//------------------------------// // Tragic Mistakes // Story: Crusade's End // by KnightMysterio //------------------------------// Crusade's End Part 1 of 5 “Tragic Mistakes” by Jonathan “KnightMysterio” Spires A My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic fanfiction. All characters are copyrighted to their original owners and used without permission for non-profit amusement reasons. Takes place a year after the end of season 4. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ Rainbow Friendship Castle... /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ “HURRY!” Twilight Sparkle screamed. “Get those rainclouds in!” In her castle, an inferno blazed. Desperately, pegasi flew to their princess's aid, guiding rainclouds in and forcing the water to gush into the windows, as a sickening chemical smell emerged from the blaze. Below, unicorns did their best to shield Earth ponies as they worked to evacuate books and equipment from the palace. “Have you found him yet?!” Twilight shouted. “Afraid not,” shouted Time Turner, the timekeeper looking slightly singed. “But we'll keep looking, don't worry!” “Oh Spike...” Twilight said, turning her attention back to helping the pegasi control the blaze. “Please... Please, be okay...” Wind and rain battered the fire, slowly getting the chemical blaze under control. Zecora tended to the injured, helping the doctors and nurses by rapidly whipping up burn remedies, while Trixie coordinated efforts with the unicorns and Earth ponies searching the castle for Spike, who had been lost in the initial explosion. Several ponies, unable to help, stood by watching worriedly, aiding the doctors and nurses where they could. And meanwhile, three terrified fillies in badly charred capes, the ones unintentionally responsible for this inferno, cowered against their sisters/sister figure, praying that they hadn't just killed Spike. Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash all traded worried looks. “Mmmmaybe we better get the kids home...” Rainbow Dash said. Cloud Kicker can handle the rescue team until I get back... I hope... Applejack nodded, gulping. “Ah think that'd be fer the best,” she said. “Indeed,” Rarity said. “Come along girls, let's...” Twilight, literally smoldering with rage, appeared in front of them. Her horn was blazing, her eyes were glowing, and her wings were fully flared, trails of smoke coming from the tips. “MAKE THEM STAY,” she thundered in the Royal Canterlot Tone, her voice pure fury. “MAKE THEM WATCH.” The older mares just nodded, too afraid to protest, the three Cutie Mark Crusaders cowering behind their big sisters. Twilight growled, and teleported away, the group of sisters reluctantly turning back to watch as the townponies struggled desperately to control the chemical fires burning where Twilight Sparkle's lab used to be. As all of this occurred, Discord casually wandered in, humming a jaunty tune. “Good evening, everypony!” he crowed. “I have returned, and all of your meager lives are now interesting agai...” He trailed off, noticing the fire for the first time. “Huh. Having a barbecue without me?” Fluttershy flew up to him and hugged him tightly. “Oh Discord!” she wailed. “It was awful! Twilight's lab exploded, all the chemicals and magical equipment caught fire, and Spike was caught inside! We've been trying to put it out, but nothing seems to be working!” “Huh... Spike hurt?” Discord said, stroking his beard. “That won't do, I kinda like him.” He strolled over to the fire, casually shooing ponies out of the way as he thoughtfully examined the blaze. Twilight glared at him. “Discord, what are you...” she started to say, Discord shushing her by literally zipping her mouth shut. She fumed angrily. After a moment, Discord nodded, pulling out an empty soup can. He reached out and grabbed the fire, yanking it away as if it were a blanket and stuffing the flickering chemical blaze in its entirety into the soup can. He shook it for a few moment, and grinned, holding it out to Twilight, the zipper on her mouth disappearing. “Spicy peanuts?” Discord offered. Inside the can, instead of the fire, was a large amount of red-coated peanuts. “No? Anyone else?” Getting no takers, Discord shrugged and began eating the peanuts himself. Twilight stared at Discord a moment, and then at her castle, which didn't even have smoke coming out of it now. She then shook her head, zipping inside the burned out castle. There was a tense moment of silence, and then... “NO! SPIKE!!” Twilight shrieked. Several nurses and a doctor went inside, carrying a stretcher and some oxygen tanks. When they came out, they were carrying Spike on it, the little dragon barely breathing. His scales were shredded, blood seeping from several wounds. Burns covered the bare patches