Into the Beginning: The Life of Writing Glory

by Chaos Phantasm

Chapter 16: Writing Glory vs Shadow, the end of the civil war.

Catapults launched boulders and pieces of debris into the streets, upon the palace, steel balls and balls of fire were also launched at The Crystal Empire. Crystal ponies run in panic, crystal archers lined the outer walls, taking aim and releasing their arrows from their crossbows at the Equestrians whom were utilizing an interesting method of defense, covering themselves with their shields so that the arrows would not harm them. Destiny Charge commanded the ponies firing the Catapults to focus taking down the outer walls, The dragons fly down partaking in the battle at last, they target the wall, breathing fire upon the archers who fire upon the mythic creature only for the arrows to bounce off. The dragon that took spike to Canterlot lands near Destiny and lets Star Swirl the Bearded and Zecora off.

"Destiny!"

Destiny looks in the direction of the two.

"Star Swirl the Bearded, Zecora, why are you here?"

"We came here on a whim, hoping to assist you win."

Zecora puts a large sack down, and inside are jars of explosive jelly that when thrown hard enough will detonate on impact.

"These grenades should suffice better then the spirits of ice."

Star Swirl clears his throat.

"I designed them, Zecora just brewed up the explosive jelly."

Destiny smiles widely her eyes widening. She looks at the two with that crazed smile Twilight would inherit, unable to break it.

"You two... are geniuses."

Writing Glory and Wonder fight off some Shadowbolts and Infantry until the queen spots Crystal soldiers emerging from the hidden bunkers and trenches.

"Wonder!"

Wonder flies down to Writing Glory while fighting off a Shadowbolt.

"Anything I can help you with honey?"

The fausticorn shoots down the Shadowbolt chasing Blinding Flash.

"Be a dear please and grab some grenades, we're taking out those bunkers and trenches."

Wonder looks in the direction of the trenches and smiles chuckling.

"Allons-y!!"

Wonder takes off back toward Destiny and picks up some of the grenades flying back around to the fausticorn, Writing Glory takes flight and with her husband, throws these grenades at the bunkers and trenches. The explosions are ear shattering and powerful but are unable to break the wall. Destiny Charge whistles to the dragons to bring in the siege towers which the dragons push along the battle field and onto the wall allowing the Equestrians to get on the wall and fight off the crystal soldiers, Wonderbolts pass over the wall dropping grenades down on the parts that do not have Equestrian soldiers running on it. The dragons roar and fly down to the wall and start eating it since it is made literally out of diamond. A lightning bolt strikes the wall Shadow is trying to scare off the fausticorn though failing. The outer wall is brought down, reduced to rubble by the dragons and catapults, the Equestrian army advances onward to the long bridge that ends at the front gates of the Crystal Empire.

Mira wakes up after a brutal beating by the warden by the sound of dragons, the silvery filly struggles to stand but manages to do so and slowly limps her way toward the barred window to see that the outer wall has fallen and the Equestrian army is coming.

"Aunt Writing Glory..." Mira whispers and smiles.

Shadow summons another lightning strike to frighten and scatter the Equestrians to no avail, Shadow roars in anger and flies down to the front lines to combat his enemies and kill the fausticorn. Shadow unveils his new, Hyperion mach 2. The newer Hyperions were totally covered in red and crimson metallic armor grafted into their flesh, as was the cannons they wield. As the Equestrians broke down the gates of the Crystal Empire the Hyperions fired their cannons and magical beams at the first lots of soldiers that entered, burning and vaporizing them except their nameplates and armor which had copies of their cutiemarks on them, to recognize and identify them. The Hyperions continue to move forward firing their beams at the invaders. Arrows are fired at the Hyperions damaging them and causing them to slow down. Agile pegasi that look similar but not the same as Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo, run toward the Hyperions and disables them with magic swords only to be killed when Shadows flies between them, splitting them open and killing them. More Hyper busters sprint in through the gates, as do Unicorn and Earth pony soldiers and soon Writing Glory, Zecora, Destiny Charge, Wonder Bolt, and Star Swirl the Bearded.

"Star Swirl, Zecora. Find a safe place and wait out the battle."

"Alright, lets go Zecora." Star Swirl and Zecora go to a safety Bunker and lock it.

Writing Glory and Blinding Flash run off into the battle field in the streets of the Crystal Empire, both of them utilizing complex fighting styles, taking enemy weapons and using them against their enemies. Wonder flies to Destiny Charge and picks up some grenades, he flies back to Writing Glory and throws them toward a group of crystal unicorn soldiers scattering them just before an explosion could be sounded.

"Warn me next time will you dear?"

"Sorry Writing Glory."

The fausticorn smiles only to be struck by an arrow in the chest, this only makes her stumble and groan in pain which didn't hurt as bad as the other times. She uses her magic to remove the arrow and burn it, the wound bleeds slightly only for it to stop and heal over in seconds. She looks at where the archer shot the arrow and destroys the spot the pony once stood. Writing Glory continues forward toward the Crystal Palace blasting back Crystal soldiers with waves of magic. Wonder runs along the Palaces outer wall knocking off archers to allow his wife to get to the fortress without being harmed but this ceases when he is struck with a black tipped poisoned arrow, fired by Shadow himself. The arrow is plunged deep inside of Wonders chest stopping inches away from his heart, he falls, plummets to the ground much to the horror of Writing Glory. Without a second thought she runs toward him, taking flight to catch him, which she does. She takes Wonder back to Destiny placing a spell on him to keep the poison in one place, she places Wonder on a blanket laden out for the wounded.

"Medic Mare please help!"

Medic Mare rushes as quick as she can to Wonder Bolt and looks him over, she looks at the arrow and pulls it out, she is shocked to see the arrow is poisoned.

"He's poisoned, it looks like Hayseed Swamp Snake venom, the second most deadliest poison in Equestria. He has 3 hours to live, I'll administer the Antidote once Zecora makes it."

"It should only take an hour to make the special powder." Zecora gets to work.

Writing Glory tears up. "Thank you... thank you both."

"Your majesty Shadow has joined the battle."

Writing Glory looks at Destiny.

"I know."

Writing Glory takes flight and uses her horn to fire a pink beam down on barricades and large groups of crystal ponies dumb enough to walk into it. Shadow does some fly by shooting of his own until he and the fausticorn meet midair.

"Shadow!"

"Fausticorn!!"

Shadow and Writing Glory slam into one another and start free falling, Shadow pushes off the fausticorn and regains his stance and flies normally charging at the royal alicorn, his horn pointed toward her, he dives closely at the queen almost driving his horn into her chest only to fail as Writing Glory kicks the armored alicorn with her back hooves, chipping away a piece of the helmet only for it to grow back like skin. Shadows horn glows at the tip making Writing Glory fly as fast as she can as shadow follows her, firing his death beams at her only to miss every shot, Writing Glory twists her head around and fires her beams at Shadow, also missing multiple times until she charges an even powerful attack then unleashing the devastating magic beam upon her armored foe, blasting his armor open, causing Shadow to crash into a tower. Writing Glory hovers in the air for a moment, looking down at the tower that Shadow had slammed into. She slowly hovers closer to the shattered spire only to be shot down with multiple poisoned arrows as Shadow emerges from the wreckage.

"Hahahahaha you are so pathetically weak Fausticorn, easily taken off guard, easily CRUSHED!!!"

Shadow is about to slam his hoof down on the fausticorns head only to be blasted back, Writing Glory stands up, pulling the arrows and poison out of her body and healing over as she glares at Shadow.

"You can't kill me Shadow, I am immortal."

Crystal archers take aim only to be taken out by Wonderbolts, Writing Glory smiles looking at them. Shadow uses this distraction to his advantage and draws a sword with a black distorted and evil grip and a crimson blade that looked like fire, he swings it at the fausticorn but it is blocked by her horn. Her reflexes surprise Shadow and he backs away, Writing Glory grinds her horn against the ground creating sparks, sharpening her horn. Destiny and a small group of soldiers and Wonderbolts fight their way through the city streets toward the Crystal Palace to rescue Mira Silverblood and Clara Skyblaze, though this is most difficult as Shadow is able to block the path with magic whist fighting with the queen mid air, and Hyperions also roam the streets firing blasts of energized beams of magic from the cannon mounted on their back. This hinders Destinies progress, a Hyper-buster cuts down two Hyperions only to be hit by the sun hot heat beam the Hyperions fire, melting and nearly vaporizing the now deceased Pegasus. Destiny Charge is horrified to see that happen, she picks a grenade out of the crate behind her and launches it at the Hyperion.

