//------------------------------// // The Beast // Story: Equestria Girls: Equine Inferno // by Dash Attack //------------------------------// “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath” - Revelation 12:12 Upon seeing Applejack’s disintegrate remains, Spike fainted. “We have to get to the mirror now!” shouted Cadance. “Before we lose any ponies.  Twilight! Take Spike to safety and hurry back to the mirror room. Pinkie, Fluttershy, I’m afraid this battle is too dangerous for the two of you.  You're going to have take the next train out of here.” “We… can’t.” stuttered Pinkie, her whole body shaking from the shock. “Isn’t it obvious.” replied Fluttershy in a surprisingly bitter tone. “Since we don’t have magic and the others are dead, we are useless to them.” Twights heart cracked a bit at the harsh cold words coming out of Fluttershys mouth.  Worried in this sudden change in her surviving friends, she stepped forward and walked toward them. “I’m sorry girls,” she said with tears of lament, but with half the elements gone. “I’m afraid that there isn’t anymore you can do for us.  I despise myself for saying this, believe me I do but… I don’t… I don’t…” Fluttershy lifted herself right into Twilight's face until her eyes locked.  “You don’t what Twilight. Come on say it. “I don’t think friendship alone is going to be enough this time.” she screamed as the output of her tears increased. “Please, take Spike and flee the Empire while you still can, if not for your own well being than for the ponies back home.  If we fail, the ponies of Equestria need to know what’s coming while they still have time.” Twilight leaned forward and hugged Fluttershy with all her might. “I know you're angry Fluttershy,” she said softly, her tear filled eyes closed shut. “But Shimmer’s power is beyond anything we’ve ever faced, and she’s only going to get stronger once she returns.  We may have lost the others, and we may not be able harness the raw power the elements anymore, but even now all five of you reside in my heart.  Shimmer may have killed our friends, but our bond is eternal.” She took a few steps back and looked up at Fluttershy, her eyes filled with anger and determination.  “I don’t know if I can stop her, but you can be damn sure I’m not not going to go down without a fight.  Not after all she’s done.” Moved by Twilight's words, Fluttershy gave her a small salute in memory of the one Dash gave all those years ago.  “I’ll take care of Spike and Pinkie, Twilight.”  She flew over to Twilight and lifted the unconscious dragon onto her back.  She then looked up at Discord, who had been watching them. “Discord.” she said softly. “I want you to protect Twilight and the others.  You have my permission not to hold back during the upcoming fight.  Also, I want you to know that even though we are only friends.” Discord nodded. “You have my word, though you should know by now to never rely on that. But don’t worry, this time I mean it.  Your princesses are in good hooves.  And if you don’t mind,” he pointed to Pinkie Pie, who was shaking all over and stroking her ‘not so poofy’ mane.  “I think I better send you three of you back myself; I doubt that one can make it to the train station fast enough.” With a snap of his claw, Spike and the surviving elements vanished.   Cadance then turned to face the group.  “Everypony, go to the mirror. I need to rally my subjects and power the Crystal Heart.  While me and Shining agreed never to use it as a weapon again, we are running out of options and time.” Without any further communication, the five beings exited the dining room, knowing very well that that the battle to come may very well be their last. ---------- When Twilight, Celestia, Discord, and Luna entered in the mirror room, they saw a handful of royal guards battling a battalion of the green ponies.  The four of them watched with horror as more ponies began to flood the room through the mirror. “Do not kill them!” Shouted Celestia as she zapped one of the green eyed ponies with a spell that knocked him out. “If you do their Equestrian counterparts will die. Knock them out.” “Also avoid making contact with their cutie marks or their eyes!” Shouted luna as she casted a sleeping spell on three charging minions.  “Right now their minds are asleep, but if you so much as recognize your other self reality will breakdown slightly.” “Understood your majesties.” replied one of the guards whose voice sounded familiar to Twilight. “Stallions, don’t think, just fight.” “Private Sentry learn your place.” replied one of the unicorn captains as he zapped two charging zombies. “Everypony, focus only on the battle.” Wait! though Twilight.  If he’s this worlds Flash Century then that means. Twilight watched in horror as a yellowish pegasus with a spiky blue mane pooped out of the mirror.  Panicking, Twilight charged her horn and shot a powerful bolt of magic towards Mirror Flash.  It hit the other worldly stallion square in the chest, and sent him stumbling back through the mirror. Sorry Flash, thought Twilight sadly, But I can’t dance with if you being here means reality will crack.       