The Elements are the greatest power in all of Equestria right? But wtih no combat experience...
The Elements are the greatest power in all of Equestria right? But with no combat experience. The mane 6 realised after the royal wedding that this not a good thing. Sure they were able to take out a few Changeleing minions, but what if there is a greater threat ready to take over Equestria and the Elements arent available?
It was dark and grim in Ponyville, and nopony was in sight. The sky was painted a Particular crimson color which made a purple Unicorn think it could have been blood. She resisted the urge to cringe. 'That’s weird' thought Twilight as she walked through the market, which was normally bustling with activity.
She looked over to where Carrot Top would normally have her stand, only to see it was vacant. "Hmph" she said as things were getting stranger at the moment. Usually Carrot Top was the first to open her stall, even before Applejack. ‘Was she up early?’ Twilight thought to herself. Maybe seeing how the sky is so red, she might have awoken earlier than everypony else.
She continued to walk through the eerie and unusually quiet market. She hoped to spot somepony, ANYPONY! 'Even Trixie would be better than this silence' Twilight imagined to herself. The thought of that mare coming back to Ponyville was a joke, and she knew it.
Twilight's Train of thought was abruptly interrupted, as she heard a blood curling scream coming from around Sugarcube Corner. “Oh no” shouted Twilight as she rushed to see what the commotion was about. "Wait." She said out loud. "When did I get here?" She was interrupted again by another scream much louder, than the last, and obviously in agony.
She turned the corner to see Pinkie pie bouncing up and down, very much in her Pinkie ways. "Oh, hey Pinkie." Twilight gave out a very relieved sigh, as she was glad no pony was hurt. "What was the screaming about?" Twilight asked completely oblivious to the fact that there was a steadily growing pool of red liquid rushing out of a barrel next to Pinkie.
Pinkie looked at her in a way that was not very pinkie like, and did not respond. The only way Twilight was to describe her smile was menacing and manic. Kind of like how Rainbow Dash explained how Pinkie was acting crazy when they were going to throw a surprise party for her, and she started talking to turnips and bags of flour.
"Hey" she said even more menacingly than her smile. Now Twilight was even more nervous than before. She had seen Pinkie when she was under the weather, or mad about something, but that only lasted for very few seconds and Pinkie would be back to her 'normal self'. But this was different, Pinkie seemed to be just fine with the way she was. It was just then Twilight noticed the red liquid reaching her hooves.
Twilight let out a horrified gasp as she wretched at the sight. She stepped back only to no longer see Pinkie. Instead she saw something else. Something that most ponies thought Equestria was rid of.
An unusually large Changeling, only one thought passed Twilight’s mind about who’s blood it was. Pinkie’s. She knew what Changelings looked like and smelled like, but this one was more than twice that. She almost had to puke at the smell of burning corpse of which it reeked. His size would rival Big Mac if it didn’t have the holes throughout its body.
Before she could react, the beast had her pinned and was ready to take on its newest victim. Twilight had thought to use her magic, but the beast had already seen to that, crushing her horn with a powerful blow.
The last thing Twilight could remember was being dragged into Sugarcube Corner, helpless; along with all of the other bodies of her friends and the residents of Ponyville.
Twilight woke up with a scream, and she found herself to be drenched in a cold sweat. Although she now knew it was just a dream, she couldn't shake off the fact that it seemed so true so... REAL. The dream clung to the back of her mind as she tried to forget about it. This was a dream that NOPONY deserved. Not even Gilda for yelling at Fluttershy.
"Heh" she said. "I guess she really isn’t a pony." But it was all the same. No one deserved a nightmare like that." She only had two other nightmares like that, but she had other things on her mind than how many nightmares like this she’s had. She reached up to check if her horn was still there. Obviously it was but she still checked for good measure.
“Time for the next test” she said to herself. She lit up her horn and conjured a clock; easy enough for her, but not for many other unicorns. She chuckled to herself under her breath, hoping to not wake up Spike, but her nightmare had already seen to the opposite of that.
It was 3:41 in the morning, it was LATE. Celestia's Sun hadn’t come out yet, so that meant Luna's Moon and stars were still covering the sky. Twilight thought of the irony that she was up before her name, but the thought was quickly crushed as her dream came back to mind. In her dream she felt everything as it were real. She had cracked her horn doing some difficult spells, and sure that was uncomfortable and it hurt as much as fracturing any other bone, but this was a pain like no other.
She got out of bed to take a walk outside, and try to cool her nerves. She heard Spike grumbling something about not leaving the door open. She tried to laugh to herself, but that memory still clung to her mind like Zap Apple Jam on toast, darkening her thoughts.
She found herself walking towards Sugarcube corner. As strange as it was Twilight thought, it still felt right to go there. Not a few minutes later, Twilight arrived at her set destination and instinctively she walked to where her dream took place. Sure enough when she got there things weren't exactly as they were in her dream, but they were there more or less. She looked to see where she had dreamt Pinkie’s body to be stuffed, but found that it was empty. Or so she thought.
Just before she closed the barrel she noticed a glimmer at the bottom of the barrel. Only hoping it wasn’t blood Twilight lit her horn for the second time that night. 'A simple candle light spell will do.' She thought to herself as she casted the spell peering into the barrel. By the time she was nose deep in the barrel she saw what it was. A note... on silver paper? "This stuff is expensive and rare Pinkie." Twilight said to herself as she face hoofed.
The note read: HEY YOU! WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY BARREL? OH WELL! HAVE SOME SHINY STUFF! Twilight giggled from Pinkie's antics, only to be silenced by a voice that said exactly what was on the paper. Twilight quickly turned around to see Pinkie only inches away from her face with her tongue sticking out.
"Heya Twilight!" chirped Pinkie bouncing up and down. How the Pink mare could ever have so much energy throughout the day and even at night Twilight would never know. She knew that earth ponies have much more strength and stamina than Pegasi and Unicorns, but this was uncanny. So she just chalked it off as being Pinkie and tried to move on with the subject at hand.
"Why are you up so early Pinkie?" Twilight asked.
"HUH?", asked the still bouncing pink mare as she tilted her head a full 90 degrees.
"OH! Well I kind of had a tiiiiiiny wiiiiiiiiny nightmare that’s all..." Twilight was taken aback not only was it strange she had a nightmare on the same night as she did, but the way she responded could have matched the volume of Fluttershy when she's nervous.
"What was it about?" Twilight asked as Pinkie nervously looked over at the barrel. Twilight’s eyes widened and asked her vague questions, relating to her nightmare. As she predicted Pinkies dream almost exactly matched hers. "This isn’t good" remarked Twilight. "I had a Dream exactly like yours but... you were in the barrel." Pinkie's Mane looked like it was about to deflate, as Twilight made that comment, but she quickly regained her self and bounced in the air smacking her head on the roof. She really didn’t seem to notice.
"YOU KNOW WHAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW?", screamed the pink mare as she was still suspended in the air. "A PARTY!"
Twilight face hoofed and suspended Pinkie in the air with her magic in the hopes to calm her down. Eventually Pinkie went back to her 'normal self' and was calm enough for Twilight to speak again. "I’m going to talk to the others about this tomorrow, see what they have to say about this."
Pinkie nodded and then immediately collapsed to the floor snoring. Twilight giggled, she knew Pinkie had to be tired but she never knew she crashed like that before. After bringing Pinkie back to bed, Twilight though about how crazy that mare really is; even in her sleep. On her way to her bedroom Pinkie looked, and sounded like she was wrestling a large plate of jello. Not to mention her mumbling about getting a ranting old gremlin out of the bushes, so she could beat the Doctor of Video games.
Twilight Teleported back to her home and slipped into bed finally getting some sleep after a crazy night.
Twilight woke up a few hours later. Her dream still stuck to the back of her mind like glue, but the disturbed feeling had gone some time earlier in the night.
The sun seemed high in the sky, telling her it was late. She conjured another clock to check what time it was, surely enough it was already sometime in the afternoon. "Ah hay" Twilight remarked as she saw that she had slept through the entire morning, and part of the afternoon.
Her thoughts were stopped by the sound of her stomach growling, pleading to be fed. "Heh" Twilight giggled to herself "I guess I need to eat." So Twilight got out of bed, and headed downstairs to get some lunch.
"Morning" Twilight said sheepishly as she noticed Spike impatiently waiting for her in the kitchen. "I guess you’re kind of hungry, huh Spike?"
Spike just glared at his friend. 'Probably more of a venomous glare than she deserved.' Spike thought to himself. But he was HUNGRY. And keeping a Dragon from food is not a good idea, even a baby dragon. Spike laughed as he thought back to the 'Great Dragon Migration'. He remembered some of the teenaged dragons and how they would hide food away from each other. He cringed at the thought of when the red teen leader dragon mauled his smaller friend because he hid his emeralds from him. He knew that the dragon was going to have those scars permanently, and will have difficulty’s flying for the rest of his life.
But his thought train was derailed by the scent of Twilights cooking. Cooking came naturally to the unicorn since the two moved to Ponyville. "Hash browns will have to do for an apology" mumbled Spike as he walked his way to the table.
Twilight had already set Spike's plate down at the table, and was well on her way to making her own meal. They ate mostly in silence until Spike finally brought up the elephant in the room.
"Twilight?" asked the now full and happy dragon.
"Yes?" She replied a little nervously.
"What was with the screaming in the night?" He asked getting a little nervous as well . Twilight paused, eyes wide with horror, starting to glisten with tears.
Spike knew what this meant, and it never ended well. Normally whenever this happened she was having nightmares, and that lead to 'late night studying' as she called it. But he knew her better. She was 'studying' to stay away from sleep. Every pony hates nightmares, but Twilights were always very vivid.
"You should really write to the princess about this Twilight" Said the very concerned baby dragon.
"NO!" She shouted, but quickly regained her composure. "Besides the princess is very busy, and doesn't have to worry about me getting a little nightmare." Twilight knew this was a lie, and Spike was right. But in truth she was too embarrassed to talk to the princess about these things. The princess had told her that being more than adept in magic can sometimes lead to night terrors and to not hesitate to tell her about them.
"Alright, but at least tell me" the defeated dragon sighed. He knew this wasn’t an argument he was going to win, and so he would personally write a letter to the princess later when Twilight was busy and she never noticed.
Twilight just sat there for a few moments, thinking back to her dream. How real it felt. The pain, the fear even her magic seemed like it wasn't there when her horn was crushed. "Alright" She said, as she explained the story to Spike. He seemed more horrified than Pinkie was when she told her they had an identical nightmare.
"I’m going to go see Pinkie; her reaction was basically the same as yours." Said Twilight, as she just noticed her explanation had the baby curled in a little ball sucking at his claw.
Twilight could have sworn to hear him mumbling something about finding his happy place, so she sighed and gave him the rest of the day off. Hearing something like that could shake even the most stable of minds. And the young dragon was probably too young to hear something like that anyways. She could pick up the chores that Spike normally tended to. But she also knew someone else needed tending to. Pinkie was shaken last night and she needed a friend to help her through this mess. The fact was they both needed it. Although it seemed weird to try and bring Pinkie's morale up, seeing how she’s morale living in the flesh. "She is the Element of Laughter" Twilight mumbled to herself, now readying to go outside and face the long day she had ahead of her.
She closed the door to the Library and headed towards Sugarcube Corner.
When she arrived she saw that the happy store was busy with activity. Everypony seemed quite content with how things were going so far in the day. Twilight let out a nervous chuckle, thinking back to her dream. How everypony was lying there, dead or incapacitated, in a sickening shade of crimson. She shook her head, and brought herself out of that thought. She had a friend to comfort.
It was just then Twilight Noticed the Cakes definitely rushing to reach all of the customers and keep them happy. Not to mention the fact that they had to juggle two baby foals. "Where’s Pinkie?" asked Twilight when she finally got to the counter to give her order. "Doesn't she help with the afternoon rushes like these?"
"Oh hello dearie" said Mrs. Cake, "Pinkies feeling a little under the weather today, never see her like this before. Perhaps you could help the others cheer her up."
"Wait who else is here?" Twilight asked, now utterly confused. Normally Pinkie would bounce right back after feeling sad just like if she was bouncing on a trampoline in space. Always in a high, good mood, and hardly ever low.
"Oh you know the whole group" she smiled obviously slightly fatigued. "Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Rarity” "Hmm I guess I’ll go see what’s going on then! Thanks Mrs. Cake!" Twilight claimed as she walked to Pinkies room to comfort her friend. Twilight had been to Pinkie's room before. It was unmistakable and easy to find. There was the stairs leading away from the shop, to where the Cakes and Pinkie actually lived.
There was a living area, a hallway to the bathroom on one end and on the other a hallway to the Cakes room. Past the Cakes room was a set of stairs that lead to Pinkie’s room. You could tell it was the way to the pink mare’s room seeing how streamers, deflated balloons and several CD's where strewn across the stairs. The walls were something else. Every shade of pink imaginable was slapped across the walls.
But while looking at the walls and the stairs, she heard a very loud sob followed by a crashing sound and low but comforting voices.
Twilight, now nervous, looked back at the stairs trying to find some comfort in the bright pink walls and party supplies, but found no extra courage as she continued up to her room. She knew Pinkie's current emotions were somewhat her fault, and could only hope that her friends didn't know that.
Sure enough when she reached Pinkie's room there she was sobbing on her bed with her friend's surrounding her all taking turns trying to comfort the pink party pony. At that moment the turned to see a purple unicorn with an ashamed look plastered on her face.
They stood there in silence for a few moments asides from Pinkie's unrelenting sobs, until finally somepony broke the silence. The comment was icy and obviously pissed.
"You..." said a very harsh voice, obviously pissed. The intimidating voice of the mare was magnified from the battle stance she was in, ready for a fight.
'Ah crap.' Thought Twilight,' they know, and they aren't happy... 'This isn’t how I wanted it to work, but I didn’t want the nightmares either, so I guess I have to work with what I have'. She knew this wasn't going to be a comfortable conversation, and she wasn’t about to go spewing out with all the details unless it deemed itself absolutely necessary.
"What do you want?" said the Ice cold voice, never relenting on its’ assault on how it really felt. "We know it is your fault Pinkie is like this" Twilight looked over to see that not only had Pinkie’s mane flattened but she was also turning a light shade of pinkish gray. "You could at least have the decency to tell us why, before I kick the hay out of you." Rainbow Dash was pissed. The tension was quickly relieved by a hoof connecting to the back of Rainbow's head, knocking her out of her stance and with a bewildered look on her face. "Now jus you hold on there, we all know that Twi here is responsible for how Pinkie feels, but don’t ya think we gotta hear her out first?" Applejack calmly said.
"Thank you Appleja-" Twilight was quickly cut off.
"Now let me tell ya that ah aint too happy with what ya done here, but I’m only gonna give you one chance. One. Ah (since it is Applejack) want the whole story ya hear? Applejack sounded just as frustrated as Rainbow, but at least she had a lid on her emotions.
Twilight looked over to her other friends, to see Fluttershy tending to the non-responsive and still sobbing Pinkie. Rarity was standing beside Fluttershy, but listening in the
conversation all the same. She loved gossip but even this was too strong for her cup of tea.
Twilight sighed hoping it wasn’t going to come to this. This was very hard to do, but for the sake of her friends she would tell them. So she walked over to where everypony could hear her from Pinkie’s on going assault of tears and sobs. They had all listened intently especially at the part of Twilights nightmare. Well if you count hiding under your hooves and shaking for Fluttershy. But they all seemed to get the shakes when Twilight went into the detail of her nightmare. The rest of the explanation went smoother than Twilight had expected only getting disrupted a few times from Dash asking questions (such as? Make one example).
By the end of her explanation Rainbow’s expression changed drastically. Her beginning emotions were what is to be expected from Rainbow Dash: Impatient, demanding and slightly accusing; but all these had melted away when Twilight mentioned her nightmare, replacing it with horror and confusion.
Applejack had a similar reaction. Her emotions went from: Cold and demanding, to fearful and empathetic. Her eyes were wide with fear as well as her jaw almost hitting the ground.
Fluttershy now getting out of her fetal position, looked more calm and collected than the rest of her friends, maybe she couldn't hear from all of the shaking and squeaking she was previously doing. She had looked like she was about to say something, but it never happened.
Rarity's eyes were like saucers. Twilight thought she was just slightly exaggerating her emotions, seeing how she can sometimes be a drama queen. But this time her emotions
were pure and true. All the white fashion pony could do was pout, almost incapacitated from what she just heard.
"Uhhh Girls?" asked the now confused unicorn. "Why are you acting so... weird?
Taking a step forward Twilight cleared her throat for what she was about to say.
"Rainbow I’ve seen you angry, but never that angry... Not even when Discord Insulted Princess Celestia. And then all of a sudden you have empathy written all over you!"
"Applejack you always have something to say in a jam like this" Twilight said. 'Heh jam I’ll have to remember that one Twilight thought to herself' (I noticed frequently that these little self jokes Twilight says to herself happen often between this and previous chapters however, Twilight is not like that really. Her humor usual wraps around events that happened, say Spike biting off more than he can chew. Laughing at puns is more of Pinkie’s thing so you might want to take these out.).
"Rarity you love gossip! Why are you so surprised to hear something like this? The two of us only had an identical nightmare, it’s not like our minds are linked." 'They aren’t are they?' Twilight said (again, watch repeating the same words) to herself. She knew what Pinkie did in her 'spare time'.
"And Fluttershy... You seem the least affected by this when I finished, but you were terrified right in the middle of my explanation! In fact you don’t seem affected at all right now!
Twilight was now frustrated herself. She hated when she couldn’t understand something. Her friends, (asides from Pinkie who had seemingly unlimited tears who was still crying
in the background) came to her side, and were about to reveal something that would disturb her to the rest of her days.
"Wow Twi" said Applejack. "We knew you had nightmares as well, but we didn’t know you had the same one!"
The purple unicorn looked up to her friend’s eyes, glassed with tears ready to let free any moment.
"But there’s something we need to tell you." Rainbow said finishing Applejack's sentence.
Applejack shot an annoyed look at her friend. Rainbow knew what that look meant “sit down, shut up and let her continue.”
"What is it?" asked the again confused unicorn. Twilight had a Guess as what were to happen but she didn’t dare hope it was actually true. Whenever she had nightmares everypony else seemed nervous for the next few days.
"Sugarcube, all six of us had the same nightmare last night, we all gathered here when Fluttershy came here to buy some food, but Pinkie wasn't there. So she told every pony what she had learned from the Cakes, and got here lickety split".
"Yeah" said Dash. "We were all confused why you didn’t come when Fluttershy tried to find you.
The timid pegasus looked over at her friends, but immediately hid her face behind her pink mane, and squeaked something about knocking on her door.
"This isn’t good." Twilight breathed. "I’m going to write to the princess about this, this can’t be a coincidence; all of us having the same nightmare? But first we need to care to our friend.
All of the others nodded in agreement as they went to comfort their friend. It wasn't long after they were all surrounding the pink mare she came back to her normal self, which every pony were more than glad for. Their group just wasn't the same without the frilly, bouncy, crazy mare they all knew and loved.
---
After the door closed and Twilight left, the baby dragon in the library broke his façade of utter fear. He had to help Twilight even if it meant she didn’t like it. He broke out a quill and piece of parchment. He knew there was going to be consequences for this but this was all for the best.
So he started to write
***
Dear Princess Celestia
This is Spike your very concerned subject.
Twilight has had this nightmare and she told me about it, I won’t go into detail, but it involved mass murder with Changelings, her, her friends, and the citizens of Ponyville. Needless to say I request you set some time aside to talk to Twilight. This isn’t the first time this has happened.
Spike.
***
He sent the letter off through the window, and sat back down into his bed. He was going to need his sleep after what he just did.
There was a great light and then all went dark. To Celestia this was more than just a battle; this was revenge. But at the moment she couldn’t bring herself off the ground, still mentally and physically exhausted. Her white coat was now stained red and brown from where she had fallen. Her once flowing and multi colored mane was now its original pink and no longer flowing. Celestia always had built up magic in her, but after the end of the war with Nightmare Moon, she needed some way to disperse of it. But now she had no extra magic in her, and her strength was failing her. Her once shining Platinum armor had been cracked, scratched, torched, and enchanted. Luckily Celestia knew some enchantments of her own, and reversed them before the armor could manipulate her body. None the less she had torn her metal off. She hated enchantments, and she could fight better without her bulky armor hindering her anyways.
The surrounding area of the battle field was dark and grim. The bodies of Celestia's fallen comrades and enemies were strewn on the ground alike. Some killed by magic, others by bow and sword. The once beautiful plain was now war stained and burning. With the newly burned ground, the ashes were still flying about, occasionally flying into Celestia’s eyes. But she didn't care. The only thing that mattered to her was her opponent across the field from her. She got up eyeing her opponent, seeing that she had gathered herself quicker than she would have thought. Celestia knew that she no longer had the upper hand, and so did her enemy.
Celestia went to look to her comrades for moral support, but her heart sank when she realized what she saw. Only one soldier was left. One soldier, her captain: Shining Armor.
He had fared no better; no he was worse. His once military mane was torched, and torn off in multiple places. He was missing patches of fur, and his white coat had turned black, and red. His battle armor was also shredded by the onslaught their enemies had
delivered. The purple helmet that he usually wore was dented by magic and spear, and on one side it was torn outward. He ripped his helmet off to get a better look at his surroundings. He was hurt, but he certainly wasn’t dead. No not yet.
But something happened that Celestia did not anticipate. 'No.' she thought to herself. This didn't sound like her opponent at all. Maybe she had heard wrong? No, it couldn’t be right. But it was.
"Celestia!" The voice bellowed. WE GIVE THEE A PROPOSITION, SINCE THOU HATH ONE SOLDIER AND AS DO WE, LET THEM BATTLE WHILE WE REGAIN OUR STRENGTHS.
"Shining Armor?"
"Princess?"
"Do you wish to fight him?"
Shining looked over at his opponent to be, he knew what he was up against. Ironically it’s was his sister Twilight who taught him about his gargantuan opponent. This was this Infamous Lunar Drake. He knew every hostile creature that existed in Equestria, but they never taught about this kind of beast in the guard. For once Captain Armor was glad Twilight had lectured him.
This Lunar Drake looked young, but bigger than Twilight described, he must have been 30 feet tall, not including his tail. Though his height was massive this wasn’t the scariest of his features. He still had to observe his diamond claws, eyes of black flames, and the fact that he was probably 12 feet wide, with a 40 foot wing span. His scales were made of obsidian, making him probably impossible to kill without either magic or a special
weapon of sorts. From what he remembered from Twilight’s lectures, a Lunar Drake was the joined souls of 3 Dragons and the power of the moon itself. Though they are the essence and power of three dragons and the moon, it still only has one head. Twilight had told him all about them: How they fought, what their weak points were, and what to use when fighting them. Shining took a quick look at where the great Dragon’s weak spot were to be, to see it heavily fortified by glowing armor at the top of his neck, slightly giving it away. He looked to be a Close quarter’s fighter, but he knew better than that. All dragons possess magic, and from what Twilight told him an entire battalion of unicorn guards have been taken down by a single Lunar Drake.
He grinned, though he was terrified, he was also honored. He knew Lunar Drakes had respect, and that they fought with honor. So he had to put on the best façade of confidence. Drakes can literally smell fear, they feed off it. This was a battle that was likely to claim his life.
"I accept" Captain Armor shouted across the field. "But first I request an exchange of agreements." He knew the Drake was going to accept, but he couldn't shake that nervous feeling of denial.
A deep voice returned the call. "To the center mortal"
When Shining heard that he felt as relieved as when he applied for the guard, and asking Cadence to marry him combined. He teleported to the center of the battle field, 'another thing Twilly taught me.' He said to himself. He was dragged out of that thought from the drakes heavy footsteps as he walked to the center of the battle field. Not 10 strides later he had reached the center.
The Drake began the introductions. I am Silver Fang, or Abraxas, Falkor, and Saphira; being the ones to have made me. I wish for a clean fight, no curses of any kind and no illusion spells. Everything else is permitted, that includes enchantments. Shining looked back at the dragons heavy diamond plates on the back of his neck. I can smell the fear on you mortal. But it isn’t for yourself... It is for your wife and family. I like that, you will be a worthy opponent.
As flattered as Shining was he needed to keep his composure, so he calmly replied "Yes I love my family, and I value them more than myself. My name is Captain Shining Armor, and I agree to your terms, and wish you luck. You too shall be a worthy opponent.”
Silver Fang bowed respectively. Shining Armor returned the courtesy, knowing this was going to be the last from this Drake.
"This is a DEATH MATCH mortal, I expect nothing more." said the Dragon as they went to their sides of the battle field.
---
Meanwhile....
After rehabilitating Pinkie, the main six left Sugarcube Corner, discussing what they would write to the princess. Applejack and Rainbow Dash argued that they should be straight forward with the princess, while Twilight and Rarity thought they should take more of a subtle approach, they knew not to include Pinkie in an argument like this, because she would find a way to fit a party in there. It was just the way Pinkie worked. So when they came to ask Fluttershy she just squeaked and hid behind her mane. She never like arguing and she certainly didn’t want to contribute to the discussion. So she just listened and nodded every so often.
A about 10 minutes later they had reached the library and were already entering. They all took the precaution to be quiet as they entered the library, but Twilight had told them not to worry, he had literally slept through Twilight breaking all the windows in the library after a spell misfired.
They knew that they needed Spike to send the letter off to Celestia so they entertained themselves for the time being. When conversation wasn’t killing the anxiousness, they decided to see if there was anything new going on in Ponyville. There was always something to do in Ponyville. Surely enough the six young mares found something to do, finding out that a new pony had come to town. His name was Bucksaw, a stocky brown Pegasus pony. He seemed nice enough, but really didn’t say much. He would fit right into Ponyville Twilight assessed as they helped him move into his new house. His unicorn friend also seemed nice, but he was a little different from Bucksaw. His name was Booming Flare but he asked to be called Boomer because it was just easier to say. He had a smiling Fire Cracker for a cutie mark and his coat was a light shade of red. While Bucksaw was quiet Boomer was exactly the opposite, hence his name. Boomer and Pinkie really seemed to hit it off, while Bucksaw and Fluttershy had also made good friends for seeing each other for the first time.
It was 6:30 by the time they had finished unpacking, and had gotten settled, by that time Boomer had already found his way to the bar, and Bucksaw was looking like he needed to relax. He thanked the mane six, and they went on their way.
Not long after laughing at Pinkie’s random impersonations of Boomer doing his classic "KA-BOOM!" They had reached the library for the second time that day. To their surprise Spike was still snoozing away, but Twilight took care of that.
Twilight used her magic to plug Spike’s nose and he was pulled out of his dream.
"Pgggrrhkkhkhk" Managed the now awake baby dragon. "What was that for?" asked the slightly irritated dragon. 'She can’t have figure it out yet. I haven't received a letter yet.' Spike claimed to himself.
"Spike take a letter" Said the unaffected unicorn.
"Wait are you actually telling the princess about this?" asked Spike
"Yes why? Is it a problem?" Twilight asked suspiciously.
"N-No" Shuddered the baby dragon.
"Good"
Twilight had taken Applejack and Rainbow’s advice in being direct with the letter, and got Spike to send it off.
But as Twilight wasn’t looking Spike quickly scribbled a note to the Princess in the hopes that she wouldn’t tell Twilight Spike had already sent a message to her regarding the fact of her nightmares.
But just as Spike was about to send off the letter he burped out a reply from the Princess. This wasn’t going to end well.
The environment around Shining Armour, and his advisory had seemed to completely freeze around the two titans on either side of the small plain. For what seemed like minutes, the two respected warriors just stared at each other. Shining just wished that Silver Fang would make a move, do something stupid. His special talent was after all DEFENSIVE magic. Unfortunately this wasn't looking to be the case.
So instead Shining Armour took the chance to fortify himself, and the surrounding area from whatever the Dragon was planning. Enchanting his armour to be more fire resistant would be a good place to start. He brought his gaze from the continually staring Drake. Ironically his armour started flaming and emitting a red flowing aura, a sign of a powerful enchantment. He knew If he were to make a complete enchantment, he would have to lower his guard, and that’s not something he was willing to give up. Was he planning to stare him to death? His steadfast gaze looked like it could cripple if it truly wanted to. But the captain of the royal guard had some tricks up his sleeves as well.
Little did Shining Armour realise the Drake was building up a spell himself, one that could easily win the battle in one fell swoop. The Drake never blinked having the power of three dragons and the moon, he never really needed to blink and he hoped that would distract his small mortal opponent. Charging up the earth alteration spell he was ready to unsheathe, he made one fatal mistake that almost ended the battle before it began. He had closed his flaming eyes.
This was a dead give-away for Shining Armour, but for a warrior of any lesser combat prowess they would have missed it, or disregarded it completely. He knew what this meant, but didn’t know what type of spell the powerful Drake was readying, but it wasn’t good.
There was a great tremor in the ground, and spiked vines erupted from the ground, splitting the ground in places making for fewer places to move. The only way to counter a spell of this magnitude was to take out the caster, or to cast a greater counter spell, but Shining neither had the time to cast such a spell, or the knowledge. Instead he cast he spell to give him temporary wings the spell would be slow, but faster than his opponents earth shifting spell, if he were going to win this fight he would need all the help he could get.
A mighty roar erupted from the bowels of Sliver fangs throat, almost ear shattering as he was bringing his spell to its climax. An eruption of poison oak trees had erupted form the ground, reaching a full height of 30 feet. The once scorched and tarnished battle plain on one side was now lush and green with deadly plants, trees, and poisons that lay within the conjured forest.
Shining Armour's side was now completely compromised, he was forced to advance on his enemy. Luckily for him, Silver Fang's eyes were still closed for the remainder of his spell giving Shining an opportunity to hit his enemy's weak spot.
Unsheathing his mighty sword he lept toward his opponent, a sword was not common for a Unicorn warrior, but still appropriate for this battle situation. The sword was forged by no other than the fabled Black Hammer, making it a legendary weapon, Priceless in fact. Only a select few knew about the Black Hammer. His weapon was easily 6 feet long, and was 4 inches thick in the middle. Being a guard of the light, his sword had every light enchantment possible: lightning, fire, lava, etc. The list was endless. It had a wide base slimming until one foot at the end, where it got wider again covered in small, vicious spikes. It was like literally wielding the sun its self.
The still concentrating Drake was completely oblivious to his charging opponent building up another spell to surround the arena with fire. Shining armour had reached the back of Silver Fangs neck and gave it a mighty blow with his sword.
