//------------------------------// // All things come to an end Part 2 // Story: New Beginnings // by Saro0fdemonz //------------------------------// Piper sat down beside the corpse of Rainbow Dash, his ears flat against his head. "Amethyst...I got a favor to ask..." he said quietly. The Kirin looked at him. "I need you to use my body to bring back Rainbow." the ponies stared at him in shock. "Piper thats crazy talk!" Penny yelled at him. He spun, staring her down. "We're wasting time. Look, all of the other Elements changed to match the pony they belong to, but Loyalty never changed when it landed on me. Because I'm not meant to be Loyalty. That's why the Elements didn't work! and because of that Rainbow is dead. She is the only one who can truly wield the Element of Loyalty and we all know it. Amethyst, you can use that spell, the transwhatever spell." Amethyst shook his head. "I don't even know if I can Piper, my magic isn't that strong...The only living thing I used it on was Sweet Apple Acres and that was just a bunch of dirt and trees. I can't imagine what it would do to a pony or if it would even work." "It would...but we'd have to use it within the next few minutes or we'd lose Rainbow Dash forever." Emerald said quietly. "That's good enough. Amethyst, I know you can do this, you gotta try!" Piper said, standing before him. "Maybe Emerald could, her magic is better than mine." Amethyst suggested. Piper shook his head. "You're the only one with the heart to do it Amethyst. You and I know Emerald is too sensitive to cast it. Its gotta be you." Piper stared into the Kirin's eyes, silently begging. "Now hold on jus' a minute! Piper if we use that Spell then you'll die!" Hayseed yelled. "I don't care." he said softly, glancing back at Rainbow Dash. "I have to do it. Amethyst...the spell." Piper said, standing beside Rainbow Dash. Amethyst sighed. "Alright...I'll do it." the ponies gasped. "You can't be serious...y...you're going to kill him!" Honeycrisp screamed. Sunburst shook with silent sobs, hugging the pegasus tightly. "Piper...you idiot..." The pegasus hugged back gently. "Hey, don't get all mushy on me again." He said softly. he nudged her away gently, the pegasus nodding as she understood, huddling the frightened ponies away from him as he turned back to Amethyst. "Are you ready?" The kirin asked somberly. "To die? No, not really." Piper said with a laugh. Amethyst chuckled a little, though it held no mirth. He was, after all, about to kill his friend. Together they took a deep breath, Amethyst muttering a chant under his breath, a dark purple glow surrounding him, Piper, and Rainbow Dash. Piper shook slightly as the glow began to eat away at his body. It started out slow, chewing away his mane and tail, but once it reached his ears he clenched his teeth, gasping in pain as it reached his hooves. In moments the room was filled with screams of agony as Amethyst's spell slowly tore the pegasus apart. Amethyst faltered for a moment, Piper glaring at him. "D...Don't stop! We gotta save her!" he screamed, his eyes bloodshot as he stumbled a little. Amethyst nodded glumly, continuing the spell. Piper screamed again, falling to the ground as his hind leg vanished. Rainbow's wounds were slowly closing, color returning to her body. Piper panted a little, another scream filling the room as the spell tore into his next leg. Sunburst shielded the twins and Honeycrisp from the horrible sight of their friend and sibling being ripped to shreds. Though the sounds of anguish and the smell of blood filled the air around them. Tears dripped down Amethysts cheeks as he continued the spell, watching as his magic tore apart his friend. Scootaloo's eyes snapped open as she heard Piper scream. She painfully pushed to her hooves, her eyes scanning the room. She pushed her way through the rubble and ran towards the sound. She finally reached a small room, her eyes wide with terror as she saw Piper fall over. She ran toward him, Emerald gasping and saying something. Scootaloo never heard the Kirin as she leapt for Piper. A barrier slammed down between her and her son, the younger pegasus looking up at his mother. Scootaloo slammed her hooves into the barrier again and again "PIPER!" She screamed through her tears. The pegasus crawled to the edge of the barrier, placing his hoof against it and smiling through the pain. Scootaloo rested her hoof opposite his on the barrier. All she could do was watch as he faded away. He mouthed three little words before finally vanishing into thin air, a single orange feather left in a pool of blood. Scootaloo collapsed on the other side of the barrier. "PIPER!!!" Emerald let her barrier fall