> against all odds > by Flaring Dawn > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Storm of the Century > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Rainbow Dash!!! That's not funny!!!" Twilight yelled. Up above a cyan Pegasus was sitting on a storm cloud laughing hysterically. Twilight's tail was now singed thanks to a prank by the cyan prankster. "Lighten up Twi!! It was only a joke..." Rainbow Dash said trying to hold back more laughing. Twilight wasn't amused though. Usually she would shrug off such a childish prank but this was the fifth time its happened to her today. Twilight glared at Rainbow. "Don't you have work to do? isn't there suppose to be a storm today?" Twilight said with an impatient tone in her voice. Dash kicked her hoof and groaned. "Darn it!!! I totally forgot!!!" Dash said as she flew out the window. Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. This was more her style... peace and quiet. With Spike being in Canterlot on royal business, Twilight had the whole library to herself. She picked up a book and began to read it. Twilight had only begun to read when a frantic knock came at her door. Twilight groaned and placed her book down on the table next to her and went to answer the door. "Who is it?" Twilight asked. All of a sudden the door flew open and a pink mare was on top of Twilight. Pinkie Pie. "TWILIGHT!!! We need you help!! something is wrong with Fluttershy we think she's sick but we cant tell cause she wont talk!!! You just gotta help us, you just gotta!!!" Pinkie said franticly. Twilight was worried. Usually you can't understand A word Pinkie says, but she seemed really flustered about this. Twilight nodded and Pinkie breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh thank you thank you thank you!!!!" Pinkie said as she squeezed the air out of Twilight's lungs. Twilight gave a weak smile. "N-no P-problem...." Twilight said as she tried to catch her breath. When Pinkie let Twilight go they trekked to Fluttershy's cottage. When they got there Twilight noticed that all her friends were there. Rainbow dash, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy, only she was on the ground shaking violently. Twilight felt as though she was going to be sick. She has never seen her friend like this before. "C'mon now sugar cube why are y'all so shaky?" Applejack asked the now cowering Fluttershy. Fluttershy said nothing and just stared blankly shaking like a leaf in the mid august wind. Twilight couldn't take it anymore and rushed over to her friend. Before Twilight could say a word Rarity chimed in. "Darling please tell us what's wrong. Your scaring us..." Rarity said with concern. Fluttershy looked up at Twilight and grabbed her. Twilight was shocked but was silent. "W--W-ww-were...D--dd-d-dd-d-doomed...Our bb-b-b-bb--blood will s--sss-sstain the streets...." Fluttershy said with a shaky and eerie voice. The five other ponies grimaced. "What in the hay does that mean? Y'all get any of that?" Applejack said franticly. Everypony was silent. The silence was broken by A loud Bang. "Here it comes!! all my hard work!!!" Dash said with confidence. As always Rainbow Dash was arrogant but that never hid her flaws. The five other ponies helped Fluttershy back into her cottage and went their separate ways. On the way back to the library fluttershy's words crept up on Twilight. What did she mean by we were all doomed? Twilight shrugged it off and tried to get to sleep she was very tired and the days sun was slowly creeping behind the clouds. Just as Twilight was about to fall asleep a loud crash was heard outside. Twilight rushed over to her window to see what it was and was faced with A blinding white light that shot her across the room. Twilight yelped as she hit the wall behind her. Fear went through her like a wildfire. Twilight stood up and ran for the door only to be met with the sadistic grin of Celestia. "Pr-Princess Celestia? what in the heck?" Twilight said with fear in her voice. Celestia grinned and evil and sickening grin. Her eyes were no longer hers... they were black as night her mane was blood red and she was white as a ghost. "Time to finally pay for your mishaps Twilight!!" Celestia said before vanishing into thin air leaving behind five necklaces... the Elements of harmony.. only the gems in the middle were black as the night sky. Twilight ran outside only to be met with a sight that shook her to the core. Ponies were lying on the ground dead. Among the dead were the students at Cheerilee's school. Twilight rushed over to a now dead Scootaloo and tried to bring her back... to no avail. Everypony within her vicinity was dead. Twilight fell to her knees and cried. How could the princess do such a thing to this beautiful place? Suddenly the Elements began to glow red and they attached themselves onto Twilight's body. She looked at the elements and tried to get them off to no avail. Twilight stopped fighting and sat on her haunches crying. She sat there as tears fell from her eye. Twilight knew what she had to do. She had to tell her friends. Twilight checked all around ponyville for a sign that her friends were still alive. Twilight found nothing... her friends were gone. All she could do was cry. Her tears fell faster then the rain. Twilight could only watch as the storm blew over and the ponies around her fell dead. No sounds were heard by her... only the sound of her cries filled the nighttime air. That and another sick laughter heard from behind her. It was Celestia. "How could you!!!! you monster!!!" Twilight yelled at the now crazed princess. Celestia's eyes burned with fire and hatred towards her former student. A fearful feeling crept up on Twilight. "Foal...I did this cause I'm sick of this place!! Nopony gives me the respect I deserve!!! so I thought I would return the favor..and now you and your little elements are useless..." Celestia said before she struck Twilight with her hoof. Twilight yelped in pain and started to shake. Before she could stand and fight back Celestia was gone. Leaving the last words she spoke flowing through Twilight's mind. Fear was instantaneous. It was all clear to Twilight. She had to find her friends and stop Celestia. The question is how? Twilight shook the feeling of fear away and stood up. "I have to stop her... If it's the last thing I do