"Grenade!"

Destiny and the earth and Unicorn equestrian soldiers drop as the grenade detonates and destroys the Hyperion and the crystal soldiers around it, as well as the crystal blockade, allowing Destiny Charge and her small force to continue their fight into the palace. Writing Glory and Shadows battle intensifies in the sky, soon their attack create shock waves that crack the gemstone buildings, the fausticorn kept her horn alight to block the attacks of Shadows sword which he swung furiously with the determination of a slasher villain only for Writing Glories horn to stop it.

"I'll rip that horn out of your skull and make it a trophy!!"

Writing Glory starts super heating her horn allowing it to melt through the fine metal used to make Shadows Sword until there is nothing left of it but half a blade. Shadow roars loudly and brings both his hooves down on Writing Glories head, sending her plummeting into the ground creating a medium sized crater upon impact. Shadow lands on top of the fausticorn and presses his hoof down on her neck, choking her. Shadow makes the queens struggle for breath much more difficult by pressing down harder. Shadow laughs, relishing in Writing Glories struggle only to cease his joy when The Elements of Harmony begin to flash, they make a sound like the chime of a church bell, as the elements flash, so does The Crystal Empire. Writing Glory laughs and smiles, she manages to force some words out despite being choked.

"I... w-win."

Shadow realizes whats about to happen, the wind picks up and the skies go black, lightning strikes buildings and travel along poles like electricity crawling toward a power source. Refusing to be banished or imprisoned by the Elements he picks up the queen with his magic and throws her 8 meters to his right causing the fausticorn to hit the ground harshly and the Elements of Harmony to fly off her head and disappear. Writing Glory stands up slowly and looks for the Elements of Harmony only to be stopped as Shadow neighs demonically and raises his right front hoof up and brings it down on the fausticorns head. Writing Glory quickly turns around and thrusts her horn into shadows hoof and drive it into his leg making the dictator scream in pain, the true pain comes when Writing Glory makes her horn glow and fires a beam through shadows leg causing it to explode and the armor to be come damaged beyond repair, even The Alicorn Amulet has trouble regenerating the limb and the armor is unable to gather enough energy to repair itself due to pain, Shadow scream loudly in pain even, he coughs up blood which spurts through the mouth vent on his helmet, he looks at whats left of his now totaled leg and shivers in agony.

"You bitch..! I'LL KILL YOU AND EVERYPONY YOU HOLD DEAR!!!!"

Shadow charges at the fausticorn faster then she could react, he teleports behind Writing Glory and kicks her with his back legs through the front doors of the crystal Palace breaking them. Writing Glory gets back up and looks at Shadow whom has now generated a monstrous aura, he was now channeling The Alicorn Amulets power through his body making him even more powerful then what he should really be, Destiny Charge can also feel this growing evil and it terrifies he. Sapphire runs to the dungeon in hopes of freeing Mira and Clara only to be stopped by a one of Shadows shadow-clones.

"Brother please don't stop me, you and I both know that these fillies are just innocent victims caught up in the war you started, please let me free them."

Sapphire knows full well that she is talking to a Shadow-clone, but she also knows that Shadow can hear her. Meanwhile at the medical bay near The Crystal Empires front gates, Zecora gives Wonder Bolt the cure for the poison he sustained earlier .
"He'll get better in no time."

Medic Mare smiles at Zecora. "Zecora... have you ever thought of supplying medicine and cures for these things to doctors before?"

"No I have not, is there a reason why you ask?"

"Well, we don't have many remedies for ailments and you seem to know how to make them so..."

Zecora smiles. "Someday soon I will teach you how to make potions to cure any or all medical ailments in Equestria."

Medic Mare grins widely. "Thank you Thank you!!"

Zecora suddenly covers herself, Medic mare and Wonder with a blanket and they drop to the ground on top of Wonder to hide.

"Shh quiet child, a Hyperion approaches."

The ground shakes and cracks, Medic Mares heart pounds as her fears start to stir, suddenly the Hyperion rounds the corner and walks into the courtyard, scanning the area using it's infrared sight to find the Zebra, unicorn and Pegasus yet is unable to find them. Zecora sees a grenade just within reach but she must leave the safety of the magic blanket to grab it and toss it at the mecha. Zecora thinks for a moment but then without another thought, she darts for the grenade, the Hyperion notices her and charges it's beam.

"EX-TER-MIN-ATE!!!!"

The Hyperion fires its cannon at Zecora who slides underneath it Matrix style and picks up the grenade in her teeth, the Hyperions cannon melted through the wall Zecora was running by and it continued to melt it as the mechanical beast followed the Zebra. Zecora then runs toward the Hyperion a sit recharges, seemingly warping into different positions to get close enough to throw the grenade into the cyborgs cannon causing it to explode powerful enough to leave a crater and blast Zecora 12 meters and hit the wall where she sustains burns from the melted gemstone walls, she hits the ground in pain and is unable to stand. Medic Mare runs over to Zecora to help, she is shocked to see the burns on Zecoras back and instantly gets to work on healing her.

"I'll be alright, this isn't the first time i have been injured in a fight."

"These burns are too severe Zecora, you need help."

Zecora is forced to comply since moving i difficult so she opts to teach Medic Mare a regenerative potion that can heal the burn and fix her back. Zecora explains how to make the potion using only what she can find lying around, the area around them was littered with thing to make a healing potion with, using weeds, moss, and a heart flower Zecora brought along, Medic Mare manages to create a self replicating healing potion only enough for four vials. She runs over to Zecora and pours some drops on the burn and melted flesh, then lets Zecora drink the vial which allows her to heal just like the fausticorn would if she sustained stab wounds or cuts, major wounds like a broken neck would take minutes. Zecora slowly stands up and look at her regrown back flash and smiles, she looks at Medic Mare proudly. Sapphire ducks and swiftly moves out of the way of the Shadow-clones attacks, the shadow-clones attacks break brick and bends steel, Sapphire creates a spear using broken metal and a sharp piece of brick, using her magic she throws it forcefully at the apparition only for it to stop mid way much to Sapphires surprise. The Shadow-clone turns the spear around and launches it at supreme speed toward Sapphire and embedding itself deep inside her chest, she falls to the ground in an instant.

"S- Soul..." Sapphire says the name she gave Shadow when he was a colt before she seemingly dies.

Mira and Clara are horrified by this, Clara starts crying but a vengeful Mira glares at the fake Shadow with tears in her eyes. the clone looks down at the fillies, making its horn glow. Destiny Charge and the rest of the Equestrian army deal with all that the crystal armies can dish out, even archers have trouble snuffing out the equestrians numbers as they have dragons to worry about. The sounds of civilians screaming and fleeing the battle catch Destinies attention.

"Wonderbolts evacuate the civilians."

"But general..."

Destiny glares at the Wonderbolt that talked back.

"Are you talking back to me soldier?! I gave you and your team an order, I expect it to be followed now get these crystal civilians out of the city!!"

The Wonderbolt sergeant turns to his team. "You heard the mare everypony!!! Get your flanks into gear and get these crysties out of here!! I don't care if they are the enemy they are bystanders and in a war zone!! Evac Evac!!!"

The Wonderbolts get to work with help from the dragons in getting civilians out of The Crystal Empire as best they can, Destiny is about to lead her troops into the palace only for Writing Glory to be thrown at them by the now demonized three legged Shadow Strike. Shadow had a long sharp tail, a crocodile like snout with hooked sharp teeth, talons like a crows, three horns growing out the back of his head, Shadow no longer resembled an alicorn, his armor and The Alicorn Amulet had turned him into a monster. Destiny helps up Writing Glory who was just now healing some deep scratch marks and a massive bite to the leg.

"Are you okay your majesty?"

"Yeah," She breaths deeply. "I'm good, that's not to say the same for Shadow."

Shadow hisses like a Crocodile and lets out a blood curdling roar that makes the Equestrians almost deaf.

"Kill them all, Writing Glory is mine!"

Writing Glory grits her teeth and jumps at Shadow taking flight once more and fighting hoof and horn, tooth and talon in the sky around the palace, the Equestrian army prepares to enter the palace only for Shadowbolts to destroy the entrance and attack Destiny and her army. Destiny takes flight to assist in defeating the Shadowbolts.

