Six prequel short stories to Spark Visions of Twilight
Before a story starts, characters move into position.
Before events get set in motion, there are reasons they're set in place.
Before destiny calls, ponies simply live their lives.
***
((These are six short stories about the mane six's lives before Spark Visions of Twilight began. Though these are technically prequel stories, it is advised to read the main story first. This is simply to flesh out the backgrounds of the main characters a bit more.
Cover art is the Print Version cover of Spark Visions of Twilight and is made by https://goombot.tumblr.com/))
Twilight Sparkle glared at her notebook as if it had personally insulted her.
There was a problem with the schedule. If there was one thing Twilight Sparkle hated it was problems with scheduling.
She checked and double checked the numbers and only one possible answer stood out to her. It was inconvenient and sure to fail but it was the only possible solution. Every other option had been exhausted.
“Moondancer, is it alright if we move your party a day later?” She asked her friend, not glancing up from her chart of the rest of their friends’ schedules.
Moondancer put down the pen she had been using to write thank you cards and looked across the table at Twilight. “A day later? Wouldn’t that be the Summer Sun Celebration?”
Twilight bit her lip. There was the problem. Having a birthday party during one of the biggest holidays of the year was usually ill-advised. Not only would fewer ponies show up but it was almost guaranteed 40% less celebration would take place than if the parties had been separated.
“It will be,” Twilight admitted, floating her schedule over to Moondancer, “But it’s the only day we’ll all be available. Unless we want to celebrate your birthday two weeks after the fact.”
“Well...” Moondancer hummed to herself as she looked over Twilight’s chart, “The Princess isn’t going to be in Canterlot this year so it might work out.” She shrugged and floated the chart back across the table. “I’m okay with it if everyone else is. I think we’ve all been to enough Canterlot Celebrations to last a lifetime.”
Twilight nodded. “Exactly, it’s just another parade if Celestia isn’t in town. We can always watch the sunrise after the party.” She chuckled to herself. “That’s the same from wherever you view it.”
***
Moondancer’s birthday party had gone perfectly. Twilight couldn’t help the pride from swelling in her chest at the success. Everyone was able to make it, there had been excellent food, and Moondancer seemed to enjoy herself immensely.
And it was all thanks to Twilight’s perfect scheduling abilities.
The five friends had now retired inside. The fun had been exhausting and long. But, even though the sun had gone down hours ago, none of them wanted to leave. They all were all content to simply chat about anything that came to mind.
“You can’t be serious,” Minuette said with a laugh, playfully shoving Twilight, “Different realities? Get out of here.”
“Not even different realities,” Twilight insisted, passionate despite her friends’ giggles, “Different splits in the timestreams of reality. We could, at this exact moment, could be living in an alternate timeline.”
“An alternatetimeline?” Lemon Drops asked with a head tilt, “Wouldn’t all the other timelines be the alternates?”
Twilight shook her head. “Not necessarily. There’s no evidence that this is the original timeline. Think about it,” Her eyes seemed to sparkle with wonder, “We could be living in a world never meant to be. You could have been meant to meet ponies you’ll never get to now, take roads that are blocked off.”
Moondancer stared at her incredulously. “That sounds an awful lot like fate, Twilight. We were meantto do certain things?”
“Exactly.” Twilight couldn’t help but smile. “There was something we did originally, but through outside influences, our paths were changed. But we’re the same ponies, deep down, just with different experiences, so we end up eventually making similar decisions.”
“But isn’t a pony just a collection of their experiences?” Moondancer argued back.
“Not according to this theory,” Twilight protested, “the nature of one’s self is as innate as a cutie mark.” She thrust her hoof out in a dramatic fit of passion. “And so it stands to reason that if this is a separate timeline than someone had to have gone back and made it. Meaning it’s possible to do it again.”
“And let me guess,” Minuette said, “You’re going to be the one to do it?”
A blush colored Twilight’s cheeks and she coughed into her hoof. “Well, I mean, if I already did in the original…”
That prompted another wave of laughter from the group and, after a moment of pouting, Twilight couldn’t help but join in.
Without warning, Moondancer reached out and pulled Twilight into a warm hug. Twilight squeaked at the sudden contact but didn’t pull away from the birthday girl. “Thanks for the party, Twilight. I had a great time.”
Twilight chuckled awkwardly. “You’re welcome. I hope it was worth missing the Summer Sun Celebration?”
“Speaking of that,” Minuette spoke up, glancing out the dark windows, “We’ve been talking for hours. I could have sworn we missed the whole celebration. Shouldn’t the sun be up by now?”
The friends all turned to look at the wall clock. It was rather later than any of them had guessed. It was around the time were the first light of dawn should have been streaming through Moondancer’s window.
But the world stayed dark as if it was still the dead of night.
With a tired shake of her head, Twilight shrugged and hesitantly nuzzled Moondancer, getting more comfortable around her friends. “I wouldn’t worry about it. I’m sure Moondancer’s clock is just off or Her Majesty got held up by fans or something.”