I will find my friends and stop her!!" Twilight said to herself before rushing out the door certain that she will find them before all of tartarus breaks loose. > Tears of the night > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight ran like she had never ran before. She couldn't believe this was happening to her home. Never in all her years did she think the princess would strike down her subjects. Tears began to form in Twilight's eyes as she continued to run for Canterlot. Twilight was so busy running towards her goal she didn't see the little filly in the road until she tripped over her. Twilight fell to the ground only to go over to the weak filly. Twilight's eyes filled with tears as she held the dying filly in her arms. "Come on little one... please don't go... please..." Twilight said as she cried into the little ones chest. Twilight couldn't handle all this catastrophe. She felt as if the world stopped moving. The little filly looked up at Twilight and weakly lifted a hoof to wipe the tears away from her face. Twilight held onto the little ones hoof as if she was her lifeline. The filly smiled weakly. "I-I...I'm g-glad there--are--ponies like you...who care...so much..." the filly said through sharp breaths. Twilight held onto the little one closer as she started to tear up. Twilight hated this. She hated Celestia for doing this. "PLEASE!!! DONT DIE!!!!" Twilight yelled at the top of her lungs as tears began to cascade down her face. To no avail the little filly died in Twilight's hooves. Twilight cried for what seemed like forever her tears falling like a midsummers rain. Twilight closed the little fillies eyes and kissed her on the forehead. "Sleep well little one... The angels will be here for you soon..." Twilight said as she lay the filly in a bush of roses. That much the filly deserved. She died a horrible death, a death a filly or colt should never have to die. Twilight spoke a prayer and continued on her journey towards her main goal. Taking Celestia out. Twilight fired up her horn and the five elements danced before her. Twilight's eyes filled with tears but then her tears turned to anger. Her friends were gone and Celestia was the one who made them disappear... Celestia is the one trying to kill all of Equestria. Twilight wouldn't let that happen. Celestia would pay for this. "I hate you so much... I thought you cared... your no princess...your a...fucking monster...." Twilight said with venom in every word she spoke. Twilight tried to throw the elements only to have them fly back at her and attach themselves back on her body. She sighed and continued to walk towards her destination. All of a sudden a burst of energy came from her side and hit her. Twilight fell to the ground and yelped as pain filled her body. She looked up and saw a sight that chilled her to the bone. Princess Luna was walking towards Twilight with crazed eyes full of anger and hatred towards her. Twilight was scared out of her mind. Why was Luna acting like this? "L-Luna...wh-why are you--" Before Twilight could finish Luna lifted her off the ground and slammed her against a building. Lunas walked up to the struggling unicorn and got inches from her face. "YOU DO NOT SPEAK!!!! YOU HAVE TAKEN OUR SISTER AWAY!!!!" Luna screamed at Twilight. Twilight was confused and terrified. "What do you mean?!" Twilight asked franticly trying to escape the crushing grasp of Luna's magic. Luna was enraged. "WHAT DO WE MEAN!? LOOK AROUND YOU FOAL!!!! YOUR TAMPERING WITH THE ELEMENTS HAVE TURNED MY SISTER INTO A BEAST!!!" Luna yelled before throwing Twilight across the street into another building. Twilight got angry and shot a bolt of magic at Luna. It didn't work. Luna blocked the attack and sent a powerful blast towards Twilight missing her by inches. Twilight reacted and sent a piece of rock at the Princess of the night and it hit Luna right between the eyes knocking Luna to the ground. Twilight ran over to the princess of the night and held her down, blood pouring from Twilights head. "Luna!! Why would I do this to Celestia I loved her as much as you did!! She did this herself!!! Luna... I would never cause harm to Celestia!! Until now... She has killed children Luna..." Twilight let a sob escape her. The pain of the days events have scarred her mind and body. Luna gave Twilight a look of sorrow. Twilight let Luna get to her feet before continuing. "I am not asking you to help me Luna... I only ask that you stay out of my way. Celestia will pay for what she has done... I won't hesitate to fight you... your choice... fight with me, fight with Celestia, or turn a blind eye... what will it be?" Twilight said with a glare. Luna walked towards Twilight. Twilight tensed up waiting for Luna to attack only to be met with a hoof on the shoulder instead. "we will try and fight with you Twilight... My sister need to pay for her actions... but be warned if my sister is to die...we will personally kill you..." Luna said with a small glare that shook Twilight to the core. "I promise I won't kill her unless she tries to kill me... Luna...I still have a hard time trusting you... Remember I have my eye on you." Twilight said. Luna glared then softened her look and tears began to fall from her eyes. "w-we just want my sister back... we don't want to lose her...please don't kill her Twilight..." Luna said through her tears. Twilight walked over and placed a hoof on Luna's shoulder. Twilight hated to see so much sadness and fighting. Living in a place famed for it's happiness and joy has taught her that fighting is never the answer...but now that has changed. The world she knew and loved was falling in front of her. Ponies were dying because of Celestia. Twilight wanted to end Celestia so badly.. but she couldn't take Luna's sister from her. "I promise... I will try to reason with her but... I don't know if she will listen Luna I mean...look what she has done..." Twilight said with sorrow in her voice. Luna looked up with tears still falling. "If it comes to that then we will kill her..." Luna said with a shaky voice. Twilight's jaw dropped. Would Luna really kill her own sister to save Equestria? Twilight placed a hoof on Luna's shoulder. "No let me...if we can save her from whatever is controlling her...we won't have to kill her..." Twilight said soothingly. Luna looked at