However, just before Twilight could catch her breath, a zombified Big Mac tackled her.  She watched in horror as the emotionless stallion lifted his hoof and loomed it over her face.  Twilight froze as the pony who looked like Big Mac began to lower his hoof.  Right before his hoof could make contact through, Twilight heard a loud bang and watched Mac’s body get flung to the other side of the wall.  She turned her head to see Discord floating in front of her with a large black mallet. “And you said I couldn’t be trusted.” he snickered as he smashed his mighty hammer into the skulls of other ponies. Twilight gave Discord a light smile.  “For once I’m glad I was wrong.” “Just don’t get used to it.” He said as if he had just finished a tedious chore.  “This whole, ‘good guy’ thing really isn’t my style.” Wave after wave the princess of Equestria fought the incoming hordes, knowing very well that this the true battle had yet to start.  The ponies Shimmer had sent forward were poor excuses for an army. Even while brainwashed, they could barely stand on four legs, and as far as anypony could tell, they didn’t know how to use magic.  Some of the pegasus zombies would try and fly, only to crash into the zombie's below and break their formation.  Had the situation not been so dire, the warriors of Equestria would have found this seen comical.  But with a much larger shark lurking behind the mirror, nopony could spare even a moment to chuckle. Then at last the ground shook. Twilight and the others looked as two devilish looking ponies - one a pale green, the other a slightly dark orange - flew out of the mirror with hellish wings.  The corrupted pawns of Sunset Shimmer snarled at the group, there vampire like fangs shimmering as the room began to glow red. “Ponies of Equestria.” they chanted as if reciting a prayer.  “Day and Night shall no longer rule this land.  Hence forth neither the sun, nor the moon, nor the stars be your light.  Instead, your only light shall come from the fire.” An intense beam of orange light bounced off the mirror, one that forced even the mighty Discord to shield his eyes.  Although they could not see, the princess could here the wales shrieks of agony from the ponies around them. “I’M BURNING! Princess Celestia, help me!” “Lady Cadence, Lord Armor, why have you forsaken us.” “All I wanted was to for people to stop making fun of my eye, and to dance with Time Turner tonight.” Tears trickled down Twilight face, only to be evaporated by intense heat.  When the light simered down, she lifted her hoof from her face and opened her eyes.  Everypony except for Snips, Snails, the princesses, and Discord was now a pile of ash.  The only other pony that remained was a demonic red alicorn with wearing four bracelets, one necklace, and one crown.   Princess Celestia gasped at the perverted monstrosity her former pupil had become, bearing demonic wings fit for a dragon, and horn which length rivaled even her own. As if reading her thoughts, Shimmer looked down at her former mentor and chuckled.  “Looks like mines bigger. Heh heh.” “I see your sense of humor is as vulgar as your appearance.” scowled Luna, her eyes wide with anger Twilight looked disturbingly at the scorch marks that had all but covered the room.  She tilted her head up to her mentor.     “Princess,” she said sadly, “She killed her own army. Does this mean…” Clestlestia closed her eyes and nodded.  “Yes Twilight, their Equestrian counterparts have suffered the same fate. Twilight heart froze up.  How many human look alikes had she seen at Canterlot High. Apple Bloom, Granny Smith, Photo Finish, Vinyl Scratch, even Flash.  They and their counterparts were now nothing more the piles of black powder. Shimmer turned to Twilight and smirked.  “What’s the matter Princess? Why do you even care? Those humans were just pawns ment to tire you out.  Their not worth morning.  Besides, I don't think their counterparts were anypony important, otherwise they would have survived when I crossed over.  Invigorating isn’t it, I killed all these ponies just by walking into a room.  Imagine what I could if I ever catch a cold. Heh Heh! Oh not to be a bitch or anything, but we broke your brother’s windpipe on the other side. What’s that? Too soon.  Your are so pathetic. Celestia put her wing around Twilight. “We have to stop her Twilight, so that her evil may never harm another pony again. You have suffered more than anypony this day, but right now we need your strength to stop her.” Twilight looked up. “Let’s fry this fucking bitch, for my friends, for my brother, for everypony and human she’s killed tonight!” Twilight slammed her hoof down and narrowed her brows at Shimmer. “This ends now Shimme!” “Snips, Snails. Stand back.” she ordered. “Time to show you what a true alicorn can is capable of.” Cue Music  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHuvcuu34cI Twilight shot a torrent of energy beams at her foe, only to have them bounce back. Meane while Celestia and Luna shout yellow and blue balls from there horns. However Shimmer was able to deflect both their attacks by swatting the balls with her wings. Luna and Celestia jumped backwards just moments before the barrage of projectiles hit them. “Sister!” Luna shouted. “She’s stronger than I thought.  