Tears in time and space are opening across Equestria. In a bid to stop them, Celestia attempts to send the Mane Six through the mirror until an unlikely villain shows up and ruins everything. Can the Mane Six find their way back before all is lost?
Twilight and her friends are separated in an attempt to stop their world from falling apart. Each trapped in a different universe, they must overcome themselves when small changes lead to disastrous results.
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna know all about time. Time is the ally of an immortal alicorn. When a time spell undoes the power of harmony, how will the sisters survive?
A multiverse story, following the Mane Six as they face worlds alone and together. Princess Luna and Princess Celestia face war instead, defending their home from an unexpected villain.
Can they hold Equestria together long enough for the Mane Six to return?
The first six arcs of the story are tagged with the appropriate character. These can be read in any order and if you dislike a particular theme or character, they can be skipped.
Readers choose the order of the first six arcs using strawpoll. Vote for a favorite or which AU you are most interested in seeing. Pinkie wins the first round! New poll with the remaining four. http://www.strawpoll.me/14023693
A mirror stood regal, alone in the large room. Once used daily, now reserved for the rare visitor to come through or leave.
But not today, today it would see a traveler it had not in many years.
This particular device was a gateway into another universe or, should one say, universes. Numerous magical alarms protected an artifact of such power and one should have alerted its owner to the intruder. However, an unintended side effect of the orichalcum in its design absorbed the magic attempting to break through it.
The surface of the mirror gleamed gold against the dark room. Cracks formed, racing through the glass like tiny lightning bolts. The fractured image of a hooded pony flashed within and waves rippled across the silver exterior. With each unseen impact, the figure grew clearer. The magic assaulted from inside a final time and all that remained was an outline. A myriad of colors bled outward, creeping across the metal and coming together until the hooded pony was as real as the mirror itself. The transfer had not interrupted the spell he was channeling.
Glass forged upon the fires of dragons could not withstand the growing pressure. More of the surface gave way as energy leaked from the spiderweb of fissures. The stabilizing fixtures, made of curled artistic metal, began to glow red hot and melt.
More golden light poured through and the mirror’s surface now resembled static from the damage. As the spell reached its completion, it caved in. A yawning maw of swirling black awakened inside, tearing at the buckling slivers and consuming all but a single shard. The hooded pony still needed the mirror to function if his plans were to succeed.
With a chuckle, the hooded pony marveled at his work. A mere thought and his horn glowed a soft gold as his magic pulled out a small engraved knife. He began prying each of the magically charged rubies from their fixtures with the care of an experienced practitioner. Sparks danced with each contact, the gems protesting his intrusion. They couldn't resist the strong magic and one by one fell onto the white marble floor. He levitated the knife back into his cloak's pocket, his hood covering the triumphant smirk on his face.
Another pocket in his cloak glowed gold and a yellowed parchment rose to unfurl itself in front of him. His eyes gleamed as he spoke in a language lost to the ages, each syllable guttural. The bright rubies began to crackle and blacken as the words flowed from his mouth and light retreated from the room in response.
The power of the magic burned the parchment away as each word left his lips. With the final word, the rest of the parchment ignited with the resulting ash being absorbed into the abyss.
The cloaked figure shuddered as he began the second part of the spell. His own radiant magic covered the blackened gemstones and faded within. With a pulse of gold that would make a dragon jealous, they regained their lustrous red.
The spell complete, he relaxed his jaw realizing he had been gritting his teeth. A gold glow once again washed over the rubies, tossing all but one into the void. They compromised the careful stability of the gateway and the swirling darkness began to gnash. As the final ruby faded from sight, the inky depth churned and consumed itself.
"Go where there is power. Cursed be any who enters this mirror," He hissed and pocketed the remaining ruby. “I only hope you suffer as long as I have, Celestia.” If any pony had been able to see his eyes, the fire burning within would have caused them to flee.
He sighed in frustration. "This took far too long, preparations must be made." It only took a moment for him to remember the window the room contained. It had been hundreds of years but nothing had changed.
Opening the window with his magic, he leapt out unable to restrain the predatory grin.
******
Rainbow Dash was taking one of her famous naps on a comfy cloud. The rising sound of commerce caused her to wake. Had she overslept again? The day felt later than it should. "I feel like I'm forgetting something... again," said Rainbow Dash as she shook the sleep out of her eyes and let out a mighty yawn.
A quick scan of the town brought the memory slamming back into her.
"I'm supposed to meet Twilight and the others at Sugarcube Corner!" she yelled, facehoofing herself.
It was going to be cutting it close, but she wasn’t flying anywhere until she loosened up and stretched. After each leg gave a satisfying pop, she moved on to her wings. She extended them to their full length, performing the same warm-up routine as the Wonderbolts. A sly smirk splayed across her face as she pondered the fastest path from her cloud to Sugarcube Corner.
******
Twilight hummed softly to herself as she walked towards her appointment at Sugarcube Corner. Always the bookworm, she had a copy of Dazzling Dream's Guide to Proper Sleep opened in front of her face. Spike had chosen it after two long nights of manic reordering of the books in her library. This had left her looking like her favorite stuffed animal, Smarty Pants.
She bumped into something soft and a tiny "Eeek!" rang through the street. Twilight's head jerked up from her book and saw Fluttershy on the ground dazed and staring in her direction.
"Oh hey, Fluttershy didn't see you there," Twilight said grinning sheepishly. Her face burned with embarrassment from walking into her friend.
Fluttershy struggled to get to her hooves. "It's fine, I should have been paying more attention to where I was going." Her voice trailed off into a whisper.
Twilight bookmarked the page and closed the book, moving it behind her with her magic. "How about we walk together to meet our friends? I'd love to hear how you've been doing. I... I haven't been outside much in the past few days." She looked back at her book and shook her head.
Fluttershy matched pace next to her friend on a path to Sugarcube Corner. "Oh, this week has been delightful. I helped rebuild a baby bird's nest and you know Angel, he only wants the freshest vegetables, so I had to go to the market and get some." She turned toward Twilight, her face alight with excitement.
"Discord came by for our afternoon tea and we had the best time, except when he gave my clock and candlestick life. They started singing something about ‘Be our guest’. The candle danced into my curtains and lit them on fire. But, but Discord fixed it right away!" Fluttershy huffed out, covering for Discord as she usually did.
"You have had a bus-" Twilight began before Rainbow Dash flew past towards Sugarcube Corner. The only sign she'd been there was a trail of rainbow followed by a faint "Sorry!" The words trailed off fading into the rush of wind.
"We'd better hurry if we don't want to be the last ones there." Twilight groaned as she began magically fixing her now tattered purple and fuchsia mane.
******
Rarity finished adorning herself with a dress. She considered it the height of fashion design for the spring. It was a dress made from green and yellow silks to accentuate the usual spring colors. Her design finished with an oversized hat covered in various gems that she had arranged like blooming flowers. The soft silks of the dress flowed down to her hooves where they hovered only a breadth above the floor, a credit to her skill in tailoring. Rarity had cleverly tied white silk ribbons at the interlocked pieces creating the illusion of a leaf.
A brisk walk and Rarity was the second to arrive at Sugarcube Corner. Of course, Pinkie Pie beat everyone due to the fact that she spent much of her time at Sugarcube Corner. It was easy for her to wait for her friends outside.
Rarity turned towards the street, and her eyes widened in horror. Rainbow Dash was heading right for her.
"Nononononono, Rainbow Dash, stop!" she screamed trying to back away without her dress touching the dusty ground.
Rainbow Dash's wings flared out to their full span, increasing her drag and slowing her down. She stopped midair, mere inches from Rarity's face, wings beating furiously.
Rainbow Dash burst into laughter pointing a hoof at Rarity.
"It is not funny, Rainbow Dash,'' Rarity straightened her dress and held a pose akin to royalty, puffing herself up. "I could have been hurt! Or worse.. you could have ruined my new outfit!" Her indignity bled into her words.
This only furthered Rainbow Dash's laughter, tears streaming from her eyes. "You, you look like a flower! Why would you even wear that?" she said in between giggles.
"I'll have you know this is proper wear for the springtime. The height of fashion design, if you will, not that a ruffian like yourself would understand." Rarity turned her nose up at Rainbow Dash making a "Hmph!".
Rarity sat down at one of the tables, Rainbow Dash still giggling in the background. Her head jerked up when she smelled cupcakes and heard breathing. She gasped when she saw Pinkie Pie almost nose to nose with her, grinning like an idiot. How had she gotten behind me? Rarity wondered.
Rarity attempted to put distance between her and Pinkie Pie but her dress stifled her movements. "What. Are you. doing. Pinkie Pie?" Rarity yelled, still in shock.
"Trying to give you some of my new cupcakes, silly!" Pinkie bounced over to Rainbow Dash, holding up a plate of strange-looking cupcakes. The frosting was an odd shade of orange with little, jagged sprinkles everywhere. A strong, overbearing odor of orange peel combined with vanilla rose from the strange concoction. They reminded her of the fizzy drinks they served in Sugarcube Corner.
Pinkie popped a cupcake in her mouth with a squeal and a "Mmmm". Frosting splattered all over her mouth and she slurped the edge of her lips, her tongue reaching every inch. This elicited another "Mmmmm" from Pinkie Pie.
"What flavor are those, Pinkie?" Rainbow Dash picked one up, examining the confectionary and sniffing it in various places.
"Only the super yummy nummy flavor made by Gummy!" Pinkie's face got serious and somehow pink zebra stripes appeared on her body. "Oops, I sound like Zecora, it must be the.. flora? I rhyme all the time because it's su... blime?"
In a flash, the stripes disappeared, and she turned to talk to nowhere in particular. "Guess it's harder to be Zecora than it sounds!" Winking before facing Rainbow Dash.
Less sure than when she started, Rainbow Dash hesitated. She did not want to become a rainbow-colored zebra. Her hoof hovered above the table, trying to figure out what to do with the cupcake. She decided upon setting it down and pushing it towards Pinkie Pie.
Twilight and Fluttershy trotted up, staring at Pinkie Pie with suspicion. "Pinkie," Twilight asked, "how did yo- nevermind." She had learned her lesson long ago not to question Pinkie Pie. The last time she did it ended with her being a blazing, white, fiery version of herself. It took her a week to fix the singed mane that resulted from it.
Applejack was the last to arrive, delayed by her chores. She had chosen to take a more scenic route to Sugarcube Corner, taking in the smells of new spring leaves and the array of colors in the trees and plants. The background noise of nature helped her muscles relax. They were tense after putting so much effort into her chores so she could meet her friends on time.
Her first hint she was approaching Sugarcube Corner was the delightful smell of baked goods. Her own family's recipes were hard to beat, they made them with apples after all. Yet, Applejack could still enjoy anything that came from that bakery.
The exception being Pinkie's weekly creations. Some were amazing, comparable only to the finest bakers in Equestria. Others, well others were horrifying in new and spectacular ways. One example being the "Hulkcake". Applejack wasn't sure what it even meant, but Pinkie had insisted she try it with one small exception. Pinkie had asked Twilight to zap it with magic first. Pinkie explained, "It won't glow if you don't Twilight, and it makes it extra tasty!" Twilight had indeed used a spell on the cupcake after Pinkie Pie wouldn’t stop pestering her.
Twilight couldn’t believe her eyes because not only was the spell negated but the cupcake glowed and became larger. This was both alarming and relieving to Twilight. On one hoof she had expected an explosion, at the bare minimum, but instead the strange baked good was more effective at absorbing magic than some shielding techniques!
Twilight had later demanded to know the recipe and why her magic was ineffective on them. This was fruitless because any baker worth their salt never reveals their secrets. As a result, Twilight forbade anyone from eating the cupcakes although Pinkie Pie had been able to sneak a few into her mouth.
Applejack saw that her friends had all gotten here first. A look of confusion sprang to her face. Despite being the self-proclaimed "fastest mare in all Equestria" Rainbow had a habit of oversleeping. On the off chance she arrives on-time, the price is usually property damage.
"Howdy, y'all. Looks like ol' Rainbow Dash beat me here for once, heh." Applejack said, flashing a cocky smirk towards Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash extended both wings, taking on an aggressive stance. "I'm the fastest in Equestria. Anytime. Anywhere. AJ." She backed up her words by darting like an arrow into the sky. As she came back down, she crossed her forelegs and narrowed her eyes.
"Now, now don't go getting your buckers in a twist, I was only jokin'." Applejack's easy smile helped the soothing words.
Twilight was used to the bickering between those two but now was not the time. "Now girls," Twilight said, "we came here because we haven't seen each other in a while. We should enjoy this time together. Right, Rainbow Dash?" Her face held no room for argument.
Rainbow Dash and Applejack held their stares a bit longer. Twilight cleared her throat, and both shrugged moving to take a seat with the rest of their friends.
"S'pose you're right Twilight. Today is a day for being friends, not beating Rainbow Dash," Applejack said, dragging out the last part. She never even spared a glance in Rainbow Dash's direction.
"Hey! I heard that AJ!" Rainbow Dash snorted, her wings rising in response.
"Ok, enough! We really don't have time for this." Twilight stood up tall and flared her wings to their full alicorn length. She stood over both Applejack and Rainbow Dash and affixed them with a glare akin to that of a mother looking down on two squabbling children.
They mumbled out an apology and looked down at nothing in particular.
A sharp intake of breath accompanied by stuttering grabbed everypony's attention.
"Oooh, oooh! Whatcha lookin’ at Rarity. Whatever it is, must be preeeety impressive to make your eyes that big!" Pinkie Pie glanced around trying to see the spectacle that had caught Rarity's eye.
"It-it's like from one of my books!" Rarity stammered, pointing her hoof in the direction of the town square. "That's not possible! Is this another prank?" Rarity stood up long enough to pull over her fainting couch and collapse into it, hoof on her forehead. "If so, it is not very funny to make a lady faint and mess up her dress," She followed it up with her trademark whine.
Twilight and the others looked around struggling to find the source of Rarity’s distress.
Applejack's gaze stopped, and she started trying to gasp out a sentence. "W-wh-what are those. They look like when we pretended the cookies Rainbow Dash was givin’ out were tainted and turned us into zombies.
"OoooOoo, I remember that, it was fun! And yeah, they do kinda look like zombies. I'd say they had some kind of Fallout." Pinkie giggled.
Twilight whispered to herself, each sentence sounding more frustrated than the last.
Rainbow Dash looked on in awe. "Those. Are. So. Cool. Did you do this Pinkie Pie? They remind me of the unraveled mummies from Daring Do's book Daring Do and the Crypt of Zalphamon!"
"Noperoni, besides Nightmare Night is too far away for zombies!" Pinkie replied, her hooves waggling about in the air ominously.
"If this isn't a prank from either of you two, then this is serious. We have to inform Celestia immediately." Twilight inspected area in question. She flew up and around the strange blob trying to get a better view, but it appeared the same from all directions. It was small, the size of a pumpkin, and floated in midair. It held no discernible shape, wiggling and writhing in the open air..
Twilight got closer and peered into the blob. It was like looking through a window made of unevenly layered glass. She could see a blasted landscape with ghoulish ponies wandering about. Their mouths hung open, or in some cases simply hung. They didn't appear to be rotting but their movements were stiff, giving them the gait of a zombie. Degraded hooves dragged with each step and several ponies appeared to be crawling across the ground. Their skin looked like the bark of an apple tree that Applejack had bucked too many times. Some had severe burns, while others were missing limbs or all their mane. Everything was dead or dying with a faint, eerie glow coating the landscape. The plant life was all a shade of gray and the entire area had rocks and debris strewn about.
Twilight considered using magic on the blob. She stopped when she remembered a book she had read by Star-Swirl the Bearded called The Fundamentals of Time and Space: A Guide to Anomalies and Paradoxes. Any magic could make it grow, or worse yet, completely open. She didn't know where it went to but she was sure she wanted nothing inside to come to Equestria.
As she pondered what to do, she noticed something horrifying. One of the creatures was shambling towards her with white sightless eyes.
"How could this have happened?" Celestia sighed, twisting her head towards the broken mirror.
The once vibrant frame, which was once a combination of blue and purple, was now a time-worn, faded color of grey. Cracks ran up and down its horseshoe shape. The blue horseshoes once adorning the mirror now lay strewn about like a filly’s playthings. Curiously, a single shard of glass stayed anchored inside the frame. Stranger still, the rest of the glass was missing. Eleven empty sockets, the once home of the powerful magic rubies, reflected only a dull light. The beautiful swirling arches surrounding the mirror were little more than melted slags of metal.
Luna inspected one of the horseshoes on the floor. “We thought this was Twilight's way to reach her other friends,” she said with a hint of confusion. “We can simply rebuild it, can we not?"
"I am afraid we cannot," Celestia told Luna, regret heavy in her voice. "There is more to this device than I have told Twilight."
“We know Star-Swirl and thou crafted this mirror after our banishment," Luna said. She shivered as the final word left her mouth. "Although we cannot fathom what use thou had for the universe that Twilight visited."
Celestia trotted over to the sun-filled window and took in the beautiful city of Canterlot, "You've yet to ask me the true question. What could cause this level of damage to something that Star-Swirl created? I know of nothing in Equestria capable of inflicting this kind of damage to one of his magical artifacts."
“We created nothing with Star-Swirl, Sister. We cannot fathom how powerful an artifact the two of thee could have created," Luna gave her sister a grim smile. “We can guess that even Nightmare Moon would have had difficulty."
"More than you know," Celestia replied, another sigh escaping her lips as her body slumped onto the edge of the window. "Can you understand how lonely I was when I sent you to the moon? We were once students of Star-Swirl and a student I became again. I invested myself in his work. My mind could not wander to you as long as I kept it occupied."
Luna stared at her sister and her mind drifted back to the past. A shudder ran down her spine as she once again imagined a thousand years apart from Celestia. She couldn't keep her cheek free of the sudden sadness, her emotion overpowering her stoic demeanor. The memory of those events brought loneliness slamming back into her.
“We do not... recall the entirety of our stay upon the moon. We were so angry in the beginning, we cared not for the passage of time... nor thou. In time we even forgave thee and thought of ways to reconcile with you. Yet, in the end, we succumbed to our desire for revenge. We understand sister, our suffering was not like thine, but suffer we did. By the end of our stay, we invested our-self in the wish for retribution. We did not want to remember." Memories replaced her vision, gazing into the past and breath shaking with each intake. She struggled with the old feelings that bubbled to the surface.
Celestia rose from the window ledge and trotted to her sister, embracing her in a deep hug, "Then you know what it is like... We created that mirror to traverse into other worlds. It was easy to forget what I had done when we explored them together. Twilight would have loved to have studied those worlds." Celestia mood brightened at the thoughts of Twilight studying late into the night. She often fell asleep at her desk using a book as a pillow.
Luna's eyes closed in deep thought. “We understand why you would want this, dear sister, but why did Star-Swirl?"
Celestia looked away releasing her hug and replied. "I still do not quite know. He became more and more frenzied in his studies of time and space as he aged. He cared only for the information we found in those worlds. I believe he wanted a lifespan of our length. But he... he... couldn't make the transition to an alicorn.“
"What happened?" Luna said with a curious glance back at the mirror.
"I fear some memories are better left unsaid, even to you." —Celestia stiffened and squeezed her eyes shut—"To tarnish your memory of him would be a grave injustice."
"If you feel it is best then we won't dig any further, but we must talk on it in the near future." Luna gave her a reassuring smile. It filled Celestia with a warmth she had longed for during Luna's banishment. “We shall make you do a... oh, what did they call it, ah yes! A Pinkie Promise."
Celestia groaned and stared at her sister before relenting with a giggle. Luna always knew what to say to lighten Celestia's mood. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." She covered her left eye with her hoof as she said the last part, a snort escaping at the very end.
Keeping her composure in spite of her own antics Luna wondered aloud, "So what did cause this?"
Celestia's horn glowed a bright white as she brought the components of a light spell together. The spell formed using her connection to the sun and simple light bending. As the spell reached its peak, all darkness in the chamber became light. The room looked strange with every shadow banished.
Luna blinked a few times and let her gaze wander through the soft magical light. “The room is brightened but we see nothing new.”
A white hoof made an arc over Celestia’s head, gesturing to the entire area. "That is what’s troubling me. Not only are the rubies and glass missing from this room, but I can't find any evidence of damage beyond the mirror.”
"Honestly, I thought it was a thief at first. How could they get past my wards? Only Discord has breached them with any form of success and even then I knew he had done so. But if thieves had somehow gotten inside, the missing rubies would make sense." Celestia ran her hoof along the warped slag that made up the edge of the mirror, "No thief could have done this. Both the glass and the frame are pure conduits of magic. The frame absorbs spells and the glass to project them using orichalcum. This is the same metal we forged the Alicorn Amulet from, Luna."
Luna's blinked, her mouth struggled to form words, "The same amulet we used to contain the power of Prince Caliginous. He was one of the more powerful alicorns from our history."
"That was long ago and Twilight delivered that amulet to our keeping," Celestia said with a dismissive wave of her hoof. "It is in the same vault where we keep the Elements of Harmony and there it must stay. We will not have another Trixie incident."
"So what do you propose we do?" Luna asked looking back at Celestia.
Celestia returned to the window with a determined look, "We shall find who did this. We cannot protect our kingdom with something that dangerous running free. I just wish I had an ide–"
Celestia's head jerked downward, and she flung open the window, "Luna, we have trouble. I don't think the mirror is holding the spells any longer!" She reared back and leapt out of the window, opening her great wings and banking toward the disturbance.
Luna rushed to the window and followed her sister, "Wait, what did thou see?"
Behind the tower Celestia had flown from was another blob. It shone like a miniature sun as light poured from it making vision beyond it impossible. The various windows and metallic pieces of the tower reflected the light. It stabbed into Luna's teal eyes and they snapped shut.
Luna flew to the ground, staggering against the unseen ground. She attempted to block the light with her hooves to get a better view but to no avail. Her long nights accustomed her to low light. With no other choice, she listened for Celestia's voice.
Celestia had no such trouble and peered inside the magical opening. Her mouth hung slack and her eyes grew to a worrisome size.
******
Twilight backed away from the blob as the creature inside shambled closer. Each slow step making it grow larger in the wavy orb. Pieces of skin flaked off as its hooves hit the ground. As it drew closer Twilight could make out its features. A gruesome sight, the pony’s face was mostly skull with burned skin beginning under its left cheek. The burns extended to the cracked bone below, almost like it had been held over a flame or exposed to strong magic. Bits of sinew and flesh clung to the bone but in such small quantities that the means of locomotion were a mystery.
A snake-shaped suit of metal crashed into the ground behind the zombie, causing the image to shake. The strange suit began to open up, little parts moving and unfastening from the center. Soon the suit was stiff and splayed apart, resembling a broken rib-cage. An entity made up of many different species stepped out of the device.
Twilight's leveled a glowering look as she realized who she was looking at, "Discord! I should have known!"
Discord appeared to mouth something to her, no doubt an insult, and brought his right arm up. Expert clawed digits began pressing on a very fancy looking watch. Twilight could make out the words Pipboy-3000 on the side of it. With a satisfied smile, he tapped his claw on a final button and sped up to dizzying speeds. He pulled out a strange-looking machine and aimed it at the zombie; the action happened fast enough to leave a blur. A bright blue ball streaked out at insane speeds and caught the zombie in the torso. The ball enveloped the zombie and flesh liquefied under the intense heat falling like a revolting sweat. The putrid flesh bubbled off the zombie’s skeleton. Its body collapsed under its own weight, the bones soft as noodles.
Rarity watched the scene unfold in the blob, unable to stop her body from shaking. She backed up until she felt her tail touch Sugarcube Corner. Her head snapped around and she shrieked.
Discord snapped his fingers and appeared in front of Twilight. It was strange, he was missing the earlier equipment he'd been wearing, "Critical hit!" He cried.
Pinkie frowned and lost her normal enthusiasm. "I never get those," she muttered. Her face regained its brightness and she squealed. "It was super, amazing, awesome what you did to that zombie though!"
Twilight looked at Pinkie before shaking her head in disgust. She forced herself to look away from the blob toward Discord, "Is that what you used to... to... liquefy that zombie?" Her face turned green around the edges and her hoof hovered around her mouth.
"Dear Twilight no, the very act was a critical hit," Discord sneered at her. "I used a plasma… you know what? Never mind. You wouldn't understand." Discord gave an irritable sigh. "The things I go through being the Lord of Chaos and all." He stared at Twilight and tapped his foot. "A thank you would be nice though."
Rainbow Dash flew into Discord's face, "A thank you? Give me one good reason we shouldn't turn your sorry flank back into stone. While that place looks mega cool, you scared Rarity and Fluttershy half to death." She pointed at Rarity now slumped against the wall. Fluttershy maintained a defensive position with her hooves covering her head.
Applejack was still staring at the blob, her body a statue. Her outward appearance held neutral against the struggle in her eyes. She wanted to stay with her friends but her family might be in danger.
"I don't even know what you saved us from... or if you saved us at all!" Twilight fumed.
A tiny "Thank you." came from Fluttershy in the back as she looked up from the ground.
A devilish grin appeared on Discord's face and he snapped his fingers. He popped out of existence to appear next to Fluttershy, "At least somepony gets me.” he said. “We are still on for tea next week right? The decorations will be less interactive this time, I promise."
Fluttershy muscles relaxed as she stood. Her gaze held a gleam of happiness, "Of course Discord. I wouldn't miss it for the world," she said in her quiet but enthusiastic voice.
Twilight facehoofed and let out an "Urgggg!" turning toward the pair, "Discord do you have any idea what is going on right now?"
Discord chuckled, "My dear, dear Twilight... you accused me of being responsible and now you want to know what is causing this? I am feeling a bit saddened by your lack of trust." Discord turned his head down, the sound of a violin playing sad music drifted through the air. His clawed hand yanked down on a chain attached to a tall bar lamp and turned it on. The entire area, except where he was standing and the light from the bar lamp, seemed to dim. He looked back at her with comically large, sad eyes. He held out his lower lip, and it quivered.
This elicited another "Urggg!" from Twilight.
"Fine, fine, I'm sorry Discord. Thank you for saving us from certain doom," Twilight said, sarcasm dripping from her voice. "What I meant to say is, are you responsible for this and if not, do you know what is?"
In an instant, everything around Discord went back to normal. He snapped upward with a smile, "Now Twilight! That is how you ask a ‘friend’." His smile widened into its typical sly self. He tapped his claw against his chin and shrugged. "I'm afraid I have nothing to do with this, despite what fun it has provided me. I do not know what is causing it. What I can tell you is that what you can see is an alternate dimension of sorts. In the world you saw, something rather devastating happened. It is a wasteland full of zombies and monsters. Many adventures to be had there, though I wouldn't recommend it." Discord winked towards Pinkie Pie.
"They always proposed that it was possible... I was positive Canterlot High was the only one...." Twilight trailed off, her eyes closing while in deep thought.
Rainbow Dash stuck her hoof in Discord’s face. "This doesn't mean you are off the hook,” she growled. “I know you have something to do with this. I have my eyes on you."
Discord's hysterical laugh echoed off of Sugarcube Corner. "Classic Rainbow Dash, always out to get big, bad Discord." He stuck his thumb in his mouth and blew, turning into a bowling pin shaped inflatable. As he grew, his arms detached forming hovering boxing gloves. He delivered a hit to himself. Despite the severity of the blow he returned to an upright state. "Well, I can take whatever you can dish out." The gloves whisked across the sky shrinking and latching onto Rainbow Dash's hooves.
Twilight jerked her head up looking at the inflated Discord. "This is serious, Discord,” she snapped. “Beyond all the theories that have just been proven, we don't know how dangerous this is. We have to go to Celestia at once."
A small plastic knob under Discord popped open and air erupted with a shrill whistle, returning him to his normal form. "Ok... ok... spoilsport. Although, I think Celestia will have her hands full very shortly." He gave a knowing grin at Twilight and put his claws together.
******
Everything was on fire.
The trees were charcoal, the rocks red and soft, the area void of wildlife, and even the ground was burning embers. The sky was aflame, the blue replaced with a haze of reds and oranges wavering in the intense heat. A long crater was once a beautiful lake, the water replaced by magma that hissed and bubbled. A giant sun shone in the distance, far larger than it should be. Multi-colored auroras sparked across the sky as the atmosphere was being stripped away.
Celestia's head jerked around looking at the anomaly from all angles. She knew the sun was her domain and she could save this world. "We have to put a stop to this immediately," she said to herself and flew right into the blob only to pass through it. She turned around and flew into it again, letting out a frustrated grunt.
"Sister, calm down!" Luna said, still covering her eyes with a futile effort. "What is going on in there that is causing you such pain?"
Celestia calmed down a bit, her face becoming very grim. "There is nothing but fire inside... the sun is far too close, Luna! I must move it back." Tears brimmed, threatening to escape. In her heart she knew nothing survived on that desolate place. But she still felt the need to save it.
