//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: As long as evil exists // by jidbrony //------------------------------// Chapter 4 Canterlot, a most magnificent city, it's elegance rivaled that of any place in all of Equestria. Which is of course why it was the capital of this great nation and the home of the two Princesses Celestia and Luna for the last 1000 years or so. Twilight and her friends eventually arrived to the city riding the Friendship express, the only train that travels to the known corners of Equstria, they got off and began making there way to the Castle. "Ah I so do adore Canterlot its filled with class and style." Rarity said as she looked in awe at the wonderful architecture of the capital city. "Yes Rarity you've told us a thousand times before." Applejack said looking annoyed "You say the same thing every time we come here and it's starting to get annoying. We get it, you love Canterlot! " "Well, I can't help it this place is always so dazzling." Rarity said, giving Applejack a glaring look. "Yeah and shiny." Pinkie Pie added as she bounced up and down the streets as she followed the others. "Were almost at the Castle." Twilight added getting tired of all the bickering from her friends after a long trip. The mane six finally made it to the city center but they were shocked to see what happened. The city center was practically destroyed. Most of the buildings were ruined and wrecked, Twilight and the others were shocked to see such destruction in what was once a beautiful city. "How could those little bugs cause so much damage!" Rainbowdash said seeming shocked at the carnage. "I mean I know their destructive and all but never to this degree." "Oh no, not Donut Joe's." Spike said as he ran to the ruins of his once favorite Donut Shop he then kneeled on the ground with a look of defeat on his face. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Spike screamed to the heavens. "Look even the Castle has a few scratches on it." Twilight said pointing to the monumental Castle that towered over the city, but now it mystique seemed shattered as smoke and cracks protruded through it the outer walls had a few small wholes in them and some of the windows were smashed. "We better hurry!" Twilight said racing towards the castle gates, her friends following behind her. They eventually made there way to the castle man throne chambers, the stain glass windows still were intact although there were a few cracks on the walls. Twilight looked at the ones of her and her friends deeds that were made in honor of there heroism. She especially took note of the one that was dedicated to her friends after the defeated Discord. She just starred at it for a moment remember how she felt almost defeated but in the end the strength of her friendship prevailed. "Ah glorious memories." Said a voice in the distance. Twilight looks at the picture as the stain glass Discord came to life. Twilight just looks annoyed to see him again after she had to ask him for help. "What is it with you Discord, is it follow Twilight day. " "No... That's next Tuesday." Discord retorted laughing at his own joke. "No, like I said I was doing a few random things here and there and saw that you are now her in Canterlot... wait... let me guess... your here to see...Celestia, correct?" "Well yes of course, why else would we be here." Twilight said tired of Discord's games. "I don't know, maybe your here to see poor Donut Joe. Poor guy, even I loved that Donut joint of his. It was filled with creamy goodness." "What do you want now Discord! It been a long day and I've been seeing you what seems like every six minutes." "No it hasn't.... It's every 10 minutes, I check." Discord then show's Twilight a stop watch he had on his wrist "But anyway... It's time for another game, it's called guess what Celestia going to say." Twilight just rolled her eyes she didn't have time for these type of games Princess Celestia was about to arrive with very serious information. 'Okay, Discord I give up what will Celestia say." "Oh the usual. Blah, blah , blah evil power, blah, blah, blah, need to stop it, blah ,blah ,blah, elements of harmony are the deus ex machina. Like she always says." Discord tone changed from sarcastic to angry during that last bit of information. "What's the point of this Discord." Twilight barked out. She turned around and saw that her other friends didn't seem to notice her conversation with a window. "The point is!" Discord said sounding extremely serious now. "That the same actions won't solve every solutions. The Elements won't always be there to solve the problem. Maybe one day they won't work." "The Elements always work because of the ....." "The power of friendship I know, I know. " Discord finished her sentence with a hint of sarcasms in his voice "I don't deny that the power friendship is strong, trust