//------------------------------// // End Of A Dream // Story: Doomsday // by SilentWanderer //------------------------------// “This is a special day for all of Ponyville. Today, one of our greatest citizens, Rainbow Dash, will be presenting, together with the Wonderbolts, a special aerial show!” The temporary arena, built right next to the town, was packed with ponies. Four sectors of seating surrounded a large oval open space. Between two of the sectors, Mayor Mare was seated in front of a microphone, which she used to welcome all the spectators. Outside the arena, the Wonderbolts were getting ready for the presentation. “I can't believe we are here, Rainbow Dash! This is a dream coming true!” Scootaloo passed Rainbow Dash the next piece of her uniform. “Did you ever doubt it? That the awesome Rainbow Dash would join the Wonderbolts, and lead a special presentation?” “We have only five minutes left, ‘awesome Rainbow Dash.’” The other Wonderbolts laughed at Spitfire's teasing. -*-*-*- “Is it the time? Is it the time? Is it the time? Is it the time?” “Calm down, Pinkie. There are only four minutes and forty-six seconds left until the presentation starts.” “I think this presentation will be spetacular! Which is why I am wearing my best dress!” “Uh-huh. Four minutes and thirteen seconds.” “I can't wait to see how it goes,” comments Applejack. “I am happy for her,” said Fluttershy. “She had her dream come true.” Storm clouds formed outside the arena. “Strange,” commented Twilight, “I am sure that the weather scheduled for today was clear skies.” The storm clouds moved over the arena, covering the sun. Dramatic thunder reverberated from the clouds. A lone dark unicorn entered the arena, casting a dark spell. His eyes were red, and his cutie mark was an equine skull. “What are you doing?” asked Mayor Mare on the microphone. “You are not part of the show!” The dark unicorn levitated Mayor Mare's microphone over to him, and spoke with a booming voice. “CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE! THIS DAY MARKS THE BEGINNING OF YOUR DOOM! ALL OF EQUESTRIA WILL BE RULED BY ME!” Chaotic winds flowed around the arena. In its center, next to the dark unicorn, a black vertical line appeared and widened with a crackling sound, forming a portal. “Not again!” complained Twilight. “It is the third one this month! You know the drill, girls.” Twilight levitated the Elements of Harmony from their saddlebags. “Let's get this over with and go back to the show.” While Twilight and her friends descended from their seating into the arena, the Wonderbolts attacked the dark unicorn, who effortlessly swatted them from the sky. Rainbow Dash walked into the arena, meeting her friends. “Why is it that half of the villains we face defeat the Wonderbolts without even trying? This is getting ridiculous!” Twilight passed Rainbow Dash her Element of Harmony. “Doesn't matter. Let's defeat him quickly,” said Twilight. The dark unicorn looked at the six friends and laughed. Twilight rolled her eyes and activated the Elements. From the middle of the audience, five columns of dark light erupted, accompanied by bloodcurdling screams. The columns curved and hit the dark unicorn, who kept laughing. The power of the six Elements of Harmony hit the dark unicorn, who did not even try to escape. The power of the six Elements of Harmony did nothing. “YOUR ELEMENTS OF HARMONY ARE USELESS AGAINST ME! I SELECTED FIVE THEMATICALLY APPROPRIATE PONIES TO BE MY COUNTER-ELEMENTS. NOTHING CAN STOP ME NOW!” Cracks formed in the air above them, as if the air was a solid wall. While the dark unicorn continued to laugh, pieces fell, revealing holes through which a throbbing dark mass could be seen. All ponies, except for the six friends, fled in a panic. The Wonderbolts attempted, with little success, to direct the fleeing mob. “This is bad! If we do not stop this dark magic, everything will be destroyed!” “What do we do, Twilight?” asked Rarity. “I do not know!” “I have an idea! Twilight, use the Elements again when I give the signal!” said Rainbow Dash. Before Twilight could react, Rainbow Dash flew far away from them. Curving her path back towards the arena, Rainbow Dash increased her speed. A Mach cone formed in front of her. “NOW!” Twilight activated the Elements of Harmony, as Rainbow Dash dove towards the dark unicorn. The power of the six Elements of Harmony hit at the same time as Rainbow Dash's Sonic Rainboom. The force of the explosion blew everything away. The five ponies were flung into some distant trees. The wooden scaffolding of the arena gave way, and all the seating went down. The cracks on the sky disappeared, washed away by the expanding circle of light. -*-*-*- “Rainbow?” “Rainbow Dash!” As the dust cleared, the five ponies could see a shallow crater where the dark unicorn had been. At its center, a familiar blue pony with rainbow mane. “RAINBOW DASH!” Pinkie Pie ran towards the crater, her mane deflated, tears streaming from her eyes. The other four surrounded her fallen friend and the crying Pinkie Pie. Applejack held her hat in respect. -*-*-*- Almost every pony from Equestria was at Canterlot. There was no joy. There was no laughter. There was only respectful silence. The parade proceded slowly through the main streets, ending in front of Celestia's castle. Four of the Wonderbolts flew in formation over the crowd. One of them abruptly pulled up, leaving the formation while the other three continued until they were out of sight. The mourning continued for a whole week. Every pony, from the whole of Equestria, brought flowers to honor the fallen hero. At the corner of the room, wearing a black dress and covered by a black veil, Twilight Sparkle sat thinking.