Final Equestria

by Asch13

Chapter 2 - The Book Bearer

"Long ago, there were two regal sisters who ruled together, and created harmony for all the land. The eldest used her alicorn powers to raise the sun at dawn; while the younger brought out the moon to begin the night. Thus, the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects.

"But as time went on, the younger sister became resentful. Their subjects relished and played in the day her elder sister brought forth, but shunned and slept through her beautiful night.

"One fateful day, the younger alicorn refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn. The elder sister tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the young one's heart attracted a monster of evil, transforming her into a creature of darkness: Nightmare Moon.

"Vowing that she would shroud the land in eternal night, the sisters fought. Reluctantly, the elder sister harnessed the most powerful magic known to ponydom: the Elements of Harmony. Using the magic of the Elements of Harmony, she defeated her younger sister, and banished her in the moon. But as punishment for using the Elements alone, the elder sister became imprisoned in the sun.

"With the fall of the regal sisters, their apprentices took on responsibility for both sun and moon, and harmony has been maintained in Equestria for generations since."

Closing the book he was reading, the teacher stood and looked out towards his large classroom full of students, making a mental list of all his students who were waking up. "Thus concludes this lesson on 'The Fall Of The Sun And Moon'." No sooner had he finished talking did the bell ring signaling the end of class. The teacher continued, louder to be heard over the stomping of his student's exit. "Please read the next three chapters on the rein of King Night Shield and Queen Golden Aurora, by Monday." As one of the last students rose from her chair, the teacher called to her, "Miss Sparkle, would you come here please."

The young purple unicorn mare looked at her teacher, countless scenarios going through her mind of what she could have done wrong. Grabbing her spell books and staff, Twilight Sparkle moved towards her teacher. Every step she took, a new scenario would come to mind.

'Did I fail the last test?'

'Did I forget an assignment?'

'He's not going to send me back to magic kindergarten is he?'

Nervously straitening her robes, she made it to her teacher, "Y-yes, Mr. Bedlam?" Her teacher Bedlam, was an older pony, his once black mane streaked gray with age. Yet his light brown coat was still all the same color.

Bedlam looked up from a stack of papers, "Miss Sparkle, I-" as Bedlam looked at her, he couldn't help but chuckle at Twilight. "My dear, by the look on your face... do you think your in trouble? My dear, you are a prodigy among unicorns, and my best student."

Looking away sheepishly, Twilight could feel a blush rising to her face from the praise.

While chuckling, Bedlam continued, "No my dear, I have a special project for you. As you know, in two days is the Summer Sun Festival. I was asked to direct this years festivities, but a sick friend has called me away. I'd like you to take my place."

Out of all the things Twilight thought her teacher would say, this was not one of them "Sir, I haven't celebrated the Summer Sun since I was a filly. I don't know all the rules." Twilight began to panic, and as she spoke Bedlam saw strands of her mane pop out of place.

"Twilight." she didn't hear him, "Twilight." She continued her ranting, "Twilight Sparkle!" Finally hearing him, Twilight stared wide eyed at Bedlam. Straitening her mane, Twilight smiled sheepishly, waiting for him to continue. "Thank you," Handing Twilight a stack of papers, "All I need you to do, is go to each station tomorrow afternoon and make sure everything's in order. Can you do that?"

Quickly looking over the papers, taking a deep breath, "Yes, Mr. Bedlam. You can count on me."

~~~

Late that night, Twilight sat in her private library at her home, having another of her all night reading sessions. While reading through the papers Bedlam had given her, Twilight had grown curious of the fight between the royal sisters on the first Summer Sun Festival. She started to find some inconsistencies, and when reading further found a prophecy.

"Upon the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in the escape of the Night Queen, and she will bring about everlasting night, upon the world. Soon thereafter, the stars will aid the Solar Empress, and the true fight of the cosmos will ensue. To restore the balance, a chosen of the gods, a child of both light and dark, will unite the fundamentals of harmony, and calm the heavens, before the storm."

Not believing what she had read, Twilight started going over the dates in her head. No matter how many times she went over the numbers, she came to the conclusion this would be the one thousandth annual Summer Sun Festival.

Twilight quickly moved to the next book she could find on the subject. "The are seven Elements of Harmony, yet only six are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Spirit, Honesty, and Loyalty. The seventh is said to appear when the first six are present, and the spark will ignite the-" As Twilight turned the page in her book, she found the pages destroyed by time. With a groan of frustration, Twilight began to go through her whole extensive library.

