> Revenge of the Shadow Pony
>  by GhoulDash97
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Statue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After having spent time for what felt like an eternity, everything has been finally set for the union between the griffons and dragons. Twilight had set the schedule up to the best of high standards while Spike went over the entire checklist to make sure that everything was in place.

"Are we good so far, Spike?" Twilight asked as she looked at the checklist.

"Yeah. Right now, the rock-based sculptors of the dragons and griffins are placed in front of the city hall and the decorations have been placed everywhere by Pinkie as you instructed." Spike replied, looking over the list.

"I hope you made sure to double-check this time, because I don't want any mistakes for this event that will occur by tomorrow." Starlight said as she came into the castle.

"Don't worry. I went over everything and it's all set in stone. Speaking of stone, that is one tasty sculptor you made..." Spike said, gazing at the crystallized statue.

"Keep dreaming, buddy. That's for the union between the dragons and the griffons and I don't want you getting your hands on this commemorative piece." Starlight said in a joking manner.

"But... it's so... tempting..." Spike said with his mouth drooling.

"Nice try, but if you behave yourself, I'll buy you as many gems that are just as tasty as that statue. Is that a deal?" Twilight suggested.

"Really?"

"Cross my heart."

"Deal!"

"Okay then. Come on, my dear assistant."

Spike followed along with Twilight and Starlight as they left the castle hall, but not before Spike turned around to look at the statue. The look of the statue was seductive, but Twilight knocked him out of his trance and he followed suit.

"I wonder how Ember is doing?" Spike asked.

"Who knows? For all I know, Griffonstone doesn't seem to have much of a leader, so I can only assume that Gabby or Gilda went their land's place." Twilight suggested.

"Perhaps, but then we would just even things out." Starlight said.

"Do you think the others have prepared this shindig?"

"Starlight is preparing the fireworks. Rainbow Dash is handling the weather and the rainboom. Fluttershy is taking care of the music. Rarity is handling the decor. And both Applejack and Pinkie Pie are helping with the baked goods. So everything seems to be tip top as far as I know."

"Hopefully everything goes well. The last thing that we need is a war." Starlight said, raising an eyebrow.

"Right. A war..." Twilight said with a slightly nervous chuckle.

Looking at how discomforted Twilight is feeling and what he has done, Spike said,

"Don't worry Twilight. Everything's in good hooves."

"I hope you're right, Spike. I just wish that this union didn't have to be here." Twilight said, albeit stressed.

"It'll be over before you know it. For now, just try to relax, okay?" Spike asked.

"You're right. After this, it'll all be over."

After walking back outside, they went everywhere across Ponyville to make sure that everything was in place and in order for the arrival between the griffons and the dragons. Having checked through the entire union festival, everything seemed to be in order and harmony. At least while Twilight was doing her best not to stress over it, leaving Spike to make sure her blood pressure does not rise. After double checking to see that everything was in order, they went back to the castle, completely exhausted from the entire ordeal.

"Well, it's been a long day. I think I'm gonna go have dinner with Trixie and turn in. I'll be back!" Starlight said as she left the castle.

"Okay. Have fun, Starlight!" Twilight said as she left.

After Starlight left castle, Spike turned towards Twilight and asked,

"So what now?"

"Dunno. All I can think of right now is filling my belly with a nice oatburger with a side of fries."

"Jeez. Now you've got me hungry."

"What do you say we go get dinner, big guy?" Twilight asked, nudging him.

"Don't mind if I do..." Spike said as they left the castle.

They both left the castle and went to go have dinner with each other while everypony else went to turn in for the night. After eating, they went back home to get ready for bed.

"Well, it looks like we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow." Twilight said, looking at the schedule.

"Seems about right." Spike said with a small chuckle.

"I hope you'll be ready tomorrow. It's gonna be a big step in improving this relationship with the dragons and the griffons."

"I hear ya. I just hope that it goes over well."

"I'm sure it will, Spike. Besides, at least you'll be right beside me when the going gets tough."

"Yup. Everything will go according to plan."

"Good night Spike." Twilight said.

"G'night Twilight." Spike responded.

They both brushed their teeth and got their pajamas on before finally turning in. It was a peaceful night after that. Nearly five hours later at 1:30 AM, Spike got out of bed due to his stomach growling from hunger. He went to the kitchen to get a snack, but couldn't find anything that he was interested in. Before he could go back to bed though, he saw the statue that was dedicated the union between the dragons and the griffons. He drooled away as he gazed at the statue. He was tempted to eat it. So incredibly drawn to it, like a moth to the flame. But then he stopped himself and said,

"No Spike. It's only a statue. Remember what Twilight said. She would give me plenty of gems if I did a good job, and I will do a good job."

Before he turned around to go back to bed, he went towards the statue and said,

"Still, that is one impressive statue. I wonder how long it took for this thing to be crafted?"

Upon touching it however, the statue started to crack. After it went all the way up to the top face, it finally cracked, leaving Spike in a state of distress which suddenly woke Twilight up.
> Consequence
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sweating madly and desperately, Spike had to find a way to stall for time before Twilight could see what has happened. He did most of the jewels underneath the table and went towards the hallway. Upon making it, he saw Twilight half-asleep with her stomach rumbling.

"Oh... hi Spike." Twilight said with a yawn.

"H-Hey Twilight. What're you doing up in the middle of the night?" Spike nervously asked.

"Hmm. I was having this weird dream about fluffy kittens and for some odd reason, my stomach was rumbling. So I decided to help myself to the kitchen and-"

"That's great! Just stay here and I'll go get it for you." Spike said in a panicked manner.

"Huh? Well, okay. Make me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, please."

"One pb&j sandwich, coming up! Plain or toasted?"

"Plain." Twilight said with a yawn.

Spike rushed back to the kitchen and proceeded to make her sandwich. As he was spreading the jam and the peanut butter on the bread, he was sweating bullets. He had no idea how long he could keep her at bay while he was trying to fix the statue. It was a race against time and he knew that he was short of it before tomorrow. After making her sandwich, he quickly ran over and gave it to Twilight.

"G'night, Twilight." Spike said desperately.

"G'night, Spike..." Twilight said as she left while taking a bite of her sandwich.

After hearing her close the door, he immediately went back to fixing the statue. He continued to work on it hour after hour, trying to right the wrong that he wrought upon himself. A wrong that could spell certain doom for the relationship between the dragons and the griffons. Slowly but surely, he started to feel his consciousness slip away. With his eyes dropping, his mouth hanging, he could barely concentrate on what he needed to accomplish. Five-ten minutes later, he finally passed out from working too hard.

***

The next morning, Spike was suddenly awoken by a sudden thud on a table.

"Spike." a voice called.

It was the same voice that Spike didn't want to hear. He slowly turned around and saw Twilight and her friends, with looks of disapproval.

"What did you do?" Twilight asked in a stern, yet angry voice.

Spike turned around and looked at the ruined statue that fell before him. Not sure about what to do, he turned towards them and said,

"There was a slight problem with the statue. It fell apart and-"

"And what? Sounds like you were hungry or something." Rainbow Dash speculated.

"Wha- no! Sure, my stomach was rumbling, but-"

"But what? Sounds to me like you were gonna eat that statue." Applejack said.

Shocked and in utter disbelief with the accusations thrown at him, Spike said,

"No! I was trying to fix the statue! Why are you all just pointing hooves and accusing me all of a sudden?"

"Because we happen to know a certain dragon whose stomach would often rumble for any jewel that he comes across." Rarity said.

"Plus, you seem to have quite the thing for jewels whenever you mention them." Pinkie Pie added.

Spike lowered his head and saw the crumbs that Pinkie spotted. Not knowing what to do at this point, Spike said,

"I really did try to fix the statue. I did. I have no idea what happened, but I didn't eat that statue. Besides, I enjoy eating doggy treats."

"I find that hard to believe, young drake. Not only did you potentially damage any hopes of starting a friendship between the dragons and the griffons, but you also betrayed whatever faith I had in my number one assistant."

"What...?" Spike asked with his eyes widened.

"Twilight, aren't you going a little too far with this accusation?" Starlight asked.

"He knew that he was going to face responsibility if anything bad happened to the statue, as did my friends who relied on him for help whenever they needed him."

"Twilight, don't do this." Spike said.

"I'm sorry Spike, but you left me no choice but to banish you." Twilight said.

Spikes eyes widened even more upon hearing that. The next thing that happened was that tears started rolling down his eyes.

"What? I don't believe this! Couldn't you at least give me an explanation about this?!" Spike asked with his voice breaking a little.

"Ember and Gilda came by earlier than we anticipated and we had to prepare in a last-ditch effort to make sure everyting was in place." Twilight said.

"Me and Pinkie had to make sure that the apple farm was set in place with all the food there was!" Applejack shouted.

"I had to finish up their dresses in a rush to make sure they something to wear for tonight along with the decor!" Rarity complained.

"Every animal in my cottage was running amok and Angel was causing mischief throughout Ponyville, which didn't give me any time to rehearse!" Fluttershy said with assertiveness.

"And I had to help with Twilight's checklist, so I didn't have time for Wonderbolt practice or taking care of the weather!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

"I was trying to fix the statue!" Spike yelled.

Twilight and her friends were more angry with him than he ever imagined.

"Ember and Gilda came by in the castle, and when they saw the statue, they got upset with me and nearly left. I had to patch things up between the two and save face between the two species. So who wasn't there to help me with our responsibilities?" Twilight said, looking at Spike.

Spike looked on in tears as Twilight was completely angry at him now.

"That's enough, Twilight!" Starlight protested.

"This is not your place to argue, Starlight."

"Ar-? He was trying to patch things up between the dragons and the griffons! Why can't you see that?"

"We nearly lost a friendship between the two, and who knows what Princess Celestia would think if she saw this!" Twilight shouted as she pointed at the statue.

Starlight and Spike were both in shock as they saw that Twilight was firm in her decision.

"Do you know how I would have did better when I was a student?" Twilight asked Spike.

Spike's eyes widened even more before hearing Twilight speak.

"I would have been better off if I didn't have any assistant." Twilight said as she turned her back on him.

Starlight looked on in shock as she witnessed Twilight give him his sentence. Knowing full well how it meant to be treated as a villain, Starlight went beside Spike and said with a serious face,

"You're gonna have to banish me too."

"Very well." Twilight said with certainty.

The two immediately went to their room and started packing their things. After ten minutes of packing, they went downstairs and exited the castle without as much as a goodbye. They made their way through the town and stopped to have a bite to eat. Looking at Spike, she saw how sad he was about seeing Twilight kicking him out of the castle. So she decided to cheer him up.

"You know, we could try working with Trixie. She has often talked about needing more assistants for her magic shows. It wouldn't be a bad idea. If anything, we could make a killing in the entertainment business and we could become rich if we play our cards right. Get it?" Starlight asked as she gave out a fake laugh.

She looked at Spike and he was still devastated. Starlight gave a sad look and said,

"Look at me."

Spike raised his head and looked at her.

"I know what it means to be banished from your own home. We may be homeless now, but as long as we have each other, there's not a hoof, or claw, that anybody can raise to us. I promise. We will make this work. You have my word as an outsider." Starlight said as she raised her hoof towards him.

Spike looked at her with uncertainty and no idea what to say about it.

"I dunno." he replied.

"Huh?" Starlight asked.

"All my life, I have been told what to do on whatever task that I was given. Day in and day out, I did as I was told and I was often rewarded with a few gems. I did spend some time with Celestia and Twilight, but they were often too busy to even talk to me. Let alone reading to me when I was still growing. Looking back at it now, I feel completely empty inside. I don't think that Celestia would even look at me."

"Don't be like that. Everypony feels that way whenever they feel disowned or whatever. Besides, you now have something in common with me, bestie."

Spike gave her a slight chuckle.

"I guess that's true. I mean, we both are treated like sidekicks."

"Starlight!" A voice called out.

They both looked out of the table and saw that it was Trixie. She ran towards them and said,

"Hey there, bestie~. So how goes your magic training~?"

"It's going great, but we've been kicked out of Twilight's castle."

"Oh? How'd you stir up the hornet's nest this time~?" Trixie asked with curosity.

"I volunteered."

"Huh?"

"Spike got kicked out."

"Oh. Welcome to the club, Spiky." Trixie said with a deadpan expression.

"Hey Trixie."

"Hmm?"

Remember what you told me about needing more assistants?"

"Yeah?"

"What if Spike and I joined you as assistants?"

"Huh?"

"It would be fun! We could pull magic acts, hold special events, and we could be famous across Equestria."

"Well, it wouldn't be a bad idea, but that would mean we'd have to practice hard if we wanna make a living across the land."

"We'll make it work. If you let us join, we could live like princesses! We wouldn't have to worry about trouble ever again!"

After Trixie gave some careful consideration, she looked at Starlight and said,

"Okay, my two new assistants. Guess I have a new magic act after all. But we have to leave immediately if we wanna get over to Los Pegasus."

"Sweet! So Spike, what's your decision?" Starlight asked, raising her hoof back up.

Spike thought about it very deeply after hearing her speak about this opportunity. He knew full well that Twilight was angry with him and it felt unlikely that she was going to forgive him. After thinking it over, he said,

"I've got nowhere to go anyway. Why not?"

He raised his fist and bumped it with Starlight's hoof.

"Looks like we've got a new partnership in our midst." Starlight said with sass.

"Looks that way, huh?" Spike said.

"Yup! Now finish up, 'cuz we got a long road ahead of us!"

After they finished eating, they immediately packed up and went off with Trixie, filled with enthusiasm and ready for a brand new future ahead of them. Spike had no idea what would lie ahead, but he knew that it was his future now, and he has friends to share it with.
> Cavern
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After leaving Ponyville for good, Spike and his companions went to travel across Equestria to Los Pegasus. As they kept moving along, he couldn't stop thinking about what Twilight said to him. The words that she said to him stung him like a bee. It hurt him really hard that he could never face Twilight or her friends. He knew that he messed up a lot of things in the past, but nothing could ever lay a finger on the fact that he was banished over a mishap with the statue. He felt more miserable about it and it just agonized him even more.

"Well, this is where we stop!" Trixie said.

"Here?" Spike asked.

"We're halfway towards Los Pegasus, but we need to rest if we wanna make it any further." Trixie said.

"We know, but wouldn't it be easier to rest over in that cave over there?" Starlight asked, pointing towards a cave.

"Wouldn't be a bad idea. We're pretty much sheltered away from the creatures out there." Trixie said.

"Should we go in there?" Spike asked.

"Why not?" Trixie said as she pulled her cart.

The three made their way towards the cave as they took shelter from the outside. After setting up camp, they brought out whatever firewood that Trixie had and started making dinner.

"So tell me Spike. How'd you blow it with Twilight this time?" Trixie asked.

"Trixie!" Starlight shouted.

"What? I was just asking a question." Trixie whined.

"But could you at least be a little sensitive about it? He's-"

"It's okay, Starlight. Trixie was just asking a question." Spike said, albeit passively.

Starlight calmed down a little bit as Spike explained his situation. After explaining for about five minutes, Trixie was in utter disbelief about what she just heard.

"Wow. All that over a statue..." Trixie said.

He gave her a small nod as Starlight looked at the meal. Then she said,

"Looks like dinner's ready."

After eating their meal of roasted corn, they immediately turned in and went to bed. After eating their meal of roasted corn, they immediately turned in and went to bed. Four hours later, Spike was shaking in his bed from the trauma that he endured from being expelled by Twilight and her friends.

"What makes you think that you're one of us?" Twilight asked menacingly.

"Yeah! Why don't you go back to your little dragon friends, you crybaby!" Rainbow Dash shouted.

"Why not give him a pie to the face? That should get the point across." Pinkie said with a wicked smile.

"What a good idea, Pinkie." Applejack said.

"No, not good enough darling. Why not have everypony else humiliate him in my personal outfits?" Rarity said.

"And have him get beat up by the animals?" Fluttershy asked, filled with malice.

They all nodded at each other and slowly approached Spike. But before they could approach him, there was suddenly this dark mist that appeared out of nowhere and wrapped itself around the mane six. The screams of agony and sorrow echoed as the black mist dropped them, leaving their body parts on the ground as it faced Spike.

"Join me..." the mist called.

"Huh?" Spike asked.

"Join me..." the mist called again.

Spike froze upon hearing that from the mist.

"J-Join you?? I don't even-"

"Join me..."

The mist slowly approached Spike as he tried to back away from the mist. After tripping on something, the mist took the opportunity and enveloped him, causing him to wake up as he screamed for help. He shot out of bed as quick as a bottle rocket and was sweating from what he has experience in his dream. Just then, he noticed Starlight Glimmer.

"Are you okay, Spike?" Starlight asked.

Spike looked around at his surroundings and then turned towards Starlight.

"Yeah. Guess it was just a bad dream or something." Spike replied.

"You were shaking wildly in your bed. What happened in your dream?"

"I dunno, but-"

"Could you two keep it down!? I'm trying to sleep!" Trixie shouted.

They both looked at Trixie and gave a slight chuckle.

"I think we should head to bed." Starlight said.

"Yeah. But if you don't mind, I'm gonna go and explore the cave. To see if I can find any gems to help me nod off." Spike said.

"I'm not sure. It looks awfully dark in that cave."

Spike grabbed a piece of wood and blew a flame on it.

"Don't worry. With this torch, I can tell where I'm gonna go."

"I dunno..."

"Trust me, Starlight. If I get lost, I'll shout for you."

"Well, it is a deep cave..."

After deeply considering about this idea, Starlight said,

"Okay. But no more that one hour. If you're gone for more than that, I'm coming in after you. Do you get me?"

"I'm not gonna leave the cave, Starlight. Sheesh..." Spike said as he went for a walk.

After his little banter with Starlight, he left the camp to go spelunking. Moving around through the cave, he found all sorts of gems and crystals as he moved around, consuming all almost every jewel that he came across. As he kept moving around, he saw one specific in the center of the cavern.

"Huh?"

He moved forward to see what it is. Upon a closer look, he saw what appeared to be a malachite crystal in the shape of a heart. It was brimming and glowing with beauty as he laid his eyes upon it. Just then, he remembered something.

"Isn't this the same shape of that one jewel I gave to Rarity on my birthday?" Spike wondered.

Suddenly, he started hearing voices in his head as he looked at the crystal.

"Wha-? Who's there?" Spike asked as he turned around.

He looked around the cavern, but saw that nopony was there, making him even more nervous.

"Starlight?" Spike called out.

He didn't hear her voice.

"Trixie?" he called again.

The voices grew louder and sharper as he started to sweat from the pressure around him.

"Who is this? If you come any closer, I'll melt your face off!" Spike warned.

As frantically as he did, he spun around nervously and moved around in different directions, trying to regain his composure. It was in vain as the noises grew high-pitched and fierce, trying to find out who this creature is. Just then, he stopped. He turned around and eyed the malachite crystal.

"Come here..." the voice called.

Spike's eyes widened as he moved towards the malachite crystal. With every step he took, the sense of isolation and worry has grown. No matter what he tried to do, he could not take his gaze away from it.

“Closer…” the voice called again.

Upon coming closer, the malachite crystal started to glow brighter with the effect of hypnotism taking over Spike.

"Grab me..." the voice said.

Not wasting any time, he grabbed the crystal. Just then, black mist started coming out of the malachite crystal. Spike snapped out of his trance and started to back away from the crystal.

"Who are you?! What do you want from me!?" Spike shouted.

"Freedom!" a now warped voiced shouted.

Suddenly, the malachite crystal started to levitate from its place and homed itself into Spike's chest. Upon impact, Spike got off the ground and started to feel something in his chest. The next thing that happened, he started puking. But instead of blood for some odd reason, it was black ooze.

"What happened to me?" Spike nervously asked.

Just then, he started to feel the mist envelope his body. The corrosion within his body now started to twist and rearrange his body as the mist went into his mouth.

"N-NO!" Spike shouted while struggling to get the ooze off.

He choked as the mist started to corrupt him. This strange sensation starts to appear when his fangs suddenly grow sharper, his claws looking like razor blades, the tip of his tail taking the appearance of a spearhead, and his spikes now looking more pointier than ever before as he screamed in agony.

"HELP ME!!!! HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!" Spike yelled as tears poured out of his eyes.

His pleas for help all proved to be in vain as the darkness completely shrouded him. Upon feeling the corruption taking over him, he fell on all fours with his eyes now shrouded in white.

"RAAAAAUUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
> Mystery Creature
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Starlight waited for Spike to return, she started thinking about what Twilight did and the horrible thing that she told Spike. They very thought of her throwing Spike out of the castle just made her feel sick.

"How could Twilight do this? I thought she was the Princess of Friendship, not some snobbish aristocrat who just gets angry at every little mistake. So much for love. At least I have Spike and Trixie now. We should have the most best of times now that we're free from our reins. At least until Spike gets over the fact that Twilight doesn't wanna see him again." Starlight thought as she took a bite of some marshmallows.

All of a sudden, she heard a monstrous noise.

"RRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Spike?" She wondered.

"RRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Spike! Trixie, you stay here while I find Spike! I have a bad feeling something's happened to him..." Starlight said frantically.

"Yes... do that..." Trixie said, still feeling sleepy.

Hearing the noise again, she got out of her seat and went further into the cave. Using her horn to spark a light, she underwent an investigation to find out where Spike went off to. She looked everywhere across the cavern to see where Spike was, but came up short of answers. At least until she found his footprints.

"Where were you touring, Spike?" Starlight wondered.

She followed his footprints to see where he and what he was doing. She could only hope that he wasn't getting into trouble, but it would have been nothing short of an understatement since he normally gets in trouble half the time when he was with Twilight Sparkle. However, she was willing to do something about it while the latter stood by the sidelines. He may have been a mischievous dragon, but he was never cruel nor was he the least bit egregious. She could only think of the happy time she would spend with since they left Ponyville. A thought she completely nourished.

"Spike?" she called out.

Just then, she heard chomping. She moved closer to see who it was. The chewing sounded like that of a manticore gnawing away at the remains of a freshly-killed creature. The grunts sounding like a changeling getting ready for its prey on a potential victim. When Starlight got closer, she noticed something. It looked to be some sort of fully-grown dragon covered in black ooze. The growling sounded completely unnatural as if it were a hellish creature that came from the depths of Tartarus. It's spikes were completely pointy and sharpened that they resembled the tips of a saw-blade. It's claws so razored that they almost resembled swords and scythes. Its tails was so pointed that it mirrored a spearhead. But one thing that threw Starlight off that it didn't have wings, giving her the suspicion that it could be Spike. She moved in closer to see who the mystery creature was.

"Spike...?" she asked as she moved forward.

She started sweating from this unnerving feeling that started to unravel across the cavern, After moving a little closer, she put her hoof on the creature's shoulder to confirm if it was Spike. Just then, she heard the low growling coming from the creature. She moved in closer to see what the creature was hiding...

SLASH!!!!

The creature cut Starlight's left cheek, sending her flying back to the far end of the room, hitting a wall. She fell to the ground, struggling to get up. After a couple seconds of recovering, she glowed her horn in preparation for an attack.

"What did you do to Spike!" Starlight furiously asked.

Instead of answering, the creature breathed a fireball at Starlight who activated a forcefield to protect herself. Just then, the creature charged in front of her and punched the field, breaking it. Coordinating its movements, it moved its left hand and grabbed her throat, strangling her in the process.

"Who... are... you...?" Starlight asked as she was struggling for breath.

Not answering her question, it continued to choke her until she started to run out of breath. Just as it was about to snap her neck, he felt something hit the back of its head. It rubbed the back of its head to soothe the pain that it felt. It turned around and saw that it was Trixie.

"Put. Her. Down." Trixie warned as she levitated most of her bag of tricks.

The creature growled at her as it lunged towards Trixie with Starlight in hand. She used her magician's hanker-chief to blind the creature for a brief moment. It had a hard time seeing, so it let go of Starlight and tried getting the hanker-chief off its eyes, giving her time to regain her breath. Trixie levitated Starlight with her magic and proceeded to escape. But just as soon as she was ready to leave with friend in hoof, it charged at the two ponies with all the speed and rage that it had. But before it could pounce on Starlight, she fired a beam of magic at the creatures face, knocking it back. The creature roared as the two ponies escaped from the cavern.

"YOU WILL PAY FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" the creature angrily shouted before it left deeper into the cavern.

Starlight and Trixie managed to leave the cavern just when it reached around 1:00 AM. Trixie panically shook Starlight as she tried to figure out who the creature was.

"STARLIGHT! WHAT'RE WE GONNA DO NOW?! THAT THING BACK IN THE CAVERN COULD BE SOME SORT OF ANCIENT CREATURE THAT WAS BANISHED A LONG TIME AGO AND WOULD MOST LIKELY WANNA TAKE OVER EQUESTRIA!!!!! IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING, WE COULD BE LOOKING AT AN INFINITE AMOUNT OF YEARS WITH TYRANNY AND CHAOS!!!!!!! JUST HOW ARE WE-!"

Just then, Starlight slapped Trixie across the face in order to get her to calm down. After catching her breath and getting off the ground, she looked Trixie straight in the eye and said,

"The first thing that we're gonna do is that we're gonna figure out who that creature is and then we're gonna see if we can stop this thing."

"We?" Trixie asked as she sweated.

"But I have a good feeling that I know who it is..."

"Huh?" Trixie asked as they stared off into the cavern.

They may have survived the first battle, but that was only the beginning of a war that was about to occur. They may have no idea who the creature is, but Starlight can be certain that the creature was familiar. The aura and the unease that spread from itself gave her this cold chill running down her spine as she was now determined to get to the bottom of who the creature is and what happened to Spike.
> Accusation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After making their way to Canterlot in the past few hours, Starlight and Trixie walked across the castle to find Celestia and Luna. After a half-hour of moving across the castle, they finally made it towards the throne room where the two princesses are.

"Your Highnesses!" Starlight shouted as she bowed along with Trixie.

"Oh hey Starlight. Whatever is the matter?" Celestia asked in a delighted manner.

"You wouldn't believe us even if you sent me deep into the pits of Tartarus."

Hearing this shocked both Celestia and Luna. So they decided to listen to what they had to say about what happened on their trip. After a whole hour, the royal sisters were completely flabbergasted about what happened to Spike and how he could be potentially possessed by the malachite crystal embedded into his heart.

"How could I let this happen?" Celestia asked, completely bewildered.

"Sister..." Luna pleaded.

"I always knew Twilight to be a workaholic worrywart, but I never would have imagined the day that she would kick Spike out. My own son..." Celestia said in tears.

"Everything will be okay, dear sister. We will find whatever method we have to save Spike. Should I send for the girls?" Luna asked.

"Now." Celestia said with silent fury in her voice.

Knowing that she was in no mood to be angered, she immediately wrote a letter and sent it to Twilight's castle in Ponyville. After receiving the letter from Celestia and reading it, mane six left the castle to board a train to Canterlot. On their way over, they tried to comprehend why Celestia sent for them in this sense of urgency.

"Hey Twi, do you think that the Princess sent for us because we forgot to tell her about the cake fest back at Ponyville?" Applejack asked.

"No, it couldn't be the case. She could've sent for us because there could be a test." Twilight speculated.

"A test on what?" Fluttershy asked.

"I dunno. It could be a test on trigonometry or something."

"Aren't you over-thinking it a little bit, Twilight?" Rainbow Dash asked."

"No. I'm just nervous is all."

"You are always nervous, Twilight. Besides, you're a princess now. You are beyond tests." Rarity said.

"I suppose..." Twilight said, scratching the back of her head.

"Hey girls! We're coming close to the stopping point!" Pinkie said, pointing to the train-station.

After pulling up to the stop, the mane six got off the train and proceeded to walk towards the castle. But not before stopping to eat first. After grabbing a quick snack at Donut Joe's, they proceeded towards the castle without cease. After a half-hour of walking around the castle, they finally made it towards the castle where two angry sisters awaited.

"How are you today, Your Highness?" Twilight asked in a friendly manner.

Celestia did not answer.

"Princess Luna?" Twilight asked with a nervous chuckle.

Luna did not answer either.

"Is there anything wrong, Princesses?" Applejack asked.

The two did not answer and all they did was give Twilight and her friends the look of furious anger when they entered the throne room. Twilight was now starting to feel nervous about both the Princesses.

"Did I do anything to anger you, Princess Celestia? Anything wrong?" Twilight asked, now completely unsure.

Instead of answering, Celestia rose up from her throne and walked towards Twilight. She was starting to feel even more unnerved now that Celestia has moved out of her throne. Sweating from the top of her head, Twilight did not know what to expect when Celestia finally appeared in front of her.

Slap!

In the next moment, Twilight felt the stinging effect of the slap that was inflicted by Celestia. Out of anger, Celestia levitated Twilight against the wall and asked in a cold voice,

"What did you do?"

"What do yo-" Twilight asked before being interrupted by Luna.

"Do not play innocent with us, Twilight Sparkle! We know what you did with him!" Luna shouted in her Royal Canterlot voice.

"Who? You're not making any sense, Princesses."

"You threw Spike out of the castle!" Celestia shouted.

"N-No! I was just-"

"Just what? Angry over a mistake could be easily remedied? Upset that your plan didn't go the way that it should? Or embarrassed about what Spike did?" Celestia asked with anger.

Hearing this stunned Twilight as she couldn't think of anything else to say. After dropping her, Celestia said,

"I am very disappointed in you, Twilight Sparkle. Not only do we have a new enemy in our midst, but you have also betrayed the very teachings that you inherited over the years when you were my student."

Twilight lowered her head in shame upon hearing Celestia say that.

"What were you thinking about when you expelled Spike from your castle?" Luna asked.

Twilight tried to think of an explanation to back her argument up, but she was so devastated that couldn't figure out what to say.

"Were your friends involved in this?" Celestia asked.

Twilight gave her a solemn nod upon hearing her question.

"I trusted you. Among all the students that have came to me and failed, I have trusted you. But after what you have done and what your method of Spike's expulsion, my trust was misplaced. There is now only thing left to do." Celestia said as she lowered Twilight down and looking at Luna.

Twilight raised her head and looked at her with tears getting ready to stream from her eyes.

"We must search for him." Luna decreed.

Twilight and her friends looked at the two alicorns in confusion upon hearing that.

"Huh? Why? Shouldn't we-"

"Yes you should, but it is our responsibility to make sure that the entire land of Equestria is safe from harm and to bring Spike back." Celestia said.

Starlight came out of hiding upon hearing Celestia say that.

"When do we leave, Your Highness?" Starlight asked.

"Immediately. Did you send Trixie home?" Luna asked.

"She's already boarded the next train to Ponyville. She should be halfway by now." Starlight answered.

"Good. Everypony, get your equipment and-"

"Your Highness!" a voice called out.

Both Celestia and Luna turned around and saw a guard running into the throne room.

"What is it?" Luna asked.

"We have just received word that the Crystal Empire has been infiltrated."

"What?" Celestia asked.

Upon hearing this, Twilight levitated the letter over to herself and started reading it. After reading it, she dropped the letter in terror upon learning what has happened in the Crystal Empire.
> Disturbance
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After boarding the train to the Crystal Empire, Twilight could not shake the feeling that something bad happened. The very thought of something bad happening over at Cadence and Shining Armor's castle was enough to make her skin crawl like a swarm of spiders ready to claim their newly-caught meal. The fear that was all over her just felt too unbearable for her to fathom. Let alone thinking back to what she has done to Spike.

"Are you alright, sugarcube?" Applejack asked, feeling worried about Twilight.

"I'm fine Applejack. I just can't shake the feeling that something bad has happened to Cadence and Shining Armor." Twilight replied, filled with worry.

"Don't feel distressed, Twilight. I'm sure that the two can handle themselves."

"I know, but I just have this strange feeling that they have been captured or-"

Applejack put her hoof on Twilight's mouth to get her to calm down.

"Relax. As soon as we meet up with those two, we'll cook up a plan on how to get Spike back. Besides, they have guards everywhere in the Crystal Empire. What's the worst that could happen?" Applejack said with a casual look on her face.

Hearing this made Twilight feel even more worried as they were riding all the way over to the Crystal Empire. Seeing the Royal Sisters ride the train made the Main Six fill with unease. Especially Twilight, whom actually went over the border with throwing Spike out of the castle and unawarely betray every teaching that Princess Celestia passed onto her when she was her student. She could only hope that her relatives were out of harm's way. After a whole hour of riding the train, they made it towards Crystal Empire and immediately got off. They ran towards the castle in a huff to see if they were safe.

"I hope they're okay! The last thing that I need is more bad news!" Twilight said in a frantic manner.

"Don't sweat it, Twilight. I'm sure they know what they're doing." Rainbow Dash boasted.

Twilight seemed unsure about Rainbow Dash's statement, but she had to trust her judgement. She is aware that Shining Armor and Cadence are capable of handling themselves, but even concerned her even more was Flurry Heart. She could not bear the thought of anything terrible happening to her. As they made towards the castle, they were greeted by two guards at the front gate.

"Your Highnesses, we are glad that you made it." one of the guards said.

"What is the situation?" Celestia asked.

"So far, we have only one casualty in this kingdom." the other guard said.

Hearing this shook the girls when they heard that.

"The Princess will tell you about it in her throne room. She is expecting you." the other guard said.

They nodded and went up to the castle at top speed. They were scared of who the casualty was. It could be either Shining Armor or Sunburst. The thought of it all shook them to their cores as they ran to the throne room. Upon arrival, they saw Cadence and Shining Armor with Flurry Heart in hoof. They had melancholic looks on their faces, with Cadence having tears in her eyes. As soon as they entered, Shining Armor approached Twilight and hugged her.

"Thank Equestria you're safe." Shining Armor relievedly said.

"I know. I thought that you were killed." Twilight said with tears nearly coming out.

"What happened?" Celestia asked.

Cadence looked at her with sorrow as she showed them Sunburst's glasses. Upon seeing the glasses, Starlight's eyes widened out. She shook as she went towards the now disregarded specs that Sunburst had.

"Oh no..." Starlight said with her voice nearly breaking.

After grabbing and looking at them, tears poured out of her eyes and started crying. Luna went to comfort her while the Mane Six spoke to Cadence about Sunburst with Celestia.

"What happened to Sunburst?" Twilight asked.

Starlight raised her head after hearing that question.

"When we first heard about this, we rushed over to his house. The guards were already there. They took us into the remains of his house and we were shown his body. He was horribly burnt everywhere. We inspected his body further and we saw that his throat was ripped out by some monstrous creature. It was so huge that it looked as if it were ripped by a manticore. And to top it off, his house was burnt down along with his books. It was like it didn't want to leave any trace of what it did. I can only hope that it doesn't come for us next." Shining Armor explained.

Starlight looked at him and asked,

"Where's the body?"

"What?" Shining Armor asked.

"Where is the body?"

"Starlight-" Cadence said before Shining Armor was levitated by Starlight.

"WHERE IS THE BODY?!" Starlight shouted in an upset manner.

Not wanting to anger her any further, Shining Armor said,

"Downstairs in the morgue. It's in the basement."

Starlight put him down as she rushed downstairs to the body. After twenty minutes, she made it to the morgue.

"Sunburst?" Starlight asked with her voice nearly breaking.

She looked around the area to see where his body was. After two minutes of searching for a body bag, she saw one on the far left corner. After unzipping it, she noticed the charred body and the mangled throat that Shining Armor mentioned.

"Sweet Ce-" Starlight said as she covered her mouth.

After looking at the body, she finally broke down and cried her eyes out. Never before has she felt this sad. Her childhood friend, Sunburst, was dead. She could never have imagined a loss even greater. All these years of being alone and not being able to think about anypony else, but Sunburst. He was the one thing that Starlight had to think about when she was growing up. And now he was gone for good. Everypony that followed her could not imagine the pain that she was going through.

"So what do we do now?" Rainbow Dash whispered.

"I dunno. But this is bigger than we think." Twilight whispered back.
> Meeting
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After mourning Sunburst for the past few hours, Starlight confined herself to her room, crying over what has happened and what could have been done to prevent this terrible incident. She has known him for years and she wanted to spend some more time with him along with getting to do the things that she wanted with him. But now that he was gone, she feels as if she has nothing left. Just then, she heard a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Starlight said, sniffling.

"It's me!" Cadence shouted from the door.

Starlight quickly dried away her tears and went to open the door. Luna came in as soon as the door opened. After the doors were closed, the latter turned towards the former and hugged her.

"Are you okay?" Cadence asked.

Doing her best not to show weakness, Starlight said,

"I'm okay. It's just..."

"I know." Luna said.

Starlight looked at her in a confused manner as she said that.

"I know what it means to lose a friend from the past. It is the most ugliest sensation that anypony can ever bear. But no matter what you do or what you can muster, they can never come back." Cadence said with sorrow in her voice.

Starlight lowered her head after hearing that.

"But you should not blame yourself for something that was unpreventable." Cadence said.

Starlight then raised her head as her dampened eyes gazed at Cadence.

"Why shouldn't I? If I had known that this would happen, he wouldn't..." Starlight said in her nearly broken voice.

"He would not have died for nothing."

Tears were now beginning to pour out of her eyes upon hearing that.

"But if he were here now, he would have told to keep moving forward and figure out how to stop this new threat. He also would have told you to be happy and to never forget about the times that you have spent with him when you were foals. I know that it will be hard to bear, but you will persevere." Cadence said in a comforting voice.

She knew that Cadence was right, but Starlight could not think of Sunburst anymore without shedding tears over the guilt of being unable to save him. She then said,

"Cadence, there's something I need to tell you about Twilight. She-"

Cadence put her hoof on Starlight's lips and said,

"I know. What she did was beyond imaginable and I know that you can never find it within yourself to forgive her."

Starlight looked at her with seriousness in her eyes as Cadence explained about her feelings on the matter.

"But right now, we need to put our emotions aside if we want to find Spike. Otherwise, Sunburst's death would have been in vain."

"Come on. We need to discuss this if we want to save more lives." Cadence said as she her hooves on Starlight's shoulders.

Starlight nodded at Cadence when she knew that they had to finish what they had started. With trying to figure out how to stop Spike causing potential untold destruction upon Equestria and beyond. 

They left her room for the throne room. So many emotions were going through Starlight. She was feeling many combinations, ranging between anger and sadness like a rainbow coming from the very depths of her core. Starlight wanted to explode from this new form of pressure that she was feeling, but she had to hold back if she wanted to save Spike. After making it towards the throne room, everypony was already organized and ready to discuss their plan on getting Spike back.

"So from what one of the guards told me, Spike seemed to have snuck his way in as his regular self. Though he seemed to have looked different." Luna said.

"Another one said that his eyes were completely blackened, but his sclera was blackened. Like he was possessed by a monster." Celestia explained.

"But could he already be a monster? I mean, he was already taken over by that gem imbedded into his chest. That thing could be the link that has converted him into the monstrosity that snuffed out Sunburst." Twilight wondered as she took notes.

"Perhaps, but there is no way of telling otherwise unless we confront Spike face to face." Celestia said.

"But what could have caused this jewel to take him over?" Starlight asked.

"We don't know, but the crystal embedded in his heart could be the link to figuring out what has corrupted Spike."

"Yeah. But when I first saw him in this state, I had this strange feeling that there was somepony we knew. Somepony we had fought before..." Starlight pondered.

"Who do you think it is?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah! And when are we gonna kick this creature's butt?" Rainbow Dash shouted ecstatically.

"I dunno. But his voice... it sounded warped. Completely filled with malice and hate. Plus his eyes were completely whitened. It sounded very familiar."

"What are you getting at, darling?" Rarity asked.

"Yeah! Spill the beans, Starlight!" Pinkie Pie shouted.

"Well, it could be-"

Just then, the door slammed open. They turned around and saw that a guard was running towards them. After the guard stopped, he said as he tried catching his breath,

"Permission to speak, Your Majesty?"

"Go ahead." Cadence answered.

The guard turned towards the Royal Sisters and said,

"We have news of Starswirl the Bearded."

Celestia and Luna both widened their eyes as they started hearing the guard explain. After hearing the entire explanation, they, along with Twilight and everypony else, were stunned to hear what has happened to him. The Royal Sisters both fell to their knees as tears started pouring out of their eyes. Twilight, of course, cried as she learned what has happened to Starswirl the Bearded. Everypony looked at them as they started to feel this new danger loom upon them. 

"Am I the only one who's starting to feel that something terrible's about to happen to us?" Fluttershy asked in her terrified low voice.

They all gulped nervously as they looked out the window as the rain clouds started to loom over the Crystal Empire. This omen that they were seeing holds a terrible feeling that each of them were going to experience in this horrifying adventure.
> Deal
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sometime earlier while the girls were in Canterlot, Spike somehow managed to escape from the cavern and made his way to the outside world. After his encounter with Starlight and Trixie, he somehow felt weak from this newly-discovered power that he recently obtained. He had no idea what it was, nor did know how it ended up in the malachite crystal.

"What is this power?" Spike wondered.

He tried prying away at the crystal, but whenever he struggled to pull it off his chest, it hurt him more and made him cough blood.

"I would leave that be if I were you." a voice said.

"What?" Spike asked, startled.

He turned around to see who spoke, but nobody was around. He was becoming more and more frightened when he discovered nopony was there. He was beginning to sweat from this terrifying presence he was starting to feel. Just then, he saw this strange ooze come out of his body and form out of the ground. It made its way into the ground and formed this large puddle in front of Spike. Suddenly, it started to take shape as a shadowy form slowly emerged out of the ground. After it sprouted out of the puddle, it opened its red, glowing eyes and looked at Spike.

"Who are you?" Spike asked, backing away.

"Don't be naive, my poor drake. You know exactly who I am." the creature spoke in this demonic, warped voice.

"Huh? I don't know who you are! What did you do to me!?" Spike shouted.

"I believe that the answer to your little riddle is obvious."

"What?"

"I gave you what you wanted."

Hearing this shocked Spike and started to believe that his mind was playing tricks on him.

"T-This doesn't make any sense! You don't know anything about me! What makes you thi-"

The creature pushed Spike to a wall and held him by his throat.

"Wrong. I know everything about you. Your life, hobbies, memories... even those pathetic pony friends of yours." the creature said.

"They're not my friends! At least not anymore..." Spike responded, albeit choking.

The creature dropped Spike and allowed him to regain his breath.

"It is utterly tragic to see them betray you in such a way when you were trying to mend the conflict between the griffins and the dragons. But what if we made an army joined by the two species?" the creature asked.

"What do you mean?" Spike asked upon getting off the ground.

"What would you say about forming your own kingdom? A kingdom where every creature has an equal opportunity? A kingdom where ponies have no place in our glorious utopia?"

"Why would you do that? It wouldn't be equal if-"

"Think about it. Would anypony ever want to take a dragon that nearly destroyed a relationship between the dragons and the griffins? Would anypony ever take a dragon who was a failed servant of a princess? Would anypony take a dragon that would be more than likely abandoned just because he's the latter?"

"I..."

"It's not too late. If you work with me, every species that you've met will be united as one and the ponies that drew them out of their homes and invaded their territories will feel the wrath of those who wronged us. You know you want this."

"But-"

"Did that marshmallowed pony living in Canterlot do anything to stop you from leaving with that friend  of yours? Did she even once spend a day with you when you needed company and when you were suffering alone in darkness? Did she ever take any time away from her throne to spend her time with you when you were still a newborn?"

Hearing this stunned Spike and made him realize what his entire life was spent upon. Every lie after lie that was spewed onto him and whatever time he spent by himself, he remembered all too clearly. It made his entire heart ache upon the realization that he was all alone from the very beginning. He wanted to deny it all, but it was too implausible to turn away at this point. Tears started to pour down his eyes upon finally realizing what he was to his friends. A mere servant whose only purpose was to satisfy his masters.

"Don't cry. We will have our revenge. But the first thing we have to do is put down the bastard who sealed me away in that malachite crystal." the creature said, holding out its hand.

"You want to kill Starswirl?" Spike asked in this chilling tone.

"I want him dead. Along with those damned ponies who sealed me away in that malachite crystal. Now join me. Together, nopony will stand a chance against us."

Now finally understanding what his true calling was, Spike held out his hand towards the creature. The creature gave a devilish smile as he grabbed Spike's hand. Upon doing that, the creature enveloped Spike and the ooze covered him entirely. He started running out of the cave on all fours and made it out with little time to spare. Five hours later, he ran towards Starswirl's house which was protected by two guards in front of the entryway. Starswirl was busy working on a new spell for him to showcase at his next teaching. Just then, he heard a ruckus outside his house.

"Who's there?" Starswirl shouted, glowing his horn.

Just then, Spike came in the doorway, carrying the corpses of the two bodyguards upfront. Upon a closer look, Starswirl finally realized who it was.

"No. How could this- What have you done to him!" Starswirl shouted with anger.

The creature simply chuckled as he grabbed Starswirl's throat and said,

"I did nothing to him. I just merely enlightened him."

"What do you mean?" Starswirl asked.

"It's pointless. After you and the rest of the Pillars are killed, there won't be a pony that will hold a hoof to me."

He proceeded to ruthlessly beat Starswirl to death and mutilated him all over his body. Reaching his final breath, Starswirl said,

"Twilight... will... stop you..."

The creature chuckled maliciously as it turned around as it enveloped Spike and said,

"Not this time..."

It brutally mauled Starswirl and killed him. It grabbed one of the books at Starswirl's table and looked at one of the spells in it. After deciphering it, he made replications of himself as they appeared in front of him.

"Dispose of the pillars and any evidence they could use to destroy me."

The replications nodded and dissolved into puddles to go after the pillars. When the creature was finished, he broke a tube that connects the gas and blew a flame from his mouth, blowing up his entire house along with his books. After that, he grabbed Starswirl's body and dissolved it into the black ooze. Then he started to move, walking towards the Dragon Badlands as he started planning for a war against the ponies.
> Badlands
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After journeying across the land of Equestria for two days, eating and consuming any creature he found in his path, Spike finally made it to the Dragon Badlands, wearing a cloak he found across the land. He walked all the way up to the mountain, seeing dragons as he moved. For him, it didn't really change much since his last visit. He wasn't even fazed by the fact that many of the dragons didn't recognize him. But when they did, they started growling and hissing after seeing him in the corrupting ooze. Just then, Garble appeared right in front of him.

"Hey, buddy! What do you think you're doing here? I haven't seen you around here my entire life. Put your dukes up!" Garble said, raising his fists.

Upon hearing that, Spike lowered the ooze from his body, shocking Garble and every dragon surrounding them.

"Spike?! What the hell's happened to you?!" Garble asked in a bewildered manner.

Spike looked at Garble in a casual manner and gave him a sinister grin.

"I have a present for all of you. I would like you to gather around the lava lakes in two hours." Spike ordered.

"Hey. What makes you think that I'm gonna take orders from the likes of you? You're just a pony-loving-"

Just then, Spike grabbed Garble's finger and proceeded to bend it a little. Garble grunted in agony as his finger was beginning to break.

"Be there..." Spike warned.

He let go of Garble and proceeded to move towards Dragon Lord Ember's throne room. Twenty minutes later, he made his way towards the throne room. But before he went inside, he concealed the black ooze that surrounded him. After he made it to the throne room, he was greeted by Dragon Lord Ember and Torch.

"Hey Spike. How have you been?" Ember asked in a happy tone.

"It's that small dragon who beat the gauntlet of fire! How goes your life, friend?" Torch asked with an enthusiastic tone in his voice.

"I'm fine. Just thought I needed to go for a stroll across the land." Spike said in a casual manner.

"Really? What made you wanna see Equestria?" Ember asked.

"Yes. I would care to hear more about your ventures, my little friend?" Torch said.

Spike took a deep breath and said,

"Twilight threw me out of her castle."

Hearing this shocked both Ember and Torch.

"What?! Why would she do that?!" Torch asked.

Ember remembered fully what happened and explained the entire situation to Torch. Her father was beyond flabbergasted to hear what has happened in Ponyville. He could never have imagined the Princess of Friendship turning her back on anypony that she knew, let alone the dragon that she grew up with.

"I had no idea that Princesses could be so treacherous. Did you know anything about this, Ember?" Torch asked.

"No. I left Ponyville after the Ceremony was finished. Though I had no idea that Twilight would go so far as to kick you out of her castle." Ember answered, looking at Spike.

Spike sighed from the entire ordeal as he recalled what had happened. Then he looked at Ember and said,

"I have an idea on we can get even with those ponies for what they did to us."

"What do you mean?" Ember asked.

"Enlighten us, little dragon." Torch said.

He removed his cloak and revealed the malachite crystal embedded in his chest. They were even more stunned upon seeing this.

"What happened to you, Spike? How did that thing end up stuck in your chest?" Ember asked.

"I may not have a hint on what that malachite crystal is doing in your chest, but something despicable must have carried your mind when it impacted your chest." Torch speculated.

Spike grinned at them both and said,

"This thing gave me some sort of power that I never heard of. Would you like to see?"

They both leaned closer to see what kind of power that Spike possessed. Just then, black ooze started to come out of his body upon activating this power. Torch and Ember backed away at the site of this evil power that has emerged.

"What sorcery is this!?" Torch shouted.

"Yeah! Spike, we need to get that thing out of your chest! It's destroying your mind!" Ember warned.

"I wouldn't dare do that. There's no telling what would happen if this thing got ripped out of me." Spike said in this sinister voice.

Suddenly, this black ooze swarmed into a ball in Spike's hand and he fired it at Ember. Torch stood in the way trying protect Ember, which ended up hitting him. Ember was shocked upon seeing this. Then Spike grabbed her and planted the ooze into her body when she was caught off guard. After the impact, they both got up and started to feel something crawl within their bodies. It felt like insects had went into their bodies as they tried to figure what happened to us.

"What did you do to us!?" Torch roared.

"Is every creature in Equestria this naive? I gave the two of you a gift." the creature said, taking over Spike.

"Who are you and what have you done to Spike?" Ember asked with anger in her voice.

"Ah. Questions, questions. Unfortunately, I have no time for answers. I do, however, have a proposal for the two of you."

"What do you want?" Torch asked.

"I want what you want. Our lands back." the creature answered.

"What?" Ember asked, feeling confused.

"Here's my plan. If you two join us and rally the dragons and all the other species, I will do everything within my power to bring prosperity back to your kind and all others beyond. Everything that the ponies stole from you will be yours."

"But what about us?" Ember asked.

"You two? You still retain your title as Dragon Lord. However, I need your full cooperation and attention if we want to make this dream of ours a reality. Will you serve me as your king?" the creature asked.

The corruption started to sink into Torch and Ember as they heard him. Ember said,

"But how will we rally the other species into joining our cause?"

"There are ways. Five ways."

"We're listening..." Torch said with his eyes now glowing.

After listening in on his plan for an hour, they were intrigued by Spike's plan to build a kingdom where every creature would live as one while the ponies would not be allowed to live among them. They were so giddy that they couldn't wait to fill the entire land of Equestria with Corruption. But then Ember said,

"If you really do plan on taking back our lands across Equestria, then we will serve you as our king."

Both Ember and Torched kneeled to Spike as he gave a menacing grin. After that, the three of them headed to the lava lakes where every dragon was gathered, ready to hear him give a speech about this new kingdom being lead by Spike himself.
> Declaration
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After every dragon was gathered around the lava lakes, they waited patiently for the gathering to commence. They murmured amongst themselves about what was going happen next since Spike asked them to wait at the lava lakes. Whatever it was, it felt important that they waited for Spike to arrive. Just then, Ember and Torch appeared. Only they weren't who they appeared to be. They had this black mist partially surround them and their eyes were inverted, making them a dark appearance. Then Ember spoke,

"Your King approaches!"

The confused crowd spoke amongst each other wondering what was going on. Whether it was the jewels that they eaten or the laziness that they were feeling from relaxing in the lakes was yet to be heard from. The next thing that happened, Spike appeared on top of a hill, ready to address the dragons in front of him.

"Greetings, my fellow dragons." Spike said in this dark voice.

They all looked upwards at Spike as he prepared to speak.

"I have come to offer a proposal to all of you."

Every dragon quieted down and listened to Spike.

"As you all know, we have been oppressed for many moons and forced to live here against our will by those loathsome creatures we already know as the ponies."

They all started to feel curious about what Spike was going to say next. They had no idea what he was scheming, but it seemed big if he was going to plan an invasion.

"We were conquered by the very creatures that invaded our lands, raided our homes, and stole our gems! For far too long have we been held down by the ponies! But no more. I have came across a power that will help us take back what had belonged to us. This power..."

Just then, shadows started to surround the dragons and they started to feel afraid of what would happen next. Suddenly, they were all swarmed by this darkness. They had no idea what it was doing to them, but they were panicking. Just then, the shadows cleared away. The dragons had no idea what was happening to them, but they felt something within starting to change them. It felt ugly yet somewhat pleasant as the dragons recovered from the shadows that surrounded them.

"This is but the first step in our mission for Equestria's domination. After you all make use of this new ability, I want you to spread this seed to your new allies. The Changelings, the Griffons, the Hippogriffs... every creature across the land of Equestria! After we have spread this newfound gift, we shall go to Canterlot and every other diseased location where the ponies reside... and obliterate them!" Spike shouted.

Every dragon was fascinated by his words as Spike continued to speak.

"And upon the ruin where we have wiped out these creatures, we will build upon a kingdom where ponies shall find no place among our kind! We will divide, we will conquer, and we will burn them all into ash! And to present you all with the proof of my loyalty!"

Slowly, dark shadows appeared behind Spike. Then suddenly, seven figures emerged out of the circles. All the dragons were shocked to see who these figures were. They were the Pillars that fought and held back the Pony of Shadows. They were dead and nailed on crucifixes. They would never have expected them, of all ponies, to be killed by the likes of Spike.

"How did you do that?" Garble shouted.

Spike looked down and saw Garble who didn't appear to believe him.

"How do we know these are the real Pillars? For all I know, they could just be duplicates so that you could keep us in line!"

Just then, Spike jumped down from the top and grabbed Garble by his neck.

"Do you doubt me?" Spike asked.

"Are those... really... the Pillars?" Garble asked, trying to break free from Spike's grip.

Instead of getting angry, Spike smirked and let Garble go.

"See for yourself." Spike said.

Garble got off the ground and climbed up to Spike's spot to identify if the Pillars were real or not. After getting closer, Garble looked at them and there were flies everywhere on the bodies. After touching them a couple times, he was shocked to see that they were actually dead.

"Sweet- You act- how did you do that?" Garble asked in a bewildered manner.

Spike simply smirked and said as he gave an evil chuckle,

"Let's just say I had a little help."

"Huh?" Garble asked.

Spike turned towards the dragons and said,

"Before we retake our lands, I want you all to spread the seed throughout the outer lands of Equestria. Tell them our plans. But if anybody chooses to defy us... you all know the procedure."

Having heard that, the dragons flew off to spread the word and the corruption that already infected their minds. After they left, Ember asked,

"So what do we do now, my king?"

"Now?"

"Yes, King Spike. We need to know what you plan to do next if we're going to retake the lands of Equestria." Torch said.

"Ah. Right now, we wait."

"Huh?" Ember asked.

"Do you have any objections, Dragon Lord Ember?"

"W-Well no sire, but wouldn't we need a plan of action if our invasion is to be successful against the entire forces of Equestria? We can't just go in blind and expect to win."

"She has a fair point, lad. If there's one thing that I know about my times against Flash Magnus, it's that pride is always the Achilles Heel. What is your plan?" Torch said.

After thinking over what Ember said, Spike said,

"You're right. We do need a plan. Right now, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor are in the Crystal Empire while Twilight and her friends could be away on their missions. The latter's defenses for Ponyville are so dense that a fly could get in with little effort. But right now, their defenses are at their lowest and it would give you a chance to sneak in undetected. The Elements of Harmony are somewhere inside the castle which can give you the ability to fight back with full force against any foe. If you steal them, Twilight and her friends won't have a chance in standing up to our new Kingdom. I will see to it you get in unharmed. And Ember?"

Ember and Torch turned towards Spike.

"I am no longer Spike. He died when this thing got caught onto me. From this day forward, I will be known as Shadow King Bahamut, or the Shadow King. Is that understood?"

"Yes, my liege." Ember and Torch said in unison as they kneeled.

"You two may go."

They got off the ground and left while Spike went inside the throne room to plan on what to do next. But little does he know is that he was being watched by Discord.

"Oh! This ought to be interesting." Discord said with glee as he went into the throne room.
> Truth
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After Discord slowly made his way through the throne room, he snuck around to see if there were any guards around. He started walking towards the throne where he saw Spike slowly starting to glow a little bit, but the creature was with him. So Discord decided to eavesdrop on them.

"So far, so good. You have gotten them under your will and they are starting to spread the corruption." the creature said.

"Yeah, but it will be a matter of time until Twilight and everypony else figures out what we're planning."

"They won't. We killed the Pillars, we burnt every book with ways of killing us, and we will have every non-pony species on our side. Our kingdom will be under your command."

"You're right. But it's the princesses. If we don't do something about them, these ponies will continue to have hope. We can't allow that."

Having understood what Spike was trying to tell it, the creature replied,

"Then we will have to kill them all. Whatever it takes."

"But how...?"

"Well, I'm glad to see you're being proactive with your schemes." a voice called out.

"Huh?"

Both Spike and the creature turned around and saw Discord, being as happy and mischievous as ever.

"What do you want?" Spike asked.

"Nice to see you too, my little dragon friend. How have you been keeping?" Discord asked.

"What is this imbecility?" the creature asked.

"He's an acquaintance." Spike responded.

"Oh you don't know the half of it. We're practically brothers." Discord said, wrapping his arm around Spike.

Spike got out of Discord's grip and walked away from him.

"Make it quick. I'm too busy right now." Spike said as he looked at the rocks outside.

"Oh yes. How rude of me. Let's see... how is Twilight doing?" Discord asked.

"Like I care how she's doing."

"Oh? What happened? You two seemed so close after so many moons."

"Times have changed."

"That I can see. You were like peas in a pod when I first saw you two. What happened to cause all this?"

Hearing this started to spur Spike.

"Let's just say that things weren't working out."

"Ah. And her friends?"

"I couldn't care less about what they're doing."

"Hmm. So do you mind introducing me to your friend? What's his name?" Discord asked, giddy with excitement.

The creature looked at Discord with sheer annoyance and anger as the draconequus started running his mouth off.

"I don't have a name." the creature said with low anger in its voice.

"Oh okay. Just trying to get acquainted. Have you ever went to Los Pegasus? It's so lively over there that you could just-"

Just then, a shot of darkness was fired at Discord on his right side, scaring the utter daylights out of him.

"GET TO THE POINT!!!!" the creature yelled.

Knowing that the creature wasn't fooling around, Discord cleared his throat and said,

"Spike, do you know why your friends treated you like trash after that little mishap back in Ponyville?"

"Huh? What're you getting at, Discord?" Spike asked.

"Hmm. Well, after Twilight and her friends tried to save face in forming the friendship between the dragons and the griffins, she had no idea what to do. So I decided to help her with her problems by giving her and her friends a scapegoat."

Hearing this made Spike stop dead in his tracks. He turned towards Discord with this stunned look on his face and said with low tones of anger in his voice,

"What?"

"Just hear me out, Spike. I felt that the only way to teach you responsibility was to take all the blame and place it on you. Her own number one assistant with no care in the world and no family to call his own. Of course, I knew that you would be confused, so I convinced Twilight and her friends to tell you about it upfront and to banish you. It was quite a master plan I know, but-"

Just then, Spike fired balls of black flames at Discord, hitting him in the process, but of course the latter playfully dodging him.

"Whoa. Okay. Maybe I could have handled it a little better." Discord said in a casual manner with a nervous laugh.

"YOU GOT ME BANISHED!!!!" Spike yelled with rage in his voice.

Emotions were circulating all over Spike as he tried to comprehend what he had went through back at Ponyville. Thinking back to all the times that Discord mistreated him and the way that he was often picked on by him, Spike felt truly enraged at Discord for everything that he did to him.

"SO I ASSUME THAT YOU ALREADY KNEW THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO ME!!!!??" Spike yelled, pointing at the malachite heart in his chest.

Discord made a playful, albeit nervous chuckle as Spike growled at him. Then he said,

"Maybe I did watch a little bit...?"

Spike roared and threw a fireball at Discord. He dodged everywhere, yet he continued to mock Spike as he ran.

"Wow. I didn't think you'd be this angry. Does it come with being the number one assistant of Twilight~?" Discord taunted.

"MEET YOUR FATE, DRACONEQUUS!!! the creature yelled as he chased after him with Spike.

Discord warped and dodged everywhere as Spike continued to chase after him. After a few minutes, Discord stopped for a short rest, leaving him open for an attack by Spike. He breathed the black fire from his mouth and hit Discord's leg.

"AUGH! That hurt!" Discord said, trying to put out the flame.

"Good..." Spike said with rage in his voice.

"Are you okay, Spike? You seem pretty tense. Would you like to talk about it? Fluttershy taught me a lot of techniques on how to mellow out." DIscord said, trying to weasel his way out.

"I'll be mellow after I mutilate you." Spike said as the creature started to surround him.

After Discord finished recuperating, he readied magic for battle against Spike and the creature.

"GET READY FOR A WORLD OF PAIN, DISCORD!!!!!!" Spike and the creature roared in unison as they charged towards Discord with rage in their hearts.
> Spike vs. Discord - Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Immediately, Spike charged at Discord with brute force as the Draconequus proceeded to dodge his attack. Roaring with extreme fury for Discord's act of treachery, Spike would stop at nothing until he could wrap his hands around the former's heart and eat it.

"Oh. Is that really what you call a strategy? Rainbow Dash has more creativity in her attacks." Discord said in a calm yet taunting manner.

"RRRRRRROOOOOOOOAAAAAARRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Spike was unleashing everything he had upon Discord. From spewing fire to hurling boulders at him with the help of the creature, he did everything he could to hit the Draconequus, but Discord's incessant use of his magic kept Spike from touching him. Discord laughed as he kept dodging.

"Oh dear, you are so humorous to watch. Every little ball fire you throw at me along with every boulder just increases all the fun that I enjoy having with you." Discord gleefully said as he moved.

Roaring with anger and animosity, Spike was destroying the throne room little by little as he chased after Discord.

"You know what? Seeing you throw things around is starting to become bland. What do you say we spice things up?" Discord said.

Snapping his fingers, duplications of himself appeared out of nowhere and started swarming Spike. After getting tackled simultaneously by the dopplegangers of Discord, Spike started using the strength he mustered from all the years of his adventures with Twilight. In the next minute, he bursted out of the stack of bodies that piled on him. Knocking back the duplicates, Spike took a fighting stance with the creature on top of his upper-back like a tag-team partner.

"Oh? It seems I may overestimated myself." Discord jeered.

"And I thought I was the Hero of the Crystal Empire. I guess we're all disappointed." Spike said with an edge of dark humor.

"I'm indeed disappointed. What would Rarity think of you if she saw you like this?"

Hearing Discord mention Rarity's name made Spike charge at the former. He summoned a group of huge boulders from inside the throne room and flung them directly at Spike. Dodging them effortlessly with the creature flinging them back at Discord, Spike jumped onto Discord and pinned him to the ground with the creature holding his arms.

"Oh, whatever shall I do~?" Discord said in a taunting manner.

Angry with him, Spike proceeded to breathe a set of black fire into Discord's face. Screaming in pain and anguish, Discord pushed Spike off and started rubbing his face to alleviate whatever pain he felt.

"Does it feel hot? It's okay. So do I." Spike said in a menacing voice.

Discord got off the ground and showed his face to him. It was extremely melted and it nearly showed his skull. Suddenly, it healed instantly and started laughing jovially.

"You honestly thought that a little wave of fire in my face would hurt me?! Oh my, you are so hysterical." Discord said as he continued to laugh.

Just then, he started to fell something in his face start to tingle. Wincing in pain, he shook his face to try and recover.

"Okay. So you did get me. What do you say if you have a little fun with my buddies?"

Just then, Discord's dopplegangers appeared, only it was six of them. The next thing that happened, they transformed into the exact same copies of the Mane Six and Starlight. Boiling with rage, Spike proceeded to attack them. Slashing and swiping with his claws and tail, Spike fought them to the best of his ability with the creature aiding him. The Twilight duplicate fired a beam of magic at him while the Pinkie Pie duplicate pulled out her Party Cannon to fire at Spike. Spike maneuvered his way around them by grabbing Pinkie's cannon and firing it at Twilight, knocking her back. He proceeded to gouge her eyeballs out and split her skull apart with his claws, exposing her brain and turning her back into the doppelganger. After dropping her, he moved towards Applejack who kicked him in the face. Making a quick recovery, he dodged her next attack, grabbed her legs, and flung her at Rainbow Dash who was charging at Spike. 

"Is that really your best, Discord!? Fluttershy's pets were more tougher than this!" Spike shouted, looking at Discord.

Fluttershy helped Rainbow Dash up and proceeded to coordinate their next attacks in the air. Applejack got up and got into position. The two pegasi flew up to the mountains and started dropping rocks for Applejack to kick. After kicking them at Spike, the creature suddenly grabbed them and threw them right back at Applejack, with one of them hitting her so hard that her brains were bludgeoned out of her head on impact as she shifted back to the duplicate. Spike shifted his direction towards Rainbow Dash along with Fluttershy who were flying around in a circle, trying to figure out the best strategy for attacking the former. Moments later, they descended and attempted to charge into Spike, with both of them effectively knocking the wind out of him. Grinning over the fact that they stunned him, they attacked him even further with the same tactic until he wised up and stabbed Fluttershy through her mouth to her brain with the tip of his tail while grabbing onto Rainbow Dash. Flying around trying to get him off her back, she flew into various rocky mountains to make him let go. 

"IS THAT ALL YOU GOT?!" Spike shouted.

Just then, he dug his claws into Rainbow Dash's body and the doppelganger started to scream as Spike dug them deeper into her hide. Gaining the advantage over controlling her, he steered her over to Discord's location and started breathing balls of fire at him. But having gained his second wind, Discord fought back by summoning meteors from the sky. Spike dodged them effortlessly and continued to breath more balls of fire at Discord. Suddenly, Spike started to feel this growing pain in his upper and lower back. Seeing the opportunity, Discord lunged at Spike and knocked him off the doppelganger. Punching and biting each other as they fell, Discord eventually pushed towards a wall and started beating him.

"How does it feel, sidekick? How does it feel to be treated like dirt by your friends?" Discord asked as he beat his face.

Just then, the creature slashed Discord's abdomen, giving Spike the opportunity to slash the former's face and get him off. Discord got up and tried healing, but this time he wasn't healing. He touched his face and realized that he wasn't healing at all.

"Oh dear..." Discord said as he looked at blood.

He turned towards Spike as he rolled all over the ground and was scratching himself. The pain that he was feeling grew even more as he felt something grow out of his back. Suddenly, these four longs limbs spewed out of his lower and upper back. The pain stopped now and Spike was shocked to see what they actually were.

"They couldn't be..." Discord said in shock.

"Yes. It can be." the creature said in amazement.

The limbs then spanned out and revealed them as wings. Upon getting a good look at them, Spike felt completely happy that he obtained his own two pairs of wings. Granted he didn't expect to have two, but he was happy regardless. However, he knew that he had no time to celebrate, seeing as he now had to eliminate Discord. Just then, he heard Discord chuckle as he got off the ground.

"It seems that my magic is starting to dwindle. I guess I have no other choice..." Discord said as the Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle duplicates came back, albeit still bleeding out.

Suddenly, the ground started to shake as Discord started to transform. The doppelganger merged with him as he started to turn into this large, malformed monster. Various limbs and bones were snapping as he started to grow up to the point where he is taller than most of the mountains. Arms were sprawling out of his main arms as multiple teeth in his mouth spewed out while he looked down at Spike. Upon opening his eyes, it was revealed that even random pupils were displaying from his eyes as multiple eyeballs and mouths emerged all over his body. Looking down at Spike, he laughed in a sadistic manner and asked in this dark, warped voice,

"What do you of my new makeover, Spike? Would Twilight and her friends be amazed?"

Seeing this new form and feeling nothing more but contempt for Discord at this point, the creature started to engulf Spike then he got down on all fours. 

"Come on!" Spike roared with his wings shaping into talons as Discord proceeded to slam his arm at the former.
> Spike vs. Discord - Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Discord slammed his hand down onto Spike, the latter got up on his hind legs, prepared his wing-sheathed talons, and waited for a hit. After the former slammed his hand down on Spike, Discord proceeded to apply pressure to his arm and squash the dragon. But focusing his newfound might and strength, Spike prevented Discord from squashing him like a bug. However, Discord continued to apply pressure and continue to crush Spike. The latter used his talons to repeatedly pierce Discord while the creature helped with pushing his hand off him. After a few minutes, Spike managed to prevent Discord from squashing him.

"Oh, don't worry. This was just a prelude to what you're really gonna go through." Discord said, summoning multiple duplicates.

Getting a good look at the duplicates, they were the three alicorn princesses that Spike remembered. He remembered their strengths and weaknesses, but he knew that he was finished if didn't come up with a plan of attack. Just then, Torch appeared out of nowhere and tackled Discord.

"Torch?" Spike said in an act of surprise.

"Don't worry, boyo! We've got the freakshow! You just worry 'bout getting those copycats off ya!" Torch shouted as he held down Discord.

"You can't hurt me. I'm the Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony! I'd make off if I were you, big boy!" Discord jeered.

"Perhaps, but I can sure as hell try!"

Torch proceeded to claw at Discord's face along with the other huge dragons that swarmed him while Spike proceeded to run from the duplicates. As he continued to run, he tried concocting a plan that could eliminate the alicorn duplicates. The only problem was trying to separate them. From what he could tell, they were exactly like the real thing. 

'So what do we do?"

"I dunno. The only thing we can hope to do is separate them and see if we can stand a chance against these copycats."

"I see... I have an idea. Follow my lead!"

"Huh?"

The creature lead Spike to a deep cavern where the alicorns followed suit. After entering the cavern, the creature proceeded to cloak Spike in darkness to the point where the alicorns had a hard time finding him. They lit up their horns and went to search for him. Every inch and corner they checked, the alicorns couldn't find him anywhere in sight. They decided to split up and cover more ground to find him.

***

Meanwhile, the huge dragons were having trouble keeping Discord at bay. Even with all their might, Discord was still powerful and could handle the lot of them.

"You dragons really think you can hold me down? You'd be better off picking daisies with Fluttershy!" Discord shouted as he held down Torch before being pounced on by another dragon.

"You have no idea how many battles I fought back in my days, you wacko! I have fought Flash Magnus so many times that I can barely keep count anymore! And you, my chum, will be no different!" Torch roared as he proceeded to chew on Discord's neck.

***

Back in the caverns, the Cadence duplicate was searching for Spike somewhere. She checked the field of stalagmites and the the crystal tunnels, but he was nowhere in sight. He was a complete specter at this point now. Before she could give up on her search, Spike jumped on her back with a large stalactite and stabbed her in the abdomen with it. She fell onto the ground and Spike continued to stab her until she was coming close to blood loss. Then he had his right-winged talon stab her through the brain, effectively killing her and turning her back into a Discord duplicate.

"One down. Two to go." Spike said as he vanished.

Luna covered almost the entire area, but she had no luck in finding Spike anywhere in the cavern. Upon looking further, she found the duplicate's dead body on the ground. Knowing it to be the handiwork of Spike, she continued her investigation even further until she could find the dragon. Flying deeper into the cavern, she found a lava pit that was underneath a volcano. Just then, she heard a noise. She turned around very quickly and saw that nothing was there. But before she could calm down, Spike pounced on her and tried to get her into the lava. Unfortunately, she kicked him off and proceeded to blast beams of magic at him as she gave chase. But before she could get her hooves on him, Spike got out of the way and Luna flew straight into a pile of falling lava. Knowing that this would happen, she prepared a magic shield to protect her.

"You're smarter than you look." Spike said.

Chuckling at his statement, Luna fired different types of spells, luring the Celestia duplicate over to their position. He already had his hands full enough with fighting Discord, but now he was fighting two doppelgangers of the Royal Sisters. They were effective as a team and were facing Spike head-on with every spell and attack they had. But knowing Luna, she was the most volatile of the two and Spike decided to use it to his advantage. He turned towards the lava and suddenly had an idea.

"Hey, Blue Jay! Why not come down from your perch and fight me?! Unless you still wanna continue to live in your sister's shadow..."

Angered at his statement, she rushed towards Spike to hurt him. Unbeknownst to her, a sharp stalactite pierced her from above and hit her, making her plummet into the lava. Panicking and trying to get out of the lava, Luna screamed in agony as she turned back into the Discord duplicate and started to melt like wax.

"Only one more left..." Spike said, looking directly at Celestia.

Enraged at this tactic, Celestia unleash a huge beam of magic and fired it at Spike. Dodging it, Spike decided to run from her and think of a plan while trying to figure out how to kill the duplicate. After running from her for about twenty minutes, they made it out of the cavern where the dragons were on the ground.

"Torch...?" Spike said, looking at the dragon.

"Sorry, my lad. It seems I bit off more than I could chew with the freakshow." he said, looking at Discord.

Spike looked forward and saw the rest of the huge dragons on the ground, exhausted from their battle with Discord.

"Well, it seems that I'm not the only one who's been getting warmed up!" Discord said, looking down at Spike.

"Don't worry. I softened him up a bit for you. He's all yours, my son..." Torch said before he passed out.

Spike turned towards Discord and asked,

"So why didn't you save me? If you really were reformed and you watched me, why didn't you save me back when this thing came onto me?"

"Why, you ask? Simple. I just wanted to see you suffer at everypony's expense. You always were the butt of the joke, after all."

Hearing this made Spike all the more angry. He said,

"When I get my hands on you, you're gonna wish you did save me."

"I'm sure I will. But right now, it's time to give the devil his due." Discord said with a menacing grin.

The Celestia duplicate charged at him with full force behind Discord.

"Let's go!" Spike roared as he charged towards the Celestia duplicate.
> Spike vs. Discord - Part 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Charging at full force against the Celestia duplicate, they ultimately ended up in a struggle. Kicking and clawing away at each other, they fell onto a platform where Discord could watch them. Due to the dark magic that was imbedded within Spike, he had access to a multitude of spells. But even then, the Celestia duplicate was evenly matched against the dragon. The alicorn started firing flame-based magic spells at Spike, but they were impervious due to the fact that he was a dragon and he has leveled up to the point where he can withstand even the strongest attacks.

"Ha! Fluttershy is more of a threat than you!" Spike taunted.

Enraged by that insult, Celestia charged towards Spike and tried stabbing him with her horn. However, he jumped on her back and rode on her. Immediately, he started slashing and clawing away into her body. Seeing this, Discord tried swatting Spike, but but the latter jumped off and the former unfortunately hit the Celestia duplicate. Falling in the sky, Spike struggled to fly at first. His only best was that he could glide while trying to figure out how to kill Discord.

"So what do you plan to do now?" the creature asked.

"I have an idea, but there's gonna be a little risk involved. Would you care to hear?"

"Hmm?"

