//------------------------------//
// A Day of Emotion 
// Story: Terror In Equestria 3: Twilight's Conquest 
// by StormLuna 
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One week had passed since Twilight took control of Neigh Zealand and she figured that the time had come to head off for one final conquest.  Like every other morning, she joined Steward Lyra and the rest of her normal company for breakfast.

"Good morning Twilight, how did you sleep?" asked Lyra

Twilight said, "Oh, I slept alright.  I am just ready for today's journey."

Starswirl asked, "Oh yeah, today is the day that we are heading to Palomino Island isn't it?"

Twilight replied, "Yes.  After we eat breakfast and I get Lyra her army, we are going to be leaving."

Applejack said, "Wow Twilight, It seems like it was just yesterday that I met you when you first came to Ponyville and now here you are about to become the ruler of the whole world!"

Pinkie added, "You know, we are going to have to throw Twilight the biggest party in the history of everything once she rules everything!"

Twilight blushed and said, "Oh Pinkie, Applejack, you two make this sound like it is the most important thing in the world.  Life won't change much for anypony, well things will improve for many across the world."

Lyra said, "Here comes our breakfast everypony, let's eat!"

They had a larger than normal breakfast that morning, the most filling breakfast they had since leaving Ponyville.  After they finished eating Twilight took her forces out into an empty field.

"Alright guys, I need you all to stay focused and alert while I do this.  After all, Lyra needs good, alert soldiers."  said Twilight

Dark Night replied, "Alright Twilight, you can count on us!"

Twilight began to glow purple, her eyes began to shine a darker shade of green and a black bulb of energy formed at the end of her horn as she recited, "From one to two, two to four and so much more, when one is simple mere, more and more shall appear."

The spell hit her forces and the size of her army doubled.  

"Alright Lyra, now you have the forces you need to protect your empire and enforce Equestrian law!" said Twilight 

Lyra ran up to Twilight, hugged her and said, "Thank you Twilight!  Thank you so much!"

Twilight replied, "You're welcome Lyra.  You know that as a steward you will get an army regardless but I am happy to see you showing gratitude."

Starswirl asked, "Twilight, if you are going to be ruling the entire world, why do the stewards need huge replicas of your army?"

This question irritated Twilight a bit but she said, "Look, there will probably be rebellions that need to be crushed.  I am not worried about the stewards waging war on one another but there will always be internal problems that have to be dealt with."

Twilight motioned to her forces and said, "Well, the time has come for us to complete one final objective.  You take care Lyra.  Don't worry, I know that you will do fine.  The ponies here love you."

"Bye Twilight!" shouted Lyra

Twilight spread her wings and took off, closely followed by her forces.  It was a cool day with a stiff southerly breeze pushing them along, which Twilight was very grateful for.  They had been flying for five hours when Palomino Island finally came into view.  Twilight shouted, "That is Palomino Island to our right.  Follow me." 

Twilight and her forces headed down towards the island and landed along the coast.  They were all very impressed with what they saw.

Applejack said, "Wow Twilight, this island is great.  It will be perfect for us to launch our attack from tomorrow."

Fluttershy added, "It has plenty of food for us too so we will have plenty of energy."

Starswirl asked, "Twilight, whose empire does this island belong to?"

Twilight replied, "You know, I don't know if this island is under the rule of anypony, well for now.  After tomorrow everything on the face of the planet will belong to the Dark Goddess Twilight Sparkle."

Applejack said, "Well there is plenty of food on this island and I noticed a good fresh water lake a little ways into the forest. I think we should relax some and get some food in our bellies."

Twilight replied, "I agree.  This dense forest will have plenty of food as well and provide cover in the event one of the royals are doing some sort of patrol of the waters around their island."

While Twilight and her forces headed into the forest to take cover and rest it was a calm and peaceful day in Faustica.  Celestia and Galaxia were taking an afternoon stroll when they ran into Rarity and Twilight's parents.

Celestia said, "Wow, you three seem inseparable anymore."