Twilight and forced a smile. "Of course...sorry for.. saying that.." Luna said as a single tear fell from her eye. Twilight smiled and wiped the tear from Luna's eye. "Lets go fight for for the sake of everypony!!" Twilight said to Luna with pride in her voice. Luna nodded and placed Twilight on her back and began to fly towards the Canterlot castle. Twilight hoped that Celestia was there...so she could take the sun from the sky. > Honesty's Lie > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight and Luna arrived at Canterlot Castle by nights fall. Luna didn't know if she wanted to go through with this, but Twilight on the other hand knew she wanted to do this. She needed to do this for Equestria. Twilight knew exactly where Celestia was. She would be in the throne room overseeing her blasphemous ways in action. Oh how the idea of millions of ponies dying by her grasp must arouse her so. It made Twilight sick to her stomach. Twilight was so fixated on getting inside she didn't hear Luna behind her. "Twilight Sparkle..." The princess of the night said. Twilight turned to Luna and scoffed. "What?!" Twilight yelled. Luna gave a worried look and pointed towards the castle walls. Twilight's jaw dropped. She hid behind a wall fighting back tears of both sorrow and betrayal. Standing guard at the gate of Celestia's castle was her brother... Shining Armor only he didn't look himself. His body was the color of ash and his mane was the color of blood. He had murder in his eyes. Twilight fell onto her haunches and began to cry. Luna attempted to comfort the crying mare only to be glared at. "How dare he... HOW DARE HE!!!" Twilight yelled at the top of her lungs not caring if she was heard by anypony. Her heart was just ripped from her chest and stomped on by the one she thought would always be there for her. "Twilight you must watch thy tone.. they may hear us!!" Luna said sharply. Twilight glared at the Princess. Luna backed away from the glare. Never has Luna ever been afraid of anypony, but it seemed Twilight scared her. "I will keep my voice down when that traitor of a brother is dead at my feet and i bath in his blood..." Twilight said with pure hatred and venom in her voice. Luna grimaced. In all her years she has never heard somepony wish death upon a family member. Even if they betrayed them. Luna was about to say something when all of a sudden She heard a familiar laugh behind her. Twilight Shivered, she knew exactly who's voice that was. Twilight could only gasp before she was knocked clean out. Luna attempted to fight but also was knocked out. Twilight and Luna's world faded to black, but the sickening laugh of their attacker was heard from inside their heads. A few hours passed and Twilight was awoken by the sound of laughter. She looked towards the sound and saw Shining Armor standing near a cage. Twilight felt instant rage build up inside her. She launched herself at him but was knocked back by a glowing force field that surrounded her. She snarled at Shining Armor. Shining Armor laughed evilly at her. "Hey sis... Long time no see...." He said with a wicked laugh. Twilight was in tears. How could her brother do this? How could he betray his own family? "I thought you loved me?! Why are you doing this? Why are you killing innocent ponies?" Twilight said with tears now falling from her eyes. This only made Shining Armor laugh even more. Twilight snarled and attacked the force field repeatedly with magic of her own, She was knocked back by one of her own bolts. "Your a fucking disgrace... I hate you... I will kill you... you piece of shit..." Twilight said as blood fell from her head, tears mixing with the crimson mask she wore. Shining Armor glared at Twilight and smiled. Twilight was sick to her stomach to see her brother this way. Shining Armor pointed to a cage. Luna was inside covered in blood. She wasn't moving. She looked dead. Twilight cried into her hooves. "How could you?... How could you hurt Luna?..." Twilight said through her tears. Shining Armor smiled a sick smile. He pointed to another cage and Twilight's heart fell to the floor. Applejack was inside and her coat was completely grey. She was covered in blood, her blood. Twilight's face contorted with fear and sorrow. "N-no..." Twilight said as she fell to the ground. Shining Armor smiled at Twilight. "Now do you see... Insect... You have no chance in hell... of defeating us..." Shining Armor said with a grin. Twilight cried tears of anger. "You monster... How could you hurt them?..." Shining Armor smiled. "Cause he told me to..." Shining Armor said. With that a loud laugh came from a corner in the room. All of a sudden a figure stepped into the light. Twilight's eyes went wide. She backed away from the figure with fear. "Hello Twilight... It has been so long since we saw each other... What a small and chaotic world we live in..." The figure said. Twilight whimpered loudly. "D-Discord... what are you?.." Before she could finish the force field was down and Discord had her by the throat and slammed her against the wall and growled. Twilight winced in pain and began to cry. "DON'T talk... Listen to me very carefully... You and your little friends had me encased in stone for what seemed like a thousand years... do you not remember?... Well even if you don't let me make it clear that after you 'rehabilitated' me I have been slowly controlling your precious sun goddesses mind, turning her into a drooling puppet... She has done well in what I made her to do... Kill all the ponies so I may cleanse all that is pure from this world... Now do you understand?" Discord said as he clenched at Twilight's throat, attempting to suffocate her. Twilight gasped for air as she struggled to breathe. Discord grinned and threw Twilight across the room. Discord teleported over to the now bleeding mare. Twilight was whimpering as Discord picked her up by the horn. "Now we are going to play a game. It is a game of life and death..." Discord said with a grin. He looked at Shining Armor who then nodded and launched a spell towards Applejack. Suddenly the element of Honesty woke up. Her eyes beaming a crimson color. The element around Twilight's neck began to glow and flew towards Applejack. As the Element connected with Applejack it turned a dark red color. Applejack glared at Twilight and snarled. Discord