Spike explained his plan while he continued to run. Whatever he was planning, it needed to work. Otherwise, everything that Spike would work for would be in vain. But he knew that this plan had to work. It had to. As he continued to run, he was suddenly spotted by the Celestia duplicate and she gave chase. She started to shoot more beams of magic at him while he kept running. Just then, he spotted a cliff ahead of him. Knowing he had no other choice, he ran towards it and jumped off it. He started falling down at the speed of sound as Celestia watched in confusion.

"Okay! Let's do this!" Spike shouted as he spread his wings out.

He started flapping them with as much strength as he could to reach the other platform, but only with so much effort as he hadn't grown use to his flying abilities yet. But he knew he was making progress. Seeing this, the Celestia duplicate decided to shoot his wings off if he were to make his way to Discord. Running across platform after platform, the duplicate felt that something was off as she continued to fire at him. Instead of shooting at him this time, she decided to charge him with her horn. Seizing the opportunity, Spike slid off a falling platform and jumped on the next one.

"C'mon, Sunbutt! Is that all you got?" Spike taunted in a sinister voice.

This time, Celestia fired a full blast of magic, attempting to destroy the entire platforms. At the next moment, Spike leaped off the last platform and landed on Celestia. He drove his claws deep into he skin and steered her towards Discord. Immediately, Discord took notice of this and started hurling pillars at the two. Dodging every pillar that was thrown at him, Spike was above Discord and ready to finally kill the treacherous Draconequus. But he knew that the Celestia duplicate was in his way, so he moved his way around her body and started pummeling her. As they fell from the sky, flashbacks were ranging around at random as he remembered the times he was mistreated by the Mane Six and mostly everypony else. The rage and hatred that welled up within him enough to having him headbutt Celestia multiple times as the fell. In a last-ditch effort, Celestia charged a large blast of magic. However, Spike grabbed her horn and broke it off. With the horn in his claws, he stabbed her in the throat with it and she started choking as the blood oozed out of her mouth. In a feeble attempt to get him off, he gouged her eyes out and snapped her neck as they fell, turning her back into the Discord duplicate. Unbeknownst to them, Discord opened his mouth and swallowed them after they fell.

"Oh, what a tasty treat! Shame I will be feeling it in the bathroom!" Discord shouted as he laughed.

Just then, he felt something in his stomach. As if he were having a belly ache, Discord moved his arms to feel how his stomach was doing. Groaning in pain, his stomach was ripped out and Spike was carrying the real Discord who holed up inside the false body. The giant body started to disappear into thin air, leaving Discord with a now angry Spike. Now severely weakened and defenseless, Discord started backing away.

"Listen Spike, I know what I did to you was beyond unreasonable and deplorable, but I was-"

Just then, Spike punched Discord in the nose. The impact was so hard that his nose started to bleed.

"Augh! Okay, so maybe I did deserve that, but listen to yourself. The more you travel down this road, the more-"

Spike then kneed him in the face and proceeded to beat him even further. Because Discord had no more magic left, he was rendered defenseless and had no means of escape. He couldn't even snap his fingers in order to escape. He tried to get away, but the angry Spike grabbed him and started to lay the smackdown on Discord. Using all sorts of moves on the immobile draconequus, Discord was now severely crippled and couldn't escape at all.

"Are you... happy... now?" Discord asked as he coughed up blood.

"Oh, you have no idea what I plan to do with Equestria. When I head to Canterlot, I intend on bringing the end to these ponies you have now come to call your friends. Everypony that you care for and love will suffer the wrath of all those who wronged them and I will see to it that their extinction is imminent." Spike said as he turned his back.

"Who... are... you? You sound nothing like the Spike I knew."

Spike turned around and said,

"I am the Shadow King Bahamut, and you will meet your end."

"What?"

Just then, the creature started to summon something behind Discord. The latter turned around immediately took notice as he turned around. It was a black hole. Knowing the horrors that awaited him, Discord tried crawling away, but the hole's pull was too much to evade.

"No! Y-You can't do this!"

"Oh, but you deserved this. Just like how you let him suffer from obtaining this. I promise that everypony will suffer and everything that you did to him, I will make known."

"Please! You're making a big mistake!" Discord said as he clung unto the ground.

"Really? Because I seem to recall a certain group of ponies who let you out. But don't worry, you won't be around to witness the havoc and chaos I will unleash upon everypony that you love. Especially your beloved Fluttershy."

"What? No! Not her. Anypony but her!"

The pull started to get stronger as Discord started to lose his grip.

"No! No! NO! FLUTTERSHY!!!!!" Discord tearfully shouted as the black hole finally pulled him in.

With that, the battle was over. Spike turned back to the Dragon Badlands to see how Torch was doing.

***

Meanwhile back at the Crystal Empire, everypony was wondering what to do next as Celestia suddenly started to feel Discord's magic dwindle along with the other alicorns.

"I don't believe it..." Celestia said.

"What in the hay are you talking about, Princess?" a confused Applejack asked.

"Discord... I can't figure out how... but... he's dead." Twilight said.

"WHAT?!" everypony shouted simultaneously.
> Oath
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Everypony stood in shock as they heard the news of Discord's demise. They could never have expected him to die, not even in the slightest. They were all having mixed reactions about his death. They had no idea whether it was a good thing or a bad thing, but they already knew it was a bad omen. But nopony has had it worse than Fluttershy.

"Discord...? He... He's...?" Fluttershy said in a shaky voice.

Twilight and the other alicorn princesses lowered their heads in a shameful sadness.

"N-No. It couldn't be. H-He's just playing a trick. Yes, that's right. He always does. Any moment, he'll pop out of nowhere at random. You'll see, he's... he's..." Fluttershy panicked as she tried to maintain her composure.

Rainbow Dash and Starlight came over to her and comforted her. At that moment, Fluttershy finally broke down and fell to the floor in tears.

"Why? Why? He's Discord! He would never die! He's the Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony! There's no way he would be overpowered by some new foe!" Fluttershy wailed.

"It's okay, Fluttershy. Just let it all out." Celestia said as she comforted her.

Fluttershy continued to cry as Twilight started to feel something far more powerful than any foe she has ever fought. It was a presence of evil. Cold, dim, and filled with malice. Further words could not describe the feeling she had as a cold chill ran down her spine. The other princesses felt that as well.

"We need to return to our kingdoms. If we don't have the Elements of Harmony, there will be no telling what agony shall be wrought upon us." Twilight said.

Hearing this, Fluttershy stopped crying and looked towards Twilight along with everypony else.

"I understand that there's nothing we can do about what happened to Discord, but we can do something to keep our kingdom's safe." Twilight said in a firm manner.

"She's right. If we are not back at our kingdoms, death and destruction will be all that awaits us." Celestia concurred.

Everypony else nodded in agreement upon hearing that.

"Then it is settled. We leave right away." Luna said.

Immediately, everypony went towards the train and started heading back to their homes.

***

Back at the Dragon Badlands, Spike was recovering from his battle with Discord. After the energy and the beating he took from fighting the treacherous draconequus, he was tired and started to rest. But he had this feeling that was bothering him. He had no clue what it was, but it was eating away at him like a maulwarf consuming a swarm of changelings. He knew what it was, but he couldn't put his claw on it. Just then, the creature said,

"Someone approaches."

Spike got off his seat and went to see who it was. Just then, he saw Garble.

"What is it?" Spike asked.

"Uh. I received news that Torch's gonna be okay. He has a few bruises, a couple cracked ribs, and maybe a bit of his ego lost, but he'll make it. One more thing." Garble reported.

"Make it fast."

"Ember's back, and she's brought the Elements of Harmony. Also, she's brought friends."

"Friends?"

"Grampa Gruff, Prince Rutherford, Queen Chrysalis, Thorax, and Queen Novo. They are in the throne room."

"When do they wanna meet up?"

"Now would be a good time. At least that's what they said anyway."

"Hmm. Tell them that I will see them shortly."

"Right."

"And Garble?"

Garble turned around to hear what Spike had to say.

"The next time you choose to report to me, bow before you speak." Spike warned.

Garble nodded in a humble manner and left to relay the news to the high figures. Spike sat back down and started recovering a little more.

***

Ten minutes later, Spike made it towards the ruined throne room where the monarchs awaited. When he entered, all five figures were corrupted and twisted. They had no idea what they were in for, but they knew it would have to be important if Spike went to all this trouble of corrupting them.

"Dragon's here! Wait worth time!" Prince Rutherford shouted.

"Yes. It was about time you showed yourself. What was so relevant you called to all of us? Including me?" Chrysalis asked.

Knowing that they have waited long enough, Spike said,

"I have a proposal for all of you. I assume that you have all received my gift?"

"That's right, Spike. We have been given this in regards to being included into a revolution?" Thorax asked.

"Exactly, Thorax. I have a plan to overtake Equestria, but it would require all five species to cooperate."

"Get on with it, dragon! I am very impatient and I would prefer to get home right now!" Grandpa Gruff shouted.

"Hush, baldie. Let the dragon speak." Ember commanded.

Hearing this, Spike started clearing his throat and spoke,

"What if I made a promise that if we all agreed to put aside whatever petty differences we had with each other as a species and work together to overtake Equestria?"

Having heard this, the creatures started to listen further on Spike's plan. A whole hour went by as Spike went over the entire plan of taking over Equestria and driving out the ponies that inhabit it. Little by little, they were intrigued by his idea. After Spike finished explaining his plan, Chrysalis said,

"You have an interesting plan, dragon. But how will we know if those six, pesky ponies are one step ahead of us? Every time we fought each other, it always ends with a humiliating loss from those creatures."

"I have already took care of that." Spike said as Ember brought out the Elements of Harmony. 

The creatures were shocked to see this.

"H-How did you-" Thorax asked before being interrupted.

"I had help." Spike said

The creatures were confused as to what Spike was implying, but since he already had them, they felt enough relieved.

"Hmm. Have all of you heard of the Oath of the Horatii and the Tennis Court Oath?" Spike asked.

The creatures were even more confused as to what Spike was talking about, but they decided to listen.

"One time when I was with Twilight in the other world, we stumbled across these pictures where these creatures called humans were raising their arms with their fingers separated. They did it as some sort of promise to their own people. Later on during the years, it was now viewed as a symbol of tyranny and evil. But not us. No. This salute will be used  as a symbol of our union as a species. And do you all know what these pictures had in common?"

"Enlighten us." Chrysalis commanded.

"They each contained a promise that their bravery would never wear. Nor would it crumble to the point of treachery. And that is something I do not welcome in our new kingdom."

The feeling that Spike described left an impression on them. Not only could they have a chance in defeating the ponies, but they would expand their territories and take back whatever belonged to them. Just then, Spike grabbed the Bloodstone Scepter and said as he raised it,

"Raise your arms."

They did as he commanded and raised their arms with their fingers and hooves separated. Then Spike said,

"We shall make an oath to never break this union between each other."

Just then, Spike started chanting a dark spell which every creature repeated. The oath went on for a few verses. Minutes went by and they were finished chanting. Ember asked,

"So now what?"

"Arrange your armies. We have a few kingdoms to address." Spike said.

After that, every creature left to arrange the armies that they had. 

***

Some time later, Spike was sitting on a rock and he gazed at Ponyville and Canterlot.

"You seem to have everything in control." the creature commented.

"Everything is coming together. Soon, Equestria will feel our wrath." Spike said as he continued to gaze.
> Invasion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning in Canterlot and Ponyville, everypony was up and about doing their favorite activities. Most were at their jobs, some were having picnics, and others were just outside playing around on a bright and sunny day. Nothing could ever get any better. Especially up in Canterlot where everypony was spending time doing various activities and getting ready for another one of their parties for when Celestia and Luna return. But the thing that they found very peculiar about today was that there were multiple amounts of creatures flying in the air, ranging from dragons to griffons to hippogriffs and even changelings.

"I say. What in the world of Equestria are they doing up in the sky?" Fancy Pants asked, looking up in the sky.

"Must be a race they're holding." Fleur Dis Lee said in a haughty manner.

***

Off from the distance, Spike and the rest of the royal creatures were watching as they prepared for an attack. Every creature was eager and ready to destroy Equestria, but they were waiting for Spike's signal to attack them.

"Are you ready?" Thorax asked.

Turning towards him, Spike nodded. Using his wavelength abilities, Thorax telepathically ordered every creature to fire.

***

Just then in Canterlot, a dragon fired a ball of flames, shocking the entire populace. The ball hit part of the Canterlot castle as everypony started to panic. All of a sudden, multiple fireballs and cannonballs bombarded the City of Canterlot, hitting random buildings and various ponies caught in the way of the bombardment. Everypony was running around like a pack of separated ants getting ready to be stomped on.

"What... What is this madness?!" Prince Blueblood shouted.

"I don't know, but all we can do is hold out until the princesses arrive! Follow me!" Fancy Pants said as he ran inside the castle with the other nobles.

***

Looking off from the distance in the mountains, Spike and the others could tell that the invasion was off to a good start.

"Everything is looking good. How long until we can have the creatures drop down?" Chrysalis asked.

"Now." Spike commanded.

***

Up in the air, the creatures were looking down at all the carnage and chaos that was commencing, gleaming with hoy as the buildings were burning.

"It's marvelous. It's like we're watching a meteor shower from hell. All these years of being forced out of our lands... the payoff couldn't be anymore sweeter!" Garble shouted.

Just then, they heard a changeling's voice in their head speak.

"Be ready to drop down any minute. The real invasion is about to commence."

"Get ready, ponies! It's time to play war!" Gilda shouted.

Upon the reaching the countdown from ten, the creatures prepared to descend from the sky. Whooping and cheering as they fell from the sky, the creatures spread out their wings like the harbingers of death and prepared killing any pony they laid their eyes upon making it to the ground. From mangling to mauling, all sorts of atrocities were being dealt to the ponies. The Canterlot Army attempted to fight back, but it proved futile as the big dragons squashed and ate them while the Changelings, Yaks, and the Hippogriffs made their way to Ponyville.

***

Meanwhile on the Friendship Train, Twilight and everypony else were pondering on what to do next. Now that Discord was dead, they had no choice but to return to Ponyville and retrieve the Elements of Harmony. As the train kept moving, they suddenly started noticing multiple Pegasi flying away from Ponyville.

"Huh? What the heck's going on? Is there some sort of race going on right now?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Dunno. You don't see many racers carrying their belongings." Applejack commented.

"You're not wrong about that, Applejack. Something weird's going on." Twilight said.

"Maybe they're trying to get to a baking event!" Pinkie said excitedly.

"I don't think they're headed to a baking event." Fluttershy said with a hint of worry.

Starlight decided to ignore them and just sit by herself. Just then, she started to see smoke off in the distance from where they were. She had no idea why, but seeing the Pegasi fly away and the smoke coming from the distance really started to worry her. Just then as they passed a mountain, she saw what she would never dream would happen.

"Is there something bothering you, Starlight Glimmer?" Celestia asked, looking at the shocked Unicorn.

Celestia turned her head and saw the unthinkable. 

"No. This... This can't be real!" Celestia said in shock.

"What's troubling you, dear sister?" Luna asked.

Celestia turned Luna's head and the young Alicorn sister adopted the same shocked expression as the Sun Princess.

"No... Let this be a bad dream. Please! It's only a bad dream."

The girls decided to see what all the commotion was. Upon looking out the window, they were completely shocked to see Canterlot in flames. Not one word was spoken when they laid their eyes upon their falling kingdoms. Even Pinkie was speechless was she saw Canterlot burning from the distance.

"We have to get them." Twilight said.

"What?" Celestia said.

"If I can get to Elements of Harmony before the enemy gets to the castle, we might stand a chance against this new enemy." Twilight said.

Hearing this appeared to be insane for everypony to take in, but they knew it was the only chance they had.

"Okay. But hurry! I don't know how long until they notice us!" Celestia said as she looked back at Canterlot.

Twilight nodded and teleported back to Friendship Castle. Immediately, Twilight proceeded to run to her bedroom. Upon making her way through the hallway, she encountered a group of Griffons and Hippogriffs ransacking her castle.

"Oh look! It's the Pony Princess of Friendship!" one Griffon sarcastically jeered.

"Hello Twilight! Have you any lessons to teach us?!" a Hippogriff said as he charged her.

Just then, Twilight fired a shot of magic at the Hippogriff's chest, knocking him out. Seeing this angered the group and they charged at Twilight who just demolished them with a wide beam of magic, knocking them all out cold. After that, she continued to run to her bedroom to retrieve the Elements of Harmony. Upon reaching her bedroom, she was greeted by the head of a huge dragon.

RRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!

The dragon proceeded to burn Twilight's entire room, forcing her to activate a force field around her to keep herself from getting burned. After that, she fired a blast of magic at the dragon, stunning it. She went under the bed and grabbed the box before teleporting out of the castle. She teleported back to the train stop where the others were waiting.

"Did you get them?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Twilight levitated the box and showed it to them.

"Oh yeah! Bust 'em out and we'll give them the biggest mucho butt-whooping they'll never forget!" Pinkie shouted.

Everypony nodded and Twilight unlocked the box. After opening the box, they looked and saw they weren't inside.
> Evacuation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What...? How could they...?" Twilight said after opening the box.

The Elements of Harmony were all they had and they were gone. Due to their absence, it was now only a matter of time until Canterlot and Ponyville were overtaken. While Twilight was trying to come up with a plan, they suddenly see Lyra and Bon Bon run towards them.

"Lyra? What's happened here? How were they able-"

Just then, Lyra spoke.

"It's bad! Me, Bon Bon, and everypony else were just minding our own business! Then all of a sudden, we saw these dragons flying over Canterlot and we figured it was just another migration! Then the next thing we know, they started breathing fire all over the kingdom! The Changelings, the Griffons... there was just chaos over there! And as if things weren't bad enough, the Hippogriffs and the Yaks start laying waste to Ponyville. Even some of the Griffons joined them!" Lyra explained.

"We need a plan to evacuate the civilians! If we don't do something, it could spell the end of all Equestria!" Bon Bon said.

Twilight decided to remain quiet and think of a plan to save the rest of the ponies before they're dead. Taking a glance at the train station, Twilight said,

"We need to split into different teams. If we can cover enough ground, we might be able to scout for survivors and get them over to the Crystal Empire."

Nodding in agreement, Celestia said,

"Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, I need the three of you to cover Canterlot and send a message to the Crystal Empire. Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight, search through Ponyville for any survivors. It is essential that everypony survives!"

Again, everypony nodded and they all left. But before Twilight could leave, she said,

"But first, I have to send for Sunset!"

"Why?" Celestia asked.

"We need all the help we can get and we might find a way to combat this new enemy."

"Okay. Head over to the castle and do what you can to summon her."

Immediately, Twilight teleported back to the castle, leaving Celestia and Luna to see what they can do to help everypony else.

"What do we do, dear sister?" Luna asked.

"If we can do anything to help fend off the attack, we could double our chances in saving everypony here." Celestia said.

"Right, but how are we going to get them over to the train? Ponyville is surrounded and there is a chance that the survivors will get themselves killed if we're not careful."

Just then, they turned towards the Sugarcube Corner, which was covered in flames. They heard screaming as the flames grew bigger.

"I'll go check inside the Sugarcube Corner. You go check for more burning buildings!" Celestia said.

"Right!" Luna said before flying off.

Celestia ran towards the Sugarcube Corner and kicked the doors down. As soon as she got in, there were flames everywhere. They were swooshing all over and they would never cease. Celestia heard the screaming and followed it upstairs to where the Cakes were.

"Princess?!" Mrs. Cupcake shouted.

"Thank goodness you're here! Everything is burning!" Mr. Carrot Cake shouted.

"Don't worry! I'll have you free in a second!" Celestia shouted back.

Immediately, Celestia cleared a path with her magic and starting helping the Cakes escape their burning home. By the time they escape, the Sugarcube Corner burned down. The former turned to the Cakes and said,

"Listen. I want you two to get to the train and stay away from Ponyville. If you can, bring any survivors with you. The train will take you to the Crystal Empire. Now go!"

"Yes, Your Highness." Mr. Cake said.

Afterwards, Celestia moved forward to look for more survivors. Looking around Ponyville, she noticed that half of the population is dead. Either eaten or burned alive, she noticed several of them running around on fire. The sight of it all made her sick enough to turn her head away. But she did what she could and flew over towards the water tower. She levitated the heavy tower with her magic and dumped it on the ponies who were burning alive. After doing so, she gathered the wounded and brought them to the train. Just then, she turned around and saw Luna with a batch of survivors.

"They were all I could find, dear sister. The rest are gone." Luna said in a solemn voice.

"I see... everypony, hurry and get on the train! It will take you to the Crystal Empire! Go now!" Celestia shouted.

Doing as she said, the surviving ponies got on the train and it left.

"Have you found any more survivors?" Luna asked.

Looking towards the now burning Ponyville, Celestia said,

"They were all I could find. The rest were burned alive. Have you heard back from Princess Twilight yet?"

Just then, they noticed Twilight running with Sunset Shimmer. 

"Princess Celestia! I..." Sunset said as she turned towards Ponyville.

"We have no time to explain, Sunset Shimmer. Right now, I need you to join Twilight and head over to Canterlot to find any survivors! It's imperative that everypony survives!" Celestia said.

Sunset turned her head towards Canterlot and was shocked to see the Royal Sister's Kingdom burning. As were Twilight and the Royal Sisters when they took a good look. Just then, out of the sky was a falling dragon. Like a meteor, it fell down and plummeted itself into the Mayor's building. It was tall with razor-sharp claws, pointy teeth, and it had death glowing in its blood-red eyes. Its tail also had spikes which could pop out and the tip resembled that of a spearhead. It looked towards the Royal Sisters, Sunset, Twilight, and it shaped its two pairs of wings into long, extended talons on its back. The dragon growled as it looked at the ponies. Just then, it slowly started to walk towards them.

"Everypony, go." Celestia commanded.

"What, sister?" Luna said.

"You heard me! Help Twilight and the others search for more survivors! If we don't do something, Equestria's doom will be imminent!"

The creature was getting closer as it started to run on all fours towards them.

"But princess-"

"JUST GO!" Celestia shouted.

Heeding her command, they teleported away, leaving Celestia to face the creature alone. The creature then began sprinting towards her as she glowed her horn.

"Who are you?" Celestia asked as she glowed her horn even brighter.

"RRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" the creature roared as it lunged at Celestia with its claws.
> Celestia vs. The Creature - Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the creature lunged towards Celestia, she teleports out of the way and fired a beam of magic at it. The creature used its wing as a shield and deflected it, hitting a crumbling building in the process. The creature immediately fire a ball of flame towards Celestia and effectively teleported out of the way and fired another beam of magic at it. She started glowing her horn and fired rapid shots at the creature as it ran. Sprinting while Celestia tried to hit the creature, it jumped towards her and grabbed her. Immediately, it started scratching her as Celestia started to fly into the air.

"It was you who killed Discord, wasn't it?" Celestia assumed as she teleported, making the creature fall.

The creature didn't answer and as if fell, it spread its wings out and glided. With the creature landing on a piece of rubble, Celestia decided to use it and hurl the former into a faraway mountain. But the creature jumped off before it reached impact. It started flapping its wings and flew around, circling Celestia as she fired various beams at it. The creature dodge the beams and breathed multiple breaths of fire at the alicorn.

"It had to have required so much effort in your fight to win against the Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony, but you will begin to find that I am a much different story from Discord!" Celestia said as she levitated various amounts of debris with her magic.

Suddenly, Celestia threw the first part of the debris like a spear and hit the ground. The Creature moved out of the way and flew into the air. It circled its way around the Sun Princess while waiting for her to run out of debris for her to throw.

"RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!" the creature roared as it flew towards Celestia.

Celestia threw multiple pieces of debris at the Creature, but it dodged effortlessly as it grappled Celestia. It reshaped its claws into talons and stuck them deep into her skin as it started mauling her. Celestia screamed as it clawed away at her. She teleported away from the creature before it could breath fire into her face. The creature landed on the ground and gasped for breath as she looked at it.

"Just what are you? What reason could you have for destroying Equestria?" Celestia shouted as she bled all over.

Instead of answering, multiple serpent-like creature started protruding out of its body and they hissed at Celestia. Just then, they popped out of the creature and slithered towards Celestia like serpents in the sea. Celestia tried to fly away, but they latched onto her and started chewing into her skin. She teleported towards away, but they were still stuck on her. Writhing in pain, she fired small beams onto them and they were extinguished. Just then, she noticed the creature dashing towards and before she could teleport away, the creature attacked her with a series of combos and punching her into a crumbling wall. Her crown fell off as she felt the crash. She got off the ground and looked at it once more.

"Why are you doing this? I have done nothing to anger you, yet you seek to violate my kingdom!" Celestia shouted as she lit her horn up more.

"Your kind deserves this..." the creature answered as the serpents started to reprotrude.

Celestia was shocked to hear the creature speak while the serpents came out of its body.

"So it appears that you can speak. Then you can explain to me why all the creatures from beyond Equestria are attacking my kingdom!" Celestia shouted as she glowed her horn more brighter.

"It doesn't matter. You and your kingdom will cease to exist when we're finished." the creature replied.

"We're?"

The creature roared and sent the serpents towards the alicorn. Just then, Celestia summoned multiple daggers and threw them at the creatures with strong accuracy. Unbeknownst to her, the creature attacked her from behind. However, Celestia had a feeling that it would attempt to throw her off and blocked its sneak attack. She grabbed the creature with her magic and blew a fired a massive beam at it sending it into another crumbling beam. Just then, she summoned two claymores and levitated them.

"It has been awhile since I used you two, Lux and Solaris." Celestia said as she looked at her two swords.

Just then, she noticed the creature get off the ground and it growled at her.

"It appears you have wised up. However, luck doesn't last forever, pony filth." the creature growled as it formed two extended blames from its forearms as well as its claws.

Not speaking any further, the two charged towards each other and started clashing. Their blades clanging and slashing, the two were trying to find a way to cut each other. Celestia swung her swords at the creature while it used its agility and tenacity to avoid her attacks. It swung its wing-shaped talons at Celestia, but she managed to block and avoid most of its attacks. She flew up into the air to recover, but the creature followed suit and continued attacking her. Again, they hacked away at each other, but they could only do so much as kept trying to find an opening. Eventually, Celestia was able to outmaneuver the creature and cut off its arms. The creature screamed in pain as it lost its arms.

"Your invasion ends here!" Celestia shouted as she threw her swords at the creature.

But before she could claim the kill, the creature grabbed the blades with it serpents protruding out of its back. Celestia was surprised to see this, but not too shocked as it turned around with its regenerated arms.

"It seems we have reached an impasse, Sun Princess. Would it trouble you to be shown a surprise?" the creature asked with sadistic glee.

Just then, Celestia felt this ugly feeling surround her as the creature started manifest into something. The creature began to surround itself with a massive cloud of darkness. Suddenly, Celestia started to hear screaming as it began to transform into a huge, massive dragon. The screaming stopped as it finished manifesting itself. Just then, the smoke cleared and showed a much hideous form of the creature with various features. It had multiple amounts of blood-red eyes glaring at Celestia. It was huge with teeth the size of swords and spears, spikes sharper than before, and it had multiple amounts of serpents on its tail. It had so many horns on its head that could pierce anybody if they were rammed. Its wings were even razor sharp to the point they could even cut a skyscraper. It was so big and muscular that even Celestia was shocked to see how big the creature had gotten before she regained her composure.

"It does not matter what shape or form you take. I will still defeat you!" Celestia shouted.

The creature simply chuckled at her and started reshaping its wings into talons.

"Now, prepare to learn the true meaning of pain, princess..." the creature said in a much deeper voice as it moved its wing-shaped talon towards Celestia.
> Celestia vs. The Creature - Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the creature moved its wing-shaped talon towards Celestia, she flew out of the way and started firing multiple beams at it. The creature covers its face from the beams and swatted her away, but Celestia regained her flying pattern and starts circling around it, trying to find a weak spot. As she did so, golems started coming out of the creature and started flying, trying to get the princess.

"Do you really think that sending any your minions after me will cease my attempts?" Celestia asked as she fired beams at the golems.

The creature started breathing fire in Celestia's direction as she kept flying. Soon, griffons, hippogriffs, changelings, and dragons appeared out of nowhere and started attacking Celestia. She activated a barrier, pushing them away and started blasting them with her magic.

"In the name of our beloved king, you will taste righteous fury!" a hippogriff shouted.

"We will make a trophy out of you, princess!" a changeling yelled.

"We'll break your horn, we'll clip your wings, we'll snip your mane, we'll skin you alive!!!!!" a dragon screamed.

"We'll grind your teeth, put your eyes in the boiler, turn your bones into powder, wear your fur like a robe!!!!!!" a griffon roared.

The creatures grabbed onto Celestia and started clawing away at her. As they continued to maul her, the creature shaped its tail into a sharp tip and pierced the ground. The next thing that happened, the tip came out of the ground underneath Celestia. At the last second, Celestia teleported out of the way and it nearly stuck the creatures caught in the way. Just then, Celestia glowed her horn and show a beam, incinerating the creatures into ash. The creature roared in anger and sent various other golems after the princess. Taking its tail out of the ground, it turned its wings back into their regular forms and started taking flight as well.

"You will pay for what you did, pony!" the creature roared.

"Speak for yourself!" Celestia shouted back.

The creature roared ever more furiously and started breathing fireballs at Celestia. She maneuvered her way around them and started firing more beams of magic back at it. The creature then moved itself forward in front of her and stood upright as it crossed its arms while keeping flight. Feeling as if it was taunting her, Celestia moved fast and tried catching up to it. As she did, it started firing more breaths of fireballs into her direction. The creature laughed as she kept dodging.

"You know, your child would be impressed with how far you are going to stop me! Just like how far you were willing to place more attention on your student!" the monster shouted.

"What?" Celestia asked.

"Do you really know what happened to your child and what the Princess of Friendship did to him while he was in Ponyville?"

"What?" Celestia asked again with underlying tones of anger.

"How many times he was abused by Twilight and her friends whenever he was with them on their trivial adventures? When you have never asked yourself if he truly was okay with joining the Princess of Friendship?"

Hearing this started to get under Celestia's skin as she pursued him.

"He was a kind and gentle dragon. A rarity far beyond anything you and your kind could ever fathom. It was a shame you never said goodbye to him. Not that you ever felt you had to. A true mother would know better..." the creature taunted.

Just then, Celestia appeared out of nowhere, having caught up, and fired a full blast of magic into the creature's face. Screaming as she blasted her full magic at the beast, it shielded its face from the blast before it could get burned. After firing the blast, Celestia stopped to catch her breath as she still flew.

"Speak any further about Spike... AND I'LL LEAVE YOU IN ASHES!!!!!!!!!" Celestia screamed.

Grinning, the creature dispersed more golems and sent them flying towards Celestia. Furious with the topic of Spike, Celestia fired rapid shots of magic at the golems as she caught her second wind. She moved her way into the clouds and the rest of the golems followed after her. They breathed fired and lunged after her, but they were all shot by Celestia, who's anger was as hot as the sun. Knowing where she was due to firing her magic, the monster shot fireballs while she was still fighting the golems. Knowing that there were more golems than she could count, Celestia glowed her horn more brighter and burned every golem into ash. Afterwards, she moved around so that the beast couldn't see her. When she was no longer visible, the creature started to search for her. Unbeknownst to it however, Celestia activated some form of spell from the sky while it still looked for her.

"You will pay for what you did to him, monster!!!!!" Celestia yelled.

Just then, a whole beam of violet rays came out of the sun and started burning the creature. Its scream of agony were made apparent as it started to burn. The mixture of anger and sorrow that was poured into the Sun Princess was motivational for her enough to rain the power of the sun down on the beast. 

"This spell is only used as a last resort due to its power of burning everything on sight! Since you have now made it clear you won't cease until all life is destroyed, you must be eliminated at all costs! For Equestria and for Spike!" Celestia shouted.

As she continued to rain the sun's power on the creature, she suddenly noticed dragons, griffons, hippogriffs, and changelings surround her. They started mauling her in hopes that the creature will survive, but she paid them no mind as she pushed them back with her barrier. Just then, she noticed the creature's husk was lifeless. She already knew that the body was empty, but she didn't see the main body. Just then, she noticed the creature lunge towards her as it flew. She tried to teleport out of the way, but it was too late. The creature grabbed her and started falling to the ground as it held onto her. After crashing to the ground as it grabbed her mane, he vaulted and threw her into a crumbling building where she ran out of the strength to fight back.
> Celestia vs. The Creature - Part 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Celestia was struggling to recover, the creature slowly started walking towards the Sun Princess. She tried firing a beam of magic at it, but she was so worn out that it came off as flimsy. The creature didn't even block the shots as he moved closer to the princess. Before she could crawl away, the monster grabbed Celestia's mane and slammed her head against a wall, causing her horn to nearly crack. She moved her wings to try and fly away, but it already grabbed and snapped them like twigs. She screamed and writhed in agony as she tried to escape.

"Where do you think you're going?" the creature asked.

Celestia fired a shot at the creature again, but it had little to no effect on it. The beast picked up Celestia and proceeded to beat her. Pummeling her minute after minute, she was severely beaten with bruises on most of her body with her horn coming close to being cracked.

"Did you really think I would be that easy? All you merely did was postpone your inevitable defeat."

Celestia spat blood into his face as an act of defiance, but instead of lashing out, the creature just spread it on his face like it was a badge of gratitude. Just then, he started to see Celestia slowly get up.

"No matter how many times you punish me, I will still fight you until either of us falls." Celestia said as she summoned her swords.

"We've reached an understanding." the creature said as it extended its blades.

The two clashed away, but Celestia was limping as she fought back. She already knew that she was in no condition to fight, but she didn't think that the creature would still fight her. Either it was toying with her or it already knew she was a threat. Either way, Celestia had to keep fighting, even if it meant her own demise. Every blow that she dealt to the creature was poor. Whenever she attacked, the creature would parry and attack her. But even as she kept losing, she would still not falter.

"When will you relent? You've already lost, princess. Look around you. Everything you did was of your own doing. If you cease this pointless resistance, you may live to be my pet." the creature offered, grabbing her by the mane and holding its bladed arm in her face.

"To hell with your promise! Like I said time and time again, I will still fight you until either of us falls! Equestria will-"

Just then, the creature retracted its blades and started attacking her with various different combos of claw attacks. It would not cease attacking and after she staggered as she started coughing out blood, it threw her right into another wall where she could see her crown. The creature walked towards her, breaking the crown under its foot as it moved. Broken and battered from all the fighting that has occurred, all she could do was try and limp away, but it was already too late. The monster stepped on her chest piece, breaking it, and looked at her with murderous intent.

"Who... are... you?" Celestia asked in a broken voice.

"King Bahamut..." the creature answered as it inhaled.

Suddenly, it breathed black flames into Celestia's face. She activated a force field, but barely enough to keep her face from being scarred. She was reaching her limit. She was all out of options and had no means of escape from the murderous king. After all that she did to fend off the creature, she was unable to fight back any further. She was starting to black out from the energy she exerted from using her barrier. Closing her eyes for the final time, she was ready to meet her fate...

"SISTER!!!!" a voice shouted.

Celestia opened her eyes and saw Luna flying towards them. The creature turned its head and roared as she approached. Luna fired a beam of magic at the creature, knocking it back into a building. Luna grabbed Celestia and asked,

"Are you okay, dear sister?"

Just then, she heard the creature get out and sprinted forward to kill them. But before it could get its claws on them, Luna teleported Celestia and herself away from Ponyville, having escaped the creature's grasp. The creature roared in fury at their escape as it slammed the ground. Just then, the ooze dripped away from the body, revealing it to be Spike.

"They got away..." the creature said in a low, angry voice.

"My liege!"

Spike turned around and saw that it was a hippogriff.

"Canterlot has fallen! The ponies have all but withdrawn and every single soldier in Canterlot is dead! What shall with do with the remaining ponies?"

"Kill them. We can use them as a food supply. Relay that order to the changelings. But let the evacuees run. We've already won." Spike answered.

"And Ponyville, Your Highness?"

"Burn it. I want this heap looking like a bonfire."

"Right away, Your Excellency!" the hippogriff said as it bowed.

After watching the hippogriff fly away back to Canterlot, Spike looked around Ponyville.

"These ponies will become a threat to you later on in this course of time. I would do away with them before we lose this chance." the creature advised.

"No. Like I told the hippogriff... we've already won..." Spike said as he looked towards the mountains.

***

Up in the mountains, Celestia was severely beaten and broken from her encounter with the creature. Breathing heavily and recuperating from her battle, Luna said,

"Sister, we have managed to get everypony out of Canterlot, but we were so overrun with creatures attacking us that we barely stood a chance. Are you okay?"

Celestia didn't answer.

"Sister?" Luna asked.

Instead of answering, Celestia looked towards Canterlot in tears, her former home that was considered the pride and power of Equestria. It was now riddled with flames and ruin as the creatures kept attacking. Luna looked forward as well with tears in her eyes. They streamed down their eyes as they noticed a flag of Canterlot burn, the very same flag that exemplified authority and dominance.  It was now in ruin. There was nopony left to fight, nopony left to help, and nopony left to defend. Canterlot had now become a ground for the forces of evil and the burning flag had now become the very representation of the Royal Sisters' fallen kingdom.
> Chase
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Around the time that Celestia was fighting the creature, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Applejack were searching for survivors all over in Canterlot. As they did, they were hiding up on a rooftop near the town square. They searched everywhere they could, but it was so crowded and crazed that they could barely find any survivors.

"How in the hay could this happen? Canterlot has the best defenses in all of Equestria!" Applejack said, looking at the ruined site of Canterlot.

"It... It must have been a diversion when we were still at the Crystal Empire." Fluttershy said in her soft voice.

"Who cares! What matters is that we put these creatures in their place!" Rainbow Dash said as she was about to fly away.

But before she could leave, Applejack pulled Rainbow Dash's tail and stopped her.

"Now's not the time, Rainbow! Our top priority is survivors! We're too outnumbered to fight back!" Applejack said.

"I know, but there are so many corpses that I can barely see anypony left!" Rainbow Dash said.

Applejack stopped talking and started thinking. As she did, they started hearing explosions from Ponyville. They turned around and saw Celestia in the air.

"What could she be fighting?" Fluttershy asked.

"Dunno, but it would be best we stayed here for now." Applejack said.

Just then, they heard growling from behind them. They turned around and saw a huge group of dragons, griffons, and changelings. Among them, they saw Gilda and Garble.

"Hi, Dashie!" Gilda said in a spiteful tone.

"Gilda?" Rainbow Dash said in a shocked tone.

Chuckling as they faced the ponies, they snarled with hunger and blood-thirst while they waited for the signal. Grinning with sheer delight, Garble yelled,

"KILL THEM!!!!!"

Just then, they started swarming the three ponies. But they somehow managed to get out of the swarm and started to run, causing the creatures to chase after them. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy did whatever they could to lose them, but they were too fast to shake off. Just then, Applejack said,

"We need to split up, girls! We'll meet up in the castle!"

The three of them split up, leading them away from their group. Applejack ran very fast as the dragons and griffons chased her. Vaulting and jumping across every obstacle was in the way, she wouldn't stop until she shook them off. But as she ran around, she saw various corpses of ponies everywhere. Mares, Colts, even fillies were mutilated as she passed by every single one. It was all so ghastly that Applejack felt like vomiting.

"I hope my family is safe. I can't afford to lose anypony else." Applejack thought as she ran.

Seeing an alleyway in the next corner, Applejack took this chance and jumped into it. Hiding into one of the trash cans, Applejack kept quiet and waited for the other creatures to pass by without making a sound. After waiting for about two minutes, the creatures left the sight and Applejack came out of her hiding place. Knowing what she had to do, Applejack started to run towards the castle.

***

Rainbow Dash was being pursued by Gilda and her troops in Restaurant Row. Flying and dashing around every corner, Rainbow Dash was doing everything she could to get them off her tail.

"So Gilda, what's your deal? Why'd you join up with these losers?" Rainbow Dash asked as she flew.

"Oh, it's nothing special. These losers just showed me the light!" Gilda explained.

"Huh?" 

"I always figured that you wouldn't understand the concept of power. You ponies are too stupid to know the difference between friendship and anger!"

Hearing this, Rainbow Dash stopped and said,

"You better take that back."

"Sorry. I don't do refunds." Gilda said as she pulled out two automatic crossbows.

"You just pushed it!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she charged towards Gilda.

Immediately, Gilda started firing at Rainbow Dash as she kept moving. The griffons and dragons rushed towards Rainbow Dash and she started beating them to a pulp. Jumping and flying while the creatures kept pursuing her, Rainbow Dash just pummeled them with intense ferocity as Gilda kept firing at her. She got Rainbow Dash in the leg and her wing, but she still kept going. After firing at her, Gilda ran out of arrows and started attacking her former friend directly.

"So you finally decided to get personal, Gilda? After showing you up so many times at the events in Junior Speedster's Flight Camp?" Rainbow Dash asked as she kicked Gilda.

"I'll admit that I was a little steamed when I earned a few silver and bronze medals although I did win one gold medal for archery, but nothing as shill and trivial as that. Our king is gonna give us a future, and you have been unfortunately blacklisted!" Gilda shouted.

"And who is this king?"

"Sorry Rainbow, but you know how I am about spoilers!"

The two kept fighting and from the looks of it, Rainbow Dash was starting to get worn out from flying too much. On the next kick, Gilda grabbed both of Rainbow Dash's wings and snapped them like twigs. The pegasus screamed out in pain as it happened.

"Aw~. Does it hurt~? Does it hurt~? Does poor little Dashie need her mommy~?" Gilda taunted as moved her finger down her cheek like a tear.

Rainbow Dash tried to fly after Gilda, but her wings were so broken that she could barely flap them. Just then, they heard a roar from across Ponyville. Gilda looked over and said,

"Sorry Dashie, but our little recess has just concluded. I've gotta go and make a few more quotas. Have fun watching your home burn, Rainbow Crash~!" 

Gilda laughed joyfully as she flew away with her troops.

Rainbow Dash ran after them and shouted,

"When I get my hooves on you, you're gonna wish we never met, you birdbrain!"

After Gilda disappeared, Rainbow Dash looked at the castle and decided to follow through on her promise to meet up at the castle, even though she wanted to pay back Gilda for breaking her wings. She rushed towards the castle without trying to confront any of the creatures.
> Hide and Seek
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, Fluttershy was trying to do whatever she could to lose Garble and the creatures that were chasing her.  But they were so fast that she could barely even leave their eyesight.

"Why are you doing this? What have we done to deserve this?" Fluttershy asked with tears in her eyes.

The creatures kept chasing after her with intent to kill. She had to do something or she would be just another meal for the dragons and griffons that chased after her. She looked around for places to ditch them as she ran. But so far, they were occupied by the monsters that had overrun Canterlot. Just then, she noticed an abandoned bakery. She ran inside and hid in one of the barrels. The dragons and griffons went inside to search for her.

"Scatter! She's around somewhere. She's the nervous type." Garble shouted.

The creatures separated and started searching for Fluttershy. They searched high and low, opening every cabinet and busting every door to kill the poor, defenseless pegasus. Just then, Garble spoke.

"You know, I heard about you and your friends!"

Fluttershy stopped shaking and listened as she looked through a hole of the barrel.

"You were one of Spike's buddies. He was a nice dragon. He was super irritating and he loved ponies, but he was nice. I happen to be a dragon who admires those qualities. But then you go and do the dumbest thing anybody could every do. You threw him out of your little circle of friends." Garble jeered as he searched.

Just then, Fluttershy heard growling outside her barrel. She looked through the hole and in came three Manticores. Two were regular, but one of them was huger than the other two. Its fur was grey, had scorpion platings on its back, a pair of wyvern-dragon wings on its arms, and two stingers on its tail. It was so gigantic that it made the regular manticores look like house cats. Garble looked at the manticore and grinned as the monster roared its terrible roar.

"What do you say come out and play with our pets? I'm sure you'll get a couple kicks out of what they can do! They could even roast marshmallows if you're extra nice to them!" Garble shouted, laughing all the way as he searched.

Tears started rolling down Fluttershy's eyes as the Manticores started to search for Fluttershy. She covered her mouth to make sure she couldn't make a noise. The Manticores started sniffing around to see where Fluttershy was. Her sweat was a clear scent to tell where she was as the Manticores turned their heads. They slowly walked to where she was and started clawing at the barrel. The huge Manticore told the other two to search for any other ponies in the case that they could escape. The Manticore move the barrel around in a playful manner and started tossing it around violently. No matter how much pain she was in from being tossed around, Fluttershy did not make a sign. Soon, it started chewing away at the barrel. It bit the barrel so deep that Fluttershy could feel the fangs poke at her flesh. But just about when it was about to crush the entire barrel, it heard the other Manticores roar. The huge Manticore threw the barrel aside and ran upstairs. Fluttershy heard a roar from a cross Ponyville.

"Dammit! Oh well. We still have plenty of ponies to hunt. Let's go!" Garble shouted.

The other creatures along with the Manticores followed suit as they heard the roar. Fluttershy got out of the severely clawed, half-chew barrel filled with the trauma from nearly being eaten by the Manticore. She was bruised and slightly bleeding from the splinters piercing her body, but it wasn't anything severe. She shook them off and proceeded to exit the bakery. But before she could leave, she saw a squadron of highly evolved Changelings guarding the street. Fluttershy got into a fresh barrel and hid in it. She tiptoed around them before they could have a chance to turn around. She stood still as they looked at the barrel. They went closer to inspect it further, but then their captain said,

"Grubs, what are you doing lazing about in the street? Our king expects the streets to be cleaned of this horse meat! Move it!"

"Yessir!" the Changelings shouted.

They saluted the captain and flew away, but before the Captain could leave, he walked closer to see what was in the barrel. But before he could open it, he was kicked in the face by Rainbow Dash, knocking the Changeling out. She looked at the barrel and smiled.

"You can come out now." Rainbow Dash said.

Fluttershy was happy to see that Rainbow Dash was safe and sound.

"You okay, Fluttershy?" 

Fluttershy looked all over her body and said,

"I think so. But what happened to your wings?"

Rainbow Dash looked at her wings with a pained expression and said,

"I've had worse."

"Where's Applejack?"

"Dunno. I was rushing through the town square to the castle, but this place is Carnage City! There's so many bodies everywhere that I lost count of how many casualties there were!"

"Oh my gosh! I hope Applejack is alright out there!"

"Don't worry. She's as tough as a dragon! She'll be fine. Right now though, we've gotta get to the castle before anymore of these freaks get us."

"R-Right! Lead the way, Rainbow!"

Immediately, they both ran towards the castle with nobody in sight and made it inside. Busting the doors open, it was completely quiet and dark as the doors closed after their arrival. They both treaded quietly to make sure that none of the creatures could hear them. They proceeded to move deeper into the castle and as they kept walking, they could hear rattling and growling. They were both sweating nervously as the growling grew louder and louder. Fluttershy spotted a door and asked,

"Do you think that monster's in that room?"

"Dunno, but I don't wanna be worm food out here." Rainbow Dash said.

They both opened the door and to their surprise, there were survivors inside. They spotted Fancy Pants.

"Fancy Pants?" they said in unison.

"Girls, run! It's a trap!" Fancy Pants shouted.

Just then, eyes appeared everywhere in the room and surrounded the survivors. Upon making eye-contact with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, their blood froze as its eyes slit in deadlock. It started shifting its way behind the door and took the form of a huge demonic-like dragon as it cackled. Fluttershy hid behind Rainbow Dash as the latter stood in the front.

"Glad you two could make it. Now what would you say if we play a game?" it said in its demonic voice.
> The Darkness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Having been completely surrounded by the creature, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had no way to escape with the remaining survivors. 

"Who are you! What made you so steamed that you had to go level Canterlot and Ponyville!" Rainbow Dash yelled, raising her hoofs at the monster.

The creature simply chuckled and said,

"Simple, my poor, pitiful pegasus. Because you deserve it."

"Huh?" Rainbow Dash wondered in a clueless manner.

"We don't understand! Why are you doing all of these mean, nasty things to us when we didn't even lay a hoof on you!" Fluttershy shouted.

The creature looked towards Fluttershy in a sharp manner, causing her to freeze up. Rainbow Dash stood in front of her to make sure that she didn't get hurt.

"For many years, you have took the very lands that belonged to every creature from beyond Equestria." the creature said.

"What're you talking about?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I knew of a dragon that was formerly your friend. He was a kind, innocent dragon. Living for many years under the servitude of your kind and having to put up with your cruelty, it shattered my heart to see that you were merely using him to serve your trivial ventures."

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy looked at each other in confusion as they tried to figure out what the creature was implying.

"Though I suppose it matters little, concerning the fact that you were powerless to cease this attack from our new kingdom. Your kind has reigned supreme for far too long! It is time for a new rule. A rule where your kind has no place among ours!"

Having heard enough, Rainbow Dash shouted,

"As if, buddy! We've dealt with punks like you before and you are no substitution!"

With that said, Rainbow Dash charged at the creature. But suddenly, she was engulfed by this ooze that surrounded her. The creature grabbed Rainbow Dash and threw her back at Fluttershy. Then the creature spread out the ooze and asked,

"So who wants to die first?"

The creature eyed one of the nobles and the serpents came out of the ooze. They slithered very fast and started consuming the noble. Seeing this infuriated Rainbow Dash and charged at the creature once again. This time however, the creature dodged and she fell into the ooze, getting herself bit everywhere by the serpents. Screaming in pain, Rainbow Dash crawled out of the ooze with most of it still on her. She started to feel her skin burn as it started to spread on her body. She was able to wipe it off, but she still felt the after-effects. The creature then eyed Fluttershy, causing the latter to cover her eyes with her wings.

"What's the matter? Afraid of the dark?" the creature asked with a low growl as it moved its way towards Fluttershy.

Fluttershy tried backing away as tears rolled down her eyes once more.

"N-No! Please! Don't hurt me!" Fluttershy pleaded as tears continued to stream.

"Do not worry. You will have nothing left to fear after you die." the creature said with a devilish grin as it got ahold of Fluttershy and summoning the serpents to bite her.

Before it could eat her, it felt Rainbow Dash and Fancy Pants hit from behind, albeit with with minimal harm. It pinned the two of them back against the wall as Fluttershy's eyes started to flash. Rainbow Dash had no idea why, but she had to get out of the creature's grasp before it could do any further harm to Fluttershy. But its tail was so strong that she could barely push it away. When all hope was lost, Applejack busted through the door and kangaroo-kicked the creature into the wall, stunning it.

"Everypony, follow me to the train! It won't be long until that monster regains itself!" Applejack shouted.

Wasting no time, Rainbow Dash and Fancy Pants grabbed Fluttershy and ran out of the room. They moved through the ooze that was in the way, but they managed to get out. Going after them, the creature ran on all fours and tried to get to them. But just then, it felt itself disappear.

"What? No! I just need a little more time! NO! You can't deny me this! You must not-!"

The creature disappeared as the ponies kept running. They had no idea why, but it was a relief for them. For some reason, they haven't seen any creatures attack them yet. But suddenly, multiple Manticores appeared out of nowhere and started giving chase. Almost every survivor was picked off one by one, but they somehow managed to make it towards the train with most of the survivors. Rainbow Dash started calling for names while Fluttershy was still unconscious, but Applejack and Fancy Pants stood by to make sure that she was okay. Ten minutes later, Fluttershy sprung up and regained consciousness.

"Are you okay, Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Just then, the former started to recall what happen to her and started crying.

"It was horrible! When that... that thing grabbed me... he started showing me these horrible things! Everypony was dead... Angel Bunny and the other creatures in my cottage along with Equestria were dead... even... even..."

Fluttershy broke down again and started crying again. Rainbow Dash moved closer towards her and hugged her.

"It's okay, Fluttershy. It's not here. We're safe."

"I know, but... it felt so real... but what happened to your wings?" Fluttershy asked, looking at Rainbow Dash's wings.

"Don't worry about it. They're just-"

Fluttershy interrupted Rainbow Dash and said,

"No. The first thing that I'm gonna do when we get to the Crystal Empire is that I'm gonna bandage your wings. No exceptions." Fluttershy said with slight assertiveness in her voice.

Rainbow Dash groaned in defeat and said with a small smile,

"Okay."

"So what the hay happened in there? And what was that thing in the castle?"

Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Fancy Pants each took their time to explain what has happened back at the Canterlot Castle. An hour or so went by as they continued to talk. After that, Applejack looked at them with certainty and said,

"So that monster was the one behind the attack? I guess it would be an understatement if I said I was surprised. Wait, did anypony see my family in Ponyville?"

They all raised their shoulders in uncertainty, worrying Applejack even further as the train continued its way to the Crystal Empire. One half-hour later, they made it to the Crystal Empire where everypony was waiting for them including the survivors.
> Refuge
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Having finally made it to the Crystal Empire with the remain survivors, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy went to search for the other girls. They scanned through the survivors to see where they were. Just then, they saw Cadence and Shining Armor.

"Oh, thank goodness you two are safe! Twilight told me what happened." Cadence said after making her way towards them.

"It's insane! When we first got back to Ponyville, there was fire everywhere! The Griffons, Dragons, Changelings, Hippogriffs, and the Yaks were wrecking our home! For all I know, the Buffalo could be roughing up Appleloosa!" Rainbow Dash shouted.

"It's chaos out there, Princess. Without Discord and the Elements of Harmony to back us up, we might be headed towards the steepest creek of our lives." Applejack said.

Cadence looked at them in a stern manner and started thinking to herself. Just then, Fluttershy asked,

"Where's Twilight and the others?"

"They're in the throne room. We're trying to figure out what this monster is and it would be nice if you three could share what you have seen. Sunset Shimmer is here too." Shining Armor said.

The three of them were shocked, but not too much. They nodded and followed the two up to the castle. Fifteen minutes later, they made it inside where Twilight and the others were waiting.

"Oh, thank the stars! I thought the three of you were lunch!" Pinkie Pie said.

"Apple Bloom, Big Mac, Granny Smith! Are they safe?" Applejack asked as she grasped Twilight.

Twilight moved her hooves away and said,

"They're safe. We found them when they were defending themselves from the Timberwolves."

"Oh thank heavens."

"Did you see that monster too?" Fluttershy asked.

Rarity, Twilight, Sunset, and Pinkie looked at them and Twilight said,

"We did."

"What happened? That thing made Discord look like a cheap magician!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"That's what I was wondering too. But when I touched its ooze, I felt something within me. This feeling... It felt cold and twisted. I don't know what else to describe it, but this thing is the one behind Equestria's fall. We have to stop this thing, but we have no idea what this thing really is." Twilight said.

"But when those icky things crawled out of its body and latched onto us, he showed us these unspeakable things. We had no idea how bad it would turn out, but it was more powerful than it was letting on." Rarity said.

"Yeah! We got our cupcakes kicked out of us! But luckily, we were able to get most of the survivors out of Ponyville." Pinkie said.

"But what about the Princesses? And where's Starlight?" Sunset asked.

Just then, the door pushed open. They saw Starlight, Princess Luna, and to their shock, a battered Princess Celestia. Twilight ran over to her and asked,

"Princess Celestia! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Twilight. Just let me walk." Celestia said without batting an eye.

Celestia was so beaten and bruised that she could barely even twitch. She had to be supported by her sister and Starlight. 

"I'm fine, you two. You can let go." Celestia said in a kind manner.

"Are you sure, sister?" Luna asked.

"Yeah. After what that monster did to you-" 

Celestia then suddenly said,

"Please! Just let me go."

Honoring her wish, the two let her go and she started to move. Staggering as she walked, the rest of the ponies were shocked to see how much damage she took as she fought against the creature. Making her way towards the center of the throne room, she asked,

"So how many survivors do we have?"

"Right now, the soldiers are doing roll call, but they seem to be somewhere around 500-1000 ponies. I don't know how much we can keep at the Empire. We would have to draft most of them into our army." Shining Armor said in a worried manner.

"But how long do you think we can hold out? We are up against a threat that could bring about the end of Equestria and we don't know where Spike is! We have to find him." Starlight proclaimed.

Hearing this, Twilight turned towards Starlight and said,

"Even if there was an off-chance that he was still alive, it would be unlikely that he would survive out in Equestria. And the Crystal Empire is so overcrowded that we can barely even fit in a fly. For all we know, he could have been converted over to their side."

"We don't know that! We have to find him!"

"Starlight..." Luna said, trying to stop the former from speaking any further.

"No! There could be creatures that haven't been converted! Spike meant so much to you and you turned him away over a statue?! What is wrong with you!" Starlight shouted.

"And even if there was a chance that none of them were corrupted, do you really think that we would just welcome them all with open hooves? Look outside, Starlight. After everything that they did to us, there doesn't seem to be a way that we can mend what happened."

Starlight could not believe what she was hearing. Her once-friendly teacher and friend was now saying things that go entirely against her teachings of Friendship. Sunset was even more disturbed, having heard this from Twilight. It was like she was caught in a bad dream and she couldn't wake up. Having heard enough of Twilight, Starlight said in a tearful yet spiteful manner,

"I can't believe I ever became friends with a hypocrite like you!"

Having said that, Starlight darted out of the castle.

"Starlight...!" Luna shouted as she tried to stop her.

But it was too late. Starlight left the castle and the Princesses looked at Twilight in a disdainful manner, especially Celestia.

"You could have handled it in a different manner, Twilight Sparkle." Celestia said with angry undertones.

"She's right, Twilight. You were being nasty towards Starlight." Sunset said.

"So you want me to act like none of this is happening and we're off galloping in the bright sunlight? We are heading for a war and we have no idea when to act. If we just sit idly by and lie to them, Equestria may not survive. Do you really want that teetering on your conscience, Princess?"

Celestia was shocked to hear Twilight say that. Not because she was being rude to Starlight nor addressing the state of Equestria, but because of how much she has changed ever since Spike disappeared. Sunset herself was beyond perturbed to hear Twilight say that. It was bad enough knowing that she could never see her beloved son ever again, but Celestia was witnessing her favorite student taking on a new callous persona. Anger could not describe how much animosity that Celestia was developing towards Twilight, but the feelings she held towards her were just enough to put her on edge.

"I should have found a different student." Celestia said as she left the throne room as well.

"Sister!" Luna said as she tried to stop her.

After Celestia left, they were wondering what to do next. They were cornered by the darkness, but they knew that they needed to protect themselves. Just then, Twilight said,

"We need to split the units and armies. We can send them to the various cities of Equestria, but most of them aren't ready yet. Can we set up boot camps?"

"We can, but we would have to prepare a lot of compensation and payment for their services. What can we do?"

"We'll deal with it after we win."

Hearing this, they started coordinating and forming plans to set up everypony for war. Fluttershy was assigned as a medic, Applejack was assigned to maintaining order, Rainbow Dash was put in charge of the army as the commander, and Rarity was put in charge of taking care of the survivors. Luna also stated that she and Celestia would be in command. After they were finished, they left. But before Twilight and Pinkie could leave, Luna stopped them and said,

"Wait. I have something to show you, Twilight."

But before they could leave, Pinkie asked,

"Can I come too? I haven't been assigned either." Pinkie begged.

"Very well." Luna said with a shrug.

"What about me, Princess?" Sunset asked.

"Wait here. I have a special assignment for you." Luna said.

"Okay." Sunset replied.

Upon hearing Luna, Pinkie and Twilight followed Luna deep into the castle of the Crystal Empire. Upon seeing Luna, they moved their spears out of the way. Just then, some form of door in front of them. 

“Oh! I wonder what’s inside?! Does it have cake?!” Pinkie asked excitedly.

“Pinkie, you must calm down. I need you to take this job seriously. And to answer your other question, we are heading to a classified area inside the castle,” Luna answered.

Moving to the right, Luna pressed a crystal embedded in the wall and it opened. It was bright and flashy as it started opening.

"Whoa. It's so beautiful..." Twilight said as she and Pinkie looked at the room.
> Coronation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After Canterlot was occupied by the armies, the creatures took the survivors and kept them chained up until Spike decided what to do with them. The soldiers went onto the walls and kept guard for any ponies that would dare to come back into Canterlot. But everywhere that Spike walked, every creature bowed in his presence as he moved around, looking at the ruin he wrought upon his former home. Just then, he heard a voice.

"Sire!" the voice shouted.

Spike turned and saw the same Hippogriff that told him about Occupation of Canterlot.

"What is it?" Spike asked.

"We have found him." the Hippogriff answered.

"Is he with you?"

"He is currently being watched over by the guards and captains as a precaution."

"I see. Where is he?"

"Inside the castle, Your Highness. Shall we accompany you?"

"No. I will see to this myself."

"Yes, Your Highness." the Hippogriff said as he bowed.

Spike moved onward towards the castle. As he walked, he saw ponies that were being bound in chains and held down. When the ponies got a good look, they were shocked to see it was Spike. One of the captains that helped with holding down the ponies, came over to Spike and asked,

"Your Divinity, we have so many ponies here. We could make use of them as labor, but I fear that if we keep them alive, they could organize a rebellion and potentially overtake us. What should we do?"

Spike looked down at the pony who was held down, then he turned towards the captain.

"Keep them in their chains. I will tell you when the time is right. Relay that order to all the captains in charge of pony captivity." Spike commanded before walking away.

"Your wish is my command, Your Majesty..." the captain said, bowing before turning towards the pony with a twisted smile.

After leaving the captain to his duties, Spike continued to walk. He looked at the ruin that surrounded him. All the damage that his army had dealt to Canterlot had become but a catalyst of his ascension to power. Just then, a manticore came over to Spike and pushed himself against the king. Purring as it rubbed its body against it, Spike knelt down and stroked its mane in an affectionate manner, hugging it as he did. Afterwards, he moved towards the castle with the manticore following suit along with the other. Ten minutes later, he made it towards the castle where Gilda and Garble were waiting. Along with a familiar face he hadn't seen in a long time.

"What?! You?! You were the pony's pet dragon!" the voice shouted.

Spike simply chuckled and said,

"It's certainly been a long time... Tirek."

He was looking at an anorexic Tirek who was held down in chains. He was held by multiple dragons and griffons to make sure that he couldn't break free from their captivity.

"What do you want, dragon? It seems that you've succeeded in your endeavors with conquering Canterlot. What could you possibly want with me?!" Tirek shouted.

The soldiers held him down in a brutal manner while the manticores growled at Tirek.

"Watch your tongue, Centaur!" one griffon shouted as he held Tirek down.

"He is our savior! So make your words wiser!" a dragon yelled.

Spike stopped them and said,

"You two will only speak when you are permitted in my presence. The next time you speak out, I will see to it that you are severely punished."

"Our apologies, Your Majesty." 

"Let him up." Spike commanded.

They did as he told them and let Tirek up.

"What do you want?" Tirek asked.

"I want you to be the commander of my army. The ponies have all been driven back to the Crystal Empire and they don't have a ghost of a chance in defeating us, but they are unpredictable and wise, so with your strategy and ruthlessness as my commander, we can defeat them with little effort. If you join us, you can bask in unlimited reward. I will give you whatever you want." Spike explained.

The proposition intrigued Tirek, but he had suspicions.

"What are the conditions of this position?" the centaur asked.

"To swear absolute loyalty to me without question. And to see that I have insurance of your loyalty..."

Spike charged towards Tirek, making the latter try to back away from the dragon. But it was too late as the former touched the latter's chest and two serpents came out of his right arm, biting the centaur. Tirek's eyes started to flash as bugs started to burrow inside his body. He screamed as he tried to escape, but it was fruitless. Spike let him go, making Tirek fall on the ground from the impact. But when he came to, he was back in his muscular form. He looked at Spike and kneeled to the ground.

"So what is your wish, Your Highness?" the now corrupted centaur asked.

"Issue a command to my soldiers." Spike simply instructed.

Tirek looked towards a captive pony being held by two hippogriffs. He gave him a devilish grin and said,

"Kill him."

The hippogriffs followed his command and started killing the pony in a brutal manner.

"Kill every single prisoner! We have no use for them." Tirek commanded.

The soldiers saluted him and killed him before going outside to tell every creature to kill the prisoners.

***

Sometime later, there was a gathering inside the castle. They were all sitting down in their chairs. From the regal decorations to the sparkling details, everything was set in order and ceremoniously prepared. There was a crown and the blood stone scepter set in the front. From the way things looked, it appeared to be some form of coronation. A coronation for their king, Spike. They were all whispering amongst themselves about what was going to happen next. Just then, the nobles appeared, causing them to quiet down. Next, Tirek comes in the front and says,

"The king approaches!"

Everybody stands up and wait for Spike to approach. In the next few moments, Spike appeared and he was wearing ceremonious robes made from the finest silk in all of Equestria. Ember clears her throat and comes to the front.

"My fellow subjects, today is a glorious day. For many years, we have been divided. We have been discriminated, shunned, oppressed, and thrown away by those we thought to be our allies! But today, we came together as one as we drove away the scum that held us back for so long. We fought, we pillaged, and we gained back whatever pride we thought to have lost when we were discarded by the ones we thought to have trusted! And today, we grace our lord and savior who brought us together and showed us the error of our ways! Today, we welcome our new king, the Shadow King Bahamut, with open arms!"

Spike knelt down as a hippogriff priest went to get the crown and the blood stone scepter from the pillow. Bringing it forward, another hippogriff priest grabbed them from the pillows and went forward to Spike. But before he could proceed to crown the dragon, Spike got up and crowned himself as well as grab the scepter. Many were shocked by this, but they were too drunk in their religious atmosphere to even care. They all knelt down in reverence to Spike as he raised the scepter.

"Long live the king!" the hippogriff shouted.

"Long live the king! Long live the king! Long live the king..."

Everybody chanted Long live the king as they rose up from their kneeling positions. In mad divine worship, the priests dipped their fingers in the corruptive ooze and flung it around like it was a church gathering. Spike looked on in fierce happiness as he felt everything around was coming to order.
> Falling Out - Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the Corruption grew, Celestia was starting to develop feelings of suspicion towards Twilight. Whenever they would pass by, she would often see Luna and Pinkie with the former discussing about private matters concerning the Corruption. Celestia had no idea why, but they were talking about private matters that didn't concern her. She would often see Twilight and Pinkie come back with bottles containing some form of corrosion. Part of her didn't wish to believe it, but she believed that it was the same corruptive ooze from outside the Crystal Empire. It had to have been true, considering that she was never called in for many meetings. Having had enough of this, she summoned Starlight to her private quarters.

"Yes, Princess?" Starlight asked.

"Have you seen Twilight around?" Celestia asked.

"Not that I know of. Why do you ask, Your Highness?" Starlight asked.

Celestia went towards the door and opened it. She moved her head around to see if there were any eavesdroppers anywhere. After checking, she closed the door and turned towards Starlight.

"Whenever you were out and about, did you see Twilight with some form of container? Anywhere around her bag?" Celestia asked.

"I dunno. I guess it looked like she was hiding something suspicious. But I don't know what's in her bag. Although I may have felt some sort of ugliness in it." Starlight speculated.

"Starlight, there is something I want you to do which goes against everything that I stand for as a princess, but I need you to keep an eye on Twilight. I need you to see what is inside that bag and find out if there is something she's hiding. Once you do, I want you to report it to me immediately. No questions asked." Celestia ordered.

"But what if Twilight and Luna find out about this? Won't they-"

"I will see to that matter myself. I just need you to find out what's inside, so I can figure out what these two are up to. If it really is what I believe it to be, Equestria will be in even more danger than we can fathom."

Starlight had this worried look on her face like Celestia knew something. She couldn't figure out why she was chosen, but she knew better than to question the Sun Princess.

"You know what you must do." Celestia said.

"Of course, Your Majesty." Starlight responded as she bowed.

After she was given a list of instructions on what to do, Starlight left Celestia's room and started looking for Twilight and Pinkie. Moving around the Crystal Empire, she started searching for the two of them. Fifteen minutes later, she found them. They were walking towards the castle where Luna and Cadence were waiting for them. She had no clue as to why they wanted to see the two of them, but she kept moving. Keeping a short distance between them and herself, she started eavesdropping on their conversation. Listening closely on them, she was shocked to learn what was inside the bag. Twilight opened up the bag and showed it to Cadence and Luna. Upon seeing it, her suspicions were confirmed. It was a canister that contained the same corruptive ooze from outside the Crystal Empire.

"How could they..." Starlight thought before ducking her head back.

Having listened to their entire conversation for about a whole hour, the girls left the room to head elsewhere. After they left the premises, Starlight immediately left the throne room and headed to Celestia's quarters. She had no idea how the latter was going to take the news, but the former already knew she was going to be disgusted beyond belief. She entered Celestia's room where the alicorn was waiting to hear what happened.

"What happened? What were they discussing?" Celestia asked.

Not holding back anything, Starlight says,

"I overheard them talking about the various executions they performed on a multitude of creatures to see what they can do to bring ponies back. Twilight was even using some herself to give her more power."

"What?" Celestia asks.

"It's true! They-"

Just then, Celestia interrupts Starlight and says,

"Starlight, I need you to do this for me from now on. I need you to spy on Twilight more and uncover what she plans on doing. Then come to me and tell me everything on what happened. Okay?"

"But what if she-"

"She won't. You were her pupil. I'm sure you'll find a way." Celestia assured.

Looking towards Celestia's door, Starlight knew that she wasn't given a choice on whether or not she wanted to keep spying on Twilight and Pinkie. The very last thing that she wanted to do was become the victim of Twilight's wrath, but she knew better than to disobey the Sun Princess. To her utter reluctance and dismay, Starlight said as she bowed,

"Yes, Princess. It shall be done." 

"And Starlight?" Celestia asked.

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"When the two of us are alone, you have no need to bow."

Feeling embarrassed at having embarrassed herself, Starlight said,

"My apologies."

"No need to apologize. Just keep following Twilight and Pinkie. I need to know whatever's going on behind my back, so that I can confirm whether or not they are keeping this a confidential mission."

"Yes... Princess." Starlight said, albeit uneasily.

"Just relax and act like nothing has happened between us two." Celestia said as she showed Starlight the door.

Day after day, Starlight followed Twilight and Pinkie to the castle, overhearing whatever conversation they were having. It became a habit that eventually cultivated into obsession as Starlight reported every detail to Celestia. Her suspicions grew more and more as she started receiving despicable news on what Twilight was planning to do with the ooze. Having heard enough, Celestia said,

"I want you to bring me a sample. I need to confirm whether or not Twilight is not planning to use this ooze to boost the power of our armies."

"But Celestia... isn't it a little too extreme to-"

"Starlight... if we don't do this, Equestria will be in even more danger than we know. I don't want this on our consciouses. Please, do this for us." Celestia begged.

Knowing that she meant well and not being disrespected in anyway, Starlight said,

"Okay... I'll blow this whole thing wide open, so that we can conclude whether or not Twilight is doing this for nefarious purposes."

"Thank you, Starlight. I wouldn't know what I would do without you."

Starlight nodded with a smile and left Celestia's room. Like always, she followed Twilight and Pinkie. But this time after they finished conversing with Cadence and Luna, Starlight followed Twilight all the way to a room. She had no idea what was going on behind the door, but she needed to go inside. She moved closer and put her ear closer towards the door. But for some reason, she couldn't hear a sound inside. She slowly opened the door to see what was inside, but when she entered, Twilight was nowhere to be seen. Starlight looked around the room. It was creepy and scary to look at. It was filled with nothing but lab equipment, dead bodies, and the same black, corruptive ooze she's seen time and time again. Starlight looked at the corpses and decided to have a look. Upon closer inspection, she was revolted to discover that Twilight was not only teleporting dead bodies, but she was also using the ooze to experiment on them. Knowing that Celestia needed to know about this, Starlight levitated one of the canisters into one of Twilight's bags. But just when she was about to leave, she bumps into Twilight, scaring the wits out of Starlight.

"Hey, Starlight. Whatcha doing?" Twilight asked in a casual, yet eerie tone.
> Falling Out - Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Having run into Twilight before she could leave, Starlight had to stand her ground. The latter had no idea what to do, but she had to play it cool if she wanted to leave. However, Starlight was now beyond angry after seeing what Twilight was doing in the room where she disposed of the bodies.

"So this is where you do your research, huh? To be honest, I was hoping you would work in one of those big labs that I read in a horror book once. I'm very disappointed." Starlight said in a sarcastic manner.

"Well, we can't all get what we want now, can we? But forget about me. Let's talk about you. Why are you in my laboratory?" Twilight asked in a sharp manner.

"Oh, I just thought take a walk around to look at the castle architecture. Very well-designed. I just didn't expect to see a lab such as this."

"Right. So what's in the bag?" Twilight asked.

Starlight turned to the bag that was on her back. She already knew that Twilight would catch on to her trying to leave the laboratory with the canister. But she needed to at least figure out a way to leave without giving herself away.

"I think I should get going now. I have some more spells I need to develop." Starlight said as she moved towards the door.

But before she could leave, Twilight said,

"Wait."

Starlight turned around and asked in a meek manner,

"Yes?"

"When you came in here, you looked like you had something to say to me. What did you want to talk to me about?" Twilight asked as she moved towards Starlight. The latter was already nervous enough trying to get the canister out, but the former was already beginning to figure out what Starlight was doing.

"Would it be too much trouble if took a peek inside the bag?" Twilight asked.

Uh, well..." Starlight said as she tried to figure out a way to leave.

Just then, Pinkie bolted through the door and said,

"Twilight! Luna and Cadence need to see you right now! It's super urgent! Something about a few manticores and a couple timberwolves coming near the Empire! Oh... hi Starlight." Pinkie said with a smile.

"Hey, Pinkie. If it isn't too much girls, I'm gonna go now, okay? It was nice seeing you two again." Starlight said, trying to make it to the door.

Just then, Pinkie stopped her and said,

"But you just got here."

"She's right, Starlight. You don't wanna be rude to us now, do you?" Twilight asked in a smug manner.

"Now's not the time-"

"What's in the bag?" Pinkie asked.

"It's really none of your business, Pinkie Pie." Starlight said as she tried to leave.

"Really? Because it looks to me like you're trying to steal something." Twilight implied.

"Can't I just-"

Just then, Pinkie snuck into Starlight's bag and showed the canister containing the ooze. Starlight was now scared of what was going to come next.

"So you did come her for a reason. Nopony would just come in here without having a clue of what would go on in here." Twilight said as she levitated the canister back to her side.

"Why are you doing this?" Starlight asked.

"I beg your pardon?" Twilight asked.

"Why are you bringing in the stuff that's trying to kill us? Do you realize the risk you are gonna put us through if the ooze gets out?"

"We are doing everything we can to fight back against this developing Anomaly, but sometimes in certain extreme situations, we must fight fire with fire." Twilight explained in a calm, almost robotic manner.

"By risking the safety of the Crystal Empire? Do the others know about this? Do the princesses know about this?" Starlight asked, starting to get angry.

"We're not doing this to hurt you, Starlight. We're just running low on options. Please don't tell anypony." Pinkie pleaded.

"They need to know about this, Pinkie Pie. We could be in much bigger danger if the Corruption gets anywhere." Starlight urged.

"Okay, so if everypony finds out about this, what then?" Twilight asked.

"Huh?"

"Consider the following... Right now, we are focused on trying to fight back against the ongoing Corruption that has now plagued us around Equestria. If everypony found out about this, everything will end up in chaos and turmoil. Do you want that on your conscience?"