~~~

As the sun rose the next day, the sun shone through the curtains and into a young sleeping dragon's eye's. "Go away." he yelled at the sun, but as stubborn as dragons are, the young dragon had to relent and got up.

Passing the door to Twilight's library, he peered inside expecting to see Twilight asleep from a long night of reading. But instead, he saw all the shelves devoid of books and Twilight frantically searching through book after book, then throwing them in a pile.

"Twilight? What in Equestria are you doing?"

"Oh good your up, Spike. I need your help finding information on the Summer Sun Festival, the last alicorns, Nightmare Moon, or the Elements of Harmony."

All Spike could do was groan, "It's too early for this Twilight. I'm gonna go make breakfast, then I'll help."

"Alright Spike, but hurry back!" As she finished the book she was looking at, Twilight started to teeter on her feet feeling sleep trying to grab a hold of her. "No I can't, I can't-" Twilight collapsed in a pile of books, and was asleep before she touched the books.

~~~

Spike didn't know how long Twilight should sleep. But as he finished reorganizing the library, Spike glanced at the schedule Twilight had made last night.

"Twilight! Wake up!" Twilight did not even stir from her slumber, Spike got close to her ear and calmly stated, "Twilight, your late for your first appointment."

No sooner had Spike said those dreaded words, did Twilight's eye's snap open. "What!?" Jumping up Twilight grabbed her staff, spell book, and schedule, then pulled Spike by his arm out the door.

"How could you let me sleep all day, Spike?!" Twilight said looking over to her friend, while they rushed to the first stand Twilight was to inspect.

"Well I'm sorry." Spike retorted, trying to keep up with the rushing mare. "But when I came back to the library with your breakfast, you were out cold."

Rolling her eyes Twilight looked at her schedule, still running to make up for lost time, "Whatever, first up is food with Gaston, his store is just down the street. Come on."

~~~

As they finished the final thing on Twilights schedule, her and Spike slowly headed back home. With the third look of her schedule, she confirmed they had finished everything, and Twilight still had plenty of time to study before midnight, when she would learn if the prophecy was right or not.

"Twilight! Spike!" Glancing over they saw three unicorns mares, walking over to them, "We're going to a party Moondancer is having. You guys want to come."

"Oh sorry Twinkleshine, I didn't sleep much. But Spike can go."

"Sure, I'll go." The three mares grabbed Spikes arms and led him down the road.

"We'll be the most popular group, going with a big strong dragon." One of the mares said.

Spike wanted to protest to Twilight now, but he could not find his voice as his face turned red.

As Twilight returned home she notice a few stalls still open of the celebration tomorrow, one of these being a book stall that she just couldn't pass up.

Going over each book carefully to see if she already own them or not. As she finished something compelled her to look through them again. But this time she found a large grimoire, bound in leather, with an alicorn on the front. She found the name to be 'The Book of Globe'. Fully intrigued, and not believing that the book was being sold by a random stall, Twilight quickly picked up the book and went to pay for it.

"Ya got lil brother or sister?" the pony at the stall asked her, as she was getting the bits for her book.

"Excuse me?" Twilight couldn't understand what the stallion was talking about.

"Ah asked if ya had a lil brother or sister, since that there's a book for foals."

Glancing down at the book in her arms, Twilight noticed it was definitely for foals. 'Books don't just change there covers with out someponies magic... or can they?'

"Uh, that's right, a little brother." Twilight gave the stallion a sheepish smile, 'Not a total lie, Spike is younger.' She thought to herself.

"Ah thought so, here's your change miss." After getting her bits back, Twilight ran the rest of the way home. She still had to prepare of tomorrow in case the prophecy did come true.