The two very powerful enchantments seemed to freeze time as the battled each other in a seemingly infinite struggle. They had repelled each other successfully both flying opposite directions. Shining was lucky his sword didn’t impale him as it flew off to the ground clanging loudly and releasing enormous amounts of heat as it hit the ground. Silver Fang's armour also flung its self-off of his body and wasn't anywhere to be found. He had been pushed forward by a very powerful force there was no doubt, so he assumed that his neck piece had flung off into the newly conjured forest somewhere to be lost forever. Losing his sword was not an option for Shining though as he scrambled to grab his sword diving down at speeds that should have broken his wings. Luckily he was a powerful unicorn, so his spells would have more strength than many of the mages he would ever encounter.
Recovering his sword gave the Drake time to draw his own weapon from its sheath, a massive war hammer, also forged by the Black Hammer. No doubt his weapon came with dark enchantments, such as famines and Freezing spells. A sword fit to wield the power of the moon.
With one mighty swing the hammer was already descending upon Shining Armour. Dipping, diving and dodging every mighty swing that he delivered was already tiring Shining out, so he decided to go back to his magic, and summoned a deflection spell. Moments later after it was fully charged up he raised it at the perfect moment. His foe's mighty hammer came down upon his shield making it flicker but still knocking it and Silver Fang back a step. Not to say that Shining wasn't affected by this blow. He was affected almost the same, lightly cracking the tip of his horn. He came over with a crushing uppercut to the dragon’s stomach, the sword reached probably two feet deep and 5 feet up in his opponent before his mighty scales stopped the flaming sword from going any further. Shining had to retreat before he could make another attack, pulling out letting the spikes do extra damage at the tip of his sword.
The Drake let out a Blood churning scream. "YOU WILL PAY FOR THAT MORTAL!"
Shining Armour grinned and lit his horn setting the dragon on fire with his magic. Most dragons are fire resistant, but the adrenaline in his body channelled his magic making it two times as powerful as it usually would be.
The Dragon screamed in agony and countered by breathing his fire at him. This was no regular fire though, this fire was a black famine of pestilence, it casted shadows in places, like a light would light up dark corners.
Shining brought up the most powerful spell he had ever came up with in his life, mixing a telekinetic push with a sun ray, powered by the souls of the fallen bodies around him.
Both sides seemed evenly matched with each of them pouring their souls into their assault on each other. But Shining Armour was starting to give in, souls were running short on the battle field to fuel his spells, and he never trained in dark magic that much anyways. It only blackened ones soul. He needed to break off. There was no way he could go on for long with a spell of this magnitude. It was then he brought one more huge push gathering all of his strength and souls into that one shockwave spell.
The spell he used was enough to knock his opponent’s assault back, but unfortunately for Shining Armour all he seemed to repel was his opponents Dragon breath.
Before he knew what was going on Shining was gripped by a set of massive claws, crushing his back legs, and sending a howl of pain heard throughout the field.
Celestia had to look away, the sight of her dear friend, her faithful students bother, top soldier, and her newly family being brutally murdered in front of her was too much to take, as she vomited at another one of Shining's screams of agony.
"Ha" Silver Fang said in his deep and evil voice. "You were fun, but now it is time for you to die." It was true Silver Fang never had this much fun in years. Only dragons could bring up this much of a challenge, and none of them lasted as long as he had. "It’s almost a shame to kill you" The powerful Drake laughed.
With a great swing he thrust Shining Armour to the ground breaking almost every bone in his body. But he wasn't dead yet. No he would give it one last go, no matter how much his body screamed at him to just fall limp and die. No this was for Twilight... This was for Cadence... This was for Celestia! "THIS IS FOR MY FAMILY!" The Unicorn roared.
With a blinding flash of light Shining had disappeared. The Drake just scanned the battle field.
Another blinding light came down like a mighty guillotine behind the Savage beast. Shining's eyes were white. His pupil's and bright blue eyes were gone, replaced by the sheer amount of magic coursing through him. In his unrelenting amount of power he cast down a surge of rage and sunlight. The spell acted as a bright yellow guillotine chopping Silver Fangs head Clear off. With that Shining had returned to his princess, who just sat there in awe. No words were exchanged. None were needed. Shining Armour gave a goofy look to Celestia, and then continued to take a nap right in front of his leader.
"Well sister" Said Luna her voice seemingly unshaken. "Now that they have finished I think that we now are to take our turns at a battle."
Celestia just sat there her eyes wide.
In The Present...
"Spike?" asked Twilight. "What's with the letter? I already got a reply on my recent findings on the Magic of Friendship two days ago."
Spike was sweating prohusively he had to find a way out of this. Could he lie? No Applejack would see right through it. All six mares were now closing in on the now hyperventilating Dragon curious to see what this was all about. He could only manage to break down for the second time that day. Except for this time it was for real.
"Ah reckon y'all give em some room ta’ breathe." Applejack pointed out.
The mares all except for Twilight backed off on the now comatose Dragon.
Twilight went to read the letter that Spike had burped up. All Spike could do was stare at Twilight eyes wide with fear.
Twilight read the letter out loud for her friends to hear. The letter read:
***
Dear Twilight Sparkle,
I wish for you, and your friends to come visit Canterlot tomorrow, I won’t get into details, but it involves a very serious matter, for all of the Elements of Harmony. I am sorry to summon you so unexpectedly, but recent events deem it necessary. Oh, and bring Spike along with you. It has been a long time since I have seen him, and wish to speak to him. His ears only for now.
You’re Mentor Princess Celestia.
***
"Hmm I wonder what that means" pondered the purple, practical, perplexed Unicorn, as she brought a hoof to her chin. Rubbing it and pouting.
"Well Uhhh Twilight Umm I think we should go..." Squeaked the butter coloured Pegasus mare. It’s not like we can just say no to a direct summons from the princess, if that’s ok with you... "
"Well if Fluttershy's going, so am I!" Rainbow Dash cried.
"Well Heck im gonna go s'well!"
"Oooh! Me too!"
"And I as well."
Twilight now looked at her friends, she always could see the princess, and getting a chance to spend time with her friends was an added bonus.
"Alright" Said the purple mare. "We'll go first thing in the morning!"
Twilight and her friends had COMPLETELY forgotten about the terrified Dragon in the far corner of the library, when Twilight read the letter from Celestia. He slipped up stairs when Fluttershy recommended they go to Canterlot to see the princess, relieved that she had not sent a reply yet. Future Spike would have to worry about tomorrow’s problems. Right now he had some sleeping to do.
There, between the two royal sisters lay a very dead Lunar Drake, and a sleeping captain of the royal guard. The scene almost looked comical to Celestia, but to Luna this meant war.
Silver Fang was always her favorite, and she had seen him crush entire legions of enemies before him. Griffons? No problem! Diamond Dogs? Crushed like ants. But apparently ONE single guard could accomplish what entire armies could not. This was more than just a battle to Luna now, What had started out as a simple quarrel, had led to this. There was no way Celestia was going survive what Luna had planned for her.
"Sister?" Celestia said grinning. "Are we going to fight, or are you going to surrender?"
No. Luna was not going to let her tease her like this. For more than one thousand years she had been waiting for this moment, and there was no way she was going to turn a chance like this down. A fight with her sister the winner taking rule.
"We Shallst Battle!" Cried Luna over the sound of her Lunar Drakes burning carcase.
This definitely gave Celestia the upper hand over Luna. The light from the fire of the now dead body shone bright in the middle of the battle field. Illuminating everything around her. Seeing as Celestia was the princess of the sun she could see better in the light, and Luna could see better in the dark. And this field was now BRIGHT.
Celestia took to the air, lunging towards her opponent, with speed that could rival Rainbow Dash, or the Wonderbolts. Definitely not in dexterity though, seeing as how Luna simply conjured a brick wall , and Celestia smashed right into it.
There was a loud crunch, and then another After her second blow to the brick wall, it had been destroyed.
Luna suppressed a giggle seeing a large chunk of brick stuck at the base of Celestia’s horn. It certainly looked silly. 'No. This is serious, she is my enemy and I can’t let her win. NOT AGAIN' She screamed in her mind. "THOU SHALST LOOSE THIS BATTLE SISTER!" "THINE'S CAPS LOCK IS STRONGER THEN THOU REMEMBERS!"
Luna let out a mighty roar, Celestia was stopped in her tracks, literally by the powerful wave of Luna's voice. She tried to reply in kind, but it had been a long time since Celestia had used the royal caps lock. At least that what they liked to call it. Ponies around Equestria had taken to calling it the royal Canterlot voice, so they called it that when other ponies were around.
Her voice came out more like a squeak, As Luna laughed manically. "THOU ART OUT OF PRACTICE SISTER!" But Luna was quickly silenced by a telekinetic slap, forcing her to regain herself.
This gave Celestia the chance she needed, rushing up to Luna with all her might, Celestia gave Luna a swift kick to her ribs, and then shot at her with her magic. Celestia knew she needed to stay as far away from Luna if she were to win this, Luna was the superior flyer, and always has been. But that didn’t mean she was better at magic than she was.
Luna recoiling from the kick she received from her eternal sister, and just dodging the magic shot her sister sent her way, knew she needed to get the offensive back. That meant it was going to be up close and personal.
Flying at top speeds towards Celestia, Luna gave Celestia a good whack with her wing, and already had her pinned to the ground.
What came next was an assault of tickles from her magic, and her goddess feathers. Yes tickles.
"Oooh hahaha Luna stop that! That’s not fair!" Celestia squeaked, between gasps of air. But the onslaught of tickles just kept coming.
"THOU SHALT FEAR THY TICKLES SISTER!" Luna countered. "THOU HAST BEEN DESERVING FOR OVER A THOUSAND YEARS! WE SHALL NOT RELENT OUR TICKLES, UNTILL YOU GIVE US THE RIGHT TO RULE!"
Celestia could hardly breathe, there was no winning this, and she knew it. She had been ticklish since she was a filly, and that was over TWO THOUSAND years ago. Admittedly she missed her sisters tickles, but this was too much.
"AHAHAHA" squawked Celestia. "I, eee, SUB, ahahah, I SUBMIT!"
Luna now satisfied that she had won the battle, had relented on her assault of tickles. "YES SCORE ONE FOR US!" Screeched Luna as she hoof pumped in the air. "THINE TICKLES SHALL ALWAYS BE SUPERIOR!"
"Yes, yes that very nice." Giggled Celestia. As old as the two sisters were, they were still like foals at heart. "Now help me out of this Dreamscape."
With a flash of magic the two sisters were back in the Royal Battle Simulation Station. Every warrior in the simulation was there, Drinking and congratulating each other on a good 'battle'. We’ll all except for Silver Fang. He had died a long time ago, During the actual war. The Lunar guard needed a captain for the simulation and he fit the bill.
Each side cheered for their Princesses alike, Even though the solar guard had lost, they were still in high morals.
Shining Armour approached the two sisters as they laughed along with their soldiers, each with a large pint of cider now in hoof. "That was some battle huh?" asked Shining Armour.
''AWE YEAH!" Replied Luna. "Now Celly has to live up to her end of the bet!" Luna Smiled deviously.
"What might that be?" Grinned the now curious Guard. Apparently it appeared that a group of guards Lunar and solar alike were now very curious themselves.
"I now own the banana factory, and Celly has to wear a frilly dress covered in muffins all day in Ponyville, yelling I have submitted to Luna’s royal tickles!" Said the now hysterical Alicorn. The Guards had burst into laughter at the thought of their eternal princess having to do something so embarrassing. "I cant wait to see Twilight's face!" Roared Shining. "Oh! That reminds me, you have received two letters from Twilly they are both in your chambers."
Celestia glad to hear that she had another message from Twilight, rushed to her chambers. This was her favorite part of the week. And she was about to spend more time with her, regarding the letter she was about to send.
Luna watched her sister run off to her chamber like a little filly, who was just asked to the prom, and was going to tell her friends. She knew she missed Twilight Sparkle very much. And anyone who was eternal or close to being so, needed something to cope with their past experiences. Right now for Celestia that was Twilight.
For Luna it was bonding with the guards. They had really taken a liking to Luna when she started pranking after Nightmare Night. They could still remember the prank they set on one of their superiors...
Luna's first big prank...
A few Lunar and Solar guards were hoof picked by Luna in secret. She had been looking around and had seen that the posts that they were stationed at were almost always never used by the public. Plus she could see the guards needed some fun, that station had to be the most boring thing next to being banished to the moon for a thousand years. She seemed like she needed to get to know her guards better. When they told her about their ass of a Lieutenant, she just had to have some fun with him. She offered the particular bored looking guards, a chance to "Get back at thou ass." As she put it.
They snuck into his quarters, and found his armour. Getting the Lunar guards to stand watch, and the Solar to give her the supplies she had given them earlier.
"How big is this ass you speakest of Sergeant Steel Wing?" The Lunar princess whispered.
"Princess, he is an ass beyond the moon." retorted the guard.
"Heh we get it" Smirked Luna. "EXTRA ITCHING AND SNEAZING T'IS!"
This broke every guard's steadfast scowl, and replaced it with a look of revenge and humour. Tonight’s Royal checkup was going be priceless.
Later that night...
Celestia looked around the barracks, the mess hall, and the training grounds. It was a two hour long inspection, and Lieutenant Wide Spear was more than shaking in his armour. He was like a pebbel during an earthquake. Luna could be heard from the clouds laughing her feathers out. This soldier felt like he was dying.
"THOU SHIVERS LIKE A BUZZARD!" Snorted Luna. "DOST THOU FEAR THE WRATH OF THY SISTER?"
All the Lieutenant could do was shake. He knew there was no way to get back at her. She was after all, royalty. This was going to be a long night.
Celestia was thrilled to have received not one message from her faithful student, but two! It had to be a long message on something. 'Oooh maybe a crush?' Celestia thought to herself like a school filly. What she read was a shock. Not only was the first letter from Spike and not Twilight, it was regarding her having aggressive night terrors.
Curious Celestia ripped the seal to the next letter. 'Was Spike over reacting?' No Spike only sent letters out to the princess in emergencies, and in times of great need without Twilight's permission.
The second letter had not only confirmed her fears, but had also listed that the rest of the Elements were experiencing the same night terrors. Identical ones. She had read the bottom note obviously by Spike and respected his request. 'He should come too...' She thought to herself. This isn't good. This isn't good at all, her previous excitement and joy was now replaced, with worry, and irritation.
No one or thing was going to harm the Elements especially Twilight. Something had to be done. And with Twilight and her friends new 'training' that they knew nothing about was a great time to talk to them about this.
With great haste she wrote back to Twilight. Not only did she miss her student she was now worried for her.
The mane six decided that they should have a sleep over at Twilight's and leave first thing in the morning. But this sleepover. was not filled with the normal 'fun antics' like her last sleepover. Whenever Twilight received a message like this she was picked up by carriage. And it would be easier for them to all be in the same place at the same time.
No sleep had found Twilight Sparkle or the rest of her friends that night. 'What was so important to the princess that she needed to talk to all of us tomorrow? What was the private matter she had to speak to Spike about?" The facts chewed at her, for many hours, until sleep had finally located her at five in the morning.
The mane six were abruptly woken, by a smash outside of the library, followed by the familiar voice of Derpy Hooves.
“Oops! My bad!” Said the all too familiar voice. “I just don’t know what went wrong…”
Rainbow cringed, remembering the day everypony set Applejack off, the annual rodeo in Canterlot. “That mare…” Breathed Rainbow. “You may wanna check your house Twilight. Knowing Derpy she probably put a hole through the library.”
“Don’t worry Rainbow.” Said Twilight groggily. “I learned to magically reinforce my house from Derpy’s weekly mail drops.” She could remember the first time she met the wacky mailmare. You could still see some of the holes in the walls of the library.
“What time is it darling?” Wined Rarity.
“Ugh too early…” Replied Twilight. Derpy always came exactly at 6:49 in the morning on Monday. “I don’t get how she can come here exactly on time every Monday…”
Twilight was right, it was way too early to be doing anything. Even Applejack seemed tired that morning. Not saying anything, just waiting for Celestia’s royal carriage to pick them up.
Twilight walked downstairs, and beckoned for her friends to follow.
“Hey Twilight?” Asked Rainbow. “When are we going to be picked up? She must be crazy to be up this early in the morning. Crazier than Applejack.” Rainbow gave her friend a playful nudge. Applejack just rolled her eyes, not paying any attention to Rainbow’s ‘fun’.
By the time everypony had gotten up, it was 7:00 AM. Surely enough the princess’s carriage was in tow. ‘Exactly on time.’ Thought Twilight. She wanted answers, to well… everything, and the princess would have them. “Morning Miss Sparkle.” Said a rather large Pegasus guard on the right. It was one of her old friends who used to guard the restricted section of the library. “Hey Steel Wing!” Asked Twilight. “How’s it going? Are you still at the same post?”
“Well I actually got promoted last week im no longer a Private!” The sergeant stated. “Princess Luna put me in for a promotion a while back, and my superiors finally accepted!” “I now am the lead Guard for Princess Celestia’s private Carriage.”
“I see that!” Twilight giggled. “It appears you have a rookie! I know every guard.” Twilight explained to her friends. The guard across from Steel Wing couldn’t help but blush. He knew that EVERY guard knew the famed Twilight Sparkle on some level.“Yeah we got ourselves a rook here.” Said Steel Wing, head locking the private with his wing. “Say hello Private, if you want to get noticed by our superiors, or either of the Princesses you gotta get past Twilight here first.”
But before the young Private could even say hello, Applejack interrupted. “Could ya have yer famly reunion sum time else? We’s probably as anxious as you are to get sum answers about our little problem…”
“Oh yes, thank you Applejack.” Said Twilight. “Well it certainly was good to see you again Steel Wing!” The six trotted up onto the carriage, and were off. For rainbow it was the most boring experience in her life. “SOO SLOW!” could be heard on multiple occasions. That was Rainbow Dash for you, always the speedster. Fluttershy seemed unaffected by the carriage, just quiet, like usual. Applejack was keeping Pinkie from jumping off the edge every other second, screaming something about the shineys. Rarity was curled in the farthest corner from all of the windows. She was the only pony to never had been on one of these flying carriages, and it was scarring her to death. Well probably not, seeing as how she’s a drama queen, so Twilight disregarded her and went back to her own thoughts.
‘I can’t wait to see the princess, it’s been so long since I have had a long talk to her about anything! But she corrected her thoughts, the matter at hoof is very important as well. ‘Why does the princess want to talk to us? It must be very important if she’s taking time out of her very busy schedule, just to have a talk with us.’
The carriage arrived exactly at 7:30 in Canterlot, always on time, always punctual. “be careful miss Sparkle”. Warned Steel Wing. “I haven’t ever see the princess like this before. She’s been wandering aimlessly around the palace for hours, obviously looking for something."
“WHERE ARE THEY?!?!?” Celestia boomed. “I NEED THEM!” Celestia had four servants in her magical grip obviously scaring them. All she had been saying all morning was “Where are they?” and “I need them.”
Luna was leaning against a very large door frame obviously amused. “Is thou missing something sister?” She mused. “dost thou need her FIX?” Luna really put emphases on fix.
Celestia looked around embarrassed, forgetting she still had the servants in her steadfast grip. “YOU! YOU CHEATED! I WANT MY BANANA FACTORY BACK!” Yelled Celestia. “I’ll do anything for my fix… I need my banana’s”she whispered with her head down.
Luna having too much fun with it, casually brought a banana from around the corner with her magic, and slowly ate it in front of her older sister. She made sure to slowly eat the banana, enjoying its rich texture. “We see why thou likes bananas sister” Teased Luna. “The texture and taste is simply magnificent.”
Celestia couldn’t take it anymore; she lunged towards her sister, screaming: “GIVE ME THE BANANA! I NEED MY FIX OF BANANA!” Legs flailing about while Luna gripped her with her magic, calmly reaching for another banana. This was the last straw for Celestia.
But as Celestia was about to attack her older sister over a banana, the mane six had entered the dining room.
“What in tarnation is goin on here?” Asked Applejack. “Yes Princess why are you acting like a ruffian” Snorted Rarity. “Most unpleasant, especially for royalty.” Rarity stuck her nose up in the air, and huffed. Celestia and Luna gave Rarity a very cold stare. “Oh sorry princesses” Rarity said backing away, intimidated. “I was just…”
Celestia, walked up towards the six. “It is ok Rarity, Im just feeling a little… Short today.” Celestia said, knowing the next while ahead of her was going to be hard.
“It’s ok Princess we all know you are very busy”. Said Twilight, the only one who seemed to accept the apology. “What was it that you wished to speak with us about?”
Luna teleported right in front of them. Perhaps a little too close seeing as how Pinkie felt her personal space being invaded. “You see Twilight Sparkle-” Luna was quickly cut off by her sister. She looked towards her sister, seeing that this was going to be a private matter, and nopony was to know of this yet.
“I think we should discuss this in my private chambers, this is a very serious matter that will affect you for the rest of you lives.” Celestia said coolly. “It isn’t as bad as you think though, so don’t worry, I will release the details to you soon enough.” Enough as those words were comforting to the six it didn’t relieve the tension in the air. ‘It will affect us for the rest of our lives? This can’t be good.’ They all thought, but none of them dare speak it.
With another flash of magic, Luna, Celestia, Spike and the mane six were in Celestia’s private chambers. Celestia told the guards that they weren’t to be disturbed, and Luna took care of the blinds. Once a sound spell was established by Luna, Celestia had them all gather close, in the middle of the room.
“What we are about to tell you is very confidential.” Said Celestia. She looked to see everypony’s eyes wide with anticipation. “In the Past two years we have been almost overthrown 3 times. First with Nightmare Moon. Luna shuddered at the mere saying of the name. Then Discord, who actually succeeded for a time. And now our most recent attack with the Changelings. It is no lie that Equestria has few allies. And that means we are going to need to Brush up in combat once more. The Dragons are returning since the great migration and we’ve already seen what they are capable of.
Twilight looked at her mentor, then her friends being the only one to have the courage to ask their eternal leader the question that had been chewing at them all. “Umm princess what does all this have to do with us?”
Celestia laughed. “Oh Twilight haven’t you realised? The last time we were invaded, you fought a regiment of Changelings, sure the six of you were able knock out one, but they just kept coming an you were rendered helpless.”
“We think what our sister is trying to say is that you aren’t experienced in combat.” Trying to lighten the mood that Celestia had so readily darkened. “We wish to train you in combat; after all you are the spirits of the Elements Of Harmony.”
“Yes thank you sister” Celestia commented. “We have been observing Equestria for a long time, and have come to the same conclusion, multiple times. But not only do we wish to physically train you for combat, we need to train you to become the Element itself. No pony knows this, but an element who knows its true power and potential, are easily more powerful than Luna and I put together. We also plan on helping you with your nightmares, and how to harness your dreams. You will see what we mean.
There was a long silence, but it was broken by Rainbow Dash who promptly asked: “So when do we start?”
Celestia looked to Rainbow and smiled, well I was hoping we could start in a week, but this means you will have to leave your lives in Ponyville behind. Don’t worry I won’t hold it against you if you say no.
Applejack looked towards her princess. “Princess ah would love to help, but what about mah family? Sweet Apple Acres? Ah cant jus leave Big Macintosh to do all the work, he’ll kill himself!”
Celestia chuckled, she knew the Apple family well, and had always called first dibs on their famed Zap Apple Jam. Even before Filthy Rich. “Not to worry my dear Applejack, I can take the liberty of assigning workers to help your family when you are in training, or called out to battle.
“Well than ya kindly Princess! And ah think you’ve got yourself a deal.” The rest of their friend listed their problems, and the princess quickly came to solutions with them. It was particularly hard to get Rarity to part with her shop, but she had done it after much persuasion.
After 2 hours of speaking to the princesses, everypony came to an agreement. They were to start training in Canterlot in a week. They even had their own shared quarters.
“Twilight?” Asked Celestia. “Is it alright if I stay with you in Ponyville for the week? I have some… Business to attend to there…”
“Why sure Princess! I would be happy to! But may I ask what business you have to attend to?” Twilight asked curiously.
“You’ll see Twilight, all of Ponyville will see…” Celestia said with her head down sheepishly. Luna just had a wide grin, bounding up and down with Pinkie as she left the room. This was going to be one heck of an explination to give to Twilight.
There it was, the most beautiful sight in all of Equestria. Few are ever given or are lucky enough to experience the honor of watching one of the most incredible feats in all of the lands. The sun had just been raised. To Twilight this was a common sight, seeing as how she is the princesses Protégé. But the sight still fascinated and marvelled her. She had seen Celestia raise the sun countless times when she was being personally taught by Celestia herself as a filly, but the sight, had always seemed new and fresh to her. To watch her Eternal mentor and leader do feats beyond the impossible was always what Twilight enjoyed most about the mornings.
But that thought was quickly replaced by another. Her previous thoughts about Celestia being the loving, all-powerful, unbeatable force and ruler of Equestria was ripped out of her head by Celestia's statement in her private quarters: "No pony knows this, but an Element who knows its true power and potential, are easily more powerful than Luna and I put together." Twilight isn’t one for change, as it has been clearly shown. It was bad enough that she had witnessed Celestia being defeated in single combat firsthoof during her brothers wedding. But to add the fact that one single Element could be more powerful than the Two Eternal Sisters, who originally brought Harmony to Equestria was too much for anypony to hear, even for a brilliant scholar such as herself.
Celestia, noticed her purple little friend was blankly staring at her with her mouth open, perhaps slightly drooling. Just slightly... She walked up to her from the balcony entering Twilights room. Celestia never considered Twilight to be one of her subjects, more like her sister and or best friend. Perhaps too much like a sister in a way, for a while they actually had a rivalry! Oh how she longed to just be Twilight's friend not her eternal mentor and princess. She only wished to see her subjects like another pony, an equal. Not some high end, stuck up fancy shmancy pants.
She had dreamed of such things, dreams do have a tie with reality, and being the eternal princess of the sun has its bonus perks. Seeing into her own future was definitely one of them. She just had no control over when they were, or what they were. They could be a complete anecdote or they could be something of great importance. Celestia had slowly learned to record everything she dreamed after the past three invasion's that had occurred in Equestria. 'But enough of those thoughts' she said to herself. 'My FRIEND looks like she has zoned out. And the look on her face is going to be given to me many more times today... By basically everypony in Ponyville.' Celestia shuddered at the thought. This was going to suck.
"Twilight?" Celestia asked, hoping to bring her out of her trance, and her sisters "Vengence" as she called it out of her mind.
The mare's ears, eyes, mouth and pretty much every muscle in he face responded to the princesses call, as she bounced out her trance in a Pinkie Pie like manner. "Huh?Yesprincess?Whatisit?Areyouhungry?WasIStaring?ImsorryPrincess!"Twilight said in one big blur of words.
The words took a few moments to process what her Unicorn friend had just said in her head. seeing as how they were all in one big slur of words Twilight obviously had something on her mind. "Twilight?" Asked the princess again hoping to receive a calmer answer this time.
"Princess"? Twilight now asked very confused. Celestia had always seemed so calm and collected whenever she was with her, now she seemed tense nervous and uncomfortable. Sweating underneath her own skin so to speak.
Celesta collected herself she hadn’t done this in a thousand years and it wasn’t easy then, and it will certainly not be easy now. Especially because Twilight’s reaction was going to be much different from one of her 'closer' generals reaction In the war of the Nightmare. "First thank you Twilight for letting me stay in your home, and not trying to treat me like I am anything special.
Twilight looked sheepishly towards her princes and quickly threw a book aptly named 'How To Entertain Royalty' in the fire place letting the book burn. 'Hopefully she won’t notice...' Twilight thought to herself.
"In saying that Twilight I am afraid I am going to ask something of you. I know it will be hard, but I hope we can overcome this." Celestia now said pawing the floor with her royal hoof obviously nervous about asking her next question. 'pfft royalty can take the boot for all I care' Celestia thought to herself trying to keep a cool head. 'Is it getting hot in here? i wonder if im heating the room with my magic. I need a Banana... NO TOPIC AT HOOF, CLIMATE AND WIERD BANANA THING LATER. Celestia shook her head violently, somewhat regaining herself.
"Twilight Ever since you were a filly I saw you more than just as my Protégé or faithful student. No I saw you more as a friend Twilight, a SISTER." Celestia really put emphasis on sister. Probably too much as Twilight was now unconscious on the floor. 'Well that could have gone better.' She thought to herself. Picking Twilight up with her magic and tucking her into her bed.
"They don’t make thou like they used to sister." Stated Luna leaning against the door frame of Twilights balcony door.
Celestia jumped two feet in the air and screed like a filly getting tickled. She turned around to see her sister enjoying yet ANOTHER banana. Celestia's usually flowing mane was now frazzled from the scare she just received (and of course from her withdrawal from banana's). "What are you doing here sister?"
"Making sure that thou lives up to the end of the bargain."
Authors note: While I was writing this chapter and about Big Mac an idea struck me like a baseball bat, and made me stop writing to think about how great of a fic would be involving Big Mac beating the tar out of a bunch of elite guards. So I may just do that. Tell me what you guys think of the story idea!
"Making sure that thou lives up to the end of the bargain."
Luna smiled, this wasn’t a genuine smile though, this was a very malicious smile, ready for what the day had to bring. Today was going to be a glorious day, victorious to say the least, and Luna was shivering in the excitement. For more than a thousand years Celestia hadn’t been pranked by her sister and the same for Luna. Celestia was goin to get back at her oh she was going to taste sweet, sweet revenge. But unfortunately for Celestia that day wasn’t today, today was her moment of embarrassment.
"This is no bargain sister." Celestia said coldly. "You cheated, and you very well know that." Celestia thought back to the simulated battle not 2 days ago. How cold and real the atmosphere seemed. How the battle was supposed to be a serious battle simulation for the guards and the two princesses. But Luna never really liked being very serious if it didn't call for it. 'She was always less mature?' Celestia thought to herself. well there was that one time... 'NO. NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO THINK OF THAT'. So Celestia just managed a sigh knowing that she was going to have to live this through, And explain to everypony... Especially Twilight. Celestia looked over to the still unconscious mare, passed out in her bed "I am going to have one heck of a time explaining this to her."
"Thou should get ready." Twilight and the rest of Ponyville await. Luna teased. "Oh and Sister?" Luna said behind her back. "Make sure Twilight is there. We wouldn’t want thy sister's faithful student to miss thy royal pranks.
Celestia shuddered a what she had to do. Her student was far too... she wasn't ready for... The fact was Twilight was ready for what the world had to throw at her. It didn't mean Celestia was going to like it but those were the facts. She wanted to see the young filly that Twilight was so many years ago. A sweet, innocent, eager to learn filly who had never seen combat or many hardships, she wanted to see that one last time... Once more before Celestia was going to show her combat side to Twilight and her friends, as much as she didn’t like it she was going to have to experience the combat side of Twilight and her friends as well.