"Ha! How rich coming from the pony who banished her very first friend!"

"We can't fix the past, Starlight. Only the present." Twilight said as she headed to the research table.

"Oh, don't give me that crap. Spike is out there and you're just sitting here working on your little science projects with your lab assistant!" Starlight shouted.

Feeling worried about Starlight, Pinkie said as she put her hoof on Starlight's shoulder,

"Starlight-"

"SHUT UP!!!" Starlight yelled.

Pinkie flinched away from Starlight the very moment she shouted.

"I don't care what reason you have for keeping all this from everypony! I am telling Celestia about this!"

"Okay? And what will she do?" Twilight asked in her eerily calm voice.

"What?"

"Let's say that you did tell Celestia about this. If she were to know about this, she would immediately take over all our operations. And if she did, progress would come to a complete halt. All our hard work with holding back the enemy forces will have been for nothing and everything will have been corrupted. Use your brain, Starlight Glimmer. What would you have done?" Twilight asked.

After Starlight thought long and hard about this, she said,

"I wouldn't lie to my friends."

"Then it appears we have reached an understanding."

"You're damned right we have, Princess! We have stood by each other since the day you defeated me, and you have become the very thing I could have become!"

Twilight simply chuckled and said,

"Even if you did tell the truth, who would really believe you? You were once a criminal who nearly destroyed our home with time travel. Nopony will ever listen to you. Wake up, Starlight. We are now living in a world filled with hate. May as well embrace your true nature as the one who nearly destroyed Equestria."

Shocked at having heard Twilight say that, Starlight said with tears nearly pouring out,

"So it seems I was right after all. You really are a hypocrite!"

Having said that, Starlight immediately left the room, walking through the castle where she saw Cadence and Luna.

"Starlight? Why aren't you back in your study?" Luna asked.

"Spare me the idle small-talk, Princess. I already know the truth!" Starlight shouted.

"What?" Luna asked in a worried manner.

"Oh yes. I know everything! The secrecy, the smuggling, the experiments! I learned what you were planning to do with the ooze when you took it underneath the castle!"

"Starlight, you don't understand. We need a way to combat against this Anomaly. Unless we have the Elements of Harmony or Discord, there's nothing we can do to stop this. This is all for the greater good." Cadence reasoned.

"Spare me your greater good crap! All that you're doing is making our lives worse! What if the creature uses it to get inside the Crystal Empire? What if he is using it to spy on us? We could be at greater risk than we think!"

"Starlight, we are all out of options. We are losing more and more ponies to these monsters everyday now and the body count won't cease unless we do something. Do you not understand?"

"I understand that the three of you are going against everything you stand for as Princesses!"

"Starlight, we have no other choice!"

"Screw this!" Starlight yelled before running out of the castle.

"Starlight, wait!" Cadence pleaded.

Before Starlight left, she said in a tearful manner,

"I thought you two were our Princesses."

Finally realizing what has impacted them, Luna shouted,

"Wait! Starlight! Come back!"

Starlight ignored her and just kept moving.

"Starlight!" Cadence shouted with a hint of worry.

Starlight kept moving forward, ignoring everypony that wanted to talk to her. FIve-to-ten minutes later, she made it to Celestia's room.

"Princess?" Starlight asked.

"Yes, Starlight?" Celestia responded.

"I just found something deep within the castle and you won't believe what I have witnessed."

Upon hearing that, Celestia's eyes widened as Starlight proceeded to explain what happened.
> Falling Out - Part 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After being told what she had witnessed and finding what Twilight was doing with the other princesses along with Pinkie Pie, Celestia was beyond mortified. She had always thought that Twilight, Pinkie, Cadence, and Luna were hiding something from her, but she could not have ever imagined the four of them experiment on the dark essence of the Corruption. As she was thinking about what to do, Starlight asked,

"What are we gonna do, Princess? Twilight, Pinkie, and the other two princesses believe this will help fight back against the Anomaly, but if this gets out of hand, Equestria will be destroyed or worse!"

Celestia was still deep in thought about what they were going do next.

"Princess?" Starlight asked.

"I appreciate all that you have done for me, Starlight Glimmer." Celestia said.

"What are you talking about?" Starlight asked as tears slowly started pouring out again.

"Even after all the horrible things that have happened to Equestria and seeing Twilight and her friends go against everything that I stood for as their teacher, you were the only one who stood behind the Principles of Friendship. I could never have been more proud of you than I already am."

"P-Princess? You're not planning on-"

"No. I am just going to talk to them. I am not going anywhere." Celestia assured.

Starlight knew right away that it was a lie, but said nothing.

"I will see to this matter myself. You may go." Celestia said as she headed towards the door.

With that said, Celestia left her room and Starlight was left to worry about what would happen next.

"What have I done..." Starlight said with tears pouring out of her eyes.

***

Making her way towards the castle, the guards attempted to stop her.

"P-Princess, we don't believe it's the best time to-"

Before they could speak any further, Celestia moved them aside and proceeded to head towards the throne room. The other three alicorns were inside. 

"Good evening, ladies. How goes the cause?" Celestia asked in a sarcastic manner.

"Sister...?" Luna asked.

"Ah. How long has it been since the four of us have been together like this. Makes me feel like we're back in Canterlot when Twilight finally became the Princess of Friendship. Isn't it quite nostalgic?"

"Celestia... please-" Cadence said before being interrupted by Celestia.

"But it seems that those day are now long behind us. Due to all the Corruption surrounding us, it seems unlikely that there will be an unlikely chance that we will be celebrating. Right, Twilight?" Celestia asked, looking directly at Twilight.

"I have no idea what you're trying to do Celestia, but it won't work." Twilight said, feeling annoyed.

"What won't work?" Celestia asked in a clueless manner.

"The idea of you trying to figure out what we're planning. Right now, you are all that's keeping our spirits up. So for your own good, please-"

"For my own good? I thought I was the Sun Princess?"

"Sister..." Luna said.

"A little birdie told me that you were taking something inside the Crystal Empire. Said it looked like the same ooze that has corrupted Equestria. Care to show me this ooze?" Celestia asked, now looking at Twilight's bag.

The girls were now nervous as they now know that Celestia is aware of the ooze.

"Sister, I don't think-"

"Please, I insist. It would be our little secret."

"Princess... I think it would be for the best if you returned to your room." Twilight warned.

"Is that a threat, I hear? I just wanted to see since we're all princess. Are we not princesses?"

"Celestia, we're planning something right now and we need focus if we want this to succeed."

"Then how do you explain this?" Celestia asked, levitating the canister out of Twilight's bag.

Everypony was shocked to see that Celestia knew all along that they were hiding the ooze. Now knowing that they were keeping this all a secret from, Celestia was angrier more than ever.

"Sister... I know that this is quite a shock to you, but-"

"But what? We were having some fun catching up with each other." Celestia said.

"I think you should leave now, Princess." Twilight said with angry undertones.

"You know what I think, Twilight? I think you are out of your mind for bringing this inside the Crystal Empire." Celestia said, starting to get angry.

"Celestia, we have run out of options. If we don't do something about this-"

"Then what? We lose everypony here? Please tell me that was a joke, Cadence. Because I missed the point of it!"

"Sister, many are dying and unless we study on this ooze, we will lose more by everyday's end."

"Don't worry, Princess. We are doing completely fine without you." Twilight said in a condescending manner.

"And this is what you qualify as fine?! Holding secret meetings without me?! Risking the lives of everypony in the Crystal Empire?! I can't believe you are stooping to bringing in the very same essence that destroyed our kingdom!" Celestia shouted.

"Sister, we don't have any other choice left! We chose to keep this a secret from you because we already knew you would object to this! And it seems you have proved our suspicions correct." Luna said.

"I guess you haven't really changed much from after Twilight saved you from Nightmare Moon, sister." Celestia said with a scowl on her face.

"Sister...!"

Celestia turned towards Cadence and said,

"Have you forgotten that it was I who helped you get married in Canterlot before Chrysalis took over?"

"Celestia, we-"

"And you! I taught you everything I knew! I made you my apprentice because I knew within my heart that you would spread the lesson of Friendship far and wide from beyond Equestria! How could you have twisted and mangled all that I have taught you?! Using your friends to benefit your very needs and to see the ends of your own agenda! You were supposed to be the one different from all my other apprentices!!!" Celestia yelled with tears in her eyes.

Celestia turned her head away from the others as she headed for the door. But before she could leave, Luna stopped her and said,

"Sister..."

Celestia turned towards Luna and said in a tearful manner,

"I thought we were sisters..."

Hearing this shattered Luna's heart entirely as Celestia exited the throne room with her nerve. Twilight looked onwards in disappointment while Cadence felt worried about what would happen next.

***

After Celestia left the throne room, Twilight stops her and says,

“You know I’m right about this. If we don’t do something about this, Equestria will be in even greater danger than you know. Besides… someone got to act and it's clearly not you…”

Celestia stopped and turned towards Twilight. Few seconds later, she slaps Twilight in the face, shocking the two Alicorn Princesses.

“I can’t believe I ever made you my faithful student. Everything I taught you… everything I entrusted… wasted when you banished him. I thought you were different from all my other apprentices. But apparently, I was wrong.” Celestia said in an upset manner.

Twilight was surprised by her sudden action but at the same time, had no emotion to what just happened. “If you leave, you'll only be proving me right.” she said coldly.

Having heard enough of Twilight’s cold behavior, Celestia storms out of the castle and leaves the Crystal Empire.

As Celestia left, Starlight was hiding behind the doorway. Having listened in on the entire conversation, she was incredibly heartbroken to hear that Celestia was finally leaving the war. The girls were not sure about what would happen next now that Celestia left, but they knew that they had to keep doing what they can to further their studies on this black ooze and to see if they can find out ways to use it as a weapon against the Corruption.
> Grim Reaper
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Six months have passed since the darkness took over Equestria. Various armies from different cities were contacted and warned to defend themselves and their people from the oncoming threat of the Shadows, but many were decimated in no more than a few months, save the remaining couple that were still keeping surviving due to the fact that the huge dragons were occupied with scouting. The Crystal Empire has now become central command of operations with everypony waiting to carry out their orders.

Rainbow Dash was in front of a crowd full of new recruits, ready to speak.

"Listen up, maggots! Today is your baptism into the art of war! If you want to beat these shadows and take Equestria back, then you better listen! Up until now during your time in boot camp, you have been nothing but two-timing, horseshoe tossing, unorganized, oat-munching, candy-crunching, party-going, clopping pieces of horse-shit! Out there, you're the main course! Ready to be eaten up by any carnivorous monster you may encounter! Out there, you're about as useful as a foal with a doll in its mouth! But if you cooperate, if we work together, we will all be one step closer to regaining our beloved Equestria! Do you turds understand!"

"Sir, yessir!" the recruits shouted.

"Bullshit! I couldn't hear you! Sound off like you got a pair!"

"SIR, YES SIR!!!" the recruits shouted again.

After her speech, Rainbow Dash proceeded to head towards the castle, accompanied by Spitfire and Soarin.

"Everypony seems eager to give those creatures hell for what they did to our lands." Spitfire said, looking at the recruits.

"Who can blame them? Most of their loved ones were either eaten or butchered. But we only have so much more to lose, concerning our supplies." Soarin said.

"Our spirit doesn't come from supplies and materials, Soarin. It comes from our spirits." Rainbow Dash asserted.

"That wasn't what I was saying, Rainbow Dash. Ever since the Corruption spread across Equestria, we have been losing more and more than we can gain. It's like playing Buckball against a tidal wave. If the princess was here, she would have told us to keep fighting until we die." Soarin lamented.

"You got that right. Ever since Celestia left, the statistics have been growing more and more." Spitfire said.

"Hmm. Well, she's still alive and it's all that matters. Besides, we still have the other princesses. We're not out of the game yet."

"I suppose..." Spitfire said as they kept moving.

In the medical area, Fluttershy was tending to the wounded who returned to the Empire with Rarity taking care of the patients.

"Are there anymore we need to tend to?" Fluttershy asked, looking at Rarity.

"So far, few are wounded, but more and more, we are receiving casualties on a massive scale." Rarity answered.

"Oh, dear Celestia..." Fluttershy said as the body bags moved by.

"It's bad enough that we are losing more soldiers, but we are losing the war everyday and we haven't even begun to suffer the consequences." Rarity said as the bodies kept moving.

"If only Celestia were here..."

"We still have more to take care of before we can lower the curtain to those fiends. But even so, we're running on fumes."

Regaining her composure, Fluttershy asked,

"Has Coco returned with the medical supplies yet?"

"No, but Sassy is currently looking over who we have lost."

"Celestia... just where are you...?" Fluttershy asked herself.

In the control room, Applejack was in the command center, hearing and receiving orders on what to do next while trying to maintain order.

"What's happening out there?" Applejack asked.

"So far, we have lost Saddle Arabia and right now, Baltimare is currently under attack by griffons while Cloudsdale is awaiting its imminent invasion by the dragons! What should we do?" Minuette asked.

"Hmm. Tell them to stand by until I can figure out what to do. Where are they at right now?"

"We don't know yet, but they might be attacked by the dragons."

"Oh give us strength, Celestia..." Applejack said with sorrow.

In her own study, Starlight was busy trying to concoct new spells so that she could help boost the unicorns' defense and offense as well as her own.

"Okay... so if I add this... then this…” She turned towards a book that was related to the spell she was working on. "Ah. So if I..." She mixed in a liquid that seemed to mesh in with the other. Then it blew up to her roof. "Yes! A new spell!” Just then, she heard a knock on her door. "Yes?" Starlight answered.

"Can I come in?" the voice asked.

"Door's open!" Starlight replied.

In came Moon Dancer, who was waiting to receive the spell for her research team.

"Is it ready?" Moon Dancer asked.

"Just about. Although I would need to run a few tests on it. Care to join me?"

Moon Dancer nodded and proceed to help Starlight with the new spell. But as Moon Dancer was looking at the book, she said,

"It's a shame, you know."

"Huh?" Starlight asked.

"Celestia would know what to do if she were helping us."

In a depressed manner upon hearing that, Starlight said,

"Yeah..."

"But what's up with Twilight? I haven't seen her since the outbreak started."

"Who knows? But all we can do is keep moving forward and hope we can win this."

"Yeah..." Moon Dancer said.

After conversing with one another, the two shifted their focus towards working on the spell.

"It's really come a long way..." Starlight said as she and Moon Dancer proceeded to test it.

Luna was up in the throne room with Luna and Shining Armor as they were waiting for a call from Sunset Shimmer.

"Do you think she's still okay?" Shining Armor asked.

"She is. If she has been out there this long, we should be hearing from her soon." Luna said.

Just then, they heard a spell ring. They answer and Sunset appeared.

"Sunset? Are you okay?" Cadence asked.

"I'm dandy, princess. Just trying to catch my breath." Sunset said as she panted.

"What happened?" Luna asked.

After catching her breath, Sunset regained her composure and said,

"Well, I was able to evade a group of dragons and griffins with a pack of angry manticores. Other than that, I have nothing new to report. Other than escaping by the skin of my teeth. But I did gain some info."

"I see. Would you care to share it with us?" Shining Armor asked.

Sunset took a deep breath, explaining what was going on while she was spying on the group. Going deep into detail about what they were talking, the three were shocked to discover that they have made plans for another invasion.

"So they are planning to destroy Los Pegasus next. Has the army been notified of this?" Luna asked, turning towards a captain.

"Not to my knowledge, Your Highness." the captain responded.

"Head to Rainbow Dash and tell her what we have received." Luna ordered.

"Yes, Your Majesty." the captain said before exiting the throne room.

Turning towards Sunset, Luna asked, "Are you okay? How are you doing out there?"

"It's worse than we imagined. Everywhere I see, there's nothing but this Corruption. More and more, the creatures win one battle after the other and I even overheard a hippogriff say that they would hope to turn Ponyville into a weapons plant. I just feel as if we're fighting something bigger than us." Sunset said.

"I understand, Sunset. And you have done a marvelous job at holding your ground, but we are doing everything we can to fight back against this enemy. We have no idea who the leader is, but a survivor told us that they refer to him as their king. But we can't be too sure yet." Luna said.

Feeling as if this was going nowhere, Sunset asks, "How is your sister? I haven't seen heard much from her ever since I left the Crystal Empire."

Hearing this suddenly depressed Luna. As she started to recall her sister leave the Empire after finding out what Twilight and Pinkie were doing.

"I don't know. I still feel her essence. But it's been a long time since the two of us spoke. Though I am to blame for keeping this all from her." Luna said in a sad manner.

"Luna, what you were doing wasn't your fault. We were just out of options." Sunset said.

"I know. But every time I think of her, I feel nothing but her anger when she found out what we've been doing to the prisoners. And what we've been doing with Pinkie for that matter... I feel sick to my stomach whenever Twilight comes back with more souls."

"I know what you're doing is twisted, but you're only doing what is best for us. All of us. You can't keep blaming yourself for keeping all this from Celestia. She would have figured it all out eventually."

"You're right. But even then..."

"We'll deal with it after we win. For now, we just have to play our cards and hope that we can get through this without losing any more ponies. Just try not to lose faith, okay?"

Hearing this, Luna gives Sunset a small smile and says,

"You have really come a long way from your cruelty. I could never be more proud than I am now."

Just when Sunset was about to speak, she suddenly heard rustling.

"I've gotta go. Stay safe, princess." Sunset whispered before deactivating the spell.

Luna turned towards the outside and looked at the Corruption that surrounded the entire Crystal Empire.

"I hope you're right, Sunset Shimmer..." Luna said as she looked at the Corruption.

Outside the castle, Pinkie and Twilight were both getting ready to head outside. But this time, they appeared to be different. They were wearing black cloaks with an assortment of gear as well as Twilight keeping a canister of some sorts. But what made them more distinct was that they were carrying scythes by their side. Greeted by two guards as they let the door open, Twilight asked in a calm manner,

"Ready, partner?"

"When you are, partner!" Pinkie replied in an enthusiastic manner.

With that said, the two exited the Crystal Empire, ready to take on their enemies for their souls.
> Arc 2 - Power
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

He was backed away in a corner. Panicked in ways that he could not comprehend. Fearing for his life, Spike clapped his hands, kneeled on his legs, and lowered his head.

“You don’t seriously think praying will save you, right?” Spike’s darker half asked. “I would give up on that if I were you. They were the ones who exiled you, remember?”

Spike didn’t answer. He kept his attention on to the single piece of the gem Rarity gave him.

“Please forgive me for what I’ve done. I try to fight back the darkness within my heart… I’ll break out of this eternal darkness and forgive them should I get the chance but… I will fight it. It’s difficult to forgive somepony for unreasonable accusations... I try to. I really do but when I do even the most minor problem, it all seems to fall onto me and I get blamed for it... I become so angry, so filled with hate… I only wish I could do something about it…” He said with sweat beading from his head.

He then remembers the time spent as a baby dragon with Twilight and all the good times they had. He even remembers the times when Twilight took care of him, raised him and even fed him.

“You’re doing great, Spike. We’re almost there.”

But then he remembered what he saw through the corrupt door back during the crystal empire. The fear of being left alone or being betrayed.

“Twilight… D-Don’t leave me… Please… I-I didn’t want…”

“Spike? Are you okay? I-”

“Try as you might, your heart knows that this is an illusion. I’m the only one who accepted you when your friends didn’t. I was there when your so-called friend picked that Owl over you. I was there when that marshmallowed pony rejected you. I was always there for you,” His darker side said, holding Spike’s head up.

He remembered those events. All too well. It felt like a bad dream. The first time in particular as frightening.

“... Why do you continue to cry out for help? Why do you waste your time begging for their approval?”


“N-No! I-I just… I just want-”

“What do you desire?”


“I-I want to feel important! I want to be strong!”

The demon thought for a moment about what he said. Then he looked at Spike.

“...I see… Fine, I’ll help you. I’ll make sure you get your power, your charisma and become the strongest dragon there is…” It smiled a cruel smile as it added, “Just don’t show your friends any quarter…”


Spike nodded and accepted the darkness, albeit, with hesitation. It had been around since the beginning of his birth. However, he hadn’t been through rough and true hardship before that day. It attempted to get out more and more but could never find the strength to do so. The only way for it to get out… was for him to have nothing else to lose.
> Reunion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Six months have passed since the Corruption began. Celestia left the Crystal Empire and is nowhere to be seen. For the past few months, casualties have been rising on a colossal scale. Everypony was starting to lose hope. Luna sent Twilight and Pinkie to find her sister. However, Twilight told Pinkie to stay behind in case if there was an attack. Pinkie did as she was told and waited. With that, Twilight proceeded to move onwards.

“So this must be where it’s been feasting for the past few months…” Twilight looked around the Everfree Forest with her scythe near her. “A place that is rarely used by others… I’ve had no reason to search here since there hadn’t been any reports of casualties nor any missing parties.” As she kept walking, she felt a strange source of magic nearby. It felt faint at first. But then it started to become familiar. “A field… It seems this was the cause of why this part of the area was undetectable…” She casted a spell on the force field, causing the barrier to dissolve. “Even though it was hard to find, it was shocking how easy it was to remove… Perhaps it was weaken? No matter. Time to find it and end this once and for all… However…” She moved forward to follow the source. It felt familiar to her. Like she had felt this magic before. She had seen it before. “I can’t shake this feeling… This presence… Why is it so familiar…?”

She kept looking around for the source. Paving around for the next fifteen minutes. It strained to no end but she knew had to keep her mind on two things: Finding the monster and… finding the princess. It was Twilight’s top priority.

“I don’t know if it’s destiny or cruel irony… that after all these months… I would find you in a place that reeks of death… yet, life is present in your wake,” She said with morbidness in her voice.

Celestia was shocked that she was found. Much less by her own pupil. She scowled at her the moment Twilight found her. As Twilight came closer, the grass around her withered away.

“...I thought I smelled death lurking around,” Cestia said coldly.

Twilight however didn’t seemed fazed by her lack of care. It was something she threw out a long time ago. Her own empathy for others.

“I’m here looking for the monster and yet, I somehow find you here. The entire empire has been looking for you for the past six months.” She said with an emotionless grin. Celestia didn’t respond and started to glow her horn. Getting ready to fire at Twilight. “What’s wrong? Are you not use to seeing your student being the Grim Reaper? Am I-”

Before she could finish her comment, a beam of light was sent towards him. She barely manage to avoid it but it left a mark on her face. “It seems your not happy to see me.” She looked behind her and the light that was sent hit the tree and was restored to its original state. “I guess you managed to recover since the last time…”

“Leave… Or I will not be so merciful with my attacks…” Celestia said with anger in her voice. “I will not go back to a place that reeks of death!”

“Interesting… Considering the fact that you have fought countless wars. Now that I’ve found you, everything will fall into place…” She pulled out her scythe and pointed it to her.” “and I will not take no for an answer.”

Celestia was surprised by Twilight’s lack of care. Along with her own lack of self-respect. Still, she was determined to stay. Twilight sighed and seemed disappointed by her answer.

“Ever since Spike disappeared and this monster appeared, you’ve been acting strange. Keeping secrets, always leaving, and never seeing your friends. I didn’t question it at first since you’ve never gave me a reason to. However, once you ran away, I could no longer ignore your agenda. Ponies started disappearing left and right, the whole empire started falling apart and with Luna and Rainbow Dash doing damage control, I had to take on the task of going as the undertaker. Since everypony was to scared to act, I took the role of the Grim Reaper. You’re just played hooky,” she said with a scowl on her voice.

Celestia was taken aback by her statements. All it did was enrage her more. She started to attack. Upon firing a beam, Twilight activated a barrier. The shot deflected and hit a tree branch.

Several minutes had passed and they both grew tired. But they still kept their demeanors.They both seemed to have calmed down and Celestia spoke.

“You shouldn’t have come here, Twi- Grim Reaper… Don’t you know that death is forbidden in this area?” She asked.

Twilight made a slight chuckle when she said that. “That would imply that everypony loved death to begin with. Everypony hates the thought of dying or someone close to them dying so it why does it matter now?” she asked.

Celestia was surprised about how calm her former student was about her role. She could never have felt this disgusted before. Much less, at her former student.

“In any case, now that you’ve calmed down, I can explain why I’m here.” Twilight sat down and teleported her scythe away. “I’m not here because I was looking for you… Well, not directly anyways. I was looking for the monster that had been reported nearby the Everfree Forest and there’s something else…”

Celestia had a concerned but confused look on her face. Like Twilight was hiding something. “What is it?” she asked.

“The monster has the ability to corrupt other lifeforms and use them as an army. That much is certain… Currently, we’ve only got one of them imprisoned. Unfortunately, it’s too wild to get any useful info out of it and with no other leads, I’ve had no choice but to take action and find you so that it doesn’t happen any further. But there is one more thing I need to say…” She closed her eyes and asked, “You hadn’t seen any of them out here, have you…? Like, any sort of black liquid?”

Celestia was shocked to hear Twilight mention that. After all this time, she had not seen any of it. Not even in her own forest.

“What?! A form of black liquid?! Did you sneak any with you?!” Celestia asked angrily.

“I haven’t done anything… not yet anyway. That’s reminds me… Since you can cure just about anything, would you come back to the empire and heal the creature? It could save us the trouble of having to take drastic measures to obtain information,” Twilight said, filled with malice.

She could not believe what she was hearing. To see the monster that Twilight has become. Celestia felt insulted and used like she was a bloodhound.

“Why would I help you!? You’ve used the dead for your own selfish needs! You don’t deser-”

“And you call me unreasonable…” Twilight answered calmly.

Celestia went silent upon hearing Twilight say that. Like she had just become deaf.

“I guess it’s pointless to ask you about the creature's whereabouts. If it were here, it would have to be…” Twilight got up and dusted herself off. “I guess bringing you back by force won’t work so I’ll report back to the empire and tell them about what I found… Not counting your whereabouts of course,” she said.

As Twilight was about to leave, Celestia raised her magic levels. “You will get only one warning… If you ever come back without Spike or if I find out that you murdered anypony dear to me… you will be shown no quarter. Understand?” she asked as her eyes glowed.

Twilight looked back at her, then she smirked. As if Celestia was telling a bad joke.

“I hate to spoil your mood any further but if memory serves, I no longer answer to you. Besides, where’s there’s life, there’s death and if I find out you’ve been helping the creature in any way, shape or form... you will not find any mercy from me…”

“How dare-”

Before she could finish her response, Twilight had teleported away. Celestia was unsurprised to see things haven’t changed. At least not ever since she left the Crystal Empire. Not since the day they ended their friendship.
> Statistics
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

She was back in her previous location where she started. Just then, she heard shouting. She turned around and noticed that it was Pinkie Pie.

“Oh, hey there Twilight! Any luck?” Pinkie asked.

She shook her head. “I check around again for the creature but it seems to have disappeared. For the most part, everything seems to be okay,” Twilight answered.

“Well, I’m glad your okay. Did you find anything exciting?” Pinkie asked.

There was a short pause in Twilight’s response. Almost as if she had a thought about the past. “It seems she’s really insisting on finding him…”

“Hmm?” Pinkie asked.

After making her way back to the Empire, she went towards the castle to see if anypony had anything to report on the location of the monster. Upon moving forward, she bumped into Fluttershy.

“Oh hey, Twilight. How are you?” Fluttershy asked, holding some medical supplies with her wings.

“Did you happen to find any results, Fluttershy?” Twilight bluntly asked.

Hearing that nearly made Fluttershy drop her medical supplies.

“Uh, no Twilight. Not yet.” Fluttershy said, glancing around for anything bad.

“Hmm. Well, head to the medical room. The patients need treatment.”

Fluttershy nodded her head and dashed towards the medical room with the medical supplies in hoof. After Fluttershy left, Twilight went forward to the throne room to see if there were any updates. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were waiting.

“What do you have so far, Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked.

“Right now, every scout hasn’t found much on a lead, but we did find some ooze from a dead griffin.” Rainbow Dash reported.

“Any leads yet?”

“Right now, we’re having the research department look over the remains to see what has caused the griffin to change. It may take some time, so be patient until we have results.”

Twilight nodded at Rainbow Dash, then turned towards Applejack.

“How is morale, Applejack?” she asked.

“So far, everypony’s doin’ fine, but they all seem to be shaky due to that monster recently overwhelming Los Pegasus.” Applejack responded.

“Is that right? Any survivors?”

“Only a few, but they seem to be traumatized by the events that unfolded in Pegasus.”

“I see. Once they’ve calmed down, see if you can get any answers on where it’ll strike next.”

“Can do, Twilight!”

After going over their reports, both Applejack and Rainbow Dash, leaving Twilight to go to the throne room. As she was walking towards the castle, she noticed Starlight concentrating on some sort of spell as she was glowing her horn.

“How are the unicorns, Starlight?” Twilight asked.

“I’m showing them how to concentrate a single blast of magic from a faraway distance against any dragons that they may stumble upon.”

“Hmm. Carry on then.”

Starlight nodded at Twilight before she left, but not before turning her head and giving her a worried look. She had no idea long it has been since she has been able to speak to Twilight directly, but she knew that Twilight had became a shadow of whom she once was. Then she turned back to her spell. Twilight kept moving about towards the castle to report what has happened on her assignment. As she kept moving, she had thoughts about the times when she was with her friends. It turned her stomach to know that she can’t be with them in these times, but she had a responsibility to attend to. Just then, she bumped into Rarity.

“Rarity?” Twilight asked, picking her scythe up.

“Oh, Twilight! It’s good to see you again. How was the outside world?” Rarity asked, putting up a fake smile.

“Wonderful. How is everypony doing right now?”

“So far, we have evacuated another twenty more ponies from Equestria unscathed, but we are beginning to run out of room for most of the shelters, unfortunately.”

“I see. Are we still lucky?”

“Well, the barrier is still holding, but the anomaly is getting stronger and stronger everyday now. To be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get any cracks.”

“Hmm. Anyway, I have to report to Luna and Cadence. Keep taking care everypony that comes in and be sure that the barrier is still holding.”

“Very well, Twilight.”

Twilight kept moving on towards the castle and this time, hoping that there won’t be any interruptions. After making her way towards the front entrance, she was ready to open the door. But suddenly, Pinkie Pie came crashing on Twilight just when she was about to grab the handle.

“Ow! Pinkie!” Twilight shouted in an infuriated manner.

“Sorry Twilight! I was about to head into the castle.” Pinkie said in a happy, yet embarrassed manner.

Twilight shrugged as Pinkie helped her off the ground when they opened the door. After entering the castle, Twilight asked,

“So how many souls have you found?”

“Right now, I seemed to have found ten, but the rest of them were corrupted. I looked around for the rest of the souls, but they were already taken.” Pinkie responded.

“I see. Have you reported yourself yet?”

“No. I was just about to. At least before I bumped into you. But now that you’re here, we can kill two birds with one stone!”

Twilight rolled her eyes upon hearing that. After finally entering the castle, the two started walking to the throne room.

“What about you, Twilight? How goes your current escapade?” Pinkie asked, bouncing to the castle.

“Right now, I’ve found around fifteen souls, but the anomaly’s getting stronger. Everyday, the barrier looks as if it is ready to shatter. The monster behind it all is now more dangerous than ever.” Twilight responded.

“Ha! No kidding. The ooze coming from Everfree Forest nearly had me there.”

Twilight gave her a surprised look when Pinkie mentioned what had almost happened to her. But then she remembered that it was Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie, so she just brushed it off. But she did feel something off. Not a terrible feeling, but Pinkie was feeling a little off. A little too off.
> Report
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight and Pinkie walked through the Crystal Empire over to the castle. They were ready to meet their quotas. After making their way towards the throne room, they saw Cadence, Luna, and Shining Armor waiting for them.

“Twilie!” Shining Armor shouted, rushing over to hug Twilight.

For some odd reason, Twilight doesn’t seem to feel any sort of affection Shining Armor is displaying towards her. But not wanting to bring any form of pain to him, she backs away from him. Shining Armor was taken aback by this form of action, but he understood why she did so. Twilight went towards Cadence and Luna to report.

“Have you found any souls in Equestria?” Luna asked.

“Fifteen. Though there are more to be desired if it weren’t for the Anomaly.” Twilight confirmed.

“That’s more than enough for today. But our soldiers are currently doing everything in their power to keep the darkness’ creatures from destroying the barrier.”

“She’s right. So far, the dragons have decimated the entire Pegasus forces in Cloudsdale, the griffons have made short work of the army stationed in Vanhoover, and now most of the yaks have been corrupted with the other percent trying to find shelter elsewhere, or so we’ve heard. Even the Changelings didn’t stand a chance against the anomaly. I’ve yet to hear anything back from the Hippogriffs, but from what I’ve been hearing, half of them have already been corrupted, including Queen Novo. The only silver lining was that Princess Skystar managed to escape, though we do not know when. The recon team is still trying to find clues on her whereabouts.” Cadence said in a solemn voice.

“Everywhere I go, there’s nothing but bad news coming around here now.” Pinkie said, feeling bummed out.

“Well, ever since this anomaly started, we have been trying to keep everypony’s spirits up and doing whatever we can to fight back, but the Corruption is ceaseless. No matter what plan we implement, we get trampled over by that monster in Canterlot.”

“Recently, I’ve received a report that it made himself into Equestria’s new king and is doing everything within its power to blanket Equestria into a massive sea of corruption for all its subjects. I have no idea how it managed to rally all the creatures outside Equestria, but its motives seemed to have swooned them all into its favor.” Shining Armor said.

“And it managed to turn Equestria into Hell.”

Everypony solemnly remembered what has transpired when the creature first appeared. The nightmare that occured was when the creatures started invading Equestria and obliterated nearly half the armies that protected their cities.

“So what do we do next?” Twilight asked.

“Right now, Rainbow Dash has sent out a rescue party for Princess Skystar and Applejack is trying to find a way to bring the survivors back. The unfortunate part is that we’re running short on room.” Luna said.

“And the creature is relentless in bringing everypony to it’s side. It even has patrolling the Everfree Forest as it’s watch dogs. The manticores are even kept as his own personal pets. Any creature that disobeys or betrays it usually feeds them to the manticores. At least that was what one of the survivors told me.” Shining Armor said.

“Hmm. Anything else?” Twilight asked.

“Unfortunately, that’s all we have right now. Until we gain more intel on what to do next, you and Pinkie Pie are off-duty.” Luna said.

Both Pinkie and Twilight nodded and left the castle. But before Twilight and Pinkie could leave, Luna asked,

“About my sister… is she okay?”

Keeping her secret, Twilight responded,

“She’s fine. She’s not willing to come back just yet.”

“I see. Well, if you see her again, tell her that her dear sister misses her and really wants her back at the castle.” Luna pleaded.

Twilight nodded and left the castle with Pinkie. After going out the door, Pinkie asked,

“So what’re you gonna do, Twilight?”

“I’m gonna patrol the streets for awhile. I need to make sure that any corruption didn’t make its way into our sanctuary. But more importantly… there’s a certain pony that I need to visit.” Twilight said.

“Oh. Well, have fun!” Pinkie said as she pranced away.

After Pinkie left, Twilight strolled around the Empire to see if there was any trouble lurking about. After a whole hour of searching, Twilight called in quits. She went back to her room in the castle and laid on her bed. The words that Celestia spewed at her sparked her interest. She had no idea what she meant by ‘black ooze’, but she had a good idea where it could lead. She decided that she would investigate the matter tomorrow. She may not have a clue as to what Celestia was hiding, but she would do what she could and get to the bottom. Even if it meant that the latter was hiding something that could cripple the Empire.

As for Starlight, she was still keeping an eye on Twilight. Even after Celestia’s departure from the Crystal Empire, Starlight made it her own mission to keep an eye on Twilight, especially after figuring what she was doing with the bodies. Starlight had always known that her former teacher was keeping secrets, but she never knew that she would never do anything as twisted or conniving as haul away the corrupting ooze from outside Equestria. As she kept moving, Starlight ran into Moon Dancer.

“Hey, Starlight. Do you have that new spell we’ve been working on together?” Moon Dancer asked.

“Not right now, Moon Dancer. I’m on a mission right now.” Starlight answered.

“Mission for what?” Moon Dancer wondered as Starlight eyed Twilight.

“Listen. I know what I’m doing isn’t part of saving Equestria, but I’m keeping an eye on Twilight for personal reasons.”

Dumbfounded by Starlight’s remark, Moon Dancer asks,

“Which are…?”

Knowing that Moon Dancer wouldn’t leave her alone now that she told her, Starlight said,

“Okay… I’m gonna tell you something that’s gonna make you angry, but you have to promise that you never tell this to anypony else. Do you promise?”

After receiving a subtle nod from Moon Dancer, Starlight grabbed the former and whispered in her ear. Five minutes later, Starlight was finished explaining everything to Moon Dancer was beyond shocked to learn about what Twilight was doing the entire time. Moon Dancer stuttered,

“How… How could she…? How could she…? We need to do something about this! More and more she does this, she’s gonna-!”

But before Moon Dancer could speak any further, Starlight covered her mouth to keep her from yelling out loud.

“Shh! You’re gonna give yourself away. Look, I know what she’s doing is beyond sickening, but now that you know, you have to keep this to yourself. If she finds out what you’ve heard, you could be imprisoned or worse. Do you want that?” Starlight reasoned.

After thinking this over a little, Moon Dancer reluctantly nodded and Starlight moved her hoof off the former’s mouth.

“What’re we gonna do?” Moon Dancer whispered.

“Right now, you are gonna keep doing more research on more magic spells while I am gonna keep an eye on Twilight to see if she’s doing anything funny.” Starlight answered.

“What? But if she’s doing something and she found out, then-”

“She won’t. Which is perfect for me to keep gathering more information on her. Do you understand?”

“I suppose…”

“Then keep doing what you’re doing. But for the time being, I’m gonna keep an eye on Twilight. So just leave it to me. Okay?”

Having no other choice and knowing that their chances were limited, Moon Dancer gave Starlight a reluctant nod and left her to do more research on magical spells. Seizing this opportunity, Starlight slipped away, sneaking around the castle and went near Twilight’s room to spy on her. But after peeking in on Twilight sleeping, Starlight realized that her shift was over, leaving her no other choice but to return to her quarters. After making her way back to her room, Starlight immediately began doing research on the ooze.

“Just what are you hiding, Twilight…?” Starlight wondered as she started researching the corrupting ooze.
> Amends
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight left the empire once more to find Celestia. After an hour, she made it to her garden. Celestia was less than pleased to see her.

“Didn’t I tell you if you came back-”

“I’m aware of your idle threat, Princess of Life… However, I’m here to do some more investigating before I move on,” Twilight said as she interrupted Princess Celestia's comment. “Just go on about what you were doing. I won’t get in the way.”

Reluctantly, she allowed her to stay but made sure to watch her every move. Celestia had no idea what Twilight was thinking nor what she was planning. For all she knew, Twilight could be a double. After some time had passed, she asked, “So what is it your really looking for anyway? I don’t-”

“I thought this would be a good thing. Or would you rather me go off and tell your sister where you’ve been hiding? Or better yet, be taking more lives?” Twilight asked in a sarcastic, cruel manner.

Princess Celestia glared at her but knew she had a point. It was better she was near her than have her former student wandering around unnoticed.

“...So be it. Do what you came for,” she answered, trying to keep a stern front.

She continued to heal the forest amongst other things around her as Twilight looked at the decorated flora. As she looked at the trees, Celestia kept a close eye on her. She had no idea what Twilight was going to do.

“So why did you leave the empire? Was it because of me? Because of Luna? Or maybe because of-”

“I would rather not talk about this…” Celestia said in a huff.

Twilight chuckled nonchalantly as Celestia watered the plants. It was making sweat trickle down from Celestia.

“Keeping secrets will only make things worse. If you insist on playing hide and seek, I’ll have no choice but to go-”

“If you continue to bring him up, I will end you where you stand,” Celestia said, glowing her horn.

“And what would happen if I leaked where you’ve been hiding all this time? Or better yet, what you have been really doing?” Twilight asked with a smug grin.

“You wouldn’t…” Celestia said bitterly.

“It matters little what happens to me but I’m trying to restore the world, a world you failed to protect because of your incompetence. I bet Princess Luna would be peeved if I told her what  you’ve are. My death for your capture would be a payoff i’m willing to give if it comes down to it,” Twilight said giving her a devilish grin.

Celestia glowed her horn even brighter upon hearing Twilight say that. Likewise, Twilight glowed her horn in anticipation.

“She has no bearing on the matter- and she would most certainly not approve of this,” she said with fury in her voice.

Twilight paused for a moment upon hearing that. Then she grinned once again. “So I suggest you either come with me or risk fighting an entire army of angry corrupted ponies,” she said with malice in her voice.

Celestia’s covered her mouth after hearing Twilight’s threat. This caused her horn to glow more brighter. “Are you… blackmailing me?”

Silence fell upon both of them as one just watched and one prepared. At this point, it was like moths coming for flames. They each knew who was planning in their heads.

“I wouldn’t go that far and say it is… Besides,” she stopped moving and sat down as she added, “If you were to be captured, then what excuse will I have to not be stuck at the empire or take more lives from everypony?” She looked at her former teacher an with a hint of sadness, she said, “You’re the whole reason my life has been easier...”

Princess Celestia caught the moment of sadness from her lips. At that moment, Celestia stopped glowing her horn. She moved towards Twilight, yet still being wary. At first, she was angry at Twilight for trespassing and even blackmailing. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized that her student hated doing what she was doing. It felt like poison oak that wouldn’t go away.

“Your implying… that you hate your ’job’,” she said with a hint of sympathy.

Twilight caught her self pity and stopped herself. She stopped glowing her horn as well. “It’s not a job I prefer but somepony has to do it,” she said half-heartedly.

She went back to her research on more of the flora. It felt serene when they stopped fighting. It was like a picnic in some grassy plain. It just felt too captivating to ignore.

“So you really like it out here, huh?” Twilight asked.

“I do. It’s peaceful and none of the animals here are corrupt,” Celestia answered happily.

Twilight smirked at her comment. Like Celestia was telling a joke. “Peaceful you say? Clearly you hadn’t seen what goes on outside your barrier,” she said with a grin, albeit a genuine one.

“How so?” Celestia asks.

“To be quite frank...” Twilight answered coldly. “I’ve encountered quite a few Timberwolves who’ve ‘bumped’ into me… Some of which were corrupted by the monster. Then there’s the cragadile who go for the remains. The real tragic part is, some of the ponies that are lost out here often die from corruption. It can take seconds, hours, even days before they die. Needless to say, it’s a very painful way to go. If they’re not corrupted, they’re eaten alive…” she answered, filled with sorrow.

Celestia was horrified by this revelation. Not because they die from corruption, but because they elect to die alone in the forest. Let alone, get choked by the corruption.

“...That’s despicable,” she said, covering her mouth.

Twilight nodded as she looked at the flowers. She sat down to take a break from standing so long.

“It seems I have become too good at intimidation. Sorry about that. I’ve been blunt for so long, I’ve forgotten what it felt like to be nice,” she said, slightly touching the petals.

Celestia took a seat next to Twilight as she gazed at the flowers. The luminescent feeling illuminating from the petals made them feel as if the war had ended. They could be nowhere near as peaceful as they are now.

“While the world may be fill with negatives that not be erased nor eradicated along with the fact that he has been taken away from me, there are positives to any sort of calamity that may occur in this hour of need,” Celestia said, looking at Twilight.

“And what’s that?” Twilight asked.

Celestia got off the ground and helped Twilight up. They both walked towards a tree that seemed to have a swirling branch on top. Twilight was immediately captivated by the radiant beauty that it displayed.

“Hmm. I guess that’s true… This does brings back memories.” Twilight smiled as she looked at the tree. “Hey, Princess of Li- ...I mean, Princess Celestia?” she asked.

“Hmm? What’s is it?” Clestsia asked.

“I realize you’ve told me not to bring up the subject… but… am I… really a failure?”

Celestia felt uncertain on how to respond. She wasn’t particularly fond of the subject, but she felt that she did deserve an answer. Whether it be for better or worse.

“...I… ever since the day that Spike left, I could feel nothing but the anger that I held towards you when the others showed up with the elements of harmony. Whenever I look at you, I see nothing but the failure of what you once were. I am not trying to say that I feel any sort of animosity towards you, but whenever I look at you, I see nopony but the mare that failed to save my son. But looking back now, I knew that there was nothing that you could have done to save him. But if there was one wish that I could make before all of this happened, it would have been to abandon my royal duties to spend more time with him, even if it was only for one day. I may have been a good and beloved Princess of Equestria, but I was a terrible mother. He must’ve hated me when I sent him off with you without a goodbye…”

Twilight could feel the guilt that Celestia was having as tears slowly started to fall out of her eyes.

“Celestia, it wasn’t your fault. It was the anomaly’s. You could not have known that this would happen to him.” Twilight said as she placed her hoof on Celestia’s shoulder.

“Even so… whenever I fall asleep… I can hear nothing… but his cries for help… begging me to save him. I also see nothing but his eyes whenever he cries for his aid. Whenever I try to save him… this creature… that same creature… it… it…”

At that moment, Celestia finally broke down and started wailing. This feeling that she had within her ate away like locust on crops. It was so much for her to bear that she couldn’t even think of him without shedding any tears.

“It’s only a dream, princess. He may be gone, but he will never leave our hearts. The one thing that matters now is that he doesn’t die in vain. It’s what he would have wanted. But like you said, I wish I could abandon my royal duties and any friendship problem there was to spend some more time with him.”

Like a raindrop falling into the waterfall, it touched Celestia’s heart as she looked at Twilight. Knowing that what they had both done was entirely their fault, they held each other closely as they looked at the tree, now feeling more closer than ever.
> Concern
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, Starlight and Cadence were in a meeting regarding the states of the sectors in Equestria. After going over what has happened with most of the sectors on the map, they went over the statistics of the soldiers. Then they started to discuss about other matters concerning their members.

“Anything new to report?” Cadence asked.

“Nothing out of the ordinary ma’am,” Starlight replied. “Everything's in order but there’s something that’s been on my mind.”

“What is it?” Cadance asked.

“Well… It’s about Twilight,” Starlight said.

“What about her?” Cadance asked.

Starlight took a deep breath and said, “She’s been running off a lot lately and is always coming back late. I realize she’s the Grim Reaper and all and it’s her job to keep things in check but even Pinkie hasn’t been able to locate her during the day. What makes it worse is Pinkie’s the only one who arrives half the time. I’m getting worried that she might be… plotting something.”

Cadence took what she said into consideration. She’s also noticed that she’s been in and out without telling anyone where she’s going. She never grew to worried about her since she’d been able to take care of herself but in the back her mind, she knew something was up. She just didn’t know what.

“I can see why you would feel concerned. However, she’s always put her job first and everything else second. Ever since The Princess of Light disappeared six months ago, she’s been doing whatever she could to repel the corruption. I can’t say I blame her for hating her but I doubt she would do something drastic. After all, we need her alive and Twilight is well aware of that. I have faith she won’t let us down,” she said with firm belief.

Starlight didn’t share the same idea. She knew how much she hated her ever since Spike’s disappearance. She wouldn’t talk about it but she knew that something didn’t match up. It was like she scheming about something. It didn’t bode well with Starlight at all.

“I guess you have a point… but, I can’t say I fully agree with you. You’re too blinded by biased options. You two are too close and I’m well aware you think nothing but the best of her. You don’t see her like the rest of us do. Sure, she places her job above all else but there’s something off about her… I can’t quite put my hoof on it but she has this… dark aura around her. Like, if anypony so much as mentions her, she has this strong release of anger from her. I fear that unless we keep a closer eye on her, she’ll-”

“What? Go off the deep end? Don’t you think I know that? To tell you the truth, I expected her to go loony… Ever since Spi-... he disappeared, she’s changed. It’s as if she changed into a monster. The same monsters she has fought time and time again. She could be...” Cadence said, deep into thought.

Starlight gulped at her comment. She feared that the worse could come to pass. If Twilight was planning to take over, it would already be too late.

“I...I’m sorry. I’ll just… go out,” she said with small beads of sweat.

She left the room but as she did, she saw Luna in front of her. She gave her a serious, but not angry, look as Starlight started to leave.

“You don’t have to say anything. The concern on your face is all but obvious,” she said, looking out the window.

They felt a chill in the air as they both looked out the window. As if something terrible was going to happen to the Empire.

“Sorry about that… I just thought that-”

“There’s no need to apologize. I’ll go search for her and make sure nothing is going on. Meanwhile, I need you to head over to Rainbow Dash and make sure everything is up to date. I will see to the matter myself,” Luna said, turning towards the door.

Starlight nodded and exited the throne room. Cadence looked outside the throne room, feeling like something horrifying was going to destroy the Empire.

She had only felt this way for awhile ever since the day the anomaly started to spread. The burden she was feeling on top of her shoulders only got worse as multiple cities across Equestria were obliterated. For all she knew, the Crystal Empire could be next. To make matters worse, the pony forces that she commanded were getting mauled on after the other.

“It’s only a matter of time until the shield collapses. Should that day ever come… I know I shouldn't be negative about the entire ordeal, but this is getting entirely out of hoof. Luna is preoccupied with Central Command, Celestia has left us, and Twilight has became a shadow of her former self. I cannot imagine who I will be losing next,” Cadence thought.

Just then, she heard Flurry Heart crying in her room.

“Well, at least I know who’s keeping me from giving up the Empire…” she said as she left for Flurry Heart’s room.

Meanwhile after Starlight left the throne room, she started to move towards Twilight’s room. Ever since she obtained this new power, Twilight has grew more distant from everypony that she knew and loved. Starlight wanted to figure out what was going on with her, but Twilight just brushed her off every chance she got. To Starlight, it seemed like she was keeping a secret. A trait that Twilight would never do more often than she would.

“Just what are you hiding, Twilight Sparkle…?” Starlight thought. Ten minutes later, Starlight moved towards Twilight’s door and knocked on it. “Twilight? Are you in there?” There was no answer. Starlight knocked again. “Twilight?” She didn’t get any answer. “Hello?”

“Starlight?” a voice called out.

She turned around and saw that it was Fluttershy.

“Fluttershy? What’re you doing up here?” Starlight asked.

“My shift is up. I’m headed to my room to make more medicine.”

“Hmm. Wait. Shouldn’t you do that in the medical area where there’s more at your disposal?”

“I had to come in here to get more supplies for the wounded. That and I needed to study more on how to stop the Corruption as Twilight commanded.”

“Hmm. Have you seen Twilight around?”

“Not really. The last time I’ve seen her, she headed into the castle. After that, she left for the forest when I passed her.”

“Right. If you see Twilight around, let me know immediately.”

Fluttershy nodded and went into her bedroom and closed the door as she entered. Starlight left the bedrooms and proceeded to search for Twilight a little further. Something was troubling as she left the castle. Twilight leave the castle for an assignment whenever she and Pinkie were briefed in the throne room. It seemed peculiar for her to head into the forest without a special reason. Just then, she heard Rainbow Dash called for her.

“Starlight!”

She turned around and saw Rainbow Dash fly towards her.

“Yeah, Rainbow Dash?”

“Can you please tell me where to find the area where they train the raw recruits?” Rainbow Dash asked, twiddling her hoofs.

“You mean boot camp?” Starlight asked in a deadpan manner.

“Well no, I get that. It’s the place with the double-decker beds?”

“You mean the bunkroom?”

“Yeah. That. What has Twilight been doing lately? Haven’t seen much of her in awhile.”

“I dunno, but I have a good idea what she is doing…”

“Huh?”

Starlight turned around and saw that Rainbow Dash didn’t have a single clue what she was talking about.

“The recruit areas are over there.” Starlight said, pointing her hoof towards the yelling.

“Ah. Thanks, Starlight.” Rainbow Dash said as she beelined towards the recruit area.

Starlight simply rolled her eyes and continued to walk. Ever since Rainbow Dash has been promoted to Captain, she has been enjoying her title a lot to the point of shouting at the new recruits during training. However, whenever a new recruit was sent out into combat or whenever there was a casualty, she started to become stern and hard on her new soldiers. She could only imagine how tough she getting on the trainees. Starlight kept moving along as she tried to find a clue on where Twilight could be.

“I wonder if Twilight left anything behind in the town square?” Starlight wondered.

She moved towards the town square and proceeded to search for any leads on Twilight. She asked any local residents to see if Twilight had passed by. Most of them pointed in different directions, yet gained no clue what she was leaving for. She continued to walk around to find more leads on Twilight. But Starlight was coming up short on any ideas of why she was leaving for the forest. Just then, she bumped into Rarity, who was with Lyra and Bonbon.

“Oh hey, darling. Are you looking for something?” Rarity asked.

“Somepony, Rarity. Have you seen Twilight around?” Starlight asked.

“I’m sorry to say that I have no idea where she went off to. Though I can infer that she was headed towards a forest for some reason.”

“Yeah. She had that look in her eye like she was going to see something.” Bon Bon said.

“I can only hope that she’s not being blackmailed or anything. It would be a huge detriment in our fight against the anomaly.” Lyra Heartstrings said.

Starlight looked at the Corruption surrounding the force field, then looked back at them.

“Don’t worry, girls. As soon as I find Twilight, we won’t have anything to worry about.” Starlight said, filled with confidence.

“I’m glad to hear you say that darling, because we’re not getting any lucky with the field right now.” Rarity said, feeling weary over the corruption.

“We will. Just sit tight. Also, make sure Pinkie Pie stays inside the Empire. We can’t afford to lose another Reaper out there.”

The three of them were taken aback by what Starlight just said. Rarity asked,

“Is there anything bothering you about Twilight? I’m sure we can do something to solve this.”

“I’m fine. I’m just making sure she does her duties.”

“Are you sure?” Lyra asked.

“Yeah.”

Bon Bon put her shoulder on Starlight’s shoulder and said,

“Look, we will not pretend that you aren't having a hard time with this war. This creature is tougher than it looks. But if there’s anything that you are having trouble with, anything at all. You come to us. Anyway, me and Lyra need to get ready for a recon mission. We have to focus on finding the whereabouts of Princess Skystar.”

“Okay. Hope you find anything on her.” Starlight said.

“Can do.” Lyra said.

After the two left, Rarity said,

“Like the two of them said, if you have any sort problem you are dealing with, come to us. We will help you in any way we can.”

“Thanks, Rarity. Just keep an eye out for Pinkie and Twilight.”

“Okay, darling.” Rarity said as she left.
> Research
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Starlight continued to head down to the forest in search for Twilight. She searched for her further and further aftering entering the forest. She continued to find a lead that could help her get Twilight, but she was completely traceless. Starlight moved around in circles to find out where Twilight went, but she came up short on answers. Defeated, she decided to head back to the Empire. Just then, she heard shaking in the bushes.

“Hmm? Who’s there?” Starlight said, glowing her horn.

She heard low growling come from the bushes. Starlight backed away out of caught and her horn grew brighter when the growling started to become louder. The growling sounded like snapping twigs and the glowing eyes coming from the bushes were like fireflies on a starry night. The growling stopped when Starlight kept her distance away from the bush. All of a sudden, timberwolves lunged at her with intense ferocity. Starlight jumped away from the wooden creature and fired a blast of magic at it. The shot worked, but creature didn’t die. Instead, it mutated into some form of creature which oddly stood on its hind legs and was a lot more taller. Its arms were larger and its torso was incredibly wide. The timberwolve howled into the sky and charged at Starlight. She managed to dodge its attacks, but it was stronger than it appeared to be, even for her. She fired another beam of magic at the timberwolf, but it just shrugged the shots off like they were bee-stings. Starlight was cornered and had no idea what to do at this point. She completely helpless and about to be mauled to death by a timberwolf. Just then, the timberwolf felt something sink into its back. It pulled the mystery object out of its back and had a look at it. Starlight took a look as well and saw that it was a scythe. She remembered what it was and who it belonged to. The timberwolf turned around saw that it was Twilight Sparkle.

“Repent and cease,” Twilight said in a dark yet humorous voice.

The timberwolf growled, slammed the ground repeatedly, then howled into the sky as it lunged at Twilight. She simply grinned and levitated her scythe in a spinning motion as it went right through the timberwolf. It yelped as it tried to get away from Twilight. The timberwolf whimpered out of mercy as she spun her scythe around and slammed it deep into the Timberwolf’s head. After that, the creature died. As the creature breathed its last, black ooze came out of its body as it tried to escape before Twilight levitated it into a canister.

“Where have you been?” Starlight asked, sternly.

“Around,” Twilight simply replied.

“What’s that supposed to mean?!”

“What you don’t need to know.”

“Excuse me?!”

“You’re excused.”

Starlight was baffled by Twilight’s callous attitude as the latter retrieved her scythe from the now-deceased timberwolf’s head.

“How about you tell me what you’re doing in the forest when you’re supposed to be with us, fighting an entity that will more than likely eat us!? I’ve been looking everywhere for you! Where in the hell have you been?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“I’m making it my business!”

“Are you?”

Starlight remained defiant as Twilight grabbed her scythe.

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning. If I catch you with so much as your hoof in the cookie jar, you won’t get as much as a job teaching foal school chemistry, you one-trick pony!” Starlight shouted.

Twilight levitated her scythe back to her side and said, “Maybe you will, maybe you won’t. But whatever grudge you may hold against me, I would hold off on any hoof-pointing if I were you. If I were to be completely honest however, you shouldn’t be snooping around either. You should have learned that by now.”

Twilight started to walk away after putting the canister away.

“At least I don’t go sneaking behind my friend’s backs,” Starlight retorted.

Hearing this made Twilight stop for a brief moment. Then she started to walk away without a second thought. Just then, Pinkie Pie appeared and said,

“Hey Twilight! How’d you end up here with Starlight?”

“I was out here on recon until she compromised my position…”

After Pinkie and Twilight left, Starlight was left alone and did not know what to do next at this point. She wanted to get to the bottom of what Twilight was doing, but it now seemed more than impossible since Twilight had no traces. But before she could leave, Starlight found some leftover black ooze leaking from the timberwolf as it laid there. Starlight levitated a stick and poked it into the ooze. Upon physical contact, the ooze corroded the stick and choked the utter life out of it. She quickly but a barrier around it to avoid getting on her. Now she started to get suspicious and wondered what Twilight was truly planning.

“Could she…?”

Starlight pulled out a bottle and scooped some of the ooze into it. Then she dashed back to the castle, hoping to analyze more of it and to hopefully identify what this Corruption is doing inside the Crystal Empire.

Making her way back into her room and clearing her desk away for room, she levitated the bottle that she stole from Twilight, the other one from her former teacher’s room, and the stuff she just retrieved. Spending countless hours recording and researching the ooze, she was barely coming up with anything on answers and she was ready to throw in the towel. Just then, she noticed a cockroach come near the ooze. When it came closer, the ooze started reacting. As the cockroach finally came close to the ooze, the ooze latched onto the insect. Just then, it started changing, making it more twisted and wretched. It hissed and growled with anger as it eyed Starlight. But before it could attack her, Starlight scooped it in a jar and it was trapped. Just then, she heard a knock on the door.

“Y-Yes?!” Starlight shouted, trying to keep the noise down.

“It’s Applejack, sugarcube! Is the spell coming out nicely for the unicorn battalions?” Applejack asked from behind the door.

“It’s a work-in-progress, Applejack! Halfway complete!”

“I hope so! Because the soldiers are a little on edge now!”

“Yeah! Who isn’t on edge these days?”

“Is there something wrong, sugarcube? I hear something unpleasant back there.”

“It’s nothing! Just searching for materials!”

“Do you need help with that?”

“No! It’s under control! Just somewhere in here!”

“If you say so! Just don’t go pushin’ yourself, ya hear?”

“Yeah! I hear ya!”

After waiting for Applejack to leave, Starlight unwrapped her arms surrounding the jar. Looking at the trapped cockroach, it now all but confirmed Starlight’s fears: Twilight was no longer sane.
> Stowaway
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight went out once more to meet Princess Celestia. While she kept walking, she was having thoughts about the times that she spent with Celestia as a student, including yesterday. It may been rough for herself, but Twilight felt as if the hatchet was slowly being buried between herself and Celestia. There was one thing that bothered her. It was what she said yesterday.

“You’re implying… that you hate your job.”

She didn’t know what she meant by that but she had a feeling that Celestia knew something. It had to have meant something else. Either way, Twilight had to get the bottom of it.

“Hmm? Oh, hello Twilight,” she greeted.

“Good morning, Celestia. Sorry that I’m late. I had an odd feeling I was being followed so I had to take a detour,” Twilight said, glancing in different directions.

Celestia nodded as Twilight took a seat. She briefly watered the flowers as Twilight rested from her walk. As Twilight got closer, she let out her Phoenix as it rubbed itself against Twilight.

“I’ve been nurturing him for the past few weeks. Take a look.” Twilight looked at the Phoenix and noticed that its flames were a little dim. It’s the same Phoenix from the few years back but older. Twilight helped Philomena perch on her arm as the Phoenix continued to rub herself against her. “I don’t think I ever told you this, but have you ever noticed that everything you touched withers away?”

“Hmm. How fitting. The Grim Reaper being near something that can’t die,” Twilight said, taking off her cloak.

As she petted the Phoenix, it whimpered. Twilight forgot that anything she touches, dies instantly and for a brief moment, was taken by surprise.

“...Oops,” she said, taking her hoof away.

“It’s alright, Twilight. It’ll be back shortly,” Celestia said, heading towards a forest of trees.

“I suppose… still,” she looked at her hoof and frowned a little. “Ever since I took this job, I’ve been more distant from everypony else... I can’t even confront anypony without fearing I would killed them… I can barely even touch Flurry Heart without making her skin shrivel up.”

”Does that also apply to Cadence and Shining Armor?” Celestia asked.

“It’s painful. Whenever they want to talk to me, I just ignore them. It’s not like I hate them or anything, but this power that I have is driving everypony away from me. No matter what I do, I just grow more distant from everypony.” Twilight said with sadness in her voice.

Celestia was heartbroken upon hearing that.

“You never chose for this to happen. It was just bad luck that you had no other choice but to put on that ghastly outfit.”

“I know. But even as I look at the results I accumulate, it can never replace what I have done to him.”

Celestia looked at the flora as she recalled what Twilight did back in Ponyville when Spike was still with her.

“I wish there was something I could have done to make it up to him. Something that I could have said if I wasn’t so angry at the time.” Twilight said.

“I could have stopped him from going to Ponyville with you. I could have spent his one last day with him in Canterlot. It would have meant the entire world to him if I had bothered to show him some attention. I really am a terrible mother.”

They both sighed at the revelation about their treatment of Spike. If they had both shown a little more affection towards the drake, he would have survived and would not have died in the anomaly that has affected Equestria. They were both to blame, and they knew it all too well to be true. But Twilight decided to change the subject and try to brighten the mood a little by asking,

“So did you plant all this?”

“Hmm?” Celestia asked.

“The flora. Did you plant all this?” Twilight specified.

“Hmm. I did. Has anything about it piqued your interest?”

“Not really. It just seemed to remind me of how beautiful life can be away from all that ugliness in Equestria.”

“Ah. Yes, it is. It’s mostly became my private sanctuary from all the meaningless carnage occuring right now in Equestria.”

“So it seems. It’s pretty. More than I can ever ask for.”

“Thanks, Twilight. How is Luna doing?”

“She’s fine. But she really misses you. I often hear her speak about you everyday that it gives me a headache.”

“There’s not a doubt in my mind she would do that. She was always the clingy type.” Celestia said with a chuckle.

“That she was. I even read part of a journal entry concerning you.”

“Oh? What did it say?”

“I had something to do with you and something related to a doll. I couldn’t put my hoof on it, but sounded like it meant a lot to you. Could you tell me-?”

Just then, she saw Celestia give her a look of disapproval upon hearing about a doll.

“I’ll take that as a no.”

Celestia looked back at the flora as Twilight stopped asking.

“So how are things back at the Empire?” Celestia asked.

“They’re okay. Everypony’s busy with their duties and are doing everything they can to beat back this Corruption.”

“I have no doubts that you are doing so. How are Cadence, Shining Armor, and Flurry Heart doing?”

“They’re okay, though they’re incredibly stressed about what plans they mustering up while at war against the anomaly.”

“Is that also applying to Luna?”

“Hmm.”

Trying to change the subject on the matter, Celestia asked,

“How long has it been since we had cake?”

“Cake? What’s got your mind on cake now, all of a sudden?” Twilight asked, feeling confused.

“I dunno. Just hungry, I guess.”

The two laughed jovially as they started to remember what life felt like when they weren’t at war against a force that was bigger than the either of them. They both continued to talk about whatever was on their mind, whether it be big or small. The time that they spending together was all the more pleasant as they started to remember what it felt like to be with each other as friends.

. . .

Several hours passed and Twilight realized she had to go.  “I’ll be back again tomorrow,” she said.

“I’ll be waiting,” Celestia replied.

And with that, she teleported away. She entered into what appeared to be her room. As she went into her room, she looked at her weapon that was over near her closet. When she touched it, she started to have this unnerving feeling. She heard voices coming from somewhere in her room. She spun around her room, trying to find the source of where the voices are. It was then she noticed a black ooze. Something that wasn’t there before. She backed away as the ooze slowly morphed into a familiar form.

"It's been a long time, Grim Reaper."
> Death
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The creature had a wide smirk as it looked at Twilight. “Don’t blame yourself… It’s all because of you that all of this is happening. You’re a lot like a mother… only more incompetent.” It grabbed the weapon and had a hard time holding it. “Hmm… It’s surprisingly heavy… must be from all the sins you’ve committed along with those pathetic friends of yours. I wonder…” It put the scythe near Twilight’s neck as it asked, “Does it work against its owner too?” It noticed the fear in her eyes. It’s smirk grew even wider. “It’s a lot more terrifying being on the receiving end of the reaping, isn’t it?”

It threw her weapon at her, just barely missing her as it grabbed a photo of Spike and Twilight in it. After doing so, it crushed it with its claws. It walked closer to Twilight and with no hesitation, grab her by the neck and grinned.

“H-How did you get in here?” Twilight asked.

It maintained it’s grin and let go of her. “I would love to catch up with you on old times, but I have an important task to take care of. Something concerning royal affairs… But don’t worry, I came bearing a present.” It shot it’s ooze at her to which Twilight barely evaded it but not without a part of it sticking onto her horn. “Enjoy.” It dissolved away in a cloud of smoke.

Twilight knew exactly where it was going to and wasted no time in leaving her room. She attempted to teleport to her teacher but for some reason, she was unable to. She noticed her horn was covered in the ooze so she decided to run to her teacher’s location before it was too late.

. . .

Meanwhile, it walked closer to Celestia's location and had a huge grin on her face.“Now… After all this time, I’ve finally found it. To think I would resort to such a tactic… No matter. Even if I had found it, I would be unable to get in. Thanks to her weapon, she’ll senses me as an ally…” It transformed into its old self and walked closer. “She made this far easier…”

As it walked closer, Celestia turned around to see who it was. “Oh Twilight. Back so-” She stopped mid sentence as she saw him. The one individual she hadn’t seen since the time he left Ponyville. Before he became corrupted. “It… It can’t be… I’m so glad your okay! I… I had thought you were dead...!” She ran towards him to hug him. ”Oh, thank the stars you’re safe. Spi-” Before she could finish her sentence, a visible slash could be heard and a wound was present in her abdomen. “S-Spike…?”

He laughed as his claws dripped with her blood, his face slowly changing along with his voice. “Oh wow! I can’t believe you actually fell for that! Still the same naive princess of Canterlot, I see!” He continued to laugh as he morphed into his dark form.

Celestia placed a hoof on the wound and specks of blood were dripping out. She backed away from him to keep the blood from gushing out. “But… why… why would you…”

“Is that fear echoing from your voice? Have you forgotten about what it felt to be afraid? He’s not the same ‘Spike’ you once knew…” It said in this demonic, warped voice. “Yet, you thought he was…  almost like he was still your little pet… but did it ever occur to you that something felt off when he suddenly came back with no explanation!?” It asked.

Spike slowly started to walk towards Celestia. He was growling really low and he had bloodlust in his eyes.

“I… I thought you were-”

“Dead? You’re even more deluded than I thought! He wasn’t dead... He was reborn!” It slowly transformed back to its monstrous form as it added,  “You know, for a Princess who’s so loved and divinely worshipped, you couldn’t even save one measly life…”

Celestia was horrified and panicking. She had no idea what to do now. She couldn’t even glow her horn. “N-No! I didn’t-”

“You claimed to love him and pretended that he meant the world to you. But once he was gone, you barely had a tear to shed! I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, considering that you valued your faithful student more than your own son…”

Celestia was nearly in tears as she saw what use to be her adopted child. Now he has become the very thing she protected Equestria from time and time again. She was now completely helpless. “I never… valued Twilight more… I was only-”

“You left him to die!”

It was at that point she couldn’t take it anymore. She didn’t care about Equestria anymore. Not even her own student. All that she wanted now was Spike back.

“To be honest, I almost thought you would come to his rescue… But you left everypony… You ran off and for what? A couple of worthless flowers? When everything went south, you did nothing to stop it… you didn’t even try… In the end, you’re not fit to rule Canterlot, let alone Equestria…” It said coldly.

Celestia didn’t respond to him after hearing that statement. She was completely cornered like a rabbit about to be eaten by a jackal.

“You seemed pitiful to leave alone... but honestly, I have no reason to spare your life anymore…” It’s claws were unsheathed as it walked closer. “But now, you can step off your throne... With you gone, I’ll be able to strike fear into those ponies you treasure so much. I will reap Equestria of everypony that you love… Until it is no more, but an everlasting ocean of malice and hate… I will never be opposed as its King!” It grabbed her by the neck, making no attempt to fight back as it lifted her up. “But don’t worry… you won’t be alone for long. Once I’m done here, I’ll make sure everypony you cherish will join you… Goodbye… Princess.”

With one swipe, Celestia was no more. After he killed her, he dropped her body like it was a ragdoll. But before he left, he cut off her head to display it in front of its people. It didn’t take long for everypony to notice that Celestia was gone. It hit them like wheels on wheat. Life as everypony knew it, changed their views forever. The one shine of light was no more. As anguish has affected everypony, Princess Luna was affected by this the most. Tears poured out of her when she felt her essence disappear. She could not have imagined her own sister perishing at the claws of the monster.

Twilight had also felt this presence. But unlike everypony else, she refused to acknowledge her death. She rushed over to see if she was still alive. She kept telling herself that it wasn’t true. That it was all a ruse but that hope soon vanished when she spotted her lifeless body. Her scream of anguish and her overwhelming emotions shook Equestria as everypony else sense her tremendous anger, guilt and shame. And with that, all hope was lost…
> Faith
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Panic soon started to spread as everypony heard the news. Even most of the Mane five started to have unpleasant feelings about the anomaly. It had only been a day but the corrupted had been given the empire trouble. Every single army was collapsing with every city being overtaken. It was starting to become even more unpleasant as every loss was confirmed.

With each passing moment, the barrier was cracking like a mirror. Pretty soon, most of them had to be either contained or thrown out of the Crystal Empire to keep the contamination to a minimum. But even then, there were more casualties than survivors and Equestria was beginning to lose its grip in the war against the Corruption.

“What’s going on out there?” Starlight asked, entering the throne room.

“It’s bad. The Corruption is beginning to swallow the Crystal Empire and every army that we dispatched in Equestria has been decimated.” Cadence lamented.

“It’s only a matter of time until the barrier gives out. And when that moment comes…” Luna said in a sorrowful voice, looking at the cracking barrier.

Starlight took a look at the barrier and it had the look of a shattering mirror. The situation was very dire as they were losing the war. Every city in Equestria was lost, ponies were losing their lives left and right, and all that they had left was the Crystal Empire. Any moment, the Crystal Empires defenses would falter and the Corruption would wrap its fingers around their throats. The very thought of it sent a very huge chill crawl up their spines.

“Where’s Twilight?” Starlight asked.

“We don’t know. She hasn’t told us where she went off to, nor would she tell us why she went out. We haven’t seen her for the past two days.” Cadence answered.

Starlight started thinking about what Twilight has been doing while she was away. The latter certainly wasn’t around when Corruption grew worse nor why she left the Crystal Empire so many times. Starlight said, “I have to go, Your Highnesses. I have some spells to take care of.”

Starlight immediately ran out of the throne room. But the princesses knew better about what Starlight was planning to do. Princess Cadance asks,

“Should we stop her?”

“No. We would only be arousing her suspicion even further.” Luna said.

“Even so…”

“She would figure it all out eventually. We would merely be delaying the inevitable.”

Just then, they heard a spell go off. They go over to see who is contacting them. After answering them, they see Sunset appearing in the clouds of the spell.

“Sunset? What’s the matter?” Cadence asked.

“It’s worse than you anticipated! Equestria has been overrun and I’ve been hearing rumors that the Shadow army is planning on making its way to the Crystal Empire with their king leading the charge! I had no idea… how bad this would turn out!” Sunset panicked.

“Calm down, Sunset. Just tell us what happened.” Luna said.

After taking a couple deep breaths, Sunset said,

“After seeing Manehattan fall, I have started to hear rumors that their king was getting stronger. Upon hearing their plans of coming to the Crystal Empire next, I overheard them talking about Princess Celestia’s demise. Is this true?”

Hearing this took both Cadance and Luna aback, but knowing they couldn’t keep this from her, Luna said in the most honest manner,

“Yes.”

Hearing the news shocked Sunset to her very core. The emotions that she was feeling well within her soul were going through like a volcano ready to erupt. Then she said,

“Oh no… there’s nothing we can do. We’re all dead! When the Anomaly makes it to the Crystal Empire, Equestria will become extinct! We’re fighting against a tidal wave that can’t be overturned! We’ll never-”

“BE SILENT!!!” Luna shouted in her royal Canterlot voice.

Hearing this knocked Sunset out of her turmoil as she looked at the princesses. Then Cadance said,

“We will not lose. The only thing that you can do for us is keep moving around and see what the creatures are planning further. But for now, I want you to trust us in fighting back the Corruption. Okay?”

Sunset knew it was all a lie and it was inevitable that it was all going to come crashing down on them like meteorites. It was only a matter of time until the Shadows would come to their doorstep. But Sunset said,

“Okay.”

“You have been doing a wonderful job keeping an eye out for any activities lurking in the darkness and as a princess, I could never be anymore proud than I should, but for now, I need you to be brave and keep looking for any information. Can you keep doing that?” Luna asked.

“I will.” Sunset said with a nod.

“Thank you, Sunset Shimmer.” Cadance said with a sad smile.

With that said, the spell dispitated and Sunset disappeared.

“It’s only a matter of time until the Corruption overtakes us.” Cadance said.

“We must press on. If we die with nothing to show for, Equestria will be headed even further to certain doom.” Luna said.

“What should we do about Starlight? Should we send for her?”

“Yes. Should the time ever come, she should be the one to deliver this message…” Luna said as she and Cadance looked at the Corruption corroding around the barrier.

. . .

Several days had passed since Princess Celestia's death and nopony knows what to do. The Corruption spreading everywhere and they were on thin ice. It was as if they were about to run out of options. After they managed to hold back the Corrupted, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Starlight and Applejack had a meeting regarding the matter.

