattered across her small malnourished body, and the Manticores blood left a deep stain. She hadn’t felt the need to eat or drink in the last few days, just the quest at hoof was all that filled every desire. Was it her desire to obtain her freedom, or was it Gallatais’ quest to reclaim his lost power overwhelming her thoughts? “So your little adventure has taken you this far, Pearl?” Pearl looked up to see Applejack standing in her orchard. The exit to the Everfree must have lead them to Sweet Apple Acres. Was this more of Gallatais doing? “I knew you’d come fer me some time. But look at you, you’re a mess of a filly.” “Applejack,” Pearl stumbled and looked to Applejack. “I don’t want to fight with you please just give me the element.” “Yes Honesty, just give in. Magic will fall soon I can feel her struggle against fate, and herself as we speak.” Applejack and the other two ponies looked at the nearly completed Gallatais confused. “So Fluttershy fell to your tricks hua?” Applejack readied for a fight. Pearl wanted to cry at the mention of the fallen element but nothing came to her. “She’s dead,” Applejack took a step back. “she died to protect Autumn.” Applejack shook herself and regained focus. “That foal of a mare, to think she would go and get herself killed. Fine ghost you want my element you can have it .” Gallatais smiled. “But Pearl has to take it, if its a fight you want Pearl will show me your determination.” “I don’t want to fight you,” Pearl backed into Gallatais. “Is there some other way?” She turned to Gallatais and pleaded for an answer. But he only stood by with what Pearl could only guess was a smile. She took a defeated turn back to Applejack just in time to see her rush her. Not fast enough to dodge, the charging mare plowed into Pearl’s side knocking her to the ground sending the sword sticking into the ground next to her. Autumn winced as Pearl came to a stop. “You want this here Element or not Pearl?” Pearl gasped for air and attempted to stand, she felt weak all over and Applejack looked as if she meant business. “Well stand Pearl show me just how much you want an adventure.” She lowered her head and grunted ready for another strike. This is what I wanted? I just don’t know anymore. Pearl’s mind raced with doubt about what she really wanted. Was this how an adventure was supposed to end? She had confronted her foalhood heroes and faced their demons. Even though she was taken over by Gallatais a little part of her felt the thrill of the conquest. And now Applejack stood before her and more than willing to fight for a cause. “Fine Apple Orchard I’ll take your element and I’ll put a stop to my captors plans. “ Pearl stood with renewed vigor. “This story only needs one hero and you fell long ago.” Applejack curled a sly smile, it was good to see her as determined as she was but now she needed what every child needs now and again. Applejack rushed Pearl, they trampled dirt and grass spraying their remains behind them as they gain speed. Pearl looked to the sword, no, she thought no need Applejack was strong; years of hard labor would give her the advantage but she was also old, slowing her reaction time. Pearl would use this to her advantage. Applejack closed the distance faster than Pearl anticipated but she held back at the last moment, what was she doing? Applejack landed another solid headbutt into Pearls side, sending her flying, but she quickly recovered and lunged back at the orange cowmare. A solid strike to the top of Applejack’s head, after rearing up and returning the headbutt. “Your old Apple Orchard, I’ve always known so much about you and all the others.” Applejack shook away the dizzying strike and dodged another aimed for her exposed side. “And you’re still just a confused filly I meet in Manehatten.” Another skillful doge and a counter attack aimed at both Pearl’s front leg and her mental state. Applejack never worried about becoming old, she took it quite well actually. When the wrinkles began to set in and the lines around her eyes became more prominent she took it as a memento of a life well lived. Unlike some other ponies her age who desperately clung to their youth and clawed at every chance to maintain it. “This facade has gone on long enough. Look at yourself, finally out in the wide Equestria and what have you accomplished so far.” More strikes but Applejack didn’t dodge this time every one landed bruising her but it was nothing. “Shut up, I tried to accomplish my dream. I set out on my own, I came all the way out to Ponyville even though I was scared. I tried to do things my way but I failed.” Pearl began to become flustered. “NO! I didn’t fail me, it was...TWILIGHT!” Pearl spun and gave Applejack a strong buck to the front chest. It was painful and knocked the wind from her lungs but she didn't budge. “Now we’re blaming others for your shortcomings. Thats just pathetic. You know I met your father when he came to Ponyville about a year ago.” Pearl froze. “Ya, he found out about Twilight and he was even smart enough to figure out who me and Fluttershy were.” Applejack began to close in on Pearl as Pearl began to retreat. “He told me about how you adored that darn book and wanted nothing more than to meet Twilight, thats