Crescent Sparkle replied, "Well Rarity is like a daughter to us.  She is what we wish Twilight was like."

Celestia said, "No offense to you Rarity, but you certainly don't mean that do you?"

Twilight Velvet replied, "Yes, we do.  Rarity is a refined, sophisticated pony who we feel we can relate with while Twilight has turned out to be an unrefined tyrant who has only one desire, and that is to conquer the whole world."

Celestia asked, "Speaking of her, have any of you heard anything about what she has been up to?"

Crescent replied, "I haven't heard anything.  Of course since LaurFa no longer lives here and is basically like putty in Twilight's hooves now, nopony here really hears much of anything."

Galaxia said, "I have this feeling that Twilight has already conquered the Equine Empire and placed somepony as a steward there in Maredrid so she could move on to her next target."

Twilight Velvet asked, "Do you know who she might have put in as her lap dog over there?"

Galaxia replied, "Unfortunately no and I have no clue what her next target would be.  Geographically it would make sense for her to attack Saddle Arabia.  While they have powerful crystals they can use to defend themselves, I simply don't see them being able to even slow Twilight down, much less stop her."

Rarity interrupted, "Your Highness, do you know why Twilight turned out the way she did?"

Galaxia replied, "Well I think the corruption by Chrysalis had a lot to do with it, but I almost wonder if she didn't have a little bit of desire for this kind of power before then."

Celestia shouted, "Mom, how could you say such a thing about my Twily?"

Galaxia shouted back, "'Your Twily?'  Don't you remember she has tried to kill you on multiple occasions and wound up deposing you?  Why do you still think so highly of her?"

Celestia started to cry and said, "Because I want to believe that she can be brought back.  She was like a daughter to me.  I still believe that with the proper magic she can be returned to how she used to be."

Twilight Velvet said, "Don't count on it.  Both Twilight and Shining Armor are obsessed with controlling the whole world.  Maybe they will get into a fight and Shining Armor will attempt to depose her and then come to his senses and return things to the way they used to be."

Galaxia said, "Don't count on Shining Armor turning on Twilight.  She used a lot of power on him when she cast that loyalty spell and besides, he has things way too good being her general of the army and being the heir to the throne."

Rarity asked, "Why would that matter?  Alicorns don't die so he will never get to sit on the throne."

Twilight Velvet said, "Well she could die on the battle field.  With as aggressive as she has become I know she will attack with full force, not caring if she gets injured or killed."

Celestia started to cry harder, "Twily die?  No, no, no!  I don't even want to think that!"

Celestia ran off sobbing towards the palace and ran past her sister and father.  

Cosmos asked, "Luna, what do you think has her so upset?  I haven't seen her like this in ages."

Luna replied, "I don't know dad.  She is acting like she did when Twilight turned on her.  I just hope she isn't catching on to the fact that we're on Twily's side!"

Cosmos replied, "Shhh...we can't have anypony hearing us talk like that."

Galaxia, Rarity and Twilight's parents went running after her and bumped into Luna.  Luna asked, "Why are you four running so fast?"

Galaxia replied, "Oh it is Celestia.  I think she is having a nervous breakdown."

Cosmos asked, "Why?"

Galaxia replied, "Oh we were talking about how Shining Armor is first in line to the throne in Equestria and that it would only take the death of Twilight for him to rise to be King."

Luna said, "Oh so no wonder we heard her shout, 'Die, no, not my Twily.'"

Rarity said, "I don't get why she is still so loyal and loving of Twilight.  I mean come on, her Twily has tried to kill her twice, deposed her and ran her out of Equestria."

Luna replied, "I don't know either, but let's just hope that Twilight and her forces don't attack us again."

Rarity asked, "She already took the libraries, the jade Alicorn and LaurFa's bed, what more could she want?"

Twilight Velvet replied, "I could see her coming here if she had conquered the rest of the world just to take Alicorn Island as well so she could become the absolute ruler of the entire planet."

Rarity gasped, "You really think she is capable of conquering the entire planet?"

