//------------------------------// // The Tower // Story: The Day Of Red Sky // by Spell Bound //------------------------------// The chaos seemed to be subsiding, but that was all an illusion. I's focus was simply moving away from Canterlot, and becoming widespread across all of Equestria. Not a single corner of Equestria was left untouched. Manehatten was being drowned in soda pop rain and the buildings had turned to liquorice. It was one of the lucky cities. Others were in worse state than Canterlot. They were ablaze with fires of many colours. Fillydelphia was ablaze with a bright blue fire. Canterlot itself was burning with a dark red and orange fire. It spread across the city now left unchecked by the chaotic presence of the monster. Canterlot castle was surrounded by a lightning storm. Lightning struck the path leading to the gates, and struck the castle itself causing sparks to fly and cause more fires. A dangerous journey for any foolish enough to head towards the castle. Unfortunately this was exactly the path the five bearers of harmony and their strange companion needed to take. "So Sweet Heart, how do we get up there? How did you get down from there without getting hit?" Twilight asked their companion "I...don't know. I wasn't in the castle when this storm started. Celestia sent me as soon as the chaos began to spread, and once I got to the bottom of the path the storm started. Nopony has been able to leave the Castle yet, so I really have no idea." Sweet Heart sat on the ground and looked up at the Castle in disbelief. The others also sat on the ground dejected. Twilight's and Sweet Heart's minds were racing, but for different reasons. "How do I get them up there without blowing my cover. I could just leave them.....no. I want them to witness Celestia's defeat." Sweet Heart thought. "The princess is going to be so disappointed. Damn that monster. Now we can't even reach the elements. Of course we can't, he wouldn't want us to reach the things that can stop him. I wonder if we can make it if we run......." Twilight thought. All the mares stared up at the castle, and they all jumped, even Sweet Heart, when Twilight stamped her hoof onto the stone road. "We're gonna have to run up the path." "Twilight dear, are you sure....It's so dangerous." "We don't have a choice Rarity. The princess needs us. Do you think you can all keep up with me. I might be able to redirect the lightning if it comes close." "I guess so darling." Rarity said with a sigh. "Meep!" Fluttershy hid behind her hair scared, but then nodded her head. She would stay close. "Okee Dokee Lokee." Pinkie's voice lacked enthusiasm, but she would stay close. "Ah'm ready." Twilight and Applejack looked at each other, and nodded. "What about you Sweet Heart?" "Huh? Oh yeah. I'll keep close." But she had no intention of doing so. Already a plan to mess with them even more had formulated in her mind. "Good. Let's get going." The 6 mares raced up the path, lightning striking in front of them and to their sides, but never quite hitting them. Once Fluttershy got her fur badly singed, but that only caused her to move faster. She literally pushed her friends in front of her to move quicker and dragged those behind her. They reached the castle doors faster than Twilight had expected and quickly entered inside. All the lights were off, leaving the castle a dark and eerie place. Wind blew through it, and there seemed to be frost on some of the pillars. "What in tarnation happened here Twi?" "I don't know AJ, but it doesn't look good." Just then lightning struck piercing one of the large glass windows and started a fire within the castle. "QUICKLY! GO! TO THE TOWER!" With added urgency the group ran up the stair and began running down the winding path that would lead them to the tower. Lightning struck the building all around them, spreading the fire even more. Now they had to run from fire and lightning. They were nearing the bridge leading to the tower, when lightning cut through the building blasting away a huge chunk. The force of it knocked all the mares onto the ground, and they had to press themselves down, as the wind from the storm picked up, and was threatening the throw them off into the distance. "STAY CLOSE TO THE FLOOR. WE NEED TO CRAWL TO THE TOWER!" Twilight shouted over the raging wind. One by one they began to crawl onto the bridge and make their way to the tower. Each mare was almost thrown off once. They arrived at the door to the tower, with only Sweet Heart left to make the journey. "COME ON SWEETIE! YOU CAN MAKE IT!" Pinkie called out. Sweet Heart raised her head to look at the Pink mare, and it was the last thing she saw. Lightning struck her. And if that didn't kill her instantly, being blown of the bridge by the raging winds would have. "NOOOOOOOOOO!" Each of the surviving mares cried. Tears poured down their faces. They may not have known the mare for very long, but she had rescued them from the Draconequus' trickery. Now she was gone, and they never had the chance to thank her. They entered the tower, and huddled together to cry. They stayed this way for a good five minutes until their tears had dried up, and they steeled themselves enough to continue up the tower to the princess. =============================================== The Draconequus floated outside the tower. He had peered through the window and witnessed them crying, and chuckled to himself. "Make them feel despair, then offer a shining beacon of hope. And when they are so close to achieving their goal, snuff it out." He breathed in and fed on the despair he had caused. It tasted the sweetest from the bearers of harmony. Now it's time for the final blow. The end games are upon us. And I shall enjoy them deeply." ================================================== Twilight led the group up the stairs and down the hall leading to the door which contained the elements. Rainbow and Celestia were already there, but looking out one of the windows at the storm and watching the city burn. The soft Clip-Clop of hooves didn't reach their ears until they were right behind them. Celestia was the first to turn round, Rainbow remaining still, mouth open, watching the chaos outside. "Ah girls. You're here." Celestia frowned at their downcast faces. "What’s wrong? What happened?" "Well princess, on our way here we got separated, and that monster showed us our fears and exposed out secrets. But we were saved by a mare you sent. She led us up to the tower, but before we could get in........"Twilight choked on her words, so Rarity finished for her. "The mare that led us here got struck by lightning, and blown of the bridge. I'm sorry princess....but Sweet Heart is no more." Celestia felt sorrow for her little ponies, but also worry and curiosity. "I'm sorry she's gone, and I don't want to be rude but....Who's Sweet Heart? I didn't send anypony to collect you." "Indeed not 'Mother'. I sent myself. And disguised myself as Sweet Heart so they would trust me. I mean, why wouldn’t you trust a sweet, beautiful mare that has three love hearts for a cutie mark. Make them feel despair, and then offer a shining beacon of hope. And when they are so close to achieving their goal, snuff it out." Said a familiar female voice. Each mare turned around to look at the doorway, and found Sweet Heart standing there with a smug smirk on her face. Rainbow Dash was the first to recover and moved away from the window. "Spell what are you doing? Why are you disguised as a mare again? Why are you saying those things?" As soon as Rainbow said those words, the dots finally connected in Twilights head. "No....It can't be.....Spell...you're the...." "The monster? The Draconequus? Yes." Sweet Heart, now know to be Spell Bound, began chuckling, and broke out into a full blown chaotic laugh as he was consumed in green fire. When it dissipated there was no sign of Sweet Heart. All that remained was the Draconequus that had taunted them throughout their journey. "I'm back, and better than ever." He broke out laughing once more as all the mare's in the room eyes opened wide and the cowered slightly, with the exception of Celestia who took a step backwards holding a hoof to her mouth in disbelief whispering “No." The End Games are here. And we are reaching the end point. Oh dear. How will it end. And Lolster if you say anything to ruin the ending I will eat yer face.