In the dungeon, The Shadow doppelganger tries using ever spell it knows to harm or kill Mira Silverblood and Clara Skyblaze, only for the spells to be stopped by Mira who is trying her hardest to deflect the fakers spell which weren't that powerful. As Mira defends herself and her friend Sapphire uses the last of her magic to stop the ganger by casting a spell that causes purple smoke to emerge from the floor and envelope the false alicorn, dispersing once the clone had disintegrated. Mira and Clara exit their damaged cell and approach Sapphire as she removes the spear lodged into her body, she starts to bleed out terribly, she crawls toward the fillies who start rushing over to her.

"Sapphire..."

"I'll... I'll be okay little ones..."

Sapphire tries to stand, eyes shut cringing in pain only to fall back down, Mira and Clara catch her and helping Sapphire up the stair sand into a ruined corridor caused by the catapults.

"Mira... where should we take her..?"

Mira looks down to think for a moment, she looks back up at a bedroom that is untouched by the bombings and catapultings.

"Into that room hurry."

Mira and Clara help Sapphire into the room where they lay her on the bed so that she is comfortable, Clara closes the doors so that Crystal ponies do not break in.

"D-did you two... bring me here?"

Mira and Clara nod, Sapphire is surprised that two fillies were able to lift her effortlessly, Sapphires heart stunts for a moment causing sapphire to writhe in pain. Mira uses her magic to ease Sapphires pain.

"Does that feel better..?"

Sapphire nods before drifting off to sleep while Mira and Clara watch over her. Sapphires coat goes paler and the wound in her chest becomes infected, having read books about infections and diseases, Mira does what she can for the Unicorn, to help her live as repayment for saving their lives. The sky had turned dark outside, it began to rain blood and fire, Shadow has cast a spell of devastation and havoc. Writing Glory crashes into some buildings breaking eight ribs and cracking her horn, Shadow roars and screeches like a bat and a tiger, he casts down any dragon that dare attack him, and rains fire and brimstone upon the land, though despite all that is happening Writing Glory persists in trying to defeat Shadow every time she is cast back down by the monster, and every time her foal is put at risk.

"You will not harm her any longer!!!"

Destiny Charge flies into Shadows side causing him to hiss almost dragon-like, he flexes his tail in such a way that it plows through Destinies right hind leg, while her horn embeds itself within the armored monsters neck. Destiny Charge fires a beam though shadows throat then snaps his neck. Destiny smiles thinking she has defeated her adversary, only to be proved wrong as Shadow begins to laugh and crack his neck back into place and heal fast.

"Pathetic child, I cannot die. I am immortal." Shadows voice had become colder and hollow, his voice sounded like something unnatural at the same time.

Shadow rips his tail out of Destinies leg causing the blue alicorn to scream in agony, Destiny falls to the ground writhing in pain.

"Arrgh!!"

Shadow lands and walks over to Destiny and stabs her in the back with a spikes on his heel causing even more intense pain then she can handle, it causes no harm to her spine but it is extremely painful none the less. Destiny starts trying to crawl away from the monster, she whistles loudly which echos all over the Empire. Shadow starts choking Destiny, lifting her up off the ground. Destiny gasps desperately for air, Writing Glory had been knocked unconscious and is unable to help Destiny. Shadow begins to tighten his grip on Destines neck, squeezing blood out of her mouth making it drip down her slowly decompressed neck.

"Now.... die."

Destiny slowly closes her eyes until a spear pierces Shadows leg distracting the evil fiend. He looks up to see Wonderbolts above him, he looks around to see the entire Equestrian army around him. Shadow roars just as Destiny gives the order.

"Everypony... Wonderbolts.... Charge..."

The Wonderbolts and Equestrians all charge toward Shadow swarming him with attacks, he takes flight, using his horn to maim and kill his attackers, his armor is chipped and torn though it only grows back albeit slower and with more pain. While Shadow is preoccupied with escaping his attackers, Zecora, Medic Mare, and Star Swirl the Bearded, gives Destiny Charge some of the healing potions to mend their wounds. Destinies neck heals up so does her leg in a matter of seconds, she takes a deep breath and opens her eyes.

"Ah good you're awake."

Destiny looks at Star Swirl the Bearded. "M-master Star Swirl?"

Destiny looks around to see Shadow was no longer there, Wonder Bolt flies over head catching Destinies eye, he lands right beside the unconscious and wounded, unhealing Writing Glory. Destinies eyes widen in horror as fear grips her. She stand sin a hurry and rushes over to the queen. Medic Mare places her left hoof over the fausticorns womb area and lights her horn to feel any thing or hear anything from the foal inside, Medic Mares eyes open and her pupils shrink, she could hear the weak heartbeat of the foal, the stress of Writing Glory and the abusive pummeling she suffered from Shadow was slowly killing both the unborn alicorn and Writing Glory, Medic Mare also discovers that severe head trauma, broken bones and ribs, and a punctured heart, was stopping the healing process and putting an end to Writing Glories genetic immortality and inability to be killed by anything, this discovery proves that Writing Glory could be killed if her body was kept from regenerating by any means.

"Medic Mare what's wrong, is the foal alright?"

Medic Mare takes her hoof off and pulls out a flask of the healing potion.

"No... no I need to work quickly."

Wonder and Destiny yell. "Whats wrong with them?!"

Medic Mare yells back.

"They are dying!!, her majesty has suffered wounds that would have killed her by now, broken ribs, punctured heart, cracked skull, damaged brain. She and the foal are dying! Now let me work!!."

Wonder and Destiny showed extreme worry as they watched Medic Mare hook Writing Glory up to device that had a wooden flap on top and a wooden box underneath, Medic Mare puts the cord that linked the box up to Writing Glory by putting a needle in her leg. The device starts working instantly whenever Writing Glories heart beat the device would tap the base, it worked as a somewhat temporary heart monitor that worked in a complex manner, Zecora creates another potion and manages to get it down the fausticorns throat. They wait for a moment only she does not heal, her pulse fails and her heart beat stops so does the tapping of the heart beat monitor. Medic Mare drops to her knees shocked.

"Queen Writing Glory... deceased... august 18th, 3345..."

Destiny Charge is shocked, as is Zecora, and Star Swirl the Bearded. It is however Blinding Flash who is distraught and heart broken, he cradles his deceased wifes body in tears stopping once he sees the tooth and claw marks Shadow had left on the fausticorn. Enraged Wonder Bolt takes off and goes to find Shadow against Destinies protests. In her sub conscious, Writing Glory wanders around through the halls of her memories, she enters a room which is filled with memories, both remembered and forgotten. She continues walking down the hall toward a bright light only to be stopped halfway by Clover the Clever, Commander Skyfire, and Lemon Cake, Writing Glory stops walking and looks at them.

"This is not your time my friend, you are not meant to die, not now, not ever,"

Writing Glory looks down.

"Back at the monastery... the three of you told me that... I would win... I would defeat Shadow and restore harmony to Equestria but I can't. He's too powerful for me to defeat and the Elements of Harmony are lost..."

Skyfire approaches the fausticorn.

"All things have a weakness, whether they be mare or monster, they all have their weaknesses, all it takes is to find and exploit it."

Skyfire smiles and turns around walking back toward the other three. Lemon smiles at Writing Glory warmly.

"I'll continue to watch over you mother, until I reincarnate that is. We'll meet again mother."

Writing Glory smiles widely. "Until then."

Lemon smiles and turns around and walks into the light being the first to vanish, Clover and Skyfire look back at the fausticorn.

"Look after Clara for me your majesty..."

Writing Glory takes a deep breath on the verge of tears.

"I made you a promise my friend, I will save her, and raise her."

Skyfire smiles and walks into the light, vanishing. Clover then steps into the spot Skyfire was standing moments earlier.

"Tell Destiny... her father and I are proud of her..." Clover sheds a tear smiling at her friend.

Writing Glory nods finally breaking into tears, just as Clover enters the light Writing Glory is shown a vision, she sees Clover running toward her friends atop a hill beneath a tree in the afterlife, Commander Hurricane, Private Pansy, Chancellor Puddinghead, Smart Cookie, and Princess Platinum all greet Clover and group hug her as the vision ends and Writing Glory is enveloped in a white light.

As Destiny Charge, Zecora, Medic Mare, and Star Swirl the Bearded mourn Writing Glory, the wind suddenly picks up, the ground rumbles and the sky opens up in one spot, the purple stream of energy from Mount Canter shine down upon Writing Glory. Medic Mare, Destiny, Star Swirl, and Zecora watch carefully as the body of the fausticorn is suddenly enveloped within a white light.