smiled. "Good luck... oh by the way... to win the game you must retrieve the Element from Applejack... Fail and she will either die or kill you... As I said before... Good Luck..." Discord said. He snapped his fingers and Applejack and Twilight were in a forest. Applejack didn't waste anytime and charged Twilight, kicking her in the hoof. Twilight fell to the ground and cried. "A-Applejack it-it's me... Twilight please!!" Twilight pleaded with the crazed mare, only to be met with another hoof across the face, sending her into a tree. Twilight whimpered as she lay bleeding on the ground, cold from the heartbreak she now felt. Applejack continued to advance on Twilight. Twilight closed her eyes... Then she opened them and snarled. Twilight stood up and shot a beam of energy at Applejack sending her into a tree. "WAKE UP CALL!!!" Twilight yelled as she sent another bolt of energy towards Applejack. It hit it's mark and it froze Applejack into place. Twilight ran to her swinging her hoof towards the Element around Applejack's neck. Twilight grabbed the Element but was knocked back by a blast of energy.The spell holding Applejack was broken. Twilight was terrified. "Heh heh heh...th-thought you could stop me? oh...Twilight... you make me laugh..." Applejack said with a wicked grin. Twilight growled. "I will stop Discord and Celestia if it kills me... THIS IS NOT YOU APPLEJACK!!!!" Twilight said as she ran for Applejack, tears falling from her now bloody eyes. Applejack charged Twilight as well. The two mares collided, Applejack bit Twilight on the neck, causing Twilight to howl in pain. Twilight kicked Applejack off of her and stumbled back, holding the wound on her neck. Applejack came in for another attack, but Twilight was smarter. Twilight let a bolt of magic loose and it hit Applejack in the heart. The Element glew a bright orange and fell off of Applejack's neck. Applejack fell to the ground with a thud. Twilight ran over to her friends side and knelt beside her. The color returned to Applejack and she began to wake up, feeling the pain from the fight with Twilight. "T-Twilight? what in the hay is going on?" Applejack said as she tried to stand only to fall to the ground in agony. Twilight held onto her friend. "Applejack...Discord tried to have you kill me... I had no choice... I had to wake you up..." Twilight hugged Applejack as she cried. Applejack returned the hug. Suddenly the Element reacted and launched itself at Applejack. It attatched itself to her and locked in place. Twilight smiled and cheered. "That's it!!! i know how to stop Celestia!!! Twilight said with glee. All of a sudden Discord appeared. Applejack snarled as did Twilight. "Well done Twilight you passed the first test... Applejack has returned to you... So what...you still have four more challenges awaiting you.... good luck..for the next test will break you in ways you could not of imagined..." With that Discord snapped his fingers and Applejack was surrounded in a black aura. "Well i'll just hold onto her for a while to ensure no cheating... If you fail your next test... she will die..." Discord said as he snapped his finger, making Applejack disappear. "Very well Discord... I'll play your little game...When i finish you will die, And i will have Celestia's skull!!!" Twilight said seething. A door appeared next to Twilight and without hesitating, she walked into the blinding white light, knowing this next test was going to be more difficult than the last. Twilight appeared on the other side of the door. She noticed a silhouette in the distance. As Twilight walked closer to the figure she noticed who it was. Twilight looked at her surroundings and noticed she was inside Fluttershy's cottage, only blood stained the walls, and there, chained to the wall was Fluttershy. She had a long cut on her side, painting her body red with blood, And a deep gash could be seen on her forehead. "T-twi... Help- me..." Fluttershy said with a whimper. All of a sudden a long spike appeared from the floor aimed at Fluttershy's chest. Discord appeared and chuckled. "This is your next test Twilight...What will you do to save a friend?... Lets find out shall we?" Discord said with a sickening grin. Twilight growled and charged forward, praying her next move won't be Fluttershy's last moments alive. > An act of Kindness > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight ran towards Fluttershy hoping she could save her. As Twilight got closer a punishing blow struck her and sent her flying. "What the?..." Twilight said under her breath. All of a sudden the spike aimed for Fluttershy inched closer to her. Fluttershy screamed in fear. "T-twilight help!!!" Fluttershy yelled. Twilight had tears in her eyes Now she understood, if she came within a centimeter of Fluttershy... she would die. Discord's sick laughter echoed from all sides of the room. Twilight growled, "You fucking lunatic..." Twilight said through gritted teeth. She had to figure out a way to get to Fluttershy without getting near the force field. Fluttershy whimpered loudly. 'T-twi....' Fluttershy said weakly and as she did a spike shot through her leg causing her to scream in agony. This caused Twilight to jump back. Her eyes were trained on the floor in front of her. "I can't get any closer than this..." Twilight said with annoyance. Fluttershy was terrified and hurt and this made Twilight angry. Her friend needed help and Twilight couldn't get close enough to help her. Discord appeared beside Fluttershy smiling evily. 'Oh...whats wrong Twilight? don't you want to save your friend? Does she not mean anything to you? How about I kill her right now..." Discord said with a twisted smile on his face. Twilight shot a wave of magic at him but missed. Discord laughed manically. Twilight didn't give an inch. She kept shooting bolts of magic at Discord missing every time. "I will fucking kill you Discord!!!" Twilight yelled at the top of her lungs. Discord laughed again. "Ok, ok.. I will give you a hint on how to save your beloved Fluttershy..." Discord said as he mockingly stroked Fluttershy's mane. Fluttershy started to cry. This made Twilight angry and she shot a bolt of magic at Discord again but it deflected against the barrier and shot through the ceiling. "Ohh... Feisty... I like that... Let me put it this way..Twilight... Use your magic..." Discord said as he disappeared into thin air. Twilight was confused. 