How much power must we exert if we are to defeat her.” “I’m afraid all of it.” sighed Celestia. “We can’t afford to hold back anymore.” “No one’s telling you you can’t hold back, dear teacher.” taunted Shimmer as her horn began to glow along side the six corrupted elements. “But if you really do care for your subjects, I recommend not worrying about collateral damage.” “I could never forgive myself if I were to accidently take the life of another pony.” shouted Celestia, “Though I pray that won’t happen, I am no longer sure if it’s possible.” “The fight is still young, big sister.” replied Luna. “We still have more tricks to try before we resort to drastic measures.” She lifted her hoof and beckoned Twilight to come forward. “Everypony, put your horns together. Let’s hit her with a cosmic beam.” “Cosmic beam?” asked Twilight. “Just let your horn connect with ours and focus on channeling your magic into a spear.” Celestia reassured her. “Luna and I will take care of the rest. Twilight nodded and the three put their horns together.  Shimmer watched with amusement as the the colours of their magic blended together before taking on spherical shape.  That amusement quickly turned into fear as the spheres started to look more like a floating snow globes containing an entire solar system.  It was like space itself had been condensed into one giant spark. “Now everypony!” shouted Celestia. “fire your magic.” Seconds later, a giant cone of energy shot out from the sphere and struck Shimmer off guard.  She felt an immense pain in her chest as she lost her footing and was pushed backwards. She flapped her wings and used them to regain her footing as she tried to push back the attack, but the beam was too strong.  Then the elements started to spark again, and she was able to push the beam forward. “We almost had her!” The beam intensified and shimmer felt a burning in her chest as she was pushed back a few inches, before she was flying forward again. “The energy is too unstable!” shouted Celestia as a long crack formed on her terra. “Release it now!” They extinguished there and sent the cosmic sphere hurtling towards Shimmer.  It hit her dead center and exploded, causing the room to shake and sent a large crystal pillar to fall right on top of the mirror, forever destroying it. The thee princess panted, as they were overcome with exhaustion from executing such a powerful spell. Shimmer headed towards them and snarled. She was covered in scratches a some minor third degree burns.  Had the blast hit a normal pony, they would have been obliterated and transformed into dark matter particles.  Shimmer on the other hand, looked as if she just fell into a burning thorn bush. “My turn assholes!” she shouted as a wide wave of green energy spread from her horn and loomed over them.  The princesses braced themselves for the end but, before Shimmers attack could make contact with the group, Discord snapped his fingers  and a giant metal pot shielded them. As the energy and entered the pot, it began to settle in like boiling hot water. Discord made himself a chef hat and mustache and laughed. “Would you like to try the boiled demon Madam Shimmer.” replied Discord with a funny accident before snapping his fingers again.  Like a baseball bat, the giant kitchen pot swung forward and splashed Shimmer along with her minions.  Shimmer screamed in agony as she felt like she had just been doused with burning water. Meanwhile the three alicorns watched in horror and disgust as they saw the slowly and painfully dissolving Snips and Snails.  Seeing Snails’ face fizzled away till all she could see was his horned skull almost made her throw up. End song here! “Well done Discord!” Celestia said firmly. “Well done?” replied Twilight. “Princess, that counter attack killed this worlds Snips and Snails. What about their parents.” “You see Celestia!” stated Discord. “This why your ‘sugar coated’ method of running things is unhealthy. “How can you prepare your ponies for true suffering and strife when all they know is pink happy rainbows?  As much as I hate to break character and be serious, if Twilight can’t get her shit together we might all end up like those two dime wits I just boiled. No offense Twilight. Twilight was about to rebuttal when she saw Shimmer rise from the ground, glaring hatefully at Discord.  Green sparks of energy surrounded the black gems that once were the elements.  Shimmer pointed a hoof at Discord, who now bore a look of concern. “You will pay for that you pour excuse for a god.  In my new world, there will be no room for your antics.” Discords mismatched eyes widen as a small green energy pyramid formed at the end of Shimmer’s hoof.  He flinched as the the strange peace of magic leapt from her hoof and outgrew him.  