"Medic... whats happening?"

"I-I don't know."

While she was covered by the white light, Writing Glories body began to change, just moments ago she was the same size as Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, now she was taller then them, her mane and tail also grew longer and were now flowing and sparkling like Lunas mane and tail. The fausticorns magical aura had also increased, all her wounds and injuries had healed, the foal revived , and Writing Glory looked much more mature. She opens her eyes just as the glow makes the final changes, then it was gone, and in its place, was the newly revived and regenerated Writing Glory. Star Swirl, Zecora, Medic Mare, and Destiny Charge back away to give the queen space, all four of them were trying to comprehend what they just saw. Writing Glory stands up slowly and was still a little wobbly on her new feet, she looked around and took her first breath.

"Hello Everypony, why do you all look so shocked."

The fausticorns voice had also changed, it no longer sound similar to that of Celestias, it sounded much more cheerful and nice, it gave off the feeling of kindness and friendliness that rarely anyponies voice could give. Destiny shook her head and raised an eyebrow approaching Writing Glory slowly.

"Queen Writing Glory..?"

"The one and only, is something wrong Destiny Charge? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"You've.. changed..."

Writing Glory lowers her head so she can look at Destiny properly.

"I am still the same mare you've known the past four thousand years."

Destiny smiles, Writing Glory raises her head and looks around.

"Where's Wonder Bolt?"

An explosion happens at the tower five meters to the right of Writing Glory causing her and everypony else to look, the tower calls and Wonder flies out from behind it with Shadow in pursuit.

"Hiya honey! Mind Helping me out?!!"

Wonder flies past Writing Glory, very fast with Shadow fast approaching, Destiny takes a step back, whereas the fausticorn gets in the way, Shadow who had thought Writing Glory was dead, is shocked to see that she is alive.

"How... How could she still be ALIVE!!!"

Shadow charges at Writing Glory instead and rams into her, he swings his horn at her only for the attack to be blocked by her own horn. She pushes against Shadow who tries to push Writing Glory in the opposite direction only to fail as she twists her head along with his and slams Shadow into the ground with her horn. Shadow had reverted back into his pony alicorn form during his fight with the army and Wonder, making him considerably weaker compared to the more powerful Queen of Equestria. Shadow struggles to get free and so decides to vanish, he laughs in his metallic voice and sinks into the ground disappearing.

"Star Swirl, and Zecora, find a safe place. Soldiers, round up surviving Crystal soldiers that are wounded and help them, Medic Mare tend to the wounded Equestrian soldiers, Dragons, Crystal pony and Crystal soldier."

Medic Mare salutes and she and the soldiers get to work, Zecora and Star Swirl the bearded go to the same shelter the soldiers and Medic are headed a sit is a safe place, Mira walks up to the queen and stands straight.

"What are my orders your majesty?"

"Help me save Mira and Clara."

Destiny looks up at Writing Glory then at the crystal palace, Writing Glory runs toward it and take flight, Destiny following close behind, the fausticorn crashes through a window alongside Destiny, they both quickly dispatch two crystal guards who were about to attack. The two alicorns smiles at each other then get going , they search the halls for Mira and Clara, cutting through any who get in their way. Writing Glory walks past a room which Destiny enters.

"Writing Glory..."

Writing Glory stops and looks behind her, she then turns back around and enters the room Destiny is in, she walks up beside Destiny who was looking at some pictures. The pictures depicted Sapphire Amethyst with a colt, the colt had a very pale snow white coat, his eyes were crystal blue, his cutiemark was that of a mare and a colt holding hooves, the colt was an alicorn, his mane and tail were an icy blue, his body sparkled like any other crystal pony. He appears happy with Sapphire, next to the last picture was a note with words reading: "To Soul Amethyst, remember the days where things were better. From Sapphire".

Destiny uses her ability to see into the past to try and get to know this colt, only for her power to fail, she is unable to see into the colts past.

"Sapphire Amethyst, she's out spy in The Crystal Empire... we need to find her and fillies."

Destiny looks down and nods, Writing Glory turns around, ready to continue their search.

"Your majesty..."

Writing Glory turns her head to look at Destiny Charge. "Hmm?"

"D-do you think... maybe... Shadow Strike is the colt in these portraits.... could he be Soul Amethyst??"

The fausticorn looks down. "If he was... then Shadow has completely destroyed whatever remained of that little colt... Shadow Strike is too far gone for the Elements of Harmony to restore him, even they have their limits. All we can do is put an end to the terror he's created, and help Soul Amethyst find peace. We must hurry, his magical aura is becoming much more powerful then I've ever felt before."

Writing Glory and Destiny Charge leave the room and continue their search, They enter a room filled with sleeping Hyperion series three prototypes. Destiny looks at all of them disgusted at the look of some of the unfinished prototypes, decaying dead ponies being wired and enhanced with mechanical appliances, the sight of technology and cybernetics is considered a perversion of nature to the fausticorn.

"Look at them... taken from their peaceful rest to become creatures of death and chaos, machines of war. I cannot allow this to happen to you all."

Writing Glory walks over to a control panel and flips some switches which shuts off the life supports on each row.

"Writing Glory, is this the best idea??"

"Nopony deserves a fate like this, it's horrible to kill a pony but it is sick and cruel to deny them peace and use them in experiments like this,"

She flips the last switch and the final row of life supports shut down.

"I refuse to let their suffering continue..."

Writing Glory looks down and begins to walk out the exit only to be stopped when the door closes and the Hyperions wake up, their eyes flash gold and red, the unfinished Hyperions also wake up but are foaming at the mouth and have green eyes instead. One Hyperion mach 3 unveils it's mini-guns and starts firing them at the fausticorn, the ammunition they fire is a type of projectile magic that is even deadlier and faster then the hyper cannons the last two models had.

"Writing Glory take cover." Destiny flies upward where these war machines cannot go, but they can shoot upwards.

2 rows of the Hyperions focus attention on the fausticorn while the last two focus on Destiny Charge. Destiny runs along the metal bars near the ceiling avoiding all the gun fire from the Hyperion mach 3s, another Hyperion prototype fires a magical cannon at Destiny making her dart into a crack in the wall just as the spot she passed explodes with crystal shards. The Hyperions did not see Destiny dodge the shot and inspect the impact point of the beam, a fatal decision on part of three of the Hyperions as the blue alicorn creates a magic spear and throws it through the 1st Hyperion which then causes the spear to go through the others, disabling them. Destiny laughs alerting the Hyperions that were targeting her to her presence.

"Hehe..."

Destiny smiles nervously, bolting to the other end of the room once a Hyperion fires its death ray, she darts to the left when another Hyperion fires its mini-guns, Destiny hides and throws a grenade at the Hyperions disabling them, she then gets up from hiding to help Writing Glory fight off the group of Hyperions that are trying to kill her. The queen unleashes her lightning spell upon the Hyperions, only shocking them but disabling the lesser armored ones but incurring the wrath of the remaining six, she runs down the hall past the life supports with the prototype following her faster then the average Hyperion, Writing Glory runs up the wall then pushes off of it gliding above the life supports utilizing her magic beam to cut through the cyborgs destroying only 3 of them. Destiny lands beside Writing Glory, they both begin to cast a spell until the Hyperions start flashing.

"What are they doing now??"

Destiny watches closely she then remembers that the grenades Zecora made would flash if they were exposed to air then explode.

"Self Destruct!!" The young alicorn mare puts up a shield just as the Hyperions explode, causing the floor to collapse and the lab to be destroyed .

Destiny and Writing Glory fall onto the floor beneath the one they were on, unscathed by both the explosion and the fall. They look at each other for any injuries then look at each other and laugh. They stand up and look around and soon the both of them realize how quiet it is, no Crystal soldiers, no Hyperions, no Dragons outside, and no Shadow. They move slowly down the hall treading very carefully, making very sure they are not taken off guard. Suddenly Destiny stops, she puts her right wing in Writing Glories way.

"Destiny what are you-"

"Shh, do you hear that?"

The sounds of fillies voices echo throughout the halls, Mira and Clara were talking to Sapphire by the sounds of it, over joyed, Writing Glory runs as fast as she can down the hall, she turns left and continue running down the hall the voices are coming from, Destiny following close by. Halfway down the corridor the all to familiar voice of Shadow bangs on the alicorns eardrums prompting them to stop, a big mistake as Shadow bursts through the floor, pinning Writing Glories head between his hooves and lifting her off the floor. Shadow manages to carry Writing Glory toward the ceiling and drops her. After that he flies his fastest with his horn lowered toward Writing Glory, Destiny sees this and quickly jumps up.