A flash of movement caught her attention, and she gasped as a living pony came into view. A solid white alicorn covered in armor flying above the inferno as if it were a summer day. She became larger as she got closer to the blob and Celestia's stare followed her.
She could not see who this alicorn was. Her helmet extended down the bridge of her nose in a solid orange and gold color. A solid neck guard with Celestia's sigil emblazoned on it extended to her wings, covering the tops and splitting near the end. Beautiful engravings flowed down the entire piece. Dangerous looking greaves in the shapes of flames covered her hooves. An orange alicorn mane like Celestia's blended with the surrounding flames. A gleeful smile adorned her lips but the most remarkable feature was her eyes. They were bronze on gold and slitted like a predator, darting from side to side as she flew by.
Celestia watched as the alicorn traced the landscape with her gaze. Closer and closer she got until those burning orbs met hers. The alicorn mouthed something before using her mighty wings to get closer.
******
Daybreaker was enjoying the forever sunlit world she had created. She flew high over the land feeling the heat her sun provided, cleansing Equestria. A small patch floating above the ground caught her eye because it was not burning.
"Who dares defy my law of cleansing. Show yourself or I will devour you with my flames!" Daybreaker hissed, her face contorting in fury.
No response came from the area so she banked left and began to bear down on its location. She would correct the mistake of ignoring her warning.
As she neared she noticed something strange. There was a solid white alicorn looking at her through a strange spacial disturbance. She smiled, showing off her sharp fangs.
Excited thoughts flew into her mind, A rival! What fortune! Infinite day was all she cared for. But to fight for it once more... against an alicorn no less!
She came to a stop in front of the blob, her wings pumping as she hovered. She enhanced the display with a pose of royalty. "Who are you that trespasses in my lands? I claim this world in the name of the sun and its fire! Only those able to withstand its wrath are worthy to be here."
The white alicorn didn't appear threatened. She didn't appear to hear her at all.
With a shriek, she stepped around the anomaly, while covering herself in flames. The flames rose the angrier she got, dancing in large gouts. The other alicorn's face betrayed shock. That’s better, she thought, she should be afraid.
******
Celestia couldn't believe what she was seeing. Her cutie mark on the flank of that menacing alicorn. The pieces began falling together. Her cutie mark, fangs, armor, the eyes, it was all so familiar. "No, that is not me. I... I would never. Luna succumbed to the Nightmare, not me!"
Celestia's sudden lack of composure brought a sense of urgency to Luna. "What did you say about the Nightmare?" She called as she dared to look at the blob, the pain was intense but she gained a glimpse of the armored alicorn.
Celestia flapped her wings and rose into the tower with a cry. She’d taken this path once before with Luna, she could not handle it again. The image burned into her mind and consumed all rational thought.
******
"Oh no, you won't flee from me!" Daybreaker roared, her rage forming a pillar of fire. She began to channel the sun into her horn, layers of a spell only known to her forming. An intricate spell matrix formed in her mind. It was ironic, this spell was once used to put out fires; she filled it with the power of her celestial body.
The spell went off, firing a blast of mercury-like substance towards the blob. As it traveled, it caused violent explosions from the super-heated air. Splatters hit the anomaly, coating it until it glowed orange from the reflected surroundings. With a slurp, the liquid was absorbed into the spatial disturbance and it shrunk down to the size of a grape. Daybreaker pouted, lamenting the weakness of the alicorn for succumbing to her spell.
Sizzles and pops echoed from within the tiny orb. Something was wrong. The anomaly started to swell with a loud churning noise. As it grew so did the vision it provided. She saw the alicorn she thought she had incinerated flying up into a tower. On her flank was Daybreaker's own cutie mark.
"What is this madness? There is only one Daybreaker!" She screeched at the insolent alicorn.
Unable to contain her fury, she charged at the blob. Her determination to destroy this impersonation of herself blinded her to the danger. She collided with it, now solid and hard. Her thoughts raced as her mind registered a strange sensation. She screamed and jerked away from the anomaly as she realized it had burned her.
The hardening ball went dark, and the edges expanded, bringing it to a size larger than a boulder. The world inside blinked out, replaced by a roiling metallic magic. The last thing Daybreaker saw was the massive orb pulse waves of pure silver, shedding layer after layer before shrinking into nothingness. Sheets of the magical substance rained over her and at first, her natural resistance saved her. However, the spell was now many times stronger than anything she could conjure or endure. Her world turned from flames to agony; heat of which even she couldn't withstand seared into her. The sound of sizzling drowned out her screams. She thrashed as her armor began to melt and drip off her, each droplet etching it’s path along her body. As the heat intensified, her mane burned away, followed by much of her skin. Hellish temperatures continued to rise until they reduced the rest of her to nothing. Her entire world was ashes, but her body wouldn't be joining them.
******
Luna dared to look at the blob a final time, seeing it grow and turn dark. She opened her wings to flee, but the magical opening shrank into nothingness and disappeared.
Startled, Luna turned towards the window Celestia had dove through. "Sister! Let me help you!" Extending her midnight wings and giving a mighty flap, she bolted after her.
******
Twilight and her friends arrived at the castle. They saw Celestia streak into one of Canterlot Castle's towers.
"Hey look!" Rainbow Dash shouted, pointing into the air. "Luna is still up there with another one of those... things."
Twilight corrected her saying, "Those are anomalies, Rainbow Dash. Breaks in space and time. If Discord was telling the truth, we are viewing other versions of Equestria. Star-Swirl's book suggested it was possible."
"That's fine, egghead, but we don't have time to talk about it! We've gotta save Luna." Rainbow Dash sped off towards Luna, her speed leaving a trail of rainbow.
The anomaly was bright and Twilight couldn't make out anything inside. She noticed it was growing, darkening as it did so. With a pulse of white, it shrank down and disappeared into nothingness.
The tower drew her attention before she had any time to dwell on the strange occurrence. She saw Luna fly through one of the castle windows with Rainbow Dash gaining speed behind her.
"We have to get to the castle, girls," Twilight said, galloping ahead.
The sounds of pounding hooves followed her.
******
Celestia wings beat from her desperation, propelling her through the maze that was Canterlot Castle. Her room would bring her solace to deal with her thoughts.
"Sister! Wait!" Luna pumped her wings to keep up with Celestia, hearing a door slam and arriving at Celestia's room.
Celestia heard Luna's voice through the door, “We do not know what you have seen, but we refuse to let you face it alone! The Nightmare only truly has power then!”
Celestia stifled a sob, composing herself before opening the door. She stood before Luna, her eyes puffy and cheeks stained with tears, "You are right, Luna. I just... I can't believe I would do that to my little ponies."
Luna sighed and lowering her head to the ground. “We know not what you saw. The light inside the sphere was far too bright for us to see inside." She looked up and held Celestia's gaze. "When the light had faded enough to see, we only saw something resembling an alicorn. The sphere began to grow larger. We prepared to flee but it shrank into nothingness and disappeared."
"It was me... I was there... but not, I mean I was you... not you but Nightmare Moon!" Tears fell onto Celestia's cheek and her voice choked. "Everywhere was fire and death. I could find no signs of my little ponies but I knew they should be there. The sun was too close Luna, far too close... it was turning everything to ash." She collapsed where she was standing burying her head in her hooves.
"No one bears the curse of the Nightmare but me, Sister. What you saw cannot be and never will be! You care about your ponies far too much to let the Nightmare ever win the fight." Luna lay a comforting hoof on Celestia's head.
Celestia sniffed, her legs shaking as she stood back up. She raised her hoof and wiped the tears away. Her gaze hovered back toward Luna with a different sadness, "I am afraid you are wrong, Luna. With the mirror shattered that was very real. It was only a glimpse into a possibility. We saw many such things on our adventures, Star-Swirl and I." Her eyes lost focus and she stared blankly at the wall. "Some lands were as grand as ours, others history consumed with a single change. We did our best to block access to the worlds that posed a threat. Despite that, I have seen other versions of myself and some still haunt me even after hundreds of years." Her face darkened. "But that is the worst I have seen, Sister. Whatever happened caused me to burn our world to nothing."
A large crack echoed throughout the room as the door behind them splintered apart. Rainbow Dash tumbled through sending chunks of wood everywhere. "I'm here to save you, Princess!” she declared, her eyeballs dancing around in her head from the blow. “Just as soon as I can figure out which one of you is real." She shook her head, the multiple images of the princesses remaining.
Both Luna and Celestia began laughing. "I am safe,” Princess Celestia declared before continuing between giggles, “We both are. Thank you, Rainbow Dash. Twilight's friends are gifted at saving me from all manner of problems." Celestia walked past the broken door and searched the hallway. "Where is Twilight Sparkle? I assume you would not be here without her."
Rainbow Dash's features scrunched up in confusion. Staggering to her hooves and stumbling back and forth she said, "I... sort of ran off ahead of her when I thought you were in danger." She gave an embarrassed grin and looked away.
Not long after Twilight and her remaining friends came galloping down the hallway.
"Princess Celestia, are you okay? We are here to help!" Twilight said as her breath came in heavy gasps.
Discord trailed behind them, a bag of popcorn in his hand, "Hey, don't start without me. I want good seats!" He said, as he snapped his fingers and disappeared.
"I am fine, Twilight Sparkle. Rainbow Dash was quite successful at defending me from my bedroom door." Both sisters couldn't help but laugh again.
"Huh?" Twilight looked down at the broken door, then up at Rainbow Dash. "Why did you break her door, Rainbow Dash?”
"I was just trying to get to whatever was attacking the Princess. The door was in the way!" Rainbow Dash said falling back onto the bed.
"Nothing was attacking us, Rainbow Dash. We were dealing with a sphere that gave vision into another world," Luna explained.
"Anomaly," Twilight corrected. "It is an anomaly in space and time. We were coming here to warn you about it. A different one has appeared in Ponyville." Twilight looked up at Celestia and grimaced, "I understand your reaction. We saw zombies and a ruined world in our anomaly."
A pair of dragon eyes appeared in the bed curtain above Rainbow Dash. "You left out the best part, where I saved you from certain doom." Discord’s body took a snake-like form, slithering down the purple curtains. "I do hope you aren't trying to sssteal the spotlight from me, Princess Twilight." He produced a spotlight in his hands and handcuffed it to himself.
"You know as well as I do, Discord, that nothing can interact from beyond the anomalies. An appropriate name for them Twilight, thank you." Celestia's face hardened. "This grace shall not last forever if we cannot stop the cause. Not only will more of these anomalies occur but they will become more and more real. If not stopped, they will completely mimic the spell they were created from."
"Do ya' know what’s causin' em to appear Princess Celestia?" Applejack went to stand near Twilight. "It was all fun when we were scarin' Rainbow but those were real zombies. Ah don't know what ma family would do if they came through. The vampire bats were bad enough." Applejack glanced over at Fluttershy before returning her gaze on Celestia. "Ah'm afraid for ma family. If one of these here... things were to appear on Sweet Apple Acres." Her voice trailed off.
"Yes, I am well aware of the cause. As I told Discord, they can't hurt your family yet. Twilight you remember the mirror you used after Sunset Shimmer stole your crown?" Celestia asked.
"I do, princess." Twilight shuffled her hooves, putting more of her weight on her haunches. Her body still remembered the experience of being human. "Did something bad happen over there?"
Discord teleported next to Twilight. "Oh, somewhere I haven't heard of. Why have I never heard you talk about this other place? Is it perhaps a secret that I'm not supposed to know about?" Discord was immediately wearing a black suit with black shades. A small silver device with red rectangular glass appeared in his hands. "Now just look at the red light and you won't either." He fumbled with the small device before sighing. "I can never get this thing to work right." Discord took off his glasses and inspected the device. "Ah! Here we go!" A bright flash of red-covered Discord's face as his claw hit the tiny button. "What were we talking about again?"
Celestia coughed politely, glaring at Discord. "No, I don't think anything has happened. Yet, something caused severe damage to the mirror last night. I am sure that this damage is what is causing these anomalies to appear. Discord, I must ask if you know something about this.
Discord shook his head causing a series of small, unpowered light bulbs to fall out. "No idea, dear princess. Twilight had the same conclusion of course." A tiny discord appeared before Twilight, sticking his tongue out and disappearing. "These things are cause for alarm for me too, ya know. We Discords have a rule of not interfering with each other. Fights between us can be quite chaotic." Discord continued as Celestia was about to speak, "Yes, other universes are known to me. I know of other Discords as well. There have been problems in the past and you can call it a territorial dispute, so to speak."
Celestia found his words alarming but one problem at a time. She said, "You should inspect the mirror Twilight, find anything my sister and I may have missed. If we cannot figure out something soon, we will have to begin planning on how to repair the mirror. I can think of no other way to stop the anomalies from getting worse."
Stepping around the bits of splintered wood spread around the room Celestia approached Discord. Her muzzle was inches from his ear as she whispered, "You can't keep hiding secrets from us, Discord. One day they will catch up with you too." Business and pleasure accomplished, she beckoned to Luna with a pearlescent wing. They started to make their way toward the room with the mirror.
"You can count on us, Princess Celestia!" Twilight beamed, following her mentor through the destroyed doorway.
******
Far to the north, in lands past the Crystal Empire, a lone pony sat in a tower on a mountain. This mountain was a part of a chain that ran east and west for as far as the eye could see. No pony of today had explored that far without freezing to death. This tower was made long ago by ponies seeking to create an outpost in the far reaches of explored Equestria. They nestled it into the side of the jagged mountain like a crooked tooth to better defend against the Yaks. Times were not always so peaceful and the tower would be an early warning should a war ever come from the north. The ponies had hoof carved each brick from white marble like Canterlot Castle. The white coloring acted as camouflage for the tower in the harsh blizzards that blew year round. At the base were a series of statues in the likeness of the founders of the tower. They formed a circle upon Celestia's sun sigil, ever watchful. All was white except for a soft, red glow coming from one of the tower's windows.
The room was not large, but covered end to end in bookcases full of decaying tomes and journals. The air smelled of dust and the oils used to preserve the paper. It was eerily quiet except for the howls of frost beating against the outside tower. In the center was a stand and table carved from whisperwood, a black tree only found in the depths of the Everfree forest. Glistening in the dim light was one of the stolen rubies. Next to it, a large book sat open upon a metal support. Old leather wrapping cradled the yellow, worn pages of the book. Imprinted upon the binding was a faded title: Star-Swirl's Journal of Translocation Experimentation.
The pony flipped through the pages with his magic.
"Ah, yes..." He hissed when he found the page. "I had forgotten exactly where I put this, but now that I have it I can begin to break the seals you so carefully put on here. It was foolish of you to lock the mirror to a single world." His grin only grew as he began to read, old memories coming back. "It has been so long, but the formula matches what I remember. Let's see if it works."
He raised his horn towards the ruby and began adding the matrices from the book to his spell. The first provided a draw from his own magic to power the spell. The second a series of shapes and symbols to affix onto the gem. Each symbol and shape counteracted one of the locks Celestia had placed. He cycled through several combinations from memory.
Slamming his hoof into the floor, he sent a spiderweb of cracks through the stone, "Crafty alicorn. She probably thinks this seal is beyond any living pony to unlock. After all, she had helped to make it, but that is exactly why I can do this.” He said with a grunt as he got the combination right, a surge of magical energy shooting from his horn into the ruby.
The ruby glowed red and cascaded through blue and then yellow. As he poured more magical energy into the spell, the colors melded together. A kaleidoscope of color splayed on the wall as it erupted from the ruby. The ruby split, chunks falling off in the shape of the encoded symbols overlayed in its facets. From those fissures erupted a grinding noise so loud the walls shook. Snow fell from the tower, disturbed after settling there for all those years. The sound reached a deafening crescendo causing what remained of the ruby's shell fell away.
Sweat dripped from his mane despite the cold and the pony fell to his knees. With great effort, his magic brought the orb to rest with the care of a new mother. The orb was beautiful. It was absolute perfection. Whiter than any snow and unnaturally translucent, the orb sat in front of Star-Swirl's face.
"I've restored one of the gateway stones!” he intoned triumphantly. “Let’s give it a test shall we? Something easy, perhaps scrying... yes." He licked his lips as he hauled himself back up bones popping from age. His dull eyes sparked to life with excitement.
He thought of the room in Canterlot Castle that stored the mirror. Another thought created a link between himself and the stone. Reacting to his magic, the stone lost its white luster and projected the location. He willed the image larger until he was satisfied with its clarity. As he peered at the image, he recognized Celestia and Luna, but who were these other ponies?
He chose the purple alicorn first, curiosity at such a creature getting the better of him. He willed the image closer and his eyes widened, "The six-pointed star of magic is her cutie mark and she is an alicorn. How could I not know of her? I know of all the alicorns that have existed in the past 2000 years. With that cutie mark, she must be the alicorn of magic." He shrugged as he trailed off, his demeanor relaxing. "Perhaps 700 years ago that would have been a problem. But things have changed."
He threw off his cloak and stretched the decrepit wings he had used to fly to the tower. One of the tattered wings clipped his hat, sending a tinkling noise throughout the abandoned tower. He looked down at the cracks he had made in the floor during his frustration. He had never been able to master his earth pony strength. A chuckle reverberated into the room and the old pony opened himself to his domain. Time magic flowed through him erasing the wrinkles from his body. The sparse coat that adorned his body grew thick, the grey washed out as the magic caressed his body. The darker wings, aged and brittle, became full and powerful. They changed to the same alabaster as his body. The feathers, layered upon one so perfectly they stood apart as individuals no more, resembled the snow sheets outside.
Once a creature of a greying coat and mane, he was now a splendor of white, with only Celestia to rival its purity. His voice changed, the feeble and shaky speech replaced with confidence, a commanding tone that belied his youth and power. And from this voice, the tower heard only one thing.
Twilight and the others entered the room containing the broken mirror. Celestia and Luna stood side by side watching the group filter into the room, patiently waiting.
The terrible condition of the mirror drew Twilight’s attention. Memories of Canterlot High slammed into her like Applejack bucking a harvest. Fear enveloped her face as her mouth tugged into a frown. "Everything is so damaged. Why would anyone do this?” Twilight asked. “How am I going to see my friends again?" She ran her hoof over the melted frame and locked her jaw. "We will definitely get to the bottom of this, Princess!"
"If we can repair the mirror, we should be able to adjust it for you to see your friends again, but first I must ask you to inspect the mirror. Perhaps you can see something we did not." Celestia raised her horn and cast the shadow banishing spell once more. The same eerie pseudo-light illuminated every corner.
Twilight trotted around the mirror, inspecting it as only she could. Several “Hmms” later she shook her head in defeat. "I really wish I’d read up on rare metals before we came. Do any of you see anything?” She asked, looking over to her friends.
Rainbow Dash flew up to the mirror and looked at the warped image of herself in the remaining shard. "Everything else seems to be broken or missing. Why is this piece still here?"
"That's a good point Rainbow Dash," Twilight said, as she began inspecting the remaining shard. A soft purple glow enveloped the shard and spread into the rest of the mirror. "I can't feel any magic at all. It's as if this was just an ordinary mirror. I'm sure you've cast the same spell already, Princess Celestia." As she was speaking the purple glow faded into the mirror and fired out of the shard enveloping Rainbow Dash.
"Hey, that tickles!" Rainbow Dash said in-between laughing and wriggling.
Twilight gasped. "W-what the... what just happened. It ate my magic, and now I seem to know that Rainbow Dash possesses pegasus magic." She brought her hoof to her face. "Which is obvious!"
Celestia sighed and walked around the mirror. "Both of us agreed that the mirror is just orichalcum and dragon glass now. The mirror's orichalcum is still capable of absorbing magic and channeling it into the glass. That is how you were able to use the mirror.”
“Those rubies fed the orichalcum so the mirror always projected the same spell. The rest of the dragon glass is missing and those same rubies are no longer here." Celestia motioned her hoof to the dull sockets that surrounded the frame. “Even without the rubies, a spell could be fed into the orichalcum and the glass would strengthen it considerably, before ejecting it. Be very careful what magic you use to inspect the mirror, Twilight. Even without the extensive damage any magic expelled will no longer be under your control."
"Maybe you got some thieves on your hands. I'm bettin' those rubies are worth a lot. Might even be a dragon; I know Spike likes to eat 'em." Applejack looked towards Twilight and continued, "We could always ask Spi-"
"There is no need to ask Spike, Applejack." Celestia interrupted, "Neither thieves nor dragons could get into this room without me knowing. The ability to break this glass is beyond them; I even enchanted the rubies against theft. Twilight would probably fail if I had asked her to bring them to me." Celestia opened her mouth to say more, but stopped, snapping it shut.
Twilight took this chance to ask more questions. "Why would the rubies be hard for me to remove? I'm sure there is a book, even records, on how they were enchanted."
A nearly unreadable expression flashed across Celestia's face as her gaze slid from the mirror back to Twilight. "No, they were... lost after the destruction of the Castle of Two Sisters. They are powerful, in the wrong hooves they could be dangerous."
Applejack watched Celestia, an awful feeling washing over her. The last time she felt it, Flim and Flam had tried to pass off their miracle tonic as real. She wasn't sure why the Princess would give off this feeling now.
Celestia noticed Applejack's stare and took a step back. Again, she lost her composure for only a moment before looking over to Luna. "We kept most of our dangerous books locked away beneath the Castle of the Two Sisters, right Luna?
"We believe so, there are also hidden rooms containing the most dangerous of books," Luna explained, her face deep in thought.
Rarity maneuvered forward with grace bringing attention to what she said, "I believe you are correct, darling, I've used one of them. A dreadful thing that Spike brought me when I was having difficulty creating. He said he had gotten it from that Castle. It turned my vision into obsession. I believed my ideal of Ponyville was better and the book made it true. Sorry about that, Twilight, I know you had to fix it all." She gave Twilight an apologetic smile and proceeded to stare at the ground..
"Actually, Luna and Cadence had to help clean up that dark magic." Twilight corrected, "There was so much, I couldn't do it on my own."
The feeling nagging Applejack was fading. Celestia had certainly never given reason to distrust her in the past. Overthinking it wasn’t going to help anyone so she let the matter drop. Besides, there was a more important matter she should focus on. "S'pose it wouldn't be thievery then. D'ya have any idea who might've done it? Ah know Discord says he is innocent, but Ah've heard that before. He speaks real weird like, and it's hard to tell when he’s lyin'."
Discord walked from behind the mirror as if he'd been there the whole time. "Words hurt, Applejack." He peered at himself in the remaining shard and made faces. His reflection continued making faces as he walked over to Celestia, wrapping his arm around her neck as if they were friends. "Dear Celestia here, she keeps tabs on me. She can tell whenever I do any magic in Canterlot. Fluttershy may have reformed me, but one can never be too careful I ysuppose."
He snapped his fingers and appeared next to Luna, both of them now wearing a shirt that said "Reformed Rulers". His voice getting low he said, "I'm sorry Celestia, you simply can't join this club, it is a bond your sister and I share, that you cannot. But onto more important matters." He snapped his fingers again and teleported into the middle of the room, shirtless. "You haven't detected any chaos magic, now have you?"
Celestia's eyes closed and her brow furrowed in irritation, her patience with Discord running low. She turned towards Applejack. "Discord did not damage this mirror. I have neither detected his magic nor seen him ever do anything so precise. However, I may forget that if he does not stop. We have no time for games, the anomalies will get worse the longer we take to correct this. I didn't want to do this, but I can track the rubies. Whoever took them is strong enough in magic to detect when I do this. It will make them that much harder to find."
"First, I have a question, Princess Celestia. How do we know the anomalies will continue to get worse? I was reading Star-Swirl's book The Fundamentals of Time and Space: A Guide to Anomalies and Paradoxes and it only mentioned the dangers of casting spells into the anomalies." Twilight asked, her head tilted to the side.
Celestia's couldn't hide her defeat. "Twilight, Star-Swirl created this mirror by himself. I helped him make it. It took us many years to create the spell that the mirror functions on. Even with my alicorn abilities and Star-Swirl's unprecedented magical power, we still had to create the rubies that powered it. It is very easy to go through that mirror, Twilight. Coming back, to the correct world, requires maintaining a link or finding another mirror." Celestia waved her hoof over the sockets and continued. "The rubies maintain the link required to return. If the rubies disappeared from this world, the mirror would simply cease functioning. The anomalies tell us that the rubies remain and still power this mirror. In its current state, the mirror malfunctions and tears holes in our world. I do not question if they are a fool, or want to bring ruin to us all, but those anomalies will become gates."
Pinkie was the first to speak. "Soooo, all we have to do is find the rubies to fix this, right?" She turned back to her friends, her face full of cheer. "We’ve beaten Nightmare Moon, Discord, and even Sombra. This should be a piece of cake. Speaking of cake, I'll throw a "The world is not ending today" party afterward, to celebrate!" She leaped into the air, party cannon now under her, and yanked on the rope at the end. An explosion of confetti filled the room.
Twilight grinned at Pinkie, shaking the confetti out of her mane. "She's right girls! We can handle whoever is causing this. Princess Celestia, cast that tracking spell!"
The rest of the Mane Six nodded and murmured in agreement. They turned and looked towards Celestia.
“We have to be prepared first.” Celestia motioned to Discord. "You have my permission to bring the Elements of Harmony to us. Do so quickly, I wanted more time before trying this, but our lack of information has left no other course."
"How did you know I could still get them? They are the only way to stop me." Discord's face jumbled up, the eye on his jaw and ear blinking in rapid succession.
"Fluttershy took a vow never to use them against you," Celestia glanced over to Fluttershy before continuing, "so they are useless against you now. I have put my hoof out in trust of you, perhaps one day you will do the same for me. Now go! We cannot afford to lose more time."
Discord snapped his fingers disappearing, instantly reappearing with a golden chest, various gems embedded into it. "I'm touched really, your kindness knows no bounds." He snapped again, and the box appeared in front of Twilight, his other arm making gagging motions near his mouth. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to go enjoy the anomalies before you fix them." A third snap of his fingers and only an outline remained, playful laughter fading away before it popped.
Celestia's eyes narrowed in displeasure at the wanton mischief maker's early departure, then steeled herself for what was to come. "Now! Luna, be on guard, whoever did this will be aware of our presence during the spell. I will have to maintain focus while finding the ruby."
She lowered her head, legs locked and back arched. A radiating green filled her eyes, trails of black smoke-like magic leaked from her eyes. The magic enveloped her horn and black sparks danced on the tip. She drew upon the dark alicorn magic and brought the matrix that locked the gatestones into her mind's eye. The symbols for the combination taking their place inside the matrix, she fed dark magic into it. The spell complete, a black line of energy streaked out the window to the north.
Celestia's eyes widened and her legs buckled. The lapse in concentration broke the spell, forcing the dark magic back into her horn and flinging her into the wall.
She shook her head and stumbled to her feet, seeming unaffected by the backlash. Clarity hit her with the intensity of a ton of bricks and she ran to the window, eyes darting around wildly.
******
The solid white alicorn knew the tracking spell was coming for the gatestone. He made no effort to stop it, continuing to scry on the group. He was feeling far too good from being young again to care that Celestia was about to discover him.
Energy flowed into every bone and muscle invigorating them to the peak of youth. He felt unstoppable. His face had filled out removing the wrinkles, golden irises alert and clear. Strangely enough, his beard had been shorter when he was old, the age reversal had it trailing the ground once again. The cut in his left ear, left so long ago by a near miss with a dragon, melted back into his skin to be replaced with his fine coat. He still wore the "perfect" hat that he had found on a homeless pony. He had compensated the poor fellow and added bells to the "hattiest hat to ever hat". He'd kept the blue robe, at first, but his wings were simply too large to allow a comfortable fit.
The dark magic raced through the window, striking the gatestone. It pulsed softly, outlining the room in an eerie photo-negative. As quickly as it started the magic faded and the Celestia in the image flew across the room. The alicorn couldn’t contain his grin at the spectacle.
"Hello, old friend," He said to himself, the smile fading and his eyes becoming hard. "We have much to discuss, or rather I do. I couldn’t care less what you have to say now. Many of you had words to say, I listened at first. Of course, the ascension experiments in those worlds failed. It took so many tries before I realized I had to come home to get what I needed."
He looked back to the scrying image and violently shook his head back and forth. Sighing he said, "Honestly, despite all those worlds I still find myself the target of my own conversation." He shrugged before trotting closer to the image. "You are expecting me now, let's see what you do."
Best not to rush off, she may yet take the bait. Perhaps the purple alicorn will reveal a few of her secrets as well, He thought, staring intently at the scrying image.
******
Worry etched into her face, Twilight watched Celestia looking around wildly in the window. With the practice of a spell well used, she concentrated for a moment and teleported next to her. Celestia's horn was showering sparks and enough magic that Twilight felt it.
Twilight scanned the skies, seeing nothing, and brought her own magic into her horn. She let the magic glide through the window and expand in all directions. Her mind filled with the locations of everything inside her magic's radius. She found nothing but the guards and various dignitaries staying at Canterlot Castle, nothing out of the ordinary.
"Princess, what is going on? Why are you acting like this?" Twilight inquired her mentor.