'Use my magic? on what?" twilight said as she looked around the room she was in. What could she use her magic on? She pondered this when it finally hit her. "The walls!!! if I can aim it just right the blast will destroy the force field!!!" She said with excitement. Twilight looked at Fluttershy. "I know how to save you close your eyes it may hurt a bit ok?" Twilight said. Fluttershy nodded and closed her eyes. Twilight fired up her horn and shot at the nearest wall. All of a sudden the wall exploded and sent shrapnel towards the barrier. Twilight tensed as the shrapnel bombarded the barrier sending spikes shooting up at Fluttershy, only the spike vanished moments before they made impact as the barrier came down and Fluttershy was safely on the ground. Twilight ran towards her and cradled her friend in her hooves crying. "fluttershy i am so glad you're ok!!!" she held her friend for what seemed like forever. Fluttershy smiled up at Twilight. Twilight sighed in relief that her friend was going to be ok. All of a sudden Discord appeared a wiked smile spread across his face. "Congratulations Twilight, you passed the second test. How unfortunate..." Discord said with glee. Twilight glared at him ready to end his existence. "I will never fail Discord, you and your damn tests can rot in tartarus for all i care!!" Twilight growled. Discord let out a sickening laugh and snapped his fingers, sending Fluttershy to Celestia knows where. "Lets take a look at how Ponyville is doing shall we?" Discord said as he grabbed Twilight and teleported to Ponyville. Twilight closed her eyes as a blinding white light engulfed her. She thought she was dead, but she couldn't be more wrong. As Twilight opened her eyes her heart sank to the floor. Ponyville was in ruin. Ponies were clinging to life as others were dying. Twilight fell on her haunches and started to cry. Her tears hit the ground like rain from a cloud. A filly crawled over to her wheezing, and coughing. Twilight held the little filly in her hooves and hugged her. "M-m-ma'am...c-can you sing me a lullaby?" The filly said with a weak smile. Twilight choked on some tears and buried her face in the fillies chest. "Hush-now--quiet now-i-its time to lay you-your sleepy--he-head" As Twilight sang the fillies eyes started to close and her breathing slowed to nothing. Twilight swallowed hard and continued. "H-h-hush now--quiet--n-now-its time to go to--bed..." the fillies heart ceased to beat and she died in Twilight's hooves. Twilight buried her face in the fillies chest and cried for what seemed like forever. Rain began to fall, ironic angels would cry at a time like this, the heavens draining their tears away. Twilight buried the little filly and surrounded her with roses. "Sleep well little one... the angels will be with you soon..." Twilight then turned and walked away from the grave. Her eyes filled with anger and she screamed. 'DISCORD!! I WILL KILL YOU FOR THIS!!! IF ITS THE LAST THING I DO I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!!!!" Twilight fell to the ground and began to weep, her eyes still burning with hatred. "I'll kill you, i'll kill you..." Twilight kept repeating those words until a sick laughter filled the night sky. Twilight was enraged by this time. "So that's how its going to be Twilight? Very well then... I wonder...Can you find me?" Discord said with a sinister laugh. "I sure hope you can cause if you can't then i'll just have to kill your friends one by one." > Chaos and Tears > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight's eyes widened at Discords words. Her anger doubled ten times over. Tears fell from Twilight's eyes as she looked around her. The world she once lived in, the world she loved, was gone. "Discord... I will find you... you won't lay a claw on any of my friends... I'll kill you..." Twilight's eyes filled with tears as the rain fell from the heavens. A sickening thud was heard from behind her. Twilight turned around and saw a Pegasus laying on the ground, blood pouring from a wound on her head. Twilight ran over to the Pegasus and held her in her hooves as she died. Never before in her life has she seen so much death, so much destruction, so much sorrow in one place. Twilight's eyes filled with tears as the Pegasus took her final breath and died. Twilight sat there staring into the dead eyes of a once happy pony, sorrow filling her body, and shaking it to the core. She stood up and said a few prayers before moving through the streets of the once happy town. In Twilight's mind only one thing mattered at that exact moment, She had to find Discord. "Where in the name of Equestria am I?" Twilight said with concern. She looked around her unfamiliar surroundings and continued on. She let out a deep and sad sigh. At times like this Twilight would have Spike help her, but Spike was in the Crystal Kingdom helping Cadence around the kingdom. Twilight closed her eyes and tears began to fall from them. She missed her friends, She missed Celestia, She missed her home. Twilight sat on her haunches and cried. Tears fell to the ground like rain on a summer day. "Why did this happen? Why did Discord do this?... It-It's not fair...I-It's just not fair..." she placed her face in her hooves and cried more. All of a sudden a voice behind her shook her from her sorrow. "Twilight... I-is that you?" The voice said with concern. Twilight shot around and attempted to strike until she saw that it was Spike. "Sp=Spike?! What are you doing here? I thought you were with Cadence?" Twilight asked as she hugged her assistant. Spike smiled and hugged back. "I was there, but Cadence told me what happened to you Twilight, She told me to come along and help you... Discord's strong Twi... you're going to need my help with this one..." Spike gave Twilight a smile and hugged her tightly. Twilight returned the hug and smiled. A tear fell down Twilight's face, but not a tear of sadness, but a tear of happiness. She was happy that her best assistant was there by her side. Now Twilight finally had a chance to make all this horrible sadness and destruction vanish forever. "Oh Spike... I'm so glad you came back... You're a true friend Spike... I love you..." Twilight said with a smile. This made Spike blush a