“It’s been getting harder and harder to hold them back! If we don’t do something soon, the whole Empire will be overrun!” Rainbow Dash said in a panicked voice.

“I’m well aware of that, Rainbow Dash. However, we have no chances of bringing her back without a spell. There’s only one pony here who could have a chance to revive her... “ Applejack looked over to Fluttershy and said, “...Fluttershy. Since Twilight hasn’t been back since that day and Luna has officially taken over as leader, you're the only pony I know that can heal any wounds, no matter how deep it gets.”

“W-What is it? I’ll try to help anyway I can,” Fluttershy said in her timid voice.

“I need you and Starlight to find a way to create a spell of replication,” Applejack said plainly.

“W-What?!” Fluttershy asked with her mouth dropping. “A-Applejack, a-are you suggesting we b-b-bring back-”

“That is not what I mean…” Applejack replied. “Nopony here has the power to revive the dead. Unlike the Grim Reaper, they was required in order to stop the Corrupted from stealing other deaths. Since that monster appeared, death had been stopped and with no means of dying without corruption, Princess Luna needed two filters to work with. However, The role of life requires something greater… Even surpassing Princess Luna’s abilities. They may be similar, but their roles are very different. Nopony can represent her role. Not even Twilight could…”

“I-If we can’t replicate her powers, then we’re-”

“Are you seriously suggesting that we steal her body?!” Starlight yelled. “You’re here barking about the option of ’replication’ and we haven’t even fixed the original problem! She may be dead but she is still valuable as a symbol! Princess Luna hasn’t figured out the next course yet! That’s the reason why we’re here! Replacing her isn’t an option!” She looked directly at them with sharp eyes and a sterned mouth. “We need to act now! We can’t wait around and hope for a solution to fall on us! The longer we wait, the more likely the anomaly will break us! We have to find out who or what is responsible and eliminate them!”

Everypony was taken aback by what Starlight said. Then Applejack looked her in the eye and spoke up.

“The empire is in shambles and without a ruler, we can’t act accortanly. What makes you think going after the culprit without any knowledge will give us an advantage? Surely you can’t think we have a chance of winning by going out there blindly?” Applejack asked.

“It’s better than sitting here listening to you give orders, Applejack! I can’t stand idly by and let that monster destroy what little civility we have left!” She stomped one hoof onto the ground as she yelled, “Why should we be putting our time into something we can’t even guarantee will work!? We should be focused on taking out the monster instead of just waiting for a miracle to happen!”

Applejack thought about what she said. She knew that it made sense to strike now, but going as is would have been suicide. Applejack turned towards Rainbow Dash in a calm manner and asked, “Rainbow Dash, do you share the same idea? Do you think we can save everypony by doing this?”

Rainbow Dash didn’t answer. Not because she didn’t agree with her. But because she knew that she was being reckless and not thinking clearly. Starlight took the silence as a refusal and turned towards the door.

“Whatever. I’ll deal with it myself,” She said bitterly.

“Starlight! H-Hold on-”

“Don’t worry, Fluttershy. I won’t go out there blindly... But first, I need to pay a certain Alicorn a visit.”

Before anypony could interject, she teleported away to go search for said Alicorn. Applejack immediately started to leave as soon as Starlight teleported.

“A-Applejack! Where are you going?” Fluttershy asked.

“Starlight’s right. Standing here and waiting for that thing to break through won’t do us no good. However, it would be unwise to go looking for the monster without at least knowing more about it. I will check in with Princess Luna and plan our next course of action,” Applejack answered.

Applejack walked out of the room, leaving Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy alone in the room. Fluttershy sadly turned towards the window, looking at the abyss surrounding the barrier.

“Why did this have to happen…? Why can’t we go back to the days when we weren’t so apart…?” Fluttershy whispered.

Rainbow Dash sighed after hearing Fluttershy’s sentiment. She took a brief look at the barrier before turning towards Fluttershy. “There are some things we couldn’t have seen coming. If Twilight had come for Spike, I’m sure that none of this would have happened. Even if we could, too much has happened that it would be impossible to reverse what has happened,” Rainbow Dash said in a forlorn manner. She started to walk away as soon as she finished talking. “If anything comes up, let me know.”

“H-Hold on-” Before Fluttershy could say anything else, Rainbow Dash had already left. She was left to ponder her thoughts as she gazed at the surrounding abyss. “How… can I… do anything…?”
> Tension
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, Starlight went looking for Twilight as she walked around the forest. Searching around, she had this ugly feeling that Twilight was planning something. Her constant absences were a dead giveaway as if she wanted to get caught. She then scavenged around the forest for any clues involving Twilight or Celestia. Something that could help her unravel Twilight’s secret.

It was then she sense a presence. One that was unmistakable. It was too obvious to ignore, let alone turn away. Starlight immediately ran over to the source. It was like she hadn’t even tried to hide herself. Starlight wouldn’t admit it, but when she saw her, it sent a shiver down her spine. However, this was no time to show weakness. She made her presence known and spoke.

“Why are you here staring off at the abyss...? Stand up,” she said with fierceness in her voice. Twilight didn’t respond but took a quick glance at the former’s apprentice. “... I- no… everypony felt your presence. How right after Princess Celestia was slayed, there was a burst of anger, hate and retribution emanating from you. We all felt your outburst. And to make matters worse, you let yourself be lost in this place... and for what? Did you have something to do with her death?”

Twilight didn’t move an inch but this time, she spoke. “...What are you talking about?”

Starlight didn’t buy it for even a second. She went up towards Twilight and stood in front of her. Twilight moved her head upwards and looked at Starlight before moving her down again.

“Is that right?” Starlight asked with a slight chuckle. That was short lived as she yelled, “I know your game, Twilight Sparkle! You think I’m going to buy that excuse for even a second?! The Princess of Light is gone and I’m in no mood for your cryptic bullshit!” she said as she pushed on.

Twilight raised her head back up towards Starlight. This time, she had this deathly look in her eyes. “...Don’t test me, Starlight,” she said coldly.

Starlight flinched upon seeing Twilight look at her, but did not falter. She continued to look at Twilight as she confronted her further. “Why are you here instead of helping with damage control at the empire?! Just why in the hell are you here in this forest?!” Starlight demanded, lighting her horn up. Twilight stayed silent as she stared at the abyss. Starlight continued to harass as Twilight ignored her. “You’ve disappeared more times than I can count… never telling anypony where you go… and here you are, gazing at the abyss. I will not back away, Twilight. What have you been doing for the past few days?” Twilight remained silent and continued to ignore her. Starlight was beginning to lose her patience. “I know you’re involved; I just don’t know how. You know something… Why won’t you open up? Did you really do the unthinkable?!”

“...I’m not going to say it again, Starlight,” she said, now even more angry albeit, keeping her tone stoic. “I’m already at my wits end… you don’t wanna know what I am capable of doing to you if you don’t leave my sights.”

This was the first time Starlight noticed any type of reaction out of her. One that felt strangely genuine though she knew better.

“If you’re not guilty of anything, why are you getting so worked up about it?! You didn’t even care about her!” Twilight looked at her with one eye closed on her. “If I remember right, you didn’t show any remorse when she left!”

Twilight looked down and in a cold and emotionless matter, she said, “You're delusional.”

Starlight was surprised by her comment. Not because she was angry, but because she appeared to be heartless. “She’s really… gone…” she thought. “Delusional?! Ever since the Princess of Light called you out about Spike, you complained about being held back. About how long she is- no... was holding you back. You hated her. To be honest, I’m shocked that you’re not happy about this, since now that she’s gone, you no longer have to-”

Twilight had just about enough of Starlight’s tirade. She got off the ground and looked at Starlight. She pulled out her scythe and in a grim tone, said, “You've gone too far, Starlight.”

Starlight was surprised at first when she pulled out her weapon. However, that shock soon turn into anger. Anger that felt ready to be unleashed. “So you… finally show your true colors… you think you can scare me!?” she asked in anger. She glowed her horn brighter, ready an attack. “You just signed your death warrant, Twilight Sparkle. Or rather, you reaped what you sowed!”

With that, Twilight charged at Starlight in full fury. Starlight dodged the first swing, but knew that she wouldn’t miss the next time. Then, Twilight slammed her scythe into ground with the darkness coming out. After Starlight jumped away, Twilight used her horn to levitate her scythe, making it spin like a saw-blade. As Twilight sent her Scythe at Starlight, she managed to avoid it, albeit nearly grazing her tail. Without delay, Starlight fired a blast from her horn and broke the scythe.

Unfortunately, that proved to be a mistake as not only was Twilight smiling as she did, but a black ooze spilled out of it. A dark and sinister laugh could be heard from it.

“What… is this…?” Starlight thought as the ooze crawled on the ground. As the pieces fell, so did the ooze. It started to reassemble, like a fly to a corpse, it was meant for Twilight. Seeing this just infuriated Starlight even more. Starlight teleported her staff and grabbed Twilight by the cloth. “Twilight! What the hell happen to your weapon?! Why is that ooze on your weapon?!”

Twilight continued to laugh as the ooze crawled onto her. The ooze made her more manic than before. Only one thing filled her mind. Killing anypony who got in her way.

“Twilight!  This is wrong!” Starlight yelled, still holding onto Twilight’s cloth. Her words couldn’t pierce though her corrupt mind. It was too late as the ooze got all over her body. “How did this happen? Why won’t you let me help you?”

“How dare he…?”

Starlight let her go and the laughing stopped. “Why can’t you let us help you?” she asked, still trying to reason with the now maniacal unicorn.

“How could he…?”

“Why do you have to always act on your own and not rely on your friends?”

“Why did he… Kill her…?”

“Why is it that you always have this guilt held back?” Starlight asked, nearly in tears.

Her corruption consumed her. Twilight couldn’t understand why she couldn’t stop attacking. Whatever reason she had was lost. Starlight collapsed onto the ground, exhausted from the fight.
> Confidence
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A few moments later, Starlight woke up and was surrounded by this deep, black void. Just then, Twilight appeared at arms length away from Starlight. As Starlight glowed her horn once more, Twilight casted a spell and made her scythe reappear. She raised her weapon at Starlight and had a wide grin on her face. “Twilight… Don’t do this...” She was too weak from the battle to fight back. She tried to conjure up a spell, but was too flustered to do so. “Keep it together!” She tried to stand up and run away. “Twilight, do you not see what your powers are doing to the land?! If this keeps up, everything and everypony in Equestria will be killed! You are the Princess of Friendship! Start acting like one! Without Death to balance out the darkness, everyone will be corrupted much quicker! Do you really want that?!” she shouted as she moved. “I know you don’t want this!”

But she could no longer concern herself with what was in front of her. She only wanted the pain, the agony and the suffering... to end. As Twilight walked closer, so did the ooze around her. Her eyes were now completely black.

“This darkness... it’s endless… it’s like a fungus that can’t be remedied...” She stood up once more and obtained her staff, which completely reassembled. “I said start acting like one!” She tried to cast a spell but it was too late. It slowly absorbed her magic as soon as it glowed. “This power… this corrosion… It’s taking everything away… not even I can hold on...” She gathered what was left of her magic and charged it, making it glow brighter than ever. “I will not let it end like this. I didn’t want to resort to this… but you’ve left me no choice. Since that day, I promised everypony that I wouldn’t let the anomaly control anyone else I know. And if it means killing us both… then it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.”

The corruption started to swirl as Twilight levitated it. At this point, Starlight was out of options. As she was about to deliver the attack, something or rather, somepony showed up in front of her.

“Phew! Sorry it took me so long. It took me a super duper long time to track down since you get up early. No matter. For I, Pinkamena Diane Pie, will save you!” she said, boasting all the while.

Her sudden appearance took Starlight by surprise as she lost all her energy that she had gathered. “P-Pinkie!?”

She turned her attention to Starlight as she said, “Oh, hey Starlight! I see you’re having a good time! But you look like you’ve taken one heck of a beating” She took a closer look at her and saw that she was tuckered out. “But more importantly, why do you have your staff out? Were you about to pull off a super, highly dangerous move?” she asked.

Starlight pointed over to where Twilight is with the swirling darkness. Pinkie noticed and became awestruck. “Twilight… she’s…”

“Hmm? What about her?” Pinkie asked in a clueless manner.

“She’s been corrupted. She’s lost it!” Starlight answered.

Pinkie looked over to where she pointed at and noticed Twilight completely covered in the abyss. Instead of panicking, Pinkie just looked.

“I was gonna fire at her with one of my spells, but-”

“And you were going to use your super move on her?” Pinkie asked, casually. “We don’t need to resort to that.”

“What? Why not!?” Starlight asked, completely outraged. “I’ve tried leveling with her but he won’t listen to reason! She’s become-”

“She’s not a bad pony, Starlight. She’s just scared. Everypony is,” Pinkie said, putting her hoof on Starlight’s shoulder.

“Pinkie...”

Pinkie stood in front of Starlight and insured her that everything will be okay. “You don’t need to worry, Starlight. She maybe a lot of things. She may be whiny, selfish and even ruthless. But she is not evil. She’s just having a hard time facing the facts.” She walked closer to her friend who was still covered in the ooze. “Twilight, stop it. You’re scaring everypony. That’s no way to treat your friends…” Twilight stopped upon hearing Pinkie’s voice. “So this is why you told me to stay behind? So you could do everything yourself?” Pinkie chuckled a little as she added, “You never change. But that’s alright. Because you have us. After all, you’ve always had a reason behind it. Even if it costs you your sanity…” She hugged her and held her close. “It’s alright, Twilight. I’m here for you. You didn’t think you could push your friends away, did you?” The ooze slowly faded away and Twilight’s tears soon appeared. The ooze started to disappear as she fell to her knees. “It’s okay. I won’t let you be sad. Not while I’m around to keep that smile of yours.”

Starlight was stunned at what Pinkie was able to do. She couldn’t believe that Pinkie was capable of calming Twilight. She facehoofed accompanied by a small laugh. “Pinkie you…” She sighed. Not out of anger. But out of respect. “The ooze seemed to have gone. So, is she back to her old self?”

Pinkie nodded. She turned towards Twilight, hoping she was okay. “Looks like it! Hey, Twilight? You back to your old self?” she asked.

Twilight wiped the tears away and tried to make a joke. “I guess I screwed the pooch on that, didn’t I?”

At first, Pinkie didn’t get it. But thirty seconds later, she started to laugh while Starlight shook her head in bewilderment. “Well, with one crisis avoided, now we can talk about how to stop the anomaly.” They both looked over to her to see if she was still okay. “Normally, I would have to report what happened here... but since you were talked out of it, I’ll overlook what happened here. However, I want to know everything that you’ve been doing for the past few days. No more doing everything yourself.”

Twilight sighed and reluctantly agreed to her terms. “Alright. I’ll tell you what I know,” she said.

After straightening herself out, they started walking back to the empire. As they were moving, Twilight talked about what happened while she was with Celestia. She went over what they were doing as well. She explained that the monster visited her and went to see Celestia. She even explained what he was planning to do with the princess.

“What?!” Pinkie and Starlight asked in unison.

“That’s not all… there’s one more thing that I manage to find out. But I can’t one hundred percent confirm this to be true.” Twilight said in a solemn voice.

“What is it?” Starlight asked.

Twilight took a deep breath as they walked past a couple trees. Then she looked at Starlight. “A few months back, I found traces of the same ooze that had been corrupting everypony. At the time, I was unsure if this was the same thing associated with the anomaly, but I saw something that looked familiar… it might’ve been…” she answered.

Both Pinkie and Starlight leaned in to hear Twilight. At first, she felt hesitant to tell them the truth. But Twilight knew that there was no other choice.

“I managed to locate the monster once more but I was unable to kill it. It looked to similar to somepony I knew and at that moment, I hesitated… but he seemed so-”

“Why didn’t you report this!? Do you know how vital this could have been?!” Starlight asked angrily.

“A-Are you sure about this?” Pinkie asked, completely shocked by the news.

Twilight nodded. “At the time, I didn’t want to believe it and I wanted it to be a lie. I needed more time and investigating to make absolutely sure it was accurate. But since it reappeared, it spoke to me… like it knew me. Now I can only assume one thing… It was Spike.”

Silence feel on them as the heard that name. Pinkie was now completely stunned at hearing the name. Starlight wasn’t sure if she heard her correctly.

“...Can you… say that again?” she asked.

“It was Spike,” Twilight answered with sorrow in her voice.

“Stop mumbling its name!” Starlight yelled, trying to snap Twilight out of it.

“Spike! Why can I- Spike!”

Twilight knew what to say but was unable to find words. She couldn’t even put together a cohesive sentence. She kept repeating it but all that came out was a distorted version of what she was trying to say.

“What’s going on?!” Starlight asked, feeling scared.

There was this darkness that started to cloud Twilight’s eyes. Pinkie and Starlight stood back, completely nervous. It felt like Twilight was about to wreak havoc on the two of them. But Twilight soon calmed down and went back to previous demeanor as she said, “It doesn’t matter…”

“Of course it matters!” Starlight, feeling aggravated.

“No, it really doesn’t… I know who it is. But our main concern right now is putting together a plan to stop this anomaly,” Twilight answered calmly.

“Did you not hear what I said before!? She’s dea-”

“Don’t... remind me…” Twilight stopped her dead in her trackers.

They kept walking, but were being wary of Twilight. Starlight, in particular, kept her eyes on Twilight the most. Pinkie decided to break the silence.

“W-Well, we are the Grim Reapers, Starlight! If anypony can keep the empire safe, it’s us,” she said.

“I’m not-”

“Besides, with Twilight helping us, she’ll make the impossible, possible so we can’t give up hope!” Starlight said nothing to that, knowing that Pinkie Pie would be stubborn. “If my gut feeling is right, and it usually is, you’ll find the monster again and with Fluttershy’s element of harmony, we’ll be able to bring everything back to the way it was!” Pinkie said, filled with enthusiasm.

“But what about the Corrupted? What if they come-”

“I’ll be able to handle that. I may be death but I can still handle the anomaly,” Pinkie said, removing any doubt Starlight had.

Starlight knew that Pinkie wasn’t lying. But she didn’t feel confident that it would turn out that way. “Are you sure about this, Pinkie?” she asked.

“Have I ever let anypony down in our group? Besides, your the only one I know whose magic is on the same level as Twilight,” Pinkie answered without hesitation.

Twilight smiled in an embarrassed manner upon hearing that. “When did she…”

“But more importantly, the likelihood of me failing is like saying a bird can’t fly,” Pinkie boasted.

“Hmm. Pinkie… thank you,” Twilight thought.

She teleported away at the blink of an eye. Pinkie and Starlight turned around to see where she has gone. Then Starlight turned towards Pinkie in frustration.

“Gah, Pinkie… you…!”

Pinkie scratched her head nervously and said, “My bad, Starlight. I should’ve thought of a better idea. But you know how she is. Once she has her mind on something, she goes for it. No pony in the multiverse could stop her even if they tried.”

Starlight found that statement very hard to believe, considering that Pinkie usually is focused on the task at hand. But the fact that she Twilight slip just felt very underhanded. She hated to admit it, but she was right. Nopony could stop Twilight even if they tried.

“I guess… but do you know the full extent of the situation we’re in?” she asked.

Pinkie thought for a moment to think about the situation. “Can’t say I do but- Hmm? Hey, where are you off too?” she asked.

“If Twilight managed to keep this under wraps from everypony… only one other pony would know about this. I have a few selective words that need to be said to her…” She had a mental image of who she was referring to. It suddenly clicked in her mind like a lightbulb. “I’ll see you back at the empire.”

And with that, she teleported away, leaving Pinkie by herself. She had no clue what Starlight was talking about, but she knew that Starlight would figure it out. Even if it meant that Equestria would never be the same, Pinkie knew that Starlight and Twilight wouldn’t let anypony down. She proceeded to head back to the empire by herself.
> The Room
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After making it back to the Empire, Twilight went into the castle. She was greeted by the guards as she walked into the corridor. She entered her room when she passed the hallway. Twilight then remembered the first day she became the Grim Reaper. She and Pinkie followed Princess Luna to a room in the Imperial Castle. For some reason, this room wasn’t shown anywhere.

“Oh! I wonder what’s inside?! Does it have cake?!” Pinkie asked excitedly.

“Pinkie, you must calm down. I need you to take this job seriously. And to answer your other question, we are heading to a classified area inside the castle,” Luna answered. She pressed a large crystal embedded into a wall. After being pushed, a secret door in a wall began to open. “Only my sister and I know of this place but I’m the only one who can open it. The only way to enter it is to be pure of heart and brave enough against any force that seeks to threaten Equestria. It’s a powerful barrier that nopony else has access to. Not even Cadance knows of this place.”

As she and Twilight entered, Pinkie was amazed by everything around it. Even Twilight was impressed by the architecture. It was so ancient that she felt like writing notes about this newly-discovered area.

“It’s beautiful. A place that is responsible for housing two dangerous weapons. Weapons that are known to decimate anypony in their path if not used wisely. With this, you’ll have the power to control who lives and who dies. These two weapons are normally never used unless it was a case of emergency. It’s a great power but misusing it will prove to be fatal. I trust you two will be responsible enough to handle this burden,” Luna said, looking at the scythes.

Pinkie was too awestruck to describe the thrill that she was feeling. She grabbed it and took a look at it.

“This is the best day ever!” she yelled as she jumped into the air.

Twilight stayed silent and looked at the other scythe. She was so transfixed by the alluring presence that she could barely speak.

“Go ahead. Just don’t swing it too much,” Luna said with caution.

Twilight walked closer but made sure to be careful not to swing it. Pinkie on the other hand had no problem approaching the weapons.

“Whoa, Twilight! It’s really light! Is yours light?” Pinkie asked, lifting the scythe.

“It can tell you just about anything. A story of how Equestria started, when ponies came to be, even how me and my sister grew up.” This caught Twilight’s attention as she heard the last part. “It’s only limit is what you imagine. There is one thing I must note however… While it can answer most questions, they can only be limited to how you imagine them. There are somethings that are best left in the past. The beginning is endless but so is the endings. Every life is similar to a fleeting moment. There’s no telling what will happen next,” Luna said, looking at Twilight’s scythe.

Luna went into the tall dresser and grabbed what appeared cloaks of some sort. She gave them death’s uniforms that somehow felt cold when they were grabbed. “Beautiful craftsmanship, is it not?” she asked, handing them to Twilight and Pinkie. “Many lives are determined by your actions. You can take them at ease. But bare this in mind… For every life you take, your weapon  becomes heavier, slowly clouding your mind. And with this job comes another price...:” Luna opened her eyes, immediately lighting up. “Everything you touch or come near, dies… But at the same time, you cannot die either. Neither by starvation nor by mutilation.”

They were both shocked and terrified by this. It would be a heavy price to pay. There would be no going back if Twilight and Pinkie dawned the outfits. The former especially felt shivers run down her spine upon hearing the effects.

“But then… what about everypony else?” Twilight asked. Luna was confused and surprised by her question. “Cadence told me one time that they were only outfits. That everypony was just telling an old wives tale. So… are they really safe?”

Luna was taken aback by that statement. She didn’t want to answer her question on account that it was classified. But she knew that Twilight didn’t want to believe they were monstrous. However, Luna had to give Twilight the truth.

“...You forfeit your life the second you take this job. You take lives, no matter what reason you may have. There is no going back once you wear these outfits,” she answered.

Pinkie thought about what Luna said for a second. Then a sad expression waned upon her face. “O-Oh… I see…” she said with a down tone in her voice.

Luna knew that the truth was hard. But she had to say something to cheer them up. “Don’t be sad. You have a purpose. A more difficult task than life itself. I understand how this can be scary… That is why only a few can take this job and even fewer can handle the responsibility. Do you know what would happen if death didn’t exist?” she asked. Pinkie shook her head in response to that. “The world would be without meaning…”

Pinkie was scared to hear that answer come from Luna. In all honesty, taking a life was the last thing that Pinkie wanted to do. Nevertheless, she won’t back down from this and put the outfit on.

“But do you want to know the benefit of being death is?” Luna asked. They both looked at her in a curious manner. “There would be everlasting beauty.”

“What?” Pinkie asked.

She looked up in a confused manner. Even Twilight was mesmerized by Luna’s statement. “Everypony appreciates life a lot more when their lives are on the line. For you see, without death, then nopony would see the beauty of living their lives. Your sacrifice makes the world worth living. With you, everything would be in balance. I realize this may sound confusing. I also realize that you may lose your lives. You would most certainly be taking a huge gamble. But take a look outside and ask yourself this- Would the world survive without the two of you?” she asked with a small smile. “Never doubt your own existence in the world. Death plays a very big role then you could possibly imagine. Even if everyone ends up hating you… Even if you will someday come to resent what you two have become... Just remember one thing: believe in yourselves. Besides, without death, life would cease to bear meaning.”
> Trap
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luna was in her room, pondering what to do next. She needed a plan. The entire Empire was on the line. Without her sister by her side, she had no way of rallying the ponies.

“I never thought I would come back to this room…” she thought.

She looked around the room and looked at it. She felt a sense of nostalgia as she walked. She looks at where the weapons use to be. Behind the closet appeared to be a sword.

“With this, I’ll be able to see everything. All events, visions, and possible outcomes. I never dreamed this would be used again… The last time this was used, it nearly costed me my lifespan... Everything comes to light. Nothing can avoid it… Not even immortals are safe from this… I hate that I have to resort to this… but we are out of options. If anything by looking at this sword, it reminds me of the time my sister was here with me. It wouldn’t come as a surprise if my sister had already had this in mind before her death… If she had a choice in the matter… No, I can’t dwindle in the past. I have to make my own choices and hope that my judgement is correct.”

She used a form of spell and her body transported inside the sword. With that, her entire consciousness was completely warped in. It was pitch black as she entered, something she expected. She looked around and noticed that there was a mirror. As she got closer, she sense something. Something that was not supposed to be here.

“Who’s there?!” she demanded as she glowed her horn.  But there was no answer. Instead, she saw what appeared to be herself. It was different than before. Only corrupted. “No…! How could it- How could it be possessed!? Did… the anomaly do this?! No… that’s impossible! Only my sister and myself can access this sacred place! This cannot be!” She attempted to purify the room in order to seal the creature off. But to no avail. “It cannot be...” She used her magic to demand the the answer. “Sword of Fate, reveal to me what happened. Tell me how to fix this plague... Make everything right again… and lastly, tell me who the monster is!”

The sword did what she asked and delved into her mind. Upon flashing, her consciousness delved further into the vision. However, on the other side of it, showed a corrupted version of her. The same version that nearly destroyed Equestria. “Here I am!”


Luna was surprised by what she saw. She stood back as the creature walked towards her. “That… is not me...” Luna said in disbelief.

It changed into its original form. It was the creature. “Give the big mare a prize… What tipped you off? The cackle? The aura that I gave off?” Luna didn’t respond as she tried to understand what was going on. “You're probably wondering how I got into this sacred place undetected, aren’t you?” It laughed as it chased Luna. “Let’s just say you relied on a certain pony a bit too much.”

“This… that’s not possible…” Luna quickly back away and quickly glowed her horn. “No matter. Your tricks will not work on me. I will defeat you.” She attempted to force the monster out. But it didn’t move. It only mocked her attempts at trying.

“Looks like you’ve grown weaker since the plague began. I can’t be removed so easily,” it said, filled with malice.

“Then I will destroy your creator! I will remove your very existence from this world!” She attempted to reach the sword. However, it proved to be in vain as she could not get to the sword in time. “What?! Impossible...”

It smiled as it levitated the sword. “You seem to say that a lot, huh…? And you’re supposed to be the strongest Alicorn around? More than your sister? I guess I overestimated you...” It was outside in the real world while Luna was stuck inside. It started to walk away but not before adding, “There’s one reason why you can’t beat me…” It looked back at her and with a breath of fire and with its claws, it said, “Rules don’t mean anything to a monster that is nonexistent.”

Luna noticed and it appeared to be an illusion. It cleared the entire room and it was no more but a void. “That voice…”

“So you noticed, huh? The body has grown on the count of how many lives I’ve consumed and for awhile, I couldn’t act… However, since the light is gone, I’ve grown much stronger as a result. With everything you’ve worked so hard to keep gone, you’ve forgot about your sister...” it said with a wicked smile.

“So you’re the one who killed my sister…!” Luna said, filled with rage.

“And with her power completely eviscerated, even light can’t hope to kill me.The dead will continue to grow and answer only to me... This weapon…” it morphed it’s claws into three extra rows. “It enhances my powers even further… Unfortunately, it seems to missing one thing… While I can take life at will, the pure of heart cannot be harmed in anyway… Your lackies and that sword are- no… were troublesome.”

“When I get out of here…” Luna started to get angrier as she something started to emerge.

“But no matter. There is one other way of getting through the pure of heart… and all I need is-”


“Bastard!” Luna transformed and tried to get out. However, all it did was break and she was still stuck inside. She screamed in fury as the creature made its escape.

“How fitting… in the end, you really are irredeemable. I hope you enjoy the rest of your life in utter darkness… Nightmare Moon…”

It walked away, content with getting under Luna’s skin. It grabbed the sword and morphed away. The Empire was now in greater danger than ever.

. . .
> Closing In
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Starlight entered the empire as she teleported back. She moved towards the castle as she was thinking. She was in front of the doorfront, wondering what to do next.

“Oh, what to do…” she asked herself. It was then that she noticed Cadence. “Hmm? Cadence? What are you doing out here?”

She looked at Starlight with confusion while she was wandering about. “I was looking for something… or somepony? Strange… Oh right. I was looking for Shining Armor,” she answered with uncertainty.

Starlight noticed something off about her. She looked fatigued. She wanted to see if she could do anything to help Cadence. However, she had no time to waste in reporting herself to Luna.

“Alright. Just make sure you don’t overwork yourself, Alright? If you do… I will make you rest,” she said with firmness in her voice.

She walked away before Cadance could stop her. She continue onwards inside the castle. Getting ready to make a report to Luna.

. . .

Meanwhile, Twilight was elsewhere, unaware of what happened at the empire. She searched around, looking for any clues. Her mind only had one thing that she was focused on. Which, at first, was an obsession. She devoted herself of her emotions to getting the job done. By the time she had come to her senses… she was too late. She loathed herself as she realized how idiotic she’d been acting. She couldn’t continue suppressing her emotions, which seemed to be pointless as she wasn’t acting like herself. After what happened with Starlight, she couldn’t take it anymore. She made it her mission to revert back to her old self. To make sure she didn’t fall back into the darkness. However… a part of her still was in denial about Princess Celestia's death.

“Celestia? Where are you? Please answer me…” She tried everything in her power to find a trace of life. Something that would prove she was still alive… “Are you there? I need help…” She remained alone, trying to find a clue on where the Princess of Light was.

And even though she tried to hide it, she tried to hide all the good memories of her former teacher. She’d chosen to remove it from her mind, to ignore, all because it would be one more weakness the corruption could use against her if she kept thinking about it.

“Twilight, can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“If something were to happen to me, what would you do? Would you search for me?”

“That would never happen. Because I am always with you.”

“Hmm… let me change it a little… What if I disappeared? Somewhere nopony could ever hope to reach? And you had to make your own choice?”

She stopped moving around. Immediately, Twilight turned around to see if Celestia was there. “...What would make you say that…?”

She saw an image of her former teacher in front of her as she collapsed. She was a corpse and Twilight ran over to her. “Or perhaps, you just don’t care anymore? Would you give up everything… just to find me?”

She started to shed tears as she remembered that conversation. The time when they were in the garden alone. When everything was peaceful for a time.

“I… I would… Never stop!”

She started to have a massive headache as she recalled that event. Twilight was screaming as the ooze started to surround. She could hear the corruption’s voice when she got on her knees.

“Twilight? Twilight?!”

Her mind was filled with memories of what the monster did to her. How the monster started corrupting Equestria. When the ponies that fought this calamity were pushed back to the Crystal Empire. After a few moments of struggling, she managed to calm down, albeit, with difficulty.

“P-Pinkie?” she asked.

She nodded. “Who were you expecting, a shooting star?” She made a small laugh about that little quip. It was short lived however as she dropped her joking side for a moment as she continued. “Anyways, I didn’t mean to interrupt your… um… Thought process? Judging from the looks of things, I guess you didn’t find her yet… I’m sure you would be back to your old self once you did!” She tried to be cheerful despite the situation as she added, “In any case, I came looking for you because… I’m in a bit of a pickle here.”

Twilight got off the ground, feeling as if the migraine went away. She looked at Pinkie Pie who was being serious this time. A thing that knocked Twilight for a loop.

“I know I Pinkie Promised that I could handle this… I truly did try. But the dead refused to listen to reason… They’re too scared, too far gone that they may become corrupted. What's even worse is because the Princess of light is gone… nearly everypony has lost hope. It seems that even I can’t… save them on my own. I-I’m aware that you need to do this on your own and I know how much she means to you- to everypony… I can do just about anything. I should be able to make anypony happy and to never-”

“I’ll help,” Twilight said as she cut her off.

Pinkie was surprised to hear Twilight say that. She had expected to be rejected and turned away and yet, Pinkie didn’t seem reluctant. “But what about our hope? We can’t just-”

“I’m not giving up… but everypony needs a leader. I need to be that leader. I can’t keep running away… I can’t be selfish and ignore everypony in pain. I know a part of her is still here… I can sense it in my heart… and when she needs me… I’ll be the first one to help.

Pinkie smiled and grabbed Twilight. They both ran towards the Crystal Empire. Ready for their next assignment.

. . .

Meanwhile back at the empire, Fluttershy tried to find a way to bring back the Princess of Light. But all the books she researched were doing her any less good. Every book she read had the same answer. She was told to find a way to resurrect the dead and to hopefully turn the tide against the monster. But she doubted herself and anyway she could be of help. Out of everypony, she was the only one that could heal anypony and was the closest to life itself.

She knew there was a way… she just didn’t know how. Since their light had vanished, everypony started to have doubts... It went from hope to pure sadness and despair. They were heard but nothing could be done. Everypony was dying sooner and the corruption was spreading faster than a swarm of bees. She had an idea… but an idea that came with a cost. When  everything and everypony came to her for health and guidance, she offered a holy but terrifying solution. She would have to sacrifice part of her lifespan and she would use the Crystal heart as a result.

“I… will sacrifice myself so everything and everypony can survive,” she said, knowing full well what her fate was.

Everypony gladly accepted her offer although the animals weren’t so keen on letting her go... For the first time, somepony had to make the ultimate sacrifice so others may live. So others can be happy. So, she asked the unicorns to take a part of her life and split it up so everyone had a chance. It was painful for her to go through. But she had to save everypony’s spirits. However… she was unsuccessful. Her spirit did not help them. She was connected to the Elements of Harmony and to some extent, the Crystal Heart and anyone unworthy of them would instantly become corrupted. As everypony slowly turned, she ran away, crying at what lied before her. She was the cause of their corruption. In a panic, everypony tried to stop… but there was nopony left. The only survivors left were in the empire and the mane six. All was lost…
> Hope
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equestria was slowly turning into a hellscape. There was nopony left and the ones that did survive ended up corrupted. As they got back to them Empire, countless bodies and souls surrounded them like the plague. It was now starting to become brutal. Pinkie did everything she could to raise them and make them happy and lead them to their bodies while Twilight used her magic to keep the corruption at bay. It was difficult to maintain as their workload still piled up and were unaware of how they died. But despite all that, Twilight didn’t give up hope. For even a moment, she hoped, she would find the light that could bring a glimmer of hope. He refused to let the darkness corrupt her.

It was then she felt a lightressense lingering over her. It felt too familiar. She used her magic to push the corruption back even further. For her, she couldn’t afford to miss this chance. She knew she had to face him… it was a matter of when that bothered her. For it, it was surprised she had not given up hope. It roared as it tried to push forward. But she was happy. The light was still alive. She will find her. It will find her. They both had one goal. And that was to bring  Princess Celestia back.

“Is the room still open?” Twilight asked, turning towards one of the guards.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Hearing that, Twilight rushed out of the throne and ran towards the room. Keeping hold of her scythe as she ran, the answer became clear. Where she and her friends have failed in protecting the Crystal Empire, they may have succeeded in resurrection. Even after all the horrible things that Twilight did, she knew that there was at least still a chance in fighting back. After making her way to the room, she took off her bag and started glowing her horn as she reached into it and pulled out Celestia’s crown.

“This has to work. There is no other solution left. And up until, I have done nothing but hold back what I’ve been doing and I have been living the life of a selfish princess. But not today…” Twilight thought as she started performing spells.

. . .

Meanwhile, the others were trying to figure out what to do with holding back the Corruption. Looking at the Corruption that surrounded them, they were running completely on fumes and were about to be crushed. Rarity shouted,

“What are we going to do?! When the field collapses, it’s curtains! We can’t-”

“Rarity, it’s okay. Twilight will find a way to save Princess Celestia. If there’s anypony that can do the impossible, she can.”

“All we can do right now is hold out until Twilight resurrects the princess. If we divide ourselves, then we’ll really be in deep trouble! And we’re already in deep trouble!” Applejack shouted.

“Easier said than done, AJ. All of our armies have been done in and the Crystal Empire is up next on the chopping block!” Rainbow Dash shouted.

“Why else are we here, Rainbow Dash? So that we can discuss how we’re gonna fend off this anomaly!”

“Could you be any more obvious, Applejack?! Twilight is down there in that room right now, trying to bring back Princess Celestia while we’re up here bickering like a couple of foals!” Starlight shouted as well.

“What do you expect us to do, Starlight? We’re on a tightrope here and about ready to splat on the ground! We can’t-” Rainbow Dash said before being interrupted.

“GIRLS!!!” Cadance shouted from her throne.

They turned towards Cadance who came off her throne to join in on their meeting.

“I understand that we are all heading to our doom and that we have no other recourse left, but Shining Armor is doing everything he can to hold them back and all we can do is hold our chins up until Princess Twilight resurrects Princess Celestia. And if the latter was here now, she would have told us to keep pushing back until we die. We can’t afford to let the two of them down until Twilight has succeeded in performing the spell.”

The rest of the girls stood silent as they heard her.

“But we have to do something. If we don’t, there won’t be any Equestria to save.” Starlight said.

Cadance solemnly nodded upon hearing that.

“Go.” Cadance ordered with sorrow in her voice.

On that note, everypony left the throne room with Cadance the only one remaing.

“Just where are you when we need you, Luna? Twilight… I hope you know what you’re doing…” Cadance said as she looked outside the castle with sadness in her eyes.

. . .

After several more hours pushing the corruption back, they were finished. They went back to Empire to begin the spell. Twilight felt incredibly happy about what was going to happen next. Twilight told her friend that she will be back. That she would bring back the souls. And this time, she felt that they could win.

She thought of only one place. A place she was told about long ago. The same place where she found the Crystal Heart. Twilight had felt foolish for not realizing it sooner. But if there was one thing about her tenacity, it was that she was persistent. She went to the lower levels of the empire as she ran. She eventually made it to the front door of the resurrection room. After opening it, she was greeted by a swarm of flames.

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight shouted as she activated a barrier.

And once she entered, she found something. She moved forward and wouldn’t cease until she made it to Princess Celestia. But as she moved, she heard wicked cackling as the flames roared. More and more she moved, the cackling grew louder.

“I know you’re there! Please! Come back to us! We need you!” Twilight shouted as she moved.

The cackling continued as she kept moving through the flames as they turned into a face. It had the same visage as Celestia, but it was much more wicked and malicious. Looking around, Twilight was sweating really hard as she looked for Princess Celestia while it laughed at her. For a brief half-hour searching, she starting to run short on luck. But just then, she noticed something on the far end of the flaming room. Something she didn’t expect. Light. It was small, but it was very pure and shiny. The face disappeared when she took notice.

“Princess Celestia…” she whispered.

She moved closer to see if she was alive. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes. Twilight’s eyes twinkled when Celestia woke up. She took her to a place the creature would never go. It was incredibly bright when they entered. And with that, a small rain of hope existed...
> Arc 3 - Shadow Equestria
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Outside the Crystal Empire, there now exists a shadowy realm which has now been tainted by the Corruption. Lakes filled with blood, grass covered by corpses and body parts of every deceased pony, corroding tar covering the banks of every small oasis, and trees dying everywhere due to being burnt by the dragons and griffins that now roam Equestria. Patrolling for any ponies that now remain within their grasp as various battles were being held. Up in Canterlot, it is now covered in black clouds of Corruption. The wall, guarded by a giant armor-clad minotaur and dragons with automatic crossbows, griffons and hippogriffs patrolling the skies and the sea, manticores and timberwolves guarding the gates, buffalo and yaks keeping an eye out for any threats, and changelings keeping an eye out for spies and intruders. In the castle sits a terrifying force that rules over all of Equestria with an iron fist, carrying no regard for pony life as its king.

“My liege! We have found another battalion of ponies in Shadow Equestria! Do you want them captured dead or alive?” Gilda asked as she kneeled.

On that throne made of flesh and bones cut from the bodies of dead ponies, guarded by dragons in the hallway, sits an ominous dragon that has now taken Equestria for himself. The creature had eyes with color of blood circulating with the feelings of hatred, anger, and malice. He was very tall and shadowed almost every creature inhabiting Canterlot. His body covered in black clouds and dark scales that were so dim, yet vibrant anypony would think they were mirrors when in the sun. He wore an outfit that consisted of gold adorned by the most rarest jewels ever found in Equestria with golden gauntlets dawning his arms and golden shin guards surrounding his legs. His fingers were riddled with rings fit with all sorts of jewels that were found all over Equestria. And for the final show of his everlasting royalty, his crown was purely made of platinum and it was decorated with the most beautiful rarest jewels found deep within the mines of Equestria. The griffon in front of him waited for his command as the king pondered. He said in one of the most calmest tones,

“Dispose of them.”

Gilda looked up and nodded towards the dark entity before she left. She saw Garble come inside the throne room. Garble kneeled down towards It upon coming near It’s throne.

“Report.” It commanded.

“So far, the dragons have decimated the entire forces up in Cloudsdale, Los Pegasus is now ours thanks to the griffons, and Ponyville is all but destroyed, my king. It was reported that the Changelings have managed to find more sources of food for us in the Everfree Forest. The Hippogriffs have scouted out some more spies coming from the Crystal Empire and we have captured them. We are currently holding them for interrogation. But have no fear. Our guards are currently watching them as we speak. Anyway, do you have the object?”

“Hmm?”


The dragon started to shake as soon as it asked.

“T-The object, sire. Do you have her head?” Garble asked, albeit nervously.

“Oh. You were referring to this?” the creature said, going behind his throne.

The dragon raised his head a little to see what was behind the throne. He had no idea what the creature was hiding, nor does he know what the object is. He could only hope that the creature has no intention of punishing him. He went back into his kneeling position when the king turned turned around. Just then, the king came back from behind the throne and showed him a decapitated head.

“Huh?!” Garble said, startled.

Garble fell back a little before going back to kneeling. Upon a closer look, he started to notice the head. He started to feel more flabbergasted when he finally recognized the head.

“I-Is that… Princess… Celestia?” Garble asked, awestruck at the head.

“Yes. I found her tending to her garden and I killed her before she had a chance to fight back. I intend to show her head as my gift to the people.” it explained.

Garble was completely stunned upon hearing his intentions to display her head to the masses. 

“Would it be a good idea, my liege? You could start riots if you did so.” Garble warned.

“Why not? It is our time of celebration for the death of the Sun Princess.”

Garble was entire speechless at that point. But then he gave a toothy grin and said,

“...good. I want to see her head look like a trophy.”

The creature chuckled and said,

“You will. But for now, return to your duties.”


“Yes, my liege.”

Before Garble could leave, he said,

“One more thing.”

“Be quick.” the creature demanded.

“Queen Novo wants an audience with you.”

“Tell her to meet me in my room when my duties are finished. Now out of my sight.”


Garble nodded and left the throne room upon the creature’s orders. The creature rose from his throne and proceeded to walk around the castle. As it toured the palace, it took a look at the stained glass windows displayed in the hallway close to the entrance. The ooze went away and Spike revealed himself as he took a look at the glass with his own two eyes. His eyes were dark-green and his once purple scales were now blackened from the influence of the Corruption. He looked upwards at the stained glass window showing Twilight Sparkle and her friends, including himself.

“Does it bring back memories?” the creature asked.

“None that I can ever think of.” Spike replied in a somber tone.

“Ah. But what about the times when you were still a poor, defenseless baby dragon?”


“That was all in the past. I’m moving on to bigger better things.”

Spike moved a little further and stopped to look at the window displaying Spike saving the Crystal Empire from King Sombra. He moved towards the window and pressed his body onto it, remembering what he did back at the Empire.

“Being loved and remembered was more than anything I could ever ask for. Everypony that knew me, worshipped me, and revered me. They treated me like I meant Equestria to them. I was treated like a king when they surrounded me after I arrived at the Crystal Empire for the Friendship Games. But it just wasn’t enough for them…”

“You are right. Despite you being the one that saved your beloved friends and always doing the right thing, you were always second best when it came to working hard. They never invited you, they never helped you, and they never treated you as their equal. To them, you were their goat. Just an animal ready to haul in his next load at hand. Whether it be big or small.”

Tears started to pour out of Spike as he remembered the times that he used to be with the Mane Six. He remembered the time when he and Twilight spent their time working and studying on new spells, the times when he used to help Rarity with her dresses, and when he used to help Starlight with her friendship problems. The memories that flowed into Spike became too much for him to bear.

“Don’t be sad. Don’t be confused. All the times that they spent with you were illusions to the real truth that had been displayed before you. Everything that they did for you was all just a facade to what you truly meant to them. But now… vengeance will belong to you. You have already broken the pony’s spirits by killing their princess, you have wrought destruction everywhere in Equestria, and all you have left is to destroy the Empire. A task that King Sombra failed to do.”


Anger began to swell as Spike clearly remembered the times that he spent with the Mane Six. He remembered when he was viciously pranked by Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash so many times, he remembered the time when Twilight introduced him to Owlicious, the times when Rarity would display her new crush to everypony, and when Applejack would yell at him. The hatred that coursed through him, coupled with all the bad memories that came back to him, lead to him destroying the stained-glass windows in a fit of rage as he screamed. After destroying the entire menagerie, he fell to his knees, crying from the times that he experienced with the Mane Six.

“I know it was hard for you living in their shadows, but now you have a kingdom where every creature worships you. To them, you are their god. No matter who will come to oppose you, I will always be the one to shield you from death. You are their idol of worship now.”

The creature grabbed Spike’s chin and shifted it towards the throne room where Celestia’s head is being kept. Spike look at the creature with a feeling of being lost. Then the creature said,

“Now show them that they mean everything to you.”


Spike looked towards the throne room and went inside to grab the head. 

. . . 

Three hours later, every creature was gathered outside the castle for a special event with the captains and the corrupted monarchs on the top. They were all murmuring among themselves, wondering what their king has gathered them for. Would it be for an execution, or would it be for a banquet? They were all craving for some to be given out. The creatures were all hungry from the pony holocaust. They were more than ready to be fed. Just then, the king showed himself and they all bowed. It chuckled and said,

“Rise.”

They did as it commanded and rose up from the ground. 

“My fellow subjects, we have all gathered here to celebrate the birth of our new kingdom.”

Every creature that heard this was confused and bewildered upon hearing the king’s gratitude.

“For the past year and a half, we have driven out every pony that took our homes from us, shunned our cries for help, and swept away whatever comfort we felt with our lives! But now… their only sanctuary left is the Crystal Empire, a mere kingdom that now holds the cowards who held us back! Whatever sense of pride that was diminished has been rebuilt, our food supply has been rebuilt, and I have rebuilt our place at the top of the food chain!”

Everybody was awestruck at his words.

“We have invaded every city that has been known to us and we have crippled them! Their princesses have decided to hide themselves away in cowardice while I stood in the front, fighting for what we wanted! And now we have it… we have built our own cities, we have built our own religion, and we have built our own dynasty! The princesses have all but wasted theirs throwing parties, but we have fought for the very lands that we owned with our power! And now, I have a gift for all of you!”

Everybody looked at the gate as it started to open. After finally opening, a wagon was rolled out by two yaks. It was carrying five ponies on there with burlap sacks on them. It stopped in the middle where every creature could see.

“Garble, if you would, please…?”

Garble got on top of the wagons and removed the burlap sacks, revealing the pony spies. Upon showing their faces, the creatures started cursing at them and roared for their deaths. Knowing that they wanted them to die, the creature asked,

“Who would you like to start with first, lyncher?”

A huge, muscle-bound dragon started to come out of the entrance, carrying this large axe with a hammer attached to the opposite side on his shoulder. He wore a bloodied apron with knives around the waist, a pair of tattered pants, and an iron mask on his face. He also had no wings on his back which made him all the more frightening.

“Her.” the lyncher said with a low growl, pointing at the female pony.

The king chuckled and said,

“Go ahead.”

The lyncher grabbed the pony and started torturing her in front of everybody as they cheered for her demise. After that, he went for the other ponies and they were all but dead. They all cheered away at the sight of them being executed. Even the corrupted monarchs clapped at the mere sight of their deaths. It was like discovering a horde of diamonds for the first time. It was so rewarding that they could barely think straight. The creature shouted,

“Silence!”

They all stopped cheering and paid attention.

“I have one final present for all of you tonight.” the creature said.

Everybody leaned themselves forward to see what it was. Then, the creature brought out the head of somepony they never would have imagined dying.

“I present to you all… the head of your most hated enemy… Princess Celestia!!!” the creature roared as it held her by the mane.

Everybody raved around and cheered like rabid dogs upon seeing her head. They could never have been more pleased to see her head shown to them by their own beloved king. Then it said,

“This is but a preview of what is next to come. When the time comes, the remaining princesses will share this creature’s fate, just like all the other ponies who will join them when we have snuffed out their shining beacon of hope! But soon, when we are finished with them, there will be nopony to tell the tale of their fate, no creature to preserve the last of their kind, and nopony to ever know or see the light of day again!!!! Because I, your beloved King Bahamut, will blot out their existence! And when it is all said and done, Equestria will be ours FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!”

They all yelled and cheered in ecstasy upon hearing the king’s declaration. Never before have they felt such excitement when they saw the head of the princess they despise so much. Bahamut gave them the okay to eat the corpses before returning to the inside of his palace, grinning over the fact that he is coming around to accomplishing his goals.
> Ambush
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Three hours later after Spike made his declaration, Spike had retired to his quarters after having dinner where Queen Novo was waiting for him. 

“You really know how to put on a show, Your Majesty~.” she said in a flirtatious manner.

“What do you want?” Spike asked, albeit impatiently.

She simply giggled and said,

“A straightforward dragon~. I like that~. I’ve been thinking about what you did ever since my kind was blessed by your influence~.”

Spike turned towards her and glared.

“Out with it.” he commanded.

“What would you say if I became your queen~? I’m not sure how long you will last by yourself in your physical form, but if you had your own offspring, your reign will last for eternity~. What would you say about that~?” she said, pressing herself onto him and moving her hoof across his chest.

Instead of conceding, he moves himself away from her and says, 

“I’ll consider it, but my duties are devoted to exterminating these pony creatures once and for all. Even if it means selling my life to do so. And I already have someone in my eyes.”

Queen Novo simply crossed her arms in disappointment and said,

“There is just no pleasing you, is there?”

The creature took over Spike and said,

“Have they been deployed yet?”

“Yes. They are currently in the Everfree Forest as we speak. I trust that they will work in your favor~.”

“Perhaps. But then I would be down one subordinate for my personal group…” the creature said as it crossed its arms and looked on at Equestria.

… 

Meanwhile back at the Crystal Empire, everypony was gathered in the throne room, figuring out what to do next. They were waiting for news to come back from Twilight, who went to resurrect the fallen Princess of Light.

“Does anypony have a clue as to where Princess Luna is?” Starlight asked.

“I have no clue, but Pinkie Pie was just sent out to go look for Princess Skystar.” Applejack said.

“I hope she can make it back alive. With everything that has happened around Equestria, I doubt that one can’t be too careful.” Rarity said in a worried manner.

“Hey, it’s Pinkie Pie. She’ll make it through anything. There’s no doubt in my mind that she can be killed!” Rainbow Dash said, filled with confidence.

“That’s what I’m afraid of…” Cadence said.

“What do you mean?” Fluttershy asked.

“After everything that we went through to fight back against this anomaly, I doubt that we can win this time. Ever since Spike went missing, it just started growing more and more.”

“Why would you keep continuing to think that, darling?” Rarity asked.

“Yeah. We may not have seen him since he left Ponyville, but he wouldn’t just up and die. If anything, he could have taken shelter somewhere in Equestria. At least someplace where the anomaly can’t reach him.” Rainbow Dash said, scratching the back of her head.

“One can only hope, Rainbow Dash. But I just have this terrible feeling that we might be already too late.” Cadence said as she looked out the window.

“You worry too much, Cadence. We’ll win like we always do!” Rainbow Dash said.

Everypony cheered and waited further for Twilight to come back with Princess Celestia. Princess Cadence, on the other hand, didn’t share the same sentiment as the others. Something bad was going to happen, and she could feel it coming like a train ready to split off the railway.

“Girls?” Cadence asked.

They turned around and looked at Cadence.

“When did Pinkie leave?”

“A few hours ago. Why?” Applejack replied.

Cadence looked outside the castle and felt sweat run down her head as she felt a chill run up her spine. Just then, she heard a cry.

“Help!” a voice cried.

They all ran off to the balcony to see who the creature was. As soon as they made it, they spotted a unicorn with a broken horn, carrying a sick hedgehog on her back. After running out of the castle, they came face-to-face with the familiar pony they fought before: Tempest Shadow. But Starlight didn’t have a clue who she was.

“Who are you?” Starlight asked, glowing her horn.

Tempest went over to her and said,

“My name is irrelevant. All that matters is that you help him!”

“Calm yourself, Tempest. We’ll see what we can do.” Cadence said, levitating her friend.

“Huh?” Starlight asked as everypony came to help him.

After getting him into the medical area, Starlight looked at Tempest out of curiosity. She had no idea who she was or where she came from. But what bothered her even more was what happened to her horn. To her, it resembled a broken tooth that couldn’t be fixed. She wanted to know, but she didn’t want to be offensive. However, she couldn’t turn her gaze away from it.

“What?” Tempest asked.

“Wha- uh…? Nothing. I was just… counting patients. You never know who might be there.” Starlight said, nervously.

“Hmm.” Tempest said as she turned back at Grubber.

***

Meanwhile, Pinkie was scouting around the area of Equestria to see if there were any souls to bring back. She walked further and further to find more as she skipped along outside of the Crystal Empire. While she was exploring, she was thinking about Twilight. She had no idea why she was chosen by Princess Luna and why she was given this suit. Moreover, she started to wonder why Twilight didn’t object to the idea of the former joining her as the Grim Reaper. It didn’t really seem to dawn on her as to why Twilight allowed her to join. As she kept moving along, she suddenly heard a scream coming from Everfree Forest.

“Huh?” Pinkie wondered.

“AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!” a voice screamed.

Pinkie immediately recognized the voice.

“Skystar?”

She heard the scream again. It was definitely Princess Skystar.

“Hold on Skystar! I’m coming!”

After making her way over to the source of the screaming, she found Princess Skystar surrounded by a multitude of changelings. Even that Pinkie was aware she couldn’t do anything to fight back, she had to do something before her friend was killed. Seeing a couple of stones, Pinkie had an idea. Picking them up with her mane and tail, she wasted no time in throwing them at the attacking Changelings.

“Hey, you big termites! Over here!” Pinkie shouted.

Hissing and growling at her for that minor attack, the Changelings turned around faced the brave, pink pony. Seizing the opportunity, Princess Skystar snuck away from them and flew, grabbing Pinkie before they could grab her. Wasting no time, the Changelings unleashed their wings and started chasing after the two. Princess Skystar quickly noticed this and started flapping her wings faster, but to no avail as the Changelings were quickly gaining.

“What do we do? They’re getting closer!” Princess Skystar shouted.

Thinking of an idea to shake them off, Pinkie spotted a forest of trees and shouted,

“Down there!”

“What?” Skystar asked.

“Just follow my lead!”

Deciding to take Pinkie on her word, Skystar descended into the forest filled with trees and the Changelings followed suit. As soon as Pinkie and Skystar made it into the forest, they disappeared.

“It’s a thick forest. Do you think we can find her?” a Changeling asked.

“We have to! It’s by the order of the king himself!” 

“Silence, grubs! We have a job to do and we will see to it that it’s completed! You take the right and you take left! I will take the center!” the leader said.

“Yessir!” the Changelings shouted as they divided into groups.

After the Changelings split up, Pinkie and Skystar were hiding underneath a tree as they waited for them to pass by. When the Changelings finally disappeared, Pinkie asked,

“What happened out there? What made our friends so angry to become this?”

But instead of answering, Skystar simply chuckled and said,

“We were simply blessed with a gift far better than friendship…”

Just then, Skystar slowly shifted into a changeling, undoing her disguise. As Pinkie was shocked to figure out this treachery, she was suddenly rammed by an oncoming yak, knocking her into the air. As she was flying into the air, she was suddenly smacked in the face by a griffon wielding two maces.

“Homerun!” the griffon shouted.

The next thing that happened, Pinkie was suddenly hit by a dragon with two axes coated with flames. She shouted, “Foul!” followed by another slash coming from a hippogriff wielding two swords attached to chains surround her arms shouting “Nailed it~!”.

As Pinkie fell to the ground crippling from the attack, she was suddenly charged by a buffalo from the rear. The impact sent her flying near a tree, ultimately breaking her.

“So… this is the grim reaper the king spoke about?” the griffon said in a mocking tone.

“Yeah! She looks so sad~. Can I make a smile on that stupid face of hers~?” the hippogriff excitedly asked.

“No. The king wants her alive. He wants to know the secret behind these outfits they wear.” the changeling said.

“Aww~. But I want to play with the pony~.” the hippogriff said in a whiny manner

“Relax, Silverstream. The king said to mangle her, but not too rough. Besides, I wanna see if what he said about her weapon is true.” the dragon said, gripping her axes.

“Yak tired of waiting!!! Yak wants ponies dead now!!!!” the yak shouted, pounding her hooves into the ground.

“There will be plenty of ponies left to kill, Yona. But right now, we have to follow the king’s orders.” the griffon said, cocking his automatic crossbow.

“How right you are, Gallus.” a voice said.

The six of them turned around along with Pinkie and noticed somebody familiar.

“Oh no. Not you…”
> Ghost
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Spike was watching Equestria from outside the balcony, he was pondering about Princess Celestia. After having battled against her in Ponyville, he has been thinking about what to do next in his campaign against the Crystal Empire. He couldn’t also help but wonder what the Shadow Creature was doing. But while he was doing that, he suddenly heard a familiar, but raspy voice.

“You must be having the time of your life up here.” a raspy voice said.

Spike turned around and he noticed none other than the rotting corpse of Princess Celestia. She was completely mangled everywhere on her body everywhere with her horn broken, her lips torn apart with her teeth exposed, her mane completely dirtied and ripped, her eyes dilated, and her insides showing. He was shocked to noticed her in her presence after what happened at the Crystal Empire.

“Y-You’re still alive?” Spike asked in a shocked voice.

“No. You would like to think that I’m still alive.” Celestia said as she looked at her former room.

Spike was incredibly spooked as he looked at the former Princess of Light. He would have already ran away if he had noticed her like this in his previous form. But now that he looks at her, he could feel an enraged force from her.

“So this was what you were doing in my castle. Doing nothing but creating carnage and despair across my beloved kingdom. All the while you were staying up here and letting that monster do away with your friends. Especially his own mother.” Celestia said in a hateful tone.

“I didn’t know it was in the Crystal Empire.” Spike said as he backed away from her.

“Oh really? Did you think I didn’t notice when that thing said you survived? Or the fact that you did nothing while you watched me die?” Celestia said as she growled.

Spike was beginning to sweat breathe heavily as the Princess of Life started walking towards him.

“What will everypony think once they find out you were the one behind the attack on Equestria? Once Twilight and her friends know about what you did and what outrage you brought upon Equestria, they will do everything within their power to kill you. I promise that I will not leave you until the day you die! You will never know…”

As Celestia’s voice grew louder and angrier, Spike started to go deaf as he covered his ears and panted really hard while trying to block out her voice. Just then, the hallucination stopped and the creature was in front of him.

“What manner is this?” the creature asked.

“It’s nothing. I was just thinking about what we’re gonna do next.” Spike claimed, wiping his sweat.

“You were muttering about something. Something adhering to the subject of a princess.” the creature growled.

“It was only a hallucination is all. Nothing is bothering me. I promise.”

The creature growled while he sniffed the air for anybody nearby. It said,

“He’s here.” the creature said.

“We shall see him then.” Spike said.

Before Spike could leave, the creature held him down by his throat.

“W-What are you-” Spike said as he was getting choked.

“Remember. You are their king.” the creature warned as it let him go.

After getting up and rubbing his throat, the creature absolved itself back into Spike as he left his bedroom.

***

One half-hour later, Spike was in the throne room as he waited for the guest. Just then, two changelings appeared with Thorax in the middle. Only this time, he was more demonic-like with with eyes on his ears, cheeks, and his shoulders with the muscle tissue on his mouth partially missing. He was taller than his normal height and his horns were so sharp they could be mistaken for spears with his horn completely pointed. His hindwings were even more spanned out as they were covered by his forewings and his tail was more reptilian-like. The scales on his body shined as he walked. He was also accompanied by Pharynx, who bared the same features as well. As he made it closer to the creature, Pharynx and the guards bowed and the former said,

“We have business contending with the King of Equestria along with an intruder.”

“Show me.” the creature commanded.

Hearing that, Thorax clicked his mouth and the changelings threw the prisoner on the ground. Removing his hood, it turned out to be no more than Dr. Caballeron and his goons.

“Ah. So it appears we have a thief in our midst.” the creature said, lightly growling.

“This is an outrage! After everything you did to my home, you will wish that-”

Dr. Caballeron was hit across the face before he could speak any further. Pharynx continued to speak even further.

“We also came across the Flim-Flam Brothers who tried to bribe us. But we took them to gather more information.”

“Were they sent to the dungeon?” 

“Yes. They’re being interrogated as we speak.”

“I see. We shall deal with them later.” the creature said before it rose up from its throne.

“We also have word that the Shadow Battalion has found the pink pony and are currently transporting her over here as we speak.”

“I see. Has she revealed anything about that weapon yet?”

“No. As far as I know, she is more stubborn than either of us could fathom. It could take hours to make her talk.”

“Leave that to me. My unit has very special methods of getting creatures like her communicate.”

Thorax stood in silence as the creature rose from its throne.

“I have other matters to attend to. Go to Chrysalis and see if she found more food for our soldiers.” the creature commanded.

But before it could leave the throne room, Thorax stopped him and asked,

“May I speak to the king in private?”

Growling but not objecting, the creature said,

“Permission granted. Get those things out of my sight.”

Having said that, the creature absolved itself into Spike and he was back in his real form. The Changelings did as he commanded and took Dr. Caballeron and his goons with them, leaving Thorax and Spike alone.

“It was quite a show you put on for our soldiers.” Thorax said with a crooked smile.

“What can I say? We all need a reason to celebrate.” Spike chuckled as he heard that.

Looking around with nothing else to do, Thorax suggested,

“Would you care to take a walk?”

“Of course.”

As they walked around, they discussed their business ranging from the issues concerning the campaign against the ponies to the talks of possible infiltrators in Equestria.

“What should we do about the stragglers once we destroy the Crystal Empire?” Thorax asked.

“We kill them. If worse were to come to worse, they could potentially overthrow us and destroy everything we worked so hard to achieve.” Spike answer.

“But they could prove to be a good food source. Queen Chrysalis had talks of-”

“We have no need for them. We have the darkness to keep us alive. The very ooze that surrounds us has proven to heal and prolong our lifespan for thousands of moons without the need of food or water. Even if there was a chance that a pony could rise against us, we have the Corruption to reassemble us. I have no idea how this happened, but ever since the day I bonded to the ooze, I've been feeling less of my appetite and my thirst. And if the Darkness were to ever be snuffed out…”

They both paused for a moment as they thought about the consequences of there being a chance the Darkness could be vanquished. Shivering with fear of that happening, Spike decided to change the subject. He said,

“I have news concerning my plans with the Dragon Lord.”

“Really? What plans do you have?” the Changeling King asked.

“I have plans concerning a dinner with her, you, and the other royals of the lands across Equestria.”

Hearing this made Thorax’s mouth open. He enthusiastically asked,

“Are you gonna do it this time? Are you finally going to propose?”

Upon hearing that, Spike reached into his robe pockets and showed a small box to Thorax. The former slowly moved his hand and opened the box, showing the latter what was inside. After opening it, it was revealed to be a ring in the shape of the wedding finger. It had a grandidierite being circled by two demonic dragons in a yin and yang position. The ring glowed with radiance and beauty as Thorax looked at it.

“When will you show it to her?” Thorax asked, looking towards Spike.

“After tomorrow night’s dinner. Everybody has been invited to share this special occasion as we share this special moment together. It will be the royal feast of all.” Spike announced with happiness.

Giddy with excitement and joy, Thorax couldn’t be anymore happy for Spike if he tried. But when he remembered the conflict with the ponies, he said,

“But what about the Crystal Empire? Wouldn’t it be wise to focus on annihilating them than-”

“By that time, their defenses will have already weakened and we would the chance to destroy them once and for all with little effort. Just think of this as a pre-celebration before we win.”

Having heard that and thinking it over, Thorax said with a smile,

“I hope she says yes. After everything you did, she would be a fool to turn you over.”

“You’re a good friend, Thorax. The creature that any friend could ever ask for.”

They both merrily laughed as they thought about the wedding. As they went back to walking again, Spike said in a serious tone,

But right now, we have information concerning the Flim Flam Brothers right now. I will be headed to the dungeons. Would you care to accompany me?”

“It would be my pleasure.” Thorax said.

The two proceeded to walk to the dungeons without a second thought to spare.
> Grogar
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deep within the dungeon, various prisoners were subjected to severe amounts of torture. From cell to torture device, there was no telling what ungodly thing would happen if the prisoner was to ever be executed. In the darkest corner of the dungeon, the Flim Flam Brothers received heavy wounds and mistreatment. As Spike walked into the dungeon, the guards immediately bowed before his presence. He respectfully says,

“Rise.”

After the guards rose up, a griffon captain approached Spike and said,

“Your Highness, we have information from the Flim Flam Brothers. We were told that they were attempting to smuggle our equipment to give to the Crystal Empire so that they could evade us.”

“Sounds that it would be too implausible to ignore. Bring them to me.” Spike commanded.

Heeding his command, the captain ordered the guards to bring over the Flim Flam Brothers. When they brought the brothers over, they were severely broken and injured from the pain inflicted on the by the guards. Their horns were broken, flesh partially ripped along with their cutie marks, and their hair messed up from the sweat. Flam’s eyes were even gouged out with his eyes bleeding. When Flim took notice, he immediately said,

“B-Brother, it's the king! Lower your head!”

“Y-Yes, brother!” Flam said in a whimpering voice.

They both lowered their heads and spoke nothing. Spike moved closer and smelled their bodies as the creature came out of the former's body. The creature lick Flam’s body while he closed his eyes in a terrified manner. The creature said,

“This one's flesh is dirty, but will suffice when it is cleaned.”

Spike looked at the two and said,

“What were the two of you hoping to gain from stealing one of my armories? You must have known it would come to this.”

“Why, revenge of course! You destroyed everything! There’s nothing left of our home! Once we had made it to the Crystal Empire, we would give them the needs to stand against you!”

“Yet here you are, powerless and hopeless in here, rotting away as we do away with filth like you. Scheming, tricking, and lying your way through to get what you want. But I am not Princess Celestia.”

Turning toward the guards, Spike said as he walked away,

“Prepare them for tonight. We have a special feast for the Dragon Lord. I have other matters to attend to.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” the guards headed as they bowed.

“Feast? What feast?!” Flam shouted.

“But sire. What about the other ponies we captured?” one captain asked.

Looking around cells containing the captured ponies, Spike said,

“Kill them.”

“Yes sire.” the guards gleefully said.

Turning around as Spike walked away, he heard countless cries from the captured ponies as they were slaughtered one by one. Walking back with Thorax, he turns to his hippogriff servant and asks,

“Will the other royals be here?”

“I will see to it they receive their invitations.” the hippogriff said in a regal manner as he bowed.

After the hippogriff left, Spike asked,

“Have you been shown to your room yet?”

“No, but I have no ill will against the servants. It's Chrysalis that gets angry whenever she doesn’t receive her meal on time.”

“Will she be joining us?”

“No. She is too occupied with the Hive to join us in our festivities.”

“I can only hope she will receive the regards to my proposal to the Dragon Lord.”

Just then, two dragon soldiers arrived in the hallway as both Spike and Thorax turned towards them.

“Your Holiness, we have received word from the front of Saddle Arabia.”

“Really? Would you care to tell me the details?”

Wasting no time, the soldier said,

“We have successfully killed every single pony that stood and fought us to the bitter end on the front. We butchered every soldier that stood in our way, including the mares and the fillies. But when we searched deeper, we found a vast amount of resources. We could use the raw materials to create more weapons and expand your kingdom? Do we have your permission?”

“Hmm. Hold onto the materials for now. See if you can haul them off to the Apple farm for research and development. Relay that command to the CO as you return.” Spike ordered

“Yes, Your Highness.” The soldiers said as they bowed.

After the soldiers left, Spike decided to head to the command post to check on how things are in the war against the Crystal Empire. Thorax followed suit, but Spike said,

“Stay here and make yourself at home. I have important matters to attend to.”

“Okay. Take care of yourself. I’ll see you at dinner.” Thorax said as he turned the other way.

After Thorax left for his room, Spike walked towards central command. As he moved, the creature came out through his back. It said,

“We are beginning to grow the more we conquer Equestria.”

“And the more we consume, the more weak the ponies will become. It will be a wonderful day when I get to wrap my claws around Twilight’s throat for what she did to me. Along with her friends who did nothing but watch as they expelled me from her life.” Spike said as he continued to walk.

“Your time will come when you get to sink your teeth into their skin along with the marrow that leaks from the crunching of their bones. Especially the Princess of Love, that hideous sight of her husband, and this little excrement of a foal. Her family makes me puke. I look forward to watching their heads fly.”

“But for the time being, we must be patient. Tirek is doing everything within his power to destroy the many armies lain by the Crystal Empire. And we are succeeding as of now.”

As they continued to walk, the creature started to have thoughts about what Spike said concerning patience. It was beginning to rub off on it like it was becoming important to the dragon. It asked,

“Would you care if I told you a story as you walk?”

Hearing this knocked Spike for a loop. He already knew that the creature was bloodthirsty and more than ready to kill everypony they come across, but he never took it for the the creature to tell stories. Nonetheless, Spike said,

“I’m listening.”

“There once, before your lifetime, existed a goat known by the name, King Grogar.”

“Wasn’t he the goat who nearly came close to destroying Equestria along with the Royal Sisters?”

“Yes. But he was not always evil. He was just like you. Before he became one with the darkness you see before you now, he was once a friendly traveler who moved everywhere across the entire land of Equestria. Others were friendly, others were not. But when he came to settle into the mainland of Equestria after years of weary travel, he was met with nothing but bigotry and ridicule from the ponies that came before him in his quest. But from his agony at the hooves of those wastes of flesh, there existed a unicorn that was kind and friendly to him. Her name was Chasma Andromeda. She was studying as a wizard and was the most kindest pony anybody could have ever know.”

“How did she and Grogar meet?”

“Of that I do not recall. But they were good friends. She even taught him how to use magic. When her friends and family learned of this, they didn’t take too kindly to his presence and forbidden him from ever seeing her again.”


“That’s awful.”

“Naturally, he didn’t take too kindly to being banished from Equestria by the ponies, so he gathered a mass amount of the creatures that he met on his journey and led a crusade against the ponies whom he felt wronged him. He even, in his lust for revenge, killed Chasma Andromeda in his path.”

“Why?”

“Guilty by association, I assume. After laying waste to the lands of Equestria and nearly taking over as the new king, two alicorns, whom you already know as the Royal Sisters, rose up against King Grogar. In his arrogance, he used the combined powers of his dark magic and the light magic he was taught by Chasma to defeat the two princesses. But it proved to be for naught as the sisters combined their efforts to vanquish King Grogar from existence. All the other creatures involved in his rebellion were imprisoned for their crimes and executed.”

“What are you getting at? And how do you know all this?”

“Because I was his loyal servant and without his sorcery, I would not have been created and I would not have found a host which you have already known as Stygian. If I had not placed bits of my being inside the heart now embedded in your chest, I would have been lost.”

“Why are you telling me this story and when were you created?”

“That’s a story for another time and we’re nearly close to command.”

“I still have plans to propose to Ember, so I would be grateful if you didn’t interfere.”

“You let me do the talking and I will not choke you.”

“Was that a threat?”

“Think of it as a test of character when time comes for your final battle against the ponies at the Crystal Empire.” the creature said as it enveloped Spike.

“Right…” Spike said upon being full enveloped by the ooze.

Afterwards, the two went inside Command as the Celestia hallucination watched them enter.
> Command Center
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Walking into Central Command, there were various hippogriffs and changelings working on intel and progress of the war against the Crystal Empire. When one of the commanding officers took notice of the creature, he said,

“Bow your heads!”

Doing as he said, the officers got out of their seats and kneeled before Spike. Hearing this, it said,

“No need, everybody. Back to your posts.”

“As you wish, sire!” everybody shouted before returning to their posts.

Walking towards the officer in the front who was a changeling, the creature asked,

“Have you found any weaknesses in the barrier of the Crystal Empire?”

“We are still in the middle of finding the source, but due to active guard duty in the Crystal Empire, it’s been made very hard to sneak around, O Black One.”

“I had a feeling that you would falter in your attempts to infiltrate their quarters.”

“Sire?”

“I sent a bit of myself to search for it, but I came up short on clues. However, I was able to do away with the Royal Sisters. I even took one of their heads.”

“Sire…”

Just then, they heard huge footsteps from outside the room. Everybody but the creature turned around to see who it was. The creatures stood out of the way as the visitor walked through the command center towards the creature. The visitor enthusiastically said as he laughed,

“Well, you seem lively today!”

The creature turned around and saw that it was none other than the Field Marshal himself, Tirek.

“Tirek…” the creature said with a low growl.

“I have come to see the king! Remove yourself, so that I may speak to him!” the huge centaur demanded.

“What?” the creature asked with anger building up.

“I have news regarding the capture of Twilight’s friend. New regarding the pink pony.”

Hearing this stole the creature’s attention. It asked,

“Truly?”

“Yes. Now if you would please, I would like to speak to the king regarding the pink pony.”

“Very well…” the creature said, lightly growling.

The creature dissolved and went back into Spike as the ooze slowly disappeared. After it absorbed itself back into him, Spike asked,

“How far are they?”