away, slowly walking toward her brother. He shook with held back sobs, his eyes tightly shut. "Is it over...?" he asked her quietly, his voice hoarse. "Yes..."she answered softly. She lifted the Element of Loyalty from the pool of Pipers blood, unable to make herself face Scootaloo who clung to the remaining feather. Rainbow Dash began to stir, rubbing a hoof against her head. "what the hay happened?" she muttered as she sat up. She stared around her, her eyes wide as they settled upon the scene before her. "wheres Piper!?" she demanded. Scootaloo shook her head, unable to speak through her tears. Rainbow's heart sank as she turned to Amethyst and Emerald. "It was the only way..." Emerald said quietly, tears streaming down her cheeks as she placed the Element of Loyalty around Rainbow's neck. The Element glowed brightly as it returned to its proper owner. "He sacrificed himself for you...for us..." Emerald explained. "No...I killed him..." Amethyst said. Everypony turned to him as he hung his head. "He asked me to kill him...and I did it...I'm to blame for this...and I'll accept whatever punishment you decide for me." he said as he walked past Rainbow Dash. "But that will have to wait until later. We still have to stop Discord." he said, his voice empty of any emotion. "Piper knew the price he would have to pay. He knew his role in this and he fulfilled it. Now we have to fulfill ours." Dinky stared at the man in horror. There was no way he could still be alive. Riku had defeated him so long ago. He shouldn't have been there. But she had to remind herself that this was Discords insanity she had plunged herself into. Anything could happen here. "You seem surprised to see me Pony." "Its not everyday someone comes back from the dead." She took a few slow steps backwards, her screwdriver whirring quietly as she held it in her magic. This was the real Xayir. Somehow Xayir had returned. It must be Discords Magic. But how could his magic do this if he was sealed in stone. How would he have escaped? None of this makes sense! "Whats wrong? Are you scared? Confused? Trying to wrap your head around it. Let me help you with that." He grabbed hold of her horn and grinned, the unicorn's eyes wide in fear. "LET GO OF MY MUFFIN!" Xayir turned and gasped in pain as a very ticked off Ditzy slammed into his side, followed quickly by Riku and Nyx, blades out and pinned to the Nobodies neck. "Alright, talk! How are you still alive?" Riku glared at Xayir as the man chuckled. "You never finished me off punk and you won't ever get the chance!" Flames rose from his body, causing them to leap away before they were consumed by them. Dinky lowered her head and charged, roaring as she rushed through the flames, ignoring the pain as the fire singed her coat. Xayir turned toward her in time to have her horn spear his stomach. "NOW RIKU!" She screamed, her magic zipping through the insides of the nobody stuck on her horn. Riku rushed forward, stabbing his keyblade into Xayirs back. The nobody only grinned and coughed as black flames consumed him. "You know this isn't the end keyblade wielder...we will meet again." the flames vanished and Dinky collapsed. "DINKY!" The Doctor caught her and she smiled. He sighed as he looked at her, patches of her coat and mane having been burnt away. She pushed herself to her hooves and placed her hoof against the pitch black wall. "There's...an exit here...I found it while I was wandering..." she pushed her hoof against it, her horn glowing dimly as she fell through, the others quickly following behind her. Riku turned to Nyx and nodded. "You stay here and keep them safe Nyx, I'm going to go help the Elements." "I'm going too..." Dinky mumbled, vanishing as she teleported away. Piper smiled at her, ignoring the pain as he managed to say three words. "I love you..." the spell swallowed him and the pain vanished. Piper opened his eyes, surprised he could still do so. All around him was bright white light. Though he felt as if he was standing on solid stone. "Piper, you've given so much. I am proud of you and your sacrifice." Piper turned toward the voice, finding a tall figure staring back at him. Her mane was long and filled with flames, her coat a swirling hue of colors and her eyes the purest of light. "Harmony. You knew all along that I wasn't Loyalty didn't you?" Piper asked. "No Piper, you are Loyalty. In the end, you had a choice to keep the Element for yourself and try to make it work. But you decided to return it to its previous owner and make the ultimate sacrifice." "No. The Elements failed because I'm not Loyalty. I was just a burden to them...At least this way I managed to do some good for them. They