"Oh no you don't!!!!"

destiny Charges her horn then jumps up at Shadow impaling the armored alicorn in the chest and firing a beam through his body, sending Shadow down the hall and through the wall. Destiny smiles thinking Shadow has been beaten, oh how wrong was she, Shadow bursts through the wall and charges her dangerously fast, for having three legs he could still run with great ease as though he head never lost it. He runs up along the wall and jumps off using his left hoof to punch or frontal kick Destiny Charge in the jaw causing her to spit blood, she looks at Shadow only to be kicked in the neck by Shadows back legs. Destiny coughs and gasps for air, the red glow of Shadows horn glows around Destinies head, he starts pummling her into the floor.

"Instead of getting my way, why don't you just die!!!"

Writing Glory comes up behind Shadow and strikes him hard at the back of the head with her elbow causing the dark alicorn to neigh in agony, her abandon his chance to kill destiny so he may electrocute the Fausticorn which he does with ease.

"Get.. off.. of me!! rrraaghh!!!!"

The fausticorn blinds Shadow with a solar flare then uses her magic to throw him about and break his bones which are self repaired in minutes. Mira hears this and runs outside the room to see Writing Glory and Destiny Charge fighting Shadow.

"Aunt Writing Glory, Destiny Charge, over here!!"

Writing Glory stops what she's doing and looks at Mira, overjoyed and happy to see her alive and well, though bruised and hurt from the two months of abuse she received. Shadow seizes this opportunity to grab Destiny and throw her into the fausticorn.

"You've dropped your guards alicorns, very unwise, very foolish, you have challenged me long enough."

Shadows horn glows at the tip and cause red lightning to scatter and fly around the orb, afraid for her aunt and best friends lives, Mira runs up to Sapphire.

"Sapphire please help my Aunt, Help Destiny Charge, please stop Shadow..."

The unborn alicorn filly inside of Writing Glory lends Sapphire some of her magic and tells her to use it wisely, Sapphire utters a few words, her horn glows brightly then she says the spells name.

"Curse of Sombra..."

Shadow laughs victoriously, saying how he's won and how they will never defeat him, and rears his head back to launch the orb of death at his opponents only for it to vanish when he is grabbed by some pony ghosts, Shadow looks around him and growls.

"What is this?!"

Shadow looks at the ghosts aura and realizes whose magic is giving this spell power, he tries all he can to get out of the ghost ponies grips using what ever he can only for his efforts to be in vain. The ghosts begin to drag shadow down through the floor slowly, feeling afraid to die he calls out to the one pony as both himself and the pony he once was to stop the spell even though he knew it was her that cast it.

"Sapphire... please don't... Sapphire release me! RELEASE ME!!!!"

Shadow struggles even more and even tries flying, he shoots at the ghosts with his dark magic only for it to pass through them. He is then dragged beneath the palace and imprisoned for now. Writing Glory stands up and helps Destiny to her hooves, they look at each other for a moment panting from exhaustion. They then turn their attention to Mira who was waiting for them by the door Sapphire and Clara are in. Writing Glory and Destiny Charge run to them, the fausticorn tearing up, smiling, gets to her knees and slides toward Mira and embraces the filly in tears.

"Oh Mira, I'm so sorry i couldn't be hear sooner. I'm so happy you're okay and alive and..." Writing Glory cries in happiness and relief.

"W-where's miss Clover... and Uncle Wonder?"

Writing Glory fixes up Miras mane.

"Your uncle Wonder is alright, he's okay."

Destiny looks down walking into the room to greet Clara. "My mother... Clover the Clever.. she's dead..."

Mira shows great sadness at that, she had last seen Clover the day she was taken, she never got to say goodbye. Mira cries in Writing Glories chest, the fausticorn nuzzles Mira to comfort her knowing that, that's all she needs. Writing Glory looks over at Clara Skyblaze who is talking to Destiny, Destiny gets down to Claras height.

"Hello Clara, my name's Destiny Charge."

"Mira talked about you, she said you'd come to save us."

Destiny nods. "Yes, we're going to take you, Mira, and Sapphire home."

"Miss Sapphire is hurt."

Destiny looks at the bed to see Sapphire hurt and weak, Destiny becomes concerned.

"What happened to her?"

"She was hurt by a spear, I didn't see what did it though... I was so scared."

Destiny looks back at Clara about to tell her something but hesitates.

"W-where's my mommy??"

Destiny looks down for a moment to choose her words then looks back up at Clara.

"Your mother, Rose Skyfire... she died fighting Shadow when Cloudsdale fell, I'm so sorry Clara."

Clara starts sobbing and breaking into tears, Destiny hugs Clara closely, she becomes motherly and tries her best to calm Clara down, the fausticorn watches sadly, she could imagine the amount grief and pain of loss the filly feels. Writing Glory looks back down and sheds a few tears.

"W-writing Glory..."

Writing Glory looks at the bed Sapphire was laying in, she stands up and walks toward the weak and dying Sapphire Amethyst, the doors of the room closed and lock all on their own because of her magic, Writing Glory tells Mira to sit with Clara while she and Destiny tend to Sapphire. Destiny stands up and walks over to the bed Sapphire lay in. Writing Glory gets lower she isn't towering over the Bluish-purple Unicorn.

"Oh Sapphire..."

"You don't need to worry about me... death is a release for me..." Sapphire smiles.

"I'm not letting you die here, We're taking you back to Canterlot where you'll receive proper care for your wounds."

Sapphire shakes her head. "No... you don't understand... I'm the one giving Shadow his power..."

Writing Glory looks shocked, she never would have thought that a mere Unicorn whose ancestry consists of paupers and slaves, would be the one giving the alicorn of death such power. Destiny Charge is also very shocked to hear this, she is unable to think of words to describe how she feels about this, Sapphire takes a deep breath.

"D-did you see the paintings of soul..? Shadow w-wasn't always... like this.... He...he.. used to be so sweet... kind and gentle...and so alone..."

Destiny starts to worry about Shadow coming back and so adopts a battle stance charging her horn expecting the armored alicorn to come for them at any moment, Sapphire chuckles at Destinies paranoia.

"You... underestimate my power... as long as I still live... he won't be breaking free of my curse... Though the amulet... will try to help him... it will fail... do not worry Destiny Charge... my power is beyond... even... Writing Glory.."

Sapphire starts to breath deeper and becomes even more weaker, not willing to lose another friend, both Destiny and Writing Glory use their magic to keep Sapphire alive, the alicorns focus all their magic on the wound, easing the pain and healing it to some extent but not enough to save her, though it gives her more time to live. Sapphire breaths normally again and speaks the way she was before but less weakly.

"I... don't want to be saved..."

"Too bad, we're not going to let you die." Destiny says sternly.

"Letting me live will only put you in danger...."

Writing Glory looks down sadly, she did not wish to let somepony die because of a connection to something so vile and cruel. The fausticorn flattened her ears on top of her head unable to think of what to do, Destiny looks out the window to see dragons fighting against Hyperions in the streets and buildings collapsing. Sapphire suddenly starts speaking to break the silence.

"Soul and I were close when we were foals, he was gentle, kind, always putting others safety ahead of his own... he was like an angel, though very very sick, his immune system was low, making him frail and weak but he didn't care, he was happy and so was I... then that horrible day came... the day of the Cobra..."

Writing Glory remembers this day all too well, back 18 years ago the same Cobra Writing Glory and fought and killed during the creation of the world had returned, Sapphire continued telling her story. The Cobra flies above what was then Crystannia hiss and drooling its green saliva, Crystal Ponies scatter and run as archers fire upon the constellation, it laughs in its raspy hollow voice, rears its head back then unleashes an acidic breath of fire.

"The Cobra was killing anypony that it gazed upon, its breath was like acid, melting through the streets and buildings. No where was safe."

In the flash back the Cobra scoops up crystal ponies in its jaws and devours them, it twists its body around as a volley of arrows is unleashed upon its celestial body, this causes no damage to the monster however. Its eyes flow bright green then burning flashes from its eyes destroy the ground close to the soldiers.

"My brother and I were taking shelter inside one of the cities civilian bunkers when you appeared and fought with it...."

