Worlds Apart

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Another bug-like pony collapsed upon a pile of its brethren, the creatures lying defeated in the center of a small town out west.

"Fellow denizens of Equestria..." One pony in particular—a princess—stepped forward from her group of friends, and announced with an growing smile to the gathering number of bystanders in the street, "You are hereby safe!" She breathed in and out deeply, feeling a couple beads of sweat trickle through her fur from the fight, and from the blazing sun. "The changeling threat... is no more!"

The villager ponies clapped their hooves against the earth as they cheered.

The princess's smile softened, and she fell back onto her haunches, sighing out in relief. It's over... Her friends came over to congratulate her. It... it's over.

The changelings' hooves were cuffed one by one—their forehooves shackled by chains connecting the cuffs—and were lead in a line towards a large airship, used for transporting prisoners.

"I really owe you one, Sis," remarked one of the unicorn guards, walking over to the young princess who oversaw the bugs being filed away, her friends helping out where they could. "You and your friends helped save a lot of lives today."

The young princess smiled modestly. "Oh, we're just... doing our part to keep Equestria safe and sound," she replied, hints of a blush staining her cheeks.

"You... really think this town is safe?" The alicorn and her brother both turned to face the changeling who dared speak up. They were the last in line, and a few steps from walking up the ramp into the airship himself.

Her brother's horn sparked to life, but the princess raised a hoof, permitting the changeling to continue.

Her brother's magic dispersed, and he stood down reluctantly.

The changeling shook his head, smiling. "You princesses are so arrogant... You'll never comprehend the full strength of our hive. The sheer size, and strength, of our numbers!"

The princess snorted in slight amusement. "At least my friends and I made a dent today then."

"Do you truly believe that?" he asked. "Do you... honestly believe that stopping a mere fifty of us in regards to the thousands of us that swarm Equestria—including our queen—that you, and your friends, made a dent?"

Her smile fell, and her eyes narrowed. "We saved a town—"

"At the expense of how many others?" he questioned, leaving her taken aback, and speechless for a moment.

Her brow furrowed inquisitively. "What... do you—?"

"Do the math, Princess. Why would so few of our numbers invade this here town? We haven't gone rogue, and if we were starved, surely the entirety of our hive would be here as well."

"So that only means..." The princess's pupils slowly shrunk, a lump forming in her throat as her body grew numb.

The changeling grinned devilishly. "How many cities fell today because you were helping out here, Hero?"

Magic erupted from her horn, igniting into a fiery, flickering aura. "Tell me the names of these places you attacked!"

"You don't threaten me, Princess," he hissed, glowering back at her.

"Well I think you'll find that ponies aren't always the sweet, gentle beings your kind thinks we are." She glared right back at him, eyes shining white.

The changeling however, remained steadfast.

"The taste of your love says otherwise," he sneered, egging her on further.

The magenta aura surrounding her horn grew in intensity.

"Tell me!"

"There's places in Equestria even you don't know about. Far away places... that only members of Equestria's hierarchy, or creatures like us—who have been around the world—know about. You may be a princess now, but to you... the world is still so small. Ponyville, Canterlot, Applepoloosa, Manehatten, Cloudsdale, The Crystal Empire... You've been places, Princess; but tell me, where have you really been? Where have you been that didn't fall under Celestia's interests? No one will miss the places we feast upon, because ponies like you are too busy spreading the magic of friendship and living worry-free each and every day in the places Celestia deems valuable, while for others... it's a matter of survival—"

"Enough!"

Her brother spoke up from beside her. "Twilight... if you want me to take his voice away for the time being, I—"

Twilight winced, gritting her teeth slightly. "No!" she snapped, taking a few calming breaths... her magic receding back into her horn. "No... no thank you, Shining."

The changeling smirked, amused by the scene. "There's darkness inside you, Princess." Twilight's eyes slowly opened, gazing up to meet his unreadable, solid-blue ones. "I can see you get headaches keeping it repressed." He leaned in tauntingly, Twilight in turn, narrowing her eyes. "You should really let it out."

She clenched her right hoof when, from beside her, came a rainbow blur that tackled the changeling... creating a heap of dust, and the sound of rattling chains.

Twilight and Shining shielded their eyes until the dust settled, and looked to see their rainbow-maned friend, a scowl on her face, the changeling pinned beneath her.

"Rainbow Dash!"

"I could see you were getting upset. I didn't want you to have to dirty your hooves on this one, Twilight. And plus, I... didn't like the way he was dissing you." Dash smiled at Twilight from over her shoulder.

Twilight returned it with a small smile of her own. "Thank you, Dash, though... you didn't have to do that."

"Hey, well... What are friends for, am I right?"

From beneath her, the changeling let out a grunt. "Hurting me won't do a thing, because without love... we'll all drop like flies in whatever prison you stick us in."

Rainbow's expression softened, looking back down at the changeling with a slight look of surprise. "Chrysalis wouldn't sacrifice her own. I mean, she's evil, sure, but..." She looked back at Twilight and Shining, who were equally unnerved by his words.

"To keep the hive alive..." he continued, "we are but a small sacrifice; and so long as you ponies keep fighting to protect one city at a time, the hive will only grow stronger. You better make this place your home, ponies... or else it too will one day fall." Rainbow fumed, staring angrily at the changeling for a few seconds longer before ultimately tearing her gaze away, stepping off of him.

"Get him out of here," she growled. Shining lifted the changeling to his hooves, forcing him to take steps forward with his magic.

"Are you alright, Twilight?" Rainbow asked, turning to her friend with a look of concern. Twilight blinked, snapping back to reality, and giving a slight nod in response... her nerves still slightly rattled.

Something Rainbow was quick to pick up on.

"Hey," she soothed, "don't let any of that bug you. What we did here did make a difference." She grinned warily, giving her a playful tap on the foreleg.

Twilight swallowed hard, before breathing out shakily and smiling halfheartedly back at her.

"R-right..."

"Well, what a day," said Rarity, being the first to step off the train, and onto the station platform. "Nothing says building a sweat faster than fighting crime, and now I do suppose a trip to the spa is just what I need to alleviate all the dirt and stress that came with it." She turned to Fluttershy. "What about you, Dear?"

"Oh, uhm..." The soft-spoken mare scuffed a hoof along the floor. "Okay—but not for long. I have to make sure the animals receive their dinner before it gets late."

Rarity nodded, then turned to the others. "What about the rest of you—and I do mean all of you, for I am not about to forsake hope that Rainbow Dash will one day join us in one of our spa excursions."

Rainbow rolled her eyes.

"Well, shucks," Applejack said. "I appreciate the offer, Rares, but Ah don't feel tired in the least bit. Wrangling changelings is nothing compared to the work me and my family do down on the farm. Speaking of, Ah should really be getting back to them."

"Me too!" Pinkie chimed in. "Or, well, they're not really my family, but Mr. and Mrs. Cake could no doubt use some extra hooves down at Sugarcube Corner, and besides! I need to get a start on our We Saved the Day party!"

"Well, I think I speak for all of us when I say that we're all looking forward to that," Rarity replied with a pleasant smile. Even if it is the third one this week... She turned to face Rainbow. "And what about you, Rain—?"

"Pass," Rainbow murmured simply.

Rarity blinked, then after a moment, sighed expectantly. "Yes, yes, of course. So that just leaves you, Twilight dear."

"Hm?" The alicorn glanced up at her, out from her thoughts. "O-oh, um... You and Fluttershy go enjoy yourselves. I have to check up on Spike, and plus I... have some reading I'd like to catch up on."

"Oh, very well," Rarity replied. She waved farewell, as she and Fluttershy left for the town. The others waved their goodbyes as well, until it was just Twilight and Rainbow that remained.

"Don't you have anywhere to be, Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asked, cocking her head.

"Not until I know you're yourself," Rainbow replied.

Twilight let out a little snort and rolled her eyes, her lips forming a humored smile. "Yes, Dash... I'm alright. Why do you ask, anyway?"

"Because you were practically silent the whole train ride home, and... I was thinking maybe what that changeling said messed with your head."

"The only thing in my head are positive thoughts, Dash," Twilight assured her. She elbowed her friend's chest playfully. "Don't worry."

"Ah, well..." Rainbow smiled in relief. "That's good to hear." She hopped into the air, hovering a couple of feet above it. "You know... that's what villains do. They get in your head, make you doubt yourself, so... I'm glad that you're still you, Egghead." She grinned before taking off... leaving Twilight to dwell on what she had said.

The smile fell from her face as she turned to walk home.

She trudged inside Golden Oaks Library, letting Spike know she was home with the sound of the door creaking open.

"You're back!"

She heard his excited voice ring out from the top of the stairs, and put on a smile just for him as he ran down them.

"Yes, Spike, I am." He hugged her around her foreleg due to his height, and she nuzzled the top of his head in return. "I'm so happy to see you again."

"Me too," he agreed happily. "So, um... How'd the fight against those changelings go?"

Her smile softened, her eyelids lowering as she reminisced.

"It was... eventful, Spike." She pulled back to look at him directly. "We won the battle but we've yet to win the war, so to speak."

Spike nodded in understanding. "You'll get them, Twilight. You always do."

"Thanks, Spike... H-hey, how would you like some Hayburger?"

"Really? You hardly ever treat me to dinner." His brow creased skeptically. "What's the occasion?"

"No occasion, Spike," she said, putting a foreleg around his shoulders and walking with him to the front door. "Today just made me realize... how valuable the time we share together really is."

Rainbow leisurely flew through the brisk nighttime air—aimless, and with no real goal in mind other than clearing her cluttered mind of thoughts that had been plaguing it for months... and showed no signs of stopping any time soon.

She sped up a little, doing a quick kickflip through a cloud, before corkscrewing closer to the barren streets of the town below... nothing but the occasional chirping of crickets to accompany her.

Eventually her thoughts lead her to the residence of one of her closest friends—the same residence she unknowingly found herself flying by each and every night during her late-night excursions.

Her cheeks blushed faintly at the sight of the literal treehouse, and she mentally chided herself for a quick moment before preparing to fly somewhere else... when she noticed something—or rather somepony—that hadn't been there every other night.

She flew closer to the balcony, taking in the image of Twilight as she sat on her haunches, silent and... seemingly deep in thought.

"Twilight?" Rainbow tentatively asked, startling her. Twilight gazed up, a little spooked... only to find her friend hovering above her, sporting a puzzled look.

"O-oh, Rainbow Dash." She smiled up at her briefly, relieved to know it was only her... before lowering her gaze back to the wood paneling. "It's nice of you to stop by. I'm sorry, I-I'm just... Now's not really..."

Her words faded, and she shrugged apathetically.

Rainbow frowned, steering a little bit closer.

"What are you still doing awake?" she prodded. "I mean..." She sheepishly averted her eyes as she rubbed the back of her neck. "I was just out here flying to clear my thoughts, I... w-wasn't really expecting anypony else to be—"

"What's the point, Dash?"

Rainbow blinked, slowly lowering her hoof. "Come again?"

Twilight sighed in frustration, and shook her head. "Dash... what have we done?" Rainbow's lips tightened into a wary frown as she came down to sit beside her troubled friend. "I mean... we fight all the big bads, the world-ending doomsday villains, and we fight the good fight, but really... What's changed?"

"Weeeell... let's see. Discord's reformed, sorta, Sombra's toast, and we're not living under an everlasting night, so there's those."

"And how many ponies even noticed? Discord lives in the chaos dimension, away from us, The Crystal Empire is in its own little world, and do you really think anypony noticed Nightmare Moon's return outside of Ponyville? Hay," she lamented, "most ponies probably got a few extra hours of sleep due to the sun not rising on time..."

"Twilight..." Rainbow looked down at her friend in worry. "What that creep said has been bugging you, hasn't it?" She then backpedaled. "No pun intended."

Twilight formed a lukewarm smile. "Dash... he's right, you know. Our armies are no match for the changelings—they outnumber us one to one hundred, their shape-shifting makes them almost impossible to detect, and... it's like we realize this... so we pool our forces and protect ourselves, because we just... can't protect everypony—"

"That's crazy talk, Twilight!" Twilight raised her head and looked over at Dash, surprised. "I mean, sure there's been a few losses here and there, and believe me, if anypony hates losing, it's me."

Dash grinned softly, seeing Twilight let out a little chuckle at that.

"Seriously though, Twilight. All we have to do is catch Chrysalis and they're finished."

"Ever the optimist, huh Dash?"

"Oh, well... yeah, totally. I gotta be if I'm ever going to be a Wonderbolt."

Twilight nodded, the two of them slipping into silence for a long couple of moments.

"You know, I... still remember the times when I thought Nightmare Moon was the worst thing that could ever happen to Equestria... never considering it could get this much worse..."

"Guess the world's a much bigger place than we ever imagined it was," Rainbow mused.

"So I've heard," Twilight replied solemnly. "If only we could be everywhere at once..."

Rainbow smiled at that. "I see your princess-ness is shining through," she joked, a little teasingly.

Twilight however, didn't find it so funny.

"Why, because I want to protect Equestria?" she asked accusingly, Rainbow recoiling at her little outburst. Twilight's eyes bore into her pegasus friend. "I didn't know you had to be royalty to care about ponies."

Rainbow's brow lifted, and she raised her hooves assuredly. "T-that's not what I meant, Twilight, honest," she insisted, only for Twilight to cut her off before she could.

"N-no, it... i-it's okay, Rainbow Dash," she assured her. "I'm sorry, i-it's just... I-I've always wanted to play a part in protecting Equestria, even before I met you girls. Now though, for the first time, I'm... questioning how we're protecting Equestria." She sniffled a little as her guilt-stricken expression sank to the floor, heartbroken and filled with frustration. "We do what Celestia says, we go where she sends us, and we get to live each and every day worry-free because of it."

"So... what you're saying is... we'd be better off if we didn't live in Ponyville?" Rainbow asked.

Twilight bit her tongue.

"Urgh, I don't know, Dash!" Her hooves clenched in frustration, and she grit her teeth. "I... don't want to be better than anypony else, but... I enjoy knowing that our home and places like it will always be protected because they fall under the princess's protection."

"I'm pretty sure Ponyville, o-or Canterlot, for example... are just as vulnerable as anywhere else," Rainbow remarked after a moment, giving her friend the chance to cool down.

"Yes, Dash, they are; but at the end of the day, they're still standing because we have armies and The Elements of Harmony to thwart any threat that comes their way. Other towns don't. Hay," she snorted in annoyance, "have you ever noticed any guard ponies outside of Canterlot? The ones in The Crystal Empire are mostly all transfers..."

"Well... I guess it's because they're needed here, to protect Canterlot—and to back us up, because if we, or the capital of Equestria were to ever fall... then those other towns certainly wouldn't stand a fighting chance..."

Rainbow waited for a moment, giving her words a little time to sink in before letting out a sigh. "Look, Twilight, I... get it. I get wishing you could've prevented something, and... I get wishing you were fast enough, I... live with that everyday."

Twilight's expression softened, and she looked over at Rainbow in surprise. "You do?"

Rainbow nodded and Twilight bit her lip, reaching over, and placing a hoof on her friend's foreleg comfortably. "What happened, Dash?"

Rainbow smiled softly at the touch, feeling it give her the confidence boost she needed. "N-nothing, nothing, just... My folks... died, when I was a filly."

Twilight's eyes widened. "I, I-I'm sorry, Dash, I...! I..."

The two slipped into uncomfortable silence, Twilight struggling to think of the right words to say.

After several long moments she managed to ask, "Is... is it okay if I ask how they—"

"It was this... incident in the weather factory, Twilight." Rainbow shrugged indifferently. "I don't know why, o-or how. I just..." She breathed in shakily, shutting her eyes tight.

"H-hey, hey... it's okay." Twilight wrapped her forelegs around Rainbow's shoulders, as far as her angle permitted anyway.

"You know," Rainbow continued after a long pause; "despite this... you girls showed me that in spite of what I had lost, I still had so much to lose." She turned her gaze back to Twilight, forming a halfhearted smile. "This is so cheesy... I can't believe it's coming out of my mouth, you know?"

Twilight smiled back at her. "Be that as it may, I'm happy you opened up to me." Another moment passed before she asked, a little teasingly this time, "So is that the reason you act out so much?"

"Weeeell," began Rainbow, playing along, "that, and because I'm so awesome."

Twilight lifted a hoof to her lips as the two shared a soft laugh.

"Seriously though Twilight," continued Rainbow, the last of her laughter passing her lips, "you see what I'm getting at? We can't be everywhere, and... there's going to be times where life kicks you when you're down, but, if you hold onto hope, then... things will get better in time. We'll rebuild, and heal, a-and hay: we're not soldiers, Twilight. We're just, like... messengers of peace and friendship, who occasionally kick flank."

She grinned sheepishly after speaking the last word.

Twilight nodded understandably, looking off into the night sky. "You're right about us not being soldiers, Rainbow, but we still have a duty to Equestria. Nopony deserves to feel helpless, and, well... I can't stop until I find a find a way to keep everypony safe."

"Well... you wouldn't be you if you didn't," Rainbow remarked, leaning over and nudging her foreleg.

"Yeah," Twilight chuckled in agreement, turning back to face her. "Maybe it really is my inner princess-ness."

"Or just the caring pony me and the girls all know that you are," Rainbow replied with a kind smile.

Twilight blushed, flattered by her words.

"Thank you, Dash," she murmured happily, then gazed away, back up at the stars. "You know... this is nice. We never spend any time together, except for the times you come over to read, and even then I'm off doing something else."

"Right? Like... what's up with that?"

"It's like, we only ever talk or hang out when we're saving the world, or with the others."

"And aren't we like, supposed to be best friends?"

"We are!"

The two shared another laugh together.

"So... let's rectify the issue," Twilight decided, gathering her composure.

Rainbow froze, her head tilting. "Er... Rectify?"

"Fix."

"Ah." Rainbow nodded, then asked, "How do you propose?"

"Simple. We spend the whole day together—so long as nothing comes up, that is!" Twilight smiled meekly.

Rainbow's face lit up in unabashed excitement. "Really?"

She leaped into the air, her wings buzzing as she celebrated with a hoof pump. "Awesome!"

Twilight watched her as she hovered, smiling in amusement. "I didn't know you admired me so much, Dash."

Rainbow froze, blood rushing to her cheeks. "Admire?" She flew back down. "W-who said anything about admiring you?"

Twilight blinked, taken aback. "Well, I did. Just now."

"N-no, I mean..." Rainbow sighed, clarifying, "I mean, what gave you that idea, Egghead?"

"Oh, well..." Twilight shrugged innocently, averting her eyes in thought. "Y-you just seemed really excited."

She looked back at Rainbow a little hurt, her ears lying flat. "You don't admire me?"

Rainbow's eyes widened, and her heart lurched. "No no, of course I do, I...! It just sounded like—! Ah, forget it." She turned her head away, huffing out in frustration. "It's nothing."

"Are you sure?" Twilight asked in concern. She lifted a hoof slightly, longing to reach out to the pegasus. "Because—"

"Y-yeah," Rainbow assured quickly with a reassuring smile, "yeah, I... I-I'm sure." She leaped back into the air. "So I'll stop by tomorrow then," she noted, leaving Twilight a little unsure of how to react.

"Er..." She nodded slightly, her brow furled. "Y-yeah. See you."

Rainbow waved her goodbye before turning and flying off into the night, leaving Twilight to contemplate her friend's sudden, strange behavior for a short moment, before she too headed in for the night, something else still gnawing on the back of her mind...

The Calm Before the Storm

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"Okay..." Rainbow breathed out deeply, psyching herself up. "Here goes nothing..." She swallowed hard, then leaped into the air, flying forward, and throwing the doors to Golden Oaks Library wide open.

"Twilight!" she called out into the main foyer. "Hey, Twilight, where—?"

Rainbow's question drifted off, answering itself as she spotted her friend, and couldn't help but smile at the sight of her.

Twilight rested on her cheek, particularly on a couple stacks of paper that were surrounded by stacks of books, some of which were flipped open. As she flew closer, she could make out signs that some fresh ink had—more than likely—spilt out onto her friend's cheek, and that her mane seemed slightly frazzled..

Must not have been able to sleep, Rainbow gathered, as she lifted a gentle hoof to her friend's shoulder.

Twilight's muzzle scrunched up as Rainbow nudged her once, then again, after waiting a moment.

She let out a tired groan as she came to, opening her eyes groggily, and blinking them a few times to clear away the sleep.

"Mmm... W-wha...?" Her vision cleared, only to be greeted with a face full of cerulean fur. "Rainbow Dash...?" Her brow furrowed as she peered up further, at her friend's face... her mind remaining a little foggy. "What're you doing here at..." She blinked, taking in her surroundings. Chilly Autumn air filled the foyer, as well as the occasional sounds of birds and passing conversations of ponies outside the open library door. "What time is it?"

"It's still early, like around nine-ish, I... think." She smiled reassuringly, disregarding the half-hour or so she had spent pacing just outside the front doors. "I see you fell asleep at your desk."

Twilight chuckled, sitting up. "It isn't the first time," she replied, wiping the wet grime that she felt from her cheek, then frowned, and deadpanned the moment she realized that the grime had been ink.

Her shoulders slumped, and she carefully set it back down, the right side of her foreleg now matted with black ink. Oh well, she thought with a dreary sigh, feeling like such a featherbrain. Now's not the time. She looked up and smiled at Rainbow. One of my friends need my attention.

She'd clean it later anyway.

Rainbow snorted in response. "Yeah, I... can... can imagine..."

Her smile fell as something on Twilight's desk, sealed in a round glass case, caught her attention.

A curved, red horn.

She paled, tentatively raising a hoof in its direction. "Is that...?"

Twilight raised an eyebrow, glancing over at what had captured her friend's attention. "King Sombra's horn? Yes, it... it is."

"Well, where the hay did that come from?" Twilight flinched at her friend's sudden outburst. "And for that matter, why the hay do you have it?"

Twilight's eyes grew a little sad, her ears falling flat. "Well, I... S-some guards stumbled upon it in the fields outside the Crystal Empire. I-it was taken to the labs there to be studied, a-and, well... I-I asked Cadance late last night if I could study its effects. She wrote back to me as the sun was beginning to rise this morning—some pegasi couriers arrived with it a few hours ago I think—and I went to work on it immediately." She shrunk back, scuffing one of her hooves. "Guess I was more tired than I thought..."

Rainbow could only shake her head, unable to believe what her friend was saying. "Why would you even consider—?"

"Because, Dash!" Twilight burst out suddenly. "King Sombra could turn into this... I mean, he could like... transmutate his body into this... cloud of smoke, a-and just think what could happen if I could duplicate that power..."

I'm trying not to, Rainbow thought apprehensively, biting her inner lip.

"He could encompass an entire empire," continued Twilight, "and potentially ensnare everypony, or changeling," she added with a sly wink, "within his smoke." A giddy smile formed on her lips. "I could be everywhere at once, a-and take down entire armies! Oh, the possibilities to do good would be endless!"

"Or catastrophic." Rainbow sighed, shaking her head as Twilight looked at her inquisitively. "Look, Twilight... When you said you'd never stop searching for faster solutions to these disasters... I admired that. But now you're risking one by like, trying to pickup a trick from a pony who was notorious for dark magic. I mean..." Rainbow threw a hoof out at her. "Who knows what his magic might do to you!"

"I... get headaches whenever I channel dark magic, Dash, that's all." Twilight gazed away stubbornly from her disapproving friend. "I'll be fine."

"Will you?" Twilight pouted her lips, remaining adamant. "Do you really want to press your luck, Twilight?" Rainbow's voice softened as she took a step forward. "Twilight, if this stuff makes your head hurt... you could go mad."

Twilight bit her lip, looking back at her from the corner of her eye... her resolve slowly weakening. She's my friend, she supposed, and... she's right. She is only looking out for me, and... "Oh, what was I thinking...?" She turned towards Rainbow ashamedly. "I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash. I don't know what came over me, I mean... wanting to utilize a known tyrant's power?"

"H-hey," Rainbow comforted, "it's... it's cool, Twilight, really!"

She smiled in understanding, stepping over and placing a foreleg around her. "You're just frustrated, possibly sleep-deprived, and... you can't stand waiting for things to just... play out; I get it. I promise you though," she added with a soft laugh, "that things will get better, without any of us having to resort to dark magic."

I know things turned around for you, Dash, thought Twilight, but, I... She sighed, caving in. "Alright, Dash... I, I trust you." She forced a smile to her lips. "After all, what kind of... Princess of Friendship would I be if I didn't even trust my own friends?"

Rainbow grinned back at her.

A moment of silence passed between them, Twilight hesitating briefly before breaking it with a question.

"So... really, why are you here?"

Rainbow's smile fell, and she cocked her head, dumbfounded.

"You really don't remember?"

Twilight shook her head, an embarrassed smile on her lips.

"You said we should totally hang out today... remember?"

She did now, as the memory clicked into place.

Rainbow peered away dejectedly. "Honestly, I was... sort of looking forward to it... but if you'd rather study, or if you have work to do—"

Twilight's brow lifted and she hurriedly raised a hoof. "N-no! No, I mean... I...! I-I would love to, Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow's heart swelled, her spirits lifting.

"You would?"

Twilight nodded back at her. "Mhm."

Rainbow's heart did a somersault in her chest, and a goofy, lopsided smile formed on her face. "A-awesome!" she stammered, then blushed. "I-I mean... y-yeah."

Twilight giggled at her friend, holding a hoof over her lips. "You've been acting pretty strange lately, Rainbow Dash," she noted, causing Rainbow to freeze on the spot.

"W-what? No I haven't."

Twilight raised an eyebrow, seeing right through her charade.

Rainbow gulped.

"W-well..." she began, seeing no way out of this, "if I have been acting strangely... it must be because of you, Twilight."

"Me?" Twilight asked, taken aback.

"Well... yeah, 'cause, I mean... I only stutter and stammer in front of you, don't I?"

"Well... for the past couple of days, I suppose you have... Hm..." Twilight put a hoof to her chin, staring thoughtfully at her.

Rainbow swallowed hard.

"What about me makes you act, well... like this?" She threw a hoof out at her questioningly. "It must be something amazing if it has the Rainbow Dash tripping over her own words."

Y-yeah," Rainbow laughed a little awkwardly, "must be."

Twilight replied with a snort of amusement. "First you tell me you admire me, and now you're telling me there's something... absolutely amazing about me."

She smiled warmly at her. "You sure know how to flatter a girl, Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow cocked her head and smiled back at her. "Do I?"

"Or," Twilight supposed, "you just know how to flatter me—it is refreshing after all... hearing you say something sweet, rather than just calling me an egghead every time we speak."