"Sister? One last thing." Celestia said as Luna unfurled her wings readying for take-off. Why a Muffin costume? Not to be suggestive or anything, but why not go as far as a lingerie costume? What is so weird with muffins in Ponyville? And are REAL muffins sewn on the costume seriously necessary?"
"Trust us sister, thou costume is only temporary, that does not mean thou gets to take it off though. You will see my reason's when you are frolicking around in Ponyville yelling about thine superior tickles." Luna winked at her sister. One word of advice sister."
Celestia raised her eyebrows, and responded. "Hmm?".
"Beware the muffin queen." Luna said as she took flight into the morning sky. She left her sister to her thoughts. She didn’t know who the muffin queen Really is, and Luna knew it. Ponies were just waking from their slumber by the welcoming sunlight that illuminated their sky. "Pony feathers!" Luna screeched in mid-flight. She had forgot to put up her disguise so she wouldn’t be mobbed by the villagers all day. The disguise was easy enough to perform for a masterful mage such as herself, but it was a long, loud and very flashy spell, so Luna needed a place to hide while preforming it. She needed to think quickly as she was already becoming noticed by the villagers of Ponyville while she thought to herself flying idly.
"Sweet Apple Acres shall do the trick." Luna said to herself as she flew at top speed towards just there.
She arrived not 45 seconds later at the family farm. She had always been the top flyer of Equestria in her time, and being on the moon had definitely gave her some time for practice and new and definitely dangerous tricks. Good thing she is Immortal otherwise she wouldn’t have survived some of the... Craters in the moon that she had created. Heck She was the new instructor or the Wonderbolts during their next season.
"Ok, nice and quiet here." Said Luna completely oblivious to the burley red work pony behind her. "Just need to set thy mind on the figure and..."
"Well howdy there princess what can ah do yer for?" Came the massive and deep voice behind her, making her jump. She quickly turned around and jabbed at the first thing she saw. What she hit felt like a rock a massive bolder, but no. It was just the still standing red farm pony looking confused.
"Ah reckon ah scared you sorry bout that Princess, but yer kind of standing right on our flower beds that Applebloom just made yesterday. Ah think she would be a might upset if she were to find her garden so riled up and such." Big Macintosh didn't even flinch when Luna had struck him. Applejack had done it enough times that he was used to it, and the farm made him strong. Stronger than most of the Elite guards, but that is a story for another time.
"How is thou still standing? Thy jabs has knocked over four guards at once before with less force!" Luna hated to admit it but she wanted his stallion on her guard so bad it wasn’t even funny. His hilt he is wearing had to at least weigh twice as much as the armor of the guard, plus what he is carrying: a 10 foot carriage full of apples.
"Ah guess im stronger than ah look." Big mac said blushing, but his red coat concealed it nicely. "Oh Where are mah manners, wold you like to come in for breakfast?"
Luna pondered on the respect and courtesy so freely given by a pony that she had just struck. Any lesser pony certainly would have their chests caved in from a strike like that. "Ummm That would be lovely???"
"Big Macintosh" He said reading her mind. Me ad mah sister Applejack run Sweet Apple Acres here. Well I guess its gonna be me and some hired muscle to help along due to her trainin..."
"So thou knowest of Applejack's Upcoming endeavours?" Luna asked suspiciously.
"Eeeyup."
The rest of the morning went smoothly, asides from Applebloom constantly staring at the princess in awe. Luna was welcomed in their house with welcome arms. She truthfully felt more at home here than in Canterlot here she was treated like a member of the family, and was even joining in on a few jokes at the table, some even to her expense! She didn’t mind though, it was an excellent change of pace. Few knew it, but Luna and Celestia hated being treated like royalty they only wanted to be treated like regular ponies most times.
Luna had definitely made sure that the entire Apple family was going to see Celestia 'show' this afternoon. and after some more conversation she was off to gather the rest of the Elements to see Celestia.
There Celestia was. Pacing there in the middle of the Ponyville library practically hyperventilating for what she was about to do. Her mind was racing at a million miles a minute and wasn't about to slow down. "This is crazy! Who is the muffin queen? What did Luna mean about the costume being temporary." Celestia thought out loud, bringing a hoof to her chin. "Well... I might as well get this done with!"
Celestia in her full muffin uniform creaked the door open in a very Fluttershy esque manner. 'No pony in sight that’s a good thing right?' That’s what Celestia thought as she was leaving the library heading towards Sugarcube Corner. But as she reached Sugarcube Corner Ponies started to appear.
Celestia was forced to do it. A deal was a deal, and if Luna was to lose the battle Celestia had something much worse for her planned. It was only fair...
Celestia was now trotting down the street about to yell her one line, that would make the entire scene more bizarre. 'well now was good a time as any!' Celestia thought to herself.
"I HAVE SUBMITTED TO LUNA'S ROYAL TICKLES!" The ponies around sugar cube corner were already laughing their flanks off. he had yet to face the mane six. "I HAVE SUBMITTED TO LUNA'S ROYAL TICKLES!" she bellowed again, this time louder.
After about 15 minutes of running around Ponyville seeing almost everypony who lived there literally rolling on the ground laughing, something happened to Celestia that she did not expect. From the clouds she was sure to hear the word: "Muffins!" but only could hope that it was a weather pony like Cloud Kicker, or Blossomforth. Nope it was Derpy.
Before Celestia could react Derpy had already attacked the princess eating the muffins literally off her. Celestia was more than surprised by the wall eyed mares accuracy for muffins while she swooped Celestia to the ground and proceeded to eat the muffins off of Celestia’s stomach.
As all the ponies in Ponyville were laughing their flanks off including the mane six (except Fluttershy who had a stern look about her) Shining Armour was even in attendance.
Celestia had to gasp for air. Not only was she embarrassed beyond belief, she was being tickled by Derpy as she continued to eat the many muffins sewn onto her costume.
The something happened that no pony expected. Not in a thousand years.
"STOP IT!" Screamed Fluttershy in the voice she used to tame the dragon sleeping in Equestria. "LISTEN HERE! THIS HAS TO BE THE MOST EMBARRASING THING EVER FOR THE PRINCESS AND I DONT THINK YOU ARE HELPING BY LAUGHING AT HER! Fluttershy screamed at them, now flying to the middle of the crowd. The stare was being released to all the ponies now. All in a trance of fear, They had NEVER seen Fluttershy like this. Even Derpy seemed to be out of her muffin trance. "NOW EVERY PONY LEAVE! GIVE THE PRINCESS SOME ROOM TO BREATH!
Everypony quickly fled the scene all in terror rom the meek Pegasus before them. Celestia's costume was now gone, Derpy had literally ate the entire thing. Celesta looked over to the mane six, Luna and spike who were the only ones remaining from Fluttershy's wrath. She seemed to be lecturing them, something about being more kind to people's feelings. Luna seemed the most resilient to Fluttershy's lecture but she still got the picture. Fluttershy certainly was the Element of kindness there was no doubt there.
All in all though Fluttershy had calmed down after her rant, and invited everyone (Spike, Luna, Celestia and the mane six) to her cottage for some quiet time. The rest of the day was quiet and nice. Everypony seemed to learn something about each other, and Celestia had that talk with Spike, telling him not to worry, his secret was safe with her and that he would be staying with her in Canterlot While Twilight was in training. Today was a great day but this great day was taken for granted.
"OH Please don’t tell me we have to live in... THERE!" Wined Rarity. As the mane six were escorted to their military quarters by a handful of guards. It was true, The cabin that the mane six would be staying in kind of sucked, even by Applejack's standards. It was run down, saggy in spots and even had a few holes in the roof. The inside of the cabin consisted of three rooms. The tiny bathroom, (Which they would all have to learn to share, mostly to Rarity's dismay.) A living quarters where the heat would be coming from: A fire stove. And then there was the sleeping quarters all in the same room. This had emitted "The worst possible thing!" from Rarity a number of times.
"We'll I aint complainin, but why in the world did the princess assign us this to this cabin?" Applejack asked her eyebrows raising walking towards the guards, somewhat intimidating the them. Applejack is the biggest pony of the mane six, almost reaching the size of the standard male guard. Plus she's and Earth Pony, and Earth Ponies have untold strength.
The guards who were either brave enough, stupid enough, or were rookies had followed them to their so called house. It was just the two rookies in the end. To all of the guard: Lunar or Solar alike, escorting The Elements Of Harmony was like escorting the Two eternal sisters themselves. They wielded untold power and were not only respected for that, but feared. Now almost on their haunches, one of the bolder rookies (Who was still trembling beneath his armour.) Nervously replied. "Th-The princess, thought it would help further your training miss! You honestly d-don't expect to be living in a mansion if you are fighting things like Widego's.
"Yes thank you sirs. you are dismissed." Twilight said giving a look to her friends that told them not say anything. The guards bowed their heads out of fear and respect of the mane six (maybe not Rarity but all them same... Mostly.)
"Oh just one more thing." The guard said quickly as he was leaving the doorway, obviously afraid to carry out his next order. "Youarenottofixyourhouseinanywayshapeorformgottagobye!"
There was a long silence among the six friends. Rarity's left eye couldn't stop twitching.
"I don’t think It’s all that bad girls." Commented Fluttershy after the guards had left breaking the strange silence. "When I crashed down from Cloudsdale I had nowhere to live, until Rainbow Dash found me three days later."
This caused a blush from Rainbow. Fluttershy didn’t know it, but those three days were the loneliest days of Rainbow's life. Fluttershy had been her only true friend when they were kids, all the others were either massive jerks like Skyscraper and his gang, or were drama queens who hated her because she was better than them. Always.
Applejack saw her opportunity to give her input, if Fluttershy was brave enough to break the silence the least she could do was keep the conversation going. Moral was going to be needed, and Celestia knows how much Rarity is going to fussy things up in the first while.
"Well heck, it aint gonna be as bad as livin in the barn when me and Big Mac had to rebuild our house from the Parasprites a while back." Applejack said re-enforcing Fluttershy's point, also hoping to build some much needed moral for the days to come.
Rarity would have none of it though, all she could do was hyperventilate. Rarity wasn’t going to make it easy for her friends. 'Hopefully Celestia will Straighten that out...' They all thought it, but none dare say it.
"This is going to be a long two months of boot." Commented Twilight flatly.
"Just wait until our SPECIAL ELEMENTAL training!" Chirped Pinkie. That meant an extra four months of training... Everypony thought. Pinkie was actually excited for her special training She is after all the element of laughter, and what could be more fun than spreading that?
Twilight was right though, the next six months of training are going to be the hardest thing they have ever experienced, or so they thought...
The sound of DJ Pon3's Dubstep came literally erupting from the morning speakers. Actually no. This Music was blasting an hour before dawn. Vinyl Scratch was now a huge sensation all across Equestria after the Gala, and The Royal Wedding only further increased her popularity. And APPARENTLY she was such a sensation that her music had actually reached the Eternal sisters ears. Specifically Luna's. Apparently she liked this song alot. seeing as how the past week it was played and hour before dawn, at ear splitting volumes.
The First month had been mostly intense workouts and lectures in the morning from four in the morning, until, nine in the morning.
For the Unicorn's it was mostly magical strengthening. It started with magic dumbbells, bench presses, and all the work outs from the base of the horn to the tip. The longer and wider the Unicorn horn the stronger the magic is. The weights enchanted by Princess Celestia herself, of course. A magic weight was the equivalent to 5 times the amount of weight, of any normal weight for an item. So if it were 5 pounds in magic, it was truly 25 pounds, greatly increasing any unicorns strength with holding items in Telekinesis. Celestia had taken on teaching the unicorns for the morning magic workouts. Twilight was much Stronger than Rarity was in Every magic field, even if this was Rarity's strongest current field of magic. Five hundred magical pounds was Twilight's maximum curling power, and 235 for Rarity, at the beginning of the week Twilights maximum was 350 magical pounds and Rarity's was 100, quite an improvement by the end of the week. After that, Celestia tested their endurance with spells. Magic makes you tired mentally and physically very quickly, and that just can happen on the battle field. Then basic weapon enchantments, and how to use a weapon with magic. After that it was lectures about magic, until breakfast at nine.
For the Pegasi, Luna had taken them under her wing. (Figuratively.) They would be doing wing push ups or an hour every morning, then stretching for half an hour. After that were speed tests, with lead armour placed on them. It would take two Pegasi guards to lift the chest piece alone with their wings. This certainly was something very difficult for Fluttershy, seeing as how she wasn’t very strong to begin with. For Rainbow it wasn’t the weight of the lead armour that bothered her, it was the movements she was restricted to. By the end of the week they both had seemed to get used to it, sort of... After two hours of endurance runs without the armour, it was an hour of flight wrestling, and wing sword fights with the Wonderbolts. For an hour every day Rainbow was in heaven, and she had learned that she didn't need to show off anymore in front of them seeing as how she beat Soarin in 10 seconds flat. Fluttershy never won or lost a match, even against even Soarin or Spitfire, she was just too agile for them. It looked like the Wonderbolts had some major competition. And after the four and a half hour work out it was lecture time with Luna, Of course Luna and Rainbow just got into random conversations about flying after about an hour, so it was nice and peaceful for Fluttershy. Sure they learned things, but four and a half hours of lectures weren't all going to sink in to any Pegasi mind like Rainbow Dash's.
And for the earth ponies it was actually involving small amounts of magic as well. For the first hour Pinkie and Applejack Learned about manipulating the earth, it was fairly simple, all you had to do was become one with the earth in a mindset. After that it was heavy lifting, sprints, and how to use swords and hammers in the mouth without completely blinding yourself. It was harder than it looked, especially for Applejack the swords they made were so small and light she seemed to specialize in the heavier weapons like great swords, and war hammers. Pinkie was very good with the dagger, those clunky swords just weren't how she rolled anyways.
After that, they would have a two hour break for breakfast and some rest.
Next was skirmishes with on another first: Unicorn vs. Unicorn (which really wasn’t fair for Rarity.) Pegasus vs. Pegasus (which wasn’t fair for Fluttershy.) And Earth Pony vs. Earth pony (Who were evenly matched most of the time.) After that it was Merged combat, This gave Fluttershy and Rarity a better chance to learn combat without being completely smooshed in the first ten to fifteen seconds. In the end The list of successors went like this: Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie, Fluttershy (who actually fought savagely) And then Rarity at the bottom, apparently her representation for the Element of Generosity, was so great she had allowed her friends to win every fight.
The first two weeks in the second month of boot was more mental training, and boy did it get personal. Apparently according to Shining Armour Who personally taught this class along with a Unicorn pony named Dr. Mind Sweeper, brother's and sister's in arms should know everything about their comrades, their personal life, their want's, belief’s and fears. EVERYTHING. Also in this time they were taught how to utilize their dream, harvest them even. While sleeping the mane six could manipulate their dreams how ever they pleased, unless... Something else was more experienced in dreamscaping, then they could manipulate their dreams. The Elements of Discord were definitely among those few, but Discord would have to be free, and in full power or the Elements of Discord to be present.
As uncomfortable as all this sharing was, Luna and Celestia had moved the mane six out of the run down cabin, into some royal living quarters for their psychological training. So they all had their own living quarters again, the only down side was that this attracted media attention, and that’s not what they went there for.
By the last week of boot Luna and Celestia had taken three Elements each to brief them on their next segments of training.
Luna would take Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie. While Celestia took Twilight, Rarity and Applejack. Boot was a breeze. Or at least that’s what Luna and Celestia told them...
By the end of boot, Twilight, Rarity and Applejack had a pretty good idea, of what their roles in combat were going to look like. But it would still be nice for the princess to tell them, they had excelled in these areas after all.
The two months of training, had caused Twilight to grow taller, six inches taller than Applejack, and much more muscle bound. Her horn grew another three inches, Making her much more powerful than she ever was before. The standard Unicorn horn was three inches long. Twilights had always been four and a half, now making it seven and a half inches. The longest Ever known is Princess Celestia's who's is twelve inches. She had also turned into a slightly darker shade of purple. This apparently was a sign of her reaching her true potential, and power as the Element of Magic. She was starting to look like a Mini Me of Luna and Celestia.
For Rarity she had bulked up as well, but wasn't anything compared to Twilight or Applejack, she was a thinner build making her one inch taller than Applejack, but far less bulkier than Applejack or Twilight. Her horn had grown and inch and a half, making it five inches long, and her coat now seemed to be much more radiant than before, even when she was filthy. Signs of a step forward to the Element of Generosity's true power and potential.
Applejack had grown not taller but much more in bulk. Though she still was her regular height, she was now stronger than Big Mac. It had been proven in an hoof wrestle, when the basically all of Ponyville came to check up on their friends. Ponyville just wasn’t the same without them. Her coat was the same except it seemed to be the same, but Applejack, was now much more resilient to damage. She had also gained something close to a sixth sense. She could now analise any opponent and could tell exactly what they were thinking, feeling, and seeing, before it happened. She could also see their weaknesses and strengths. This was a major step forward in the Element of Honesty's true power and potential.
It was time. The princess entered the room, in which the three friends were escorted earlier by the guards.
"My Little Pony's!" Exclaimed Celestia as she entered the room with a spring in her step, obviously hiding something. The three friends looked at their teacher/trainer/drill sergeant, with suspicion and took subtle battle stances. They were taught to be aware of anything out of the ordinary in Canterlot (With the exception of Pinkie) and the princess was no longer an exception.
"Why so tense my friends?" Celestia asked. The rumours going around through out the guard were true. The mane six had taken to calling princess Luna and Celestia by their names and no longer addressing them as royalty. Though an adamant amount of respect was still shown. "I bring nothing but good news! You will have a weeks rest, and then you will start your new specialty training then your Elemental training!"
"Is that all princess?" asked Applejack using her new ability, apparently it worked on anypony, Applejack had only used it on a few guards and her brother, but never the princesses she never had the time or really thought to. "Ah reckon your keeping something from us."
Celestia giggled. "Using your Elemental power eh Applejack? That will help you in the field. You are well on your way to learning your full potential." Celestia paused for a dramatic effect. "Do you remember Spike?"
"Remember him?" Asked Twilight, a little worried for Spike and that Celestia was off her nut. "Celestia I hatched him for pony's sake! Im Basically his mother!" Twilight said rather assertively almost challenging her.
Celestia remaining calm, and replied "It is nothing to worry about Twilight, Spike will be joining you now in your training! Spike would you come in?"
Spike entered through the side window shattering it wings spread wide. He was very different. He was now 10 feet tall, had grown wings, and claws, fangs and scales of amethyst, each no shorter than 2 inches. He was a sight to be marvelled.
"Nice entrance spike. Now if you would be so kind as to fix the windows." Celestia said with a smirk.
"Oh.. sorry" Spike said, his voice as deep as the dragon that Fluttershy had stared down. It still had the Spike esque to it like everypony remembered. He quickly rebuilt the glass with his magic, and took his spot beside Celestia. Twilights jaw was almost hit the floor. Her son... Her Spike was already using magic, normally it took a dragon a few HUNDRED years to learn even the basics of magic, let alone a complicated restoration spell on enchanted glass. Twilight did I ever tell you about Spikes background?" Celestia said coolly.
"Umm no?" Twilight said, her mouth still on the floor. Applejack helped her with that raising it with her hoof. "He is just another Dragon right?"
"Well I guess I will fill you in then, Spike is the direct descendant to one of the most feared dragons in tartarus. Bladhuunvaac. His egg was frozen, for two thousand years when my sister and I Banished him to tartarus, we had to freeze him, and apparently his nest. It was mear coincidence that you mothered not only one of the most powerful dragons in all of the world, but the fact that his egg was literally impossible to hatch. You being a mortal AND the Element of Magic were already impossible, so you broke the barrier. No other mortal asides from the other Elements would be able to hatch him." Explained Celestia.
"Thats right." Said Spike flexing his massive bicep. Twilight just smacked him with a playful Telekinetic slap, which he was extremely resilient to. "Oh, im also very resilient to magic now". Spike said slightly challengingly.
Twilight took the challenge and picked him up with her magic as heavy as he was, tickling him under his scales. "Not so big now are you?" Teased Twilight. The fun was abruptly ended when Spike threw his arm against one of the pillars, shattering it.
Heh I better Fix that as well." Spike said sheepishly. Blushing under his scales.
Just then a group of twenty of so guards burst into the room, and immediately started throwing spears maces and other weapons. Twilight with her new magical powers, and her motherly instinct disintegrated the weapons and already had the ALL guards by their throats inches away from her face. 'They are so light!' Twilight thought to herself. Her eyes were literally on fire from the rage she was feeling. Nothing tried to hurt her son. The fact was she was holding about a thousand pounds with all of her magical might didn’t mean anything to her. By the time Twilight Applejack or Rarity had realised what they were doing, the guards were already across the room, one being senselessly beaten by Applejack, two had a some strange enchantment upon them from Rarity, and Twilight had the rest in strong magical chains against the wall, slowly tightening.
"Oh no!" Twilight said clearly afraid of what she had just caused. "GIRLS STOP!" Twilight boomed in the royal caps lock.
All Twilight could do was sit on her haunches, and mumble about what she just did.
Celestia just smiled and looked to her guards. One beaten to a pulp clearly in massive amounts of pain, he looked as if all his bones were broken, two were screaming in agony, from their bones being to ground down upon themselves from the weight of their enchanted armour, and Twilight's victims who looked as if they were dead already from the chains she had strangling and shattering them.
"Well it looks like we trained thou better than we thought." Said Luna casually walking through the door followed by Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie. Fluttershy if you would?
"Oh, Yes princess." Said the no longer meek Pegasus. She now looked like how Rainbow used to. Muscular, but not extremely defined like the rest were now. Probably about 3 inches taller now. Her wings were definitely larger than before, Her coat was now a lighter shade of yellow, and she had been acting more assertive around others. Thankfully she was still the same with her friends. The ability to heal others with her feathers was a sure sign of realising the potential she had locked away in her.
She flew over the guards shedding her feathers over top of them as she went, they stumbled up from their beating, and just stared in fear at what happened. Twenty of Celestia's ELITE guards were taken down by three female pony’s. Not just taken down though, almost literally killed. No doubt sexism was a thing in the guard, very few guards are female. So three civilian females, who have only two months of boot behind them? Their buddies were never going to let them live that down. Mind you they were the Elements of Harmony so that could be an easy out to the unrelenting amount of teasing to come.
All the guards now fully recovered from the Magic of Kindness were now fully at attention. It looked like Fluttershy was as close as Applejack was to learning the full power of her Element.
Twilight took a good look at her friends that had joined the room. It was then she realised that her friends had really bulked up.
Rainbow Dash was now almost as big as Applejack, her wings definitely were bigger than any muscle in Applejacks body but she is a Pegasi and that anatomy is different from an Earth Pony's. Her wings had reached almost the size of Celestia's, and she had grown about two inches taller. Her coat was now looking like it was constantly moving and she was now able to ignite her mane in a badass rainbow fire.
Pinkie Pie was like Rarity, not bulky, but slim and tall. She had grown 4 inches taller than Applejack, and now had her cotton candy mane in a up in a bandana for combat. Her coat had actually grown darker despite her being the Element of Laughter. Though something was different from her eyes, if she looked directly into them, she could activate something similar to the Stare. This power was more for moral with her friends, and comrades, it allowed them to forget their worries and PARTY!
Luna walked to the center of the room. "As some thou may have learned throughout thy training, thou all have different combat specialty's apart from thy actual Element. Some of Thy Element's may tie in with thy combat, others may not. Pinkie Pie for example Is the Element of Laughter, but she specializes in shadow lurking, and assassinations. That dost not mean she will not be the same Pinkie Pie, but it means she won’t be using her power for that. Each Element can power the other, Even if thou hast not learned their potential. The ponies under my next teaching will learn how to use the shadows to their advantage, and thy sisters students shallst learn how to use the light like a Phoenix. Then we shallst teach you to work with Spike."
Celestia followed her sister to the center of the room to finish off the speech. "So in one weeks’ time we shall teach you how to use our abilities, and your role of the team you will pay in."
Luna took a big breath in for what she was about to say.
"Twilight thou art the leader, the alpha, what you say goes. Not only are you the most important Element but the most powerful, you have shown that."
"Applejack thou art the heavy weapons expert, as you have shown the most skill with them. You will be at the front line most of the time. Your Element will be extremely helpful if it is channeled through magic."
"Rarity thou art the fortifier of the team they need assistance in power or combat you are there. But that does not mean you will be on the front lines, in fact most of the time you will be assisting Applejack, Rainbow, Fluttershy and Twilight with your Element feeding them power, behind the lines."
"Rainbow thou art the air attacking team along with one hoofed swords, you will be in the sky lots of the time, taking out enemies from above."
"Fluttershy You are the medic you will hopefully never be fighting, seeing as your Element contradicts violence. If your team needs help you are there.
"And Last but certainly not least Pinkie. Thy defiance of Physics is well... It has something to do with laughter and thou hast demonstrated that since day one." Luna shivered at the thought she had been scared by Pinkie multiple times when she went floating upside down talking to her. "So you are the assassin, thou can manipulate an enemy’s body for short times like a gifted unicorn could, and will always be taking out your enemy’s before they knew you were there, hardly ever a front line fighter. You will almost constantly be behind enemy lines.
As Luna wrapped up her speech Spike reminded everypony that he was there. Rather rudely but whatever. With a roar of green flames over top of the mane six and the eternal princesses he had their attention. "Hey after I fix the pillar, you wanna go to Donut Joes?"
"Night!" they all cried back, one at a time. It was obvious they were all tired, although Twilight and her friends were no longer in boot, they were still tired from it, and they had taken to working out every morning... Just not so early. It was also clear to everypony who was present at Donut Joes, that Twilight really had a lot of catching up to do with Spike, so they made their little get together shorter than usual.
It was around midnight, by the time everypony had decided it was time to get some shut eye, also Luna getting hammered from, all the eleven mugs of Cider (mixed with moonshine) she drank, and causing a scene for the press and basically everypony to see, is not what the new sisters in arms (Don’t forget TROLL-estia, asides the fact she seemed quite alright with the idea...) wanted. It was hard enough to get around now, each of the friends noticed without being mauled by some sort of media, or fan who wanted a picture. Thankfully Spike was here tonight and that seemed to ward most ponies off from fear. It’s not every day you see a royal guard cowering in a corner, because a ten foot tall Drake had simply said "Boo!" "Some pony’s have no sense of humor." Spike would say after he got one pony to soil himself.
As the roads became nicer (They were heading to Twilight's private quarters, close to the princesses quarters themselves.) Twilight noticed more and more guards, nicer roads, and bigger snobs then the last. The moon relayed its shimmering light upon all of Equestria, but it seemed to be casting it's rustic look upon two beings defining the shadows of Twilight and Spike. Canterlot was the Crown jewel of Equestria, but it seemed to shimmer more in the night, as the second eternal princess had begun bringing HER OWN night once more.
Once they got near to the outside stair entry of Twilight's suite, Spike was subtly surrounded by thirty or so guards. "RELEASE THE ELEMENT OF MAGIC FROM YOUR CAPTIVITY AT ONCE FOUL BEAST!" Belched the captain of the elite Pegasi guard before attacking along with his comrades. Twilight' mom sense immediately kicked in, and within mear seconds she had the captain by the throat in her magical chains this time with tiny little razors. Her eyes set afire for the second time that day. Spike mearly set up a force field like the one Shining Armour had place around Canterlot, and forced them down on the ground, using his telekinesis.
"You wanna play hero?" Asked Spike in a mock angry and intimidating voice. His deep voice along with his shimmering scales from the torches set all around town, made his eyes seem white, soulless even. Ready to harvest theirs.
"He is no foul beast." Twilight hissed, dripping venom every time she spoke a single word. "He is my friend, my SON! You got that?" Twilight said now breaking the Captains personal pace (their foreheads were touching, well it was more like Twilight slammed her head into the captains)
All the captain was able was a slight nod and a whimper. "Put em down Twilight." Spike said softly. "At least they were TRYING to do their jobs."
Reluctantly Twilight released the captain and ignited her horn to heal the maimed captain, she was no medic, but she could fix a wound like this. Fluttershy could just do it faster. All the other guards were now getting up from Spike's deathly kinetic hold on them as well, shamed. The captain was only able to stammer his apology after taking off his severely dented helmet. "S-s-s-sorry ma'am." He said as he gathered his pride, "I-I didn’t know he was with you." After Twilight glared at him for long enough the guard turned to his men, still trying to scrape up some of his pride the captain went to re-assigned his troops. probably to get themselves checked out at the medical office.
"We showed them didn't we?" Spike asked playfully. staring into the night, watching the guards fly away.
"Just shut up and lets get some sleep." Twilight deadpanned. Spike could have sworn hearing something about Twilight mumbling something about "mom sense" as they went to bed. Spike curled up around one of the great pillars finding a cozy spot. He still is only over a year old, just... bigger. 'I’ll have to ask him about that tomorrow' Twilight thought to herself as Spike was already snoring. Twilight was to do the same, today had been taxing, not in a physical way, but all the same.
"Alright." Celestia mumbled extremely quietly. "In these simulation rooms we are going to train you in your Combat specialty’s. Don’t take this simulation lightly it will be like any other experience you have ever known. You will feel everything like you are actually there, until you complete your objective, or DIE." Celestia deadpanned in the same volume she had begun the speech with.
The simulation room was the same as any other simulation room, a large cylinder with alien looking sorts of technology, obviously controlled by magic. Very dark, and not all that welcoming, but it really didn’t matter because you weren't going to see the simulation room all that often, you will see the simulation.
"Hey Celly?" Applejack asked stating the elephant in the room for Everypony (Ninety-nine guards were also in the room, behind Celestia). "Wha do ya seem so... How to put it... Hung over?" Everypony silently nodded in agreement, Whenever the Elements had arrived (and since Luna had arrived) Celestia had seemed to be a little... under the weather after a meet and greet.
"That is because I am Applejack" Celestia tried to say, wincing from the earth pony’s mega volume voice. Or at least it seemed that way. "Luna can just hold her liquor better than I can. Even if I rig the games I always seem to loose. I can’t believe that mare held Twenty-six shots of moonshine. I was done after seven." Celestia was trailing off.
"Uhhh Celly? Ah know your just awful tired, but ah would like to get on with this." Applejack stated "It doesn’t take mah VATS to tell you that we all are a little anxious and wanna get this whole specialty trainin thing out of the way." Once again, Everypony agreed in silence.
"Oh! Right! Celestia snapped back to attention. "Before I start the battle with you, against my Elite guards here, I want to give you three this. Your Elements. It will channel your power to be greater than it already is. Also depending on your progression in the Element.
It appeared that the guard were more afraid of this fight than Twilight, Rarity, and Applejack. That was sure to be told to her friends Applejack knew that if her enemy’s to be afraid of her and her comrades, they would have a serious upper hand.
