Austraeoh

by Imploding Colon

Axan

“I thought I knew you, Axan,” Celestia's voice said from the glowing pendant. “I thought I had flown enough circles with you, covered enough ground with you to know the extent of your strengths as well as your faults.”

“It has been millennia, Princess of the Sun,” Axan replied, her growling voice rumbling through the enormous chamber full of stock-still dragons. A ring of red-scaled wyrms surrounded the center of the cavern where Rainbow Dash stood before the Matriarch and her glittering bed of gold. “You know nothing of me.”

Luna's voice sounded off. “We art aware of the passionate needs of draconian kind, as well as their rarity in this world. Regardless, this most recent development vexes us, oh wise Axan. What, pray telleth, would it benefit one of the Divine Five to cause this much pain and suffering?”

“D-divine Five?” Rainbow Dash stammered, sweating from the combined heat of the glowing pendant and Axan's proximity.

“In the dawn of time, before history illustrated the mysterious landscape,” Luna spoke, “There were five dragon queens, responsible for key universal elements, and they were instrumental in giving birth to—”

“Do not speak of my sisters as if they are mere appendixes to pony literature!” Axan snarled, almost shaking the ground out from beneath Rainbow's hooves. “There are few of us left who know of the Golden Age before the Equine Seeding. Even fewer of us are willing to cherish the tranquil sanctity of such a time...”

“Why do you speak so ill of our kind, Axan?” Celestia's voice calmly inquired. “As a whole, ponydom has endeavored to spread peace and harmony since Creation.”

“Your arrogance is as thick as ever, Celestia,” Axan spoke, her double rows of teeth showing beneath a bitter grin. “You speak of the Golden Age as if it somehow belonged to alicorns. You know as well as I do that there was never a 'Creation.'” Her green eyeslit narrowed on the sight of Rainbow Dash. “Tis a pity you would not share such truths with your expendable mortals.”

Rainbow Dash boldly spoke, “I know enough.” She frowned. “I've seen the chambers beneath the surface of the world. I've personally touched the flames on ancient pedestals and have put gears in motion. I don't know what is truth or what isn't, but I realize that you can't look at the world the same way once you know it's all a crazy machine.”

Axan's eyecrests furrowed, her fuming gaze locked on the strange, prismatic pegasus.

In the meantime, the voices were momentarily silent on the Princesses' end. Eventually, Celestia spoke, “One would have to ask why you are so insistent on the expendable nature of our subjects.”

“This puny flier, I can understand,” Axan remarked. “But the rest of the Equestrian vermin? Does your glory truly reach them all? Furthermore, does your wisdom and righteousness inspire every civilization spread across this world?”

“The beauty of ponydom is its intrinsic ability to discover glory for itself,” Celestia said. “It is for this reason that the alicorns bequeathed harmony upon the blossoming races of this realm and nothing more. We never sought to make slaves out of mortal equines. We merely wished to give them the impetus to spread life and joy from generation to generation.”

“You are too blinded by your own revolving lights to realize the failure of your and your forbearers' endeavors,” Axan said. “While you've sat within the comforts of your solitary palace, it has been the Divine Five's initiative to scour the lengths of this enormous world that was ours to begin with, long before the alicorns descended upon this half of the plane. Since then, we have been drained of energy and hope. Even to this day, you would cherish harmony so much? I have seen horrors and atrocities that would leech the immortality straight from you, daughters of the sky!”

Rainbow Dash stirred nervously as Luna's voice replaced Celestia's. “It wouldst be folly to assume any effort—immortal or otherwise—would be capable of vanquishing evil and malice from this world. However, this must not eliminate the noble purpose of harmony in every facet of existence...”

“You are one to speak of harmony, moon princess,” Axan remarked with a sneer. “Or was that not your corrupted image blotting the lunar surface for the past thousand years?”

The pendant was momentarily silent.

Axan roared on, “I did not think it was possible to be more dismayed. And yet, I witness greater and greater absurdities. You alicorns put such enormous weight on this pegasus, and to what purpose? Did you truly think the two of you would be able to dissuade my concerns for the world in one measly conversation?”

“What concerns are those, Queen of Flame?” Celestia asked. “My sister and I have been taxed as of late. To this day, we are working on a regular basis to keep chaos from seeping into this world and truly cursing all things that cling to life...”

Rainbow Dash's head bowed as she exhaled slowly upon hearing that.

Celestia continued, “Though we may not be able to purify the world, we are directly in charge of preserving it. There are many evils of many shades, but the gift of light allows all living things—immortal or otherwise—to make beauty and not decay. What has happened to you that has sapped one of the Divine Five of hope and joy? What has polluted your spirit so that you must take your anger and distress out on an entire civilization?”

Axan growled, “My spirit? Polluted?! This world is polluted, Celestia! It has been ever since the alicorns landed here and attempted to force their harmony to work across the landscape. The cost is more than evident: the dark side of the realm exists in perpetual agony. Civilizations war with one another over resources. Just east of here, as a matter of fact, a diabolical empire makes slaves and filth out of their own kind. You ask what's sapped my siblings and I of our life-blood? It's something that you're powerless to control, something that no immortal could stop—but has only accelerated by forcing so much energy and power into the harmonious end of the spectrum. For this reason, I have decided to retire, to amass my hoard and outlast the dark age to come.”