bit, but he returned the hug. "I love you too Twilight... Lets end this damn hatred once and for all." Spike said. Twilight nodded, and then placed Spike on her back and continued on the road to chaos. Twilight did not know where this road would lead, or what Discord had in mind for her, but she did know one thing. Twilight knew she would do anything to save her friend's lives. Discord would not win. Discord would fall and harmony would forever reign in the land forever. Why though, did she feel that something, or someone was watching their every move? > Curtain Call > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight and Spike walked the long road to Celestia knows where. They have been traveling for about five or six hours now not sure of where they are. "Twi... I think were lost..." Spike said nervously. Twilight looked around at her surroundings an sighed. Spike was right, they were lost. Twilight let out a frustrated sigh. "I think you're right Spike...I don't recognize this place at all..." Twilight started to get worried. She knew Discord was planning on killing her friends if she didn't make it there soon. Twilight's rage engulfed her. Celestia was corrupted and so was her brother. In her mind this was a pointless fight, but she had to protect Equestria at all costs. Even if that meant her death. Twilight and Spike continued down the road only to be stopped by a gruesome sight. Spike's eyes filled with tears. "Sw-Sweetie Belle?..." Spike jumped off Twilight's back and rushed to Sweetie's side. Sweetie Belle was on the ground, a pipe sticking out of her chest. Twilight ran to her, tears falling from her eyes. "S-S-spike...T-twilight..." Sweetie weakly said, her little voice barley audible. Spike held Sweetie Belle in his arms, holding her close to her as he cried into her mane. "Pl-please don't die Sweetie Belle!! I-I-' Spike couldn't finish his words. His tears wouldn't let him. Sweetie Belle smiled weakly, looking to Twilight. "T-take care of him Twilie..." She said with her last words. Sweetie Belle died in Spike's arms. Twilight teared up and fell to her haunches near Sweetie and Spike. "I promise little one... I will..." Twilight closed the fillies eyes and held Spike close to her. Spike buried his face into Twilight's chest. "Why would Discord do this!? Sw-Sweetie Belle was a foal!!" Spike said through the tears now cascading from his face.Twilight held him closer rubbing his back. Twilight was a mix of emotions. She felt sorrow and anger at this moment. A filly she knew, a fucking filly was dead, and it was because of Discord. Twilight growled a little. "Discord... when i find you... I am going to kill you!!" Twilight picked spike up and ran for the castle. A few moments later they arrived at the castle gate, now guarded by corrupted guards. One being her brother Shining Armor. Twilight and Spike looked towards the gate, both glaring towards the castle. "This is it spike...Discord is inside..." Twilight said with a growl in her voice. "Twilight...Those guards are heavily armed...they will kill you...Is- Is this all worth it?" Spike said unsure of this whole thing. Twilight looked at him, her eyes like pins pressing deeper into his eyes. "This bastard killed too many innocent ponies...He needs to die..." Said Twilight plainly. Spike sighed and spoke. "I don't want to lose you Twi...You mean the world to me....If something happens to you I-I-" Twilight smiled a bit and hugged spike. "Nothing will happen to me Spike... I promise..." Spike smiled and hugged her back. Twilight set spike down and looked out to the courtyard only to be met with a hoof across the face. Spike was flung off and smashed against a wall. He was knocked unconscious. Twilight regained her footing and stared her attacker in the eye. Shining Armor. Twilight glared fiercely at her brother. "Stand down Shining, I won't hesitate to kill you..." Twilight said as her horn glew a deep purple. Shining Armor only smiled as guards flanked Twilight from all sides. "Oh come now Twilight... face it you lost..." He said with a laugh. Twilight glared. "You and your pathetic friends will all die..." Shining Armor said with a sinister grin. Twilight looked around her and laughed. "I didn't know The royal guards were a bunch of girls in skirts...Kinda makes me wonder about you bro...You gay?" Twilight said with a grin of her own. Shining Armor glared and said the word. The guards circled Twilight and attacked. they didn't stand a chance... they were dead before they moved. Twilight smiled. "Wheres your army now?" Twilight said with a smile. Shining Armor looked at his falling soldiers. "Not possible... You fucking cunt!!!" Shining Armor charged Twilight only to be impaled with her horn. Shining Armor made a few sick wet sounds and looked at Twilight. "Now who's the one who's dead..." Twilight said with malice. With that she fired up her horn and blew Shining Armor to pieces. Warm blood splashed Twilight's face and she enjoyed every last drop as it plastered her. "Oh Discord... you are a fool..." Twilight said smiling. Spike woke up and saw the blood soaked Twilight. Spike almost lost his lunch. "T-twilight you killed him..." Spike said with sadness in his voice. Twilight just grinned. "Yes i did Spike. This was his final curtain call..." Twilight said with a laugh. Spike shuddered. "Still... now we have to deal with Discord..and Celestia..." Spike said nervously. Twilight smiled. all the rage and all the anger finally caught up to her. "Let that bitch Celestia try something... the sun will never rise again if she does..." Twilight said. Spike looked at her but only sighed. In the distance they could hear a sick laughter. "Giggle at the Ghosties...' Twilight said with a chuckle "Cause soon Discord, soon you will be one of them..." > Sleeping Sun > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight ran for the door killing every guard who stood in her way. Discord will pay dearly for the hell he has caused, that's all Twilight cared about right now. Twilight barged through the door to the castles lowest corridor and stopped for a moment to catch her breath. Twilight glared towards the throne room. Spike looked at her uneasily. "Wo-would you really kill Celestia Twilight?' Spike asked with worry. Twilight simply looked at Spike and frowned. Could she do it? If she killed