when I told him our little tragedy. But it was the strangest thing, I’ll tell ya he never told you about it or you’d have known me that day in the park.” “You knew me?” “Eyup. I struggled with telling you right then everything so you would do some fool headed thing like all of this. But it was something your pa said to me.” Applejack picked up her dusty old hat that had fallen off in the scuffle. “All children must find their own way even if it means falling flat on their faces. It may not be the best way, but only they can tell you in the end if it was worth it or not.” Pearl was shocked, did her father really say all that? “Well Pearl, was it worth it?” Pearl fell back in thought. Sitting on the torn up ground she thought back to the last few weeks. All the adventures she had, the heartache and sadness that she imposed upon herself. She felt as if she had been thrust into a scheme that she had no control over and it had spiraled out of control. Bringing war to Equestria? Was it all for the progress that he promised and how was he to be stopped if he was lying. “Well?” Pearl snapped out of her daze and looked up to see Applejack holding out a hoof to help her up. She smiled and took the helping hoof up. “A brutal honesty, and yes it will all be worth it.” Pearl realized it too late Gallatais had possessed her once again and left Pearl to watch as her puppet of a body held Applejack tight and a massive black smoke blade pierced through her cest. The black blade glew orange and dissipated back into Gallatais body. His once spectral ghost like appearance had slowly become more and more consistent with what Pearl had seen in her visions to the past. Gallatais coat was now almost complete very starlit sky adorned his body while his mane burned of cosmic fire. He was truly a wonder to behold. Gallatais spread his massive wings to reveal more hidden wonders of the universe that seemed to stretch further than anypony could ever imagine. A glimpse of shooting stars raced across his body from time to time but still incomplete his horn was still ghostly and looked to be the final missing piece to his resurrection. Applejack lay on the ground, Pearl had regained her body and rushed to her side. She was still alive but she was passed out, more of Gallatais tricks she suspected. “Gallatais! That wasn’t necessary, you’re a monster you know that? You just use and use just to better your own goals. Am I nothing more than a tool for your enjoyment?” Pearl grabbed up the sword and pointed it at the massive Alicorn’s newly formed throat. He only stood tall against her rant and gave her a menacing glare. “A monster Pearl?” He took a step closer to Pearl the sword now in direct contact with throat. “Yes perhaps I am, I would say to you that I only have you and your kind at heart.” He turned his attention to the sleeping Applejack. “Now my favorite tool we have to hurry,” Gallatais smiled and stepped through Pearl and her empty protest. Pearl dropped watch Gallatais begin to head into the orchard toward Ponyville. “the finally is about overwith and I wouldn’t want to miss its outcome.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the depths of the Everfree lives a mass of long forgotten horrors that once haunted the Equestrian landscape. Feral creatures driven mad by hunger for the flesh of the living, but the smoke wisp was seeking a much more dangerous prize. The bearer of Hatred live deep in the forest, brooding and boiling hating the world and everypony in it. Swift and precise the wisp made it’s way to its target. Over fallen rotting trees and through the twisted pathways it searched until it came to a single mass of trees all etched with blue runes. The clearing stretched out and gave an aura of unwelcome. The wisp avoided the glowing runes, they felt as if they were traps to ward off unwelcome visitors. In the center lie a large old oak tree with a door cut into the front bearing a symbol of its owner. Careful not to trip any of the runes and feeling for other other hidden traps. “Oh I see, something strange has trespassed on to our home.” The wisp froze as the voice appeared behind it. “Oh, a fragment of power. But this facade of form is below the Great Trixie.” The wisp spun in a circle exuding a mass of light smoke that gave way to Gallatais full form. Trixie just stood unimpressed. Her light blue coat seemed dull against the darkness and the glow of her trap runes. She wore a massive purple pointed cap embroidered with stars and moons, Gallatais’ form began to circle Trixie. A matching tattered cape dragged the muddy ground but never seemed to be dirty. “You are clever my Hatred. But how long have you locked yourself away in my forest plotting, training, hiding?” Gallatais stopped behind her. “Trixie does not hide!” She spun around and stood on her tip hooves to come eye to spectral eye. “How dare you accuse us of such things! And this is Trixie’s forest, even those so called Lords have all bowed to Trixies power.” She gave a smirk and backed off turning toward her home. “Begone spirit, Trixie will have no more of your ramblings.” She huffed in self assurance, only to stop when she saw th wisp between her and the door. “Ten years is a long time away from your