The ultimate sacrifice

by Applefai

First published

Twilight did find a spell

Twilight lied, she did find a spell to stop the villainous trio, but it was a spell she wished she didn't have to use

Drastic measures

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The Wendogos circled over head as their ghostly howls echoed over Equestria threatening to blanket Equestria in a blanket of snow and ice as they did when it was founded, the villains reveled in their victory as they watched the hope drain from Twilight's eyes and the hope that her friends held.

"It's over Twilight, we won; and as Empress of Friendship, I hear by sentence you and all your friends and family to the dungeon." Cozy Glow said as she laughed maniacally.

"Yes, princess. You're not without your faults, you even forgiven Discord like you did when I worked alone. It almost brings a tear to my eye." Tirek said as he towered over the pony calvary relishing in his strength.

Chrysalis just rolled her eyes at her cohorts as they monologued, but she to was enjoying the ponies' defeat. At long last she could take back her hive and usurp Thorax as Starlight did to her.

The trio of villains gathered up the pitiful resistance and carried the off. As they carried off those who opposed them Cozy got the idea not to put them in the dungeon, but to display them in cages suspended along the streets for everyone to see. With the help of Grogar's bell it was a cinch to conjure up cages to place every creature and pony in.

Dangling from post lining the streets the ponies sat alone in their individual cages, the grand sight being seven cages in a row housing Twilight and her friends. Twilight sat quietly in her cage not even making eye contact with her friends, even ignoring Spike who had been desperately trying to make her laugh or at the very least smile, Pinkie had already given up, not even see the bright side.

"SPIKE! WILL YOU JUST BUCKING STOP!? IT'S OVER WE LOST! THE LAST THING I WANT TO HEAR IS YOUR INSUFFERABLE CHATTER!" Fluttershy yelled at Spike with such intensity that you could see her vein popping out of her forehead.

Spike sat there shocked as tears began to fill his eyes as everyone looked at Fluttershy in shock.

"Really now darling, just because things look bleak doesn't mean you have to be cruel to Spiky Will, he's just trying to help." Rarity said defending Spike as Fluttershy tried to calm down.

Fluttershy looked at Spike as his tears began to fall and his lip started quivering, she herself started to tear up knowing that what she had said couldn't be taken back, all she did was look at Spike and say. "I'm sorry, Spike. I don't know what came over me, I know what I said can't be taken back. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me someday maybe" Fluttershy said as she turned around in her cage as tears started to fall down her face.

Spike knowing and feeling Fluttershy's sincerity just reached his claw out to her and placed it on her shoulder without saying a word. This simple act of kindness created a spark, but as hope was beginning to fill the other's hearts it fizzled out leaving them in despair as they watched ponies who declared their loyalty to Tirek, Chrysalis, or Cozy Glow walk past their cages with sorrowful looks.

"Don't ya worry, I'm sure Twilight will think of somethin' that'll get us out of this fix." Applejack said trying to bring hope. But it appeared that things were so bleak that even Somnambula had given up hope as the heroes heard her scream that if she be let go, she'll serve Tirek in the distance.

Twilight sighed as she mumbled something under her breath causing her friends to look at her.

"What is it Twi?" Applejack asked as she looked at her friend seeing that she was crying.

"Applejack, I'm sorry. I lied, I lied to all of you. I did find a spell when you found me in the Crystal Empire, but how I wish I didn't have to use it, I know that even though i am an alicorn, I knew I would never live forever. But the spell I found will fix everything, but the downside is it requires so much magic, that a sacrifice must be made. I've decided, I will give up my wings. " Twilight said causing her friends to gasp in shock.

"Twilight, you don't have to do this. We can find another way." Rainbow Dash tried to talk her out of it

"Please, Twilight. Reconsider, I'm understand why ya fibbed about this. There has to be a different solution." Applejack said.

Twilight's friends all tried to convince her not to use the spell saying they'll find another way causing Twilight to use her royal Canterlot voice on them. "ENOUGH!" Twilight yelled before returning to her normal tone and continued. "As princess of Equestria I must make tough decisions, decisions that are in other's best interest, I'm use to being a princess now, but I can't stand the thought of ponies being imprisoned and me knowing a way to free them, which is why I'm prepared to use this spell, if it means my friends will be free then I'm prepared to give up my wings." Twilight said as her friends teared up.

"Yer sure are brave Twilight, it has been an honor to be your friend and you'll always be the princess of friendship to me." Applejack said as she looked at Twilight.

