//------------------------------// // It All Ends // Story: The Bravest of Fillies // by ShaD-23 //------------------------------// “Princess Celestia!” Twilight called, rushing to her mentor, nuzzling her dearly. Looking beyond the regal alicorn, she saw two ponies making their way through the raging blizzard that made her jaw drop. “Cadence! Shining Armor!” she shrieked, rushing past Celestia and throwing her hooves around the two heavily bound ponies, the trio sniffling as they were reunited. “Forget about me, Twilight?” That voice. Twilight jerked her head up to see a face she feared she'd never see again. Captain Starlight, smiling for her old friend beneath a heavy red coat. There was an eye patch over her right eye and a scar along her left cheek, but she still looked quite chipper and spirited, Twilight barely able to grasp that she had survived the crash of the Entourage. “H-how...” the purple pony stammered, unable to hold back tears or suppress her smile “how did you-” “I flew off at the last second.” the orange pegasus explained. “I was lucky to make it, I got hit in the face when the mast collapsed... can I still be your bodyguard?” she asked with a laugh, Twilight seeing her left eye sparkle. “We can talk later, though, Twilight.” she said. “I think a friend needs your help.” she said, motioning toward the blue spectrum inside the Apple's home. Nodding, shaking the snow from her mane, Twilight raced inside, Fluttershy still crying over Discord's sacrifice. “You... you said we can save him, princess?” Twilight asked as Fluttershy wiped her eyes, everypony else watching with narrowed eyes. “Yes.” Celestia said, the brilliant lights above them starting to dim just slightly. “If you can all focus on Discord's remaining life and soul, you should be able to reassemble him in a new body... but be warned, nopony returns from the realms in between unscathed.” Every single one of them could feel the grave warning in Celestia's voice. It made several manes stand on end. “Do you still want to restore Discord-” “Yes.” several of them said sharply. At this, Celestia bowed her head and stepped away from them. “Then unite your power, everypony.” she said solemnly. “It is the only way.” “But how can we do that without our Elements?” Rainbow Dash pondered aloud. Celestia, however, waved this notion off. “Your Elements of Harmony do not define your connection, Rainbow Dash.” she explained, Fluttershy gasping as the lights faded still. “You all would not have come this far if everything depended solely on your Elements of Harmony... you must never forget that.” she said, Twilight looking up at the fading vortex of blue stars. “Enough chit chat.” Twilight said, powering her snapped horn. “Discord... come back to us.” she said, trying her best to focus on the blue lights. She could definitely feel Discord's joyous nature and chaotic power within them, but it was hard for her to keep control of these, the swirling blue slowing just a mite. She feared he was going to be lost soon. Just then, the stars began to descend to the floor and swirl about in a smaller cyclone. Looking around the room, still powering her stubby horn, Twilight saw the other bears of the Elements of Harmony had lowered their heads, focusing on their strong bond with both Twilight and Discord. Looking back to the blue lights, they began to form into a small shape. “Please, Twilight, don't give up.” Cadence said suddenly, stepping forward, Twilight feeling a great swell of vigor inside as her former caretaker spoke to her. Celestia, Shining Armor and Starlight all watched with baited breath as the gleaming lights formed a small, tiny shape, the glow subsiding a moment later as Discord was brought back before their very eyes. Shuddering, her heart pounding, Fluttershy looked over the tiny form of the restored draconequus. He looked no bigger than Apple Bloom or any other colt or filly, with a large, round head with tiny, rounded antlers and a tiny, pudgy body. “Discord?” Fluttershy asked slowly, the baby yawning cutely and rubbing his eyes. “Discord!” Fluttershy exclaimed, snatching him up, startling him as he looked around in a frenzy, the yellow pegasus crying as she cradled him close. “I thought we'd -hic- we'd never see you ever again!” she sobbed. Sure enough, as soon as the baby Discord looked into Fluttershy's face, he gave her a big smile, his single pointy tooth bared as he nuzzled into her side. Everypony could see he clearly remembered who she was, even in this