kin.” Trixie backed away from Gallatais. “Oh now now Hatred, I have felt you for a long time. So much fury, every day training.” Trixie stopped and gathered herself. “Yes ten years,” She took an offensive stance, her whole body began to glow with a solid blue aura. From under her hat a light began to form. “let Trixie show you why she’s called the Great and Powerful.” A sudden burst of energy, erupted from her body. A loud bang filled the clearing and sending nearby birds spinning away. The blue wave of energy sparkled and cut into surrounding trees and passed directly through Gallatais. “Impressive but I can feel hesitation in your power what holds you back my Hatred?” “Stop calling us that!” She changed Gallatais her horn emitting a brilliant light. “We are Trixie, the Great and POWERFUL!” *** “I can still feel the hesitation. It dulls your resolve and takes the edge out of your power, It’s not even close to enough to face her.” Gallatais stood over the broken unicorn. She stirred and stumbled to her feet. “You vile cretin.” She stumbled a bit as she tried to regain her composure. Her cape and hat were torn to ribbons. “Know your place, I am powerful.” “But you are still no match for her.” Gallatais stepped in close to Trixie and whispered into her ear. “But I can change that.” Trixie’s eyes widened. She backed away taking in what the ghost had told her. “And what do you know of HER? Twilight Sparkle, that blessed child of magic, she has stepped on my road of magical prowess and destroyed my climb to the top. It started with the that debacle in Ponyville, if those two fools hadn’t stuck their little fanboy noses into my business we would have made it to Canterlot and gained entrance to Celestia’s higher academy.” Trixie slammed a hoof into the soft floor around her and made it splinter with blue light. “It took us months of practice and scrounging to reclaim our prestige in the eyes of the common pony folk.” “It is to be expected from the last of Starswirl’s legacy after all.” Trixie deepened her glare. “Not surprised I see, I knew Starswirl he was my first student outside of my children.” Trixie tilted her head in confusion. “Now you’re telling Trixie ponytales ghost, Starswirl may have been my ancestor but the legends tell his teacher was magic itself, the very essence of harmony.” Trixie huffed and shook her head in a futile attempt at fixing her frazzled mane. “The power that now resides in that trollop Twilight Sparkle.” She turned away from Gallatais and started back for her home. “And it’ll be just like that that then. Will you go on with hiding while Twilight gets away with her transgression.” “Transgression!? She destroyed Trixie! Her and that accursed book!” Trixie kept walking fuming in her own rage. “And now you come here with hollow promises of power, Trixie maybe powerfull but she is no fool. After I found that we were in her book. We came back to Ponyville. I had made it into Celestia's school but after the professors read it and made the connection I was ousted and set back to square one. ME, the Great and Powerful Trixie! Cast out to the streets, reduced to a common unicorn.” She passed directly through Gallatais and proceed to her home. “I hate Twilight, it took a year to get back to Ponyville but when I got there, she had locked herself in her little library. I called her out on what she had done to us but NO, she only sat by and waited for the world to pass her by as every one suffered.” SHe sighed and turned to Gallatais, tears began to form as he opened her door. “So you tied to force her out.” He smiled as Trixie turned away. “And from that I can tell you failed. She is the Element of Magic after all.” “That is no excuse! I trained and trained my whole life and she gets a free ride just because she bares the Element of Magic!” “But can’t the same be said of you? The last of Starswirl’s legacy has given you an unfair advantage over your peers. I took a great interest in him because I could feel a deep running connection to Harmony.” “That has nothing to do with it! Celestia even took her under her tutelage and she had access to the vast royal libraries, she had one hand out after another. But I became a star under my own power, I had never met another pony that could even match my magic. Long hard nights slaving over ancient lost tombs passed through my family. I even lost my family and was left alone. I had nothing, but I still became great and powerful, while she just trotted through life surrounded by smiles, warmth, and so much love. Just to throw it all away over some foalish book.” Tears now puddled below her. Trixie was desperate to get away from Gallatais but he kept prodding and poking at her pride. “But it just wasn’t enough to stand up to her. All your training even after your time in Celestia's school, you still fell short a second time and ran away.” Trixie’s eyes narrowed and she scowled. “Trixie does NOT run!” The door slammed behind her and rushed back to Gallatais. “Then tell me, if the only thing she has is the power of an element, perhaps an even playing field can show us who truly is ‘great and powerful’?” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight sat in the darkness of her library and cried, her hoof on the large mirror that pulsed with a dull white light. “I’m so sorry Fluttershy. I tried to save you but losing Autumn was never the path that you would take was it?” Twilight had been watching the path her spell had shown her. Just like Spike she had seen this moment hundreds of times each played out in the death of her friends. “But now Gallatais has her element and will soon find Applejack.” She waved her hoof at the mirror and watched as it shattered into thousands of pieces each one showing the fight with Applejack. Twilight took the largest of the shards and looked deep into it. “So this is how Applejack falls? Be safe my friend this will all be over soon.” She let the shard float away and watched Pearl and Applejack battle. “Oh now Twilight,” A mass of shimmering blue smoke formed behind the mirior. “you have to remember that this IS all for the good of Equestria after all.” “Begone, I have a world to save and I don’t have time to listen to your ramblings princess.” Twilight waved the newly formed princess of the night away. “Ever since I finished that spell you have insisted that our actions would herald in a new era for the ponies.” Twilight reached for a small sliver of the shattered mirror, she looked and watched as Pearl took up Gallatais sword and slew her in a single strike. She winced at the scene and let a tears began to form. “But why princess do I have to hurt the ones I love. Spike didn’t deserve to die nor Fluttershy! Tell me princess, I know you want some megar sense of twisted revenge against your sister for taking Starswirl away from you. But all of this why did you stop me from showing her what I had found all those years ago?” “Hush now Twilight dry away your tears you must always keep those we lose in our hearts. I did love Starswirl but this isn’t against my sister or to torture you and your friends. Separation makes the heart grow fond and its true. A thousand years I watched Equestria from my prison, I hated Celestia for looking down on me for my whole life always deciding what was best for me and your kin, but as time drew on I began to pity her. We lost our families so long ago that its nothing more than a ponytale now, and then Celestia lost me to my madness, I may have been lonely but she had to watch every pony that she loved whither away and die in her arms.” Twilight had always know that Celestia had prized Unicorns and exceptional students long before her, but it never truly occurred to her that Celestia and Luna were Immortal and would far out live her and her friends. “I had no idea.” Princess Luna gave her a reassuring smile. “I can understand that but why all of this I asked you that over ten years ago but you never answered me, you only told me to do as the spell said and I did.” Luna waved a hoof in front of the mirror and it reformed. “Our time is coming to an end Twilight Sparkle, soon the ponies will need to stand on their own hooves and do for themselves what Celestia has done for centuries.” The mirror shattered once again and random images began to play out across the various shards. “As it stands now this shard is the largest and will most likely be the outcome for your kind.” Twilight looked into it and saw a prosperous nation of ponies each working toward the pinnacle of their kind.” Ten years ago this was but a sliver of a future that may have never been.” She released the shard and it floated back to the collective. “The ponies will move on after us and hold their heads high knowing they are strong and capable because of ponies like your friends, and others that have and will follow in your hoof prints.” The shards flickered and a mass of single images began to fill the shards, each a pony of various kinds and colors, all connected in the center by a single white earth pony. “it will be from her that others will stand and look back to those that have laid the path for them to follow.” Luna held Twilight tight. “Fluttershy nor Spike shall ever be forgotten, but you have to be strong for when my father comes for you, you will need to convince the dreamer to make the choice to save Equestria no matter the cost.” Twilight held her back and gave her a warm smile. “For Equestria it is then.” “My sister did herself good with you Twilight Sparkle. Good luck to you and be strong.” Luna faded away leaving only Twilight and her mirror. She looked into her magic mirror and saw what she had become over the last fifteen years. The mirror flickered and stayed solid showing various moments i her life, warmth and smiles embodied every memory and she smiled. *BOOM!* A massive explosion shook her home knocking books from their shelves and scattering papers all about the room. Twilight gathered herself from the floor, she had been knocked over when a shelf fell on her. She rushed to the top of the stairs and into her living room only to find a large hole. “Long time Twilight, now why don’t you come out and play.” The outside was bright and Twilight was momentarily blinded by the sudden brightness. But she recognized the voice. How long had it been since she heard it last? Her eyes adjusted and she saw standing outside of the missing wall the light blue unicorn draped in her iconic starred hat and cape. “Trixie’s back.”