In the flash back Writing Glory charged head on toward the Cobra and rams her horn into its right eye, she quickly kicks away from the Serpent, yanking her horn out of its eyes. The Serpent thrashed in pain, screeching and hissing loudly before stopping and looking around for the alicorn with its good eye. Writing Glory had disappeared but Destiny hadn't, she fired a blue neon glowing beam of burning stinging magic at the serpent as she flies past causing the Serpent to fire its secondary beam and set fire to the shelter.

"The fire started, everypony panicked. Someponies fled the Shelter while others were trapped by the blaze... I tried to get my brother out but he went back to save the others... nopony else came out and neither did my brother, hours later you used the Elements of Harmony and the cobra was gone... so was Soul..."

A feeling of guilt overcomes Destiny Charge, she was the cause of Souls death and it hurt to know she was responsible for causing the deaths of so many. Sapphire forgave Destiny years back, she continue her story.

"Months after that, Crystannia was rebuilding, and things seemed better for everypony but me... I was back to begging and doing jobs for anypony that needed help provided I was paid, then... as I was going home one night; I found a colt, he was identical to Soul... he sounded like him too but he was much younger, and he had a pair of wings. He had no memory no name and nowhere to go I named him after my brother, Soul Amethyst, I hoped that name would help me cope with my loss but it never worked... he wasn't Soul... but I still cared and thought of him as my brother. He was everything Soul was but... I would have never guessed he would become the monster you both strive to destroy."

Writing Glory looks at Destiny then looks back at Sapphire feeling terrible. Destiny thinks of what next to say.

"How... how did he become Shadow Strike?"

Sapphire starts tearing up. "Soul and I continued to live like he never died... before he died he was treated badly by everypony around us because of his pale complexion and sickly look, what made them even more resentful of him was his wings, and his magical power... he grew to hate everypony but me and soon he was using his magic to hurt or kill anypony that mistreated him, and one day... he was gone. Vanished from the lives of everypony, I searched for him for three years and I found nothing, no answers, no clues, no trace of him. I moved on, tried to make a living."

Sapphire starts to tear up even more. "He came back two years ago clad in that armor which he called: The Alicorn Armor. He seized control of Crystannia through fear, on that day Crystannia was called, The Crystal Empire."

Writing Glory is lost for words, she had hoped that there would be more to Shadows origin then that, but the biggest question running through the alicorn queens mind prompts her to ask.

"How are you the one giving Shadow power??"

Sapphire looks Writing Glory in the eye and smiles. "Because I love him... he's my little brother... and I'm the only pony that has ever really shown him kindness... that's how I am giving him power... and is why I must die... It is the only way you can defeat him."

The fausticorn looks away in shame. "I lost the Elements of Harmony on the battlefield, without them I am unable to deliver the final blow."

"Lost? Fausticorn they are not lost, they are apart of you and when called, they will come."

Sapphire closes her eyes, her horn glows a bright sparkly jade color and within moments the Elements of Harmony suddenly appear on top of Writing Glories head surprising the centuries old being. The Elements of Harmony only obeyed the pure hearted with the most powerful magic, and Sapphire had the most powerful magic. Writing Glory lifts the crown off her head and looks at each of the glowing gems representing the different meanings of harmony, she then looks at Sapphire full of questions with only one answer.

"How did you do that??"

"I told you, I am the most powerful unicorn in all Equestria, my power even surpasses yours. Soul and I have been powerful since birth, we share our power and that's what makes him him so powerful. I beg you, please kill me..."

Shadows aura suddenly becomes even stronger and closer, putting Destiny on edge.

"Your majesty we really must be going."

Writing Glory ignores Destiny and gets closer to Sapphire, getting down on her knees again so she is closer to the dying unicorn.

"Are you certain... this is what you want?"

Sapphire nods. "Shadow must be stopped... killing me will weaken him greatly..."

The spell keeping Sapphire alive wears off, she starts to weaken fast and begins entering a comatose state which Shadow intended when he had the spear plunged into her, she uses all of her strength to stay awake, panting heavily and sweating losing war with Shadows spell quickly. Writing Glory holds Sapphires right hoof with hers and looks at her chest then back at her. Destiny Tells the fillies not to look. Writing Glory sheds tears, once again looking at Sapphires chest, closing her eyes tightly and looking away, she lights her horn which glows bright aqua, not wishing to cause Sapphire amethyst any more pain than shes already felt, the fausticorn gently stops Sapphires heart bringing forth tears of sadness to the fausticorn which becomes a wailing cry. Sapphire slowly closed her eyes once everything had gone black, she started smiling using her final breaths to say one word before finally dying peacefully.

"Thank... you..."

Destiny comforts the fillies who are upset over Sapphire, after a few moments Writing Glory stands, swivels her head around to look at Destiny and the fillies.

"We have to take her with us, back to Canterlot. I will not leave her here."

Destiny nods, the fillies calm down and walk over to the door waiting for the mares to come, as they waited the fausticorn and Destiny Charge got some things to wrap Sapphires body in. They lay down some bed sheets on the floor while Writing Glory lifts Sapphires body onto the sheets where they wrap her body up. Shadow suddenly bursts into the room and quickly fires his scatter beam at the queen and the blue alicorn, forcing them to jumps back before they could wrap Sapphires face. Shadow looked like his pony self but with a crimson and blood red glow around his body, he was still missing his right leg too. He slowly walked toward the two alicorns stopping once he sees Sapphire, then everything changes.

"Sapphire?" Shadows voice suddenly sounded like a young colts through the helmet.

A puff of steam or carbon dioxide emits from Shadows helmet as it begins separating into different segments, resting just on top of his head, and revealing his face to the alicorns.

"Sapphire... wake up it's me.. please wake up..."

Shadow nuzzles Sapphire twice trying to wake her up only to realize that she is dead, Shadow looks up at the two alicorns with his cold red hateful eyes.

"You... killed her..." Shadows colt-like voice began to take on the angry voice and tone of a child at the age of 12.

the windows and walls in the room start cracking and the room rumbles, Shadows helmet clamps back down around his head giving him his metallic voice again.

"YOU KILLED HER!!!"

Writing Glory glares at Shadow charging an electrical attack from her horn, in his anger, Shadow blindly charges at the Fausticorn just as she throws her sphere of electricity at him, it hits him in the Alicorn Amulet sending him flying back ward through a wall.

"Lets get Sapphire and leave fast."

Within moments Writing Glory, Destiny Charge, Mira Silverblood, and Clara Skyblaze all headed for the throne room, Destiny carried the deceased Sapphire on her back while Writing Glory carried the fillies, as they hurried along the corridors Shadows magical energy began to come out of the walls behind the alicorns, they turned to see this killer magic coming right at them and fast. Without a second thought they start running toward the throne room upon reaching it they are caught in an explosion that knocks them all off their hooves, Shadow emerges from the floor in his monstrous appearance, though he has transcended beyond any natural creature, he was something far more vile, more cruel and sickening, the Alicorn Amulet had transformed Shadow into the very incarnate of all things dark and evil. He now had feet like a birds but with talons that could cut through anything, five sets of wings all of them with feathers that looked like black steel, his teeth gleamed like fresh unused stainless steel and titanium alloy knives, his eyes were a piercing fiery red which looked like hell fire, the armor looked much more organic, it no longer resembled armor, the horn had been elongated and sharpened, his tail became like a whip with a barb of bone at the end of it. Shadows mane was a literal fiery shadow, his tongue forked, and his voice had a hiss sound in it with a mix of his normal calculating voice, he was much larger compared to Writing Glory considering how he now stood on his back legs upright, he also had a clawed fingered hand and arm with elbow spikes, he was however missing his right one still. he had horns running along his snout they were pointed backwards but he still retained his straight unicorn horn, two giant horns decorated the back of his head, as well as three small tusks that was near his mouth. His underside now looked much like that of an armored suit with parts of his ribs revealing an exoskeleton structure but the chest area could open up to reveal a cannon that could obliterate anything in its path, his spines were protruding from his back along his tail, his legs had spikes protruding from the knee caps, finally the Alicorn Amulet rested in his forehead.

"You have pissed me off for the last time alicorn, this time I will end you permanently!!"

Shadow lets out a deafening roar, the fausticorn shakes her head and beholds the sight of Shadows newest and possibly most powerful form, his power could tear the world asunder if he chose, Writing Glory was more terrified then she had ever been, this monster pressed its stub against a crystal surface, the crystal wall attaches itself to where the arm was severed, he pulls away and the crystal reconstructs his arm, Shadow now had two hands to choke the fausticorn with though one was organic and the other obviously crystal.