"It isn't every time," Rainbow mumbled with a roll of her eyes.

"Well, I guess not," she agreed. "Still, I—I really do appreciate this. No more calling each other egghead or featherbrain, just... two friends being honest, and sharing how they really feel about one another, deep down."

Rainbow averted her eyes, biting her lip.

"W-well, anyway... Come on."

Rainbow glanced back up, looking at her funnily.

"You wanted to hang out, right? So... let's go. Get some breakfast, fresh air... That way Spike can sleep in—I'd hate to wake him after all, only to ask him to make us something."

Rainbow nodded in understanding.

"I just have to wash this ink off first..." She smiled sheepishly, shrugging her shoulders, and turning to leave. "Be back in a jiffy."

And she was, approximately one jiffy later.

Rainbow greeted her with a smile as she stepped back into the foyer, sporting a matted cheek and foreleg.

Twilight chuckled awkwardly. "Good thing this kind doesn't stain fur," she joked, Rainbow chuckling as well.

"Now, how about you? I'm guessing you skipped breakfast."

"Uh..." Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck. "You'd be correct."

The two shared in another soft bout of laughter.

"Alright, alright... I'm game—a-as long as whatever they serve doesn't contain hay."

Twilight shot her a quizzical look. "You're allergic?"

"What? No, no, I... I just don't like it, you know?" Rainbow's muzzle scrunched up in distaste as she went on to explain, "It's like, too drab, and crunchy for my tastes."

"Hmph. Well," Twilight shot back, a little indignantly. "I think it's alright."

She turned for the front door, Rainbow running up beside her.

"You know I... I'm still going to call you an egghead." Rainbow backpedaled, smiling jokingly over at her. "From time to time, anyway."

"Love you too, Featherbrain," Twilight replied sarcastically, turning to her with a playful grin before galloping up on ahead.

Rainbow all the while, picked up on her friend's deadpan demeanor, but couldn't help herself from becoming a little flustered, her breath freezing in her throat.

She snapped out of her amazement, and hurriedly followed Twilight out into the morning air, all of a sudden feeling very light on her hooves.

Twilight scarfed down another roasted honeysuckle sandwich, dripping with dressings and additives, using the remaining corner of a piece of bread to wipe her mouth before popping that into her mouth as well.

She licked her lips before digging her muzzle into a slightly spilt out container of onion horseshoes.

Their table was littered with wrappers, and paper dishes speckled with sandwich crumbs, or food partially polished off.

Very few of their dishes had food yet to be touched, and Twilight, almost finished with her food, asked Rainbow, "Are you going to eat that?"

Rainbow blinked, snapping back to reality at watching the young alicorn eat. "Uhm..." She glanced down at her grilled tomato and cheese sandwich, and frowned wryly. "Y-yeah."

Twilight nodded, and dug back into the table scraps.

The sound of her own stomach rumbling reaffirmed how hungry she was, and Rainbow picked the sandwich up in her hooves, biting into it with an audible crunch.

Finishing down a few final corn chips, Twilight drew her head back from the table and let out a happy sigh. She gazed across the table at Rainbow, then down at their littered table.

She blinked her eyes.

"I ate all this?"

Rainbow stopped mid-chew, and gazed up at Twilight, incredulous.

Twilight's ears flopped, and she smiled shyly. "Guess I didn't realize how starved I really was..."

Rainbow shrugged, then looked right back at her teasingly.

"Maybe it's because you're a growing alicorn," she suggested.

Twilight giggled softly.

"Maybe, Rainbow Dash. Maayybe..."

Her laughter died after a couple moments, the gravity of the situation weighing in on her.

"How am I going to pay for all this...?"

"You're a princess now, Twilight," said Rainbow. "You don't have to pay for anything."

Twilight stared across at her friend in disbelief. "You're saying I should just... up and leave, without paying for the wonderful service that these ponies have provided us?"

"Would you believe me if I said yes?"

"No!"

Rainbow sighed, leaning in a little closer. "Twilight... These ponies are happy to serve their princess. They don't care about payment because your happiness is reward enough... Know what I'm saying? You do so much for them already."

Twilight bit her lip, unconvinced.

"Hey, waiter!" Rainbow waved for one's attention.

One approached their table, not wasting a moment.

Rainbow cocked her head in her friend's direction as she addressed the mare. "The Princess of Friendship doesn't have to pay... does she?"

"Oh, no, no! We're just happy to serve her," came the waitresses' response. "Her and her friends."

She smiled and bowed respectfully, before turning and cantering back to cater to others.

"See?" Rainbow said with a bit of a smug smile, turning back to address her friend. "What'd I tell you?"

"It... still doesn't sit right with me..." Twilight lifted her head, looking into her friend's eyes. "Sorry, Rainbow Dash. I appreciate you trying to help me, but... I have to leave them something. A tip, at the very least."

"Then let's tip 'em together. I am Ponyville's top weather mare, and hey! This place deserves... a little something I suppose, for starting our day off right."

Twilight stared back at her friend, a little in awe of her resolve, and smiled adoringly.

The two nodded, and without another word, flew off to gather some bits before reuniting... seating themselves back at the same outdoor table.

It came as no surprise to Twilight that Rainbow Dash was already seated by the time she returned.

"Come on, Twilight," teased Rainbow. "You've kept me waiting for, like... minutes!"

Twilight rolled her eyes playfully, dropping the pouch of coins between her teeth onto the table.

"You know," she said coyly, "some things in life are worth waiting for, Rainbow Dash."

"You're telling me," Rainbow murmured, then swiftly asked, "So what's next?"

"Next?" Twilight repeated inquisitively, when it dawned on her. "Oh, right... You're asking what I have planned for us next..."

Rainbow's brow creased in slight worry. "Don't you have something planned?"

"Well, to be honest, Rainbow... No, I don't. I didn't put a lot of thought into today because of that stupid horn, and... I'm so terribly sorry." She bowed her head ashamedly. "It's... not like I don't value our friendship, I just—"

"H-hey... it's alright." Rainbow reached a hoof out to reassure her. "Don't beat yourself up over this, okay?"

Twilight sighed, then nodded reluctantly... redirecting her gaze to meet her friend's, and brandishing a shy smile.

"I'm still fresh out of ideas though."

"Hm. Well then..." Rainbow sat back, mulling over their options. "Why don't... we go flying?"

"Flying?" Twilight raised an eyebrow, giving her friend a dubious look. Of course she would suggest... Well, in either case... "You know I'm not very good," she ended up arguing.

"Then it wouldn't hurt to get some practice in, am I right?" she replied, smiling as she unfurled her wings, her feathers catching the already-present breeze.

"Well, I..." Twilight's argument stopped dead in its tracks once she saw the readiness in her friend's eyes. "Aw, what the hay." She smiled, and rolled her eyes in defeat. "Alright."

Rainbow grinned, leaping up into the air above her friend.

"Alright!"

"I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash, but Dr. Caballeron is a way better villain than Ahuizotl."

Rainbow scoffed at the assertion.

"Ahuizotl is the big bad, Twilight. Caballeron is just a lackey."

"True, but it's more often than not the second-in-command that is cunning, manipulative, and even pulls the strings of their boss."

"But what good is intelligence when you're an invincible beast like Ahui? Daring is hardly ever able to lay a hoof on him."

"Ahuizotl poses a physical threat, sure, but it's the villains that are always one step ahead of her that pose the biggest threat. Remember Mojo?"

"I remember him getting his cutie mark scarred for trying to leave Ahuizotl, and was never really bad to begin with. Talk about laay-aim!"

"But he nearly succeeded in drowning three whole villages in lava!" Twilight emphasized. "That's worse than anything Ahuizotl ever tried."

"Er, well y-yeah..." Rainbow agreed, finding herself struggling, her argument weakening. "Maybe you're right, Twilight... but I want a villain I can hate, not feel sorry for."

"Villains are ponies too, Rainbow Dash," Twilight reminded her. "A lot of readers—myself included—enjoy an imposing villain, yes, but enjoy their redemption more."

Rainbow rolled her eyes, but listened nevertheless as Twilight continued.

"It's nice to see so and so be reminded of who they once were."

"And if they were never any good?" she asked.

Twilight deadpanned. "Then they're a flat character, Dash."

Rainbow lifted a hoof to refute, before drawing it back.

"Let's just agree to disagree," she proposed.

Twilight smiled back at her.

"Sounds good to me," she said, and the two shared a nod in agreement, all the while thinking, But I just know I'm right.

Twilight turned back ahead, flying contently alongside Rainbow for a few moments more, when she was struck by a sudden realization.

"Oh gosh," she murmured, "where are we?"

"Somewhere between Canterlot and Whinnyapolis," Rainbow replied without hesitation, turning to look plainly at her friend.

Twilight stared back at her in stunned silence.

"What?" She shrugged, a little irritated that her friend was making a big deal out of what she thought was nothing. "I pay attention to things while I'm flying. There was a sign a ways back."

"That's impressive, Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow's face grew hot, and she raised her hoof to the back of her head, scratching her mane. "Eh, if you say so. I just happen to be aware of things is all. I-in any case, it, ah, seems like Ponyville got away from us."

"Yeah," Twilight agreed with a chuckle. "Say, since we're out here though, wanna check up on our friends in Whinnyapolis?"

She turned to her friend, Rainbow shrugging in response.

"Sure, I mean... we never really got to see the sights last time, since the city was under siege and everything."

A moment passed before Twilight leaned over, playfully elbowing her friend's side. "Race ya!"

Rainbow looked back at her skeptically.

"Seriously, Twilight? You know you don't stand a chance when it comes to rivaling my speed."

"Well, who said anything about that?" She grinned, then disappeared in a flash of purple light... reappearing as a speck in the far off distance.

Rainbow blinked, left stupefied for a couple of seconds before snapping to her senses. "Okay, Sparkle..." She smiled in determination, rearing up. "You are so on!"

Of Flights and Festivities

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The two landed at the main street entrance of Whinnyapolis some time later, Rainbow peering over at her friend who stood just beside her. Both were out of breath, faces flushed and cheeks red, a few beads of sweat trickling through their fur.

Bystanders stopped to stare at the two, some of which were startled from the jolt that their stunt had given them.

"Sorry, Twilight." Rainbow smirked warily, softly catching her breath. "You were close... but no amount of magic will ever stand a chance against these bad boys."

"Hey, well... I'm still getting used to these, you know." Twilight cocked her head, motioning to her own wings as she gave them a little flap. "Give me a few more years, and I may just be as good as you, Rainbow Dash."

"Heh... We'll see, Twilight. You certainly have the potential, and even with the assist from your magic... you weren't half-bad—what with it being your first race and all."

Twilight's heart thumped. "You really mean it...?"

"Well, yeah!" Rainbow's brow furled concernedly. "Why wouldn't I?"

"N-no reason, just... that was really nice of you, Rainbow, thank you."

"Oh, um... y-yeah." She looked off meekly, rubbing a hoof along the back of her neck. "Don't mention it," she added in a murmur.

"Um... excuse me."

Their ears both perked up, their gazes shifting to a worried-looking townspony.

"Please don't tell me you're both here because of another changeling attack."

Twilight and Rainbow looked at each other, then giggled softly. "N-no, no, we... My friend and I just thought we'd pay this place a visit, see how you're all holding up."

"Oh, well... I can't speak for all of us, but... I'd say we're doing just fine. Say, if you're interested, the city's actually hosting a small festival celebration in the square up ahead.

And here I thought Pinkie was the only one who did this sort of thing... mused Twilight.

"Awesome!" cheered Rainbow, turning to face her friend. "What do you say, Twilight? Can we?"

"Aw, what the heck..." Twilight rolled her eyes, smiling as she gave in. "It'd be a waste not to stay a little while longer, after coming such a long ways."

Rainbow gasped, eyes shimmering with excitement.

She took Twilight's foreleg in her hoof, and galloped on ahead.

"This is gonna be so awesome!"

Twilight narrowed her eyes in concentration, her tongue parting the corner of her lips slightly as she held a ring within her telekinetic grip. She zeroed in, her mind drowning out all outward distractions and voices, letting go of her fears and doubts...

She breathed in, then out deeply... flicking the plastic ring with pinpoint precision.

The ring skidded around the bottle top, before bouncing off and landing on the floor.

Twilight's eyes slowly widened, her shoulders starting to slump.

"Sorry, Princess," the pony operating the booth said. "We're grateful for what you and your friends did for us, but a loss is still a loss."

Twilight lowered her head disappointingly, turning away with a heavy sigh.

"Maaan... These games are rigged, I swear..."

"Hey, don't let it get you down. Come on, let's find something else to do!"

Rainbow's words managed to lift her spirits, as she looked to her with renewed enthusiasm.

They continued down the midway, running across several more games of chance and skill.

Twilight wound her foreleg back before giving a baseball a toss... only to have it strike the pyramid of milk bottles with little force, barely even managing to nudge them. The ball fell pitifully to the ground, Twilight bowing her head in dismay.

"Let the pro show you how it's done, Twilight," Rainbow said smugly, taking a ball into her own hooves, and winding up. She cracked her neck, and let loose, the ball whirling through the air, practically invisible to the naked eye.

It slammed into the center of the pyramid, sending the empty bottles shooting off across the inside of the stall.

"Winner!" the game operator announced, tentatively standing back up after having ducked to the floor.

"Heh... Nothing to it," Rainbow boasted, leaning back casually against the counter.

Twilight stared back at her dryly.

"Er... f-for me, that is." Rainbow chuckled nervously, catching a glimpse of her friend's unamused look from the corner of her eye. "We'll find something you're good at Twilight, I promise."

Twilight looked off indifferently with a slight nod of her head, soon finding herself standing before another stall, now holding a dart in her telekinetic grip.

"This is a game I just know you can win, Twilight!"

"Are you sure that you're not just going to show me up again?" Twilight murmured bitterly.

"Me? Nah, not this time, Twilight. Besides, darts and hooves don't really mix, I mean... I don't wanna end up accidentally nailing some poor pony by mistake or something."

The pony in charge tensed upon hearing her, and nervously backed away from the two.

Twilight breathed out, honing in on a particular purple balloon, and giving the dart a flick with her magic.

A loud pop rang out, causing her mind to go blank for a moment, not at first processing what had just happened.

Then a giddy smile spread across her lips.

"I did it... I really did it!" she exclaimed, placing her hooves around, and shaking Rainbow by the shoulders elatedly.

Rainbow herself, softly laughed at her friend's enthusiasm.

"W-what did I tell you, Twilight? I knew you could."

Twilight blushed, her whole body freezing up. "You did, didn't you..."

"Now let's find you more games that you're good at!"

Twilight snapped back to reality, nodding back at her in agreement, and before she knew it... landed flat on her back, staring up at the rope ladder above her.

She let out a wary groan, peering up at the sky above through half-lidded eyes.

"Yeeeah, so... maybe we should steer clear of games involving upper-arm strength from here on out," remarked Rainbow, looking down at her from her own rope ladder with a meek expression.

Twilight deadpanned over at her.

"You think?"

Rainbow grinned sheepishly, plopping down beside her friend, before helping her to her hooves.

They had only just began to move on, when Twilight pointed out another game to their left. A test of strength, involving a switch and giant mallet.

"Really, Twilight?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow as she turned to her. "Didn't we just agree that games involving upper arm strength—"

"I remember, I remember. Just... trust me, alright?" Twilight winked at her, smiling slyly. "I have an idea!"

Gripping the handle in her telekinetic grip, she whipped it forward without any effort, and it came crashing down so hard that it shook the ground slightly. The bell at the top rung out, and Rainbow, who stood mere feet away, sheepishly shrunk back.

"Winner!"

"Heh..." Twilight grinned proudly. "I may not have a whole lot of foreleg muscle, but I've got strength where it matters most," she declared, wielding the over-sized mallet with ease.

Rainbow gulped.

"No kidding..." she murmured, sweating nervously on the inside as her pupils shrunk.

They handed off their prizes to some young fillies when a festive music slowly grew, filling the air and capturing their attention.

"The festival dance is starting! You'll be participating, won't you, Princess?" one of the fillies asked, hopefulness in their voice.

Twilight blinked. "A dance? Well, I... don't see why not. Won't you join me, Rainbow?"

She turned to her friend with a hopeful look of her own.

"Heh, are you kidding? Of course I will!" She grinned back at her in determination. "Time to show these ponies my Pony Prance!"

Twilight gasped excitedly. "You know the Pony Prance? That's my favorite dance! You remember my birthday last year?"

I remember it not quite going as planned, Rainbow reminisced, nodding absentmindedly.

Twilight moved her head closer, lifting a hoof partway over her mouth as she whispered coyly, "I may have whipped it out late into the night. I... think my moves were too hot for them."

Rainbow stared back at her incredulously just as the announcer spoke up over the speakers throughout the square.

"Okay, everypony," they announced, "get your pony pal, and come along!"

Twilight giggled, grabbing Rainbow by her hoof, and urging her into the crowd.

Twilight stepped in time with the beat, swaying her body along with the music. She hoofed it onto the dance floor, rearing up and rocking her forelegs to the rhythm. Her head bobbed back and forth, her body kneeling forward as she bucked her hind legs into the air.

Before her, Rainbow casually pranced away, watching her friend's own dance moves with a humored smile.

"That's it, Twilight! Just keep with the flow, and let yourself go!"

Twilight responded with a joyous giggle. "You don't have to tell me twice, Dash!" she exclaimed, continuing to kick her hooves. She unfurled her wings, pumping them in tandem with her steps.

Rainbow grinned, watching as her friend got more into it, and jumped while extending a foreleg, performing a quick hoofstand. She smiled up at Twilight daringly, her friend staring back at her, momentarily amazed before smirking in response... silently accepting her challenge.

She stepped back rhythmically, igniting her horn and pressing into the ground before performing a short sideways spin through the air. She nailed her landing with the use of her magic in a graceful, ballerina stance, peering over and raising a suggestive eyebrow back at Rainbow.

Showoff. Rainbow glared back at her playfully. A daring idea soon popped into her head, and, swallowing down a nervous lump in her throat, chose to act on it. She hopped into the air as the onlookers clapped their hooves in time with the music, and glided over to her friend, pulling her close and literally sweeping her off her hooves.

Some of the girls in the crowd giggled among themselves at the display.

A blush crept quickly into Twilight's cheeks, her heart skipping a beat as she stared into the eyes of her friend in surprise.

"R-Rainbow—?"

Rainbow grinned back at her. "We're supposed to be dance partners, right? so we should be dancing together!"

Before Twilight could get a word in edgewise, she pulled away from her, throwing her free foreleg to the wind while keeping her other hoof interlocked with her friend's. "What do you say, Twilight? Wanna give these townsponies a show?"

Twilight stared back at her, her lips forming a determined smile. "You're on."

They continued their dance, spinning around in each others' arms, then pulling away from the other only to draw the other back in close. Twilight brushed up against her pegasus friend's chest, and was struck with a pleasant chill.

She had to admit... it felt sorta nice, being held in her friend's embrace like this.

Magic began emanating from them both, creating lingering rainbow streaks, and shades of purple that soon resulted in a vortex of color and stars that blew the competition away, and left onlookers mesmerized.

The color soon faded, though a rainbow hue remained as the two lowered themselves to the ground, panting softly with faint blushes in their cheeks.

A moment later, and a tremendous applause broke out.

"Well, I... think it comes as no surprise that Equestria's newest princess and her special friend stole the show!"

Rainbow grew a little rigid, her face turning beet red. Twilight on the other hoof, stared ahead, none the wiser.

"Special friend...?" She turned towards her with an auspicious look. "That's a funny way to put it, but I'd say so!" She smiled, nudging her friend's side. "Huh, Rainbow Dash?"

"Um, Twilight..." Rainbow brought a hoof to the back of her head, scratching it nervously. "I-I think what they mean is—"

Twilight threw her forelegs around her shoulders, bringing her cheek to nuzzle her own. "This was so much fun! Thank you, Rainbow."

"Heh..." Rainbow eased up, smiling softly as she returned the nuzzle. "No problem, Twilight."

Twilight giggled as she drew away, Rainbow noting the sheer excitement in her friend's eyes—like she was currently on top of the world.

"Come on," she said, taking one of her hooves in her own, and urging her forward. "This way. The day's still young, and there's so many more festivities left to partake in!"

From Bad to Worse

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Rainbow took a large bite out of her maple cotton candy cone, savoring the rich taste. "Shhoo goood..."

"Is it? Mind if I have a taste?"

"Go for it," Rainbow replied, tilting the cone towards her muzzle. Ponies already think we're here on a date anyways...

"Oh my gosh!" Twilight gushed, bringing a hoof to the side of her face. "So syrup-y..."

Rainbow chuckled, bringing it back to her own mouth. "So... Where to next, Twilight?"

She tore off another piece of cotton candy, stuffing it into her mouth as she turned to look back at her quizzically, having received no reply.

Her heart sunk, her lips slowly parting at the sight of her friend, standing frozen in place, eyes a pure white.

"Twi—?"

Twilight's eyes flickered back to their normal state, and she grasped her head immediately.

She stumbled forward, nearly falling over, prompting Rainbow to hold out a hoof in concern.

"Nngh... What was...?"

"Twilight...?" Rainbow tentatively asked, walking up to her a little cautiously. "What just happened?"

"I... I don't know, I... think Princess Celestia just tried communicating with me telepathically..."

"She can do that?" She backpedaled, cocking her head. "You can do that?"

"I honestly had no idea that I could." Twilight shook her head softly. "Truth be told, I'm so used to receiving messages through Spike that I never really stopped to consider the practical applications of using magic to communicate..."

She bit her lip, averting her eyes regretfully. "Rainbow, I'm sorry, but..." She turned back to her friend with an apologetic expression. "If Celestia is trying to reach me, then this could be very important—"

"Ah, say no more, Twilight." Rainbow grinned assuredly. "It's cool. I'll just wait here for you until you get back."

"Actually, Rainbow Dash, I... was wondering if you could check in on Spike, a-and the rest of Ponyville for me..." She bit her lip, placing a hoof over her heart. "I hope I'm wrong about this... but I can't help but have a bad feeling—"

She lowered her gaze when she felt Rainbow place a hoof of hers over her own.

"Don't worry, Twilight," she said with a kind smile. "I'll check in on everypony, though... I'm sure they're all doing fine, I mean... hay, it's not like changelings attacked while we were gone or anything."

"Y-yeah," Twilight agreed with a weak laugh.

"So, uh... guess this is where our day of fun ends."

"I-it doesn't have to, you know! We could, I dunno... continue where we left off—once I make it back from Canterlot."

"Even though there aren't any festivals currently being held in Ponyville?"

"Well... who needs one? There's always Pinkie's party, and... hay, in the meantime, we can make our own fun."

Rainbow chuckled, cracking a small grin. "True enough."

"So, I'll see you soon then," Twilight reaffirmed, as she hopped into the air.

Rainbow nodded. "Yep! See you back in Ponyville."

The two waved goodbye, Twilight herself reluctantly turning and flying out of sight, en route to Canterlot.

Rainbow watched her until she disappeared from sight, then let out a sigh as she turned for home.

The large throne room doors were parted partially by two stoic guardsponies just enough for Twilight to slip in. She breathed deeply from her flight, arriving not a second too soon.

She reluctantly turned her gaze towards her old mentor in all her radiance, fearing the worst.

"You wanted to see me, Princess?"

"I did," Celestia stated, seated high upon her throne. "Thank you for arriving as quickly as you did."

Twilight put on a pleasant face. "Well, you know me, Princess. I prioritize meetings like these, and I'm always... ready and willing to serve you and Equestria at the drop of a hat!" Even if, she mused bitterly, I have to give up time with my friends...

Celestia smiled kindly. "I'm always happy to hear it, Twilight. Now though, I suppose I should get to why I've summoned you here."

Twilight's ears perked up. Yes...?

She stood attentively, impatiently fidgeting on the inside.

"I wanted to thank you in person for your handling of the situation in Whinnyapolis."

Twilight stared up at the princess disbelievingly, her teeth slowly clenching behind her lips. "It wasn't a problem, Princess," she replied as politely as she could through slightly gritted teeth.

Is this really the reason she called me here? she thought. I mean, I appreciate it, but... Well, at least maybe now I can get back to Ponyville, and Rainbow Dash—

"And one more thing."

Twilight blinked, snapping back to reality and giving the princess her full attention, both genuinely curious, and a little less annoyed.

"More?" she asked.

Celestia nodded. "I wanted to address the... changeling situation with you, as princesses." She stood up from her throne, spreading her wings and flying down to Twilight's level. "Come, walk with me."

Celestia walked onward, into the hall outside, Twilight looking back at her baffled for a moment before hurrying after her.

"The changeling—? Pardon me, Princess, but... why discuss it with me?" She shook her head incredulously. "I-I mean, I, I don't rule over anypony! But you, a-and Princess Luna, and Cadance! You three command Equestria! I don't see how—?"

Celestia raised a hoof, asking her to save her questions.

"Luna and I are already in agreement... and my niece Cadance simply wants them stopped no matter the cost, after they both sabotaged her wedding, and nearly overtook this city."

Twilight averted her gaze at the memory.

"Yeah," she agreed with a hearty sigh, "I... can imagine. So, what about the changelings specifically did you wish to discuss with me?"

Celestia peered off solemnly, in deep thought.

"The matter of the fact that... there are simply too many to stop."

Twilight gazed up at her worriedly, tilting her head in confusion. "Princess?"

"Every city the six of you are sent to, others are attacked, left unguarded and defenseless against the changeling horde. A few changelings are captured and placed in our prisons, but..."

"How many more ponies will suffer before we stop them... I know." Twilight breathed out a shaky sigh, clutching her foreleg. "I thought about that all last night. Rainbow Dash, she... told me that... everything would work itself out in the end, and that catastrophes are oftentimes inevitable, but... I can't help but worry that this... struggle against the changelings will lead to Equestria's downfall..."

Celestia turned back to her assuredly. "With Luna and me in charge... I can assure you'll never have to worry about 'Equestria's downfall,' Twilight."

"Well, maybe not... but I... can't shake the feeling that... we're never going to recover from this conflict."

"Time heals all wounds, Twilight. That much always holds true. And although it may hold true... we would still like your opinion."

"Opinion?" Twilight's brow furled. "On what?"

"We have many of our soldiers stationed here, in Canterlot and... your hometown of Ponyville. Then of course there's the transfers over at the Crystal Empire, but... outside of these places..."

Twilight's ears folded, her gaze dropping to the floor.

"You know as well as I do that this leaves many towns, villages, and even cities unguarded from certain threats. Sure, they have their police forces... but against the changelings... Well, normally we have faith that harmony will prevail in the end, and that our soldiers will never be needed in these places... but when it comes to a threat as large as what we're currently up against..."