“They are about a mile away from here. Should be back here in no more than an hour. I’m sure the two of you have a lot of catching up to do once she has been delivered here.” Tirek quipped.

“I see. If what the Corruption said was true, we could have a way of figuring out the capabilities of those suits and the potential it could wield for the six.”

“And we will. As soon as we peel it off her insect-ridden corpse.”

The Changelings gave a slight hiss upon hearing his derogatory statement. Seeing this, Spike said,

“Let’s walk. The typing and the clicking of these machines are beginning to bother my ears.”

“Indeed…”

After heading outside of the command area, Spike asked,

“How are the six improving?”

“Gallus shows promise. He is quick to a point and he seems to know the best decision when it comes to full-frontal assault against the ponies who attack. But his social skills and tendencies to butt heads with the other members have much to be desired. If we can improve his training and attack coordination, he will be unstoppable. Smolder is quite headstrong and eager whenever she fights, but she is loud and constantly clashes with Gallus over leadership. Can be trained, but needs time on which we don’t have.” Tirek explained.

“And the others?”

“Silverstream is very frantic and sadistic out there on the battlefield which could prove to be her downfall, but she makes up in various torture techniques and could make anypony shrivel with fear if she uses her flight and sea skills correctly. Yona is enraged and incredibly violent, but she works well with others if brute force is used and is surprisingly flexible. Ocellus is quite skilled in stealth and espionage, but needs to improve her skills in direct combat. And Little Strongheart is quite unstoppable when it comes to charging attacks, but she needs to be angered enough to charge directly into her enemies.”

“I see. How did they fare against Pinkie?”

“She was predictable! One the first time of seeing her friend in danger, she immediately acted and saved her at her own peril! Effectively, they used their teamwork to attack and cripple the pink pony! Although they did have a small problem against one pony…”

“Really? Tell me about this pony.”

“In their report, they told me it was a unicorn with a broken horn on her forehead and she was accompanied by a hedgehog. Her name is-”

“-Tempest Shadow?”

Baffled but regaining his composure, Tirek asked,

“Yes. But how do you know?”

“She was the commander who led the Storm King’s soldiers on the attack against Canterlot. Naturally they failed, but she turned over a new leaf and has been spreading friendship ever since.”

“Weakling. Just like any pony, they value friendship over strength. But she was formidable against the Shadow unit and was able to get out with a few scratches on her. However, they were able to injure the hedgehog. Silverstream has blood on her and is planning to track her with it when they return.”

“Hmm. How long will it be until the Crystal Empire’s barrier gets destroyed?”

“We don’t have an answer yet. The Corruption that snuck inside can barely make its way into the sewer system. We’re not sure if it can get to the Crystal Heart! But it could weaken the Princess of Life if it snuck onto her horn.”

“Just like King Sombra…”

“Your Highness?”

“Have you received any word from Dragon Lord Ember?”

“She’s only a few hours away from reaching Canterlot. Should I tell the hippogriffs to prepare the dinner hall?”

“I want everything to be well-organized and the meals must be set to the minute detail. If this proposal is to work, everything must be set according to plan.”

“Ugh, you sound like Twilight Sparkle…”

“I know, and that’s what drives me up the wall. What if she hates it?”

“She won’t. I will see to it that the servants get everything set properly and without fail.”

“Good. Because the last thing that I need to disappoint like how I did with Rarity. But the destruction of the Crystal Empire will be one of my biggest presents to her. Will you see to the servants that they do their jobs in time for Dragon Lord Ember’s arrival?”

“Right away, Your Holiness.”

After Tirek left, Spike was greeted by the haunting visions of not only Celestia, but also Luna, whose appearance was largely the same as her sister. Spike was appalled, but not as mortified as the first time he saw the Sun Princess.

“You really think that proposing to Ember will wash away the blood that you spilt on all of us?” Luna asked in a raspy voice.

Spike said nothing as he looked at the princesses.

“Ignoring us will do you no good, dragon. After everything that we have done for you, how well we have provided for you, cared for you, you reward our gratitude with anger and defiance! Twilight gave you life and you scoffed at her because you wanted nothing more than jewels!” Celestia shouted.

Spike stopped dead in his tracks and turned towards the Royal Sisters.

“Jewels? You think that the only things I cared for in life were jewels!? After all that I was put through as your slave, you have the nerve to say that I was interested in jewels?!?! You don’t know me!!! I was always there on the sidelines, being ordered around and treated as nothing more than an animal!!! But not today. No. Today will be my lifelong declaration to Ember and I will be dead before you interfere with my happiness!!!” Spike shouted.

“You are but a spoiled brat who thinks he deserves the entire world for being treated as nothing more than second best! You are only being held on a pedestal because this thing carried your mind and now you live in it’s shadow!” Luna yelled with booming anger.

“Especially considering how you use cowardly tactics to sneak inside the Crystal Empire and do away with our subjects! And using Twilight’s scythe to disguise yourself…” Celestia said as she snarled.

Spike remained silent as he pondered over what they said. He felt nothing but anger and doubt as he looked at the Royal Sisters. He knew that they weren’t lying about him using the creature to sneak inside the Crystal Empire, but he was infuriated when they said he was living in the former’s shadow. He said,

“I may not be innocent, but I wasn’t the one who threw my children out.”

The Royal Sisters snarled as electricity start sparking out of their horns. Spike stood absolutely still as he stared them down. After a minute, they powered down their horns. Celestia said,

“We will be back. And when we return, you will experience the wrath of the Royal Sisters of Canterlot. There will be no escape when we meet again. When I see you again, I will melt you like a candle and use whatever’s left to make a suit out of you.”

“And I will always be here. Waiting for you in your deepest, darkest nightmares to prey on whatever security you believe to have and I will make your life a living hell. As long as you live, you will never be rid of us. The Royal Sisters will rise again!!!” Luna shouted in her Royal Canterlot voice.

Afterwards, they finally disappeared and Spike was all by his lonesome. Looking around and trying to decide on what to do next, he said,

“I must look over the preparations for dinner as tonight will be my finest hour.”

On that note, Spike started to walk towards the inside of the castle to find the hippogriff servant.
> The Shadows
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the Shadows moved with Pinkie Pie in tow, the six of them kept an eye out for any ambushes. Walking as she was being pulled by Little Strongheart, the five of them made sure to be extra vigilant. When a squirrel tried to run up a tree, Smolder impaled it with the tip of her axe and bit its head off.

“Is that really necessary?” Little Strongheart asked as she pulled the pink pony.

“One of the rules in dragon culture is that you’re hungry, kill something and eat it. It’s basic instinct.” Smolder said as she grabbed the torso and took another bite.

“What I’m really curious about is how she was able to obtain this outfit. There’s so much we can learn as we analyze her abilities to contain the deceased.” Ocellus said as she looked at Pinkie.

“W-Why are you doing this…?” Pinkie asked as she painfully coughed.

Pinkie was struck and pierced with multiple poisoned arrows to keep her sustained. With little strength she had left and the arrows piercing her bloodstream, there was no way for her to escape from the Shadows.

“Because the king blessed us. When we were told by his royal servants that he requested to see us, we have been shown a far greater truth than any of you ponies could wish to know.” Ocellus said.

“What…?”

“After we were summoned to the King’s royal throne room, he has offered us a chance to join him as members of his royal guard. I was a member of the 150st Griffin Army when I was first recruited. I trained myself to the marrow of my bones for this and I will be damned before I let a pony like you escape.”

“You won’t get away with this…”

Silverstream laughed after hearing Pinkie’s little declaration.

“Wow! I didn’t know that ponies were good at telling jokes! You must tell me more!” Silverstream exclaimed in an excited manner.

“Be quiet, Silverstream. You’ll give away our position.” Gallus said.

“Oh, I wouldn’t be stupid to just give us away~.” Silverstream said as she ran her finger across the griffin’s chest.

Gallus simply rolled his eyes and flew up to see if there were any enemies ahead in their position. Silverstream and Smolder joined him along with Ocellus to check for any rescue parties pertaining to Pinkie. Turning around in various directions to check for ambushes, Gallus scouted to see if his suspicions were correct. Reloading and cocking back his crossbow, Gallus flew ahead to check for ponies in their way. Just then, he noticed some rustling in the trees.

“Hmm…” Gallus wondered.

Squinting his eyes to look forward, he could notice that there was a slight hoof sticking out. Ocellus stood beside Gallus and wondered what they should do next. Gallus tilted his head to the left to tell Ocellus to fly in another direction. Ocellus went to the left and hid in the bushes. Hiding in the bushes, Ocellus turned invisible and slowly made her way towards the evaders as she crawled. Silverstream and Smolder were signaled to wait for the attack to commence. The changeling made clicking sounds to scare the evaders as she got closer before growling. The evaders made a slight shake in the bush, giving away their presence. Silverstream was giddy with joy as she pulled her swords out while Gallus aimed his crossbow at the bush.

“What do we do…? They have us sandwiched.” Vapor Trails whispered.

“Don’t worry, Vapor. There’s four of us and only three of them. We just need a plan to get Pinkie without the monsters finding out we’re here.” Sky Stinger said.

“But what if they already knew we would come? We can’t-” 

Just then, an arrow went through one pony’s head, scaring the ponies out of their wits.

“They know…” one pony said as tears started pouring out of her eyes.

“Keep it together, Vapor Trails. We’re going to get out of this. All we have to do is-”

Just then, the captain’s head was grabbed by Ocellus. The captain was screaming as he was mauled to pieces. Vapor silently cried as she clinged onto Sky, pleading,

“Don’t let me go. Please don’t let me go…”

“I promise I’ll get us out of this, Vapes. Just le-”

Just then, a blade pierced through Sky’s abdomen. Suddenly, he was yanked out of the bushes as Vapor was sideswiped by an axe, flinging her out of the bushes.

“Well, it seems we have some peeping toms in the bushes.” Gallus said with a smug grin on his face.

“Did you know that snooping can be very hurtful~?” Silverstream taunted as she pinned Sky into a tree with her sword.

“Especially since spilling secrets could damage whatever self-esteem you have left.” Smolder said as she wiggled her axe into Vapor’s left side.

Vapor writhed in agony as Smolder moved her axe. Gallus put his crossbow in his back while walking towards Sky. After approaching her, Gallus said,

“You did a good job in trying to keep quiet. Quite rare for a brave soldier like you. But I can already see that you don’t have much to live for now. So I’ll spell it out for you. Where are you keeping the Princess of Life?”

Vapor Trails kept silent. Smolder looked at Gallus in a concerned manner. He turned towards her and nodded. Smolder moved her axe closer to Sky’s abdomen and she started screaming more as she coughed out blood.

“It’s rude to ignore somebody when they’re talking to you. We know that she’s still alive. If you tell us where she is, we’ll make it quick.”

Hearing this shocked Vapor Trail. She could not have known that the Princess of Life was still alive. 

“Especially after hearing some rumors that the princess has been brought back to life. Mind explaining that?”

Vapor Trail was shocked to have heard that.

“W-What are you talking about?” Vapor Trail said as she coughed.

“It’s pointless to play dumb with us. We know she’s come back to life.” Gallus said.

Smolder wiggled the axe even further into Vapor’s abdomen. The latter cried in pain as the dragon drove it into her stomach. After pushing the blade forward, Smolder stopped. Vapor was coughing up so much blood that she could barely even breath.

“I… don’t…” Vapor said, gushing with blood and faintly dripping with tears down her face as she looked at Gallus.

“We figured as much.” Gallus replied as he pulled out his crossbow and switched it to single-shot.

After cocking it back once more, Gallus aimed it at Vapor’s head and shot it at short-range. She fell to the ground as her eyes dimmed with zero life left in them. Turning around, Gallus looked at Sky and he said,

“It appears that your friend isn’t the chatty type. Why don’t you and I talk about the princess?”

Gallus put the crossbow on his back and walked towards Sky who was still pierced on the tree. Silverstream was sitting to Sky who placed her arm around him.

“Ooh~. Isn’t this exciting~? You’re going to talk with the captain~!” Silverstream said, excitedly.

Gallus got closer to Sky and took a knee in front of him. Sky glared at Gallus as the latter grabbed the former’s chin. He asked,

“So how’s life at the Crystal Empire? It must be rather pleasant to know that all your friends are tuckered away in some small space to where they can never be touched. Kinda like a cookie jar waiting to be taken by a filly off the refrigerator. Only to fall off the chair and break her skull. This is what exactly going to happen to you if we don’t get an answer. So I’m only going to ask this once. Where’s the Princess of Life?”

“I have no idea what the hell you’re talking about.”

Gallus looked at Silverstream in a serious manner and she said in an joyous tone,

“Stabby time~!”

Silverstream took out her other sword and drove it straight into Sky’s left lung. He grunted the moment he felt the cold sting of the sword stab him, making him violently cough out blood.

“Why not? You’re one of her soldiers after all. You had to have heard a rumor about her reanimation. Couldn’t it have crossed your mind that something was off at the Crystal Empire?” Gallus said.

He went over to Sky and grabbed his jaw. Then, he ran his talons into his skin and scratched very deeply into where he broke it entirely, killing Sky instantly. After letting of his fresh corpse, Gallus said,

“It’s time to rendezvous with Little Strongheart and Yona. We have a schedule to keep with the king if we’re to deliver the pink pony.”

The three of them returned to find Little Strongheart and Yona sitting down on a piles of pony corpses in the area where they stayed, still carrying Pinkie.

“Huh. So what happened to you two?” Smolder asked.

“It’s a long story…” Little Strongheart said as they started moving.
> The Shadows 15.5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

While Ocellus, Silverstream, Smolder, and Gallus were searching for any spies, Little Strongheart and Yona were keeping watch on Pinkie Pie to make sure she wouldn’t escape from them.

“What taking creatures so long? Yona wants to fight ponies!” Yona shouted, watching over Pinkie.

“With the way you’re shouting, you will be upping our chances in direct combat with the pony squadrons. That is if they don’t have any unicorns.” Little Strongheart said, watching in the distance.

“Be quiet, buffalo! We may be teammates, but that doesn’t mean Yona take orders from you!”

Instead of getting angry, Little Strong simply snorted,

“I couldn’t agree more, yak. However, due to our orders delivered from the king himself, we are to bring the cargo to him alive. I have no clue as to why he is interested in her, but it’s this suit that has his interests piqued.”

“But if yak is being honest, yak is curious about how the ooze was able to sneak into Crystal Empire. Barrier too thick to break and guards set up everywhere. King knows something.”

“Watch your tongue, yak. I may not have a clue as to how it was able to sneak into the Crystal Empire, but it was able to exterminate the Princess of Life and weaken the Ponies’ morale.”

“Then explain to yak why we are bringing pink pony to the King! Yona may not be smart, but Yona knows there’s something wrong with this mission! How come we only know this?!”

This question left Little Strongheart in hives. She knew that Yona was onto something, but she couldn’t figure out why they were assigned this mission in the first place. While it seemed reasonable that they had to capture Pinkie Pie, she couldn’t help but wonder what was so special about the suit she wore. But then she said,

“You have a point… but we were put on this mission because the king trusts us. To question importance of this mission is to question the King himself.”

Yona grumbled with disappointment upon hearing Little Strongheart answer her question. Just then, they heard a rustle from the bushes. Looking at the source of the noise, Yona put on her metal gauntlets and said to Little Strongheart,

“Shh.”

Little Strongheart stood away from Yona as she stood up and held her right arm back. After a few seconds, she thrusted her arm and the fist extended. Loosening her grip, the hoof-shaped fist reached into the bushes and grabbed a pony’s head. The fist reeled back in with the pony’s head. Holding the captured pony, Yona held the pony’s head very tight and asked,

“Where pony’s comrades?”

Feeling his head about ready to combust, the pony pointed towards their position to his left. The two looked right and just then, an arrow shot out at Little Strongheart. However, Yona moved the pony in front of her, making him take the arrow in the left lung. The soldiers came out of the bushes, surrounding the buffalo and the yak.

“We didn’t come here to bargain with you creatures. You can either give us Pinkie Pie, or you can experience the anger of the 313th Crystal Battalion. Your choice.” the pegasus commander shouted before holding his hoof up.

The Pegasi aimed their crossbows while the unicorns prepared the magic spells and the earth ponies readied their weapons. Puffing as she cracked each and every single bone in her body, Yona said in a low voice,

“You will regret following us, pony…”

On that note, Yona cracked the pony’s head in her hoof. Angered at her response, the commander shouted,

“FIRE!!!!”

On command, the pegasi fired their crossbows at the two. Little Strongheart moved out of the way while Yona used the corpse to block most of the arrows. However, this only seemed to rile her up.

“RAUGH!!!” Yona shouted, before looking at the ponies.

She threw the corpse at the commander and proceeded running on all fours towards the ponies. Little Strongheart started running as well, charging and ramming the ponies that stood in her way. Building up enough speed, Little Strongheart knocked down trees as she ran through the forest with Pinkie Pie in tow. She ran over every single pony that tried to stop and didn’t bat an eye towards their demises as she moved.

***

Yona was breaking and battering every single pony in her rage. She bludgeoned their skulls in while she ripped them in half with her raw strength. She even went so far as to stab them with her large horns. Anypony that crossed her path ended up as nothing more than a broken ragdoll when they came up close with Yona. When one female pegasus bravely charged at her, Yona split her skull in half and broke it with little effort on collision.

“That all pony got?” Yona boasted.

Growling, the commander ordered,

“Kill her!!!”

More ponies charged at her, but it proved fruitless as she proceeded to beat them all to a pulp.

***

Little Strongheart kept charging away into more ponies as she continued to keep Pinkie Pie from being taken by them. Trees continued to drop with her strength and everypony continued to get trampled while they tried to stop her.

“Just how strong is this buffalo?” A female earth pony asked while chasing Little Strongheart.

“How should I know?! It’s like trying to stop a train with no brakes on it! I dunno how we can stop her like this!”

The ponies tried grabbing her to a halt, but the speed was just too much for them to stop her.

***

Yona was smashing every single pony’s skull like watermelon with every swing she took. No matter what they did, the yak was just too much for the ponies to handle.

“RAUGH!!! WHO ELSE WANTS SOME!!!!” Yona roared, pounding her chest madly.

When one pony got close to her, she grabbed his leg and started flailing him like a club, beating every single pony brutally before throwing him into a tree. She grabbed another pony and snapped his body in half with ease before ripping it in two as well as giving one an aerial dropkick, splattering her head into a tree. She turned towards their commander who was actually taller and stronger than his troops.

“I guess it falls on me to defeat you now.” the commander said, undoing his shirt with his wings.

After dropping it, he brought out a weapon which appeared to be a mace. He got into a fight pose and moved his head back in a taunting manner with a smirk on his face. Enraged at this gesture, Yona yelled,

“GIVE YONA A REAL FIGHT!!!!”

At that moment, Yona charged at the commander on all fours with the commander preparing to swing his mace at the angry yak.

***

After charging everywhere with ponies continuing to chase after her, Little Strongheart halted herself when she made it to a ravine. Pinned against a wall with nowhere to go, she was trapped by the ponies. A female pegasus said,

“I’m gonna make a coat out of you when we’re done.”

“Your head is going on my wall after we finish you.” a male pegasus said.

Pointing their spears and crossbows to push her off the cliff, Little Strongheart sat down and started chanting. This started to confuse the other ponies, but they didn’t care and started pushing forward. But before they could get any closer, they started hearing growls and roars from across the forest.

“What the…?” an earth pony said, looking at Little Strongheart in a bewildered manner.

Chuckling at their predicament after she finished chanting, Little Strongheart said,

“Foolish ponies, I was leading you into a trap! Turn around.”

Heeding her warning, the ponies turned around and saw manticores and timberwolfs running into their direction. The ponies pointed their weapons at the creatures while others tried to run away, but their efforts were fruitless as they were mauled and consumed by them. One manticore came up to Little Strongheart and rubbed itself against her like a housecat, earning him a stroke on the mane from her.

***

The pegasus commander kept swinging his mace at Yona, but the blows he delivered to the yak were impervious. He tried flying away from her, but she leapt up in the air, grappled him by using her gauntlets, and grabbed his wings.

“Get off me, you monster!” the commander demanded.

Grinning, Yona dismantled the pegasus by ripping his wings off. The commander fell to the ground on impact while Yona made a perfect landing. Staggering but still alive, the commander grabbed his mace and charged at Yona once more. Yona just stood up and grabbed him. With his head being crushed, the commander said in his dying breath,

“You’ll never win…”

“Yak beg to differ.” Yona said before turning the pegasus around.

Moving her hoof forward, she reached into his back and slowly pulled his spine out, making him scream in agony. After she did that, she said,

“At least Yona has new back scratcher.”

Before the pegasus could do anything, Yona proceeded to brutalize the helpless commander’s body before crushing his head in her hoof. Afterwards, she sat down and took a breather from all the fighting she commenced. Little Strongheart showed up with manticores and timberwolf’s five minutes later, surprising Yona.

“Okay, friends from the wilderness. Off you go.” Little Strongheart said to the creatures following her.

They heeded her command and left her with no objections from them. Little Strongheart turned towards Yona and said with a friendly smile,

“Guess we had a lot on our minds, didn’t we?”

***

“So that’s what happened while we were gone~? That must have been fun~!” Silverstream shouted.

“I don’t know where I would be if I hadn’t used my animal chant.” Little Strongheart said.

“Who cares? Yak always live for battle!” Yona exclaimed.

“It’s amazing how you two are still alive…” Ocellus said with an annoyed tone in her voice.

“If you can call curb-stomping a battle…” Smolder said with a chuckle.

“What changeling and dragon mean by that?” Yona asked with anger in her voice.

“Quiet! We are approaching the gates and the king expects a good report from us. So no quarreling.” Gallus ordered.

“Yessir!” the other members said.

Making it to the gates, they all waited as the minotaur opened up the gate. After a minute, they went inside carrying Pinkie with them to the throne room where Spike and Tirek awaited.
> The Suit
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Walking inside the castle, the dragon and griffin guards saluted the Shadows as the passed by. Yona helped Little Strongheart drag a tortured Pinkie Pie with her when they entered the throne room. The creature and Tirek waited for them inside.

“Your Highness…” Gallus said before kneeling along with the Shadows.

“Do you have her?” Tirek asked, looking directly at them.

Yona threw Pinkie on the ground to the creature’s feet.

“I knew I was right to send you six after this thing. The corruption on her friend was the perfect cover, after all.” the creature said, glee with mania.

The creature got off its throne and grabbed Pinkie’s face. It proceeded to start running its claws through her skin, drilling them deep into her skull, poking her brain in the process. Pinkie screamed in agony as the creature drove them deeper inside. After several minutes of penetrating her skull with its claws, it stopped and threw her to the ground. At first glance, she was dead. But seconds later, her wounds started to heal, surprising the others in the throne room. It ecstatically said,

“I was right! The suit does make you immortal! If I learn to hone and apply this magic, our soldiers will be unstoppable!!!! But how did you get this?”

Pinkie remained tight-lipped about the the creature’s questions. Seeing this, the creature growled and stuck her against the walls through her stomach. Pushing forward into her pancreas, he said,

“Perhaps I wasn’t making myself clear on my question. How did you get this power?”

Coughing up blood but remaining silent, Pinkie refused to answer the creature’s question by defiantly turning her head away from it. Seeing this, the creature decided to forward its claws into her chestplate. Pinkie screamed as the creature drove its claws deeper into her heart.

“ANSWER!!!” the creature commanded.

Even as she still suffered at the hands of the creature, Pinkie kept quiet about the secrets behind the suit she was wearing. Disgusted, it threw her to the ground before trying to think about what to do next. Just then, Pinkie said,

“Why…?”

The creature, along with the others, turned in surprise upon hearing her speak.

“Why are you doing all this? We never did anything to upset you. But you decide to spread this ugliness all over Equestria. What did we do to deserve all this?” Pinkie said in a sorrowful tone.

“Because you deserved what was coming to you. I knew somebody who was close to you. He was a special friend to you. The same one that you and those pathetic pony friends of yours expelled from before I blessed these wretched lands with my… influence.”

“What…?” Pinkie asked in a confused manner.

“He was a good boy. A rare case that your kind threw away the moment you cast him out.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about! And even if I knew who he was, what makes you think I would throw my friendship away over anything as silly as a small mistake?”

“I wonder the same thing myself. But it doesn’t matter now. After I unlock the secrets behind this suit, I will use this power of yours to undo the Crystal Empire of its power. When I destroy the barriers and I made my way to the center of your edifice… I will make everypony that you love suffer.” It looked at its claws, noticing their slow disintegration and he asked, “I have but one question… why are my subjects starting to… disintegrate?”

“Sire-”

“Take her to the dungeon! None of you are to touch her until I figure out how she was able to integrate this suit…”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The Shadows heeded.

The Shadows proceeded to drag Pinkie to her cell. But before they left, she said,

“I have no idea who you think you are… but when Twilight gets here… you’re gonna regret… the day… you were born.”

Amused by Pinkie’s boast, the creature said,

“We’ll see about that. Take her away!”

On that note, the creature walked away with its mind still lingering on the suit Pinkie wore.

“This could prove dangerous if they realized its full capabilities. It’s a good thing I chose to be rid of her when I had the chance. If only-”

“Sire?” a voice called out.

The creature turned around and saw that it was the hippogriff servant.

“Avian. What do you want?”

“I noticed that you were distressed. Is there anything I can do to soothe your turmoil?” Avian asked in a worried manner.

Knowing that he couldn’t afford an uproar of what he knew, the creature said,

“It’s nothing. Just… go over the preparations for tonight’s dinner. Now get out of my sight.”

Startled but retaining his composure, Avian said,

“A-As you wish, Sire.” Avian said before bowing.

After watching Avian leave, the creature continued to ponder about the suit on Pinkie.

“I will need time to think this over. Go oversee the preparations for your future queen.” the creature said.

After the creature dissolved itself back into Spike’s body, he started to question what the creature was thinking, but then he realized,

“Oh dear. The preparations! I must oversee the preparations for tonight! But I need something to wear… I must return to my quarters!”

Moving forward, Spike started to wonder how long it would be until Ember would arrive. He was in tatters the more he thought about her. But he was torn on what Pinkie wore. He had no idea why she was nor why the creature was piqued by it. Spike thought,

“Why wasn’t I told about this? Could it have…?”

The more he wondered about it, the more suspicious he became. While Spike knew that the creature figure out how to get into the Crystal Empire, he wasn’t sure how such an outfit on Pinkie existed. It ate into his brain the more he thought it over.

“It’s not as if it was keeping any secrets from me. We have planned everything together for the sole purpose of taking over Equestria. But if it already knew about these suits that Twilight and Pinkie wore… no mind. I have to attend to other matters.”

Walking through the castle corridors, Spike kept thinking over the plans he had for his proposal to Ember. After making his way up to his bedroom, Spike went to the speaker and said,

“Avian.”

“Y-Yes, Sire?” the hippogriff responded, albeit timidly.

“I require your presence in my quarters, please. At once.”

“Right away, Your Majesty.”

After getting off the speaker, Spike started to wait inside until Avian would come to his room. While he waited for the hippogriff to show up, the creature came out of Spike’s body.

“What do you want?” Spike demanded in an annoyed manner.

“You felt it, didn’t you? The power corroding from that suit.” the creature said, looking at its fingers.

“I don’t have any time for your discussions. I have been planning this since the past few months and I will not have anybody this taken away from me. Especially not a certain pony wearing a suit with disintegration.”

“But this power could be yours. If we figure out a way to hone its abilities, we could be unstoppable. The Royal Sisters wouldn’t hold a trinket against you. We have to-”

“No. She is not to be touched until we find a way to keep the disintegration at bay. None of this would’ve happened if you hadn’t decide to possess her. Coming along with the fact that you went and killed the Princess of Life.”

“I was able to get ahold of her scythe and sneak inside the Crystal Empire. If I could manipulate a pony to our side, we have a ghost of a chance in stealing this power for ourselves. Their powers are but a glimmer of what we could achieve if we spent more time in researching this suit of hers.”

“I have already made it clear. Nobody is to touch her until we find a way to suppress the side-effects on that suit. She will be placed in the underground dungeon where no one is to find her and nobody is to see her. That is final.”

Growling at Spike’s decision for his reluctance to obtain more power, but knowing his rule was absolute, it said,

“Fine… but know this. The time will come when you will have to reveal yourself to that pink pony. And when you do… I will promise that I will set her teeth to the grindstone. I will roll out her intestines. And I will boil her eyeballs until they pop like balloons. No pony will escape my wrath.”

“When the time is right, I will make good on my promise that I will reveal myself to Pinkie Pie. But for the time being, she will remain under microscope.”

With that being said, the creature dissolved itself back into Spike’s body. Five minutes later, Avian showed up with great haste. After catching his breath, he asked,

“What can I do for you, Your Majesty?”

“Do you happen to know of any tailors for clothes of special occasions?”

“Sire?”

“I’m sure you already know about my proposal to the Dragon Lord. I expect that you happen to have any form of expertise in fine dining?”

“Well, I do know a few of my fellow hippogriffs and griffins who designed for various regal figures. But I would have to send out for their arrival and I don’t have a clue as to where they are. Plus, the Dragon Lord Ember will be arriving in a few hours from now. What do you suggest we do, Your Highness?”

Several minutes have passed since Spike thought about the dilemma they were in. While he knew it was true that the tailors could be anywhere across Equestria, he couldn’t afford to waste anymore time in dilly-dallying as he waited for Ember’s arrival. It was bad enough that they had to deal with the suit on Pinkie Pie, but now he was in between a rock and a hard place for a suit. So he decided this.

“Do you have any expertise in the field of tailoring?” Spike asked, turning towards Avian.

“Sire?” Avian replied in a confused manner.

“I’m asking if you know how to design clothes for regal figures.”

“Well, I helped with the design choices and measuring for Queen Novo a few times during our reign at Mount Aris before the Storm King took over. But I don’t have much experience with sewing or fabric choices.”

“Are there any tailors nearby?”

“I will check around for any tailors. I will be back shortly, Your Majesty.”

“Okay. Just be sure to check in on the chefs for tonight’s dinner. I want it all well-cooked by the time the royals arrive.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After Avian left, Spike got off his bed and looked outside the balcony. He was more than eager to see Ember. He continued to stay outside until the tailors arrived and helped Spike with his measurements along with the fabrics for his choice of clothes. Afterwards when he finished getting dressed, a hippogriff ran into his room and said,

“Your Highness, the royals have arrived!”

“And Ember?” Spike asked.

“With them, as we speak.”

“Oh dear…” Spike said in a small, panicked voice.

“Calm yourself, Sire. I will oversee the preparations for tonight. You just go downstairs and entertain your guests until dinner is ready.” Avian suggested.

Having heard him and calmed down, Spike put his hands on Avian’s shoulders and said in a relieved tone,

“Thank you, Avian. I knew I made the right choice in making you my personal servant.”

“I’m very pleased to see you are recomposed, Your Excellency. Now go. Your guests grow impatient by the minute.” Avian said in a flattered manner.

“Indeed…” Spike said before rushing out of his room.

Making his way down to the front, he stopped running and wiped the sweat off his forehead. After composing himself in a regal manner, he turned towards the two dragons guarding the door. After signalling them with a nod, they proceeded to open the door where the rest of the royals awaited.
> Hallucination
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inside the Crystal Empire, two colt pegasus soldiers were guarding the outside of the large gate. One said,

“Geez, just how long will it be until the anomaly blankets Equestria?”

“Beats the shit outta me. We’ve been losing so many soldiers that I’ve lost count of who came back.”

“No kidding. The food shortage doesn’t help either. Plus, the princesses have been acting strange lately. First, Princess Luna has gone missing. Then, Princess Cadence starts keeping secrets from us. And now Princess Twilight is off galavanting in Celestia-knows-where.”

“Speaking of Princess Twilight, there’s something off about her. I often see her leave the castle with Pinkie 24/7 with no reason as to why. And when she does return, she’s carrying something in her bag and she’s covered with all this black, gooey crap on her. You don’t think it’s-”

“Quiet! If anypony hears us, we’ll be sent out to the field for jungle sweeping.”

“That’s better than waiting to die. We’re losing each battle everyday and we’re not one step closer to figuring out who the leader is! Why did this have to happen? Just what could we have done to deserve all this?”

“I dunno. But whatever caused all this, it’s giving us one helluva fight.”

“Hmph. By the way, is it just me, or have there been more fires as of late?”

“There have been dragons everywhere in this past year. And every tree has been burnt to cinder along with our fellow troops.”

“Yeah, but the fires recently have been more stronger than what the dragons usually blast us with. Also, why do I have a funny feeling about these flames? I feel like my armor’s turning into wax right now.”

“Who knows? But ones thing for sure is that we’re reaching the endgame and I’m not even sure myself if Twilight and her friends can prepare for the wind-up the anomaly is gonna give us next.”

“You and me both…”

Moving around the bottom was a young mare. Walking around the Crystal Empire, she walked towards the castle. But before she could go in, she was immediately stopped by two guards.

“Halt! What business do you have here?” a female guard asked.

“I have a message for Princess Twilight Sparkle. Please don’t hurt me!” the filly begged.

Looking into her bag, there was nothing but letters and rations inside. Feeling suspicious, the male said,

“I’ll deliver the message to the Princess. You go along now.”

“No. I was instructed specifically by Starlight Glimmer to deliver this message to her. No questions asked.” 

The two tried to figure out what to do next. While the filly appeared to be harmless, they couldn’t help but feel the cling suspicion that she was hiding something. Seeing two guards walk by, the female said,

“You two.”

The two guards walked towards them. One asked,

“Yeah, Feathers?”

“I want you to watch the entrance while me and Tropic escort this little girl. Can you do that for us?”

“We can do that.”

After nodding in acknowledgement, the two guards proceeded to walk with the filly to Twilight’s quarters. The guard proceeded to open the door for her. But before the filly could go inside. The guard stopped her. He said,

“We’ll take it from here.”

“What? But I was told to specifically put this message into her room by Starlight.”

“We know what she said. But it’s standard protocol that we be the ones who send the message in. It’s by order of the princesses.” the female said.

“I don’t have any reasons to bother her. If you don’t believe me, you can come with me.” the filly said in a innocent tone.

The two guards looked at each other, suspicious of the little filly. They knew that she meant well and had little to no ill intentions, but they felt something off about her. They couldn’t put their hooves on what it was, but they had a feeling that she was hiding something. Regardless, the female guard told the filly,

“Place the message on the princess’s desk and we will show you out. She does not take kindly to strangers entering her room without a warrant.”

“I know. It would be awful if anypony knew what secrets she was keeping…” the little filly said with a sudden shift in her voice.

“Huh?” the male guard said.

Just then, the doors behind the guards closed. They both pointed their weapons at the little filly. The male shouted,

“Let us out this instant or you’ll be playing with your dollies in the Crystal Empire dungeons!”

“This little filly has played long enough…”

The two guards shuddered in horror upon hearing that voice. Before they could strike against the filly, the Creature cut their front hooves off, making them fall to the ground. The male tried to escape, but the Creature sent a part of itself into the colt. As she tried to crawl away, she asked,

“Why…?”

Instead of answering, the creature simply chuckled and cut her head off. The Creature used a part of itself to enter the mare’s severed body before reattaching the head. It turned towards Twilight’s bag before looking at the mare. Licking its lips in hunger and grinning with malice, it lunged towards the filly and started eating her alive. Crunching and chewing every fiber of the filly all the way to the marrow in her bones. After finishing its meal with her brains and eyeballs, it cleaned out whatever mess there was left in Twilight’s room before heading into her bag. But before it entered, it said,

“Wait until I order you to lower the defenses on the Crystal Empire. I want the princesses to know what they are heading in for.”

Getting off the ground into attention, the guards said,

“Yessir!!!”

After watching the guards leave, the Creature looked around the room to see if there could be anything useful against the Princesses. Scanning the areas, it noticed a multitude of spells that Twilight concocted herself ever since the day the war against the Corruption began. Just then, Spike appeared with the Creature, splitting his consciousness with the Creature.

“What is all this?” he asked, looking at the vials and glasses.

“I believe she is trying to turn the tide against us.” the creature said, grabbing a vial.

“How do you plan to make use of this?” Spike asked, turning the vials around.

Chuckling at his question, the Creature opened the vial and sent a bit of itself in the bottle before doing the same to all the others. After having finished, it turned around and noticed a picture. Spike, taking the helm, grabbed the framed picture and looked at it. It was a photo of Spike, Twilight, and Owlicious. Taken aback by all this, he had no idea what to think of it. However, he thought back to a time when he was still in Ponyville and Canterlot with Twilight. He carried on his face a sad expression as he rubbed his claws on it. 

“Twilight…” Spike said with sorrow in his voice.

But just then, the Creature took over his subconscious. It said,

“This is your way of remembering him…?”

He crushed the frame in his claws and threw it to the ground. Turning back to the bag, the Creature switched back and said,

“It’s time.”

“Right…”

The Creature slithered into the bag and hid until Twilight came into her room. Entering her room, Twilight took a seat in her desk to rest herself from the soul harvesting she has commenced.

“Just where are you, Pinkie…?” Twilight said, resting her head.

Rubbing her tired eyes, she couldn’t figure out what was real anymore. It was bad enough for her that the Royal Sisters have gone missing, but her first friend in Ponyville was nowhere to be seen in Equestria. Her mind was pinballing everywhere as she started thinking about what happened back at the castle. 

“If I hadn’t banished him… if I hadn't listened… none of this would’ve…”

Just then, she turned around and noticed a vision of Spike.

“What’s wrong, Twilight?” the apparition asked.

“No… you’re not real…” Twilight said, backing away.

“Why not? I mean, what’s happening outside is real. Just like the day when you threw me out of your life.” Spike said in a menacing tone.

“Please. You don’t-”

“-Understand? Don’t worry. I understand completely. If you had chosen to fight for your beliefs, if you just told your friends what was going on instead of playing Undertaker, you could have found a way to destroy that monster outside the Crystal Empire!”

“Stop it…”

“Or else what…? You already threw me out of the castle! What left could I have to lose? Besides, it’s not like you another pet to look after!”

“I didn’t choose Owlicious over you! He was lost! I was only-” Twilight said, on the verge of tears.

“You tried to replace me! Not to mention the fact that Celestia made you her perfect little teacher’s pet and I was always the bite in the dust! You think you know how to save Equestria, but you and your friends are nothing more than a symbol of how low Equestria has fallen over the years!”

“Please… just listen to me. You-”

“I’m done being your obedient dog!!! If you really valued me, you would have looked for me!!! I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THAT MONSTER TEAR YOU APART!!!”

Just then, a shadowy figure appeared behind Spike. Twilight, out of fear, backed away and covered her face before it lunged at her.
> Meltdown
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Suddenly, she was awake in her room. She turned around frantically to see if Spike was still around. Then she looked down at the broken picture frame and picked it up. She looked at the frame of her and Spike together. Just then, a tear dropped on the picture. Then out came the repeated sobs in her voice as she gazed at the picture.

“What have I done…?” Twilight asked with her voice nearly breaking.

Looking at the picture once more, she said,

“What have I done…?”

Repeating the line multiple times, she could no longer hold back the pain she kept within herself. Activating a soundproof barrier, she screamed as she destroyed her entire room in grief. After destroying her entire room, she laid on the ground with picture in her hooves and cried like a newborn foal.

“It’s all my fault… it’s all my fault…” Twilight wailed as she looked at the picture.

Thinking back to the times when she and Spike were with each other, she could feel nothing but turmoil as she hugged and kissed the photo. Covered in tears and snot from crying so much, Twilight came to the realization of what she must do. She looked at the picture and said to herself,

“I may have failed him as a teacher… and as a sister… but I can still save her. I just need the power to do it.”

Twilight knew what to do next as she looked at her scythe by her desk. Grabbing her gear and her weapon, she walked outside the Crystal Empire without batting an eye towards anypony.

. . .

As Twilight wandered around, she attempted to find more answers. Just then, she started to hear a high pitch in her ears. She covered her ears to block out the noise. Her head started to hurt and before she could realize it, she was lost. There was a doorway looking right at her. 

“What is this?” Her mind was tempted to go see what it was but she kept away from it. She refused to fall down the same hole twice. “I can’t fall for this again… I need to get Starlight and the others. After all, if this is indeed where the creature lies, I rather not fight it head on without a reliable backup plan. I need-”

She spotted something not far from where she was standing. As she got closer to it, the door before her vanished and she couldn't understand why. She knew this trick before when King Sombra trapped her and Spike under the Crystal Empire Castle. “I guess I have no choice…” She inched closer and as she finally got a good look at it, she noticed that it was some kind of creature, one she didn't recognize. Twilight knew something was wrong but she couldn't just run away either. “Hey. Are you okay? Do you need any help?”

The creature didn't answer and instead, kept messing with whatever was in front of it. Twilight chose to press on. “To be honest, I don't really know where I am. This may be quite a stretch but you wouldn't happen to know where I am, do you?”

The creature turned its head slightly and at that moment, Twilight flinched at their face. It was expressionless, and somewhat twisted. But even worse was the look on it. It was somepony she recognized and knew all too well. “N-No… this can't… why do you… so familiar…?” Her throat closing as she looked. Backing away, she didn’t know what to fo on assessing the situation. She decided that she had to run away to safety. “Look, I'm just gonna… keep moving in this direction. Besides, if I keep walking around, I'm sure I'll find my way out.”

The creature revealed something in their hooves and Twilight couldn't help but grow more scared as the creature stood in front of her. It raised the unknown bottle and it started to glow. After several moments of silence, the bottle broke and revealed some form of organic seed.

“I wanted it so badly… to make everything back to normal…” It's face grew more deformed and contorted. “I didn't want this to happen… I only wanted to make things right…”

Twilight didn't know what to do at this point. She was beginning to breathe frantically.

“Back to normal? What are you talking about? Do you know something about the creature?” 

The creature started to dissolve into the ground. Then it turned into its dragon form. “No matter… Even if everything falls to me… I'll do whatever it takes…”

The contents of what was in the bottle started to form into imps. The creature's smile became more morbid, and incredibly twisted with malice. Twilight knew she had no choice but to fight her way out. But before she could do anything, the creature grabbed the weapon and held it near Twilight’s neck. After a few moments, the ooze formed and it appeared to be a small dragon. However, it was pure black and its pupils were green.

“Hello, Twilight.” She couldn't believe her eyes. She was shocked to hear who the voice belonged to. Her number-one assistant turned enemy… Spike. However, unlike before, it was real and far more taller. “Did you miss little old me?” It asked with a demonic smile.

Twilight's fear changed and her eyes changed color. They were filled with rage, grief and discomfort. “You could say that…” she said with a low voice. Her horn grew and her magic changed color of black. “I shouldn't be surprised that you would stoop this low to accepting deals from strangers.”

Before she could fire off a single spell, the creature grabbed her horn, nullifying her magic. “Stop!” The creature faced her and grabbed her by the throat. “This could save us. Think of all the possibilities that this could bring us.”

Twilight tried to get out of it's grasp, but all it did was make her struggling more painful. “No, I- You can't-”

The shadow walked behind her as the creature continued to talk. “Poor little Twilight. You will understand soon enough…”

As it said that, the shadow pierced Twilight's chest, delivering the seed into her heart. The shadow smiled as it threw Twilight to the ground. 

“And with that, my plan is complete.”

It dissolved as it left Twilight unconscious in the middle of the forest.
> Solitary Confinement
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Spike was walking through the castle, he was prepared to head inside the hallway. Just then, the creature intervened.

“What is it?” Spike asked, seeing the creature grab his arm.

“We have other matters to attend. Matters concerning the pink pony.”

“We don’t have time for this. The Royals require my presence and if I don’t-”

“While you were swooning over that female dragon, I have already sent for several hippogriff servants to keep them entertained. The real matter is unlocking the power behind that suit. You wish to destroy your enemies, do you not?”

The Creature looked Spike dead in the eye as he stood silent. Looking downwards deep into thought, Spike was unsure of what to do next. While it was right in trying to study this power, Spike didn’t want to run the risk of jeopardizing his campaign against the Crystal Empire. Most importantly, his own subjects and the Royals, especially Ember. To his reluctance, Spike said,

“Fine. But if we are doing this, you will be doing the talking. The last thing I will do is show myself to her.”

After thinking it over, the creature said,

“No.”

“What?” Spike said in a low voice.

“How about you speak to her?”

“You’re not suggesting that-”

“I am. And you will do it.”

“If I reveal myself to her, then we’re-”

“There is nothing she can do. If I wished, I could turn her brains into yolk.”

“Even so, do you really wish to take that chance? There’s always a chance she could escape. If we’re not careful, she could do everything within her power to-”

“Ah… but you forget yourself. I was the one who helped spread my influence to those pathetic creatures. I was the one who gave you the power to vanquish the Princess of Life. Lastly, I was the one who gave you the strength to destroy the Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony. Do you really believe yourself to hold a bargain with me?”

“If you think you can-”

“She was already captured by the Shadows. You may as well come clean with the pink pony.”

Growling at the mere thought of Pinkie seeing her, he couldn’t go a moment without listening to the mere thought of being blackmailed. He knew that the Creature was right to reveal himself to Pinkie, but he felt it too soon show himself without giving her the idea of using that knowledge against him. To his bitter reluctance, he growled,

“...Fine. But when we’re finished, I am not to be interrupted tonight. Do we have a deal?”

“You have my word that she will be disposed of when we’re done with her. Now head to the dungeon.”

“No. Not without a mask, at least.”

“I see…”

The next moment, the creature proceeded to shroud its substance around Spike’s face into a makeshift mask.

“Will this satisfy you?”

“I won’t show myself until it’s time. Let’s go.”

The creature dissolved itself back into Spike and he proceeded to walk towards the underground.

***

One hour later, Spike was in front of an elevator. Stepping inside it, he noticed the level buttons on the panel. Pressing the ground zero button, he proceeded to head downwards into solitary. On his way, Spike thought to himself,

“I wonder how long it’s been since I’ve seen her? That suit she was wearing… I never heard anything about it. It’s amazing, yet dangerous. How was she able to obtain this power?”

“That is what we are going to find out.” the creature said without taking form.

The creature’s voice was clear as day and Spike was clearly annoyed.

“Am I never allowed to have my thoughts in peace?”

“Peace is for the weak. Everything you share inside or outside, I always listen.”

“Was this always your way of cooperation with King Grogar?”

“Yes. No matter how much I trusted him or he trusted me, I always paid attention to whatever he said behind closed doors. The moment you shut your doors, treachery will ensue. I never miss out any detail on what my host has to offer.”

“If you can call being long-winded detail.”

“One can’t be too careful. It will not end well for you if anybody conspired against you.”

Spike grunted in annoyance as the elevator went down. The two remained silent while the elevator continued downwards. Spike continued to wonder how long it was since the last time he has seen the pink pony. He felt nervous, but the years of focusing his goals on taking over Equestria made him feel more than ready to see her again. The creature, however, wanted know what the secret was behind the suit. But it was even more curious to see what Pinkie’s reaction would be when she sees Spike again. After making it down towards the lower level, they were greeted by two guards in the front door, who bowed before him in the process.

“Your Highness, she is untouched. But there’s something off about the suit. Whatever she touches, it suddenly disappears. I made sure that everyone kept clear of the area.” the Griffin captain said.

“I see. Captain, make sure your arrows are trained on the pink pony. I want to make sure she… gets the hint.”

“Yes, Sire. Everybody, circle the perimeter! The king wishes to speak to the prisoner!” the Griffin captain said, turning to the guards.

Just like that, the griffons surrounded the perimeter and aimed their crossbows at Pinkie, so that she couldn’t attempt any escape. The captain proceeded to open the door for Spike and joined him. But before Spike went inside, he turned to the Griffin and said,

“No. Stay behind the door. I want no visitors coming in here.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Turning towards the cell, the Creature surrounded its ooze around Spike’s head to disguise his face. When Spike entered the room, he saw the griffins aiming their crossbows at Pinkie. The room inside the cell was completely void and dim, save for the lights pointed directly at her. Pinkie was completely held down by heavy chains with a metallic muzzle put on her face, hiding the misery she held on her face in her slumber. After the door was loudly shut, she immediately woke up. She looked around and saw nothing but darkness surround the room. Just then, she heard footsteps in the front. She looked upwards and saw the creature approaching her. 

“Mmph! Mmph!” Pinkie muffled as she tried to back away.

She tried getting as far away as she could, but the chains holding her down made her process futile. She was quivering with fear and helplessness as it approached her. After it got closer to her, it moved its claws towards her. Pinkie closed her eyes, afraid of what would happen next. Just then, she felt her muzzle undone by it.

“How is your room downstairs?” the creature chuckled in a dark manner.

“What do you… think… buster?” Pinkie weakly said as she breathed.

“No need to resort to petty insults, pony. I just came to chat with you. Or is there another word you ponies call it…?”

“I don’t know what you have… to gain… from destroying… Equestria. But you… can bet… I won’t fall… for any… of your… tricks.”

“Ah. But there is someone I brought for you to see. And he has been very eager to meet you again.” 

“Yeah…? Who…?”

Chuckling upon hearing her question, the Creature slowly dissolved its ooze off Spike’s face. Seeping itself back in, Pinkie’s eyes widened in horror upon seeing who it was.

“Wha- No! You couldn’t-!”

“How have you been?” Spike asked with a dark sense of humor.

“H-How-? W-Why-? This can’t be-!”

“Surprised? That’s a first. You’re the Great Pinkie Pie and now you don’t know what to say. Isn’t this a shock. I thought you’d be more happy to see me?” Spike said, scratching the back of his head.

Pinkie was having a hard time with trying to find the right words to describe what she was witnessing. On one hand, she felt angry. But on the other, she was filled with grief. But then she said,

“H-How could-”

“Huh?”

“How could-”

“Speak up. I can’t hear you.”

“How could you!!! After everything… after all the times… you do this to us?” 

“Aren't we being selfish…? Do you really think that you're any better? I've been nothing more than a mere puppet for you and the others! Always doing everything in my power to please you and what do I get in return? Rejection! My actions may be evil, but you drove me to it! It doesn't justify what I've done, but you can't play innocent either! Especially after what you and the girls pulled against me back at the castle!” Spike exclaimed, filled with anger.

Pinkie didn't understand what he was raving about. It felt as if he was playing a joke on her. “We never pulled anything against you. What are-”

“And now you plead ignorance…” Spike closed his eyes and sighed heavily. After a few seconds, he opened them, this time with a sharper look. “You're going to tell me what I need to know. Should you refuse… I think you’ll have a keen idea on what scrambled eggs look like.”

“Brainwashing me won’t help you.” Pinkie said with defiance in her voice.

“Who said anything about brainwashing?” Spike said with a demonic smile on his face.

Pinkie’s mouth dropped in horror as Spike formed a blade on his arm.

“You don’t mean-”

“Oh yes. I do…”

Thrusting the blade into Pinkie’s head, the ooze on his arm seeped into her skull and sunk into her brain. Just then, she started to feel this weird substance crawling all over. It went everywhere from her brain to all over her body. Suddenly, the back of her head was impaled. Blood started dripping down her face as she went into shock. One minute later, she started screaming. After a brief moment, the blade seeped back inside and she started regenerating. She took this moment to breathe from her reeling injury.

“You think this is worse? This was just a glimmer of what’s next to come. If you tell me the secret behind this suit, I promise I’ll make it quick.”

But before it could continue on into the body, the Creature bursted out of Pinkie’s forehead.

“What seems to be the problem?” Spike asked.

The Creature oozed itself out of her skull and dissolved into Spike without touching the suit.

"Whenever I touch her suit or I go into her body, I begin to disintegrate.”

He took a closer look and it suddenly became clear to him. Spike started to understand why it was so hesitant earlier. “Was this why you didn't want to reveal yourself earlier?”

The creature said nothing as Spike turned towards Pinkie who has regenerated.

“Are you thinking you can keep this from me? Dead or alive, you will give us what we want!”

“You… won’t-”

“Oh, spare me the you won’t get away with this medley! This moment has been coming to you since the Corruption spread and the chickens have come to roost.”

“Spike… please… don’t do this. Whatever it is that we did to you… we can fix this. You just-”

“I CAN FIX THIS!!! You just don’t get it, do you? There’s no more kindness, no more laughter, and certainly no more generosity. All there is now is rage, sorrow, and mania. All that will remain when the Corruption overtakes the Crystal Empire.”

“You’re insane! When Twilight finds out about this-”

“She’ll do what?” Spike asks before forming a blade on his right arm.

Turning around, he swiftly cuts off the top of Pinkie’s skull, making her body fall to the ground. Looking towards the door, Spike says,

“Make sure that you send her somewhere near Twilight’s position. I’ve already sent somebody to visit her.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” the griffin captain said before leaving the prison.

Looking upward towards one of the griffin guards on his right, Spike pointed towards him and said,

“You’re the captain of this prison now. If anypony attempts something, show them no quarter.”

Bowing before him, the griffin said,

“As you wish, Your Highness!”

“Speaking of quarter…” Spike as he left for the prison elevator.

As the door closed and the elevator starts going up, the Creature comes out of Spike’s body. It says,

“We must be rid of the pink pony. If she makes it back to the Crystal Empire, they’ll know who we are and-”

“I already thought ahead if we ever captured Twilight and her friends.You told me you never missed any detail, did you?”

Hearing this, the creature made a scary smile and knew immediately about what to do next.

“I’ll see to the details…” the Creature before sending a piece of itself off.

After the Creature dissolved back into Spike, he thought,

“By the time they realize the truth, it will already be too late…”

Exiting the elevator as it went back up to the first floor, the Creature seeped itself back into Spike and he prepared to head to the the castle hallway. Making it back, he made sure to keep calm. After keeping himself in check and straightening himself out, he nodded towards the hippogriff servants who immediately opened the chamber doors where the royals awaited as he thought,

“But for now… I have an engagement to address…”
> Arc 4 Chapter 1 - Preparations
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Starlight was running to the castle, she was wondering why Twilight wasn’t around. Ever since she left the Crystal Empire after exiting the castle, she was nowhere to be seen. She didn’t know where Pinkie Pie was either since she is usually by Twilight’s side during their missions.

“Princess Cadance has to know something. Who else would know where Twilight and Pinkie gallivanted off to?” Starlight said to herself as she ran.

After entering the castle, she immediately ran straight towards the throne room. Every step she took as she moved, she started to have this twisted feeling move into her stomach. She didn’t know if it was her mind that was playing tricks on her, but she hasn’t heard anything from Twilight since she left the Crystal Empire nor when she had last seen her return. Desperate for a lead, Starlight would stop at nothing until she found out what Twilight was up to. But by the time she made it to the throne room, Twilight was already there.

“Twilight?” Starlight asked in confusion.

“Hello, Starlight. I didn’t notice you come in.” Twilight said, turning her head towards the stunned unicorn.

“Uh, yeah but… I haven’t heard anything about an update or when you have decided to return to the castle.”

“I was busy.”

“Of course you were.”

“Was there something you needed, Starlight?” Cadance asked in a tired manner.

Starlight looked forward and saw an exhausted Cadance, sitting on her throne. She was completely worn out, eyes were baggy, and her mane was severely tangled in a mess. The latter stood up from her throne and groggily walked towards the two, all the while trying to keep herself from passing out. Struggling to make it towards them, she started to stagger. But Starlight and Twilight walk towards Cadance and hold her steady.

“It won’t be long until the barrier breaks. If this keeps going…”

Starlight went outside and looked at the barrier. It had had the appearance of a mirror ready to break into shards on the floor of the bathroom. The barrier could only take so much until it decided to crack and unveil their species to their own demise.

“What will we do now? At this rate, we may as well reach out to Ahuizotl for help! We’re on our last legs against the Corruption! Just-”

“Will you shut up long enough for me to think, Starlight!!!” Twilight yelled.

Twilight herself was confused by what she just said.

“Twilight?” Cadance asked, feeling afraid for Twilight. 

***

As Twilight and Pinkie came back to the source of the light, it was already shining. Like a star in the sky during a meteor shower.

“T-Twilight, I’m not sure if this a good idea. What if-”  Pinkie’s concern was in vain as she saw the look in Twilight’s eyes, filled with some form of emptiness. “What exactly are you going to do…? Maybe Luna could help us or maybe we can get Starlight-”

“I know how to get her back…” Twilight said with firmness in her voice.

The way she said it sent shivers down Pinkie’s spine. She even felt uneasy as she looked at Twilight’s scythe. Pinkie’s fears soon started to kick in as she realized what she was going to do with it. “Wait, Twilight… are you sure this is a good idea? We shouldn’t just bring back the princess. What if she turns into a zombie or worse, she turns into another Nightmare Moon?”

Twilight’s main focus was to bring her back. She knew that the risk was worth it despite the repercussions she would face. “She needs to be around some form of life. Flowers, trees, anything that can be absorbed. However, that may pose a problem since most of them are either gone or corrupted. Wait…” She remembered her scythe and realize she had live souls with her. “This could work.” 

Pinkie noticed what she was talking about she looked at her scythe. “Your scythe? You don’t-” Before she could object, Twilight smashed the weapon in two, releasing all the previous souls she had obtained. “Twilight, what are you doing?! As she said that, the light reacted to the souls around her and slowly, it started to form. 

Pinkie was shocked at the sight before her. Light surrounded the entire room as it shined brighter in the process of her revival. 

“Welcome back… Princess Celestia,” Twilight said as she smiled. 

Slowly, the light was growing. It was small but it grew brighter as a tall being appeared in it. 

“It’s working?! At this rate, we could turn the tables against the Corruption!” Pinkie yelled, beginning to brim with hope. 

A few moments went by as the light grew bigger and bigger to where a being started to form. After several minutes, the light was gone and before them laid the fallen Princess of the Sun. She slowly opened her eyes and saw Twilight in front of her. 

“It’s been awhile.”

Celestia looked around her, both confused and somewhat afraid. She looked at her stomach and saw that the injuries once present are now completely healed. She looked over to Twilight, who had tears in her eyes. “Twilight…? Am I…?”

Twilight nodded. “Yea. We’re in the center of the Crystal Empire. It was the only place where you would remain safe while we tried to find a way to bring you back,” She said as she walked over to her former mentor.

She couldn’t believe what she was seeing and hearing. She already knew that Twilight had fallen far below her graces, but she never would have used her powers to resurrect her. For all she knew, it could have been a trap. She found it hard to believe that Twilight and Pinkie would. 

“...I sense a dark force surrounding us…”

“I placed a barrier around this place so the corruption wouldn’t find their way here.”

Celestia attempted to get up but was weakened from just being resurrected. Twilight helped her up off the ground after the effort she made. PInkie was too shocked to say anything, let alone make a small smile. After a few more minutes, Princess Celestia spoke.

“I’m glad you brought me back. Thank you for saving me,” She said, lowering her head towards Twilight’s in a loving manner.

Twilight became a little flustered when she said that. It was even more embarrassing for her after fending off the darkness for far too long. “...Of course, Princess. Now we just have to get you up to the throne room and form a plan to fight off the Corruptinon.”

She went silent again after hearing her statement. The air around them became hot. To the point where it felt like being trapped in the sun. Her eyes became more sharp when she heard Twilight’s intentions. 

“Twilight… I have but one question for you…” She looked up to see her eyes take a different color. “Why did you lie to me?”
> Resurrection
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“What?” Twilight asked in a confused tone.

“Uh… Twilight?” Pinkie asked.

Twilight turned towards Pinkie in an even more confused manner. Pinkie, in a scared manner, helpless pointed at Princess Celestia. Realizing what she was clarifying, Twilight raised her head up and saw Princess Celestia’s eyes. They were fiery orange and her eye pupils were jagged. Seeing this, Twilight slowly backed away from her, but Princess Celestia slowly went towards her.

“What is the matter, my faithful student? Are you not happy to see me again?” Princess Celestia with a scary tone in her voice.

Just then, her mane and tail slowly started to catch fire. As Twilight tried to escape with Pinkie, Princess Celestia sealed the doors shut. Looking at her closely, Celestia started to grow fangs out of her mouth.

“N-No, I’m-”

“Oh? Lost for words? That’s too bad. I believed you had much more to say, my faithful student. How utterly... Disappointing.”

Flames started rising everywhere in the room as she kept walking. Twilight and Pinkie had no idea what they were in for. But when they looked closer, they noticed that Princess Celestia’s skin started turning paler than usual. The color of her eyes took on a more fiery-orange the more she got closer.

“I don’t understand! The spell worked! How is this happening!?!?” Twilight shouted, trying to keep away from Princess Celestia.

“You still did not answer my question. It did work, but did you ever consider what would happen if somepony was brought back? If there could be any negative effects?”

“Why? I destroyed my weapon to bring you back! We had-”

“First correction: you used a weapon to revive me. But you didn’t realize that it was the wrong choice to make. Second correction: your weapon was made to harvest souls. And third correction: you never hesitated.”

“You don’t understand! Twilight was trying to-”

Just then, Princess Celestia cut Pinkie off mid-sentence and said,

“Be quiet, clown. The adults are talking. I know about your little affairs, Twilight Sparkle. Every soul you took. Every small ounce of Corruption you smuggled into the Crystal Empire. Every little agenda you kept hidden because it suited your selfishness. I also know about Spike.” Princess Celestia said as the flames intensified.

“Y-You do?”

“How could you have been so weak and selfish to allow this! I taught you everything you needed to know about friendship and you chose to squander it! Exploiting and selling the world to fuel your research!”

“I was doing this to save Equestria! Yes! What I did was unforgivable and deceitful, but I did what I had to do to keep everypony safe! Where were you when Equestria has fallen? Where were you when-”

“SILENCE!!!”

Twilight was scared out of her wits when Princess Celestia shouted. Suddenly, flames started surrounding Princess Celestia. 

“I was always there, Twilight. But you were too blind to see it.”

Suddenly, the flames engulfed her as she started undergoing a change. Cackling madly as her skin started melting away, her eyes changing into cat-like pupils, her teeth growing more jagged and pointier. Her crown started changing shape into more warlike and were completely pointed to the tips. Her chestpiece and even her shoes started converting with her appearance as her eyes started glowing. Twilight glowed her horn to prepare for an oncoming attack as the flames dimmed. But for some reason, she was turned into a crystallized statue.

“What in the…?” Twilight said, moving closer to the statue.

Pinkie backed away from the statue, not wanting to be burned by the mighty Alicorn. Upon getting a closer look of the crystal inside, it was what appeared to be a more terrifying version of Princess Celestia.

“Do you think she’s gonna attack us?” Pinkie asked, terrified of the chrysalis.

“I’m not sure. But we need to destroy it. There’s no tell-”

Just then, a crack appeared in the crystal, startling Pinkie and Twilight. Twilight glowed her horn back up in response and waited for an attack to occur while Pinkie waited in the very back. A slight flame popped out of the seems. Twilight jumped back and got in a position of attack while spreading her wings out. 

“Twilight?” Pinkie asked in a nervous manner.

The cracks started increasing as the flames grew wilder. Just then, they heard a laugh echoing across the room.

“Who’s in here!?!?!? SHOW YOURSELF!!!” Twilight yelled.

The laugh grew louder and louder as the crystal finally started to crack. With the flames being replaced by a heavy light, the crystal finally started to break apart. Like a volcano erupting, the crystal finally shattered and there was nothing but a thick cloud of smoke.

“Princess Celestia…?” Twilight said, feeling nervous.

Just then, a huge mass of flames appeared out of nowhere and pushed back Twilight and Pinkie. Getting knocked back against the wall, they fell down and struggled to get up.

“Pinkie?” Twilight asked, turning towards Pinkie.

“A-… okay.” Pinkie weakly said, straining from the impact.

Suddenly, they heard a laugh from across the room. Turning towards the front, their mouths dropped as they saw “Princess Celestia” walk out of the smoke. When she saw her emerge, it wasn’t the same Princess Celestia they knew and love. She was wearing a much golden crown with jewels adorned to it. She wore an amulet with a purple jewel attached to the center. Her mane was not riveting nor flowing, but it was replaced by flames along with her tail. Her eyes were now completely fiery-orange with her pupils now slit and cat-like, her teeth were now jagged and sharp unlike any beast Twilight has encountered, and there was a demonic presence surrounding her.

“Princess Celestia…?” Twilight asked, trying to keep away from her former mentor.

Hearing this, Princess Celestia used her magic and grabbed her by the throat. Slamming her against the wall, she said,

“Princess Celestia is dead. You shall come to know me as DAYBREAKER!!!” the monstrous Alicorn screamed before hurling two fireballs at Twilight and Pinkie.

Twilight created a barrier for both herself and Pinkie to defend themselves, but they were so weakened that it barely kept together. Twilight fell to the ground, having fully exerted herself from reviving Princess Celestia.

“But if you excuse me… I have a certain acquaintance to fix.” Daybreaker said before teleporting out of the room with the flash of light blurring their vision.

Having rubbed their eyes from the flash, they got off the ground with a speechless expression on their faces.

“What have we done?” Twilight said, looking at the scythe in horror.
> Lamentation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silent as she looked around the throne room, Twilight couldn’t make out what to say next. Cadance’s and Starlight’s voices were just echoes to her as though they were complete strangers at this point. The sight of seeing her former mentor turn evil was bad enough, but the repercussions of Princess Celestia becoming Daybreaker have come to pass. She has no idea what to do anymore. Sweat trickled down her face with her thoughts not just ricketing around thinking about the Corruption, but about what Daybreaker would do if she left the Crystal Empire and if she freed and recorrupted Princess Luna. The idea of it all made her stomach go all the way up to her throat.

“TWILIGHT!!!” Starlight shouted so suddenly.

Shaking back to her senses, Twilight turned around and noticed Starlight, Cadance, and Pinkie looking at her, filled with concern and worry.

“Are you okay, Twilight?” Cadance asked, placing her hoof on Twilight’s forehead.

Touching Twilight’s forehead, Cadance’s nerves stopped dead in their tracks. The only thing she could feel now was dread as she noticed the black ooze appeared out of her body. She was watching it crawl towards Cadance’s hoof to bond itself to her. Noticing this, Starlight darted over and pulled Cadance away from Twilight.

“Twilight… I think it would be best if you stayed in your room for now until you calmed down a bit.” Cadance said in a scared tone.

“What…?” Twilight asked in a shocked tone.

“Cadance…?” Pinkie asked, looking even more scared now.

“I think it would be for the best if you did what she asked, Princess Twilight.” Starlight said, glowing her horn.

“After all I did for you… after giving everything I had to defending Equestria for Celestia knows how long… you have the nerve to send me to my quarters?!” Twilight shouted by glowing her horn up as well.

“Twilight, this is for your own good. We have no more options and if we-” Cadance said before being cut off by Twilight.

“AND IF YOU WHAT?!?! I WAS THE ONE WHO KEPT EQUESTRIA SAFE!!! I WAS THE ONE WHO TOOK ON THIS BURDEN!!! AND I WAS THE ONE WHO DEFEATED THE CREATURES WHO SEEKED TO DO OUR HOME HARM!!!!! YOU ARE IN NO POSITION TO TELL ME OTHERWISE!!!” Twilight yelled, filled with rage.

“Does this also account to the lives you left behind when we evacuated Equestria?! Let alone the lives you took?!” Starlight countered.

This question stumped Twilight right where she was. Just then, the ooze started leaking out of her the more angry she got.

“That’s rich coming from you. Have you forgotten that you were the one who nearly destroyed our time and send us into complete chaos? Along with every time you were sent on a friendship problem, you created than you can solve?” Twilight countered back.

“That’s enough, Twilight!” Cadance shouted.

“And you. After everything I did for you. Saving you from Queen Chrysalis, King Sombra, and even helping with reassembling the Crystal Heart, this is how you show your gratitude. I WAS THE ONE WHO SAVED FLURRY HEART, NOT YOU!!!”

“I SAID THAT’S ENOUGH!!!” Cadance yelled, firing at Twilight.

The blast knocked Twilight into a wall, rendering her unconscious in the process. The impact alerted the guards near the doors and they bursted in with their weapons at the ready.

“You two! Have the unicorns cast a binding spell on her horn and place her in a dungeon until further notice!”

The guards bowed and took Twilight out of the throne room. After the guards left and the doors closed, Cadance turned towards Starlight. The latter stopped glowing her horn and faced the former. Cadance gave the unicorn a stern look before letting out a deep sigh. Then she said,

“Starlight.”

“Y-Yes, Your Highness?” Starlight nervously asked.

Cadance started trotting towards the door as Starlight watched her leave.

“Join me. I have something to discuss with you.” Cadance said, turning towards Starlight.

Starlight moved a little quicker to catch up to Cadance before exiting the throne room.

“It was quite an explosion in there. Any further and we would have to clean inside. Although it won’t be necessary once the barrier breaks down.” Cadance said with a sorrowful tone.

“What are you saying?” Starlight asked, starting to feel worried.

“When the barrier comes down… and those creatures get me… I want you to promise… please take care of Flurry Heart.”

“Me? But what about Twilight? She-”

“You have seen what Twilight did and what she is capable of if that ooze consumes her mind. The last thing I want for Flurry Heart is to be used for her nefarious schemes.”

“Even so Cadance, there’s always a chance that she could fight it off. And what about Twilight’s friends? They seem more than capable enough of taking care of Flurry Heart. I’d just-”

“No. I am entrusting Flurry Heart to you. When the barrier breaks, and when those monsters come into the Crystal Empire, I want you to take Flurry Heart and warn Sunset Shimmer along with any survivor you encounter to stay away from the Crystal Empire. Please. Swear to me on Sunburst.”

Hearing this stumped Starlight really hard. This wasn’t the first time she was given a role to play when something goes wrong, but this was the first time she was ordered to protect an alicorn. She already knew well within her heart that it was hopeless, but she couldn’t turn her back now that an order was given to her by an uncorrupted alicorn. Taking a deep breath and facing Cadance with a straight face, Starlight said,

“You have my word, Your Majesty.”

“It feels good to hear you say that. Especially since there is at least somepony I can trust.”

The two went into the hallway guarded by several unicorns and went to the door on the left, leading to Flurry Heart’s room. Walking inside and close the door, Cadance walked towards the crib and looked at a sleeping Flurry Heart.

“She’s precious, isn’t she? When she sleeps like this, it’s like nothing matters to her.” Cadance said with her voice nearly breaking.

“Your Highness?” Starlight asked, feeling more nervous now.

“We were supposed to be a family. After everything I did for Twilight… after everything I did for Flurry Heart… after everything I did for my kingdom… it was all in vain. I knew what Twilight was doing… but I did nothing to stop her.” Cadance said, almost breaking into a sob.

“Hey. She would never have stopped even if it were up to you.” Starlight said, trying to console Cadance.

“Even so, Starlight… she was the only thing I had close to a sister. And I let her use me…”

“No, you didn’t. It was all Twilight.”

“Even so… even so…”

At that moment, Cadance couldn’t hold it anymore and she started crying. After enduring so much from keeping the Crystal Empire in order along with assisting Twilight in her missions, she just couldn’t handle it anymore. Having so many of the skeletons and many of the lives that were stolen from her subjects took a severe toll on her. The only pony she now has on her mind… is Flurry Heart.

“Oh, Flurry Heart. If only I were a much better mother…”

She could do nothing but stare at Flurry Heart in her slumber. The only thing that can keep her from losing her sanity now was her own daughter. Rocking her crib back and forth, Cadance felt a peaceful sensation as she kept staring at Flurry Heart. Not wanting to leave the two be, Starlight decided to stay and keep them company until something came up. This was the closest to peace that Starlight was going to get until the corruption destroys the barrier. She walked over to the crib and watched Flurry Heart without much of an objection from Cadance.

***

Off in the distance, Spike was watching from the Crystal Empire with Tirek and Ember by his side along with their entire army, ready to deliver the final attack on the Crystal Empire.
> Shards
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deep within the castle, there were two guards watching the mirror room. As they remained vigilant, one guard said,

“You know, Princess Luna has been gone for several days now.”

“Yeah. It’s almost like she disappeared. Just what is in that room?”

“Beats the hell out of me. At this rate, we’d just be sitting out on the invasion when those creatures get us.”

“Right? We’d just be street food if we ran into any of those vile monsters out there.”

“How right you are.” a female voice called out.

The guards prepared their spears at the ready. They were shaking with anticipation of their deaths as they waited for the figure to emerge. Just then, they see a hoof emerge from the shadows. When the figure emerged, they were shocked to learned that it was the late Princess Celestia.

“Y-Your Highness?!” the guard on the right shouted.

“H-How?!” the guard on the left shouted as well.

“Indeed. You two seem to have plenty of questions, but now is not the time to play catch-up. I am searching for my sister and I was hoping that she was inside this room.”

“Y-Yes, but-”

“But? I thought I was the Ruler of Equestria?” Princess Celestia said in a taunting manner.

“W-We don’t doubt you’re on our side, Your Majesty. But how can we-”

Just then, the temperature in the room started rising. The guards started sweating as Princess Celestia grabbed them by their throats with her magic.

“How can we be certain? Equestria really has fallen.” Daybreaker said in a dry tone.

Turning herself back into Daybreaker, she threw them through the doors and surrounded them with flames, incinerating them in the process. Moving inside the room, she looked around and saw a broken mirror with shards all over the place.

“You really thought ahead, didn’t you Spike?” Daybreaker taunted as she gathered the shards.

Putting the mirror back together one piece at a time, the glass started forming together as each fragment made contact. Having reassembled the entire mirror, it started to glow really bright, even temporarily blinding Daybreaker in the process. But after the glowing started to cease, the mirror was floating and it was as if nopony has ever touched it.

“Won’t my dear sister be surprised.” Daybreaker said, approaching the mirror.

Upon entering the mirror, it became black. There was nothing in sight. But all Daybreaker could do was glow her horn and search for her missing sister. Looking everywhere from top to bottom inside the mirror world, Daybreaker couldn’t find her. Even the faintest bit of magic had misled her and got herself lost.

“She has to be here somewhere. Even Discord wasn’t this hard to find when he came close to conquering Equestria. But after what he did, he is no more but a footnote in our glory as the Princesses of Equestria. And my soon-to-be glorious new empire.”

Daybreaker continued her search for Nightmare Moon and she eventually stumbled across a bit of black ooze on the ground.

“This is the same corruptive substance that Twilight smuggled into the Crystal Empire. She never was the relenting type when it came to research.”

Just then, the ooze shrieked and proceeded to attack Daybreaker. But before it could land a hit, it was suddenly grabbed by Celestia. It tried desperately to escape, but to no avail.

“You seem to be in a hurry. So am I. Maybe you can take me to my sister.”

However, the ooze ignored her and tried escaping Daybreaker. She was angered and confused by this. She was seeking answers for the whereabouts of her sister, yet she receives no reply. But just then, she noticed something. The more closer she got, the more the ooze wanted to escape from Daybreaker. The latter took notice of her flames on her head. Igniting one from her hoof, she moved it closer towards the ooze, making the corruption panic in the process. Just then, Daybreaker had a realization.

“I see. Since you’re afraid of my flames, you try to elude me. But it appears you wish to make your way back to the source. You will take me to my sister.” Daybreaker said, looking at the ooze.

Following the direction of the ooze, Daybreaker slowly started making her way towards the direction of Nightmare Moon.

