//------------------------------// // Chapter Twelve // Story: Rainbow Connection // by ahilty //------------------------------// Chapter Twelve Twilight Sparkle stared around the field outside of Ponyville, trying not to let her jaw drop. Huge earth ponies, male and female, stood at the heads of several battlewagons, huge carriages meant to transport troops across long distances. They were large, carriage shaped vehicles made of metal and wood, built for defense and function rather then for display. They had soft pillows on the roofs, and on these roofs sat squads of night ponies, pegasus royal guards or griffons. Galenad had brought a fighting force of griffons to help in the battle. Griffons could not manipulate the weather on the same level a pegasus could, but they were fierce fighters, and each of them were determined to help their allies, and free their children from Arabus’ evil. The great white dragon, who never gave his name, circled above, ready to follow on the wing. Inside the carriages sat more squads of guards, unicorns and earth ponies. In the front of the small army that Luna had gathered was a much larger, golden carriage, pulled by the biggest of the earth pony drivers. “Are you sure you don’t want to try armor, Twilight Sparkle?” Luna asked, she had already donned her own golden battle armor. Twilight gulped. “Sorry I just…feel awkward wearing something like that. It feels wrong.” She said. “Very well.” Luna looked over the carriages. “Try not to look so nervous. The troops will be on edge. “I…this is all to much.” Twilight said. “Look at them all…I’ve never…” “War is a foreign concept to many of us. Even to the guards, though they’ve trained for this. But still, right now you must not only be a friend, but a princess. You have done it before.” Luna smiled at her. “My sister and I believe in you. You will be fine.” Twilight nodded, and then looked over at several of the Ponylanders getting into the Royal Carriage. Luna had felt that their alien guests needed to be here, since they not only were the only ones who had faced Arabus before, but also because they were the first Ponylanders that had been to Equestria in a while. In a way they were like ambassadors in their own right. It surprised Twilight that the two pegasus Ponylanders didn’t chose to ride up top with the griffon ambassador, who insisted on coming to oversee the battle and lead his people. But then neither was she. She wanted to be with her friends. Twilight trotted over to Draggle, who was about to climb in behind Fizzy. She could hear Fizzy chattering with Big Mac inside. Occasionally Big Mac would respond, but only in one of his favorite single words. Twilight wasn’t sure what was up with that. Frankly Fizzy’s eyes creeped her out. Sure, she seemed nice enough, but Twilight had a hard time looking Fizzy in the eyes. She knew she would get over it, but it was still a bit creepy. Twilight shoved those thoughts to the back of her mind and smiled at Draggle. “Are you okay?” She asked. “Fine.” Draggle said shorty. “Do you wan- “No.” “But you haven’t heard what I want to ask.” Twilight blinked in surprise. “No, I don’t want to talk about it.” Draggle said. “But I can help, I’ve studied friendship for the-“ “No.” “I just want to-“ “Pony are you deaf? No. Two letters. N. O. No. Now leave me alone.” Draggle turned without another word, sliding next to Fizzy, who wordlessly leaned a bit next to Draggle. Draggle turned her head away, refusing to look at Twilight. Fizzy muttered something in Draggle’s ear and Draggle hissed at her under her breath. Fizzy just smiled at Draggle innocently. “But I-“ “Oh just let it go!” Gusty walked up and glared at Twilight. “She’s not gonna talk to you about it.” “Why not?” Gusty lowered her voice. “You idiot. She doesn’t know you. She doesn’t trust you. If you want to help best thing you can do is back off and let Wind Whistler handle it.” Gusty snorted again and got into the carriage. “Now come on, we have a cloud to fight.” Twilight sighed and followed, not happy about this at all. She sat across from Fizzy and Draggle, the witch not looking at her at all, and Fizzy just smiling at her gently. Fizzy whispered something else to Draggle, who just grunted. Fizzy shrugged and looked back at Big Mac, who was sitting across from them next to Twilight. “So, what kind of apples do you raise anyway…” Fizzy started, and Big Mac listed a few. Twilight, not comfortable with the looks that Gusty was shooting her, decided the best thing to do was pull out a book on strategy and war from her saddlebag and get to studying. After all, a novel on the art of war would be more useful right now then trying and failing to make small talk with ponies…er people, who clearly didn’t want to hear it. She looked up as Spike leaped in and sat on her shoulder. He leaned down and tried to read a passage. “Gee, Twilight, you really do have a book for everything.” He snorted. “How in the world do you manage to make war sound so dull?” Twilight chuckled at her dragon friend. “It’s just in old Equestrian.” “I know that book. I remember its first publication.” Luna said as she entered. “But a book can only teach you so much.” “Oh I know, I just want to have a foundation beforehand.” She said. “And it’s going to be a while before we get to the Crystal Empire.” Wind Whistler shrugged, sitting next to Gusty. “Interesting. Hardly practical, but interesting.” “I know it sounds funny, but she’ll probably do better fighting after reading that.” Rainbow said, sitting in the third row seat behind the others. “It’s like an extra egghead power.” “Speaking of eggheads.” Twilight teased as she tossed another book at Rainbow. “Here’s your Daring Doo novel.” Rainbow gave a whoop as she caught it. “…you would think some