needed Loyalty to defeat Discord and now they have it." The Goddess smiled at him and sat beside him, resting a pitch black wing over his shoulder, stars drifted across it, her other wing filled with billowing clouds. "My dear pegasus, you misunderstand your role. Even in death you keep Loyal to your friends." Piper looked up at her. "So I am dead? What is this place? is this...pony heaven or something?" Piper asked, surprised when the Alicorn laughed. "Not quite Piper. This is a realm beyond that. Hidden away from common ponies. This is a place where the most important decisions are made. It is here that I can touch the other realms and it is here where a choice will be made." "A choice?" Piper asked confused. The Alicorn nodded, a window appearing in front of him. "The fate of Equestria rests in your hooves now Piper. You have sacrificed much already, but I am sorry to say that you must make yet another for the ones you love." The pegasus turned his attention to the window, an image coming into view. "What do I have to do?" he asked without a moments hesitation. The ponies remained silent as they walked through the remains of the castle, guided toward Discord by Emeralds magic. Scootaloo stayed at the back of the group, Piper's feather sitting in her mane. Rainbow draped a wing over her, but it didn't do much to comfort her. Rainbow sighed quietly. "I'm so sorry Scootaloo...its all my fault...if I had just been faster..." "No..." Rainbow looked up from the ground to see a wounded unicorn. "Dinky! You're ok!" Honeycrisp hugged her tightly, the unicorn wincing slightly. "Yes I am, and so is Piper. I don't really have anytime to explain, but you should know that there was no way to prevent this. From the very beginning Piper was meant to sacrifice himself, though there were many different occasions it might happen at, it seems fate chose this one." "You knew...You knew all along he was going to die and you said nothing!?" Scootaloo yelled. "I'm sorry. I wasn't allowed to speak until no..." "JUST STOP! I'm so sick and tired of everypony saying that. Quit keeping us out of the bucking loop and tell us whats going on!" Dinky sighed and stared at Scootaloo blankly "Do you want to die that badly?" she asked softly, though the words held the weight of bricks on the pegasi's mind. "w..what?" "Its bad enough that I already know all of this. Not even the Doctor is meant to have this knowledge. Its not how the TARDIS was meant to be used! Who knows what could happen if it were revealed to anypony else? I was more curious than I should have been and should I tell any of you the events that are to pass before they have a chance to, then it will directly result in your death and the end of Equestria as we know it. Pipers Sacrifice was necessary and thanks to him we have a chance to save Equestria. Would you ruin that just for a bit of information?" Dinky demanded of the heartbroken mother. Scootaloo lowered her head, having no answer. "Good, now if you're done demanding things of me we have to save the others and stop Discord." "what did she mean by 'So is Piper'? I'm not dead?" He asked. "Not yet Piper. Due to the nature of your sacrifice you are being given a chance to continue on living." "This is that choice you mentioned isn't it?" The Alicorn nodded. "If I decide to stay here and let them defeat Discord, what will happen?" "I cannot truly say for sure. They might succeed, but the chances are slim." "But why?! They have the real Element of Loyalty now!" "They may have an Element of Loyalty, but it is not their Element of Loyalty. Though Rainbow Dash is an important pony to them, they are not friends bound by the Elements. Rainbow Dash is bound only to the previous Elements and thus the Elements most likely will not work if she tries to use them with your friends." "Then I have to go back!" he turned toward the window, the Alicorn resting a hoof on his shoulder. "You cannot simply return Piper. Though I wish it were that simple. Balance must be kept or the realms could be torn apart. We have already put them in danger by remaining here for so long." "I don't care. I'll do whatever it takes!" He declared, staring up at her. The Alicorn nodded. "Are you sure of this Piper? No matter what it takes, will you return to save your friends? Even if it means you could lose everything?" Piper nodded. "I already gave my life for Grandma Dash. There isn't much left to lose. Even if there was, I have to help them." Harmony smiled and gently kissed his forehead. "Then go to them my dear Pegasus. They are waiting for you." The window stretched until it took the shape of a door, leading into an empty hall of the castle. "But know this