And just like that the simulation had started, no warnings, nothing. There Celestia flapped her wings in the air. The battle field was a small one, urban terrain (Think of like I Am Legend, or some sort of apocalyptic movie in the city.) They appeared to be in the square for a street. Everything had a grey esque to it, very dead, very depressing. Mostly they were surrounded by tall buildings, blocking most of the sky. It was around mid-day in the simulation.
"Alright." Celestia boomed using her caps lock. "The objective is to eliminate the other team. On one side we have ninety-nine of my elite guards, hoof picked. Thirty-three Unicorn, thirty-three Pegasi, and thirty-three Earth Pony's."
"And on the other side we have two... Unicorn's. Celestia had to gather herself for a moment. And one Earth Pony. They are: Magic, Generosity, and Honesty. Do not hesitate to crush and destroy your enemy’s by any means necessary this is a training simulation, and we want this as realistic as possible." Celestia was looking at her guards who were obviously intimidated by their opponents. Three mares.
"Let the battle begin!" Celestia boomed, and then flew over to one of the nearby buildings to spectate. This was going to be fun. 'And in this simulation, Im free from my hangover!' Celestia thought to herself. She perched herself in the midish levels of the building and conjured a soda and popcorn. Hey, why not?
Neither side really knew how to start this fight. For the guards they knew that the Elements of harmony wield untold power, and were Celestia's greatest weapon. For the Elements side it was the fact that they were to be fighting ninety-nine guards. Elite guards, who had at least four years of combat training under their belts. But what made it worse for each of the Elements was that the guards had all three captains of the royal guard. Shining Armour, Iron Feathers, and Rune Fields
A long silence was spread across the town square. Only the sound of the wind blowing through the dead city was to be heard. Five minutes had gone by which still seemed like hours. Even Celestia was now rolling her eyes in anticipation. Finally it was one of the more impatient Earth Pony guards to make the first move. "I CANT TAKE IT ANY MORE!" He said hurling his spear towards Rarity. It would have flown straight and true if not for Applejack. Before the spear was able to leave the guard a hatchet was already buried deep in the guards chest. Completely cutting through his armour. There was no silence to be heard anymore, the battle cry from Rune Fields and then his companions was sure to that. Followed by the rest of the guards.
It had begun.
"Art though ready for thy training simulations?" Luna asked the rhetorical question. Everyone in the room seemed to scuffle in the awkward silence. "Thy sisters simulations are easier than our own. Be prepared for this." Luna stated coldly. It was true, it was harder to be in Luna's training than Celestia's, but it was over faster. "Take your Elements you will need them. Handing over three of the Elements of Harmony to each pony. "Now in this simulation thou will be fighting the specialty forces Diamond Dogs, behind us. Along with a pack of Timber Wolves. This is certainly their territory, Elements, so they will have the serious upper hand. But fear not. If thou dies in thy simulation, thou shalt leave the simulation and be back at the state thou are currently in. At this time Luna turned to the opposing side. "Be weary though Diamond Dogs, and Wolves, These are three of the Elements of Harmony. Not to be taken lightly for they are Equestrian’s greatest weapon. Thou shall be facing Loyalty, Kindness and Laughter."
With that Luna took to the air, seeing that Celestia had already started her simulation through the magic being released in the other simulation capsule. "Let the battle begin!"
Luna's horn ignited, and started a large white glow across the room. slowly blinding everyone. Even with their eye lids closed they could still see white.
There was a loud whooshing sound and then a drop. The transportation to the simulation must have been completed.
After recovering from the flash of magic caused by Luna, Rainbow, Pinkie and Fluttershy started checking their surroundings. "Ugh my head" Mumbled Rainbow, as she was the first to recover. The area that they were fighting in was something equivalent to the Everfree Forest. Small trees, bushes, and all kinds of dangerous looking plants were everywhere. Making for a very dangerous environment. The Timber Wolves could be anywhere, and the Diamond Dogs could erupt from the ground at any time. This was certainly a dangerous area.
"Leave this to me girls!" Pinkie chirped. she walked up to a tree and started to giggle. Turning it to shadows. "Tehehe, now I can lurk!"
"Ill scout out the area with Fluttershy." Rainbow stated.
"Okie dokie lokie!" Pinkie chirped. "Meet you back here in an half an hour!"
Right as Pinkie said that, there was a light swoosh of wind, and like that, Pinkie had vanished.
It would be mear moments before the group of angry Earth and Pegasi guards had reached the front line that Applejack would be holding. The Unicorns were held back, reserved under Shining Armour's command. Twilight had to think fast. "Uhh, uhhh... Rarity!" she called. "Set up a force field on top of us! Applejack hold them off as much as you can! I have an idea!" Twilight said, the mob getting louder, and fast approaching. "Ill handle the Unicorns! Shining Armour is by far the most powerful enemy we face!" You handle the others until I Get back! With a pop of magic Twilight was gone.
Rarity did as told just in the nick of time as the Pegasi guards were just about to attack from above. Just after Applejack nailed another Guard in the chest she brought out her war hammer and started to swing. Sending ponies all around her flying, tumbling and the few lucky ones got to dodge. In four minutes Approximately fifteen guards were already taken down by Applejack's hammer. but she was starting to tire. Her war hammer was heavy, and the guards had enchanted armour, so they were harder to take down, than guards with regular armour.
"Rarity ah need yer help!" Applejack cried, starting to become over whelmed with Earth Pony Guards. Still swinging wildly taking out guards left and right. Rarity under strain from the massive spell she was holding up was starting to become overwhelmed as well.
"Applejack!" She screamed. "Come to me darling! I need to make this spell smaller!" Rarity was truly starting to wear, and the fact that she had not taken down a single guard yet was not very encouraging at all. It turned out that she made a small force field around herself and started floating towards Applejack. Constant guards were raining hell upon her smacking themselves and their weapons against her force field. Every time Iron Feathers hit her she seemed to wince in pain, and drop her shield a little.
"Ahm kinda busy can’t ya see?" Applejack yelled to her friend. She was surrounded,. Spears to her neck, the remaining 10 earth pony guards had surrounded her, and their captain was slowly approaching.
"Honesty." He said in a mock baby talk. "Aww you awe aww suwonded..."
"Just shudup and lets fight." Applejack deadpanned.
The rest of the guards not attacking Rarity gave space for the fight between Applejack and their captain. A clash of the Titans for them to tell their wives at home.
Rune Fields smiled evilly. "I like your fiest Honesty, let’s see how you fare against a real soldier. “I hope you can fight better than your brother." Applejack thought back to that day. Big Mac and Rune Field were brought to a stale mate, when they fought in that tournament. No matter how long they fought for. Rune field even started to get dirty in the end, but still never managed to win. To Applejack this was now personal.
Within seconds Applejack already had her hammer upon Rune field, but he had a trick up his sleeve. His name didn’t mean nothing, hence his reputation, and ability to climb the ranks so quickly. Before Applejacks hammer hit the ground, Rune Field was already beside her, surrounded by strange looking symbols. He had teleported. “Take down your enemy’s. By any means necessary." Like that Applejacks hammer was in pieces, and she was sent flying.
Rune Field started teleporting from side to side, occasionally smacking Applejack making sure she was off balance. Then after about thirty seconds of this he planted one huge hit on her with his hind legs. There was a cracking sound as his back hooves connected with Applejack's nose and mouth. "Hick!" He yelled to her as she smacked against the wall of a building. The group of ponies around him didn’t laugh they had dead cold expressions on their faces. that didn’t matter to him though as he laughed to himself heartily.
Applejack was pressed up against the wall of the building, this wasn’t over. After recovering from her fifteen foot flying fest Applejack saw her opponent. Standing there smirking. "Ah aint done yet!" Applejack challenged. Spitting blood from her recent brutal hit. She threw a punch as the captain teleported right in front of her. 'thank Celestia for mah VATS' Applejack thought to herself. Before the captain knew what was going on Applejack planted her powerful hoof to his muzzle. Pulverizing the front of his face. Taking the advantage Applejack had she pounced on her opponent with great anger. "How’s this for a hick!?!?" she screamed at him before crushing his skull.
Blood covered Applejack as she unsheathed her second weapon, her Battle axe. In one fell swoop she had beheaded all ten of her remaining Earth Pony enemies. All of the Earth Pony guards were dead.
"Oh Applejack!" Rarity called over to her friend manically. "I could use some help!" Rarity’s mane was a mess frizzed, split ends and had straightened. No pony knew this but she used magic to keep her mane curly somewhat like the princesses used magic to get theirs to flow. "Ehehehe, STAY AWAY!" she screamed at the viciously attacking guards.
Rushing towards her friend in need, Applejack came down upon Iron Feathers with her axe faster than a bullet. A loud scream of agony was heard throughout the battle space as the captains large wing fluttered down on the floor sending him to the ground with it. This gave Rarity some time to gather her strengths, and heal Applejack. "I enchanted your Axe!" She cried over the captains shrieks of pain. "It will spread fire when you swing it!"
"Thanks!" Applejack yelled. "Could ya give me sum juice? Ahll take care of the rest of these here buzzards!"
Quick to comply purple tendrils shot out of Rarity and came down upon Applejack. When the large purple haze came died down and everypony could see again Applejack stood out of the crater in the cement. Her coat shining like it never has before, 5 inches taller, and a whole lot bigger. Rarity's eyes were wide. Shit was crazy.
Meanwhile...
Twilight stood before her brother, the only other Unicorn left on her wake. When she teleported behind the elite Unicorn she had wiped them out within mear seconds. She had done something similar to what Shining Armour had done against the Lunar Drake, only Twilight used her magic chains and had all the guards all in the air decapitated. Now Shining Armour was the only pony left to fight Twilight. He was the only one strong enough to break Twilight's chains.
"Hey Twilly you are strong! You managed to kill all of my guard before I could think straight!" Shining said. "But not as strong as me." It was then Twilight realised that her brother had her in his magical grip and was setting an enchantment on her. Twilight's eyes were wide with fear, at least that’s what she wanted him to think. "Sorry sis, but you heard what the princess said. I’ll make this a painless as possible."
"Ehehe You sure?" Twilight asked. Shining didn’t realise it, but Twilight had set a draining spell on him. The tables had turned. It was now Shining slowly kneeling to the ground and Twilight gathering her strength along with her brothers. "Good by B.B.B.F.F" Twilight giggled as Shining Armour was now on the ground being drained of his life force. "See you on the other side!"
Shining died right then. A tear escaped her eye. She had just killed her own brother. 'But it was ok right?' Twilight thought to herself. 'It's just a silly simulation... Yeah you keep telling yourself that.'
Seeing her friend could use a little help, Twilight teleported to their part of the battle field.
"Dang buzzards! you get back here!" Applejack cursed. "Twi! We really could use sum help with these last twenty or so!"
"Yes indeed" Rarity agreed.
"Rarity! You know that power transferring spell you used on Applejack?" Twilight yelled Smacking a Pegasus to the ground. "Use that but in reverse!"
A-alright deer, if you say so.
Rarity complied reluctantly. Once more purple tendrils shot out of her, sucking the life force out of the guards and within seconds she and her friends were back to their normal selves. When Rarity opened her eyes she was thrilled to see her mane back in perfect condition, letting out a unlady like squee. Her friends were well and healthy as well., the fact she was about to get rained on by twenty corpses of the royal Pegasi guard hadn’t quiet dawned upon her yet.
"Success!" Yelled Celestia, tossing her popcorn. Winner: Elements!
"Those Elements are pretty freaky aren’t they Darj?" Asked one Diamond Dog accompanied by his companion. "Why did they have to send us out for patrols? I hate ravines, and it doesn’t help that it's so dark! Why can our species just adapted to less sunlight!"
"Really how so Rheddik?" Challenged Darj, poking him with one of his gems. "They are just ponies. Mares for crying out loud! And quit being such a Baby, the Timber Wolves are on our side right now.
Apparently sexism wasn't just a thing in Equestria, but in other places in the world as well.
"Dog they took out Discord! They defeated Nightmare Moon! We now know that all of the legends are true! What if the Harlequin (Laughter is branded the Harlequin in other cultures according to me! Oh and it was mentioned in the story Twilight and the Spartan Stallion By none other than the Spartan Stallion. Im side tracking... Back to the story.) ... What if she is watching us right now?"
"Pff Rheddik your full of-" Darj was quickly cut off by Rheddik's massive paw connecting to the back of Darj's head. Then Rheddik he broke his own neck. Just then Pinkie popped out of the shadows with a pout on her face.
"Meany-mean-meany pants calling me a Herlyquni-... thing" Pinkie whispered. She needed to tell the girls, She knew where the Enemy’s had set up base. Now just to find the Timber Wolves...
Meanwhile...
"Oh Rainbow thanks for coming with me on our recon!" Fluttershy said in her usual manner. "Its just that I love animals, but these have a mind of their own! What if they don’t love me after this?"
Rainbow face hoofed, despite the fact that she was flying, not very aerodynamic but still easy to keep up with Fluttershy’s leisurely pace. They were flying over a thick part of the bush, so this would be the idea place to hide, and maybe scout. Thankfully Rainbow and Fluttershy already knew how to take to the shadows. Luna just told Celestia's group that they were still to learn the shadow drifting to make them feel encouraged. "Ugh Fluttershy you worry too much! You won’t even be in the combat! Just fixing me And Pinkie up when we need a hoof! Even if you are in combat, you always seem to activate the stare."
"You know I don’t have any control over that!" Fluttershy snapped back, still in her Fluttershy ways, but it hurt more than anypony else giving her an hour scolding. "I couldn't ever hurt anything without it: Endangering my friends, or if it has a good ending to it. You heard about the bear?"
Rainbows eyes were wide open. She had heard about the bear, not the one who needed a back and neck massage either. Fluttershy actually broke that bears neck because it was about to eat a bunch of baby bunnies. That how Fluttershy cam to be mothering Angel all of the time.
"Hey what’s that?" Rainbow said with a pointing hoof. Just begging to Celestia to change the subject. Completely by fluke they noticed seven sets of fiery golden eyes watching them.
Fluttershy just nodded, and signaled to fly slower, until they became idle in the air. During that time she whispered to her friend what they were to do.
"WHA ARE YOU CRAZY? THAT COULD GET US KILLED!" Rainbow said in a hushed yell.
Fluttershy kept her stone cold serious face on and bit her lip for what she was about to say next. "Hey imma Medic, and this is just a simulation remember? Heheh looks like you are the one who needs to relax." Fluttershy said encouragingly and half mockingly.
"Alright..." Rainbow mumbled still not completely convinced. Rainbow Took to her Shadow form, and went down to her unsuspecting enemy’s. at least she hoped they were unsuspecting. The one in the center looked to be the alpha. Once Fluttershy took care of her part Rainbow would spring into action. Sure enough Rainbow was soon to see that each of the Wolves were under a complete comatose of fear. This was her cue.
With her weapons unsheathed, Rainbow sprung out of the shadows breaking her cloak, letting out a war cry and went straight for the alpha of the pack. She swung just in the proper time as the Stare was now no longer under affect. The head of the alpha was gone, leaving it disoriented, but not dead. This was a problem. "He was supposed to die!" Rainbow yelled right before getting a claw to the flank. The gash was huge, but no time for that. If she could still fly and swing her swords she was fine, but out of instinct Rainbow lit her mane afire as she tumbled into the leader, setting him ablaze. If he had a head he would be screaming and howling, but thankfully this wasn’t the case. With the leader now dead Fluttershy's next phase was to take place.
Fluttershy swooped down to the ground, completely disregarding the forest now on fire, and had established herself as the alpha of the group. Was it the Stare? or her Kindness? Maybe both? Nopony knows, but the Wolves were at her command now. "Stay." She simply commanded, going to tend to her friend who was bleeding out. She approached her friend, seeing the pool of blood, and that her cutie mark was torn in half, one side drooped off leaning against her dying fiery tail, the other twitching occasionally. Fluttershy plucked out one of her feathers, and jabbed it on the top of Rainbow's rump. Rainbow winced in pain, but lay still. Fluttershy pet her now un-ignited mane. "It's ok..." She whispered softly. "The medicine will kick in in a second."
"Heh thanks Shy..." Rainbow paused for a moment lifting her head. "Yeah... Yeah I feel a lot better now! Thanks Fluttershy!" Now returning to her hooves Rainbow noticed that there was still six more Timber Wolves. "I got these foals" Rainbow said taking a battle stance.
"No Rainbow!" Fluttershy said calmly. "They are under my control now. Right my little barklings? Fluttershy teased rubbing their... bellies one at a time.
"Uhh Fluttershy?" Rainbow said with an eyebrow raised. "I know that you love your new... Barklings and all, but we really gotta check on Pinkie. Plus this forest gives me the creeps."
"Oh yes! Your right Rainbow" Fluttershy turned to her friend, taking to the sky. "Come with us animal friends."
At the... base of the Elements...
Pinkie already had a fortress set up and her party cannons were all around. The area was cleared, and seemed to be ready for combat. "Ready to confetti!" Pinkie said as she saw her friends approach followed by the Timber Wolves. Pinkie took aim, but was quickly stopped by Rainbow.
Hey Pinkie I know this may seem weird and all, but the Timber Wolves are with us now.
"Okie dokie lokie!" she chirped. "I already have taken out four patrols while you were gone! They are now bush buddies! and they seem to be planning an attack on use soon! ohboyineverhavebeenthisexcitedhaveyoueverbeenthiexcited-" Pinkie was stopped by a hoof in her mouth as she continued to mumble words.
"Shh! I think they are coming!" Rainbow said forcing both of their heads down. "You take out their commander, ill handle the ground forces. Fluttershy use the Pinkies Cannons if you have to."
They all nodded in agreement, and took their positions. Pinkie was to find the commander first, manipulate him, then Rainbow would take out the grunts.
Sure enough Pinkie had found her way to the commander and had already had him manipulated. With a thumbs up Rainbow released her furry upon the unsuspecting Diamond Dogs. Fluttershy probably had released her new pets, to attack as well. They had already drawn blood and were craving more.
Pinkie already had taken out all of the leaders of the Pack and Rainbow looked as if she was almost done slaughtering the grunts left and right. It was a bloody mess. All done in ten seconds flat.
"Huzzah! The battle is over!" Luna seemingly appeared out of nowhere. "Winner: Elements!"
Both Luna and Celestia's simulations finished roughly about the same time. Only something was different this time. There was no partying with the guards or the Diamond Dog's. They were shamed. By women no less. It seemed though the Timber Wolves had taken it the hardest, as their leader was scolding them, harshly.
"I think we should get out of here." Celestia said to the Elements and her sister.
Two weeks later...
Their next phase of training was now complete. The Elements had now learned how to fight with Spike and were readying for the hardest and final stage, of their training. Solo Elemental Training. There was no need for any simulations after the first. All the Elements demonstrated thier side specialtys quiet well in the first one. And quite frankly Luna doubted she could get her Diamond dog friends back in the same room as the Elements.
Luna and Pinkie each were sitting in the briefing room. Nice, cozy, clean something Pinkie hadn't really seen in ages. During her training that is. Strangely she missed the simple cleanliness of her home in Ponyville. The room consisted of navy blue walls, and a simple black carpet in the middle of the room, under the table, that contrasted nicely with the grey of the cobblestone floors. There weren’t many windows in this section of the palace. A rarity for Canterlot. Celestia's side of the castle had vast windows, with golden granite flooring and walls, and flowers flanking each and every hallway and door. Luna’s side was more rustic. Dim torch lit cobblestone hallways, dark blue rugs running along them everywhere you walk, and large balconies everywhere you went. Both sides of the Castle were sights to be marveled.
Taking a sip of her steaming tea, Luna thought to break the silence, but decided against it. It was rare to ever see Pinkie so quiet, and that was no doubt a blessing for the princess of the night. 'Is something wrong with her?' Luna thought to herself. Placing down her tea, which was now cooled Luna noticed that Pinkie hadn't drank any of her tea. Not even any of the sugar cubes were gone! She went to great lengths for extra, EXTRA sugar cubes for this occasion. This meeting was going to be the only pleasantry Pinkie had to experience until after her final stages of training. Taking a long swig of her tea, Luna broke her lovely moment of peace in concern for her friend. "Pinkie what botherst you?" She asked refilling her cup with her magic.
Pinkie looked up at her lunar friend. "Oh don’t worry Princess, im fine, im just... really nervous." Replied Pinkie, her chin sinking back to her chest once more. This wasn't like Pinkie at all. Luna remembered back to when her fortress was about to be attacked in the simulation. She was more Pinkie than ever, and now she’s all quiet? There is something seriously wrong.
"Art thou sure thou speakest the truth?" Luna asked tilting her head to one side. "Dost this have to do with the Elements of Discord that we spokest of before thy training?"
Pinkie paused for a moment. In truth, yes it was about her opposite. The Element of Discord that was sure to be a part of her learning her potential. Guilt. Guilt was her opposite. Her Eternal Foe even if she never met him before. Luckily Nopony actually living has fit the bill for any of the Elements of Discord since Discord himself ruled over Equestria. "Yes..." Pinkie whispered. It was just now she realised during her train of thought, that she had slowly slunk down into the fetal position, hooves across her face, shivering under the coffee table.
Luna had to think long and hard at what to do. Two millennium of knowledge was behind her, and she needed to make this decision. Fast. With her mind made up about what to do all Luna had to do was act on her plan. And so she did. "CORNHOOOOOOOLIIIIOOOOOOO!" Luna cried running back and forth, eyes wide open, flaring her wings. All Pinkie and the guards could do was watch in disbelief. Had she lost it? 'Stage one complete.' Luna thought to herself. After Luna had Pinkie's, and the guards complete attention, stage two was under affect. Grabbing all the sugar Luna could manage in her hooves, Luna shoved it all in Pinkie's mouth. "Success!" She shouted. Pinkie had a confused look on her face, her mouth filled with sugar, the guards not too sure what to do shuffling around in their armour.
After about 10 seconds Pinkie started to feel like herself again. Bouncing up and down similar to her doosie prediction. It was also then she realised how hungry she was. Luna watched in awe as literally every scrap of food was gobbled up in about thirty seconds. Ironically this made the guards relax, seeing Pinkie in a downed state seriously hurt morale and the general mood in the room.
"MHHMMM THANKS LUNA!" Pinkie shouted. She was back to her 'normal' self. Bouncing up and down, giggling once more, lighting up the room.
"Then we shallst brief thou now, in thy mission." Luna said stifling her giggles, with a hoof. “When we put you in the dreamscape thou shall definitely encounter your opposite, Guilt. He is not your primary objective though. Your primary objective is to find the temple of which your Element dwells. Each Element has a trial, some are the same others may differ. When you wake your true potential shall be awoken. This is similar to a simulation asides the fact that if thou dies in the dreamscape, it shall have the same effect on you in reality"
"Okie dokie lokie!" Pinkie chirped. Send me in!"
Luna ignited her horn, and with a flash of magic, the duo were in a room similar to the simulation room. Doctors were walking around in their white coats ready to strap Pinkie up. It wasn't too easy for Pinkie was wearing armour. Her armour was made of a black leather, but not just any leather. It was dragon hide, The second hardest thing on a dragon under their scales. Still flexible, but sturdy. She was also equipt with many knives, smoke bombs, and fire crackers.
Pinkie frowned. "Hurry up! Im going to assault this Guilt guy with cake!" Pinkie stated. It seemed every two words she spoke she was in a different location scaring the crap out of the doctors and tech guys, and flinging sensors and different technological things flying across the room. By the end she was back at Luna's side. The doctors now recovering from Pinkie's teleporting, started strapping her in again reluctantly. "We! Let’s go!"
Luna smiled and complied. Lighting her horn she enveloped Pinkie in her dark blue aura. Within seconds Pinkie was out of it. The doctors seemed relieved.
All Luna needed to do now was to set Pinkie up with the doctors to monitor her experience and then she could have a nap.
Pinkie awoke with a snap. Standing to her hooves, she checked her surroundings. Something about this area was creepily farmiliar. What was it? The area was dark, maybe around one or two in the morning, so she really couldn't see that much. The area was filled many large medium and small objects, not moving. 'They must be rocks.' Pinkie thought to herself. Pinkie needed to find shelter and wait until it was day time. Then she could get her baring’s and head to find her Element. Walking Pinkie continued to look around at the all too farmiliar surroundings. She just couldn't comprehend what it was. Finding a place under what she confirmed was a giant rock, Pinkie curled into a small ball, and found sleep not long after. During her dream with in a dream, Pinkie took the time to throw a party, with her friends. From what it looked like, Pinkie was to need all the morale she could get in her endeavor.
When Pinkie awoke again it was light. Celestia's figurative sun was just starting to rise, shedding light on her still unknown surroundings. Pinkie stood to her hooves, correcting one of the knives that was at poking her. When she looked to see where she was her eyes went wide, with horror, fear, and strangely joy. "This isn’t what I think it is, is it?" Pinkie thought out loud. She could have sworn she heard manical laughter, but thought against it.
Before her, the area Pinkie was sent was the worse thing Pinkie has ever seen. There before her, was her home. The home she grew up in. And it was in flames, the entire rock farm was for that matter.
"Aww..." Whispered a heinous voice all too similar to Discord's. "What is wrong Pinkimena?" Pinkie spun around but saw nothing, just the flames across the fields.
"Who's there?!?" Pinkie yelled disoriented and confused, searching for the owner of the terrible voice. "Show your self! You aren't welcome here!" She yelled as she continued to search for her adversary.
"Why Pinkie!" Said the evil voice mock offended. It was then he appeared, floating down towards her. "That is no way to treat your ... Father!" Pinkie was confused until she looked him over. He was a splitting image of her father his plain light brown coat, and grey mane, pickaxe for a cutie mark, and... Asides from one thing, his eyes weren't even there. Instead they were replaced by a dark aura of black energy.
"Guilt." Pinkie said with rage. Taking a battle stance. Pinkie's emotions were on fire. She knew about consummation magic. Her power was similar, but a permanent consumption of a body was to claim it's life first. That meant one thing. Her father was dead.
"What surprised to see me?" Guilt sad with a terrible laugh. "You know Laughter, you are never any fun, despite your Element. I know about your family."
Guilt spoke, but his mouth never moved. Guilt doesn’t need to speak, physically that is. He will always dwell there, in that little dark corner in your heart. He must had opened a magical channel in her mind, while she was sleeping.
Looking deep into her eyes, letting his powers unleash onto her. Guilt spoke once more. "I know all of your deepest, darkest, secrets and regrets... I am, after all Guilt. One of the most powerful Element's of Discord. Tell me, why did you leave your family? You knew that they would struggle without you."
Guilt smiled a manical smile. Nothing like her father would ever smile. 'That is if he ever really did smile.' Pinkie thought to herself. "You didnt make everypony smile, smile, smile, or fill their hearts with sunshine did you!?!" Guilt yelled to her.
"NO!" Pinkie shouted. Throwing a knife at Guilt, but her attempt was in vain. Guilt had vanished as soon as he appeared, and was already behind Pinkie, throwing her to the ground. "HAH! you call yourself an Element." Guilt chuckled. I will be seeing you around Pinkimena." He said as he faded away.
Pinkie shot up to her hooves once more, another knife ready in hoof. But Guilt was gone. Pinkie lowered her guard after ten seconds. And then was reminded of her surroundings once more from the smell of burning wood. "OH NO! MY FAMILY!" Pinkie yelled rushing towards her house. It was burning, but wasn’t done yet. Pinkie opted to give it a try and see if her family was alright. After searching in her mothers burning room with no luck, she spotted one of her sisters climbing out the window.
"Picky Pie!" she screamed waving a hoof.
"Pinkie? Picky asked quizzically to herself. "Meet me outside! she yelled over the burning house most of the room was engulfed in flames, and neither of them had much time. With out a seconds moment hesitation Pinkie was already outside at her sisters window. Picky jumped just in time as the window and most of the side of their house had collapsed.
Landing on her stomach Picky let out a loud "Oof!" And was starting spitting blood. Pinkie walked over to hold her sister until she was able to recover. As she held her sister, Pinkie looked her over. Her usual grey features were now charred. Major third degree burns patterned her entire body. Her mane was for the most part fine, asides the fact it was covered in blood. This opted the question in Pinkies mind. "Where's mom and Quartzy?"
Picky looked into her eldest sisters eyes, then back to the ground. "Dad... Dad killed them. It wasn't him though... It was somepony else..." She said her breath shaking. "Im alive because I played dead, under Quartzy's body..." She revealed her slash across her stomach. It was deep and wide. too deep and wide for anypony to be living. Picky started coughing blood at an alarming rate, spewing it all over Pinkie's armour and pink coat, but she didn’t care. All that mattered to her was her sister. After gagging and wheezing for thirty seconds or so Picky spoke her last words. "Why Pinkie? Why did you leav-" She was dead.
All Pinkie could do was stare at her youngest dead sister before her. Her mane instantly flattened, under her hood. She knew it, but nopony (That is IF there was a pony alive.) Could see it. There was no more Pinkie now though. She was no longer. Pinkimena was now in charge. And she was to have revenge.
Fluttershy's shed was nothing compared to Pinkie's massacre. Laughter seemed to darken, she could be an Element of Discord with all the rage she felt. Nothing was alive in her wake. Blood everywhere, limbs strewn across the forest.
Pinkimena stood up. She hadn't slept since her family's death, and that was three days ago. She had not eaten, not slept, she hadn’t even checked her equipment. Deciding she needed some fresh air, from the... Lovely stench of blood that surrounded her. "Insanity is what it seems, and real life is a nightmare of a dream." Pinkimena sang to herself, as she walked through the forest.
The forest was dank, and thick. The trees that flanked her were occasionally stained with blood from her previous rage. It was still there make no mistake, but she wasn't quiet in the killing mood right now.
"Hehehehe." Pinkimena heard the manical laugh echo through out the forest, or was it her mind? It had to be in her mind, nothing around her was alive to laugh anymore. It had to be Guilt.
"Hello Laughter." Guilt said deviously, leaning nonchalantly against a tree. "Having some fun?"
Pinkimena simply ignored her opposite, brushing past him. Knocking him off balance. The blood that stained her coat, rubbed off onto her fathers manipulated body, as he stumbled to regain his balance. Guilt looked at his coat. "Looks like you have been having ALOT of fun." He grinned. This was all just a façade though. Laughter is one of the most unpredictable Element's of all. Guilt didn’t show it, but was afraid. He looked directly into Pinkimena's eyes, placing all of his power into her. The guilt that Pinkimena felt was massive, but it wasn’t enough to stop her. With her fore hooves she grabbed her fathers body, and simply broke it's neck. Guilt yelled in surprise. And fell to the ground. "You aren’t ready for your trial's." Guilt tried, while repairing his body with the magic he possessed.