"Same here, I'll admit I'm gonna miss you flying buddy, but I couldn't have asked for a better friend." Rainbow Dash said.

"Same goes for me, it's really sweet your doing this. Fluttershy said.

"Ditto, I'm at a loss for words, but then again I'm just really touched." Pinkie Pie said

"Likewise, I may be the element of generosity, but you Twilight, are truly selfless." Rarity said as she and the others bowed to Twilight.

"Yeah, you'll always be the princess of friendship to me Twilight, I couldn't have asked for a better motherly figure." Spike said as he bowed.

Twilight with tears in her eyes just said. "Thank you all, I'll see you soon. This spell will reverse all the damage those three have done and imprison them." Twilight said as she bowed her head and illuminated her horn as a bright white flash lit up the area blinding her friends.

Familiar faces, unknown names

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After the blinding light subsided Applejack opened her eyes to see that she was at Sweet Apple Acres, She stood there staring off in the distance as a smile spread across her face. 'Twilight did it. She defeated Cozy Glow, Tirek, and Chrysalis. She thought to herself before a tear started to swell in her eye before a voice brought her back.

"Applejack, get yer tail a movin' the apples ain't gonna buck themselves." Granny Smith said walking up to Applejack. "get yer head put of the clouds, what're you thinkin' 'bout anyway?" Granny Smith continued.

"Oh just thinkin' about how Twilight saved us all from Cozy Glow, Tirek, and Chrysalis by giving up her wings." Applejack said as she began to get back to work.

Granny Smith just stood there with a questioning look on her muzzle before speaking. "Cozy who now?" Granny Smith asked Applejack who stopped bucking.

"Cozy Glow, the little evil filly that tried to banish all the magic." Applejack said trying to remind Granny Smith knowing how her memory slips from time to time."

Granny Smith continued to look at Applejack with a puzzling look until she finally said something. "There's nopony in all of Ponyville by that name sugar booger, but it sounds like an interesting story, you considerin' on bein' a writer?" Granny Smith asked to Applejack's surprise.

"No, granny, it all really happened. Cozy Glow, Tirek, and Chrysalis all teamed up and nearly took over Equestria, they even brought back the wendigos." Applejack said hoping she'd remember.

Granny Smith approached Applejack and placed a hoof on her forehead. "It must have all been a dream, there is no Cozy Glow and Tirek has always been in Tartarus, and Chrysalis is nothing but a minor threat, I'm sure she'll be captured at some point." Granny Smith said as she held Applejack's chin. "Why don't you take the rest of the day to relax, go see your friends, anythin' to get your mind off that horrible dream. don't worry Big Mac, Apple Bloom and I can handle things from here." Granny Smith told Applejack with a concerned look, but also showing that she means it.

Applejack took Granny's advice and went into town, she had stopped to get herself a cup of coffee before heading to the town square and sat on a bench to contemplate things. 'why doesn't granny remember? Cozy, Tirek, and Chrysalis managed to take over, but then Twilight performed that spell. could there be a connection? Applejack pondered before hearing somepony call out to her.

"Applejack darling, Twilight did it she stopped the reign of Cozy Glow, Tirek, and Chrysalis." Rarity said as she ran to see her friend on the bench.

"yeah, she did." Applejack said sounding a little unenthusiastic.

"What's the matter, darling?" Rarity asked while looking concerned for her friend "I thought you'd be over the moon by knowing this news." Rarity said as she sat by her on the bench.

Applejack lifted her head and looked at Rarity "I am, it's just, Granny doesn't remember what happened."

"No offence darling, but Granny Smith is old, so it's possible that she just forgot.'' Rarity said thinking it's just memory loss.

Applejack looked at her with questioning look "She may be old, but her mind is still as sharp as a tack." Applejack said smiling a bit as she got up, "But i guess it is possible she just forgot."

Rarity just smiled. "Come on, let's go congratulate Twilight." Rarity said as she walked in the direction of the castle only to realize it's not there. Rarity gasped looking ahead only to see that in place of the castle of friendship stood the Golden Oak Library completely intact.

Now shocked even more Applejack and Rarity bolted to the Golden Oak Library and knocked on the door to be greeted by Spike.

"Oh, morning Rarity and Applejack." he lets out a sigh "Before you come in you need to know, it worked, but." He lets them in only for them to see Twilight reading her book. overjoyed Rarity and Applejack ran up to her congratulating her.

Twilight looked at them awkwardly. "Thank you, but who are you two?"