of you would want to plan instead of read.” Gusty snorted. “It is going to be a while. Eventually we shall run out things to plan.” Luna said. “Personally until we see the actual situation at the Empire I think we are set. We still do not know the exact circumstances.” Pinkie grinned. “I’m so excited, aren’t you excited, I’m excited! Yipee!” Morning Glory and Fluttershy, both looking rather terrified, looked at each other. Both of them seemed at the edge of screaming and running. Twilight was starting to doubt Luna’s faith in Morning Glory. Oh she seemed very sweet and gentle and would probably be a wonderful friend when they got to know each other better, but she also looked fragile and far to delicate. Twilight hoped that the Flutter Pony magic was as powerful as everypony seemed to think it was. Twilight felt a mild jerk as the carriage began to roll across the field. They were off. She gulped, diving into her book in an effort to keep the nerves away. It was all going to be fine. They would win in the end. They would win. She knew it. She knew it. “So let me get this straight, your name is really Spike?” Twilight wasn’t sure how the conversation began, so caught up she was in the chapter on supply trains and the best way to cut off supplies from your enemies. In fact she wasn’t sure how much time had passed. Still, something in Gusty’s tone made Twilight look up. “Yep! Twilight here hatched me!” Spike said. “Okay, that’s just strange.” Gusty said. “Why?” Spike asked. “We have a dragon friend named Spike too!” Fizzy said, turning her head away from talking at Big Mac. “Really?” Twilight fully looked up. “Who hatched him? Does he look anything like our Spike?” Spike himself looked curious as well, eyes wide as he looked between Gusty and Fizzy. “I don’t know who hatched him. It probably was Scorpan though…what do you think?” Gusty looked at Wind Whistler. “I have never discussed the subject of his origins with our Spike. You know as well as I that he does not wish to remise on that time, Gusty.” Wind Whistler looked at the Equestrian Spike. “As for his appeared, he is a bit taller then you, and he is pale pink, and his snout is longer and broader.” “Huh, that’s kinda strange. Hey, do you have a Twilight?” Spike asked. “We have two.” Gusty said. “Two?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “How?” “Because two different mother’s decided Twilight was a nice name I guess.” Gusty shrugged. “One’s a unicorn and the other’s a pegasus though.” “So how do you tell them apart otherwise?” Spike asked. “I mean, if someone says ‘Get Twilight’ how do you know which Twilight?” “If it is needed we simply refer to their species.” Wind Whistler said. “If I need Twilight Unicorn I simply say I want to talk to Twilight Unicorn, and vice versa.” “Huh, that makes sense. Hate to have another Rainbow Dash running around, though. There’s only one of me.” “You watch, there’s another Rainbow Dash in another world that’s either a unicorn or an earth pony.” Draggle muttered. Rainbow snorted. “As if.” She folded her arms. “I wonder…the worlds seem to be parallel, you would think that there would be more alternate versions of each of us.” Twilight said. “I mean, I used to be a unicorn, but how much am I like your Twilight?” Twilight looked at Wind Whistler. “Not that much, but I do not know you as well as I know Twilight Unicorn.” Wind Whistler said. “I do know she is not an alicorn though.” “Never seen a pony with wings and a horn before.” Gusty said. “So I guess you’re pretty unique, name aside.” “It’s not a matter of my wanting to be unique, I’m just curious.” Twilight said. “I’m also fascinated by your different pony types. We both share earth, unicorn and pegasus, but I know we don’t have Flutter Ponies. What other kinds of ponies do you have?” “Sea Ponies!” Fizzy grinned. “They’re nice. They like to sing and play, and they let their babies stay with us as they grow up! They’re really fun! And cute!” “Irritating. Loud. Use passing people as goalposts.” Draggle grunted. “Most of the ones at the estate are babies, Draggle. They can get carried away.” Wind Whistler said. “Where are their parents?” Rainbow asked. “Baby Sea Ponies are kept in secure ponds and rivers in the mainland, to protect them. They let us watch over them while they grow, and the adults come in frequently to check on them.” Wind Whistler said. “When they grow old enough to swim independently they follow their elders to the sea.” “Interesting.” Twilight had found a quill and parchment from her saddlebags and was writing this down. “So, what about Flutter Ponies? Can you tell me a bit more about your kind, Morning Glory?” Morning Glory, who had been dwelling on the coming fight, looked up. “Well, we were isolated for a long time. We are probably one of the most magical pony races. It’s concentrated in our wings, where the Utter Flutter comes from. Our wings have small scales, and the wind we generate is magical. The fluttering spreads the scales, and the scales repel evil. It’s how we protect ourselves.” “Fascinating…” Twilight scribbled. “Are you considered Ponylanders or are you an independent kingdom?” “We have a queen, and technically I guess we are separate, but ever since…ah, a few years ago we’ve been good friends with the ponies.” Morning Glory said. “One of them saved my life after I fell in a well.” “Why couldn’t you fly out?” Rainbow asked. “Well.” Morning Glory fluttered her wings. “Our wings are very fragile. Even to much water can ground us.” “Wow, that sucks.” Rainbow said. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you can use your magic on that cloud thing!” Morning Glory smiled. “Thank you.” The carriage suddenly came to a halt, and Twilight looked out the door. She gulped, finally noticing the snow outside. “We’re here.” She opened the door and got out, looking around. They had stopped on the other side of the train tracks, which stood unused since the train had stopped coming to the Empire due to the cloud demon. Twilight could see the Crystal Empire in the distance; or rather she could see the cloud covering the city. She lowered her ears, eyes narrowing. That cloud was hurting her brother, and her sister in law. It was going down. “I am still uncertain on how I am supposed to crush a cloud.” The white dragon landed with a huff. “I am not a pony.” “No, you aren’t. Jerk.” Spike snorted. The other dragon looked down. “…what is wrong with you, hatchling?” Spike folded his arms. “I don’t known why you are here, dragons are bullies.” “Spike!” Twilight shushed him. She looked up at the white dragon. “I’m sorry, the last dragons he met were actually a group of bullies an-“ “I know, I remember.” The white dragon lowered his head and stared at Spike. “I saw a bit of you at the lava pits. My hatchling was among those adolescents. You should not judge your own kind on the actions of a few foolish children who don’t understand what strength means. An adult could have taught you, had you thought to ask us.” “Why didn’t you say anything then?” Spike asked, glared at his kin’s huge yellow eye. “Know this, little one. Dragons believe in strength and independence, rather then friendship, though we recognize that ponies are strong with friendship. Young dragons sometimes think this means nothing but blind power, but they are wrong. Your pony allies are an example. Alone they are often weak, but with their friendship they are strong. A wise dragon respects this strength. A young foolish dragon only sees a small herbivore.” The white dragon snorted. “You base your ideas of your own kind on the actions of children. I suggest you don’t. Now.” The dragon looked at Twilight. “I hear you have one of these…Flutter Ponies with you?” “Umm, that would be me.” Morning Glory came out, followed by Wind Whistler and Surprise, who seemed determined to protect her. “Ummm…hi?” The dragon stared at her. “You are smaller then I thought. There is only one of you?” “If I could bring the others, I would.” Morning Glory said. “Hmmm, regardless, you will have to do. I will be there to crush them, though.” The dragon raised his head to the cloud, and a worried frown suddenly crossed his muzzle. “…can you ponies feel dread as I do? There is something more here.” “Now that you mention it.” Twilight shivered. “I do feel something.” “We’ll have to face whatever it is.” Galenad hopped down. “The griffon’s are ready to engage.” “As am I.” The dragon rumbled. Luna nodded, then surveyed the arrayed troops. The ponies had all deployed from the carriages, the ground troops standing at attention, and the flyers, including the griffons, were hovering in the air. All of them had armor of some sort; in fact the only ones that didn’t were the Ponylanders. Each one held a steady gaze, ready to fight. Luna took a deep breath, and looked over at the group that came with her. She looked down at Fluttershy. “We do not have the Elements. I know you are a very brave pegasus, and that you would do anything for us, but perhaps your talent for healing would be best with the emergency medics?” Luna waved a hoof over at the group of nurse earth and pegasus ponies, each with a small white hat with a red cross. They were separating first aid kits near a small tent that they had erected. “We can use all the healers we can.” Fluttershy looked up at Luna with pure relief, and then looked at Twilight. “May I?” Twilight came over and nuzzled her. “I can’t think of any other pony I’d rather trust my life in. Hey, Spike, can you do me a favor?” “Sure, what do you need?” “Can you go with Fluttershy?” Twilight hoped he was buying her smile. “I need somepony…er, dragon I can trust to keep her safe.” Spike’s face fell. “Aww, but I wanted to fight!” “But if the Changelings come, then Fluttershy will need you.” “Oh yes, Spike.” Fluttershy interjected. “I know that a brave dragon like you would rather be fighting, but I…need someone to help me. I know that Rarity would be very impressed by your gallantry.” Twilight blinked. Who knew that Fluttershy could be so manipulative? Still, at the mention of Rarity’s approval Spike sighed, but got off Twilight and walked over to Fluttershy. “Fine fine.” He grumbled. Fluttershy smiled happily and trotted over to the medical team, introducing herself to the pony in charge with a small smile. The doctor smiled and welcomed her gladly, happy to have an Element on Harmony on his side. Luna nodded, then turned her head to the assembled troops. She spread her wings and switched to the Royal Canterlot Voice. “Allies! Friends! Soldiers of Equestria! Today we face an evil from a world long lost to us. I shall not lie to you! Our enemy is a demon, a monster that steals the energy and life from his victims. But fear not, for we have allies of our own from this world! With them, this demon shall not stop us! The Crystal Ponies are trapped there, and are we going to let them be taken over by evil again after so long!” There was a roaring chorus of no from the crowd. Luna nodded. “The ground team shall go with Princess Twilight Sparkle. The goal is to find the Crystal Ponies. The air team shall follow myself and this Flutter Pony.” Luna nodded at Morning Glory, who gulped at the attention she was getting. “We shall face the demon head on! Are you ready, great warriors!?” The guard ponies once again cheered, almost in unison. Luna turned and gave the signal and launched into the air, followed by Rainbow, Wind Whistler, Surprise and Morning Glory, who was shaking. To Twilight’s surprise Draggle wasn’t riding Wind Whistler for