Pinkimena didn't even bother to acknowledge him, but stayed where she was, watching Guilt recover himself. His once broken body was now restored, and was now standing before her again. You reek of guilt, Laughter, I love it.
Pinkie laughed, strangely enough this was Pinkie's laugh, not Pinkimena's laugh. But Guilt didn't notice it. "You'll see what is in store for you." He commented giving his last shot, before he was forced to retreat. "Remember your family, oh wait..." And with that guilt was now gone again.
Pinkimena needed to stop. Her encounter with Guilt was more than what she let on. It took all of her strength to not release Pinkie. Pinkimena was in control, not Pinkie. No she wasn't ready. Her limbs were weak, not from slaughtering most of the animals in the forest, or even Guilt’s magic. Pinkie wanted to come out so bad and that took most of Pinkimena's strength to contain her. 'Guilt's magic must have broken my containment on Pinkie.' Pinkimena thought to herself.
She continued to walk throughout the forest, nothing new in sight. The trees had the same look the them, gray, dead, lacking any life. Eventually Pinkimena had reached what looked to be a temple of sorts. Pinkie, still battling for control of her own body, had enough control to force Pinkimena into the temple.
The temple was old and rustic. It looked like it was made out of rocks... The same ones on Pinkie's farm actually. It stood at twenty feet high and had one massive entrance at the front. The temple was covered in moss, and vines strangely enough.
Entering the temple both Pinkie and Pinkimena felt a massive pull towards the center of the temple. A kind of old magic that wasn't to be ignored. Literally pulling Pinkimena towards the center (Pinkimena is in control of their body right now) a pink light illuminated the temple, at the same time darkening the rest of the entry's and window's.
"Ahh I see the bearer of Laughter has arrived." A feminine voice similar to Luna's came out of the air. Just in the saying of that, Pinkies necklace that represented the Element of laughter, appeared in the middle of the room. Pinkimena and Pinkie both had the idea to look up, something they actually agreed on for once. "But with an unexpected guest! One is dark, the other is light... But you are the same." After a pause of uncomfortable silence for both Pinkie and Pinkimena the voice of laughter spoke once again. "It seems I already know my trial for who is worthy!" exclaimed the voice. "Since you are both the same, and have the required characteristics to bear Laughter, you shall fight yourself!"
The ground started to rumble as the temple seemed to collapse. The corners around the temple, fell into an abyss of darkness and the roof caved in. All that was left was a large rock circle in which Pinkimena stood facing Pinkie. "Now I know who you are." The voice stated. "Pinkie one of light who can conquer shadows, is to face Pinkimena one of who is a dweller of darkness, but walks within the light. You are to fight to the death, leaving only one standing. The winner shall be returned to your actual body that you have shared for so long." It was then Pinkie and Pinkimena noticed they were but aurora's of themselves. Pinkie a bright pink, Pinkimena, and dark pink. "Let the battle begin!"
Pinkie was already over at Pinkimena knife in hoof. Floating right beside her to her right, she swung her blade. Pinkimena dodged not quiet in the nick of time, allowing Pinkie's blade to sever part of her ear. The aura of her ear floated lazily to the ground and disintegrated when it hit the floor. Pinkimena returned with a smoke bomb to Pinkie's face blinding her. Pinkie fell with a yelp out of the air, and was already pinned by Pinkimena. "Any last words?" Pinkimena snarled. Pinkie was unfazed by this though. She had already snuck under from Pinkimena and was about to stab her in the back, but Pinkimena saw it coming. Many hooves were thrown, but none actually made contact. Each were blocked like the last.
Combat wasn't going to work. Pinkie needed to use something else. Then she remembered something. Pinkimena was her opposite. Just like Guilt, but in a different way. She needed to use her Element to her advantage. but during her train of thought Pinkie was smacked to the ground and Pinkimena stuck a knife into her side, breaking two of her ribs.
It was now or never. Pinkie was to use her Element to defeat herself, not her knowledge of combat. Pinkie erupted into a fit of giggles regardless of how much pain she was really in. Pinkimena was certainly thrown off guard by this. She was supposed to be screaming in pain... Not laughing like she was having fun. Pinkie was lifted from a pink tendrils from nowhere. Becoming enveloped in the tendrils Pinkie formed a cocoon around herself. All Pinkimena could do was stare. What as going on?!?
Giggles started to echo throughout the room, not manical ones either. These were fun loving, all pure laughter giggles. What started as low echo's was now the only thing to be heard throughout the battle space. The cocoon around Pinkie had suddenly shattered. Pinkie floated out of the cocoon completely healed and radiating light like no tomorrow. She stood before Pinkimena. The Element of Laughter was around her neck and was shining brightly. Pinkie shot out a ray from the necklace, and enveloped Pinkimena in it. Pinkimena just screamed she had lost, and this was her death.
After Pinkie's eyes had recovered from the light, she was now back in her own body, not the ethereal version of herself. The once grand tall standing temple was no longer there. The forest seemed to be bustling with life and activity, and the trees were all green and healthy now. Instead just rubble from broken rocks, and dead eerie tree's. The body of Pinkimena before her.
Guilt walked up to the temple to see why there was such a large amount of power coming from it. He was drawn to the power, and what he saw terrified him. There stood Pinkie, and she had found her true potential. Guilt tried to make a get away, but was quickly heard from Pinkie as he ran into a tree. Pinkie was already at Guilt before he was able to recover.
"Guilt!" she chirped. "Aww! You look so sad! Maybe you learned that it isn't nice to destroy other people lives!"
Guilt tried to teleport away, but Pinkie's magic was way too strong for him to do that. He scrambled backwards, hoping to find some sort of weapon to surprise and end her, but to no avail. "St-stay away from me... You... you FREAK! YOU KILLED YOUR FAMILY, YOU KILLED YOURSELF, YOU LIE WHEN YOU SAY C'MON EVERYPONY SMILE SMILE SMILE! THEY AREN' YOUR FRIENDS!"
Pinkie just tilted her head, continuously smiling. "Aww that’s too bad." With that Pinkie let her powers envelope Guilt destroying him.
She had done it. She was Laughter now. She had realized her true potential.
'Generous... All I have to be is generous...' Rarity thought to herself, as she walked with Celestia towards the medical wing of the castle. Rarity had this thought going through her mind during the entire walk with Celestia, not speaking a word. It made for an awkward silence for Celestia, but Rarity was oblivious to the situation before her. And rightfully so. Generosity is so easy to corrupt, Discord had seen to that. Envy was going to be in her hair the entire time Rarity was in the last parts of her training and she knew it.
Celestia looking to break the awkward silence that was relayed between them only seemed to deepen as she walked by several ponies, most of which were her servants. This wasn't what made it awkward though. Sure all of her personal servants feared and respected her beyond belief, but apparently not as much as with the Elements of Harmony. This was definitely new to Celestia. She was always the most feared, but also loved from all of her subjects. With one thousand years of almost COMPLETE boredom without her sister Celestia was malnourished of ponies knowing her on a personal level. She had thrived off of any negative feedback that she got. In a way she learned to like it. But now that she was losing it? She needed to go back to her family for that, not just the fear of her everyday servants and subjects. She finally decided to break the thick ice forming between them that Rarity was subconsciously creating.
"Rarity?" Celestia asked, as she tilted her head to make eye contact with her student (Well more like an equal at this point, even she didn’t' know it.) Rarity looked towards the sound of words, and realised she hadn't spoken a single word to the princess that day, regardless of the fact that she was personally escorting her to her destination.
"Oh! I am so sorry! I haven't spoken a word today! What is it Celestia?" She apologised with the up most sincerity.
A few servants looked towards the group. Sure they feared, respected and loved the pair more than almost anything, but to hear their princess being spoken too on a complete personal level was not something they saw every day. I was a revelation for many. Something that they were never to experience either.
"Doesn't it bother you that most ponies look at you in fear, and respect? Not just an ordinary pony?" Celestia asked with the slightest amount of irritance in her voice a she stared at one of her less respectable servants, as he stared with awe. He spent a little too long staring at Celestia's flank on days. He didn’t even bother to hide it either. That was just creepy, not the negative attention Celestia liked. "I know I wish I could be treated as a normal pony..." Celestia broke her piercing stare upon the servant looking the ground, who was now visibly nervous, and shaking now returning to his duties.
Rarity looked towards Celestia with a quizzical look upon her face. "Whatever do you mean dear!" Rarity exclaimed She had always dreamed of being awed and respected. Asides from the guards stares, as she walked past them, she really hadn't noticed the attention actually.
"I know it may seem nice now, but if you have lived as long as I have, It really gets old." Celestia had her eyes glued to the floor she hadn't expressed herself like this to ANYPONY other than to her family. "I just want to be treated like a regular pony again."
Rarity was extremely confused and yet she understood. On one hoof she was always In envy of Celestia's position of power and awe. Oh how she marvelled to be like that one day! But on the other hoof, she never thought it like Celestia had explained it. In a way it was like being treated like she invisible by her parents. Only just... you know over two thousand years more than what Rarity had experienced.
They both continued on the conversation each pointing out what they would like, or miss. By the end of their conversation, they had reached the medical wing of the castle and each pony had gotten their social desires off their chests. They were strangely now in high spirits. Rarity had even forgotten about Envy for a short while during the conversation.
The doctors, and engineers suited Rarity up, into the magical contraption Luna and Celestia created. Rarity only wore a set of black robes, as they channelled her magic to be stronger. She was the fortifier on the team, not to be on the frontline. And therefore it could be stylish. Rarity waited for the long process of her tech to be set up with a certain tranquility. She had no idea what she was to face. But she was ready. Now fully suited up with wires, sensor clothes, and magical sensors, Rarity gave the hoof's up to show she was ready. This was it.
Like Pinkie Rarity woke with a snap. Definitely not getting the beauty sleep she was after, but the dreamscape wasn't supposed to be easy! She was laying on her stomach on a stone cold floor, in an alleyway. No Pony was in sight. Rarity giggled. There once was a time where she couldn't even stand dirt, not even to save herself. In her mind she still screamed: Ack Dirt! Stay away!' But she wasn't as rupophobic as she used to be. Plus the robes she was wearing concealed the dirt nicely. The dirt stayed off her coat, and her robes were easy to clean. "Hmm I guess I should find out where I am..." Rarity thought to herself.
Where was she? The area was dark and dank. The sun looked like it was going to rise in a couple of hours. 'Two...' Rarity Thought to herself. She had to look up to see the sky. She was in a city of some sorts. Something like Trottingham, or Las Pegasus, maybe even Manehatten. This was too big for Ponyville, and too dirty for Canterlot. Rarity opted to try one of the establishment's to catch her bearings.
As she continued to walk through the dank alleyways, she still saw nopony. Not even in the streets. The only placed that seemed to be open was a rather uncouth place. It was a bar aptly named: The Spittin' Mug. Rarity would never go there on her own incentive, but this was important. She hoped to at least find one gentle colt among the group of ruffians.
Rarity entered the bar to see that two stallions were fighting, in the corner, on passed out on the floor, and the rest were either scattered across the room at separate tables, or at the bar stools each took a watchful eye on her. Rarity thought she would try the Bar first. The ponies being served really didnt look to be the kinds she wished to mingle with.
"Hey there purty lady." The bartender said in a deep and redneck voice. "What'll it be? You know it's on the house for you. I haven't seen such a good looking filly in a looong time." He said with a wink. "If you know what I mean." He said even more slyly. He was making a move on her.
"Pass." she simply said trying to get forward out of this conversation. "Might you gentlecolt's te-" Rarity was cut off by a voice behind her.
"We don't think you understand... A huge brown stallion to her right looked at her. He was almost as tall as Rarity was. but way thicker. Fatter too.
"Yeah!" Replied his skinny blue companion to her left. His voice much higher than the fatter stallion. "Your ours now..."
Rarity's eyes were wide with shock in what the stallions meant. No she was not going to let this happen. As they made their advance to her Rarity let out a shock wave spell smashing, shattering, crushing and electrifying basically everything in the room. All the stallions flew back and hit the wall. Falling on broken glass chairs and tables alike. The bartender seemed to get the worst of it. Glass lodged in the back of his skull, and neck.
She walked up to the fatter stallion who got up the quickest looking for a fight. "Your strong lady. But you need to be punished!" He said lunging forward to her.
Rarity saw it coming and slammed him to the ground with her magic, and had everypony at bay. He was the leader of this little thug group, and if he was being taken down, the others were going to back off. "Where am I?!?" Rarity shrieked to him inches from his face.
The stallion grinned and tried to go in for a kiss, but was soon matched with an unreal amount of pain in his nuts. "If you try that again you can kiss those good bye." She said coolly tightening her grasp with her magic making him scream in pain. "Now Where am I?!?!" She screamed once more.
The stallion was only able to reply in a much higher voice. "CRAZY BITCH! YOUR BUCKING CRAZY!" Rarity tightened her grasp even more. Starting to think that they may even pop. "AHHH MANEHATTEN YOUR IN MANEHATTEN JUST LET ME GO!" He screamed in shame before his gang. Sexism was more than likely a thing in their group.
Rarity's eyes went wide. She was in Manehatten.
The next day...
Rarity awoke in a nice cozy little bed. Looking out the window she needed to forget what happened last night. The sun was just passing it's twilight, so she had slept for about 4 hours. The welcoming aroma of eggs was certainly appealing to her in the morning. Earlier that night she managed to sweat talk a nice Pegasi famly into inviting her into their home after she emerged from the bar. Half the town must have heard the commotion she caused. And the story she told, certainly melted the couples heart, inviting her into their home for the night. She was sure to pay them back. Maybe even when she’s out of the dreamscape.
After breakfast, thanking them countless times, and gathering their names. She left the nice couples home. Skyhaven's husband Airloom looked like he was getting sick, so she left the couple before she felt like she was intruding.
As Rarity walked through the busy street of Manehatten she noticed many ponies were getting sick. 'Funny' she thought to herself, as she walked. 'They all have the same symptoms that Airloom had. The symptoms were deep red faces, almost constant coughing, and light-headedness.
Thinking this can't be a coincidence Rarity headed to the hospital. When she arrived there were royal guards standing in front of the hospital. As Rarity walked towards the guards they immediately noticed her as the Element of Generosity. "Hello miss Rarity." One of the guards spoke. If their superiors saw them speaking out of turn he would have crucified them, but they quickly learned that the Elements greatly outranked their captain. So to make nice with an Element was certainly a good thing. They had hear what they did in the simulations to their enemy's.
"Oh hello Private!" Rarity exclaimed. "I do say what is going on with all of the security around the hospital? Better yet have you noticed everypony being sick lately?"
The guard just stood there. He was going to be abandoning his post, but to a greater authority. His companion would have to cover for him for a few minutes. "You may want to follow me then."
Rarity gave him a confused look ad complied entering the hospital. Everything seemed normal, until they reached the second floor. What was there were ponies all different colors, but their faces were the same color. A deep red. They all seemed to be coughing much more than the ponies on the streets, so the guard and Rarity wore a surgical mask. Some ponies were even coughing up blood.
"The doctors say the haven't ever seen anything like it." The guard said as they walked through the hallways with sicker ponies as they went. "They are calling it a plague of some sort, but haven’t come with a name for it. So far twelve ponies have died. seven adults, and five children. No pony has been cured yet either. In the next room I will show you there is a family. They have had the Plague the longest and yet they don’t seem to die. Not yet anyways. The couple’s daughter seems to be fending it better than themselves. They have had it for about a week now."
When The guard and Rarity walked into the room Rarity's eyes were wide with shock and horror. There before them were three of the closest ponies she had in her life. And they were infected. The only soothing sounds in the room were the heart monitors that kept steady. No this couldn’t be happening. Not them! Rarity wanted to break down and cry, but she couldn't not like this in front of the sick and the guard. "Leave us." Rarity said in a very cold tone. It was the only way she could replace the sadness that dwelled with in her.
There before her, in the hospital bed the ponies she loved more than anything in the world were dying in front of her. "Rarity..." The two adults called simotainiously called her. She walked over. Right before she got there though, their heart monitors flat lined. "Jgkkhhh."
They were dead Rarity's parents were dead. She didn't even get to say good by.
But her sister was still alive. She still had Sweetie Bell.
"Rarity..." She called weakly. "I... I wa-"
"Shhh Sweetie. I know." She said with tears in her eyes. "Im here to help."
"But I overheard the doctors! They said there was no hope for us! How are you goin to help?" Sweetie exclaimed weakly. She knew that the doctors couldn't help her. But she hoped her sister could. Sweetie was now in tears, resting on her sisters shoulder hugging her as tight as possible.
Rarity had to think long and hard. How can she help her sister? She didn’t want to catch the disease herself, and yet if she were to die, she couldn't be happier to die by her sisters side. "I-I don't know Sweetie." In truth she knew a way, but it wasn't going to be easy. "I love you Sweetie you know that?" Rarity couldn't take it anymore she was now in tears. The thought of her one and only sister that she loved more than anything dying in her arms was too much.
"I love you more than anything, you know that?" Rarity asked Sweetie, as they sobbed into each other’s shoulders.
"I love you too sis..."
Rarity had stayed there until Sweet had cried herself to sleep. She didn't notice it, but she had drawn a crowd of about fifteen doctors and patients alike. All carrying sympathetic looks on their faces. most of them crying themselves. Seeing Equestrian’s greatest weapon in such a vulnerable state was heart touching.
Rarity just sat there, for minutes. Nopony dared move for a long time, until Rarity curled up into a ball on the floor and fell asleep beside her dying sister.
There the sound was again. That dreaded flat pitch that carried instant grief. But a bleep made Rarity’s heart skip a beat as she was beside her sister in a second. Her eyes were wide with fear. The doctors were doing all they could to keep her alive, but nothing seemed to work. Sweetie’s heart was slowing down, and fast. She only had a few minutes before she was gone.
"Doctor may I try something?" Rarity asked, as she left the room with the main doctor. It was rhetorical though she was going to do it no matter what.
"Yes. At this time we are fresh out of ideas, and are accepting all kinds of ailments." The doctor said in a depressed state. She looked like she hadn't gotten any sleep in days.
"Thank you doctor." Rarity said as she walked in on her dying sister. She was in a coma, and in her state she had very few minutes before she was gone.
Rarity ignited her horn, and used her tendril spell. But this time she wasn't feeding off of enemies or other forces of nature. No now she was feeding off of herself to save her sister. To save her sisters life Rarity risked hers. The spell started to drain her massively. She was weakening b the second and she could feel it, but none of that mattered she was going to save her sister. After five minutes of draining herself Rarity saw that tis wasn't going to be enough. She needed something more. She needed to gie her own life force to save her sister. The room was filled with purple light as the doctor's watched in awe, never before had they seen something like this being done. Rarity had completely enveloped herself in her magic along with Sweetie Bell.
But just as Rarity was about to give her last scrap of strength and power in her body something pushed back at her. Causing her spell to falter, and fall. She fell to the ground along with her sister luckily Sweetie was over top of a bed.
When Rarity recovered she saw her sister staring at her manically. No that wasn't her sister! her sister was sitting in the bed! It was Envy. It was but an illusion of her sister. "Hello Generosity..." Envy's words dripped with poison. "You may have stopped the little plague that I was, but Now I am going to kill you!"
"Rarity just stood there and did nothing. All that was on her mid was the fact that her sister was alive. She could feel it. By then the Element of Generosity had appeared around Rarity's neck.
"Miss Rarity your neck!" Said one of the doctors in disbelief.
"QUIET FOOL!" Envy screamed as she lept towards the doctor to break his neck. But before Envy could place her hooves on the doctor Rarity had her in her Elemental grasp. She wasn't using her magic. No she was using her Element. She had learned her true power.
"I don’t think so Envy." Rarity said as she brought Envy to her face. "You plagued my family, you killed my parents! You caused everypony this grief and for nothing. That was selfish, and I am going to do the opposite of that." Rarity paused for dramatic effect, and whispered in her ear. "Im going to do it with you..."
Rarity awoke with another snap. She had learned her true power! But that really didn't matter to her right now. What mattered was seeing a certain special family.
Due to Fluttershy's new calm, and not so new quiet demeanor, there was no confrontation before Luna and Fluttershy arived in the medical wing of the castle. Ponies feared and respected the princess of the night, and the Element of Kindness, so they really didn't want to bother them.
Their conversation was mostly based upon animals, as rare or strange as they may be. Luna was talking about animals, but not quiet the everyday animals that Fluttershy encountered. She was talking about Manticores, and sea serpents that could be found in the Everfree forest. Not really Fluttershy's typical bunny, bird or mouse. They had reached the room where the true dreamscapes are preformed, and the doctors and engineers strapped Fluttershy to the strange magical contraption. She stood firm, but it was still a wierd sensation for Fluttershy to have physical contact with ponies. It wasn't something that she usually incorporated in her usual day to day life. She was much more used to her animals, who fit nice and snug in her hooves. Fluttershy was lost in thought. She looked very happy , so Luna opted to start the dreamscape now, while Fluttershy was having joyful thoughts. Hopefully this would make her final stages of training that much easier. Fluttershy wasn't a pony who deserved confrontation, or conflict of any sort. But it was necessary for her to encounter the Element of Discord that is her opposite, Hate. One of the nastiest Elements of them all, but strangely also one of the weakest. ZAPP She was in.
Fluttershy snapped open her eyes. Why do these things have to wake them so suddenly every time? 'It's kind of irritating' she thought to herself.
She needed to get her bearings. Unfortunately she couldn't, everything was just too dark. Fluttershy wasn't tired, either, so she couldn't kill time by sleeping. There really wasn't anything to do at all! For what seemed like eons Fluttershy just sat there, waiting for the sun to rise. "How could Luna stand this? Seeing only this for a thousand years." Fluttershy asked out loud to nopony in particular. It must have been two? Maybe three hours Fluttershy had waited and it didn't seem like her eyes were adjusting anytime soon. Was anything even going to happen?
Just as Fluttershy was about to move the earth seemed to shift from under her. A low drone filled the air, and slowly got louder. The ground underneath Fluttershy seemed to split. Fluttershy didnt know what to do. She coudn't see anything, and when she tried to open her wings to fly the were held down by an unsurpassable force.
Before Fluttershy knew what was going on, she was falling into a black abyss. A seemingly never ending black abyss. No, this couldn't be right! Fluttershy closed her eyes, concentrating very hard. It must have been Hate's doing. Mustering all of her strength to find a happy place, she tore away from the grip of the abyss.
When she open her eyes again, she appeared to be just outside of Ponyville. But there was a dark look to it. Everypony that was in sight looked angry or afraid.
"What happened here?" Fluttershy asked herself, as she walked in the outskirts of Ponyville. Nopony payed any attention to her at all. It was like she was invisible. As she walked Fluttershy saw Sugarcube Corner and decided to head for the town square. Somepony there had to know what was going on. When Fluttershy reached the town square she saw Twilight standing before basically everypony in Ponyville. A few houses were destroyed, and Snips and Snails were skulking away from the crowd. "Twilight!" Fluttershy exclaimed as she flew over to greet her friend. Twilight didn't answer. Maybe she was invisible. Now that she looked carefully, there she was, standing in the crowds!
Fluttershy tucked in her wings and plopped on the ground. "Hmmm... " She said, bringing a hoof to her chin. "What's so familiar about this place?"
"Heavens to Betsy! We new you had ability, but not that much!" Applejack exclaimed, Rainbow nodding beside her.
That was it! This was the day that the Ursa attacked the town! And also the day Trixie came to town... Fluttershy had forgotten about the not so studious show-mare. But the memories were now rushing back to her. As much as she hated to admit it, she longed to help and comfort the mare. She had nowhere to live (her home being destroyed) her career was in shackles, and her pride, ego, and basically everything in her life had been thrown in the figurative trash that evening. Fluttershy knew exactly what she was going to do.
With thoughts of Kindness in her head and heart, Fluttershy was beginning to take an actual form and shedding her ethreal form.
It took Fluttershy about half an hour to find the fleeing mare. Eventually she took to flight to help find Trixie faster. At last she saw her, hidden at the edge of the Everfree forest. Fluttershy landed softly as to not surprise her.
Fluttershy listened to the mare's sobs, and decided to let Trixie open up to her. After the sobs had relented, Trixie got to her hooves, seemingly oblivious to Fluttershy sitting patiently behind her.
"A-alright dear that's enough crying." Trixie spoke to herself. "You don't need that damn Ponyville or that stupid purple Unicorn who showed you up." She said in a sniffle, her confidence seemingly raising, only to be shot down once more by her recent memory.
"YOU AREN'T SO GREAT AND POWERFUL NOW ARE YOU?!?" Trixie was now yelling at herself. All Fluttershy could do was wait. It wasn't good to interfere when ponies were having tantrums like this. Best to let the cool down first. But it didn't look like Trixie was going to cool down anytime soon.
"YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A WHORE! A USELESS WHORE! NOT GREAT AND POWERFUL!!! YOU WERE SHOWN UP BY A COMMONER! THAT PURPLE BITCH DESERVES NOTHING MORE THAN TO-"
"Hello? Excuse me?" Fluttershy had to cut her off before she got more violent. In no way was going to be condescending with her, but Trixie was not going to talk that way about her friend. "The Great and Powerful Trixie right?" Fluttershy tried to make the show-mare as comfortable as possible while talking to her. "My na-"
Trixie turned around, startled that somepony had snuck up on her. She turned to see a tall, strong looking cream coloured Peagsus mare. 'That's not how Trixie remembers her, but who cares' Trixie thought to herself. Then she remembered something. Her show-mare shield was down, she needed to be seen as The Great and Powerful Trixie! Not some helpless, weeping filly. Raising her cold demeanor again Trixie brought words to her mouth. Swear words tasted bad on her tongue but after what she just went through she thought she deserved it.
"You..." She said her words dripping with poison. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE YOU BITCH? HUH? COME TO SEE THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE'S SELF LOATHING? COME TO SEE HER WEEP AFTER HER BUCKING FAILURES?!?" Trixie broke down, her knees buckled, and she was sobbing again. Her voice hurt to much to yell anymore, and she didn't care.
"Have you come to see me for who I trully am? A failure?" She asked in between sobs. Now it was Fluttershy's turn to speak.
"No! not at all! I actually enjoyed your show!" Fluttershy lied. If she was to get this mare to open up to her she had to be kind as possible. "That trick were you made the flowers appear was especially neat!" She said with a smile, clapping her hooves together.
Trixie just looked at Fluttershy, wanting to raise her shield so badly. Just to huff this pony off. But there was something about her. Something she couldn't place. No pony had ever been this kind to her in all her days. They only feared her, or disliked her. It would be an understatement to say some of them respected her, but Trixie liked to think that they did sometimes.
"Why are you being so nice? After what I did?" Trixie's show-mare shield was now completely dropped, she needed to open up to somepony so badly, and this looked like the pony to do so with. "I don't deserve your courtesy." Trixie pouted.
Staring to the ground, Fluttershy thought for a second. In all truth Trixie really didn't deserve any of her respect, courtesy or pleasantries of any kind from Fluttershy . But right now that is exactly what she needed. Somepony to lean on, somepony to listen to her problems and understand them.
"No. No you don't." Fluttershy finally said, her hooves at her hips, staring down Trixie. "But that doesn't mean you're not getting it. So maybe you want to tell me exactly what is bothering you." Trixie wanted to argue, but the truth was no longer going to hide itself. It was bearing down on her shoulders all at once, and the figurative pressure was enough to kill. If she had the 'right mind set' as her orphan master called it, she would have commited suicide YEARS ago. So she started from the beggining. Her horrible life, her trauma filled foalhood. Her entire life of poverty and self loathing.
Fluttershy just listened to her story. It took over two hours to finish, but the mare needed to get it out of her system.
"And then today!" Trixie dramatically exclaimed, throwing her hooves in the air. "Today I actually thought I was going to settle down! Make a home for myself! Finally be accepted in this world!" She dropped her head once more. "But I guess I messed up that too, didn't I? For my whole life I've been one big buck up."
"I'm sorry Trixie must look pitiful." Trixie said, looking up at Fluttershy. "I didn't even catch your name."
"Oh... Im Fluttershy."
"Oh, Fluttershy, What is Trixie to do?"
Fluttershy gently started stroking her mane, giving her a litteral shoulder to cry on. Trixie gladly accepted.
"Shhh" Fluttershy cooed. Trixie started to gurgle, but Fluttersy thought nothing of it. "It's ok... Everypony can restart. It just isn't easy." As Fluttershy looked down at the weeping mare before her, she realized a change.
Trixie wasn't herself. Her eyes were now slits and had lost their color turning a neon green. Her coat took on a darker shade of blue, and she no longer was sobbbing. She looked up at Fluttershy with malicious eyes. The gurgling was something else, not Trixie's sobbs, sniffs or saliva. It was death.
"Helloooo.... Sluttershy...." Trixie said. "Or should I say Kindness..." Fluttershy was taken aback. Trixie was consumed right from under her. It was Hate.
"Hate." She said in a cold tone. "What do you want?"
"Oh, Kindess, you've never been any fun." Hate started. "Always the party pooper along with Loyalty." All Fluttershy could do was look at Hate, her right eye twitching. "Such a shame too. This waste of skin doesn't deserve the honor of my consumption. You aren't even worth my time." He said coldly.
Fluttershy just smirked. Hate was in for it. "You know, just because a pony is mean, or arrogant like your sister (Hate's sister Arrogance. You'll see about her later.) doesn't mean they don't deserve a little Kindness." This looked like it was pissing Hate off. Her plan was working. "Can you get a Manticore to bow to you just because you were kind to him? I don't think so." Fluttershy unknowingly started to unleash the stare upon Hate, who was now on his haunches. Fluttershy started to raise her voice. "Trixie may have been arrogant, but she never was hateful!"
It was Hate's turn now. "Oh, but on the contrary Flutterbitch!" He had recovered. When Fluttershy raised her voice the power of Kindness had left her. "Don't you remember what she said? Here, I'll show you!" With a flash of magic, Hate and Fluttersy were in the past looking upon Trixie weeping and screaming about Twilight.
Trixie got to her hooves, seemingly oblivious to Fluttershy sitting patiently behind her.
"A-alright dear that's enough crying." Trixie spoke to herself. "You don't need that damn Ponyville or that stupid purple Unicorn who showed you up." She said in a sniffle, her confidence seemingly raising, only to be shot down once more by her recent memory.
"YOU AREN'T SO GREAT AND POWERFUL NOW ARE YOU?!?" Trixie was now yelling at herself. All Fluttershy could do was wait. It wasn't good to interfere when ponies were having tantrums like this. Best to let the cool down first. But it didn't look like Trixie was going to cool down anytime soon.
"YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A WHORE! A USELESS WHORE! NOT GREAT AND POWERFUL!!! YOU WERE SHOWN UP BY A COMMONER! THAT PURPLE BITCH DESERVES NOTHING MORE THAN TO-"
With another flash Fluttershy and Hate were back in the present. Fluttershy fell to her stomach and started to wretch. It was a sickening thought, that the mare beside her had just opened up to her, and now she was possesed by Hate, calling her horrible things, and unleashing his power on her. Not to mention teleportation was new to her.
Hate just watched her with a sickening smile. "Useless." He whispered into her ear. Fluttershy didn't care. She needed to get back at Hate. With a swing of her wings she had him pinned, and continued to smash her hooves into Hate's face. Smash, smash. She was brutalizing Trixie's face, but that didn't matter. It was no longer her own.
After Fluttershy got about a good six or seven shots on Hate, he teleported behind her and continued to kick her in the ribs, crushing a few of them. Fluttershy let out a scream and was on the ground, completely overtaken. She was at Hate's disposal. But Hate had something else in mind. He levetated himself in the air, and pointed a hoof towards Fluttershy.
"Hate... Consume you." his voice echoed through out her mind. And with that Trixie body dropped. Hate left her shell. Just as a taunt. "See you around... Flutterbitch." Came an ethreal voice in from the forest.
Fluttershy lay on the ground for several hours, letting the magic of her feathers heal her. Self admistering her healing powers took longer on herself than it did for her friends. While she lay there she thought about her friends, how she loved them. How they would fight for her, and she would do the same. She also thought about Trixie. Her corpse lay beside her. Her horrible childhood, her dreaded show life, it all seemed so clear to Fluttershy that all she needed was somepony to be kind to her. Hopefully Trixie didn't suffer and felt the warmth of Fluttershy's Kindness, and not the cold hoof of Hate.
Raising to her hooves, Fluttershy looked at Trixie's corpse. It was ice cold. Fluttersy had carried dead animals like this before, but they were never this cold. 'It must have something to do with Hate.' She thought to herself. Zecora would have to help.
Fluttershy picked up Trixie and continued over to Zecora's hut. When she arived there she heard Zecora reciting an incantation for a brew she was creating. Fluttershy knoked on the door. Zecora's eyes went wide. She had never had a visitor before. That wasn't a quiet knock. This was certianly strange.
"Who is it that dwell's outside of my door? I haven't ever had visitors in my hutt before." Zecora opened her hutt door to find Fluttershy flapping her wings idly in the air, carrying another pony's corpse.
"Hello Zecora." Fluttershy said, entering the hut. She left Trixie outside.
" I know this may seem strange, but this isn't reality. It is a dream. I know you, but at this time you don't know me." Zecora nodded. Although she was in shock, she had heard about these kind of dreams before. She was going to heave to let off on the herbal tea's before bed. "This may be alot to ask of you, but would you help be a dig a grave for Trixie?"
Zecora looked at her with a puzzled look on her face and then spoke. "The dead mare that dwells outside?" Fluttershy nodded. "Then your request I shall obide." Fluttershy gave a thankful nod, and they departed to dig Trixie grave.
By the time it was morning Flutterhsy and Zecora had dug a shallow hole for Trixie's body to lay. Zecora spoke an old nursery rhyme, for her soul to rest in peace. Fluttershy thanked her, and then left. But just after Zecoura was out of view a blinding light came in front of Fluttershy. Slowly and dramatically lowering on front of her. It was her Element.
"Hello Fluttershy." It spoke in a calm and soothing ethreal voice. "You have proven to be worthy. When a pony's life was in shambles, you were there to comfort her. Even when she was shooting verbal daggers at you. You were kind to her untill her dying breath. You even surpassed being kind to her after her life was over." The light slowly approached Fluttershy's chest. After the light had subsided she noticed her cutie mark was placed upon her chest. She learned her true potential.
Hate was going around town with glee. Spreading his name. Causing divides in ponies' relationships. He made a game of it. Everytime a pony said "I hate you." to another he would gain a point. He was going on about seventeen by now. All it took was a little idea planted in one pony's head, and he was set. He didn't even need to consume them. Hate was sneaking up on Pinkie to get Applejack angry. "This will be fun." He said in his ethreal from. All he needed to do was be Hateful and then the idea was there.
***
Fluttershy zoomed through the sky. She wasn't in ethreal form anymore. To the naked pony eye she was like a shooting star just above the town of Ponyville. Hate would appear to be the opposite.
She needed to find Hate before he did anything too nasty. She rushed over Ponyville, seeing that ponies were already starting to be cold with each other. Hate was spreading.
Fluttershy's first thought was to find her friends. Sure enough she spotted Applejack and Pinkie standing before each other. They appeared to be arguing, obviously pissed at each other. Hate has been here.
***
Hate couldn't stop his laughter. He had already gotten two of the Elements of Harmony to surely hate each other, and was looking for his next victims. He spotted a rainbow maned mare, walking beside another mare, this one a purple Unicorn. Hate coud see exactly what he was going to do.
He found his spot to hide and was posing to strike, when a light aura tapped him on the shoulder. Hate couldn't believe his eyes. Fluttershy stood before him. And she had her Element. Hadn't he broken her?
"That's not very nice." Fluttershy said in her ethreal voice. Hate just growled. "Fine. I'll take you down again." He said.
***
Little did the two Elements realise, they were drawing quite a crowd. It looked like two stars were in a heated argument.(Excuse the pun) One: dark, sadistic, evil. The other: light, angelic, pure. One side of Ponyville went almost completely dark, despite the fact it was morning. The other was bright, and shining. Each side was barely visible. The aura's ony seemed to grow in their powers, establishing superiority.
Eventually they clashed. The dark one attacking the light, only to be burned and forced to retreat. Meanwhile the bright one would send out little shots of light to the darkness, not doing anything. The ponies of Ponyville could do nothing but watch.
The dark one took a large dive into the light, and the light one dodged. This went on for several minutes, untill the dark one actually made contact. The light one fell, along with the dark one, each aura thrashing about until they hit the ground. A blast similar to a Sonic Rainboom shook Ponyville. Everypony was blinded temporarily.
When they could see again, there before them stood two ethereal pony like forms. One black, the other light. They just stared at each other, and the light one raised it's head and shone it's light once more. The dark slowly faded, being consumed. When the it had faded the dark one was no longer there.
Authors notes: So yes this is a break chapter. Sort of something to put cliff-hangers in, tie loose ends that I have been meaning to get to, and add new content. Mostly tying ends though. There's eight segments to this chapter. One for Luna and Celestia, One for All the Elements. And then one for each Element. Even though this is titled: Half-time, this story will be coming to a close soon. Yes the link is the story Rainbow Factory. The one that disturbs me on multiple levels. Don’t ask me why, I just put it in there. I was listening to Rainbow Factory while typing that... zaqu-uhuahayuntzp: This was intended. I thought it out in my mind. And it makes sense. Nextly no one please PLEASE for the love of Faust, and all that is good, don't put the: "If You Know What I mean" Meme in the comments. There are multiple occasions where you could put just that. And i am more than aware of that. Now, for those of you confused, Horses have "Hawks" not ankles. Living on a farm, and trimming horses hooves would teach me this. So If you actually read this good for you. It will help.
So The reason I didn't release Celestia and Luna's fathers name is because I just love to keep you guys waiting! It will be release by the end of this fic though. So for now I will call their father: ___. Also I won’t be releasing who The third eternal sister is until later.
The mane six all decided it would be a good time to have... A vacation. Although that’s certainly not what it said on paper. According to the more beurocratic ponies in Canterlot, Equestria's greatest weapons, and top military asset's, just couldn't come and leave as they please anymore. So it was more like they were on an extended leave of absence. The detail's bore Celestia and Luna to death, but it was part of the job. They certainly didn't want the Element's to involved in something this boring and tedious. Luna scoffed at the thought of what Rainbow's report would look like. She had seen her weather reports, also the extremely confidential Rainbow Factory reports. They were...aesthetic would be the opposite of that to say the least.
After writing over a thirty page description, that not even the thickest beurocrat would dare touch, Luna and Celestia happily sent it into the Canterlot office, where it would be somepony else's problem. Luna and Celestia were making jokes, about the Elements as they walked beside each other. Luna making fun for reserving so much time for Twilight. Celestia making fun for wing wrestling with Rainbow on multiple occasions. In which she had lost the last one. It was early morning by the time Luna and Celestia had finished the paperwork. So they had some time to themselves. Call it sister bonding if you will.
Celestia and Luna continued to walk idly greeting their early to rise subjects, and the night guards. A few of the Lunar guards stopped to talk to Luna. Mostly about training. She was starting a branch of Lunar guards once more. The bat wings, and fangs were maybe too much for Celestia’s tastes, but This was Luna's army. Not Celestia's. As long as they weren't slaughtering and pillaging her subjects, and villages she was fine with them. They were a tad on the creepy side though. Ponies aren't supposed to have bat wings... Let alone fangs that can pierce through bronze.
When the coast was clear, Luna and Celestia both broke their ethereal mane spell. It was nice to see, each other, in their true forms. Not that at whole lot changed though. They were still Alicorns, still were herbivores and stuff like that. Basically they just shed their armor, and their manes stopped flowing with multi-colours. Celestia's was a bright pink. And Luna's was a dark shade of blue.
"Sister?" Luna's quietly asked her sister, not to draw any attention to themselves. "Pray tell where we are going."
With a flash of magic Celestia teleported her clothes to her chambers. Luna did the same. "I wish to show you something Lulu." Celestia said with her tongue sticking out at her, as she walked towards the labyrinth.
Luna scoffed, to save face. It had been a thousand years since she had been called that. She used to hate it, and admittedly she forgot about it. But now she didn't mind, the memories came rushing back to her. Unlocked by an invisible set of keys that were words. Little did Luna know, she was deep in thought. Her face wore a befuddled expression. Too many memories at once!
Celestia giggled and conjured a bucket of ice cold water, then continued to pour the contents on her head. Her mane was now flat, and she looked ridiculous. Celestia burst into laughter, clutching her sides. It had been too long since she had done that. There sat Luna soaked, and looking miserable, while Celestia was balling from laughing so hard. Good thing the area was sound proof, for multiple reasons.
"Oh t'is on!" Luna shouted. Jumping to Celestia, Luna quickly pinned her. Easy enough. She was already on her back. And was attacking her once more. "Remember thy superior tickles!" She said, while her face was assaulting Celestia's stomach. Making a farting sound, causing Celestia to squirm. The term Ape-shit would be a good way to describe it.
They rolled around in the grass, each of them exchanging tickles, giggles, and gasps for air. Luna couldn't stop making fat jokes. While Celestia teased her about being short. A certain amount of words were heard from the labyrinth, in it's: "Non covered spots." mostly being: Fat flank, or midget.
They continued to roll until they were out of breath and could no longer breath. Both of them gathering themselves and their breaths. Celestia looked like she got the worst of it. her immaculate coat was now stained brown, and green. Luna just had lots of dirt in her mane from the noogie Celestia gave her.
When they had gathered themselves. Luna noticed Celestia to be looking at two particular graves. "T'is our rent's is it not?" Luna said with a mixture of modern teenaged lingo and the old ways. "Been a long time since was hast dwelled, upon the earth."
"Yes..." Celestia said. There once was four Alicorns. The Almighty Lauren Faust: their mother. ___: their father. And then the two of them. Luna looked at one of the graves.
"BY TWILIGHT'S BEARD! SOMEPONY HAST DESECRATED OUR FATHERS GRAVE!" Luna shouted, leaving her two front hooves, eyes wide in horror. Her wing's flared. "What hast these insolent ponies done to our fathers grave?!?"
Celestia looked at Luna with confusion in her face at Her comment on their father and... Twilight's Beard? "Our father lives sister. He just isn't the pony who he used to be... "
"Ah" Luna said, idly. Then she shifted her gaze, to a mighty stone tablet. "Then we hast found our third sister." Luna commented. "Our mother's prophecy is correct then."
"Yes." Celestia said quietly. "Even if she doesn’t know it yet."
The mane six, had found a nice peaceful section of the gardens to relax in. It had been a long while since they were able to just enjoy the weather, and have nothing to do. Rainbow flew overhead to find the place and in minutes they were sitting having an enjoyable picnic. The private part of the garden was flanked by a waterfall, and a pond. And the entire area was surrounded by sekura trees.
Rarity no longer needed to lay on her drama queen couch. The blanket was now good enough. She made sure to bring an extra-large one for her friends.
Applejack decided to make a group conversation. Just not about, training and such. "So what ya'll gunna be doin on our little break?" Her country voice thick as ever. "Ah reckon ya'll have some pretty big plans."
"Yep!" Rainbow said still lying on the ground sunglasses shielding her eyes. "Im headin back to Ponyville to check on Scoot, her birthday is soon. Then going to Cloudsdale, to hang with the Wonderbolts." She said. "What about you AJ?"
"Well im gunna be goin straight back th' farm. Ah wanna check on how the helpers are doin, and jus' spend sum time with mah family. Been too long." Applejack looked over to Rarity who looked like she was ready to speak next. "What about you Rarity?"
"Well, Im going to see Sweetie Bell, In my training... It was hard... And I miss her so much. After that, I will be going to Manehatten, and be stay AWAY from a certain establishment." She said rather coldly. But she perked right back up, and continued in her regular cheerful tone. "While im there I will be visiting a certain family. As well."
Rainbow spoke up, now flying. "Hey yeah I’ve been waiting to ask you about that! Why are you guys always wearing your Element?"
Rarity looked at her funny. "Why Rainbow my dear! As strange as it may sound I can't! It is a permanent part of me now!" Rarity gestured Rainbow to come closer. "Feel!" She said patting her chest.
Rainbow reluctantly touched Rarity's chest. She was her friend, nothing more than that, it certainly made this awkward. She was surprised to find that her hoof went right through the Element. "Whoa..." She breathed in amazement. "That is awesome!" She said throwing her hooves in the air.
"Yes quite a sight isn't it!" Rarity mused. And looked over to Applejack, who wore a stern expression on her face. "Oh yes! ehehe. How silly of me!" Rarity half-heartedly laughed, bringing a hoof to her mouth. "What about you Fluttershy?"
"Oh well, im going to be heading to my cottage to check up on Angel. It has been so long since I have seen him." Fluttershy said happy to talk about animals. "He is a bunny of many needs, so I wonder how Colgate is handling it." She said her hooves clopped together, wearing a smiley, happy face. She just loved animals more than anything. "What about you Twilight?"
Twilight looked up, from the breadstick she was indulging herself in. "Huh? Give 'e a sheck." She said with her mouth full. After swallowing she continued. "Well I am staying here in Canterlot." The other five looked at her with confused looks on their faces. Sure it was nice to be in a place like Canterlot, but wouldn't it be nice to go back home? Plus she looked silly with the entire bread stick in her mouth.
"Sorry girls! I’ve just been so hungry lately! Im not finished growing apparently..." Breadstick, or at least half of it was torn out of her mouth. Apparently She was now the same size as Luna. " Anyways, Im visiting my parent's. They live here in Canterlot. And I haven’t seen them in years! I actually stopped seeing them regularly when I was brought in as Celestia's personal student." Twilight looked over to Pinkie.
"What about you Pinkie?" Twilight had to ask the inevitable. Though they all knew what the answer was going to be.
"Oh! Im going to visit my family!" That certainly caught them off guard. Each of the friends looked at each other with confused looks on their faces. This isn't Pinkie, is it? "And im going to throw a PARTY!" There you go. That was the Pinkie they knew. "It's going to be the most super-duper-awesomest-fantastic-partyrific-party ever!" Plus I miss my family..." She trailed off.
The mane six continued to make conversation, and have a nice picnic. This was a nice little break for them.
Rainbow flew through the air. Headed towards the direction of Ponyville. She wore her armor, she didn't know why, but it seemed like it was a habit, just like taking a shower every morning. She felt really light without it anyways. It was made of a lightweight onyx. To think about it, it was like a Shadowbolts costume without the face mask. And well of course armor. Spiked hoofplates, backplate armor, and Wing armor. It actually enhanced wing combat, but slowed her down. In total it weighed about 30 pounds.
As she continued to fly she just enjoyed the weather. It was nice to not have to work the weather sometimes. So she left the job to her left-hoof mare. Cloud Kicker. 'I wonder how she's doing with that...' She thought to herself.
She continued to fly, thinking of old memories in Ponyville, until the actual thing came to view. Seeing the nice little town, she picked up her speed. She missed her town, but she missed Scootaloo even more. Within a few seconds she was overtop of Ponyville. Reaching Sonic Rainboom speeds. But she had control over that now. She could pull one off, just as fast as Pinkie could do her creepy teleport thing. She could also stop them just as fast.
She certainly got the attention of many ponies as she went. It wasn't every day you saw A huge armored pony flying at record breaking speeds flying over your town.
She continued to search. Wherever the Crusaders were she wouldn't be too far behind. If not for that she could just ask Sweetie Bell or Applebloom. Sure enough Rainbow found The crusaders on a new mission. But this one looked like it was working for one of them at least. They were doing tricks on scooters. While Scootaloo was doing backflips, and ollies, Applebloom and Sweetie were colliding on multiple occasions.
Just as Scootaloo was a Finishing her last trick Applebloom and Sweetie collided right in front of her. Causing Scootaloo to make a quick decision.
Tilting forward Scootaloo pumped her wings furiously doing a front flip right overtop of of her friends, and pulled them off the ground with their scooters. They all landed, and Sweetie and Applebloom pulled off to the sides. There was a vertical ramp in front of them anyways. Scootaloo to the challenge, and pick up speed. As she hit the brink of the ramp, she pulled a backflip, and landed on the top.
Rainbow was amazed. "Those were some awesome tricks!" She exclaimed making an entrance.
"Rainbow!" Scootaloo jumped. "Oh my gosh! You came to see me on my birthday!" It had been too long since she had seen her idol.
"Hehe. Yep! Happy birthday there Scoot." Rainbow said, her ego stroked. "Oh by the way, you got your Cutie Mark." Rainbow said pointing a hoof to Scootaloo's flank casually. Scootaloo looked to her flank, with excitement. Sure enough, there was her Cutie Mark. It was a flaming scooter, with a blue lightning bolt, under it.
"zaqu-uhuahayuntzp...." Scootaloo mumbled in amazement. Her friends, just had their mouths open in shock. Scootaloo wavered a little, and then fell on her side. With a goofy smile on her face, she looked at Rainbow, and said in a high pitched squealing voice "Best day ever!"
Rainbow looked to her fan. No, she was more than that, she more like... like... 'How to say it.' Rainbow thought. She wasn't just a fan, she was more than that. She was beyond the standards of any friend either. (Elements not included.) She was more like family. Yes that was it. Scootaloo was family. She was... was...Her sister.
"Well, it's about to get even better!" Rainbow exclaimed. Taking flight, for dramatic effect. This wasn't her day it was Scootaloo's. And she deserved to enjoy it to the max. Rainbow's ego could wait. "Im taking you kid's for some ice-cream!" Then I’ll give you my actual present.
The three fillies jumped up in unison. "Oh boy really?" They shouted all at once. Volume control would have been nice though... "Thank you Rainbow Dash!" They now said, almost kissing her hooves.
"Well then what are we waiting for?" Dash chimed. Taking to the air once more. "Let’s go!"
***
The crusaders truly enjoyed their treat. They really didn't seem to notice, that ponies were staring at them. Rainbow and Scootaloo in particular. The group were too involved in Scootaloo's new Cutie Mark, and their ice-cream. One CMC down, two to go. But the enjoyment was short lived, as Applebloom remembered that she had some things to do on the farm, and, not soon after Sweetie Bell followed suit, returning home, to Rarity's boutique. Rainbow and Scoot looked like they could use the time alone anyways. Scoot never really had a home, so she stayed at the tree house at Sweet Apple Acres, in secret, between her and Applebloom. But now wasn't the time to think about that. Scootaloo was with her idol, and that’s all that mattered.
When Scootaloo's friends had left, Rainbow felt it was time to open to Scootaloo a little more than she had done in the past. She opted to start it as small talk. "So what have I missed when I was gone? Any cool adventures?" 'That was good' Rainbow thought to herself. Nice and easy start.
Scootaloo looked to her idol. "Nah" She said in the most chill voice she could muster. "What bout you?"
Rainbow looked to her.. Sister. "Nothing your ears should hear kid. That’s for sure." She mused.
Scootaloo stared into her idols eyes. "Aww C'mon Dash! Im getting older now!"
Rainbow sighed. "Fair enough" She said defeated. "The first two months Luna, and Celestia were kicking out butts. Then we got into some combat." Rainbow smirked. "Fought the Wonderbolts."
Scootaloo just stared. Her mouth open wide.
"Rainbow chuckled looking at Scootaloo. "Let me help you with that" She said lifting Scootaloo's jaw. "Yes I did. Beat em all too." She shuddered at her next thought. "Fought Diamond Dogs. They were nasty..." But enough of that thought! Onto your birthday present!"
Scootaloo beamed. "What is it?" Anything from her idol, was a treasury, so this was going to be good.
"You'll see kid, soon enough. But if you don't like it, I can always do something else." She said now leading Scootaloo to her mystery destination.
"Anything from you is the best Dash" She said rubbing up to her.
They continued to walk for several minutes. Dash took the long way. She had made up her mind about what she was going to do, but she didn't know how Scootaloo was going to react to this. This was deep. Even for a pony like Fluttershy. Not something you would see from Rainbow.
Yep her mind was made up. She even more so, she wasn't going to hang with the Wonderbolt's like she planned. This was time for her and Scootaloo.
They reached a particular building that Scootaloo had never really been in before. She never knew it actually existed. The sign read: Ponyville Adoption.
Applejack snapped her eyes open. Just moments ago Twilight was charging a teleportation spell in Canterlot, and now she was just where she wanted to be. Home. Twilight had teleported her right at the front porch of her home. It was fitting. That’s exactly what she was thinking about when Twilight teleported her. She looked behind her to see her sister just coming to the house.
"Applejack?" Applebloom asked excitedly as she approached her sister. She was galloping towards her now. And leapt to tackle her to the ground, and nuzzle her. Applejack saw this coming. And let herself fall. If she just stood, Applebloom would deflect right off of her.
Applejack and here sister just giggled, rolling in the grass. Applebloom noticed the physical changes in her sister. Luckily she didn't wear her armor. But she didn't care. She missed her sister more than anything. She missed somepony to talk to during her chores. Big Mac, wasn't really one for conversation. Especially after their parents death. You could get the basics out of him like "Eeeyup", or "Nooope" But that got stale fast. Especially for a filly like Applebloom. The hired workers really were all too tired to talk anyways.
"Ah really missed ya sis!" Applebloom shrieked. "Boy I can't tell ya how much ah missed ya! Even Granny was startin' to get borin'!" She said in her adorable little accent.
"Hey sis. Ah missed ya too." She said in all sincerity. It was true. The thought of her family, was one of the only two things (The second being her friends obviously) that kept Applejack going throughout her training. "Where's Mac? And Granny?" Applejack Said now recovering from her sisters cuddles. Returning to her hooves.
"Mac is in the fields, showing the rook's how it’s done." She said with a hint of annoyance in her voice. "Ah swear I work better than they do some times!" This emitted a whole-hearted chuckle from Applejack. Maybe she was going to have some fun after all with these workers, after all. "An' Granny is makin' some apple pie. Typical Tuesday" She said with a shrug.
"Alright there sis" Applejack commented. "Well ah'm gunna check up on Mac, and see jus' how bad these workers really are." Applejack started to walk with her sister trailing her. Telling her all about what happened during her leave. She was sort of paying attention. She loved her sister to death, but she knew went to turn her ear defence on, She managed to pick up some key words: School, Diamond Tiara... Fight? 'Good job sis.' Applejack thought to herself. 'Show that snooty piece of profanity what’s what.'
By the time Applejack had finished that thought she had reached her older brother who had an assembly of workers around him. HE looked somewhat irritated. But that expression was lifted the moment he saw his sister. "Applejack!" He said, bucking a tree, letting all the apples fall at once into the buckets. The workers just looked at him in awe. Were they to really do that? Better yet how did he do that with a single leg? They were in for some work. "Now that's how it's done" Mac said looking at them. "Ah expect the southern fields to be cleared by next week." And with that he left them to their work.
Big Mac approached his sister, he looked tired, not from the physical end, but from the teaching end. "Now ah know how Cheerilee feels." He said. Applejack tackled her brother, decking him to the ground. "Missed ya big brother" She said, pulling him into a head lock. "What's this about Cheerilee? You finally gunna tell her?"
"Eeenope!" He said pulling himself out of it. "Side's then ah would have to tell everypony about... Your special pony"
Applejack Glared at her brother. Looking to tackle him again. Applebloom did something to change that. Literally in twenty second she had made a small shelter encasing Applejack in it. Both Applejack and Mac were confused, but it seemed to work, The heat was no longer there, instead replaced by confusion. After about thirty seconds of being encased Applejack smashed through the small shelter, shattering it. Applebloom wouldn’t let her work go to waist, though. Within minutes se had already had the shelter in great repair, even with doors, now.
Both Mac and Applejack watched in disbelief. They had never seen anything like that before!
Both Mac and Applejack looked also noticed something else. Applebloom got her Cute Mark. "Cutie Mark" They sad in unison. Applebloom looked faster than should be healthy, to see that she had a golden hammer, set diagonally across a green apple.
Rarity approached her boutique. Twilight had teleported her the day after Applejack was teleported, and she was more than ready to reconcile with her family. It had been a long time since she had lived in her boutique. It almost seemed... Too overdone, now that she looked at it. Too fancy, and glamorous.
But Sweetie Bell needed somewhere to live, and lord knows her parents weren't going to take her in. They already passed that job onto Rarity. Good thing she had Carrot Top check on her weekly just to see how she's doing, get her supplies and all those things a filly needs.
She could still remember the morning when Sweetie had burned the toast, and somehow liquefied it. It was also the day that her parents told her that she was to be taking care of her sister now. They were too busy with their new "Adventurous" life styles for their youngest daughter. She still loved them dearly, but it just wasn't the greatest decision to make on the parenting side. But after her training all was but forgotten and, or forgiven on Rarity's side.
In hindsight, Rarity was more than happy to take her sister in. She loved her to death, even if Rarity did complain from times. Sure she was kind of in her way at times, but the complaining wasn't all that necessary. She loved her sister more than anything. That was certainly apparent.
Rarity wondered if she should make a dramatic entrance? No she had changed, she would simply enter her home, and hope that Sweetie Bell would be there. If not she could always just find her...
When Rarity entered her house, she looked to her clock. It read 11 am. Yes Sweetie was still in school right now. 'Easily changed.' Rarity thought to herself. She wouldn't really mind, either. It was Rarity's hope that her sister shared the same amount of loneliness, and longing to see her sister again.
So she got unpacked. It was basically just a few sets of her enchantresses robes now. She trashed all of the other stuff. Cosmetics weren't needed anymore. She was almost always in an immaculate state due to her Element. It also seemed to reflect off of her mood.
After unpacking around six or seven of her robes, she set off to the school, eager to see her sister. Cheerilee would understand. Even if she didn't Rarity had the authority now to clear the entire school ground if she pleased. Being an Element, had proven to be quiet an up in society, and power on the social and military scale. She was the basic equivalent of Shining Armor. She would never do that though. She was no tyrant.
The brisk fall air was wonderful. Rarity enjoyed every moment of it. And she was going to enjoy it with her sister. This thought danced around in her brain, until she had reached the school yard. It looked like break was just finishing. 'Perfect' Rarity thought to herself.
Many eyes were on her as she walked into the yard. Rarity now shined wherever she walked, was taller and according to the jaw dropping stares received from multiple stallions in the past few days, her Element had apparently helped on her looks as well. She was an eye catcher that's for sure.
But these younglings weren't looking at her for her looks. No it was more like the change in her. That and the fact she had returned in general. Cheerilee was even staring maybe a little too much.
Rarity decided to get the ice broken. It would be the only thing to break this awkward silence.
"RARITY!"
Or not.
Sweetie Bell broke the ranks of the gathering at the front of the school, to greet her sister. Charging straight through snips, knocking him on his face. Flank floating about in the air. Cheerilee didn't look too happy about it, but Rarity could care less. All that mattered was right in front of her. The world’s greatest gift: Family.
Rarity leaned to nuzzle her sister, Sweetie replied by thrusting her hooves around her neck. Squeezing at a seemingly neck breaking force. Rarity didn't mind, though air would be nice.
After what seemed like an eternity, Rarity needed to gather air. Her face was starting to turn red, anyways. "Sweetie.." She said choking the words out. "Air..."
Sweetie released her death grip on her sister. "Sorry" She said somewhat sheepishly, pawing on the ground. "But I missed you so much!"
Rarity looked to her sister with a blush. Her little voice was all too cute. "Oh Sweetie, no need to apologise! I missed you ever so much! You don't even know how much I missed you." Rarity went to hug her sister, just not so aggressively. Here sister gladly obliged.
"Ahem" Came Cheerilee's voice. Rarity looked up at the scene she and her sister had created. Some ponies were giggling, Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon in particular. Others were: Aww'ing. And then there was Cheerilee. Her expression had remained neutral the entire time.
"Oh yes, that." Rarity said idly. "Cheerilee?" Rarity asked.
"Yes?" Cheerilee responded, perhaps a little to coldly. "What is it Rarity?"
Rarity completely disregarded Cheerilee's cold behaviour. "I will be pulling Sweetie Bell out of school today. Is that alright?" She knew the answer, but it was still nice to be polite.
"SERIOUSLY?!?!?" Sweetie squeaked.
"Yes that is quiet alright." She confirmed. "Just make sure that you are ready for tonight Sweetie." She said looking at Sweetie.
Sweetie nodded, and turned to her sister. "YAY!"
"Thank you Cheerilee" Rarity said turning heading towards home with Sweetie on her hawks.
"So what's this about tonight?"
***
Sweetie stood behind the curtains of the stage, admittedly she was nervous. It wasn't stage fright though. She wasn't scared of preforming or any of that. It was the fact that her sister was there. She wanted to impress her so badly. And this was her time.
A light hearted piano riff started, filling the stage. That was her que. She left her anxiety behind her, and set herself to the stage. This was her moment.
OK THIS IS IMPORTAND SORRY I BROKE THE FOURTH WALL HERE, BUT IT CALLS FOR IT. THE YOUTUBE VIDEO IS ACTUALLY A SCOOT/DASH KIND OF SONG. BUT JUST IMAGINE IT AS SWEETIE SINGING IT TOWARDS RARITY. USE YOUR IMAGINATIONS. IM TOO LAZZY TO USE MINE AND MAKE A SONG AT THIS TIME OF NIGHT.