of skin where his scales had fallen away, and one of his eyes was a bloody mess. Twilight ran with them, tears flowing down her face. Rarity gasped softly as Spike was brought by them. “Oh Spikey...” she said softly. One of the doctors paused to assure Twilight that Spike would be okay. Reluctantly, she let them go off on her own. She then slowly trotted back to her castle, staring numbly at the charred section. Discord and Trixie came up to her, worried expressions on their faces. “Hope that the kid's okay,” Discord said, still eating the spicy peanuts. “What happened, anyway?” Twilight Sparkle just growled savagely, glaring back at the Crusaders, who flinched and shivered against their sisters, who stared fearfully at their alicorn friend. Discord grimaced. “Oh dear... A Crusade finally came back to bite them in the flank, didn't it?” Twilight Sparkle shivered with barely suppressed rage. “If it had been a pony instead of a dragon...” she said softly. “Though I do not know this Spike all that well,” Trixie said, “I remember his resilience from the regrettable Alicorn Amulet fiasco. I firmly believe that he will bounce back from this.” Twilight Sparkle smiled. “Thank you...” she said. “And thank you, Discord, for putting out the fire.” Discord just nodded, smirking. Twilight turned back to Trixie, confused. “But... Trixie, what are you doing here anyway?” Trixie coughed nervously. “Well... um... after the aforementioned Alicorn Amulet fiasco, Trixie chose to turn herself in to the authorities and was given a prison sentence. A light one, since Trixie turned herself in willingly and no one suffered permanent damage. Eventually, Trixie's case caught the attention of Princess Luna, who talked it over with Princess Celestia, who suggested that Trixie redeem herself by going on parole and serving as your aide. Naturally, the Humble and Cooperative Trixie agreed to this.” “Trixie should probably stop talking in the third person, because that's gonna get old REAL FAST,” Discord muttered. “And you aren't surprised about these?” Twilight said, ignoring Discord and flaring her wings. Trixie giggled. “Trixie always suspected you were secretly an alicorn anyway,” she said, sighing and looking up at the castle. “Although I seemed to have started my parole on an inopportune day...” Twilight Sparkle shook her head. “Nono,” she said. “This is actually a perfect time to start!” Trixie blinked. “Really?” Twilight Sparkle nodded. “Indeed! Because I'm sure that you and Discord are probably the only ones strong enough to stop me from doing something that will both make my friends hate me forever and also leave me stupidly guilt ridden! Now if you'll excuse me,” she said, abruptly turning towards the Cutie Mark Crusaders and walking towards them. Trixie and Discord just stared for a moment, startled, when they noticed the growl coming from Twilight's throat, one that was rising in intensity as she got closer to the terrified Crusaders. “Here we go...” Applejack muttered, she, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash taking defensive positions in front of their little sisters. Rarity's horn flared as she quickly summoned several gems from her shop and fused them into a makeshift shield. “RrrrraaaaAAAAGGGHHH!!!” Twilight screamed, lunging at the Crusaders, her entire body awash with power, tears streaming down her face. Barely managing to react in time, Discord gestured, summoning several Plunder Vines to hold Twilight in place while Trixie wrapped her magical aura around Twilight, attempting to pull her away from the terrified foals. “Dash, get the girls out of here!” Rarity ordered. Rainbow Dash nodded and started to gather up the girls. Before they could leave, though, Twilight's horn flared, a massive claw of stone forming behind them and keeping them in place. Discord made a few more Plunder Vines appear, some of them wrapping around Twilight's horn to keep the enraged alicorn from casting. He quickly manifested a scroll and quill, writing a letter and sending it away. Sunbutt Twilight's lost it. You and Moonbutt get to Ponyville NOW and calm her down before she murders three children. Discord A few moments later, in a flash of light and a swirl of darkness, Celestia and Luna appeared, both of them embracing Twilight. “Twilight Sparkle!” Luna shouted, visibly worried. “You must calm down immediately!” “Please...” Celestia said softly, nuzzling her. “I have seen what happens to alicorns who give into their fury... I lived through it once with my beloved sister... Don't make me see it happen to one whom I love as a daughter...” Twilight struggled in their grasp, screaming in fury. But their words seemed to register, and soon Twilight relaxed in their grasp, sobbing miserably. Trixie's aura faded, and Discord made his