Celestia, what would happen to Equestria? Twilight couldn't kill her, that much she knew, but a little part of her wanted to. That scared Twilight more than anything. "I-I don't know Spike, part of me wants to, but another part of me wants her to go back to the way she was... I-I just don't know..." Twilight fell to her haunches and began to cry. Spike rubbed her back trying to comfort her. Twilight smiled a bit and wiped her tears away. "Twilight I know you'll do the right thing..." Spike said with sympathy in his voice. Twilight's smile brightened as she picked Spike up and hugged him. "Sometimes Spike, I don't know what i would do without you..." Twilight said with a smile on her face. All of a sudden a sickening laugh came from the throne room. Discord was in the doorway smiling a wicked,evil smile. Twilight glared at Discord, her horn started to fire up until she felt Spike place a hand on her shoulder. "Congratulations! You made it! Now all you have to do is free your precious friends!" He said laughing. Twilight snarled. "Discord... You destroyed my home!! you corrupted the princess, you hurt my friends. Now I'm going to end you!!" She said, her eyes like fire in the summer sun. Discord smiled, unfazed by Twilight's gaze. He walked into the throne romm and returned with Celestia, only Celestia wasn't corrupted anymore. "Twilight help!! I'm sorry i attacked you!! Discord made me do it!" Celestia yelled only to be cut off by a firm slap by Discord. Twilight was enraged. "Shut up!!" Discord said as he placed a knife at Celestia's throat. "Wouldn't want to stain that pretty coat of yours now would we..." Discord said with a vile grin. "You-you monster... let her go!" Twilight yelled as she ran for him. Spike stopped her, knowing what Discord planned to do. "Twi stop! If you get too close he will kill her!" Spike said in a frenzy. Twilight stopped and glared at Discord. He had some nerve pulling this. "What do you want Discord?" Twilight asked with anger in her voice. She knew he would do it. "I want this world to suffer. After all the shit I've been put through!! This world needs to burn!!" Discord said laughing manically. Twilight's eyes filled with tears of anger. Spike just looked down to the ground. Discord smiled, feeling accomplished. "Aww whats wrong Twilight? Did i break your little heart?" Discord said smiling. Twilight looked up, a glare plastered to her face. "Foals have died.. little foals!!" Twilight said snarling. Spike jumped a bit at the sound. "You're on a mission to destroy a world that did nothing to you!! You did everything yourself! You tried to plunge us into eternal chaos and you didn't think there would be consequences?! I am going to kill you!!" Twilight said with a snarl. Discord smiled a deadly grin. He threw Celestia to the ground and threw the blade at her heart. Twilight panicked. Suddenly before the blade could hit someone jumped in front of Celestia and took the blow. It was Rainbow Dash. Discord snarled. "How did you escape!!" Discord yelled. Rainbow Dash gave a smug but weak smile. "Easy...I'm-Awesome--" Dash fell to the ground unconscious. Spike ran to her. His eyes filled with tears. "Dash come on... please.. no..." Twilight fell to her haunches, her sorrow and anger now the same. She looked at Discord, her eyes now burning with hatred. "Y-you monster... You killed her!!" Twilight yelled. Discord smiled a wicked grin. "Of course I did Twilight... She didn't play by the rules..." Discord said. He took a step towards Twight, pulling the knife out of Dash's chest. Twilight backed away. "Now Twilight... Lets see what your precious Elements can do against the power of chaos." Discord said. Twilight fell on the ground whimpering, all of a sudden four ponies came flying out of the throne room, hitting Discord in the process. They all stood by Twilight's side. "Lets git 'em Twi... together..." Applejack said with a smile on her face. Twilight looked at her friends. All of them willing to risk their lives to avenge Rainbow Dash, and protect her. She gave a smile and stood up facing them. "Thank you... Thank you all..." Twilight stood by her friends and gave Discord a smile. "Fine. Lets end this once and for all." > A World Forever Changed > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- No warning was given. Discord lunged, striking towards Twilight. She dodged and smiled. "Nice try Discord..."Twilight said, as she fired up her horn, levitating Discord a few feet from the ground , slamming him down. Applejack quickly hog tied him. "Take this!!" Fluttershy said, kicking Discord in the gut. Rarity grabbed Fluttershy and dragged her away from Discord. Twilight was taken aback by a sound of laughter.It was Discord. Twilight was scared. "Wh-whats so funny Discord...you lost..." Twilight said with a shaky voice. Discord smiled an evil and creepy smile. He then proceeded to break the rope. Discord's eyes glew a deep shade of red. All of a sudden, Twilight's friends were strung up by their hooves, a fire starting below them. Discord laughed, and then he threw a blade towards Twilight, Twilight ducked, and fell to her haunches and started to cry. "You are a fool Twilight Sparkle. Chaos is the superior element. I will rule this pathetic world!" Discord said. He then snapped his fingers and Fluttershy's rope was cut and she began to plummet. Fluttershy tried her best to fly but to no avail. Twilight ran as fast as she could to try and catch her friend, to no avail. Discord snapped again and the fire was replaced with a cold hard ground. Fluttershy hit the ground with a sickening thud. Twilight fell to her haunches and screamed. "FLUTTERSHY!!" Twilight crawled over to her friend, and held her in her hooves. "Fl-flutter... please...don-don't die... I-I already lost Dash..don't die please!!"Twilight said, burying her face in Fluttershy's chest. Fluttershy weakly smiled and stroked Twilight's mane. Twilight looked up from her tears. "Tw-Twi...you need to beat him. I-If you don't h-he'll kill the others... D-do it for Equestria... Do-do it for--" Fluttershy died in Twilight's hooves, leaving Twilight a wreck of emotions. Twilight looked up into Discords eyes, a sinister glare plastered on her face. "You monster... how could you..."Twilight said with a shaky but angry voice. Discord smiled a wicked smile. "Cause you loved