//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: Torch in the Dark 
// by RevvEmUp 
//------------------------------//

It’s a calm late-afternoon winter in Canterlot City; the town is sprinkled with cold snow and the people are out and about in their warm clothes, playing in the snow, enjoying the company of friends and family, and shopping in anticipation for the upcoming holiday, eager to gift to their loved ones! The same goes for our seven heroines, who are all making the most of the season. With school out for the holidays, they’re getting ready for a big holiday slumber party at Rarity’s house, so let’s see what they’re all doing to prepare for weeks of winter fun.





Starting with Rarity, she’s in her bedroom frantically rummaging through a decorations box. “What should I put up? Lights? Streamers? Balloons?”

“Rarity, what’s with all the noise?” Sweetie Belle welcomes herself into Rarity’s bedroom.

“I’ve taken it upon myself to host a holiday slumber party for my friends, but I’m afraid I’m more experienced in slumbering for than slumbering with.” Rarity answered. “I thought of balloons, streamers, and holiday lights! They’re what Pinkie would put up in her slumber parties!”

“You’re too worried about the party part. This is your room, not Pinkie’s.” Sweetie Belle advised. “She puts up all that because she thinks that’s what makes people comfy. You should think what would make people comfy in your own way.”

Rarity looks around her room, appreciating how neat and nice it already is. “Maybe all it needs is a little dusting, is all.” She said as Sweetie Belle gets something from under her bed.

“Starting with cleaning up your depression-eating ice cream tubs?” she presented an empty ice cream tub she picked up.

“It’s just one, right?” Rarity shrugged.

Sweetie Belle lifts the duvet hanging off the bed to reveal multitudes of ice cream tubs.

“Hehehe…” Rarity chuckled awkwardly.





At Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack is in her bedroom packing things into a backpack, from clothes to toiletries to apple-related snacks. “Applebloom, have ya seen ‘nother tube’a toothpaste anywhere?” Applejack called out to her younger sister.

Applebloom runs into her room with a tube of toothpaste. “Here, sis.” She handed it to Applejack.

“Thanks, Applebloom.” Applejack thanked her before zipping up her backpack.

“Hope ya have a great time at Rarity’s slumber party.” Applebloom rocked back and forth, looking at her sister standing up.

“Course I will, lil sis. Ya best be good while I’m gone.” Applejack opens her wardrobe to find a winter coat. “Don’t do anything like T.P. folks’ homes, shave a stray cat…” she listed off. “…impersonate one’a my friends online to spread nasty rumours all because yer jealous’a me spendin’ more time with my friends than with you.” she said with unusual specificity and a more hurried pace.

“Now, why would I do that?” Applebloom chuckled.

“Jus’ jokin’, of course ya won’t do anything like that.” Applejack said as she puts on her coat. “You’re too sweet to be that nasty.” she ruffled Applebloom’s hair affectionately. Applejack takes her backpack and walks out of her room.





At Rainbow Dash’s house, she and Fluttershy are in the backyard overlooking a small dirt mound. “You think he’s doing okay under there?” Rainbow Dash asked Fluttershy with a concerned look.

“Tank is just fine. His hibernation is going smoothly. I’m sure he’s having sweet dreams.” Fluttershy assured.

“Dreaming of him and me, I bet.” Rainbow Dash smiled. “I hope nothing happens to him while we’re gone.”

“Rainbow, he’s in your backyard. He won’t be disturbed here.” Fluttershy assured.

“Maybe I should dig him up and bring him with us! It’s only for a week, he won’t know the difference!” Rainbow Dash suggested hurriedly. She goes over to grab a shovel when Fluttershy stops her.

“Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy said sternly. “I understand your love for Tank, but you must let nature take its course.”

“Oh, alright.” Rainbow Dash sighed. “If I could do it, I’d cancel winter just to spend more time with him.”

“Knowing you, you’d do just that.” Fluttershy said before they both chuckle at the thought.

They walk to the gate where Fluttershy walks out first, but Rainbow Dash stops to turn her head back to Tank’s mound. “Happy Holidays, Tank.” Rainbow Dash said before walking away.





At Sunset Shimmer’s apartment, Twilight Sparkle is attaching an advanced device to the top of a terrarium that is home to Ray, Sunset Shimmer’s leopard gecko. “With this automatic feeder, you won’t have to worry about missing meals while you’re away.” Twilight Sparkle assured Sunset Shimmer.

“Thanks for doing this, Twilight.” Sunset Shimmer thanked her.

“Consider it an early holiday gift from me to you and Ray.” Twilight Sparkle smiled.

