The mane six meet at the beginning of a previously unknown cave. A Distress call sent out by Discord, led them to this location. As usual, the now princess Twilight led the group.
As the ponies enter the cave the entrance is closed off. Princess Twilight uses her magic to illuminate the darkness. Six pathways were now visible.
"Oh, dear. I do not like this", Cried Fluttershy.
"We need to know what is going on. Some pony has Discord and is probably trying to use his abilities in a bad way. He was just reformed and who ever has him is taking advantage of that. Remember he is your good friend, Fluttershy." Princess Twilight, said.
"Yes, Yes! We have to find him!" Fluttershy proclaimed, with a new found sense of bravery.
The yellow Pegasus raced down one of the paths. A emblem of her cutie mark appeared over the entrance. Suddenly the path she entered closes off. Her friends went to the path trying to look for a way to open it. Looking at the closed off tunnel the ponies found it to be totally sealed over, as if no entrance was ever there.
"Fluttershy! Fluttershy! Can you-"
Princess Twilight is interrupted with a sudden blood curdling scream that seemed to be in Fluttershy's voice. But it was so twisted and horrifying the ponies were taken at a pause.
Fluttershy's cute mark emblem vanished from above the tunnel.
"No.... it can't be..." Princess Twilight said with heavy dread.
"Twilight, we need to find her... and Discord." Apple Jack Said.
"Yeah we need to keep our heads together! Fluttershy is in there.... and Discord too." Rainbow Dash said with a sigh and rolling her eyes.
"Yes, yes... We must find them! These tunnels have something to do with finding Fluttershy and Discord. It seems like some type of game. Well, we will go together down one path. Come on girls!"
Princess Twilight declared. She rushed down a path with the ponies behind her. As soon as they entered, the remaining Elements of Harmony were bounced back by a force field.
Rarity shook her head, trying to get her bearings about her. She looked above the tunnel Princess Twilight rushed into. Twilight's cutie mark emblem appeared. But it was still glowing and did not disappear like Fluttershy's.
"Alright ladies." Rarity said "We have to hurry! Let us choose a path and engage in this pointless game, this kidnapper wishes us to play."
The friends nod there heads, go down separate paths, rushing to their unknown destines.
Pinkie Pie looks around as best she could within the darkened tunnel, going the only direction she could. "Hellllooooooooou? Hellll-looooo... Twilight? Fluttershy? Come on, already guys! This cave is totally UN-cool and I have a party in 5 hours-"
The tunnel she was walking down got misty. A dark misty. Pinkie closed her eyes, raised her hoof, trying to avoid the coming darkness. She felt the mist pass over her, with a soul chilling cold. The earth pony eyes opened and brighten to the tunnel now being lit by torches. She followed the torches, hopping, bouncing along the path.
"What makes you happy?" A mysterious voice asked.
"My friends," Pinkie Pie replied, "and making other ponies happy, silly! isn't that what is life all about? Being happy, and sharing awesome cakes and treats at cool parties-which I really need to get to, and-"
The Mysterious voice laughed softly ,filling the room with a light echo."Well, Happiness pony, you are invited to MY party. Come... You are expected and most wanted.
The tunnel opens up into a room. Balloons, cakes, music, candy. Bright colored decorations, ornaments, hanging from tall structures. There was arcade games, rides, toy vendors, filled with ponies. Ponies mingling, laughing, talking, telling jokes, performing feats of daring.
Pinkie Pie slowly enters the celebration with widened eyes, mesmerized. "Oh..., oh, my.... All I ever dreamed....
"Yes, dear,"
the pink earth pony turns to a familiar and loving voice. She is shocked and joyous to see her family. Her mother Father and sisters. "Mo-...MOM?!"
"Me also, dear." Her father stated. "We are here to celebrate your talent of happiness, and giving Equestria joy with it. Come, be with us my child."
"Yes, Pinkie, it's awesome you can do this for everypony, with your talents." Her sister said.
"Oh... oh, my goodness, thank you..." Pinkie Pie said as her eyes started to fill with tears.
"Are you happy, Happiness pony?" The disembodied voice asked.
Tears dropped from Pinkie Pie's eyes. She smiled and nodded her head.
The crowd of ponies applauded her as she went deeper into the celebration space. The room closes behind Pinkie Pie, but it goes unnoticed by her.