"I understand what you're saying, Princess," Twilight said with a soft nod.

"Like I said, my sister and I are in agreement on this. We both feel that... we should spread our forces far and wide... and draft able-bodied ponies as a way of increasing our numbers. Of course," she continued with a heavy sigh, "this would create a rift in many families. After all, we've never had to enact a draft—Luna and I could always handle ourselves, but... the changelings are... different. We're in dire need of soldiers, Twilight. However, the decision is up to you. We can always find another solution."

Can we? Twilight wondered. She's right, after all. She's always been right, and... I trust her, so... "I'll support whichever choice you make, Princess." She forced a smile to her lips. "After all... better we separate families... then have the changelings do it later."

"Point taken," the older princess agreed, as the two slipped into silence.

"Well, I guess if that's all... I'll be on my way. If you'll excuse me, Princess..."

Twilight bowed her head respectfully, then turned and flew down the corridor on her way to the castle entrance, leaving the older princess alone with her thoughts.

"Celestia?" a puzzled, young voice called out.

Celestia turned, then smiled at the sight of one of her most faithful students.

"Sunset! It's good to see you."

An orange-coated unicorn mare, no more than a few years older than Twilight, stepped out tentatively from one of the hallway rooms.

The fiery-haired unicorn mare came up to her. "Was that Twilight just now?"

"It was. I'm afraid you just missed her."

"Oh, that's okay. So, uhm... what was it the two of you were discussing?"

"I was telling her about that idea you shared with me."

Sunset let out a gasp. "And?!" she asked, all of a sudden becoming very attentive.

"It looks like Twilight has our full support—"

"Yessss!" She pumped her hoof, then froze, looking back up at her mentor with a sheepish grin. "I mean, uh... hehe... Good to know?"

"I only hope that this truly is for the best... and that this plan does not end up backfiring..."

"Hey, what's wrong?" Sunset warmed up to her mentor, pouting her lips. "Don't you trust me?"

Celestia chuckled, then smiled down at her student warmly. "Of course I do, Sunset Shimmer—you're the head of security for a reason, after all."

"You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that, Princess. You really have no idea..."

"Well, that was cheery," Twilight murmured grumpily as she flew off, leaving Canterlot behind. Still, I think I made the right decision... Won't Rainbow Dash be proud! Well... Twilight mulled over the thought. Maybe she won't... but hey! I didn't have to rely on dark magic, and... Equestria will be a more secure place now, and... who am I kidding?

Her shoulders slumped, her wing flaps slowed, and she breathed out in dismay. Rainbow Dash already comes from a broken family. Like hay she'll be happy to hear I've enacted a draft...

She groaned, feeling so embarrassed.

I guess I could... keep it from her—at least for today! She lifted her head with a renewed sense of confidence. Yeah... no sense in bumming her out when we're supposed to be spending quality time toge... ther... Twilight's expression turned curious as she focused in on the small town of Ponyville. Hm...

Dark clouds gathered over her small hometown. Clouds that rumbled with thunder and rippled with electricity.

I didn't know there was a storm scheduled for today—

A strong gust of wind almost knocked her astray as she flew nearer, barely managing to stay on path.

She held a foreleg before her eyes once she set hoof on the ground, and glanced around apprehensively.

Rainbow...?

She walked down the empty street, surmising that the townsfolk had all returned to their homes due to the growing storm, but the question still remained.

What had caused it?

This didn't feel like the type of storm made out of... love, or... necessity. No, this... Feels icky, thought Twilight. Muggy, and hard to breath in too... If this is some sort of prank... well, it's not funny, Rainbow Dash—

Her eyes widened, and she jumped back, narrowly avoiding a stray lightning bolt as it struck the ground near her. Celestia! she thought, placing a hoof over her hammering heart. What in the world—?

Her attention found itself drawn to the likely source of the horrid weather.

Her library.

Branches rustled, and leaves were whipped about by a whirlwind encircling the treehouse, while sparks of lightning rippled through the air, bolting off in different directions... one of them having almost struck her moments prior.

S-so, okay... She swallowed hard, putting the pieces of the puzzle together. Rainbow Dash... for reasons I can't fathom, created this storm, and is now... in my home, where the bad weather is strongest. She must be feeling down... but why? We were having so much fun earlier! Why would she...?

Twilight shook the questions from her head, and pressed onward... wrapping her wings around her head slightly, to shield herself from the growing winds.

"Rainbow!" she yelled, bursting in through the front door of the library. Her wings folded at her sides, and she slammed the door shut behind her. "Rainbow Dash! What in Equestria—?"

Rainbow Dash stood in the center of the foyer, visibly shaken, her wafts of breath, short and raspy... Her body clearly trembled, and seemed to be stood over... something.

She jumped once she heard her friend's voice.

She stiffened, but never once looked over her shoulder to greet her.

"Tw-twil-light... d-don't..." Rainbow uttered tearfully, as if in a trance. She swallowed hard. "Don't, don't... Celestia, don't come any closer..."

"Rainbow...?" Twilight's brow creased, ignoring her friend's warning, and taking a step closer. "What's gotten into you?" Rainbow's breath froze and she gritted her teeth. "There's a storm raging outside—!"

"I... know, I...!" Her hoof raked up the side of her face. "Geez, Twilight, just... leave!"

"It's my home, Rainbow Dash," she reminded the pegasus, a little miffed. She walked closer, now determined to get to the bottom of this.

Whatever was lying at her friend's hooves had to be the source of all this misery, she thought. It had...

She gasped.

Rainbow shut her eyes tight, and fell to her haunches, defeated. Her wings splayed out at her sides.

She choked back a tearful sob.

Twilight's eyes all the while, were wide, taking in what she almost couldn't believe.

Her body, lying there before her... head cocked and jaw crooked, as if it had been broken.

What really stood out however, were the blue... iris-less eyes, and forked tongue, lifelessly spilled out of its bent jaw.

A changeling, she slowly realized. Only some of its features prevalent... but otherwise a perfect copy...

Twilight gulped, and she too, slowly began trembling.

A changeling had invaded her home, and... somehow offended her friend...

Twilight's hooves clenched, her horn sparkled.

It was something she hadn't thought possible, and it had the audacity... to disguise itself... as her own self—!

"Did you do this, Rainbow Dash?" Twilight demanded, turning to her friend.

"I..." Rainbow sniffled, and slowly reopened her eyes.

"Please," Twilight urged, trying again as she sat down beside her. "Talk to me, Rainbow."

Rainbow's eyes darted back and forth, searching for the right words.

"She..." the pegasus finally uttered out. "She s-said I couldn't h-hurt her, a-as you, I, I mean. She... said I wouldn't dare hit such a pretty face..." She clenched her hooves. "She... said I wouldn't dare hit a friend!"

"But it wasn't me, Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow nodded knowingly.

"Dash... Why was she disguised as me?"

Rainbow remained silent, prompting Twilight to grab her by the shoulders.

"Dash," she tried again, this time warily. "Where's Spike?"

"Spike...?"

"Yes, Rainbow. Spike."

"He's..." Her sorrowful gaze peered up into Twilight's eyes... and that told her everything she needed to know.

Her shoulders slumped, and her forelegs fell listlessly.

Her voice quivered. "No..."

"She... said it was to spite you," Rainbow tried to explain, to help make sense of it. "She said... you, y-you were cutting their lives short, s-so s-she'd cut short the lives of your loved ones."

Twilight's breaths grew panicked, her pupils shrinking to the size of pinpricks.

"I-I'm so sorry, Twilight," Rainbow continued, tearfully. She held out a hoof, only for her friend to shrug it away immediately. "I... please, I... didn't know it wasn't you," she insisted, growing more hopeless by the second. "I would've stopped her sooner, had I only known..."

Twilight vision blurred, the room around her beginning to spin..

Soon she couldn't hear a single word Rainbow was pleading.

She felt lightheaded. She felt sick.

Spike was... dead?

It was all so unreal...

Today had started out so promising.

Her heart throbbed painfully, feeling as though it were being ripped from her chest.

"Please, Twilight... Don't hold this against me, I'm... so sorry. Please don't let this affect our friendship." Rainbow set a hoof on her friend's foreleg pleadingly, and the unicorn visibly tensed.

"Please don't—"

Twilight's mind went blank.

A searing, white bubble encircled her, cutting her off from the outside world.

A deafening cry filled the library as loose magic was thrown everywhere, setting fire to the walls, and furnishings of the place.

Smoke soon filled the room, eventually finding its way to the young mare's nostrils.

Her muzzle crinkled, and slowly she regained awareness, coming eye to eye with smoldering papers and embers.

"Oh Celestia... No!" She glanced around the burning room frantically, her eyes retaining their white glow.

"No, no, no!" A hoof of hers ran through her mane, raking it up. "Rainbow—!"

Twilight spun around to face where her friend had been, and what she saw truly frightened her.

She felt a pain in her stomach, staring into her friend's deathly-pale face.

The foreleg she had reached out to her with... was no longer there.

Her magic had cut the arm into ribbons, slicing it from Rainbow's shoulder like warm butter, and cauterizing the wound at its core.

The pegasus' eyes fell shut as she slumped forward, falling unconscious at her friend's hooves.

Twilight only watched, frozen in fear as her friend collapsed at her hooves, out cold.

Her heartbeat raced, her thoughts swerved... A harsh lump formed in the back of her throat, and tears welled up in the corner of her eyes.

No no no no...

She scrambled to cradle her injured friend in her forelegs, trying desperately to hold back what she was feeling. and suddenly felt... a resurgence of... anger.

No, no, no!

Her teeth grit, and her eyes shut tightly together, her jaw trembling and body beginning to shake uncontrollably.

She held Rainbow's head against her chest, and lowered hers until their foreheads touched.

Her head ached, and her horn rippled with magic, personifying the rage she felt within.

N... no... "Nooooooooooooooooo!"

She threw her head back, her gaze aimed at the sky, and cried out to the heavens as every one of her thoughts ceased... her mind whiting out...

What We Leave Behind

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Twilight sat alone with her thoughts, on a small, grassy hilltop... overlooking the spot where Spike's funeral was taking place.

Two days had passed since that incident...

There was nothing left of their old home—the library had been reduced to literal ashes due to her magical outburst.

She had only been awake for a few minutes in a hospital bed when she was relayed the news.

She merely stared back at the nurse with a blank look before asking, "Where's... where's Rainbow Dash?"

"We discharged her some hours ago. She seemed healthy, apart from her... loss... s-so we let her go. She said she... wanted to hit the skies, and we both know how she is—"

Her mind was still in a haze, but she knew a bad attempt at levity when she heard one.

"I want to see her," Twilight demanded sternly.

The nurse in charge of her shook her head.

"It's... inadvisable we let you go in your current state—"

Twilight cut her off, yelling in anger, "Let me see her!"

Other staff came running in moments later at the sound of the outburst, to which Twilight paid little mind.

She only focused her efforts on climbing out of the bed she was in. The moment she set her hooves on the floor however, she felt the need to steady herself.

A dizzying sensation swept over her as everything surrounding her grew blurry, and darker for a moment.

The nurse who had awoken her—Nurse Redheart—held out a hoof, asking, "Are you alright, Princess?"

Twilight huffed, and shrugged the hoof away as she regained her senses.

"I... need to go."

"Well..." Nurse Redheart bit her lip, and glanced back at her coworkers. "You're the town's princess, Twilight; we won't stop you. We only wish to make sure..."

Twilight blocked out the rest. She had heard enough of this, and the voices were making her head ache even worse than before.

She wanted to teleport out of the room, to see her friend... and talk about everything that had gone down, before she had blacked out...

So she focused on her horn, hoping to teleport outside... only for nothing to happen.

Not only did nothing happen, she felt... sick—like she, all of a sudden, had a searing headache.

She set a hoof on the bed to steady herself, before gazing up warily at the nurse for an answer.

The explanation hit her like a ton of bricks.

"You overloaded your horn during the incident," the nurse had explained, as gently as she possibly could have. "Too much magic spilled out of it, I... I'm afraid if you'll ever want to conduct magic again... you'll need to undergo a horn transplant."

A soft wind blew through her bangs as she sat on the hilltop, staring listlessly... reminiscing on it all.

A horn transplant...

Those were never guaranteed to be successful... And magic, well... magic was who she was.

Without magic, what reason did she have to... even be alive...?

Her eyes grazed the funeral scene, seeing all of her best friends there, sans Rainbow Dash.

They were all dressed in black, Rarity in particular having been hit the hardest. So much so she wasn't even wearing one of her elaborate outfits, and was only just barely dressed for the occasion.

And poor Pinkie Pie, thought Twilight, planning this funeral... What a thing to ask of a party planner, after she had been so exited to plan one in honor of their victory in Whinnyapolis...

Hay, they probably all hated her.

After all, it... wasn't like Spike was the only casualty...

The odds in her head of the five of them ever forgiving didn't seem very promising, and hay... why the hay should they?

The townsfolk sure as hay seemed apprehensive, angry... and even downright scared of her when she had left the hospital. Some shot her venomous glares, or... steered the other way of whatever direction she trudged herself in.

After everything... she hardly felt any emotions whatsoever; and when she noticed, she shrugged it off, gazing down instead at the dirt road.

She kept walking until she reached a small hilltop where she wouldn't be a bother to anypony...

If they hated her because they had no idea it had been a changeling intruder, then the fact didn't bother her so much. The small misunderstanding would be cleared up eventually, and everypony would learn to trust her again.

If they hated her however, because of the destruction she had wrought upon her hometown, or the heartache she had caused so many ponies by leaving so many, including Spike, alone—when he had practically been a surrogate brother to her... she couldn't blame them.

It had been stupid of her to run off to Whinnyapolis without him. Everywhere she usually went, after all... he followed.

And to think it was safe because Ponyville hardly ever faced invasion, nopony ever getting seriously hurt...

I was stupid, she mused, smiling bitterly at how foolish she had been. It was bound to happen, and she should have been more prepared.

A hoof of hers clutched a clump of grass. Stupid, stupid, stupid...

The wind picked up slightly, carrying some leaves along with it.

They blew by her, Twilight feeling the momentary anger leaving her system.

She gazed back down at the funeral.

Celestia, she thought. Spike's... really dead—

"Twilight?"

Twilight jumped slightly at the sound of a familiar voice, as it had somehow managed to creep up on her.

How? she thought, turning to meet the voice. Who'd notice me all the way out—? Oh.

Rainbow Dash.

She sat in the grass beside her, a slight look of concern on her face, and slight crease in her brow.

Twilight's eyes immediately panned down to the scarred area on her body... where her right foreleg had once been.

"Ah, jeez, Twilight, you're making me blush." Rainbow set her hoof over the wound, shielding it from view, and all the while bearing a sheepish smile. "Don't stare, alright?"

"Oh, uhm..." Twilight awkwardly forced her gaze away, looking as far to the left as she possibly could. She rubbed the back of her neck anxiously.

Rainbow chuckled at that, and slowly lowered her hoof back to the ground.

A couple moments passed before either of them spoke.

"It's uhm, good to see you again," Twilight remarked, throwing caution to the wind.

At that, Rainbow's heart felt like doing a somersault.

She looked at her friend with a relieved smile.

"Ditto," she said, much to Twilight's own relief, and the realization that they were happy to see one another, gave them the courage to ask the one thing still on both of their minds.

"Are we still friends?"

"Of course we are!" they replied without a second's hesitation, both at the exact same time. Seeing that, they both broke out in embarrassed blushes. "I mean, only if you want to be!" they clarified, again at the same time. "Of course I want to be!"

They stared at one another.

"Okay," Rainbow declared, a little annoyed, "this needs to sto—oomph!"

She found herself being thrust into her friend's forelegs... and practically being crushed in a bone-crushing embrace.

"I'm so glad," Twilight mumbled into her friend's shoulder.

Rainbow blinked, then looked over at her friend, garnishing a warm smile. She eased into the embrace, returning the hug with her one foreleg.

"Well, ah, i-in times like these... we need to stick together. Plus," she added in a joking tone, "I'm loyal to you. Remember?"

"Even though I tore off one of your forelegs?"

The blunt question caught Rainbow off guard for a brief moment.

"I, uh... W-well," she stuttered with a slight laugh; "I don't need it. I'm always using my wings, so..."

Twilight felt the weight on her shoulders lift a little.

"Although, sure... it might be a little difficult to eat, or, ah... r-read books; but, um... Hey, the way I see it, I still have one left!"

Twilight's heart sunk.

"You should have both..." she murmured, to which Rainbow's voice took on a more serious tone.

"You lost control of your magic, Twilight. It... was what it was."

"Yeah, there's... just no controlling it, is there?" Twilight chuckled humorlessly, sniffling before continuing. "Because I'm just a-a... stupid, incompetent pony who can't, under any circumstance... keep her stinkin' magic under wraps!"

"That's not true at all, Twilight! You're not stupid, you're like... radical, I guess—b-but my point is! Magic's like, a totally hard thing to control."

"Yeah, because you just know so much about magic, don't you?" Twilight scoffed, looking off. Rainbow's gaze sunk, her ears lowering.

After a moment, Twilight bit her lip, turning back to face her friend... hoping she was still beside her.

She was.

"I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash. I didn't mean—!"

"It's... it's okay, Twilight. We're all still dealing with the aftermath of what happened, so..." She turned to look back at her directly. "Shouldn't you be down there?"

"I'd just make things awkward for everypony," she replied, then exhaled a snort. "They no doubt hate me for... inciting the changelings in the first place, or for leaving Spike all alone."

Rainbow rolled her eyes, giving her friend a light tap on the foreleg. "They do not, Twilight. AJ, Rares, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy are all still your best friends. Hay, I just saw them before I came looking for you. They don't hold any of this against you."

Twilight looked back at her skeptically.

"The changelings needed somepony to stand up to them," her friend continued, "and nopony could've predicted that they would've done what they did..."

"I should have." Twilight's gaze fell, and she breathed out a small sigh. "Celestia, in hindsight it... seemed so obvious that an attack was inevitable..."

"Maybe," Rainbow supposed, "but an attack against you, Twilight? Nopony could've seen that coming... not even Madame Pinkie."

Twilight turned to her, unamused.

Rainbow smiled apologetically, sheepishly rubbing the nape of her neck. "Okay, that was a bad joke, I admit."

Twilight said nothing, opting to look back ahead instead.

"The whole town hates me, Dash. Even if... I'm not at fault, I'm sure as hay still being held responsible."

"So let me clear the air with them. I'm not about to let anypony tarnish my best friend's name."

Rainbow turned to her friend with a reassuring smile.

Twilight gave her a halfhearted one in return.

"I appreciate that, Rainbow Dash, but..." She drifted off.

Rainbow urged her on. "What?"

"I can't conjure magic anymore, Dash."

Rainbow's lips slowly parted. "You can't...?" she softly uttered.

Twilight peered over at her friend.

Her brow was raised, and she had a slight look of doubt on her face.

Twilight gazed back on ahead, barely nodding.

"Guess it... burnt out because I used so much of my magic. My horn just couldn't handle it."

As she gave her explanation, Rainbow's eyes gazed up to look at her friend's horn. The scorched bone, which hadn't stood out to her until now, became increasingly apparent.

She gulped, turning her gaze back to her friend... feeling a few shivers run down her spine.

"You can fix it though... r-right?"

"If I get a horn transplant, yes..."

"And... you're going to, aren't you?"

Twilight let out a heavy sigh.

"These surgeries often go either way... Some unicorns are left without magic, and just... learn to live with it—"

"But you're still going to try anyway, right? I mean..." Rainbow's voice softened. "You really have nothing to lose, a-and if it means being able to conjure up magic once more, well... I wouldn't hesitate!"

"I know you wouldn't, Rainbow Dash. I just..." She bit her lip, her brow furrowing. "I just can't help but wonder what I'll do with my life if I lose my magic."

"If you do," Rainbow assured her, "you'll continue being a great leader, role-model, friend, and... even inspiration to so many ponies."

Inspiration... Twilight thought about it, then turned to address her friend. "Do... you still admire me, Dash?"

"Uh, duh," she replied with a smirk and roll of her eyes, as if it were obvious; "Of course I do, with or without magic! Now, come on." She leaped up from the ground, extending her hoof to her friend.

Twilight took it, and slowly stood up as well, all the while looking at her funnily.

"You haven't said your goodbyes to Spike yet... have you?"

"N-no, I..." She stared at Rainbow, taken aback, before looking off once more towards the funeral scene.

Things seemed to be wrapping up, from what she could tell.

"I figured you'd like some time alone with him," explained Rainbow. "Plus, I... understand that... you're not ready to face our friends yet."

Twilight averted her eyes guiltily.

"But I just know," she continued, "that they'll be thrilled to talk to you again, whenever that ends up being."

"I hope so, Dash," Twilight replied gravely. "I really do..."

The two proceeded down the hill, Rainbow's uneven steps capturing Twilight's attention.

"You really should be using your wings," she remarked in concern. Rainbow shrugged.

"Eh, I sorta want to get used to walking around on three hooves. Counter-productive I know, but I can't fly everywhere. There'll be times... where I'll have to walk."

"Well... you're one of the strongest ponies I know. If anypony can master this, it's you, Dash. Even so, I..." She hesitated for a moment, biting her lip nervously before asking, "Dash, have... you considered a prosthesis?"

Rainbow turned to her with an eyebrow raised. "Pro... what-now?"

"You know... Like an artificial body part."

"You're suggesting I get like a... mechanical foreleg?"

"Well..." Twilight looked ahead nonchalantly. "More or less... What do you think?"

"I think you're confusing me with Filthy Rich, Twilight. I mean, I don't have that kind of cash."

"Then let me pay for it!" she implored, turning to her suddenly, anxiously. "Or... or ask the princesses! For you, I'm... sure they'd be more than happy to cover the cost."

"I don't know..." Rainbow's lips pursed as she furrowed her brow. "I mean... The surgery doesn't... hurt, does it?"

Her question brought a slight smile to Twilight's lips.

"Not if you accept the anesthesia. There will be a slight pinch, however... Why do you ask?" She lowered her eyelids as she leaned in teasingly. "Is the big, brave Rainbow Dash... afraid?"

Rainbow silently gulped, staring back into the eyes of her friend.

"W-who, me?" she asked, leaning away incredulously. "Pfft, of course not! I'm just... wary of... having a metal arm, is all."

"Is that so? Here I thought you'd find it cool. Well... if you don't want to, Dash, I won't make you. I just, well... if you want me to get a horn transplant, then I want you to get a new foreleg. I think it's only fair."

Rainbow nodded understandingly, remaining a little undecided.

"I'll... consider it," she replied, after a moment.

The two walked up to the spot where Spike had been laid to rest, located within a small cemetery. A tall headstone sat before his grave, with a short epitaph that simply read: An unwavering caretaker to some, and beloved friend to all, he showed us not all dragons were to be feared.

"Hope you're resting well, Buddy..."

Rainbow's deflated tone snapped her friend out of the sudden trance she found herself in.

The site of her friend's grave had chilled her to the bone, more so than she thought it would.

She supposed she had been in denial over his death, and simply told herself that things die, that it was all a part of life, and that... there was no sense in lamenting his death.

Tears welled in her eyes, and she collapsed onto her hindquarters, staring brokenhearted at the gravestone.

Spike was gone.

"Celestia," she wept, "he—h-he's really..."

Rainbow quickly came up beside her, and for a few moments, just sat beside her. She extended a wing, embracing her friend with it. Twilight couldn't help herself, and leaned over, resting her head on her friend's chest, clinging dearly to the mare's coat with her hooves.

Rainbow raised her one foreleg, and with care, wrapped it tenderly around her friend as she began sniffling.

"Let it come, Twilight," she said. "Let out what you're feeling..."

"I... I just..." Twilight's jaw trembled, and her eyes shut tighter. She buried her face, and shook her head, her words laden with heartache.

Rainbow nodded softly, and for the next half hour or so, just listened, and stayed with her until she could no longer cry.

Eyes red, puffy, exhausted, and cheeks stained with tears... Twilight now simply rested her head against her friend's chest

She felt tired, and she felt... sick too, but she also felt... strangely better—and not entirely from all the tears that had been shed.

Maybe it was the comfort that her friend's embrace provided her, or... maybe it was her friend's resolve to stay with her. Whichever the case... she suddenly felt... like she was in love.

Maybe she was simply trying to fill the sudden hole in her heart, but it dawned on her that... she was beginning to see her friend in a whole new light.

Suddenly Rainbow's name sent her heart aflutter, and every moment they had spent together—that morning, and afternoon... and even that night on that balcony... all of a sudden held all the more weight.

Twilight pulled back from under Rainbow's chin, nuzzling it with her muzzle in a brief motion, before sitting up and staring at her sweetly... still reminiscing fondly on those memories.

She leaned forward in one swift motion, and kissed the fur of her friend's cheek.

She pulled away a second later, her eyes half-lidded and her entire body burning up.

Rainbow's eyes however, were wide, and she turned to face her friend in astonishment... her breath caught in the back of her throat.

Eventually she remembered to shut her mouth, and swallowed hard, staring at her friend with a million questions running through her head, and a profuse blush in her cheeks.

"T-Twilight...?" she eventually stammered out.

Twilight smiled warmly.

"Thank you, Dash."

Rainbow Dash blinked. Is that it? She was just... thanking me? Well duh, of course she was. She put on a nonchalant front, and returned the smile. Now's not the time to get all lovey-dovey anyway...

"I'm here for you, Twilight," Rainbow ended up saying. "This will all get better in time."

Twilight nodded and closed her eyes, leaning in to rest her head under Rainbow's.

With you in my life, she mused. I know it will...

They began to collect themselves not long after, and said their final goodbyes to Spike, wishing him well in the afterlife.

Even though I don't necessarily believe in one, thought Twilight, as she stood beside her newfound crush, I'll pray, for Spike's sake...

She rested a hoof on the gravestone, being sure to add, "We'll both... avenge your death, Spike. We'll make sure... that it wasn't in vain."

"She's right, Spike," Rainbow chimed in. "And don't worry, bud... I'll look after Twilight for you—if that's alright with you, Twilight." She looked to her friend for confirmation.

"W-well, I... don't exactly have a place to stay anymore. I-I have money, sure, so food's not a problem—t-though it'd have to be takeout. I mean, I never learned to cook, so..." With her head hung low, she smiled meekly up at the pegasus.

"Hey, it's cool." Rainbow gave her a playful wink. "I never learned either. Don't worry... We can just order pizza or something."

Twilight snorted softly at that.