“Does it work?” Sunset Shimmer looked at the device.

“Sure does. She made one for me, and works like a charm.” Spike said, sitting on the couch. “Too bad it doesn’t give the same company Twilight does.” He sighed with a lowered head before Twilight Sparkle picks him up.

“Don’t worry, Spike, you’re coming to the slumber party with us.”

“C’mon, let’s pick up the cocoa at Sugarcube Corner, then we’ll go to Rarity’s.” Sunset Shimmer called Twilight Sparkle as they exit the apartment.

“Should we be concerned about that latest letter from the princess?” Twilight Sparkle asked before closing the door behind them.

After they leave the apartment, Ray goes to drink water from his bowl, but backs off when it ripples from a subtle vibration shaking the room.





At Pinkie Pie’s house she- “Outta the way!” -bursts out the front door holding a fresh, steaming souffle in a hot ramekin. She passes by Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy waving at her, but speeds past them without saying hi. “I’ve got six minutes be—” Pinkie Pie looked to her watch before bumping into someone.

The souffle tumbles in her hands before catching it, then sighs in relief. “Sorry, are you okay?” a familiar boy’s voice asked. Pinkie Pie sees Flash Sentry holding a metal briefcase, accompanied by a purple digital camera mounted on a purple drone hovering beside him.

“Flash, hi!” Pinkie Pie greeted him hurriedly. “Sorry, but I gotta get this to Rarity quick!” she runs past him, but he catches up and jogs alongside her with his drone.

“What’s with the souffle?” Flash Sentry asked Pinkie Pie as he runs beside her.

“Rarity and I started a tradition last year where I’d bake her a souffle for the holidays.” Pinkie Pie explained as the drone flies past her. “Last year, it deflated before I could give it to her, but that’s just a fluke! I’ll definitely bring it to her this year!”

“Aw, that’s sweet of you.” Flash Sentry said as the drone flies in front of Flash with the display facing him. “Hah, nice one, Lil Flash.” He chuckled to his camera as if it made a joke.

“What’d he say?” Pinkie Pie asked before shaking her head. “Nevermind, I gotta get to Rarity!” she picks up speed, rushing past Flash Sentry.

“See ya, Pinkie!” Flash Sentry waves goodbye.

She sharply turns a corner, shaving snow off the pavement and onto the road. She looks around the neighbourhood and sees Rarity with Applejack walking along a far-off street. “There she is!” she pointed. “Rarity, Rarity!” she flapped her free hand to Rarity.

From the distance, Rarity sees Pinkie and waves back.

When Pinkie Pie is about to dash to Rarity, the ground quakes and stops in her tracks. “What the—” she hears an explosion in the city. She turns her head to downtown’s skyline and sees columns of smoke. As she watches in terror, the souffle in her hands deflates.

“Pinkie, are you okay?” Applejack asked as she and Rarity run up to her.

“You felt that too, didn’t you?” Rarity asked her.

“I did.” Pinkie Pie answered solemnly as Flash Sentry and his camera drone catch up to them.

“What’s going on? Is there trouble?” Flash Sentry asked them before Rainbow Dash bumps past him, Fluttershy not too far behind.

“I heard an explosion! That means danger!” Rainbow Dash said. “C’mon, let’s check it out!” she rushes towards the smoke.

“Well, this is one heckuva way to meet each other today.” Applejack said before following Rainbow Dash.

“Let’s all be careful now.” Fluttershy peeped before the rest of the girls follow them.

“C’mon, Lil Flash. Let’s take some pictures for the record!” Flash Sentry told his camera drone before they too follow the girls.





The girls and Flash Sentry arrive downtown to see buildings smashed, on fire, and collapsing while people flee the scene. “What do you think is happening?” Fluttershy asked her friends as Rainbow Dash steps forward.

“If any supervillain or Equestrian magical doohickey can hear me, you better back off!” Rainbow Dash yelled.

“Yeah! ‘Cuz we’re here!” Pinkie Pie added. “We’re the—!" Pinkie Pie shouted before realizing they don’t have a group name. “What do we call ourselves?”

“Rainbooms, duh!” Rainbow Dash responded.

“I prefer we reserve that moniker for musical performances.” Rarity suggested.

“Doesn’t matter what we’re called! So long as we take ‘em down together!” Applejack exclaimed.

Then, they hear coughing coming from the advancing dust cloud. “Hey, who’s there?” Rainbow Dash called out. “It’s not safe here!”

Scrambling out of the dust cloud is Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle carrying an unconscious Spike in her arms. “Are you all okay?” Pinkie Pie asked them worriedly.

