Twilight strolled down the familiar hallway, casually slinging another guard into the wall with her magic. She had gone down this hall many times. The castle hall that led to Princess Celestia’s throne room. The war would end here. Dash and her large squadron were defeating, or at least distracting, Luna. Even with her magical poweress, Twilight knew she couldn’t take on both Princesses at once. But individually, she had a very strong chance. She was already powerful even as a filly, but now, after years and years of training, of master her skills and controlling the incredible power inside her, nopony could stop her. Certainly not Celestia’s guards.
No, it would end as it should. Two ponies, teacher vs student. It was thematically appropriate. She came to the end of the hallway and magically thrust open the large doors, to find Celestia sitting on her throne.
“Twilight.... I knew you would come.”
“Who else would it be, Celestia? Surrender now. Make this easier for both of us. Let the new glorious dawn rise!”
“Glorious?” she spat. “Have you not seen the damage your revolution has caused, the homes destroyed, the lives lost?” she shouted accusingly.
“If you had only given up your power before, we would not have needed war! The monarchy is outdated! It is time to put power into ponies’ hands!”
“It is not too late, Twilight. You could turn yourself in, end the bloodshed. It needn’t end like this.”
“No,” she answered without hesitation. “It’s too late to just stop. I’ve lost too many friends and family for that. I’ve fought too many friends and family for that.
“Then let me ask one thing. Why?”
“Because you and Luna are holding Equestria back, from allowing us to flourish on our own. Because you two aren’t goddesses. You get petty, jealous, you make mistakes. You’re just ponies with bigger wings and horns, and no one pony should have absolute power over others. But the biggest reason? The biggest reason...” Twilight let out a light sigh. “I remember when I was a little filly, and I learned that there was a majestic Princess who controlled the sun and the moon. I saw the drawings and pictures of you. I was awed. I was starstruck by you. But underneath all that, there was an undercurrent... of fear. I would look up at the sun or moon and realize, you could never bring them down if you wanted. You could destroy them without a second thought. And then I read about Nightmare Moon, who did just that. How long, Celestia, before you grow bored with us after thousands of years watching us? What if you decide to roast us alive, just for something different, or because we didn’t worship you enough? Deep down, every Equestrian, every mare, stallion, and child has had that fear. And nopony should have to live with the fear that their world can end on two ponies’ whims.”
There was silence. Twilight kept a close eye on her enemy, in case she made any sudden moves, any surprise attacks. But there were none. Instead?
There was laughter. Loud, cackling laughter.
“I see, Twilight,” the laughter coming to a screeching halt, replaced with a deathly calm voice. “I have given everything to this country. I have lost family, friends, loves. I have given my own sister to keep you all safe. I have endured milenna of monotony, of doing the same thing day in and day out, for you. My sister and I were the ones who kept your tribes from tearing each other apart just a few years after you united. Yet despite all I give, all I’ve done to show my love, to become one of you, you all still fear me? Even the pony who knows me best, the faithful student I had practically raised?” Twilight nodded. “Fine.” Suddenly, there was a bright flash, and once it had subsided Twilight saw the Princess levitating in the air, searing flames around her. “Then I will give you something to fear!” her voice boomed. “I will show you all what happens to traitors! You all have grown too insolent, too greedy and prideful, to even think of displacing your gods. You thought me a tyrant? For your arrogance, it is a tyrant you will receive! Come, and let us end this!”
Twilight closed her eyes and let her magic flow through her body, and launched herself at her foe.