infantile state. Every last one of them beamed at this. Stepping forward, though, Celestia drew everypony's attention (Discord still snuggling his new caretaker). “We don't have much time.” she announced, Everypony listening intently. “Twilight. Don your Element of Harmony. It will be the key to finding all the others.” Nodding, Twilight quickly placed her diadem on her head, almost immediately feeling a tugging sensation inside her. She could feel exactly where the Elements were, far far to the north... she knew exactly where they had been taken. “Shining Armor.” Twilight began. “Why aren't you and Cadence at the Crystal Empire.” she asked, already aware of the reason why. “By the time we made our way back to the Crystal Empire,” Cadence explained, Shining Armor bowing slightly “it had been overrun with black crystal golems. We couldn't make it through the city limits no matter how we tried...” “We figured we could lead an attack,” added Shining Armor “but we figured without the Elements of Harmony... we wouldn't stand a chance.” “And now that we know where they are,” Celestia interjected loudly, a grave look on her face “it would seem I have no choice...” Everypony turned and just stared at her, Fluttershy holding the tiny Discord close. “Princess-” “I will go face Tirek and Zerus alone... Twilight,” she began, looking at the youngest alicorn “I leave Equestria under your rule.” Twilight could feel her blood run cold. “I trust you will rule in my place.” she said, bowing to Twilight, nopony able to find their voice. What Princess Celestia said was final. That's how it had always been. “Then for my first royal decree,” Twilight said suddenly, nopony blinking “I forbid you from going to the Crystal Empire.” Celestia looked taken aback. Everypony was utterly shocked by Twilight's bravery. “We need you, Princess Celestia. We can't-” “This is not up for debate, Twilight.” Celestia said sharply. “This is all probably my doing... I must set things right-” “With all due respect, Princess Celestia!” Twilight snapped, her heart pounding in her ears. It was quiet enough to hear a pin drop as Celestia stared at her former pupil. “I am a princess of Canterlot. I will do anything in my power to protect my subjects... and that includes not allowing you do go off and die.” It was absolute silence in the Apple house, save for the howling wind outside. Not a single one of them moved and neither Celestia nor Twilight blinked as they shot daggers for the other. “Very well then, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia said begrudgingly. “I will comply. Tell me,” she went on, taking a seat before her. “What course of action do you propose?” Twilight inhaled deeply. This was it. She had to think of something. “Will you not answer, Twilight?” Celestia asked in a suspicious tone, raising an eyebrow. Narrowing her eyes, Twilight stomped forward. “We will lead a final assault on the Crystal Empire!” she blurted out, wracking her mind to piece together some sort of plan on the spot. “Why would you say such a thing?” Celestia asked in an unconvinced voice. “Did Princess Cadence and Shining Armor not tell you it would prove useless to attack-” “She's got us!” Rainbow Dash snapped, surprised by her bravery as well. Celestia turned and gave a serious look to her subject, Rainbow Dash's courage floundering as Celestia's mouth tightened. “She's right, you're highness.” Applejack said, stepping up beside her best friend. “We'll go with Twilight to the empire.” “We'll claim our Elements once more.” Rarity added, joining the two. “We won't let you down, your highness!” Pinkie cheered as she hopped to her feet. “With our Elements, we can save everypony.” Fluttershy managed to breathe, Discord fast asleep in her hooves. Celestia made no movement, though Twilight could clearly see Celestia's face relax just slightly. “Your highness!” Everypony turned to see Flash Sentry enter the door, dressed in a heavy black cloak. “News from Saddle Arabia. They have-” was all he said before he and Twilight looked right into the others eyes. Twilight walked straight over to Flash as he stared at her with an open mouth. “Twilight...” he said, the princess coming to a stop just before him. “I'm so sorry, I wasn't there to help-” was all he said before she gave his face a sharp smack with her wing, Starlight narrowing her eyes just a bit. His cheek stinging, Flash frowned at Twilight. After a moment more, though, she threw her hooves around him and held him tight. Shining