Celestia jumped, grazing the window with her horn, a deep gash of molten rock left behind. "He is here, Twilight! Oh, he is here. He shouldn't even be alive." Recognition flashed in her eyes and she turned galloping for the mirror. "All of you come to the mirror, immediately. That tracking spell should have had eleven tracers, did you all only see one?" Celestia asked, urgency filling her voice.
Twilight and her friends replied, "Yes, Princess." "Jus' one." "A single thread, dear." "Maybe?" "Can you show me how to make that color?" "My eyes were closed, sorry."
"Sister, are we in danger? We are still watching for those that would do us harm, it is still only us," Luna's voice quivered, eyes hinting excitement at the potential battle.
"Luna, we are anything but safe right now." Celestia took another quick glance around the room. "If anything, even those you recognize, enter this room, I need no hesitation. Use as much force as you feel necessary."
Luna's mouth snaked into a devilish grin. Fires of battle-lust danced in those blue orbs as her horn glistened with the soft black of a night sky, spell ready. "So it shall be, Sister. We stand at the ready to make all trespassers pay dearly."
"The spell should have found all eleven rubies. It only found one, and with it, a danger far greater than anything we have faced." Urgency filled Celestia's voice and her face was impassive, only her eyes showing the distress she fought beneath. "Twilight! I must ask you to do something in my stead. It will take all of you. I must stay behind and protect Equestria in the time you are gone.
Twilight's eyes widened, her face a mix between giddiness and fear. "Anything, Princess. But where are we going? And why can't you go with us?"
Celestia closed her eyes, her muscles went rigid as if bracing for impact, "It pains me to say this, but you must go through the mirror in its current condition. Not only that, but you must do so immediately." Celestia's eyes opened and burned into Twilight's. "I know who has taken the rubies, and I have a good measure of why he might be here." Celestia softened her gaze and vision belaying her trust. "Please ask nothing further, my most faithful student. This knowledge would only distract you from getting back to us quickly. I will take care of my little ponies here."
Twilight hesitated, opening her mouth to speak several times before saying, "I understand, what do we need to do?"
"The Elements will keep you together, you must find the missing rubies and bring them back to this world. I will do what I can to retrieve the eleventh one. I could only feel the other ten tracers. They ended at the mirror. I am sorry, such information will serve you little but I have faith."
Celestia turned away for a moment then continued. "I will link my tracking spell to each of you as I cast the spell to open the gate. It will ensure correct transportation to locations containing the rubies." Celestia ran her hoof over the remaining glass shard in the mirror. "These mirrors have counterparts in every world I've visited, I have no doubt other worlds do as well. When you have found the rubies, the tracking spell will expire. The transportation spell will cause the next mirror you visit afterward to bring you home.”
"How long you reckon' we'll be gone? Ma' family can handle the apple buckin’, but who is going to protect them from all this?" Applejack asked, concern heavy in her voice.
Celestia nodded her head at Applejack. "I plan to station the royal guard throughout Ponyville, including Sweet Apple Acres. If the anomalies get worse evacuation will be the only option. Your family will be well cared for, Applejack."
“Ah s’pose Ah can’t ask more than that from ya.” Applejack conceded. “We’ll just hav’ to hurry and get back.”
Celestia motioned to the mirror a final time. "I can’t predict what places you will visit or what dangers await you. Please stay together, your friendship has overcome each problem Equestria has faced. I have no doubts you will overcome this as well." Her eyes filled with green energy, and the edges of her eyes bled dark magic. "First the tracking spell!" Celestia cried, her horn crackling with black energy.
The energy raced from her horn into each of the Mane Six. They lifted off the ground and spun, colors inverting to negative before a bright flash and the energy dissipated. They looked over themselves, unchanged.
"It is done, now you must gather near the mirror." Celestia backed away from the mirror, her breathing heavy.
The Mane Six worked their way to the mirror and looked toward Celestia. Each one brought their hoof up to their respective element before nodding their head at her. The group was a bundle of emotions, excitement, terror, curiosity, indifference. The only thing they shared was the uncertainty of what they would face.
Before any of them could say anything, Celestia's said, "I say this again, trust in yourselves and each other. The fate of Equestria rests with you."
Blinding light enveloped her horn, face contorted in concentration. This was a spell she had not cast in a long time. She brought the spell to bear against the tracking spell, intertwining the magics as best she could. Six white threads attached themselves to the Mane Six and her horn fired on the frame of the mirror. The metal glowed the same color as her magic before the light faded. A bright light shone through the shard and each thread appeared to stitch into it. The threads went taut and in the sockets of the mirror glowed a golden color. A horrible wrenching sound shook the mirror. Dazzling, golden blades resembling hands on a clock, burst from the sockets, thrashing into being. The magic blades swept down cutting the threads, replacing them with a new blazing line of gold connected to the Mane Six. Like a fisherman reeling in a fresh catch the lines retracted and pulled on their new prey.
Twilight immediately knew something was wrong. Her mind jumped into action and she analyzed the magic being used. She attempted a counterspell but it was drawn from her into the mirror. With no other options, she screamed to Celestia, "What's happening? You have got to stop this!"
Celestia was already moving, Twilight's scream spurring her on. She gathered the energy to stop her spell but only her threads responded. All six ponies struggled, hooves skittering against the floor to slow the insidious cords. Golden light poured from the shard obscuring the Mane Six. Silence followed several distinct crackles, a golden haze drifting downward before melting into air. The Mane Six had vanished.
"Luna, I know this looks bad but stay on guard, I have no doubt he will be here any moment. We will have to trust in them!"
The mirror began to fall apart; the blades slamming into the frame over and over. Chunks of twisted metal flew in every direction. It didn't take long before the blades shimmered out of existence above a heap of useless scrap.
Six distinct sounds should have been heard, but the cacophony of metal being shredded made sure they weren’t. The Elements of Harmony, embedded in the jewelry, had not made the trip.
******
Victorious laughter echoed off the walls. The white alicorn couldn't believe what he had just seen. She had reacted quicker than he anticipated, but the results were just too perfect. With a thought, he had the gatestone wrapped in his magic and he thought about the room that contained the ruined mirror.
A keening pitched through the air as the gatestone tore a hole in space. A simple barrier spell came to mind and with little effort, he cast it. A clear, golden bubble popped into existence around him. With a satisfactory nod, he stepped through the hole. A solid black bolt slammed through the barrier into his chest and staggering him backward. Bells tinkled as he shook himself off and regained his footing. The barrier had taken the brunt of the hit but what got through singed his mane.
"Luna, Luna, Luna, I taught you that spell. I'm glad to see you mastered it!" The white alicorn said, his face twisting into a sadistic grin.
Luna stared at him, her mouth agape. She snapped her head between the alicorn and Celestia unable to form the thought needed to speak.
The air filled with crackling as a burning beam of yellow sped toward the bearded alicorn. A golden light formed in front of him and redirected the blast into the wall, leaving a glowing hole in the super-heated rock.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk,” he chided. "That is new, for you. I have seen it before in other Celestias. Didn't work there either." He swung his head back and forth in disappointment causing his beard to sway. "That is no way to treat an old friend. I'm only here to talk after all." The smile melted into a snarl as another black bolt slammed into his side.
"Luna, you always were persistent. Even after failing to cast nearly as well as your sister here, you'd keep on trying. Just as before, you only fail. Shame Discord decided to be as unreliable as he is in every universe. With him here, you might have a chance." He chuckled, the menace in it not lost on either of them.
"We doth not know what has changed you, Star-Swirl. You were our mentor." Luna looked truly confused. "We will not stand by while you bring such strain to our dear sister."
Star-Swirl's chuckle evolved into a laugh. His entire body shaking as the laughter warped to deranged. The bells on his hat creating a truly disturbing background. "What happened? What happened?" He screamed, his eyes finding Celestia. "She happened, you foal! I was so close to what was mine, so many years of labor. I discovered true ascension and before I could become immortal like that weather-beaten alicorn you worship, she banished me!”
His voice reached a fevered pitch, his stare at Celestia burying each word like a hatchet. “I spent 700 years in that universe, Celestia!”
The silence that followed brought him back to his senses. "Excuse me, those were worse times. Luckily for you, Celestia, I found an alternative way to attain immortality. I doubt you'll enjoy it much, but you made your choice 700 years ago." He said, his breathing calm, posture relaxed.
Luna thought about her memories with Star-Swirl. He had saved her sister from an alternate universe, one Luna had accidentally summoned. He had taught her magic despite her sister's teasing and her difficulty in learning it. What's more, he always had time to listen to her. He never looked down upon her for her different ideals. The texts Luna had read since coming back said he’d simply disappeared. Her mind could not comprehend the Star-Swirl before her.
"Why did you banish him, Sister? I-I thought after me, you wouldn't banish another." Luna's voice cracked as she spat out the last sentence.
The issuance of betrayal made Celestia unable to meet her sister’s eyes. She knew no matter what she said the damage had been done. "Luna, I banished him because he was the largest threat to Equestria we could have ever faced. You know we ventured in other worlds after your banishment. What you don't know is that he began to age. Strong unicorns like Star-Swirl live for a very long time, but it's not forever. He couldn't come to terms with that, so he began researching how to become an alicorn."
Her eyes narrowed, words spoken through gritted teeth. “When our own texts proved insufficient, Star-Swirl went to other universes to obtain that knowledge. Instead of taking the true path like Twilight Sparkle, he instead forced it upon himself through time magic. I can’t fathom how many lives were lost to find that spell; Of the ones I discovered, they number in the thousands, Luna."
Star-Swirl's expression hadn't changed during the conversation. "Actually, it was probably closer to tens of thousands, my most faithful student." His voice took on a mocking tone, a satisfactory grin on his face. "It is your fault really. You knew I was aging and you refused to help me find the key to ascending to alicornhood. I even see we have an alicorn of magic now. Shame both her and Luna haven't gone beyond a lesser alicorn. The domain was mine to take.”
“Did you replace me, dear Celestia?" He sneered at her. "Did you hope to forget what you had done by helping a different unicorn?" As he finished the last statement his eyes lost focus and his face became a mask of rage. "Well, truly it doesn't matter. I have taken the domain of time. It is far more limited than the domain of magic, but I'm making do."
His head jerked as he looked past Luna. "You of all ponies should know what banishment does to you. You were banished to the moon because you dared try to usurp your sister. I was banished to another world because I dared to reach for the same power she possesses."
Celestia could hold her tongue no longer. "You were banished because your obsession destroyed your morals. I could not stand by while you pillaged universes for information, and if resisted, rained death upon them. Your partial ascension extended your life considerably, but still you continued. What other choice did I have?"
Tears welled in Celestia's eyes as she continued. "I looked up to you as a father. Do you have any idea how hard it is to see someone you love turn into a,” she choked on the last word, “monster.”
“You did everything you could to avoid hurting others for the longest time. We got into so much trouble while exploring those universes, but you never raised a hoof against anyone." She fought back a sob, tears now freely falling to the floor. “After your obsession drove you toward madness, I had no choice. I had to lure you into a universe I knew you couldn't easily leave and seal you there. I couldn't even say goodbye because you would have escaped and hurt more ponies."
"If what our sister says is true," Luna said, "then you deserved the banishment the same as us. We understand now what we were doing at the time. The Elements of Harmony cleared our vision of the Nightmare."
She looked at her sister and saw the anguish in her eyes. "We do not know thee anymore Star-Swirl, but we do know thy machinations." Her words gained volume as she regressed to her old Canterlot ways. "We have seen thine magic, we know not what it did to our friends, but we cannot imagine it to be helpful." She narrowed her eyes and snorted. "Your intent is clear even before your arrival. It lends credence to the words of our dear sister. You will not find an ally in us this day." She slammed her hoof into the floor and lowered her horn.
Star-Swirl channeled the golden glow of magic into his horn and erected his barrier once more.
He turned back to Celestia, making a point to ignore Luna. "Rebellious and stupid as her younger years. No wonder you banished her the first chance you got." He winked at Celestia, drawing hatred into her eyes. "Ah, now that’s a look we can work with! Truly, we must get down to business eventually. Catching up is great but unlike Luna, I plan to fully ascend."
His lips curled into a terrifying grin. "For that, I will need your help, Celestia. It won't be a fast process I'm afraid. No, I must first take everything from you as you did from me." His magic lifted up a piece of cooled rock, fallen from the nearby steaming hole. His magic caressed the rock slowly evaporating it into nothingness. "Like that rock, I will erode your family, friends, kingdom..."
He paused, putting his hoof up to his beard. "Oh! And your life into nothingness. That last part is most important. Your essence is the only way to achieve full ascension." He flashed a full grin at her. "I doubt subduing you will be easy, none of you ever were, but we can start right now!"
The hatred in Celestia’s eyes grew and her tears fell no more. Sadness was replaced with anger and the room's temperature was beginning to rise. "I won't give into you, no matter what you do. I will defend my little ponies until my dying breath."
Star-Swirl's amusement was apparent in his voice. "No, no you misunderstand. Your life comes last. I already started with your friends, although that was a happy accident."
"You have done no suc-" Recognition flashed in her eyes. The same color magic as his had produced the blades that had botched the transportation spell. He sabotaged the mirror! "You trapped the mirror! But how did you know about Twilight?" She half asked and explained to herself. "You had to have done it when you came through."
"Always the best from my ‘most faithful student’" His grin grew when she stiffened to her old nickname. "I only had to say it twice before you remembered. The mirror was meant for you. I wanted you to experience the worst possible outcomes in your life before I ended it. Unfortunately, that fate now awaits those six ponies you sent in your stead. I truly hope they weren't 'friends' of yours." A slow sinister laugh gave follow to his statement.
Celestia's looked at the destroyed mirror and her eyes widened, but not to his statement. She already knew that something terrible had happened to Twilight. She had no choice but to trust in her. Among the rubble of the mirror, she had seen the glint of gems. She knew what they were.
Her magic lashed out grabbing hold of the six Elements of Harmony, holding them up before her. "It seems not all went to plan. The Elements were unable to pass to the other universes. We had never tried to take them with us on any journey. They defeated Nightmare Moon, I have no doubts they would work against you too." She began whirling the Elements around her.
"It is as she says, these defeated Nightmare Moon. Together we should be able to use them to stop you." She had picked up on Celestia's bluff. The Elements no longer worked for them, they required the Bearers now.
Star-Swirl looked at the Elements and then at Luna, a ponderous "Hmmm" following. "So that is how you took care of Nightmare Moon? I dare say, I will be able to stay in order!"
"Technically, your friends will be unharmed, for now, but the same cannot be said for Luna." With alarming speed, his horn gathered up the needed magic and his mind recalled the proper matrix. Drawing from his domain, he combined time with a polymorph spell. He had to make it count, similar to the time travel spell he had written long ago his domain could only affect a pony once.
In an instant, the spell was complete. With howling laughter, he fired the distorted beam of golden energy into Luna. At first, nothing happened.
Luna looked down at her golden glowing mane. Her own magic detected nothing wrong, but she was wary. "What have you done to us?” she hissed, “If giving us a glow is your idea of combat, we do believe you have lost."
Suddenly, a strange sensation crept through her body. It felt very similar to the dream-walking she did every night. A growing disconnection with her surroundings, as if she was in two places at once. The feeling intensified and her balance gave out. The room began to spin, the glow changing from golden to a myriad of colors. The colors began to flow through her mane and up her neck. Her vision became distorted, filtering through various tints as they continued up to her horn. The Elements of Harmony began to accelerate around Celestia as a rainbow erupted from Luna's horn. Almost as if Discord himself were conducting the act, the rainbow flowed in reverse before splitting and attuning with each gem. As the six rainbows faded, so too did the Elements.
A low rumble flowed through the dirt, causing the apples on the trees to sway as if a strong wind were blowing. Various birds and animals scurried away from a building whine. The keening sound tore through the orchard as reality itself split open. With a pulse of translucent energy, a wavy mass of magic in the form of a nearly invisible portal appeared. A distorted “Weeeeeeeeee!” replaced the keening and continued to gain volume. The spacial rift ejected Pinkie Pie, who righted herself mid-air and defied physics as she fell like a feather to the ground. She turned and raised her hoof in a wave toward the portal. Another pulse of energy erupted from opening spewing forth a fading rainbow of colors. The shock wave of color rustled the trees scattering the apples with the leaves. Air shimmered as the ring of force came rocketing back forcing the portal to close with a thump. Pinkie Pie was the only sign it ever existed.
Pinkie Pie stood up, shaking the dust out of her poofy mane. She looked around taking in her surroundings. Apple trees were everywhere, the ones near her having deposited a large pile of the red fruit onto the ground. In the distance, she could see a wagon and three buckets filled to the brim with more bright red apples. As if on cue, her stomach gave its complaints about her lack of eating. Pinkie Pie eyed the delicious apples scattered on the ground and snatched one up with her hoof. Popping the entire thing in her mouth she chomped down, eliciting a loud crunch. Her face twisted up, and she made an audible effort to swallow. Bits of chewed apple fell from her lips, and she began feverishly raking her hoof along her tongue.
“Ewwwwww!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, her hooves’ motions making it sound quite strange. “Get ish off, get ish offfff!” Confident she had removed the rest of the apple she rolled her tongue back into her mouth. Maybe the apple was just rotten? She supposed she’d have to try another to find out. Her rear hoof brushed something as she backed up. With a quick scoop, she inspected the new apple. It wasn’t the same perfect apples that Applejack’s farm produced. These apples were healthy but looked dull, almost lifeless. Glancing around revealed that the remaining apples shared the same coloring.
Pinkie Pie noticed there were no workers out harvesting, despite the full carts and buckets. Applejack was always bucking apples when the trees were this far into season, with the rest of the family helping. If this farm was any competition of Applejack’s, Pinkie Pie felt sorry for the owner. There was only one choice available; she’d find the owner of these trees and help them out. Pinkie Pie knew Applejack would never let this continue if she found out.
******
Apple Bloom went about the day doing her chores as normal, her broom lifting the dust off the floor. She had already helped Big Mac buck apples that morning, so only had a few more chores left. A terrible keening sound interrupted her routine, causing her to put her hooves over her ears. As the noise grew louder, the house shook with it, knocking over a cup and several knick-knacks.
“Big Mac, Big Mac!” Apple Bloom shouted borderline panicking, “What’s goin’ on?”
As quickly as the commotion started it stopped. The house rocked a final time; the boards groaning as everything settled.
Apple Bloom was still shaking when Big Mac burst into the room just as shocked as she was. She couldn’t help but notice his awkward stance having to move his massive body on two legs. His other two covered his ears from the odd noise.
A loud crack echoed through the room when Big Mac brought both hooves down, resuming all fours. He took stock of the broken cup and Granny’s “treasures” scattered around the room. The mess didn’t matter to him, because all that mattered was that Apple Bloom was safe.
Apple Bloom questioned her brother, “You ok, Big Mac? Was that an earthquake? You think Applejack is fighting something at the castle?” Each question fired off one after the other before Big Mac could respond. The last question causing him to go rigid.
“N-nope.” Big Mac tried replying in his usual way, but the word stuck until he spat it out. He leveled a melancholy gaze away towards the window, scanning the fields for any sign of the disturbance.
Before Apple Bloom could resume her barrage, Granny Smith hobbled into the room and looked them both up and down. “S’pose y’all are both ok. Ain’t heard nothing that loud since the first zap apple harvest.” She said, trotting to Apple Bloom with the speed of a pony her age. “Now don’t be scared young’in. You got Big Mac to protect ya while your sister is away.” She motioned over to Big Mac, a confident smile forming. “I know it’s been moons since ya saw her and he ain’t no Element o’ Harmony but I never saw him lose to anything yet.” Her eyes couldn’t hold Apple Bloom’s, the Apple family wasn’t good at lying.
Insulted, Apple Bloom backed away. “I ain’t scared. I know Big Mac can take care of me like sis can. I wanna know what caused that noise!” Her look bore her expectations to Big Mac, using the best little sister grin she could muster. “Pleeeease, Big Mac, can we go and look?”
Big Mac glanced at Granny Smith before looking to Apple Bloom. “Nope, ain’t safe.” He wanted to say yes, but Granny’s face made it obvious he shouldn’t. He always had trouble resisting when Apple Bloom looked at him that way. Her focus was always on Applejack and he hated to disappoint Apple Bloom.
“Big Mac’ll take a gander at what is causing all the ruckus; you stay here with me. These old bones don’t move as fast as they used to.” Granny Smith explained, giving every reason for Apple Bloom to stay. “I need ya here in case it’s somethin’ dangerous.” She nodded toward Big Mac.
Big Mac headed towards the door, turning his head back to say, “Eeyup.” He almost changed his mind when he saw Apple Bloom’s face fall and her drag her hooves towards the stairs. But he knew Granny was right to give him that look, they were too close to the Everfree for strange noises to be safe for a filly. He took a deep breath to calm down before trotting through the front door.
*******
The orchard of apple trees looked familiar to Pinkie Pie. Instincts told her the way to go through the alien forest. Her confusion on the subject faded as her thoughts turned to her friends, I wonder what happened to them. I remember going through the portal and having that silly conversation with you know who. Why didn’t they arrive with me; it’s not fun being alone. I guess we ended up at different places. No need to be worried, I’ll find them or they will find me… then food. I am still really hu-
Her thoughts never completed. She saw Big Mac trotting towards her through the trees, head jerking around as if looking for some unseen predator.
“Oh Big Mac, I’m so haaaapy to see you!” Pinkie Pie said, bouncing from side to side towards him.
Big Mac’s eyes opened wide in fear. He clenched his jaw and dug his bulky legs into the dirt, stopping. “What! What ar-” He caught the mistake and threw himself to the ground. His large face forced an awkward toothy smile. “Such a pleasure to see ya as always, Queen Pinkamena.” The smile muffled the words as he spoke them. “I hope ya brought Applejack with you? It has been so long since we’ve seen her.” He spared a peek up at her. He brought his gaze downward but not before looking for a means of escape.
Pinkie Pie made a strange face, her brain trying to process what she was seeing. “What are you talking about silly? I’m not a queen. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever met a queen! Not counting Queen Chrysalis.” She looked up bringing her hoof to her chin. “You know that’s kinda odd, someone like Chrysalis being a queen.” The sound of a file cabinet shutting echoed from around Pinkie Pie’s head. “I’ll just file that for later, we should ask Princess Celestia about it.” The mention of Celestia caused her to trail off the last part. Her memory flashed back to the mirror sucking her and her friends in. The last thing she remembered was Twilight’s scream. She really should have paid attention more, but she guessed asking Big Mac might lead her to Applejack. She couldn’t continue the thought because Big Mac began shouting at her. Never had she heard him this furious.
“What do ya mean, talk to Princess Celestia? And you ain’t a queen, since when?” Big Mac regained his composure and with a look of defiance rose to his hooves, the fake smile replaced by a snarl. “That what you come out here for? To mock me and ma family?” He advanced on her, a dangerous look in his eyes. “I don’t care what you do to me but you stay away from this family. You’ll be welcome back when I see Applejack with ya.” He maintained eye contact but his hooves were shaking.
“Big Mac, did you hit your head?” Pinkie Pie asked. “You are acting awfully funny. Does somebody have a bad attitude from a lack of cupcakes? You know, I’d be hungry too ‘cause these apples taste pretty bad; I thought I was at someone else’s farm they were so bad.” Pinkie Pie took a deep breath with audible suction and continued the stream of questions. “I think I should tell Applejack about those apples. Maybe the fruit bats are sucking the taste out of them this time.” She giggled and pretended to suck air between the fangs that had appeared out of nowhere. A thought struck her, and she shook her head, the fangs disappearing without a trace. “Have you seen Applejack? We kinda got separated.” Her head turned with the question until she was looking at him sideways.
Big Mac closed his eyes and whispered to himself, “I’m sorry Apple Bloom, I don’t think I’ll be coming home today.” When he opened his eyes, a mixture of resolve and rage burned in them. “I’ll tell ya one. More. Time. Stay away from my family. And don’t insult our apples. Ya ain’t welcome here without Applejack and ya know it. If ya think changing your mane-style and acting funny is gonna change things yer wrong.” He started a trot towards her, the hatred growing in his eyes with each step. “And pretendin’ to be lookin’ for her. I-I…” He couldn’t finish the sentence.
Pinkie Pie felt a pinch in her knee and started backing away. “My knee is feeling pinchy, that mea—” Her words never made it out as Big Mac’s massive hooves bucked into her side, sending her sprawling down the dirt path. Her fluffy mane saved her and took a good portion of the blow, but pain ripped through her chest. Mind reeling, she tried to comprehend the situation she was in. She was a part of the Apple family, and Big Mac had just bucked her. Judging by the pain she felt when drawing breath, it had not been cousin roughhousing.
“I ain’t like ya.” Big Mac spat, advancing on the prone Pinkie Pie. “I ain’t gonna do what I should despite what you’ve done.” His draft horse body towered over Pinkie Pie, hoof hovering inches above her head. “I dunno why folks ain’t standing up to ya.” He snorted lowering his hoof and turned back the way he came. “Exaggerated stories I’m guessin’.” He dug his back hoof into the ground and kicked a clod of dirt and dust into Pinkie Pie’s face, beginning the trot home. As soon as he turned around the reality of what he had done sunk in, the heat of the moment dwindling until he shivered.
“I’m sorry…” Hurt more than physically, Pinkie Pie’s eyes moistened with tears as she struggled to stand. Dust and dirt fell from her mane. “I don’t know what I did since yesterday but we’re supposed to be family.” She sniffled and watched him leave, hoping he would turn around and reveal the prank. “Maybe all the stuff Princess Celestia was talking about is affecting him. We’re family and he’d never do that to family.” The outward revelation eased her mind, but she needed to get away before whatever was affecting Big Mac got worse. She shook her head and galloped away toward Ponyville, bruised ribs aching but already healing.
The remnants of pain faded as her mind raced through the possibilities. She needed to find Twilight. Twilight always solved everything. Twilight would figure out what was going on and help save Big Mac. Whether the wind or her newfound smile, no more tears stained her face.
******
Apple Bloom stared through the upstairs window, bored. Her eyes lit up when she saw Big Mac trotting towards the house. She ran in little circles then dashed down the stairs and through the front door.
“Hey, big brother! Didja find it?” She said running up to and around him, a blur of youthful energy. “Was it a monster from the Everfree Forest?
Big Mac’s hoof stopped her in her tracks. “Nope. Didn’t find nothin’.” He continued his trot towards the house, dodging each question.
The filly dashed in front of him once more. “Nothin’? Did ya not hear that noise earlier? “‘Nothin’ wouldn’t make a noise like that.” She protested.
Big Mac stopped and peered down at her, pinning her with his glare. “I didn’t find nothin’, Apple Bloom. Until I do, you gotta stay in the house.” He couldn’t keep his voice from shaking. “Somethin’ made that noise, and the farm is dangerous until it’s found, ya hear?”
Apple Bloom knew her brother, he wasn’t telling her something. “I-I guess that’s ok. Does that mean I don’t hafta do chores outside the house?” She looked up at him with excitement, using the same face as before. The thought of getting out of work beat out her curiosity.
“Maybe. Up to Granny.” He brushed her out of the way and kept trotting towards the house. “I need to speak to her, anyway.”
Apple Bloom raced down the path as fast as her legs could carry her and darted inside the house. She was eager to ask Granny Smith about it. Granny was in the kitchen when she found her. “Granny, can I skip outside chores? Big Mac said it’s too dangerous for me.” The undue emphasis on dangerous caught Granny’s attention.
“I s’pose if Big Mac says it’s dangerous, but I’mma have to talk to him first. You run upstairs, pickle pear.” Granny Smith said bringing her hoof up to her chin wondering what Big Mac had found.
“Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yessss.” Apple Bloom shouted as she ran up the stairs.
Big Mac came in through the doorway and went into the old kitchen with Granny Smith. “Hey Granny, we got a problem.” As he said the words his head hung heavy with shame.
Granny Smith chuckled. “What d’ya do this time, Big Macintosh? Didja try to pick some zap apples early again?” She knew it was unusual for the zap apples to come in this season, but they were never predictable being from the Everfree Forest. She reached for her army helmet, prepared for the intricate process of making zap apple jam. “Never came in this early but I’m ready.
“Nope.” Big Mac’s brought his eyes up to hers showing with a fear she’d never seen in him. “Queen Pinkamena was out in the apple trees. Tweren’t any sign of Applejack neither.” Big Mac sighed and stumbled over his words. “I-I bucked her Granny. She was mocking the family, and I bucked her. Hard.” He still didn’t know why he had done it. Pride? Arrogance? By all rights, he should be dead. If the stories were even half true, he stood no chance. She had a reputation for being able to do the impossible. There was more than one story of ponies she’d taken and the state of their corpse when she finished with them. He cringed thinking about that last possibility.
“You did what now?” Granny held her hoof up to her ear. “I know I’m gettin’ old, so repeat that.”