Piper. You will only have an hour to reach them and defeat Discord. After that, you will have to return here." Piper nodded and leapt through the door. "Good luck Piper." she said, vanishing as the door closed. Twilight hung her head, panting heavily as her magic failed her again. "Are you still trying to break free? You really are persistent. Its a shame you're so focused on this boring balance you ponies call life." Discord said from his throne, Twilight glared at him for a moment and sighed, saying nothing to him. Even though she had her horn she still couldn't use her magic to break free of her cage. Even if she did manage it he would just send her back into it, or worse. Discord stood in front of her cage, staring into her eyes. "Come now Twilight, don't fight it. You know you're tired, just relax and have some fun." "Leave her alone you meany!" Pinkie Pie screamed at him from her cage. "Oh come on Pinkie, why are you of all ponies angry with me? I thought you liked having fun" "Your kind of fun hurts ponies. Its like a bad prank." she pouted, glaring at him. Twilight cast her eyes over to Luna and Celestia who stood on either side of Discords throne, bound to it by the shackles and chains around their necks. She took a slow breath, focusing her magic once more as Discord turned his attention to Pinkie Pie, the two getting into an endless argument. Twilight could feel her magic building, though it refused to release itself. She felt lighter for a moment, opening her eyes to see Sweetie belle lending what magic she could to her. Thank you Twilight mouthed to her, the younger unicorn nodded, closing her eyes and feigning sleep once more. Twilight kept her magic focused on the royal sisters, Luna's eyes wide as she caught sight of her. Before Luna could argue she found herself teleported free of her chains as well as Celestia. Twilight smiled and fainted as Discord turned in surprise. Nova screamed in surprise as her mother and aunt appeared in front of her "NO!" Luna screamed, the ponies stopped as they watched the shocked expression on the Alicorn's face. She sunk to the ground, Celestia draping a wing over her. "She did what she had to sister...now we must return the favor." "So you're in the same boat as us." Amethyst said quietly. Celestia looked at him and then at the other ponies with him, her eyes stopping on the feather in Scootaloo's mane. "So it was true...he gave himself for Rainbow Dash didn't he?" Celestia asked. Amethyst nodded. "I killed him..." "No you didn't, quit saying that!" Emerald said. "It doesn't matter, we have to stop Discord." "No...the Elements are useless without Piper." Luna said as she pushed to her hooves. "WHAT?!" The group exclaimed. Celestia nodded. "Rainbow Dash is bound only to the previous Element holders, so she cannot lend the strength that is needed for the Elements to work." "Well that's just great!" Amethyst yelled in frustration, slamming his head through the nearest wall, turning it into rubble. He sank to the ground, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I killed my friend...for nothing!" "Aw come on Amethyst, are you really gonna start crying?" Piper asked. The group spun, finding him standing behind them. "PIPER!" Scootaloo rushed to him, hugging him tightly. "I love you so much...I'll never leave you again." "Mom, we don't have a lot of time. I've only got less than an hour." he quickly explained, pulling out of her grasp, just barely catching the Element of Loyalty as Rainbow tossed it toward him. The rainbow maned pegasus smiled as it latched itself to him, the lightning bolt changing to a bright orange stone in the shape of a shield. Piper grinned a little. "Alright everypony, gather 'round. Here's the plan." Piper said, explaining how they were going to defeat Discord. Amethyst grinned a little as Piper finished. "Looks like you're really the Loyalty we need Piper." "That's not important Amethyst. Besides, I can't stay..." he said quietly. "Why not?!" the twins demanded. "Because he isn't of this realm anymore." Dinky said quietly. "Come on, we're wasting time." Piper said, not leaving anypony a chance to ask questions as they marched to Discords throne room. "You sneaky little pony. If only you could see the world as I do, you have such talent." He said, only slightly angered with the unconscious Alicorn. He had to admit her tactic had been quite mischievous and he could always appreciate that. Though he was still upset he couldn't turn Pinkie Pie to his side, she really was a wonderful bundle of unexplainable chaotic energy. He glanced around the room at the ponies in their cages and sighed, his eyes stopping on an orange mare who kept her back