once. Instead she had climbed on Fizzy, who was sticking fairly close to Gusty. Twilight looked at them, puzzled. Draggle snorted at her. “Wind Whistler needs all the maneuverability she can get.” Twilight nodded, and turned to head to the soldiers. She wondered if she should make a speech but…Luna was already in the air. So instead she turned and shouted. “Alright! Let’s go find Shining Armor and Cadence!” She reared and charged for the bank of clouds in front of her. She narrowed her eyes, running through several spells she could use in case of a Changeling attack. She was fully prepared for the bug like creatures…in fact she could see several large pony shaped solitudes ahead of her. This was going to be easy! But then the clouds parted, and Twilight had to hold back a scream. Row after row dead pony skeletons stood before them, smiling eternal, horrible smiles. Mouths moved up and down, terrible clacks and snaps were heard as bone slid against bone. Horrible and terrifying, Twilight couldn’t move at the sight. The troops slide to a stop behind her, gapping at the creatures. A few of the guard looked like they were going to break ranks and run. But then a pink figure bounced towards the skeletons, laughing it up just as she always did. “Pinkie, wait! They aren’t illusions! Laughing won’t make them go away!” Twilight said. “They could hurt you!” Pinkie smiled. “I know, but they’re just a pile of old bones! Look at them! They’re just bones!” Pinkie bounced closer, and one of the things dove for her, jaws snapping. Pinkie laughed and turned, kicking it in the skull. The skull flew upwards, and snapped on the ground. Pinkie dove for the rest of it, and kicked and smashed the skeleton to shards, all the while laughing. “Don’t be afraid of scary things! Beat them up and you’ll see! We can shatter them! Come on girls and boys! Don’t we have a princess to rescue?” Pinkie began to laugh again, and loudly sang the same song she had back in the forest, when Twilight first met her. Twilight blinked, then laughed herself. “Come on, she’s right!” She looked back at the troops. “We can buck them just as well as we can buck a Changeling! Follow me! Charge!” Twilight reared and dove for the nearest skeleton, her horn blasting it away. She saw Gusty charging next to her, kicking up huge breezes with her horn, and blowing the skeletons into buildings and shattering them. Draggle, still riding Fizzy, swung her stick, breaking skulls open and sometimes using magic to shatter them. Big Mac followed Fizzy, knocking aside any skeleton that dared come to close. Unicorn guards blasted the skeleton’s apart with magic at a distance, while earth ponies kicked and bucked any skeleton that go to close. “Stay together! Don’t let them overwhelmed us!” Twilight’s only fear now was that the skeletons would surround a few of them and swarm them. Her fears were confirmed when she saw an earth pony stray to far and get swamped by a pack of five skeletons. He screamed as the bony beasts cut into his armor with their teeth and sharp hooves. Twilight lifted into the air with a might flap of her wings and dove, blasting the skeletons away from the guard, and then kicking the remainders away. She leaned down and lifted the earth pony up with her shoulder, supporting him as she dragged him back towards the other ponies, not stopping even when a few skeletons swooped in to nip at her throat. Fizzy and Draggle suddenly appeared, Draggle shocking one skeleton while Fizzy head butted another. Two unicorns galloped up and lifted the injured solider from Twilight’s back. Twilight just managed to note the expressions of respect the two held before they charged away with their injured friend, probably to the field hospital. Twilight panted, turned, and rejoined the fray. She could hear Pinkie ping ponging around the battlefield, and she laughed. Twilight laughed, and then noticed the other ponies, even if they were hurt, laughing as well. Twilight smiled, then began to sing Pinkie’s song as well. The rest of the troops began to sing as well, the whole thing turning into a strange, upbeat battle chant, that lifted the ponies spirits, and helping to drive them forwards into battle. Even the ones hurt seemed full of spirit. Slowly the Equestrians began to push the skeleton’s back, smashing and trampling them under their hooves. Twilight could tell that there were far more skeletons then ponies, but that wasn’t going to stop them. The skeletons were fragile, though they had a fierce bite. However, step after step, slowly the ponies drew closer to the heart of the Crystal Empire. If Shining Armor and Cadence were there, then they would reach them. Rainbow watched Morning Glory with some concern. She really hoped that this Flutter Pony would be alright. She seemed like she was going to pop out of her own fur. She was so much like Fluttershy, and though Rainbow couldn’t help but like her, she did wonder if she could handle what they had to do. She hoped so. Rainbow looked ahead at the cloud. It didn’t look so tough. Just a stupid big cloud. What was there to be afraid of? Ha! This was going to be a cloudwalk! The cloud shifted, forming a face. Okay. That was creepy. Rainbow had to give it that. The face chuckled. “Well well, if it isn’t little Luna. Where’s your sister? Not here? Such a shame.” Its eyes slide around, and it grinned as it saw Morning Glory. “I remember you as well. Only one of you? Is your queen such a coward that she won’t even come when faced with a more powerful foe?” Morning Glory bristled. “Queen Rosedust is not a coward!” “No, but you are. I can see you tremble from here, little Flutter Pony.” “I’m…afraid…but that’s not going to stop me.” Morning Glory said. “Why? You have your little friends? Well…”Arabus chuckled. “I