At her home, Twilight again frantically searched for more information, but as the fated hour grew closer, Twilight had nothing to show for it. Glancing at her new book, Twilight noticed it had returned to looking like it did the first time she saw the book. Picking up the Book of Globe, Twilight started flipping through the pages, and found each one blank.

"I paid good bits for this, I should have looked inside the book first instead of hoping." Twilight rested her head on the table, glancing at the book.

Before her eyes writing was appearing, 'Fear not young filly, I'm not a waste of money.'

"Whoa!" jumping out of her seat, Twilight fell in the floor.

But when she got back up, Twilight noticed that a new line of text was written. 'You should be more careful. I offer you answers to the questions I see plaguing your mind. But please, do try to use them wisely.'

"What kind of book are you?" Twilight asked absentmindedly.

The book started to write more, 'Seriously? That's your question?'

"No! My first question is: Who are the regal sisters, Nightmare Moon, and the Elements of Harmony from a thousand years ago?"

'The royal sisters are the youngest of three children, sired by the first alicorn. Concord of the earth, Celestia of the sun, and Luna of the moon. Luna became consumed by one of the Nightmare legion, and unwillingly became the tyrant and killer Nightmare Moon. The Elements of Harmony, are seven crystals that each embody a fundamental of harmony. They each choose a bearer and when united are more powerful then the ancient alicorns.'

"What is the Nightmare legion?" Twilight couldn't believe she was talking to a book. Sure she had surrounded herself in her studies, but this was the first time she had talked to a book.

'The Nightmare legion are just one of the many corrupted races in Equus. And one of the first corrupted by Sin.'

Twilight sat there before the Book of Globe, massaging her temples. 'If any of this is to be believed, Nightmare Moon is to be freed by her banishment, tonight. She was stopped last time by her sister sacrificing herself to imprison both in the sun and moon. And he sister used these Elements of Harmony to defeat her.'

"How would somepony find the Elements of Harmony and their bearers?" Twilight was still unsure of how much of this she could believe, but she had always looked to her books to find the truth.

'The last known place of the elements was in the ancient castle in the Everfree Forest. If only one element is found, it can act like a beacon to the others, if the bearer holds it. As for the bearers, if one bearer holds another element, that element will find it's bearer.'

Before Twilight could ask her next question, the book started writing more, 'You may want to look outside.'

Puzzled, Twilight went to the window. She saw ponies celebrating, walking down the street, the moon and moving stars... 'Wait what?' Looking back to the moon, she saw four stars moving towards it. As the stars touched the moon the impression of the mare in the moon disappeared. With her ears pulled back to her head, Twilight rushed over to the Book of Globe, placing them in her bag along with her spell book, gabbed her staff, and rushed out her house.

Outside she heard a scream coming from the castle. In the castle she found a dark alicorn standing above the King and Queen. "Am I not royal enough now? Does my crown mean NOTHING!"

The alicorn walked out to the ponies watching, spreading her arms, "Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs? Does nopony know who I am?"

"I know who you are." Twilight said, pushing her way to the front. "You're the Mare in the Moon - Nightmare Moon!"

As Nightmare laughed, thunder boomed. "Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!" Everypony screamed, rushing outside and pushing Twilight down. But as the royal guards fought Nightmare, she cast a spell that brought the whole ceiling down.

As the ceiling came down, Twilight raised a hasty shield, 'I wish I'd practice more shields with Shining.' She thought, as spider-web cracks appeared on her shield.

From inside her bag, the Book of Globe began glowing. When Twilight finally noticed the glow, she was teleported away.

Appearing down the side of the mountain Canterlot was built into, Twilight found her new book, open with a new line of words. 'How can somepony so smart make such a stupid mistake?'

"We need to evacuate the city." Twilight yelled, preparing to teleport back, but as she looked up at Canterlot Castle, most of the towers crumbled.

'There's no time, she's at the castle now. You must find the Elements of Harmony, otherwise Equus is doomed!'

"But I'm just one unicorn. What can I do?"

'Oh my god! If your just going to role over and die, I clearly made a mistake in revealing myself to you.'

"I can't believe I'm arguing with a book. Fine, but I must go find Spike." As Twilight tried to stand, she found herself stuck to the ground.