Big Mac looked her dead in the eyes. “I bucked the queen. I told her to git and not to come back without Applejack.” He trotted to the window and gazed out at the apple trees. “She ran away crying. Twas the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen. Her mane was as fluffy as a cotton ball, and she was so... pink.”
The mention of Pinkamena with a different mane-style brought back old memories in Granny Smith. If there was one thing Granny Smith was good at, it was recalling the details of a chain of events. It had been a few years ago, but it was still fresh in her mind.
Granny Smith remembered Pinkamena was different before becoming the bearer of the Element of Laughter. She would welcome everyone to Ponyville with parties and had a fluffy, bright pink mane. She never said a cross word to anyone. This Pinkamena never forgot to celebrate even the most mundane things in a pony’s life. It had brought cheer and warmth to Ponyville. She never imagined such a positive pony would turn out like she had. If Big Mac had seen what he claimed it could mean Pinkamena had gotten worse. She couldn’t imagine any reason she would change back.
In the time she was known by the name Pinkie Pie, she had been friends with everyone. Back then Pinkie Pie and Applejack were as close as friends could get. An unfortunate series of events had broken that friendship and led to a reclusive Pinkie Pie. Granny never got word on the specifics but she remembered hearing about a murder in the town not long afterwards. Such a serious crime in a small town brought about quick investigations. It wasn’t until the fifth murder that they determined Pinkie Pie to be the culprit. The castle guards took her to the castle and ever since then things had only gotten worse. Both Celestia and her sister Luna disappeared. It was then that-
Big Mac startled Granny out of her reverie by shouting into her ear, “Granny! Granny, ya alright?”
“Just rememberin’ two years ago before things got bad. Now, what was you tellin’ me?” Granny Smith asked, nodding towards Big Mac.
“I mighta’ kicked Queen Pinkamena, and she ran away.” Big Mac grimaced, face pointed at the floor before whispering, “Eeyup…”
Wobbling over to a rocking chair, Granny Smith sat down and closed her eyes, worry etched into her face. “She might come back, she might not.” Several bones popped as she sunk deeper into the chair with a sigh. “I’ve never had a good understandin’ of the girl. She used to be the happiest thing in town until they took her to the castle fer questioning regardin’ the disappearances. Can’t imagine what happened but we both know we ain’t seen hide nor mane of the Princesses afterward.” Granny Smith’s face looked older than it ever had. The recent hardships wearing on her body and soul. “She’s still ‘appointed’ queen after two years even though she keeps taking folks.” The chair rocked back and forth, Granny Smith opening her eyes to look at Big Mac. “Twasn’t but a month after she called Appleja-”
“No more, Apple Bloom might hear ya.” Big Mac interrupted. “We gotta believe in her. Today proved most of that was only rumors, eeyup.” He gulped knowing full well he’d face the consequences of his actions, or worse, his family would. The sounds of Apple Bloom bouncing around upstairs reminded him of the future he was guarding. Regardless of the odds, he’d stand firm for Apple Bloom. “I’ll protect her until Applejack returns.” He repeated to himself but it did little to appease his growing fear.
******
The Carousel Boutique was as clean as it could be. The windows were crystal clear for displaying Rarity’s last line of garments. It was unfortunate that they were no longer relevant to fashion due to age. The purples and blues were still vibrant, helping to accentuate the golden colors that adorned the curtains and underside of the roof. The only change in the past year was a CLOSED sign hanging in the window.
Sweetie Belle had done her best to keep the business running for the eventual return of her sister. Her sister had a talent for fashion that was undeniable; unfortunately Sweetie Belle did not share that talent. Without Rarity, she couldn’t keep the shop up to date and stocked with in-demand inspirations. Customers diminished to almost nothing after the first season and she had no choice but to close until further notice.
Sweetie Belle still came by and tidied up occasionally, various places or objects bringing back memories. One such object was the stage where Twilight had last met Rarity. She remembered Rarity receiving a summons from the castle. Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight had received the same summons. Sweetie Belle guessed there was trouble and as usual, Rarity didn’t tell her anything.
Despite her sister’s attempts to stop her, she found out Twilight and Rarity were meeting in secret ever since the alicorn sister’s dissapearance. She’d heard Twilight talking with Rarity about her worry for Princess Celestia. Twilight planned to visit her because her letters had remained unanswered for months, something Twilight had insisted was very out of character for Celestia. Their answer to the summons both fulfilled and interrupted any plans they had. Sweetie Belle hadn’t seen or heard from her sister, or any of them for that matter, since that day.
Other strange occurrences happened during the time of the summons. The castle issued a smiling order to all areas under the Equestria border. It told all ponies that by Queen Pinkamena’s command, they must always be smiling. Less than a month after the Bearers arrived at the castle, Queen Pinkamena had made the announcement she was coming to Ponyville.
It only took a few days, but a royal procession arrived in Ponyville with the Queen. Strange guards accompanied her, the like the town had never seen before. Solid helmets made of an unknown metal reflected the light in an array of colors. The metal in the front of the helms curved up with inward metal protrusions pulling at the sides of the guards’ lips. The helmet obscured all, but the perpetual forced smile. More prismatic light cascaded down the heavy plate from neck to the hoof, almost hypnotic in its pattern. Interlocking plates screeched with each step as they ground against each other, announcing the guards long before a pony spotted them. The workmanship was amateur at best, some guards limping and flinching as they walked from brushing the jagged edges. The strangest part of the design was each guard’s cutie mark, or rather where it should have been. A blood colored smiley face, scribbled with the artistic skill of a foal, sat upon the barding that protected their flanks.
They brought flying chariots from the castle with the same bizarre color pattern adorning them. It became clear they were there for the smile law because they rounded up and arrested anyone refusing to smile. The queen’s bored expression lit up with every refusal and eyed them with a primal hunger that caused even the bravest of them to cower.
They released the majority the next day. The same ponies who defied the queen now smiled with an otherwise vacant expression. Their bodies looked unharmed but the blood spatter in their mane told a different story. They ferried the rest to the castle and made an announcement:
“Queen Pinkamena decrees that any who we cannot persuade to smile shall learn from her, personally . We expect the rest of you have seen the error of your ways and will continue to uphold the law.”
Not long afterward, wild rumors began circulating in Canterlot due to concern among the citizens. They said the Princesses had abandoned them. Others speculated they had lost to a new unknown villain. The most alarming rumor was of the Bearers. Ponies whispered of their capture and that they were hostages in the castle. The rumors only got worse when some ponies taken from Ponyville never returned. Canterlot citizens whispered of screams coming from the castle and ponies who investigated being seized and drug inside.
Sweetie Belle was not keen on imagining how true those rumors were, her sister being in the castle. To her, they were only rumors; Rarity would never allow anypony to capture or hurt her.
Some ponies were angry Pinkamena had dared to take their loved ones, others sought to get away, terrified of becoming a victim. The angriest ponies started several small rebellions and demanded an audience with the queen. There was no conflict, no confrontation between the rebels and the guards. They simply opened the front gates and let them in. The troubling part was that they never came back out. No pony dared speak out after the incident, smiles kept the unrest locked securely behind closed lips.
Queen Pinkamena had only decreed one more thing at that time. She had taken an interest in something called a changeling. Descriptions of the creatures were unnerving. They could take any shape and would replace loved ones for reasons unknown. According to official reports, an attack by the creatures took place inside the castle led by their leader. It detailed that Queen Pinkamena led her guard to stop the attack. It further reported the invasion repelled and that the counteroffensive had slaughtered the changelings. The queen was remorse to say the leader and the remaining changelings had been able to escape. So, she put out a reward for information or live capture of the creatures. If a pony were to capture one alive, the reward for such a creature was a wish granted by the queen herself. Posters describing the creatures and the reward hung throughout the town.
******
A duster levitated with an olive aura, moving about the Carousel Boutique with deft movements. Sweetie Belle’s magic had gotten much better in the past year despite not having anyone to teach her. This was unusual because even with Twilight’s teachings, she had been struggling with her magic. Boredom and solitude allowed her to overcome whatever had been holding her back. She wanted to surprise Rarity and Twilight with her newfound abilities.
With a graceful twirl of her horn, she made the duster do a loop de loop in the air. She lost her concentration on the magic towards the end and the olive aura faded. The duster flew into the bonnet on a mannequin sinking in and looking like a feathered flower. Sweetie Belle couldn’t contain her laughter. “Hehe! I guess I do have some of my sister’s talent, if accidental.” The olive color enveloped the duster once more, and she went back to work.
I wonder how Rarity is doing. It must be important if they called all of them back to the castle. She has never traveled this long before, though. The duster stopped, hovering in mid-air, as Sweetie Belle swallowed back her longing to see her sister. Her mind knew what her heart blinded her to, but she pushed on taking solace in normality. There must be a way to reach her. I can’t go to Canterlot, what if she comes back and sees the boutique closed? Sweetie Belle’s head shook trying to remove the images of Rarity’s disappointment in her at failing to keep the boutique open. Think! Think! Wait! I know what to do. Spike is running the library now. I bet I can get him to send a letter to the castle! Why haven’t I thought of this before!
As Sweetie Belle got ready to leave, her mind ran through imaginary replies to her letters and the joy of seeing them. But as she got closer to the door, worry took hold tainting her imagination. What if something happened to her? None of the others came back either. What if she doesn’t want my letters or I get her in trouble! She choked back her tears and rushed towards the door. The potential answers left her hoof hovering over the doorknob. She shook off her doubt and took a deep breath. Even if the worst was true, she had to know. The door burst open, and she took off toward Golden Oak Library.
******
Golden Oak had seen better days. The once beautiful library was now run down, no longer a symbol of learning in Ponyville. While the tree was healthy, it only contrasted to the faded red paint on the door. Cracks and splintered wood lined the door frame and windows. The tops of the bookshelves were dusty, cobwebs having formed in the corner. Lower sections of the library were half-heartedly cleaned and shards of gems littered the floor. Owlicious had long since fled back into the woods or perhaps to search for Twilight. The only remnant in the library was a very depressed dragon.
Spike’s enthusiasm had melted away as the year passed, causing him to stop repairs to small damages on the doors and windows. Even if he had wanted to, Spike didn’t have the magic Twilight did, and his tiny body had difficulty doing the chores required to keep it in the same condition without her help. Eventually, he had given up keeping Golden Oak in order, only organizing the books in an attempt to recreate the book sorting nights he and Twilight had shared. He still rented books out to ponies, although few came by these days. Without Twilight’s love for books, the interest in the library had diminished. Spike would have given up completely if not for his memory of Twilight and the knowledge that she would be livid to see her books mistreated.
The spicy smell of Zecora’s tea reminded Spike of Twilight. He despised the blend, but it was Twilight’s favorite. Drinking anything else felt wrong until she returned. The trips into the Everfree Forest to get it from Zecora were more pleasant than moping around the library, anyway. He missed her and had tried several times to contact her or the Princesses. The only response were scrolls that tasted of iron and had blood smeared in the shape of smiles on them.
Grabbing a teacup from the kitchen, Spike poured himself a cup of steaming tea. “I wish Twilight were here, she always loved this tea.” He took a sip, the near boiling tea being the perfect temperature for a dragon, and flinched at the bold flavor.
“I don’t understand why she loved this tea though; I guess it’s an acquired taste.” Twilight had always known he hated the tea, keeping a delicious sapphire cupcake from Sugarcube Corner ready when she made him brew it.
He pushed back and balanced the chair on two legs while looking around the tattered library. Mentally he sighed, ashamed of what the library had become. The tea provided a bit of comfort from the void his life had become, enough for him to get out of the chair and do the daily chores he’d been neglecting. He’d just begun to sweep up the bits and pieces of his poor eating before a horrible screech rang through the front door.
******
Sweetie Belle arrived at the Golden Oak Library, panting. She hadn’t visited it but twice since Twilight and her friends had left. Every visit the library had become more ragged, Spike not faring much better. She sympathized with Spike but seeing the library slowly decay was just too much. It reminded her that if not for her focus on her magical studies and keeping the Carousel Boutique in shape, she might have succumbed to it as well.
As she climbed the steps, she took a steadying breath, preparing herself for what she was fixing to do. It was easy to live with ignorance, but she was about to dispel that, for better or worse. As the olive glow began to travel up her horn, she heard something strange. The ground rumbled and a “chk chk chk chk” similar to the Ponyville Express echoed in the distance. Her body whipped around towards the sound and a giant dust cloud was approaching from Sweet Apple Acres.
“What is that?” Sweetie Belle yelled over the growing noise.
Inside the dust cloud, a blob of pink became visible as it closed in. It was heading directly for Golden Oaks Library at insane speeds. Sweetie Belle stared in disbelief only a moment longer before her legs regained function and she dove off the steps. The “chk chk chk chk” was replaced by a horrid screeching sound as what appeared to be a pony put all four hooves down and slid across the ground in an attempt to stop.
A giant mound of dirt formed in front of the pony as her hooves dug in deep. The entire mess came to a halt mere inches from Sweetie Belle, dirt and dust raining around them. Sweetie Belle sneezed, and her reward was a giggle, the pink pony trotting from behind the mound and coming into vision.
Sweetie Belle couldn’t believe her eyes. Queen Pinkamena just walked from behind a mound of dirt and greeted her. She looked completely different from when she had visited Ponyville before. Her mane was poofed out and she was so much… pinker. Her eyes held a warmth that didn’t register with what Sweetie Belle had seen before. A kind of candid happiness and welcoming, like an old friend she hadn’t seen in a long time. On the other hoof, eye contact with the queen during her previous visit had shaken her to the core. Those eyes had been ravenous, instilling a fear for survival she had never felt before, a gnawing sensation of imminent doom held only at bay by the facade that was Queen Pinkamena. They promised a slow creep towards that oblivion should they ever find themselves alone. Regardless of the difference, the queen held a reputation for punishing those who didn’t follow her laws.
“I’m so sorry Queen Pinkamena, please don’t hurt me. I promise I’ve been smiling just like you said!” Sweetie Belle’s words flew out of her mouth and she prostrated herself before the queen, a wide grin on her face.
“Not again!” Pinkie Pie backpedaled and watched Sweetie Belle carefully, one eye protruding a bit more than the other. “I dunno why ponies keep calling me Queen Pinkamena, I’m Pinkie Pie. Only my family uses Pinkamena.” Her face went taut as her eyes widened and a strange hollow whistle exited her mouth as she sucked in air. “Oh my gosh! Do you think changelings might be copying me? The one at the wedding did a pretty good impression..."
A vision of the posters around Ponyville flashed in Sweetie Belle’s mind.
Changelings are creatures who replace loved ones and can shapeshift at will. Small differences in appearance and demeanor are the only way to find one. Live capture will be rewarded with a wish from Queen Pinkamena. ~By decree of Queen Pinkamena
The gears in her head turned a bit more before clicking in place. She wasn’t sure why a changeling would mention changelings but she knew little to nothing about them. Sweetie Belle suspected this changeling Pinkam-Pinkie Pie could be dangerous but she could get her wish from the queen, to see Rarity.
She had to be sure though. “Y-you aren’t Queen Pinkamena, but you look so much like her!”
“Silly filly, I’m Pinkie Pie. I can’t be someone else if I’m me.” Pinkie Pie bobbed her head proud of her sage advice.
“Uhm... yeah, sure. And you’ve always been Pinkie Pie?” Sweetie Belle said confused by Pinkie Pie’s response.
Pinkie Pie was silent for a moment, thinking about the question. “As far as I know I always have been! But now that you mention it, maybe I’m a rock. I was raised on a rock farm ya know?” She curled up into a ball on the ground and said between giggles, “I’ve been told I can’t be any boulder.”
This only served to confuse Sweetie Belle more. She didn’t have any previous exposure to Pinkie Pie or her puns. “Okay… well, I’m pretty sure you aren’t the queen.” She watched Pinkie Pie closely trying to gauge her reaction. Pinkie Pie was still laughing at her own joke unaware of what Sweetie Belle had said.
Before the awkward conversation could continue, the tattered door to Golden Oaks burst open. A fat purple dragon stood in the doorway, looking quite unlike the Spike that Pinkie Pie knew.
His scales were faded, reminding her of tarnished jewelry. He was at least a foot taller and able to stare a pony in the eyes; his limbs were still lithe but his belly had grown by some unknown means. An angular face, more reminiscent of a real dragon than the pudgy baby face she had always known Spike to have, gazed down at the pair of ponies with a disinterested half-lidded expression for a moment.
The teacup in his hand dropped, soundly striking the first step and spraying tea and glass in all directions. He sunk to his knees with a look of abject horror plastered onto to his face, a rare position for a dragon to be in. With little concern for the glass underneath him, he went prone, his arms shaking against the edge of the steps and his vision meeting the floor.
“Queen Pinkamena, what honor brings you to the Golden Oaks Library?” Fear dripped from his voice, worsened by the uncontrollable shaking that had spread to his body. He struggled to perform the required smile he knew she’d be expecting.
Steam poured from Pinkie Pie’s ears, her cheerful look replaced by pursed lips and flaring nostrils. “Hold it! First, my cousin, Big Mac, does the same thing and then bucks me. Then I run to Ponyville to have Sweetie Belle treat me like Nightmare Moon on Nightmare Night, which is okay… on Nightmare Night! Now a weird looking Spike is bowing… don’t even get me started on the smile!.” Her anger spent in her words, Pinkie Pie couldn’t hold onto the foreign emotion and broke down into tears.
Sweetie Belle cantered up the steps and whispered into Spike’s ear. “I don’t think that is Queen Pinkamena. You’ve seen the posters around town about the changelings and I’ve never heard of the queen crying before.” The last sentence brought Spike’s face up and he almost felt bad, but if this was the same creature described in various detail among the posters, sympathy would only put him in danger. It certainly didn't look like the queen he had seen, the mane was all wrong.
Sweetie Belle’s whisper got even lower, “It could be a trick, or maybe it got lost. Either way, we should send a letter to the castle.” Spike looked at the potential imposter and then at Sweetie Belle and for the first time in moons, he felt excited. An excuse to get out of this library and go to the castle! Normally everypony was barred from entering but with a changeling in tow, the queen would have to let them in.
The tears springing from Pinkie Pie’s face had become a fountain, her discomfort at all these experiences pouring out and causing a puddle to form on the flagstones. Little snorts interceded with each high-pitched wail and the townsfolk had begun to gather near the Golden Oaks Library. This Ponyville had never seen such a strange sight, a comically crying pink pony surrounded by a growing ring of ever-smiling ponies.
Spike had taken notice and knew his chance to get the changeling was diminishing. “We need to get her inside now, Sweetie Belle!” He pointed his clawed finger at Pinkie Pie and said, “Grab her before the town does, they think she is Queen Pinkamena right now but we both know with how she is acting it won’t last long.”
In a single movement, Sweetie wrapped her hoof around Pinkie Pie’s and yanked her towards the door. Pinkie Pie’s leg extended like a rubber band as Sweetie Belle ran for the doorway. She burst through the doorway still holding the stretched arm before looking back, the arm becoming rigid, and saw a still crying Pinkie Pie now hurtling through the air towards her. They collided in a mess of legs and hooves as Spike slammed and bolted the door behind them. The crowd’s murmurs bled through the walls as they grew louder.
Sweetie Belle looked through one of the windows frantically, seeing the crowd gathering closer to the library. “What are we going to do? At this rate, we won’t be able to get to the castle, let alone bring in a ch-Pinkie Pie.” Her olive magic embraced the curtains to the windows in the room and closed them all, casting a shadow over the messy room.
“I don’t like this adventure anymore,” Pinkie Pie’s voice was low and interrupted with sniffles. She was scared and lonely, and everything was different. She wished she had paid more attention to Princess Celestia because she couldn’t understand how everything had changed so much. Her coat darkened with her mood and as she fell so did the bounce in her mane.
Spike saw the slow transition and was struck with a thought. She is beginning to look more like Queen Pinkamena, I wonder… “Hey! If what Sweetie Belle says is true and you aren’t Queen Pinkamena, then who are you?”
Pinkie Pie looked up at him, her crestfallen face still dripping tears, “I’m Pinkie Pie. I’ve told everyone that and they are still scared of me, or attack me. I know all of you, your birthdays, anniversaries, even your favorite cupcakes. Sapphire in your case, Spike.” Each word seemed to break her spirit more, bringing her closer to the spitting image of Queen Pinkamena.
This just might work, I just have to convince her to do it now. Spike processed the thought and looked Pinkie Pie over once more. “Well… Pinkie Pie, why don’t you just pretend to be Queen Pinkamena for a little bit until we can figure it out? Ponies… listen to her, very few want to uhm… upset her.” Spike gave Pinkie Pie the first legitimate smile she had seen since the incident. Her color brightened with her face and Spike immediately said, “Wait, I’m not sure what is causing you to look the way you do but Queen Pinkamena looks like that all the time. Can you maintain it?”
Pinkie Pie nodded closing her eyes and concentrating. She didn’t lose any more color but neither did she gain anymore. Her hair had gone completely straight looking very much like Maud Pie’s. “Are you sure? Every pony seems to treat me funny when they think I’m this Queen Pinkamena. What is really funny, my father calls me Pinkamena. I wonder if we are related…” Despite her improving mood the look held, it was the longest she had ever been able to do something like this intentionally.
“You definitely look like Queen Pinkamena now,” Sweetie said. “How did you do that anyway?” She ignored the urge to let the matter drop, the change only reaffirming her suspicions of a changeling. She didn't know the path down Pinkie Pie’s unusual abilities was a hard one.
Pinkie Pie blinked several times before answering, “I just can and always could. Usually, it just happens and it's super neat! Never really thought about it much.”
Sweetie Belle stared at Pinkie Pie with suspicious eyes, “Always could huh, well right now we need you to convince those ponies out there you are Queen Pinkamena.”
“So, an improv skit is what those ponies want?” The form of Pinkamena shifted towards Pinkie Pie as her excitement rose. She took a deep breath and the form remained. “I’ve never met this queen, I’m not sure what to say. I could tell some knock knock jokes or maybe we could go to Sugarcube Corner and bake a cake. What pony doesn’t like cake?”
Both Sweetie Belle and Spike shook their heads violently at the notion. A unified “No!” resounded in the room before Spike said, “Queen Pinkamena doesn’t… do those things. She gives commands and smart ponies follow them. Otherwise, you get a visit to the castle.” A shiver ran down Spike’s spine as he thought about it, nopony knew what happened to the visitors of the castle but none of them had come back. His worry for Twilight grew as he thought about it, but he knew how strong Twilight was and continued to believe she was okay.
“Just order them to leave, something like this,” Sweetie Belle squared up her body and took a royal stance. “I order you to leave unless one of you wants to accompany me back to the castle.” Pinkie Pie couldn’t help but let out a fit of giggles at the seriousness of Sweetie Belle. The filly gave her a look that froze the giggles and gained Pinkie Pie’s full attention. “You have to be firm and serious. If those ponies think you aren’t Queen Pinkamena, they may hurt you or take you for impersonating a queen.”
Sweetie Belle began to say more but the murmur’s outside had reached a cacophony. The door resisted several hits as the ponies attempted to batter it down. “You have to go now, Queen Pinkamena wouldn’t hide in here. I’ll take Spike into the back; you’ll have more luck alone.” She motioned to Spike with her hoof and started trotting to the kitchen, purple dragon in tow.
I don’t know how to be in charge. Pinkie thought. I just want everypony to have fun, and these ponies could use some fun. She pondered the situation, her ability to improvise was supreme but Rarity was more apt for actual performances. Time was running out. She hadn’t concentrated this hard since the test to determine whether she was a clone or not. Not to mention that door wouldn’t hold much longer. Yellow light washed out of her eyes following a tiny clicking noise. Pinkie Pie blinked a few times the light fading with it but her idea remained, she’d order them to have fun.
Pinkie Pie bounced to the door holding in her excitement so her disguise would hold. A few deep breaths and she imagined what Rarity would say. Her head bobbed to herself, a wide smile reflecting her confidence. Unlocking the door, it slammed open knocking books into the floor. The lead ponies collapsed as the crowd pushed them from behind like a river trying to burst through a small crack in a dam.
“Stop!” Pinkie screamed putting on her best Rarity impression. “What ever are you doing barging in here like this.” She scanned the crowd, the pushing had stopped and every eye was looking for her next statement. “I am royalty and I will be not treated as s-such.” This was fun! Unfortunately, it was also funny and hard not to break into laughter. Pinkie Pie adjusted her stature bringing her hoof to her chest like she’d seen Princess Celestia do in the past. “My loyal… uh… citizens. I am Queen Pinkie-amena.” Her slip-up didn’t bother her nearly as much as the fake smiles the entire crowd was beaming at her. She wasn’t sure if they were competing or trying to be nice for her performance but each pony was doing their best to smile harder than their neighbor. “I… uh… hmm… order, yes order, you to have fun. And party! Have a party, you ponies look like you could use it!”
The crowd didn’t see Queen Pinkamena often, and they knew to always smile, but now she wanted them to have fun. A few ponies risked discussions among themselves to figure out what she meant. Before they could figure it out Queen Pinkamena was speaking again.
“Don’t you ponies play games? Use balloons and conf… etti…” That was the answer, Pinkie Pie knew what to do. Luckily she had no problems finding her party cannon in her mane. Speaking of her mane, she realized she would have to hurry. She was already excited at what kind of fun she could get brewing and her mane had already begun to react.
Everypony in the crowd saw the queen’s fabled cannon come from her mane. Screams tore through the streets as the crowd panicked. They knew they had to get to cover and fast, they had angered their queen and she was going to make them pay. “We are sorry Queen Pinkamena, we’ll have fun! We swear!” A grey stallion with a steel girder cutie mark cried out. Other apologies rang out but the ponies didn’t stop running. In a matter of moments, the entrance to Golden Oaks Library was devoid of ponies.
With an explosion, dust roiled up and confetti rained harmlessly into the street with nopony to view it except Pinkie Pie. “Huh, I guess confetti gets everyone pumped for a party!” Her excitement peaked at her success bringing back the vibrant pink and her mane returned to normal with a “boing”.
******
Sweetie Belle and Spike hurried back into the kitchen no longer listening to the outside.
Spike whispered, “Do you really think she is a changeling? Should we even turn her in if she is? I mean, you know the rumors…”
“Of course we should, Queen Pinkamena might be worse than Princess Celestia but the wish is our only chance at getting Rarity back.” Sweetie Belle’s eyes reminded Spike of Twilight’s anytime she had a problem to solve, logical and determined.
Breaking eye contact to stare at the ceiling, Spike’s melancholy seeped into his voice. “And Twilight. I can finally get back Twilight.” His shoulders straightened out of the lazy slump they’d had ever since Sweetie Belle had seen him, his depressive attitude replaced with a rising hope. “No matter what! Let's do this” —he reached for one of the many scrolls stored in the kitchen, you never knew when you’d need one around Twilight— “What do you want it to say?” He dipped a quill into some nearby ink and pressed it against the parchment.
Sweetie Belle thought for a moment before clearing her throat.
“Dear Queen Pinkamena,
“We have found a changeling in Ponyville and will be bringing it to your castle. I expect you will be truthful to the posters and grant our request in exchange. You will be interested to know she looks like you.
“Signed, “Sweetie Belle and Spike.
Spike couldn’t help but smile. The reading sounded so much like what Twilight would send. “It sounds like you learned how to send letters from Twilight herself.”
“I’ve heard Twilight give you letters in the past.” A long sigh hissed from her lips as she thought about what she was about to do. Even being a filly, she knew this was a risky gamble, but she’d do anything to see her sister again.
Spike rolled the scroll up and took a deep breath. A large gout of green dragon flame, far larger than he intended, incinerated the scroll and washed against the back wall causing the paint to curl and the wood to blacken against the intense heat. Spike snapped his maw shut and blushed, a soft embarrassed chuckle following. “I haven’t sent a letter in a while, I… kinda gave up when Twilight didn’t come back. I mean, I sent her letters for a while but the replies…” Even now he was confused as to what the significance of the terrible tasting smiley faces was. Deep inside, he knew he didn’t want to know.
From the door to the kitchen, they could hear screams and a stampede of hooves followed by a loud “BOOM” that filled the kitchen and caused both Sweetie Belle and Spike to rush back to the doorway to the library. Sweetie Belle couldn’t see any pony through the door to the library beyond the now “normal” Pinkie Pie. She was sitting on top of a smoking cannon, the barrel had confetti dribbling out of the front and the entire area in front of Golden Oaks Library was saturated with the stuff.
“W-w-what did you do?!” Sweetie Belle galloped to the doorway and looked outside. Every window and door was shut, the crowd was nowhere to be seen. A confetti filled dust cloud was settling, blanketing the ground in a dirty rainbow.
Spike wasn’t sure what was going on but they needed to be on their way to Canterlot Castle before the townspeople regrouped. Regardless of whether it was right or wrong, Spike would get this changeling to Queen Pinkamena. He had already made up his mind; he was going to stop moping and either save Twilight or join her in whatever crucial mission she was doing as her number one assistant. It was time to get his mother back.