***

Three hours have passed since Daybreaker followed the direction of the fleeing ooze. Just as she starting to get nowhere, she suddenly heard clashing from the distance.

“Sister?” Daybreaker said, flying towards the source.

Making it closer, she noticed Nightmare Moon. Firing shot after shot at the rubble before her, Nightmare Moon was extremely angry in the predicament she was placed under. But delighted with the joy at seeing her well, Daybreaker shouted,

“SISTER!!!”

Suddenly hearing a voice that she would never imagine hearing again, Nightmare Moon said,

“Sister?”

She turned around and saw the source of the flames in the distance. Shocked by this, Nightmare Moon flew closer to the source of those flames. Upon getting closer, she was shocked to see that those flames belong to her sister.

“S-Sister?” Nightmare Moon said, moving closer to touch her cheeks.

Upon feeling them, her feelings of suspicions were correct. Her sister has returned from the dead.

“SISTER!!! You have returned!!! But how?” Nightmare Moon asked out of curiosity.

“Ask the two-faced Princess of Friendship. I was only able to return because she was desperate enough to raise me from the dead. And this little thing led me to you.”

“Indeed, she was. The creature must’ve lost a bit of itself once it escaped. But what has happened to you? You’re mane was the color of a rainbow and now you look like you have a campfire on your head.”

“You’re one to talk with a depressing feel to your appearance.”

“How dare you!!! I am the Princess of the Moon!!! But soon-to-be the Empress of Equestria.”

“So it appears we now have a common goal.”

“Yes, we do. I am looking forward to seeing the expression on that lizard’s face when we return to Equestria.”

“It will be even more hysterical when I melt him into wax. But right now, we need to leave this gloomy world.”

“Why not? I think it suits me since I appear to be depressing.”

“You know I jest, sister. Just think about killing the ungrateful little gecko who manipulated us into thinking he was dead.”

Smirking at the idea of it, Nightmare Moon said,

“Lead the way, dear sister.”

Hearing this, Daybreaker went back towards the exit with Nightmare Moon following suit. After exiting the mirror, Nightmare Moon asked,

“What should we do with everypony else once the Crystal Empire has fallen?”

“We will build an army. With the forces of Equestria and this new power on our side, not even the Corruption will stand a chance. We will return here once this domain has fallen. Are you interested?”

“As if you needed to ask.”

Hearing this, Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon teleported away from the Crystal Empire, disappearing into Shadow Equestria.
> War
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back in the castle, Spike was looking outside into the distance from his balcony with Ember asleep in his bed. Pondering about the times he was in the Crystal Empire, he could only think about how much the ponies over there used to admire and revere him as a hero. 

“Does it kill you that they will see you as an enemy once they catch a glimpse of you?”

Spike looked at his right hand out of curiosity and the creature, in snake form, wrapped around his arm.

“After everything you did to save the Crystal Empire from the evil that is King Sombra, you finally decide to throw it in their faces. Do you have seconds thoughts over the invasion we delivered when they left you to die?”

“We have come too far to quit now. Every moment this continues, I am already heading towards something evil than Twilight and her friends could hope to destroy. This is just a stepping point. And after this, they will be nothing more than a footnote in our brilliance.”

“Hmm. Tirek is approaching.”

Spike heard hoofsteps outside his chamber door as the guards opened it and creature disappearing back into him. After entering, Tirek bowed in Spike’s presence.

“Have they been assembled?” Spike asked.

“They are all gathered as ordered. What will you do next?” Tirek asked.

“Tell them their king will be down shortly.” Spike said, looking at Ember in her slumber.

“As you wish, Sire.” Tirek said before leaving Spike’s chambers.

After watching the doors close, Spike walks towards his bed and lays down to get closer to Ember. Moving towards her, he grabbed her hand and kissed her cheeks several times, awakening her.

“Is it almost time?” Ember asked, turning towards Spike with a smile.

“It will be our last conquest. What do you wanna do once we finish the Crystal Empire?” Spike asked, leaning closer to Ember.

“Why not continue the royal lineage? It could use some princes and princesses.”

“To be honest, I was hoping we could get married before the next invasion. I wish we could be like this everyday. Waking up and being next to each other, holding each other’s hands before getting out of bed wondering how our day will turn out.”

Giggling at the aspect, Ember rose up with Spike and she said,

“We will have plenty of time for that after we take the pony trash off our curb.”

“That’s right. And after this, we will have our marriage. It will be my perfect gift to you.”

“You always were a perfectionist. Your love is more than enough to satisfy me.” Ember said, cupping Spike’s hands.

“Even so, I wish we could spend every day like this. I dreamed about this when I fell in love with Rarity.” Spike said, placing his forehead on Ember’s.

“Rarity? I thought you were engaged to me?” 

“N-No, what I meant was-”

Ember laughed at the embarrassed expression on Spike’s face when he stuttered.

“You know I’m pulling your leg. You’re every bit the dragon I imagined when you use to fantasize about that marshmallow cunt you call a pony.” Ember said, pinning Spike on the bed.

“Oh Ember…” Spike said in a loving tone.

“Spike…”

Before they could begin embracing, they were suddenly interrupted by the appearance of Avion. But when he came in, he noticed Spike and Ember were in an uncompromising position.

“Uh, S-Sire…?” Avion asked in a nervous tone before turning his head away.

“What is it…?” Spike asked in an angry manner.

“The troops have all been gathered, the generals are in their seats, the Shadows at the ready, and the royals are on stage. What should I tell them?” Avion asked, still keeping his head turned.

Hearing all this, Spike said,

“Tell them I’ll be there shortly.”

“R-Right. Carry on.” Avion said before leaving Spike’s quarters.

After hearing his footsteps fade away, Spike and Ember looked right back at each other and embraced each other for a brief moment before heading to the outside of the castle.

***

Like before, every soldier was gathered outside the castle. But each species was wearing a set of armor. The dragons were wearing full suits of armor complete with chainmail, helmets, and were wielding different sets of weapons. The griffins had the same armor, but it had no chainmail and they were carrying crossbows. The hippogriffs wore lighter armor, but they had chainmail and they were carrying swords. The yaks were heavily armored and they wielded maces along with chainballs. The changeling, like the hippogriffs, wore lighter armor, but they had enhanced camouflage and they wielded short-swords. The buffalo, just like the yaks, were heavily armored, but they carried no weapons. Instead, their horns were sharpened to the point and they wore extremely resilient helmets. The manticores and timberwolves were on the sidelines, yawning and licking themselves in casual manners. Just then, they heard footsteps coming from inside the castle hallway. Out came Avion and he said,

“The King approaches.”

Hearing that, everybody silenced themselves and stood at attention. Listening to the footsteps of their approaching king, they could not help but wonder what he would want them to do now. Surely, they must’ve believed he wants them to continue ravaging Equestria, but there had to be something more to it if they were all gathered in the same place at the castle. However, it didn’t matter to them anymore when the Creature came out of the castle hallway with Ember by its side. At that moment, they all bowed before his almighty presence.

“Hello, my dear subjects. For many moons, we were oppressed by those wretched ponies. They have stolen our lands, pillaged our homes… AND ROBBED US OF THE HONOR WE HELD DEAR TO US!!!”

Every creature surrounding the castle started to tense up from hearing his speech.

“But now… our revenge is at hand. The Crystal Empire is all that remains. We shall go there. We will pillage their homes! We will destroy everything they treasure! We will burn whatever little hope remains!!! AND WE WILL DRAG EVERY LAST FILTHY PONY… TO THE PITS OF TARTARUS!!!!!!!!”

The creatures all saluted at the end of his rousing speech. Tirek ordered every creature to go over plans and prepare for the attack. Every last order they were given, the land creatures boarded the huge dragons which set for takeoff to the Crystal Empire. Marching and saluting everywhere, the dragons, griffons, hippogriffs and changelings flew with the huge dragons. Watching all this, the Creature said to Spike,

“Our revenge is almost here…”

With nothing left to say, Spike let the Creature take over and the two started flying towards the Crystal Empire, ready to take their revenge…
> Glass
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Rainbow Dash was heading to the medical area, she started noticing little seems on the cracks in the barrier. Smoke was beginning to fill in as tiny bits of the Corruption started to leak in.

“I need to hurry!” Rainbow Dash said as she started running.

Trotting as fast as she can, she could only imagine what would happen next if the barrier were to collapse in the next moment.

“Rainbow Dash?” a meek voice called out.

Rainbow Dash turned around and saw that it was Fluttershy, whose appearance was worse for wear.

“Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Were you looking for something?” Fluttershy asked in a tired tone.

“Yeah. I need an update on the wounded and I need to know where Twilight is!”

“I don’t know. Last time I saw her, she was up in the castle. I’m not-”

“Thanks! We’ll talk when this is over!” Rainbow Dash said, running to the castle.

“Rainbow Dash! Wait!” Fluttershy weakly shouted.

Her words fell on deaf ears as Rainbow Dash ran. Watching her run to the castle, Fluttershy sadly remarked to herself,

“She doesn’t know yet…”

The check-board that was strapped on Fluttershy’s back read that the mortality rate has dropped higher than anypony could imagine. She could only imagine what would happen next should the barrier crack.

***

After making her way to the throne room, Rainbow Dash looked everywhere for Princess Cadance, but she was nowhere to be seen. Just then, she noticed a guard.

“You there! Where’s Princess Cadance?” Rainbow Dash asked, looking at the guard on the left.

“She is in Flurry Heart’s quarters with Starlight Glimmer. But she is not to be disturbed at this time.”

“Do you really think this is the time to be keeping secrets?! Look outside! If we don’t do something, we’re-”

Just then, the guard drew his spear at Rainbow Dash, making her get in a defensive stance.

“I appreciate your concern, ma’am. But the princess is not to be disturbed at this moment.” the guard said, giving Rainbow Dash a serious look.

Seeing this surprised Rainbow Dash. She already knew that Equestria was in danger of collapse, but she never knew that it would come down to paranoia. Rainbow Dash, in a low angry voice, says,

“Listen, Buster. I have a report to give for the princess. If you wanna throw down, get ready to go down!”

As the two were getting ready to fight, Cadance, out of nowhere, shouts,

“STOP!”

Cadance, who appeared completely tired and haggedly beaten, came through the door with Starlight by her side who was carrying Flurry Heart with her. Seeing this shocked Rainbow Dash entirely as she thought that it couldn’t get any worse.

“Princess! Are you okay?” Rainbow Dash asked, rushing to her side.

The guard pointed his spear at Rainbow Dash when she was moving closer. But before the guard could threaten her, Cadance said,

“Lower her weapon. She’s safe…”

Obeying her command, the guard lowered his weapon and stood back towards the door. Rainbow Dash sticked her tongue out at the guard who just gave her a death glare in return. Joining the princess and Starlight Glimmer, Rainbow Dash asked,

“We have a massive drop in food storage and we are running out of soldiers. I need to know if the wounded have recovered. We need-”

“Didn’t Fluttershy tell you about the medical records?” Starlight disrupted.

“Records? What records?” Rainbow Dash asked out of curiosity.

“Rainbow Dash… if we tell you this, you have to promise that you can keep this a secret from the girls and anypony else.” Cadance said before signalling the guards to leave the throne room.

After watching them leave and close the doors, Cadance turned towards Rainbow Dash and said,

“Twilight has gone mad. The more she dabbles with the Corruption, the more likely she is to destroy Equestria. She is currently locked away underground with a spell keeping her powers in check and she has no means of escape. Fluttershy has given us an update on the wounded soldiers that made it back to the Crystal Empire.”

“What happened? I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s going on.”

Feeling uncertain about what to do next, Cadance turned to Starlight who nodded in assurance that Rainbow Dash won’t do anything to harm their well-being.

“The mortality rate on the soldiers… is biblical.”

“What?” Rainbow Dash said in an even more shocked tone.

“It’s true. I heard the same report when I was with Cadance.” Starlight said in a somber tone.

“How can this be?! I know that those monsters have us on the ropes, but I had no idea how bad this would turn out! What’re we gonna do?”

As Cadance was explaining her entire plan, two guards looked at each other with serious looks before turning towards the door. Their eyes suddenly blackened and exchanged wicked grins as the Corruption took them over. Turning towards the door with their spears, they were accompanied by two unicorns who lit their horns up, ready for a sneak-attack.

“Ready?” the pegasus guard asked, looking at the corrupted ponies.

Nodding in compliance, the four stormed the throne room and ambushed the three ponies.

“What?!” Cadance shouted upon seeing the door open.

Immediately, the unicorns aimed for Flurry Heart and fired a shot at her, but Starlight activated a force field. The guards ran towards Rainbow Dash and tried to pin her down, but was able to push them off. But before she could fight back, a unicorn fired a shot of magic at her left wing. 

“My wing!” Rainbow Dash writhed as it fell to the ground.

Before the unicorn could fire the next shot at her, Cadance stood in the way and created a force field. But her magic was so weakened that the field was easily broken and her horn was destroyed by the shot. Both Rainbow Dash and Starlight were shocked by this, but the latter regained her composure and fired at the unicorn’s horn before shooting the guards. After the guards were killed, Starlight looked at the unicorn and slammed the door shut before she could make her escape. Starlight hoisted the unicorn up in the air and asked,

“Who sent you here?”

“Why should it matter to you? You’re dead anyway!” the unicorn cackled.

Before Starlight could interrogate her further, the ooze started leaking out of the unicorn’s body as she laughed maniacally. Suddenly, her laughs started turning into choking as blood mixed with the ooze started leaking out of her body. Starlight covered Flurry Heart’s eyes as she watched the unicorn screaming in agony. In her last moment, she met a gruesome end as her eyes popped like a couple balloons.

“Sweet Celestia…” Starlight said, looking at the unicorn’s body in disgust.

Her focus shift towards Cadance whose horn was now broken off her head.

“Are you okay, Princess?” Starlight asked, inspecting her for any body damage.

“I’m fine, but…” Cadance said, looking outside the castle.

The barrier has shattered into glass shards as they felt before disappearing into thin air. As they watched, they suddenly noticed multiple figures out in the distance. Upon closer look, their mouths dropped as they realized who it was.

“Oh no…” Starlight said in a scared tone.

***

Off in the distance, Spike was watching as the barrier shattered like glass. Raising his right arm, the Creature wrapped itself around his arm like a snake.

“It is time…”
> Invasion of the Crystal Empire
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Watching from the distance as the barrier collapsed, Tirek walks over to Spike’s side and says,

“All the soldiers are ready, my king. Just say the word.”

Looking at the Crystal Empire as he clenched his fist extremely tight while remaining calm, Spike commanded,

“Prisoners are useless to me. Kill them all.”

“Release the Manticores!” Tirek screamed.

Inside the cages, the Manticores were crazy from the hunger and anger they had to endure while locked up. Going up to the cages while trying avoid being mauled to death, they succeeded in unlocking the cages while avoiding any casualties in the process. The manticores jumped out of their cages and immediately charged towards the castle.

“Release the timberwolves!” Tirek commanded once more.

Returning once again to the cages, the soldiers broke the locks off the cages and released them. Like the manticores, the timberwolves immediately started charging towards the Crystal Empire. Charging a ball of magic, Tirek fired it into the air, signalling the creatures to attack the Crystal Empire. Letting out their battle cries, the armies surrounding the Crystal Empires began charging towards them

***

Watching from the balcony, Princess Cadance, Starlight and Rainbow Dash were in shock and had no idea what to do.

“Dear!” Shining Armor shouted as he burst through the door.

Taking a good look at her, he noticed that her horn was broken. 

“Honey?! Are you okay?! What happened?!” Shining Armor asked, rushing to her aid.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. We need every last soldier guarding that gate! Don’t let those creatures pass it!” Cadance ordered.

“Right!” Shining Armor said before leaving the throne room.

Downstairs, everypony was gathering weapons and were preparing for the attack that was about to ensue.

***

Growling and roaring as they ran, the manticores and timberwolves were bursting with hunger and ravenous hate while making their way to the Crystal Empire. Joining them were the buffalo and the yaks as they charged full-force with their bestial companions.

***

Getting up on the gate, the unicorns started firing magical beams at the creatures below them while the pegasi fired their crossbows at them. They managed to hit a few, but there were so many that they couldn’t keep them away.

***

The creatures were getting closer to the gate and the buffalo moved in front of the other creatures, getting ready to smash through the doors. While the casualties were minor, they continued to charge until they finally made it to the doors. Bursting and crashing through the gates while the manticores climbed up and started eating and mauling the soldiers. Breaking and charging through every building, the buffalo were stampeding all over the ponies while they tried to escape.

***

“Send in the dragons and the griffins. It’s their turn to have fun.” Spike ordered.

Hearing this, Tirek fired a shot of magic into the air, signalling the two species that it was now their turn to join in on the carnage. The griffins and the dragons flew over to the Crystal Empire and started bombarding the ground with arrows and fire. Everypony was running left and right like chickens with their heads cut off when trying to evade the creatures.

***

Flying as fast as she can, Rainbow Dash made her way to the medical center to check on the soldiers. Especially Fluttershy and Rarity who were confused about the chaos that ensued outside.

“Rainbow Dash! W-What’s going on there?” Fluttershy asked in a scared tone.

“The barrier’s been destroyed! Everypony’s dropping like flies and we’re short on helping hooves! Have the soldiers recovered yet?”

“They’re dying! We are short on medical supplies and we have no other means of mending their wounds! All we can do is evacuate them, but we are all out of options!”

“Dammit!” Rainbow Dash shouted.

Just then, they heard a cackle from above the sky. They looked up and saw that it was Gilda.

“Long time no see, Rainbow Dash! And it’s her little girlfriend~!” Gilda taunted as she pulled out her automatic crossbow.

“Gilda!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, getting into a fighting stance.

***

“We have to get Flurry Heart!” Cadance shouted, attempting to leave the throne room.

“No! The ponies need you!” Starlight shouted, trying to stop her.

“She is my daughter!” Cadance retorted.

“Then let me get her! You stay here and try to find a way to hold them off while I search for Flurry Heart!” Starlight suggested.

Hearing this idea knocked Princess Cadance back into her senses. Looking outside the balcony, Cadance surmised the situation above and turned towards Starlight.

“It won’t be long until the creatures make it into the castle. Get to Flurry Heart’s room and get back here as quickly as you can!”

“Got it!” Starlight said, immediately running out of the throne room.

Making her way through every corridor of the castle, Starlight dashed as hard as she could to get to Flurry Heart’s room before the creatures. A lot was going through her mind as she ran. She didn’t have any idea where they or how far they have gotten. But one thing for sure was that she was desperate. She had lost Sunburst. She had lost Spike. She was even certain she lost Trixie. But she was not ready to lose Flurry Heart. As she was running through the hallway, she ran into a group comprised of dragons and griffins.

“What’s the matter, little pony~? Are you lost~?” a female dragon taunted.

Standing her ground and getting into a fighting stance, Starlight was ready for battle.

“I think she needs some guidance!” a male griffin shouted as he cocked his crossbow.

But before they could attack, Starlight glowed her horn and fired every blast of magic, incinerating them all. Afterwards, Starlight pressed forward to Flurry Heart’s room. Looking everywhere as she she continued to run, most of the area was in flames and and half the guards in the hallway are dead. She could only hope it isn’t too late. The last thing she wants is to see the daughter of the Princess of Love dead in her crib. Having finally made it to Flurry Heart’s room, Starlight said in a scared tone,

“Please be alive…”

Walking towards the crib in the middle of her bedroom, Starlight felt a dreadful presence lurk around the bedroom. She already knew that the ooze must’ve made it by now, but she couldn’t be too careful. Slowly creeping over to see if the baby as well as glow her horn for protection, she couldn’t bear to see if Flurry Heart was infected by the ooze and waiting to be turned like Twilight. But alas when she got a good look, Flurry Heart was unharmed and clueless as ever.

“Thank Celestia…” Starlight said in a relieved tone as tears slowly poured from her eyes.

“Foolish unicorn…” the Corruption said before ambushing Starlight.

Dodging out of the way with Flurry Heart in her hooves, she was now standing face-to-face with Ooze as it formed into its dragon form.

“It seems I have found an appetizer for the main course…” the creature said, drooling and growling with hunger.
> Rebirth
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Up in Mission Control, Applejack is making contact with everypony in the Crystal Empire, trying to figure out a counterattack.

“Red Trot 21, do you read? Do you read? I’m not-”

Every contact that Applejack made was going dead everywhere. She was all out of options. Turning to Lyra Heartstrings, she said,

“We need to set up a barricade! Buy me enough time until-”

“Applejack, it’s bad everywhere! All checkpoints are down, radios have gone silent, and the guards in this facility are dropping like flies! We are out of time!”

“Not on my watch! We just need a way to-”

Just then, they heard crashing and screams outside the control room. They looked outside the window of the door and it was nothing but carnage outside the room and the creatures outside have set up a blockade.

***

“Give me the Alicorn and I promise your final moment will be painless.” the creature said, unsheathing its claws.

“Over my dead body!” Starlight shouted, lighting up her horn.

“I was hoping you would say…”

Suddenly, the creature started breathing fire all over Flurry Heart’s room, forcing Starlight to run out of the room. The creature proceeded to chase after her as she ran. Carrying Flurry Heart on her back, Starlight dashed while trying to avoid the Creature's grasp. Keeping her face forward and trying to get the creature off her tail, Starlight fired multiple shots at the ceilings to slow the creature down.

“There has to be a way to get him away from us!” Starlight thought, looking around while still keeping distance.

Looking around, she sees various torches around the hallways.

“What if…?” Starlight thought as she looked at the torches.

While she still continued to run, Starlight fired at the torches everywhere in the hallways and fire started to spread all over the floor. This caused the Creature to stop running and back away after nearly touching the flame.

“What treachery is this!?” the Creature roared as it kept away from the flame.

“Hmph. Playing with matches will get you burned~! You do the math~.” Starlight said before running off with Flurry Heart.

Watching her run, the Creature roared in anger before dissolving to go elsewhere.

***

As Rainbow Dash and Gilda clashed, Fluttershy did whatever she could to evacuate the patients that were still hospitalized. Even with Rarity’s help, it was all in vain as the soldiers surrounded the medical area and killed every last one.

“How’re your wings? They must be outta shape since the time I broke them in Canterlot!” Gilda taunted as she clawed Rainbow Dash’s face.

“Oh, they’re fine. Just been waiting to do THIS!!!” Rainbow Dash shouted before punching Gilda in the face.

Roaring after feeling the attack, Gilda charged at Rainbow Dash and grappled onto her. Clawing and punching each other, it was all reeling as the griffin and the pegasus fought each other. Seizing an opportunity, Gilda opened her mouth and tried to bite Rainbow Dash. But she was only able to get her ear as the rainbowed pegasus dodged the bloodthirsty griffin’s fatal attack.

“SCREW THIS!!!!!” Gilda shouted before getting behind Rainbow Dash.

Reaching for her wings, Gilda proceeded to ripping them off Rainbow Dash’s back. Rainbow Dash tried struggling against Gilda, but it was all in vain as she punched her in the face to stun her. Seeing the blooding leak out a bit while she pulled, Gilda gleefully laughed as she did the unthinkable and pulled off Rainbow Dash’s wings.

“AUGH!!!!!!” Rainbow Dash screamed as blood gushed everywhere on the floor before Gilda through them near her face and going unconscious.

“Aw, look at this~? The poor little pegasus has got her wings clipped~. As much as I’d like to roast you on a spit, the king told me to bring you and the girls to the castle alive. C’mon, buddy.” Gilda said before grabbing Rainbow Dash and taking her to the castle, along with Fluttershy and Rarity who had their wings and horn taken off.

***

Pinkie was running across the hallway down to the dungeon. She was already aware of how far gone Twilight was, but to her, she was the only chance they had against the invading force. Even if they were to lose their lives to her, Pinkie knew that Twilight would annihilate the entire Shadow Army. Making her way towards downstairs, Pinkie said,

“She has to be downstairs somewhere…”

Looking through every cell, Pinkie was having a hard time when Twilight was nowhere to be seen in any of the regular cells. That was until she came across a huge metallic door.

“Twilight…?” Pinkie said before looking at the switch on the right side.

Pulling it, the door started to unlock and Pinkie stood back in silence. She may have no idea what has happened to Twilight, but she knew that it didn’t matter so long as she was the one who would help destroy the Corruption. Upon seeing the door finally open, Pinkie enters to see a chained, unconscious Twilight on the floor. Rushing to her side, Pinkie moves Twilight’s body to get her to wake up.

“Twilight! Please! Wake up!” Pinkie pleaded.

Twilight wouldn’t budge as Pinkie kept rocking her.

“We don’t have time for this! If we don’t do something, everypony we know is gonna die! Please! Wake up!” Pinkie begged before deciding to pull on the chains.

Slightly opening her eyes after hearing the rumbling outside, Twilight starts to wake up and notice Pinkie by her side.

“Pinkie…?” Twilight asked in a tired voice.

“Oh thank goodness! I thought you were done for…” Pinkie said, filled with relief.

“You need to get me out of these chains.” Twilight said, looking around her body.

“O-Of course! Just need a key for them.” Pinkie said, looking for the key.

“It's outside by one of the dead guards. Check them.” Twilight said.

“Going outside the cell, Pinkie rummaged through one guard who didn't have the key. She went to the other who did, in fact, have the key. She ran back to Twilight, holding the key.

“Okay. How do I get you out?” Pinkie asked.

“There's a mechanism near my horn. It's what's keeping me from getting out of this prison. Just place the key inside and unlock it. But I have to warn you. I'm a little weak at this very moment.” Twilight instructed.

Doing as she was told, Pinkie inserted the key and unlocked Twilight from her bonds. Upon being released from her shackles, Twilight fell to the ground, weak from her spell-induced prison.

“Are you okay, Twilight?” Pinkie asked, helping Twilight up.

“I am. There’s just one thing that I require.” Twilight said.

“Anything.”

“I require… a sacrifice.”

Hearing this shocked the everloving daylights out of Pinkie the moment Twilight said those words.

“I-I don’t understand-”

“No. You don’t. But if we hope to beat back the ensuing Corruption… I need your life. If you give it to me, we might stand a chance.”

Pinkie was hesitant to go through with this. She had no idea if Twilight was telling the truth or if she was pulling the wool over her eyes. But before she could think on this further… she was suddenly stabbed in the abdomen by Twilight, absorbing the souls in the process.

“W-Wha-? What are you doing…?” Pinkie asked, falling to the ground while trying not to bleed out.

“You know there is no other way. We have to fight it back. By any means necessary now.” Twilight said before a surge of power came out of her.

“Twilight… don’t do this…” Pinkie begged while bleeding to death.

“Don’t worry, Pinkie. Your death won’t be for nothing…” Twilight said as she started levitating into the air.

A ball of light started engulfing her and she started screaming in agony as she began to transform. Sharp-cyan adorned her hooves, her wings grew larger and more violet, her mane growing longer, and her teeth grew sharper. Her eyes were surrounded by cyan-blue flames that strangely resembled glasses and her eyes became blue and cat-like. Soon, her screams were replaced with cackling as she started to embrace the transformation. Afterwards, she triggered a shockwave and it destroyed the entire dungeon. Settling herself to the ground, out came a figure where she nowhere near resembled Twilight and Pinkie could only guess who it was.

“Twilight…?” Pinkie asked as she coughed out blood.

But instead of hearing her best friend’s voice, it was something far more sinister than anypony could comprehend. In response, Pinkie was stabbed all the way with her scythe before the creature emerged from the smoke.

“BEHOLD!!!! MIDNIGHT IS BORN!!!!!” the evil Alicorn declared before flashing her wings.

With that, Midnight teleported out of the dungeon without leaving a trace. Bleeding out and having no way of surviving, Pinkie could do nothing but cry as she reflected on what she just did.

“I’m sorry… everypony. I was… only… trying…” Pinkie sobbed before finally dying from blood loss.
> Reveal
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applejack was running on fumes while she was trying to come up with a plan. She tried contacting Princess Cadance, but communications were cut off everywhere around the Crystal Empire. Everypony in the room was dead and all she could do was hide.

“There has to be some way we can fight this off. They can’t all just be coming in all-out and burning everypony to a crisp. Shucks. All I can do is run and see if the Princesses are still alive.” Applejack thought before making a beeline out of Mission Control.

She was immediately spotted the moment she jumped out of the desk.

“It’s that Apple pony! Bring to the castle alive!” one captain shouted upon spotting Applejack.

Applejack ran really fast, avoiding every attack that was being thrown her way while trying to escape. She was being chased by vicious manticores across the halls of Mission Control. She was keeping a good pace against the creatures that pursued her. Just as soon as she was about to exit, she was punched back by an angry Yona.

“That smarts. Gotta admit. You yaks sure know how to smash.” Applejack said, wiping the blood off her nose and getting back up on her hooves.

“Pony needed back at castle! Go quietly or go nasty!” Yona said, cracking her hooves.

“How about we dance?” Applejack said before getting into a mocking fighting pose with a smirk on her face.

Pounding her chest with rage, Yona charged at Applejack with all her might and before she could get a swing in, Applejack dodged. But Yona close-lined her and knocked her into a wall. Applejack was winded from that attack and struggled to get back up. Yona walked over to Applejack and knocked her out cold before picking her up and taking her back to the castle.

***

After making it back into the throne with Flurry Heart in hoof, Starlight was filled with exhaustion and needed a breather. Relieved that she was unharmed, Cadance went over to Flurry Heart and hugged her.

“Thank Celestia you’re safe…” Cadance said as she embraced her baby.

But looking outside, it was getting worse. Feeling the presence of the defeated ponies and that failure was imminent, Cadance looked at Starlight and said,

“Starlight, take Flurry Heart and go.”

“What?” Starlight reacted.

“You heard me. You promised that you would take Flurry Heart and warn Sunset along with any other survivor to stay away from the Crystal Empire!” Cadance said.

“But what about you? I can’t just-”

“It’s not about me or my kingdom anymore! Take Flurry Heart and run!”

“But I-”

“JUST GO!!!”

Left with no other choice, Starlight took Flurry Heart out of her hooves and backed away. As a teary-eyed Flurry Heart reached out for her mother, Cadance said,

“I love you, Flurry Heart…”

In that moment, Starlight teleported away from the Crystal Empire with Flurry Heart in hoof from the distance off the Crystal Empire. Starlight could only watch in horror as the once proud kingdom fell to ruin.

***

After ponies were thrown against the wall and being entrapped by the ooze, every soldier was lined up in perfect order as they awaited their king. Avion flew in from the balcony, carrying a scroll with him. After unfolding it, he reads,

“Greetings, my fallen foes. As you have graciously thrown down your lives and surrendered your kingdom, you contributed your meaningless lives to the growth of my kingdom in Equestria. You have the dubious honor of-”

After Rainbow Dash wakes up and overhears this, she shouts,

“AS IF!!! WE WOULD NEVER THROW OUR LIVES AWAY TO THE LIKES OF YOU!!!! JUST WAIT-”

Suddenly, she was knocked across the head with a club by a yak.

“Be silent, pony!!! Or yak go for jaw next…”

Rainbow Dash get quiet while still reeling from the pain of having her wings ripped off.

“-meeting the divine King Bahamut in his glorious conquest. Your gracious host has made his way all the from the nothing you gave him and he has arrived to grace you in his ravishing presence! My beloved subjects, I give you: KING BAHAMUT!!!”

Opening the doors, the shadowy figure walked towards the captured Mane Six and the soldiers bowed as it walked past them. In his hands he carried was Shining Armor.

“I have been looking forward to this meeting. Ever since the day I took your home from you, all you ponies were on my agenda.” the Creature said before throwing Shining Armor in with the rest with them.

“It does not matter how many enemies throw at us! We will always find a way!” Cadance said in a defiant tone.

“Yes, you do.  Yet here you stand against my strength and all of my followers. But this…”

The Creature walked towards Cadance and started sniffing her mane. She recoiled in disgust when it sniffed her in such a manner, but then the Creature took it a step further by grabbing her face and licking her left cheek. This sickened the Mane Six to a high degree. Especially Shining Armor.

“HEY! LET GO OF MY WIFE BEFORE I-”

Suddenly, he was slash in the face by the Creature before he could threaten him even further.

“Silence, pony. You will have your chance when I allow it.” the Creature said in a condescending manner.

“Just who do you think you are, buddy?! Coming in and uprooting our home like you're some big-shot! You won’t get away with this, you slimeball!” Rainbow Dash shouted.

“That is where you are wrong, rainbow pony. For a long time, you have reaped the rewards and you were treated with the utmost dignity anypony would hope to relish. Except for one certain creature in your group.”

“What’re you getting at?” Applejack asked with a serious expression.

“There is a certain someone who has been eager to meet you. He was nervous, but he came through. I hope you are all ready to see him. Especially after what you did to him.”

“What do you mean?” Cadance asked.

Instead of answering, the Creature started dissolving itself and slowly seeped into its host. Upon revealing who the host was, their eyes and mouths widened with disbelief and shock.

“N-No! It-! No-! It-! It can’t-! It cannot be…!” Cadance shouted with tears starting to pour from her eyes.

“SPIKE?!” everypony shouted upon seeing his full identity.

“Hello, everypony. Did you miss me?” Spike asked with a dark sense of humor.
> Explanation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Everypony was at a loss for words. They were all too shocked to say anything upon figuring who the host of the Corruption was.

“What’s the matter, everypony? Aren’t you all happy to see me again? I know the whole party’s a bit much, but I wanted to show you how much I’ve grown, how far we have split apart. But most of all… I wanted to show you what I could do now after acquiring all this power.” Spike taunted.

“I- I don’t understand…” Cadance said, trying to process what she has learned.

“Of course. Of course, you don’t understand. It was all building up and you didn’t know who to expect. But the fact of the matter is that I am here now… and so are you.” Spike said, now shifting to a more sinister tone.

“I can’t believe you…” Applejack said, starting to get angry.

“Oh? Then what do you have to say?” Spike asked, turning to Applejack.

“After everything we did for you… after helping you when there was nopony else to turn to… after letting you into our friendship… this is how you repay us?!” Applejack shouted.

“Yeah! You better explain yourself, reptile!” Rainbow Dash shouted, agreeing with Applejack.

Just then, the Creature came out of Spike and wrapped itself in his right arm like a snake.

“Hmm. The Pony of Honesty and the Pony of Loyalty. How utterly rich to hear such words spew out of the holes of traitors.” the Creature said, chuckling with an evil grin.

“Shut it, slimeball! When we get out of here-”

“What then? What will you do? You have already lost your home. You have lost your family. What reason do you have to keep fighting? Oh wait…” the Creature said as it turned around.

Out of the ground formed the ooze and something was coming out of it. But what came out of it was even more horrifying than they could hope to swallow. When they saw who it was, they were now driven with fear.

“The CMC?! No! Not them! Anypony but them!” Fluttershy cried.

“Do what you will with us, but please don’t harm precious Sweetie Bell!” Rarity cried.

“You have known what would happen next and the outcome is here! But now… I will tell you the truth about what really happened.” Spike said, turning to the CMC.

“What does he mean, big sis?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Apple Bloom, whatever he says, don’t listen to him!” Applejack warned.

“Oh? I’m shocked at you, Applejack. Aren’t you the Element of Honesty? You may as well come clean with your families since you’re all going to be given a choice pretty soon.” Spike taunted once more.

Before they could speak any further, the Creature manifested the ooze and wrapped it around their mouths. Walking towards them, he got down and knelt closer to the CMC.

“Do you know how I have my own kingdom now? These ponies over there helped me. And do you know how…? I became a scapegoat. When Twilight ordered me to take care of a statue that was meant to be a symbol of friendship between the dragons and the griffins. I was getting something to eat before I saw the statue. I touched it to feel the gems, but it was destroyed when I was going back to my room. I tried to fix it, but I passed out before I could get the chance to fix it even further. Do you girls wish to tell them how it happened?” Spike said, turning to the girls.

The CMC were shocked and wanted to know more. Seeing this, the Creature undid the ooze on their mouths, the girls were able to talk.

“Sis… is this true?” Apple Bloom asked with tears starting to pour out.

“Apple Bloom… I…” Applejack said before being interrupted by Spike.

“What’s the matter, Applejack? You’re supposed to be the Element of Honesty. And you’re supposed to be honest with your family. Tell her the truth.” Spike ordered.

Taking deep breaths and she knew that she had no other choice, Applejack said,

“It’s true, Sugarcube. I participated in Spike’s banishment.”

Hearing this shocked Apple Bloom down to her very core. She had always known that Applejack would do questionable things, but she never would have thought she would go so far as to banish Spike from their lives. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo shared the same sentiment.

“How… How could you-”

“Trust me. I felt the same way when I was told this. Especially after learning that Discord was mixed into this little conspiracy of theirs. But there was one lesson I took from that experience: it was the truth. And that truth did not come from the Power of Friendship, but from the Power of Hate. And he showed the truth in more ways than one when I was blessed with this beautiful gift.”

“And this was what you planned with this gift?! By attacking cities and killing everypony that stands in your way?!” Shining Armor shouted.

“That’s right, pony captain. And I plan on exterminating anything in my quest for power. Which includes your daughter.” the Creature said with sheer venom in its voice.

“If you lay one claw on her-”

“Your threats are meaningless to us. But now… I have something to show you.” Spike said, watching the ooze cover their eyes.

“W-What are you doing to us?” Fluttershy whimpered.

“Showing you something beautiful.” Spike said before looking outside to watch the carnage.

After the ooze finished covering their eyes, they appeared to be augmented into what was the destruction of the Crystal Empire. Watching every last one of their citizens get killed one by one, building structures collapsing one after the other, and every last bit of their armies losing their morale to their demise. They screamed while watching their loved ones get slaughtered and Spike did nothing but watch as the Crystal Empire was razed into oblivion. It was all a spectacle for him to watch, but he knew that he had much more to tell them. Signalling the Creature to remove the blinds, it did so accordingly. Their eyes were covered in tears and they were now afraid of what was going to come next.

“What are you going to do now?” Applejack asked, being reduced to tears.

“I’m going to give you girls a choice. And you will choose.” Spike said before another pool of ooze appeared in the floor.

Watching another pony come out of it, Applejack was shocked to discover that it was none other than Big Mac.

“Big Mac… what happened to Granny Smith?” Applejack asked, clearly afraid.

But he said nothing and just scowled at her.

“Big Mac…?” Applejack asked.

“We made sure he heard the whole thing. I wanted him to know the truth about what happened to me.” Spike explained.

“Spike… whatever we did to you… we can work this out. Just tell-”

“WE ALREADY WORKED THIS OUT!!!! Now it is your turn. You are going to choose who will live. Between your little sister and your big brother.”

This stunned the girls to a high and painful degree.

“No! Please! Not this!” Applejack begged.

“You have made your choice! Now choose! And whoever you choose, you will be hated for moons to come.” Spike said as Applejack looked at her siblings in a scared manner.
> Choice
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Faced with the sadistic choice between killing her younger sister and older brother, Applejack was stuck between a rock and a hard place when she face her siblings.

“Do you have anything you wish to say, Big Mac?” Spike asked, leaning towards the red stallion.

“Big Mac…” Applejack said now at a complete loss for words.

“I can’t believe you… after so many moons of living up to your name… you… YOU DISGUST ME!!!! WE BELIEVED IN YOU!!!! WE WERE SO HAPPY THAT YOU HAVE FOUND YOUR PLACE WHEN YOU RECEIVED THE ELEMENT OF HONESTY!!!! But now… NOW… LOOK AT YOU NOW!!!! SQUASHING ALL THAT YOU LEARNED AND USING IT TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS!!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WOULD THROW OUT YOUR OWN FRIEND OVER A STATUE!!!!”

Applejack was speechless on what to say. Not because Big Mac would refuse to listen. But because she knew that no matter what she would say next, it would only make things worse.

“I'm glad that Granny Smith was killed before this. She would be ashamed of what you have become.”

Applejack could do nothing but tear up as Apple Bloom was brought before the former.

“Apple Bloom…” Applejack said with her voice starting to break.

“I will never forgive you for what you did to him.” Apple Bloom said in silent fury.

“I didn't know this was gonna happen. He's done this to us.” Applejack said, trying to reason with her embittered sister.

“You did this to us. You did this to Spike, so that you could cover up your failures and shift the blame over to somepony else just because you wanted to protect yourself as the Hero of Equestria. Don't ever speak to me as your sister again.” Apple Bloom said in a cold tone.

“I never intended for this to happen. I wasn’t even-”

Applejack was suddenly cut off when the guards started pulling her out of the ooze and started dragging her towards her siblings. After being forced to kneel on the ground, two giant dragons appeared and they were carrying huge axes.

“Please, Spike. Don’t do this. Whatever we-”

“We have heard enough of your lies! Now choose!” Spike shouted.

Applejack’s tears mixed with sweat as she looked at two of her siblings. She knew that they already hated her, but she couldn’t go through with choosing who should die. To her, it felt like cutting off one of her limbs and she would bleed if anything were to happen to her family.

“If you do not choose, I will have them both killed.” Spike threatened.

The two dragon executioners raised their axes above their heads and they were more than ready to kill both of the Apple ponies. Feeling her conscience starting to break as well as grinding her teeth really fast with her nerves in tatters, Applejack felt like her mind was about to shatter like glass. But just as soon as the guards were about to kill the two of them, she shouted,

“Spare Apple Bloom!”

The guard right by Apple Bloom stopped before he could decapitate her. Applejack cried,

“Please. Don’t hurt Apple Bloom…”

She lowered her head in shame and could do nothing but cry as Apple Bloom was pulled out of the way while Big Mac was lined up for execution. Just as he was about to die, Big Mac shouted,

“I THOUGHT WE WERE FAMILY!!!! I THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE EACH OTHER’S BACKS ‘TILL THE END!!!!! THE ELEMENTS GAVE YOU THE POWER OF HONESTY AND YOU CHOSE TO SQUANDER IT!!!!”

Applejack turned her head away in shame as she heard his harsh words. But Spike grabbed her head and raised it up as he shouted,

“YOU WATCH!!!! WHEN YOU CONDEMN SOMEPONY TO THEIR DEMISE, YOU WATCH!!!!”

“N-No!!! Big Mac!” Apple Bloom shouted as she was being dragged away outside of the throne room.

“THAT’S RIGHT, YOU BACKSTABBER!!!! YOU LOOK AT ME WHEN I DIE!!!! YOU LOOK AT ME!!!!” Big Mac screamed with all his rage.

“No!!!! Please!!!!” Applejack begged.

Having raised his axe high above his head and about ready to drop it on his head, the executioner was ready to decapitate the red pony. With a slight yell, the executioner dropped his axe and decapitated Big Mac. Everypony was speechless as they watched his head fly, the most of all being Applejack. Watching his head fly, her tears started pouring out more than ever and she could do nothing but sob and wail all over the ground as she watched her now lifeless brother’s corpse drop like a bag of potatoes. Spike said nothing to her as he now turned towards Fluttershy.

“Now you carry the burden between those two.” Spike said, looking at the yellow pegasus.

“You monster…” Fluttershy whispered.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were brought up before the Mane Six and were knelt down as the executioners stood besides them. Spike grabbed Fluttershy by the mane and threw her to the ground in front of the remaining members of the CMC.

“Now it’s your turn.” Spike said before turning to the CMC.

“N-No! Please don’t make me do this!” Fluttershy tearfully begged.

“You knew this would be inevitable. Now make your choice.” Spike said before finally stepping out of the way.

Fluttershy didn’t know what to do now. All she could do was let the screams of her friends desperately try to stop her from choosing who should die. They were all overwhelming her and all she was capable of doing was crying her eyes out. Seeing this, Spike turned towards the guards and nodded, giving them the okay to execute both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, who were begging for their lives. Obeying their command, the two executioners raised their axes in the air on the two remaining CMC members and dropped them with full force into their necks, making their heads fly from the decapitation.

“Sweetie Belle…?” Rarity said in a shocked tone as she watched her now deceased sister’s head roll.

“Squirt…?” Rainbow Dash said while watching Scootaloo’s head bounce a few times before hitting the ground.

After realizing what has happened to the two, both Rarity and Rainbow Dash bawled their eyes to insanity as they watched their both their bodies fall to the ground. They couldn’t even find the words as they watched their heads. Fluttershy, on the other hoof, was shocked. She couldn’t muster the courage to decide who would live or die.  But now, she couldn’t even speak. She was silent as a fish when she saw their heads roll towards their knees. Her eyes went dead the moment she watched their eyes face her as the last spark of life in their eyes finally went cold. 

“Give them their trials.” Spike said before leaving the throne room, having seen enough of the carnage.

“Bring the prisoners to the Square!” Avion shouted before leaving the throne room as well.

The guards did as they were commanded and took the rest of the captured ponies towards the bottom of the castle where their final trials awaited them.
> Trial
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Being brought down towards the City Square of the Crystal Empire in chains and being dragged on a wagon, the remaining ponies were brought before the entire creatures, broken and traumatized by the events in the throne room. Jeering and throwing stuff at their faces, the creatures had a fun time, mocking the ponies as they did nothing but stare at the ground. Their eyes were tear-stained, their wings and horns were either torn off or broken, and they were defeated as a result for their failures.

“Before we begin the trial, the ponies must first be shaved!” Avion commanded.

Hearing this, the dragons and griffins gleefully pulled their swords out of their sheaths. Running over to them, they started cutting their manes off and enjoyed every last minute of it. They cut their manes off to the where they were given a buzz-cut and were completely humiliated from their new look. After that, they were brought before Spike who looked at them as they kept their heads down. 

“Court is now in session!” Avian shouted.

The creatures kept silent as the griffin prosecutor approached the Square.

“As you have already noticed, Your Honor, these four ponies have been detained for conspiracy in holding contempt for His Majesty. These four and their two remaining allies have aided and abetted with a draconequus known to them as Discord. The six of them and the creature have cooperated in an effort to make a scapegoat out of His Highness and banished him while he was trying to fix the statue as a form of repentance after everything he has done for these disgusting ponies. We may not have a clue about where the Princess of Friendship is, but twenty-five minutes ago, we have found her pink cohort down in the dungeon section of the castle. I may not have the logistics, but we can surmise that she was trying to free the purple alicorn from captivity and she seemed to have succeeded. Which leaves me to you, Princess of Love. Did you know anything about this?” the prosecutor asked, looking at Princess Cadance.

“I have no idea that Pinkie was heading down to the dungeon to free Twilight. But there is one thing I have to say to you and your king: that crystal embedded on your chest has carried your mind. This Creature has twisted your thoughts and judgement to suit its own various needs. Your Greed has eaten its way into your soul! And you have nothing left to love other than yourself! When you finish with us, you will not just stop here! You will kill more! Consume more! And you will never stop your genocidal campaign until Equestria becomes a wasteland! There will be nothing left for you to conquer and you will be filled with nothing but hate! But someday… you will all turn on each other. Do you hear me! The time will come when one of you will begin to suspect one another and there will be bloodshed across the land! And by the time you come to that turning point… it will already be too late.” Cadance said with a venomous tone.

The prosecutor turned to Spike who was listening very intently to Cadance’s speech. Getting out of his seat, he walked towards the wagon and the six remaining ponies were nervous over what he was going to do next. Then he said,

“Perhaps…”

This surprised the six of them when he seemed to be enjoying himself and this new feeling of power he now holds.

“There might come a day when the seven of us will have to kill each other. I might be their king, but I am aware of this new power I hold. This power… but this is our turning point. This Creature and I are as one. I may not be the same dragon you once knew, but unlike you, I decided to take responsibility and build my kingdom from nothing. We took back everything you stole from us and now you are here on your knees! So yes. I may be a monster, but your sister made me become this! I never wanted it to be this way, Cadence, but you forced me to take the initiative.” Spike rebutted.

He went back to his throne and sat back down, letting the prosecutor return to his duties.

“Your crimes concerning the interferences into our affairs and your methods of spreading friendship have made me come to the conclusion that I muster render you ponies the appropriate punishment that you all deserve. But the king is willing to share his leniency if the six of you conspire and share with us the details of the missing alicorn foal! In exchange for your cooperation, he will make your deaths painless.” the prosecutor informed.

“You really think I will give away Flurry Heart!? If you think I will surrender my daughter to save our skins, you better think again! Starlight and Sunset will find a way to defeat you! You just don’t know it yet.” Cadance boasted.

Having heard enough of Cadance’s speech, the prosecutor walked towards Avian who was carrying a scroll. He grabbed the scroll from his talons and started reading it. He said,

“The ponies who display no attention of cooperating with us will receive the follow: these criminals will be imprisoned for a thousand years! They will receive no water! No food! And nopony to keep them company as they will spend the rest of their short lives! They will be living their days in purification until the day they die! Does anybody object to this sentence they are about to receive?”

Nobody raised their hands or voices as the Mane Six, Cadance, and Shining Armor looked around in horror. Seeing this, the prosecutor said before closing the scroll,

“The court has spoken!”

Hearing this, the dragons pulled the ponies by their chains and loaded them into a cart before being pulled away by the buffalo.

“What will we do now, Your Highness?” Tirek asked.

“Burn it all. There is nothing left to keep.” Spike answered.

“But what of the materials in this kingdom, Sire? Surely, we can use their technology to strengthen your kingdom.” Tirek reasoned.

Spike slightly turned his head towards Tirek and gave him a wide, eerie-eyed look. He had no idea what was going through the centaur’s head, but he could only surmise that he was planning something. Instead of attacking however, Spike faced forward and said before going to Ember,

“Do what you have to do…”

Tirek immediately ordered every creature to start rounding up all the supplies from their fallen enemies along with the insides of their buildings. As for their enemies, the ponies were killed left and right. Some were burned, clubbed, eaten, stabbed, shot, garroted and impaled without mercy. The Crystal Empire was now in flames as they finished up their duties on the field. The soldiers were cheering and whooping as they finally defeated the last enemy stronghold.

***

From the distance, Starlight and Flurry Heart could do nothing but tearfully watch as their final haven of safety was burned to the ground. She turned around and walked away, but Flurry Heart tried going back only for her to be stopped by Starlight.

“C’mon, Flurry Heart. There’s nothing to come back to.” Starlight said as she held onto her and kept walking and trying to hold back the crying.
> Bushes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scaling around the grounds as thunder boomed in the sky, Starlight kept moving as far away as she could from the Crystal Empire. The once-thriving land of Equestria is gone, her friends were all dead for all she knew, and all hope was lost. The only thing she could do now was try to keep herself and Flurry Heart alive since they were now in the open are of Shadow Equestria. But most importantly, she had to find Sunset Shimmer and tell her what happened back at the Crystal Empire.

“She couldn’t have gone far…” Starlight said while carrying Flurry Heart.

She kept herself and Flurry Heart quiet, so that the creatures wouldn’t be able to find her. Looking near a forest, she decided to go in there to see if Sunset Shimmer was hiding inside. Moving inside, she crept her way around the surrounding area to make sure that there were no enemies around. Rattling noises were everywhere as she silently kept moving. Starlight glowed her horn up in case if any ambush were to occur. The only thing she could do now was keep quiet and pray that nothing bad happens next. Sweats beads poured out more and her breath felt thinned as she heard the bushes move. Moving closer to the source, she could only hope that it wasn’t another one of those predators or at least one of the soldiers. Just then, she heard,

“Starlight?”

Immediately jumping from hearing her name, she turned around and glowed her horn for an attack. She noticed a creature wearing a cloak whose face was blocked out by the shadows of her hood.

“Who are you!?” Starlight shouted.

“It’s me! Sunset!” the figure shouted.

“Oh yeah!? How do I know you’re not one of the changelings!?” Starlight shouted, feeling even more paranoid.

“You remember the human world! I took you there! When we fought against Juniper Montage!” the figure shouted, trying to ease Starlight’s fears.

Her angry expression changed to a sorrowful one when she realized that the figure in the cloak was telling the truth.

“S-Sunset?” Starlight asked, trying to hold the tears come back.

The figure removed her hood and it turned out to be none other than Sunset Shimmer. Starlight ran towards her with no second thought and hugged her as tight as she could.

“Starlight? What’s happened? Why aren’t you back at the Crystal Empire? And why is Flurry Heart with you?” Sunset asked, trying to put the pieces together.

Letting go of Sunset, Starlight knew that she needed to tell Sunset the truth about the Crystal Empire. In a broken voice, she uttered the two words,

“They won.”

“What…?” Sunset asked in a state of disbelief.

“Sunset… it’s worse than you can imagine. The Crystal Empire is destroyed. The creatures have won. And the only thing we can do now is run.” Starlight explained while looking around the vast area.

“But what about Twilight? She must’ve escaped too.” Sunset asked.

“Twilight is too far gone to aid. Every last bit of the Ooze she brought back into the Crystal Empire just made our situation go from bad to worse. And if she did manage to escape… we can’t be too careful.” Starlight said, gulping in fear.

“Well, what do we do now? We can’t just sit around and wait until those creatures find us. If there is a one-percent chance of us winning against them, we have to take it! Otherwise, everypony will have given their lives for nothing! You had to have known something! You were Twilight’s pupil! What do we do?” Sunset asked, trying to search for options.

“That’s just it! I don’t know! The Crystal Empire is destroyed! Our friends could very well be dead! And all that’s left now is us! We have been beaten in bar none and there is nothing we can do about it! I let everypony down. We were supposed to win! How could it have come to this!?” Starlight shouted, having an emotional meltdown.

It was too much for her. Starlight had reached the end of the rope and she had no idea what to do next. She lost everything in the chaos: her family, friends, and her home. Her mind and soul were very torn over what has happened back at the Crystal Empire and she didn’t feel as if she had the strength to keep going anymore. She looked up at the thunderclouds in the skies and the answer came clear to her: there was no more hope. All that remained for her was despair. She couldn’t find the words to describe this painful feeling that grew in her stomach. It would only be a matter of time until the creatures would find her and eat her alive along with her remaining friends. But just as she was about to break even further, Sunset grabbed her and shouted,

“I may not have a clue on how to defeat this Ooze that has now corrupted our home nor how we will be able to survive, but now is not the time!!! If we are to survive these monsters that now plague Equestria, we need a plan!!! We are Twilight’s pupils!!! Now it’s time that you own up to that title!!! So stop being a foal and do something.”

Flurry Heart tapped Starlight’s shoulder, causing her to turn around and notice that there are soldiers coming near their position. Taking notice of this, the three ran into the forest and hid near the bushes. Looking closer, there was three soldiers consisting of a dragon, griffon, and a yak. Watching them walk closer towards their position, Sunset and Starlight covered their mouths to avoid making any noises, even going so far as to not even breath. While keeping quiet in the bushes, the three overheard the conversation the guards were having.

“I think the noises came from over there.” the griffin soldier claimed.

“Are you sure? Or are you just thinking with your stomach, bird-brain?” the dragon mocked.

“I know what I heard, lizard-breath. The noises came from over there in that forest.” the griffin retorted, pointing towards the forest.

“Yak getting tired! Yak want head back to castle and celebrate! Just let yak smash forest!” the yak impatiently shouted.

“Keep your horns on. We’ll leave as soon as we find the source of the noise. But from what I can tell, there seemed to be two unicorns from the distance and they were carrying that baby alicorn.” the griffin inferred.

“Shouldn’t we tell the king about this? He’d do anything to have the baby and her caretakers killed.” the dragon asked.

“Perhaps. But think of the reward if we kill them. We could have our names put on the map and even be made Captains! Think of that!” the griffin said, beaming over his imagination.

“Let’s get to killing then.” the dragon gleefully said as he pulled out his sword.

Walking over to the forest, the three soldiers proceeded to search for the three ponies. Scouring the surrounding area, the soldiers tried pinpointing the nearest source while Starlight, Sunset, and Flurry Heart did their best to remain quiet. But when Flurry Heart accidentally made a rustling sound in the bushes, the yak heard it and walked towards the bush. Moving closer and sniffing the bushes, the yak growled and moved closer to it. Sweat beads poured out of the three ponies the more the soldiers got close. Just when they were about to discover the ponies, the griffin said,

“The Commander has called us back.”

“Huh? Why?” the dragon asked.

“You heard the Ooze. He wants us back at the castle.” the griffin said, hoisting his crossbow back up.

“Stupid ponies… yak smash all ponies!!!” the yak screamed before joining back up with his fellow soldiers.

After watching the three leave, the trio got out of the bushes and shared a breath of relief with each other. While Starlight looked at Flurry Heart to see if she was okay, Sunset looked towards the horizon and said,

“We need to leave this area. If any of those creatures find us, we will never get another chance again. It’s imperative we find a way to defeat this Corruption.”

Starlight looked towards the Canterlot Castle and gave it a sorrowful look. She knew that deep down within her heart, she had to take that chance.  But she also knows that if she takes this path, there will be no turning back. She would die either way. But then she said,

“If there’s anything we can do…”

Sunset looked to her in surprise at her new sense of determination.

“...there will be no turning back.” Starlight said back in her foreboding tone with a dead expression as she and Sunset looked up at the sky with the thunder in it.
> Proposal
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Watching high up from the castle balcony, Spike carried a lot on his mind while watching the vast ruined lands of Equestria. As he was counting the decisions he made back at the Crystal Empire, he heard the door to his room open. When he turned around, he saw Ember right by the doorway.

“Am I intruding?” Ember asked.

“N-No. I’ve- I’ve been doing some thinking.” Spike said before looking outside the balcony.

"What've you been thinking about?" Ember asked, now feeling curious.

"When we have children… heirs… do you think they'll conspire against us?" Spike asked, worried over his reign.

"Why would you think that? The Darkness holds dominion over those within its grasp." Ember said.

"The more and more I think about what Cadance said… the more I feel that somebody will eventually conspire against us. Am I right to hold such thoughts…? Or am I just being delusional…?" Spike asked, now deep in thought.

Hearing this, Ember walked over to Spike's side and held both his hands. She said,

"Nobody will overthrow us. You have grown too powerful to be overtaken. And if it happens… you'll destroy them. I know it within my heart you will destroy them."

"I suppose that is true. After all, I have already learned that I was born with nothing and I had to fight for what I wanted." Spike said before caressing Ember's scales.

"And now you have it. Your kingdom, your loyal subjects… and me. Unlike those loathsome ponies who only used you to drive their various, trivial goals."

"Ember… there was something I always wanted to tell you since the day we first met at the Gauntlet of Fire." Spike said, starting to feel even more nervous.

"Yeah…?" Ember asked, looking straight at Spike with a smile.

"Ever since the day that I met you… I was afraid of you."

"What? Why were you afraid of me? I never harmed you." Ember said, feeling a little annoyed.

"Let me finish. I will get to the important bits, but please just bear with me." Spike said, trying to calm Ember.

Ember did as Spike told and decided to listen further.

"During the time when I was still with Twilight, I was still fixated on Rarity. But the more colts I saw with her and the more I was cheated out of being with her, the more I grew to resent the fact that I was pursuing after some tramp."

"What're you trying to say?" Ember asked once again.

"I thought of you." Spike answered.

Hearing this knocked the breath out of Ember. While she may had a small clue where the conversation was going, she didn't think it would lead to Spike's confession to her. She was knocked for a loop at this moment.

"Spike… I'm not-" Ember stammered.

Spike got on his knees and spoke much further 

"Ember… for the longest time… you were all that remained on my mind. Not Rarity, not not some pony, and no other being that could hope to fill this empty void in my heart. Please… will you share this emptiness with me? Spike confessed before pulling out a ruby-embedded golden ring.

Now that she has seen this, she was at a total loss for words. It wasn't that she wanted to refuse, but it all felt so fast that she wanted to hurl. She had no idea what to think of Spike's proposal at first. But the more she thought of it, the more she wanted to be his queen. Having finally thought it over for a few minutes while Spike waited nervously, she got on her knees with him and grabbed his hands.

"Yes." Ember said with a genuine smile on her face.

"What?" Spike asked, now feeling breathless.

“Yes.” Ember said, leaning closer to Ember.

“I-If you wish to think it over a little more, I’ll-” Spike said before being pulled in for a kiss by Ember.

After pulling away from him for a brief second, Ember held onto him and said,

“To be honest… I felt the same way about you ever since you came for the Dragon Lord Contest. I could never stop thinking about your adorable little self. But now that you’re a big and handsome dragon…” Ember said before pulling in Spike for another kiss.

As they were kissing each other, Avian came in and shouted,

‘Sire!”

“Not now, Avian…” Spike growled.

“Sire, we have just received reports of a fire in the forest.” Avian said.

“Is it one of ours?” Spike asked.

“No. It has occured no more than one hour ago and we are now hearing rumors of three alicorns destroying our bases.”

Spike walked over to Avian and pushed him against the wall with his claws near the terrified hippogriff’s face.

“I don’t want rumors. I want ANSWERS!!! Where’s Tirek?” Spike roared.

“He’s near the gate! He has requested your presence, My Liege!” Avian answered, trying to avoid being killed.

Dropping Avian, Spike walked towards Ember and said,

“Ember, our rendezvous will have to wait for the time being.”

“But what about-?” Ember asked as Spike walked towards the door.

“I’m sorry, Ember. But duty calls.” Spike answered before leaving Ember and Avian in his room.

Walking all the way down across the hallway, Spike could not imagine what the big emergency could be now since kingdom has destroyed the Crystal Empire. But as he was pondering, the Creature wrapped itself around his arm and said,

“Surely, the Princesses could not have survived. We already killed the Sun Princess, trapped the Moon Princess, broke the Friendship Princess, and imprisoned Love. All that is left is the baby alicorn and my influence is keeping track of her movements.”

“You could kill her while you still can.” Spike said.

“What fun would it be if you weren’t the one to do it? Besides, you carried that pained expression on your face when you had that red pony and those two fillies killed. You need the strongest will if you wish to remain king.” the Creature taunted.

“I did what needed to be done for my subjects. When we find Starlight and Flurry Heart, I will waste no time in burying my claws into their skin.” Spike assured.

“I will hold you to that promise. But I will keep an eye out on their movements. They are elusive and careful. My favorite sort of prey…” the Creature said before sinking back into Spike.

Arriving at the gate, the soldiers immediately bowed in Spike’s presence along with Tirek and two coroners.

“What seems to be the problem?” Spike asked.

“Poor Jason here was doing his duties until this huge fireball engulfed him and burned him to cinders.” a changeling soldier said.

“Is it one of ours?” Spike asked.

“No. But we looked up in the sky and we saw this monstrous alicorn flying above us. She looked as if she were covered in fire and there was this other alicorn in the sky alongside her. She was dark, blue, and she had this creature that looked like it belonged up in the sky. But when they attacked us and we fought back, they shouted that we would send you a message and that the Royal Sisters would rise again.” a dragon soldier explained.

“Rise again?” Spike asked, remembering his hallucination with the Royal Sisters.

“They said that they’re names were Daybreaker and the other one, as we all know, is Nightmare Moon. But that’s not all.” the dragon soldier answered.

“What do you mean?” Spike asked, leaning towards the dragon soldier.

“We have seen a purple alicorn in the sky. She looked like Twilight Sparkle, but she was not the same as we last saw her.”

Processing all the information that he has received, Spike was surprised to learned that Nightmare Moon had escaped the Mirror Room. But he was shocked to have found out that Celestia had returned from the dead. But she isn’t the same as he remembered. And he never would have imagined that Twilight would surrender herself to the Corruption that easily. Having now pieced the puzzle for himself and regained his composure, Spike turned to Tirek and said,

“Triple patrols and set up a search party for the alicorn princess. Dead or alive, it matters not.”

“Yes, Sire.” Tirek said before returning to the castle.

“If those old charlatans wish to have a war with us… it will be a war they’ll never forget.” Spike said before summoning a ball of ooze from his hand.

Looking up to the moon in the sky, he aims at it and fire the ooze up at the moon in the completely black sky. Covering the entire moon, the ooze malformed and twisted the entire thing to form one big, gigantic eyeball in the sky.

“When I see you three again… I will enjoy feasting on your bones.” Spike growled in a menacing tone as he looked at the black sky above him with his soldiers.
> Alliance
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now that the soldiers have gone and the Crystal Empire was left in flames, all that remained were the corpses that now litter the fallen kingdom. Walking around the kingdom streets while the flames roared, Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon were at a loss for words with the devastation before their eyes.

“What a waste of a perfectly good citadel…” Daybreaker said, looking around the ruins.

Daybreaker looked around some more and she continued to find nothing. No supplies, no survivors, and no clues about what to do next. This frustrated her to no end. Without any of the three things to help achieve her goals. She was close to burning up the entire kingdom until Nightmare Moon shouted,

“SISTER!!!”

Immediately running to her, Daybreaker asked,

“What is it, Nightmare Moon?"

“Look forward.” Nightmare Moon said in tranquil fury, pointing straight.

Looking in her direction, Daybreaker was shocked to see who it was. Anger replaced her worry as she walked towards the pony who was on top of the corpses that the Corruption swallowed.

“What do you want?” Daybreaker asked, glowing her horn with Nightmare Moon.

“Nice to see you too, teacher. But it’s not what I want. It’s what we want.” the mysterious pony corrected.

The pony in dark purple who walked towards the Royal Sisters turns out to be none other than Midnight Sparkle.

“And what goals do we share, Princess of Friendship?” Nightmare Moon sneered.

“We want the same thing: that overgrown gecko dead. After everything he did to us and what he unleashed on our home, what’s left to stop us from destroying everything he worked for? All we need to do is use this ooze to our advantage. If we cooperate with one another, not even that Creature inhabiting his body can save him. So I will make this simple: I want him dead. You want him dead. With the power of teamwork, he has little to no chance of surviving against us. Can we be friends?” Midnight proposed.

Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon turned away from Midnight Sparkle spoke with each other privately. They were both suspicious of her as they know she has an hidden agenda. But they knew had a lot more knowledge about the Corruption than they did. After silently conversing with one another, they came to a decision and walked back to Midnight.

"Okay. We'll play it your way. But know this. If we find out you're manipulating us and you intend to-"

"We'll deal with that when the time comes. But for now, there's one other key issue we need to handle. One concerning a certain other alicorn."

"Flurry Heart…"

"If we can find her, we could use her magic to strengthen our army. But there is one small pest we need to exterminate. Two, if they have met up."

"Starlight and Sunset? What could they hope to accomplish? They have lost what was left of our home. There's nothing they can do to reverse the damage that is done."

"That throne has really gone to your brains. Think about it. If they find the others, they could rescue them and use whatever knowledge they hold to bring them down first. And when they find out about us, they will do everything within their power to stop us. Then what happens to you?"

The Royal Sisters were baffled by the purple alicorn's attitude. But while they were trying to piece together what Midnight was telling them, the latter walked around and summoned a quarter of the black ooze.

"What are you doing?" Daybreaker asked.

"Watch." Midnight said before pouring the ooze on one of the corpses.

After the ooze dropped on the corpse, it started twisting and contorting itself back into its original shape. Its jaw returning to its mouth, guts going back into its stomach, and life returning to its eye, the pony picked itself up and kneeled before the alicorns.

"On this rock, I will build my church." Midnight said, smiling at the results.

"How do you intend on finding Flurry Heart? You clearly have the resources to find her." Nightmare Moon asked, feeling suspicious of her resurrective abilities.

"And why haven't you attacked us? You could have easily overwhelmed us with your capabilities." Daybreaker asked as well.

"True. It would be easy for me to just blast you into oblivion. But I wish to extend my research on this phenomenon. Also, you could grant our minions abilities that the creatures don't have. And we will have the potential to take Flurry Heart out of Starlight's grasp." Midnight explained.

"But how do we know you won't turn them against us?" Nightmare Moon asked.

"Because I'm your only chance at gaining more power than you received during your lifetime as princesses." Midnight answered.

After giving her answer to the Royal Sisters, Midnight proceeded to resurrect every single pony that was killed in the Crystal Empire Massacre. With every resurrection that occurred, Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon created with their magic by giving them various abilities of their own making. One by one, the ponies rose up from the ground and were extremely angry.

"This is a start. When we find more ponies out there, alive or dead, we will convert them to our cause."

"Yes. When we head towards our home and he is cowering before our Might, I will turn him inside out."

"It will be a matter of time before he learns of our reemergence. If he has not put the pieces together, it would be good time to strike."

After Midnight resurrected another pony, she turned towards the bumbling alicorns and said,

"If you two airheads show yourselves to him, he will do everything he can to kill us. We need to expand our army and we need a plan to destroy his kingdom."

"And just whose fault is that?" Daybreaker pointed out.

"We don't have the time for this. I will find Flurry Heart. You two focus on taking down that loathsome reptile and his pathetic kingdom."

"The resurrections are coming together. It is almost time to announce our big plans for Equestria." Nightmare Moon said.

"It seems we have came to a decision. What will you do now?" Midnight Sparkle asked.

Turning back towards half of the population who was already resurrected, Daybreaker turned back towards Midnight and said,

"I think we're going to give them our plans. What about you?"

"I will search for Starlight. If she has already left the Crystal Empire, she shouldn't be too far behind." Midnight said before turning around and spreading her wings.

"Will you be returning?" Nightmare Moon asked.

"As soon as I retrieve Flurry Heart, I'll return immediately. But right now, you two have a speech to give." Midnight said before flying off in search for Starlight.

***

After everypony in the Crystal Empire was resurrected and gathered around the time square, Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon flew up to the remains of the castle and everypony bowed before their presence.

"Arise, our dear subjects." Daybreaker said.

"Today is the most tragic day we ever held. We have lost our kingdom, we have lost our home, and we have lost the pride that we have held as princesses." Nightmare Moon said.

"This darkness has twisted and mangled everything we held dear to us and we have but only one creature to blame for this sorry state that we now we now live in."

"That creature who we took in to our home, who we cared for, who we loved with all our hearts, turns out to be none than that treacherous little gecko… Spike."

Everypony was shocked to learn who the leader of the attack was and now they started to get angry.

"He was the Creature who ambushed us and used us to further his malevolent goals to drive our species to extinction. But after this… when we burn down his kingdom and whatever wretched creature who wishes to remain against us, there will be no one to oppose in our glorious new empire. Upon which, these creatures will find no place in our home!"

"And this is only the beginning. When we find him and we carve out his still-beating heart, this will be but a reminder to those who would dare cross the Royal Sisters in our new empire!"

"You are the strength in our hooves! The holders in our dreams! The time for forgiveness has all but nulled when they attacked us!"

"But soon, we will smite them! We will trample them! Crush them! And we will remind them what happens when they take our home from us!"

Everypony started getting riled up from hearing their speech. Seeing this, Daybreaker shouted,

"THEY WILL REGRET THE DAY THEY STEPPED HOOF ON OUR TERRITORY AND WE WILL SHOW THEM WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY FACE THE WRATH OF THE SOLAR EMPIRE!!!"

Everypony cheered upon hearing the entire speech. The Royal Sisters smiled with glee as they looked up in the sky and faced the eyeball up in the sky, ready for the next war against against the Shadow Kingdom.
> Arc 5 - Five Days Later
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Five days have passed since the fall of the Crystal Empire. Sunset and Starlight, with Flurry Heart in tow, have moved around the desolate ruins of Equestria. They kept themselves hidden, fearing that the creatures will find and kill them. But even if they have been careful, it still didn’t change the fact that everything they worked so hard for is now gone. And all they can do is run.

“Are we almost there?” Starlight asked while keeping a lookout for any creatures.

“Zecora is the most cautious zebra we know. I doubt that the monsters have gotten to her.” Sunset said as she looked ahead.

“Even so, do you still think she hasn’t changed by now? For all we know, she could be a changeling.” Starlight questioned while carrying Flurry Heart.

“No, she’s not. She has kept herself hidden ever since the Anomaly started. She would never let herself fall victim to the ooze or these monsters in Equestria. We need her to keep Flurry Heart safe while we save our friends. Equestria’s too dangerous for her now. And what choice do we have?” Sunset countered.

Starlight said nothing and just kept going. There was nothing but dust and storm clouds as they kept moving. Traversing through every rock and ooze-filled water stream, the trio kept straight on the path as they moved into the Everfree Forest.

“This place is even creepier than the last time I’ve been here. Are you sure Zecora’s in here?” Starlight asked, feeling paranoid over the atmosphere.

“Stay calm, Starlight. We’re almost near Zecora’s hut.” Sunset said while getting through the vines.

“If I had to ask, why aren’t you glowing your horn?” Sunset said, looking at Sunset’s horn.

“It’s a long story. Come on. I can see Zecora’s hut now.” Sunset said as she spotted the hut.

The two quit talking and approached Zecora’s hut. Being courteous, Sunset knocked on Zecora’s door. No answer. Sunset knocked on the door once again and still received no response. Sunset pressed her ear against the door to hear if she was inside. Upon pressing her ear against the door, she heard Zecora’s voice.

“Is she inside…?” Starlight whispered.

“I hear her. But something’s wrong…” Sunset said as she pressed her hoof against the door.

Slowly opening the door,  Sunset crept her head inside to see what was going on. Looking around, she sees the zebra in a meditative position. Sunset slowly entered the hut and Starlight followed suit.

“Zecora…?” Sunset said, trying to get the zebra’s attention.

“I don’t think she heard us…” Starlight whispered, feeling slightly afraid.

The duo closed the door and slowly crept up towards Zecora.

As they kept moving closer, they heard her chanting in her meditative state. She was muttering lots of words, but the two couldn’t make out what she was saying. Regardless, they had to shake her out of her trance.

“Zecora! You need to wake up!” Sunset said, shaking Zecora out of her trance.

Feeling their touch sent the zebra panicking and crawling away from the duo out of fear. Starlight and Sunset ran over to calm Zecora down.

“Take it easy, Zecora. There are no monsters.” Sunset assured, trying to ease her state of mind.

“It is not the creatures I fear, Sunset Shimmer. But the Crystal Empire’s doom has already appeared.” Zecora said as her face was covered in sweat.

“We know, Zecora. I have already seen its destruction…” Starlight forlornly said.

“Then the worse has come to pass. Just how long will our existence last?” Zecora solemnly said while searching for tea rations in her hut.

“Zecora, we understand that everything is now lost. But we have a favor to ask of you.” Sunset said while keeping her still.

“And what plea do you bear, Sunset Shimmer? Hope has all but become despair.” Zecora lamented.

"We need you to watch Flurry Heart. Twilight and her friends are still out there and Equestria's no longer safe for her." Starlight urged.

"The both of you are in a delusion. Equestria is lost and all we can do is face our inevitable conclusion." Zecora argued.

"We don't have time to argue, Zecora. We are the only ones who can save the others now. And we need somepony to keep Flurry Heart safe." Sunset said in a firm tone.

"And even if our inevitable conclusion comes, we need to take a stand. Flurry Heart could be our only princess now. I made a promise that no harm would come to her and I'm keeping my end of the bargain!" Starlight snapped.

Zecora was very much opposed to the idea. She felt within her heart that all hope is lost and that there's nothing they can do to save Equestria. But knowing full well that she owed Sunset her life, she conceded to their demand and said,

"Very well, you two."

Zecora took Flurry Heart and placed her near one of her masks. But before Starlight and Sunset could leave, Zecora said,

"But know this, you two. Equestria has ceased to exist and you are now on that monster's list. You stand no chance against the ooze that now plagues Equestria. It even killed Princess Celestia." Zecora warned.