me, I learned that lesson the hard way. I know it's advantages, bust sometimes friendship alone won't be able to handle it, sometimes other actions that even you will not want' to take will be necessary. Like I always said Twilight you'll prove to me you can be a Princess when you can solve a three dimensional problem with a three dimensional answer." With a flash the Discord in the window turned back into a picture leaving Twilight to ponder Discod's words but with a hint of salt. ****** Watching with his all seeing cauldron Mumm-Ra witness the dispute between Discord and Twilight as he does the dark and decayed wheels in his mind began to twist and turn. "Bah! Discord, is becoming a nuisance, he must obviously know of my existence in the world. If not he has a inkling. His actions must obvious a ploy to thwart my evil intent on this planet. Thankfully for me Discord is one not to give a straight answer on anything so that will still allow me time. But I must be rid of that no good omnipotent entity soon before I can enact the final stages of my plan. But for now I must stick to the schedule. It is time for me to exit the confines of my crypt to begin the prelude to the destruction of this miserable world." Mumm-Ra then faces the Ancient Spirits of Evil straight forward razes his arms in the air the wind on the Pyramid begins to blow on Mumm-Ra robes and bandages his eyes glow red and Mumm-Ra begins the incantation. "Ancient Spirits of Evil...Transform this decayed form, to MUMM-RA, THE EVER, LIVING!" Then Mumm-Ra transforms from a decayed cloaked into a massive barbaric caped warrior demon wearing a ceremonial Egyptian helmet with two heads protruding from it. His muscles were immense the veins popping up from it. In the center of his chest a pink symbol with a twisted double headed snake on it." He then fly's off out of the Pyramid and into the distance. ****** Princess Celestia had arrived and to Twilight great surprise, Discord had predicted exactly what Celestia would say. Celestia said that the parasprite were corrupted be a evil that has not been seen in Equestria and that girls should have there Elements of Harmony with them. "But princess were did this evil come from." Twilight wondered "I am not sure, but something does seem familiar about it, but I cannot put my hoof on it." Princess Celestia said. "But I know that whatever it is you three will be able to defeat it I have my faith of you." "Thank you Princess." Twilight said. "What should we should now." "I would wish for you and your friends to stay here for now, I have arranged for you to stay here in the castle .I would personally hope Twilight that you would assist in the reform spell to change back the parasprites." "Of course princess." Twilight bowed as she and her friends exited the throne room and headed off to there rooms with there Elements of Harmony now on them. Princess Luna was entering the room as Twilight and friends were leaving, as soon as Twilight entered the main hallways she a small flash of light appear on her shoulder and turn out to be a miniaturized Discord. "Discord now what!" Twilight whispered angrily. "Stay outside the hallway near the entrance to the throne room and maybe you'll learn something." Discord said as he disappeared in a flash of light again. Twilight at first resisted Discord advice but then she noticed Celestia and Luna looking at each other as if someone had died on them. Twilight peaked through the crack on the door to listen in. "Sister why didn't you tell them the truth, you know he bounds to find them. Better to know now then wait." Luna said. "I know, I know. But I couldn't bare to tell them about him. His power can spread terror even to the strongest of souls. I didn't want to worry them." "Sister." Luna said sternly. "They are strong, they won't make the same mistakes we did with him." "I know but you know what he is capable of, what if he plans to do it again." Celestia said. "They won't let that happen. Plus I'm surprised normally I'm the one who has doubts." Luna said seeming worried about here sister. "I know but I just don't want to go through that pain again." Celestia said looking at Luna with great emotion. As Twilight watched this exchange through the crack in the door. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her teacher had for not only lied to her about the information but doubted her abilities. Twilight felt her heard being crushed by a giant bolder. Then Discord appeared on Twilight's shoulder again and learned toward her ear. "Well did you learn something." "Yeah, I learned that my teacher may not have faith in me." Twilight said her eyes almost tearing up. Discord seemed a little surprised this wasn't the emotion she was hoping for. "Um....Ah oh." ****** Deep in a mountainous regions of Equestria A large Doorway was imbedded into the side of one of the mountains the only visible structure that could be seen for miles, it was the gates of Tartarus. In the dark skies above Mumm-Ra descends from the skies and lands on the rocky terrains near the door. He stares at it for a brief moment trying to get a good of view of this mighty gateway. "Ah the entrance to Tartarus, one of the few places in Equestria were creatures that come close to my evil caliber lie." Mumm-Ra though about that statement for a few seconds. "Well not that close, but good enough for my needs right now." Mumm-Ra slowly begins to slowly put his hand towards the door metal exterior ready to open it and lets out its evil content within, but before he could touch the door a rumbling sound could be heard from a distance. He turned and saw a giant three headed dog Cerberus heading his way along with a army of several Minotaur's. "Stop him!" Shouted the head Minotaur. "I should have known." Mumm-Ra then put two fingers in his mouth a gave whistle. In the sky a vortex opened up and through it Mumm-Ra mangy decayed bull dog arrived ready for battle. "Ma-Mutt. Sick him!" Mumm-Ra pointed at Cerberus as Ma-Mutt headed toward him. Ma-Mutt using his own dark powers grew three times his size in order to be on equal footing with the three headed hound. He charged at Cerberus and attacked him ferociously, Ma-Mutts claws dig deep into Cerberus fur causing a large pools of blood to burst out. Cerberus tried to strike back even using his three heads to try and pin Ma-Mutt down but Ma-Mutt used his mystical energies to wound Cerberus finally striking the final blow when he grabbed Cerberus middle head by the neck and biting hard on it until it cracked causing the entire body to collapse. Mumm-Ra on the other dealt with several of the minotaur's going fighting hand to hand. Several of the minotaur's were able to handle there own for the most parts matching Mumm-Ra own physical prowls. When Mumm-Ra noticed that going hand to hand was going win him the day he looked up into the sky. "Ancient Spirits Evil, give the ancient weapon which has one several victories in the name of...Evil!' The sky began to darken and turn red as the clouds began to swirl In the sky. The four pares of eyes of the Ancient Spirits of Evil appeared in the sky signaling their magical energies had arrived . They began to concentrate all their dark energies it in the center of the sky as a fire began to swirl around and around and head towards Mumm-Ra. Once Mumm-Ra grabbed a hold of the fire as it dispersed to morph into a double edged jagged sword with a golden plated handle on it in the shape of two coiled serpents . "Ah, the Sword of Plun-Dar, my old weapon, the greatest force of evil in...the universe. " He turns and stares at the Minotaur's and gives them all sinister looks. He twirls around his sword and charges towards them slashing each and everyone of the creatures until they were nothing more than sliced up bodies on the ground. Mumm-Ra just smiled once the battle was over. "Excellent work my loyal hound." Ma-Mutt returned to his normal dog sized as it ran towards his master. "Now, my loyal dog, be ready to see a great horde of darkness descend upon the land once again as it did A thousand years ago." Mumm-Ra slowly began to extend his hand towards the gate using his magical energy. As soon as his decayed hand touched the metal doorway a burst of light energy propelled Mumm-Ra pushing him a few feet away from the door. "ARGH!" He screamed angrily as he recovered from the magical wound. Mumm-Ra fired one of his magic energy bolts at the doorway but to no avail the protection around the door remained tight and impenetrable. The evil one got back up rubbing his hands of the burns. "It appears Ma-Mutt that princess Celestia has continued to allow the ancient spells, that has kept this placed locked up. Sadly, my knowledge of Tartarus does not extend deep and I do not wish to disturb Ancient Spirits of Evil for fear of being looked upon with weakness." Ma- Mutt whimpered and tugged at the leg of his master. Mumm-Ra just gave him a sinister looking smile. "There, there my horrid hound. Your master still has a ace in the whole. I will merely infiltrate the Princesses Castle right under her horn. And I will do it in a form she would never expect." Then you hear bones begin to crack and change shape as Mumm-Ra physical form changed. Mumm-Ra muscular bony hands began to lose its fingers, Mumm-Ra crocked teeth began to rescind, his blood red eyes started to expand and become pupils, his skin turned from ragged blue to purple. Ma-Mutt looked scared as he saw his all powerful master turned into the spitting image of the unicorn Twilight Sparkle. Mumm-Ra sounded like himself when he spoke "I will enter the castle as Princess Celestia so called...." his voice then changed to sound like Twilight's "Most priced pupil Twilight Sparkle."