“Twilight’s right,” Moodnacer agreed around a yawn, “Let’s all just get some sleep. I’m sure everything will be fine in the morning.”
Of course, no one would be able to tell by looking at her. Rarity took pride in not letting her emotions affect her appearance and for always maintaining an image of calm control. Her mane was still curled perfectly and her makeup was immaculate. She smiled radiantly at anyone she spoke to and stood up straight and tall.
No, not one soul could tell she wanted to collapse to the ground at any moment.
She had been working on preparing the Summer Sun Celebration all week. She was in charge of it this year and she couldn’t have been more honored. Her. In charge of a town-wide celebration. In charge when Princess Celestia herself would come to town. She could just scream from excitement.
But she had been running herself ragged trying to make sure everything was perfect. From the food, to the venue, to the music. Everything had to be just so or she was sure it would ruin Ponyville’s, and her, reputation for all time.
But it would all be worth it in a few moments. The mayor would make the announcement, Rarity would pull back the curtain, and Princess Celestia would be standing right next to her.
And then Rarity could sneak out early and have a nice long bath. She was going to be standing only hoof lengths away from the Princess during the sunrise, she didn’t think she needed to stick around for the after party.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed and a spotlight illuminated the mayor, standing on the stage below. “Fillies and Gentlecolts!” She called out as the crowd quickly quieted, ready for the celebration to begin, “It is my pleasure to announce at this thousandth year Summer Sun Celebration, the radiant Princess Celestia!”
Rarity smiled once more to the town gathered below as her magic pulled the curtain back. There were trumpets and fanfare right on cue and a cheer rose up from the crowd.
But all that quickly pittered out. The trumpets died with a flat note and the cheers quickly turned to gasps and murmurs.
Rarity turned and stared at the empty spot the Princess was supposed to occupy. She wasn’t there. She wasn’t hidden behind the curtain or waiting just out of sight, missing her cue. She was well and truly… “Gone,” Rarity couldn’t help but gasp, “She’s gone.”
The murmuring increased but Rarity ignored it as she took a few steps further into the backstage, foolishly hoping that Celestia was just hiding behind a stage prop or playing an odd prank.
Even though no Princess appeared, something did emerge from the dark. Rarity didn’t notice it at first, it just seemed like a shadow dancing on the back wall, but soon she realized there was nothing that could be casting it. It was just, for all purposes, an untethered shadow. A shadow which grew until it took up the whole room and, in one swift movement, surged forward, rushing towards Rarity.
Rarity yelped and stumbled back as the shadow flowed onto the stage proper. It barely missed her and didn't even seem to realize she was there as it headed to the edge of the balcony and joined into one large mass.
An Alicorn figure emerged from the twisting darkness. Large wings and a sharp gleaming horn solidifying out of the smoke. Rarity would have thought it was Celestia in some costume if not for the cruel laughter that accompanied the appearance.
“Ah, my beloved subjects,” The Alicorn purred when she had fully formed. The laughter had stopped but a hungry smile was still on the midnight-black face. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen your precious little sun-loving faces.”
Everypony went deadly silent at the strange Alicorn’s arrival. Rarity herself had frozen in a corner just inches away from the terrifying new pony. She could have touched her without having to even step forward.
“Do you not know who I am?” The Alicorn continued. “Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?”
There was some very low whispering from the crowd. The initial shock was wearing off and now the natural curiosity of the ponies emerged, trying to riddle out her strange speech.
“No one?” The Alicorn sneered. “Not one of you knows why I am here?”
The crowd shifted uncomfortably. But the fear was lessening so the crowd resembled a group of scolded children more than a terrified populous. Ponies avoided eye contact even as the Alicorn’s own narrowed with disdain.
“Fine,” The Alicorn snarled, her eyes glowing teal blue and her flowing mane expanding in size. “Than I will show you pathetic mortals who I am!”
Mayor Mare, thankfully, seemed to have regained her wits about the situation and shouted at the surrounding guards. “Seize her! She knows where the Princess is!”
The dark Alicorn just laughed again as the Pegasi guards rushed her. Lightning crackled from her horns and with deadly precision hit each guard squarely in the chest, knocking them out of the sky.
The lighting didn’t stop there, however. More and more shot out from the Alicorn, punching holes in the walls and lighting the decorations on fire. Ponies screamed and the acrid scent of panic filled the air. The crowd scattered, trying to dodge the lighting and the fires. Some headed for the exits but most just ran for the sake of panic.
Rarity knees shook as terror mixed with exhaustion and almost drove her to collapse on the spot. None of the lightning was hitting the balcony where she and the Alicorn stood but that didn’t stop the trembling running down Rarity’s spine as she watched days of work go up in blazing flames.
And then the Alicorn turned to her.
Slitted blue eyes bore into hers with dark cruelty and glee. A scream jammed in Rarity’s thoat that threatened to choke her.