"Shadow??"

The gets on all fours. "No!"

It moves lightning fast and strikes Writing Glory in the side knocking to the other end of the room.

"I am no longer Shadow Strike," it puts its foot around Writing Glories neck. "I am Shadow Lord!"

Using his talons he picks up the fausticorn and throws her at a wall, she smashes into it, breaking, cracking and denting the crystalline wall, Shadow Lord screeches and runs at the alicorn queen making a fist and throwing it toward her, she ducks under the monsters arm, Shadows spiked knuckles get caught in the wall making it hard to pull out. Writing Glory fires a beam of purple magic which sears Shadows new flesh, she forgot that Shadow had a new arm which he uses to smash the Faust in the face making her crash into Destiny upon being launched across the room. They both regain their stances.

"She lied, Sapphire lied he is far too powerful for us to defeat."

Writing Glory shakes her head. "No, she didn't lie, he is weakening slowly, and he is now vulnerable to the Elements."

Shadow turns his head in their direction, his spines start glowing then his horn, finally he unleashes a dangerously powerful beam from his horn at them which cuts through the floor like a Japanese katana through a skull. both alicorns dart out of the way just as the beam goes past, it suddenly generates an explosion. Shadow Lord breaks free of the wall and lets out a screeching roar waking up the fillies, Mira, and Clara from unconsciousness, Shadow catches sight of the two defenseless foals and flickers his tongue, his horn flashes once and the spot the fillies were standing on explodes, sending both of them flying across the room prompting quick action from both Destiny and Writing Glory, they uses their magic to catch the fillies just before they get hurt anymore. Small shrieks emanate from Shadow who is upset that the fillies are not harmed.

"Destiny, get Sapphire and the fillies to safety now! I'll handle Shadow."

Destiny picks up Sapphires body, and the fillies then she goes toward the exit which was blocked off by rubble. Destiny looked it over trying to figure out a way to get through, she lights her horn and starts removing the rubble, bit by bit. Shadow prepares to charge at the blue alicorn, letting out a soft reptilian hiss.

"Hey Shadow!"

Shadow turns his head in the direction of the fausticorn and stands upright, his back hunched over, hissing and revealing his inner jaw. He lines himself up to Writing Glory grinding his talons along floor. After staring at each other for a moment they starts running at each other, Shadow knocks the elements of harmony off of the fausticorns head then uses his crystal hand to punch her, making her jerk back her head, she then cuts Shadows crystal arm only it doesn't harm him it merely scratches the limb and blunt the Faust's horn. She looks at Shadows arm but is then kicked.

"Stop leaving yourself open like that alicorn, you're going to take out all the fun in killing you and your foal!"

Writing Glory fires a super heated ray from her horn at Shadow, burning him can bringing the beast to howl in agony. Shadow back slaps Writing Glory and kicks her over, he roars in anger then unleashes a beam from his mouth which sears Writing Glories flesh, the beam had struck her left front leg, rendering it useless, she gets up only to be put back down by Shadows whip like tail which crackled every time it smacked into an object. It left marks and scratches on Writing Glories body, Shadow laughs as though he has won and unleashes his wings flapping all ten of them and lifting himself off the ground. He grabs Writing Glory around the throat with his taloned feet and throws her into the throne smashing it into a thousand pieces. Destiny sees Writing Glory getting pummeled and stops trying to move the rubble away from the entrance, firing bolts of energy at Shadow Lord.

"Clara, Mira, find a safe place to hide I have to help the queen."

Destiny takes flight and flies at Shadow, ramming her horn into his flesh. Shadow screeches and uses his elbow spikes to wound Destiny Charge, he throws her to the floor and tries to crush her skull with his talons. Shadow lets out a high pitched roar which makes Destinies ears bleed. The dark alicorn opens his jaws around Destiny Charges head and is about to bite down until he has his left back horn shattered by the fausticorns hoof. The monster holds the back of his head writhing in pain and roaring with anger, he uses his whip like tail to swat Writing Glory and to choke her. The tail tightens even more with Writing Glory gasping for air and struggling to break free, the bestial alicorns body glows blue then a bolt of lightning travels along the whip like tail and electrocutes the fausticorn, she screams agonizingly.and squirms trying even harder to get out of the deathly grip. Clara and Mira watch helplessly, they think of what to do until Mira decides to use the mirror mirror strike spell on Shadow. She casts it and makes copies of Writing Glory that confuse the evil dictator, the copies work like shadow clones that can harm and touch real objects but if put through harm will disappear. Shadow loses his grip on the alicorn queen, allowing her to and wrap her front legs around Shadows neck and slam him into the floor with all her strength, the floor breaks causing shards of crystal to scatter, some shards break through Writing Glories armor and embed themselves in her legs, crippling her. It felt like shrapnel grinding against raw bone.

"Arrgh!!" The fausticorn drops to the floor in pain and starts trying to pull out the pieces so she may heal, it is a painful and very cringe worthy task, some of the shards have been embedded in the knee bone making this even more painful for her.

Shadow was currently unconscious as this was happening, Destiny awakens and sees Writing Glories struggle. She gets up and walks over to the fausticorn and assists in removing the crystal shards.

"Relax your majesty."

Writing Glory bites down on her wing hard as Destiny carefully removes the sharp objects, Mira and Clara keep a careful eye on Shadow Lord then they spy his tail moving a little, his dark fiery mane reignites itself and his eyes glow crimson red. Destiny finishes pulling out the final pieces of the shards just as Shadow swipes her away with one mighty blow of his crystal prosthetic arm, unable to react fast enough, the injured fausticorn is picked up in Shadows teeth which were clamped around her neck, he tossed her and shook her like a dog does with a rope chew toy then as her blood dripped from the monsters maw, she is thrown toward the Elements of Harmony by mistake. Shadow laughs amused at the alicorns weakness.

"How pathetic, you were able to make me retreat before but now... now you are being pummeled, beaten, destroyed. You no longer provide me with an enjoyable challenge, I suppose now... it is time to end our game...:"

Shadows chest piece opens up, the breast plate splits in half and opens to the sides as well as downward unveiling two green bulbous orbs packed tightly into a fleshy mesh of purple muscle covered in an odd mucus that gives off an indescribable aroma that is almost like a sweet smelling perfume that is meant to keep the target in place so that they do not run away once this weapon is revealed. The orbs start glowing and absorbing light, the monster starts laughing maniacally thinking victory is within his grasp. Writing Glory looks at the reflective nature of her crown sees some chains above Shadow that could tie him up allowing her to use the elements, but how could she put this plan into motion without being blasted into oblivion, suddenly Blinding Flash bursts through a window and distracts Shadow by kicking him in the forehead where the Alicorn Amulet is, causing Shadow to weaken. Blinding Flash also snaps Shadows horn bringing the monster to screech and try flail around in pain. Blinding Flash jumps off and flies past Writing Glory.

"All yours honey, take him down!!"

Writing Glory stood up and placed the elements atop her head, she then runs toward Shadow with Destiny Charge alongside her. she picks up the chains with her magic and passes one to Destiny Charge. They both take flight, flying around Shadow who tried to grab the alicorns only to have chains wrapped around his limbs and legs, after Shadow had been restrained the Alicorn Amulet started to charge up a devastating attack, Writing Glory and Destiny charge fly upward and around each other in a spiral very closely, their bodies glowed white once they got high enough then, they spiraled back down like a silver ball of fire, and crashed down on Shadow bringing him to the floor. Writing Glory and Destiny spread out around Shadow whom was regaining his strength, Destiny Charge thrusts her horn into the weakened Shadows head just under the Alicorn Amulet and lifts it out of his skull causing blood to spatter everywhere and the amulet to land on the floor covered in blood. Shadow roars loudly causing him to stands up and the chains to break but alas Shadow doesn't get to do much, Writing Glory circles around Shadow firing a stream of energy right from the Elements of Harmony that . As this happened the bestial alicorn like beast roared and tried to fire a magical stream from his broken horn which he does, this beam as well as the Elements of Harmonies power connect and becomes a beam war over whether Writing Glory fails or Shadow is imprisoned, but no magic power can hold back or rival the Elements of Harmony and thus they overpower Shadows attack and dive it back toward Shadow. Suddenly, a white explosion occurs which causes the crystal palace to light up ever so brightly and its tower to crack and ultimately explode all around, sending pieces flying in all directions. This catches the attention of the Equestrian army, Zecora, Star Swirl the Bearded, and Medic Mare all of whom after a short pause start running to the slowly crumbling palace fearing the worst for Writing Glory and the others.