"Maybe, but what is the point of dying if we have nothing left to fight for? The ooze may find us, but it won't find Flurry Heart." Sunset said as she got some supplies ready.

"And even if it ends up being all for nothing, it's certainly a lot better than waiting to expire." Starlight said as she gave Zecora a disappointed look.

"Your bravery is commendable, but you two must leave. Before the ooze picks up any trail that it will receive." Zecora urged.

"We will come back for Flurry Heart. So keep yourselves as hidden as you possibly can." Sunset said after getting everything ready.

Zecora remained silent as she watched Starlight and Sunset leave her hut. The two were at a loss for words with her attitude, but they could not argue the fact that Equestria is now in ruins and there's nothing can do to restore their once former home to its former self. But regardless, the duo now held a responsibility of finding Twilight's friends and freeing them. And they would see it through to the end, for better or worse.
> Questions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back in the castle, Spike was sitting alone in his throne room. Sitting up to relax, he took off his crown and looked at it. Just then, he heard a noise. Spike put his crown down and looked around to check for the noise. Slightly turning left, it appeared to be none other than the mangled corpse of Bon Bon.

“Well, you finally did it.” Bon Bon said in a snide tone.

Spike was spooked by her appearance, but then Lyra’s corpse appears.

“Equestria is now in your claws. Bravo for you.” Lyra said with a sarcasm-filled voice.

“Why? Why did you do it…?” Sweetie Belle tearfully asked.

“Why should he have to answer? We all know what he did it for. It’s in his nature, after all.” a mangled Fancy Pants said in a snooty tone.

“Especially for a dragon. You think Equestria revolves around you?! A greedy, incurable monster such as yourself doesn’t deserve the throne!” Octavia shouted.

Pretty soon, all the mangled corpses from the Crystal Empire appeared in the throne room.

“Celestia should have left you in the badlands, you avaricious tyrant!” Big Mac shouted.

“Equestria would have been better off without you!” Scootaloo shouted.

“N-No! Shut up!” Spike shouted as he felt his head hurt.

“YOU KNOW WE’RE RIGHT!!! YOU DID THIS TO US!!!” Sky shouted.

“WHEN THE ROYAL SISTERS FIND YOU, THEY’RE GONNA MAKE A SUIT OUT OF YOU!!!” one pony shouted.

“YOU DESERVE EVERYTHING THAT’S COMING TO YOU!!!” another pony shouted.

Every single kept shouting and all Spike could do is hold onto his head to block all the voices out. He shut his eyes and tried to regain his senses before he felt something grab his arms.

“Spike!” a voice shouted.

He ignored the voice and kept his eyes shut.

“Spike! SPIKE!!!” the voice shouted once more.

Finally giving in, Spike looked up and saw that it was none other than Ember. Recognizing her, he launched out of his seat and hugged her as tight as he could, not giving her a chance to breathe. After a few minutes, Spike let Ember go and looked at her.

“How many days have passed since we took back Equestria?” Spike asked as he looked at Ember while holding her.

“It’s been five days, Spike. It’s been five days since the day we destroyed the Crystal Empire. Is something the matter?” Ember asked, feeling concerned for his state of mind.

“Well, there is something that’s bothering me.” Spike said, looking outside the window.

“And what is it?” Ember asked, watching Spike go to the mirror.

“There is some form of presence around Equestria. I can feel it. Recently, there have been sightings of three alicorns in the sky, one specifically burning most of the cities.” Spike said as he looked outside the window.

“Clearly, it’s not one of our dragons or griffins.” Ember said.

“Indeed. Which is why I am going to find out who this is. Although I may have a clear idea of who it could be…” Spike said as he proceeded to leave the throne room.

“Spike…?” Ember asked as she watched Spike leave.

Walking outside the throne room, Spike walked through the hallways to the elevator where the prison area leads. On his way down, the Creature popped out and wrapped itself around Spike’s arm.

“Keeping secrets, are we?” the Creature asked.

“She knows something. If the rumors are true, the Royal Sisters could ruin everything we worked so hard to build. That is something I will not allow to slide.” Spike said while the elevator continued downwards.

After the elevator made it towards the bottom level, the door opened and Spike walked down the halls. Each guard bowed as he passed and every prisoner that was rounded up kept silent when they noticed his presence. Approaching the end of the corridor, Spike ordered,

“Open the door.”

Doing as he commanded, the guards opened the door. Spike entered the prison room and all that inhabited the room was Princess Cadance, completely chained up and muzzled. Her horn was broken, her wings were ripped off, and her mane and tail were completely shaven. She appeared as if she were dead and she was nearly close to being anorexic. She looked up at Spike there was nothing left but emptiness in her eyes.

“What do you want…?” Cadance asked in a cold, angry tone.

“You know something. Where are the alicorns?” Spike hissed.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about…” Cadance said in a now aloof tone.

“Of course you do, alicorn. Now where are the others?” the Creature growled.

“You already destroyed my home and imprisoned my husband. What more could you possibly want, you monster?” Cadance said as she turned her head away.

“Just because you lost your horn doesn’t mean you have lost your senses as an alicorn. Just like how you know your daughter is safe from the grasp of my claws, you can sense that there are still more survivors. Survivors I can easily rip apart. But I am willing to cooperate if you tell me where the alicorns are. Specifically, your sister… Twilight Sparkle.” Spike asked as he bared his teeth.

“She is not my sister. And whatever you may have in store for any alicorns, you will not find Flurry Heart. So long as she’s safe from your claws or Twilight’s magic, I don’t care what you do to me.” Cadance said in a defiant tone.

“I know you don’t care what happens to yourself. But what I find surprising is that you don’t regard Twilight as your sister anymore. What brought about this change?” Spike asked, feeling curious about Cadance’s regard towards Twilight.

“Even if I tell you my story, nothing will change what you have done to us and the pain you have caused my family. But if you wish to hear my tale, so be it.” Cadance said in her venomous tone.

“I’m listening…” Spike said as he took a seat.

Deciding to humor her, Spike patiently listened to Cadance’s story about what happened to Twilight and what she has been doing back at the Crystal Empire. Taking in even the tiniest of details, Spike heard about what went behind the scenes in the throne room as Cadance finally got around to explaining what happened between her and Twilight. When she was finished telling her story, Cadance snidely asked,

“Did my tale of woe satisfy you, my king?”

“I am not surprised that Twilight would try to pull something behind her friends and everypony else. But I have to admit that I am surprised you would throw your own sister into the dungeon until further notice. Isn’t it ironic that the Princess of Friendship drove away her friends while trying to drive her own agenda? How utterly rich!” Spike laughed as he scratched the wall.

“My story may be a comedy to you, but everything you have done up to now is a tragedy. You will pay for your crimes. It is just a matter of when.” Cadance said while looking at the dragon.

“When I invaded the Crystal Empire, I never held anything personal against you. But when I find Flurry Heart, I will make her screams my symphony. And I will enjoy every moment of it.” Spike hissed in a chilling tone.

“OVER MY DEAD BODY!!!!” Cadance shouted, immediately launching off the ground.

“Your Highness!” a guard shouted as he opened the door.

“What?” Spike asked as he turned around.

“We have found recent sightings of the alicorns! They have been found wreaking havoc in Manehattan and they will be coming here soon!” the guard reported.

Hearing this, Spike shouted,

“Assemble the best troops that you have! Tell them to set up the barriers and double the patrols! There will be another war soon…”

“As you wish!” the guard shouted before bowing and leaving.

Before Spike could leave the dungeon, he turned to Cadance and said,

“Whatever plans that your friends have in store, they will burn before they find you. I can promise that their deaths will be legendary among your fellow ponies.” Spike said as he took one last look at Cadance before leaving her prison cell.

“You will lose. You just don’t know it yet.” Cadance said before turning away from Spike and coughing in the process.

Ignoring her, Spike walked back to the elevator. But before he went back up to the upper levels, he said,

“Get my armor ready. I will be meeting them very soon.”

“Yes, my liege!” the guard shouted before leaving.

Making his way back up, Spike walked through the castle hallways all the way to his room. Making it inside, Spike approached the wardrobe guarded by a pair of dragons and opened it, containing the armor he spoke of. It was adorned with spikes and horns, it had golden trimmings across, and the chestplate had the serpent’s head imprinted on it.

“I will enjoy feasting on their bones…” Spike said as he gazed at his armor in awe.
> Vase
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flying in the darkness-filled skies, Midnight Sparkle continued her search for Flurry Heart. She has been searching for five days, but even with the use of her magical senses, she couldn't find her anywhere.

"It seems I have taught you too well, Starlight Glimmer. She must have made it to Everfree Forest with Sunset by now…" Midnight said as she continued to search.

Having searched everywhere far and wide for Flurry Heart, she received no clues on her whereabouts and she didn't know where to go from there. Having no other choice, she said,

"I may as well check on those royal pains back in the Crystal Empire…" Midnight said before teleporting back to the Crystal Empire.

Making it back to the Crystal Empire, Midnight flew up to the throne room where Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon were planning. Having seen Midnight come inside, Daybreaker snarked,

"How goes your search for the lost princess?"

"Have you found the princess yet?" Nightmare Moon asked.

"Starlight is much more clever than I realized. I haven't found a trace of her or Flurry Heart anywhere. There is also the chance that she met up with Sunset Shimmer, which boosts their chances of hiding their magic." Midnight surmised.

"Well, while you were out on your little scavenger hunt, our forces have engaged with the creatures in Manehattan and Los Pegasus. The struggle is still ongoing, but it is not looking good." Nightmare Moon reported.

"How so? If you two are able to imprison Discord in a stone statue, surely you can handle a measly dragons and griffins." Midnight jeered.

“And you think you can do any better? It has been five days since the Crystal Empire was defeated and we are nowhere closer to flaying that lizard alive!!!” Daybreaker shouted.

“Did anypony say that going to war would be easy? I have been flying across Equestria, trying to find the one alicorn who can bring our ambitions to fruition, and all that you have been doing so far is gripe about the loss of your kingdom! I’m starting to get a clear grasp of why you barely ever assisted in my struggles…” Midnight shrugged.

Hearing this, Daybreaker shoved Midnight into a wall and shouted,

“I was the one who gave you the assignment to making new friends!!!! Yet you threw away the one friend who had the means to vanquish my beloved kingdom!!!! Sunset Shimmer would have been a better student than you…”

“How about you let me go before I decide to send you back to the afterlife?” Midnight threatened with a smug grin on her face.

Disgusted by her look, Daybreaker threw Midnight to the ground and looked outside the balcony.

“I was a fool to have made you my student. When we win this war, I am going to skin you alive. That is my final promise as your princess.” Daybreaker hissed.

“I’ll make a note of that, princess…” Midnight insulted.

Before they could get into their squabble any further, one of the undead pony soldiers entered the castle. Nightmare Moon went over to hear the pony’s full report. When he was finished talking, the pony soldier left the throne room.

“Well?” Daybreaker asked.

“I have learned that Starlight and Sunset have started moving. And I don’t know why, but Flurry Heart isn’t with them.” NIghtmare Moon answered.

“What?! Where are they and why is Flurry Heart missing?” Midnight questioned.

“I am not sure. But that is not the only news that I received.” Nightmare Moon said.

“You mean there’s more?!” Daybreaker asked.

“The Shadow King’s forces have started making their move. The ooze has almost covered the entire land of Equestria and we are short on options now. And I can only say that Starlight and Sunset are using this chaos to their advantage while they are moving across the land. I have also heard a report saying that a unicorn with a broken horn was last seen fighting off a group of our soldiers.” Nightmare Moon inferred.

“Could you be referring to Tempest Shadow?” Daybreaker asked, feeling unnerved by her conclusion.

“Then we haven’t a moment to lose. You two assemble the soldiers and I will continue my search for those three. And I am going to make them confess their whereabouts of Flurry Heart, whether they are willing to or not. Starlight has interfered with my plans for far too long…” Midnight growled as she flew away from the throne room.

After watching Midnight depart from the Crystal Empire, Daybreaker turned to Nightmare Moon and said,

“Who in the name of Tartarus does she think she is?! We are the true rulers of Equestria, not her!”

“Have patience, dear sister. She is but a means to an end. When we finish killing that treacherous dragon, we will make sure that she suffers the same fate as him. If not, worse.” Nightmare Moon assured.

“I hope so. Because every second I spend with her, I am one step closer away from ripping her wings off! She betrayed everything that I stood for and brought me back into this maligned image! I want her to suffer for everything she did! By any means necessary!” Daybreaker lamented.

“We will. And I share your pain. If I had known she would use that weapon and her magic to further her studies of the ooze, I would have banished her from Equestria. I was a fool to have trusted her with that scythe. And that clown of a friend didn’t fare any well herself. Especially since she chose to live in denial of her friend’s true actions.” Nightmare Moon said, filled with regret.

“I guess we were both fools. Fools for allowing her the title of princess. Fools for allowing her and her friends the status of being the Saviors of Equestria. And fools for allowing her to be as powerful as we are.” Daybreaker said, looking outside the balcony once more.

“Yes. And those will be the crimes we will not ignore. Crimes that are now punishable by death!” Nightmare Moon concurred.

“Indeed. And we will see to it that she pays heavily for her transgressions against our kingdom.” Daybreaker said.

“But for now, we have a duty to fulfill. And that duty is to fillet that dragon alive.” Nightmare Moon said as she left the throne room.

“I couldn’t agree more.” Daybreaker said, leaving the throne room as well.

Going deeper into the underground, Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon went for a secret room which was heavily guarded and blocked off against anypony except for the Princesses. Heading inside the room, it appeared to be some form of safe and it appeared to be impenetrable. The Royal Sisters undid their emblems and inserted them into the slots, causing the safe to unlock. When it finished opening, the safe contained nothing but their armors. However, it also housed their personal weapons and there also appeared to be a vase filled with some form of red liquid inside.

“How long has it been since we drank from this, dear sister…?” Nightmare Moon said as she licked her lips.

“Far too long, dear sister…” Daybreaker said as she and her sister formed twisted smiles on their faces.
> Prison
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scouting ahead from behind a rock, Sunset spotted a prison heavily guarded by dragons, griffins, and yaks.

"How are we gonna get inside?" Starlight asked while surveying the area.

"I have no idea. This place is thick with guards and for all I know, a huge dragon can pop out at any moment." Sunset answered while touching her horn.

"Can't you use your horn? You seem to be more skilled at this than I am." Starlight asked as she hid back behind the rock.

"I would, but in case you forgot, my horn isn't working properly on account of the ooze trying to infect my body." Sunset responded as she pointed at her horn.

"Then how are we gonna get inside? We can't just sneak around and hope we don't get maimed on sight." Starlight asked before looking around the vicinity.

"Well, you were Twilight's top protege. I'm sure you'll figure it out." Sunset said in a condescending tone.

"You were the one who was sent to search for the Elements of Harmony. Shouldn't you have a plan for this sort of thing?" Starlight countered.

"Ssh! Hold on. Did you happen to hear the creatures while we were arguing?"

The two peeked from behind the rock and noticed that creatures were dead. It appeared that while the two were arguing, an unknown party managed to take out the creatures. They had no idea who took them out, but they needed to remain diligent.

"Are you two okay?" an unknown voice asked, startling the duo.

They immediately turned out to be none other than Tempest Shadow.

"Tempest? Oh, thank Celestia! You made it! How are you?" Sunset said, immediately hugging her friend.

"It was chaotic back at the Crystal Empire. They were monsters everywhere, ponies were dying, and Twilight and her friends were nowhere to be seen. I thought for sure I wasn't gonna make it. But now we're here…" Tempest explained as she looked at her surroundings.

"Didn't we meet near the infirmary? How's your friend?" Starlight asked, having not noticed Grubber's presence.

"Grubber? He's gone…" Tempest said with sadness in her voice.

"We're sorry to hear that. Hopefully, he's in a better place now." Sunset said.

"Hmm. Is there any reason why you're here?" Tempest asked as she looked at the compound.

"We're trying to figure out where Cadance and the others are being held. We were going to sneak around, but it seems you already did the job for us." Starlight explained.

“What are you looking for? Now that the Crystal Empire is gone, there’s nothing really worth fighting for now. The least that I’m doing is seeing how much longer I have left until I get eaten or worse.” Tempest asked while looking at the compound.

“We’re trying to find our friends and Princess Cadance. Did you happen to see them come here by any chance?” Sunset asked.

“I don’t know, but I don’t think the princess would be imprisoned here. Your friends are a different story though.” Tempest answered.

“I guess we’ll have to see for ourselves then…” Sunset said as she walked forward.

Throwing aside whatever fear they had left, Starlight and Tempest joined Sunset and went to the front door of the compound. Entering inside, they looked around their surroundings and saw nothing but dead ponies attached to various torture devices. Their entrails were spilled, their guts were hanging, and their bodies were severely mutilated.

“Dear Celestia…” Starlight said as she recoiled in horror.

But before they could take in the atmosphere, Tempest pulled the two unicorns behind cover so that they couldn’t be spotted by any of the creatures in the vicinity. But Starlight couldn’t get the awful images out of her mind. The sight of all the mangled ponies were enough to make her puke. To her, it was nothing short of a room of sadism and death. She wanted nothing more than to leave the compound. But before she could run out and vomit her guts out, Sunset and Tempest stopped and held her down. They even went so far as to keep her mouth closed from making any sort of noise.

“I know it’s too much for you to take in, but our friends need us and we need you to keep your lunch in until we leave. Got it?” Sunset said while keeping her friend’s mouth closed.

Starlight gave her a forced nod and the two let her go. Starlight swallowed her fear and made sure not to look at the corpses. The trio kept their heads down and proceeded to move forward. Moving through the entire prison, they spotted various ponies along the way deep into the prison and most of them were either dead or waiting to die. As much as they wanted to help them, they didn’t have the keys to help them. And even if either Sunset or Starlight used their horns, it would only draw attention to the guards and they would have to flee. Either way, it was hopeless to save all of the prisoners.

“I wonder if any of them are down there?” Starlight whispered as she snuck around, referring to their friends.

“They would have to be somewhere deeper. Guess we’ll just have to keep going.” Sunset whispered in response as they moved.

The trio continued to move forward and head deeper into the prison without drawing any attention to themselves. But everywhere they went, the prison sections were thick with torture devices and guards were around every corner. But somehow, not one seemed to have spotted them. For all they knew, it was probably a trap. But they couldn’t risk it and just kept going. Heading deeper, they heard loud coughing in one of the cells.

“Did you hear that…?” Sunset asked as she listened to the coughing.

“I did too. It’s gotta be over there.” Starlight said, pointing to the left direction.

The trio turned left and the source of the coughing was in the far corner. Sunset went forward and peered through bars to see who it was. To her surprise, it turned out to be none other than Applejack.

“Applejack…?” Sunset said in disbelief.

Starlight and Tempest shoved Sunset aside to get a closer look at Applejack. Upon seeing her, she appeared to be weak and unwell. Her hat was completely torn apart, her mane was completely messy and unkempt, and her body seemed to be light and shriveled up due to the lack of nutrition and water.

“S-Sunset…?” Applejack weakly said as she tried to get off the ground.

“We’re here, Applejack. We’re gonna get you out.” Sunset said.

“Where’s Apple Bloom?” Applejack asked, filled with worry and grief.

“We don’t know. We can find her, but first we-” Starlight said before being cut off by Applejack.

“I appreciate your good intentions, but I ain’t the priority anymore. You have to save my little sister.” Applejack insisted.

“We will, but we-” Sunset said before being interrupted as well.

“No. Starlight, I ain’t got much longer before this ooze picks up on our conversation, so listen up. I have been made a liar out of for the longest time and all that it’s done is eating away at my heart. I haven’t a clue about that dragon was talking about, but I don’t know anything about setting him up.” Applejack confessed.

“Set up? What are you talking about?” Starlight asked.

“Starlight. Whatever happened back at Twilight’s castle, I had no involvement in what happened and as far as I can tell, we were all duped.” Applejack said.

“Applejack, we can’t help you if you keep us in the dark like this. Tell us.” Sunset said.

Just then, Applejack’s heart started beating at a rapid pace.

“Oh no…” Applejack said in a scared voice.

“What? What’s the matter?” Sunset said as she tried to get the cell door open.

“He knows where you are…” Applejack said as she struggled.

“Don’t talk. Just wait.” Starlight said as Sunset and Tempest tried forcing the cell door open.

Applejack tried to speak more, but she could hardly muster the words. She knew that her time was going to be up any second. But before she could succumb to her natural causes, she tearfully said,

“Save… Apple… Bloom…”

With that said, Applejack fell to the ground and passed away. The trio stopped struggling and just looked at Applejack in a state of mourning and defeat.

“You don’t think…?” Starlight implied as she looked at Applejack’s fresh corpse.

“No. Whether they’re dead or alive, we have to find them. There’s no turning back.” Sunset said, trying to hold back the tears.

“We need to get moving, Sunset…” Tempest said as she heard the guards approaching.

The trio immediately started moving and went deeper into the prison block, proceeding to look for Apple Bloom on behalf of Applejack’s dying wish.
> A Friend In Need
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Opening the gates, the trio moved deeper into the prison block to search for Apple Bloom. But it was so dark that Starlight had to glow her horn in order to see. When she did however, she saw several imprisoned ponies in a zombie-like state, moaning with pain and dying from the inside out with the ooze dripping out of their bodies.

“What has happened here…?” Starlight asked, trying to keep herself from vomiting.

“Terrible things. Lots of terrible things.” Sunset answered.

“The ooze was dangerous before, but we never had an idea how bad it would affect the other ponies. It is something far worse than any nightmare we ever dreamt. I met the king while I was trying to find the Elements of Harmony.” Tempest explained.

“What…? How? You should have been dead if he made eye contact on first notice.” Starlight said in disbelief.

“I know. I should have died. But I didn’t.” Sunset said.

“Surely, he couldn’t have spared you without a reason. I mean, he was the one who unleashed this upon us. Do you know who he is?” Tempest asked, feeling suspicious of Sunset’s survival.

“No. I don’t…” Sunset said, starting to feel melancholic.

“Even so, could this be what Twilight was planning to do with the ooze…? She was already insane since the beginning of this madness… but she wouldn’t be this insane to unleash it all over the Crystal Empire. Could she…?” Starlight asked, starting to feel a cold chill run down her spine.

“I don’t know, but that will be the least of our worries if we can’t find our friends.” Sunset said as she looked ahead in the darkness.

They looked all over the prison block for Apple Bloom, but they didn’t hear a sound other than the constant dripping from the water pipe and the squeaking of several rats from different areas. It was awfully quiet for the trio as they walked through the black hallways. But when they kept going deeper, they started to feel a cold chill run all over their bodies. They heard wheezing all over the hallway, but it sounded more like pained laughter than wheezing. It was a form of evil that Starlight has never felt before, but was all too familiar to Sunset and Tempest.

“What is that noise?” Starlight asked, starting to get creeped out.

“Just don’t turn your head in any direction, Starlight. We’ll be out of here soon.” Sunset said, starting to feel the sweat drip on her forehead.

“But swallow your fear and keep facing forward. We shouldn’t have much longer to go.” Tempest said while remaining vigilant.

They kept moving forward throughout the entire prison until they were eventually startled by coughing. Starlight moved forward to see who was coughing. Glowing her horn even brighter, she started to make who was coughing. It was Apple Bloom.

“Apple Bloom…?” Starlight asked, looking closely at the frail foal.

“S-Star… light…?” Apple Bloom asked as she weakly turned her head.

“We’re here, Apple Bloom. Just hold on.” Starlight said as she silently blew the the lock off the cell door.

The trio rushed inside the cell over to Apple Bloom’s side. Sunset placed her hoof on young Apple pony’s forehead. It was burning up.

“Starlight, get me some water and something to feed Apple Bloom.” Sunset ordered.

Starlight immediately went into her bag and pulled out a water canister along with a few rations before handing them over to Sunset. As soon as they were given to Apple Bloom, she immediately chugged the water and gorged herself on the rations. They were horrified by not only the mistreatment of prisoners, but to go so far as to starve a helpless foal was the most unforgivable act they could ever hope to witness. After Apple Bloom was finished eating and drinking, the trio sat her down. Sunset said,

“Apple Bloom, I know that you must have a lot on your mind. The Crystal Empire is destroyed and everypony you knew and loved was entirely wiped out by the Anomaly, but we need some ideas if we’re gonna find Twilight’s friends. So please, do you know where they are?”

Apple Bloom remained silent after hearing her question.

“Apple Bloom, we know that you don’t have much to say and you have lost so much, but we can’t help you or anypony else if we don’t have answers.” Starlight said, trying to help the poor foal.

“They’re gone…” Apple Bloom said in a silent voice.

“What…?” Starlight asked.

“Scootaloo… Sweetie Belle… they’re gone. I listened to one of the guards as they were taking me hear to this awful place. He said that Fluttershy killed them." Apple Bloom explained.

"Fluttershy…? Her…? She couldn't bring herself to harm a mosquito." Starlight said.

"That's not it. I learned much more. They… they…" Apple Bloom said as tears started to well up in her eyes.

"What happened…?" Sunset asked.

"Look over there…" Apple  Bloom said as she slowly started to cry.

The trio turned to the right where the flies were buzzing and moved closer to see what it was. But then the terrifying realization kicks in as they figure out what the flies were buzzing over. They looked closer and saw that it was a couple of rotting, decapitated heads in the corner. But they weren't just any decapitated heads. Those heads belonged to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.

"Sweet Celestia…" Starlight said in horror of their realization.

At that moment, Apple Bloom started to wail over the demise of her friends. Tempest immediately shielded her eyes from the CMC's heads.

"They were the only two friends I ever had. The only ones who were Blanks Flanks with me…" Apple Bloom blubbered while being hugged by Tempest.

"How could it all come to this…?" Sunset asked, feeling sad and disgusted by their deaths.

"Do you know the monster who made Fluttershy do it…?" Tempest asked while continuing to hug Apple Bloom.

Starlight and Sunset turned around to hear the little Crusader's answer. After calming down for a little bit, Apple Bloom said,

"It was Spike…"

The trio were so far beyond shocked that they could barely speak. Especially Starlight, after how long it has been since she left Ponyville with her now former friend.

***

Outside the prison, Midnight Sparkle was waiting for the trio.

"I am going to have so much fun catching up when I see those three again…" Midnight said with a devilish grin before teleporting back to the Crystal Empire.
> The Calm
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile in the castle, the Shadow Army was preparing for its war against the Solar Empire. Every single squadron checked their gear, the battalions listened to the plans they were given, and the soldiers awaited further orders.

“Is everybody ready?” Tirek asked as he watched the army line up.

“The 115th Dragon Squadron has already prepared the giant dragons for flight. The 320th Griffin Battalion has geared up with their crossbows. And the 473th Yak Assault Platoon are ready for full combat with their cannons. Have you any idea where the king is?” Smolder asked while looking at the lined-up army.

“He’s giving his farewells to the queen…” Tirek groaned.

***

In the bedroom, Spike was donning his armor. While he was preparing for his inevitable battle against the alicorns, Ember was outside watching the view, bored out of her mind.

“I don’t understand why I have to stay here. I am just as capable, if not more, of fighting as you.” Ember argued.

“I will not have this, Ember. You know why I can’t let you out into the battlefield.” Spike said while getting his armor on.

“Even so, what if they found a way to kill you? What if they figured out what that creature is vulnerable to? What if they figure out where-” Ember said before being interrupted.

“Ember, they don’t know where he is. He is hidden deep within the cave and even if they felt some form of presence, it would be unlikely they would be unable to undo it.” Spike said while grabbing Ember’s shoulders.

“I’m worried about you, Spike. After everything we worked so hard for, after every genocidal campaign you held against the ponies, and after the past three days when we got married to one another, you are just going to abandon me? Your own queen?” Ember asked, starting to have a meltdown.

Taking a deep breath and deciding to assess the situation, Spike said,

“Ember, I am never going to abandon you. I understand what happened to your father and you have every absolute right to hold me back here, but I have responsibilities to uphold as their king. That doesn’t mean I value you the least. I have grown too attached to see you out there with me. And the last thing I wish to have is a life without you.”

Spike grabbed Ember’s hands and held them close to his chest.

“You have my word that I will come back safely. I promise as your king and as your husband.” Spike promised as he caressed Ember’s face.

“Oh Spike…” Ember said before breaking down and kissing her husband.

The two embraced for two minutes before Avion opened the doors, ruining the moment in the process.

“What do you want…? I’m busy with my wife!” Spike growled.

“Sire, the Army is all but prepared. They require your presence.” Avion apologetically said.

“Duty calls. I will see you after I kill those ponies.” Spike said as he let go of Ember.

“Not if I see you first.” Ember said before giddily waving Spike goodbye as he left.

As Spike was walking through the castle hallways, the creature wrapped itself around his arm and said,

“She is becoming a weakness.”

“Be mindful of your words, cretin. She is my wife and I have no tolerance towards snivelling worms.” Spike insulted.

“You cannot afford to think of her in our war against the ponies. If she winds up in our crossfire, you will-" the creature warned before Spike cut him off.

"She won't. She promised she would stay in the castle. I even instructed most of my guards to keep watch on her and to make she couldn't escape under the circumstances we're in." Spike said as he walked.

The creature growled before enveloping over Spike before they walked out onto the podium. Only silence remained as they bowed before lifting their heads up.

"It has been five days since the day we destroyed the diseased Crystal Empire. And we have burned and crushed every single pony that stood in our wake! Yet we have received the news that three alicorns are still alive and ready to eradicate our hard-earned kingdom!" the Creature shouted as it looked at the soldiers.

The creatures have started to grow angry and unsteady when they heard the news.

"This blood that we spilled! This blood was earned after the sacrifices we made when those dreaded ponies stole everything that rightfully belonged to us! We took their homes, we destroy their lives, and we incinerate them all for their crimes against us! Yet they choose to defy us!"

The crowd starts to feel their rage spent up the more they listened to its rousing speech.

"But today, they will learn that this blood was earned. This blood was spilled with honor. And they will learn that our blood is superior against the filthy ponies who cast us out! The ponies have defied us for the last time and we shall be ignored no more! For this blood will drown them out forever!"

The speech has roused the creatures aggression than it ever has before and they felt more than ready to kill.

"My dear subjects, my brethren, my comrades!!! NOW IS OUR TIME!!!!" the creature roared.

The creatures cheered and roared with joy before the dragons, griffins, and the changelings flew off while the buffalo and yaks charged off into the fields.

"You always had a way with words." Spike said as the creature dissolved back into him.

"It is time we have ended this…" the creature said as Spike sprouted his wings out.

With that, Spike got off the ground and led his army to the field of Equestria. He was uncertain of what would come next in this new war. But one thing for certain was that Spike was ready to end the war. And he was ready to kill anypony who stood in his way. Especially anypony that would attempt to usurp his kingdom.

***

Across the field, the Royal Sisters were waiting with their army as they were prepared to annihilate Spike and his kingdom.

"This is going to be quite the family reunion when we see each other. Do you agree, dear sister?" Nightmare Moon asked as she gleefully watched from afar.

"It will even more emotional once I reduce him and his kingdom to cinders.. " Daybreaker said with a bloodthirsty look on her face.
> The Solar Empire
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back in the Crystal Empire, Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon were preparing for their war against the Shadow Army. Having heard the entire reports, the duo proceeded to dawn their armor and prepare their weapons.

“Do you still think about that day, dear sister?” Nightmare Moon asked, carrying her scythe as she looked at the now-empty vase.

“Not a minute goes by when I think about the day she betrayed us.” Daybreaker responded while sharpening her swords.

“It almost feels as if it were yesterday when I was trapped inside the mirror by the Abyss. When I was turned into this.” Nightmare Moon said as she looked in a mirror.

“I should never have had a student close to me. All I am ever rewarded with is either betrayal or defiance. No matter what I do or how hard I try, the end result is inevitably the same. Being a teacher was the biggest mistake I have ever made. A mistake I will not duplicate when her time comes.” Daybreaker lamented before looking outside the balcony.

“It was a mistake to have allowed the Princess of Friendship and that clown into the room. If I had known she would use those weapons to fulfill whatever schemes she kept well-hidden in the shadows, I would have seen to it that she choked from the Abyss that now blankets us.” Nightmare Moon scorned.

“And what schemes do I have planned?” Midnight asked upon entering the throne room.

The Royal Sisters turned around in scorn and faced the purple alicorn with disgusted looks on their faces.

“Have you found Flurry Heart yet?” Daybreaker asked while keeping her cool.

“No. But I was fortunate enough to pick up on Starlight’s trail. She’s at some sort of prison with Sunset right now and Tempest seemed to have went their direction.” Midnight answered.

“So you have found three unicorns, yet you can’t even find one baby alicorn. How curious. You tell us where you have the traveling party and you come back with the news of their survival. Tell me. Where are their bodies?” Nightmare Moon suspected.

“Call it a gamble. I need them alive if we are going to find Flurry Heart. It will do us no good if they are captured or dead.” Midnight reasoned.

“Wow. For an alicorn who took her studies so seriously, you seem to have poor initiative when it comes to completing your goals.” Daybreaker mocked.

“They will be on their way to Flurry Heart’s hiding spot. Once I find them, I will make every last one of them tell me where she is and I will take Flurry Heart away. At least before I eliminate them.” Midnight surmised.

“But what if they spot you? You know they will not let you get to her so easily.” Nightmare Moon objected.

“Did you two forget who I am? The same alicorn who vanquished you? The same alicorn who turned Discord to stone? The same alicorn who defeated Tirek? The same alicorn who banished the Pony of Shadows? Need I go on?” Midnight spitefully asked.

The Royal Sisters were immediately sickened by Midnight’s accomplishments and felt no reason to humor her for even the tiniest bit. In fact, they would love nothing more than to pluck her wings off and subject her to any cruel punishment they could sinisterly think of while preparing for their war against the Shadow Army. But before they could say anything, Midnight said,

“I will be heading back now. I am going to persuade them in telling me where Flurry Heart is. Have fun with your little war.”

“Making you my student was the biggest mistake I have ever made. I hope Starlight and her friends give you what’s coming to you.” Daybreaker spitefully said.

“Thank you. I’ll be in touch.” Midnight jeered before flying back to the prison.

After leaving the castle, Midnight teleported back to the prison where she awaited for the trio outside.

***

“Her death will be slow. That is all I have to say to that.” Nightmare Moon said, growling over Midnight.

“Regardless, we have a role to fulfill. And when we are finished, everything that was taken from us will be ours once again.” Daybreaker said in a confident tone.

“Indeed. Is it time we roused their spirits?” Nightmare Moon said before grabbing her helmet.

“It is. Let us give them their jones for revenge.” Daybreaker said, grabbing her helmet as well.

On that note, the sisters turned to the guards and ordered them to gather the soldiers in front of the town square before heading towards the balcony of the throne room.

***

In front of the town square, every single undead pony was gathered and they were armed to the teeth with every single weapon they could find in the ruin of the Crystal Empire. They were wondering why they were gathered together in one place. It could not have been a coincidence that they are now preparing for another war against the Abyss. But it was too early to figure out for themselves. But just then, the Royal Sister appeared before the masses.

“How long has it been since we have been gathered like this?” Daybreaker rhetorically asked as she face the army.

The audience was confused by the question, but they couldn’t bring themselves to answer.

“When was the last time we were ever at the top of the food chain? When we had our homes? When we had our lives? When we had our day? Night? And our place in Equestria?” Daybreaker questioned further while facing the masses.

“We were the leading race in Equestria and nopony has ever dared to come against us in our domain! Until the day when those monsters destroyed everything and cornered us like the rats we were. Like cats ready to pounce on us, they took everything away from us and trapped us here!” Nightmare Moon ranted.

The ponies started to become agitated and ready to attack against the creatures. But then Daybreaker said,

“But today marks the beginning of a new era. An era in which ponies are the supreme force of Equestria. However, this new age will share no compassion for the creatures that took everything away from us! There will be no peace. No love. No happiness! In the end, there will be only chaos, anger, greed!” Daybreaker shouted.

“We shall hold no goodness for those who dare to cross us! Especially not the creatures who banished us here while living off our lands! But they will learn today that anyone who dares to cross us shall feel our wrath!” Nightmare Moon shouted.

The ponies started cheering the more they listened to the Royal Sister’s declaration.

“Go now! Feed them the wrath of the Solar Empire!” Daybreaker roared.

The ponies immediately charged out of the Crystal Empire and marched towards the creatures. Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon smirked at each other and the former said before donning her helmet,

“The day of reckoning is upon them.”

“Let us show them what happens when they cross the Royal Sisters.” Nightmare Moon said before donning her helmet as well.

With that, the Royal Sisters spread their wings out and lead the undead pony army out to Equestria, ready to take their revenge against the creatures.
> Prison Escape
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inside the prison, Starlight had a hard time breathing. She couldn’t believe what Apple Bloom said when she was being rescued. Spike was the very being that they were struggling against and she was at a loss for words.

“That thing back at the cave…” Starlight muttered.

“Starlight…?” Sunset asked, leaning in to hear her.

“Spike told me that he was going to explore the cave to search for gems. I told him not to leave and to return in one hour. The next thing I knew while he was down, I heard this terrifying roar deep in the cave and I went to check it out. I thought he was dead. But he was in front of me the entire time… covered by that disgusting ooze and possessed by the Malachite Crystal carrying his beating heart. What are we gonna do?” Starlight said, traumatized by the outcome.

“Starlight… whatever’s left of Spike is now dead. All I see is a monster doing everything he can to kill us.” Sunset said.

“Even so, we have to figure out how to stop him. We just need to-” Starlight said before being cut off by Tempest.

“Talk to him? Look over there, Starlight. Those heads belonged to two fillies. We’d have a more likely chance of asking an Ursa Major to share its meal than talking to your friend.” Tempest said in an angry tone.

“And how do you know that? If we can just find him, we-” Starlight said before being interrupted by Sunset.

“Starlight, there is nothing we can do to save him. Whatever remained inside Spike is now gone. All we can hope now is that sooner or later, the creatures will start killing each other and minimizing their hold on us.” Sunset said as she grabbed Apple Bloom.

“I don’t care what you two have to say. I’m gonna find Spike and talk to him before I can figure out what to do next. And whether you two join me or not, I am going to him and you are not going to stop me. When we make it back to Zecora’s hut, I’m leaving.” Starlight declared.

“And where to, exactly?” a familiar, feminine voice asked.

They were immediately startled by the voice. They looked around to see who it was, but she was nowhere to be seen. Though they already knew who it was.

“Twilight…?” Sunset nervously asked as she looked around.

“How kind of you to remember, Sunset Shimmer. I was beginning to think you would forget about little old me~.” Midnight taunted.

“Where are you?! I know you want Flurry Heart!” Starlight shouted.

“Astute as always, Starlight Glimmer. Though I am starting to find your suspicious feelings of me annoying…” Midnight taunted.

“Enough! We have been separated long enough! Just show yourself and we can work something out!” Tempest reasoned.

“Oh? You want to work something out, Tempest Shadow? Or should I say Fizzlepop Berrytwist? Especially after what you tried to pull against Equestria with the Storm King?” MIdnight menaced.

“Your name is Fizzlepop Berrytwist...?” Starlight asked, shocked by her real name.

“Not now, Starlight…” Tempest said in an irritated tone.

“Where are you?! We didn’t come here to fight!” Sunset shouted.

“Silly little Sunset~. You know exactly where I am~.” Midnight taunted.

Starlight and Sunset proceeded to look around for their former friend while Tempest remained close to Apple Bloom. They checked every inch of the prison block, but there was no sign of the rogue alicorn. Sweat trickled down their faces as they kept searching for Midnight, but to no avail. Just then, they heard rattling.

“Did you hear that?” Starlight whispered as her eyes widened.

“I heard it too.” Sunset whispered while getting back.

They started to hear this unholy, guttural sound approach them while they both tried backing away. It had a mixture of laughing and wheezing as it approached the two unicorns. It grew louder and louder the closer it got to them and it only made the duo back away even further. Starlight glowed her horn ever more brighter and it was revealed to be those grotesque ponies they passed by while searching for Apple Bloom. Except that it was too late to save them. The one in front of them had horns sticking out of its eye socket while a massive tentacle stuck out of its mouth. The rest of the others were far too indescribable to even catch a glimpse of.

“We need to get out of here.” Sunset whispered to Starlight.

“Like you even need to tell me…” Starlight said before immediately dashing towards Apple Bloom’s cell.

The two sprinted towards the cell with the mutated ponies in hot pursuit. Running towards Apple Bloom and Tempest, Starlight grabbed Sunset as well as the former two before teleporting out of the prison.

“Oh Celestia, we made it.” Tempest said, trying to regain her breath.

“Not yet…” Sunset said, facing forward.

The three looked forward as well and saw that it was none other than Midnight.

"Twilight…?" Apple Bloom asked in a shocked tone.

“So… it seems you received some sort of extreme make-over. Care to tell me the details, Twilight?” Starlight taunted.

“This Twilight you speak of is dead. All that remains now is Midnight Sparkle. And you will do well to remember me by that name.” Midnight threatened.

“What happened to you, Twilight? What made you become this monstrosity?” Sunset asked, trying to make sense of her former friend’s situation.

“Why should I have to tell you, Sunset Shimmer? You already know what made me become this. After all, you tried to destroy Equestria with your short-sighted endeavors and your pathetic minions back in the human world.” Midnight sneered.

Hearing this shocked Sunset down to her very core. The Twilight she knew long ago was most certainly dead all that now existed was the monster that is right in front of her.

"Now… where is Flurry Heart?" Midnight asked with a menacing grin.

"You honestly think we will just give her away to a monster like you? Some power-hungry alicorn who thinks she is the center of Equestria and the perfect candidate to take over our home? Besides, haven't you looked in the mirror lately!?" Starlight taunted.

"Oh, that is rich coming from the unicorn who nearly came close to destroying the timeline of Equestria, never mind the fact that you enslaved a whole village to bend to your every whim!" Midnight countered.

Starlight was speechless from hearing Midnight's verbal smackdown on her past self.

"You think you are any different from us!? Just look at what you've become! You were a fool to have made this slime your conduit to your own powers! You are worse than all three of us and every other foe combined!" Tempest shouted.

"Yet you foolishly teamed up with the Storm King because he promised to fix that pathetic little chip on your forehead! The three of you are no heroes! None of you! You are just trying to make up whatever excuse you have to keep going and I'm not fooled!" Midnight shouted before firing a shot at the four of them.

Starlight immediately activated a force field and it deflected towards a random tree.

"A real hero never harms a filly." Starlight countered with a venomous tone.

"Can you handle her, Starlight?" Sunset asked as she grabbed Apple Bloom.

"I'll see you three in a bit…" Starlight said as she glowed her horn.

Understandably nodding, Sunset took Apple Bloom and ran away along with Tempest, leaving only Midnight and Starlight left.

"You should never have banished him in the first place…" Starlight said in an angry voice as her horn glowed brighter.

"You have interfered with my plans… FOR THE LAST TIME!!!" Midnight roared before charging at Starlight.
> Battlefield
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Across the battlefield, each army was waiting for one another to attack. Every soldier was anxious over what would happen next, seeing as they were all gathered with no word on whether or not they would be able to attack.

“I will be right back.” Spike said, flying straight to the middle of the field.

Tirek nodded and stood back as he awaited further instruction. After making it to the middle, he was greeted by the unnerving sights of Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon.

“Well, it seems you finally decided to show yourself to us. You look terrible. But it has been a long time since the three of us have been together. How about a kiss from mommy~?” Daybreaker growled.

“It was always you, was it not?” Nightmare Moon asked.

“What do you mean?” Spike asked, confused by her question.

“You knew what would happen to us, yet you chose to turn a blind eye to the results of what would ensue while you abused this power for your own selfish needs. You are lower than either of us.” Nightmare Moon surmised.

“Maybe I am, but can you two really say you are much better than me? Letting the heroes abuse me? Ignoring me while I try to help you? Misusing me when I am making progress with your selfish needs? And now here you are. Talking to me while letting your student do the work for you. You are helpless without that pathetic little alicorn, yet you are the rulers of Equestria. What a terrible joke.” Spike said.

“The only joke around here is you. You attacked me while I was defenseless in the garden, you trapped my sister inside that dreaded room, and you have turned Equestria into a wasteland. These are the works of an unrepentant child and seem to fit the mold after everything that has transpired in our home. There has never been a much greater punishment that you will receive for all of this.” Daybreaker said, filled with anger.

“We’ll see who gets punished first.” Spike said before his arms shapeshifted into a blade-shield combo.

The three turned around as Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon preparing their weapons. Tension filled the atmosphere, sweat dripping from their foreheads, and their nerves wracking over who would make the first strike. The Royal Sisters gripped their weapons as tightly as they could while Spike made the blade sharper thanks to the ooze. Pretty soon, the only noises they heard were their own beating hearts. They closed their eyes and waited for the attack.

“DRAW!!!!” Nightmare Moon shouted before turning around with her scythe.

The Royal Sisters swung their weapons at Spike, but he immediately blocked them with his shield. He horizontally swung his sword at Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon, but they flew away to avoid getting slashed.

***

Witnessing the attack from afar, Tirek ordered the army to attack the undead ponies. Pretty soon, it was all-out war as everybody started killing each other while Spike and the Royal Sisters continued their duel.

***

Meanwhile on the other side, Midnight and Starlight were deadlocked with beams fired from their horns. It was a power struggle between the two, yet the former has the upper hoof on the latter.

“Just how long do you think you can hold out against me?! I am much more powerful in every way!” Midnight boasted as she pushed herself towards Starlight.

“Long enough for this!” Starlight shouted as she moved out of the way.

Seizing the opportunity, Starlight fired a shot at Midnight. It knocked her back, but it was barely enough to leave a scratch.

“Isn’t that cute? You got a shot off. NOW TRY THIS ON FOR SIZE!!!!” Midnight roared before firing a megaton beam at Starlight.

Starlight immediately ran across the field to avoid being caught in the incineration. The blast levelled half the forest and it nearly came close to reducing Starlight to ashes. Teleporting at the last minute, Starlight fired a shot at Midnight before she could react.

“How’s that for cute!?” Starlight shouted.

“You should have joined me. Imagine all we could have accomplished together. What everypony could accomplish together.” Midnight tempted as she flew at her former pupil.

“Accomplish?! You turned Spike away, you used us to research the abyss, and you abandoned us while the Crystal Empire was destroyed!!!! And you have the nerve to talk about accomplishments!?” Starlight yelled before teleporting out of the way and firing another shot at Twilight.

***

In the battlefield, Spike was fending off the Royal Sisters while shapeshifting his arms into various weapons. Converting his wings into talons, he swung and thrusted at the Royal Sisters before turning the blades on his arms into razor-sharp claws. He lunged at them with ferocity and slashed repeatedly at them.

“You are faster than I anticipated. For a dragon who does nothing but laze about on his throne all day while everypony suffers, you can really keep up with us. But how will it take until you exhaust yourself? You can’t keep attacking us forever.” Daybreaker taunted.

Spike ignored her and continued to attack without cease. Pretty soon, he started exhausting himself and stopped moving to take a breather, just long enough for Daybreaker to swing her sword at him. Spike was able to dodge, but her blade nicked the ooze on his arms. But as he continued to recover, he started to see a small flame on his ooze-covered arms. Suddenly, the creature began screaming in agony while Spike did everything he could to put it out.

“Ah~. So you have a weakness after all~.” Daybreaker noted, looking at the burning ooze.

“So it appears that all we have to do is burn you alive. How fitting for a creature that is invulnerable to fire.” Nightmare Moon jeered.

Spike got into a defensive and changed his right arm into a blade and his left arm into claws.  But before they could fight any further, Tirek appeared out of nowhere and threw a huge boulder at the Royal Sisters. Ember appeared as well, only she wore full armor as well and carried a spear.

“Ember?!” Spike said, shocked by her appearance in the battlefield.

“If you are going to fight, then I will fight with you.” Ember said to Spike in a defiant voice as she faced the Royal Sisters.

“You should have stayed dead, Princess. But it will all the more fun killing you twice over.” Tirek said, carrying a club and mace.

“We will see about that…” Daybreaker shouted before charging at the trio with Nightmare Moon.
> Chase
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset, Tempest, and Apple Bloom kept moving through the forest as far away as they could from the prison. It seemed as if they were far from the chaos, but they could see the blast from the prison coming a mile away.

“Watch out!” Sunset shouted, looking at the oncoming blast.

Seeing this, Tempest moved to the left side with Apple Bloom, avoiding the blast in the process. They continued to run a great distance, having galloped a great distance away. But just then, they see various manticores, timberwolves, and corrupted ponies hot on their tails.

“There’s more of them!?” Sunset shouted as she ran.

“Let’s split up! We’ll throw them off this way!” Tempest suggested before separating from Sunset and Apple Bloom.

Tempest ran to the left side and a handful of corrupted ponies and manticores chased after her. She ran past various trees and bushes to throw the creatures off. However, it did very little to lose them and they just got even closer. A select few unicorns converted their heads and grew an elongated spine nearly resembling a human torso, giving it a near-identical of a centaur. Then its skull opened up, revealing the brain and separating the horn.

“Are you kidding me!?” Tempest shouted upon witnessing the transformations.

The corrupted unicorns proceeded to fire black magic beams at Tempest like a machine gun, prompting her to run away from them even faster. The manticores were nearly close to her as well. They breathed fire at her from all different directions, but Tempest kept a safe distance away from the creatures.

“Just where is Grubber when you need something to shoot at…?” Tempest lamented as she kept running.

Having no other choice, Tempest jumped towards the trees and ran across the branches. Using various parkour moves, she did a good job at keeping away from the creatures. Even as the manticores started flying and the unicorns fired very strong blasts at the trees from the ground. Pretty soon, the trees started dropping like bricks and Tempest was running short on options. So she used her horn to create these green orbs and kick them at one of the unicorns, turning it into an obsidian statue in the process.

“I hope Sunset and Starlight are doing okay…” Tempest thought as she kept jumping across the trees.

***

Sunset kept running and blasting her way through the forest while carrying Apple Bloom and being chased by the creatures. All the while trying to avoid being caught in the blast from the prison. The creatures continued to gain on them, but Sunset was able to shoot them away at a safe distance. But there were more and it was a lot for Sunset to chew. Eventually, Sunset saw a broken bridge from across the gap.

“Dead end!” Sunset shouted as she looked ahead.

The other side was pretty far and it seemed that Sunset had almost no hope of making it across. But it was either that or get eaten by the creatures that are pursuing them.

“Apple Bloom, hold onto me as tightly as you can!” Sunset ordered as she started running at high speed.

“Don’t tell me… we’re… we’re-” Apple Bloom nervously said before being cut off by Sunset.

“Just don’t look down!” Sunset shouted as she began dashing.

Doing as she was told, Apple Bloom held onto Sunset as tightly as she could and closed her eyes out of fear. Focusing her energy on the jump, Sunset dashed extremely fast and leapt as far as she could like a rabbit to avoid being a predator’s prey. It was a far distance. In fact, it was so wide that Sunset and Apple Bloom nearly fell. But then the former fired a blast powerful enough to launch them straight to the other side of the gap. Getting off the ground, Sunset and Apple Bloom saw the creatures from the other side. The manticores and corrupted pegasi spread their wings and flew to the other side.

“LET’S GET OUTTA HERE!!!” Apple Bloom shouted before Sunset picked her up and started running once more.

***

Tempest continued to jump across the trees while doing everything she could to avoid being shot at by the manticores and the unicorns. But just as she was about to jump the next tree, she was suddenly knocked down by one of the pegasi in the air. She fell to the ground and was immediately surrounded by the creatures.

“Oh great, some more playtime!” Tempest shouted before getting into a fighting stance.

One of the manticores charged at Tempest, but she evaded the lunging lion-scorpion hybrid and kicked one of her activated orbs at the manticore, turning it into an obsidian statue and destroying itself in the process. One of the corrupted unicorns fired several of its skeleton bullets, grazing Tempest a tiny bit before receiving an orb from the unicorn. Then Tempest used her broken horn to create lightning and stun of the corrupted earth ponies before grabbing and kickflipping its head off. Then one of the manticores grabbed Tempest and threw her across the forest before lunging itself at her in an attempt to bite her head off. Tempest resisted with all her might before seizing the opportunity to send lighting from her horn into the manticore’s mouth, burning its insides in the process. Then Tempest looked around and saw the creatures surround her. Wasting no time, Tempest turned around and dashed away from them as they gave pursuit.

“I hope Starlight and Sunset are doing better than I am…” Tempest said as she continued to run.

***

Meanwhile at the prison, Starlight was worn out and exhausted from fighting Midnight too much. Cornering her, Midnight walked towards Starlight while the poor defenseless unicorn tried to think of a way to fight her off.

Stop fighting me, Starlight. It’s pointless. You are already on the brink of death and you still continue to defy me. I will admit that you gave me a few nicks and scratches in our little confrontation. But even entertainment such as this must come to an end. Wouldn’t you agree, Starlight?” Midnight taunted before charging up her horn.

Starlight tried to set up a force field, but it was too late before Midnight fired a shot at her. Even as the force field was set up, it was too weak to deflect the shot. So Starlight moved herself out of the blast’s way, closing her eyes in the process. After it was finished, Starlight opened her eyes and scanned her surroundings. But as she looked around, she found something familiar in the dirt. It had the same color as Starlight’s skin. She grew scared. Touching her forehead, her fears were correct. Her horn was blasted off as she dodged Twilight’s attack.

"No… My… My…" Starlight stammered as her eyes widened.

"That's right, my poor deluded protege. Your horn is gone~." Midnight venomously taunted before smashing it with her hoof. 

But before Midnight could do any further damage, a mighty, angry roar was heard from across the forest. Midnight turned to the right to see what was up. Starlight, on the other hoof, seized the opportunity and ran away from the prison, escaping her fate whilst Midnight was distracted.

"So he has finally lost it…" Midnight stated with sadistic glee before flying over to the battlefield.
> Loss
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back on the battlefield, Spike, Ember, and Tirek were holding their ground against the Royal Sisters. The more attacks that Spike, the more ferocious he became. He was on all fours and he was quite angry.

"Are you angry, Spike? It's bad for your health, you know." Daybreaker taunted.

Spike charged once at Daybreaker and clashed blades with her. In the middle of their deadlock, he turned his left hand into a dagger in an attempt to slash her. But seeing right through this, Daybreaker pushed Spike back with her magic and attempted to pierce him with her sword. However, he was able to dodge and they went back to clashing their swords against one another.

***

Ember and Tirek kept on the offense and continued attacking Nightmare Moon. The duo coordinated their attacks against the dark alicorn and had slight success with their combined flurry of combos against her. 

“What’s the matter, Princess? You’re getting pretty slow!” Tirek mocked while having her on the ropes with Ember.

Having no other choice, Nightmare Moon shouted,

“ENOUGH!!! TANTABUS!!! COME OUT!!!”

Just then, the Tantabus came out and shrouded Nightmare Moon. Flying up into the air, she summoned a series of scythes and flung them at Ember and Tirek with her magic. The duo dodged and deflected every attack that was thrown at them. Then Ember flew up in the air towards Nightmare Moon. The latter swung every scythe she had at the former, but Ember’s speed was too much to catch and they clashed their blades at each other.

“DON’T UNDERESTIMATE A DRAGON!!!” Ember roared as she swung her spear at the dark alicorn.

Tirek jumped in as well and charged at Nightmare Moon with his horns, knocking her to the ground. But before he could attack her, she teleported out of the way and swung her scythe at the raging centaur. However, Tirek was able to catch the weapon with his magic and swung his club at her. Nightmare Moon summoned her various other scythes back to her side and got back into a fighting stance.

“Twilight was more of a challenge than you, princess!” Tirek taunted.

Hearing her name really made Nightmare Moon’s blood boil hotter than the volcanoes at the Dragon Badlands.

“DON’T!!! EVER!!! MENTION!!! THAT!!! NAME!!!!!!” Nightmare Moon roared before charging at the duo.

***

Spike and Daybreaker were charging at each other all over the battlefield. Clashing and trading blows with one another, the two were in a deadlock to see who would kill each other first. Deciding on a ranged attack, Daybreaker flew up into the air and charged her horn up.

“I HOPE YOU BROUGHT SUNBLOCK, YOU LITTLE NEWT!!!” Daybreaker yelled before firing her beam at Spike.

Taking notice, Spike flew out of the blast’s way and went as fast as he could to avoid the incineration. Fanning his wings out, he flew up into the clouds to avoid detection. Knowing she would find him any second, Spike tried to think of a plan.

“What is your plan, dragon? The alicorn has already discovered my weakness and we are short on options!” the creature panicked.

“Shut up! I’m thinking!” Spike shouted while keeping his nerve.

“THINK ON THIS!!!” Daybreaker shouted as she fired a solar beam at Spike.

Spike dodged out of the way and flew at Daybreaker, preparing to swing his claws at her. She teleported out of the way and swung her sword at him, but the creature stopped the swing and Spike caught onto her sneak attack. Seizing the opportunity, he flailed his arms at her and got a scratch on her coat.

“YOU SHALL PAY DEARLY FOR THIS DISRESPECT!!!” Daybreaker shouted before teleporting away from the sky.

Spike took this moment to recover from his encounter with Daybreaker. Just as he was finished recovering, he realized where she was headed. And a sense of dread loomed over him.

“Oh no…” Spike muttered before proceeding to fly back to the ground.

***

Teleporting to where her sister was, Nightmare Moon was on the ropes against Ember and Tirek. Just as she was about to be slain by the duo, Daybreaker fired a shot at the two and helped her sister up.

“What’s the matter, dear sister? You can’t handle a couple of measly creatures?” Daybreaker mocked.

“DO NOT MOCK ME, DEAR SISTER!!! I WOULD HAVE HAD HER IF IT WERE NOT FOR THAT ACCURSED CENTAUR!!!!” Nightmare Moon yelled.

“Then how about I take the dragon? You can have the centaur.” Daybreaker suggested as flames surrounded her body.

“Agreed, dear sister…” Nightmare Moon said as the Tantabus enveloped her once more.

Charging at the duo, Nightmare Moon took Tirek and Daybreaker took Ember. Nightmare Moon immediately went on the offense and proceeded to overwhelm Tirek with all her might, slamming and swinging her scythes to overwhelm the centaur. Taking note of this, Tirek used his magic and gathered huge amounts of boulders to throw at Nightmare Moon. But before she could react, she was hit by one of the boulders and she was sent flying back a far distance. After teleporting out of the way, Nightmare Moon noticed Tirek charging at her while swinging his club in a wild manner while screaming his battlecry.

“IS THAT THE BEST YOU CAN DO!?!?!?” Nightmare Moon shouted as she got off the ground.

Levitating her scythe back into her hooves, Nightmare Moon flew off the ground and flew towards Tirek at high speed. Screaming at the top of their lungs as they charged towards one another, they raised their weapons in preparation for their next attack. The centaur raised his club in the air and the alicorn remained low to the ground while continuing to fly and spinning her scythe in the process. Getting close to  each other, Tirek swung his club at Nightmare Moon. But she moved out of its way and flew upwards to cut Tirek’s head clean off. Walking towards his decapitated head, Nightmare Moon taunted,

“Let us see you absorb any magic now.”

Then she blew up his head completely, reducing it to nothing more than chunks in the ground.

“I wonder how my sister is doing?” Nightmare Moon wondered before flying to her location.

***

Overwhelming Ember with all her might, Daybreaker broke Ember’s spear and prepared for the coup de grace. But the brave dragon dodged and attempted to stab Daybreaker. But the evil alicorn saw right through it and teleported out of the way. She swung her sword at her sword, but Ember pulled out a short sword and grazed Daybreaker’s coat. They flew back and assumed fighting stances once more.

“Since you’re going double, so shall I.” Daybreaker jeered before pulling out a second sword, taking note of Ember’s sword-spear combo.

“Then so shall I. Have at thee, disgusting lizard!!!” Nightmare Moon shouted, summoning a second scythe as well.

“LET ME SHOW YOU WHAT THIS DISGUSTING LIZARD CAN DO!!!” Ember roared before charging at the Royal Sisters.

“THEN SHOW US…!!!!” Daybreaker roared as well before charging with Nightmare Moon and clashing with the fierce female dragon.

Ember fought back with everything she could muster, but the Royal Sisters were too much for her to handle and she started to get worn out by their overwhelming strength. Before she knew it, she saw Spike in the sky and dizzy from the fight, she tried reaching out for him. But in the midst of her potential rescue, she was repeatedly stabbed and slashed by the Royal Sisters. Ember fell to the ground, exhausted and defeated by the malicious alicorns.

“Spike…” Ember said before dying from her wounds.

***

Seeing from far ahead, despair hit Spike like a punch to the gut. He flew over to Ember as fast as he could, but it was too late by the time he made it. He ran over to her side and saw that she was already dead. In a state of grief and rage, Spike looked up to the Royal Sisters filled with tears and screamed at the top of his lungs before transforming,

“EEEEEMMMMMMBBBBBBBEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRR!!!!”

The Royal Sisters covered their faces while the dirt and dust flew out of the air as a huge light shot up into the sky . After everything settled down and everything cleared away, they were greeted by an abyss-covered Spike, filled with nothing but hate and sorrow.

“So you finally show yourself…” Daybreaker jeered as she looked at the transformed Spike.

Growling and boiling with rage, Spike roared a mighty and terrible roar before charging at full speed towards the Royal Sisters, filled with nothing but malice for the two.
> Devil
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Charging towards the Royal Sisters like an arrow, Spike lunged at them in an attempt to kill them. They teleported out of the way and swung their weapons at the enraged dragon, but his back suddenly grew a second body and punched the both of them away.

"AGH!!! He's fast!" Daybreaker shouted after recovering from the blow.

"Do you remember anything about your last encounter with that beast?" Night Moon asked, trying to form a strategy.

"All I remember was him breaking my wings when I tried to escape. But times have changed…" Daybreaker said before firing another solar beam.

Spike moved out of the way and grabbed Daybreaker by the throat. Fueling his strength with fury, he started pummeling and slashing her repeatedly. Then she pushed him back using her flames, making a force field out of it.

"Allow me…" Nightmare Moon said before charging Spike with her scythe.

She swung her scythe at the dark dragon, but he dodged every single attack she delivered and countered her, sending her back to her sister.

"No good, sister! He is one step ahead of us in combat prowess!" Nightmare Moon shouted as Spike came charging towards them.

"Then it's time we stopped holding back…" Daybreaker said before teleporting out of the way along with her sister.

***

Meanwhile, Starlight continued to run a great distance through the forest. She was trying to wrap around what happened to her horn. Not only did she lose to Midnight, but she had no idea where her friends were. Before long, she bumped right into Tempest, causing them to crash and fall.

"Starlight…?" Tempest asked upon recovering from her fall.

After getting a closer look at her, Tempest was horrified at what had happened to her friend.

"Your horn… are you okay?" Tempest asked, feeling sad for Starlight.

Starlight didn't say a word after hearing Tempest's concerns.

"Look… I lost my horn too. A long time ago. But now that you lost yours, we have something in common, friend." Tempest comforted.

But before they could speak any further, they heard a mighty roar from a long distance away.

"It's that roar again…" Starlight muttered.

"I hear it too. We need to find Sunset and Apple Bloom. Let's go!" Tempest said before she and Starlight continued running.

***

Spike continued slashing away at the Royal Sisters like no tomorrow. He charged at them various times, but he ends up getting pushed away by the duo. He proceeded shooting various green-flamed fireballs from his mouth at them, but to no avail. The Royal Sisters charged at them, but the enraged dragon jumped really high into the air and shot a powerful fireball at the duo. It nearly came close to scorching Nightmare Moon, but it hardly fazed Daybreaker.

“You think your cute little fireballs can damage me?! YOU WOULD HAVE BETTER LUCK MELTING A CRAGADILE!!!” Daybreaker roared before firing a solar beam at him.

Spike dived out of the way and landed on the ground without hurting himself. Nightmare Moon immediately charged at Spike with her scythe and attempted to cut him down, but he flipped out of the way and tackled her before slashing away with his claws. Just then, he was shot at by an unknown assailant from the sky. Evading the blasts, he looked upon the sky and saw that it was none other than Midnight Sparkle.

“Am I fashionably late?!” Midnight shouted with a maniacal cackle.

“JUST REDUCE HIM TO CHUNKS AND BE DONE WITH IT!!!” Nightmare Moon screamed as she readied her scythe.

Laughing heartily and maniacally, Midnight fired various shots at Spike who ran across the field to avoid being shot. Stopping himself, he ran forward while continuing to avoid the blasts. The Royal Sisters charged at Spike with their weapons in an attempt to combo him, but he grabbed their heads and slammed them into the ground. Getting close to Midnight, he charged into her and attempted to slam her into the ground. But before he could do any damage to the purple alicorn, she teleported out of the way and fired a megaton beam at the ooze-shrouded dragon.

***

Meanwhile on the other side, Sunset and Apple Bloom were able to lose the creatures and continued running further away.

“Where are we? Do you think Starlight and Tempest made it?” Apple Bloom asked.

“They will. Starlight has helped save Equestria in more ways than I can count and Tempest fought her way around Equestria before it became overrun by the Abyss. Nopony can harm them.” Sunset assured.

The two stopped for a moment to take a breather. But while they were taking a break from all the running, they felt earthquakes all over Equestria.

“Did you feel that?” Apple Bloom asked, feeling the tremors in the ground.

“Me too. I’m even hearing these loud roars from the other side of Equestria. Although I may have a good idea what's going on over there…” Sunset dreaded.

“You don’t think it’s them, do you…?” Apple Bloom wondered.

“Beats the Tartarus out of me, but I suggest we get moving unless you wish to be disintegrated or eaten alive out here…” Sunset said before grabbing the young filly and running away once more.

***

Back in the battlefield, Spike continued his fight against Midnight Sparkle and the Royal Sisters. The latter group did whatever they could to overwhelm the monstrous reptile while the former focused all her dark Alicorn energy on Spike. Raising up the landscape to turn it into rubble, Midnight used her magic to trap Spike. The Royal Sisters teleported out of the way to avoid being crushed while Twilight continued destroying the terrain. Spike tried to run out the way, but it was too late as he got picked up by one of the rocks and got sent into what appeared to be a meteorite.

"Try squeezing out of that, my number-one assistant!" Midnight sneered as she trapped Spike into the meteorite.

She proceeded to crush the meteorite with all her magic and might in order to finally kill him once and for all. But as she continued destroying the meteorite, she noticed a giant hand pop out. Then she noticed the other pop out as well before a massive head breaks through the meteorite. Spike transformed into a huge, beastial version of himself with a third eye on his forehead along with various others on his face and used all his strength to break out of the meteorite before landing on the ground.

"If he wants to go big, then we can go bigger…" Daybreaker shouted before flames started surrounding her.

"I couldn't agree more, dear sister…" Nightmare Moon concurred before transforming as well.

"Let's finish this…" Midnight said before transforming along with the Royal Sisters.

One by one, each of the alicorns grew in size and transformed into their primordial forms before facing Spike.
> Colossal Clash
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Facing Midnight and the Royal Sisters, Spike snarled at the three alicorns before slamming the right palm of his hand into the ground and unleashing a mighty and terrible roar that leveled half the landscape of Equestria. In response, the alicorns stood on their hind legs and let out a loud demonic neigh as they faced the large dragon. Then they separated and circled him like a pack of wolves surrounding a single deer. Turning around, Spike kept his guard up and waited for an attack.

Suddenly, Nightmare Moon lunged at Spike with full force. He moved out of the way and scratched her on the left side. She jumped away from him, but Spike was on edge now that Nightmare Moon tried to attack him first. Midnight Sparkle commenced the next attack, but Spike moves and swipes his tail at Midnight’s face before scratching her. Neighing in pain, Midnight raises her upper body and tries to stomp on Spike, but he moves out of the way and tackles her. But before he could inflict any more damage to her, she teleports back into the formation herself and the Royal Sisters created.

Just then, Spike slammed his fist into the ground and the ooze pops out of the turning into spikes in the process. Turning towards Nightmare Moon, he jumps onto her and begins biting and scratching away at her. Midnight joins in the skirmish, but Spike begins fending her off.

Midnight throws a magical barrage of fists at Spike, but he creates a barrier with the ooze and tail-whips her away. Turning his attention towards Nightmare Moon, he heads back to slashing her with all his anger buried into his claws. Midnight, on the other hoof, charged at Spike with her horn in an attempt to skewer him, but a second body formed on his right side and threw her across the field. Just as she was flying across, she fired a blast at him. But Spike uses Nightmare Moon’s body as a shield before throwing her to the side and running towards Twilight.

***

Running through the forest, Starlight and Tempest felt the earthquakes grow even larger and much more intense than ever before. They were uneased by these events and were unsure what would happen next.

“The bombardment’s getting louder!” Starlight shouted amidst the chaos while running.

“If we stay here, we’ll be crushed!” Tempest shouted, running as well.

Pretty soon, trees were falling and the ground was beginning to erupt as the two hornless unicorns continued to run from the danger. It wasn’t long before a large blue hoof slammed into the ground before being followed by a large dragon’s foot from above.

“You don’t think-!” Starlight said before being grabbed by Tempest.

“Let’s go!” Tempest heeded as she pulled Starlight with her.

***

Spike grappled onto Twilight and sank his claws into her skin in an effort to scratch at her before biting her neck. The two creatures fought each other like predator and prey trying to kill each other. Nightmare Moon charged at Spike, but he jumped off Midnight and grappled onto her instead. Sinking his teeth into her, Nightmare Moon neighed in pain as Spike bit into her flesh and rolled her all over the ground before pulling away from her with tidbits of her skin in his teeth. Midnight hurled a huge boulder at the dragon, but Spike jumped off in time and it hit Nightmare Moon instead.

Midnight activated a spell and fired several spear-like beams at Spike. He dodged most of them, but they left enough of a dent on him. However, arms grew out of his back and pulled the spears out of his body. Lunging towards Midnight, Spike grabbed and slammed her head into the ground. Then he drove the spears into her body and she neighed in agony. Then the arms grabbed Midnight and Spike proceeded to punch her into the ground. With all his anger and hate laid into him, he clawed and pummeled her so hard that her horn was beginning to crack. Midnight could barely keep it together as she faced the enraged dragon. But before he could deliver the finishing blow, the environment started glowing brighter than ever before. Spike turned around and saw Daybreaker in the sky, having created an artificial sun in the sky. Midnight teleported away and Spike got into a defensive stance.

***

Sunset, with Apple Bloom on her back, continued running in the middle of the forest in their effort to escape the destruction ensuing in their midst. Birds were flying everywhere in the sky and all they could do was continue to run away as far as they could.

“What in the hay’s going on out there!?” Apple Bloom shouted as she watched the forest get destroyed.

“There’s a fight out there! I dunno who is causing it, but I know that Midnight’s involved!” Sunset implied while running as fast as she could.

Just then, a large UV light fired into their path, burning a hole into the ground. Sunset stopped dead in her tracks to see what was going on in the field miles away from her location. Just then, another UV light beam fired directly at them and Sunset dodged the blast. Apple Bloom, holding onto Sunset, asks,

“That couldn’t be her, could it…?” Apple Bloom nervously asked as she watched the three alicorns and one dragon fight.

“It doesn’t matter! We need to keep going!” Sunset shouted before proceeding to run away from their potential incineration.

***

Spike charged at Daybreaker while doing everything he can to avoid being burned alive by her UV beams from the sun. He also needed to evade the various attacks being thrown at him by Midnight and Nightmare Moon. He attempted to grab her when he got close, but he got blasted by both Midnight and Nightmare Moon, to which the latter covered the sun in order to form an eclipse as an attempt to blind Spike. He angrily roared at the two before Daybreaker fired another UV beam at the dragon. He dodged the attack, but he got overwhelmed by the two alicorns. Instead of fighting them, he backed away in order to catch his breath from all the pressure he was put under while covering his eyes with the ooze to block out the eclipse.

Bearing his fangs as he faced the three alicorns, his eyes looked all over the field and saw that most of the creatures and the undead ponies were dead. He was at a point where he couldn’t speak anymore and he was filled with nothing but anger and hatred for the three alicorns that destroyed everything he worked so hard to achieve. Instead of running, he spread out his two wings and shaped them into razor-sharp talons. Having regained his breath, he roared as loud as he could before charging at the three alicorns, ready to take his revenge against them.
> Promise
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Starlight and Tempest made their way through the forest, but the blasts and fighting kept continuing from the distance and they didn't know how it would be until they got caught in the middle of the crossfire.

"They just keep going!" Starlight shouted as various trees kept falling.

"We're nearly out of here! We just have to keep running!" Tempest shouted while running her heart out.

Running through the forest and shifting through the bushes, the hornless unicorns moved through every last book and cranny of the demolished forest. But suddenly, something huge fell onto the ground, halting them from going any further. When the dust settled, it turned out to be none other than Midnight Sparkle on the ground.

"Twilight…?" Starlight while looking at her downed mentor.

Suddenly, Midnight opened her eyes and their blood completely froze to a standstill. Midnight opened her mouth and let out a powerful neigh before being punched in the face by Spike. He pummeled away at her for a good three minutes. But then she teleported out of the way and attacked him once more.

"We better run…" Starlight said before running once more with Tempest..

As they kept moving, Starlight and Tempest looked up and saw Spike and the alicorns going at it like wild animals. The dragon attempted to stab Midnight with his wing-shaped talons, but she was able to dodge and fired a magic beam at him. Daybreaker fired another solar beam from the sun while Nightmare Moon attempted to envelope him in the Tantabus. The ooze sprung off Spike and fought against the Tantabus while he focused on getting his claws on Nightmare Moon. Midnight tried knocking him away, but using his sense of smell and hearing, Spike tail-whipped her away from him and climbed on Nightmare Moon’s back. The latter tried using her magic to pull him off, but Spike punched Nightmare Moon and grabbed her horn. Then before she knew it, he broke her horn off and skewered both her eyes  Nightmare Moon neighed in pain and agony as blood spewed out of her eyelids and desperately trying to shake Spike off her back. But before she could do anything to fight him off, he punched and snapped her neck, causing her to keel over and die, undoing the eclipse in the process.

Seeing this, Daybreaker angrily neighed and fired every last solar beam at Spike before encasing herself in flames. Setting herself on the ground, Daybreaker charged at Spike with her flame-embroiled sword and swung it violently with pure malice. Dodging her attacks, Spike had the ooze on his forearms draw back into his body and he proceeded to wait for an opening. But while he was defending himself, Midnight fired several beams at him while flying straight into his direction. Taking note of this, Spike scratched Daybreaker in the face before turning around to face Midnight Sparkle. Picking up Nightmare Moon’s scythe with her magic, Midnight swung away at Spike in an attempt to cut him in half. Spike got low and rolled out of the scythe’s range before stabbing her in the abdomen with his right wing-shaped talon before tossing her at Daybreaker.