Pinkie Pie is here... having fun and being fun....
The entrance to the tunnel closes off. Pinkie Pie's Cutie Mark emblem disappears. The tunnel entrance, wiped clean.
Rainbow Dash frustratingly looked around the cave. Flying at times and then walking. "I know that this is some lame trick, like Discord and Nightmare Moon tried on us. Always trying to separate us. IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK, YOU COWARD!
Suddenly, Princess Celestia appeared before the cyan Pegasus. "Congratulations, Rainbow Dash. You saw past the labyrinth, once again proving your loyalty and bravery in the face of uncertainty."
"Princess? what are you-"
Princess Celestia walked to the confused pony, lowered her head to Rainbow Dash's level. "I found your location and have come for you, Loyalty pony. Follow me."
Princess Celestia horn started to glow, filling the tunnel with light. Rainbow Dash was blinded by this light, turning her face away, raising a hoof and a wing.
"Rainbow Dash.... Rainbow Dash..."
The Princess's voice echoed lightly in Rainbow Dash's head. She slowly opened her eyes, adjusting her vision to the new light. "Wha- what...?"
"We are here." Princess Celestia said.
"What... What is... this..."
Rainbow Dash looked around. To her shock and surprise, she was standing on the balcony of the Canterlot Palace. A crowd of endless ponies cheered her name. there was fanfare, a parade procession, confetti being shot from cannons and Wonder Bolts performing a flying routine. White, beautiful ponies lay flowers and metals around her neck. Then the top Wonder-Bolts themselves bowed in front of Rainbow Dash.
"oh, my Goodness!" Rainbow Dash said with excitement.
Spitfire raises her head with tears in her eyes and a light smile.
"Rainbow Dash... I have always known you were a pony with special abilities, strengths and bravery. I have always believed in you. It is my greatest, life-long achievement, undeniable Pleasure... to declare you... LEADER EXTRAORDINAIRE OF THE WONDER BOLTS!
The little cyan Pegasus was taken a back by Spitfire's statement. Her eyes widened, she raised a hoof and backed away slightly. "What?! but, I-"
Soarin approached Rainbow Dash with his head lowered. "Yes, my ledge-I mean boss, I mean... New leader. You have executed such an unimaginable example, that a NEW award and flying technique was invented in your name and honor."
"New... tech-nique?" Rainbow Dash asked dryly.
"Yes, grand leader." Spitfire replied. "The Award is called 'The Rainbow Dash, lifetime achievement award' and the BOOKS of techniques are studied from your style of flying, that only the MOST advanced flyers are allowed to even inquire, none less, read.
Princess Celestia nodded her head. She looked at Rainbow Dash with pride and happiness. "I have never been so proud, My loyalty pony."
Rainbow Dash turned her head away and blushed. Even her pet turtle gave the Pegasus a wink as he stood next to her. The crowed cheered her name, over and over.
The echos of the crowd were hushed as the tunnel Rainbow Dash went down closed off. Her cutie mark emblem disappeared. The tunnel entrance was wiped clean.
Rarity uncomfortably walked down the dim tunnel. "Eww, eww, eww! Goodness, ah, it's dark, and lonely in here!" She sighed "But my friends need me. And I need them. I need to know that they are alright. That I can help them."
"That's one of the things I have always admired about you, Rarity."
Rarity saw spike before her, holding a torch. He stood there, looked at her lovingly.
"SPIKE?! But, I thought you were back in Canterlot!"
"And leave you behind? Never." Spike said shaking his head. He came to her side, embraced the white Unicorn. He then looked at her with pride. "I'm so proud of you."
"What? Why, darling?"
"Princess Celestia told me this was a surprise." Spike said.
"In a cave?!" Rarity snapped.
Spike laughed and released her. "You'll see, my Generosity pony."
He lead Rarity to a room full of flashing camera's, high class and top celebrity ponies, looking around a huge boutique. Beautifully curved wood, diamond lining on the borders of the wall, top of the line displays all housing Rarity's clothing designs and other accessories. Suddenly Princess Luna appeared in front of Rarity, wearing one of her dresses.
"Ah, Pony of Generosity. We are very pleased at your arrival. All of these beautiful and heart felt designs you have manufactured are, how you say. 'a hit'. "
"Oh, oh my." Rarity softly said in shock.