“'Dark Age?'” Luna exclaimed incredulously. “We faileth to understand. What is it that thou speaketh of?”

Axan grinned sadistically, her sharp teeth glinting in the firelight as her emerald gaze fell upon Rainbow Dash in particular. “You mean you 'wise' and 'merciful' alicorns have not spread the news, even to your lowly subjects?” Her nostrils fumed as her breath came out in a smoking hiss. “You have not told them about the end of the world?”

Comments

[CyborgSamurai]

DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNNN

[Mithrandir]

Sweet Celestia.

[Pilate]

Just east of here, as a matter of fact, a diabolical empire makes slaves and filth out of their own kind.

That will be an interesting place for sure, definitely getting darker in more ways than one on the dark side of the world.

“You have not told them about the end of the world?”

1444865
Cliffhangers, cliffhangers everywhere. Chances of end of world prophecy being directly related to chaos rift? High.

“D-divine Five?” Rainbow Dash stammered, sweating from the combined heat of the glowing pendant and Axan's proximity.

“In the dawn of time, before history illustrated the mysterious landscape,” Luna spoke, “There were five dragon queens, responsible for key universal elements , and they were instrumental in giving birth to—”

Back to the elements of harmony, excellent.

[Lively Lemons]

Achevment unlocked: talk to the matriarch

[enamis]

SHIIIIIIIT SON!

[Gunsmith]

Somehow, a 'Well, that escalated quickly' picture just would not be enough.

[NeverKnown]

DUH DUH DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Rainbow87dash]

Just east of here, as a matter of fact, a diabolical empire makes slaves and filth out of their own kind.

Looks like Rainbows in for something here oh and

[youtube=GhMvKv4GX5U]

[RoboRed]

The end of the world?

Business just got serious. Really serious.

Just east of here, as a matter of fact, a diabolical empire makes slaves and filth out of their own kind.

Poor Dash...even after this whole debacle, she has nothing but more pain ahead of her. Slavery, eh? Let's see how much you can make me grit my teeth in rage, Colon.

I look forward to this dark turn of events.

[jroetzer]

hmmm... nice, nice...
*sees the end*
reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/excited.gif

[Axan Zenith]

I don't even care if my character is female, this is awesome. I giggled every time I read my name in that chapter.

Anyway, enough blatant boasting.

The end of the world? Five Sisters? Time before time?

Sounds like Axan's () gonna lay down some heavy shiz, yo.

[Arkenai]

Oh noes, the cliffhanger!

It burns me.

1444880

I imagine they're missing the element of magic.

Or possibly loyalty as RD is so awesome, but that makes less sense.

[The 24th Pegasus]

The plot is so thick right now you can't even see through it

[zaponator]

"Just east of here, as a matter of fact, a diabolical empire makes slaves and filth out of their own kind."

Foreshadowing for the next quest!

[Ms_Fruit_Bat]

I just had a shit in my pants from this craziness.

[Jh5kPony]

1445515

[ShadowBro]

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU~~~~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Aqua Fortis]

Oh damn. Now the apocalypse is in play. Can't say I saw that one coming.

1444880
Given how Axan is referred to as the Queen of Flame, I saw the references to elements as being the natural elements, i.e. fire, water, air, earth, and... uh... lightning? That's fittingly draconic, right? I dunno, it's an imperfect theory.

Wait a second... the end of the world? As (most likely) written by SS&E?

Is this gonna transition directly into EoP?

[Psyco Josho]

Now how will Dash get herself out of this one?

[Dull Mist]

Awwwww, shit's goin DOWN!

[Pilate]

1445319
Darkstine was heavily built around the element of magic, I'm not sure if the Axan is supposed to represent an element of harmony or not.

1445769
i.imgur.com/fN4su.jpg

Just kidding. I figured them the creators or otherwise the origin of the elements of harmony. It just seems odd there would be five of them, then potentially unlocked by a "spark" during the early discovery of the planet.

End of Ponies was mentioned here in the comments (and a little in the fic) when we first got to Silvadel, and there have been numerous references to it and other SS&E fics throughout. It would not surprise me in the least if that was the end result of Austreaoh, possibly timed to coincide with the return of EoP chapters upon the conclusion of Background Pony.

As it is now, though, I figure Austraeoh stands on its own.

[LimeAttack]

Ohh snap. It's definitely getting to the really important parts.

You hear that, people? Perk your ears up and pay attention come next update.

[Steel Wing]

“You have not told them about the end of the world?”

Holy shit, the plot really thickens!

[Relevant Heavy Metal]

Apocryphon - The Sword

"Freedom Harmony is the right of all sentient beings."

[That_one_guy]

1444880

It gets wooooooooooorse

[Cobalt Swirls]

“You have not told them about the end of the world?”

static.fjcdn.com/pictures/Well_31db69_1108847.jpg

[SearoDess]

1444904 i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd135/seethelight9/misc/stock-illustration-11852700-hits-the-fan.jpg

[Johnjohns]

!