“I think they’re all a tad too busy to listen now,” The Alicorn purred, like the two were sharing some insightful secret, “You seem like a responsible young mare. Could you give them a message for me?” Her mane curled around Rarity’s chin, cupping it and forcing her to make eye contact. “Tell them that the country is under new management. Tell all of Equestria that their rightful ruler, Nightmare Moon, has returned. And most of all, tell them that the night shall last forever!”
The last word was a triumphant roar that turned into more cackling. Nightmare Moon collapsed back into living shadow and flowed out one of the smashed windows. Gone just as quickly as she appeared.
Rarity let out a shaky breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding through the encounter. It quickly turned into a shriek, however, as the balcony she stood on lurched forward. The structure supporting it was being consumed by the raging fires below, ruining its structural integrity and making Rarity’s eyes water from the heat.
In a desperate attempt for safety, she launched herself towards the backstage area just as the platform collapsed beneath her. She’ll never know if she would have made the leap, however, as just at that moment two strong white hooves wrapped around her barrel and she was suspended in midair, gently buzzing towards an open window.
She glanced up and let out a relieved sigh, trying to maintain her composure even with the tears running down her face. “Th-thank you Bulk. Did… did everyone make it out alright?”
Bulk Biceps took a glance behind him as they exited the building and gave Rarity a small, timid, nod. “Yeah…”
Rarity sagged in his grip, grateful that no one was trapped in the crumbling town hall. Now with no immediate danger, her mind quickly turned back to the deranged dark Alicorn. Rarity’s mind whirled with thoughts of the task she had been given. How would she explain to all of Ponyville what had happened? To all of Equestria?
Rainbow Dash dragged her hooves as she headed home for the night.
She snorted at her own thoughts as she glanced up at where the moon hadn’t moved for a good few months. One couldn’t really go home for the night when it would always be night, could they?
Either way, she was headed home. She had spent half of the da-nightworking for the weather department in Cloudsdale, trying desperately to bring some sense of normality to the ponies of Equestria. It wasn’t her favorite job, what with it being repetitive, boring, and simple. But since the new ruler had quickly disbanded the Wonderbolts, and all other preexisting military operation, upon returning to the throne there weren’t many better options.
She had spent the other half of the night flying to as many towns as she could and searching. That wasn’t very unusual activity now, lots of ponies were frantically trying to find friends and family. Either to band together in this chaos or simply to be assured they were safe.
Rainbow Dash hadn’t had much luck in her search, not that she had too many ponies to search for.
Now she was back in Cloudsdale, her hometown, and her wings were so sore that she had resorted to walkingthrough the cloud city to her home.
“Fluttershy,” She called unenthusiastically as she pushed open her front door, “I’m back.”
A bright yellow face poked itself from out of the kitchen and Fluttershy smiled widely at her. “Welcome back Rainbow. You have great timing, I’m almost done with dinner.”
Despite her stressful night, Rainbow couldn’t help but smile at her friend and the intoxicating aroma of fresh pasta. “Thanks, Flutters, I definitely need a good meal tonight.”
Fluttershy’s smile dipped into a concerned frown as she put down whatever she was doing and trotted over to give Rainbow a comforting nuzzle. “Nothing again? Do you want to talk about it?”
Rainbow Dash bit her lip. She wanted to pour all her problems and frustration out. She wanted to cry and break things and curse the world. Her insides felt like garbage and she just wanted to lay on the floor and cry them back to normal.
But she didn’t want to upset Fluttershy any more than she already had.
“Psh, what?” Rainbow scoffed, tossing her mane back, “I’m fine. I didn’t find anything but that’s no big deal. There’s always tomorrow.”
Fluttershy’s smile gradually came back. Rainbow wasn’t sure if she believed her false confidence, but it got Flutters to smile so that was a win in her book. “What about you?” Rainbow asked, smoothly changing the subject, “How did your da-night go?”
Fluttershy moved out of the Rainbow’s space and back into the kitchen. “It went alright. There are still so many lost little pets to search for and the shelter’s almost full.” She shook her head, her eyes tracing the floor. “I think some ponies just abandoned the poor dears in their panic and aren’t ever coming back.”
“Yeah.” Rainbow sympathized, her ears folding down at the sorrow in her friend’s voice. Fluttershy had been volunteering at the Cloudsdale animal shelter for about a month now and, while many ponies had been reunited with their pets, Rainbow knew Fluttershy fretted about every homeless critter. “Some ponies can’t think of anyone but themselves right now. They just leave those defenseless creatures behind.”
“I’m so glad you agree,” Fluttershy said, walking back out of the kitchen. On her back was a freshly steaming bowl of pasta, ready for eating. Tucked in her wing, however, was a squirming little white furball. “Because this little guy’s been lost for months and just can’t stand living in that cold shelter anymore.”
Rainbow Dash groaned as the rabbit snuggled into Fluttershy’s fur. “Seriously? Fluttershy, we can’t keep a bunny here. We’re both way too busy for a pet and besides, we don’t have enough enchanted cloud. He could fall out of the house at any moment.”
“I know,” Fluttershy sighed, putting the pasta on the dining table, “But rabbits are so very smart and resourceful. And it would only be for a few days at the most. Just until we find somewhere more permanent.”