'And I can't believe you refuse to listen. If you back you will die!' As if on cue, an explosion went off in Canterlot.

"But..."

'Look little filly, I know this is hard. But without the elements and their bearers, the world will forever be dark. How long do you think ponies can live without the sun.'

Finally, Twilight conceded defeat, "This must be done."

'Good,' the book released it's hold on Twilight 'I need to replenish my magic, after talking so long and teleporting so far.'

Twilight looked around and noticed the book had also brought her spell books, bag, and her staff. Grabbing her things Twilight looked at the map of Equestria she had in her bag and set off south to the town near the Everfree Forest, Ponyville.

~~~

"Defeating Canterlot was way too easy." Nightmare Moon said, laughing menacingly. Standing amongst the ruins of Canterlot Castle, Nightmare was surrounded by legions of bat ponies. "Yet I am still at risk if somepony finds the Elements of Harmony," Pointing to three of the many bat ponies, one a unicorn, one a pegasus, and the other an earth pony version, "You two, go to the old castle in the Everfree, and find the elements destroy them or bring them to me."

Smiling to herself, Nightmare started to give orders to the others, preparing for the upcoming battle against her sister.

~~~

As Twilight walked towards Ponyville, she couldn't help but think she should have exercised more. Stopping on occasion and the occasional teleport spell helped ease the burden on her hooves. On one of her stops, she heard a struggle from a little ways off.

Nearing the sound, Twilight crouched down to avoid detection, what she saw was two farm ponies and a filly being harassed by two other ponies with weapons. The larger of the farm ponies was unconscious and the other and the filly were tied up. Twilight wanted to walk away, not wanting to get involved, and yet she could not.

Thinking of a binding spell, Twilight sent the spell to one of the armed ponies. As he was bound in ropes the other looked back at Twilight, and aimed her weapon towards her. Thinking quick, Twilight swung her staff and rammed the end into the ground. As the staff touched the ground, a large fist rose from the ground underneath the attacker, sending her flying.

Slowly Twilight made her way to the farm ponies cutting them free.

"Thank the gods ya'll came when ya did, sugercube." And orange coated mare with a stetson hat said, then looked at her attackers, "No good varmints."

"It was no trouble." Twilight used her magic to wrap the two attackers together. "I wander what I should do with these two?"

"I think there's a bounty on them two varmints." Then surprised, the orange mare looked at Twilight, "Were are ma manners," She wiped her hands off on her pants and stuck her hand out, "I'm Applejack," pointing to the other two, "That there's Applebloom, and the one passed out is Big Macintosh."

Twilight took Applejack's hand, shaking it, "My name is Twilight Sparkle. What are you three doing out here?"

"We're on our way to Ponyville. Why are you out here alone and such."

"I am in fact heading to Ponyville too. Mind if I travel with you, there's strength in numbers after all."

"Least we can do. Ah'll even take you too the mayor, maybe there's still a bounty on those two."

The travel to Ponyville was short, but Twilight thought it would never end with Applebloom's questions on magic. Not that questions bugged Twilight, it was just no matter how much she explained the filly could not understand her.

At Town Hall, Twilight found there was indeed a bounty on the two she had captured.

"There you are miss Sparkle, 200 bits." After handing Twilight her bits, the Mayor leaned back in her chair. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"Yes actually, I would like to know who to talk to, to arrange a guide to the old castle in the Everfree."

"My dear, the only ponies that would even consider it would be the druids, and they won't want you just walking up and asking. As for in town, I don't think that anyone would want to go there."

Twilight felt her ears drop, "Oh, well that's ok. I'm sure I'll be fine alone. Thank you Madam Mare." Walking out the door to the mayor's office, Twilight found Applejack had waited on her, looking up at the moon.

'What time is it? The sun should be up by now.' Twilight thought to herself. 'Is this Nightmare Moon's power?'

"Ah can't believe the sun ain't up yet. If it don't come up, ma apple won't grow." Looking over, Applejack noticed Twilight, "Did ya'll get what ya needed?"