“Sunset and I are, but Spike…” Twilight Sparkle looks at the injured Spike in her arms.

“We were on the way to meet you all, but then this happened!” Sunset Shimmer looks to the surrounding ruins.

“Something exploded, and we were caught in the shockwave. We were lucky enough to walk it off, but Spike…” Twilight Sparkle added.

Fluttershy puts her hand to Spike’s body, and finds him still breathing. “We have to get him help.” She suggested as she cradles Spike in her arms

“Did you see whatever or whoever did this?” Pinkie Pie asked them.

“No, but we did hear something, something strange.” Sunset Shimmer answered.

“Strange how?” Flash Sentry asked her. Suddenly, a loud whoosh is heard above them, spooking Fluttershy as the unmistakable shadows of a squadron of jets pass over them.

“Uh, is that the military?” Applejack wondered.

“Considering how often the government intervenes in this town…” Twilight Sparkle said.

“…Which is never….” Sunset Shimmer added.

“…This is serious.” Pinkie Pie concluded.

As they stood there, the ground quakes again, followed by another column of fire lighting up the skies beyond the dust cloud. They cower as the sound of aerial combat fills the air, striking something the little people can’t see.

Then, overpowering every sound audible to the human ear, a bloodcurdling roar booms across the land, freezing the friends in place. Striding through the smoke and parting it with its presence is a massive dragon roaring into the air. Its body is tiled with medium-blue scales, protected by a massive ebony cuirass, battle-worn orange wings, and a fearsome face with burning orange irises, a mouthful of uneven teeth, and low-hanging orange horns. “That’s it! That’s the sound we heard!” Sunset Shimmer exclaimed.

“Is that a—?" Fluttershy muttered.

“Dragon!” Pinkie Pie screamed as she points to it.

The dragon breathes fire into the air before swinging its head down onto the city, setting it ablaze. “Princess Twilight wrote to me warning about a dragon escaping into another world.” Sunset Shimmer commented. “I was hoping it wouldn’t be this world.”

“We can take it on! We’ve fought bigger and badder things!” Pinkie Pie said confidently.

“Pinkie, we’ve got bigger problems!” Twilight Sparkle pointed to another street, seeing people trapped as the city falls apart. “There’s people that need our help!”

“Let’s help ‘em out! The military’s got the dragon handled.” Rainbow Dash responded.

“Let’s pony up!” Sunset Shimmer declared as they all clutch their Geode necklaces.

Rainbow Dash eyes Flash Sentry beside them. “Make sure to get my good side this time, Flash.” She smirked at him.

As Lil Flash positions for a shot, the girls levitate above the snow and unleash their magic, granting them longer ponytails, pony ears, and wings to Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Twilight Sparkle.

“Fluttershy, take Spike and lead everyone as far away from the dragon as possible.” Twilight Sparkle instructed.

“Good luck, girls.” Fluttershy said before running off with Spike.

“Watch out, dragon! When we’re done saving everyone, you’re next!” Pinkie Pie declared before joining her friends to save the people.

“If anyone’s watching us right now, you better not switch channels!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed before they all rush in with Flash Sentry and Lil Flash following close behind them.





The dragon swings its head around to spread its dragon’s fire everywhere it can, setting buildings in the vicinity aflame. At an apartment caught in the fire, the residents evacuate when Twilight Sparkle and Applejack arrive, observing the growing fire. “Applejack, break that fire hydrant open!” Twilight Sparkle points to the fire hydrant at the street corner.

“Say no more!” with a hat tip and karate-chop, Applejack lops off a fire hydrant cap, letting water gush out.

Twilight Sparkle telekinetically bends the water to spray the apartment and extinguish the fire. Her job wouldn’t be over as fire engulfs more buildings. Applejack meanwhile escorts the former residents of these apartments before Twilight Sparkle extinguishes the fires. Unfortunately for the single telekinetic, with every building set on fire, two more burst aflame. “Gosh, where’s the fire department? I can’t take out all these fires all by myself!” She stressed to herself.

At a crumbling florist, customers evacuate with Wallflower Blush among them. She was the last to leave, when the doorway abruptly collapses on her, trapping her by the legs. “Oh, of all the days to get crocuses, it had to be today!” She tries to pull herself out of the wreckage when she hears cracking above her, seeing the floor above crumbling.

She braces herself when- “Gotcha!” -Rainbow Dash picks her up and carries her before it could fall on her.

She still wasn’t used to people helping her, and was stuck staring until Rainbow Dash sets her down beside other evacuees and Sunset Shimmer comes to her side. “You okay, Wallflower?” she asked.

“Yeah, thanks to you two.”