Armor and Cadence both smiled just slightly at the two of them. “Let us make haste, Princess Twilight.” Celestia said sharply. Everypony turned to her, feeling the graveness of her words. “The final battle for the world begins now.” ===== As the snow came down in Ponyville, many soldiers took to fortifying the town. “We'll need to defend our homes as well during the fighting at the Crystal Empire, Princess Celestia.” “Why would we need to do that, Twilight? Zerus believe's he has already won. What would he stand to gain from attacking-” “He doesn't command the golems. Tirek does. And Tirek is a sadist. It doesn't matter to him whether they've already won or lost. He just wants to hurt everypony, so he'll be expecting us to leave Equestria unprotected.” Twilight looked longingly at the burned remnants of her home at the old library. She remembered all the good times she and everypony had experienced here. It was so sad to see it reduced to just a burned old tree now. Hanging her head as townsponies took to evacuate, she walked through the icy streets, hoping this daring final assault would work, feeling a lump in her throat as she watched Fluttershy at Sugarcube Corner, sharing a tearful goodby with Discord as she entrusted him to the fleeing Cake family. “I will send troops with you to the Crystal Empire, Shining Armor.” “I have a better idea, Princess Celestia.” Twilight watched as the train returned from the northern boarder, Flash Sentry having taken it to the Crystal Empire. “Flash, if you truly want to atone for your past mistakes, then you will listen to me. I want you to stow inside the Crystal Empire. It should be easy for somepony like you.” “Yes, Shining Armor.” “The Crystal Ponies will still be alive because they require negativity and despair to feed Cataclysm... join the squatchen tribes and free the finest crystal warriors together and wait for us to meet you. We'll attack from the inside.” “Yessir-” “I would not entrust you with this task if I didn't believe you were capable, Flash... do not let me down.” “YESSIR!” Celestia had already left for Canterlot a day earlier. Apparently the ponies of Saddle Arabia had heard of the attacking golems and sent a massive garrison of jackal soldiers to help fortify the royal city. She hoped that would be enough. “Starlight. I want you to protect Cadence and Spike by any means necessary. The two of them will protect Ponyville and keep us in contact with one another.” “Right. That dragon has the ability to send messages and items to the princesses.” “Not only that, they are my family... I want them to be safe.” “I will guard them with my life, Twilight!” The smell of burning kilns filled even the Ponyville air as Twilight made her way to the edge of town. It would seem while Twilight was in a coma, Discord had found a large amount of mythril (or perhaps revealed a stash he had been saving for a rainy day). The forges throughout all of Equestria had been burning for days and nights, everypony trying to smith armor strong enough to defend Equestria. Coming to the barren Sweet Apple Acres, Twilight saw a tearful Diamond Tiara leave the Apple house. She had been visiting a lot lately, Twilight noticed. Maybe the recent development with Granny Smith had caused her to soften her heart to Apple Bloom and her friends. Sure enough, Twilight saw a heavily covered Apple Bloom sitting outside, watching the frozen apples on the icy limbs of the trees. Twilight took a seat beside her and watched the furious blizzard. “Real cold out, huh?” Twilight asked, Apple Bloom sitting silently. Twilight reached out and put a hoof around her little friend. “Granny Smith is real sick 'cause of this storm, y'know?” Apple bloom said quietly. Twilight nodded, knowing well that the old mare was not taking to this cold snap well. “She's... she's not getting' any better.” Twilight couldn't think of anything to say to Apple Bloom. “My... my maw an' paw died b'fore I could remember.” she went on, her voice trembling. “I never got to know them, but Big Macintosh an' Applejack told me it was real sad for everypony...” Sniffling, Apple Bloom turned to Twilight, her face wet with tears. “Twilight,” she began, trying to find her voice as she looked up at the purple alicorn “I know nopony lives forever... but... but Granny Smith said she always wanted to see what kinda cutiemark I would have...” Twilight felt her heart sink. Apple Bloom let out a few sobs as she fought to keep her composure. “Please Twilight... please