"Sure, Dash. That sounds nice."

The two stood around for a moment more, before turning their attention back to their friend's gravestone.

"We'll be sure to visit often, Spike. Maybe with the rest of our friends next time."

"Mm-hm." Twilight agreed, with a quick nod. "We... w-we will, Spike."

The two soon left for the town, Rainbow being sure to shield Twilight from any dirty looks that came her way.

And after several minutes of walking, they eventually came to stand before the ruined remains of Golden Oaks.

Rainbow urged for her to turn the other way, but Twilight didn't budge, and instead just stared.

"Come on..." Rainbow beckoned. "You don't want to be reminded of this place... do you, Twilight?"

"I do." Twilight stepped forward, into the ashen circle of earth, and remnants of what used to be its trunk. "This used to be my home... and plus I... have to face what I did."

Rainbow reluctantly accepted her friend's decision.

Twilight walked around the place for a bit, murmuring, "There's really nothing left... is there?"

Rainbow bit her lip, then shook her head, stepping forward. "Everything either... went up in flames, or was... obliterated by your magic. I, ah. think my foreleg's evidence of that... I'm really sorry, Twilight."

Twilight nodded, having expected the reply.

She scuffed a hoof through a mound of ash. It was cold, and... clammy to the touch, but something also felt solid—like something was hidden beneath the ash.

She brushed aside more of the dirt, and quickly unearthed an object that... made her blood boil.

"Of all the things to survive..."

Rainbow cocked her head. "Twilight?"

Inwardly, Twilight seethed, her teeth gritting in frustration because there, before her hooves, lay Sombra's horn.

"Sure, there's nothing left of that... changeling intruder, or of Spike's body... but Celestia forbid this should burn up as well!"

"What are you talking about, Twilight?" Rainbow walked up beside her. "What's...? Oh."

Twilight rose one of her hooves up off of the ground, and held it above the horn.

Rainbow's brow lifted upon realizing what her friend was about to do, and was quick to intervene.

"Cadance!" Rainbow blurted out.

Twilight froze, her hoof inches away from grounding the horn into dust.

Her brow furled.

"Cadance...?" she repeated, perplexed.

"Y-yeah... Cadance. I mean... you borrowed this from the Crystal Empire, right...? So... they're probably expecting it back in one piece, you know?"

"I..." Twilight clenched her hoof, bringing it down slowly. "I... D-darn it!" Her eyes shut tight, and she slammed her hoof into the dirt beside it. "Darn it... You're right, Rainbow Dash."

She turned woefully towards her, drained of her resolve, and brandishing a weak smile.

Unsure of what to say, Rainbow simply returned the smile.

"I just... It isn't fair, Dash," she said, turning back around to scoop the horn up in her hoof.

"I know it isn't, Twilight," she replied, then grew panicked at the sight of her friend wincing in pain the moment her hoof wrapped itself around his horn, her head ducking forward.

Rainbow stuck out a hoof.

"Twilight!"

She blurted out her friend's name, but was quickly silenced by Twilight raising her hoof.

"I'm... I-I'm okay," she breathed out. "I just... felt really lightheaded there for a second."

"Huh." Rainbow nodded softly, then stepped over, placing her foreleg around her friend's shoulders. "Maybe you just... need to lie down?" she suggested.

"Mm-hm... You're probably right... Still..." Twilight turned to her with a look of worry on her face. "Where do you suppose I go?"

"My place of course!" Rainbow exclaimed, sporting a grin.

Twilight merely tilted her head.

"N-no, no, I... wouldn't dream of imposing—"

"You wouldn't be!" Rainbow insisted, then paused, shaking her head. "Listen, Twilight... When I promised Spike that I'd look after you, this is what I was talking about."

Before Twilight could get a word in edgewise, she continued. "If you need money for food, I've got you covered. If you need a pony to talk to, I'm all ears; and if you need a place to stay until we build you a new home, well... you can count on me."

She finished the declaration with a lopsided smile that melted Twilight's heart.

She gave in with a tiny nod of her head, suspecting that she was smiling like a fool back at her, but she couldn't help it.

"I could so kiss you right now..."

Rainbow's heart skipped.

She swallowed hard, masking her curiosity by jokingly asking, "On the lips this time, or...?"

Twilight's ears perked up, and her eyes flew open upon realization of what she had let slip.

Rainbow smiled meekly, still wearing a blush. "Sorry, Twilight," she apologized, her ears folding. She was probably just showing her gratitude again, and... "That was a poor joke, I know."

Twilight smiled, and still feeling embarrassed, stammered out, "A-actually—"

"W-well, anyway... Come on," Rainbow exclaimed, taking Twilight aback. "Let's go. We should probably be getting back to my place after all, don't you think?"

She laughed nervously, Twilight staring back at her funnily all the while.

"Oh... kay," she agreed, bemused... watching as her crush took flight before her eyes, stopping a little ways away, before then gazing back down at her with a look that urged her to follow.

Well, I... suppose there'll always be time for that later, Twilight decided, joining up with her.

If she returns my feelings, t-that is!

Hopeful Horizons

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"Pizza's here!"

Twilight, who had been sitting back on the living room couch, sat up suddenly, her ears pointed and at full alert.

Two weeks had passed since the day Rainbow had invited her to move in, and needless to say, she was quick to make herself at home.

Rainbow threw open the front doors of her home, carrying in her hooves a thin box, and several envelopes on top of it. "Picked the mail up too!"

"Anything interesting?" Twilight asked, then smiled meekly. "And thank Celestia. My stomach's been grumbling all morning..."

"Really?" Rainbow laughed, undoing the scarf from her neck, and hanging it on the coat rack. "Well, let's see if we can fix that."

She flew over, setting the box on the coffee table in front of the couch, and flipped it open.

The smell of it hit Twilight's nostrils immediately, making her mouth water.

The sauce, the cheese, the... pineapples...

Twilight wasted no time at all digging in.

"Mm," she moaned as she scarfed down a slice.

She wasn't kidding... Rainbow thought, just watching for a moment before focusing her attention elsewhere. She returned to the envelopes she held in her hooves.

She looked back at Twilight, and the huge, fleece blanket covering her lower half along with most of the couch.

She took a seat beside her friend, and with a free hoof, threw some of the blanket over her own hind legs, before skimming through the mail.

"Junk... junk... Wonderbolts newsletter, book catalog..." Her hooves froze and her eyes widened as she skimmed a sealed envelope, bearing the enameled seal of the Canterlot Guard.

She wasted no time peeling it open, pulling out a folded letter from within, and unraveling it before her eyes.

Her lips formed a relieved smile as she skimmed the subject line.

"Hm?" Twilight leaned her head over in interest. "Whut ish it?" she asked, her mouth full of pizza.

Rainbow turned to look at her with a grin, flashing her the letter.

"Looks like more changelings have been rounded up."

Twilight gulped down the remainder of her food quickly, a look of astonishment coming over her face. "For real? W-where?" she asked. "H-how many?"

"Uh... let's see... Seven in Baltimare, another five in Filly Delphia... four in Vanhoover, and... ten in Las Pegasus?" Rainbow pulled her her head back, raising an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

"That's... twenty six altogether..." An elated grin quickly parted her lips, and she fell back once more into the welcoming embrace of the couch, letting out a jovial laugh. "Yes! Take that... changeling scum!"

She pumped a hoof into the air, cuing Rainbow to look down at her, bemused.

"Did you get into my cider cabinet while I was out?"

"Why?" Twilight's grin fell, her face fashioning a more serious look. "Do I seem tipsy to you?"

Before Rainbow could answer, Twilight shrugged it off.

"Well I'm not, and I would never take from you without your permission—er, w-well! Besides your foreleg... That I took... not that I meant to—"

"Twilight?"

Twilight stopped her rambling.

"Let's not dwell on the past... okay?"

"Oh, uh... s-sure, Dash." Twilight looked around as the awkwardness began to set in. "How's the new arm working out anyway? Still holding up?"

"Like a charm." Rainbow smiled, and removed her foreleg from under their blanket to assure her friend. It was adorned with artificial blue fur, and Twilight could still tell it was a prosthetic from the screws, and indents in its joints, but only when she really looked for them.

"Yeah, it's... been a few days now, and it's still... light as a feather, and durable, warm... I know it's not blood flowing through this arm—that it's all just wires and insulated circuitry, but... it really feels like a part of me, you know?"

"That's good."

"What about you, Twilight?"

"What about me?"

Rainbow made a wry frown, pointing a hoof to the top of her own head.

"Uhm..." Twilight blinked, her eyes slowly widening in realization. "O-oh, uh...! My horn transplant, r-right..."

Rainbow raised an eyebrow, urging her to continue.

"S-sorry, I... I know I've been putting it off. I haven't broken my promise to you, I just..." She shrugged apathetically, lowering her gaze. "Haven't felt like... I've had a real reason to..."

"Twi—"

"No, I'm serious, Rainbow! I've sort of just... enjoyed living life as a pegasus, and... I don't know..." She glanced around, a little on edge. "Maybe a pony like me is just... I dunno, better off without magic."

"How could you even say such a thing, Twilight? Magic is—"

"—Who I am. I know." Or was, I suppose...

Rainbow's brow furled. "Then why—?"

"Because! Look at what my magic does, the pain it causes others! I could never control it, Dash... and I'm thinking maybe I'd just be better off without it..."

"That's crazy talk, Twilight! Come on, you've just been without it for a couple weeks, and you probably just forgot how cool it can be! Trust me, as soon as you're able to conduct magic again, you'll be thrilled to have it back!"

"Maybe, but... What if I feel like... I don't deserve to have it back..."

"I'd say you're being too harsh on yourself," Rainbow murmured in response, then sighed. "Twilight, I... thought you were done beating yourself up? I thought you were still just... taking it easy, and that's why you weren't leaving the house, or why you still hadn't mailed, er... that back."

She motioned to the coffee table, where, on the edge sat Sombra's red horn... encased within a glass jar.

Her expression turned distasteful. "That thing seriously gives me the creeps... Can't we at least store it somewhere else for the time be—?"

"No!" Twilight cut her off, leaving her startled. "I'm sorry, but... no... I can't really explain it, I just..."

"It's serving as a reminder... isn't it?"

"Rainbow?"

"Twilight, you... gotta stop punishing yourself over what happened. If not for yourself, then... at least do it for me, the girls, Spike... and all the ponies whose lives have been affected by this whole ordeal. We're counting on you to pull through, and rise to the occasion like you've done so many other times that something bad came our way. You're like, the one we always come to for answers, the one who always manages to instill hope in every one of us, you're...!" Rainbow blushed, smiling softly as she gazed away. "You're the best part of me, Twilight... 'cause without you, I... don't know where I'd be..."

Twilight's eyes slowly grew bigger all the while as she listened, her friend's confession tugging at her heart strings. Rainbow... I... "Don't know what to say..." Other than you're right. I have been punishing myself without ever considering how much you all still look up to me... I suppose that's why I still haven't even confessed to you, Rainbow... She sniffled, looking back at her, a little teary-eyed. I've been convincing myself that... I don't deserve a pony like you...

"Say yes to going out with me this week."

Twilight's eyes flew open. "S-say what?!"

Rainbow shrugged, oblivious. "Yeah, I mean... the girls and I were planning on having a little get together at Sugarcube Corner, just like old times, and... I'd like you to tag along."

O-oh... Is, is that all...? Twilight's heartbeat steadied, and her lips formed a relieved smile. "I'd be happy to, Rainbow, and... you're right—as usual. I don't know what I've been thinking... I, I guess spending all this time here, cooped up alone most of the day must've affected my mood more than I thought..."

"So... does that mean I can go ahead and stash this someplace we don't have to look at it?" Rainbow asked with a hopeful look.

Twilight rolled her eyes, nodding her head. "Sure, Dash, sure... You win."

"Yes!" Rainbow cheered, victorious, and leaped up from the couch. Twilight herself, watched as her friend took it between her hooves, and flew over to a storage cabinet on the far left of the room, placing it on the first shelf she could, before shutting the cabinet door behind her triumphantly.

"There. Out of sight, out of mind."

I suppose it's for the best, Twilight mused, her friend flying back on over to rejoin her on the couch. "I'll, uhm... be sure to message Cadance sometime this week, letting her know."

"Maaan... I can already tell this week is starting to look up."

"Here's hoping," agreed Twilight, shouldering the idea as she went for a slice of pizza.

"H-hey, save some for me, Twilight! I haven't even eaten yet, and you've already like, polished off half of it!"

"Nhut chrue," she argued with a mouthful.

Rainbow stared back at her incredulously.

"Uh, yes true," she argued, before both her and Twilight broke out in a soft bout of laughter.

The two talked with one another well into the evening, an orange glow softly filtering in through the windows opposite them from the setting sun.

Rainbow arched her back, giving her forelegs a tired stretch before slouching forward.

"Man... I think it's time for me to hit the hay..." She turned to her friend. "What about you, Twilight?"

"Now that you mention it, I guess I do feel a little sleepy... I suppose if you're going to bed, then... I may as well grab a little shuteye too."

"Hey now, don't turn in on my behalf."

"I-I'm not, I—!"

"Kidding! I'm only teasing, Twilight."

"Hmph."

Rainbow chuckled, getting up from her seat. "Good night, Twilight."

As she trotted for the stairs, she looked back over her shoulder, one final time with a soft smile. She lifted her hoof as if to say goodbye, Twilight returning the gesture, and before she knew it, soon found herself slowly losing consciousness under the growing weight of her own eyelids.

Nighttime Intrusions

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"Wake up, Twilight Sparkle..."

Twilight's muzzled crinkled, her eyes opening groggily to the sight of a black figure looming over her. She was sure it was the middle of the night, and thanks to the moonlight pouring in from outside, could vaguely make out its equine form... and green eyes leering down at her.

She stiffened, and jumped back in fright, ready to scream, or perhaps ask the intruder who they were and what they wanted with her... only to find that she couldn't. The most that came from her throat was a muffled and pitiful squeak, as if something covered her mouth, sealing her lips together.

The intruder reared their hooves up and brought them down on either side of her, rearing their face closer... their sickly hair draping along her stomach.

Twilight winced, her eyes trembling.

Chrysalis, the queen of the changelings. Here, in her home...

How the hay did she get in?

Again the same voice hissed, "Remember me, Sparkle?"

How... could I forget? she replied in her head. Whatever was on her face, she figured, must have been that changeling slime.

"You've caused a lot of trouble for my changelings, Sparkle... You've made it harder for us to feed, why... you've forced us into a corner."

Twilight furled her brow, staring back angrily into the face of the changeling queen.

The look itself spoke volumes.

Well, tough luck, she growled in thought. Villainizing me for protecting my citizens who are peaceful and kind, when your kind goes around terrorizing us, treating us like prey... And I don't care if it's to survive, you selfish, bullheaded bug!

The queen snarled, "Your love sustains us! We need it to survive, don't you understand?"

Hay, maybe you should share it then, scoffed Twilight before rolling her eyes. Maybe then you'd begin to care about the lives you take—

"Don't you roll your eyes at me, little pony." One of her hooves pulled up, before striking Twilight in her shoulder for her insolence.

Twilight winced as Chrysalis now gripped her by both her shoulders.

"You couldn't just let us do as we please..."

No, because that isn't what heroes do, Twilight shot back, warily.

Chrysalis sneered, as if understanding what the pony at her mercy had just thought.

"You ponies think you're in the right, that... compassion and friendship are words to live by... Well... I say that's nonsense!" Her hooves threw Twilight into the opposite corner of the couch, increasing the poor pony's heartbeat.

Suddenly she felt very sick, and nervous... and it occurred to her right then, that she could very well die. Here, like this... at the hooves of her own worst enemy.

She directed her trembling gaze past Chrysalis, to the stairs leading high into the cloudominium.

Where the hay was Rainbow Dash?

"Everycreature has its own view on life, Princess, and frankly we changelings think that life is just too short. Are we really in the wrong for doing... what we think is right? You princesses are doing what you think is right... and all anycreature ever does is what they think is right. I mean... who ever said life was valuable? That... taking a life was wrong?"

My conscience, Twilight remarked, then redirected her thoughts back upstairs. Come on, Rainbow Dash... C'mon... Chrysalis didn't get you too, did she?

"Your friend's a heavy sleeper, Sparkle. I wouldn't count on her to come to your rescue any time soon—not that you have to worry." Chrysalis grinned, amused as Twilight's own brow lifted. "I'm not going to hurt you, Princess. I only came to offer a proposition, from one governing body to another. See, my subjects are dying, as you're well aware... and I only ask that you offer up a small token of remorse."

Twilight glowered. Humor me.

"Ponyville," the changeling queen declared. "You hand it over willingly, or my remaining forces and I will forcibly take it tomorrow, by sunset."

Fat chance, Twilight replied firmly, in her head. She swallowed hard, and nervously shook her head no. Chrysalis didn't look all that surprised, only her eyes narrowing. I'll fight you to my last breath if I had to, Chrysalis—

"Then you and your friends better prepare yourselves, Princess... because come tomorrow, we will blot out your precious sun, and feast upon your bleeding hearts. Ponyville will become our new feeding ground... and you will have no one to blame but yourself." Chrysalis turned swiftly towards the front door. "Thanks for being such a patient listener... and sleep well. You have a big day ahead of you, Sparkle."

The queen disappeared into the shadows, and soon... only the buzzing of her wings was heard as they faded into the night.

Twilight remained in the corner, feeling her blood begin to boil. She was rigid, and breathed in deeply to try and relax her nerves to no avail. She was trembling too badly, her eyes falling shut.

She grit her teeth. Chrysalis... had the nerve...!

Twilight wanted to scream, if only it weren't for the gunk sealing her mouth shut.

She peered around the living room desperately, mewling over her options. For a second, she debated going to wake up Rainbow Dash... but then she spotted a better solution. The storage cabinet.

She scrambled to her hooves, and hopped down from the couch, running up to, and throwing open the doors to the cabinet... to reveal Sombra's horn, exactly where Rainbow had left it.

She wasted no time in grabbing it, undoing the cover and tossing aside the glass container... clasping it now tightly within her grasp, and knowing what it was she had to do.

Holding it snug against her beating heart, she hobbled the rest of the way to the kitchen, in order to find something to remove her own horn.

Rummaging around in the drawers, she quickly found a knife fit for the task, and falling back on her haunches—a tongue poking past her lips in concentration—raised it to the base of her horn.

She winced at first, sucking in a sharp breath through her teeth at the stinging sensation, but the soothing remedy of her magic quickly set in, numbing the pain.

There was no blood—Twilight knew that much going in. Horns were hollow, acting as nothing more than a funnel for magic, and the magic inside would quickly numb the procedure. Still... did knifes have to be so hard to wield for non-magic users?

At least this will keep Rainbow Dash and the others safe, she thought sourly. I'll show that... bug how much of a pushover she thinks I am!

She set her old horn aside, almost passing out as her magic largely spilled out from the hole on her head. Her eyelids drooped, with her mind fading fast, but with trembling hooves, placed the base of his horn on her remaining stump. The horn aligned itself instantly, melding with the stump... her magic acting as a cement of sorts.

The magic that had seeped free, dissolved in the air, her reserves adjusting to the new horn. It... felt like they were adjusting nicely, as Twilight could feel magic ready to fire from the tip.

Her eyes lit up, her mind unclouded, and with a determined smirk, focused some of her telekinetic magic onto the knife she had been wielding. The glow was no longer a moderate violet, but was rather now a deep red, and... it worked! The knife levitated in her grasp, and in turn, a large smile formed on her lips.

Twilight sprang to her hooves, dissolving the gunk on her face with another quick spell... and jumped around the room in joy, chanting over and over, "Yes, yes, yes, yes!"

Her steps slowed, and her excitement quickly died as everything began to sink in. I... I have magic again... a-and a red horn now too, I suppose. She stared contemplatively into her reflection on the kitchen knife, before setting it down on the counter. That'll no doubt scare some ponies... and Rainbow Dash will probably be more than a little miffed with me... at least until she sees how I handle this invasion!

"I mean, pfft!" Twilight grinned, shrugging off the concern. "My, my h-head feels so... clear," she reasoned with herself; "and we'll finally all be rid of these changelings once and for all!" She walked back out into the living room, but not before tossing her old, malleable horn in the trash. "Spike's death will finally be avenged... and... and..."

A cough passed by her lips suddenly, taking her aback.

Wha—?

Another cough cut her off, filling her mouth with a pungent... smoke—like that of a fire. It reminded her of the smoke that had flooded her nostrils the day her library had burned to the ground.

She blew out a mouthful of the foul-smelling black smoke, and as it rose to the ceiling... she found herself with another lungful.

Her eyes widened at the realization this wasn't just some cough.

Her entire body was filling up with this stuff, and fast.

Her heart sank, and she forced herself to begin coughing, desperate to expel whatever it was from her body... only to feel the thick smog remaining within her lungs.

Her eyes began watering, the tears quickly becoming flickering purple trails of smoke, drying them... reddening them.

This stuff was suffocating her!

My... thr... throat f-feels s-so... dry! What... i-is causing...? Her first instinct led her back into the kitchen, where she raided the fridge for water, doing her best to stifle her coughs all the while. She gulped down around five bottles, and spit up some of it, before realizing it wasn't quenching a thing.

A light flicked on upstairs, Twilight barely picking up on it.

Her eyes widened at the clip clops of somepony's hooves coming down the stairs.

Rainbow Dash... It... must be, she dreaded, stumbling to her hooves. Why n-now...? O-okay... I suppose Chrysalis was spe-speaking in, in a... h-hushed tone, b-but—!

"Twilight...?" Rainbow rounded the corner to the kitchen, and instantly the alicorn stiffened, backing up against the counter. "Are you alright?" she asked a little cautiously, now standing in the doorway and rubbing the sleep from one of her eyes. "I, I heard you coughing—well, it sounded like coughing anyway... and..." Though the darkness of the kitchen, Rainbow could only make out her friend's eyes, seemingly bloodshot. "Jeez..." Her face immediately took on a look of concern.

Twilight ducked her head away, turning to conceal herself better in the shadows of the room.

Rainbow swore her eyes had a hint of... green in them, and that... it was actually the irises that had been red.

She stepped closer, fearing something was seriously wrong with her friend, and that's when Twilight broke out into a nasty cough.

Something seemed to expel from her mouth, causing Rainbow to freeze in her tracks. A cloud of black smoke, and it was quickly spreading.

Rainbow hopped into the air to avoid it, not quite knowing what it was... only that Twilight's body seemed to be... rejecting it.

She was also struggling to breath, Rainbow realized, putting aside her momentary fear, and dashing forward to console her friend.

"H-hey," Rainbow shushed, raising a hoof of hers. "Can, can you tell me what's...?"

"St... stay a, away-ay-ay!" she blurted out between a fit of harsh coughs.

Rainbow stared down at her warily, then flew closer, insisting, "I'm trying to help you, Twilight."

Twilight turned to face away from her, but Rainbow circled her, following her and trying to understand what her friend was attempting to hide from her.

Then it hit her, and it hit her hard.

Twilight had a hoof covering her horn, and was vomiting up smoke that reminded her of...

"You didn't..."

Twilight froze, and reluctantly peered up at her hovering friend. As Rainbow had thought, the whites of her friend's eyes were a sickly shade of green... and her pupils were indeed red.

Rainbow's expression saddened, her ears folding against her head. "Twilight. Tell me... that you didn't...!"

Twilight's brow creased, and she wanted to cry... if only her eyes could form the tears.

She bit her lip, then blurted out in a coughing fit, that it was Chrysalis. That she had made a threat against her and Ponyville, and that she did what she thought she had to... and that... she was so, so sorry...

Rainbow hardly understood a word.

She instead frowned, and spun around to dash back into the living room.

"Wa, ai-ait!" Twilight coughed out, holding out a hoof after her. Her whole body shook, and she was regretting her action now more than ever.

Would Rainbow forgive her this time? Would she even live to find out...?

She hobbled out of the kitchen, hearing Rainbow murmur, despite the daze her mind was in, "Oh, Twilight... You didn't..."

Her gaze swept the room, catching a blurred image of her friend standing over the glass container.

Her heart broke in two.

She felt sick, she felt... cold, and she pushed past the front door in a stumble, out into the night.

She stumbled until she was walking on air, and unknowingly plummeting towards the ground. Her eyes widened, and her wings pulled back just in time to soften her landing.

She collided with the ground, exploding into a black mass of smoke before... somehow reforming.

Twilight stared down at herself, dumbfounded at what just happened as her body pulled itself back together.

What j-just...?

She sat up and held out her forelegs, watching as they slowly dematerialized before her very eyes, as if becoming one with the night sky.

She gasped, and folded them at her sides... only for them to fold into her.

Her heart fell into the pit of her stomach at the transparent feeling—of her body becoming exactly what she was coughing up...

Twilight laid her forelegs out at her sides, glancing in horror between the... two smoke plumes that were once her arms.

What is this... h-horn do, do-ing to me—?

Without warning, she fell onto her back—it becoming a cloud of smoke before taking shape again as her hind legs and flanks came apart.

She couldn't breath, couldn't speak... the black smoke filling every orifice of hers.

This i-s-sn't d-dark mag-gic... It's like I'm... c-changing...!

The feeling of her face becoming chilled all of a sudden distracted her from the thought, and she realized quickly that that feeling was her jaw... mouth, and lips... being carried off by the wind.

She panicked and clutched desperately at the fleeting smoke with her own translucent arms before it drifted too far, and packed it underneath the lower half of her face.

You feeble-minded mare! a voice, like a thought, made her freeze as it barked at her suddenly. Look what you've done! You'll kill us both at this rate! Luckily for you... Her new horn sparked to life. The spell that... Radiant Hope used on me still lingers, acting as a safeguard— Crystals began materializing, as if out of thin air, and began forming around the fleeting smoke. —to help piece myself... back together.

Wh... what...?

The crystals worked their way up her body, and had reached her neck when the voice in her head snarled, You belong to me now, little pony...

Twilight's heart beat faster and faster, her thoughts raced...

Smooth crystal encased both her head and horn, and once they did... her mind went blank.

She sat up like a marionette on strings.

"I'm yours," Twilight breathed out, her eyes half-lidded under the voice's control.

Good, it said, then growled, now go! To Canterlot... to usurp Celestia's, and her sister's reign!

Duel Monsters

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Rainbow paced around her living room, distraught from the recent realization.

Her friend, her... best friend, had disobeyed her, going ahead with what she had said specifically not to do... and not caring one bit about the risk!

"I mean, why?" Rainbow fumed, thinking it over. "Twilight's smart, she's... amazing. So why...? She had wheezed out something about Chrysalis, and Ponyville... but the changeling are being taken care of, I mean..."

