//------------------------------//
// "You're their leader now..." 
// Story: Celestia VS Luna 
// by Pinkamena666 
//------------------------------//

	Derpy ran downstairs.
"Somepony help!" she yelled. "Somep..." She stopped when she saw the others staring at her. "What?" She looked down and saw Celestia on the floor. "What happened?"
Rainbow Dash trotted up to her angrily, causing Derpy to back up into the wall. She let out a grunt as Dash stopped in front of her and held her against the wall.
"WHAT'D YOU DO?!" yelled the cyan pegasus
"I-I didn't do anything!" cried the cross-eyed mare. 
"I saw you leave the Lounge just before the princess collapsed," said Trixie, taking a step forward with a disappointed look on her face.
"I-I didn't do it," said Derpy. "I was locked in a closet by somepony who looked exactly like me!" The others looked at each other. "Why would I wanna hurt the princess?!"
Dash eyed her and sighed, letting her go. "Okay, Derp. Did you at least see where the other you went?"
"O-Out the window..."
Rarity thought for a second. "All right. So somepony used a mimic spell, but... it had be a unicorn... or else how could they have flown... Perhaps a flight spell with a mimic spell?"
"Also a spell to poison the drink..." said Dash, spotting the glass on the floor. "because... I don't think this hotel carries poison."
"Three overlapping spells?" asked Trixie. "Meant to only take out the princess?"
Fluttershy gasped. "You don't think..."
"She poisoned her own sister," said Dash, walking up the glass and kicking it across the floor.



Derpy approached the castle courtyard and burst into black smoke. The smoke reformed into Luna as she landed, taking a a few steps forward before looking over her shoulder.
"Now, that you are no longer a problem..." she said as if expecting Celestia to hear.
One of Luna's pegasus guards trotted up to her. "What are your orders, then, mistress?"
Luna eyed him. "Gather every guard. Have them meet here. The time has come."
The guard nodded and turned away, off to follow his orders. Luna looked back in the direction form where she came.



Twilight sat next to the bed in one of the larger rooms. Celestia lay on the bed, weak from the drink.
"You're not gonna... die... are you?" asked the unicorn, tears in her eyes.
"No, dear Twilight," answered the princess. "I'm just weak. Did you carry out the task?"
Twilight nodded. "The Appaloosians are in a hotel down the street."
"Good work, Twilight. I knew you and Applejack would be successful."
Twilight closed her eyes. "If only I'd been here, maybe I could've--"
"It was not your fault," Celestia interrupted. "You have done nothing but the right thing throughout this crisis and I thank you. Your bravery is what we need right now." She paused. "You need to lead them into battle."
Twilight gasped and opened her eyes. "Wh-What?"
"All the towns that have not been corrupted are here in this town... awaiting a leader to help them win back their beloved country." She placed a hoof on the unicorn's shoulder. "Is that you?"
Twilight stared for a moment, not believing what she was being asked. "Th-This is a big responsibility."
"The biggest."
The unicorn thought for a second or two before answering. "I-I'll do it."
Celestia smiled. "Thank you, Twilight. And be sure to teach all unicorn's that light spell I taught you. "
Twilight nodded. "I will."
Celestia slowly closed her eyes. "Now, fulfill your mission, Twilight..."
Twilight rubbed the princess' side. "Sleep well..."
She hesitated before standing and leaving the room slowly closing the door.
"What happened?" asked Trixie.
The purple unicorn hesitated before looking at her. "I-I have an army to lead."
Trixie went wide-eyed. "What?"
"She made me the leader. I have to lead us into battle."
Trixie slowly smiled and put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "Well... Trixie's with you to the end, Twilight Sparkle."
Twilight chuckled slightly as Trixie used her old way of speaking again. The blue unicorn let out a giggle of her own.
"Thanks, Trix," said Twilight, before heading outside to begin her mission.