save Granny Smith... please save her.” Twilight wasn't sure she could find her voice. ===== Twilight, Shining Armor (who wore shining mythril armor and had the Harbinger Blade slung to his side) and the other bearers of the Elements of Harmony waited for the train to the norther boarder to return, some of them dressed in coats and others wearing various pieces of travel gear (Applejack having donned a black hat that once belonged to her father), Spike, Cadence and Starlight there to see the lot off. “You aren't scared something like last time will happen... are you, Twilight?” Spike asked. Twilight only shook her head. “I think I'll be fine... it's strange,” she explained “but it's like Zerus' power doesn't effect me... at least not that much.” “Do you think maybe...” Shining Armor began “maybe we're... somehow related to him? He is more than a thousand years old.” Twilight only shook her head once more. “I've traced our genealogy before.” she explained. “The farthest back I was able to trace our history was to a stallion named Artemis. He was born not long before Zerus, but it's still unlikely the two are connected.” Shining Armor nodded as the train pulled in, knowing his sister was probably right. As they said their goodbyes (a few of them quite tearfully), they all piled onto the train, their hearts beating fast and each of them sweating bullets. “Do you think we really have a chance?” Applejack asked, Twilight closing her eyes. “We won't know until we try.” she heard Pinkie say glumly. “Best to keep those thoughts out of mind, everypony.” Shining Armor said cautiously. “We need to keep focused.” he finished, Twilight somehow managing to fall asleep... She looked around the grand spectrum she found herself in once before, Luna already standing there waiting for her. “Your mind is wondering, Twilight.” she said in a sagely voice. “Shouldn't you stay concentrated on the matter at hand?” “You're still in exile... why?” asked the concerned Twilight. At this, Luna frowned. “I feel this was all my doing... had I not given Tirek the Alicorn Amulet, we wouldn't be in the predicament... and besides... I can't face Zerus... I just can't.” she said, her voice trembling. “Not after what has happened to him... he was like a son to me... and I would want nothing more than for him to come back to Canterlot with me... but we both know it can't be like that... not after everything that has happened to the both of us.” Twilight opened her mouth to protest, but she knew Luna was right. Zerus had been sealed in endless hatred and fear from more than a thousand years, groomed to be Sombra's successor, just like he was... was there no real way of getting through to Zerus? “Princess Luna?” Twilight asked suddenly. “Zerus mentioned something about not being able to live forever.” At this, Luna's eyes darted to Twilight. “Did... did he mean it?” “Nopony lives forever, Twilight.” Luna said, her regal form melting away to her true form as a little filly. “Not even my sister or I... we will both live for many many years still, but as for you and Princess Cadence... I cannot say whether you two will live as long as us.” Twilight's heart leaped in her chest at this news. “You were both transformed into alicorns, not born. The bloodline of the Crystal Royals ran thin for more than a thousand years, but Princess Cadence did indeed descend from the last royal who was entrusted to us and she did prove herself worthy of the title of princess, just like you did.” Twilight bowed at this. So there was a chance that she and Cadence may just live as long as their friends... and Zerus knew this. What else could he possibly know? “You should wake up, Twilight.” Luna said as she turned to leave, shaking the alicorn form her thoughts. “You're almost the the Crystal Empire.” At this, Twilight shook awake, her eyes darting around the train car as everypony sat silently waiting for the end of the line. Sure enough, after rising to stretch her limbs, Twilight saw it. The black, jagged castle of crystal, surrounded by a parched wasteland, just like in the vision Celestia showed Twilight a year prior when she and her friends ventured first to the empire. This was it. As the train came to a stop, Twilight saw the empty, silent town of the Crystal Ponies, none of them daring to speak as they walked through the brief snowy banks and into the hot desert, a foreboding and dusty wind blowing slightly at their backs. “Where are the Elements, Twilight?” Shining Armor asked, Twilight