Rarity was in tears. Her sister had done this all for her. That beautiful song, was all for her. It was sung so beautiful, and Sweetie didn't notice it, but she had gotten her Cutie Mark. It was a microphone with a 16th note behind it.
Tonight was the best night ever.
***
Rarity stepped off the train followed by her sister. Rarity had oulled her out of school, for the next few days. She was going to visit her family, and that nice family that took her in during her training simulation. She had something nice lined up for them. Even if they didn't really do anything for her in reality. They were the same ponies in the simulation as they were in real life. (Plague not withstanding)
They were in Manehatten.
Rarity, first sought her family. They were easily found. Folks had come to know them as the strange ponies who don't really fit in with the miss-fits. That being said, they were in the epicenter of Manehatten. Also the tackiest area.
When she finally found them. They didn't look to be in the greatest shape. Her dad was certainly thinner his "Good-ol' gut" was gone. Her mother looked to be faring a little better. But her ribs were showing. Like they were bare. You could play them like a xylophone if you wanted to.
After getting them to the hospital, and a hearty meal in them, she was ready to talk. They were in Her parent's hospital room, Sweetie was in the room as well. She needed to hear about this singular family demon. It was her Elemental training.
By the time Rarity finished Sweetie was sobbing hugging Rarity's foreleg. Her parents looked at her with horror. It was a strange concept for them to grasp, but Rarity gave them the "Simplified" Version.
"Wow..." Spoke Rarity's mother. "You watched us die? And then your sister? But you brought her back to life with your powers... I imagine that’s what the fancy necklace is then.
"Mhmm" Rarity said, petting Sweetie's mane. "But we needed to clear that out." Rarity looked to her father, who just lay there dumbfounded. "Now I am going to be getting you out of here. You are to be retiring, from your 'adventures'.
Rarity's mother looked like she was about to protest, but Rarity rose a hoof dismissing anything her mother was about to say.
"It is already done. I put up a pension for you, and you will be living in the lower class area of Canterlot." Rarity chuckled. "The lower class district is actually more like Ponyville, so you will do just fine there." Rarity's parents gave her a look of gratitude. But the question must be asked.
"Where did you get the bits from Rarity?" Her father asked in bewilderment. "That sounds extremely expensive!"
Rarity waved her hoof dismissively again. "Daddy I am Generosity, but if you must know, I have an unlimited military bank account now. As all of the Elements of Harmony do."
After that conversation the air was cleared. Rarity left Sweetie to be with he parents. She had something more personal to attend to anyways.
***
Rarity knocked on the door of the nice little home near the northern bridge of Manehatten. She was going to shock them that’s for sure, but It was in a good way.
The door creaked open ever so slightly. "Hello?" Asked a shy sounding mare from the door. It was Skyhaven.
Rarity slapped a smile to her face. "Hello Skyhaven!" She said chipperly. "You don't know me, but you helped me once."
Skyhaven was confused. She creaked the door open to get a better look at the mare at her porch. She seemed like a nice pony, nothing suspicious about her at all really. Had to be vigilant here in Manehatten. "How do you know my name? And what is that you want?" She said in the most polite tone possible.
Rarity stared blankly for a moment, then realised it was a dream simulation, so of course they wouldn't remember. "I am part of the Element's Harmony. Generosity to be exact." Skyhaven seemed to loosen up a little. Opening the door ever so slightly more. She was at about five inches open now. "The reason I know your name is the fact that you assisted me in a classified dream simulation. You lent me your home, and fed me. A complete stranger. One of the most Generous things a pony could do."
That was enough for Skyhaven. She opened the door fully and welcomed Rarity into her home. "Im sure Airloom won’t mind you stopping by. and would probably like to hear the full story as much as I do." Skyhaven spoke kindly, inviting her to sit in the living room.
Their living room was nice even by Rarity's standards.
Within a few moments Both Airloom and Skyhaven were sitting together across the room from Rarity.
Rarity told them about the simulation, and how they came into play for it.
Airloom was the first to speak after she told them the full story. "Wow. That sounds like it was bad. But I am glad we were able to help even if it really wasn't us. So excuse me for asking, but why are you here then? If your training was successful, then why return?"
Rarity raised an eyebrow. "Oh but contraire" Rarity said, confusing the stallion once more. "In the simulation you would have done the exact thing that you would have done in reality."
Placing a piece of paper on the coffee table Rarity continued. "The reason I am here is to thank you. That piece of paper has the power to relieve all of your debt, and even relocate you if you wish. It is not for me to decide."
The couple stared at her. She truly is the Element of Generosity.
Fluttershy flew home, like Rainbow Dash did. The flight wasn't so hard on her now. Before her training, Fluttershy would have never been able to fly for over an hour. But now she could fly for how ever she pleased. It was nice really, being able to do the things she never could. Not saying that it wasn't hard though.
Through all of this Fluttershy was just happy to go home. Oh how she longed to see her animal friends once more. Her flamingo's butterfly's and chickens! Oh how she missed her mice, ferret's and bats. But there was one she missed the most. Sure he may act like a hell child sometimes, but Fluttershy didn't really mind. She missed her bunny Angel.
Angel was... Interesting that’s for sure. Many pony's would argue that he doesn't treat Fluttershy with the respect deserved, but after all that he has gone through Fluttershy could care less.
***
Angel was the sole survivor in a timber wolf attack two years ago. He had witnessed his entire family massacred by the blood thirsty beasts. The only reason he survived was because he was the runt of the litter. When their den was attacked Angel's mother scrambled to get her young into the smallest corners possible. Angel was squished in the back.
One by one Angel witnessed his family picked off by the hungry teeth of the wolves. His father, mother and siblings. He would always remember the looks of fear on his family's faces as they were dragged out of the den. Followed by a sickening crunching sound. And another, and another, and another…
It wasn't long before he was the last left. Angel's once white coat was now stained brown, and red from the dirt, and occasional spray of blood.
He was cramped into the far corner. There was no doubt he was going to die in his mind, but the will to live was too great. He continued to jam himself into the corner of the walls his family had made. But the Timberwolves were digging, and it wouldn't be long until they had him as well.
All hope was lost, he could see their snouts inching closer and closer. This was his final hour. Or so he thought.
There was a resounding crunching sound, not the sound of bone either. It was more like the sound of wood. Followed by a yelp from the mouth of the snout attempting to eat him. Angel didn't bother move though. It could be a trick. So he stayed in the remnants of his cave. All time seemed to stop. The snout was no longer mear inches from his foot. It had been pulled out, and everything was quiet. Painfully quiet.
The dead air continued to linger. There was no sound of wolves. Nothing that indicated any kind of threat, but Angel never moved. He wouldn't.
"Hello?" Came a soft, and all too kind voice, from outside of destroyed cave. "Is there anyone alive?"
Angel felt a spark of confidence. He didn't know what it was, but it was enough to make him move from his hiding spot.
The voice obviously heard Angel's movement, and moved in closer. "Is anyone there? It's alright, those meanies are gone now." Angel move closer to the goddess like voice. When he had finally gotten out of the cave, a yellow colored Pegasus stood before him.
"Oh my goodness!" Fluttershy was taken aback. "My poor angel!"
Angel just collapsed, somehow he knew everything from now on would be alright.
Fluttershy gingerly picked him up, and headed towards her cottage. "Everything will be ok... My little Angel."
***
The reminiscing had taken enough time to get Fluttershy over the Everfree forest. She would be home soon. The forest looked so beautiful. Even when Fluttershy knew what evils dwelled within. But there was one shining beacon at the edge of that forest, known by all woodland creatures, and the villagers of Ponyville. That was Fluttershy's cottage. And it was coming into view.
Fluttershy picked up speed, oh how she longed to be with her animal friends again. Approaching her house she heard noises from within. It was probably Colgate, feeding her animals, or at least attempting to. It was a hard job that was for sure.
Sure enough when Fluttershy entered her cottage there was Colgate, being assaulted by multiple animals. Colgate looked to see who had opened the door, along with the animals. It was Fluttershy.
All the animals, seemingly at once, all left Colgate, and were now approaching their true master. The birds landed on her head and body. And the rest stood at her hooves. All happy to see her.
"Hello Colgate!" Fluttershy said with enthusiasm. "How are you? It's been too long!"
Colgate stared at Fluttershy. She was different. The fact that all the animals abandoned he, to be with Fluttershy was no surprise, but there was something different about her. She seemed more sure of herself. More assertive. She also noticed another change. Fluttershy was taller, bigger, and wore a beautiful necklace. The necklace seemed almost ethereal, and it bore her Cutie Mark.
The local Dentist just smiled. It was rude to stare, but it was hard, so she opted for conversation. "Hey Fluttershy! Boy am I glad to see you! How do you keep up with all of these critters?" Her voice was with a genuine tone. "Especially with that little bunny." She said with a slight amount of irritance.
Flutters Smirked, and suppressed a giggle. "I thought you might ask that. Angel here can be a bit of a handful." Ironically Angel was rubbing up against her foreleg. He looked like he was crying? He must have really missed her. "I just do though, I love all of my animal friends. And they love me back. Taking care of animals is my super special talent."
"Ah... well if you don't mind could I leave you here? You look like you have some catching up to do." Colgate said looking to the doorway. She had just about enough of that Bunny demon.
"Of course" Fluttershy said standing aside.
Colgate rushed out of the cottage, where she had been staying the past few weeks. It certainly was homey, but those animals drove her insane. Fluttershy had the patients of a saint.
After Colgate left Fluttershy looked to her animals who were all cuddling her. They REALLY must have missed her. Especially Angel.
For the next while Fluttershy did nothing but care for her animals.
Twilight walked With Spike, in the immaculate streets of Canterlot. Apparently pony's weren't used to a mamothing Dragon in their streets. So they seemed barren. Neither of them really minded though. It gave them time to talk to each other.
Twilight thought it would be a good time to ask what had been bothering her for the past few days.
She looked to Spike, who returned the stare. "Spike? How did you get so... Big?" Twilight asked. It came out kind of strange, but Spike understood the meaning of the question.
"It's a long story Twi." He said in his deep voice. "But I know you are into things like that" Twilight looked to Spike and gave him a playful telekinetic slap.
After recovering Spike cleared his throat. "Well you see In Dragon lore, a bay dragon is no longer considered an infant, when his mother has left him for more than a month." Twilight glared at him playfully. Sure She wasn't his true mother, but she sure treated him like her son.
"So when I became a true adult by dragon lore, I began to discover many things. Greed was one of them." Spike chuckled at the thought. "Remember when I started hording books, and random items from Ponyville? Well Canterlot library was like that for a short while."
Twilight burst out laughing. She could imagine the old hag of a librarian nagging at him for ruining her order. "So then why are you not in a cave sleeping then?" She asked playfully.
"The reason is kind of lame actually. Celestia walked in on me hording all of the books, and SHE burst out laughing. Princess Celestia! I have never seen her like that before! Anyways that was the day she was going to teach me how to channel greed. One look at a photo of you and the gang and I was... Well I never lost my size."
Twilight raised an eyebrow. "You lost me."
Spike chuckled. "That’s a first. Anyways, apparently my greed never went away, it just was changed. Channeled a different way if you will. I don't thrive off of gems anymore. It's the love that I get from my friends."
Seemingly out of the blue Pinkie popped out of a flower bed. "SOO CORNY!"
Both Spike and Twilight were surprised at this random Pinkie appearance. It was just when you thought you knew everything about her she added one hundred more things to the strange pile that is Pinkie.
"Uhhh" Twilight thought out loud. And without a seconds warning Twilight and Spike were teleported in front of her parents’ house. "Are you sure you are ready to meet my parents? I mean they have heard lots about you, form my letters and stuff, but they have never actually met you. And you are a little... Daunting?"
"Twilight you are getting nervous over nothing." Spike said dismissing her anxiety. "Im sure everything will be fine, maybe a little awkward in the beginning, but fine all the same."
"Thanks Spike I needed that." Twilight spoke softly. Her nerves now half steeled Twilight knocked on the door.
Twilight Velvet answered the door, behind her was her husband Night Light. "Twilight!" They almost literally jumped out of their skins. They also had this annoying tendency to speak in unison. "WE ARE SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU! AND BOY HAVE YOU GROWN! YOU MUST BE AS TALL AS PRINCESS LUNA NOW! COME I---" They trailed off as their eyes caught Spike. They lowered their voices to a hushed tome. "Uhh Twilight behind you..."
Twilight looked at them, with a quizzical look on her face. "Hey mom hey dad. This is Spike. The baby dragon I told you about in my letters." Then the fact dawned on her. "Oh! technically he is an adult now, but he is still a baby, by my standards."
"Shyudup" Spike said playfully. Folding his arms for effect.
"HE SPEAKS!" They yelled in unison.
Twilight shot them an irritated glance. "Yes he does, he has been able to since he was two. I know it's not a usual sight but please don't stare, I just want to spend some time with you, without any awkward distractions."
Both of Twilight's parents looked at her and shook their heads abruptly. "Sorry dear" Her mother said.
"It's just not something we see every day" Her father continued.
"Come to the back were we can all talk!" They said in unison once more. Spike was going to have to get used to that.
For the most part Spike felt at home. By law Spike was just a friend who lived with Twilight, but in the families eyes he was their grandchild. And so they tried to accommodate him as best they could. This was going to be an interesting vacation for the four of them.
Pinkie used her... Elemental powers, to get where she wanted to go. It certainly couldn't be called anything else. Pinkie couldn't teleport like a Unicorn could, but she could warp her body to places like flowerpots, vases, and applecarts. And thankfully Pinkie remembered a spot she used to hide in, when she needed to vent her emotions back home. It was the perfect place to randomly pop up.
Pinkie placed her hooves firmly on the ground. She looked around to see if anypony was watching. Nopony, not even the two princesses could know how she did this. Convinced that nopony was watching her, Pinkie then thought of her destination, and proceeded to smash her face into the ground.
Any regular pony would have recoiled from the pain, of smashing their face on the ground, but Pinkie is certainly no normal pony. Instead when she opened her eyes, there she was, well at least her head and neck, in an old abandoned shack at the corner of the southern field of her old home. She was in a large vase to be exact. It was just big enough for her to fit her head into. So once again, if this was a normal pony, they would be stuck in this ancient vase. Luckily this is Pinkie.
Her body was still in Canterlot, and she needed to correct that. She proceeded to force the rest of her body through the little wormhole she had created through space and time. When she was fully in one piece, she hopped out of the vase, and the wormhole closed on its own.
"Hmm" Pinkie hummed to herself, as she walked around, seeing what had changed.
Nothing. Nothing at all had changed since she had last been in this hut. Every wall was still thickly coated with dust. The walls, were still the same dull dark brown colors along with the floors. Multiple broken tools, and storage devices all dwelled the rest of their miserable live in this all forgotten hut. No windows, no sunlight, nothing. Just the dank, wet, smelly air.
Pinkie needed to get out of there. It was smelly, and She wasn't here to reconcile with tools and such. She was here to be with her family. And maybe later throw a party!
As she left the shack, she hoped that it wouldn't crumble under her hooves. It seemed so fragile to her now. Years of neglect had certainly seen to that.
Turning she spotted one of her sisters in the distance. She seemed to be working hard. Like usual. The traditional family scowl was sewn on her face. Her mane and body: Gray as ever. It was the youngest the youngest Picky.
"Picky!!!" Pinkie yelled at the sight of her sister. Zooming at speeds that rival Rainbow Dash, Pinkie rushed to her sister, who looked up slowly, at the pink blob approaching her extremely fast.
Pinkie stopped right in the nick of time, to make sure not to dummy her little sister. It took a second for Picky to dawn on the fact that the strange pink mare standing before her was in fact her eldest sister Pinkie. Boy how she had changed. Well in some ways.
Picky looked her sister over. She was taller. Much taller than before, Her mane was now in an organised chaos (She didn't wear her armor) And she had an immaculate necklace on that reflected her Cutie Mark. Picky was more than amazed at how her sister looked. She looked... Happy. Something Picky herself had only achieved once. And that was when Pinkie threw her... What was it called now... Oh well she would remember that later. Right now she was going to talk with her sister.
Pinkie looked her sister over. She hadn't really changed that much. She was just bigger and had gotten her Cutie Mark. Pinkie had left, pursuing a new life. Her Cutie Mark was a ruby amongst a few rocks. Picky's talent was probably something close to Rarity's.
Picky took a quick swing at Pinkie, who quickly dodged it and was already behind her, by reflex. "That wasn't very nice!" Pinkie looked at her sister, with a dramatic Pinkie pout.
Picky broke down, and started sobbing. "I missed you Pinkie! Where did you go? What have you done? Why did you leave?" She knew the answer to the last one, but she wanted to hear it from her sister all the same.
Pinkie looked to her sister with a pained expression. "You know exactly why I left. I hated it here. I have done many things, and I look forward to telling you, and I moved to Ponyville, that’s another reason why I am here.
Picky looked up at her sister. "We better talk with the whole family."
***
Pinkie had told her family all about her adventures with her friends, how she became an Element of Harmony, and her recent training. Her family was shocked and appalled to say the least. Her father was the first to speak up.
"So why are you here then Pinkimena?" He asked in his rough and dry tone. It lacked expression. It always did.
Pinkie giggled at her own name. "Daddy call me Pinkie please." Her father looked at her strangely, but Pinkie continued. "I was talking to Twilight, One of my bestest friend's and Elements of Harmony. She is a natural with magic, and kind of a book worm. So when I told her about you guys, she warned me." This certainly caught everypony's attention. Especially after what Pinkie had told them about her recent "Training".
"It isn't healthy to be living this kind of life style. When was the last time you smile daddy?"
"Smile?" Her father said tasting the word on his tongue. "Pinkame- er... Pinkie what is that?"
Pinkie looked at her father with a knowing glare. "Exactly. Remember the feeling you had when I threw you all a party right before I left to find my new life? That movement with your mouth is a smile! Like this see?" Pinkie gave her family a classic Pinkie smile. They all looked at her funny, but it was just too contagious. Soon enough they were testing out the muscles in their faces, that they had only really used once.
"Now that's what im talking about! It's party time!" Her parent’s were still getting used to smiling. They were too old for Pinkie's antics. But Pinkie didn't notice this as she pulled out her party cannon from seemingly nowhere, and shot it out.
Her parent's and sisters just looked at her in fear. Pinkie noticed that no one was following her lead, and quickly stopped. "Maybe it's not quiet that time yet... I guess we can talk about parties and stuff when you move."
"Huh-wuh???" They all said in unison.
Pinkie giggled once more. "SURPRISE! That’s right! I am moving you to a house in Ponyville, where you can retire and live your lives normally!"
No pony knew what to say. So Pinkie brought them all in for a group hug. "Everything is going to be alright..." Pinkie whispered. If she couldn’t beat the smiles into them, she would have to grow the smiles on them.
After Applejack's extended vacation at home she was more than ready to get back into her training. Celestia and Luna were more than accommodating with how long Applejack and the rest of her friends could stay where they wanted. And Applejack used her time as much as she could.
She was just getting off of the train from Ponyville to Canterlot this morning; it was a colder day than most. Just started snowing yesterday and it didn't seem like the weather was going to let up anytime soon. Canterlot was so beautiful this time of year. But Applejack didn't really care. Seen one winter you've seen them all. The streets of Canterlot were adorned with snow, and festivity. Not to mention ponies with their snoots in the air, and their heads 20 figurative inches up their asses. The few ponies who actually had their eyes open noticed Applejack. She never really came out to the urban part of Canterlot after her training so she was still a sight to be seen. Not used to all of the attention Applejack was distracted, why not a few months ago she was but a humble farmpony and a bearer on the side, but now she was receiving all of this attention! It baffled her so much that she forgot where she was walking.
Just as she turned her head, Applejack collided with somepony, knocking them straight off their ass, onto the cold unforgiving ground. Looking down she saw a young stallion on the ground with a befuddled, yet regal look on his face.
“Really now Applejack you should watch where you are going.” said the stallion with a smile. “You could hurt somepony, and that would be just awful wouldn’t it?”
Applejack felt like she had just fallen of the dumb truck and got hit by the stupid train. How did this stallion know who she was? And why wasn’t she paying attention to where she was going? Looking to the stallion she saw that he had recovered himself and was now back on his hooves.
To Applejack’s surprise he had a very dignified look plastered on his face. “Your late”
“What jus’ happened…?” Applejack stumbled as she tried to recover what just happened to her.
No longer was she in the streets of Canterlot but now in a cold room filled with technology, and strange ponies with lab coats on like they were some sort of important scientists… Important scientists… Applejack mouthed “IMPORTANT SCIENTISTS!” looking around Applejack saw a simulator, tonnes of computers and well more technology in one room than she had ever see in her life time. Looking to her left Applejack saw Celestia smiling at her. It took her a minute to process what was happening but she was pretty sure she got the gist of it. “So you were the stallion ah bumped into?”
Celestia giggled and had to cover her face. Her usual look of regal-ness had disappeared whenever she was with the Elements but she was around other ponies so she needed to re-gather herself. “Yes Applejack” she said with a smile threatening to burst out at any moment. “You were the one that knocked me on my fat flank. I never knew you were so sturdy!” Celestia made sure to add flailing hoof gestures to make it even more dramatic.
Applejack tried to resist a blush but failed. “Aw shucks Celestia, ah’m a might sorry for doin that, I was just so distracted an…” Celestia waved a hoof dismissively. Though embarrassed that she had just knocked her regal leader on her ass without knowing it Applejack still had other things on her mind.
“So this would be the fancy simulator thingy?” Applejack asked. Looking to Celestia she still hadn’t had herself collected and was holding her sides still just to not laugh. Applejack was now curious, activating her V.A.T.S. On close examination she was actually being tickled by a dark feather.
Looking up Applejack saw Luna perched on a decorative pillar that was more for show than anything, in one of the far corners of the room, with the largest troll face on you could imagine. Applejack just sat there wondering if she should do anything. While the prospect of Celestia losing all control giggling of the floor was beyond hilarious it wasn’t right. Besides Celestia looked as if she was going to lose even the most basic functions.
Applejack was feeling slightly malicious for the moment, but soon she decided… Soon. Celestia was now on the ground incapacitated with laughter on the ground. Luckily she had set a sound barrier around herself, so the other ponies could work in peace. It was looking as if she was going to lose control of her bodily functions any moment so it was Applejacks time to step in.
Casually walking to the pillar Luna was perched on Applejack gave it a good old Apple Family Kick. Luna came tumbling down, shouting all kinds of profanities, before she realised she was not in the royal gaming room she and her sister so loved.
Falling to the floor Everypony in the room that day realised the truest weakness of an Alicorn that day. Turtle-back syndrome. Luna was trapped on her back flailing her hooves in the air like a turtle or Bender.
“DAMN YOU, YOU HONEST TANK! WE SHALST HAVE OUR REVENGE! MARK OUR WORDS! LOYALTY HELP ME!”
Before Luna could continue however a guard burst through the doors. He was injured, but not dead... Yet. “Princess… Celestia…” He panted as he used the last scraps of his strength to deliver his message. Canterlot… Under attack… Element’s…
That’s all they needed to know, and they were off.
Running parallel to each other Luna, Celestia and Applejack burst through one of the garden doors to see what was happening. What they saw was chaos.
Canterlot was a mess, the noble ponies were scrambling everywhere, guards were fighting the mysterious foe to no avail and the streets were showered in blood. Buildings In the main area of combat were in ruin. Roads were cracking every which way, and the sky was threatening to turn crimson once again, and high pitched screams of agony and chaos were all about. Just like… The time of Discord.
“Hell…” Is this what hell looks like?” Applejack asked idly. Nopony dared to answer but they knew exactly what she meant. It took a moment for the trio to recover from what they had just seen but it was now time for action. “Sister we should recon so Honesty can do her work, and dissolve this problem!” Luna shouted over the painful shrieks of pain and disharmony. Celestia looked to her sister and nodded.
As they took flight Applejack was left on her own. She was the first one to arrive back in Canterlot but hopefully her friends would arrive soon to assist her. But for now she was all alone. ‘Dead bodies don’t really count as being with others does it?’ Applejack thought to herself. But her train of thought was eroded by more screams of pain, agony, terror and despair. If only she had something to do…
Her V.A.T.S! Perfect! This was just what she needed. Acticating ehr V.A.T.S, It read to her that already 64 guards have died,and the numbers were growing at an alarming rate. Lookig to the sky it told her that this wasn't a natural sky, this was conjured, and by something powerful as well. “Please help! Somepony, ANYPONY!” Applejack heard a voice in the distance... That was all she needed and she was off.
Meanwhile…
Celestia and Luna were racing through the sky in search of their attacker. It seemed that everything was all leading to one little area. At least that is where all of the guards were flocking to. It took a few seconds to get there but as soon as Luna and Celestia had reached their intended destination they regretted it immediately. In Canterlot square was one pony. Not just a regular sized pony but one with a massive physique a white coat where there wasn’t blood stained to it, and puny wings. Celestia recognised him as Roid Rage the personal trainer for the Pegasi in Ponyville during Tornado duty. He fit the description Twilight had given her almost perfectly, asides one thing. His eyes were… Completely gone.
Down below in the streets Roid Rage was in a mental battle this was like nothing he had ever encountered before. Not many ponies knew this but he was a very smart pony. An astrophysicist to be exact. He had studied under Big Mac before he had to leave the university for personal reasons. There he followed his professor and became a body builder. He could never hope to be as strong or smart as Big Mac but he was still an alpha in every way. But none of this mattered because this was even beyond his capabilities. A dragon had attacked him and before he knew it he was its thrall. Having no control over his mortal body. The ony thing he could do was send mental signals. It felt futile but yet...
Only being in a mental state of consciousness he could see everything his body was doing but not actually control it. His body was massacring guards, stallions, mares and children alike. And there was nothing he could do to stop it. Every time a fresh group of guards would come to attack and he would slaughter them. Tearing them limb from limb. When his physical dominance was no longer an option his body would conjure magic. This was all too much. His body would cry in victory and laugh manically every time he would kill yet another and another, and another.
Eventually the guards figured it wasn't a good idea to attack this beast by force. They had lost too many good ponies and they weren't about to waist their lives in a seemingly unstoppable foe. The best they could do was surround him. With no weapons this was their best bet.
"IS THIS A YOU'VE GOT?!?" Roid Rages body bellowed in triumph. "IS THIS THE ALMIGHTY POWER OF EQUESTRIA?!? IT IS A SAD DAY FOR YOU MORTALS! He stopped for a second just to savor this moment the moment of utter fear. The smell of defeat and cowardice on these ponies was invigorating. But yet it felt that there were 2... 2 more who were not afraid of what he was and was capable of. But none the less he was confident these three hopeless fools would wait. In a low but harsh voice he continued looking to the crowd and then in the sky spotting his 2 new enemies he continued. "Today is the day you die..."
Thrusting his body towards his knew foes in the sky caught them by surprise. Not that it shouldn’t have he was the best and no pony could ever hope to beat him. But still he had to admit it was rather ingenious of him to do something so bold.
Luna was fast enough to evade her foe, but Celestia was not. He laughed as he smashed Celestia's face, then proceeded to kicked her to the ground. Celestia was in a daze, trying to recover in the air, but the arrogant hunk of meat had her pinned to the ground in seconds. When she fell her second time there was an audible crack, but she didn’t bother to look there was no point.
While Luna regained herself in the air she found that her sister had fared worse. There she was pinned to the ground her legs bent in ways they shouldn’t be and hardly moving. Her baser instincts got the better of her and she rushed towards her sister to see if she was alright. Big mistake.
Roid Rage was waiting for Luna to come to her sister’s aid, and when she landed he attacked, bringing all of his weight down upon her. He tackled her with his chest, but to his surprise she did not fall like a twig in fact she instead flopped on top of him like a stack of pancakes. Obviously he needed a different approach this pony was more physically capable than she let on. Far more than her ally.
Luna got up off of her opponent, he seemed incapacitated. “HA! IS THAT ALL!” Luna bellowed in her Royal Canterlot voice. She was in thug mode and no pony was going to stop her. “IS THIS WHAT PINNED TIA!?! SHAME TO YOU WELP! FOR I AM LUNA PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT!” Unfortunately Luna’s thug mode was activated a little too early and Roid Rage had her in a magical cage before she could get too deep into a thug rant. “WAKE UP! TAKE A NAP! DO SOME PAPER-WORK! TAKE A NAP! KICK THE CRAP OUTA SOME-“ SLAM Yeah she celebrated way too early.
Although Roid Rage was now certain this day was his, he felt some new presences. 7 to be exact. He could feel the strength in them. The burning hatred of what he was, and he loved it.
It wasn’t long before all of them had him surrounded the ones in the sky twisted around him to blind him while the mages attacked him with curses and attack spells. From the ground he was getting assaulted literally from the dirt forming asphyxiating barrier around him. the ponies with their true Element found blasted him with thier powers as well. On top of that there was a dragon raining hell-fire upon him. Oh how life is fun.
Eventually the constant attacks stopped. In a moment of melancholy he thought to himself this could be it... Me the great and powerful defeated by mear mortals. There he was trapped by earth, magic, dragon fire, and heavy air pressure.
Outside of the attack the mane six and Spike approached what was left of whatever they attacked. "Heh it looks like the joined combat training really worked out" Twilight Said idly. Everypony/dragon agreed, but didn't bother to say anything now wasn't the time. Twilight looked over her shoulder. To her horror she saw the state of her mentor and her sister. Twilight being Twilight went to do what ever flank kissing she could. Not soon after followed by Fluttershy, leaving the rest of their friends on the field of battle. Rule number 1 never abandon your brothers and sisters in arms.
Roid Rage felt a falter in the command structure and a weakness in the power of his foes, and was soon to take advantage of it. Using the last scrap of phyiscal strength he had he broke his prison and turned to face his foes.
The blast took the Elements and their allies completely by surprise. The radius was large enough to give Celestia a good smack of the rock that Roid Rage was imprisoned in. Roid Rage had certainly turned the tables on is new foes and intended to keep it that way. It was obvious to him now that they were too smart to be attacked by shear force they worked as a team, so he would have to get… a little more creative. If physical force didn’t work he had other tricks up his sleeve, it was time for magic!
His foes were still scattered, but he already knew who was in charge. His plan was simple. Cut off the head of the snake and the body will eventually die.
Making sure to not take any chances Roid Rage chose one of his personal favourites. It was a fire spell mixed with lightning and air that was sure to: ‘blow away his enemies, they were sure to be shocked by this one. In fact he could feel the burning hatred on their faces right now.’
