//------------------------------// // Twinkling Crimson // Story: Crimson Bonds // by Dumakey93 //------------------------------// (POV: Ian) I noticed that Montez was sweating, which was very odd. He shook all over his body, and his eyes bugged out for several seconds. "Montez, what's wrong?" He turned towards me, "Listen Ian, I am you, from a different universe. Unlike you, I succumbed to the darkness within my heart. These allies of mine are only here because I am here. Once I die, they will listen to you, and they will follow you till the end." "Why are you telling me this now?" "I never got a chance to tell you before, I just wanted to look badass in front of Discord. I will give you my powers to defeat him. There is no other way, Ian." "What are you talking about?! Are you really going to end it all through some cheesy little sacrifice? I don't mean to be blunt about it, but you are INSANE!!" Discord smirked, "Are you two lovebirds done with your little chit-chat?" I sighed as Montez got my attention again by snapping his fingers at me. He shook his head and turned his back to me, and he looked up into the sky. Quickly spinning around, Montez dove at me, and pierced my body with his right arm. He began to laugh and looked down at me. "Hmm...it's disappointing that you actually trusted me to this point. Funny how it all works out. First, I found you and decided to switch places to take over the other Equestria. That, of course, ended in a bust for me, after I saved Equestria. It was through this that I gained the trust of all Equestria. It was never my intention to give any power to you. The other Celestia was right, I AM evil. Speaking of which, this one has to die...." Montez lowered his body quickly, as he sprinted towards Celestia. Discord was taken aback at such an act, thinking that Montez would seek to destroy him. Montez's eyes became white, as his flesh melted away to reveal a crimson skeleton. His body became faster with each step, as he cast lightning from his fingers. The lightning struck Celestia, and within an instant, she was gone. Discord was still wide-eyed, not having any clue of what happened, not noticing Montez coming after him. He barely even had time to react, as Montez struck his neck with a vicious blow. It was already too late, as he collapsed in a heap, not breathing. I could only just stare at him, seeing his face permanently in shock. Montez looked up into the sky, and raised both hands up. From his hands sparked a red fireball within several chains of purple lightning. His power began to grow, as the sky began to turn grey and the world started to melt into a waxy substance. He was literally sucking the life out of the planet, as I could only watch in horror and awe. My friends all ran towards Montez in a vain effort to stop him. One by one, they were instantly absorbed into his hands, becoming part of his own power. No amount of friendship or magic could stop him now, as the entire world was now grey. All the creatures that had been teeming with color and life were all gone, as I was the last remaining person in the world. Montez turned to face me, as rags began to form around him, covering him in a dark crimson cloak. His eyes were still intact, and were fully bloodshot, as they pulsated with his every breath. "Like what I've done with the place, Ian? It really turns the world on it's head, doesn't it? What, no answer? I guess the ponies really got to you man. The entire goal here, was for me to destroy you. But I realize that if I destroy you, then I wouldn't be able to have any fun with you!" I spat on his skull, as he stopped and punched me square in the jaw. "I wasn't finished talking, Inter-loper. We are both Interlopers my friend! Both of us intruded in other worlds, whether we liked it or not. I loved to twist the characters till their innocence snapped like an insignificant twig. In any case, I thank you for watching me destroy your friends." I looked behind Montez, and saw a bright white light, as a white-cloaked woman appeared from the sky. She silently floated behind him, as Montez was totally clueless as to what was going on. She lightly touched his shoulder, making Montez spin around in shock. His eyes widened, "Hey, I thought I killed you! How are you still alive?!" The woman came closer to him, her face almost touching his. She gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek, as Montez stood expressionless. He smiled, "You think that a simple kiss would stop me from controlling the world? Well, your off you rocker! There is nothing in this world that can-" His face began to grow flesh again, as his lethal power grew weaker. He panicked as he tried to find a way to reverse the affects. The woman lowered her hood, as she spoke, "Montez, you may have power to hate and kill things. There's one thing that you didn't account for though." Montez gritted his teeth, "WHAT! There's no way that I am not the most powerful being in the universe!!" "You were corrupted by the other Celestia, the one who tortured you, when you were the one being controlled. It wasn't your fault, no, it was mine, for letting this go on for so long. I, as a princess of Equestria, have failed my loyal students and citizens. I can only atone for my other's actions by putting you on the correct path myself." With that, she dove on him and hugged him tightly, as Montez's power further diminished. It did not take long for him to lose all of his power, and for his body to return to normal. His eyes became blue, as his short white hair grew from his head. He was covered in dark blue armor, with the symbol of the crescent moon on his chest. He had only one scar across his face, where he was tortured before so many times. He returned the hug and began to cry, as the salty tears trickled down his face. I stood up and sighed, wanting to return home, or to at least see my friends again. Celestia walked over to me and gave me a hug, and whispered things in my ear. "Ian, I thank you for trying so hard to stop Discord, I couldn't have appeared if it wasn't for your valor. I know it's hard, to lose everything you love in one fell swoop, but we can return home. The three of us can create a world together, and recreate Harmony and Equestria once more." I began to weep, not because of sadness, but it was the joy of getting to see my friends again. I agreed to her plan, as the three of us recreated the world. We left it as it was after Discord's defeat at the hands of the Mane Six. The three of us, with Princess Luna, sat in the main hall of Canterlot Castle. After talking about our goals for the future, Celstia pulled me aside, as Luna and Montez talked. Celestia turned to me, and said, "There is a pony who has watched you from afar, and has wanted to say something to you for a long time." "And who may that be?" "Well, just see for yourself..." The doors opened, as Spitfire walked into the room, without her Wonderbolt costume on. She slowly walked over to me, and said, "Hi. I'm really not that much of a romance type of mare, but could....could you be my special somepony?" I was shocked at those words. How could a pony ever love a human? Let alone have any romantic feelings for a different species. It was then I realized, that Love and Tolerance was key. I then accepted the fact that she was a pony and I was a human. Did it really matter what she looked like? No, as long as she loves me for who I am, I will love her as well. Celestia winked at me, as I rolled my eyes. I got down on one knee, and stared directly into Spitfire's eyes. "Yes. I would love to be your special somepony. I don't just mean for Hearts and Hooves day either, I mean it for all of time. Although I barely know you, Spitfire, I hope that we can have a wonderful time together." She blushed deeply, as we gave each other a hug, which almost brought Celestia to tears. Montez and Luna looked at one another and shrugged, as they too became a couple. Celestia said to Luna, "Look, I know that you may not agree with this, but I cannot allow you to...oh never mind. Besides, all that time on the moon must have made you lonely, hasn't it?" Luna nodded, "Yes. Like Montez, I had been cast away by you, only to return to you once again." Celestia smiled, "From this day forth, Luna, you won't be alone anymore. Both you and Montez can rule the night together, just as long as you don't try to pull a "Mare in the Moon" escapade again." Luna shed a tear, as Montez hugged her gently, and smiled. So the story ends here. Spifire and I have been in a wonderful relationship together for at least a few years now. Luna and Montez rule the night, and add stars every day they are together. As for Celestia? She still helps the Mane Six from time to time, but always has a chat with me once in a while. Everything seems as it should be, as I bring this adventure to a close, let me say one more thing... No matter how hard we have it, or how others have it Love can pull us through the darkest of shadows Keep that in mind. Anyway, I have to go and cheer Spitfire on. After all, she is observing the Cloudsdale water gathering ceremony today. Good Luck and Farewell, ~I.M.Y.