“Sweetie Belle, I’m not sure what happened but we need to get Pinkie Pie to the castle.” He gestured in the general direction of Canterlot.
Pinkie Pie’s head swiveled like an office chair, far too much for any normal pony to achieve, before squealing in delight. “We’re going to the castle! Princess Celestia will know what to do, everything has been so weird today. Maybe she knows why everyone thinks I’m a queen.” She gasped before continuing, “Gosh, you think she’ll be jealous of the title. I mean… technically a queen is higher than a princess. Not to mention I’ve never even been a princess before!”
Both Sweetie Belle and Spike sighed in unison before grabbing her hooves and beginning to drag her out of the library. It wasn’t long before she was trotting on her own, still going on about the implications of being a princess. “What would I even be the princess of? Fun? Oooo, maybe candy or parties. Those seem so obvious though. Maud would be proud if I was the princess of rocks.”
Her demeanor reminded Spike of a long time ago. A time when Pinkamena was a friend rather than a ruler. The memories were pleasant though and he didn’t seem to mind her unending enthusiasm for… well, everything. He almost regretted what he had to do, but he barely knew this changeling. Why was this changeling mimicking the old queen anyway? It didn’t matter, Twilight needed him and he’d do anything to help her. Maybe the queen only wants to meet and talk with a changeling after the attack to negotiate? He let the thought simmer in his mind and convinced himself that is what she wanted.
******
The room was filled with gouges in the wall, singular splits of varying lengths and depths surrounded by rusted splatters of blood. The violet paint peeled near the blood, either from magical contamination or some chemical reaction. A vanity mirror sat in the corner the reflective surface well cared for and angled in the perfect way to capture the horrors inside the room.
The smell of rotting meat and bodily fluids overpowered even the fragrances hidden within the drawers of the mirror. Tiny sounds of blood dripping into what could only be described as a jello of viscera punctuated the silence and dispelled the timelessness of the place. Large cracks ran down the walls like fault lines from large metal loops pounded into them. The loops themselves were clean with spatterings of fresh blood oozing off them, flowing onto the chains they were bound to. Like puppet strings, each chain was attached to a beautiful white and red-stained limb curled around blood-soaked pillows. Not a scratch was to be found upon the purity of white coat that the alicorn sported.
Everything about Celestia contrasted to the horrors of the room, but her face told a different story. The spark of spirit had never diminished in her eyes despite the lines engraved around them. Her head sagged from exhaustion, held in place by a bit halfway shoved between her lips, bits of skin and blood hanging from the ends. She had never grown accustomed to the taste of her own flesh and the bit did nothing to help her forget. It kept her head directed at the mirror that kept her unmarred body and the disturbing room on display. Surrounding the lavender bed was all manner of gore. Bits of bone, white hair, teeth, and several horns of varying length stood out from the sticky red pools of fresh and drying blood.
A blur of pink flashed past the mirror and her bed made sickly squishing noises under the hooves that made their way across her bed. A faded pink hoof wrapped around her neck and a perfectly cut ruby handle ran its way down her cheek eliciting a wince, tears falling from the closed eyes.
“Hey hey! I’m baaacck!” Pinkamena’s head crept up behind Celestia’s in the mirror, her features distorted by the look of concern plastered there. “I’ve never met a pony who could shed tears of joy like you do.” She tittered, small snorts interjecting themselves between the alternating high and low notes. “Did you know there is no biology on alicorns in your whoooole castle? I am thinking of becoming a writer!” The enthusiasm in her voice was terrifying, Celestia knew that her libraries contained biology on all manner of creatures, including alicorns, but that didn't matter, it never did.
“I am truly blessed by you, my dear Princess Celestia, for volunteering to help on the subject.” The word princess was punctuated by burying the ruby handled butcher's knife into Celestia’s shoulder. “No matter how badly I hurt you, you never die. Your body always returns to a delectable shape. I can practice forever…” Pinkamena’s eyes rolled into the back of her head as she slid down Celestia’s body letting the blade sink deeper due to her weight, fresh blood pouring onto the wretched floor. To Celestia’s credit, she never made a sound, the past year had increased her pain tolerance far beyond anything the past 2000 years could have.
With a sudden burst of green flame, a scroll appeared falling into the muck with a splat. Celestia could see the scroll in the mirror and struggled against the contraption in her mouth to turn and look at it. “Ah, ah, ah! I thought Spike would have given up by now.” Pinkamena turned towards the letter and with a shake of her rump forced her hoof to slip in the goop, the fall yanking her knife out sideways leaving a terrible wound. “Oopsie me!” she said in a sing-song voice, titters ending the ridiculous statements. “I slipped, we really need to clean up in here!”
Her hoof reached out and retrieved the letter. As she read the scroll, a series of exaggerated Ooo’s and Aah’s were directed toward Celestia. “Visitors! And they are bringing great fun with them!” She got to her hooves and leaned in her muzzle kissing Celestia’s ear. “Spike and Sweetie Belle are coming for a visit, and they are bringing a changeling!” She bit Celestia’s ear drawing blood, before backing away. “Oh, this does create quite the problem. I did make a Pinkie Promise…” She broke down into a fit of heart-wrenching laughter, falling on her flank with a bloody squish. Celestia was no longer sitting, her eyes wide and the chains on the wall groaning under the strain. The blood under her hooves boiled, releasing a smell akin to burning flesh. Her jaws crashed together as the bit could no longer hold the strain of her anger, chunks of the device disappearing under the gore on the carpet.
“I am only here for my ponies and nothing else. If you should harm Sweetie Belle or Spike I will no longer be bound here.” As if to punctuate her point, she flexed her legs and the metal links pulled apart like cheese.
The laughter echoing throughout the room reached a fevered pitch before stopping abruptly. Celestia had only taken her eyes off the sitting pony for a moment, a mere blink, but she was gone. She felt something cold against her neck and looked down. Pinkamena had appeared under her chin the knife pressing to her throat.
“We played this game once, remember? It sure was a fun game too. But you lost, you can’t take-backsies!” The blade disappeared only to reappear in a blur leaving a deep line in Celestia's neck. Celestia opened her mouth to speak more but only a bloody gurgle sprouted forth. Each beat of her heart erupted from her neck, tarnishing her coat in red.
She felt dizzy, the flow of blood blocking her ability to breathe. Her head craned down to look at Pinkamena who only gave a cheery smile and waved. “Nighty night princess!” Those were the last words she heard as blackness claimed her and the feeling of falling into the ichor faded with her senses.
Pinkamena thought to herself for a moment before walking over to Celestia’s flank. With skillful hooves, she extracted yet another Celestia cutie mark leaving the muscle of her hindquarters exposed. “Those sewing lessons sure paid off, thanks Rarity! I don’t know how’d I’d furnish the castle without you!” The square of flesh hanging from her mouth, she began to hum the tune from “Smile” as she trotted out of Celestia’s bedroom eager and waiting for her guests.
“What have you done?” A panicked look overtook Celestia as she rushed to Luna’s side.
Star-Swirl’s responded with a confident chuckle. “Taking advantage of the situation as I taught you all those years ago.” A hint of mischief glinted in his eyes. “Truly, I’ve never seen an alicorn submit to Nightmare. Even if she is only a lesser alicorn like myself it should be entertaining.”
Luna’s form huddled on the ground with a groan. Small whispers of “Not again, not again.” accompanied spasms. Darkened blue magic leaked from tightly closed eyes and her face contorted in concentration, the battle of wills having already begun.
Celestia couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Are you insane? You mean to bring back Nightmare Moon?” She couldn’t hold back the contempt she felt. The sadness and disgust clear on her face. “Have you fallen so low that you enjoy our suffering this much? That you would resort to... to this!”
“Still ruling like a foal. Your enemies will use every advantage to take it away from you.” He glanced at the now writhing form of Luna and turned away for but a moment. “Whatever we were is no more. You still protect the few at the cost of the many. You can’t even contain him.” An exaggerated sigh caused his shoulders to slump. He pointed his hoof in the general direction of the Everfree Forest. “I feel him. I feel his chaos infecting the land and why. Were you not able to contain him even with your crutch of the elements?”
Glowering down upon her like a misbehaving student he continued his rant, “I would have defended this nation until it was but rubble. My studies into longevity were to allay my own fears as much as to live long enough to do so.” Bringing a hoof towards Celestia his demeanor changed and the words were aggressive. “You couldn’t let it happen! You let your feelings about hurting a few ponies that weren’t even from this universe cloud the larger picture. You let the fact that you two were the only living alicorns make you think you were special. Well now we are enemies and the last lesson you will learn from me is how idiotic your idea that you can save everyone is.”
The words stung. Her nation had thrived under her leadership but that didn’t keep his accusations from slipping through her doubts and biting deep into her soul. She was aware that her ideals kept the nation on the brink of disaster. Time and time again she had failed to be the protector she felt she was. She had failed her sister and relied on the Bearers to reform Nightmare Moon. Twilight, not her, was the one to not only save the realm from Discord’s escape but her friend, Fluttershy, found a way to quell his chaotic tendencies with her friendship. Even Chrysalis managed to get into a position to best her in one on one combat. Through the union of Princess Cadence and Shining Armor, the threat had been averted.
Despite all this, Celestia’s convictions held true. For over seven hundred years ponies had enjoyed an era of peace and harmony their neighbors hadn’t. Without that peace, the very ponies who saved them likely wouldn’t exist. As long as ponies like that existed she could continue to believe that salvation awaited even the worst creatures.
Celestia stood over her sister, shielding her with her body. “Some of what you say is true Star-Swirl. I’m not a perfect ruler but I’m anything but the monster you’ve become. I will continue to believe that nothing is beyond redemption.” Her rigid features relaxed upon viewing her sister’s struggle against the nightmare. “My sister is proof of this!”
Luna’s color had already started to shift towards black. She no longer whispered and lay still beneath Celestia.
“Your sister is but proof of your repeated failures. How do you hope to stop me and her together?” Star-Swirl spat the words with displeasure.
A clacking sound garnered their attention. Rivaling the height of her sister, Luna had risen to her hooves. Two voices mixed and reverberated. “Leave us to deal with this cur. Please leave sister… I can’t win. Just like before, o-our will fades.” One leg almost faltered on her first step forward. The battle inside took everything she had but even so she took another step. “Let Nightmare Moon deal with this. Then eternal night shall be-” Luna caught herself mid-sentence and opened her eyes revealing the light blue, predatory irises.
Luna almost fell with the next step but Celestia caught her, using her flank to keep her steady on her hooves. “I won’t leave you. I won’t abandon you again.”
The expression Luna gave Celestia was confusing. It said “Thank you” but something was off. With a jerk, Luna staggered forward again and smiled. Her lips continued to curve upward revealing row upon row of sharp teeth. Her mouth parted and a sinister laugh with a voice of one wracked her weakened body. “You drive a hard bargain! But it would be my pleasure! A sister for a body!”
Nightmare Moon reared up and kicked Celestia with expert precision. The kick caught the side of her skull and sent her flying through the wall near the doorway. Her crumpled body lay somewhere beyond, unconscious.
Shadows filled the room, rotating and slithering on the walls. Nightmare Moon’s blackened coat pulsed and she raised her head towards the ceiling. Continuing her previous laugh the shadows converged underneath and clung to her. Each pulse of her coat consumed the shadows until a burst of darkness erupted from the ground beneath her, obscuring any vision. As the geyser of energy subsided, Nightmare Moon remained standing proud, adorned with her blue-silver armor.
As her laughter stopped, Nightmare Moon’s gaze turned to Star-Swirl. “Let me correct something for you, you feeble old pony. I will be the one to destroy Celestia.” She unfurled her curved black wings and took a low stance. “You are competition to a throne you have no right to. There will only be me by the time night arrives!”
The golden barrier around Star-Swirl crackled against the blast that Nightmare Moon fired. So much stronger! He focused on dodging the follow-up bolt and a bone-crunching kick sent him flying. I don’t understand it! Luna was never this strong. Is this the power of an alicorn under Nightmare? I shall have to look into this. He stopped just short of the wall with his magic and accessed his damage. Most of the kick had been diverted into the future by an invisible temporal shield but enough had gotten through to bruise a rib.
“You can’t be reasoned with? There is much to gain by working together here.” The offer had little hope of success and Star-Swirl knew this but if he could distract her just a bit longer.
Nightmare Moon’s response was a beam of crackling black that fired with enough force to drag her back several feet.
Neither the barrier or the temporal shield would hold against this attack. Summoning a defensive spell; he raced to compact and release it. The beam slammed into the spell, shattering and dispersing the beam like a hail of arrows. Rays of solid black peppered the walls leaving baseball-sized craters on impact. A few of the beams continued and exploded into Star-Swirl, dissolving his barrier on their way through. Each impact jerked his body as he struggled to hold his ground.
The final stray beam struck Star-Swirl’s chest causing him to grunt in pain. Through gritted teeth, he said, “A retreat is probably in order. What a fascinating creature you are.” He called to the gatestone through his attunement and the space behind him wavered and tore open. “A warning to you. Banish her, torture her, beat her within an inch of her life, but you will leave her alive. Do not let this meager victory assure you that I am not a threat. ” As he finished the final word he slipped back into the opening and vanished.
***
What happened? Drums pounded in her ears with each heartbeat. The savage pain in her temple was already calming against her natural regenerative properties. A heavyweight shifted atop her and she blinked her eyes open. Blurry blue moons filled her vision. A few more careful blinks wiped away the fog to reveal a pair of slitted pupils inches from her face.
“Sleep like a princess?” Mocking laughter followed Nightmare Moon as she hopped off the pile of rubble that was Celestia and the broken wall. She stomped her hoof through a section of stone and ground it in place. “Get up. We have unfinished business. I shan't wait on your slow recovery from a kick that I should have used to fell you. Twould be that I, Nightmare Moon, have to make such a deal to regain my own body.” Her irritation grew as the clouds parted, bathing the hallway with sunlight.
Celestia groaned, putting two hooves under the other and rising from the debris. Pulverized marble fell from her colorful mane in a small cascade that resulted in a coughing fit. Shaking more of the powder from her head she whispered, “What deal?”
“I don’t have to explain anything to you. Regain your senses and stop delaying my eternal night with your weakness.” Nightmare Moon finished the sentence by lowering her horn towards Celestia.
Even with the disasters of the day, Celestia felt a strange calm. “You know I won’t raise a hoof to you, sister. We can find a way to restore you without the elements.” Each word cleared her mind and emboldened her stature. “You’ve come too far to lose now.”
Nightmare Moon considered banishing her. To suffer the same fate sentenced upon her for two thousand years. But the fake alicorn wanted her alive. Even threatened her. Nightmare Moon answered to no one.
The dark alicorn horn dashed forward for Celestia’s neck. She feared the worst but stood her ground. A tearing sensation and the warmth of her own blood was her reward.
“No! We will not stand for this. You shall not have thine body at the cost of our sister’s life!” The mixed voice poured from Nightmare Moon’s mouth as a thin line of blood drew down Celestia’s neck. A small tuft of her white coat hung from her horn.
A new battle of wills began and Nightmare Moon’s body staggered backward. “Is even your word worthless, Luna?. This body is mine!” Her head swung, eyes rolling around. “Thine agreement was to let my sister live! We know your thoughts!” Metal on stone screeched into the hallways when her head slammed into the stone wall. “Flee sister, she is no longer part of me but something new. He did this to us!”
“If that is true I have even less reason to flee,” Celestia said as the flesh was already knitting back together under her crimson stained coat. “We both know I cannot let Nightmare Moon loose into Equestria. I know you have the strength to win against her now.”
A vicious black glow gathered upon Nightmare Moon’s horn before being jerked downwards into the stone. Waves of black pulsated into the floor. “Stop interfering! I am far stronger than you ever have or will be!” The deep voice of Nightmare Moon overrode Luna’s and her body went still.
The gears were already turning inside Celestia’s head. She had a plan but it wasn’t a good one. Incapable of harming Luna, she’d have to contain Nightmare Moon. Given enough time, she had confidence that Luna would be the one to govern control. Luna’s growth since her reformation at the hands of the elements surprised everyone. Interacting with the populace and gaining popularity for her appearances on Nightmare Night, along with helping ponies find solace in their sleep. All she had to do was build upon that confidence until Luna’s light shined over the darkness in her heart.
“Ah! So much quieter. Now back to business. I believe I was about to end your miserable existence.” Looking up for a reaction, Nightmare Moon found none. A darkened shield enveloped her body for the impending attack, but it never came. Pivoting on her hooves, she caught sight of Celestia, already several feet down the hallway, charging a spell. “You can’t escape m-” A blinding flash of light responded to the threat.
No matter what she will follow me. Celestia knew it to be true. Her plan hinged on that fact. If only she could make it to the hall containing the stained glass mosaics. Past that, a room expanded to contain dangerous magical artifacts, the original room of the now useless elements, might have her answer. There was no time to tarry so like an arrow she shot down the hallway to her target.
Nightmare Moon thrashed against the lancing pain her eyes provided her. How dare she! Even the thought hurt against the overwhelming light of the sun. “Run while you can. I will find you. Day must give way to night eventually!” A nasty snarl followed, her vision fading in and filled with spots. A glimpse of white turning right at the end of the hallway spurred her into action. Glossy black wings pumped with her hooves, accelerating her in pursuit of the troublesome alicorn.
Both of them knew how to navigate the maze of hallways in the castle. Celestia lived there and Nightmare Moon could draw upon Luna’s memories. To her credit, Celestia kept pace ahead of Nightmare Moon but Luna had always been the more physical of the two. It was only a matter of time before Nightmare Moon caught up.
The hallway came into sight, deep in the castle. Lined with the achievements and events of the ponies of history, it was long. At the end awaited a door that only one of the sister’s horns could open. Before she’d taken a step into the hallway a shadow loomed over her. Nightmare Moon landed, facing her with a grin.
“Enough with this cat and mouse game. You are a fool if you think you can outrun me.” Nightmare Moon cackled and advanced upon Celestia. “Eternal night waits for Equestria. Lower the sun and I might let you live, after I punish your insolence. You can watch from the moon as your ponies come to love me and not you!”
Celestia shook her head, slow and sad. “You know I cannot give in to you. Step aside so I might right this wrong. Your time ended when the elements defeated you.”
Nightmare Moon’s eyes narrowed and a fangs showed beneath the confident grin. “I know what you are doing. Luna knows, therefore so do I. There is nothing back there that can stop the might of Nightmare Moon.”
“I won’t know unless I try.” Celestia mapped out the path to get around Nightmare Moon in her mind. “And for my sister, I would try anything!” With that, a mote of magic crawled up her horn and she teleported behind Nightmare Moon.
Silky blackness trailed behind Nightmare Moon as she became a whirlwind of motion. Springing forward into the wall, she rebounded upwards and opened her wings. Celestia hadn’t even materialized completely when Nightmare Moon’s hooves crashed into her back. The blow slammed Celestia to the ground with Nightmare Moon landing beside her. Nightmare Moon stomped into Celestia’s chest.
Wind blasted out of Celestia’s lungs from the sharp impact. Hooves scraped against the slick floor in an effort to move toward the door. The pressure increased and she heard, “Going somewhere, Princess? Here let me help you.”
A kinetic bolt of energy sprang from Nightmare Moon’s horn into Celestia, spinning her down the hallway. The grunts she made when she bounced off the wall was music to Nightmare Moon. She began a slow trot forward, watching Celestia struggle back to her feet. “You’ll never defeat me like that. The words that fool spoke earlier are true. You failed Luna in the past and only the elements could keep you from facing your mistakes.” Her neck craned down until her lips tickled the hairs in Celestia’s ear. “There is no one to save you now. Not those six nuisances or Luna.”
The next kick caught Celestia across the face, flinging her further down the hallway. Whether by fate or Nightmare Moon’s twisted sense of humor, she’d landed below the mosaic of the Nightmare Moon’s defeat. A beautiful stained glass work of art showing Twilight and friends using the elements to free Luna from the Nightmare’s grasp. She slumped against the wall and looked up, blood trickling from her torn lips and adding to her already stained neck. The situation was bad but seeing the picture gave her hope. Her injuries weren’t serious for an alicorn of her nature but she had to reach the door before she ran out of magic to soften the wicked strikes Nightmare Moon handed out.
“Still you hold out, even after being beaten bloody?” Nightmare Moon’s form towered over the Celestia. Upon viewing the mosaic, she froze. Memories of that horrid event even caused her to back away. What an insulting thing it was. It had to be destroyed. Blackened energy roiled at the base of her horn before rocketing forward in a beam. The eruption of magic passed through the glass and sped off into the sky.
A winded chuckle regained Nightmare Moon’s attention. “You have Luna’s memories but you don’t remember that magic doesn’t affect dragon blasted glass.” Celestia’s features relaxed into a smile. “I guess Luna never did pay attention when we were being taught as fillies.” She staggered to her hooves, those precious few seconds allowing her to heal. The only sign she’d fought was the blood trail along her lips and the matting on her neck.
The stained glass hadn’t taken any damage, just as Celestia described. Nightmare Moon’s head turned and an excellent idea came to her. “Immune to magic you say? What about-” Her head changed angles and fired another solid black bolt into Celestia’s midriff. It tossed her into the bottom of the mosaic and a small crack appeared where Celestia ricocheted off. A meaty thump announced Celestia’s reunion with the floor. “How unusual! I just used magic and cracked it.” A second shot between the floor and Celestia’s prone form brought her eye level with Nightmare Moon. “Once more!” This bolt caught Celestia in the flank, spinning it around into the glass.
The world wouldn’t stop spinning. Bolt after bolt juggled Celestia into the window, each impact one step closer to shattering it. The barrage stopped, Nightmare Moon panting. “I will not… be bested… by such an… ugly thing.” Whether the mural heard her words or not the damage reached the metal holding it in place. A loud groan preceded the entire piece falling onto Celestia. Pieces of glass scattered across the floor with the centerpiece surviving the impact. Nightmare Moon watched as the tiny fissures methodically disintegrated the Bearers. Each crack came together in the middle flowing upward before cutting the image of Nightmare Moon in half, Celestia’s head revealed beneath.
Luna roused at the sight. Surging upwards through the consciousness that was Nightmare Moon, she wrested control of her body back. A voice screeched in her mind, “What? No!”
“Thou cannot suppress us further. I have not the strength to banish you but you will not harm my sister any longer.” The same blackened magic that had battered Celestia’s body now uncovered and lifted it. Tendrils slithered out from the aura, plucking bits of glass from Celestia’s wounds. Laying her as one might a newborn foal, Luna nestled Celestia on the cleanest portion of floor.
Closing her eyes, Luna’s voice was clear. “We will settle this with you once and for all.” Inward she went, the power of dream creating a grassy field covered in moonlight. Two alicorns stood on opposing sides, the petite Luna and the larger darkness, Nightmare Moon.
Nightmare Moon was the first to speak. “How did you- nevermind. Somehow in your weakness you’ve forced me to this place.” A soft wind sent shivers through the illuminated grass, small blinking bugs taking off from the disturbance. It was cool, a bit of moisture hanging in the air. A full moon oversaw the field and Nightmare Moon could feel it’s strength. Where exactly was she?
Luna let the breeze flow through her starlit mane. “We were able to bring you here because we are one and the same. We realize that now.” The image of Nightmare Moon splitting in two replayed in her mind. “This is where we used to go to escape it all. Where we thought about how the ponies of Equestria hated us. We made the decision that led to you here as well.”
The place felt familiar. Like a home Nightmare Moon never knew. “I have access to everything you know. I can’t remember this place.” Every second seemed to calm the turmoil of emotion that drove her. It had to be some kind of trick.
“We don’t understand it either. Whatever Star-swirl did to us, you are not the Nightmare Moon that the elements destroyed.” The wind picked up, causing small ripples of light to cascade through the bowing grass. Luna brought her gaze downward. “We cannot forgive thou for what was done to our sister. Second chances are something our sister believes in.”
Nightmare Moon took a more aggressive stance and laughed. “You mean to threaten me? Fool, do not forget who took control from you so easily.” The words sounded wrong. Forced. What was it about this place that was throwing her off. “Eternal night shall be-” What about eternal night? Is that what she wanted? She wanted to show the world that she deserved as much respect as Celestia. To drown out the sun so that it could never create another shadow that she would be forced to walk in again.
“You are Nightmare Moon,” Luna brought her head up and took in all that was Nightmare Moon, “of that we are certain. But, thou are no longer us. You couldn’t be here with us if you were not your own pony.” Nightmare Moon struggled to make out the next sentence. “We are not strong enough to help our sister on our own. We never have been. We have learnt so much from the ponies since we returned.”
Luna couldn’t keep the pleasant memories from showing on her face. “We are not hated, not any longer. We are feared, but in a way that makes them love us. We have friends, the same ponies who used the elements.” Pride seeped into her voice. “All the needs that made us give into the Nightmare have been fulfilled, but one.” Luna wrestled with what she wanted to say. “Star-swirl is beyond our power. We want to be useful to our sister, but we cannot alone. We offer you this, help us and we will free you.”
It took a few seconds before Nightmare Moon responded, “Is this a joke? You can’t be serious.” She stood to her full height, proud and regal. “I am Nightmare Moon and your body will be mine whether you wish it or not. That is my freed-”
Luna cut her off, already trotting towards the edge of the meadow. “We will let you think it over. We will be waiting for your answer.” The last wisps of her mane disappeared into the darkness that surrounded the area.
With a snarl, Nightmare Moon charged towards the ring of darkness that Luna slipped into. Her body crumpled against the solid wall of blackness. She screamed into it, “No! I will not be locked away again!”
This story has been partially proofread and edited by Icarus720. A big thanks to him! Any additional errors should be pointed out in the comments section.
Pinkie Pie was all too happy to share every thought that went through her head to the group. Between her constant random conversation and the mysterious sound effects that accompanied her odd style of travel — a bouncing, springy sound — Sweetie Belle didn't think she would make it. On the other hoof, Spike felt more comfortable around Pinkie Pie and didn’t seem to mind her antics, sometimes finding them funny or joining in on the conversations.
Due to the nature of Pinkie Pie and her likeness to Queen Pinkamena, a train directly to Canterlot was out of the question. With no formal transportation to take them to Canterlot, they had to hoof it. It was many hours of physically exhausting travel, and mentally exhausting Pinkie Pie, before they reached Canterlot Castle.
The city had seen better days. The normal sounds of thriving commerce were replaced by a horrible silence. It created an eerie tranquility, similar to a forest devoid of animals because a predator was on the prowl. With each breeze scents of sulfur and rot would drift past their noses; this was especially hard on Pinkie Pie, who was used to smells of sweets. Every door and window was shut or barred, the ponies inside daring not to come out. The only signs of life within the city were the uniquely outfitted guards of Pinkamena. Their bright uniforms created a bizarre contrast to the faded white of the city and its castle.
“Wow! I've been here lotsa times and it is always so pretty,” Pinkie Pie said while darting around the gate, peering at the desolate city. “Must be something really serious going on for Princess Celestia to evacuate!”
Sweetie Belle’s stare could have frozen a river. “No one has seen Princess Celestia in a year; she disappeared shortly after yo-Pinkamena became queen.” Her voice grew angrier as she continued, Pinkie Pie’s personality and her own fear wearing on her. “My sister, Rarity, is here too… somewhere. S-she left and my parents never returned after their trip to Canterlot.” The anger in her voice bled away, replaced by fear. “I’ve heard rumors of the city being abandoned but this…”
Spike put a comforting claw on Sweetie Belle’s mane. “Twilight is here too. We’ll see them as soon as we deli-arrive with Pinkie Pie.” His reassuring smile towards Pinkie Pie felt as fake as his confidence in what they were doing. His eyes lingered on her, bringing to the forefront of his thoughts the faded necklace that looked so familiar. Every time he'd seen it during their trip he had wanted to ask but Pinkie Pie gave no openings for conversation outside of her ramblings.
Pinkie Pie couldn't help but notice Spike staring in her direction. She followed his eyes down to her chest and gasped. She had completely forgotten about her Element of Harmony. I can find my friends with this. But something isn’t right, Pinkie Pie thought to herself.
“I've been meaning to ask about that necklace. I saw Queen Pinkamena wearing it a long time ago,” Spike mentioned, his demeanor returning to the lazy, casualness he'd exhibited earlier. “Although, it is missing the gem,” He said, pointing his claw toward the empty jewel socket.
Pinkie Pie’s eyes widened in alarm as she jerked her head down toward the necklace. Her hooves swept over the barren necklace, increasing in speed with her breathing. At a point of near hyperventilation, she began rummaging through her mane and tossing out all manner of objects. “No, this isn’t it! We don’t even need to speak English.” She screamed, tossing an odd looking box with a harness and the words X-Com engraved in the base toward the bewildered bunch. With a crash of metal, one of her party cannons fell to the ground, almost as big as she was. “Can never have too many balloons… how old are these cupcakes? Oooh, a signed copy of Dusk Shine’s book, but no…” Her hooves became a pink blur as more and more objects flew from her mane to the ground until it was littered with an assortment of both familiar and foreign objects. “How could I lose my Element of Harmony? How are we supposed to beat the baddies if we can’t do the awesome rainbows… ugh.” The whine in her voice tapered off as she put her hooves over her head in defeat.