have something better then friends…” Rainbow squinted. Something was emerging from the clouds. Several small something, and one big something. Arabus grinned and parted himself a bit and even Rainbow gasped in shock. Hovering there was the skeletons of hundreds of dead pegasi, night ponies, griffons…and one huge dragon. Arabus laughed. “I have an army of my own now.” At the horrible sight of so many skeletons even Rainbow felt her heart skip a beat. It was such a horrible sight! Rainbow didn’t know if even she could find it in herself to fight the bones of dead ponies. But the dragon stared at his skeletal kin and roared. “MONSTER! YOU DARE DO THIS TO A DRAGON! YOU SHALL FALL!” Their dragon flapped forwards, spewing fire from his maw, roaring in challenge. The undead dragon soared to meet his living counterpart, and the two collided in midair between the two armies, spinning through the air. The two clawed, bit and scratched each other, blood and bones raining on the Crystal Empire as the undead dragon tore into the living one’s scaled, and the living dragon pulling bone after bone from the undead dragon and crushing them in his claws. The living dragon ripped away from the undead and breathed a stream of fire at the undead one. The undead dragon ducked and dove away, and the living dragon following, clawing and firing at its heels. Luna’s horn erupted in moonlight, and she focused a beam of it between Arabus’ eyes. The cloud demon laughed and a hand formed, swatting at the ponies. Galenad screeched and soared beside Luna. “Princess, we griffons shall fight the undead! You attack the demon directly! Follow me, my people! To victory!” The aged griffon dove for a skeleton pegasus, slamming into with both claws like a diving falcon, ripping across the thing and shattering it. His people followed, clawing and biting at the skeletons. Though bones rained down the griffons were outnumbered, and Luna saw several of them spiral and start to fall, wings damaged from skeleton claws. Medical team pegasi flapped in, attempting to catch the victims as they fell, and Luna hoped they got them all. Luna flapped her wings and rose to meet Arabus head on, using beams of moonlight against his cloudy form, dodging strikes from both the demon and the skeletons that managed to dodge the griffons. “Wear him down! Show him how Equestrians deal with unruly clouds!” Her pegasi split into groups and began to clear the clouds as best they could. Often they would find themselves having to dodge a skeletal claw or a wing, and a few pegasi began to drop as well, wings shredded from the skeletons. Morning Glory fluttered frantically, escorted by Wind Whistler and Surprise. Morning Glory was Utter Fluttering as hard as she could, the magic scales from her wings sprinkling through the air and dispersing the clouds instantly. Wind Whistler and Surprise wheeled around their friend, looping around her and butting away any skeleton that came close to them. Their elder and friend, Firefly, had taught many of the young Ponylander pegasi the double inside out loop, and though Medley would have screamed at the danger of it all, Wind Whistler and Surprise found it was effective as a defense, allowing them to circle Morning Glory and keep the skeletons at bay. However, it was clear that, though Morning Glory’s fluttering was effective, there was far too much of Arabus for her to make much of a difference. She might as well have been hitting an elephant with a tree branch. Arabus laughed. “Fools! One Flutter Pony can’t beat me now! Not with all the power that he has given me! You will all die here!” Rainbow sped through the great cloud that was Arabus, buzzing her wings at the thing and dispersing it. She could hear the creature laugh, and for once the clouds were lashing back at her. Strips of the cloud would break off and slap at her attempting to crush her wings or break her legs. Rainbow dodged or struck each one, and she noticed something odd. Every time the cloud would come in contact with her rainbow trail she left when she flew, it would recoil, as if not happy. She wondered… She bucked in midair when a pack of skeleton pegasi almost collided with her, claws scratching at her chest and legs. She struck back, ignoring the pain as they surrounded and tried to tear her apart. A white blur suddenly dove from the sky and kicked a skeleton in the face, shattering it. Rainbow ducked as Surprise delivered a few more kicks to the skeleton, shattering it totally. Rainbow jerked back as she noticed that Surprises’ white coat was streaked with blood, almost making her look like a candy cane. She opened her mouth to thank Surprise when a skeleton griffon latched onto Surprises’ back and spiraled her towards the ground. A few seconds later Wind Whistler zoomed by her, following her friend with a determined look. Morning Glory pulled up beside Rainbow, panting. “He’s right! I can’t do this alone! I…I’m not strong enough! There’s only one of me!” Morning Glory’s eyes were filling up with frustrated, hurt tears. Rainbow gritted her teeth. “It’s not over yet! We can’t give up…hey…I got an idea!” Rainbow grabbed Morning Glory by the shoulder. “How fast can you fly? Can you break the sound barrier?” “No…” “Then you’ll just have to hang onto me.” “Wha-“ “Just get behind me, grab my waist and keep fluttering! We’re going to spread your magic all over the sky!” Morning Glory stared at her, then did as she was told. Rainbow soared upwards, the extra weight from Morning Glory slowing her, but if she wanted to be a Wonderbolt…she could do it! She buzzed her own wings, flapping frantically, soaring up and up and up, dodging through skeletons and pegasi and griffons as she soared high above them. Arabus laughed. “Run Flutter Pony! Run like