“Fluttershy…” Rainbow warned, narrowing her eyes.
Fluttershy stuck out her lip and looked at her with huge watery eyes. She squeezed the bunny to her chest so tightly it squeaked.
Dash looked away, biting her lip to try and keep her willpower strong.
It was a losing battle, however, and not a moment later she threw her hooves up with a defeated laugh. “Fine! Fine, fine. As long as we can start dinner you can keep the rabbit.”
Fluttershy’s face instantly lit up as she squeed with glee. “Oh thank you, Rainbow! Don’t worry, I’m sure he’ll be an absolute angel.”
***
Dinner was much more hectic than usual. The new rabbit decided to sneak food off of both of their plates and periodically pull on Rainbow’s tail. The worst part was he would never do it when Fluttershy was looking and she refused to believe Rainbow’s complaints.
Or, by the way she had giggled into her napkin, Fluttershy was probably just ignoring it to mess with Dash and assure the little demon stayed.
Either way, Rainbow went to bed grumpy and annoyed but effectively purged of the troubles that had plagued her earlier. She could always count on Fluttershy for that.
After bidding her friend goodnight and shooting a death glare at the little rodent, Rainbow headed to her room for a good night’s rest.
She awoke after what felt like only a few minutes since her head hit the pillow. But the house was dark and the streets outside her window were deathly silent.
She sat up to try and determine just what had woken her when she locked eyes with a towering figure in the middle of her room.
Dash’s wings snapped open and she jumped backward instinctively, pressing her back against the wall. Nightmare Moon herselfwas standing in her bedroom, regarding Rainbow with a cold, calculated look.
“You’re less impressive than I thought you would be.”
Rainbow Dash had no idea how to react to that. She didn’t really have experiences with mad gods just appearing in her bedroom. At least Nightmare didn’t look like she was about to smite Dash where she stood.
“You-your Highness,” Rainbow eventually stammered as Nightmare Moon just continued to stand there, inspecting Rainbow like one would inspect a new wagon they were considering purchasing. “Wha-what are… what do I owe…”
“I’ve come to offer you a proposition, Rainbow Dash,” Nightmare Moon interrupted her. She cocked her head to the side, a small smile tugging at her lips as if she had just thought of a private joke. “You are Rainbow Dash, are you not? Youngest Wonderbolt Reserve in history and the pony that won Best Young Flyer Competition for touching the sound barrier?”
“I didn’t win…” Rainbow said, latching onto the only part of this situation she could understand, “I spiraled out of control when I couldn’t break the barrier and create a rainboom. I flew into the judges stand…”
“Ah, so I do have the right pony.” Nightmare’s smile dropped and she stood up straighter; all business. “I have heard many great and enticing things about you Rainbow Dash and you have piqued my interest.”
She took a step closer and Rainbow had to fight the urge to jump out her window.
“I’m putting together a team of elite ponies. Ponies who I think possess the skills and dedication to do something great with their lives.”
“And… what’s that?” Rainbow couldn’t help but ask, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Nightmare Moon smiled again, pointed teeth gleaming in the moonlight. “Rainbow Dash, I wish to formally invite you to be a member of my personal guard. Unlike my normal guards, these individuals will serve right by my side. They will protect and serve where and when I need them, being part of my greatest triumphs.” She leaned closer, as if to share a secret. “And I’m giving you this opportunity of a lifetime.”
Rainbow Dash froze. She had been afraid and intimidated before but something about that offer shook her deep in her core. She thought of freely moving clouds for families that could barely come to grips with their new reality, let alone afford to pay for weather. She thought of all the animals in danger and alone that Fluttershy had to take care of because they didn’t understand what was happening. She thought of searching night after night for family she hadn’t thought about in years just to know they hadn’t died in the chilling eternal night.
She thought of everyone whose world was ending because of the collapse of order the sudden change in leaders had caused.
“Buck you.”
Nightmare’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “What did you just say, child?”
“Buck. You.” Rainbow trembled with rage and terror. “How dare… how dare you think I’d serve under you? You took away the sun. You ruined my life! And now you expect me to serve you? I can’t. I could never do that.”
“Never?” Nightmare Moon hissed, eyes glowing bright, and fangs bared. “Oh, Rainbow Dash, you’ll soon find that no one ever means never. I’m giving you an opportunity to help your fellow pony. To protect those that can’t adjust to my glorious night. Are you really ready to forsake them?”
Rainbow didn’t react, her anger to great to be penetrated by empty promises. She was pretty sure she was going to die, right there in her bedroom. But despite that, she wasn’t scared. She didn’t care anymore what Nightmare Moon did to her. She just hoped Fluttershy would be alright without her.
But Nightmare Moon backed down a moment later, the light leaving her eyes, and her face once more becoming professional, if not a bit more hostile than before. “But fine, have it your way. I have no need for an unloyal knight at this time.” She turned away and Rainbow felt her pounding heart slow as hope crept into it. “But just know that if you ever deny me again…” Nightmare Moon’s magic lifted the picture of Fluttershy Rainbow kept on her bookshelf and Dash’s heart leapt into her throat, threatening to choke her. “... there will be consequences.”