Both Sweetie Belle and Spike’s eyes were locked onto Pinkie Pie’s antics. Sweetie Belle had seen some of Twilight’s magic and the amazing things her sister could do with fabric but this… this was beyond logic. She thought about it and only one answer made sense. This had to be changeling magic. The uneasiness of turning this… thing in vanished and she looked towards Spike, trying to gauge his thoughts from his face. When their eyes met, it was obvious they had reached the same conclusion.
“I bet the queen will know where your Element of Harmony is, although I recall my sister having one as well.” Sweetie Belle looked to the ground remembering Rarity. The memory of her sister’s Element of Harmony was fuzzy at best, but the Element of Harmony had been an important part of her sister’s life. She only remembered the shape, a purple diamond similar to her cutie mark. It felt familiar, her sister’s piece of jewelry was very similar to the empty one around Pinkie Pie’s neck. Her eyes lit up for a moment before returning to normal with a thin veil of distrust for the more observant viewer. “Wasn’t the queen one of the bearers at some point, Spike?”
Spike thought about it while searching Sweetie Belle’s eyes for a hint of the answer she wanted him to give. “I remember there being six bearers when Nightmare Moon was beaten and I’m pretty sure Queen Pinkamena was one of them. I bet she still has it, ya know? It is probably why I remember seeing it on her before.” Sweetie Belle gave a slight nod and Spike sighed in relief seeing his explanation met her approval.
“You really think so?” Pinkie Pie was already back to her normal self with the news. “Gosh, we really should meet the queen if she has an Element of Harmony.” She continued with little grunts and her voice becoming strained as she started to put the plethora of items back into her mane. “I don’t remember there being more than six elements or any other ponies when we rainbowed up Nightmare Moon.” Her hooves came to a stop as she came to a realization. “If I haven’t met them yet I still have to throw them a ‘Congratulations on Beating Nightmare Moon Party’! If this keeps up I may have to combine some of these parties together!” She put the last of the items back into her mane and giggled with excitement.
“Uh, sure… Pinkie Pie. There will be plenty of time for parties after we meet the queen.” Spike wasn’t sure why the rambling pony didn’t get on his nerves more. He could only chalk it up as some changeling ability causing his ease around her. “We should get going instead of wasting time. We all have someone we need to meet in the castle and I don’t know about you but the sooner the better.” He couldn’t hold the edge in his voice as his excitement grew. Twilight was only a short while away and it had been so long.
Sweetie Belle faced the city and began the short trot to the gate, keeping watch for anything odd. The city was nearly abandoned and they still didn’t know why. She suspected that Rarity had been working with her friends to stop some threat to the kingdom and the town had become a danger zone. “Keep your eyes open because this town gives me a bad feeling.”
Pinkie Pie bounced after Sweetie Belle with Spike taking his time in the rear. As they moved through the silent town the guards standing near the walls might as well have been decorations, their colorful helmets never moving but the group could feel their eyes upon them. Before the trio ever arrived at the wall, both guards surprised them by pushing open the double-sided brass gate, clearing the path to the castle.
“Huh, they sure do seem to know us, but I don’t remember ever meeting them…” Pinkie Pie stared with suspicion at both guards, trotting past them after she was satisfied. She craned her head around and wiggled her hooves while making silly faces. Neither guard even acknowledged her presence. Pinkie Pie was never one to balk at a challenge and this only made her try harder. She stopped and turned ready to get even a little chuckle from either guard. She saw the guards begin to move away from her — wait, no, she was moving away from them.
Sweetie Belle strained and dug her hooves into the ground pulling Pinkie Pie towards the castle by latching onto her tail with her teeth. Enough was enough. She would see her sister immediately and this changeling was done delaying her. There was an odd popping noise and she fell onto her flank, a fluffy pink tail with a nail on it dangling from her mouth.
“If you wanted to play pin the tail on the pony you could have asked.” Pinkie Pie said wiggling her empty rump towards Sweetie Belle.
Spike was becoming accustomed to these strange occurrences and had to fight back a fit of laughter. He knew that Sweetie Belle was getting frustrated and while he found the last bit hilarious, his yearn to see Twilight overrode any feelings of mirth. “Pinkie Pie, she’s right, we really do need to get into the castle. If this is serious they may need our help and I’m not letting Twilight down again.” His eyes hardened as he finished the sentence.
“Fiiine, let's go see the potentially scary queen who looks like me and is probably the reason for the gore tag.” Pinkie Pie said in a blur of words rolling her eyes.
Neither Sweetie Belle nor Spike understood what she had said but it sounded like an acceptance so they continued on towards the castle. They also didn’t notice her tail was back where it should be, attached and unharmed.
As they neared the large golden castle door Pinkie Pie could see the familiar heart in the middle. As she got closer she noticed something strange about the heart, deep rusty gouges were carved into it. Flecks of red were embedded in each gouge with the area around them brighter than the rest as if hastily cleaned.
The strange smells of the city had also grown quite strong, with the worst of it coming from the castle gardens. Out of everything around the castle the garden was thriving, the plants and flowers vibrant and plentiful. Several fruit-bearing trees were so bountiful their lower branches were brushing the ground. None of this should have seemed odd, yet the combination of decay and growth stood out.
For the first time since she arrived, Sweetie Belle’s gut was screaming at her get as far away from here as possible. But like always, she never listened to her gut; it always took the fun out of anything exciting. She gave herself a good shake to knock the bad feelings out and proceeded forward.
Spike reached the door first and inspected the gouges. “These are the same color and smell as the scrolls I’ve been receiving from the castle. I-I don’t know what they mean.” His faded purple scales seemed to pale, if that was even possible. There was something primal about this smell, something that quickened his breath and heightened his senses. It’d been this way since the first letter arrived. The only difference then was an instinctual fear that always turned to Twilight.
“I’ve never seen this color in Rarity’s workshop before either.” Sweetie Belle reached the door hesitating, before taking a deep breath and rapping her hoof against it. She felt the same ominous pressure as the others but her determination to find or help Rarity helped hold it at bay.
Stone ground on stone as the doors swung inward, a blast of air releasing itself from the castle. The smell was horrifying, and nothing in their varied experiences could have prepared them for it. Sweetie Belle almost fainted on the spot but caught herself with a burst of willpower. She didn’t know what the smell signified but she would have fled if not for the firm image of Rarity. Spike seemed unaffected by the smell, peering around inside the castle but not moving an inch. Had either of them been watching Pinkie Pie they would have seen a dangerous glint in her eyes, something deep trying to awaken but only for a moment.
Pinkie Pie’s face scrunched up and her eyes closed. “Ewwwwwww, someone needs to take out the trash. This place smells like Gilda’s breath. She's really in your face and I’m not sure if they make breath mints for Griffons.”
The ground shook when the doors hit the inner walls, opening as far as they could. Two of the colorful guards were pulling chains attached to the doors to keep them open. As the light washed inside the castle, rows upon rows of tapestries lined the walls leading up to the intertwined marble staircase. Each tapestry was made of an unknown material and covered in fine fur. Perfectly cut squares of the material were stitched together with expert care, each with a different cutie mark represented. Almost like a hall of history for famous ponies but many of the cutie marks looked familiar. A bundle of carrots, a red plus surrounded by smaller hearts, a gold and blue compass rose, and a collection of bubbles were a few of the many cutie marks seen on the tapestries.
The display was beautiful if not for the stone walls they were draped upon. Random bits of decayed red and etched lines were scattered randomly along the walls. Several spots had spatter like a blooming rose, the same hasty cleaning technique apparent on each. It didn’t take long for Sweetie Belle to figure out what it was. It was blood. The gouges, spatters, and stains on the wall were blood. Her gaze followed the wall back to the door and then she saw the carpet.
The carpet leading to the stairs was two halves of the purest white and night-time blue, the fur on top so delicate and soft she couldn’t imagine where it came from. The carpet swapped sides at the beginning of the stairs and each stair was lined with sun sigils and crescent moons. On top of the twin staircase stood Queen Pinkamena. Her mane was straight and a faded pink with no jewelry or crown. Her head was cocked sideways and a half grin crawled up her face. Large, dilated pupils stared with an unknown hunger at her guests, the orbs flitting between each one of them.
“Welcome, welcome! We-I haven’t had guests of honor in so long… So. Long.” The pitch was all wrong, it sounded like Pinkie Pie but with a restrained screech overlapping the tones. Her eyes continued to dart between her guests with each word. “Bring them in, I really want to meet them, especially the one that looks. Like. Me.” Snorts and giggles followed the statement, ending abruptly as her eyes locked with Pinkie Pie’s.
Pinkie Pie wasn’t sure what to think. This castle was super creepy and there she was at the top of stairs. Only it wasn’t her, the familiarity ending on the outside. She could definitely see how ponies had been mixing her up with this queen. For now, she decided on simply getting to know her; she’d found over many parties not to judge a pony by their looks. The decor would definitely need some talking about, however, because Rarity would simply have died at the sight of any of this. She smiled and waved her hooves back at the queen to hopefully lighten her mood.
Sweetie Belle started to back away from the castle doors, her realization of the sights and smells destroying any confidence she had left. She bumped into something solid with a “ding”. Despite her mind’s urging, her body responded at a snail's pace. A small ring of colorful knights had surrounded the door, barring exit. Seeing no escape, Sweetie Belle did the only thing she could do. She crept back and rejoined the group, her mind reeling and trying to understand the situation she was in. The only sign that she was breaking were silent tears forming in her eyes.
Spike’s scaled eyes were narrowed as he also took in the atmosphere of the room. He wasn’t stupid and his mind had already put together that something terrible was going on. A cursory glance confirmed that Twilight’s cutie mark was nowhere to be found in the tapestries. With an inward sigh of relief he got down to business. “We brought the changeling. I dunno if you got the scroll or not but we’re here.”
“Oh! Oh! I got the scroll. I was so excited that you brought the grand prize of my bounty hunt!” She maintained her half-smile while licking her lips, her eyes never leaving Pinkie Pie. “And of course you both get a gift for being so good at it! Come to the throne room with me, just you two,” she pointed at Spike and Sweetie Belle, “and I’ll reward you.” Her face swapped into a perfect, wide smile and motioned for them to come forward.
Turning her head towards Pinkie Pie and spoke words as sweet as any candy, “Don’t worry! We’ll have our time together Pinkamena. I would never leave a creature like you out of the fun.” The cheery smile never faltered but a hunger was growing in her eyes.
For all her ability to point out the obvious, Pinkie Pie was oblivious to it. She saw that smile and couldn’t keep her own from growing. One on one time with the queen is what she needed. To sort this whole thing out and rejoin her friends, wherever they were.
Without a word, the rainbow guard filed rank around the group separating Spike and Sweetie Belle from Pinkie Pie. The armor these guards wore was different from any they’d encountered so far. Devoid of the constant grinding of metal on metal, the only sound they made were organized thumps of hooves striking the carpet. What little flesh the armor exposed was pale and sickly, covered in patches of hair outnumbered numerous scars. They gave little room for argument as they split and began marching forward, leaving a ring around Pinkie Pie.
Sweetie Belle and Spike found their way up the stairs and followed Queen Pinkamena towards the throne room.
“Do you like the castle? Rarity and I really worked hard on it… It is made from such a hard to get material.” Queen Pinkamena’s head whipped around and the entire procession stopped. The same terrible eyes from the past now stared directly into Sweetie Belle.
It was like an enormous weight was suddenly on her shoulders. Sweetie Belle couldn’t move or speak; she knew she should muster up a smile for the queen but she was paralyzed. Once it became obvious they would stand there until she gave an answer she swallowed her fear and answered. “I-if Rarity w-worked on it then it must be in fashion. D-do… do you know where she is?”
The queen just stared at her for a long while until her body began to shake in silence. Her mouth opened and little giggles became genuine laughter. “Oh, it is ironic, yes! Her contract expired, but she had done such a… fitting job that I just couldn’t extend it.” In a single breath, the laughter stopped and Queen Pinkamena’s face darkened. “She worked herself stiff and is currently taking a break.”
Her hoof came up to her mouth and a mixture of snickering and giggles started before she turned and began trotting towards the throne room again. “Oh, and I am sooooo curious, what will you wish from me, Sweetie Belle?” Despite her eyes facing the hallway, Sweetie Belle could feel them peering at her with monstrous intensity.
Being reminded of her reason for coming to the castle gave her a temporary reprieve from the fear gripping her. She took a stronger pose as she continued to walk and replied, “I came here to help Rarity. Or… well at least to be with her again because it has been a year and neither her or my parents ever came back.” A strange sense of relief flooded her when the queen didn’t laugh at her request. It did little to battle the continued presence of Pinkamena, however.
“I am more than happy to give you that if you wish.” The queen stopped again and one of the guards obscured Sweetie Belle’s vision of the queen. The next words came in a whisper, directly into her right ear. “I made a Pinkie Promise not to let you be with Rarity. That was her wish.”
With a yelp, Sweetie Belle’s heart began pounding and her head swung toward the voice. Queen Pinkamena’s voice next statement whispered into her left ear, devoid of emotion.
“Of course, if you want me to use your wish to break that Pinkie Promise, I will have no choice as you brought me a changeling.”
Before Sweetie Belle could check her left side she heard laughter from the front of the procession where she had last seen the queen. A quick check on her left revealed no pony there as well. She knew she was a foal in a monster’s den but it was too late to back out now. “Yes, I’ll do anything to see Rarity… please let me see her.” A whimper of hope accompanied Rarity’s name.
Even as afraid as she was her mind had already sprung into motion. ”Why wouldn’t Rarity want to see me? Have I done something?” She knew her sister, she’d help raise her and wouldn’t abandon her on a whim. There had to be a good reason for all this, and when they were reunited, she’d find out.
The grin that spread on Queen Pinkamena’s face could have touched her ears. Had either Spike or Sweetie Belle been able to see it, they would not have proceeded further. She couldn’t have wished for things to turn out better than they were. Of course, she wasn’t the one wishing anything.
They reached the throne room and stopped. Queen Pinkamena barked an order to her guards, “Just Sweetie Belle, the dragon comes after.” The guards formed the same circle around Spike as they had Pinkie Pie and two took up positions on either side of the throne room.
“No, but, Twilight..” Spike stammered out. “What about Twilight!”
The queen’s eyes turned in their sockets with the speed of non-interest. “You’ll get your turn silly dragon. I wonder if all dragons are impatient or if it’s just you.” A grin that could only be described as something an experimenter might don when a test subject responded appropriately, appeared as she went on. “Twilight is here, and she is working on the longest and most important question any pony could ask. I’m sure she’ll welcome your help!”
Spike's eyes widened at the answer. Twilight was here and needed his help. He knew his job as number one assistant was to help her reach an answer, especially to such a question. He couldn't help but wonder why Twilight hadn't called him earlier. But then he remembered how she got when she was engrossed with a problem with no obvious answer. She probably hadn’t eaten or slept properly since she left and time would be a foreign subject at this point. Spike nodded to himself and engrossed his mind with what would come next. He would do what he always did in this situation, make sure Twilight had everything she needed because what else would a number one assistant do?
Queen Pinkamena beckoned Sweetie Belle inside, the insane grin replaced with another genuine smile of delight. As both ponies entered, the doors swung shut behind them with a resounding boom.
******
For Pinkie Pie, confusion was a daily occurrence, but now she was confused because her friends had just abandoned her. She didn't like the tight ring of guards surrounding her either. They didn't move and so far were immune to her best jokes, almost as if they were dead. As she thought about her predicament an idea struck her. These guards haven’t responded to jokes or gags but what about games? It was against Pinkie Pie’s very nature to let anypony leave without having fun, these guards would be no exception.
“Hey there! I bet you are in a bad mood cause you never get to play!” The sound of Pinkie Pie’s voice seemed to cause the guards to turn their heads in her direction but otherwise, they remained statues. She couldn't resist a smile at the prospect of cheering these disgruntled ponies up. “Let’s play… hide and seek!. Now, you need to close your eyes and count to ten and then find me!” Her eyes were wide at the prospect and her hooves came together in excitement.
Every guard obeyed her without hesitation, their eyes closing behind the small slits in their helms. The guards counted to ten with difficulty but when the first reached that number, he opened his eyes and Pinkie Pie was gone. Each guard did as Queen Pinkamena had ordered, and continued with the game regardless. They knew what happened if they didn’t.
******
The throne room was lacking the hoof-stitched banners adorning the entrance of the castle. However, the black and white carpeting split off running up to two thrones, one solid black and the other a pure white. The beautiful white marble walls were stained with the same marks of as the entrance to the castle. The stained glass murals were the only thing in the room untouched, except for one.
The mural showing the defeat of Nightmare Moon had hoof sized holes with spider web cracks running all throughout it. Around each of the banishing ponies were words like fake, liar, and revenge written over and over in dried blood, some illegible due to the wide, erratic hoofwriting.
The smell that permeated the rest of the castle was overpowering in this room. Despite having become accustomed to the smell, Sweetie Belle’s nostrils burned and her eyes watered. The room was empty except for the queen and her. With blurry vision she scanned the room for a way to escape the offending odor. Besides the massive stone door behind her, she could only see one other exit. A passageway near the black throne leading somewhere, the light was too dim for her to see inside.
“W-what ha-happened here…” Sweetie Belle stammered her legs struggling to hold her weight. She took a second look around the room with red eyes, stinging tears beginning to streak down her cheeks.
Queen Pinkamena slowed and looked at the filly. Her eyes looked through Sweetie Belle at nothing, her face shifting between a myriad of emotions. Concern, fear, hate, sadness, and the last almost looked like grief. But the mask settled back into a smile that made her eyes look crooked and her features small. Only one word passed through those lips, “War.”
“War? I-I don’t understand.” She didn’t have the experience or the knowledge to comprehend Queen Pinkamena’s word. There had never been a war in Equestria in her lifetime or strife beyond Nightmare Moon and now Queen Pinkamena. Of course, she knew what the word meant, a long fight between two entities. But who was Queen Pinkamena at war with?
Queen Pinkamena’s eyes narrowed and the smile faded into a thin line. Glancing back at the mural, her eye twitched. The words she wanted to say hung in her mouth before she looked back to Sweetie Belle.
She seemed to grow larger as she towered over Sweetie Belle, looking down upon her as one might a disobedient child. She growled, deep and guttural, “War. We were attacked by things pretending to be us, pretending to be me.” The last word almost didn’t make it out through the queen’s clenched teeth. She had difficulty containing her anger, to think that some creatures would try to play with her feelings like her friends had all those years ago. She had killed them all of course, except that pesky queen. But now she had a living changeling who would give her that information. They would pay like all the others had.
Sweetie Belle closed her eyes and sunk to the ground at the power in that voice. While she was young, she understood the feeling of her imminent death. That same feeling when she had locked eyes with the queen before now flooded throughout her body.
Her body was ready for the blow that was to come but instead she felt the ground shifting beneath her and the sound of a spring bouncing around her. Sweet words that sounded like Pinkie Pie’s reached her ears, “Get up! Get up! Rarity can help you understand!” One eye cracked open and looked up to see Queen Pinkamena bouncing around her cowering form with the happiest smile she’d ever seen. The queen spoke more honeyed words, “I’ll show you if you follow me! It will all make sense then!”
The oppressive fear began to lift and the horrible gut instinct of doom disappeared. Once again, Sweetie Belle found the strength to stand. She couldn’t keep her thoughts together, and focused on the only one that mattered, seeing Rarity. “Will you take me to Rarity, please?” The last word was almost pleading. She could see the queen nod her head and begin to bounce towards the door behind the throne. The queen began to hum a strange melody she had never heard before and as they proceeded towards the throne she would catch the word “Smile” drifting through the air between hums.
Compared to the throne room the passageway leading downward was spotless. The white marble looked polished, almost new. None of the odd material that was carpet or hung on the walls could be found inside. The farther they got inside the darker it became until Sweetie Belle used a bit of magic to make her horn glow. She couldn’t produce enough to compete with a lamp but she could see in front of her enough to follow the queen.
Fear was creeping in on her again but she distracted herself with conversation, “Why is Rarity down here in the dark? This doesn’t seem like somewhere she’d be.” Her words were barely audible but the marble walls amplified them toward the queen.
“Silly filly, Rarity is down here because this is where she needs to be. Once you get your wish you’ll understand, and I Pinkie Promise,” Queen Pinkamena stopped and put her hoof over her eye, little fits of giggles escaping between her words, “you’ll never have to leave your sister again.”
The words felt off but had a hint of truth to Sweetie Belle. “O-ok, I hope she isn't much further.”
They reached a very pink door with a cupcake handle. This area was brighter than the rest, an inviting warm glow surrounding the door. It stood out from the white marble and looked like something a child might build. For some reason, Sweetie Belle was no longer aware of the terrible smell that had hung in the castle and instead the smell of cinnamon and baked goods wafted past her nose. No sound came from beyond the door or inside the tunnel, only their own hooves striking the stone floor had disturbed the silence.
Queen Pinkamena turned the cupcake and the door began to creak open. “This is a very special room. I make sure it smells like home and it holds my most valuable possessions. Rarity is safe inside here…” Her face was completely neutral for the first time. She motioned inside the room and gave a warm smile towards Sweetie Belle. The sound of air rushing into her nose was replaced with a sigh as she enjoyed the aromas.
Sweetie Belle felt a hoof on her rear and with a gentle push, she was through the door. It was just as dark in the room but the same hoof moved to her back and guided her towards her goal. After only a few steps, the light from her horn brought a smiling Rarity into view. Rarity looked a little worse for wear but she was obviously happy to see Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle broke down on the spot and cried; her tears no longer of fear but happiness. Rarity stood there motionless still smiling at Sweetie Belle.
Sweetie Belle galloped towards her embracing her in the hug she so desperately needed. However, Rarity did not hug her back. Rarity just kept smiling and smiling and smiling. It didn’t take Sweetie Belle long to realize her sister felt stiff and cold. She also wobbled a bit when Sweetie Belle put her weight into the hug.
It was then she noticed the light reflecting off the pole heading towards the ground. It was attached to a large metal ring and looked familiar. Her breath quickened as she recognized exactly where that she had seen that ring before.
Her panic caused magic to surge into her horn and the area around her lit up. Rarity was only a face, made of sewn together skin and preserved to perfection, hanging on a mannequin from the shop that Sweetie Belle had been keeping clean for her sister’s eventual return. Her breath now came in short gasps as she stared at the forever smiling Rarity and heard snorts and giggles behind her.
“Oh, yes! My favorite part! The punchline...” Her words dragged into laughter that echoed in the tiny room. Queen Pinkamena was rolling on the floor holding her sides and the longer she laughed the more deranged it became. “The punchline...” More laughter filled the room. “The punchline is… Rarity worked herself stiff! Get it? I almost told you upstairs but I kept it together and boy was it worth it!”
Sweetie Belle backed away from Queen Pinkamena and the mockery of her sister until she felt the cold unforgiving marble press against her flank. Her mind couldn’t make out words to say, her mouth working through the motions. She was getting dizzy from the short breaths and the room began to spin. Her flank slid down the wall until she was sitting with her mouth hanging open, eyes twin moons in the darkness. The sound of her heart pounding out of her chest drowned out the continued laughter.
Queen Pinkamena stopped laughing and stood up, half her body hidden in the darkness. “You know what is even funnier?” She asked, her tone icy. “No matter what I did to her, the only way I could get her to teach me how to sew and furnish my castle was to Pinkie Promise never to bring you here.”
Her hooves struck the stone as she backed away until only her eyes and teeth could be seen reflecting from the darkness. “I don’t break Pinkie Promises. I never brought you here, but I wanted to. Oh, how happy you were with your friends and your sister. How I wanted to break you like they broke me.” Pupils dilated in the darkness and the mouth became a half-smile. “But, a promise is a promise and the castle looks sooooooo good! And speaking of promises… I made one to you earlier. Don’t worry, I already told you~” She said her tone growing into more of one for singing. “I don’t break my promises~” With the final word both her eyes and mouth disappeared completely into the darkness.
Reality slammed back into Sweetie Belle as her survival instinct kicked in. Her fear powered her magic and her horn glowed brighter illuminating the rest of the room.
Queen Pinkamena was gone but that is not what scared her most. Rarity wasn’t the only mannequin in the room. Sweetie Belle recognized Rarity’s four other friends all arranged neatly and smiling.
On the other side of the sickly sweet smelling room was a table and several leather tanning supplies. Fleshing beams, fleshing knives, fur pelting knives, and a table to work them on filled that portion of the room. The rest of the room was clean and tidy, nothing out of place, organized in a way the rest of the castle couldn’t compete with.
“Do you like it…” A voice whispered into her ear and she felt a sting that turned into agonizing pain in the small of her back a few inches below her neck. The pain faded as the pressure reached an intensity and gave way with a pop, her back legs going limp and a hoof wrapping around her mouth to muffle her scream. Her front hooves struggled to find grip on the floor and her back legs refused to work. “Now, now… I love it when they run but,” her voice changed sounding very close to Rarity’s, “Spikey-Wikey doesn't need any spoilers. And my dear, you are simply going to look fabulous!” She felt something slide deeper into her back and it was getting harder to breathe. No matter how much she coughed she couldn’t get the liquid in her lungs to stop pouring out of her mouth. The pain had returned but it was deep inside her and becoming distant with each heartbeat. She saw a ruby handle gripped by a pink hoof rise and fall and then her vision faded, the pain and terror drifting away like a bad dream.
Her vision returned and the small awful room was gone. All she could see was the boutique she had worked so hard to preserve. Rarity waited inside the door and looked sad. Sweetie Belle trotted forward, her legs moving again. There was no pain, only a comforting warmth that enveloped her. As she approached the boutique, the fake sweetness faded away replaced with the familiar smell of clothing. When she reached her sister, she felt the hug she had wanted for so long finally enveloping her. She looked up to see the sadness gone, replaced by a sympathizing look. Wrapping her hooves around Rarity, she nuzzled into her mane, holding back tears. Rarity stroked her mane and turned towards the door. “It’s over now darling, let’s go inside, together.”
Those were the final words she heard as her heart stopped beating. Her contorted face relaxed, looking almost content on her lifeless body. Somewhere, the door to a boutique closed.
This story has been partially proofread and edited by Icarus720. A big thanks to him! Any additional errors should be pointed out in the comments section.
It felt like ages since the queen had left with Sweetie Belle. The wall of guards surrounding Spike hadn’t moved an inch, leaving him only his thoughts. What was taking so long? Why did he have to wait while Sweetie Belle was able to go see Rarity?
Dragon’s weren’t known for their patience and his had run out. He was so close to getting his life back. This trip had been nothing but delays. The guards surrounding him were an obstacle to a goal he refused to fail, not again. The guards be damned, if they tried to stop him, well, he’d decide what to do if they did.
It took more effort to take his first step than he anticipated. The castle and its strange demeanors had already gotten under his skin, even if he couldn’t tell yet. As he put another foot forward the ring of guards tightened and he stopped.
“Guys, I need to go see the queen, she has been gone an awfully long time don’t you think?” Spike brought his hands up peacefully, palms upward.
If the guards saw him, they gave no inclination. They stood there silent, their only movement blocking his repeated attempts to exit.
This game went on for a few minutes before Spiked sighed and rethought his situation. He knew he couldn’t overpower these ponies if that is what they even were. He had to think of a way to outsmart them. That was a problem as well, they seemed to have the intelligence of a fence.
Spike’s thoughts were interrupted by a soft hum that came from under the closed doors in front of him. Both he and the guards looked towards the door as the hum grew louder. Spike was sure it was the queen coming back but the tune was different. It held a pep-in-your-step vibe and the pitch would change at random.
The doors burst open revealing a quite happy Pinkamena. Her rump shook as she continued the hum, adding a beat with her hooves. She proceeded forward mixing in a slide here, or a bounce there before reaching the ring of guards. They parted without a word and she stood eye to eye with Spike. As her tune came to an end, she gave him a grin that twisted and tugged at the edge of her face, dragging her lips farther than should be possible.
Spike shuddered and found looked away, Sweetie Belle nowhere to be seen. An examination of the room behind Pinkamena gave no indication either. As he turned back to the queen he was greeted by her face inches from his.
“Looking for your little friend?” Her voice was soft and reminded him of the Pinkie Pie he brought to the castle. “Don’t worry Mr. Dragon, her wish has been granted and she is closer to her sister than she has ever been.” The softness in her voice cracked towards the end. A single giggle punctuated the sentence.
Pinkamena frowned. A familiar hunger already rising from the depths to pester her once more. Sweetie Belle’s death had been far quicker than most of her victims. It hadn’t scratched that itch the same way it normally did. If Sweetie Belle was only an appetizer then Spike would have to be the main course. Of course, even a dragon was nothing compared to a changeling. With enough coaxing, she could relive her greatest fantasies. She had to tighten her mouth to keep from drooling and focused on Spike. You had to finish your dinner to have your dessert after all.