Summoning his spell he could see the horror in her fiend’s eyes. This spell could easily take out 2 or 3 more of them if he wanted to. It was a sure kill. All he needed to do was make contact…
Releasing the fury of his spell he could feel the power it was emanating. This was surely a kill and there was more where this came from.
After about 20 seconds he killed off his spell. That was more than enough time to melt his foe away. And it was time for him to start showboating. But something was off. He looked to where he had aimed his spell. ‘Let’s see…’ He thought t himself. ‘Crater? Check. Ground so hot that it’s glowing red? Check. Faint purple magical aura? Ch- That’s new…’
“Dear Celestia… That hurt” Twilight said under her breath. She was lucky that she had raised her defence spell when she had, otherwise she would be evaporated. Litteraly.
Roid Rage was taken aback. There was no way she could have survived that. He developed that spell and had seen its use PERSONALLY on so called immortal beings. And yet this puny mortal was still alive. ‘No matter’ He thought to himself. ‘Just time to break out the big guns’
Roid Rage started to… There aren’t any English words to describe it!
Mierda cayó! Fue una locura! Era como una escena en que los hombres de negro, con la cucaracha y que, básicamente, se partió por la mitad y esas cosas.
In English that makes half sense: Shit went down, Men In Black were involved, Roid Rage dies and now he is a dragon named Arrogance.
"Yay." Pinkie deadpanned. “Now he’s a dragon, we can all celebrate and have a super awesome fantastic party about it later, but now it’s time to fight!” Pinkie said breaking the 4th wall, too all of the bronies reading this in their underwear.
"Mwuhahaha you think that you could beat me? Arrogance?" using his Elemental magic he had them all trapped in his mighty magical grip. All but one. And it was Applejack.
Applejack was a stunned as Arrogance was but she was a little quicker than he was. Rushing to his legs she gave his massive stature a mighty kick. knocking him straight backwards. "You think that you and all of your fancy magic and cocky ways is the way to be going about things?' Applejack shouted. Jumping up on his face, and landing punches on it. "Well guess what? It aint! Mah friends are THE MOST. YOU HEAR ME THE MOST: LOYAL, KIND MAGICAL, GENEROUS, AND FUNNY YOU HAVE EVER SEEN AND YOU WILL NOT BEAT US TODAY!
Little did Applejack know that her Element had slowly been forming around her neck the entire time she gave her lecture. Twilight would be proud.
"And ah think that it's about time that you are weaker than all of us. We are tired of being pushed around!" Just the Applejacks Element activated releasing it's true power upon Arrogance. And just like that It was over.
If there was one pony that was read for this job it was Rainbow Dash. If there was one pony who could take on all of her fears and still look like a champ it was Rainbow Dash. If there was one pony that you could always trust to be loyal you better be damned sure it was Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow was ready. This was her time to shine, show them her stuff, and make part of the team. She would not let her friends or herself down. No matter how hard this trial would be. It was now or never.
Strapped up to the massive machine that once harboured Rainbow’s friends, she waited. The constant humming sounds that it made and all of the wires hooked up to her really didn’t make sense to her. But she was no Twilight, but whatever this machine would do, or put her through she would come over top of it.
“10 seconds Rainbow Dash!” Luna warned her. Rainbow wished she had something to ease the tension, like putting on a pair of flight goggles. But no such luck.
The ten seconds came like an eternity, each second lasting longer than the last, it felt like eons to her but then Luna had saved the day. “NOW” She yelled in her Royal sister’s voice. Everything was black.
To Rainbow's surprise when she woke up, she was not in any kind of peril. No danger was about, no burning forests surrounded her, nothing that seemed life threatening at all in fact.
Sitting up She found she was in a baby blue bed with stuffed toys all around her and Wonderbolts posters adorning her walls.
Seriously confused Rainbow got out of bed and double checked what was before her. “This can’t be right” she whispered to herself. But there was no doubt about it. Rainbow was home.
“Pff as if!” Rainbow exclaimed to seemingly nopony. “This can’t be my training! Where is all of the scary fire and D-“Before Rainbow could finish Pinkie pie bounded past her door.
“Don’t spoil the secret!” She chimed. Rainbow looked up to find the author with a stupid grin on his face.
“Right It’s a dream, and… Pinkie Pie, nothing out of the ordinary” She tried to tell herself, but it would need more than that. Opening her room’s window she looked outside, things seemed right, Cloudsdale was as busy as ever, ponies moving along doing their things, mostly associated with weather. In fact it she had just spotted her childhood friend Cloud Kicker. Being a good enough distraction as any Rainbow went after her friend.
“Cloud!” She called racing over to her childhood friend. Rainbow zoomed over to see her friend. “Hey Cloud! How’s it hangin’?” Rainbow asked. But there was no reply. “Hey what’s goin’ on? She asked moving to face her friend.
As she faced her friend Rainbow was appalled, this was Cloud Kicker… Once. The Cloud Kicker she once knew and loved was no longer. As Dash got a better look at her friend, she knew something was wrong. When Cloud Kickers eyes made contact with Dashes her body started to deteriorate. Her skin falling off in large chunks revealing a rotting corpse below the once convincing façade. Her body was now mangled and twisted. Her limbs in positions no pony could ever endure. Cloud Kicker's eyes were soulless, but yet her body was still alive. Her body neck made many cracking, and sickly slurping sounds as she raised her head.
“Hey Dash!” Cloud Kicker’s body choked out.
Before she knew it Rainbow’s world was sucked from under her.
Rainbow’s world was sucked before her very eyes, what was one before her was no longer. Cloudsdale had been sucked right before her, and now there was nothing but darkness.
It took a moment for Rainbow to figure out she was falling, there was no wind in the void, or anything to get a start at. Unfortunately Rainbow wasn’t able to catch her bearings fast enough and hit the black, cold ground. Rainbow screamed in agony as she smacked to the ground. As if that was bad enough it felt like something over 1000 pounds had come and crushed her wing shortly after. There was a large crunching sound when whatever it was made impact with her left side. It was too dark to see, but Rainbow could feel it, or better yet she couldn’t feel it. Her left wing was GONE. She could feel the blood of where her wing should be, trickle down her side. This is her training?
Rainbows body would have none of it, her mind was focused as it could be after a fall like that but her body screamed for rest, it was an overload of pain. Rainbow passed out. Smacking the floor once again with her head there was a silence.
As Rainbow woke up there was darkness. Nothing but darkness. Rainbow had fallen into a cave of some sort. This was all she could really guess. The ground was made of rock and it tasted like salt.
Sitting up slightly her head started pounding and her left side burned and ached like her wing was ripped off… “My wing!” She exclaimed in panic. Reaching to her left side to check the condition of her wing, she found the horrible truth. It was gone. Almost. She finally had managed to find that her wing was being held by the skin and muscles in her wing, pinned between a rock and the ground.
Rainbow tried to get a better feel of how bad it was but a shot of massive pain throughout her entire side and wing stopped her from moving any further. It had been enough time that Rainbow’s eyes had finally adjusted and her eyes only confirmed her fear further.
Pegasus wings do grow back, but not when the old one is still there. Rainbow needed to fix this. It was now or never and although the never part seemed appealing Rainbow needed her wings, in a sense she was her wings.
Thoughts were racing throughout Rainbows head but were put on sabbatical when she thought she heard something. A stirring of some kind.
“H-Hello? Is anypony out there?” came a timid and slightly posh voice, that could only belong to Rarity. “I-I can’t move… And there is something sticking in my stomach” she said ever so carefully. “I-I don’t think Im going to make it…”
“Rarity!” Rainbow screamed with all of her might. “Rarity where are you?!”
Rarity let out a weak whimper and called out once more. “Dash? Im over here!” She said using all of her strength. “H-Help me Dash, I-I can’t feel anything… I don’t think im g-going to make it…”
“Hold on Rar’!” Rainbow yelled. She needed to save her friend, this was her friend Rarity, one of her best friends and Elements. Looking to her left she saw her wing pinned, knowing that it was her wing or Rarity, the decision was made easy.
“This is going to suck” Rainbow said to herself. Lying on her side, Rainbow got in the best position she could. Placing her right forehoof onto her wing she knew what she had to do. Finish the job. “On 3” She panted. “1… 2… 3!” putting all of her strength and will power she turned right and pushed as hard as she could with her right hoof.
Rainbow could slowly feel the skin and muscle starting to tear, screaming in agony. “BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!” She yelled. That seemed to do it as she flew sideways feeling her wing no longer.
Rainbow was incapacitated. Her body in shock, looking to the right she could see a faint outline of what her wing used to be, It would take 2 weeks for her wing to grow back, but this was a dreamscape, there was no telling how fast or slow it would regrow. She didn’t want to know, all she wanted to do was finish this and get to her friend.
“Rar’? Rar’ where are you?” Rainbow called. “You alright? Where are you?”
“Over here Dash” Rarity called weakly.
Rainbow spotted her friend who looked like she wasn’t even supposed to be alive. There was a large stalagmite that had impaled her, and blood wasn’t afraid to show its face. She wasn’t really sure how to react, so Rarity was the first one to break the ice.
“You look terrible darling” Rarity commented, not after to be rewarded with a coughing fit. “Do be a dear and give this mare a hoof.”
Rainbow circled around her friend to see that she wasn’t deeply impaled but still had taken quiet the blow. The layer of skin protecting vital organs was certainly broken but Rainbow couldn’t see much past that. ‘Too risky to inspect further’ she thought to herself.
Changing the subject Rainbow walked over to her friend who lay there silently. Rainbow thought maybe humour would help and at the same time get information. “Rarity… How did you get here? This is Loyalty training, not the Generosity department.”
Rarity looked up at her friend “The joke really didn’t work dear, but I appreciate the gesture. As for how I came to this dreadful place isn’t a joke however. I was walking and having a conversation with Luna discussing none other than you and your training, when…” Rarity stopped dead in her verbal tracks.
“What? What happened?” Rainbow Demanded.
“Well you know how Twilight has her erm… moments?” Rarity asked her voice trembling.
“Yeah like the time she set her own mane on fire, or the time she mesmerised more than half of Ponyville with a single spell, or the time she made the library fly 50 feet in the air, or the ti-“
“Yes like those moments dear.” Rarity interrupted her. “Anyways as I was saying this time it was slightly… Erm different.” Rainbow cocked one eyebrow up as Rarity continued. “Twilight was in a fit of rage, and sorrow. Her eyes were glowing white, and tears flowing freely, I could feel it within her, and it certainly showed."
"Everything she or her magic came into either broke or was pulverised. She first looked at Luna and sent her flying out of the castle. When she met my eyes I was blast backwards, and then I woke up here.”
“Well…”Rainbow was at a loss for words. What could she say? Twilight went bad-shit crazy and that’s why Rarity was now here? Not like she was really complaining, she could really use the company.
“Let’s get you out of here” Rainbow stated. “It doesn’t look like being here much longer will help your health.” As if on cue Rarity sunk just a little lower into the stalagmite.
“AAAHHHH!” She screamed. Panting heavily Rarity agreed with a simple nod.
Rainbow sat there for a moment and thought about what to do, obviously she couldn’t buck her loose, that would cause more damage. She could always use her magic, her combat specialty was augmentations and enchantments. It seemed like that was the only route to go.
“Rarity?” Rainbow asked unsure of her own plan. “This is going to suck but I need you to trust me on this one. Ok?” Rarity looked to her friend contemplated her words for a few moments and then nodded. “Ok so we are going to need to get you off this thing obviously, and the only way to do that is up. Since it looks like it is half way through you, you should be able to get off of this without bleeding out. After you finish that you need to enchant your entire torso area so that you can at least move... And not bleed to death”
Rarity whipped her head over to her friend with wide eyes. Was she insane?!? She could… No that wouldn’t work, or she… No not that either. Seeing that this was the only option Rarity agreed, tears in her eyes.
“Right let’s get this over with” She stated. Placing her forehooves under Rarity, she looked over to her friend to see that she had done her part and had placed her hooves to the ground and was ready.
Just before the two were about to free Rarity a voice stopped them. It wasn’t a physical voice but both Rarity and Rainbow heard it.
“Rainbow… Rarity How wonderful to see you. One of you does not know me but I certainly know the two of you and what you represent.” Rainbow knew exactly who this was.
“Deception! Show yourself!” Rainbow shouted in vain.
“Oh but on the contrary Rainbow dear. I don’t believe you truly know who I am. I am Deception the master of deceit and one of the Elements of Discord. I take no form and yet I take every form. I am everywhere and yet nowhere. That is why I cannot simply show myself. No instead I like to play games”
Rainbow looked into the darkness with a confused look on her face. “What kind of games?”
“Patients there Rainbow, you will see.”
Rainbow growled as he continued. “You see Loyalty was always known as a physically strong and capable pony, but always hard headed, brash and gullible. I Deception being your polar opposite take no original form, nor am I gullible such as yourself. But this one time I will spare you from myself but at a price. Just this once I will guarantee the honest truth. Or will I? Let us begin!”
“Here lies Rarity the so called Element of Generosity. Wrists are severed, the deepest cuts are traced in red. So beautiful, the separation of her flesh from the razor. Feeling a pain she's never known. Like broken glass, draining the blood that is now running cold. She tasted power, it's kiss like a last goodbye, eyes held open, the bitter taste of blood and sweat the emptiness that suffocates a final breath. Endless silence that dulls the pain beneath her skin. Her vacant eyes watching the blood that's running thin. She tasted power. It's kiss like a last goodbye.”
Rainbow just looked at Rarity confused. Rarity was mesmerised by such poetry and didn’t seem to notice Rainbow staring.
“I ask you this Rainbow Dash, do you think she truly wants to be saved, or is she just using you. You are only a scapegoat for her suffering. You aren’t loyal you are just being used. The same goes for all of your other friends. They just use you and you making you think you are important.”
Rainbow looked to the floor as Rarity’s eyes were trained onto Rainbow. ‘She knew that wasn’t true… Right?’ Rarity asked herself. It was useless to try and say otherwise this was Rainbows time to decide, just like Rarity had her chance to prove herself, this was Rainbow’s time.
“You are trapped behind a curtain of insanity, time will tell when you realise it. The world has come to an end, and so has your so called friendship. You have nothing left, and you are forced to collapse.”
Rainbow just looked infuriated by this not believing a minute of it. “Don’t believe me?” He laughed. “Well then let’s direct our attention to the time where you’re “Friend” Twilight Sparkle had the tickets to the Gala, all of you wanted those tickets, and yet none of them would even consider you or your dreams.”
Rainbow wasn’t sure what to think about that, he was right in a sense.
“Now as I was saying, you are abandoned broken and bleeding, a feast for their eyes, a spectacle. A martyr of their friendship, and yet a scapegoat for their suffering. They will burn you alive. I feel the hatred behind their eyes. But do you? They will gather in eager circles to watch you die. As silence falls through the masses. You will be the cruelest display of sacrifice, a scapegoat for their suffering. They will burn you.”
Rainbow was now fully pissed. “ENOUGH!” She shouted in rage. “You can try and bash me and my friends but that doesn’t make it right or true! I am loyal to my friends and they don’t use me! I love them just as much as they love me!”
Silence… There was only silence.
Rainbow once again positioned herself to assist Rarity out of her current situation. Then came the voice of Deception once more.
“Well since you may choose to ignore my words you cannot ignore my powers. I may not be able to have my own physical form, but I sure as hell can interfere with the physical world! Each step you take to freeing your friend is a step closer to the loss of your other wing. I will ask you one more time, are you a foal that will be taken for granted or will you be greater than any other and be respected and awed by all? And with that I leave you.”
“Buck him Rarity, let’s get you out of here.”
The two of them got ready for the third time. “Ready? They asked in unison. That just about did it. The two started lifting and a very farmiliar sensation started in Rainbows right wing. It was a ripping feeling.
Rarity noticed this and stopped. “Rainbow dear, leave me. I will be fine you find a way out of here.”
“No.” Rainbow stated “I am not leaving you here even if it costs me my wings, you are my friend and you are more important than my wings.”
This was more than enough to bring tears of sorrow and joy to her friend’s eyes. “Ok if this is what you want.”
They started again. Rainbow could feel the pain searing through her joints and her skin. Every strip of muscle ripped was another fire lighten beneath her. But yet it was just a reminder that her friend was just that much further to freedom. With a final push Rainbow sent her friend flying off of the stalagmite and onto the floor. They both screamed in agony, Rainbows other wing was gone. She was now a wingless Pegasus.
With a white flash of light Rainbow was engulfed in a floating white orb. Rarity was blinded by the light. But when she could see once more she was shocked. Rainbow was now rebuilt. Her mane lighten in flames, her wings fully regrown and more regal than before, and her element attached to her. She had done it. She proved herself.
Every inch of Rainbow felt like it was on fire, never before had she experienced so much agony. Collapsing down beside Rarity she held her friend in a tight embrace. “You did it” Rarity Whispered.
“Yep, but I think it’s time we go home.” The two nodded but never left each other’s embrace. Rainbow contemplated whether this was all worth it or not. To be the most powerful asset of all Equestria? To go on even more wacky and dangerous adventures with her friends? Hay yeah it was worth it. And for once in the entire time in her training Rainbow felt at peace, wingless or not. And she once again passed out. But this time it was by a friend.
Twilight had the bastard. He had put her through enough torment already, and it was her turn to return the favour now.
“Any last words Vengeance?” Twilight asked her adversary. Through clenched teeth.
Vengeance couldn’t say anything, his mortal voice box was ripped in two when Twilight fired a lightening spell at him. He decided it wouldn’t even be worth it to try. Instead he just spat in her face. The mixture of his own mucus and blood flying in her face was enough to piss Twilight off, and he felt ready to die happy and content .
Twilight would have none of it. As long as he even had a speck of revenge he would still live up to his element. Twilight would have the last actions. Vengeance felt an immense pressure press on his skull and the rest of his body felt like it was on fire.
Twilight was burning him alive. With her hoof placed firmly on his temple she pushed down with all of her might. Vengeance's skull slowly fell into itself as his inner parts of his head started flowing out of the cracks from his ears and eye sockets.
Vengeance was dead, but Twilight didn’t feel any glory. No blinding light surrounded her like her friends had described. No honor or dignity came to her. She had FALIED.
Twilight awoke in her simulation room… Again. “CELESTIA DAMN IT! YOU STUPID BUCKING MOTHER BUCKERS, BUCKED EVERYTHING UP AGAIN!” Twilight screamed at the scientists who were running the simulation. Her eyes started turning dark, her eyes twitched and the doctors could have sworn that they saw Twilight’s magic and coat turn a slightly darker color.
Just as Twilight was about to try and make some adjustments to the perfectly made, and tuned machine that had held some of her friends, Celestia burst into the room, flanked by her royal guards. “What is going on here?” She asked, irritated that her pleasant dreams were disturded. “Twilight what is the matter? Did you not get your element again?” She asked.
“BUUUCK! NOPE! NOPE! NOPE! NOPE! NOPE!” Twilight yelled for all to hear. With each word she yelled it seemed that the power faded slightly and the room would shake, causing both the guards and the scientists to flinch and cower.
After her fit of Equestrian swearing Twilight collapsed to the ground, crying her eyes out.
“Why can’t I just get my element yet?” Twilight sobbed as Celestia rushed to her side. “Why can’t I just be like the rest of my friends and just get my damned element already?”
Celestia didn’t know what to say. Rainbow was being prepped to start her simulation within the next morning, and the rest of her friends had already earned their elements. What could she do? Twilight had already failed countless simulations. And it didn’t look like she was ready for another. What if... What if? Well it was worth a try but it was much riskier and the bureaucratic part of her court would certainly object… By her father’s goatee she didn’t care anymore. She was going to do it.
“Twilight? “ Celestia asked very quietly, she hated herself for doing this but it was the only way. “Do you remember how Applejack got her element?”
Twilight looked over to Celestia, lost in thought. ‘What did that have to do with anything?’ she asked herself inwardly. “Yes she killed Roid Rage and the thing that possessed him right?”
“That is right, and if you remember she never had to go through any simulation, she proved herself right there and then.”
“But I don’t get it! Why did she get her element if she wasn’t ever in a simulation? Shouldn’t that just have proved as another inner world capabilities right? It never really proved-“
Twilight was cut off by a hoof lightly pressed to her mouth. “Let me tell you a secret.” Celestia whispered. Twilight nodded intently ready to suck up all the knowledge she could. “The reason we have these simulations is because there aren’t many ideal places in Equestria that we can actually train you. Equestria is a peaceful land… for now at least, and it really isn’t required to be in a simulation as Applejack has shown. All the simulator does is just enters your thoughts and takes all of the things that are opposite to you and your element and puts you there. It’s like a real life nightmare… One that Luna can’t get into.”
Twilight took a moment to process what she had just heard. “So what you are saying is we don’t really need to be in these simulators, they just create a convenient world for us that is really the same but alternate at the same time, and somehow doesn’t have any paradoxes as an ending result.” Twilight took another moment to process what she had just heard, there was something between the lines in what Celestia had said.
“So are you saying that I could just go on a training session myself and not be in this machine?” Twilight asked with hope rekindled in her eyes.
Celestia just nodded, the way Equestria was right now? Well to the publicit was still classified as safe, but what she had seen through the collective reports she had been receiving from her guards and sister told her otherwise. In other words Equestria’s defcon 5 was complete bull-shit. Unfortunately that was a need to know basis. Twilight and her friends were smart enough, Celestia was sure of this, so they could figure that out on their own.
“Well then… I just guess I will look for something to prove myself in the real world…” Twilight said out loud to particularly no one. Celestia just smiled, Twilight was more than ready.
Twilight paced around outside, in one of Canterlot’s many gardens. She had quintuple checked the checklist of the checking that she needed to check for her checklists to check for her elemental checking. Or was it training… Whatever.
Twilight needed to go somewhere that she had never gone before. The Everfree Forest wasn’t going to cut it, no she needed something more mysterious and dangerous. She needed to face something dangerous. Something… Non Equestrian.
“Well buck Im downright stuck on where to go” Twilight stated. No pony can survive a trek through the wastelands without a guide, even if they are the Elements of Harmony.
Little did she know a fairly large serpentine creature was just above her. Waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
“You know you would have spanked me if I had ever said those words not a few months ago” Bellowed a deep voice. Twilight literally almost lost control of her bowels.
“Spike you little… Where are you?” Twilight whipped her head around but her dragon was nowhere in sight.
“What having a hard time finding me?” Spike teased “Seriously if I didn’t know you better I would say that you have no idea where I am”
Twilight sighed. She was in no mood for this. “Just get your scaly ass over here” Twilight deadpanned.
Spike chuckled inwardly. “Fine” He breathed. Deactivating his cloaking spell Spike was now in full view peering right over Twilight, smiling maliciously.
Twilight had the largest befuddled look on her face. “Uh Spike did you just cast an invisibility spell? The one that Starswirl and a small handful (Including Twilight) of Unicorns have ever preformed throughout Equestrian history?!?”
Spike just shrugged. “Meh as a dragon I feed off of power remember, so I get all of the power you have along with my own. So basically it’s you doing all of the work but I just know the spell. You DID lecture me for a week about different spells including invisibility spells.” Spike shuddered at the thought that was a boring week, there wasn’t even ice cream after!
Twilight was at a loss for words. “Well im just… Going to be umm leaving now… So yeah! You just uh… Stay right where you are!”
Spike just face palmed heavily. “I was listening and watching you the entire time remember? I know you are going somewhere and im coming”
Twilight did not want to hear that. “No Spike, what if you get hurt or you could get kidnapped or worse…”
“Hey mommy? I know you wuv me but im kinda grown up now, and not to mention trained with both magic and melee combat. So there’s not a lot you can do, or argue against with that”
Spike was right… Unfortunately. "Well let’s get going then, just promise me one thing?” Twilight asked him with large puppy dog eyes.
“What?”
“Don’t get hurt”
“I won’t”
“Promise?”
“I promise”
There was an uncomfortable silence for a long while. Twilight never broke her gaze on Spike she was fixated on him, in every way. She was not ready for this.
“Damn it Twilight” Spike said out loud. “I’ll just fly us around Equestria until we find something, that sound good?” Spike asked.
“Fine” Twilight reluctantly agreed.
Being 3,500 feet above the ground certainly puts another perspective on the world you live in. Twilight and Spike were flying high in the sky, beyond the threshold of the Everfree Forest. Twilight had never really been to many places before. Sure she had been to Canterlot, Cloudsdale and Ponyville and maybe Manehatten once or twice but she never really ventured beyond the safety of the carriage, train or her balloon.
But today was the day to look for trouble. Soon Twilight and Spike would shatter the shackles of fear and anxiety and find new salvation, scanning everything with her magic as she went. Soon Twilight would find her element.
After flying for a few hours it was growing dark. Spotting a small desert village that looked more than abandoned, the two decided to take shelter there for the night.
They landed a few feet away from the abandoned village. Between the two of them they should be able to find a place to stay the night.
“Twilight wait” Spike said as he raised a hand. “There’s something I don’t like about this place. We shouldn’t be here.”
Twilight looked up to him. He looked dead serious, yet she could not sense anything. There was nothing out of the ordinary here really, well except for the fact that the area was abandoned a long time ago and was slowly deteriorating.
Twilight gave the area a quick magical sweep, sending a wave of purple energy across the area. “Nothing on a physical level that we need to worry about Most of the structures in the area had sustained some major damage, so we will have to sleep outside tonight” Twilight stated.
Spike looked down to her, slightly relieved but still not at full ease. “I still don’t think this is a good idea but I trust you”
“Alright so where do you think we should set camp?” Twilight asked idly as the two slowly entered the area.
“Mm I don’t really know, im thinking near the center of the town. There should be something there we can use to build a fire and maybe something more comfortable to sleep on.” Twilight knew that he was talking/thinking about her. He was a dragon and he didn’t really need the aesthetics ponies needed and desired.
Before long the two had found the place they wanted to retire for the night. It was just outside of what appeared to be a large monument. There was no way Twilight was able to see what the entire thing was, she was too tired.
“I’ll take the first watch Twilight you are exhausted” As much as she would like to disagree, Spike was right. All of her magical sweeping that day had drained her. She was at it all day and was in a simulation before that, which was very taxing on its own. “You know I worry about you, you shouldn’t be so hard on yourself”
“Fine, but wake me up in a few hours, you need your sleep too” Twilight said idly as she was already falling asleep from fatigue and exhaustion. Spike just laughed. 'It used to be the other way around' He thought to himself. As Spike set out to take his watch he looked back at Twilight one last time.
Twilight woke up with a start she was shivering it looked like the fire had died out a long time ago and it was just turning to dawn. Twilight felt like this was a good as a time as any to let Spike get some sleep. “Spike?” Twilight called out. “Spike where are you?”
Looking while still on the ground Twilight lazily moved her head around. Spike was nowhere to be seen. Getting up Twilight started to worry, Spike knew how to watch over someone and still be on the lookout for any signs of trouble.
***
Spike lay on the ground. He was had already lost all control of his body, but there was still something clinging onto life in his body. Something had struck his chest from out of nowhere and he collapsed to the ground a few hours previous. The only thing he could do was hope Twilight would wake up and help him. But he was losing all hope now.
With one last surge of his strength Spike forced his eyes open to see a blurred figure approaching him that was all he needed. And he was gone.
***
Twilight had found Spike, he was at the far end of the monument, lying ever so still, ever so peaceful, except… ‘Wait what was that?’ Twilight thought to herself just begging for a scrap of hope that her dragon was alright. It was a glowing light, something that she had read in ancient tomes in the Canterlot library. It was a sign, some considered it a blessing. To Twilight it was a nightmare.
Before her, her dragon was a glowing light a symbol of the olden warriors, the time of the Granite King. The light was a symbol that was selected for one dragon of honor. He was to die and be reanimated, he was the prophet, the symbol of the doom-bringers. And he was to become one of them.
No, not on Twilights watch. Not even if it meant the desecration of an ancient and honor bound species, even if it was... Her son.
Twilight had no other choice, she had to make the decision. Those who were the prophets were never predictable, never were they able to interact with others, it would always end in blood.
Twilight lit up her horn. This was really it. This was the last time she would ever see Spike again. Never would she ever experience his teasing, or his laugh, or roll her eyes at his immaturities. His entire body would need to be destroyed. Every last bit of it, even if it is the highest sign of disrespect to the dragon kind it was necessary. Summoning a large fire beside Spikes corpse, Spikes body was already starting to change, taking on more of a jagged appearance. Every bone in his body was already protruding spikes and growing larger. His color was changing from dark amethyst to yellow. It was now or never.
Spikes body was carefully placed in the fire. Twilight was sure to be careful with his body. She watched him burn for the last hours of the night and into the morning. There were no tears. Spike deserved that much and when he was fully gone Twilight gathered his ashes.
No tears. No life. No regrets.
Twilight was surrounded by a light. It engulfed her and it was her element.
The last thing that Twilight could remember was that she was in Canterlot, killing everything she could in sight.
Celestia, Luna ran into the gardens, followed by Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie and Fluttershy. Celestia was missing half of her right wing and it looked like Luna had a broken nose. The rest of the group had some minor bruises and cuts.
“WHAT IN HAYS NAME WAS THAT CELESTIA? WAS THAT TWILIGHT? AND WHERE ARE WE GOING?” Applejack shouted pretty well voicing for the entirety of the group.
Celestia kept her pace but never answered the questioning mare, she had the same questions running through her mind.
Luckily Luna had the answer, and was quick to tell them. “Yes that was Twilight but we hast not an idea on where she could have gone, or why she was so violent. What we do know is that she hast discovered her element”
The 5 remaining elements looked at each other in confusion. Shouldn’t she be happy to have discovered her element? Was her trial enough to drive her to insanity? Rainbow was the first to voice the next wave of thoughts of the 5.
“Then why the hay are we in the gardens? Shouldn’t we be heading to the armory and suiting up to find Twilight? She did kind of just disappear when we used our elements against her!”
Luna looked at her with a blank expression. "We don’t know. If we were to guess it was a failsafe spell built into the elements. And we are heading towards our failsafe." Before Anypony could say anything more they had reached their destination.
As Celestia and Luna approached the statue with grim faces they started their ritual. All the others could do was watch in shock and disbelief.
As the ritual was finished no pony liked what they saw, most of them didn’t understand what was happening.
Celesta and Luna had just re-released Discord.
“Discord we need your help” Celestia said with a cold tone of voice. “Twilight gone insane and unleashed Magic’s elemental madness”
“You will have to ask nicely first Tia” Discord stated stretching his varying limbs out. “You know this “Prison” as you call it really does get dry after a while. Can’t you just use science and find a way to put me in a stasis?”
“Discord this is no time for fucking around! We need to find Twilight, NOW!” Luna shouted.
Discord looked at the 2 Alicorns and smirked. “Oh come now, that’s no way to treat you father…”