Her eyes widened as the two words suddenly clicked, making a lot more sense in her head. Had Chrysalis made an attempt on Twilight's life? Had that... pushed her to take such drastic action?

It occurred to her then, that she hadn't exactly received the full story...

She shut her eyes, and threw her head back. "I'm such a featherbrain... Twilight!"

She yelled out her friend's name as she turned and flew out the front door, into the cold winter air.

Rainbow glanced around frantically for signs of a familiar purple coat, only instead to spot something that looked like... a crystal suit?

She flew down to get a closer look, and it turned out to be just that.

A pony, seemingly made of magenta-colored, semi-translucent crystals, stood firmly in the field beneath her cloudominium... a dense black smoke visible deep within the confines of the crystals.

"Oh, Twilight," Rainbow murmured grimly. 'What have you done to yourself...?"

One of Twilight's hooves raised itself off the ground, and pressed onward, taking Rainbow by surprise. Her steps were awkward and clumsy, as she seemingly dragged herself forward.

"Twilight!" Rainbow called out to her.

Twilight didn't respond, not even lifting her head to acknowledge her friend.

Rainbow feared the worst.

"Twilight... come on. It's me, Rainbow... your friend." She dipped closer until she was flying at the alicorn's side.

Twilight continued to trudge mindlessly on towards her destination.

Wherever, or whatever it was, Rainbow had no idea.

"Is your throat sore...? If you can't speak, I..."

This mare is quite bothersome, the voice snarled, drowning out Rainbow's voice. She'll only get in our way... Get rid of her, my puppet.

Twilight turned her head to face Rainbow, causing the pegasus to pause.

"Twilight—?"

Twilight focused her emotionless gaze on Rainbow's hind leg, where crystals immediately began taking shape, clamping down on it.

Rainbow winced, letting out a pained scream.

The crystals acted like claws digging their nails into her.

The shock was too much, and she fell back on her flanks... gripping her hind leg between her hooves.

She sucked in a breath through her gritted teeth. The crystals were still growing...

Enough, slave! Twilight gazed up, and cocked her head away, turning her attention back to Canterlot. You needn't kill her. You only need retrain her. Everyone here will all be of service to me... one day.

"I... understand," Twilight monotonously replied.

"Twilight?" Rainbow peered up at her, lightheaded from the pain the crystals were causing. "Who... are you talking to?"

No, the only ones who are to perish... are the royal sisters who stole away my throne! Understood?

"Un... derstood," Twilight said, then began walking once more.

Rainbow cursed under her breath, then glared up at her old friend, her fears ringing true.

"You're not you anymore... are you?"

Twilight continued walking.

"Somepony's controlling you... aren't they?" Rainbow yelled after her, before taking on a softer tone. "That somepony is King Sombra... isn't it, Twilight?"

We've wasted enough time here, his voice reminded Twilight, to which his host barely nodded.

A mountain of black crystals rose up under Twilight's hooves, slanted in the direction of Canterlot.

Rainbow could only watch as her possessed friend rode the crystals like a wave, headfirst into Equestria's capital.

"D-darn it!" She clenched her hooves before glancing around warily, finding a rock not far from her. She grabbed it within her hoof, and proceeded to bash the crystals that gripped her hind leg like a vice.

"Come on..." She slammed the rock down again and again, desperation setting in as her gaze kept returning to the jagged pillar of crystal, and her friend posed at its very tip.

"Come on...!"

Twilight's horn sparked to life once more, this time using it to craft a pair of intricate crystal wings at her sides.

She leaped from the jagged mountain, using them to glide down to a street in the residential district of the city.

They weren't ideal for flying, being both featherless and blunt, but they caught enough traction to soften her landing, and prevent a crack or two in the crystals sustaining her.

She straightened up, before turning, and proceeding in the direction of Canterlot Castle.

Celestia's foolhardy sister Luna will no doubt be presiding over the castle at this time of the night, Sombra's voice supposed. No matter. I can take her, then Celestia herself, in her sleep. I might be in trouble however, if I have to face the two of them head on... Well, luckily for me... you mean something to them, don't you, my puppet?

"They... value me," Twilight answered truthfully.

Yes... and it is that trust in you that will cause them to hesitate... and likely refuse to fight back. You are the Element of Magic, and... a subordinate of Celestia's after all, aren't you... Twilight Sparkle? I can see inside your mind, and into all of your flowery, sweet memories... I know you were there when I tried to retake my empire, and now you're partaking in it all over again—only this time... you'll be servicing me.

"I'll... be servicing you."

Twilight stepped into view of Canterlot's castle, attracting the attention of some patrolling guards.

You no longer have control over your magic, but you have mine. Dark magic... and the ability to materialize crystals, and crystallize your foes.

Twilight reared up, then brought her hooves down... causing crystals to jut up from underneath their hooves, and enclose them before they could get a single word out.

Do you know why you no longer have control over your magic?

Twilight said nothing as Sombra's influence drove her towards the palace doors.

It is because you are changing! Undergoing a metamorphosis... but into what you may ask?

"Into... what?" Twilight asked, as instructed.

Sombra's voice sneered, and rose in volume.

An umbrum! You're changing... into one of my kin!

Twilight formed a crystal battering ram out of thin air, and with it, threw open the doors to the entrance hall.

You ponies think you know your history, labeling me as some unicorn gone mad, when in fact, what I always was... was a shadow, cloaked in equine skin. My horn you now wear was never actually a horn, but a crystal, laden with dark magic! You—

A beam of magic grazed Twilight's side before ricocheting off, not a moment after she set hoof into the spacious throne room, believing it at first to be empty.

Then, as her eyes glanced upwards, trailing the trajectory of the shot... she spotted her target.

Princess Luna was hovering high above her... her eyes aglow, and scowl prevalent.

"You!" Luna's voice bellowed down at her. "State your name, and why you are laying siege to thy castle!"

—are a monster, Sombra finished.

"I am a monster," Twilight replied with a cock of her head. "And I have come here..." She rose up to Luna's level, crystal blades extending freely from her forelegs. "To end you!"

Luna few back as both of Twilight's swords came flying at her from either side, narrowly keeping her head.

She slowed to a hover, staring back at her assailant as she straightened back up, withdrawing one of her swords to keep balance.

No face to pin a name to, thought Luna. Her voice rings familiar, as does this dark magic, but... I cannot allow myself to dwell on this feeling—lest she get to 'Tia, and all of Equestria...!

Her eyes softly closed, and her horn sparked to life, electricity rippling around it... the air around both her and her assailant picking up. "Very well," she murmured under her breath. A black orb grew in size above the tip of her horn, and her eyes opened, revealing an intimidating white light. "You should be warned however, monster... I spar with creatures of the night, every night... and you... are no exception!"

The black orb reached its full potency, and shot off at the ceiling. It spread quickly, encompassing the whole throne room in darkness—darkness that Luna disappeared into. The last thing Twilight saw before her mind went on full alert was the fading lights in her opponent's eyes.

How predictable. The Princess of the Night, taking refuge in the shadows... Sombra's voice scoffed at the act. Well, no matter. Her magic was shown to have no effect on us—!

Twilight's head swerved to her left as a lance tore past it, grazing her cheek... and leaving a deep-seated gash.

Twilight simply lifted a hoof to the scar.

The crystal was already at work repairing itself, filling in the cut.

Unbelievable... he uttered in disbelief. Her magic... actually...

A wicked thought spread through Twilight's mind. Can hurt me... Well, what do you know... I guess she merely was holding back before!

Sombra moved Twilight's lidded gaze to where the magical construct had been thrown, when a second shimmering lance struck her front left hoof.

The lance dissipated, and the holes remaining in her hoof began to fill themselves not a second later, before any smoke could leak out.

Her... her armor is self-repairing, Luna observed in slight amazement, silently circling her foe. Very well...

She hovered high above the crystal alicorn, raising a hoof above her head, and this time conjuring up six blue, shimmering lances.

Lances that gave off an alarming light.

Twilight caught sight of them immediately. There you are!

"Fare thee well, monster!" Luna cried, and pointed her hoof down, the spears following suit as they rained down upon her foe.

Twilight lowered herself into a defensive stance, unsheathing one of her swords, and preparing to swing at the first lance.

Sombra had hoped to send it spinning, however... Twilight slowly blinked as the weapon tore clean through her blade... severing it in two.

What—?!

Sombra's confusion was cut short, having only a split second before the remaining lances assaulted his new body.

Two entered through Twilight's shoulders, another through her back, and two more through her hind legs... pinning her where she stood.

The magic will dissipate any moment, Luna reminded herself, ducking her head and charging forward; so I must make this quick! With any luck... this will put an end to her regenerative abilities.

An aura encompassed her horn, illuminating her presence in the darkness as she prepared to send her horn into her assailant's chest.

Sombra's voice roared, "Is this supposed to hurt me, Princess?!"

He leered, and conjured crystals larger than either of them to rise up from the floor and block her path.

"No, monster," Luna replied. "It is merely meant... to keep you restrained—" She weaved and sliced her way through every crystal until she was a mere inches away. "—so that I may do this!"

What? Prevent my armor from repairing itself? Sombra snarled, then exclaimed as Luna's horn just barely grazed his chest, "I will not allow you!"

Sharp crystals burst forth from Twilight's crystal skin, covering nearly every inch of her face and body.

Luna's eyes widened, and she pulled back before getting skewered.

The crystals retreated back into her crystalline body as Sombra once again spoke to her.

"You cannot lay a hoof on me now, Princess."

A pair of scythes took shape on the sides of Twilight's forelegs.

Luna grit her teeth as magic erupted around her horn, shaping itself into a sword. "Would thee like to bet?"

The two leaped at one another, Twilight's crystal scythes and Luna's blade of magic clashing briefly in the air.

Luna stared bitterly into her assailant's emotionless gaze.

Their attacks forced them back, their hooves touching down, and skidding along the black void that was once the throne room. Twilight regained her composure first, lifting her foreleg, and from it, shooting off a few long, vine-line crystalline tendrils. Luna noticed, and in a quick second, conjured up a lance, spinning it like a propeller, grinding the thorny crystal vines into dust.

She glared back at Twilight, whipping her lance down by her side, before charging forward.

Sombra kept up his assault, using Twilight's body to fire off stream after stream of the vine-like tendrils, Luna expertly weaving in and around them as they struck the floor and surrounding area with enough force so as to penetrate it.

She leaped over her assailant's final attack, instead landing on top of, and running along one of the crystal structures to Twilight herself. She wound her right foreleg back, and in one swift motion, sent it forward, kneeing her opponent in her face... shards of crystal flying out from the impact.

The blow sent Twilight's body back several feet, the spiked tendrils that remained attached to her foreleg—and embedded within the ground behind them—uprooting chunks of the floor as she was thrust backwards.

She landed roughly, the impact causing a few more hairline fractures to form in her armor.

Luna swooped down beside her opponent, her horn still ablaze with magic. She scowled, pointing her horn down directly at her, alighting the darkness and her foe's body.

"Hmph." Sombra slowly forced Twilight to her hooves. "Not bad, Princess..."

"Surrender now, lest you face further humiliation," Luna warned, only for Sombra to softly shake Twilight's head.

"I am afraid that it is not I... who will suffer humiliation."

"What—?"

Twilight's gaze intensified suddenly, and before Luna could react, was encased within a large crystal spire.

Sombra got Twilight the rest of her way to her hooves, looking up at her foe as she floated n place, like an insect encased in amber.

The sight delighted him, bringing a slight grin to Twilight's face.

"One down." He turned Twilight's sights elsewhere, to the door leading back out the war-torn throne room. "One to—"

A deep crack sounded out, giving him pause, and causing Twilight to turn midway, looking back over her shoulder in bewilderment.

"Wha—?"

The crystal exploded outwards, shards and heavy winds blowing past her body.

Luna hovered in its place, her horn rippling with electricity, and a sinister smoke encircling her.

She glowered at her foe, her eyes an eerie blue, and pupils thin slits.

"Well now, isn't this a surprise!" Twilight's voice shouted gleefully among the whipping winds; "It looks like we're both a couple of monsters—!"

The trails of smoke came to life, wrapping around, and wringing Twilight's neck, lifting her body up off the ground. Luna grit her teeth, cracks beginning to form in her enemy's armor from the pure strain her smoke caused.

"Sister! Stop this!"

Luna snapped back to reality, her eyes widening at the familiar voice.

She peered past her mysterious foe, to see her sister standing in the door's entrance, awake and... bearing a deep-seated look of concern for her.

"Stay back, Sister! I... have this under control." She forced her gaze away, determined to not be swayed, only for her sister's voice to persist.

"Are your referencing your emotions, or this fight?"

Luna shut her eyes tight in frustration. "Both!" she shouted out.

Celestia frowned, having been given slight pause, before flying up to her sister's side.

"The life you are about to take is Twilight Sparkle's, Sister."

Luna's eyes blinked open, her mind dumbfounded by the revelation.

"Surely you jest, 'Tia. This... crystal abomination looks nothing like young Twilight."

"Maybe not on the outside, but..." She set a hoof on her sister's shoulder as she herself turned to face their intruder with a sorrowful look. "I have mentored her long enough to recognize her magic signature... and surely her voice sounded familiar to you, however hollow it may now be."

"It did ring familiar..." Luna eased up, and lowered both herself and Twilight's body to the ground... her magic simmering down.

Her pupils reverted to normal.

"What was I about to do? Oh how could I be so foolish...?"

"Twilight's mind is being manipulated, Luna, so don't be too hard on yourself. You were just defending this castle. We mustn't dwell on what could have been, but instead on how to free Twilight's mind from whatever malevolent force now controls it."

"Well surely you have a spell or two that will suppress its influence?"

"If I did, dear sister... don't you think I would have used it to free you from Nightmare Moon's influence, all those moon ago?"

Luna's gaze sunk, her voice softening. "Yes, I... suppose you would have."

"This is exactly what I was hoping for..." Celestia and Luna turned their attention back to the monster they now knew to be Twilight, as she got to her hooves. "I just knew you would not dare lay a hoof on me the moment you discovered who it was you were fighting."

"Who... are you?"

Twilight's head cocked indignantly. "I already told you. I am a—"

A blur sped in from the hall outside, whizzing past them as it grabbed Twilight around her neck... promptly cutting her off.

Surprised, Sombra looked down to see a foreleg of metal, and that's all he saw before he was thrown onto the ground, then pinned down by a familiar pegasus.

"You!" he growled. The annoyance from earlier...! How did she...?

"Princesses!" Rainbow glanced over her shoulder, back at them. "You're both okay, right?"

"Physically, yes," Celestia replied after a moment, a bit shaken. "Do... do you know what has happened to Twilight?"

Rainbow nodded. glaring down at the crystal-clad pony beneath her. "It's Sombra! He's... taken control of her mind."

"But how is that possible?" asked Luna. "You and your friends worked together to vanquish him!"

"I... I-I don't know! It's like... his consciousness hid away in his horn when we defeated him, and took over Twilight's mind the moment she...!" Her gaze turned sullen at the memory, her voice drifting off. "She..."

"She replaced her own with Sombra's... didn't she?" surmised Celestia sorely, stepping forward. "I should have foreseen her doing such a thing, after the attack on Ponyville..."

Rainbow nodded, tentatively biting her lip... as she came to grips with what she had to do.

She spoke up again, directing her voice at the two princesses.

"I'm about to do something reckless, but I think it'll save her. Luna, when I say so... I want you to hit me with lightning."

"Lightning?" the younger princess repeated, exasperated.

"I've been zapped more times than I can count—I can take it! The question is..." Rainbow lifted her metal foreleg, her other one still pinning Twilight's body to the floor. "Whether or not he can!"

He snarled up at her. "You'd dare hit your own friend?"

Rainbow's brow lifted, freezing for a moment.

"You wouldn't dare hit such a pretty face... would you, Rainbow Dash?"

I... She shut her eyes tightly.

"You're not my friend," she rebuked in a whisper, before punching a hole straight through Twilight's head.

The crystal again began to repair itself, sealing around her hoof, and locking it in place.

"Now!" Rainbow yelled. "Do it now!"

Luna swallowed her nerves, pinching her eyes shut as she charged her horn, aiming it forward.

"You're mad if you think this will work! You'll reduce her mind to nothing!"

"Her mind's not the one I'm hoping to fry, Sombra," she refuted, then braced herself for the inevitable bolt of lightning to strike her.

A sudden, crackling noise ripped through the air... and then it happened.

Love you... Twilight—

A bolt struck her in the back as her eyes flew shut, her tolerance for pain pushed to its limits as the lightning wracked her body. It coursed through her, pinching her nerves like they were a hundred sharp needles entering her all at once.

She couldn't help but scream.

The electricity reached her foreleg, and one after the other, the circuits began to overload, and explode... outpouring into Twilight's shadowy body.

It too, caused Sombra to let out harsh scream in Twilight's tongue.

Celestia and Luna all the while, stood back and watched, anxious... as two of their closest friends tempted death, writhing in agony... Twilight's crystal skin rippling, and coursing with electricity from the inside, as more of the components in Rainbow's arm blew apart.

"S-sister..." Luna's voice quivered. "If this doesn't work..."

"We'll lose them both... I know."

"Tia, I... I-it's just... it'll be my fault if they both..."

"None of this was your fault, Luna. This was Rainbow Dash's plan, and we must have faith that she knows what she is doing, lest Twilight loses her mind to Sombra... and Equestria loses two of its mightiest heroes."

The screams soon faded, and their pain subsided... both of their eyes falling shut.

Still, a smile crept briefly upon Rainbow's lips.

"Take that," she whispered weakly, slumping forward. "You rotten... horseapple..."

Her good foreleg gave out, and she fell beside her friend's body, out cold.

"Rainbow! Twilight!"

The two sisters rushed up to check on them.

"Get Rainbow to the infirmary, Sister. Who only knows the damage she may have sustained..."

"Right away," Luna replied, raising Rainbow's body in her magic. "I only hope I didn't overdo it. I-I've struck her before with lightning, on Nightmare Night... but it was all in good fun! She simply ran off with her tail between her legs! I didn't mean to—"

"Luna," Celestia cut her off. "Please... Don't punish yourself over this."

She sighed and turned back to Twilight.

"They're both still alive, that much is certain. Whether or not they come out of this unscathed waits to be seen. However, these two are two of the... most determined, and... persistent ponies I've met in a long time, and after the hardships they've both endured, well..." Celestia looked over at her sister with a reassuring smile. "A little lightning's not about to stop either of them."

"I hope you are right, Sister. Otherwise..."

Luna bit her lip, shaking the dreary thought from her head, and turned, suspending Rainbow behind her. "I'm off to the infirmary. I... assume you'll be coming along, and bringing Twilight with you?"

"Hm? Yes, yes, I'll... be joining you shortly." Her attention returned to her old student. But I won't be taking Twilight, no... There's nothing I can do for her in this... translucent state.

She scooped her up within her magical aura,

I can't takes any chances, because I cannot be certain of who it will be... when she comes to...

Umbrum

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"Nngh..."

Twilight stirred tirelessly in her sleep, her eyelids wincing before opening wearily.

She was greeted immediately by a sinister voice... in whatever dungeon she had woken up in.

"Wake up, Sparkle..."

"What...?" Twilight groaned out, staring up from where she lay.

The voice again hissed, "Wake up!"

It seemed to be coming from all around her, and carried an almost sort of wafty tone, echoing from all around her.

Twilight was now wide awake. Her chest grew tighter, and her eyes darted back and forth in anticipation of what was reaching out to her, only... she couldn't sit up.

Like she was in a state of... sleep paralysis.

A shadow crept along the wall outside her cell, moving fast... her breaths quickening as she watched its every moment.

"I told you I'd come for you..." The barred door creaked open. "You and all of Equestria... Come sundown!" The door was pushed the remaining way open by a swarm of buzzing insects—like changelings, but... the size of parasprites.

They swarmed Twilight, grabbing at, and gnawing into her skin. Their teeth tore away bits of her, and she screamed out in agony as she swung her forelegs at them to try and sweep them off of her.

"N-no, stop! Get—get off me!"

The insects seemed adamant however... to eat her alive.

She writhed, and continued to scream, tears building at the immense pain as bits of flesh and muscle were continuously ripped from her bones.

"Ce-Cel-lestia," her voice trembled, "puh-l-lease..."

The bugs covered her like maggots, when all of a sudden they bit into something they couldn't break off. Her skeleton... pale and... glassy.

Her crystal skeleton.

Twilight sniffled as the pain died, and was replaced by a sudden bout of anger.

"I... s-said...!"

Smoke rose up out of her chest, splitting into tendrils ready to strike.

They grabbed hold of the bugs like tentacles around their prey. Slowly, they began to retreat back into the suffocating smoke.

"G-get... out—!"

"Twilight!"

Twilight's eyes snapped open.

She sat up, and looked around her... meeting Rainbow's own alarmed expression.

Twilight tore her gaze away, then gasped in startlement the moment she laid eyes on her crystal skin.

What gave her pause however, was the fact that... her breath didn't catch in her throat, no sweat trickled through her fur, and she didn't feel cold, or clammy.

She couldn't even feel her own heartbeat...

"It wasn't a dream... C-Celestia, it... it wasn't—!"

Rainbow's brow furled. "What are you talking about...?"

"T-the changelings," Twilight sputtered out. "They... they ate off all my skin, a-and flesh... and underneath it all were bones made out of... crystal—"

"Twilight. It was just a dream... alright?"

"Then how do you explain this?" she demanded a little too loudly, pointing her hooves down at herself.

Her aggressive response was met by Rainbow taking a couple cautious steps back.

Twilight huffed out angrily, her eyes fixated into a glare for a few seconds before noticing how... apprehensive her friend seemed.

Her expression eased up, and stared back at her friend woefully.

"I'm... I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash, I..." Her eyes darted back and forth, searching for an explanation. "Don't know what came over me."

"Right..." Rainbow stepped closer inquisitively. "Well, at least it is you."

Twilight looked at her funnily.

"Why wouldn't it be me? Did something happen—?" Twilight cut herself off with a breathless gasp. "Is this why I'm stuck in this... crystal cocoon? Oh Dash, I'm so confused." Her face proceeded to bury itself in her forelegs. "Where even are we? How come... h-how come I can't feel my own body anymore?"

"You really don't remember...?"

Twilight shook her head hopelessly, which ended up emitting a harsh scraping noise.

Rainbow's ears flopped, and she winced, quickly reaching out to place a hoof on her friend's foreleg in order to grab her attention.

"Okay... okay. It's okay. Let's just... start with what you do remember."

"What I...?" Twilight's eyes widened. "Oh Celestia!"

She hopped down from the side of the bed, and made a dash for the cell door.

Unfortunately for her, Rainbow Dash was quicker.

Rainbow flew in front of her, Twilight skidding to an abrupt halt.

"What?" Rainbow asked her, setting her hooves down upon the stone floor. "What do you remember?"

"Chrysalis!" Twilight exclaimed desperately. The name sparked a memory in Rainbow's head from the night before, and she glanced away in guilt, her ears lowering.

"I'm sorry I didn't consider what you were trying to tell me until it was too late, Twilight," she murmured.

Twilight cocked her head, to which Rainbow noticed as she glanced up at her, snorting in slight amusement.

"Guess your head's still a little hazy..." she mused aloud with a saddened smile, putting the thought aside as she continued. "Well I'm sure your memories will return eventually... In the meantime, however... Tell me what Chrysalis did—"

"She threatened me, Rainbow Dash," Twilight explained, continuing from where she had left off. "Me and Ponyville! I... I had to do something—!"

"So, what?" Twilight recoiled a bit at Rainbow's accusing tone. "You decided that using dark magic was the solution?"

"I..." Twilight looked back at her with a hurt expression, before shying her gaze away. "I just wanted to protect you... a-and the girls!" Her now panicked expression darted back to meet Rainbow's.

Rainbow simply sighed and shook her head, stepping closer.

"Twilight," she stated firmly, "you should have woken me up. We could have gathered our friends, and stopped her together—through the power of friendship and all that."

She smiled halfheartedly, and gave Twilight a friendly tap on the foreleg.

"That's just it though, Dash. I value my friendship with all of you too much to suffer losing you—another one of you, I-I mean. I know it seems like I was doing this to settle a score, and maybe I was, deep down... but Dash, I swear... I was only trying to protect my hometown, and the ponies there who look to me for protection."

"They look to us, Twilight. You may be a princess now, but... you don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, you know? We're all in this together."

"I know, Dash, I... Thanks."

The two shared a soft smile.

"Mhm. So... did you win the fight, at least?"

"I never stopped Chrysalis, Rainbow Dash. She... had me pinned down, and you know I couldn't use my magic, so... she declared that she'd invade, and... Celestia, what day is today?"

"It's... I dunno, the same day?" Rainbow shrugged.

"A-and the time?"

"Early in the afternoon, Twilight. Why?"

She turned with a curious look, following Twilight as she walked past her, muttering, "No," over and over again. "This isn't good..."

"What isn't good, Twilight? Please, talk to me."

"Chrysalis said that... she'd invade Ponyville today... by sunset—"

"Is that it?" Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Twilight, I think Ponyville can handle her—"

"Her and her remaining forces, Dash," Twilight finished explaining.

Rainbow averted her eyes, raising a hoof to the back of her head. "Oh..."

"Yeah, oh is right."

"Okay, well... me and the girls have it covered, don't you worry."

"First off, it's the girls and I," Twilight corrected, Rainbow looking off in annoyance. "Secondly... I'm coming with you."

Rainbow looked back at her in surprise, before pursing her lips. "I don't think you should go... in the state you're in."

Twilight's anger suddenly flared.

"What do you mean I shouldn't go? You mean to keep me from defending my own home? From putting an end to this... blight that has plagued our lives for Celestia-only-knows how many years? How much of a dense featherbrain are you?"

She leered at her friend for a few seconds longer, when the weight of what she said sank in... and she raised a hoof over her mouth.

"Oh Celestia, what is wrong with me...? How could I even say such a thing...?"

Rainbow's brow lifted, as did her head, and she rushed to console her.

"It, i-it's okay, Twilight," she reassured. "I, I know you didn't mean that... and hay... I'm tough, remember?"

She puffed out her chest and smiled, though Twilight was less than convinced.

"N-no, it really isn't okay, Rainbow Dash." She peered up pensively towards her pegasus friend. "I should have better control over my anger, I know I—oh!"

Rainbow's head tilted slightly. "What is it now?"

"Princess!"

"Er... Princess?"

Rainbow turned towards the barred door to find Celestia standing in its entrance.