Spike took a step back, the queen’s face was going through a series of expressions. Most of them were normal but the few that weren’t set Spike on edge.
Realizing what she was doing, Pinkamena’s head snapped up and she looked at Spike once more. “So, you haven’t told me what wish you have yet.” Her head tilted a bit and she raised an eyebrow. “I’m guessing with your talk of Twilight earlier you want to see her. Maybe help her answer that question she is working on.” The bait set, she stared intently waiting for his answer.
“Y-yeah, I want to see Twilight. If Sweetie Belle is back there with Rarity and your business is finished then yeah. Let's go see Twilight.” Spike regained his composure and kept neutral as excitement threatened to bubble up.
Pinkamena lept into the air, her hooves landing with a clap. “I’m just so super happy to hear you say that!” The disturbing grin crawled back up her face. “You must be a liiiitle curious about what she is working on.” She just kept grinning, her eyes eager. “I can tell you if you want, I mean you will be helping her with it soon anyway.” Midway through the sentence, her voice swapped from playful to serious.
Spike thought about it for a moment. He didn’t really know why Twilight was in this castle. Actually, Twilight would never go into a place like this without a world-ending reason. Spike knew her organizational tendencies would run rampant with the castle in this condition. Perhaps the answer was something that Spike would need time to process. It couldn’t hurt to have that time.
“Alright, fine. What is this big question you have Twilight working on.” Spike sighed, he was ready to meet Twilight already.
Hoofsteps echoed as Pinkamena circled around Spike inspecting him making various sounds of approval as she did so. “Maybeeee I can tell you.” She wasn’t getting the rise she wanted, the rise she needed.
Spike shrugged at her words. “I can just ask Twilight myself if you won’t tell me.” He started walking towards the throne room.
Pinkamena wasn’t getting the rise she wanted, the rise she needed. In a commanding tone, she said, “Stop.” The words stopped him better than any shackle could. They carried an unmentioned threat, a weight heavy enough to give a dragon pause.
The sound of breathing in his ear caused Spike to whirl around to find Pinkamena gone. The breathing had stopped but now he could hear words. “Even dragons know better than to misbehave.” Spike jerked towards the voice and found that once again nothing was there. He turned back towards the throne room and Pinkamena was already trotting towards the same opening she had taken Sweetie Belle through.
“Since you are so impatient we’ll go see her right away.” She turned and waved a hoof towards an opening behind the two thrones and continued trotting. “Despite how long it has been, I’m sure she will be simply beaming when you see her.” A low chuckle faded away with her as she stepped into the dark entrance.
Soon he was traveling down the same white corridor as Sweetie Belle. He didn’t have a horn to light things up but his other senses helped navigate in the darkness. Enough light still bled from the throne room that he could make out Pinkamena ahead of him.
She had been quiet since they had gone through the entryway, shuffling her hooves almost as if brooding or depressed. Spike wasn’t sure what to make of it and continued behind her in silence.
“You know… it was difficult to get them down here, well most of them.” She gave an icy chuckle, eyes lost in memory. “An animal in need brings down the pegasus indeed.” She was no longer dragging her hooves, the memory perking up her mood. “Fluttershy… Fluttershy… Fluttershy. She was such a sweet pegasus on the outside.”
Spike kept an eye on her and tried to figure out what she meant. She had been playing this game since he got here and he was no closer to an answer. Fluttershy was one of Twilight’s friends. I know she cared for animals on the edge of the Everfree Forest. I didn’t get to meet her much though. I wonder what she mea-
Pinkamena’s continued. “Then there was Rainbow Dash. Fastest one downstairs wins! Rainbow Dash was fast, but not very smart.” Giggles echoed off the hallways like a chorus.
He knew Rainbow Dash as well. Her description was spot on. She was competitive and headstrong, always looking for a way to stand out. A definite connection but what did it mean. When he looked up from his musings the outline of Pinkamena was difficult to make out. Being alone down here was the last thing he wanted and his pace quickened.
As he raced to catch up, the terrible smell of the castle was soon replaced by a wonderfully sweet aroma. He could make out a pink door coming into view, Pinkamena standing beside it. When he arrived he noticed Pinkamena staring at him. The eyes had a longing in them, not one a lover might give but like a child awaiting a new toy or treat.
This whole venture was rubbing Spike the wrong way. How or why Twilight would help someone like… this was beyond him. He knew the queen was dangerous but she had done nothing but make faces and strange remarks so far. Yeah, the castle was creepy and the guards unusual at best, but he knew if he could find Twilight it would all be worthwhile. Maybe a little pushback would get him there.
“Are we done? Is this where Twilight is?” It must have been the dragon in him asserting itself because Spike matched Pinkamena’s stare.
Pinkamena never blinked. “The time for questions is… over. It is time for answers.'' Her hoof reached for the handle of the door.
******
Pinkie Pie looked down upon the guards. They were spread out looking for her but had failed to come even close. She attributed this to their helmet obscuring their vision; she couldn’t imagine who would play hide and seek through two tiny slits. It really was the most boring game of hide and seek ever.
They couldn’t be having fun if she was bored. Pinkie Pie gasped a little and held her hoof up to her mouth. What if she was hiding too well? “Everypony has fun when Pinkie plays,” she said determined to spice up the game. So, she did what anypony would do in a situation like this.
“You aren’t going to find me down there!” Pinkie Pie yelled down the stairs.
Almost as if they were a true practiced unit, the guards’ heads shot up in unison. They didn’t run up the stairs so much as advance. They had heard their mistress’s voice but she was nowhere to be seen. They heard a giggle come from one of the potted plants that adorned the top of the stairs and investigated. A small group of guards looked around for the voice. Once again, nothing.
From across the banister, a picture shouted, “No, not there! Over here!” This was followed by more giggles. A pink foreleg popped from under the picture frame and waved before disappearing.
This time the guards rushed forward and flung the painting to the ground. The only thing that greeted them was a white marble wall. The guards didn’t feel much, not after what they had been through, but they were beginning to get angry. Low rasps and growls reverberated under their helmets.
Pinkie Pie put a hoof to her chin as she perfectly hid behind a handrail support on the stairs. She couldn’t figure it out! These ponies were getting mad, not happy. You can’t have fun while you are mad. Maybe they didn’t like her game? There wasn’t much she could play here and she needed more time to prepare anything more elaborate. She thought and thought on it while the guards tore apart the top of the stairs. A pot smashed into the step next to her and she remembered the one thing that always made ponies happy. A party.
A voice from the bottom of the stairs yelled, “You ponies aren’t very good at hide and seek. I have been hiding and hiding but you can’t find me!”
Pinkie Pie was getting bored again but hid one more time. This time she made sure the guards saw her hide behind a marble pillar.
The guards charged down the stairs, very sure they would recapture her this time. Howls of rage, distorted by the helmets into something a Nightmare Night terror might make, filled the bottom floor when the guards found she was gone again.
Pinkie Pie felt bad when she heard the sounds of hoof striking stone from below. She couldn’t let them see the party she would set up for them. The only thing left was to find a place to throw it. She began bouncing towards the throne room. She was sure she’d find a place if she looked hard enough.
******
The suspense was killing her. An ongoing battle between quick indulgence and savoring this dragon raged on inside her. It took all her willpower to wrap her hoof around the handle instead of tearing the door off the wall. But, somehow, she managed. With a slow turn, she swung the door open to reveal the same shadowy but inviting interior that had lured Sweetie Belle to her doom.
No! The hoof gripping the ruby handle relaxed and pulled away from her mane. Pinkamena would take her time with this one. He had a spirit! He resisted her taunts and teases with indifference, but she knew! She knew, like all of them, he would break! It just took time, creativity, and maybe just a bit of experimenting.
Something bothered her though. All he cared about was Twilight. Twilight, Twilight, Twilight. She knew she should be more excited that this would be her first dragon, but his constant mention of Twilight spoiled her mood the same way Twilight had spoiled her own death. No, she’d make up for that loss by crushing the thing that Twilight loved most in life, her apprentice. And she would make Twilight watch, unable to stop smiling while she stripped the mental and physical layers from him. He would die hating Twilight, a fitting punishment for the party pooper.
“Do come in, Twilight is waiting.” She focused on an inviting smile; what she got was halfway there. “She has been a bit… cold lately though.” Such an obvious joke but she couldn’t help herself.
The dragon inched forward towards the door and peered inside. “...Twilight?” The darkness of the room obscured his vision. “It’s dark in here Twilight, we should get some candles burning.”
Pinkamena nudged Spike’s rear with her hoof and with a grunt shoved him inside. She was lucky, he was focused on seeing Twilight and missed her predatory expression. Her complicated emotions plastered themselves on her face, eyes narrowed and a crazed grin on her face. She turned and shut the door, leaving the room in complete darkness.
“I can’t see Twilight, why did you shut the door?. I don’t hear her either,” Spike said fumbling around for a candle or anything to brighten the room.
Pinkamena knew the place by heart, she had spent so much time here after all. She reached out and grabbed a candle and handed it to the dragon. The best surprises came to those who found them on their own.
“Ah, thanks. Why is Twilight down here anyway?” Spike said puffing a small gout of flame onto the candle and lighting up the room some.
The tension built within Pinkamena and she wanted to start but waiting would bring greater riches. “It's not just Twilight… they are all here, even Sweetie Belle. Waiting just for you, Spike!” Her voice sounded like someone reciting a fond memory. “They have such sights to show you.”
The candle was so dim that it only extended arm's length away. He stumbled around holding the candle this way and that before slamming his foot into the workbench. “Ow!” She heard him cry out as one of her tools fell to the ground with a clang.
With a steady breath, Spike continued further into the room. “Come on Twilight, I know how you get when researching but you can at least answer me.” He raised the candle high to get better light but he just couldn’t see enough. He heard Pinkamena’s voice but he couldn’t pinpoint the direction. It seemed to come from everywhere.
“She is absolutely positively focused on what she is doing Spike! You’re probably only a distraction but what can I do, this is your wish.” Pinkamena materialized at the edge of the candlelight and pointed a hoof. “That way! You are close to your prize!”
Spike followed the hoof and ignored her words. He was confused by what she meant but plowed ahead anyway.
She kept pace with Spike as he advanced, she wanted to see his face and experience his fear. “Then there was that apple farmer, Applejack. She had a mean buck and no matter how hard I tried she wouldn’t come down here with me.” Her thoughts drifted back to her first failure in the castle. The mare had a knack for picking up lies and even Pinkamena couldn’t get around it. She had to wait until she was alone and a quick stab in the throat had silenced that one. As much a failure as Sweetie Belle, she wished she could have more time with Applejack. A sigh of regret escaped her lips.
Spike stopped when he heard the sigh. When he turned, he saw Pinkamena’s face downfallen and depressed. ”Are you alright? I’m guessing you guys had a fig- wait? A mean buck?”
Without missing a beat, Pinkamena’s features flipped. “That is exactly right Spike! She lost though, so she stays with me all the time now!” She looked into the darkness where Applejack should be. “Can’t win all the battles but you can win the war.” The kill hadn’t satisfied her but the knowledge that Applejack would be here as long as she wanted did.
They were nearing Twilight and Pinkamena still had to set the mood. “This is where Rarity taught me how to work with… exotic fabrics. A real shame she had to retire early after she was done.” There was no punchline but Pinkamena giggled all the same. “Worked herself to the bone and had to face the facts.” Her giggles became laughter that filled the room. “She is down here too Spikey-wikey, helping make a stand with Twilight.”
She saw his foot land in the blood from Sweetie Belle. He looked down to see the blood oozing from some unseen portion of the room. When he looked up she had left him alone in his ring of candlelight. She was already standing next to the Twilight so she could watch. The worried look on his face gave her a thrill and it took a moment before he rushed off towards Twilight’s location.
The chase was on, although it wasn’t much of a chase under these circumstances. Pinkamena stifled a giggle. More giggles escaped and she pressed her hooves to her mouth. Watching him find Twilight was half the fun.
Small giggles came from somewhere in front of him. When he tried to listen the giggles stopped. A harsh “Shh!” followed by more giggles penetrated the darkness only a few feet in front of him.
“Only a little more Spike! Twilight awaits! I sure hope Sweetie Belle didn’t spoil the surprise. Honestly, fillies have way too much blood for their size.” The last phrase held no emotion, like a fact read from a book.
Either Spike was stupid or his urge to save Twilight stamped out his fear, she wasn’t sure. His determination reminded her of a hero from a fairy tale, coming to save the dear princess from some great evil. Unfortunately for him, this was no story and she’d live happily after ending him.
Pinkamena propped herself up on Twilight’s mannequin flank and waited. She could hear Spike’s squishy footsteps approaching and she couldn’t wait. Her hoof caressed the ruby handle of her butcher knife.
“You know, even the strongest ponies give in if you have their friends.” Pinkamena gnashed her teeth on that word. Friends. What a stupid word and yet it had gotten her quite a prize in Twilight. “I had the most friends once, but a certain group of ponies ruined that for me. Now I have witnesses that will last forever and ever.” Her voice was full of conflicting emotions that faded back into the honey-sweet voice she had greeted them with. That last word, ever, seemed to echo far longer than it should.
Spiked slowed his momentum, her voice was right in front of him. He still couldn’t see anything with his candle and took his next steps carefully. Each step receded the darkness but still no sign of Twilight or Pinkamena. After a few faltering steps stretched the candle forward and the outline of a pony stood motionless against the illumination. He brought the candle closer and the outline changed to a grinning purple face.
“Twilight, oh Twilight! Dear Celestia, I’ll get you out of here.” The haggard look on Spike’s face was replaced by relief. He couldn’t hold back his tears. Pinkamena wasn’t sure why he was crying but it looked silly on a dragon.
Another step is all it took to change the reunion into a nightmare. Spike’s eyes traveled from Twilight’s face to her body or what passed for a body. The only preserved part was her face, the rest was wooden with cuts and bits of Twilight’s mane glued on. Her tail was nailed on like a mockery of pin the tail on the donkey. A glance to the left found Pinkamena who flashed him a toothy smile.
She couldn’t help but grin at what she saw. Spike’s eyes darted around like he was looking for something important he had lost. Her smile widened as he vomited next to Twilight’s mannequin. Ecstasy shivered through her body when those searching eyes found hers. The betrayal, the pain inside, it was delicious.
She never wanted this moment to end. An equal wave of disappointment flooded through her when his eyes went back to Twilight. Another stupid interruption because of stupid Twilight! She watched as he put a clawed hand to the mask made of Twilight and recoiled in horror. She should have savored it, waited for just the right time, but the moment was already ruined.
“Surprise! I’m sorry for the craftsmanship, she was one of my first tries. I’m reeeal good at parties, but until I got Rarity’s help this was hard!” A flick of her hoof and the entire room lit up. She brought her hoof around in a dramatic arc. “Don’t you like it, Spike? These are my extra special projects!”
Pinkamena didn’t understand. Spike was frozen in place staring at the wannabe Twilight. Her wondrous creations all around and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. “Don’t be shy, here let me help you.” She said as her hooves encircled his head. He resisted her efforts to turn his head but it was just a matter of adding more strength. She wanted him to see that Twilight’s friends were in the same condition as her. She wanted him to know everything, exactly what position he was in. Her hooves felt the scales near his eyes stretch and she knew he was taking it all in.
Pinkamena made sure he got a good look at her handiwork. What was the point of having nice things if you couldn’t show them off? She leaned in close to his ear again. “You know I don’t lie. Have you ever thought about the biggest most important question Twilight could look for the answer to?” She had to bite her lip to keep serious. A laugh would only spoil the atmosphere she’d been crafting. “What happens to ponies when they pass on? I didn’t lie when I said you would help her, Spike, although it may be a while before you meet her.”
Spike stiffened under her touch. Her hoof wrapped around the knife and dragged it along where she supposed his spine would be. Click. Click. Click. She let gravity do the work of dragging the knife down each scale. She had hoped for a little blood but he was a dragon after all. She would have to get serious when it came to getting him to “open up”.
“Oh my! Dragon scales are super tough.” She stopped for a moment and ran her knife over her leg drawing blood with the lightest touch. “You see? I don’t know much about dragons, but I know a lot about you, Spike. I know that your scales are strong but you aren't. You have a soft spot.”
No more pretending. The freedom to be herself invigorated her efforts. She could say anything she was thinking, she could let her feelings show. And show them she did, like a filly with Hearthwarming presents, her smile beamed from ear to ear.
This story has been partially proofread and edited by Icarus720. A big thanks to him! Any additional errors should be pointed out in the comments section.
He still wasn’t focusing on her. What was he so concentrated on that he would ignore her?
She didn’t have to follow his gaze to know what was over there. He must have noticed Sweetie Belle and figured out where the blood came from. She shifted her hoof from his head to his chin and began to drag him towards Sweetie Belle. He thrashed in her grip but it was a simple matter of moving her foreleg farther back and letting him cut off his own airway. She knew to do just enough to knock the fight out of him but she wanted him awake for this.
Irony wasn’t lost on her. In fact, irony could be quite funny. A small alteration to their path and she was dragging him through the trail of blood. As they got close to Sweetie Belle, she shifted her hoof to his chest and added force. Like a spinning top, he crashed into the base of Rarity and both the mannequin and Sweetie Belle’s corpse fell atop him.
Pinkamena doubted the impact damaged him much. His scrambling out from under the body confirmed it. Whether from the dragging or the actual body, he was covered head to toe in Sweetie Belle’s blood. She was a bit jealous of him, normally it would be her covered in her victim’s blood. He obviously didn’t have the stomach for it though because after one glance he began throwing up again.
“Spike, I think you should know the truth. You came here for Twilight but you cost a young filly her life instead.” Her mirth and smile disappeared, her features becoming blank. “She was never supposed to come to the castle. Her death was quicker than most but…” Her features contorted and an eye twitched. “Her blood… i-is on…” She broke. She knew she ruined it but she just found her humor irresistible. “It is all over you!” She was roaring with laughter.
The look Spike gave her when he finished throwing up stopped her laughter. A look mixed with hatred and sorrow, a far off look of shock in his eyes. Yes! Yes! Yes! Pinkamena couldn’t imagine a better look for Spike. She wished she could freeze him like that forever. She did her best to lock the image into her mind, she’d try to recreate it later. She began moving towards him, a slow trot, the first part of the play was almost over. She knew once she reached him she wouldn’t be able to fight her urges any longer.
What he did next surprised her. He stood up to his full height, seething. “You’re a monster. Why would you even do all… this?.”
She was careful to keep her blows soft. She wanted his mind durable, resistant… defiant. Those always lasted the longest. “We had days together you know?” She backed up and began to walk a circle around Spike. “Oh, now don’t get jealous! We’ll have just as much time… or more. I’ve improved since then.” She flashed him a quick grin. “I’ll have plenty of time to show you that later, for now, I’m curious about what you will do. How will you avoid all of this?” Her hoof waved towards the abominations throughout the room. “Now that you have nothing to save how will you play the hero?”
She found times like these gave her the clearest thoughts. No giggles or interruptions. No jokes or pranks, just a complete focus on the game. Other ponies mistook her playful and energetic nature to mean she wasn’t very bright. Perhaps by Twilight’s book standards, she wasn’t. What she did have was a memory that no other pony could match. A memory that allowed her to understand ponies through their past. With the knowledge of every pony’s likes, dislikes, reactions, trends, and other useful tidbits of information, she had outsmarted them all. And now she would drag Spike down that same path. Use his past to agonize his present and destroy his future.
Spike’s head craned to keep her in view. His clawed hands were clenched at his sides so hard a small trickle of blood dripped from each one. She could tell he was angry and, if his feet shaking were any clue, scared. She figured the shock was beginning to settle and his emotions were becoming raw. He was still keeping his eyes locked with hers, a mixture of emotions flashing through them.
“I can’t understand you. I can’t understand the way you talk or act. My mind screams that what you say is true, but my heart knows you lie.” His eyes softened, if only for a moment, before his words were spoken through a showing of fangs. “Twilight taught me to always fight, to believe in friendship and always do the best for other ponies. You’ve killed all my friends and my—” The next words faltered under the extreme emotion, “—my mother.” He growled and closed his eyes causing the building tears to fall before opening them and fixing her with a menacing stare. “I was taught to forgive, always give a pony a second chance. Love everyone and no matter how evil, they could change.” He looked lost when he turned in the direction of Twilight’s mannequin. “I want to do what you taught me, Twilight. But I can’t! I feel empty, strange, I want to give up but I know you didn’t, even if you had no hope.” His voice broke and more tears rolled down his unblinking eyes. His body turned back towards Pinkamena but his head stayed looking at Twilight. After a few seconds, he jerked his head back in her direction.
She could see a new emotion in his eyes, hate. She was flattered of course. Something so personal just for her but it wasn’t what she wanted. Hatred is a strong emotion, stronger than anything she could do to Spike. Hatred gave him a measure of control that she didn’t want him to have. Hatred could raise you to new heights but it is a very narrow pillar. One small nudge and a fall awaits, one farther than any before. Pinkamena could see this pillar, it looked just like Twilight.
Using her knife would only build upon that hatred, she needed to penetrate his soul, not his hide. Each flinch, each look of agony would make the effort worthwhile. “Twilight went on about alllll her friends. She even tried to convince me to stop. That is all she ever cared about.” She adopted a high pitched Twilight voice. “I know you’ve done a lot of harm, but ponies will forgive you. We can be friends and fix all of this if you just release me and tell me where Celestia is.”
“Twilight told me about all of them you know. Despite the horrible things she could see from their corpses she told me about them.” Another giggle crept between her words. She gave him a look of pity and winked. “I already knew most of it but she kept talking about them. When things would get really bad she just couldn’t shut up about their adventures together.” Her face went dark and her gaze pierced through Spike. “Towards the end, she told me secrets only they would know. She was still trying to the very end. She failed like you did. Her failure was in believing I was broken, yours in thinking that you could save her. These are the things you wanted to know Spike, or would you rather have more physical details.” The laugh that followed wasn’t cheerful or deranged but feral and breathy.
Spike’s body was trembling with anger. Even from her perspective, he looked dangerous. She knew she had to bring him to the brink of outright attacking her before crushing his spirit in one fell swoop.
“Twilight didn’t work through the pain with only her friends, she mentioned family too.” Spike’s eyes still burned hot but the word family obviously distressed him. She could tell he was scared of what she might say. “Twilight’s mom, Twilight Velvet I think, would smother Shining Armor with affection. Oh, and did you know her mom was a thrill seeker?”
Each word seemed to fuel his anger. She had no way of knowing if he had ever been told about any of this. She didn’t have much to work with, by the end of Twilight’s stay nothing she had said was coherent. She had talked non-stop about her friends and some of her family history and Spike was in every other sentence. She’d tell him about it, at the end of his stay.
He raised his hand, claws extended, and reared back to strike. Pinkamena adopted a look that told him in no uncertain terms he would lose his arm before it landed on her. Instead, he backed up. She could tell he was trying to figure out a plan, but she already had him. A bit more anger, a bit more hatred and she could yank that pillar out from under him.
“Would Twilight really want you to hit a lady?” She batted her eyelashes at him. “I don’t know why I have to convince you so, Spike. I haven’t lied to you yet. I told you from the get-go what Twilight was doing.” She pouted her lips and began to advance on Spike.
The twisted grin on Pinkamena’s face looked freakish as she spoke, “I told Sweetie Belle too. I told her Rarity made a deal with me not to bring her to the castle in exchange for some rather bloody tailoring. She begged me, Spike. Sweetie Belle was the only thing she cared about. She didn’t even fight when it was her turn to join her friends.” The grin broke into a frown. “Took all the fun out of it really.” Spike’s eyes didn’t seem to register the connection she was making. She sighed in frustration. “Twilight and Rarity couldn’t have been more different. At least Rarity protected her sister.”
Spike’s chest rose and fell rapidly, his fangs exposed in a snarl. Luckily, he was at a point where she could administer the final touches. Any farther and even risk of injury wouldn’t stop the dragon from flinging himself at her.
The final hoofstep brought her over the enraged Spike. “Oh dear, I may have made you a bit angry.” She brought her hoof to his chin and gently shook his head like a baby. “Nobody likes a spoilsport, Spike. I’ll tell you why they were so different.” The carrot on the stick seemed to placate him, for now. He was still seething but no longer looked ready to strike her. “It must be a lot for a little dragon-like you to take in. I know you loved her, she was like your mother after all.”
She jerked his head towards where Twilight stood. “You spent all this time thinking about her didn’t you, Spike. I’ve had her to myself all this time and I am just no good at sharing.” Another tug and he was looking into her eyes again. “I will share this time though. I only know about you from what I have seen.”
She turned his head around the room at each of the other members of Twilight’s group. “I know about them from my time with them and what Twilight told me.” She tossed him to the ground and bent close to his ear. “She kept herself going by thinking of her friends. But! Do you wanna know something funny?” Her heart raced with every word. Only a few more words and she could begin. “She never even mentioned you.”
The reaction was immediate. He didn’t make a sound. The claws digging into his palms relaxed and his wide eyes stared at nothing. She knew a little sprinkle of Twilight’s family would stamp out that nasty doubt. He was hers now and there was nothing he could do.
She reached a hoof out to drag him back towards the table so she could get this show on the road. The moment her hoof brushed a scale she the world stopped. It was typically silent down here, except for the occasional screams when she had visitors, but she could hear nothing. Her tongue moved to her cheek checking for a taste that was not there. She was vaguely aware that she was touching Spike but no feeling came from her hooves to confirm it. She blinked because the normally purple dragon was a faded scale of gray. In fact, the entire room looked like one of Granny Smith’s old movies. The part that disturbed her most was her killing intent had faded to nothing. She didn’t look forward to killing him, there was nothing funny about the situation, and the constant loneliness and pain after losing her friends was gone.
Her thoughts raced faster than the time flowed around her. Her sense of time remained dull but she could tell her senses were constantly coming and going. The moments of clarity in between were a worse torture than any she could have given to others. She looked back at what she had done to her friends and her mind recoiled at the horror. The constant torture of the Princesses, the abduction of citizens for her pleasure, and the death of her closest friends. No, no, that wasn’t right, they deserved to die. She relished every moment, every succulent cut into the flesh. She’d make this dragon pay for what was happening now.
As soon as the urge to kill him returned it was gone. Back to a void of senses where nothing mattered. Her rational mind knew she’d gain them back just as quickly, but the constant changing was taking its toll. She felt the cold scales on her hoof and thought back to her first murder, Octavia. She had caught Pinkie, or rather Pinkamena now, at a bad time. All her emotions lashed out and the blade she still used was buried in a gasping Octavia. The rush, the thrill of letting it all out had taken hold of her and when Vinyl had come snooping around she’d killed her too. Her heart ached, she knew how wrong it was. At this moment, she’d go back and change it, take a different path through life. Then again… Octavia had disturbed her during her last refuge from her emotions, baking. She finally felt free seeing the lifeblood ebb from that wound. The sounds as she struggled in vain to breathe with a cold piece of metal sticking from under her forearm. Any regrets she had drowned in the overwhelming feeling of ecstasy at that first kill. Somewhere in her mind, she had been waiting for this moment, for the real Pinkamena to appear. She used every ounce of willpower she had and ripped her hoof from his scales.
Pinkamena panted and felt drained. Spike was still lifeless before her, the only change being that she could hear his heartbeat. She had no idea how much time had passed but she’d have to save any fun for the changeling. He had to die now, whatever just happened was beyond even her unexplainable abilities. This would require tact. She refused to touch him again, she would no longer tolerate feeling that weak pony who was once her. Whatever he’d tricked her into doing, Pinkamena had won.
In her mind, she knew she could move faster than he could react. She wasn’t sure where the vital spots on a dragon were but anything dies when it bleeds enough. Taking a small step brought her to Spike’s back, covering the several feet of distance instantly. She raised the ruby handle for a killing blow, his necked looked especially good, but before she could bring it down she heard a thump in his chest. Falling to her knees, she screamed as the same feeling ripped through her body. It wasn’t strong enough to strip her senses this time and it lasted for a half-second at best. Her plans changed to getting far enough away to observe whatever was happening to Spike. She looked up towards Applejack’s mannequin as another wave ripped through her. She’d have to time it just right to get away and within the next few beats. Her already frayed psyche was struggling to stay together between her warped sense of fun and regret of past deeds.
Ba-dum. She felt Pinkamena take hold again and willed herself towards Applejack. There was never a noticeable effect, it simply was. And this time it simply wasn’t. She was still standing next to the blasted dragon. Her confusion mounted when she noticed the mannequins were wobbling with each beat. She tried again, this time concentrating on what she wanted to do. She crashed into the ground on top of the Applejack mannequin.
BA-dum.Dust settled from the mortar in the roof and the clang of metal on stone echoed through the room. Pinkamena looked around to see many of her tools lying on the floor and snapped her head back to Spike. Her vision still had color but he was hard to make out. The light seemed… off around him. The bulbs nearby weren’t dimmed in any way but seemed to be struggling to illuminate Spike.