“Did you really think we’d forget you?” Sunset Shimmer chuckled.

“I was hoping not.” Wallflower Blush smiled before she and the evacuees are lead away as the florist crumples into rubbles.

At Carousel Boutique, Prim Hemline and shoppers rush to the exit when the ceiling above the door collapses, trapping them inside. “Someone, help us!” the owner shouted.

Fortunately, Rarity and Pinkie Pie come just in time to their aid. “Hold on, everyone!” Pinkie Pie shouted to everyone inside.

“This is much too heavy for us, and our strongwoman’s occupied.” Rarity assessed the damage before them.

“I got an idea.” Pinkie Pie takes a caramel from her pocket. “Fire in the hole!” She throws it at the debris, blowing a hole through it.

Quickly, Rarity throws diamond shields to expand it. “Single file, don’t shove!” she said to the evacuees as they exit the building before it collapses. “Quick thinking, Pinkie.” She turned to her.

“I try.” Pinkie Pie responded proudly.

They hear a camera snap and turn to see Flash Sentry taking their picture with Lil Flash. “Good job, girls!”

Then, the rest of their friends join the three, tired and sweating from the rescues. “We haven’t evacuated everyone, and only just now emergency services arrived.” Twilight Sparkle announced.

Then, a flaming jet hurtles overhead, followed by another, and another. The smoke clears briefly to show the dragon decimated the entire squadron, letting out a victorious, quaking roar. “Emergency services can take over rescues. Let’s take down that dragon!” Rainbow Dash pointed to the dragon.

The dragon breathes fire on the town, and only its eyes burn through the thick smog. “I hope our magic’s powerful enough.” Rarity’s confidence falters.

“If not us, what could take it down?” Twilight Sparkle wondered.

Then, a mysterious alien sound blares, followed by faint rainbow streaks swirling within the smoke cloud. The streaks fade, and in its place are a pair of what can only be described as a pair of glowing white angry eyes beaming through the darkness like fog lights. The entity who the eyes belong to lets out a distorted roar, almost sounding like a man screaming. In response, the dragon roars back.

The eight stares in disbelief of the newly-arrived entity, snapped out of it by Flash Sentry unconsciously snapping a picture of it. “What the heck is that?!” Pinkie Pie screamed.

The dragon gallops towards the entity, only to be smacked violently by whatever appendages it has. “Whatever it is, it’s buying us time to finish saving everyone.” Sunset Shimmer commented.

“Let’s get back to saving everyone, then we can worry about the dragon and…” Twilight Sparkle looks to the white eyes battling the dragon. “…that thing.”

They scatter through the streets to save whomever they can find. Flash Sentry goes to follow them, but is dragged away by Fluttershy. “I think that’s enough photos today, Flash.” She advised.

As Pinkie Pie searches through rubble for trapped people, she hears a faint dog’s whine coming from the nearby evacuated Sugarcube Corner. She enters the café and sees a scared blue Doberman sitting inside.

“Hey, there, little fella.” Pinkie Pie approaches the dog, who responds with growling as it takes a defensive stance. “I wish Fluttershy were here. Animals are her thing.” She said to herself.

Smoke advances and fills the street, flooding into Sugarcube Corner. As it seeps inside the building, Pinkie Pie and the dog cough before she covers her mouth and nose with her scarf. With the dog briefly distracted from its coughing fit, she grabs and carries it. “Hey, put me down!” the dog growled with a young woman’s voice.

“You talk?!” Pinkie Pie said in surprise before the dog jumps out of her arms.

“I don’t- *COUGH* -have time for this!” the dog growled. “I gotta rescue my dad!” the dog runs for the exit when the building quakes and she stops in place.

Outside, the dragon and the entity’s battle advance upon the smoky street corner where the café sits. With an unearthly scream, the mysterious eyes are knocked down by the dragon, causing a quake that destabilizes the café, allowing debris to fall around Pinkie Pie and the dog, trapping them inside the building.

“Curses, we’re trapped.” The dog groaned. “If I weren’t a dog, I’d blow us outta this place.”

“That’s it, talking dog!” Pinkie Pie realized. She searches her pockets for candy to prime, but when she finds none on her clothes, she digs around her hair and produces Rarity’s deflated souffle. “I may not have gotten this to Rarity on time, but that doesn’t mean I’m letting it go to waste.” She winds up the souffle, aiming it at the blocked entrance. She tosses the dish, blowing open a small hole, not big enough for a person.

“Did that cake blow up? What kinda magic is that?!” the dog said.