her, just as you love them..." Discord said with a growl. "All I have seen from you pathetic ponies is love, and kindness... Did you really think you could reform me? I have been planning this for the longest of times my dear Twilight." Discord said as he grabbed Twilight by the face, bringing her inches away from his own. "This world is mine..." He said with a smile. Then he threw Twilight across the area into a building. Discord rushed her again growling as he swung his claw at her throat. Twilight ducked and teleported to her friends, releasing them from the ropes and getting them to safety. Discord was right behind her though and he struck her down with a chop to the neck. Twilight fell to the ground only to get up and take a shot to the face. Twilight fell to the ground whimpering. This was it. This is how she was going to die. Discord stood over her smiling, pulling a knife out and placing it at Twilight's chest. "Well this was fun...but I think it's time to end this charade..." Discord said as he slowly stabbed Twilight in the chest. Twilight screamed in pain. "Now I cut out your heart... you little--" Before Discord could speak a knife shot through his chest. " No...I-can't--" Discord fell dead. That's all Twilight remembered until she passed out from blood loss. That and the constricting darkness that ate away at her dreams. THREE DAYS LATER... Twilight awoke to the sound of birds chirping. Tiredly Twilight opened her eyes, and then she started to cry. She remembered everything that happened three days prior to today. Two of her friends have died at the hands of Discord. A knock on the door startled her out of her sorrow. "S-sugarcube? Can ah come in?" Applejack said. Twilight sighed. She didn't really want visitors right now, but AJ was one of her best friends. She just couldn't say no. "Sure... come in AJ..." Twilight said with sorrow in her voice. AJ walked in with a sad smile on her face. From behind AJ came her other friends. Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and AJ. Two ponies were missing though. Ponies who gave their lives to save Equestria. Twilight teared up. Pinkie Pie walked up to her friend and wrapped her hooves around her. Twilight couldn't hold it in any longer. She buried her face into Pinkie's chest and cried. Twilight's friends all gave sad eyed looks and softly cried as well. Pinkie just sat there stroking Twilight's mane. "Shhh... Twilie they don't feel pain anymore... They're safe now..." Pinkie said with a shaky voice, full of tears. Rarity walked over to the two ponies crying and held them both. "Darlings... We must try to stay strong for them... Celestia wishes to see us Twi... when your ready that is..." Rarity said with a sad sigh. Twilight nodded. "I'll be ready in a few... just...give me a second..." Twilight said with tears streaming down her face. Rarity held Twilight in her hooves and stroked her mane. "Take your time darling... we will wait for you outside ok?" Rarity said with a sad smile. They left Twilight for a while until she came out of her room. They all met with Celestia in the grand hall. Hundreds of guards stood around the throne. Twilight stood by Celestia's side the whole time. Celestia looed down at her student with great sorrow. She wrapped a wing around Twilight and smiled. "Are you okay my student..." Celestia said with a sad tone. Twilight looked up and gave her best smile, only to have it shadowed by tears. "N-no I'm not okay... I-I wish I could of saved them Princess... I-I--" Twilight broke down and cried, only to be comforted by the princess of the sun. "Their deaths are a terrible tragedy, one that is not your fault my student. They died protecting you, and their home. They will be missed forever. You must remember my student, they both loved you. They wouldn't want you to morn them for too long..." Celestia said with a smile. Twilight gave a weak smile and nodded. Celestia turned her attention to the guards and the remaining elements of harmony. "As you are all aware, a few days ago Discord, element of chaos went on a rampage and took over my mind. During that time I killed multiple ponies, including foals... A memory i will forever have in my mind. Not only did innocent ponies die at my hoof, but a few dear friends of mine died at Discord's... Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy will forever hold a place in my heart, as well as their friends hearts as well. Discord paid the ultimate price for what he did. I would like to thank Princess Luna for striking down that wretched being once and for all." Twilight choked down a few tears as Celestia continued. "I have Twilight Sparkle to thank for the heroic effort to save me, and my sister from Discord... Sadly she was too late to save her friends, but do not blame her for their untimely demise, blame me. It is for this reason that i humbly stand down from my rule and have my sister take over both sun and moon. Tomorrow we will have a memorial service for all those lost during this dreadful time. Thank you. Dismissed." Twilight bowed as did everypony in the room. The next day all the ponies from across Equestria came to pay their respects. Most ponies were openly crying into loved ones hooves, while others just stood in stunned sorrow. Twilight and her friends were by Dashie and Flutter's graves. Two giant statues were erected for the both of them. Their elements engraved into the statue. Flowers and pictures littered the front of the statues, staind by the tears of thousands. Twilight sighed and teared up. Pinkie wrapped her hooves around Twilight and smiled her best smile. "You going to be ok Twi? I hate when my friends are upset..." Pinkie said with a tear in her eye. AJ sighed and held her friends close. They all stood there crying openly. Rain began to fall from the sky, hiding the tears that were being shed. Twilight looked to the sky. "I'll be fine Pinkie... They are up there now, Dashie and Flutter flying together forever. Hoe it should be... Hoe it always should be..." Twilight smiled. Her friends all smiled and walked away with hope that one day soon they would be reunited with their friends. As she walked away she stopped short and looked back. "See you soon my friends...I love you" She said as she walked away, memories of freindship's shared for a lifetime stuck forever inside her heart.