Pinkamena could feel the waves when they brushed against her body, but the ill effects couldn’t take hold at this distance. Owing to her impeccable memory, she knew Spike had moved. His eyes opened, looking nowhere in particular. Dilation of his pupils left his sockets looking empty, surrounded by a thin green ring at the edge. She could hear a ragged pant coming from his direction but she couldn’t make out a rise and fall in his chest. There was motion in his tail. It thrashed about angrily, making an audible thump with each impact on the ground.
BA-DUM. She felt the foundation under her shake and stone grinding on stone as the castle shifted from the force. The remaining mannequins fell over and the door to the room slammed open. She couldn’t understand what was going on, each wave that hit her was stronger yes, but it hardly moved her body. Perhaps a resistance was growing or she was regaining control of her abilities. The nothingness she had felt before was returning, falling over her body like a wave crashing over a rocky shore. She knew if it got stronger she’d start going through the same torment as when she touched him and her hooves scrambled to get away. The farther she got from Spike the more warped the area around him became. Everything was covered in a shadow and looked stretched and surreal. His teeth strained against his jaw and a groan reverberated throughout the room. He was on his knees with his hands flat against the stone, small gouges surrounding his hands where his claws had attempted to grip the ground. His back was arched and his head hung limply on his shoulders.
BA-DUM. A final beat as loud as a drum next to her ear slammed through the room. It sent Pinkamena crashing into the wall she’d be scrambling to reach herself. The castle withstood the impact but not without damage. The walls had cracks and bits of marble lay scattered throughout the room. The cupcake door lay in splinters in the corridor. Somehow, her precious tools were warped and bent in ways no earth pony could accomplish. Every mannequin but Twilight’s had been blasted across the floor, an intermittent blood trail showcasing the direction Sweetie Belle’s body had flown.
The strength of this wave stripped Pinkamena of everything. She was trapped in a void of nothingness. Her thoughts fought to manifest; She didn’t care if they did or didn’t. What was the point? She was vaguely aware of who she was but made no effort to expand upon it. She didn’t feel fear that she couldn’t see or hear. She didn’t seek a way out of this oblivion nor did she embrace it. She existed, and even that didn’t give her any pleasure or despair. And so she was for what might have been an eternity and then, with a rush, it all came back.
There was no fade-in or delay, all her senses returned at once. As she got to her hooves the only hint of how long she’d been in that state was the sound of something crashing in the castle above. Something was wrong though, she could feel parts of herself she’d locked away, those same parts that had been creeping in during the waves lurked in the back of her mind. Emotions and thoughts she had long ago crushed in order to effectively do her work.
It caused a moment of doubt and sadness. She shook herself and steeled her mind. She focused on the one thing that drove her, fun. The rising challenge the dragon fueled her excitement, smothering anything else. She stretched and flexed her limbs making sure it all still worked. After she was done with this dragon she’d deal with this new problem. For now, she had a different dilemma. How was she supposed to kill something she couldn’t touch?
She examined Spike and tapped into what she knew about him, looking for anything she could use. The ability he had called upon or awakened was localized to a small area around him now and she had never seen anything like it. Physically, she noticed that he seemed… bigger. The neck that was so stubby when he was young had elongated leaving his head dangling close to the floor. His shoulder blades looked exaggerated, more like swollen lumps with darker scales than the smooth back he’d enter the castle with. Small movements under the lumps stretched his scales and made them look alive. His tail had grown, she was sure of it. The strength of it’s thrashing was leaving spade-shaped marks all over the floor behind him.
He simply didn’t match up with what she knew of him or dragons. It was her job to surprise and she didn't enjoy being surprised, more so by prey. Her instincts told her to find a way to restrain him but her mind was wary of getting close again. It didn't take her long to compromise and settle on her fabled party cannon. If it obliterated him it was a sacrifice she was willing to make..
Pinkamena struggled to retrieve the cannon. She still didn't understand why, for the first time in her life, the things that normally happened for her were failing. She took a deep breath and concentrated on her cannon. After a few seconds of nothing, her hooves slipped into her mane and brought out a cannon that dwarfed her in size. Once used as the ultimate party tool, the device now replaced confetti and glitter with glass and metal shrapnel. She disliked using it because the victims rarely survived and if they did they were so mangled she couldn't have any fun.
She called out with a voice of silk towards Spike, “You’ve been a very annoying guest. I gave exactly what you asked for,” a frustrated grin grew on her face. “But alas our time together is over. I hope you had as much fun as I didn't.” The grin turned sour and she worked on aiming the cannon towards Spike. Once she got her target lined up she shrugged. She was still disappointed, fireworks should be saved for the finale, something to end a party. She shook her head in dissappointment and focused on the silver lining. She still had one chance left to have a long night.
Her eyes took in Spike a final time. She wasn't sure if the strange energy around him shrunk or he had grown to fit it but it clung to him like a second skin. The lumps on his back had grown angular, pointed, stretched. They reminded her of the many broken bones she had inflicted upon so many ponies. The movements beneath his skin had spread to other parts of his body. Robust, thick arms and legs replaced his teenage skinny limbs. Large claws adorned scaled hands that looked as if they couldn't keep up with his new growth. His torso and tail, while larger, lagged behind. To Pinkamena he looked rather comical, certainly not the dangerous form from earlier.
As much as she wanted to see how it turned out, the previous events and her gut said he needed to die now. She went to yank the drawstring but her hoof froze. Old feelings rose from the back of her mind, feelings of a lost friendship. What would Twilight think of murdering her number one apprentice? Pinkamena’s voice roared in her mind, “What would Twilight think? What would Twilight think?” Hoof still wrapped around the drawstring, her face twisted in rage. She began shouting at nopony in particular, “I don’t care what Twilight thinks.” Her mask of rage broke becoming downcast and pathetic. Her eyes became unfocused and she whispered, “I don’t care what anypony thinks.” Her hind-hoof smashed into the ground and Pinkamena regained her composure. She shouted at Spike, “What have done, you stupid dragon? This is your fault!”
Whatever emotions had stopped her before disappeared. She took a moment to savor the upcoming gore and put her foreleg in position to end the troublesome dragon’s life. As she pulled the string back Spike’s head snapped up and a wave of force rocked from his body. It sent Pinkamena spinning to the floor, pulling the drawstring.
A satisfying explosion sprayed its deadly contents. The sound of glass and metal rained from the other side of the room, a mixture of screeches and tinkling. She shook her head and stood up to see the mangled corpse of Spike. Instead, she saw him standing on all fours completely unharmed. A quick check of the cannon revealed the shock wave had sent the blast in the wrong direction. She followed the path of damage to Fluttershy. The mask she had so carefully crafted was ripped and torn, bits of glass sticking out. The entire back portion of the mannequin was a mess of wooden chunks mixed with twisted metal.
“You. Are. Ruining. Everything!” Pinkamena screamed in aggravation. She didn’t care anymore. She'd overcome whatever abilities he had and end this personally. Her hoof wrapped around the now glowing ruby handle. In the end, she could always rely on her knife. The knife that had introduced her to this wonderful world. She didn’t know why but she couldn’t have gone through with the first kill without it. And now, now it would lead to her to this kill and the next. Besides, the strange after-effects of the waves didn’t seem to be affecting her anymore.
More vibration surged through the floor and up Pinkamena’s bones. The shock wave hit her, pushing her a few feet and leaving behind grooves where her hooves had dug in.
Spike stood unmoving, legs braced against the floor while his snakelike neck craned towards the ceiling. The layer of energy that surrounded him coalesced before fading beneath his skin. A new sound grew, a grating rumbling noise. Spike’s body shook and skin undulated as the sound increased. His throat bulged while his mouth twisted and strained as it widened.
This story has been partially proofread and edited by Icarus720. A big thanks to him! Any additional errors should be pointed out in the comments section.
Pinkie Pie bounded through the hallway humming to herself. In the back of her mind, she knew she was forgetting something important but what is more important than a party? Better yet, a party for a bunch of grumps who needed a touch of fun in their life.
Pinkie Pie’s impeccable memory meant she knew the Canterlot Castle inside and out. The way to the throne room was exactly as she remembered it.
She hadn’t gone far before seeing the second group of guards forming a ring in front of two large double doors. The guards stared ahead, unaware of Pink Pie’s approach.
Hmmm, I can’t have them ruining the super surprise. She thought, both hooves on her chin despite being on all fours. She had to get past those guards and the throne door. Something about the door caught her eye; it wasn’t fully shut! Never one to think she leaped into action, literally. Her body sprang forward with the weightless grace her unique abilities afforded her, but this time something was wrong. Halfway through her leap, a pulse of energy ripped through her body and the laws of physics took hold.
She fell, slamming into the ground with a loud crack. Her head rang from the impact and she couldn’t get to her hooves due to the pain. Pain? she thought. Pain was only something she felt when she was caught off guard, like with Big Mac, otherwise even falling to pieces was no problem for recovery. She tried to focus through the sensation but it disappeared as quickly as it began. So too did the energy that drove Pinkie Pie. She felt nothing. A cold emptiness with no purpose or direction filled her being. The original plan for a party was a distant memory in a sea of haze that blanketed her mind. The ache in her legs and the coldness of the floor pulled her back as the feeling faded. Her usual energy was still missing, but she struggled to her hooves. As everything came back into focus, she realized the guards had tightened the surrounding ring.
Fear was an unknown to the brazen Pinkie Pie. It shivered through her limbs and filled her features. A sudden urge to distance herself dominated her thoughts as her heart began to hammer in her chest. She realized the strange sound she’d been making was her own scream and bolted through the crack in the door. Hooves beat against the ground in pursuit and she ground her teeth at the agony of her legs. She could not stop. She would not stop.
Despite having little time to view her surroundings, she knew she was in the throne room. Her speed redoubled when she felt teeth brush her tail. Her breath came in gasps for the first time in forever and she scoured the room for an escape path. The entryway between the black and white thrones grabbed her attention, and she galloped at a breakneck pace towards it.
Her instincts took hold before her mind could catch up and she dove through the opening. Every breath was like fire, and her legs ached under the abuse she’d just put them through. What hurt most of all was her face from the impact on the marble floor. Her heart continued to hammer, making the blood pour from her snout over her mouth. Each gasp bought more of the copper taste as it coated her teeth and lips. Setting a foreleg under herself and pushing upward, she got to her hooves once again.
The light pouring into the narrow hallway dimmed as a conglomeration of shadows blocked it out. Pinkie Pie fought against the fear, turning around and seeing the guards standing right outside the opening. They pranced about nervously and their heads jerked around about in confusion. This new emotion drove her and what little resolve she had mustered crumbled. Her hooves moved slow and dragged against the floor as if stuck in the mud until her withers brushed cold stone. She yelped as she turned around to meet this new threat. But at that same moment, the feeling of fear faded, replaced by her normal excitement and enthusiasm for, well, everything. The good old Pinkie Pie’s thoughts came crashing in against her confusion and made things even worse.
I am such a silly filly. No reason to be afraid, my Granny Pie said so! Pinkie Pie thought while acclimating to her new surroundings. She brought a hoof up to her face to think up a new plan; the other guards had spoiled her original party location after all. She felt something wet and brought her hoof up for inspection. Bright red blood oozed down her hoof and she took a deep breath. Thats super weird! I’ve never bled before. The air struggled to enter her nostrils, and she realized up to this point she’d been breathing through her mouth. It was also suspicious that her nose was blocking her vision from the left side. She shrugged and snapped her muzzle back to straight with a comical Pop!
A long hallway loomed before her descending into darkness. Pinkie Pie’s love of exploring kicked in and she sauntered off deeper. She reasoned that there might be an even better “even more secreter” place to get this castle into a better mood.
Another of the strange waves slammed into her. She’d never questioned her ability to see in just about any condition, but the darkness crept into the edge of her vision before swallowing it entirely. Agony ripped through her face and blood ran down the back of her throat. The blood flow obstructed her ability to breathe through her nose and she opened her mouth with a gasp. The muscles in her barrel contracted causing a series of sharp coughs attempting to allow precious air into her lungs. Her body wracked itself until she could breathe again, the blood running down her throat now a trickle.
Her mind shot in every direction. These new sensations and the fear backing them dominated her unsheltered mind. What confused her most was everything about her kept flipping on and off like a light switch. Without her personality to protect her, she felt fragile and isolated. Her wild inclinations and scattered thoughts usually acted as a barrier to any negative thoughts or emotions. Without them a deeper fear took root inside her mind as her thoughts turned to her friends and why she hadn’t seen them. Scenarios played out and her imagination worked overtime. Pink hooves shook in silence and her barrel contracted in jagged rapid breaths.
Overcome with dizziness and pain, the thoughts continued to drift, reinforced by crushing darkness. The images of her mind came to life on the black canvas and she watched as each of her friends ran from some unseen foe and their shrieks echoed around her. Creativity had always been a gift to her friends but with no buffer it only allowed the images to become more extravagant. Alien worlds and creatures, harmless at first, flashed in the darkness before becoming troublesome foes for her imaginary friends. She went to scream out to them, but a bloody cough was all she could manage.
A few seconds later, the images faded as she regained her night sight. She could once again see the long stone hallway. The worries and fears receded, smothered by Pinkie Pie’s personality. They had left their mark however and doubts clawed at the back of her mind. The taste of blood was still fresh in her mouth and after a quick look, she realized she was far deeper in the tunnel than before.
Pinkie Pie’s stomach for adventure was almost full by this point. The terrible things her imagination had conceived fueled more rational thoughts like finding her friends, old and new. At least the pain had vanished, and she felt full of energy. She knew she was definitely lost at this point but this hallway limited her options. She took the only real option left; she trotted forward.
She reached a bend in the tunnel and the marble groaned as another wave blasted down the hallway. It hit Pinkie Pie full in the front and sent her skidding backward into the wall. The recurring fear didn’t accompany this wave but the pain in her nose did. It wasn’t as bad as before, but the stinging still brought tears to her eyes. Two drops of blood made their way out of her nostril to the floor. She could still see in the darkness but it was grainy and lacking color. Deep down the hallway, she could hear a crash, the sound echoing around her before fading in the distance.
Pinkie Pie thought, I hope it is not more of those grumpy guards. It’s strange but I don’t really think I’d enjoy having a party anymore. No sooner had the thought taken form she covered her mouth with her hoof. Something was wrong; she had never ever felt this way before. She never wanted to feel this way again! She pressed on down the hallway taking care because the light color of the walls made them hard to distinguish in her current condition. Being alone was the only thing she could reason would do this. She had to find her new friends to find her old friends. The lack of distracting thoughts seemed odd to her, but it added a clarity she had never experienced before. For the first time, she focused on one thing and only one thing.
BA-DUM. The hallway shook with the violence of a thrashing snake and knocked Pinkie Pie off her hooves. Bits of marble bounced off her flank and another wave drug her along the floor. She still hadn’t fully recovered from the last blast and the pain in her nose went from apparent to excruciating. She fought back tears and got back to her hooves. The wave threatened to break the stability she’d worked to achieve. Within moments, the effects of the wave dissipated and everything came back. Content that she was ok for now she took a final look around and moved forward. A sudden realization stopped her. She didn’t remember this hallway, and she’d been everywhere in Canterlot Castle. In fact, she’d spent plenty of time in the throne room with Celestia and Luna. Yes, the castle had new decorations and guards but the layout so far was the same. Time did not allow her to finish her train of thought.
BA-DUM. The sound ripped down the hallway, sending chunks of marble spraying like shrapnel. Pinkie Pie was lucky; the shrapnel hit her before the wave did and mostly bounced off her. A few smaller pieces wedged themselves into her chest, sinking in like they had hit the clay Twilight gave to fillies for playing. This wave sent Pinkie Pie spinning into the wall, causing her head to smash into the solid stone. Again, the full effects of the wave hadn’t taken hold and instead of a crack, a soft squeak came from inside her skull. Something was different this time. She still felt dizzy and her vision swam before blacking out entirely. Her consciousness wasn’t the only casualty; the energy ate at her very being, stripping it away. She was incapable of desires, cares, woes, or enthusiasm. The blackness surrounded her, clawing and pulling at her. It caressed her mind and there was no struggle as she sunk deeper. Unbidden thoughts flashed into being, some filled with the crazy wackiness that was Pinkie Pie, others of her friends and the good and bad times they shared.
A need welled inside her being. Longing for these foreign thoughts and images to become a reality. She couldn’t give up yet! Who would make them laugh? Who would cheer them up after a bad day? With a rush, the blackness dissipated and with it the numbness that had consumed her.
She became aware, aware of a loud crashing happening above her. Aware of a biting pain in her chest. Aware of the warmth and wetness she was laying in.
Her eyes fluttered open, and the ceiling came into view, if a bit fuzzy. The hallway was in poor shape with cracks running over the walls in every direction. It was a wonder it hadn’t collapsed with large chunks of the wall strewn about in front of her. She groaned and tried to stand but slipped in the sticky mess under her. When she hit the ground, she felt a burning pain shoot through her chest. Her eyes widened when she looked down to see the problem. Embedded in the front of her chest were several medium-sized shards of marble, the pink fur matted and red. A small puddle of blood lined her legs from her chest with a streak outwards where she had slipped. Each heartbeat made the puddle grow, and she felt weaker. Her conscious thoughts slowed, and the blackness was coming to reclaim her again.
Just before she passed out again her enthusiasm poured to the front of her psyche. With it came Pinkie Pie and everything that entailed. The pain in her nose and chest faded. The blood stopped flowing from the nasty openings. The marble shards fell one by one from her chest, leaving only a matted furry mess. She felt right as rain and hopped to her feet not even noticing the slippery blood when she landed. The effects of the wave faded to nothing and not a moment too soon for Pinkie Pie.
Whatever was making the loud rumble above her came to a halt and Pinkie Pie’s mind kicked into full gear. Her forelegs braced the floor and her body shook like a dog. Flecks of blood and debris flew from her mane with each twist. After a few more vigorous shakes, everything was back to normal. Her eyes scanned the rest of her for anything abnormal. Content that she was ok she moved on to her next agenda, finding her new friends.
Far down the hallway, a screaming voice reached Pinkie Pie’s ears. “I don’t care what Twilight thinks!” That was the only clue she needed to begin back down the hall at a breakneck pace. Her mind wondered: Twilight! But why was that pony screaming at her? Whatever is going on down there isn’t good and she needs me!
A large crack echoed down the hallway, followed by more screaming. “What have done, you stupid dragon? This is your fault!” This time Pinkie Pie recognized the voice like hers, or rather the pony that looked an awful lot like her. Before she could contemplate what it meant another wave rocked into her causing her small frame to slam into the wall. She bounced off the wall like a rubber ball and impacted from various directions making small ding noises. She shook the wave off before it affected her and landed expertly. The sound of an explosion overlapped the final ding and drew Pinkie Pie’s attention.
That sounded like my cannon! She thought as she checked her mane and found her cannon in the same place she left it. What exactly was going on with Twilight down the hallway? She charged down the hallway her hooves digging into the marble and sending more debris flying behind her wake. In the distance, she could see a bright light pouring from somewhere.
“You. Are. Ruining. Everything!” This time the queen’s voice was much closer. As she came up to the ruined doorway her hooves crunched on broken wood and marble. She leaned to look inside when another wave blew her backward. It only dragged her a few feet this time and Pinkie Pie hopped right back to the door. What she saw caused her mane to collapse in a heap.
Her mind barely registered the thunderous roar as it tore through the room.
*********
Spike’s mind woke to blackness. No, not blackness, his eyes were closed and body rigid. A strange sensation built in his chest and spread outwards throughout his body. It drowned out the previous feeling of hopelessness and replaced it with emptiness. He struggled to remember how he had gotten to this point but the sensation soothed each memory away. It lapped at his mind and ate away at his anger, his fear. Once those were subdued, it worked on what remained of his happiness, his hope, and even his yearning. As the last vestiges of yearning began to die away a fierce memory bubbled to the surface, Twilight.
“Twilight!” the thought roared to life in his mind. “I have to save her from… something?” He couldn’t remember what it was. A wave of agitation that wasn’t his own flowed over him and receded. It was getting harder and harder to hold on to her memory. Something was tugging at it and beginning to win.
Spike redoubled his efforts and the more he focused on her the less empty he felt. Twilight was all he had left, he couldn’t remember why this was but he knew it was true. He tried to remember something other than how she looked and another memory crept forward. He still couldn’t make out her image but he was tiny and making funny shapes on a scroll. Flashes of purple guided his tiny clawed hands into the proper arcs and loops for each symbol. He remembered frustration because the tools he was using weren’t meant for his kind but she was patient and didn’t berate or give up on him. He finally got it right and his vision became a purple blot from Twilight’s hug.
Feelings of warmth and love flooded inside and renewed her image in his memory. The nothingness weakened under the onslaught and a portion retreated into his chest. Instinct took over and time flowed for a single heartbeat somehow expelling that portion of nothingness. In that short time, he felt a hoof on his shoulder and then nothing.
While Spike could still feel the remnants of Twilight’s love, he could still feel nothing of himself. Assessment of the situation told him he had recovered an old memory of Twilight and that they were close. He still didn’t remember himself or what was going on, however. He thought about himself and unlike the pony form of Twilight; he saw scales. Another new thought accompanied this image; he was not a pony. “If I’m not a pony, then what am I…?” He worked through all the races he knew and the only one with scales were dragons. The mere thought of dragon and he knew it was true. “I am a dragon!”
What was just an outline grew to an image. He was looking at himself in a mirror, still tiny. The memory solidified and his thoughts at the time became his own. “Why do I look different?” The thought repeated itself through his lips. His younger self turned around and saw a concerned look on Twilight’s face. A clawed finger pointed in her direction and he uttered a different but just as heartbreaking question, “Why don’t I look like you?”
He remembered she took a bit to respond and even then her face looked uncertain. “Dragons look… different from ponies. We are a different species. You are classified under th- no, he won’t understand that.” Her hooves danced underneath her as she pondered what to say.
The softness in her eyes when she found her answer still calmed Spike even now. “You don’t have to look like me.” He heard her hooves striking the ground as she approached him. She placed her hoof squarely on his chest and told him, “All that matters about a pony or dragon is what is inside their hearts.”
Confidence welled inside him like that day. With the surge of feeling, time moved forward once more. Feelings of alarm rocked his body and a new sensation took hold. Pain… horrible pain wracked his arms and legs. Immense pressure felt like it was ripping them apart. Everything felt bigger and his insides churned as various muscles contracted and contorted. A single heartbeat and time did not stop. The energy surrounding his body crackled and gave off a single pulse. The release of energy brought with it a moment of relief before it surged again. New levels of pain accompanied the next wave of changes.
Spike’s body was growing. He could feel muscles and bone fighting against whatever was happening to him, rigid and locked in a constant battle. The scales along his limbs cracked and groaned against the pressure his body was exerting. He felt a tugging on his spine and the bones seemed to stretch, drowning out the pain in his limbs with waves of numbness and tingling.
A crashing noise filled his ears before his heart beat again. Once again the energy rose to his scales and ejected, relief flooding his limbs in response to the vacating energy. His relief was short lived because a burning sensation in his chest replaced the pain. He realized he hadn’t taken a breath once.
Panic rang in his mind and he struggled to open his mouth. No matter how hard to he tried it his body refused his commands and the burning sensation escalated. Panic drove momentum and his eyelids were the first thing to give way to his internal demand to move. Opening wide, only blobs of color and overbearing light filled his vision. He took a moment to revel in this small victory. His mind returned to the burning that continued to rage in his chest. That energy building on his scales did not release as it rose, no. It dove beneath his scales and surged into his chest and filling his lungs with its presence. This did little to quell the burning and only urged his panic to new heights.
His body took no heed of his current plight and plowed ahead full force. Dragon scales are tough, but the pressure tore them like paper. Exposed skin grew outward in a race against the scales that were now beginning to regenerate and multiply to cover his growing body. His skin writhed against the changes but his limbs remained rigid. The only part free of this paralysis was his lengthening tail. Its overgrown spade head smashed into the ground, leaving impressions with each strike.
What few colors Spike could make out in the blur began to clear. More of the energy coalesced into an inky black film that crept over each eye. An unnatural feeling of doom replaced the pain in his body as he lost his sight once again. More memories flashed through Spike’s mind. Small memories, mundane memories of day-to-day life, of interactions with the various ponies of Ponyville, as fresh as the day he’d made them flashed and dissolved into a sea of nothingness.
Coldness inched up from that sea, devouring first his legs and then his torso, and with each new memory he lost, it rose. He was helpless against this new onslaught. More memories came unbidden, important memories, causing waves that threatened to drown him. One such memory stuck out, the memory of Twilight and her friends being summoned to the castle. His heart seized in his chest with this memory. It was the last time he ever saw Twilight.
As with the other memories, it became difficult to make out the details, and the images melted away. He could feel himself sinking now, his body numb to the pain of all but that memory. The strange sea enclosed him completely, threatening to smother him and the memory. Just as he felt himself letting go a stubborn part of his mind screamed, “No!”
A sense of urgency filled his limbs with vigor and he noticed the emptiness seeping into his body. What was a silent assault met with thrashing and rising emotions. The small aspects of his life slammed back into his mind, rebuilding a part of who he was. Each memory made him more buoyant against the invading waters. Each memory restoring a piece of who he was. His head crested the water, a terrible memory and timely savior replacing his senses.
“I’m leaving for the castle, we all are,” Twilight said matter-of-factly her eyes leaving no room for argument.
Spike’s gaze shifted to the floor, where his feet kicked around aimlessly. “I want to help! What if the Princess sends you a message while you’re gone?”
Twilight measured her response to his words. She knew he was only trying to find an excuse to go with her. “Then, as my number one apprentice, you will need to handle it.” She brought her head down to his and nuzzled against him. “I’m counting on you, Spike. You are the closest link we have to the Princesses right now and if they return, then only you can tell them what is going on.”
The memory ended with the same pang of guilt he had felt since that day. Thoughts of cowardice accompanied the memory. At huddling in that library and gorging himself instead of taking action to find Twilight. A deep regret he could feel to the bottom of his core. His eyes widened, and he felt he had touched on something significant. The thought repeated in his mind, “Finding Twilight.”
A rush of recent events flew through his mind, settling on something more recent. An excursion to a castle. What castle? Canterlot Castle! Feelings of hope fluttered through him as more of the memories returned.
A swelling of confidence that seemed connected to a young white mare and some kind of creature. The white one appeared in earlier memories but he couldn’t seem to remember. Who was she? The memories surrounding her were downcast with loss. Blood accompanied terror. An eerie smile plastered on a lifeless face. He didn’t have to wait long until a name accompanied the pony, “Sweetie Belle.”
The name alone sent him deep below the icy waters. It clung and crawled across his skin as if alive. He felt a similar tug on his conciousness. The feeling of loss was overwhelming but a new feeling of rage accompanied it. It acted a shield against whatever was happening.
Images matched emotions as the events leading up to his discovery of her death played out in his mind. The anger inside him roiled against the one responsible for this tragedy. “Queen Pinkamena”, although the words were only in his head the surrounding mass echoed them back. Each utterance of her name brought with its grisly image of his friends’ fates. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rarity. The final image never came. Before the memory could even reintegrate with his mind, his body was trembling. Even he couldn’t tell whether it was anger or grief.
The maelstrom of emotion grew and as it did, the substance surrounding him ripped free from his body and pushed further and further away. He became vaguely aware of the cold stone beneath his feet. His vision returned but hidden images of Twilight’s fate was all he could see. Each flash was a new wound, a painful reminder of the truth.
An explosion rang out and his head snapped up in response, glimpsing Twilight’s carefree murderer. Her mere presence tipped the scales to fury. Any grief or sorrow he felt at her death was overwhelmed by a bestial rage that erupted around him. The strange emptiness he’d been fighting diminished and pulsed out as energy in response. A tiny amount remained near his heart but its presence was unnoticeable against the anger.
Only one thing mattered now, to stop this monster. To make her pay for what she did to Twilight. The more he thought about it, the more he realized he didn’t want to stop Queen Pinkamena. No, he wanted to punish her, to make her hurt. Short scenarios played out giving him a disturbing thrill. He felt a primal need, an urge, to fight her. To tear apart anyone who got in his way. These feelings gave rise to a strange hum.
Shivers ran down his body as the low vibration built volume in his ear. The noise grew to a rumble and his body trembled in sync. Waves rippled through the stone and it gnashed beneath him. His mouth twisted in agony as his body responded with more painful change, accelerating in response to his emotion. The need to breathe returned with a vengeance causing him to take back control of his body and gasp in a lungful of air.
It was at this moment everything froze. A small part of him knew it was wrong to feel this way. It was anathema to everything Twilight had worked so hard to teach him. That everyone deserves a chance to change and that everyone can be good. The small voice screamed in his mind to stop but Spike no longer cared. As anger turned to hate he let it consume him. His final thought amongst the chaos was, “I’m sorry Mom.”