"Yeah, Rarity. Photo Finish herself is here taking pictures, and has promised to donate the proceeds to charities all over Equestria under your name." Spike added.
Rarity gasped and raised a hoof to her mouth. A tear dropped from her eye as she looked around. Ponies were enjoying her dresses, being peaceful and giving to one another. Donations to Rarity's favorite charities were flooding.
"Even though you have a taste for glamour, you have a greater heart for sharing the gifts that you make and receive. You could of easily sold these works of art at high prices, lived in Canterlot among ponies of stature. But you choose to be close to the people you care about and wish to help." Said Luna.
Suddenly, Photo finish bumps by Princess Luna holding a camera. "Yes, yes, let me get a picture of the Star!"
"No." Rarity stated. "Get a picture of all of us, being together. Especially the fine ponies giving their means to organizations and charities. Those are the ponies I wish to have photo's taken with."
Rarity giggled as Photo finished started taking pictures. The event carried on with fine dining, charities receiving their donations and spike by her side.
The tunnel closed off. Rarity's Cutie mark emblem disappeared. The tunnel entrance, wiped off.
Apple Jack walked forward, down the tunnel. She squinted her eyes, looking forward within the dimly lit passage. She suddenly felt the softness of grass under her hoof steps. Apple Jack looked down at the tunnel floor. She could barely make out the lines of grass around hooves. Looking forward, the orange earth pony saw a darkened forest.
"OK, I KNOW that this is som' type of trik'. But it is a cave. It cou' lead ou'side..."
Apple Jack rushed to the trees, the light of day hit her like a firm pillow.
"Apple Jack! Apple Jack!"
Apple Jack opened her eyes and was shocked to see her grandmother, standing in front of her."Granny? Granny Smith! What are y'all doing out here? I... where is this...." she inquired.
The earth pony saw the apple orchid and the barn along the edge of the horizon. Her bother had the carriage saddled to him, with Apple Boom sitting in it. There was luggage and what seems to be Granny Smiths belongings in the carriage.
Granny Smith looked at Applejack gently. With a soft smile she said, "Now you don't worry yer pretty head, my Honesty Pony. Fluttershy and the rest of your friends are where they should be."
Apple Jack shook her head.She looked at her grandmother with caution. "But I don' know where that is!"
"Jus' trust me, young-in'." Granny Smith said,shaking her head. "There are more important things to talk about."
"Granny, please, just tell me where they are. And what is this?"
Granny Smith sighed and looked away from her grand daughter. "My little Honesty Pony. I forgot that honesty goes along with bravery and loyalty. Truth has so any treads. I suppose there is no getting to you."
Apple jack backed away a few feet from Granny Smith. "Your not my Granny, or my brother, or my sister! ARE YOU!"
The illusion disappeared. Apple Jack saw the two elder sister Princesses of Canterlot before her. They lit torches within the room, in circling the area in light.
The earth pony looked at the princesses in shock. "Princess Celestia? Princess Luna? What... What is this?!
The princess sisters looked at one another. Luna then looked down and away. Princess Celestia sighs, with tears in her eyes,she said, "Your destiny, Honesty Pony. Your Destiny."
Princess Luna Lifted her head to Apple Jack. "Come hither, Pony of Honesty. You deserve answers."
Apple Jack is transported to a lowly lit room. There was a table in the corner with the Elements of Harmony on it. She then sees twilight sparkle looking at strange portals, with flashing images. Apple Jack went to the portals and saw her friends.
Pinkie pie, celebrating Happiness. Rarity giving and being charitable. Rainbow Dash being loyal to the ponies she's the leader of. Fluttershy in charge of a large animal sanctuary, taking care of needy animals while teaching ponies to be kind to all creatures.
Princess Twilight turned her head to Apple Jack's voice with heavy tears and a wet face. Her lips lips moved but the purple Alicorn's voice was gone. Apple Jack rushed to her friend and embraced her. Princess Twilight slightly resisted her comfort, Apple Jack held on and resisted her denial of affections. Twilight goes limp in her friend's arms, pouring out her tears onto Apple jack as if a dam broke.
Apple jack looked over Princess Twilight shoulder. She looked on at the events on the viewing portals. Her eyes dart from friend to friend. She then backs away and looks on at the portals more intensely. Her mouth agape and face in frozen shock.