The picture ripped apart, frame and all, in a sudden burst of magic. Glass scattered along the floor and small pieces of paper floated around the room.
“Have a good Night, Rainbow Dash.”
With a gasp Rainbow bolted upright in bed. She was soaked in sweat and blinking rapidly to clear the sleep from her eyes.
Sleep...asleep. She had been asleep? Her racing heart slowed as she realized she had just been dreaming. Nightmare Moon had been nothing more than a regular old nightmare.
She glanced around her room, a smile coming to her lips in relief.
And then she saw the shattered picture on the floor.
It wasn’t cracked as if it had simply fallen off of the bookshelf. It was absolutely shattered and torn beyond repair. Torn down the middle as if ripped apart by powerful magic.
A whimper escaped her as Dash tore off her blankets and floundered out of her bed, crunching glass beneath her hooves. She staggered out into the hall in a daze, frantically stumbling to her friend’s room.
“Fluttershy,” She called desperately, “No, no, Fluttershy please.”
The door to the other bedroom opened before she even got there. Fluttershy, bed-headed but wide awake, standing in the doorway. “Rainbow, what’s wrong? Are you ok-”
Rainbow interrupted by latching onto her in a tight hug. She squeezed her as hard as she could, reassuring herself that she was real, that she was okay.
Fluttershy stopped asking questions and just hugged Rainbow back, gently guiding her to sit on the floor.
“Keep moving!” Limestone yelled at her troops as Nightmare Moon’s army descended upon them. She bucked a few Night Guards out of the way and sped off towards the castle. The Earth Pony almost seemed to fly as she weaved in between Thestrals diving at them like missiles and fighting the few she could not avoid.
Pinkamena followed her from a distance, staying closer to the other ponies they had brought with them. There were too few in number, she could already tell. They would never be able to hold off Nightmare’s army for long.
And yet, despite the overwhelming odds, she found herself shouting words of encouragement as she fought. She lifted a few ponies up when they fell and battled the Night Guards with a fury, keeping her sisters in sight at all times.
They weren’t doing terribly, all things considered. They had caught Nightmare Moon’s forces off guard and were fighting with a fire none of the Thestrals could hope to match.
Just as the rebels were gaining confidence, there was a flash of light and more of Nightmare’s minions flooded the scene. Pinkamena had no time to move as about a dozen unicorns trained their horns in her direction. She was going to be obliterated in a magic hail storm.
Right before the magic hit her and her fellow allies, a pink shield blinked into existence and absorbed the blasts, flickering only briefly from the impacts.
“Head for the castle!” Shining Armor shouted, his horn glowing fiercely and a look of utmost concentration on his face, “We can hold them!”
A cheer went up as the stallion pushed forward, his shield flinging every enemy aside. Pinkamena once again found herself surrounded by her siblings as the rebel group moved past the castle gates, their enemies slowly falling back.
But just as they all entered the castle ground proper, a large beam of blue magic slammed into Shining Armor’s shield, shattering the spell and downing the stallion with a cry of pain.
Nightmare Moon herself appeared a moment later in a blinding flash of light. And just like that, it seemed the fight was over. Her magic flowed over the castle grounds, freezing everypony in place. It was like a cold grip had grabbed every single rebel. Some started to cry from despair as they struggled against the magic. Nightmare Moon looked on with cool disinterest, not even breaking a sweat as she single-handedly stopped the attack.
“Who is the leader here?” She asked, the sound being heard clearly by everypony even though she barely raised her voice.
Pinkamena glared at Nightmare Moon. This was the moment they knew had been inevitable. She shared a look between her sisters as they all braced themselves for what would happen next.
Limestone’s voice rang out across the quiet courtyard, “We are, you demon, and we’re here to make you pay.”
Nightmare Moon didn’t say anything in response. She simply looked down on her and her sisters for a moment, eyeing them with distaste. Then, her magic blinked out from around the rebels and she teleported herself and the Pie sisters back inside the castle proper.
Pinkamena didn’t even realize she had been teleported until she found herself face down in Nightmare Moon’s throne room. She and her sisters looked around in confusion. There were only a few guards stationed here, half a dozen at most. The only other figure in the room was Nightmare Moon herself, standing next to the throne and gazing down at the four Earth Ponies with a slightly amused expression.
“So you are the great generals that are going to overthrow me, are you? To be honest I was expecting something much more…” She waved her hoof vaguely. “Well, something more impressive at least.”
“Even if you kill us, our fighters will still rage on!” Limestone snapped, rising to her hooves, “They have the spirit of freedom and peace within them! They shall never stop until they have succeeded. You’re going to lose, Nightmare.”
“No, I don’t think I am,” The goddess said plainly, unmoved by Limestone’s speech, “And don’t jump to conclusions. I’m not going to kill you either.”
That caused the four of them to freeze.