Galaxia replied, "Yes Rarity, I think she is more than capable.  She knows the proper magic, she has the power necessary and she has many, many loyal ponies in her service."

Luna asked, "Rarity, how did you manage to not be able to fall victim to her loyalty spell for very long?"

Rarity replied, "Well I am the element of generosity and that is one thing that Twilight could not erase from me.  She corrupted the others to use their elements to aid Twilight and her evil ways."

Luna said, "Well I am going to go in and see what is wrong with Celestia."

Luna went into the palace to find Celestia in her bedroom under her blankets entirely sobbing, "No, not my Twily.  Her die, never, not my Twily."

Luna shouted, "SNAP OUT OF IT BIG SISTER!"

Celestia crawled out from under her covers sobbing "Luna, somepony was saying that the only reason Shining Armor is loyal to Twilight is because he is first in line to the throne.  What if he tries to kill her?  What if he tries to kill my Twily?"

Luna's eyes began to shine a bright white and she shouted, "BIG SISTER!  DON'T YOU REMEMBER HER TRYING TO KILL YOU TWICE?"

Celestia was still crying when she replied, "Yes, I do but she was like a daughter to me.  I loved her more than her own parents did.  I want to believe she can be brought back to being good.  I don't know why, but I just feel like she is somewhere not too far away."

Luna said, "Hmmm...she could be.  I know you can pick up on things like that."

Celestia sobbed, "You don't think she's dead do you and her spirit is her with us?  NOOO...MY TWILY!"

Luna shouted, "Trust me big sister, she isn't dead.  I can just imagine what a laugh she would get out of seeing you like this."

After hearing this Celestia crawled back under her blanket and sobbed harder and harder while Luna stormed out of the palace.

"She's hopeless, completely hopeless." ranted Luna

Galaxia asked, "What is she hopeless about?"

Luna said, "Twilight.  That pony betrayed her, deposed us, tried to kill her twice and mocked her mercilessly.  How could she still care about her.  If Twilight did that to me, I would have banished her to the sun a very long time ago, before she became ultra powerful."

Galaxia said, "Well Luna you have never grown close to ponies the way Celestia did.  That is probably why you never started a school for gifted unicorns either."

Luna replied, "I didn't do that because I use a type of magic that very few have the ability to harness and I think it is best if we keep the number of ponies who can practice my type of magic limited to just dad and myself."

Rarity said, "Well I have a feeling Twilight is part of that crowd now too Luna.  Don't be so hard on Celestia, Twilight's betrayal will probably take centuries for her to recover from.  Very rarely does a student and teacher form the type of bond they had, which was more like a mother, daughter type relationship."

Twilight Velvet said, "Now I feel bad that I didn't love Twilight as much as I should have.  I feel like I basically gave her to Celestia to raise.  She did after all pretty much live in the palace with Celestia after she got accepted into her school."

Luna said, "Well we can't change the past.  All we can do is move forward.  It is getting close to supper time.  I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm going to get myself something to eat."

Back on Palomino Island Twilight and her forces were just finishing up supper and getting ready for an evening of rest and relaxation.

Twilight said, "Alright troops, we are on the verge of conquering the world.  Let's rest, relax and enjoy one another's company.  Tomorrow will be the most important day in our lives."

Thunder Rage added, "Yep, we need to be at our best tomorrow not just for Twilight, but for all of us."

Rainbow Dash said, "Twilight, what are you going to do when you run into Celestia tomorrow?"

Twilight replied, "Probably laugh my flank off.  She will break down crying thinking that I can 'still be brought back.'  I get a lot of enjoyment out of her actions."

Applejack said, "What about the others?"

Twilight said, "Well Luna and Cosmos are under my control.  I put a loyalty spell on them when we took the jade Alicorn so we don't even have to worry about them.  Regarding Galaxia, she will be easy to defeat.  She operates pretty much the same way Celestia does except she has composure."

Fluttershy asked, "What about Rarity and your parents?"