to him. "You know if you ponies weren't so boringly annoying I wouldn't have to leave you in these cages." he mumbled. "Go buck yerself." Applejack said quietly. She had taken the loss of Rainbow Dash hard, harder than anypony else had. "Oh come now Applejack, is this about my minions killing your beloved Rainbow?" Discord asked as if he truly cared. Applejack had no answer, leaving the draqonicous to his self rambling and chocolate rain. Discord smiled a little as Celestia and Luna entered the room. "Well well well, come back to save them have you?" He asked, though neither of them held an answer. "I would've thought the two of you would be smart enough to run. Without your precious Elements you are powerless." "That may be true Father. Without them WE are powerless. But they aren't." Luna said. Discord looked around the room and raised an eyebrow. "Who?" "US!" several ponies cried out together. Three pegasi zipped past Discord, knocking him backwards into his throne. The angered god of chaos snapped his claws to remove their wings, surprised when his magic bounced off them. He looked down to see a green kirin, her horns glowing brightly and her lips moving quickly with a chant. Her spell combining the might of Dragon and Unicorn magic. "Impressive. She can hold back my power. She must be the real Element of Magic then." Discord moved towards the Kirin, a purple one blocking his path, fire swirling around him as he began a chant of his own. The flames rose higher into the air, forming pillars around him and Discord. "Oh come now. You may be Kirin but you cannot hope to battle me alone." "Oh I don't plan to" he said with a grin. Discord blinked as an orange blur slammed into him, then a yellow one, and then a blue one. The three pegasi rolled around him in the air, slowly picking up speed. "GET READY!" Piper called out to Rainbow and Sunburst. "ON MY MARK!" he yelled through the cone of air pulling at his body. "NOW!" he screamed, the three pushing their way toward Discord, their paths crossing. As each pony passed one another the cones around them shattered, sending them rocketing forward and leaving a massive explosion of colors in front of the stunned Draqonicous. The triple rainboom hit him with enough force to send him flying backwards, making his head spin. The three pegasi continued around him, using the speed of their sonic rainboom to spin colors around him like rope, binding him in its mystical power. "TURN!" he yelled, all three zipping up and backwards in sync, bolting toward Emerald. "NOW EMY!" Piper yelled. The Kirin nodded, her eyes glowing brightly as she called out to her magic, each Element beginning to glow. Discord could only watch in terror as the Kirin's and ponies floated into the air, being dragged by the combined might of the pegasi. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Discord screamed as the Elements power burst forth, cutting into him and slowly turning his body to stone. Time stood still as he glared at the three pegasi, the stone covering his mouth before he could spit any insults at them. Piper, Sunburst and Rainbow landed, exhausted and smiling. Piper stepped forward and stared at the statue. "Its over...its finally over." he gasped in pain and toppled over. "PIPER!" The cages faded away, those held prisoner within them falling to the ground and rushing to their friends. The Alicorns surrounded Piper as he lay on his side. He smiled up at them as his cutiemark appeared. A bright orange shield with a sword stabbed through it. The hilt of which held a bright red ruby. "True Loyalty." Luna said softly. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle lifted him, holding him tightly between them. "Piper, its ok now. Everything is gonna be ok." He nuzzled them gently and closed his eyes. "Yea...it is..." he said weakly. Applejack stared at them, not sure if what she saw was real. "Rainbow..." The pegasus smiled slightly and hugged her. "A...Am ah dreamin? please tell me ya'll are really here..." "I'm here Aj...you can thank Piper for that..." "Piper? what do ya mean sugarcube?" "Allow me to answer that." a voice echoed around them. A bright light appeared in the room, taking the form of an Alicorn. Celestia and Luna bowed their heads, everypony else just staring in shock. "Rise my daughters." The figure smiled for a moment before turning her attention to Piper. "You did well Piper, but I do hope you remember what I spoke to you about." The pegasus nodded. "My hour is up isn't it?" he asked weakly. The Alicorn nodded sadly. "Unfortunately yes. I am afraid that you will have to come with me Piper." "NO! I already lost him once, I won't lose him again!" Scootaloo