“You aren’t?” Maud asked, staring emotionally up at her, as she usually did.
“Oh no, of course not,” Nightmare replied, shaking her head sympathetically. She couldn’t keep the act up for long, however, and soon a devilish smirk crawled onto her face. “I’m going to do something far worse.”
She descended from her throne with purposefully strides. The Pie sisters tensed as the guards also closed in, blocking off any hope of escape.
“Now listen very carefully as I tell you little ponies what is going to happen next,” Nightmare Moon said once she was leering over them, “You are going to go out there and call your little rebels off. You will tell them to go home, that they were all idiots in coming, and that they should never even think about rebelling again. Then you are going to go back to whatever rock you crawled out of and do exactly as you're told for the rest of your pathetic lives. Telling everyone you meet that I am the true ruler of Equestria and anyone denying that is a fool. Do you understand?”
“Ha!” Limestone barked, literally spitting at the Alicorn’s hooves, “You’re a fool. The spirit of the people will fight on and so will we. You think you can just order us around like sheep? You’ll have to kill everypony here to get them to give up the fight! So tell me, oh great ruler, why would we ever listen to you?”
Nightmare Moon shrugged, the predatory grin not even twitching at the refusal. “You will do this because I will continue to hurt her if you do not.”
As they tried to process what Nightmare meant, Pinkamena suddenly found herself being lifted into the air by a cloud of dark magic.
“Hey! Let her go!” Limestone shouted, guards holding her back as Pinkamena squirmed uselessly within the magic.
Nightmare regarded her captive, turning her over in her magic like one would a strange piece of art they couldn’t understand. “Are you going to do as I’ve instructed?” Nightmare asked, turning back to the three sisters on the ground.
“Buck no!”
“Very well.”
A beam of pure magic shot out of Nightmare’s horn, hitting Pinkamena squarely in the chest.
Pain.
Pinkamena didn’t even realize she was screaming until the searing heat bleed away and her voice faded from lack of breath.
Her sisters were yelling and a few of the night guards had to almost pin them to the floor to hold them back as they tried to come to Pinkamena’s aid.
“That was a weak version of that spell by the way,” Nightmare Moon informed them, tapping a hoof to Pinkamena’s chest.
She gasped and flinched away as the tap caused the pain to flare up again. Her chest was burned badly and the skin was raw.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Limestone yelled, panic creeping into her voice, “Put her down now!”
Nightmare Moon gave the rebel leader one slow blink before firing another bolt from her horn.
Pinkamena saw spots as she once again felt fire flow through every inch of her body, right under her coat. Her limbs jerked unconsciously as her body tried to handle all the pain. Darkness started to creep into her vision and she had to fight the urge to black out. When the fire finally faded she coughed up blood and shuddered at how raw her throat felt from her screams.
Though they were still struggling with the Night Guards, the other Pie sisters were silent as they watched in horror.
Nightmare Moon seemed pleased by this.
“Now are you going to listen to me?” Her horn glowed threateningly, “Or shall I continue?”
That caused them to freeze in their struggle and let her guards force them to their knees.
“Now,” Nightmare Moon purred, “Listen closely. I’m honestly impressed by your valor and tenacity. You risked death to try and follow your conscious. Of course, you had no prayer of winning but… I think you already knew that.”
The dark queen started to pace and Pinkamena felt her stomach flip as she was magically dragged along behind her.
“But the pesky business with these rebellion type things is that it gives ponies hope,” Nightmare Moon continued, chuckling to herself, “Even if I killed you all it would only turn you into martyrs for the next group of fools. So, lucky for you I’m not going to do that.”
Nightmare Moon paused, as if expecting to be interrupted again. But the Pie sisters barely breathed as they watched her, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Nightmare continued, nonplussed, seeming to relish in their anxiety, “I won’t hurt any of you if you swear to go back to your meaningless little lives and show ponies that not only is fighting me pointless, but it is completely unsatisfying to try. Do this and you’ll never hear from me again. You’ll be as free as any other citizen. But, if I hear even a hint of another one of these rebellions forming,” She paused and swung Pinkamena above their heads like a treat to tempt a dog with. “You’ll just have to live with what I’ll do to your precious little sister.”
The three Pie sisters shared uncomfortable looks between each other. Pinkamena tried to call out to them, to plead with them to leave her and save themselves, to not give in to the Queen’s demands. But her throat was so raw the only sounds she could make were muffled whimpers of protest.
It only took a few seconds of contemplation before, with bowed heads, the sisters made up their minds.
“Fine,” Limestone snapped, but much of the fire was gone from her voice, “We... accept your offer.”
Nightmare’s cruel grin stretched even wider. “Wonderful. Guards, escort these three out of the castle so they and all their followers can return to their homes.”
The guards started to usher them out the door and Nightmare turned away, intent on heading further into the castle when a call stopped her in her tracks.
“Wait!” Marble cried as the guards surrounded them, “Give Pinkamena back! You promised you’d let her go.”