Twilight replied, "Well my parents seem to think of Rarity as their own daughter now so I will give those three plenty of punishment.  I will tear Rarity's wings off of her with my teeth if I have to.  I gave her those wings so I can take them away, and I plan on it.   My parents, well I have something very special planned for them.  My mom basically sold me to Celestia as a young filly."

Dark Cloud asked, "How did she sell you to Celestia?"

Twilight replied, "The minute I passed my entrance exam into Celestia's school mom sent me to live in the palace with her.  Celestia wanted me to be close to her and she rewarded my parents with wealth and a place among the Canterlot elite for doing this.  Basically it was Celestia who raised me, not mom and dad.  The more I think about it, the madder I get."

Thunder Rage said, "Is that why you hate the Canterlot elite so much?"

Twilight replied, "Yes, it is.  Mom and dad sold me to Celestia and suddenly they have a huge house, go to all the fancy parties that Fancy Pants, Fleur de Lis and all the other elite snobs hosted."  

Pinkie asked, "Why do you hate Celestia so much now?  You two seemed to get along so well and be so close."

Twilight replied, "This is something so few really know Pinkie.  Yes we looked like we were close, like mother and daughter but I secretly hated her for basically 'buying' me from my parents.  All I ever wanted was a normal childhood where I could play out in the streets and courtyards of Canterlot, but with Celestia basically being my mom, it was non-stop studying."

Rainbow Dash asked, "What about your brother?  Was he bought by Celestia too?"

Shining Armor replied, "Yes, I was.  When I was born I was bigger than most of the colts.  Once I reached an age old enough that I could start training, Celestia noticed my size and asked mom and dad if they could take me into training for the royal guard.  I remember Celestia coming to our house herself and offered mom and dad financial stability for life if they could take me for training."

"Come to think of it," said Twilight "I remember mom was packing things for me when they came for you.  It was the same day I passed my entrance exam.  We were basically bought by Celestia as a pair."

Shining Armor remembered this and said, "It was, wasn't it?"

Twilight began to sob and shouted, "MOM AND DAD DIDN'T REALLY WANT US!  THEY JUST WANTED THE MONEY THE ROYALS PAID HER AND THE ELITE STATUS!  I HATE THEM BIG BROTHER, I TRULY HATE THEM!"

For the first time since he had to leave home Shining Armor started to cry too.  "They never truly loved us!  If they would have loved us they wouldn't have SOLD US to Celestia!"

While Twilight's friends have seen her cry once or twice before she came to power, they have not seen her cry in agony the way she was that night and nopony had ever seen Shining Armor cry, except for his mom and dad.

This caused General Dark Night to break down and cry, "Twilight, Shining Armor, you two are a true inspiration.  I will gladly put my life on the line to defend your honor against the tyranny of your parents and Celestia."

Rainbow Dash was in shock as she had never seen Shining Armor cry.  She was in even more shock when their story brought a dark Alicorn to cry.  Rainbow Dash soon realized that even hardened soldiers have the ability to feel empathy for others.

Twilight said, "I think we better get some sleep.  I know Shining Armor and I need to regain our composure by tomorrow morning.  I am really sorry you had to see us like that."

Thunder Rage said, "Twilight, Shining Armor, there is no need to apologize.  I don't know how many of you know this, but us changelings and dark Alicorns have feelings too.  Given that you two have shown emotion around us I now feel comfortable showing emotions.  Around Chrysalis it was a crime for a changeling to even show a bit of emotion."

Dark Night added, "It was the same way with Sombra.  You had to be this rough and tough soldier with no emotion.  I am sorry that all that happened to you but it is refreshing to have leaders who can show emotions."

Twilight replied, "I'm glad you feel that way but we really need to get some rest.  I'm beat and I just need to get some sleep and regain my focus for tomorrow.  Good night everypony."

Having all these memories flooding back on them was tough on Twilight and Shining Armor, but it gave them all the more determination to use full force in their final objective.  Before falling asleep Twilight thought to herself, "Mom and dad will wish they had put us ahead of wealth and elite status.  Before I banish them tomorrow I will bring this up and make sure they know that we feel like they never loved us or cared about us."