"I see... Twilight has awoken?" she asked, looking down at Rainbow for confirmation.

Rainbow however, stared back at her funnily.

"Uh..."

A light bulb went off above her head as it dawned on her right then why Celestia had asked her so strangely.

"Yes!" she replied with a broad smile. "Twilight has finally come to—a-and not anypony else!"

Twilight cocked her head at the exchange.

Celestia sighed in relief. "Then it looks like you may have succeeded in suppressing his influence after all."

His... influence? Twilight wondered.

"But I have to ask," she continued, "if Twilight has been experiencing bouts of anger like the one I just witnessed... since she's awoken?"

"Anger?" Rainbow repeated, taken aback. "Er, w-well..." Her pupils darted back and forth. "J-just the one, Your Highness."

Celestia raised an eyebrow, staring down at her skeptically.

"O-or two, maybe..." Rainbow grinned nervously.

Celestia deadpanned, turning her attention back towards Twilight.

Rainbow's ears flopped, and she rubbed a hoof along her other foreleg.

"It is as I feared then..."

"Excuse me," Twilight cut in, growing a little riled. None of this was making any sense to her, and she found herself wanting answers more and more by the second. "What are the two of you talking about...?" She shook her head in dismay. "Chrysalis, she... she's going to attack Ponyville! W-we need to move!"

Celestia's lips slowly parted at Twilight's outburst. Chrysalis? she thought. Attacking Ponyville...?

Not knowing what to think, she looked to Rainbow for an answer.

Rainbow met her curious gaze with a simple shrug.

"It's a long story," she replied.

"Right..."

Celestia breathed in deeply as she closed her eyes for a moment of reprieve, before looking back to where Twilight stood, rather impatiently. "Well... I can assure you that she won't be attacking Ponyville under my watch," she assured with a warm smile.

Twilight glowered back at her.

"Under your watch... Right." She sighed and walked back to the bed she had been sleeping on, taking a seat on the side of it.

"Well... since we apparently have time to kill... Can somepony please explain to me where I am already... a-and what's happened to me?"

Celestia and Rainbow exchanged uneasy looks.

"We're in the dungeons, Twilight," explained Celestia, taking the reigns. "This is a cell."

"Well why am I—?"

Celestia held up her hoof, asking her to simmer down.

"We had to take the necessary precautions because... we weren't sure if you would still be you... once you awoke. If you were to wake up again," she added in a low murmur.

"If I were...? Princess, you're... not making any sense."

Rainbow sighed, giving her head a shake as she decided right then, to come right out with it.

"You were possessed by Sombra, Twilight."

Silence fell over the dungeon chamber.

Twilight glanced between her two friends, feeling as though this was one of her friend's pranks.

"You're, y-you're kidding. Sombra, Rainbow Dash? Really?" She rolled her eyes. "Come on—"

"She's telling the truth, Twilight," Celestia cut in, and like a ton of bricks... her words hit Twilight hard.

She shakily turned to face her mentor, at a loss for words. Celestia would never lie to me, it occurred to her. I...

"I... don't understand," she finally said. Her gaze sank to her lap, and she shrugged dishearteningly. "I mean... We defeated Sombra... didn't we?"

"We believe his spirit took refuge inside of his horn, which, along with his dark magic... manipulated your mind into attacking us. Even as we speak, his dark magic is poisoning your thoughts. I... I'm sorry, Twilight."

Twilight clutched her foreleg, lowering her gaze as the sickening feeling inside of her began to worsen. "I can't believe what I'm hearing..."

"You... really don't remember, Twilight?" asked Rainbow tentatively.

Twilight peered up at her hopelessly.

"You were responding to some voice in your head when I found you, not long after Chrysalis threatened you... and when I tried reaching out to you, you encased one of my forelegs in crystal."

Twilight's head shot up, appalled by the accusation. "I would never—!"

"I know you would never, Twilight. Sombra however..."

"Would have no qualms," Twilight concluded solemnly. "Is... is he the reason I'm l-like... like this?"

"We, um... think so." Rainbow gazed up at Celestia before turning her attention back to her troubled friend. "Maybe Celestia should explain this part."

"Princess?" Twilight looked to Celestia, the hurt in her pupil's eyes causing her heart to ache.

"Sombra, he... wasn't a unicorn like you, Twilight," she softly explained, taking a few steps forward, and taking a seat beside her on the bed. "He was a shadow pony... an umbrum."

"An umbrum?" Twilight cocked her head in confusion, looking up at her mentor. "With all due respect, Princess... I've never heard of them."

"They were an ancient race, and have caused problems for us before while Equestria was still in its early days. Thankfully we had Princess Amore, and her Crystal Heart to help vanquish them."

Her explanation however, only left Twilight with more questions than answers.

"Princess Amore?" she pondered. "Her Crystal Heart...? Princess, I... Was, w-was that the same one we used to stop Sombra?"

Celestia nodded. "It was, and Amore, she was... the first ruler of the Crystal Empire. She was so kind and wise... until Sombra put an end to her."

"Come on to think of it, I... I-I believe I read about her once..." Twilight's gaze saddened, her voice softening. "I'm sorry, Princess..."

"It is alright, Twilight. Really, it's... not our concern at this moment."

"R-right." The young alicorn collected herself, breathing out shakily. "The umbrum..."

"The umbrum were monsters comprised of smoke. They could sink into the earth at will, and smother an entire city in their grasp. They could utilize magic as well, focusing it through their eyes instead, bearing no horn to do it for them. So they crafted one for Sombra out of the crystals that imprisoned them... and that contained their dark insignia."

"S-so, what you're saying is..."

Rainbow's ears flopped, and she bit her lower lip.

"Your physiology is changing, Twilight... into that of an umbrum's," Celestia told her softly. She hesitated before continuing. "I used to know a pony... Radiant Hope. She knew Sombra before he became corrupted, and like you, his physiology underwent a change. He was molded into a pony, but the happiness the Crystal Faire brought about in ponies made him sick... to the point where he'd begin to break apart and dissipate... so Hope used a spell to piece him back together. This spell must have had a lingering effect on him, because it's her magic I sense that is now holding you together. Only... it has instead encased you within this... crystal prison—a possible side effect of being cast through Sombra's horn I suppose, but... you're reforming at a much slower rate—"

"T-though that doesn't mean that she won't reform... right, Princess?" Rainbow cut in cheerily, a hint of hopefulness in her voice. She looked up at Celestia, who met her watchful gaze, silently telling her to be more careful with her friend's feelings.

"It'll take some time, I'll admit..."

"But...?" Rainbow urged her on, a little peeved as her wings ruffled.

Celestia smiled down at Twilight pleasantly. "You will become whole again, in time."

She looked back at Rainbow, who beamed approvingly.

"Yeah," Twilight scoffed, "only... o-only without a heart, o-or the ability to feel..."

"We don't know that, Twilight."

"You alluded to the fact that these umbrums are heartless, soulless monsters. So what in Equestria makes you think that I'll be any different?"

"Well, for one," Rainbow put forth, "you're still part pony! And plus, you'll... still have your memories of who you are."

Celestia nodded, going on to explain, "As long as you hold your values close... then you'll never truly change, Twilight."

Twilight stewed over their words for a moment, something that had been gnawing at the back of her mind giving her pause.

"Princess, I... I don't think I can still be your Princess of Friendship," she lamented, eyes laden with uncertainty.

The two of them looked back at her in surprise, Rainbow's brow lifting as she exclaimed, "That's crazy talk, Twilight! Why would you—?"

"B-because every time, w-whether it be... Spike's death, o-or... Chrysalis threatening me in the dead of night, I just... keep making these... I don't know, selfish decisions that only end up negatively impacting the lives of everypony I know and love."

Love?

Rainbow couldn't help it, feeling her heart swell as she looked back at her friend in mild surprise.

Celestia shook her head softly, leaning in to assure her, "You acted reckless, Twilight. I like to believe that everypony has at some point."

"Y-yeah!" agreed Rainbow, snapping out of her sudden reverie. "Listen to her, Twilight! I mean... hel-lo?" She beamed proudly. "I'm like, reckless all the time, and you don't see me calling it quits on being a Wonderbolt, do you?"

She grinned sheepishly as she finished, and although Twilight no longer had a mouth to smile with, Rainbow sensed that she had gotten one out of her right then.

"N-no..." Twilight admitted weakly, giving her head a small shake. "I just feel like... like I haven't been a very good friend lately, a-and this change I'm undergoing is a representation of that."

"You haven't been any less of a friend, Twilight. I mean, if you're talking about trying to take on Chrysalis alone, well... hay," Rainbow supposed, "it's like you said. You were only trying to keep us safe."

"A good friend cares for all of her friends, Twilight," Celestia chimed in, Twilight only averting her eyes in shame.

Then how come I find myself caring for... just one in particular—?

"Do you... think you'll be alright?" her mentor proceeded to ask softly, interrupting her sudden thought.

"I-I'll... cope, I think. S-so long as I still have my friends."

She nodded in her friend's direction, Rainbow smiling back at her happily.

"Then there's just one other thing I'd like to ask you, Twilight, and... I am sorry to ask this in your current state, but..." Twilight looked up at her wondrously, her curiosity peeked.

"You and Rainbow both mentioned something about... Chrysalis?"

"So if Chrysalis really is planning on laying siege to Ponyville, then we'll be there to stop her," declared Rainbow, puffing out her chest as she walked alongside Twilight and Celestia.

Together, the three left the dungeon cell, stepping out into the dim, musty corridor.

"Luna and I will both be going, so you needn't worry, Twilight," Celestia added in,

"I know, I know, I..." Twilight gazed down dejectedly, placing a hoof of hers over her other foreleg. "Just wish I could tag along..."

"Twilight... in your current state—"

"I'd be a liability," she lamented with a heavy sigh. "Hay, I'm unstable, I get it."

"Well, um... Princess... I, uh, don't think I need to tell you how great of an organizer Twilight is." Twilight lifted her disheartened gaze, picking up on Rainbow's kind words. "I mean, it's not like she'd be doing any fighting, or anything... We could really use somepony to keep the townsfolk in line... and who better than Twilight, you know?"

Rainbow... Twilight stared over at her in slight amazement.

"You're right, Rainbow Dash," agreed Celestia. "Twilight is indeed gifted when it comes to keeping order. However, with the possibility of changelings, and Chrysalis herself showing up... I fear the sight of them may trigger the dark magic residing inside her mind to come forth. We do not need another threat on top of the one we already face."

Twilight's crystal shoulders slumped, and her gaze once again fell in dismay.

"Well, you won't have to worry about that, 'cause I believe in Twilight!" Twilight felt a hoof set itself over her shoulder, and peered up into her friend's face, Rainbow smiling down at her warmly. "You can keep your cool... can't you, Twilight?"

I'm not so sure, was what she thought of saying... but after seeing the look on her friend's face, and knowing Rainbow believed in her... "I'm hopeful?"

"That sounds like a yes to me!" Rainbow concluded, turning to look back up at Celestia. "Plus," she mused, thinking things over, "you can't keep her here forever. Ponyville is still her home, and its princess."

Celestia looked between the two decidedly before closing her eyes, and taking in a deep breath.

"Very well," she said, Rainbow's expression quickly becoming hopeful. "However!"

Rainbow froze, her smile slipping from her face, and ears flopping back down.

"If Twilight's other half begins to take over—"

"If that happens," Rainbow supposed, taking on a more serious tone. She threw her good foreleg over Twilight's shoulders, startling her as she pulled her closer. "I'll deal with it. Trust me... I'm not about to let Twilight lose what makes her sparkle."

The air between them filled with an awkward silence.

"Okay, that was corny, I admit."

"No, actually," Twilight mumbled softly. "It... it wasn't."

Rainbow turned to look at Twilight, taken aback by her confession.

"Then I suppose we should make haste. The sooner we get the two of you readjusted, the better."

"A-agreed," the two of them replied with a slight stammer, turning to watch as Celestia walked on ahead of them.

Rainbow and Twilight followed at their own pace, stealing glances at one another as they walked in silence down the remainder of the corridor, longing for something to say.

"Thanks for, um... sticking up for me back there," Twilight said, throwing caution to the wind as she decided on being the first to break the silence.

Well, that, and she really did want to thank Rainbow.

"Oh, uh... think nothing of it, Twilight," Rainbow replied, looking off nonchalantly. "It's what friends do—and hay, I couldn't leave you here in Canterlot all alone, where you'd probably be watched over nonstop! Nuh-uh, no way. Your home is in Ponyville, with me—a-and the girls!"

Her heart beat wildly in her chest—something Twilight was able to pick up on, curiously enough.

"I only hope we'll have a home to return to," she remarked gloomily, all the while wondering whose heart she was feeling, and why. She glanced over at her best friend and crush. Could it have been hers?

"We will, Twilight," Rainbow remarked simply, doing her best to not look conspicuous, but on the inside, Twilight could just sense that her friend was sweating nervously.

Was this another side-effect of her transformation? Had her heightened emotions, and at the same time, inability to feel, made it so that she could now sense the emotions and feelings of those closest to her? Whether out of... necessity, or perhaps a longing-like a moth to a flame-was being drawn to that which was taken from her?

She could only speculate as she shied her gaze away, continuing to ponder what she had felt. If that really had been her Rainbow's heartbeat, then she knew exactly what it signified... because her heart had beat the same exact way every time the pegasus would cause her to swoon, or smile ever since she had stolen her heart, all those weeks ago...

The realization that her friend might like her back would have caused a blush to stain her face if she had been capable or blushing right then and there. Instead, she felt a little more at ease-like all of her problems had momentarily ceased, and it was just her and Dash.

And although it wasn't the time or place... she decided on testing the waters a little.

"But, what if we don't? What if, hypothetically, o-our lives end up being changed forever?"

"What are you getting at, Twilight?"

"I mean... Would you have any regrets?"

"Like not becoming a Wonderbolt, or letting down Ponyville?"

"No," Twilight replied, shaking her head. "No no, more like... things you wished you had gotten off your chest, while you still could."

"So, like... secrets?" Rainbow asked.

"Like secrets, yes..." Her voice softened. "I have a few I've been holding on to..."

"Oh really?" Rainbow pried, leaning in curiously. "Mind telling me?"

Twilight remained adamant. "Mm mm, you first," she said, turning back to face her defiantly.

"Ugh, really, Twilight?" Rainbow deadpanned, disappointingly, before letting out a small huff. All the while her heart unwittingly beat faster and faster, and the nervous feeling of her stomach being in knots grew. "Fiiiiiiinne... but this isn't easy for me, a-and it's totally lame, but I—!"

"Love you too... Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow slowly blinked as her mind tried and repeatedly failed to understand what just happened. All she knew was that her friend Twilight was currently embracing her, and that her chin rested on Twilight's shoulder, and that... "You love me?"

"I do," Twilight answered simply.

"Like, how... exactly?"

"Like I could so kiss you right now..."

"I, I don't get it though, Twilight." Rainbow's brow furled as she turned her head slightly with a curious look. "How'd you know?"

"I sensed your heartbeat, Dash. It beat the same way mine did... when I first realized my feelings for you."

"Ah." Rainbow nodded softly, then paused, thinking it over. "Wait, what?"

"It's... kinda hard to explain, but... because my body is going through this... change, I... no longer have a heartbeat. And truthfully, I don't know if I ever will again because of this, but... I think I was able to feel yours because of it. Almost like my body is longing to reclaim what it lost."

"I see..."

"Is something wrong?"

Rainbow shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. "No, no, I just... I'm so relieved you feel the same way, Twilight, I just..."

"Go on," she urged.

"This isn't exactly how I pictured this playing out, you know?"

The two shared a bittersweet laugh.

"I know what you mean, Rainbow Dash. A message written in the clouds, asking if I'd be yours would have been far more romantic..."

"Well I've ah, n-never really had a way with words, but... will you still say yes, if I ask you here and now, like this... to be my girlfriend?"

"Yes, Rainbow Dash." Twilight embraced her tighter, muttering softly, "A thousand times yes..."

"I'm glad." Rainbow smiled softly, closing her eyes, and hugging her back. "So, uh... what now?"

"Now?"

Twilight pulled back, titling her head inquisitively.

Rainbow nodded. "Yeah, I mean... We, uh... can't exactly do things that couples normally do while you're like this, so..."

"No... but, we can just... be there for one another, Rainbow Dash. After all, isn't that what a relationship is all about?"

Rainbow shrugged. "Maybe?"

She was met by Twilight giving her a playful jab.

"What do you mean maybe?"

"Well I'm not exactly Rarity, you know... Still... you're right. We should be here for one another—especially now, relationship or no relationship..."

The two separated and stepped back from the other, but continued to stare into the other's eyes.

"Plus, it's... sort of nice, knowing how we feel about each other. Having it be out in the open like this..."

"Mm hm," Twilight replied absentmindedly, dopey-eyed... and to Rainbow, seemingly lost thinking about something else.

The pegasus smiled back at her worriedly.

"Everything okay, Twilight?" she asked, then laughed softly. "I don't have something on my face, do I?"

"Your face is perfect, Dash. No, I... just can't believe I actually have a girlfriend..."

"Aw don't sell yourself short, Twilight. You're like, really beautiful, a-and stuff."

"You mean I was..."

"Well, no, I... You still are—on the inside, I mean." She donned a charming smile. "The crystals you're wearing don't look half bad either."

Twilight in turn, shied away bashfully. "You always knew how to flatter me, Rainbow Dash," she murmured.

"And you'll only be all the more amazing once you emerge from this... cocoon, I guess you could call it."

Cocoon? Twilight's eyes widened. "Oh my, Dash, we... we've become so sidetracked! Come on!" She grabbed Rainbow's left hoof in her own, and urged her forward.

"W-what, w-why?" Rainbow drew her hoof back, staring back startled at her new girlfriend.

"We're supposed to be on a chariot bound for Ponyville, Rainbow Dash," she exclaimed, exasperated.

The revelation caused Dash's head to reel backwards and a groan to leave her throat, her good hoof slapping against her forehead. "Man... I forgot! We must've gotten so caught up in the moment..."

"It was a moment I didn't mind getting caught up in, Dash," Twilight was quick to assure her, "but Princess Celestia is no doubt wondering what's keeping us..."

"Speaking of... Should we tell her?"

"About us? I don't know... I mean, it might be a bit impromptu."

Rainbow tilted her head.

"Not the right moment," Twilight clarified, but held up a hoof reassuringly. "We will tell her though—and everypony else for that matter! After we deal with the changelings."

Rainbow pumped her hoof down at her side. "Sounds like a plan!"

"I only hope that I'll still be the Princess of Friendship... when we announce our relationship..."

"And why wouldn't you be?" Rainbow asked her. "I mean, Celestia didn't strip you of the title when you thought you were acting selfishly."

"I know, I just... I care more about you than my friends, Dash. I... have for a while now..."

"Well... the way I see it... You're the Princess of Friendship because you understand what makes a friendship so strong. I mean, sure, we are going out now, but... that doesn't change the fact that you've spent years of your life studying it, and value what you've learned."

"I suppose you're right... Thank you, Dash."

"Mhm. Hey, it's like Celestia said earlier, Twilight. You'll never change so long as you remember what makes you you."

The two carried on, but one thought still lingered in Twilight's mind.

"So what, uhm... w-what'll I tell the others when they see me, you know, like... this?"

Rainbow's curiosity piqued, and she looked her new girlfriend once over.

"Tell them it's like... battle armor—courtesy of the Crystal Empire. Nopony will doubt such an exception was made for a princess whose life was recently threatened."

"I'm not comfortable lying to them, Dash..."

"You just asked me to lie!"

"I know, I know, I... S-sorry..."

The hallway fell silent.

"With everything going on," Rainbow continued in a low murmur, "we don't seem to have much of a choice, Twilight. Do you want everypony worrying over your transformation with a potential changeling invasion on the horizon?"

"I...! No." Twilight scuffed at the floor with her hoof. absolved of all her doubt. "A princess must always put the needs of everypony else above her own... no matter the cost."

Tensions Rising

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Celestia and Luna were the first to set hoof in the small, rural town. Attracting the attention of whatever ponies were on the street, they began warning them that Ponyville was no longer safe, and to head straight for their homes and lock the doors once getting there.

If the changelings had already integrated with the townsfolk, their only way of knowing would be if one attempted to leave.

Not long after the princesses began to warn ponies, did airships descend from above, carrying with them Canterlot's soldiers. They filed out, their voices barking orders that disrupted the once quiet town. They stationed themselves in front of houses, at every street corner, the four corners of Ponyville itself, and the roads leading in and out of it.

Pegasi guards surveyed the skies, keeping a watchful eye out over the horizon.

Twilight and Rainbow Dash tentatively walked the streets of this new and unfamiliar scene.

Everything was eerily quiet.

"This feels... wrong," Twilight murmured, peering ahead of herself anxiously.

"I know what you mean," Rainbow agreed. "It's like whenever Zecora would come into town, all those years ago... Everypony's afraid, confused... on edge even."

"Maybe we should have stayed in Canterlot, had I only known we'd be returning to this..."

"I know it feels icky, Twilight, but it's only temporary—a-and besides! You're needed here, I just know it."

Twilight lifted her sullen gaze to meet Dash's, when her friend's eyes all of a sudden turned towards the direction of something else, her ears picking up on a couple of raised voices.

"So what do you mean to tell us? That changelings may already have invaded?"

Luna stepped back, holding up a hoof in reassurance. "That is not what I am inferring—"

"But is it not true that one of us could already be a changeling?"

"Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon," Rainbow muttered softly, saddened by the sight. "They're so close, it's no wonder they'd be stressing out over this more than anypony else... Well," Rainbow looked back over her shoulder at Twilight. "Looks like we found your calling."

Twilight remained silent, finding her spirits slowly being lifted.

"Looks like it," she agreed with a renewed sense of confidence, before walking on over.

Once she was within earshot, Twilight greeted cheerily, "Hello, Girls."

The two ponies however, jumped in fright at the sound of her soft voice.

They turned around to face the newcomer, and instantly cried, "Changeling!"

Twilight's eyes narrowed.

Lyra and Bon Bon paused, then shot each other a scrutinizing glare.

"Like you're really worried," they both hissed at the other.

"Girls, girls," Twilight beseeched them. "It's me... Twilight."

"Twilight?" Bon Bon repeated, incredulous.

"I did not believe it at first either," Luna chimed in.

The two of them glanced up at Luna, then back at their supposed friend, remaining on edge.

"If you're Twilight," Bon Bon began to ask; "what's with the crystals?"

Twilight averted her eyes.

"It's armor," she explained. "For my own..." She sighed heavily. "Protection."

"Against what?" Lyra pried. "Twilight, you've never needed armor before."

"Things change, Lyra," Twilight simply replied. "Chrysalis, she... threatened my life recently, and... when it comes to fighting her, well... I don't exactly have the best track record."

"Ooohkay, but it's just... your voice sounds so, well... hollow—a-and you yourself seem so... jaded. It's unlike you."

"I've been through a lot, Girls, but it really is me. Lyra, you used to live in Canterlot! We... were friends with one another, and a few other girls from our school!"

Lyra raised an eyebrow. "What were their names?"

"Uh..." The question gave Twilight pause. "I, um..."

Her eyes darted back and forth for an answer as her mind struggled to remember.

"I don't know," she admitted with a sigh in defeat, after a couple moments.

She peered away, scuffing the ground in shame.

Lyra pursed her lips.

"Okay, I believe you." Twilight lifted her head, dumbfounded. Lyra looked back at her with a friendly smile. "The Twilight I knew could never remember."

"Oh, great judgement," Bon Bon chastised her, shoving her shoulder lightly. "Here's an idea. Maybe she doesn't know because she's a changeling!"

Lyra narrowed her eyes, and was about to refute when Twilight reached her hoof out between them.

"Girls! Neither of you are changeling, and neither am I! I came here with Rainbow Dash, so... if you don't believe me..." She looked over her shoulder and motioned with her eyes to her friend. "Ask her."

Rainbow in turn, replied with a meek wave of her hoof.

Lyra and Bon Bon's expressions turned wry.

"How do you know she's not a changeling?" Lyra accused.

"I..." Twilight's gaze lowered, and she gave it some thought.

"She has chosen to share her love with me—rather than keep it all to herself. A changeling would never do that."

Both of their mouths fell open at the revelation.

"So... you and Rainbow—?"

"Care for one another, yes," Twilight replied without a moment's hesitation. "And as long as you show compassion for one another, then you have my word that you're both who you say you are."

Lyra and Bon Bon each turned away in embarrassment, clutching their forelegs with their other forehooves.

Lyra was the first to sway, biting her bottom lip before turning and asking, "Do you care about me, Bonnie?"

"Oh of course I do, Lyres. Why do you think I was so bent out of shape when it was revealed that you might be a changeling? You're my best friend."

The two shared a brief embrace, during which Bon Bon's eyes shot open.

"The changelings!"

Her and Lyra separated, reminded of the current situation.

"Get someplace safe, Girls," Twilight cut in. "Keep one another safe until this all blows over."

"I could help," Bon Bon offered, Lyra looking back at her in surprise.

"I didn't know you had experience fighting monsters," Twilight remarked.

"N-no, I... i-it's not that..." Bon Bon's cheeks turned a shade of red. "I just... You'll need help, won't you?"

Lyra took on a look of understanding as she turned back to Twilight. "Bonnie's right, Twilight. This is our home too."

Girls... Twilight stared back at them in wonder of their commitment. "I... I appreciate the gesture, but... if you really wish to help, then... keep each other safe. Okay? I can't bare to lose another friend..."

Lyra and Bon Bon's ears flopped, and they nodded solemnly.

"Good luck, Twilight," they each murmured as they stepped past her, and proceeded to safety.

"Mm hm," she replied without paying much attention.

"Well I must say, you handled that well," Luna remarked, lifting Twilight's gaze to meet hers.

"Even though your mind is corroded, it seems you really can be of use here after all."

Twilight glared back at her.

"I could say the same about you."

Luna's brow raised in surprise, bearing a hurt look.

"I did not mean—!" she tried to explain, but Twilight had already turned, hightailing it away from her.

Her steps slowed to a stop once she was an equal distance away from the princess, and Rainbow.

It dawned on her right then, just exactly what she had said... and shook the dreary realization from her head before carrying on.

"Twilight?" Rainbow asked in concern, once she was within range. "What's wrong?"

Twilight's gaze turned crestfallen. "I... lost my temper again, Dash."

Rainbow nodded softly in understanding, lifting her right foreleg to wrap around her girlfriend.

"Luna knows you didn't mean whatever it was you said," she consoled her, bringing her in close.

Twilight remained quiet for a moment before giving her head a soft shake.