Nightmare Moon looked over her shoulder. “I said no such thing. I promisedI would not harmany of you. Oh, I know how this will work. If I let you all go back you’ll run off to the wilds the moment you’re out of my sight.”
“We won’t,” Maud spoke up, “We give you our word.”
Nightmare Moon chuckled darkly. “You’re word? Well, isn’t that something.” She levitated their helpless sister, taunting them as she floated just out of reach. “We’ll just call this… insurance then, to see how much your word is actually worth.”
She watched as they were dragged out, ignoring the protests and insults they hurled at her. It wasn’t until they were gone from sight did she turn back to the lone sister floating in her grip.
“And you,” she purred, cupping the pink pony’s chin with her hooves, “you I’m going to turn into my perfect little servant.” Pinkamena shivered uncomfortably as Nightmare Moon stroked her mane. “By the time I’m done with you, you won’t even remember your name let alone your little family and any thought of defiance.”
“No,” Pinkie managed to choke out, squirming in the air. Though, if it was a cry of defiance or a plea for mercy she didn’t know.
Nightmare Moon just laughed and set her atop of one of the nearby Night Guards. “Take her to the dungeons for now. I will deal with her once I finish with the rest of the riff-raff.”
Pinkamena could only watch helplessly as she was carried away from her entire life, too weak and exhausted to do anything to stop it.
Fluttershy watched as Rainbow Dash struggled to put on her armor. She had managed to get her boots and barding on easily enough but was having a difficult time getting her helmet over her long mane.
“Do you need help?” Fluttershy asked carefully. Rainbow had been so quiet and distant lately. After she had agreed to work for Nightmare Moon the two had moved closer to the Everfree. Fluttershy wasn’t sure if that had been Rainbow’s or Nightmare’s decision but either way she counted it as a small blessing. It was easier for her to take care of her animals this way, and her little critter family had grown rapidly since they had moved to the ground.
“I’m fine,” Rainbow grunted, her helmet slipping over her face again.
Fluttershy moved closer, taking Rainbow’s helmet in her hooves and lifting it out of her eyes.
Rainbow refused to look at her. Even from inches away, she couldn’t meet her gaze. “It’s too small…” She mumbled.
Fluttershy hummed idly as she set the helmet down and gently stroked Rainbow’s colorful mane. “I think your mane’s getting in the way. It could be too long to fit in the helmet.”
Rainbow sighed heavily and nodded her head. “I guess we have to cut it off then.”
Fluttershy leaned back, confused. “Why would we need to do that? Can’t you just ask for a bigger helmet?”
Rainbow snorted and shook her head, still not looking at Fluttershy. “I can’t just go up to Nightmare Moon and tell her she made a mistake. She probably wants me to have it cut. Uniform and all that, ya know?”
Fluttershy had to bite her tongue. She didn’t counter that Nightmare had given Dash detailed instructions on how to get her uniform and how to behave in it. She didn’t say that surely if a haircut was part of the requirements Nightmare would have mentioned it instead of the exact shade of purple Rainbow had to wear.
Fluttershy just nodded and headed to the kitchen to get some scissors.
She hated how tense Rainbow had gotten. When they were growing up, she was so passionate about everything but now she seemed detached and resigned.
And angry. She seemed only a wrong word away from lashing out.
Fluttershy found herself sympathizing with her. She hated Nightmare Moon just as most other ponies did. But to Rainbow it was personal.
She returned to the living room moments later, scissors in her grip.
“Do you want me to do it or…”
“Sure,” Rainbow said with a shrug, tilting her head towards Fluttershy.
Fluttershy couldn’t help but smile a little at the invitation. She sat close to Rainbow and took her prismatic mane in her hooves. It was long, soft, and messy. Just like it had been since they were children.
Without giving herself time to think it over she quickly snipped away a good few inches of the colorful mane. It fell around her like a pool of light and by the time she stopped the mane had turned into a short bob.
“There, all done.” She grabbed the helmet off the floor and attempted to place it back on Dash’s head. But the headgear got caught halfway down, the hair bunching up underneath it. “Oh, um…”
“You didn’t do enough,” Rainbow snapped, wrenching the helmet off her head and snatching the scissors from Fluttershy. She corralled her own mane above her head and, in one fluid motion, chopped it all off close to the scalp.
Fluttershy couldn’t stifle her gasp as the locks fell like stars from the sky.
Rainbow locked gazes with her, the anger clearing from her eyes almost instantly. She glanced down at the pool of hair surrounding them and then covered her eyes with her hooves. “Oh, Shy. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Fluttershy reassured her. She couldn’t help but stroke the new, short hair cut. The strands scratchy and rough. “You were just frustrated. I know you didn’t mean to snap.”
“It’s not that it’s…” She gave a long drawn out sigh, her hooves sliding down her face. The two were silent for a few moments, just sitting together with Fluttershy stroking Dash’s mane. Eventually Rainbow let out a quiet whisper. “Can you do the same to my tail? It needs to fit into this sleeve thing.”