"Not really." Twilight responded with a sign, "I got the bounty on those two, but I didn't learn anything that would help me."

"So what'd ya'll need help with?"

"I need to get to the Castle in the Everfree."

"Why would ya'll want to go to a place like that?"

Twilight wanted to tell her, she really did, "I don't think you'd believe me."

"Try me."

"YesterdayIfoundabookthattoldmethestoryofthethreealicornsinitwasaprophecyofthereturnoftwoandthedestructionitwouldcausetotheworldittoldmetodefeatthemIneedtheElementsofHarmonyandthattheywereintheCastleintheEverfreeForest." Noticing she was talking so fast Twilight took a deep breath to try to talk slower, "The Elements of Harmony are suppose to be the only way to defeat Nightmare Moon. And I need to get to the Castle to get them. Nightmare Moon is the reason the sun hasn't come up and I may never if she isn't defeated."

"Well uh... Twilight," Applejack was unsure of how to respond, and started to rub the back of her head, "Ah can't say as ah believe ya, but ah believe, ya'll believe it." Twilight didn't expect her too believe, but hearing it was still disheartening, "But if ya need somepony to lead ya'll to the castle, ah'll take you."

"Really?" Twilight couldn't believe what she was hearing, instantly raising her spirits.

"Well yeah, ya'll helped me and ma kin." - Applejack began scratching the back of her head - "Ah need to repay ya somehow."

"Oh thank you, Applejack that's very kind of you-" But before Twilight could continue, her stomach loudly growled.

"Haha, tell ya what sugarcube. Ah'll take you to the castle, after we go by the farm for lunch."

"That sounds best." Twilight said with a sheepish laugh.

~~~

After a walk through Ponyville and a large orchard, Applejack brought Twilight to her home. Looking around the country home, Twilight couldn't help but think of the word 'basic'. From the brick fireplace to the patchwork quilts on the furniture, the house seemed like a simple country home.

Applejack motioned for Twilight to follow her into the other room. Nearly losing herself in the smells from the kitchen, Twilight almost missed something above the fireplace mantle. Above the fireplace, rested a large axe; the blade as big as Twilight's abdomen, while the whole thing was taller than her. Nearly all black except for the axe's blade and a orange gem shaped like an apple just behind it.

"Hey Applejack?" Twilight called, still looking at the axe.

Hearing Twilight, Applejack came back from the kitchen, "Need somethin' sugarcube?" But no sooner had she said it did Applejack know what Twilight wanted.

"Whose axe is this?" Twilight said, looking over at Applejack just long enough to make sure she was there.

Pulling her stetson down over her eyes, "That was ma granny's." Applejack said.

"Oh, is she here?"

Applejack took a deep breath, "Yeah she's here."

"Can I meet her?" Twilight said, turning towards Applejack with a smile.

Taking another deep breath, Applejack motioned Twilight to the window. "She's up on the hill." Looking out the window, Twilight saw three stones sticking out of the ground, and dreaded realization came to her.

Eyes wide, Twilight's hands flew up and covered her mouth, "Oh my gosh, Applejack. I'm so sorry."

"It's fine, Twilight. Ya didn't know."

Twilight thought Applejack would say more but before she could, Applebloom called from the kitchen that lunch was ready.

~~~

Standing at the edge of the Everfree Forest, Twilight could help but feel like she was being watch. Sometimes she could see something out of the corner of her eye, but there was nothing when she looked.

"Ya'll ready?" Applejack snapped her fingers in front of Twilight, bringing her out of her thoughts.

Shaking her head, Twilight looked at her friend, "Yeah, sorry."

As the two walked into the forest, Twilight started to sink into her thoughts again. That had been the first time Applejack had spoken since they had left the apple farm, and Twilight was worried she had upset Applejack, not that Twilight would blame her.

As they followed the rarely used path, the trees started to get thicker and thicker, as the area just continued to get darker. Every so often, something would move in the brush, causing both mares to jump.

The soon reached a clearing, but as they got to the center three large creatures, two in front of them one behind, came out of the trees.

"Timberwolves." Applejack slowly drew a small hatchet at her side, "Are you ready for them?"