the coward you are! A coward from a race of cowards! What did your worthless kind ever truly risk for anyone! You only fight when you think you can win! Flee! FLEE WHEN YOU’RE MOST NEEDED! THAT’S ALL YOU’RE GOOD FOR!” “Don’t you listen, we are about to be awesome!” Rainbow said, turning in midair. She looked down. She could see the epicenter of the cloud, a twisted face that laughed as it swatted at anypony that came near, especially Luna, who dodged and dove in midair, blasting Arabus whenever she could. Rainbow aimed, and looked back at Morning Glory. “I’m the fastest flyer in Equestria. Once I reach Mach speeds I can create a blast of rainbow energy called a Sonic Rainboom. I’m hoping if we combine my Rainboom with your Utter Flutter we can scatter the flutter and blow Arabus to kingdom come! You with me?” Morning Glory stared at her. “No Flutter Pony has ever gone that fast, I don’t know if I can do it!” “Look, I won’t force you, Morning Glory. I have no idea if it will even work. If you don’t’ want to, then just let me go. I’ll just Rainboom him myself!” Rainbow smiled at her, not wanting to force the other. Morning Glory stared at her, then looked down at Arabus and back at Rainbow. “I’m not a coward. My people aren’t cowards. Do it, Rainbow.” Morning Glory began to Utter Flutter, creating a small cloud of magic. “I’m ready.” “Don’t worry Morning Glory! You’re riding with Rainbow Dash! I make the impossible happen!” She reared in midair, and once again buzzing her wings at top speed, Rainbow dived down, narrowing her body and sticking a single hoof out in front. She felt Morning Glory squeeze her middle and try to make herself as aerodynamic as possible, and Rainbow reached with her other leg and hooked it around Morning Glory’s leg, keeping her there. How Morning Glory was ever able to stay on Rainbow’s back that day no one knew. How Rainbow’s insane plan, built entirely on what the mare thought of as ‘cool’ at the time worked is another mystery. Perhaps it was a bit of pegasus magic, an unknown element similar to that of the innate powers of the earth pony. Perhaps the fact that Morning Glory was a Flutter Pony, another inherently magical being, helped. Either way… Rainbow felt the pressure build and build on her body, till her face was screaming as she felt the sound barrier starting to form against her hoof. Her lips pulled back from her teeth as the barrier began to show more and more resistance. She could hear Morning Glory keening in pain in her ear, but if Rainbow stopped now then they both would be thrown back, and be no help to anypony. Rainbow bore down, and her hoof broke through the barrier. A sudden burst of rainbow energy, combined with the powerful magic of the Utter Flutter, exploded like a nuclear bomb, the rainbow energy carrying the Utter Flutter outwards. The rainbow energy itself shimmered bright as it had never shone before, the Utter Flutter adding a special element that had never been there till this day. As one the skeletons look up, and as soon as the Rainboom hit them they shattered into millions of dusty pieces, raining down on the ground like ash. Arabus had just enough time to look up as Rainbow Dash’s Rainboom exploded in his face. The cloud demon roared in pain, receiving the full brunt of the rainbow attack. He howled, his form stripping away as the Rainboom combined with Utter Flutter tore into him like a thousand skinning knives, his essence disappeared and stripping away. Shadows began to expel from his body, griffon, dragon, pony and others that seemed humanoid, all began to escape, and skipped outwards, finding their owners, even if that owner might be in Ponyland. As his army rained to the ground Arabus himself shrank and shrank, but it didn’t stop there. The Equestrian pegasi, seeing this, dove at the rapidly shrinking cloud demon, bucking, flapping and blowing, using every weather trick in the book to expel even more shadows, until Arabus was the size of a small mouse. Luna hovered in front of the small creature, frowning. “…You are done.” She said. Arabus looked up at her. “…mercy?” “…no.” Luna’s horn flashed, and Arabus was consumed in a shower of light. “To Tartarus with you. You shall never hurt another pony again.” Luna looked up to a savage roar, and saw the undead dragon and his living counterpart falling to the ground, locked in each other claws and ripping at each other. There was a mighty crash as the two landed in front of the Crystal Palace, the undead dragon astride the living, mouth open to bite. Luna turned, though she wasn’t going to make it in time…just in time to see Twilight’s purple energy shoot at the undead dragon’s head. Luna looked down at the street to see Twilight and a small number of the ground crew facing the dragon down. Luna turned to the pegasi. “Find as many of the wounded as you can. Get the safety. I shall take care of that dragon.” The pegasi and griffons scattered to take care of the wounded, and Luna turned to the dragon. She blinked as Galenad flew up to her. “You aren’t going there alone.” He said. “Let’s go.” He turned and dove towards the dragon, shrieking an eagle like battle cry. Luna smiled. She couldn’t help but love griffons. She dove as well, horn alight with anticipation. Rainbow cut off the Rainboom as soon as she could, afraid since Morning Glory had said her kind didn’t go that fast. She lowered herself to a rooftop, landing with a soft thud. She looked behind her, and gasped in horror. Morning Glory slid to the ground, eyes clenched in pain. Her beautiful, shimmering butterfly wings were shredded like thin paper. Flaps of what were once wings hung listlessly from her sides, and huge holes had been ripped open, some as long as Rainbow’s leg. Morning Glory swayed, then collapsed fully to the ground, eyes drooping. “Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!” Rainbow’s heart broke at the sight of those once delicate wings shredded and slashed almost beyond recognition. She raced to Morning Glory’s side and put her legs around her shoulder, hugging her. “This is all my fault! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I didn’t want to hurt you!” “Is…Arabus gone? Did it work?” Morning Glory asked wearily. Rainbow looked up in the sky. “Yeah, we did it…but you’re hurt!” “We won…we saved…so many…it’s alright…I’m…happy…” Morning Glory blinked pain filled tears form her eyes. Slowly her body curled up into a ball, and she sighed gently. “So happy…my people aren’t cowards.” Rainbow didn’t know much about animals, but she had seen animals die in Fluttershy’s care. The gentle pony was always sad, but had seen it enough to know that it happened. The most fragile of her creatures were butterflies, and Rainbow could remember seeing a few dead butterflies on occasion. Right now, more then anything, Morning Glory reminded Rainbow of a dead butterfly. She knew, from what Fluttershy said…they never could live that long without their tiny wings. “No…no!” Rainbow grunted and dragged Morning Glory on her back. “I’m not letting you die! Not after this! You’re going to be okay! I promise! We’ll find Fluttershy! She’ll know what to do!” Rainbow lifted herself into the air and once raced to the medic tent. But for the first time in her life she felt no joy in flight. Twilight and the ground crew had started to charge as soon as the Rainboom exploded over them, the energy causing the ground bound skeletons to stop. While they did not collapse at the force of the boom, they did pause long enough for the rest of the ground troops to dispatch them. Twilight could now see a clear path to the palace, where she hoped her family was holed up. She charged, followed quickly by the Ponylanders and Pinkie. Suddenly she heard a horrifying scream, and Twilight looked up. The two battling dragons suddenly crashed in front of her, kicking up dust and dirt. The dust settled, and Twilight could see that the undead dragon had the living one pinned to the ground, and was slashing at his chest and belly. Twilight backed her ears and charged forwards, blasting the undead dragon in the face with her magic. The undead dragon looked up and roared at her. Slowly it crawled off the living dragon and whipped its bony tail around. Twilight stamped and spread her wings, not backing down. She looked to either side and saw Pinkie, Gusty, Fizzy (with Draggle still on her back), and Big Mac stand beside her. Every single one of them, even Pinkie, was bleeding from some place, but even as the ground soldiers began to back away, they didn’t. They stood with Twilight, just as determined as she. “You guys prepared for this?” Twilight asked. “Yep!” Pinkie beamed. “Eyup.” Big Mac. “No problem!” Fizzy said. Draggle just sort of grunted, but she looked resolute. “I’m always ready!” Gusty smiled as Wind Whistler and Surprise flew down, hovering above them. “Where’s Morning Glory?” “Last I saw she was with Rainbow Dash.” Surprise said. “I bet they made that big boom!” “No time for talk, it’s going to charge.” Twilight tensed, as Luna and Galenad finally arrived. “Indeed, we are with you, Twilight Sparkle.” Luna said. Twilight nodded, letting her horn light up once again. She reared, flapped her wings and charged as the dragon swung its bony tail at them. She smiled. It was time to teach that bag of bones a lesson! It was another wonderful, sun shiny day at the Royal Paradise. A spread of cakes, pies, small sandwich’s, and other foodstuffs were arranged on a table, covered with a glittering tablecloth and adorned with a decorative pony ice sculpture, courtesy of Princess Royal Blue’s magic. Flowers hang from every available space, blooming in beautiful multicolors. The Princess Ponies stood in a circle, each with their wands at their feet. Another month had passed, and it was time to pick a new queen. Princess Tiffany stood forwards. “Once again, it is time for the crown to pass to another of us, dear sisters! As usual Queen Serena has done a wonderful job! We are so pleased to have you among us!” The assembled princesses cheered for Queen Serena, who bowed to them with a small smile on her face. “But now it is Princess Starburst’s turn to inherit the title of Queen.” More cheers and a few hoof stomps. Queen Serena and Princess Starburst walked into the circle and bowed to each other. Serena took the crown from her head and gently placed it on Starburst’s. She backed away and bowed again. “All hail Queen Starburst!” “All hail Queen Starburst!” The other princess’s chorused, stamping their hooves in approval. Starburst bowed to them. “My thanks. I just hope my rule will be as successful as my previous ones! Now…to the cake!” The princesses laughed happily and charged for the deserts, digging in with enthusiastic, though polite glee. Their small island was peaceful. The Heart of Ponyland well protected, and the lava demons and the ice orcs were at peace with each other and them. Who wouldn’t be happy? Who wouldn’t be filled with joy? “Help us! Help!” The Princess Ponies looked up to see several Ponylander pegasi diving down towards them looking bruised and battered. Princess Tiffany recognized several of them. Paradise. Wind Whistler. Surprise. It seemed that every pegasi at the Estate was there. Each of them carried at least one of their friends on their backs; also looking bruised and battered, as if the entire Estate had been moved here after a fight. Wind Whistler collapsed an inch or two from Princess Tiffany, eyes wide in uncharacteristic horror. “…monsters…” She gasped. “Attack…” “Oh my! What