vines disappear, both of them coming over to join the gathered alicorns. Celestia smiled, nuzzling her. “Now... tell me what happened,” she said. “It was them...” Twilight snarled, unable to look at the three fillies. Celestia and Luna turned to the gathered Crusaders, their sisters gently nuzzling them forward. “Just tell them,” Rainbow Dash said softly. “It'll just make it worse if you wait...” Rarity and Applejack nodded in agreement. The Crusaders gulped, slowly stepping forward, shaking fearfully under the gaze of the three princesses, one of whom still looked furious. Scootaloo was the first to find the nerve to speak. “...Cutie Mark Crusaders Chemical Warfare Experts?” she said, grinning weakly, flinching when Twilight snarled. Luna's jaw dropped, the Moon Princess staring incredulously at the fillies. Celestia shook her head in disbelief. “Why would you even try such a thing?” she asked. “It... sounded like fun?” Sweetie Belle said nervously. “Plus, ah'd already had some experience with potions while workin' with Princess Twilight...” Apple Bloom added. “They were in my lab WITHOUT permission, using chemicals they had NO experience with,” Twilight growled, “all because of yet another self-sabotaging CRUSADE to get Cutie Marks!!” Luna blinked, confused. “But... That's not how Cutie Marks work,” she said. “They are expressions of an innate talent, one you already have.” Scootaloo frowned. “But how are we supposed to KNOW what our talent is unless we try EVERYTHING?” she said, flinching when Twilight growled. “That's...” Celestia shook her head again. After thousands of years, finally a new one... “I heard the tales of you three, but never really believed... No, child. No, that is not how Cutie Marks work. Surely to goodness you're good at something!” Scootaloo frowned. “Well yeah, but it's just so lame. Nowhere near as awesome as Rainbow Dash, and...” She trailed off as Rainbow Dash groaned, facehooving. “Wow, your mom was right. I really AM a bad influence at times...” she said, startling Scootaloo. “They hurt Spike,” Twilight growled. Celestia turned to her, startled. “W-What?” “Their screw-up caused a chemical reaction. Spike got them out of the lab in time, but not before getting caught in the resultant explosion. His scales were shredded, and his eye... Faust above his eye...” Celestia turned back to the Crusaders, her eyes wide as she stared at them, seeing them in a new light. Everypony looking at the Solar Sovereign suddenly realized that Celestia was shaking. She was angry. “That's right...” Fluttershy said softly, remembering what Twilight had told them about Spike. “She raised Spike for the first part of his life... She's as much a son to Princess Celestia as he is to... oh no...” Pinkie Pie, her hair completely flat and feeling helpless in all this, just whimpered, hiding behind Fluttershy. “You...” Celestia said, her voice echoing. “Tia, please...” Luna said, putting a hoof on her sister's shoulder while still cradling Twilight, giving her sister a worried look. Celestia's head jerked towards her, before the Solar Sovereign closed her eyes and took a deep breath, literally swallowing her anger as she forced herself to calm down. “Perhaps... Twilight, perhaps you should take a break from all this,” Celestia suggested. “Indeed,” Luna said, getting the idea. “I'm sure Cadence and your brother would love to see you...” “Yeah...” Twilight said, glaring at the Crusaders. “I just... I can't... be here right now...” She took a deep breath, calming down. Mayor Mare stepped forward. “I am sure I can manage things while you are away,” she said. Trixie stepped forward. “And Trixie is here to help as well,” she said. Twilight nodded, gently pulling herself free of Luna and Celestia, smiling reassuringly at them. She turned to Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash. “Girls,” she said, “You think that you can give Mayor Mare a hand in keeping this place from falling apart?” “You can rely on us,” Rarity said, smiling, Applejack and Rainbow Dash nodding in agreement. “And I promise that I will send you letters on Spikey-wikey's condition every day while you are away,” Rarity added. Twilight nodded. “Good... as for you three,” she said, glaring at the Crusaders. Her horn glowed, yanking the charred capes away from the Crusaders. “It's over. The Cutie Mark Crusaders are officially no more.” “W-WHAT?!” the three fillies cried out. Twilight, snarling, tore up their capes, the three fillies watching in horror. “It's over,” Twilight said. “No more idiotic Crusades. No more property damage, no more sleepless nights for your sisters worrying whether or not your Crusades will get you killed, no more townspeople cowering at the mere MENTION of the word Crusade.” Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo stared in shock. Had they really caused that much trouble in their quest to get Cutie Marks? “Princess... You can't...” Scootaloo tried. “She can,” Luna said, frowning. “This is her kingdom, this is her rule.” Celestia nodded in agreement. “Either focus on the talents you KNOW you have or go blank flank forever, I don't fucking CARE anymore,” Twilight growled, looking more tired than she had ever been in her life, the Cutie Mark Crusaders cowering behind their frightened siblings, who had never seen Twilight this furious before. “I had to watch my little brother get carted off to the hospital because of you three. THIS IS NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. UNDERSTAND? If you attempt to do a Crusade, you'll be arrested, and that's an ORDER. No more Crusades. EVER!!” “HA!” Diamond Tiara laughed. “SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU USELESS LITTLE CUNT!!” Twilight roared in the Royal Canterlot Tone, Diamond Tiara squeaking and hiding behind her father, the towsponies staring at her in shock. “You're just as bad! You and your little brat friend! Half my conversations with Cheerilee these days are listening to her complain about all the times your parents have BLOCKED her from disciplining you two!” Filthy Rich, who had been helping with the fire control efforts, gulped. “Is... is it so wrong to protect my daughter from trouble? To give her a happy life?” “When it involves protecting your bully of a daughter from facing the consequences of her actions? YES!!!” Twilight snarled. “I've had it with this town! Filthy, you, your daughter, and the Silvers are to report to my castle the moment I get back! And you're NOT to block Cheerilee from punishing your children if they do wrong EVER AGAIN! UNDERSTAND?!” Filthy nodded. “Y-yes, your majesty...” he said, gulping and bowing deeply. Celestia and Luna said nothing, nor did Twilight's friends. They all knew that this frustration had been building up a long time, and knew better than to get in its way. Twilight snorted, and continued. “Rose, Lily, and Daisy, you report on the same day. I want to talk to you cowards about the number of times you've started riots with your panic attacks.” “B-But...” Daisy stammered. “T-the HORRORS!!” “Bitch, you haven't the foggiest idea of what horror is. Push me any more and I'll show you what horror is,” Twilight said, turning to Zecora. The zebra flinched. “I'm not mad at you,” Twilight said, Zecora relaxing only slightly. “Do you have any potions or balms that can help with burns and cuts like the ones Spike received?” Zecora nodded, unable to bring herself to rhyme. “I-I believe so,” she stammered. “Make them and take them to the hospital,” Twilight said. “I'll make sure you're compensated for your effort.” Zecora nodded and ran off, as Twilight turned to the gathering of Ponyville citizens. “As for the rest of you,” she said, growling, “I'm SICK of all the nonsense in this town! When I can stand to look at you people again, I'm going to clean up this place and make it make fucking SENSE.” Everypony save Discord and the Princesses flinched at this. Twilight sighed, motioning to Trixie. “You come with me. I think I want you as my assistant on my vacation...” Trixie nodded. “Y-yes, of course.” Fluttershy flew up to Twilight. “I'll take care of Owloyicious for you, Twilight,” she said, smiling warmly. Twilight hugged her, and then smiled up at the slightly singed owl sitting on Fluttershy's back. “Thank you,” she said, she and Trixie heading into the castle to pack. Sweetie Belle, before Rarity could stop her, ran up to Twilight. “Are... are you gonna always be mad at us forever and ever?” she asked, tears in her eyes. “...No,” Twilight said, unable to bring herself to look at the filly. “I won't be mad at you forever. But I don't know if I'll ever trust you, Apple Bloom, or Scootaloo ever again...” Rarity came up to Sweetie Belle and gently led her away, the crowd slowly beginning to disperse. Discord pouted. “Phooey...” he said. “If she cleans this place up, then all the delightful chaos in this town will go away.” “Actually, I do have some suggestions on that front,” Luna said. “If you'll follow me?” Luna led the draconequus away from the gathering, Discord visibly brightening as the two conversed quietly. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack talked quietly amongst themselves, casting sympathetic glances towards both the castle and to the three despondent former Cutie Mark Crusaders, who were staring at the remains of their capes. “Ah guess... this is it, then...” Apple Bloom said softly. “Yeah...” Scootaloo said. She wanted to deny it, but Twilight's fury had been too palpable to ignore. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders... are done for...” TO BE CONTINUED