"It doesn't look like I have a choice." Twilight grabbed he staff, and started casting a spell. A triangle appeared under the one behind them creating a walled cage.

Applejack knew it wasn't the smartest action, but she felt the need to release some steam. Charging one of the timberwolves in front of her, Applejack kicked it in the chin and ran to the other striking it's head with her hatchet.

Twilight charged another spell this time striking the remaining timberwolves paws with poison barbs, anchoring them in place along with hurting them.

As Applejack went to strike the timberwolves again, she notice something was wrong with it's eyes. Instead of the normal illuminate green, their eye were more teal with black cat-like irises.

"Twilight!" Applejack dodged ones paw trying to hit her, then rolled over its back to escape the other's attack, "Somthin's wrong with em."

"What do you mean?" Twilight noticed the captured timberwolf was freed, and started to charge another spell. As the timberwolf got closer, Twilight's magic created a gust of wind, sending her attacker into the trees.

"Well just look at em -" Applejack kicked one of her attackers in the head "- there's somethin wrong with their eyes. Ah think they're under someponies control."

"Alright, then who's controlling them?"

Bursting from the ground, a earth bat pony appeared showing off his fang with a smile while giving the mares a salute. "Hello."

"How can an earth pony use magic?" Asked Applejack, unsure of how he was controlling the timberwolves.

Twilight wanted to know too, but neither mare had to wait long for an answer. As the stallion stomped his hoof, a column of dirt slammed into Applejack, sending her flying into a tree.

Rushing over, Twilight already had a healing spell in mind if the need arose. She was happy when it wasn't needed, all that had happened to Applejack was getting the wind knocked from her lungs.

"Applejack, -" Twilight helped her friend to her feet, "- he's a geomancer. Using magic amplified through his hooves, he manipulates the earth he stands at. Therefore-"

"Twilight, please speak normal Equestrian."

"*sigh* Were he stands depends on his attacks."

"What a smart filly." Stomping his hoof again, smaller pillars appeared trapping the two mares. "Well-" the bat pony leaned back to pop his spine, with an audible crack "- I think the timberwolves can handle things from here."

With a flash of light from her bag, the Book of Glob appeared in Twilights hand, already open and written.

'Read the spell, you fool!'

Below Twilight found lines of text. Hoping she was right, Twilight recited them like she would any new spell.

"O' Earthen warrior."
"Spirit of the ancient Globe!"
"Lend me the power of Stone."
"Τιτάν!"

As the spell finished, large boulders came rushing together creating a ball of stone. Everypony looked in shock and fear, as yellow lines began etching itself in the stone ball, till it exploded leaving only a tall monstrous being.

Looking back from what she had just created, Twilight saw new lines in the book, 'Behold the power of Titan! He will protect the book bearer."

The three timberwolves charged their new foe only to be batted aside with his hand.

"This might be fun." With a wicked grin, the bat pony dove into the ground.

Titan looked at his feet, then like a rocket his fist dove into the ground. Pulling his hand back, Titan had the bat pony in his fist.

"That could have gone better." He said, all the while trying to wiggle free, and growing more afraid the longer he was caught.

With a primal roar, Titan scared the pony in his grip even worse. Slowly tightening his grip, Titan began what he thought the book bearer had summoned him for.

"Titan, stop!"

Turning around, Titan saw two mares, one a purple unicorn, the other an orange earth pony. The unicorn began talking holding up his book.

"I am the book bearer,"- Twilight said using the words she was called earlier, and prying she wasn't about to make a mistake, -"and I command you to stand down."

Titan was confused, but the book bearer had spoken, slowly he releasing his grip on his prisoner, and watched him disappear below ground and scurry away. Bowing on one knee to the purple mare, Titan fell apart and left completely.

Looking back at her book, Twilight found another line. 'Your gonna regret that. Anyway once a day you can summon Titan, do not abuse the spell.'

"Twilight, ah want ya to explain just what ah've gotten ma self into."

Twilight didn't know what Applejack would say to everything, but as they continued on to the ancient castle she new that she couldn't blame her friend if she didn't want to get involved... If she could still call Applejack her friend.