"I'm not sure she does..."

Her response piqued her girlfriend's interest, but before she could question it, the sound of her own name being called stole her attention.

Rainbow peered up to see her other four best friends all galloping towards her.

Girls...

Twilight backed quickly out of Rainbow's embrace at the sound of the voice, and stood aptly by her side, keeping her gaze averted.

"Rainbow! Thank goodness we found you," Rarity remarked in relief.

"We heard changelings were on their way, and were worried about ya," Applejack chimed in.

"And that's a total buzzkill!" Pinkie exclaimed in a single stot before freezing in place.

She blinked, catching sight of the mystery mare cloaked in crystal, standing beside her friend, and dashed over to her while midair.

"Twilight?" Pinkie immediately asked, poking the side of Twilight's face. "Is that you in there—?"

"Yes," Rainbow cut in, shooing her hoof away. "Yes, Pinkie, it is."

She let out an irritated huff just as the others all looked at her funny.

"Well, what on Earth are you doing wearing something so horrid, Dear?"

"And, um... intimidating—i-if you don't mind me saying," Fluttershy quietly noted.

Twilight shook her head. "It's alright, Fluttershy. This is for my own protection. It's... armor," she reluctantly explained.

"Well, whatever for?"

"Yeah, and how come we don't get any? We're all in danger too—!"

Pinkie was silenced by Applejack grabbing her tail, and tugging her away from Twilight. "Now now, Sugarcube. Don't go crowding Twilight like that. Ah'm sure that whatever reason she has is a good one."

Twilight's hoof hesitantly scuffed the dirt road. "Chrysalis... threatened me in the dead of night, and... without my magic, I couldn't fight back. I can't even throw a punch, so... because I'm such a major player in this conflict, I was asked to wear this."

She looked around at all her friends' faces, and it looked as though they had bought into her and Rainbow's little lie.

Well, she thought glumly... It wasn't a total lie.

"I do say... Chrysalis, here in Ponyville? Are you alright?"

"I am, Rarity. I'm just a little shaken up, but... motivated at the same time. Chrysalis didn't just threaten me, she... threatened all of you, and Ponyville too! I couldn't just sit by knowing that my friends and hometown were in danger."

"That's so kind of you, Twilight, but... if you don't mind me asking... What can you possibly do in that, um... armor?" Fluttershy asked.

"I was, uhm... told that I can create crystal constructs—b-by just willing it really!" The others sans Rainbow all cocked their heads at her.

Twilight closed her eyes, and centered her thoughts, pointing a hoof at an empty patch of road.

"If I just focus..."

The ground slowly began to shake, and from where she aimed her hoof, came forth a single, sharp column of crystal from the ground, taller than any one of them.

Her friends all jumped back slightly, and even Twilight found herself staring in awe of the monument, then down at her own hoof in wonder.

"Well Ah'll be..."

"That's amazing, Twilight!"

"Simply dazzling!"

"I guess..." Twilight agreed, still a little shaken. She glanced over at Rainbow in uncertainty, then back to the rest of her friends, explaining, "I can't beat them without all of your support, though, so... can I count on you to help me?"

"You sure can!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"We'll gladly defend our very own princess," Applejack duly noted, the others nodding in agreement.

"Please don't look at it like that, Girls. I may be royalty, but I don't want any of you risking your lives for mine—that's why I have this armor. No, we'll defend each other, as friends, and as citizens of Equestria."

The four of them looked back at her admirably.

"How humble," Rarity remarked.

Rainbow all the while, looked at her girlfriend with a fond smile.

That's the Twilight I know.

Twilight smiled to herself, slipping back into thought. I really thought Rainbow would end up encompassing all of my thoughts. Being back here in Ponyville though, with all my friends, I'm starting to realize that I do care for them all equally, just in different ways. I don't think I could stand to lose any of them...

"So, ah... sundown, is that correct?"

Twilight's train of thought derailed, and she looked back at Applejack. "I'm sorry?"

"The changelings, Sugarcube."

"Oh, right! Yeah," Twilight affirmed, looking towards the sky. "Sunset..."

Twilight paced back and forth before Rainbow, keeping her eyes fixed on the setting sun.

"What the hay," she murmured, puzzled. "They should have shown up by now..."

"Maybe they chickened out," suggested Rainbow, but Twilight shook her head, remaining adamant.

"Chrysalis is no coward, Rainbow Dash. Or, well, I mean... she isn't exactly noble, but... nothing scares her. She even went hoof-to-hoof with Celestia at my brother's wedding!"

"That's true," Rainbow lamented, her ears flopping while she averted her eyes.

"No, she definitely has something up her slimy, sinister sleeve... but what?"

"Twily! There you are!"

A weight lifted from Twilight's shoulders at the sound of her brother's voice, and she turned to greet him as he approached, clad in armor.

"Thank goodness you're alright. I meant to come looking for you earlier, but I just couldn't up and leave my post."

"It... it's okay, Big Brother. I didn't even know you were here—not that it's surprising. You were there with me in Whinnyapolis too." The two slipped into silence for a moment, with Twilight hesitating on what to say next.

"Uhm, Brother... a-about my appearance—"

"You were attacked, Twilight. There's no shame in that." Twilight lifted her head, looking back at her brother, astonished.

"You... know?"

"Celestia filled me in. Man, when I get my hooves on that insect, I'll—!"

"Shining, please..." Twilight urged.

"She disguised herself as my wife, attacked Canterlot, threatened your life, and now your home too!" He sighed, dropping his shoulders in dismay, before smiling apologetically toward the six of them. "Sorry if I'm getting a little hot under the collar, everypony, I'm just... sick of it."

"We all are, Sugar. We can't blame ya."

"What Applejack said!"

Rainbow glanced over at Twilight who stood still, seemingly lost in thought.

"Twilight?"

Rainbow elbowed her side, capturing her attention.

"Hm?"

"What're you thinking about?"

"Only what my brother just reminded me of..." She turned her attention back to her brother. "Shining, what if... Chrysalis never actually gave up on Canterlot? I mean... w-what if she's been after it this whole time?"

"Twilight, that's—?"

"Preposterous?" she dared him to say. "I'm the smartest one here, Brother. Don't you dare undermine—!" She caught herself before she said another word, raising a hoof over her mouth. "Oh gosh..."

"It's alright, Twilight," her brother assured. "We're all just under a lot of stress right now, and I never meant to suggest that you're not smart, it's just... we would never leave Canterlot unprotected. See, when the princesses are away, and even when we're not around, Celestia entrusts her most prized student—second only to you of course—with creating a force shield around the city."

"I... did not know Celestia entrusted any of her students other than me," Twilight answered truthfully.

"I've seen her around a few times. I believe her name is Sunset—"

Twilight eyes slowly widened. Her brother's words were drowned out by her suddenly increasing anger, and fear.

"Unbelievable," she murmured, stepping past her brother before galloping as fast as her hooves could carry her down the dirt road.

"H-hey!" he shouted, raising a hoof as if to reach out to her. "What did I...?"

Shining turned to his sister's friends, who all looked just as taken aback.

Rainbow turned to him first, bearing a smile of reassurance as she unfurled her wings.

"No worries. We'll find out what's got her so stressed."

She sped off, blowing back the manes of everypony with the force of her takeoff.

"Mhm," agreed the remaining four in unison, before galloping off in pursuit.

Twilight's mind was in a haze, her thoughts focusing squarely on finding Celestia.

"Princess! Princess Celestiaaaa—!"

"Twilight?" Twilight's eyes widened as she stopped dead abruptly, gazing up to see Celestia hovering down before her.

Her hooves touched down, and she immediately went to her student's aid.

"What is it? I could hear you halfway across town."

"Princess," she pleaded, "please... I have reason to believe that the changelings aren't after me, o-or Ponyville, but Canterlot!"

"Canterlot?" Celestia pulled her head back, skeptical of the idea. "Why ever would you think—?"

"I believe that Chrysalis never meant the literal sunset. No, I believe that your student Sunset has aligned herself with the changelings!"

Celestia remained silent, narrowing her eyes at the accusation.

"I thought I taught you better than to see the worst in ponies, or to even have such thoughts. I have as much faith in Sunset Shimmer as I do you, Twilight."

Twilight stood impatiently, her gaze drifting past her mentor, and what she saw caused her eyes to grow larger.

"Sunset may be rash, and have a slight temper, but she's also one of the ponies closest to me. No, I have the utmost trust—!"

"I don't mean to interrupt you, Princess... but look!"

The force field that was supposed to be shielding the city was nowhere to be seen, and black smoke billowed into the sky above.

Celestia's eyes slowly widened, trembling at the sight.

"It is not what you think," she softly uttered. "I... refuse to believe...!"

Twilight cautiously raised a hoof. "Princess—"

"Sunset is not responsible!"

Twilight jumped, startled by the outburst.

"No," she continued in a softer tone, her eyes darting back and forth for an answer. "Something... s-something must have happened to her, or... or gotten a hold of her somehow."

Twilight's gaze fell, the quivers in her mentor's voice telling her more than she was willing to let on.

"Twilight!"

Her head perked up slightly at the sound of her name being called, recognizing it as Rainbow's voice.

She glanced back over her shoulder at her five friends. Everypony...

"Twilight! Princess Celestia! What on Earth is going on?"

"Canterlot." Celestia narrowed her eyes up at the capital city. "It is under attack by an unforeseen enemy. My student Sunset Shimmer was left in charge of the city's defenses while Luna and myself left, but I fear something terrible has happened to her in our absence."

"She switched sides," Twilight murmured gravely, urging her teacher to believe her. Her five friends all turning to look at her, their curiosities piqued.

Twilight's eyes averted as Celestia proceeded to glare down at her. "I'm telling you..."

Celestia turned back ahead, looking on towards the city.

"I will get to the bottom of this," she swore, spreading her wings.

"Please," Twilight reached out towards her, "let us—!"

Before she could get another word out, Celestia lifted herself off the ground, en route to the smoldering city.

"Help you..."

Rainbow came up to console her.

"I just don't understand," Twilight lamented, shaking her head. "The princess trusts me completely. In all the years she's been my mentor, she's never once doubted me..."

Tragedy Strikes

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The crackling of flames, and cries of distressed ponies bombarded Celestia's eardrums.

She glanced around desperately within the stifling, thick smoke as it filled and burned her lungs.

The voices seemed to ring from far and near, and the smoke was making her too lightheaded to tell.

Tears formed in her eyes as the smoke stung them.

I must endure... for the sake of everypony... and quell these wicked flames...

Mustering her strength, she shut her eyes and held her breath, beaming a storm cloud into existence.

The dark mass expanded in size until it blanketed the city, and not long after, let loose a torrent of pouring rain. All across the city, the fire sizzled and simmered to ashes, leaving nothing but smoldering buildings and dark skies. Thunder bellowed and lightning rippled through the cloud layer as rain continued down in droves.

Celestia breathed out a sigh of relief—once again able to breath—and brushed her sopping mane from her eyes.

The groans and pleas of her subjects become clear as she turned her head towards the nearest source of them.

As much as Sunset's whereabouts, and the cause of these fires worry me... I cannot neglect those who need my help—

Her eyes widened, and her head whirled in the direction of a creeping silhouette that she had caught sight of from the corner of her eye.

She squinted through the rain and mist, listening intently for a hoofstep, or flap of a wing.

After a moment, she dropped her guard.

Did I imagine—? There!

She spun around once more, this time picking up what she thought were the buzzing of wings.

Or was it the rain? she wondered, again dropping her shoulders and staring at the spot. bewildered. Am I just hearing what I wish to hear...?

She put the thoughts aside, deeming it not as important as saving whatever lives she still could. Tracing the agonized groans coming from nearest to her, she arrived in the ruined remains of what had seemed to once be somepony's home.

Her eyes widened, laying sights upon a downed unicorn stallion, pinned underneath a downed ceiling beam.

"Help..." the stallion wearily groaned out. "Somepony, please..."

Celestia galloped up to him in no time at all, lifting the collapsed beam in her magic, successfully freeing his forelegs.

"Nngh... Alright." She threw the wooden beam aside, and smiled wearily down at the injured stallion, extending a hoof.

"Allow me to get you to a hospital. Hopefully there's one that's still in one piece..."

He winced, looking up at her with a pained expression. "You're... too kind, Princess..."

His jaw unhinged, tongue spilling out, and before Celestia could react, he tackled her to the floorboards.

His eyes flickered from white to blue, as he stared down atop her hungrily.

"Allow me to feed off it!"

"Young Twilight and friends, tell me... Have you seen my sister? I cannot seem to locate her anywhere."

The six of them turned to see Luna descending from the space beside them.

"She took off towards Canterlot," Rainbow answered, speaking up first.

"Canterlot?" Luna repeated, disbelievingly. She turned inquisitively toward the city, furrowing her brow at the sight. "Why are the city's defenses not active? And why is there a storm cloud the size of—?" Her heart sunk, her ears drooping as her voice became that of a whisper. "Oh my word. That is 'Tia's magic..."

"The whole city was on fire, Luna," Rainbow continued to explain. "She flew off after Twilight figured that Canterlot was the real target this whole time, and that... somepony named Sunset was behind it."

"Sunset? My sister's pupil? Hrmm..." Luna brought a hoof to her chin in contemplation. "I always did have my wits about her..."

Twilight peered up at her, taken aback. "You believe me?"

"I am... more accepting of the idea. Stay here. I will see what is keeping my sister."

She turned halfway, and had only just spread her wings when Twilight cried out to her.

"We can help!"

Luna turned back to face her, her curiosity swiftly being replaced with a stern look.

"I am afraid that you and your friends are needed here, Twilight Sparkle. If the changelings really have invaded Canterlot, they may head here next."

"But we already have soldiers stationed at every road leading in and out of—!" Twilight paused, noting the alicorn's steadfast expression, and instead, tried another approach. "Luna, if this is about what I said..."

Luna softly gave her head a shake. "I assure you, it is not. In fact, it is I who must apologize, for I did not mean for my words to come across so hurtful. What's more... is that you were not wrong, Twilight."

Princess? Twilight titled her head curiously.

"Now do not fret," the older princess declared. She unfurled her wings and started back in the direction of Equestria's capital. "The combined might of my sister and I can no doubt handle the task at hoof... and I would hate to take you and your friends away from your home over what may end up being a rebellious youth, and a few bugs."

"Princess!"

Luna sighed and turned back around once more. "Yes?"

"T-there's a lot of lives in Canterlot..."

"As I am well aware."

Twilight quieted, looking down at her hooves. "Including my parents."

The reminder hit Luna hard, leaving her, for a moment, speechless.

"I can't bare to lose anymore family, s-so please..."

"I... will do my best," Luna assured her, before then taking to the skies herself.

Luna flew over rooftops, and above the spirals and towers of her once beautiful city. She persevered through the unending torrents of rain and mist until it affected her feathers to the point she was forced to land.

She set hoof on a street belonging to several houses, and trotted among them carefully. Everything is eerily quiet...

One of the homes stood out to her, giving her pause.

This is the residence of Twilight Sparkle's parents...

Luna walked down the path leading to the front door. I recognize it from their dreams...

Her stomach dropped as she reached the door, not having noticed it from where she had been... but it was open just slightly.

The door creaked open as she pushed it the rest of the way open, cautiously stepping inside.

The interior was dark, the entrance mat damp with rain water.

Luna walked in further, looking around herself with a growing, sinking feeling.

There were no signs of a struggle. No, everything seemed to be in its rightful place—

"L-Luna...?"

Luna's ears perked, and her head turned in the direction of the soft voice.

"Thank goodness... I was hoping you'd come to our aid..."

Twilight Sparkle walked out cautiously from behind a corner, staring hopelessly into Luna's eyes.

Luna's own eyes widened, and she took a couple steps back.

"Please," the young alicorn begged, proceeded by a sniffle. "Help my—urgh!"

She was blasted back against a wall by one of Luna's beams.

"Impostor! You are not Twilight Sparkle."

"I came here after noticing the fires, Luna! I came here for my parents!"

"You lie! Twilight Sparkle stayed behind with her friends to protect Ponyville from your kind, you fiend!"

Twilight's anger subsided, and she stared ahead of her dumbfounded. "Why would she...?"

"Furthermore... Twilight's appearance has undergone a change since you saw her last... Chrysalis!"

Chrysalis stared at the princess, flabbergasted for a moment, but she turned her head and snorted in amusement.

"What gave it away?"

"Only you, with so much hatred towards Twilight Sparkle, would sink so low as to disguise yourself as her, in order to undermine her own family. Might I add... Twilight would never address me so informally."

"Hmph, duly noted." She chuckled under her breath as she wearily got her hooves. "It was just too easy... disguising ourselves as somepony's loved one in this wretched city..." Chrysalis, still as Twilight, swerved around an incoming beam of magic. "Oh Mother, Father! I saw the fires, so I came as fast as I could! Oh how I could use your love right now..."

"Monster! What have you done to them?"

Chrysalis sneered devilishly. "Why, we ate dinner together, as a family."

Luna's heart skipped.

"So, then..." Her brow creased and she grit her teeth, clenching her front hooves in anger. "I promised Twilight..."

"That everything would be okay? Oh, Princess... Don't let the weight of all this—" She waved her hoof around. "—bring you down. It really is brilliant little Twilight's fault. She rallied everyone together to protect that dumb town of hers, but why ever would I dare conquer that backwater town?"

"She feared it was her friends you were after..."

"Oh, give me a break. Her friends? I could have drained them in their sleep!"

Chrysalis fired a sudden beam that caught Luna by surprise, knocking her onto her side.

"No, what I want," she hissed, "is to take everything from her! First the city she grew up in, then her family, and finally... the ponies she admires most. When that happens, she'll shun her friends, losing them without me having to do a thing." She swung her hoof into Luna's side and smirked. "She'll either take her own life, or forever be miserable. She and her friends will never be the same again, and I will reign supreme!"

"Twilight... ngh... is stronger than you think, Chrysalis."

"Hmph. We'll see. All I know is that when she discovers that you failed her..." She gasped in mockery. "It'll crush her."

"I have let ponies down before. To me, that is nothing new."

Chrysalis' eyebrow raised, looking back at the lunar princess with mild interest.

"I will understand if she never forgives me... The least I can do for her however, in this very moment—" Luna's eyes turned white, and magic swirled forth from the floor, circling around her. "—is put a stop to you once and for all!"

Chrysalis instinctively stepped back just as the Princess of the Night got to her hooves, and looked into her gleaming eyes, grinning at the prospect of a challenge.

"I'd like to see you try!"

A beam fired from Celestia's horn into one of the changelings, knocking it into one of the upper floor walls. It collapsed into a heap, only for more changelings to take its place.

"Tch..." Celestia grit her teeth, lowering her body into a defensive stance, her horn at the ready.

Rain continued to fall heavily, concealing her foes behind a thick curtain of rainfall and a growing mist.

I must put a stop to this rain, but... doing so will only leave me vulnerable—!

The buzzing of wings all of a sudden grew closer, and she fired several quick beams into the thick fog.

The buzzing ceased as a few pained hisses sounded out, their faint silhouettes disappearing deeper into the mist.

Celestia huffed out, regaining her composure. I'll need to buy myself some time...

Closing her eyes and focusing her magic... she conjured up a dome-like shield around herself as she charged her spell.

All around her, startling thunks rang out as changelings came up to, and pounded their hooves against the sturdy barrier, but she kept her composure, drowning out their presence until her horn rippled with a magical aura. She waved her horn, as if a conductor, to her side, and with it, the clouds above slowly began to dissipate... the downpour of rain slowing to a drizzle.

The changelings had all nearly reared up their hooves for one final collective strike, when she dispelled the dome outwards, knocking all of them that had dared surround her either skidding along the floor, or flying into the walls of the dilapidated home.

There, thought Celestia, letting out a momentary breath of relief. Now that I can see...

She turned her attention towards one of the downed changelings, and whisked them up off the ground with her magic. She pulled them closer, staring icy daggers into the changeling's panicked expression.

"Tell me. What have you done with Sunset?"

"S-Sun...?" the frightened changeling stammered out.

"Sunset! An orange unicorn mare, with the sun for a cutie mark! She was in charge of the city's defenses!"

The changeling made a face of realization, telling Celestia they did indeed know her whereabouts.

"You misunderstand, Princess..." They began to smirk as they went on to explain, "We haven't done anything to her. She—"

A beam fired into the Celestia's side, disrupting her concentration, and knocking them free of her grasp.

"She's right here!"

Celestia heart skipped at the familiar voice, and she turned towards the sight of her very own student descending from the sky above, using the changelings themselves as stepping stones as, one by one, they lowered themselves at her hooves.

Her gaze trembled at the sight, her ears folding in dismay. Her heart sunk at the unicorn's own malevolent smirk. "Twilight tried to warn me... b-but I refused to believe..."

Her whole body locked rigidly in place as her worst fear became a reality right before her very eyes.

"That what?" Sunset grinned devilishly, setting hoof on the floor. "I would try and take what is rightfully mine?"

The changeling that Celestia had let go, took advantage of her awe-stricken state, swiftly draping their long tongue across her horn, and coating it within a green slime before buzzing off.

She hardly noticed however, unaware of her surroundings as she found Sunset encompassing every single one of her thoughts.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Her brow furled, longing to understand. "I gave you everything you ever could have wanted!"

Sunset stomped her hoof. "Except nobility!" she growled out. "To be worshiped like I deserve!"

"Like you deserve?"

"I am powerful! I am... more knowledgeable, a-and skilled than anypony else in this kingdom! I realize what life's all about, and that's to have ponies fear your greatness!" She lowered her voice, glowering spitefully towards her old mentor. "There's nothing more to this life than being powerful and important."

"I gave you power and importance. I trusted you with protecting this city!"

"And it went unnoticed by everypony! Who here even knows my name?"

"If you had only opened yourself up to having friends—"

"Don't make me laugh, Celestia! Friends? Friends are expendable. Like minions, they're only good for getting you places in life, and once I get rid of you, these changelings will have gotten me everything I could ever want!"

"There's more to life, Sunset." Celestia told her pleadingly. "You seek earthly desires, when getting others to like you... is what you should have been striving towards this whole time."

Sunset narrowed her eyes into a glare.

"Being all-powerful, or having all the wealth in the world... is meaningless! None of it will matter once you move on to the next life."

Sunset scoffed. "Easy for you to say. You've had such a long life, you've outlived so many others! It's so easy for you to criticize them, say they should live this way, or that way, when in fact you have no idea what it's like to even be mortal—much less me!" She fired a couple of beams from her horn in anger, striking the alicorn princess directly, and causing her to recoil. Although they did little more than sting, and left the fur on her chest slightly tinged... it was the emotional implications that hurt the worst.

"You were born into regality, Princess! You were apprenticed by the great sorcerer, Starswirl! You've been nothing but privileged your whole life, and now you think you can lecture me on what I should be doing? Earthly desires are all ponies like me have!"

She fired one final beam, this time striking Celestia directly in the face... and knocking the crown from her head. It clattered against the hardwood floor as she winced, turning her head away, and realizing for the first time... that she couldn't retaliate even if she wanted to.

She breathed shakily, turning sorrowfully towards the mare she had thought of as her very own daughter for the longest time.

"That is not true, Sunset. Friends can give life a meaning all its own, and make any life feel accomplished. Twilight is only where she is because of her friends—!"

Sunset grit her teeth. "Twilight, Twilight, Twilight! I am so sick of hearing about precious little Twilight! Why was she so fit to be princess, and not me?!"

"Because she understood honor, integrity, and goodness. Qualities which I had always hoped you would pick up on someday. Putting others before yourself is truly what makes a leader great."

"She never even wanted the stinkin' title!"

"Because she already had everything she could ever want!"

"Enough!" Sunset yelled. "After tonight... she'll have nothing left! I supplied the changelings with information on every citizen, so they knew exactly who to impersonate—and now they're all ashes! Except Twilight's folks of course, who Chrysalis already had her sights set on."

Twilight? Celestia turned her attention in the direction of their house but was distracted by another one of Sunset's shots.

"Your capital is in ruins, Princess... and it's all because you chose to be compassionate."

Celestia lowered her sorrowful gaze to the floor. "My only mistake..." she lamented in a murmur, "was having too much faith in you."

"You can reflect on that in the next life. Don't worry, Princess. Chrysalis and I will rule Equestria in ways you never could. We, but mostly I, will be so rightfully worshiped for everything I am, and we will command respect! First the griffons, then the yaks, and hay... maybe even the dragons—!"

"No!"

A light began to emanate from Celestia's horn as it grew hot. The heat increased in volume, and caused the air around them to become stifling. The changeling goo melted from the alicorn's horn as Sunset's heart skipped, and she took a few cautious steps back, watching as the alicorn's mane erupted into flames.

The puddles of water evaporated instantly, and whatever rain still lingered ceased as the heat caused even the clouds to dissipate.

I-impossible... Sunset raised a foreleg to shield her eyes, her mane clammy from the sweat on her face and brow.

The changelings hovering above them exchanged wary looks before slowly backing away. Their actions didn't go unnoticed as Sunset glared up at them through squinted eyes.

"Stay and fight you... in... sects..."

Sunset's words dwindled as her old mentor lifted her head, and she caught Celestia's gaze out of the corner of her own.

The sclera of which were black and filled with malice, yet Sunset didn't waver... despite the chills the new look gave her.

"Is... i-is that supposed to scare me?!" screamed Sunset. She grit her teeth and fired a flurry of shots one after the other, only to have them disappear into a conjured-up shield. "Rrgh... Why won't you just perish?"

The aura surrounding her horn flared, and bowing her head, she fired a burst of magic that engulfed the alicorn.

A few moments passed before Sunset winced, dropping the attack as she huffed, falling back on her haunches.

She softly caught her breath before peering up at where her old mentor had stood, bearing a smirk.

That outta do the...

Her smirk fell.

Celestia stood unharmed among the destruction, her horn still brimming with magic.

No...!

Sunset's pupils shrunk in fear. "Y-you should be ashes! I... I...!" D-darn it! She focused on her horn but no magic came forth.

Her heart sunk.

That was the last of my strength...!

She looked back towards Celestia in time to see her bow her head, and fire a blinding light directly at her.

She braced herself, instinctively squeezing her eyes shut right as the magic hit her directly, engulfing her...

And then there was silence.

Sunset cautiously reopened her eyes, expecting her body to be wracked by pain... but she felt normal. Her joints didn't ache, her head wasn't spinning... and the heat and hardwood floor beneath her told her she was still alive... So if I'm not dead, then what...? As her eyes opened completely, the realization of what happened slowly dawned on her.

I'm blind...