Fluttershy nodded and picked the scissors off the floor. “Of course, I’ll try to make it short enough this time.”
Rainbow flinched, just a bit. “No no, you did great. Thank you for this, Flutters.”
Fluttershy didn’t say anything, just smiled reassuringly and took Rainbow’s tail in her hooves. She made sure to avoid the dock of Rainbow’s tail as she snipped it to match the mane.
When she was done she felt like she was drowning. The piles of long rainbow mane came up to her cutie mark and broke apart as she shifted.
Rainbow let out a heavy sigh when she was done and leaned into Fluttershy’s chest. “Thank you so much, Fluttershy. I’m… I’m really sorry.”
“I know, it’s okay,” Fluttershy reassured her, stroking Dash’s back as she felt her own fur growing damp. “I’m here for you, Rainbow. It’s alright.”
Fluttershy hated Nightmare Moon so much. She hated her for taking the light out of the sky and the one from Rainbow’s heart.
Applejack bucked an apple tree so hard it cracked, bits of wood flying every which way. The apples fell around her in a shower of red but there were no barrels to collect them today. She didn’t even glance at the fruit before kicking the tree again, harder this time.
The cracks grew and grew as she kept hammering at the sturdy trunk. She could see the thing almost caving. She could feel it bending to her will. She could-
“You gonna destroy all our livelihood now, too?”
The sudden voice made her flinch and threw off her aim. Instead of hitting the tree yet again, her back legs connected with nothing but air and sent her sprawling to her belly in the dirt.
She glanced out beneath her hat to see Big Macintosh standing a few feet away, watching her intently. Though he had caused his little sister to make a fool out of herself, there was no humor in his eyes.
Which was just as well, Applejack was already raving mad and didn’t need another reason to lash out. “What do you want?” She snapped, climbing to her hooves. She pointedly ignored the ache in her back legs and pride. “Can’t ya see I’m working?”
Big Mac raised a brow. “That what you callin’ it now? Smacking the same empty tree for a good half hour is work?”
Applejack turned away from him, staring at the sea of bruised fruit instead. There was a long moment of silence between the two before Applejack, in a softer tone, asked, “How is she?”
“She’ll be fine,” Big Mac said, though he couldn’t hide the sorrow in his voice from his sister, “Doc says she’ll be right as rain with a few days of bed rest.”
“She say anything?” Applejack asked, keeping her eyes wide and staring at the horizon. She couldn’t close them. Every time she did she just saw the same sickening image of her little sister lying on the floor, her back red…
“Not yet,” Big Mac interrupted her thoughts with his gentle drawl, “Doc says she’s in shock, but that it should wear off with time an’ love.” He eyed Applejack deeply and his voice turned almost accusatory. “She needs ya right now.”
Applejack glanced at him as much of her anger seemed to seep out of her and into the earth. “Ah know but… Ah can’t face her Mac, ah just can’t. She needed me back there and ah just let her down. Ah just…” Her eyes watered and she turned away again, blinking rapidly and kicking an apple half-heartedly.
“Ya did all ya could,” Big Mac said gently, “You were fightin’ tooth and nail to stop it, just like the rest of us. There were just too many guards. There’s nothin’ more you could have done.”
Applejack’s teeth ground together. She wanted to be angry. Anger had strength and power that self-pity could never achieve. “There hasto be somethin’ ah could have done. Ah could have just said yes! Ah could have given in to their demands early or or…”
“Applejack.”
Applejack started as her brother suddenly was right by her side, leaning a comforting shoulder into her own. “Applejack, do you think Apple Bloom would have been glad if you just let the rest of the town starve? Do you really think that would have been the right thing ta do?”
Applejack couldn’t stop the tears streaming down her face now. So she elected to just ignore them. “Of course ah don’t. Ah just wish ah could have done somethin’. Ah wish this whole…” She waved a hoof at the dark night sky, “...everythin’ would just stop.”
Big Mac didn’t say anything to that. He just stood there, comforting and stable as Applejack pretended she wasn’t sobbing.
“Ah can’t let this happen again…” She eventually muttered, once she had gotten the tears under control, “Ah can’t let them night guards keep doin’ whatever they want without consequence. Things are only gettin’ worse every day. Ah just can’tsit by.”
“So what are ya gonna do?” Big Mac eventually asked, but by the way he was staring off into the Everfree Forest Applejack was sure he knew the answer.
“We still have that magic paper that crazed Zebra gave us?”
Big Mac just shrugged. “Ah didn’t throw it away if you didn’t.”
With a resigned sigh, Applejack closed her eyes. She saw the guards drag her screaming sister away. Saw them hit her until she stopped screaming, her back torn up and staining her yellow coat red. She could feel the hooves of the other guards holding Applejack back, keeping her away so all she could do was watch. She could feel her sister’s shaking body as she held her and told her everything would be alright, even if Apple Bloom’s eyes couldn’t focus on her own.
She couldn’t make that a lie. She would make sure things were alright.
She opened her eyes and set her jaw. “Well, guess we better write her and see if that invitation’s still open.”