happened! How can we help?” Princess Tiffany rushed over to comfort the clearly traumatized pegasus. It must be bad if Wind Whistler was showing such obvious fear! “Creatures…that suck love…” Wind Whistler said. “…you know…the worse part?” “What?” Tiffany asked as the other Princesses rushed over to help, as well as the new Queen. “What is it?” “Come closer…” Wind Whistler wheezed, and Tiffany leaned down to hear what the injured pegasus had to say. “I’m one of them.” “Wha?” Tiffany started to jerk back, but something green erupted from Wind Whistler’s head, and all of a sudden Tiffany was looking into the cruel blue eyes of a monster. The thing was half the size of a pony, and shaped very much like a pony. However it had small sharp fangs, holed legs, a tattered horn, and fly wings. Green shot from its horn and Tiffany felt her hooves starting to be incased with green sludge. Tiffany attempted to fly into the air, determined to flee had she had when the lava demons attacked to find help. The sludge shattered from her hooves and she flapped into the air, only to feel something slam into her back. She grunted as she landed, the huge thing on her back laughing cruelly. She looked up to see a much larger monster, with a round head, huge eyes, and long decrepit hair. Tiffany gasped in horror. “Wha-…what are you?” The creature leaned down, smiling at her. “I? I am a true Queen. Queen Chrysalis of the Changelings.” Chrysalis leaned down, licking her lips. “Don’t get to…excited Queen.” A shadowy fog, dripping with liquid shadow, rose from the ground, forming into the shape of a male pony with yellow eyes. The Pony of Shadows smirked down at Tiffany, who felt her stomach clench in fear. She shook as the thing approached her. He reached off and almost playfully pawed at her fallen wand. “You will never be able to use it, fiend.” Tiffany said. “Only a Princess Pony can use it!” “Oh, I know, and I will give it right back to you.” The Pony of Shadow’s smiled as the Changelings dragged the other captured Princess Pony’s forwards. “Once you are my servants…” “NEVER!” Tiffany bellowed defiantly. “We would never serve evil!” “Oh, I think you will…It would be…fun to watch you struggle, but I am on a tight schedule. I need to get to the Heart of Ponyland by tonight, and by then…nothing will stop me.” “We will stop you.” Royal Blue retorted, as defiant as her sister. The Pony of Shadows turned his head and smiled. “Oh no, my little Princess. You won’t. In fact, you shall give me Heart willing…eagerly, even.” “There is no torture in the world you can inflict that would make us do that!” Queen Starburst spat. “Torture? Oh no.” The Pony of Shadows leaned down and licked Tiffany’s ear. “In fact, I think you will find this very…pleasant, once you stop fighting. Don’t bother resisting. It’s pointless. Even if I just breath a little bit, you will eventually fall to me…but as I said…no time for slow. This will be quick.” The Pony of Shadows breathed, the dark mist he not to long ago poured into Magic Star’s ear now flowed into Princess Tiffany’s. She jerked and screamed, and the other Princess Ponies began to struggle, hoping to break free and save their sister. The Changeling’s green chrysalis sludge kept them pinned, but cracks soon appeared as the Princesses struggled. However, each time their prisons became to cracked the Changelings would shoot more, sealing the cracks. “The other ponies…will stop you…” Tiffany gasped as the dark magic continued to flow inside her. “You…can’t…you won’t…” “Won’t I?” The Pony of Shadows said, still pouring as Tiffany’s fur began to turn black. She blinked, and gasped as her symbol faded, replaced by a new symbol, that of a bank of dark, wicked looking fog. She no longer screamed. In fact, to the other Princess’s shock, she began to smile and relax, a look of sudden bliss crossing her face. The Pony of Shadows stopped, and lifted his head, nodding at Chrysalis, who backed off. “Now…tell me again…will the ponies stop me?” The Pony of Shadows asked. Tiffany raised herself to a sitting position as Chrysalis let her go. She opened her eyes, which now glowed yellow, and smiled at him. “Not if I can help it, my Master.” She purred. The other Princesses gasped. “T-Tiffany, you can’t…” Royal Blue stuttered. Tiffany smiled at her. “He’s right. It feels so good. So free. Just relax, sister. It will all make sense soon.” Tiffany stood up. “Shall I fetch the Heart for you, Master?” She asked. “Go on.” The Pony of Shadow said as he approached Royal Blue. “I should be done with your dear sisters after that.” Tiffany nodded and flew off; the Changelings didn’t even bother to follow. It didn’t take to long for the corrupted Princess Tiffany to return with the Heart of Ponyland. By then the Pony of Shadows had moved down the line of Princesses. Royal Blue, Serena, Sparkle, and Primrose now stood in a line, smiling at the Pony of Shadows with almost identical expressions of devoted love. Each one was several shades darker, and each one had an altered symbol on their flanks. Primroses’ was that of a chilly looking wind, Royal Blue’s a block of black ice, Serena’s a pair of knives, and Sparkle’s a knot of sharp twisting vines. The Pony of Shadows was breathing the last of the mist into Starburst’s ear, her coat fading to a similar dark mustard color as Magic Star’s had, and her symbol changing to a twisted, dark rainbow. She smiled. “Why…did I waste my time protecting the Heart?” She wondered aloud. “This is soooo much better!” “Yes, isn’t it.” The Pony of Shadows chuckled as Tiffany placed the Heart at his feet. “Now…I’ve won. Are you ladies ready for the ritual that will bring Ponyland to its knees?” The Princesses all nodded eagerly. “Then let’s began. We have an endless night to bring in.”