Twilight Sparkle turned her head to Apple Jack. the air in her chest deflated as she spoke to her friend. "Apple... Apple jack... Please... I did not know this would happen."
"What... What is this, Twi?" Apple Jack asked in fear.
Twilight lowered her head. She turned to the frightened earth pony with heavy remorse. "When I rushed down the tunnel I came to this room. I noticed that you and the girls were not behind me. To my surprise, I saw The Princesses here. They told me... They told me that....
Celestia raised a hoof to Princess Twilight and stopped her explanation. The tall, white Alicorn stood in front of Apple Jack. "We led you and the rest of the Elements of Harmony here to your eternal resting place."
Apple Jack was taken a back by what was revealed to her. Her eyes widened and she shook her head in shock. "What?! NO! Your... Your Killing us?!"
Luna approached the frightened earth pony. "You and your friends poses the core spirits of harmony. My sister and I have lived for eons. Twilight Sparkle will soon take our place as Canterlot Monarch. We will give her our life force to live long and prosper the Lands of Equestria and beyond."
Celestia nodded her head and continued; "This is why we needed Discord magic, to help with a 'gentle'... passing, for the elements of harmony ponies and ourselves.
Apple Jack started to cry. Her emotions quickly snapped to frustration. "BUT WHY DO WE HAVE TO DIE!?! AND, and why trick us.... WHY?!"
"Your not dying spiritually. Your spirit will be alive within the elements, but only the purest essence of it. The rest of your soul shall pass on to the after life. We needed to harvest the strongest parts of your spirit that give the elements their power." Celestia answered.
"Hence the deception, Harmony pony." Said Luna.
"STOP CALLIN' ME THAT, DAMN IT!" Apple Jack screamed.
Princess Twilight rushed to her friend, trying to comfort her. "Apple jack..."
Apple Jack shakes her head, looking back and forth between the Canterlot sisters."I have a name! Apple Jack! I have a family! I have a past.... And... and I thought I had... a.... future..."
"We do not know what enemies shall try to have their way over Equestria in the future. This is the most important thing you can do for your Country... Your family... Your legacy. And you know as well as I do... it is the truth..." Celestia said.
Twilight stomped her hoof to the floor. Her eyes filled with tears. "No! there has to be a different way!"
"Your other friends have already passed on..." Luna said coldly, looking at the portals.
"NoOoO!!!" Apple Jack screamed.
Princess Twilight and Apple Jack looked at the viewing portals and saw their friends bodies, laying peacefully, but with no life. In the corner of her eye, Apple Jack saw the Elements of Harmony glowing with a soft strength as if it was just born.
Twilight cried; "Oh... Oh, Apple Jack... I'm so sorry....."
The purple Alicorn dropped her head in sorrow. Tears fell from her eyes like rain. Twilight felt her remaining friend's hoof on her back. Apple Jack looked down at Twilight. She smiled softly, with her eyes filling with tears. "I understand now... It's alright, Twilight... I can feel the draw of them. I can feel their spirits."
Princess Twilight lifted her head to Apple Jack, both of their faces wet with tears.
Twilight slowly shook her head. "Nooo...."
Apple Jack backed away from her tearful friend. She smiled lightly as her spirit was gently pulled away by the element stone that represented her.
"NOOOO! NOOooooo!" Twilight screamed.
"We will always be with you. We love you. And thank you. Thank you for the magic of your friendship." Apple Jack said weakly.
Twilight's voice became sore and jumpy. "I-love-you Apple Jack. PLEASEssss!" the little princess forced out.
A lion paw and eagle claw held back Twilight, as she kicked and struggled trying to stop Apple jack's sacrifice. Apple jack's body fell to the ground softly with Luna's magic. The room filled with blinding light. The light was sucked back into the Elements.
Twilight looked at her friends body. Her eyes widen and glossy. "Apple Jack...?"
Discord sighed. "She's gone...."
The little purple Alicorn screamed and kicked her way from Discord's hands. She fell to her friends cold body, soaking Apple Jack's orange coat in tears.
Twilight stayed there for a time before Princess Celestia came to her. Before she can put a hoof on Twilight's back, she snapped around to the tall princess and clopped her with her front, right hoof as hard as she could. Princess Celestia was taken a back by the angry action, holding her wounded face, wide eyed and laying on the floor. Celestia's eyes filled with tears.