Picking themselves back up, Daybreaker and Midnight assumed a defensive stance and tried figuring out a way to counterattack Spike. He assumed an offensive stance and stuck his wing-shaped talons out, ready to kill the two alicorns. He growled and snarled while walking towards them and he showed no signs of retreating from the battlefront. The two alicorns were shaking with anticipation and fear of what Spike would do next when he got close to them. Growling and snarling even louder, Spike forsaken everything holding him back and lashed out against the two alicorns. He went for Midnight first, immediately striking her down before she could swing the scythe. Daybreaker attempted to intervene, but Spike tail-whipped her away and focused all his attention on Midnight. While she was dazed, he grabbed a huge boulder and proceeded to bash her head with every amount of anger he could muster.

Getting off the ground, Daybreaker charged Spike with her horn and slammed him into a nearby mountain. After throwing him into the ground, she stomped all over him with her flame-embroiled hooves in every attempt to kill him. But not wasting any time, Spike used his wing-shaped talons and stabbed her in the abdomen, causing her to neigh out in agony. Getting off the ground and on his hind legs, he grabbed her by the mane with his bare claws and stabbed her even further with his wing-shaped talons, slicing her all the way up to her chest and exposing her insides in the process. Then he reaches in and attempts to grab her heart, but she attempts to resist by pushing him back with her flame magic. Seeing this, Spike grabs Daybreaker’s horn and breaks it off before stabbing her in the heart with it, causing the artificial sun to disappear in the process. When he was finished, Spike dropped her body and turned around to face Midnight. Only she was gone. Enraged at having missed his chance to killing her, Spike roared an angry, gigantic, yet somewhat triumphant roar as Midnight staggered in her escape.

“You were lucky, dragon. When we see each other again next time, it will be for the last time…” Midnight growled as she disappeared into the darkness.

***

Elsewhere, Daybreaker wakes up from her unceremonious defeat by Spike. Only this time, she wasn’t Daybreaker. She was back as Princess Celestia. She coughed out an insignificant amount of blood as she looked down and found her horn buried deep inside her heart.

“LUNA!!!” Celestia shouted before coughing out more blood.

She turned her head around various times to find her sister before seeing her corpse from a reasonable distance.

“SISTER!!!” Celestia cried out as she found her sister’s corpse.

“Celestia…?” A familiar voice called out.

The unlucky alicorn turned around and saw that it was none other than Starlight and Tempest. The two unicorns ran to her side and knelt down.

“Princess…” Starlight said in disbelief.

“Starlight… and Tempest… it is good to see you two are safe…” Celestia said in a dying voice.

“Don’t talk. We’re gonna-” Starlight said in a desperate voice before being interrupted by the soon-to-be deceased alicorn.

“We don’t have much time… I have found the monster’s weakness…” Celestia said.

“Huh? What is it…?” Tempest asked, wanting to hear the information.

“Fire. The Creature’s… weakness… is fire…” Celestia revealed before coughing out more blood.

“Celestia…” Starlight said at a loss for words.

“Flurry Heart…? Is she safe…?” Celestia as she started to lose her voice.

“She is with Zecora. No creatures have found them. They’re okay.” Starlight answered.

“All this evil… all this hate… it needs… to end. Twilight brought… me back… and turned me… into…” Celestia said, finally beginning to die as she coughed out more blood.

“Is there anything we can do for you, Princess…?” Tempest asked, feeling her voice start to break.

Celestia turned her head and eyed Luna’s corpse. Then she turned to the two devastated unicorns and requested,

“I want… to see… my sister.”

“Your wish is our command…” Starlight said, holding herself together as she and Tempest helped carry her over to Luna’s corpse.

Carrying her over, Starlight and Tempest were horrified to see what has happened to Luna in her skirmish against the monster that slayed her. They laid her down next to the corpse and Celestia was in tears at seeing her sister.

“She’s beautiful… isn’t she…? My dear sister…” Celestia said with her eyes beginning to tear up.

Starlight and Tempest did everything they could to resist shedding their tears, but all they do was silently cry while watching Celestia stroke her sister’s face.

“When you… see… Spike… again… tell him… we love him. This... is… my final… order… as… princess.” Celestia said as tears poured down her face.

“We will…” Starlight said with her voice nearly breaking.

“Then… it’s… finished.” Celestia said while facing Luna.

“Starlight… we need to go. Right now.” Tempest silently urged while keeping her composure.

Starlight took one last look at the Royal Sisters before leaving alongside Tempest. After hearing Starlight and Tempest leave, Celestia continued looking at Luna’s corpse before pulling it in for one final hug.

“Everybody… we will… be here… soon…” Celestia said as she coughed more blood.

Her body going numb and her mind going blank, she could do nothing but hold onto Luna’s corpse as her body started going into arrest. In her final moments, all she could think about what has happened and every terrible thing that has happened. But all she could think about was how happy she was to have lived her life and all the wonderful moments that placated her memories. 

“Spike… whatever… is happening… we will… see you… soon…” Celestia said, echoing her final words in her breath.

She held onto her out of love and security as she lay dying. Tearfully smiling in her final moments, she held on as tight as she could before finally passing away with Luna in her arms. The Royal Sisters were no more.
> Mourning
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

An hour later after making it back to the castle, the entire hallway was filled with blood and claw marks everywhere. Inside his bedroom were the various amounts of guards that were supposed to protect Ember. Their corpses were splattered all over the room and most, if not all, were ripped and chewed apart by Spike. And sitting on the bed was none other than the dragon himself. He was completely soaked in blood with his eyes stained by the tears from the loss of Ember and everybody close to him. And all he could do is look at his blood-drenched claws as an excessive amount of guilt corrode his conscience.

“My liege…?” a voice asked as she knocked on the closed door.

“Yes?” Spike asked, trying to hold back his sadness.

“May I come in?” the voice asked.

“You may…” Spike asked, no longer feeling anger.

The creature entered the bedroom and it turned out to be nothing more than a female griffin. She cautiously walked closer to Spike and kneeled before him.

“Is there something you need?” Spike asked, standing up.

“The funeral’s all ready. Your subjects are waiting.” the griffin said, carefully speaking her words.

“I will be there shortly. I was just getting ready…” Spike said, feeling his sorrow beginning to take over.

“I will let them know. Do I have permission to leave?” the griffin asked, feeling nervous from the atmosphere inside the bedroom.

“I only have one question.” Spike said, stopping the griffin’s heart.

“Y-Yes, Your Highness…?” the griffin nervously asked.

“What is your name?” Spike asked, wanting to know her.

“G-Gabby, Your Excellency.” the female griffin answered with a stutter.

“Gabby… I am sorry for my rude tone. I am just feeling a little lonely…” Spike said as he turned towards the balcony.

“My apologies and my condolences, Your Highness. She would have made a fine queen for your kingdom.” Gabby said, trying to comfort the hurting dragon in some way.

“She was everything I ever wished for. Love, pride, compassion… She was everything that gave me purpose! But those filthy alicorns… they weren’t just satisfied with trying to kill me! THEY DECIDED TO STRIP ME OF MY BELOVED EMBER!!!” Spike tearfully roared with flames shooting out of his mouth.

Gabby hit the ground and covered her head to avoid getting caught by the incineration. After he was finished exploding, Spike sat back down and took a deep breath while Gabby got back into a kneeling position.

“Tell the others that I will be down shortly. I just need to get ready.” Spike said, covering his eyes in shame.

“Your wish is my command, my king.” Gabby said before quickly leaving the bedroom.

After watching her leave, Spike turned around to the bed and saw Ember’s tiara near the pillow. Spike reached over and grabbed the tiara before looking at it. He turned it over various times while trying to piece together everything that has happened to him in his life. He recounted all the times he has helped Twilight and her friends, all the times he was mistreated and mocked, and all the other times where amounted to nothing. Just as he started delving more into his mistakes, he heard various amounts of talking outside the castle. Hearing everybody get impatient outside, Spike stood up and opened his wardrobe and started getting his robes donned. After he finished getting dressed, Spike exited his bedroom and proceeded towards town square.

***

In the town square, everybody was gathered outside and they were conversing with one another. They were going over everything that has happened to them in their fight against the undead ponies and learning what has happened to both Ember and Tirek. But as they kept talking, they turned around and saw Spike approach the stage. The creatures respectfully bowed before him. Spike solemnly raised his right arm and the creatures raised their heads. There was nothing but silence as Spike walked towards the right side of the stage. It was a deathbed with Ember on it and Spike couldn’t stomach the sight of seeing her on it. Tears streamed down his eyes as he gazed down at Ember’s face. Silently crying, he slowly bent over and kissed her forehead as he caressed her face before pulling away.

Then he turned his attention towards Tirek’s body. His head was stitched back onto his body and his face was covered by a small blanket. Spike couldn’t say a word about how he felt towards his death, but he felt the same way as he did for Ember. No longer feeling himself able to look at his corpse, Spike turned away and went to the center of the stage.

“Burn their bodies.” Spike ordered without facing the doctors.

But just as the cremation ceremony was about to begin, a blast from the sky suddenly hit the town square like a meteorite. Almost everybody was caught in the blast. There was nothing but dust and debris surrounding the area as Spike’s vision was discombobulated by the chaos surrounding him. He rubbed his eyes so that he could see better, but he couldn’t make out what was happening. However, he could make out the silhouette in his line of sight.

“You…” Spike growled as he got off the ground.

After the dust cleared and Spike’s vision returned to normal, he looked forward and it turned out to be none other than Midnight Sparkle.

“Was I invited here? Because I didn’t receive any invitation regarding your significant other…” Midnight venomously taunted.

“It just wasn’t enough for you…” Spike snarled.

"What wasn't enough for me~…?" Midnight asked, pretending to be clueless.

"Everything I did for you… all the times that I helped you… all the moments that I defended you!!!" Spike shouted.

"So what~? One of us had to pull our weight around here~. Besides, you were an orphan dragon~. You had nothing to lose~. Yet you always had to behave like a pathetic little newt when you don't get your way. Always acting like a hero. And you never had anything to show for it!!!" Midnight yelled.

"All I ever wanted was to be like you. I just wanted to be a hero. A true hero. But everywhere I go, all I hear about is you and your stupid friends. Always taking the credit, always one-upping me, and always humiliating me!!!" Spike roared.

"Then it appears we have reached an agreement. Let us see who truly deserved it, my number-one assistant." Twilight sneered, flying up into the air and brandishing her scythe.

"You will see…" Spike said before forming a blade with his right arm.

The two charged at each other with nothing held back. They have had it with one another and they grew tired of each other's existence. Nothing could ever be said after all the events that transpired between them. Now that Midnight has interfered in the funeral, Spike felt nothing more than unbridled anger and hate towards his former friend and decides to rush in to the battle, ready to end the war and her existence, once and for all.
> Rescue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seeing the castle up ahead, Starlight and Tempest saw sparks of light flashing in the background.

"Is that them?" Tempest asked, not seeing far ahead.

"It has to be. Nobody hates them more than they do each other." Starlight answered, seeing the castle light up.

"We need to get past them without being caught. Although that is easier said than done." Tempest surmised.

"Right. Doesn't really seem all to it though. All we need to be now is quiet." Starlight said, trying to find a path.

"Easier said than done though. There are gonna be creatures and monsters everywhere. Besides, what are we gonna do to escape that your horn is destroyed?" Tempest said, looking into the distance.

“We’ll find a way. We always do.” Starlight said before walking towards Canterlot.

“Starlight…” Tempest said before following after the unicorn.

The two walked towards Canterlot without drawing attention to themselves. Sneaking their way through the streets, they passed by every single creature running through town without being noticed. However, they did hear a lot of shouting from the other side of their position.

***

Meanwhile, Midnight and Spike were at each other's throats in the middle of town square. The former fired various amounts of magic lasers at the latter before he formed a shield from the ooze before grabbing the lasers with it before firing back at her.

"YOU WILL PAY FOR EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME!!!" Spike roared as he charged Midnight.

"Aren't we in high spirits today~?" Midnight said with sarcasm in her voice before charging at Spike as well.

***

Starlight and Tempest slowly crept their way into the castle and checked everywhere for the dungeon entrance. They spent several minutes trying to find the doorway, but they came up short on any clues until Tempest found the elevator linking the upstairs to the downstairs. 

"How come we haven't noticed this before…?" Starlight asked upon watching the door open.

"No time for questions. We need to get Cadance out of here." Tempest said before entering the elevator.

***

Devastation was laid everywhere across Canterlot as Spike and Midnight clashed and fired at each other while figuring out ways to outsmart one another. The buildings were leveled and the streets were set ablaze by their skirmish. All that remained for them was hostility.

"What would Rarity think of you~? What would the Royal Sisters think of you~? A big, greedy dragon who did nothing more than abuse his powers to destroy Equestria~! You should have behaved yourself back in Ponyville~!" Midnight shouted before summoning several spears.

"THAT'S RICH COMING FROM YOU!!! YOU TOOK EVERYTHING AWAY FROM ME, YOU TWO-FACED, BACKSTABBING, CONNIVING, BOTTOM-FEEDING PONY!!!! AND NOW YOU WILL REPAY EVERYTHING YOU DID TO ME IN FULL!!!!" Spike roared once more before turning around to grab Midnight with his left hand.

He proceeds to shift his right hand into a powerful fist and punches her really hard in the face. She was sent flying back into a random building where she struggles to get back up, only to be ambushed by Spike once more. Midnight tried to slice through him, but the Creature intervened and grabbed her scythe before she could swing it. Spike formed multiple blade-tipped bones on his knuckles and punched Midnight directly in the nose while she was distracted. Midnight was sent flying through Canterlot, skipping and hopping as she crashed through multiple buildings caused by Spike’s blow against her.

“DIE!!!” Spike roared as he turned the scythe into a spear.

Without any warning and with the Creature’s aid, Spike threw the blade directly at Midnight. The spear moved faster than the speed of sound and it was moving three times the speed of Rainbow Dash’s Sonic Rainboom. Midnight tried to slow down and move out of the way, but the spear moved way too fast and it went straight through her heart, sending her straight into more walls.

***

Starlight and Tempest waited for the elevator to reach the lower floor and they were incredibly uneased by the earthquakes surrounding them in the castle and its lower levels.

“Just how reckless can they be?” Starlight asked, feeling unnerved by Spike and Midnight battle.

“We’re almost there! As soon as we rescue Cadance, we’re outta here!” Tempest said, looking around the elevator.

After the next three floors, they finally made it to the lower grounds of the dungeon and left the elevator. There were no guards surrounding the vicinity and it was dark around every corridor. But they could see a faint light up ahead.

“Could that be…?” Starlight speculated as she looked at the faint light behind the prison door.

“Yes. She has to be over there.” Tempest said, immediately running over to the end of the corridor alongside Starlight.

But as they were running, they were suddenly caught off-guard by the wall to their left exploding without so much as a warning. Starlight and Tempest looked over and it turned out to be Midnight herself with the spear embedded into her chest.

“Twilight…?” Starlight asked, leaning in closer to see if she was still alive.

Just then, Midnight opened her eyes and looked up, scaring the wits out of the two unicorns. But before she could do anything to them, Spike leapt through the wall and charged at Midnight, causing Starlight and Tempest to jump out of the way. They ran out of the cell and charged towards the end of the hall.

“Do you think you can kick that door down?!” Starlight asked, looking at the locked door.

“I can try!” Tempest said as she dashed towards the door.

Without thinking, Tempest jumped into the air and kicked the door down. The two got in and closed the door. They waited for Spike and Midnight to leave the area before they could do anything else. When the coast was clear, they turned around and saw an unconscious Cadance, slowly dying from a lack of liquid and nutrition. Starlight immediately went over to Cadance’s side and proceeded to wake her up.

“Princess! Wake up!” Starlight shouted.

There was no response from the alicorn. Starlight reached into her bag and pulled out a bottle of water. She moved Cadance’s lips and proceeded to pour the liquid into her mouth. There was still no answer.

“Princess! Please! Wake up! Flurry Heart is safe! She is back in Zecora’s hut! You can see her again! Please wake up!” Starlight shouted, pounding the alicorn’s chest.

The words of Starlight echoed into Cadance’s ears. Even as faint as her voice was, the alicorn could hear the familiar sound of her friend and she could feel her chest being hit. She struggled to open her eyes, but she forced herself to wake up.

“S-Starlight…? Is that you…? What happened to your horn…?” a half-dead Cadance said as she opened her eyes.

“Princess! Thank Celestia…” Starlight said, immediately hugging Cadance.

“Wait. W-What did you say…? Where is m-my daughter…? Where is-?” Cadance panicked, feeling scared for Flurry Heart.

“She’s safe. She is being kept with Zecora and she is waiting for you. Come with us.” Starlight answered, wanting to ease Cadance’s worry.

“I was right to have trusted you with Flurry Heart. We need to leave now. But where is Shining Armor?” Cadance asked, now worried for her husband’s safety.

“We dunno. But we don’t-'' Tempest said before being interrupted by Cadance.

“No. He has to be in here somewhere. But where…?” Cadance said before turning towards a large black door.

The trio looked for a key before seeing an unconscious guard holding the key. Grabbing it, they opened the door and it showed Shining Armor sitting on a torture chair with various amounts of hooks hanging on his flesh, multiple chains and whipmarks surrounding his body with a prominent glasgow smile on his face, and his horn broken off.

“Shining Armor!” Cadance shouted before Starlight and Tempest proceeded to undo his bonds.

After freeing him from his prison cell, Cadance rushed over to Shining Armor and hugged him.

“C-Cadance…?” Shining Armor asked, immediately waking up.

Starlight immediately rushed over with the water bottle and gave Shining Armor some much needed liquid. After he was finished, he asked,

“What happened…? Did they hurt you…? Where’s-” Shining Armor asked before being interrupted by Cadance’s kiss.

After pulling away from him, she answered with tears in her eyes,

“Flurry Heart’s safe. She’s waiting for us, Shining Armor.”

Hearing this and understanding her, Shining Armor immediately nodded and proceeded to walk away with the group. But before they could leave, Starlight asked,

“But what about the other prisoners? We can’t just leave them here.”

“We can’t take them with us right now. They’re too weak to move and the last thing we need are more casualties. We need to leave.” Shining Armor said before leaving with Cadance and Tempest.

Having no other choice, Starlight joins after them and they proceed to go up the elevator to leave the castle grounds.
> Revelation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, Sunset and Apple Bloom, having thrown the creatures off their trail, walked through the forest and searched around for Starlight and Tempest. However, they continued onwards, unknowing of their fate but not wanting to lose anymore lives. Then Apple Bloom asks,

“Does she hate me?”

“Huh?” Sunset asked, confused by Apple Bloom’s question.

“When the Crystal Empire was destroyed and I was imprisoned by Spike and that awful creature, I said some things to my big sis. Things that you should never say to your family when you die. I lost my family and my friends. I don’t even know if we are the only two ponies left now and I feel that I did something awful. I was often the lazy one of the Apple Family, after all. Always shirking my chores and never doing right by my family while goofing around with the Crusaders. Did she hate me…? Did Applejack always hate me…?” Apple Bloom asked, starting to tear up.

Sunset immediately shook her head and raised up Apple Bloom’s head with her chin to look her straight in the eye.

“No. Applejack would never say that to you. And whether or not her opinion has differed on you has changed, it doesn’t matter. Applejack was always worried about you. She would never sell you or throw you out. You were always her ray of sunshine and she died, telling me to tell you that she always loved you more than she loved apple cider. She will always be with you. Always.” Sunset said, comforting the sad foal.

Smiling after hearing the unicorn’s kind words, Apple Bloom asked,

“Can I live with you when we get back? I won’t get in the way of your duties.”

“If you really are the last member of your family, I’ll think about it…” Sunset said before hearing a noise.

The two ran towards the source of the ruckus and it appeared to be a huge wagon carrying three containers. It was being pulled by a large manticore and it was commandeered by two dragons.

“I heard through the grapevine that there’s a huge battle going down at Canterlot. Should we join in on the fun?” one dragon asked, feeling eager.

“Nah. We’d just be in the way. Besides, we have a job to do. And it’s to dispose of these.” the other dragon said, pointing at the containers with his right thumb.

“Don’t you feel like taking a break though? I’ve been craving some rabbits and squirrels lately.” the first dragon said, rubbing his hungry stomach.

“I suppose there could be some around. Let’s have a look.” the second dragon said before jumping off the wagon with the other dragon.

They unhooked the manticore from its chains and went hunting for food. Seizing the opportunity, Sunset and Apple Bloom moved towards the wagon holding the containers. The latter found the keys near the front and grabbed them before giving them to the former. Sunset walked towards the first container and unlocked it. Opening it, they were shocked to see that it was none other than Rainbow Dash herself. She fell to the ground, but Sunset caught her before she could make an impact.

“Squirt…?” Rainbow Dash asked in a traumatized tone.

"Rainbow Dash! You're alive!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, surprised to see the wingless pegasus.

"Yeah. We were told they weren't gonna kill us… but they said we would die as slowly as we could. Where are the others…? Are they okay…?" Rainbow Dash talking in a fast tone.

"Just relax, Rainbow Dash. But the first thing we need to do is get the other girls out of here. Are they in those containers?" Sunset asked.

"Fluttershy and Rarity, probably…" Rainbow Dash said before coughing.

Sunset immediately turned her attention towards the other two containers and unlocked the other one next to Rainbow Dash's. After unlocking it, she opened it and Rarity fell out of the container. She was scarred all over her body and her horn  was missing. A horrified Sunset helped her and said,

"Rarity! Are you okay? What happened?"

"H-He… came… and then… he… got to Apple Bloom's… and… he…" Rarity said in a traumatized tone.

"It will be okay, Rarity. Starlight and Tempest are on their way over here. When they get here, we'll do something about Spike and this Abyss clinging onto Equestria. You have our promise." Sunset assured.

F-Fluttershy! You need… you need to save her! Where is she…?" Rarity hysterically asked.

"Calm down, Rarity. We'll get her out." Sunset said before turning to the other container.

She unlocked the door and opened the container. Upon seeing the door open, Rainbow Dash shoved Sunset out of the way in a crazed manner and hugged Fluttershy who nearly fell to the ground.

"Fluttershy! Are you okay? C'mon, say something!" Rainbow Dash begged after hugging her friend.

"Rainbow Dash…?" a horrified Sunset Shimmer said upon looking at Fluttershy.

"What…?" Rainbow Dash quietly asked before turning around.

When she faced forward, Rainbow Dash was horrified to see what had become of Fluttershy. She was mangled everywhere all over her body. Her skin and fur was torn off, her lips and teeth were pulled away, and she was in a catatonic state.

"Oh no… no no no no no. Fluttershy! No no no no no! What did they do to you!?" Rainbow Dash cried.

"F-Fluttershy!" Rarity cried out, rushing to the broken Pegasus' side as well.

Sunset has seen a lot of dead ponies during her mission, but nothing would come close to Fluttershy’s fate. The only emotions she could feel at this point were disgust and sadness. Rarity and Rainbow Dash begged Fluttershy to come back, but she was so braindead that all she could do was stare off into space.

“...Fluttershy! C’mon! It’s us! Please! Wake up!” Rainbow Dash tearfully begged.

“Darling! Please! Don’t leave us!” Rarity begged as well.

Their pleas were in vain as Fluttershy displayed no signs of attention and speaking. Rainbow Dash turned to Sunset and grabbed her before saying,

“Do something, Sunset! We don’t know what else to do! She’s-” Rainbow Dash pleaded before Sunset calmed her down.

“Rainbow Dash… it’s okay.” Sunset said with sadness in her voice.

“Sunset…?” Rarity asked with tears staining her eyes.

Sunset backed away to hug a crying Apple Bloom’s eyes as Rainbow Dash turned around to say goodbye to her childhood friend.

“Fluttershy… I’m so sorry. I love you so much… more than anything… in Equestria.” Rainbow Dash tearfully said as she hugged Fluttershy.

“Me too, darling. You are… the gem… in our hearts.” Rarity tearfully said, hugging Fluttershy as well.

When the time came for them to let go, Sunset tearfully went up to Fluttershy and charged up her horn. She felt nothing but hesitation as she faced the broken pegasus before her. She cried while looking at her, but held back her emotions long enough to fire a blast into Fluttershy’s head, ending her misery once and for all.

“She was our best friend…” Rarity sobbed as she collapsed on the ground.

“Why did he do it…? We never did anything to him…” Rainbow Dash quietly said.

“But you did. You threw him out of the castle and out of your lives. You think anything can remedy this entire mess after what you did?” Sunset bluntly said with a disappointed look.

“But that’s the thing! We don’t remember doing that!” Rarity shouted.

“Then tell me what happened.” Sunset said.

“It’s simple. Nothing happened. We were too busy to be at Twilight’s castle and we may have issues with him, but we would never do anything to harm Spike at this level.” Rainbow Dash claimed.

“Then how do you explain all this?” Sunset asked, feeling a little angry.

“Wait a minute… it had to be Discord! I always knew that he was a conniving trickster, but this is unlike all the other times that he played us!” Rarity shouted.

“He’s lucky that he’s dead. Otherwise, I would have had the pleasure of turning him back into a statue again!” Rainbow Dash said, clapping her hooves together.

“But if it’s Discord, then how come he’s dead?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Like I would know. But all I can say is-” Rainbow Dash said before suddenly being shot through the head by an arrow.

“RAINBOW DASH!!!” Rarity cried out once again as she grabbed her friend’s freshly-dead body.

Just then, Rarity was shot down by several more bolts before falling to the ground. Sunset and Apple Bloom try to help her up, but Rarity refuses their aid.

“C’mon! We can’t just leave you here!” Apple Bloom begged.

“It’s fine, darling. Sweetie Belle is waiting for me…” Rarity assured as she rested her head on the ground.

Having no other choice and seeing the guards coming from a mile away, Sunset grabbed Apple Bloom and hid behind a tree. The former covered the latter’s mouth as well as her own in order to avoid drawing any attention to themselves.

“You were talking to somebody. Where are they!?” the first dragon shouted.

“Like it even matters. These ponies are dead either way…” the second dragon said before putting Rarity out of her misery.

“I had so much fun, torturing that yellow pegasus. I almost wished she hadn’t gone braindead…” the first dragon said as he flew away with the second dragon.

Sunset and Apple Bloom came out of the hiding spot and looked up at the Abyss-covered and lightning-filled skies above them.

“This hatred needs to end…” Sunset said in a cold, angry voice.

With that being said, Sunset and Apple Bloom continued to walk through the forest where they eventually made it back to Zecora’s hut where she and Flurry Heart were waiting.
> Flames
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After escaping from Canterlot, Starlight and Tempest continued escorting Cadance and Shining Armor away while keeping a watchful eye for any creatures and monsters. Having made it at the halfway point, Starlight turns around to go back to Canterlot. But before she could leave, Tempest grabs her and asks,

“And where do you think you’re going?”

“I have to end this.” Starlight answered before shoving Tempest’s hoof away.

“And how do you plan on ending it?” Cadance asked.

“Princess Celestia said that the Abyss was vulnerable to flames. If I can find a stick and some fire, I’ll-” Starlight said before being interrupted by Tempest.

"It's too risky, Starlight. I know that you feel responsible for what happened to Spike, but your endeavors are suicidal. He's beyond listening to you and you will wind up dead if you face him." Tempest bluntly said.

"Maybe so, but I have lost so many of my friends to the Abyss and it hurts. I need to end this." Starlight said before trying to leave once again.

"You can't do this, Starlight. I tried to reason with Spike, but after everything he did to us… he's beyond reason and you know it." Cadance said, taking Tempest's side of the argument.

"So were we…" Starlight said, referring to herself and Tempest before running from their side.

"Starlight!" Tempest shouted, trying to stop her from getting herself killed.

"Let her go, Tempest. This is Starlight's mess. And she's going to clean it up." Cadance said, looking at the burning castle in front of her.

***

Spike continued fighting Midnight Sparkle and she was on the ropes against him. She had trouble standing and her focus was off from all the fatigue the fight gave her.

"Killing me won't bring her back! All you'll be doing is driving yourself into a pit!!!" Midnight spitefully said.

"Maybe, but anyone who takes from me will all meet the same fate as you…" Spike said before viciously disemboweling Midnight and decapitating her.

After he was finished with her, Spike walked all the way back to town square to continue mourning for Ember and Tirek. Canterlot was on fire and in the middle of collapsing, but Spike couldn't care less about what would happen to the fallen city.

***

Starlight went back through the entrance of Canterlot. She wracked with guilt and sorrow over what happened to Spike and she felt the need to save him. Even if it would cost everything dear to her, Starlight had to do something. 'Less she would suffer the same fate as his enemies. But she needed to end his suffering for better or worse.

"I hope you're okay, Spike…" Starlight thought in a worried manner.

Walking through the burning city of Canterlot, Starlight made her way through the burning buildings and the bloodstained streets. She was shocked upon finding Midnight's dead body on the ground. She felt nothing but pity and sadness when she saw the dead alicorn's body lying on the ground. When she finished mourning, she walked towards town square. After making it to the town square, she saw Spike from a distance, sitting next to Ember's grave.

"Spike…" Starlight whispered as she went forward.

"We were supposed to be happy…" Spike cried while holding Ember's cold hand.

Starlight stopped dead in her tracks when she heard her former friend speak.

"She was going to be a mother. We were going to be a family together. But you always needed to have the last laugh…" Spike said, starting to get angry.

"Spike… this needs to stop. All this chaos… all this destruction… none of this will make your pain go away. All you are doing is digging a hole that can't be filled. I should know." Starlight said in a sad voice.

"Then what do you know, Starlight? You had friends who trusted you, depended on you, and loved you!" Spike yelled as he got off the ground.

"Please, you have already done enough to everypony else! Please! Come back to us!" Starlight tearfully begged.

"If I come back with you, your friends will see to it that I die!" Spike shouted, already aware of the consequences that await him as the ooze surrounded his body.

"No! Don't do it!" Starlight begged once more.

"I'm sorry, Starlight. But for the good of my kingdom and Ember, you and your kind have to die…" Spike said with tears in his eyes before being fully enveloped by the ooze.

"NO!!! SPIKE!!!" Starlight cried as her friend shut out her pleas.

No matter how hard Starlight begged, Spike refused to listen to her. Then the creature took over and chuckled,

"So it seems you have failed. Now suffer."

The creature ran towards Starlight with intense hunger in his eyes. She tried to move out of the way, but it grabbed and tackled her to the ground. Then it formed a dagger and tried to stab Starlight.

"Poor little Starlight. Still trying to find the good in everything and trying to solve Equestria's problems when all she did was amplify them!" Spike yelled as he tried to kill her.

“Quit it!” Starlight shouted before firing a bolt of lightning from her broken horn.

Spike backed away from Starlight and got on all fours in an offensive stance. Starlight, on the other hand, was shocked to learn that she could actually use the energy from her horn to activate lightning.

“This isn’t you, Spike! That thing on your chest is controlling you! Can’t you see that?” Starlight reasoned, trying to get Spike to stop fighting.

“IT WAS ALWAYS ME!!!” Spike roared before lunging at Starlight.

Starlight jumped out of the way and shocked Spike to make him submit. But he shrugged it off and scratched Starlight across the face, scarring her in the process. Starlight had a hard time seeing, so she fired random shots of lightning out of her horn to keep Spike away. But both Spike and the Creature saw through the attack and kicked her in the face.

“Your paltry tricks don’t work on us, pony.” the Creature said as it licked its lips.

“Spike!!! That thing is using you!!! It doesn’t want to aid you!!! All it wants is to turn Equestria into a wasteland!!!” Starlight shouted, trying to get through to Spike.

“YOU LEFT ME IN THAT CAVE WHEN THAT CRYSTAL LATCHED ONTO ME!!! DISCORD MADE YOU STAY!!!” Spike nonsensically roared as he grabbed Starlight by the mane before throwing her into a wall.

Starlight tried to get away from Spike, but he was just too fast to evade.

“Discord didn’t involve me in his twisted plan! I didn’t even know-” Starlight said before being punched by Spike in the nose.

“AFTER EVERYTHING YOU DID TO ME… HUMILIATING ME… BELITTLING ME… AND ABUSING ME… YOU AND YOUR KIND WILL PAY FOR EVERYTHING!!!” Spike roared once again as he prepared to deal the final blow to Starlight.

"DON'T!!!" Starlight cried out as she covered her.

Just as she was about to meet her fate, Spike was suddenly drop-kicked by Tempest, sending him flying back.

"Tempest!" Starlight exclaimed.

After regaining her composure, Starlight took the time to notice that she was carrying a torch and a few jars of oil with her. She had no idea why at first, but then she realized what they would be used for.

"Are you okay?" Tempest asked, helping her friend up.

Spike got up and growled at the two hornless unicorns before getting into another offensive position.

"This ends NOW!!!" Spike shouted as he charged towards the unicorns, filled with hatred and malice.
> Release
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

With ferocity and strength on his side, Spike lunged towards the two unicorns, ready to destroy them. The duo moved out of his crosshairs, but the dragon formed the wing-shaped talons out of his back and attempted to stab them. Tempest moved and threw some oil at the dragon before activating her horn to electrify the oil, causing the creature to catch on fire. The monster screeched in agony as Spike absorbed the Creature back into his body to quench the fire.

“DAMN YOU!!!” Spike snarled as he bared his fangs.

“Uh oh…” Tempest said as she backed away.

Spike goes into a berserk rage and proceeds to charge everywhere across town square to throw off Starlight and Tempest. As they were trying to follow his pattern, Starlight asked,

“Where’d you get the oil and the jars?!”

“I found them in a river next to Canterlot! It was all black and dirty!” Tempest answered while trying to follow Spike’s movement.

“That explains the oil on your suit!” Starlight said as she tried to keep her eyes on Spike.

Without any warning, Spike charged into the area, breathing fireballs and stretching his arms out in order to grab Starlight. Tempest tried to get on Spike’s back, but he tailwhips her away and focuses solely on Starlight. Keeping ahold of the jar in her hooves, she waits for the right opportunity to blind Spike. In his blind rage as he swings his arms, he raises them and prepares to deliver a heavy attack to Starlight. But then she hurls the oil into his eyes, effectively blinding him in the process.

“Tempest!!! Hold him down!!!” Starlight shouted as she attempted to pull the malachite heart off his chest.

After recovering, Tempest rushes over and electrocutes Spike as a means of stunning him while Starlight is busy trying to pull the malachite crystal off his chest. The crystal was hard and sturdy, showing little signs that it was getting pulled off his chest. But as she continued to pull, she saw small signs of the crystal beginning to come off. But before she could pull it off any further, Spike recovered and breathed fire at Tempest to throw her off before swiping his claws at Starlight. After getting back on all fours, Spike shouted as the ooze enveloped him,

“WHY IN EQUESTRIA DID YOU LEAVE ME WHEN THIS THING CAME ONTO ME!!! YOU ABANDONED ME!!!”

The ooze went back to covering his body and let out a powerful roar. It screamed,

“YOU WILL PAY FOR THAT!!!”

“Back ‘atcha!” Starlight shouted as she fired electricity out of her horn.

The Creature moved out of the way and lunged at Starlight in an attempt to bite her head off, but Tempest interfered and electrocuted the Creature as well. Seizing the opportunity while it was stunned, Tempest hurled some more oil at the creature before igniting it on fire with her horn. The Creature screeched once more before going back into Spike’s body to recover. Then Starlight hurled the oil into Spike’s face to blind him before getting back on him to pry the malachite crystal off his chest while Tempest further electrocuted the dragon in order to stun him.

“It’s almost off, Spike! Just bear it a little longer!” Starlight shouted as she was halfway from pulling it off.

As she was pulling the crystal, the Creature attempted to kill Starlight But instead of trying to kill Starlight, Spike held himself back from laying the final blow on her. Tempest continued to electrocute Spike in order to nullify him from killing Starlight. She was nearly close from taking the malachite crystal off his chest, but the Creature took over and grabbed Starlight’s. He proceeded to slam her face into the pavement before throwing her at Tempest. The latter was barely able to catch the former, but now the Creature enveloped Spike for the third time and it was incredibly steamed.

“It’s almost off! I just need to get closer to him!” Starlight said, looking at the barely-clinging malachite crystal hanging on Spike’s chest.

“And how do you plan to do that? That monster won’t let us anywhere near him now it’s wised up to our attack pattern!” Tempest shouted as Spike went into another frenzy.

“Follow my lead…!” Starlight shouted as she faced Spike.

“What?!” Tempest shouted as the unicorn charged at the enraged dragon.

Charging towards each other, Spike grabbed Starlight and prepared himself to consume Starlight with the ooze. Not wanting to lose Starlight, Tempest electrocuted Spike to keep him from attempting to do her friend in. Starlight tried pulling the crystal off, but it wouldn’t budge and Spike proceeded to claw on her face. She screamed as she tried pulling it off, but it pulled fruitless. To avoid being killed, Starlight used her horn to electrocute Spike to stop him. But instead of pulling off the heart, she touched his face and caressed it. Spike was confused by the gesture, but he was still furious and ready to kill her, even as he felt himself lose the will to fight any further.

“You would sell your life for Equestria?” Spike growled as he kept a tight grasp on Starlight.

“No… not for Equestria. For you… for you.” Starlight said in a soft tone as she reached for a random stick on her right.

Touched by Starlight’s words and her efforts, Spike tearfully begged,

“Save me…”

“I love you…” Starlight tearfully said before jamming the stick into Spike’s chest.

Using the rest of her strength, Starlight pried the crystal off Spike’s chest and he felt the shock reach his body as he fell to the ground before being grabbed by Starlight. The crystal fell to the ground with his still-beating heart and it carried a loud thumping sound as it laid. Within seconds, Spike started to shrink back down to his original size. Tempest ran over to Spike’s side to see if he was still alive.

“Spike, wake up! Please! It’s over! Please! Wake up!” Starlight tearfully begged as she lightly tapped the dragon’s face.

At first, there was no sign of life within Spike. It was as if he was dead. Starlight felt nothing but grief as she cradled Spike’s body while Tempest comforted her mourning friend. Just then, a sudden cough came out of nowhere and Spike was now conscious. He was coughing up a storm as Starlight looked at her okay friend, filled with relief that he survived.

“Spike…” Starlight tearfully said as she hugged him.

“Starlight…? Is that you…? What happened…?” a coughing Spike cluelessly asked.

“Don’t talk. As soon as we get to Zecora’s hut, we’ll-” Starlight said in a relieved tone before hearing an evil chuckle.

“What…?” Starlight said in a now fearful tone.

Just then, the malachite crystal starts levitating off the ground and a vortex starts surrounding it. It was violently swirling around and they could hardly see, but they knew that evil chuckle anywhere and Canterlot was starting to get torn apart..

“Oh no…” Tempest whispered as she and Starlight backed away with Spike’s body.
> Dead End
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The malachite crystal swirled around like a violent tornado and it started to consume Canterlot in its wake. Wasting no time, Starlight hoisted Spike up on her back and started running away with Tempest. Everywhere they ran, Canterlot was crumbling up like a cookie and the trio were caught in the crossfire. As they were running, Spike weakly said,

“What happened to me…? I was in that cave… then all of a sudden… this heart-shaped crystal latched onto… my body. It was like… being a fish… lured by a worm… on a hook.” 

Starlight and Tempest were at a loss for words after freeing Spike from the Malachite Crystal. Not only is the Crystal now free and rampant, but they were unsure if Spike was feigning memory loss or if he really was possessed and can’t remember what happened to him or anybody else around him. But either way, he was defenseless and had no methods of backstabbing them in his weakened state.

“What the-!?” Tempest shouted, turning her head around.

Alerted by her shout, Starlight turned around and saw a huge armor-clad minotaur chase after them. He appeared to be possessed by the malachite crystal and it was extremely angry as it roared in its pursuit.

“Are you kidding me!?” Starlight screamed as she continued to run.

“That thing is like a sales rep that won’t take no for an answer!” Tempest shouted while running with Starlight.

Looking forward, they saw the Everfree Forest ahead of them and ran inside since it was thick with trees and the minotaur would have a hard time catching up to them. Running inside the forest, it was a success at first. But the minotaur started tearing through the forest with its brute strength and it was slowly beginning to catch up to them.

“Let’s separate! It can’t follow us at the same time!” Starlight shouted before throwing Spike to Tempest who successfully catches him.

“Starlight, wait!” Tempest shouted, trying to stop the brave unicorn.

Starlight refused to listen and she ran the other direction. Groaning in frustration with Starlight’s plan, Tempest continued to run as far away as she could to get away from the minotaur behind her.

“Just hang in there, Spike! We’re almost out of here!” Tempest said to keep Spike alive while she continued to run.

***

Starlight kept continuing to run away from the minotaur with all the strength. She ran through some trees to throw it off, but it proved to be in vain as it tore through the trees.

“What will you do, little pony? I have strength on my side and you have nothing but that broken horn on your forehead! How can you hope to outmatch the likes of me!?” the creature boasted as it was getting closer to Starlight.

Seeing as she had no other choice, Starlight looked at the trees and said,

“I’m sorry, everypony…”

Starlight activated her horn and electrocuted the trees on her right, causing them to catch on fire. Before they knew it, the forest slowly started to catch on fire, making the forest burn up. The Creature saw this and tried to back away, but the fire was so big that it caught itself onto the minotaur, causing the Creature to catch on fire in the process. The Creature screeched in pain as the flames surrounded it and it had no other means of escape. Having no other choice, the Creature had the minotaur reach into its chest and rip the crystal off. The minotaur fell to the ground, but it was still alive and it got off the ground. The Creature manifested itself into a dragon and shouted,

“KILL THE PONIES CARRYING THE PUPPET!!! I will handle that meddlesome unicorn…” the Creature said before shrinking into the ground and chasing after Starlight.

The minotaur did as the Creature and went the other direction to chase after Tempest and Spike.

***

Tempest continued to run her heart off as she carried Spike. She didn’t see Starlight and didn’t know what had happened to her, but she knew that Starlight would be okay and she didn’t have to worry about the others since Sunset was capable of protecting Applebloom and herself. Up ahead, she saw Cadance and Shining Armor walking further ahead and ran over to them.

“Tempest! Where’s Starlight?” Cadance asked in a relieved tone.

“That one’s hard to explain…” Tempest said before looking behind her.

While Tempest was checking for any enemies, Cadance and Shining Armor spotted Spike on Tempest’s back.

“And what’s he doing here…?” Shining Armor asked, ready to harm Spike.

“He’s normal. But that crystal on his chest is off him now. He can’t hurt anypony…” Tempest said, defending Spike from his potential attackers.

Cadance walked towards Spike, who was having a hard time breathing, and looked him straight in the eye.

“Do you remember everything that you did…?” Cadance asked with a serious tone.

“Well… I remember walking into this cave… it had lots of gems. Then I found this heart-shaped crystal in the cavern… it was shiny. Then it latched itself onto me and…” Spike said before losing his train of thought.

“What do you mean? Speak up, dragon!” Shining Armor ordered.

“I can’t remember… my mind just went dark after that…” Spike answered before coughing up blood.

Cadance and Shining Armor had no idea what to make of Spike’s story. They couldn’t tell whether he was lying or if he really did lose his memory. But either way, he didn’t mean any harm to them and they lowered their guard towards the weakened dragon.

“Well, as long as it’s the truth…” Cadance said before giving him a light smile.

But before they could talk any further, they heard a booming roar from across the forest. Tempest looked ahead and saw that it was the minotaur.

“I hate to spoil the reunion, but we need to leave now!” Tempest recommended.

Cadance and Shining Armor nodded and ran along with Tempest, having regained most of their strength.

***

Starlight continued to run away from the monster far away from the direction that Tempest was in, but she was unsure if the minotaur was around or it went back to chasing after the latter. But she had little time to think on it as she was trapped in a deadend. Just then, she heard cackling from the other side of the forest and she knew who it was. But instead of fearing what would happen next, she became angry. She grabbed a random tree branch from the ground and set it on fire with her horn before waiting for the Creature to arrive. Although it didn’t take long for the Creature to catch her scent and meet her in front of the deadend.

“So the mouse is cornered by the cat! Whatever shall it do?” the Creature taunted.

“Why are you doing all this!? Just what in the name of Tartarus are you!?” Starlight shouted, demanding answers from the monster.

“I have many names, pony. Creature. Monster. The Abyss. But they are all meaningless!!! I have been around for many eons, centuries… I have fought the Royal Sisters, I have fought Gusty the Great, the Six Pillars… I have even met King Grogar.” the Creature growled.

“Quite the resume you have there. But tell me something. If you really intend to get rid of us ponies, what made you become this in the first place? Why do you hate us all?” Starlight asked.

“Ignorant little pony. I was always like this. Seeing their agony, hearing their screams, eating away at their carcasses. Eyeball jelly, kidney juice, liver grease… their pain and anguish fills my life with joy…” the Creature said, fantasizing over the ponies.

“I have fought a lot of monsters in my day. I met a lot of the biggest jerks all my life. But I have never met anyone feelingless… heartless… soulless… and as MONSTROUS AS YOU!!!” Starlight suddenly shouted, getting ready to fight.

“I am glad you feel that way, pony. Because when I am finished with you, I WILL FIND YOUR FRIENDS AND EAT THEM!!! AND WHEN I AM DONE, I WILL BURY EQUESTRIA IN THE ENDLESS ABYSS OF CORRUPTION!!!!” the Creature roared before standing on its hind legs.

“Not on my watch, you monster. You are going to pay for what you did to my friends! FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DID!!! AND I WILL NOT STOP UNTIL EITHER ONE OF US IS DEAD!!!” Starlight declared, getting her torch ready.

“We will see about that…” the Creature said before it got on all fours.

Suddenly, the Creature charged at Starlight and she swung her torch, ready for the final battle.
> The Final Battle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Creature attempted to bite Starlight’s head off, but she moved out of the way and scorched it with her torch. The Creature turned towards her and swiped its claws at her. She received some minor damage, but she quickly recovered and put the flame in its face, causing it to scream in pain as it rubbed its face. Looking at the malachite crystal on its chest, Starlight electrocuted the monster as a means of stunning it before grabbing a rock and smashing the heart with it.

***

Tempest continued to lead Cadance and Shining Armor across Everfree Forest. But Spike started to feel his chest ache. It was like a nail being struck by a hammer and it was hurting his chest. The trio immediately stopped and put Spike down to check on him.

“What’s the matter, Spike? Are you okay?” Tempest asked, feeling concerned for the poor dragon.

“We’re almost near Zecora’s house! Just bear the pain a little longer!” Shining Armor encouraged before hoisting him back up onto Tempest.

Just then, various creatures surrounded the forest and they were drooling with hunger.

“You may have stolen our king from us, but we still have a great meal to look forward to since you escaped!” a dragon snapped as he bared his fangs.

“Not on my watch!” a voice shouted before shooting a laser at the dragon.

They turned around and saw that it was none other than Sunset Shimmer. Zecora accompanied her and Apple Bloom joined them as well.

“Sunset? I thought you were-!” Tempest said before being taken off-guard by the minotaur.

***

Starlight was holding her ground against the Creature, but it was an overwhelming force and she had trouble following its patterns. It was moving extremely fast and all that she could do is stay out of its way while waiting for an opening against it. She tried stunning it again with her horn, but it moved out of the way and lunged at Starlight before biting her head. It performed a death roll in an attempt to snap her neck, but she used her horn and blew the top of its head off to stun the Creature. Then she grabbed another rock and proceeded to pound away at the crystal heart.

“That was for Spike!!!” Starlight shouted as she repeatedly smashed away at the heart.

The Creature attempted to slash away at the angry unicorn, but Starlight used her horn to electrocute it while she continued to destroy the heart. It was beginning to work as the heart started to show faint cracks on the surface. But before she could do any further damage, the Creature started to resist the shock and grabbed her head before smashing her into the ground and throwing her into the wall.

“DIE!!!” the Creature roared as it charged at Starlight.

But Starlight managed to dodge the attack and electrocute the Creature once more before grabbing a rock.

***

Sunset and Tempest defended the rest of the ponies while taking care of a seemingly dying Spike. The minotaur was getting closer and the two unicorns had trouble pushing it back. But they did seem to notice the minotaur stagger a bit while it continued to get closer.

“I hope Starlight’s holding okay!” Sunset said while firing from her horn.

“You distract the minotaur! I’m gonna try something!” Tempest shouted as she ran towards the minotaur.

When Tempest got closer to the minotaur, it smashed its fists into the ground in an effort to finish her off. But the hornless unicorn used that to her advantage and jumped onto its right fist. The minotaur tried shaking it off, but Tempest used the momentum to fly up into the air axe-kick it in the face. While the kick did a little damage, the minotaur was unfazed by it and continued to move forward.

“C’mon! You think we’re afraid of you!? Let’s go!” Tempest taunted in an attempt to get the minotaur’s attention.

Sunset continued to fire various amounts of beams at the minotaur’s face while Tempest went back to electrocuting the minotaur with her broken horn, even as it was focused solely on Cadance and Shining Armor while they are fending off the creatures and the monsters inhabiting Everfree Forest..

***

Starlight was nearly successful with destroying the crystal heart on the Creature’s chest, but she was worn out and nearly exhausted from all the battles she fought. But even as the Creature closed in on her, Starlight wouldn’t surrender the fight and was more than ready to use the last bit of her energy to electrocute the monster.

“You are almost out of energy, pony. What will you do? Your friends are not here to save you, you are exhausted from our battle, and you have no fire left at your side. What will you do now?” the Creature taunted.

As much as she hated to admit it herself, the Creature was right. She had no means of defending herself, no means of evading, and all she had left was one rock to bash the monster’s heart. Either way if she sliced it, there would be no escape. There was nothing left that Starlight could do except face her destiny.

“Break your heart…” Starlight said as she charged at the Creature.

The Creature charged towards Starlight as well. It had nothing but death in its eyes and it was more than ready to maul Starlight Glimmer. However, Starlight used the last of her unicorn magic to electrify the Creature grabbing a rock and knocking it on its back. She proceeds to smash away at the crystal and she showed no sign of stopping. The Creature cried and screeched in agonizing pain as the heart started to break.

"Wait! If you kill me, you kill that pathetic little dragon you treasure so much along with everybody blessed by my essence! You will NEVER BRING BACK YOUR BELOVED EQUESTRIA!!!" the Creature reasoned as it attempted to bargain for its life.

Having heard this, Starlight felt herself stop. It was the final move and her chance to save Equestria. But she couldn’t bring herself to kill the one and only creature that was close to her. While she was unsure if Spike was himself again, the last thing she wanted to do was let the Abyss take away the one dragon that she treasured. She was choked up and was in a defenseless position, almost allowing the monster to get closer. But knowing that she was now out of options, Starlight swallowed back the grief that she felt and said,

"Then I guess it's goodbye…"

With that said, she destroyed the crystal in one final blow. As the crystal shattered into a thousand pieces, the creature started roaring and crying out in pain as the various creatures that it transformed into started breaching and screaming out of its body. The Creature, in its dying breath, turned to Starlight Glimmer and roared,

"NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS NOW… OR EVER!!! I WILL LIVE ON… IN YOUR NIGHTMARES!!!"

After speaking its final words, the Creature turned inside out and let out an agonized scream before it exploded.

***

Back in the Everfree Forest, the Minotaur and the rest of the creatures felt their insides twist apart and bleed before dying all over the place. The lightning-filled clouds in the sky cleared away and it appeared to be nighttime with the stars. Spike, however, wasn't dead. But he felt his chest hurt harder than ever and it wasn't going away.
> Death of a Friend
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Feeling his chest ache and tearing apart on the inside, Spike began coughing out blood while trying to stay alive. Panicking, Tempest asked,

“What do we do now? Spike is-”

“I’ll go find Starlight! Make sure he’s still alive!” Sunset said before running away to find her.

Tempest nodded and waited by Spike’s side while the others gathered around to make sure he didn't die.

***

There she was. At the end of the road. Starlight had managed to destroy the Malachite Crystal Heart and the pieces were scattered everywhere after it exploded. Tired and exhausted from her skirmish against the Creature, Starlight dropped the rock and tries to surmise what happens next. But suddenly, a familiar voice said,

“I never wanted this.”

Starlight sharply turned around and it turned out to be none other than Twilight Sparkle. Only this time, she was back in her original form and appeared to be some form of redeemed spirit with no hint of evil or malice surrounding her.

“But I had no choice.”

Starlight was surprised by her appearance. She wasn’t even sure if it was the real Twilight Sparkle. But still feeling the anger and resentment held towards her former friend, Starlight said,

“We always have a choice. You had a choice before you banished Spike!”

“You’re right. I did. But it wasn’t always that way.” Twilight responded.

“What do you mean?” Starlight asked, feeling suspicious of Twilight’s feelings.

“I knew that Spike destroyed the statue.” Twilight said, looking around the carnage surrounding her.

“Then why did you-!?” Starlight said before being interrupted.

“It was Discord.” Twilight answered.

“Discord!?” Starlight asked in a shocked tone.

Twilight solemnly nodded and looked towards the night sky, filled with nothing but remorse.

“He was the one who had Spike banished. He claimed that it was only a test, but I knew better after all the chaos he put us through. But then he brought up the fact that the Royal Sisters were counting on me and they wanted me to keep my dignity. And he had this idea of making a scapegoat out of Spike. I had every intention of banishing that wretched draconequus back to his home, but Discord promised that he would keep watch over Spike in case he went astray. But I never imagined that it would turn out to be like this.” Twilight explained, looking around the destruction.

“And that’s supposed to excuse you from everything you did to us? I may have been angry and chaotic when we fought each other, but compared to you now… I’m not as bad as you.” Starlight said in a venomous tone.

“I never wanted to put you through this, but Discord produced clones of me and my friends before I could stop him from gaslighting you and Spike.” Twilight said, looking directly at Starlight.

“Even so…” Starlight said with tears slowly coming out.

“It was the most despicable thing we could have ever done to you. All of you. I spent every day wishing I could undo everything that happened. Wishing that I had never accepted Discord into our lives. And wishing everyday that I wasn’t weak. This torment was too much for me to bear and I couldn’t take it anymore.” Twilight said with her voice beginning to break.

Having heard Twilight’s story, Starlight had a hard time discerning the facts that she was given. Even if her former mentor was telling the truth, it still wouldn’t excuse her poor behavior and the way she treated everypony else around her. But even with all that said, Starlight felt nothing but sympathy towards the former alicorn and her mistakes as the Princess of Friendship.

“I did terrible things too…” Starlight said, showing a little empathy.

Twilight moved toward the ooze and looked at it before turning the other direction to look at the now-shattered Malachite Crystal in front of her, which carried Spike’s now-splattered heart.

“I have never chosen for any of this. But the only thing we can do now… is move forward.” Twilight said, looking at Starlight.

At this point, Starlight couldn’t bring herself to resent Twilight anymore. Even after everything that she had done and everything that she tried to pull against her friends, Starlight was so tired of the hatefulness and the malice that was held all around her and she couldn’t bring herself to hate her former friend anymore. With a small smile and a nearly broken voice, Starlight uttered,

“I forgive you…”

Moved to tears by Starlight’s words, Twilight peacefully ascended off the ground before disintegrating into her Cutie Mark symbol. Then it floated into the air and disappeared as the sun slowly started to rise. Starlight was happy to know that she made peace with her friend, but there was something bothering her now.

“Starlight!” Sunset shouted, running towards her.

“Sunset?! What is it?” Starlight asked in a worried manner.

“It’s Spike!” Sunset answered.

Hearing her explain what the news is, Starlight grew shocked upon hearing what is happening and what would happen next.

***

Sunset teleported herself and Starlight back to others. They turned around and they had these scared faces on them. Starlight was equally terrified and concerned about what was happening, but she walked over to Spike’s side and kneeled next to him.

“Hey there, buddy. How are you?” Starlight asked, pretending to be happy.

“Like a million gems…” Spike joked before coughing some more.

“What do you say after this we go to your favorite gem spot?” Starlight asked, trying to be brave.

“It would be nice…” Spike said before coughing again.

Cadance tapped Starlight by her shoulder and gestured to her to say something.

“I’m sorry…” Starlight said.

“Sorry…? For what…?” Spike asked, feeling confused.

“If I had known what was in that cave… if I had just gone with you… none of this…” Starlight said before she couldn’t bring herself to talk anymore.

Spike slowly moved his hand and grabbed her hoof.

“None of it matters anymore, Starlight… you’re my friend.” Spike whispered, looking at her with a smile.

“Best friends…” Starlight said, trying to hold back the tears.

But before Spike could speak any further, his body started going into arrest. He had a hard time breathing and concentrating. He looked up to the sky and could only see the sun’s rays as his vision started disappearing. He gazed at the sun before finally passing away from his wounds.

“Spike…” Starlight said with her voice starting to break.

Everypony shared the same sentiment. Cadance and Shining Armor held onto each other in grief, Tempest was at a loss for words and could do nothing but comfort her grieving friend, Sunset could hardly say anything, Apple Bloom felt the tears come out of her eyes, and Zecora looked down both in guilt and mourning. No longer holding herself back after everything that has happened to her and her friends across her journey, Starlight hugged Spike’s corpse and cried out,

“SPIKE…!!!”

Starlight cried her heart out into the sky as the sun finally unveiled itself behind the mountains and the night sky disappeared. The nightmare was finally over…
> Letter
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

In Sunset’s room back inside the Crystal Empire, the unicorn grabbed her journal and sat at her desk. Filled with nothing but grief, Sunset grabbed her pen and opened up her journal. Sniffling as she looked at the pages, Sunset couldn’t imagine the bad news she was about to tell her friends back in the human world. But bearing the pain she felt within herself, she wrote,


Dear Twilight,



It’s been awhile since I spoke to you like this. But I will tell you the good news first. We were able to defeat the monsters and save Equestria from total annihilation. But that’s where the good news ends…


***

Zecora took Cadance and Shining Armor back to her hut where they heard crying. Cadance and Shining Armor were afraid of what could have happened to Flurry Heart, but the zebra assured the pair that they had nothing to fear. Opening the door, Zecora brought them inside and went to go get Flurry Heart. After two minutes of being nervous, Cadance and Shining Armor saw Flurry Heart in Zecora's hooves. Tears of relief poured out of their eyes as they rushed over and hugged Flurry Heart as well as each other as tightly as they could. It was a teary reunion, but they were grateful to see their child alive and would never forget everything that was done for them while captured.

***

Inside the now-destroyed city of Canterlot, everypony was released from their prison cells by Sunset and Apple Bloom. When they were freed from their cages, the survivors wandered outside the dungeon. But instead of laughing or cheering, everypony cried and hugged each other after everything that had happened to them in the course of the Shadow’s reign.

Starlight was watching from a distance with Tempest, carrying a sad and hollow look. They had contemplated everything from the events they have witnessed, the losses they took, and the scars they now have to carry. Then Starlight turns around and looks at the blanket-covered Spike on the ground. Then she walked over to him and hoisted him onto her back with Tempest following suit.

***

Sunset continued to write to her friend, but her heart started to feel heavy the more she wrote to the Twilight of the human world.


...We have suffered so much. Everywhere we went, Equestria was filled with nothing but death and destruction. There was no other way around it. It was like a nightmare you could never wake up from. And to top it all off, the portal to your world has been destroyed with no way of coming back to you or any of our friends for that matter…


***

Starlight and Tempest moved their way through the forest, which was now filled with the corpses of the creatures and monsters that tried to kill them. The forest reeked of death and they wanted nothing more than to stay out, but Spike mattered to them more and they pushed on ahead while minding the corpses of their dead enemies.

***

Sunset sniffled the more that she wrote and she could hardly focus on her letter. But she had to continue, even if it hurts her more than it already had.


 ...Every last one of my friends were killed and all I can do is just write to you about what happened to me after all this. I mean, it's been lonely without you and I have nobody else to talk to. Equestria will never be the same again after everything that has happened. I have also received word that the Royal Sisters are dead and Cadance has now taken over as the Princess of Equestria with Flurry Heart to be next in line for the throne…


***

Starlight and Tempest have made it all the way up the mountain and entered a small cavern filled with crystals. They gently put Spike's corpse down and started digging his tomb.

***


...I know this letter is going to take forever, so this is where I say goodbye. Ever since the day we first met, I have always thought of you as more than a friend. Whenever I look at you, I feel nothing but the warm sunshine that comes to brighten my darkest days. Nothing will ever replace the time that I have spent with you when I was still in your world. You are everything anybody could ever ask for. Twilight… and everybody else that is reading this letter… if there is anything troubling you, do not hesitate to write to me. I will always be with you, no matter what. You have all made me so happy.



Yours and always faithful,



Sunset Shimmer


Sunset Shimmer closed the book and began wailing all over her desk like an awoken foal. Her tears were endless and she wouldn't stand up to leave.

***

Back in the human world inside Twilight’s room, Twilight felt her heart ache and Spike was concerned for her wellbeing. Her friends were there as well and they were as equally saddened as Twilight and her dog. They were at a loss for words and they had no idea what to say about the results. Other than comfort each other over what has happened to their friend.

***

When they were finished digging Spike's grave, Starlight and Tempest slowly and gently put him inside there. After setting him down nicely and slowly, they proceeded to bury him. Every ounce of dirt poured on him, every last memory she had during the time she spent with Spike, Starlight could feel her heart break after everything she did including the misery that followed. When they were finished, Starlight barely had anything to say after his burial. Her mind was filled with too many of the heavy thoughts that occured while preparing for Spike’s private funeral and all she could do was stare in sadness and sorrow as the realization finally hit her.

“It’s time to go…” Tempest said with a sad voice.

She pulled Starlight away and proceeded to walk out of the cave. But before Starlight could leave, she turned around and looked back at Spike’s grave. Her eyes were thick with tears and she could do nothing but cry. Tempest came back and gently pulled Starlight out with her as they finally exited the cave back to the now-destroyed city of the Crystal Empire.
> Funeral
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Outside the castle of the half-destroyed Crystal Empire during the night time, the rest of the survivors were gathered outside for the funeral of the Royal Sisters. They hardly said a word after so much has happened to them and how bad their lives were after the Abyss took over Equestria. And now all they could do was mourn.

***

Inside the castle, Cadance was watching the entire populace gather outside in preparation for the royal funeral. Shining Armor, now wearing a half-mask, was relaying orders on who would pull the carriages with the caskets and who would hold the banners while walking. But while he was busy, Cadance called in Starlight, Sunset, and Tempest into the throne room. Even Apple Bloom was ordered inside for this occasion.

“I assume you all know why I summoned you here?” Cadance asked in a calm tone.

Everypony nodded, but Starlight had a tense look on her face. The same look that she had while she tried to survive when Twilight was planning something.

“We have seen a lot of things while the Abyss began ruining our lives, but none of us have ever dreamed that the source of the madness was one of our friends. From the moment onward until the end of time, none of this is to be told to our subjects for generations to come.” Cadance ordained.

“And you just expect us to remain tightlipped about what actually happened to our friends?” Starlight spoke in a now-hostile tone.

“I have to agree with Starlight, princess. We can’t just keep this from everypony else.” Apple Bloom said, trying to be the voice of reason.

“Apple Bloom, it’s not that simple.” Cadance said.

“Why?” Apple Bloom asked, wanting answers.

“The truth is not as easy as you make it. Everypony outside has suffered as much as we have when the Abyss took over. If we tell everypony what really happened, it will spell even certain doom for Equestria than it already has.” Cadance said as honestly as she could.

“And that’s supposed to excuse the real crimes that Discord and Twilight committed when they banished Spike?” Starlight asked, starting to feel angry.

“Yes. If anypony were to know about this, it could mean the collapse of everything we worked so hard to build and everything that Twilight and her friends fought so hard to protect would be for nothing. I’m sorry… but we can’t take anymore chances after what that monster did to us.” Cadance said.

“Which monster are you referring to?” Starlight asked, walking forward to Cadance.

“Starlight, think this through. Say that we do break the truth to everypony and they believe it. What would you expect our next move to be? What will we do if they decide to spark a revolution after hearing everything we had to say? This needs to remain confidential. If we tell them, everything we worked so hard for will be for nothing.” Cadance reasoned.

“And what will happen, if by chance, they do find out what truly happened? Not by me, not by anypony else here, or even you. It will not end well if anypony or anybody leaks the truth out. Equestria will be in even greater ruin than it already was.” Starlight said.

“We will deal with it when the time comes. But for the time being, this is to remain under the blanket until the time is right.” Cadance ordered.

“And what time will that be?” Starlight asked once more.

Cadance didn’t say a word upon hearing this question.

“Why all this secrecy, hmm? Are you doing all this to get even with Spike?” Starlight asked in a subtle, angry tone.

“Starlight, that’s enough.” Tempest said, trying to calm her down.

“Weren’t you sad or angry when Grubber died during the Crystal Empire Raid? Do you not care for any of your loved ones? Spike was possessed! He may have lost it and took it out on us, but Discord was the one who started all this! He should be the one punished for his crimes, not Spike!” Starlight exclaimed.

“While what you say is true, nobody is clear of charge after the crimes they have committed against us! And if you ask me, death was the best thing that could happen to Spike!” Sunset said.

“What did you say…?” Starlight asked, beginning to spark her horn in anger.

“Think about it! There is no telling if Spike had amnesia or not. And even if he was telling the truth, we could never protect him from the angry mobs that would do anything to have his head. Eventually, we would be short on options and would have no choice but to execute him.” Sunset reasoned.

“I can’t believe you all. We are supposed to represent everything that Twilight and her friends stood for. Now we have to resort to keeping secrets and making sure everypony is in the shadows. If it weren’t for Twilight or any of her friends, none of us would be here having this argument just like we are now!” Starlight shouted.

“Starlight, please-” Sunset said before being cut off by Starlight.

“If Twilight didn’t stop you from commencing your plan to take over Equestria with your half-baked scheme, you would have been imprisoned or worse!” Starlight countered.

“You need to calm-!” Tempest said before being interrupted by Starlight as well.

“Had Twilight not reached out and rescued you from your obsidian prison back in Canterlot, you would have died! I may not have been as innocent as either of you, but you could have become a lot worse if you were given enough time.” Starlight sneered.

“Starlight, I understand that this situation is the last thing you want, but-!” Cadance said before being interrupted by Starlight.

“YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT ANY OF US, DO YOU PRINCESS!? We need to keep the populace in check! The Heroes of Equestria and Discord need to avoid accountability! It is for the good of all ponykind! ALL YOU CARE ABOUT IS PROTECTING YOUR SISTER!!! I BET YOU DON’T EVEN CARE WHAT HAPPENS TO FLURRY HEART IF-” Starlight yelled before being silenced by Cadance.

“AND YOU THINK ALL OF THIS WILL SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS?!?! TELLING EVERYPONY WHAT REALLY HAPPENED AND PLACING THE BLAME ON OUR FAMILIES!?!? REVEALING THE NEWS THAT OUR FRIENDS WERE CRIMINALS!?!?” Cadance screamed before breaking down in tears.

Starlight was saddened by Cadance’s outburst of denial and had no idea what to say, but she knew that she was right.

“You think that I don’t want justice? That I don’t want closure on everything that has happened to us? That I don’t want to protect Flurry Heart? Twilight needs to face the consequences of her own actions, but how could I? Everypony we knew and loved have suffered enough from the damage that the Abyss caused us. The last thing I want is my daughter is to suffer as we had and I don’t see any other way of turning this crisis. I’m sorry Starlight, but this is reality. Nopony can handle the truth like us.” Cadance lamented in a sad and sorrowful voice.

The door opened and the girls turned around. It was none other than Shining Armor wearing a half-mask on his face and holding a sleeping Flurry Heart in his hooves.

“The funeral is all ready for the Royal Sisters. Everypony is ready.” Shining Armor said in a sad and tired voice.

“We will see you shortly.” Cadance said with tears in her eyes.

Understandably nodding, Shining Armor closed the door and left. Cadance walked over to Starlight and caressed her face.

“I understand your pain, Starlight. Much more than you know. But there is nothing we can do for the injustices that have already been done to us and our friends. The only thing we can do now is keep going and push towards a much better future. I’m sorry…” Cadance said, attempting to comfort Starlight in some way.

Gently nodding, Starlight reluctantly conceded to the circumstances surrounding her and made peace with the fact that the truth must never be spoken. With all that said, everypony proceeded to walk out of the throne room to the funeral held outside Canterlot.

***

Outside Canterlot, everypony was lined in a cleared path for the Royal Sisters along with Twilight and her friends, whose remains were covered by blankets and sheets, which were being carried away by several guards pulling a large carriage. The guards, the prince and princess walked downwards as everypony watched in silence with slight hints of murmuring among the crowds. There were some members of High Society, but there were very few and far between due to the massacres that followed back in Canterlot and the Crystal Empire.

Princess Cadance, who was carrying Flurry Heart, and Shining Armor were close to the carriage that carried the bodies and they had these melancholic and tired faces which were reflected on all of the survivors. Starlight, Sunset, Tempest and Apple Bloom followed behind them as well and they were nothing short of tired. Starlight was especially the most exhausted after everything that has happened.

They walked towards the highest point of a mountain which contained a mausoleum for alicorns and ponies who were of royalty descent or high status. Instead of saying anything, Shining Armor nodded to the guards. In response, they carried the caskets of the Royal Sisters and Twilight and her friends inside where they were covered and buried. When they were finished, nopony said a word and just left the mausoleum. There was nothing more that could be said after everything that has happened to them, but the war was finally over and peace has been restored among everypony amongst ponykind. The event would go down in history as the The Abyssal Invasion and nopony would ever forget the tragedy that destroyed Equestria… 
> Epilogue - Ten Years Later
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ten years have passed since the horrific event took place. There was a new castle sitting on top of where Canterlot used to be. Statues of the Royal Sisters were placed near the entrance of the city. There were buildings all over and seemed as if they were brand new while some of the old constructs were recovered.

Inside and out of the city, everypony was either playing around or doing their jobs. It was a peaceful new era in the land of this new Equestria and it was flourishing. They were laughing and cheering as they played while the others were hard at work.

Tempest walked her way around this new Canterlot towards the castle where it was perfectly restored and sitting back on top of the city. Entering the castle, it was filled with the restored and redesigned stained glass menagerie with the princesses and Twilight's friends on the windows.

"Starlight!" Tempest called out.

Starlight was busy tending to the gardens and she hardly heard Tempest, being too buried into watering the flowers. She barely even heard her friend come in and all it took was one tap on her back to knock her out of her trance.

"Oh! Tempest… how are you this morning?" Starlight asked, hurriedly setting the water can down.

"I'm great. Is Flurry Heart ready?" Tempest asked, feeling suspicious.

"She should be. I had her get ready a half-hour ago." Starlight said, unsure of the time.

"I hope so. Her tutoring will be here in about an hour from now." Tempest said, feeling annoyed over her friend's incompetence.

"Oh c'mon, she's still a filly. She should have time to play." Starlight said, trying to justify her irresponsibilities.

"Ugh. Let's walk." Tempest said, pulling Starlight away from her duties.

The duo proceeded to walk through the halls on their way to Flurry Heart's room. While they continued to walk, Tempest asked,

"How is Cadance doing?" Tempest asked, trying to start a conversation. 

“I haven’t heard from her in over a week now. Sunset isn't in much of a chatting mood either. Especially when it comes to the archives." Starlight answered, unsure of what they are doing.

"Is that right? But whatever it is, I hope it's nothing serious." Tempest said, uncertain about their absence.

"Right. Serious…" Starlight said, starting to feel down.

"Hey, cheer up. I'm sure they're not trying to be mean to us. Maybe they're having some sort of crisis with personal matters. Besides, it's nothing that they can't handle." Tempest said as she and Starlight got closer to Flurry Heart's room.

Tempest knocked on the door and waited for Flurry Heart's response. There was no answer.

"Flurry Heart?" Tempest asked before knocking on the door a second time.

"Yes?" A bright and chipper voice answered.

"Flurry Heart, your tutor will be here shortly. Have you gotten ready?" Tempest asked, wanting to know if she's done preparing.

"Just a second!" she responded.

The two waited while Flurry Heart was getting ready. While they continued to be patient, Starlight and Tempest went back to chatting.

"So what about Sunset? Has she been keeping quiet as well?" Tempest asked.

"Maybe. She has barely spoken much since last week now. I guess it's been ten years since she's been back in the human world." Starlight surmised.

"I still find it hard to believe that there is another world besides ours. Just what is their world like?" Tempest asked in an astonished manner.

"It's pretty good. Although they do have some weird people on the other side." Starlight answered..

“I wish I could go there. But since the portal’s destroyed…” Tempest said before hearing the door open.

The two turned around and saw that it was Flurry Heart, wearing a decently-frilled dress with bows on the skirt. Her mane was neatly curled and tied back in a knot attached to a bow. She exited her room and when she looked at Starlight and Tempest, she gave them the brightest smile anypony has ever seen.

“Good morning, Aunty Tempest!” Flurry Heart shouted before jumping and hugging Tempest.

“Good morning, my princess. Are you ready?” Tempest chuckled, returning the gesture.

“Yup! All packed up, Aunty Tempest! Good morning, Aunty Starlight!” Flurry Heart exclaimed, glomping all over Starlight in the process.

“Good morning, my cute little princess. Did you sleep well?” Starlight asked, being as cheerful as she can before setting her down and booping her in the noise.

“I did! And I had the most wonderful dream last night! Do you wanna hear it?” Flurry Heart excitedly asked, wagging her tail like a dog.

“Maybe later. Miss Hazelnut is on her way and we need to be on time.” Tempest said.

“Aww…” Flurry Heart said in a now-saddened tone.

“Why not tell me on your way to Miss Hazelnut?” Starlight asked, wanting to cheer up Flurry Heart.

“Yay! Okay, so in my dream…” Flurry Heart said as they started walking through the castle.

The trio walked all the way over while listening to Flurry Heart’s dream. It was a beautiful day in the land of this New Equestria. The birds were chirping, the critters were moving, and all the ponies across the land were playing. It was a new age of peace and harmony. When they made it to Flurry’s Heart tutoring room, they made sure that she didn't forget anything before getting ready to leave the campus. As they were about to leave, Flurry Heart turned around and shouted,

“I’ll see you later, Aunty Starlight and Aunty Tempest!” Flurry Heart shouted in a cheerful tone as she waved them goodbye.

“‘Bye! We’ll pick you up soon! Have fun!” Starlight shouted as she happily waved.

Flurry Heart giggled before entering the building where Miss Hazelnut awaited. Starlight and Tempest left the premises to return to their duties as they happily thought about Flurry Heart on their way back to the castle.

***

Somewhere in the mountains, a little pegasus filly in a cloak flew and climbed her way through the rocks before seeing a cave in front of her.

“It has to be this way!” the little filly exclaimed.

Walking inside, she was greeted with all sorts of bats, mice, and gems throughout the cave. It took her several hours with countless mishaps, but she heard a loud heartbeat from across the cave. She moved forward and it grew even louder. On her way, she was met with the ooze from ten years ago, but it was inactive. There were also black clouds surrounding the area and it had a sinister atmosphere to it. After making her way towards the end, she found a giant, mummified corpse of a goat, screaming in agony as it looked up at the ceiling.

“I finally found you…” the little filly said in a sinister tone.

Suddenly, the heart started to glow and all that was left was a heartbeat. Beating and beating as the goat remained silent.