Unfortunately, the small explosion wracked the already unstable building further, causing the ceiling to collapse onto the kitchen. In a panic, Pinkie Pie turns to the dog, who was still uncomfortable around her. “Hey, I don’t know why you’re talking and I have questions, but I gotta save you.” she then points to the hole in the debris. “I can’t fit through, but I know you can.”

“What about you, strange, two-legged thing?” the dog asked before Pinkie Pie hurriedly grabs her and carries her to the hole.

“When you get to safety, call for Twilight Sparkle!” Pinkie Pie requested.

“Wait, Twilight Sparkle? I—” Pinkie Pie pushes the dog out of the hole and onto the street.

“Get me help and I’ll be fine!” Pinkie Pie shouted through the hole before the pile collapses, closing off the exit. The last thing she sees is the dog running away before she’s trapped in the dark. “It’s… getting really hard to breathe in here.” Pinkie Pie panted before a violent cough.





Meanwhile, the seven friends gather at another street to report to each other. “I think that’s everyone evacuated from this block.” Fluttershy reported.

“Can confirm. I did two fly-bys to make sure everyone’s out.” Rainbow Dash added.

“And the fire department took care of most of the fire, but they can’t get anywhere near the dragon.” Twilight Sparkle added.

“Man, when are those two gonna give up?” Flash Sentry said as he and Lil Flash turn to the giants fighting.

“Um, where’s Pinkie Pie?” Fluttershy wondered.

“Twilight Sparkle!” a voice shouted, gaining Twilight Sparkle’s attention.

“Huh?” Twilight Sparkle turns around to the smoky street behind her.

Within the smoke, the dog runs towards them, seeing faint outlines of the group. Before the talking dog enters their sight, someone suddenly shoves her into a medium-sized dog carrier. “Hey! C’mon, lemme go!” the shadowy figure locks up the carrier and picks it up. “You’re messing with the wrong Dragon Lord, buddy!” the figure escapes with the dog into a nearby alley, disappearing out of sight.

Just after the dog is spirited away, emerging from the smoke and running towards the heroes is Bon Bon, a schoolmate of theirs. “Over here!” she called out to them.

“Bon Bon, are you alright?” Rarity asked her.

“We found your friend Lyra just now. She was looking all over for you!” Twilight Sparkle informed her.

“Lyra’s okay! Finally, some good news.” Bon Bon said in relief before remembering something. “Oh, I just saw Pinkie Pie save someone from Sugarcube Corner, but got trapped inside when it collapsed!” Bon Bon pointed to the direction of Sugarcube Corner.

“Thanks. We’ll take it from here!” Sunset Shimmer said before she and her friends dash to Sugarcube Corner, leaving Bon Bon behind.

“Hold on, Pinkie!” Rainbow Dash shouted. “We’re coming!”

As Pinkie Pie sits inside the ruined café, she hears voices outside and looks through a small crack to see her friends coming for her. “Guys, I’m in here!” Pinkie Pie shouted.

Before they could take another step, the dragon breathes a wall of fire between them and the café, stopping them in place. “No!” Sunset Shimmer shouted.

As the dragon spews flame from within the smoke cloud, dark arms grab its wings, pulling it away from them, tossing it aside with a loud thud. The girls look up to see the white eyes floating above the café, then suddenly lowers, as if the entity collapsed to its knees, if it has any.

As it kneels, its eyes shine through the cracks of the ruined Sugarcube Corner, beaming upon Pinkie Pie’s face. She looks up, and she swears it knows she’s there, looking at her.

The entity roars in pain before a pair of burning red eyes appear behind it. With a swipe of its claws, the dragon violently pushes the entity down, crushing the café beneath it. “Pinkie!” everyone shouted out in terror as the eyes crash onto the street, beaming its eyes right at them. The dragon lets out another beastly roar as the entity’s eyes fade away. Afterwards, it spreads its wings, sweeping away smoke as it flies away.

The smoke clears away, revealing the defeated entity disappeared, leaving only a pile of bricks. “No, no, no… this can’t be happening!” Twilight Sparkle panicked as everyone rushes to the wreck. They all dig through the debris, Flash Sentry included, rushing as fast as they can to find their friend.

It was when Rarity shovels bricks with her diamond shield she becomes speechless to what she unearthed. “Pinkie…” she whimpered as her friends come to her, horrified and shocked at what she found.

Absolutely nobody had any words as they look into the wreck, until Fluttershy breaks down and collapses into tears.

Lil Flash curiously hovers over to the hole, but Flash Sentry catches it, solemnly turning it away from the wreck.

“Pinkie…” Rarity winced. “…I’m so sorry…”

To be continued…