As the dust clears, Writing Glory moves her wing away from her face, panting in exhaustion and looking upon the crystallized Shadow Lord, bringing a massive smile to the fausticorn, though this smile is one most rare, she suddenly lets out a scream of victory taking a stance eyes wide, jumping up and down looking at everypony and laughing. Destiny shared in Writing Glories joy, laughing and running around like she had won the lottery. The fillies came out of hiding and danced around Writing Glory also sensing that the threat has been eliminated while Wonder Bolt watched on with a smile before being kissed over and over again by Writing Glory, Wonder blushes redder then any tomato and passes out comically making the red maned alicorn giggle. She turns and nuzzles the fillies as Destiny picks the Alicorn Amulet and examines it, the amulet spoke to her in the black tongue beckoning her to use it, however she refuses to give into using the trinket, knowing full well that having to much power can destroy a unicorn or alicorns life, a lesson that would passed on through the generations of the Sparkle family.

"Your majesty."

Writing Glory looks over at Destiny and approaches her, walking up beside her and looking at what the blue alicorn held.

"This amulet is far too powerful to let anypony get their hooves on ever again. It is the most vile thing I have ever seen, it is filled with things that if released would cause unprecedented chaos and discord it must be destroyed.

Writing Glory examines the alicorn shaped amulet with its voice and promise of power ringing through the fausticorns ears attempting to seduce her, after another moment of examining the blood covered artifact she comes to the realization that it cannot be destroyed much like Shadows armor. The Elements of Harmony glowed and fired a small stream at the amulet, covering it in a blue peaceful light, rendering its powers dormant. It was now nothing more then a simple piece of jewelry however the threat of somepony with tremendous magical ability re-awaking its power lingers. Writing Glory, Destiny Charge, Wonder Bolt, Mira Silverblood, and Clara Skyblaze are startled by the sounds of rubble being cleared away from the palace entrance, Equestrians and Crystal ponies work together in clearing the debris away until there was a clear way into the palace. Before anypony could enter, Writing Glory, the fillies, and Wonder Bolt exit the palace stopping on the stairs in front of everypony who came to rescue them.

"Thank goodness you're okay, is Shadow... you know?"

"Dead? no Star Swirl the Bearded. Shadow has been encased in a crystal prison from which he will never escape. Medic Mare."

Writing Glory looks behind her and Destiny walks out, carrying Sapphires body on her back. Many of the crystal ponies that knew Sapphire Amethyst gasp in shock and horror, they could tell it was Sapphire as the wrapped up body had her portrait strapped on the front of it, two soldiers pull up a cart used by Medic Mare to carry medicine and medical supplies and help Destiny gently place the body into it, so that they may transport it back to Canterlot so she may be cremated and her ashes scattered around the one place she thought most beautiful. Writing Glory then steps forward, using her royal canterlot voice to address the crowd.

"Today marks the end of the great pony civil war, The Crystal Empire will be placed under Equestrian occupation, helping to rebuild and to re-establish the peace and friendship we all once shared. The Crystal Empire will remain a kingdom of its own and become a place where Love, Tolerance and the six elements of friendship will reflect across all of Equestria and influence the lives of ponies living within this nation together. Put aside your differences, and let us all rebuild together, for Equestria!"

The crystal ponies and Equestrians smile and neigh loudly, the great hatred between the Equestrians and crystal ponies instantly ceased thanks to Writing Glories speech. The fausticorn smiles then turns to Zecora.

"Zecora, I need you to do something that will ensure Equestria remains safe."

"What is it you ask of me your majesty?"

Writing Glory pulls the Alicorn Amulet out from under her wing and hands it to Zecora.

"I need you to hide it away, hide it where nopony would ever think to look, nopony would dare to look for it, nopony must get their hooves on the Alicorn Amulet ever again. Can you promise me you will hide it away forever?"

Zecora looks at the amulet and understands all to well the importance of keeping this trinket hidden, never to be used again.

"I promise you, I will keep this hidden with my life."

"Thank you."

It was 4:30 PM and the equestrian army was packing up and getting ready for the return trip to Canterlot, thousands of Wonderbolts flew over the crystal palace while Destiny sat in the cart Sapphires body was in, she looked up as they flew over head and smiled warmly as they did, she then looked at her diary and wrote;

"The Wonderbolts, are a beautiful fighting force."

Within hours a garrison is set up in the city with some Wonderbolts and Equestrian soldiers there to help in the rebuilding of The Crystal Empires city and society. Writing Glory and Destiny Charge led the long journey back home, this time they don't stop, they continue through after noon, arrive back in Canterlot by night fall, the journey took three hours as opposed to the two day journey to the Crystal Empire, this was likely because there were less of them then there were before. As they step through the gates of Canterlot, they are greeted by thousands of ponies, cheering and celebrating the winning of the war, Writing Glory asks some ponies who run the cemetery to prepare for a cremation. Before any real celebration begins the entire canterlot army, the Wonderbolts, Writing Glory, Destiny, Wonder, the fillies, Zecora, Star Swirl, and Medic Mare all attend Sapphires funeral which lasts about an hour, as everypony departs to go celebrate the end of the war, Writing Glory stays behind for a while to think.

"Writing Glory..."

Writing Glory turns her head in Destinies direction.

"You have a speech to give, remember?"

"Oh... yeah... I'll be right there."

The fausticorn takes one last look at Sapphires funeral pyre, placing a hoof on her baby bump, smiling happily. She then heads to the city courtyard where there were tables laden with food around the statue of the fausticorn. Writing Glory walks up to a pedestal and clears her throat and speaks in her canterlot voice.

"For two years we have been at war, at war with not some monsters or creatures of the wild, but with each other, the war with The Crystal Empire cost us so many lives, all because of a monster that led the armies against us. When everything seemed hopeless and everything seemed lost, we bounced back and we defeated our enemy and restored peace back to Equestria. Though this victory was not won without loss, many died fighting Shadow and his army, may they always be remembered within our hearts until the end of time."

The entirety of Canterlot goes silent for a moment to honor the dead, after those moments fire works were let off and the ponies celebrated for hours into the night. As Writing Glory was about to step off the podium Destiny Charge and the entire army of Canterlot stood before it.

"Writing Glory!"

The fausticorn turns toward the whole army, they put their legs together, standing straight. They raised their right hoofs to their foreheads and salute the queen.

"Semper Fi!"

Writing Glory turns to them, smiles gently and Salutes them in return.

"Oorah"

Later that night Writing Glory uses a teleportation spell to return to the crystal palace, she enters the destroyed throne room and approaches Shadows crystal prison, looking the monster in the eyes, her gaze filled with hate, Writing Glory began to speak softly.

"You lost, you underestimated me, my army, the ponies that gave their lives just to stop you from destroying the very peace I spent so many centuries striving to obtain. You killed so many innocent equestrians, ruined the lives of millions and exploited a power that made you so bold and in a flash, I beat you. I didn't kill you because I'm nothing like you, and here you are, trapped inside a crystal sculpture."

Writing Glory closes her eyes and looks down taking a deep breath, she reopens her eyes and glares up at Shadow sinisterly.

"If I let you live you'd just find a way to break out and start this all over again, I'm not about to walk away and let that happen. This time..."

Writing Glory rears up on her back legs, raising her front legs. "...You die."

The fausticorn brings herself down and slams her front hooves into shadows prison, shattering it into a thousand pieces and finally killing the dark alicorn. Just as soon as Writing Glory gets back on all fours, The Elements of Harmony crack and splinter this time rendering the elements useless, they go grey and suddenly the wind begins to pick up, gray thunderclouds roll over and lightning strikes everywhere around her. The fausticorn looks around confused, suddenly the wind blows harder and picks up bits and pieces of the ruined castle and hurls them around, a white mist emerges from the cracks in the elements, this spirit had a dragon like face and body. It roared and looked around letting off a demonic laugh before escaping the Elements of Harmony with extreme ease. The entity disappears as does the storm the wind, the debris the storm picked up is dropped like rocks in a pond. Writing Glory takes the Elements of harmony off her head to see that the crystals had grayed and cracked, she had abused the elements for the 2nd and last time, she looks skyward as the feeling of fear and something bad overcomes her.