placing her Element on her head. She could feel it as plain as day exactly where the other Elements were. Walking slowly through the parched land, straight toward the castle, Twilight narrowed her eyes. “The Element of Loyalty is at the jousting arena.” Twilight said, Rainbow Dash hurrying off. “The Element of Honesty is in the crystal garden.” Applejack trotted off without a word. “The Element of Generosity is in the Hall of the Crystal Heart.” Rarity, who still wore her red winter coat, nodded and made her way ahead of the group. “The Element of Laughter is deep in the aqueducts.” Twilight revealed, Pinkie pulling out the seapony charm from a travel pack she wore, starting off to the now dry fountains. “The Element of Kindness is in the clouds, up about the city.” Twilight finally said, Fluttershy shaking like a leaf but giving a determined look as she flew up into the sky, leaving Twilight and Shining Armor all alone. “You do know this is a trap, right?” Twilight asked, Shining Armor's face showing no emotion. “Spotting a trap and avoiding one are two different things.” Again, as they reached the town square outside the castle, he said nothing. No sooner did they come to the foot of the grand stairs did they see a figure wearing a heavy brown cloak, no part of their body visible beneath it. They both knew from the height and girth of this figure that it was clearly Tirek. “My master has been waiting for you, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” he said, sinking to his knees, the cloak pooling around him on the jagged crystal floor. Turning, she saw Shining Armor shake his head. “You can't go, Twilight.” her brother plead. “You can't-” “I have no choice, Shining Armor...” she said, following the silent Tirek, Shining Armor watching from the town square as she disappeared from view. Following Tirek, she didn't dare speak a word as he lead her to the throne room and up to a gigantic spiraling staircase that was not present either time she came to the Crystal Empire. Following him as they ascended the stairs, they suddenly came to a stop as the staircase ended in the middle of the throne room. Looking around, Twilight wondered what he was doing, though she quickly got her answer as the steps began to slowly rise on their own up higher and higher, the ceiling opening up to allow them to continue on. As they went on and on up higher and higher, the staircase grew larger and more jagged, turning into a massive tower, Twilight looking all around as they rose higher into the sky. Just as they surpassed the grand tower, Twilight suddenly got a chill, turning to see something high above them (despite how high the tower had already risen). After a moment of trying to see exactly what it was, Twilight shielded her eyes as a massive blight lit up the land, revealing Cataclysm. Twilight's spine ran cold as she saw it, the tower continuing to rise more and more. It looked like a pitch black sun, lined with burning purple flames, the tower coming right up to it. “Master Zerus will meet with you now, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Tirek said calmly, Twilight watching everything fade, quickly finding herself in an endless black void. Looking around, she saw that not only could she see herself, but for some reason, she was dressed in her coronation gown from when she became a princess. “I've been looking forward to this moment, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight turned to see Zerus, draped in a pure white cloak and wearing mythril hoof guards step up toward her, his brown mane tied back and draped down his shoulder. ===== The fighting had begun almost as soon as Cataclysm appeared in the sky, but Shining Armor didn't move a muscle. He instead glared as Tirek glided down from the tower and landed on the grand steps of the castle. “I hope you've been looking forward to this moment as long as I have, Shining Armor.” he said, squatchen and crystal jousters alike tearing and smashing the seemingly endless golems to bits. “It's time we end our little game once and for all.” Tirek said, stepping down the steps, Shining Armor drawing the Harbinger Blade and clamping it in his mouth. “Because I'm frankly tired of playing.” the baphotaur taunted, drawing Sombra's horn and turning it not into the broad, curved sword from before, but instead into an incredibly long, needle-like sword that dwarfed even him. “Time to die, Shining Armor.” Tirek laughed, his pitch black body made of shining black crystal.