Caught off guard, Discord was swallowed by Shimmers strange spell before he could even think to teleport. The princess watch as Discord struggled to break free as he wiggled around his tranguare prison. “I know I can’t kill!” said Shimmer. “But once I return you to stone, I’m going to grind you until you are nothing but pebbles.” Discord flinched as Shimmer doused him with fire. A familiar feeling began to wash over him, one that he felt two times before. Only this time, the energy felt did not reek of optimism and competition.  Instead, the once harmonic wave of magic only filled his heart with dread and despair. All the while he could feel his body slowly encasing him in stone. Knowing very well that this may very well be his third time turned to stone and last time he would ever speak, he turned to Twilight.  He stretched out his claw to her like a wounded animal begging for salvation, his face filled with despair. Twilight her selfe gasped as a tears trickled down his face.” “Twilight!” Discord pleaded, his voice trembling as he spoke “Tell Fluttershy I lo-” Before he could finish, his mouth turned to marble and Spirit of Chaos remained still.  He was once again, nothing more than a statue now.  Twilight peered up at the fearful face on the her former foe and felt a deep sense of remorse. She glanced at his open mouth, his widen eyes, the fear they portrayed captured forever like a photograph.  By far, what unsettled her the most were little stone bumps under his eyes which had moments ago been tears. “Discord!” she said softly as her own eyes began to water.  “I promise I’ll reclaim the elements and me and the…” She stopped herself as she saw that her proposal was no longer possible.  Twilight cured her own helplessness. Celestia put a wing round Twilight.  “We can find new bears, and break the seal. There are plenty of nobol ponies that could easily take up the mantle. While they may never replace them, you find that…” Cue Music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBvg1lJkpeU “Oops!” shouted Shimmer as she a cone of energy shot from her horn. “No!” Twilight and Celestia shouted in unison. Smah Luna, Celestia, and Twilight watched in shock as Discord’s statue exploded into a trillion small pieces. Not a single pony moved as chunks of debris bounced off of them. “The break is over!” said Shimmer said with an impatient tone. “Time to get back to the fight.” The Alcorns violently spread their wings and lunged towards Shimmer.  Celestia tackled Shimmer as the two them broke into a struggle. There horns locked together as they hoved in the air, there hate filled eyes staring back at each other. “You're awfully sad Celestia!” said Shimmer as she levitated her teacher and threw her into a wall.  “What, were you two fuck buddies at one point.” Celestia lifted herself up from the the wall and sent a wave of divine light at her former student. Shimmer snarled like a feral animal as the holy energy of Celestia sent her hurtling towards the dining room. “While I may not had romantic feelings for him” scolded Celestia as she glided towards the dining room “I always knew that there was good in him underneath all of his darkness, so I sought his friendship.  Answer me this though, how can a draconequus show more competition and understanding then you.” Celestia shot another radiant attack at Shimmer who was lying atop the long dinner table. Not wanting to get hit again, Shimmer conjure a bearer to counter the attack. It ricocheted off the shield and blew a massive hole in the ceiling.  When the bearer lifted the Luna saw there chance to strike. Glided past the falling chunks of crystal that once made up the ceiling, they brought their horns together zapped Shimmer with a combined attack. “No!” she shouted. The demonic alicorn winced in pain as her defences began to crumple. “I will burn you all.” The three princess were sent flying backwards towards opposite ends of the room as a violent explosion of fire magic formed around Shimmer. “You and your kingdom will burn!” yelled Shimmer, her voice somewhat disordered by the intense amount of magic surrounding her. Meanwhile, as Shimmer’s attack began to spread to knocked down the crystal walls of the caste, Cadence felt her feet shake on top of her balcony.  On instinct she took to the air just as the balcony and the castle began to sink. Both her and the crystal ponies who had gathered to hear her speak watched as there pressions began to topple over. “The Heart!” Cadence shouted. The Crystal ponies watched with horror as the small court yard  under the castle was crushed by the deberry, and with it, the Crystal Heart. As the fire stretched outward, the crystal walls of the castle began to collapsible. The rest of the princess flew to Cadance, each one panting. “Is she dead?” asked Twilight. Twilight’s question was quickly answered when up from the derby rose Shimmer, leaving a trail of fire behind her as she rose into the air. “We can’t let this battle escalate in the city!” shouted as she unfurrowed her wings and charged her horn.  “I’ll try and lure her out into the tundra and away from the Empire, when we’re far enough away, attack her from behind.” The princess nodded as Cadance took off, with the other princesses training behind. She zapped Shimmer with a low level spell, hoping to get her attention.  Growling like a feral beast, Shimmer soared towards Cadance and gave chase.  She shot volleys of fire balls at the pink mare, which she did her best to dodge them.  One of the fireballs scorched her mane a bit, making her wince in pain.  Even so she kept on flying, doing her best not only to out fly Shimmer, but to not get scorched by her relentless attacks. The crystal ponies watched as helplessly as the monster which had destroyed their castle chased after their beloved ruler.  Although the heart of the empire had been lost, the ponies of the empire silently prayed for young Cadence, hoping that she would once again conquer the evil that had befallen their small kingdom. All the while Twilight and the Royal Sisters followed Cadance and Shimmer from a safe distance, preparing to attack their foe as soon as it was safe.  When at last they were well beyond the city limits, they fired, sending shimmer hurtling to the icy ground below. Cadance flew downward, hoping to finish the fight once and for all and avenge her husband. Suddenly, Shimmer made an aerial recovery and lunged towards her, hooves wrapped around Cadences neck.  The pink mare gagged as she desperately tried to brush the the devil off, but to no avail. “Time to join your husband in hell.” She snickered as Shimmer’s body became a giant mass of fire. Cadance cried in agony as her coat turned as she caught fire, the flames traveling through her mane like a match. Seeing her childhood friend in pain Twilight lunged forward and prepared unleash a devastating spell. Shimmer levitated Cadance’s burning body and chuckled. “How about a little fire book worm!” she said, as she tossed Cadence in the air toward Twilight. Twilight gasped as she tried to move out of the way, wishing she had practice flying more with Rainbow Dash.  Shimmer’s laughter echoed in her head as Cadance crashed into her and sent them falling. ---------- Switch Music! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxSXm8qGjS8 “Twi… light...” echoed a soft voice. The purple alicorn opened her eyes and looked at Cadance. The two of them were laying in the snow, both severely burned.  While she couldn’t tell what damage the fire had done to her body, but she felt the pain it had left behind. She looked at Cadance, her beautiful pink coat now charred black, and her long creamy mane all but burnt way.  For Twilight, seeing her childhood friend like this was more painful than any physical pain Shimmer could inflict on her. “Cadance.” she said, her voice faint and raspy. “I’m… I’m sorry I couldn’t save everypony. I’m sorry this happened to you. All of this.” Cadance struggled to place a hoof around her, but stopped when she was agitating the burns. “Twilight, cough, you have nothing, cough, nothing to apologise for.  I thought the heart could have stopped her, but I didn’t activate it in time!  Now, I don’t think I’m going to make…” Twilight eyes began to tear up. “I don’t think I am either, but until I do I’ll be with you, Cadance. You won’t have to be.” The two of them smiled faintly and gave each other a gentle hoof bump. “I’m not sure if you remember.” said Cadance. “But I once told you you were more than an ordinary unicorn.” Twilight nodded. “I remember.” “I meant it.” she said as her own eyes began to cry. “You’ve meant more to me than you may know.  I know I only became your foal sitter in the beginning in order to get closer to Shining Armor, but know that you're really were the filly I loved to sit for the most.  I’m just glad I won’t have to die alone.” “Please Cadence!” Twilight pleaded. “I don’t want to either.” Twilight felt Cadence press on her off. She looked up and saw she was trying to say something.” “Sun…sun…lady…wake...” Twilight smiled as another large tear dripped down her face. “Clap your hooves and do a little shake.” she said, trying her best to smile for Cadance. Cadance let out faint giggle and smiled.  She giggled for about two whole minutes before she fell silent. Twilight laid there and looked at Cadance, grateful that the two of them were holding together. “I promise we’ll survive Cadance!” she said. “Our love for eachother will get us through this.” Cadance didn’t respond, her eyes still facing twilight and her mouth still smiling. “Cadance?” she cried worriedly. After minutes without hearing a response, Twilight had to except the worse. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza was dead, and despite what she said, Twilight knew it was her fault. Her body felt cold as the wind blew snow on top of their bodies.  She too could feel that her time was almost up.  She closed her eyes and waited for the end, silently thanking Cadence for being there with her. As her heart beat began to slow down, she looked out into the snow and saw something.  Rainbow Dash, Cadance, Shining, Rarity and Applejack were all standing there in a golden light calling her forth. Her lips curled into a smile as her heart beat halted to a stop.