screamed. Piper wrapped his hooves around her. "It'll be ok mom..." he said softly. "Piper..." "I promise...somehow...I'll come back." he said to her, watching as she broke down into tears, her cries filling the room. Sweetie Belle could hold herself back no longer, breaking down alongside her as they held him. "Do not fear my dear ponies. For I believe that Piper will find a way to keep his promise." The Alicorn said as she stood near them. "For now, he and I must be away. Luna, Celestia, thank you for all you have done. And Twilight Sparkle, I would personally like to welcome you to our family, but I have a busy schedule. I am only allowed here now to fetch Piper." She gently pried him free of his parents grip, laying him across her back. "As for you, My Elements. I cannot possibly thank you enough for all you have done and sacrificed. Especially you Amethyst. I know it was hard for you to do as Piper requested, but it is thanks to your strength and determination to do what must be done that Piper could fulfill his role. Do not punish yourself, you have done well. I ask that you Protect the Elements as you have sworn to do. Remember, I will be watching." he nodded. "Piper, wherever your going...be careful, alright?" Amethyst spoke up, holding back a sob. the pegasus nodded weakly, smiling at his friends. "Shall we go Piper?" he nodded once more, vanishing along with the Alicorn. Sweetie Belle fainted, just barely caught by Scootaloo who kept her eyes focused on the spot where her son had last been. Rainbow sat beside her, wrapping a wing around her as Applejack sat on her other side. "He's definitely your kid Scoots..." "Where are we going?" Piper asked. "There are beings we must speak with Piper. Creatures whose power makes mine look severely insignificant. My creators." she explained. The pegasus laughed a little. "Its funny to know that even gods have gods." The alicorn smiled a little as she walked through the endless white abyss. Piper sighed as he lay against her back. "Harmony..." "Yes Piper?" "Will I really be able to keep my promise?" her smile grew. "I'm certain you will be able to Piper, though it will take time before you can return again. Month's, perhaps years. That is what they will tell us." "who?" "Us." a voice boomed. Piper raised his head to find six tall black pillars, figures hidden at the top of each one. He gulped. "Piper, son of Scootaloo, adopted grandson of Rainbow Dash, holder of True Loyalty. You have been brought before us to be judged." The ponies made their way out of the ruins of the old castle. Though the day had been won, nopony felt like celebrating. Strawberry swirl pouted and stood in front of them, halting their progress. "Now wait just a minute! Why are we all so sad!? Piper said he was gonna come back and Piper never breaks a promise! He wouldn't want us to be sad like this, he would want us to be happy. We should throw a Thank you party for him! Even if he isn't here I bet if it was big enough he'd see it from wherever he is right now" Tears were starting to form in her eyes. Pinkie pie gently hugged her. "She's right." Scootaloo said, Pipers feather still in her mane. "He'll come back to us someday. We should look forward to it with a smile." Sweetie Belle nodded. "Maybe we could rest first?" Nova asked, a light blush on her face as Emerald rested a wing over her. Twilight smiled at her daughter and the Kirin. "Rest sounds like a wonderful idea and then we'll start planning that party." Twilight's horn began to glow dimly, Luna shaking her head. "Oh no you don't Twilight Sparkle. You already used enough magic." Luna said, glaring at her. "TWILY!" Twilight turned to find Shining Armor rushing toward her. She smiled, pulling him into a hug. "Where's Discord?" he asked, looking around, his sword held in his magic. "Gone. Defeated again by the power of the Elements of Harmony and the bonds of friendship." Twilight said proudly. Shining Armor looked at Nova and her friends, smiling as he pulled his niece into a hug. "Hey, aren't you guys missing someone? Wheres your buddy?" he asked and instantly regretted it as a lone pink striped zebra burst into loud tears. "He's gone too..." Amethyst said quietly. "But he'll be back..." Strawberry said through her sobs. She looked past them to a cloaked figure and smiled, wiping away her tears. "He'll be back..." with a nod, the figure vanished. Well here it is. The end of New Beginnings. But wait! There's still one more chapter. The Epilogue, which I hope to have ready in just a little bit. Also the last chapter is most likely going to be rewritten. Hope you all enjoyed the story and I hope you will all keep your eyes open for the sequel!