[MellowMabari]

All I can say is: poor Dash. Seriously, the amount of crap she has to go through just to get to this supposed Armory is crazy (and insanely fun to read about ). I think the idea that this might somehow lead into EoP is depressing. To think Dash does all of this for the world to end up in the shitter anyway... Avert the end of the world, I say! Happy endings are fun, right? Or at least bittersweet ones? Anyway, dragon lady seems like a bit of a dick, but at least she's giving us exposition and letting Celestia in on the story. I have no idea how this is gonna turn out, or how the slave thing in the next arc will go, but I look forward to finding out. As always, EANC.

[Ledomare]

You have not told them about the end of the world?

i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/370/914/898.gif

Can't remember if I've posted that here before. Still fits, though.
In this chapter of Austraeoh: exposition, exposition, EXPOSITIOOOON.

Now geddonwithit! I need to know of the end of the world! NAOUGH. DOO EET NAAOUUGH.

[RainbowThis]

Hey, we're actually talking to the Matriarch!
YOU ARE DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!!!!

[richfiles]

NAUSCAREOH: Rainbow Dash turns left

[Gunsmith]

1446836 That should work.

[LurkAllDay]

>Rainbow Dash flies east.
>200k words
Now I just have to read it.

[dogan]

i'm tempted to rereg under a really cool-sounding username so then i'll get written into the story too

[IfOnlyICouldDeactivate]

I just caught up...

...to the biggest cliffhanger so far...

...whyyyyyyyy?

[SearoDess]

1450436 wait for my little caboose, nearly 400k words, and 230 somtin chapters

[Emberspeak]

This story is like an ever escalating spiral of awesomeness. Seriously, we start with RD flying east, whcih turns into RD saving a town, which turns into RD saving a city, which turns into RD saving a civilisation, which turns into RD saving the World?

Also, I seriously doubt it ties in with EoP. Short of time being reversed, events being erased and all the characters losing their memories of these events, it just wouldn't happen. If it did, it wouldn't be the same either: nothing would have happened, all for the sake of one little hint to the Onyx Eclipse. Nah-uh, not happening.

[Csquared08]

Just east of here, as a matter of fact, a diabolical empire makes slaves and filth out of their own kind.

“You have not told them about the end of the world?”

Oh my...

[Regidar]

1444866 Your avatar makes it all the better.

[dashie76]

IIIIIt's Dashie's...evaluation.....time..........

.....
.....
fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/275/7/9/jontron_nightshade_reaction_gif_by_metroid0070-d5gmyks.gif
Alright...okay. I'm not going to freak out...I'm going to evaluate this chapter in the calmest way possible.
First off, we get a reference back to the Elements once again when Celestia mentions the Divine Five being the source of five universal elements, presumably Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, and Loyalty. Perhaps they were the harmonious members of the original crew of the planet before the draconequii became purely chaotic beings. We also get lots of ancient speak mumbo jumbo that I'm assuming isn't plot relevant. Even if it is, it doesn't really require explaining.
And finally...the world is ending.
.....
.....
WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-
These are my thoughts so far.

-MASH

P.S. Seriously though, this is huge. Perhaps Dash's mission does have a purpose after all...

[AppleTank]

Goddamn Apocalypses. Don't even get to finish my sandwich before it gets charbroiled, irradiated, and vaporized.

[dafiltafish]

OH HELL NAW!!

[Super Trampoline]

Well fuck.

[JustAnotherTimeLord]

All things have their end.

[whizzball1]

The world is ending?! And, now we know where the elements come from.

[Enix]

Well then. You know what this calls for?

[aRestlessCreativeGamer]

What concerns are those, Queen of Flame?” Celestia asked. “My sister and I have been taxed as of late. To this day, we are working on a regular basis to keep chaos from seeping into this world and truly cursing all things that cling to life...”
Rainbow Dash's head bowed as she exhaled slowly upon hearing that.

More hints to Rainbow being the cause of, or at least feels responsible for, the chaos rift in Ponyville

[Tim the Planes-pony]

“I know enough.” She frowned. “I've seen the chambers beneath the surface of the world. I've personally touched the flames on ancient pedestals and have put gears in motion. I don't know what is truth or what isn't, but I realize that you can't look at the world the same way once you know it's all a crazy machine.”

Axan's eyecrests furrowed, her fuming gaze locked on the strange, prismatic pegasus.

In the meantime, the voices were momentarily silent on the Princesses' end. Eventually, Celestia spoke, “One would have to ask why you are so insistent on the expendable nature of our subjects.”

“This puny flier, I can understand,” Axan remarked.

The moment she stopped being an expendable pawn, and became a legend, even among immortals.

And the world is ending, uh oh.

[DragonMaus]

1444880 That will be an interesting place for sure, definitely getting darker in more ways than one on the dark side of the world.

Keep in mind that the world is flat; she hasn't even reached the chaotic side yet.
But then, you probably realize this by now, considering I'm speaking to the you of three years past.