Luna and Discord went to her side. Discord kept his hands together, looking pass Celestia, at the floor. His head too heavy to lift.
Twilight breathes heavily as she looks at the trio. "MURDERER! All of you! Murders...."
Discord breathes out heavily; "Twilight-"
The Alicorn Princess starts to cry as she interrupts Discord "And you do not say a cursed thing to me. you, you, Turn Coat!
Discord turned is eyes away, sighed sorrowfully as tears dropped from his eyes.
"Fluttershy, Fluttershy-LOVED-you.... TRUSTED YOU!!! She believed in you. And you...! My teacher...my second-mot-ther...
Twilight Sparkle raised to her hooves and walked slowly with a weakened knees, to Princess Celestia.
"I love you, twilight... So-much..." Celestia cried.
Twilight looked at her mentor with anger. "Is that why I'M SPARED?! This... This CURSE?!"
Celestia shook her head, then set her eyes on Twilight. "You will lead Equestria. Yes, you are the chosen one. And the truth is... I never met to love you, so much..." The white Alicorn princess started to cry. "I was looking for a good leader, since natural Alicorns are barren."
"What is done, is done Twilight Sparkle. Be strong, for not only yourself, but for the world." Luna added.
Celestia shuts her eyes as tears drop from her face. "Do you not think... for as long as I lived... that I have not loved anypony?!"
"Sister-"
Celestia interrupted the concerned Luna. "I might have lived long. But my heart is the same and any other mare."
Celestia raised to her hooves. She looked at Discord and raised his head with her muzzle. "I'm sorry, for not getting to know you the natural way two ponies usually would, my dearest."
"Celestia..." Discord said in a shaky voice.
Celestia lightly shook her head and smiled softly. "We will meet for the final time and forever, on the Fields of Gold."
Luna looked down and away. "Sister... I'm, I'm frightened."
"I shall hold you for the process, little one." Celestia replied.
"What now?!" Twilight snapped avidly.
Celestia deeply, sorrowfully, kissed Discord. Discord and Celestia embrace for a moment before she pulled herself away, unwillingly.
Discord shook his head negatively. His eyes widened and became glossy with tears. "Celestia... You have always been..."
"...The other half of my soul." Celestia completed.
Celestia went to her sister and embraced her tightly. Their spirits start to leave their bodies and go into Twilight's. She felt her body filling with knowledge, power and enlightenment. She then fainted.
The family members of the Elemental Ponies met at the final resting place of the Ponies of Harmony. The cave that they were lured to, now closed off by a bolder. The cave bared the Cutie Mark Emblems of the Harmony ponies, along with the Cutie mark Emblems of the Princess sisters of Canterlot. Celestia's sun to the left and Luna's moon to the right. The ponies of Harmony, cutie marks within a circle.
Twilight spoke of her experience with her friends and the princesses. Their individual sacrifices and a promise to lead Equestria with the same grace and Love that the sisters legacy left. A promise of a bright future to all the creatures of Equestria.
The service ended with Sweetie bell singing the Canterlot national anthem. With tears and a crackling voice around the end of the song, the grieving ponies cheer for the strong filly.
Twilight found a quiet spot away from the crowd of grievers. She looked at the sun and slightly moved it, trying to get used to the fact she holds grand celestial powers. The Canterlot Princess sighed and looked to the side. "Just because I have a part of Princess Celestia's spirit within me, does not mean we will soon be dating, Discord."
Discord appeared from behind a nearby tree. His arms crossed and eyes lowered looking at the Princess Supreme. He chuckled, "Hmm, you truly have become powerful. And don't worry. Your not my type."
Twilight kisses her teeth and laughs. "Oh, really?" She tearfully giggles, turning her head to Discord.
Discord rolls his eyes and sighs with a light chuckle. "Yeah... really... Twilight Sparkle. He sniffles.
"Oh, Discord!" Twilight Sparkle rushes to Discord, falls on his belly and releases rushing tears onto his dark brown coat. He looks down at her and rubs her head.
"It's the cycle of life, Twilight... Just keep telling yourself that, as I do. It's the cycle of life."
Discord looks into the distance, comforting Twilight and holding his own constitutions. He breathes out heavily, swallows as a lump forms in his throat.