Her heart squeezed sickeningly in her chest. The world around her was blurred, and nothing but murky colors... She frantically waved her hoof before her eyes, only to make out some sort of vague motion.

Her voice trembled. "N-no... No...!" she seethed, clenching her teeth. No, no, no, no, no!

Celestia's voice came at her from a few feet away.

"I'm... sorry it had to come to that."

"Y-you're sorry? You... y-you take away my eyesight and you're sorry?!"

"I'm sorry that you could not be reasoned with, Sunset. Blinding you was the last thing I wanted to do... Consider it compassion."

"Compassion? This is torture! T-tell me it'll come back!"

Her words were met with silence.

"Ngh... You should have just killed me! I... I don't want to live like this!"

"Then you should have appreciated what you already have. Hopefully this shows you what you still have to lose."

"Rrgh... Y-you're weak! You... you don't have what it takes to take a life—much less the lives of those who betray you!"

Celestia nodded solemnly, before turning away. She peered up at the changeling swarm, and that was all it took for them to hightail it out of there.

She looked back ahead, closing her eyes as she dried them with her foreleg, before then spreading her wings and setting out to find her sister.

"You're so conceited, thinking you're better than me! You're not better than me! You're not, you're not, you're...! You're just a coward, taking away my eyesight because you knew. You knew that deep down I was what's necessary, and you were jealous. Ooh, consider this compassion," she mimicked mockingly, then wretched. "You think you're above me because you refuse to kill, but... you are not above me. You're not you... you do not know what's best!"

Her whole body shook with anger as her hooves clenched, her blood boiling.

She looked deep inside herself, forcibly bringing forth strength as she murmured, "I will show you... how strong I can be..."

A light slowly blossomed from deep inside her chest, soon causing her entire body to glow brighter and brighter. Long live... Equestria's... one true princess...

Celestia stepped cautiously through the broken beams of wood and the wooden frame of the once modest home. and readied her horn for a fight against the changeling queen.

Though, I suppose it's nothing my dear sister cannot handle... she's had little experience dealing with Chrysalis—

Her thoughts ceased as she came into view of her sister, her back towards her.

Opposite Luna stood the changeling queen, and from her perspective, the two seemed to be locked in a standstill.

Luna's ear twitched as she took another step closer.

"Sister! I have come to assist—!"

"She's no more, you know."

Celestia froze, then tilted her head at her sister's vague response, furrowing her brow.

It was here that her gaze drifted to the ruler of the hive, and noticed her vacant stare, as she stood stationary. Her eyes appeared glazed over as Celestia took another cautious step closer.

"She doesn't appear dead..." She stepped before the changeling queen with a scrutinizing gaze. She lifted one of her hooves and waved it before her enemy's eyes. "Can she hear us? See us...?"

"Her consciousness has been cut off completely from this world. It has instead been trapped in its own reality, a dream-like state the likes of which she'll never break free of."

"So she is a prisoner in her own mind?"

"She came here fully prepared to die, Celestia. What were we to do against a foe immune to any sort of pain... and lacking any remorse for her actions? She deserved to suffer... to regret the day she became an enemy of Equestria."

"I'm no stranger to Chrysalis, Sister. I know, I... was the one who put these holes in her... She deserves a punishment befitting of her wretched crimes... and after today, well... death would have been a blessing."

"This is a side of you that I've never seen... Sister."

Celestia nodded solemnly. "Tell me... What is she experiencing?"

"I like to imagine an endless cycle of loses at the hooves of Twilight and her friends," her sister replied.

Her sister's response gave her pause.

"That... sounds more like a..." She turned to face her sister, and her breath caught in her throat.

Her eyes widened at the sight of her sister's eerie-blue stare. Her feathers and coat were a darker color entirely.

"Nightmare..."

Nightmare Moon sneered. "Long time no see... Celestia."

Celestia immediately readied herself into a fighting stance. "What have you done with Luna?"

Nightmare Moon's expression turned indignant. "She called me forth to help deal with that vile creature. Luna called upon me, Celestia... to punish her in a way that she could not!"

"And you've done that. Now give her back!"

"I am afraid that I cannot."

"Perhaps I did not make myself clear." Celestia scowled, igniting her horn, the whites of her eyes once again turning black. "You will relinquish control of my sister's—"

"I can't," Nightmare repeated, plainly.

Silence set in between the two.

"Right," Celestia supposed, "well... Perhaps you have just not been properly motivated."

Her horn brimming with an intense heat, she set it loose, engulfing the spot where her old foe stood.

The flames crackled and burned brightly for a moment before a dark figure began to reemerge several feet away. "Your sister... willingly gave me her body, in exchange that I lend her my strength. She said it was... the least she could do... for Twilight."

"Twilight?" Celestia questioned, skeptically.

"Look around you, Princess! Twilight confided in Luna to save her parents... She failed, and unable to cope with letting so many down... succumbed to her inner darkness. She gave in to me in order to put an end to Chrysalis's reign of tyranny."

"So my sister knowingly let a villain loose in order to stave off another? Do you take me for a fool?"

"Yes, but that is beside the point. In exchange for my freedom... Luna asked that I not harm anypony."

Celestia's gaze narrowed. "And you expect me to believe that you will uphold that end of the bargain?"

"'Luna has given me free reign over her body, but if she desired, she could easily take back control."

"And she has yet to because...? Luna, you... you are stronger than this! You have lived a thousand years of pain and regret, and this is where you draw the line? I do not blame you for this tragedy, Sister... and neither will Twilight! Just wait and—!"

"Enough!" Nightmare Moon declared. "Luna is no more! I told you this already."

"No, I... I will assemble the Elements of Harmony! We... We will bring Luna back by force if we must!"

"The Elements only worked because Luna longed to be set free. That is no longer the case."

Celestia clenched her jaw, speaking out through gritted teeth, "If you think that I am just about to let you leave—"

The ground trembled beneath her hooves.

Nightmare Moon smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Temper temper, Celestia."

"That wasn't..." Celestia eased up, her scowl disappearing as she looked around the base of her hooves. "Me..."

The tremors persisted, causing a building to collapse in the far distance. Around them, pieces of the ground began to crumble and break apart.

Celestia looked around at it all in fret. "W-what is—?"

The ground beneath her shifted and grew uneven, her body falling forward onto one foreleg.

Nightmare Moon peered off, looking over her shoulder at an expanding circle of light, slowly encroaching inch by inch... and eviscerating everything in its way.

"Ngh..." Celestia winced, watching as the light enveloped every building and spire in its path. Sunset...

"Well well well... Can't say I was expecting this..." Nightmare Moon turned back to Celestia, and smiled. "Looks as though your empire really is crumbling, regardless of my promise to Luna." She began to turn, her body dissipating into a cloud of smoke. "See you around, Sister."

Celestia reached out after her. "Wait!"

The ground shifted some more, forcing her foreleg back to the ground in order to keep steady, and leaving her glaring bitterly into the outstretching sphere of magic.

She unfurled her wings, before giving chase to her sister's fleeting shadow... and from Ponyville, Twilight fell back onto her haunches... watching in dismay as Equestria's own capital collapsed before her very eyes.

Aftermath

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Twilight trudged through the snow-laden streets, her head hung low as she made her way to her destination.

After a few minutes, she stopped before Spike's grave and lifted her head, feigning a smile.

"H-hey, Spike," she greeted weakly, her voice devoid of emotion. "I hope you're doing well. I, uh... w-wish I could say the same."

She took a seat in the snow, letting out a trembling sigh.

"My mom and dad are dead, Spike. I know for sure this time, I... I was the assisting the clean up crew today when... when we ah, f-finally found them, w-withered and, a-and on the verge of, of death like a-all of Chrysalis's victims... My parents, along with everypony probably could have been saved, but someponies are just so... self-absorbed and selfish, they just... ruin so many lives... a-and for what?" Her anger suddenly flared. "Was it really worth it, Spike? Chrysalis and Sunset, they're... they're both dead, a-and what do they have to show for it? The princesses, myself, my friends... Everypony they wanted to hurt are all still standing..." The sudden bout of anger she felt softly dissipated, leaving her feeling hopelessly lost. "They wounded me the most, going after my family... but I still have family, Spike... a-and friends! So long as I have my friends, I... think I'll be alright, Spike."

"Glad to hear it."

The remark caught Twilight by surprise, and she swiftly turned, a relieved smile slowly spreading across her face. "Rainbow..."

Her girlfriend landed a little ways away, dressed in a winter scarf, knitted cap, and mitts on her hooves.

"Hey, Twilight," she greeted, folding her wings at her sides. "What's it been? Like, three days?"

"And approximately five hours."

Rainbow froze, looking at her skeptically. "You counted—?"

Twilight ran forward, embracing her around her shoulders.

"I missed you, Dash."

Rainbow turned her gaze a smidgen, looking at her girlfriend in puzzlement, remaining a little startled by the embrace. "I missed you too, Twi, but... Is there a reason you—?"

"It's just... the last few days have been the worst of my life..." she murmured.

Rainbow's brow crinkled slightly in confusion.

"You.. sent me to look for Celestia, Twilight," she reminded her.

"I know..."

"I mean, I would have stayed with you for as long as you needed, but..."

"I asked you to find her instead... Um, did you find her?"

"Uh... W-well, I... I searched the whole east coast like you asked, and I, um... Aw hay, Twilight. Celestia asked me not to say anything, but—"

"You found her?"

Twilight's eyes lit up with hope.

"I knew she was still alive... S-so! Did she tell you what caused the city's collapse, o-or what motivated Sunset, or... or why she aligned herself with the changelings?"

Rainbow lifted a hoof to the section of crystal over her girlfriend's mouth.

"Sorry," Twilight murmured, shrinking back.

"She told me it was all done out of spite, Twilight. She told me... that Sunset was ungrateful, and felt... I dunno, like her greatness had gone unappreciated?"

"Greatness?"

"She felt she deserved to be royalty, so Celestia blinded her, and when she did, Sunset, uh... converted her whole body into magic, and exploded."

Twilight deadpanned.

"Seriously."

Rainbow grinned back at her meekly.

Twilight didn't notice however, remaining lost in her own thoughts.

"So Celestia's to blame... No wonder she fled... Coward."

"Whoa, Twilight, I... I never said—! There's nothing she could have done to save Canterlot—"

"Except kill the pony... responsible for its destruction..."

Rainbow gulped, a small chill running down her spine at her girlfriend's morbid words.

"Twilight, this... t-this is just the dark magic talking..."

Twilight shook her head. "No, Dash, it isn't. Think about all the lives that could have been spared if only Celestia hadn't been so weak. My parents may have had a chance, Dash."

"We don't kill our enemies, Twilight."

"Oh, yeah, no—" Twilight rolled her eyes indignantly. "—we just turn them to stone, or banish them."

Rainbow's ears flopped, her brow crinkling in worry. "Twilight..."

"What about Luna? Did Celestia tell you what happened to her?"

"She, um... let Nightmare Moon loose."

Twilight sighed, nodding half-expectantly. "Of course she did..."

"She did so to defeat Chrysalis, Twilight—"

"Does it matter? You should never resort to using dark magic, no matter the..." She noticed Rainbow begin to narrow her eyes at her, and allowed her words to drift off. "Reason... right. I did the exact same thing, didn't I?"

She smiled back at her girlfriend halfheartedly.

"Celestia set out to find Nightmare Moon," Rainbow explained. "She's not about to let that monster out into the world., alright? She didn't abandon us, Twilight."

"I just don't understand it though. If that's the case... then why didn't she come to see us after Canterlot fell? Why... why did she leave us wondering whether she and Luna were alive or not? A-and why...! Why did she leave me wondering for days... if my family was still...?"

"Maybe she was ashamed. Celestia believes Luna was, and that's why she hasn't fought to regain her senses."

"That's no excuse. Maybe they did let Equestria down, but they have a responsibility as its rulers to be there for their subjects when they're needed... not to just run and hide."

"Twilight... you do realize you weren't the only one to lose family that day. As far as Celestia is concerned... she lost her sister, and for the past week... has been desperately longing to know if there's anything even left of her."

Twilight's eyes slowly widened at the reminder.

"I forgot Luna was her family..." She looked down in shame, her voice softening. "Now I feel awful..."

Rainbow lifted her girlfriend's chin.

"If it's any consolation, Twilight... Celestia had faith that you'd pull through without her, and thinks that, for the time being... you should lead Equestria."

Twilight merely stared back into her girlfriend's eyes, at a loss for words.

"And I told her," Rainbow continued proudly, "that I couldn't agree more. O-of course, Celestia will still be in charge of raising the sun and moon, but as far as everything else goes—"

"You think I have what it takes?"

"Well, yeah, Twilight... totally! You're already a princess, you're like, well-versed in every subject, you always put everypony else first... and you like, helped put an end to the changelings."

"I drove them to attack Canterlot out of retaliation, Rainbow Dash," Twilight replied dryly.

"Nopony could've known that they would do that, Twilight, and besides... you were the one who figured out Sunset was behind it all."

"That's something I suppose..." Twilight chuckled under her breath. "You know... A lot of ponies around town have been saying the same thing, viewing my crystal armor as a symbol or strength and fortitude. "Equestria is as sturdy as crystal," or something like that, so... I haven't been forced to explain the real reason..."

"Hopefully it'll stay that way..." Rainbow murmured in agreement. "Since you mentioned it though, your face definitely seems to be taking shape, and..." She learned in closer, squinting her eyes. "I think I can make out some hair follicles too."

"Can you? You know... I think I can feel some of my organs beginning to reform."

"So it won't be much longer until you're whole again..."

Twilight nodded once more, already feeling her mood start to lift.

"How would you like to join me on a walk through town?" she asked. "Ponyville has changed a lot since you were here last."

She wasn't kidding...

Rainbow looked around at all the new buildings and towers as they were being assembled in and around Ponyville, and how each structure retained the familiar regality of Canterlot. Spires adorned with ornaments of the sun and moon, and ivory buildings encrusted with patterns of purple and gold, plants draped from their sides.

She glanced down at the road itself in slight amazement.

They even cobbled some of the roads...

"It's pretty neat, isn't it?" asked Twilight, watching her from out of the corner of her eye. "I wanted to do more than just pay homage, I... I wanted to incorporate the architecture and rebuild it as a part of Ponyville."

"Well you've done a great job so far." Rainbow looked ahead as a thought gnawed at the back of her mind. "Hey, Twilight? About the soldiers, you know... that were brought here..."

"They've all been taken care of, Dash. They've either been given homes... or are rooming with relatives here in Ponyville."

"Actually, I was uh... wondering how they're holding up."

"I'm not a psychologist. Dash. I can only assume they're doing well."

"I only ask because, well... I'm sure some of them had family in Canterlot."

"And the culprits are dead, so... they've been avenged."

"Twilight. Your own brother lost his parents. Aren't you the least bit concerned—?"

Twilight stopped in her tracks, turning to face her girlfriend and stating in a serious voice, "Of course I am, Rainbow Dash. The thing is though, that Shining and I both had days to grieve while you were out searching for Celestia. Not to mention he has Cadance to help him through the death of our parents, just as I have you... a-and my friends!"

"I'll never leave you hanging, Twilight. Remember when Celestia thought you should stay behind, and I vouched for you, saying how I'd keep you in line? Well... Celestia had the same concern when she thought you should lead Equestria, fearing that the dark magic might influence your actions."

Twilight lowered her head in dismay.

"Of course she did..."

"So..." Rainbow tapped her playfully on the shoulder. "Like before I told her that I'd be there to remind you of your better self."

Twilight smiled softly. "I... really appreciate that, Rainbow Dash, thank you."

"Well I wouldn't be a very good girlfriend if I didn't always have your back, would I?" Rainbow grinned back at her.

Twilight nodded before carrying on, the two of them soon entering the town square.

Rainbow instantly caught sight of a couple large Canterlot flags hung beside a couple of Ponyville's, hanging from the upper level of their town hall, and gingerly blowing around in the winter air.

Twilight shook her shoulder. "Hey, Rainbow?"

Rainbow turned her attention back to Twilight in worriment.

Twilight looked ahead and nodded in the direction of a block composed of crystal, inscribed on which were the names of everypony who had been lost to them during the siege on Canterlot... and on top of that sat a remnant of the once proud ciity.

A statue of an upright pony, hoisting a flag in its hooves, and other than some chipped stone, it was perfect.

"Not everything was lost to us during the attack on Canterlot. I found it within the rubble, and thought it would make for a nice reminder, as well as provide a little hope for the future."

"It looks awesome, Twilight."

"Really?"

"Really, really."

Twilight in turn, gave a soft smile in relief, and brought her cheek over to nuzzle Rainbow's. "I'm glad—"

Rainbow sucked in a sharp breath at the touch however, causing Twilight to break away.

"S-sorry! I didn't cut you or anything, did I?"

Before she could panic any further, Rainbow raised her hoof assuredly.

"It was just cold is all... like pressing my cheek against a block of ice—er, no offense."

Twilight barely nodded, dropping her gaze dejectedly.

Rainbow frowned wryly, bringing a hoof to rub the back of her neck.

"We just need to get out of the cold, into someplace warm."

"That still doesn't change the fact that you're nuzzling a crystal cheek, unable to feel my fur against yours," she lamented.

"Hey, come on... From what you told me, it won't be much longer."

"Right..."

"Rainbow?"

Rainbow turned in the direction of her name being called, to find Applejack approaching both herself and Twilight.

"Ah wasn't expecting to see you back so soon, Rainbow Dash. Find what you were lookin' for?"

"I, uh..."

Rainbow blinked, looking back at Twilight for a second. Guess Twilight didn't tell the rest of our friends exactly why I left..

She quickly turned back to Applejack with an air of nonchalance.

"You could say that. It's nice to be back."

"Well, it's mighty nice havin' you back as well, safe and sound... After everypony we lost, Twilight was worried you might never come back. An' speakin' of..."

She turned her attention back at Twilight. "How're you holding up, Sugarcube?"

"I... fine, Applejack, I'm doing fine. Thanks for asking."

"Is there something you're not being honest about? Because if there is—"

"There isn't... I..." Twilight paled. I feel sick to my stomach, I... "I-I promise."

"It's just... the girls and I have all been wonderin' why we never see you outside of your armor."

"Uh, duh, Applejack. It's because she's a symbol to the ponies here in town!"

"Yeah, so Ah've heard. Still... we miss seein' the real you, Twilight. Think maybe you could step out of it for just a short while?"

Twilight shrunk back, apprehensive. "I..."

Rainbow stepped in, quick to intervene.

"She lost her parents earlier today, Applejack, so... forgive her if she still feels a little vulnerable."

"Oh, Ah... see... I was holding out hope they were still alive..." She lowered her disheartened gaze toward the ground.

"It's alright, Applejack," Rainbow replied, her friend nodding knowingly.

"Ah guess we all had our own ways of copin', whether we leave for huge, cosmopolitan cities, or are just simply left lookin' for a change of scenery... Ain't that right, Rainbow?"

Rainbow shrugged her shoulders. "I suppose so... yeah."

"I can't do this..."

The two looked curiously towards Twilight, hearing her mutter under her breath.

"Rainbow," she continued, looking up at her sorrowfully, "I... won't use my parents as an excuse for why I'm like this."

"Twi—" Rainbow beckoned her to reconsider, when Applejack cut back in.

"You promised me you were tellin' the truth, Twilight."

"Y-yeah, well..." Her eyes darted back and forth longingly. "What was I supposed to do? Tell you how, h-how I went behind your back, taking matters into my own hooves... and changed for the worse because of it?"

"You haven't changed for the worst, Twilight," Rainbow argued, looking over at her slightly as she sighed out exasperatedly. "Celestia and I told you this already."

"Celestia—? Am Ah the only one in Equestria who's clueless as to what's going on here?"

"I infused myself with dark magic, Applejack. I, I didn't mean to—"

"Well, how in the hay did that happen?"

Twilight recoiled at her outburst, shying her gaze away. "I..."

"Applejack, enough." Rainbow took on a serious tone. "Twilight doesn't need this right now, okay? She... didn't know it would change her."

"You mean trap her inside some crystal suit of armor?"

"The crystals were an enchantment to help keep her contained after her body began breaking down... into smoke."

"Smoke," Applejack repeated, doubtfully. "Uh huh... So, why is it you know so much about all this when the rest of us don't?"

"Because I was there when it happened, alright? I saved her when she attacked the castle and the princesses, I... brought her back to consciousness."

"Hold yer horses, Rainbow Dash. Now you're telling me that Twi stormed the castle some days ago, and attacked Celestia an' Luna? From the sounds of it, she lost her body, not her mind."

Rainbow looked off, murmuring, "She was possessed."

"By who?" Applejack pressed.

"By Sombra," Twilight answered, averting her eyes ashamedly.

Applejack raised an eyebrow, but before she could get a word in edgewise, Twilight tearfully added, "I'm sorry, I... I need to go."

She turned from the two of them, and galloped off, Rainbow raising a hoof out after her.

"Wait!"

Twilight continued running, never once looking back until eventually disappearing out of sight.

Rainbow's expression saddened, her raised hoof wavering.

Twilight...

"What did she mean by that...?" she heard Applejack ask, her voice bringing her back to the present moment. "We defeated Sombra, didn't we?"

"I thought so too... Turns out his consciousness survived."

"And would you mind explainin' just how exactly he got a hold of Twilight?"

Rainbow grit her teeth, slamming her hoof down against the pavement. "Darn it, AJ. It's a long story, okay?"

Applejack glowered back at her.

"Yer right, Rainbow. I don't know what Ah was thinkin'. Guess I was just expectin' a bit more honestly from my own friends."

Rainbow narrowed her eyes back at her, as she turned back around.

"Oh, yeah, no, you're totally the one who's right, Applejack. I suppose we should have told you and the girls, while faced with an impending changeling attack, that one of us had been under the control of a villain. You know, sometimes we keep things to ourselves so that it's one less thing the other has to worry about."

Applejack parted her lips, about to argue when Rainbow turned back in the direction Twilight had ran off in, unfurling her wings.

"I'm sorry," she muttered sourly. "I... I just really need to go check on Twilight. See you around, AJ."

"Hey, wai—!"

Rainbow took off, leaving a residual gust in her wake, blowing past her friend and leaving her momentarily stunned.

"Dang nab it, Dash." She napped out of her stupor, cursing under her breath. Friends are here for us so that we don't have to keep secrets in the first place. Confidin' in us wouldn't have bummed us out, it... only would've driven us to find a solution...

Simpler Times

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Yep, she's here alright...

Rainbow slowed until she came to hover before her home, taking note of the crystallized slope leading to her front door.

"Twilight...?"

She tentatively pushed open the door, to find her girlfriend slouched forward at the window, forelegs crossed atop the sill, her head resting on its cheek.

"Twilight?" Rainbow questioned again, cautiously stepping closer.

Twilight sighed out heavily, her gaze unwavering.

"I wish we could just... go back to a time when things were easier... before all of this..."

"Before our relationship?"

"N-no, I... I'd never willingly give that up, Rainbow, I... I just... Remember how nice everything used to be? Before I fused this, this stupid horn to the top of my head? Before the changeling resurgence?"

"Yeah," replied Rainbow with a light laugh; "I remember how parasprites nearly destroyed our town, and how you nearly died to a hydra."

Twilight perked up, turning to face her. "You knew about that?"

Rainbow shrugged. "Eh, Pinkie may have mentioned it once or twice."

I see... Well... "I was only trying to be brave—l-like you, Rainbow Dash."

"Oh?" She smiled softly, before returning to the point of contention. "Listen, Twilight... Applejack may seem a little mad with us... but she'll come around. We're better friends than that... and besides, she doesn't get that... you had all of us in mind, when you did what you did."

Twilight nodded solemnly, turning back to the view outside. "Still doesn't change the fact that... things used to be so simple. I long for the days when we'd... learn about friendship and have picnics, go on adventures... a-and there'd be no serious repercussions. Nopony ever got seriously hurt, a-and we'd learn life lessons!"

"That's just the way life is, Twilight. The older we get, the more we have to endure. Doesn't mean we have to be miserable though. I mean, you said it yourself. So long as you still have me and the girls—"

"If they'll still be my friend after what Applejack is no doubt already telling them," Twilight lamented, in a low murmur.

"AJ isn't going to tell anypony... and if she does, well... it'll be out of concern for you. It's like I said, Twilight. We're all better friends than that." She flashed her girlfriend a confident grin, who didn't seem to notice, as she continued staring out over the horizon.

"I just feel like... everything's falling apart at the seams..."

"Only if you let it, Twilight. Ponies are looking to you for guidance now."

"I know, Rainbow Dash. I just..." She shrugged apathetically. "What if I can't live up to their expectations?"

"Well, you've already lived up to mine, and Celestia's, so... Now you just... have to believe in yourself."

"Believing in myself has never been my strong suit, Rainbow Dash... But you're right. So long as I have my friends, and they believe in me..."

"You'll have nothing to worry about." Rainbow smiled warmly, leaning down to nuzzle her, and resting a foreleg over her shoulders reassuringly. "We're all here for you, Twilight... and we all believe in you."

Her girlfriend's actions and words, brought a content smile to her own face. "Thank you, Dash," she simply said, nuzzling her back.

"Hey, no prob. So, uh... think you're going to be alright?" Rainbow pulled away, looking down at her in concern.

Twilight nodded back at her. "I think so. I just need some time to get all my thoughts in order."

"I hear ya... Well, if you'd like... I'll give you some alone time. I was actually thinking of hitting the hay."

"Speaking of..." Twilight paused as the thought occurred to her. "When was the last time you slept?"

"Oh, uh, you know..." Rainbow grinned sheepishly. "Not since yesterday evening..."

"Not since..." Twilight's lips slowly parted in disbelief. "You must be exhausted, Rainbow Dash!"

"Who me? Nah, never." She swiftly put on a brave face, only for Twilight to silently stare back at her... not buying a single word of it.

Her smile wavered, becoming less convincing by the second. "Okay, maybe I'm the teeniest bit tired."

Twilight sighed, giving her head a shake.

"Go get some rest, Rainbow Dash." she said. "I'll... just be here in the meantime."

"You're free to join me you know, if you'd like... A-after you're done thinking about stuff!" Rainbow hastily added, a blush staining the fur of her cheeks a faint red.

Twilight blinked, dumbfounded. "Are you asking me what I think you are...?"

"W-well," Rainbow stammered, peering off in embarrassment. "I mean... since we're a couple now, I just thought that... we should get used to sharing a bed, a-and all that." She swallowed down the nervous lump in the back of her throat, before turning her hopeful gaze back towards her girlfriend. "W-what do you say?"

"I... I would love to, Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow's eyes widened, disbelievingly at first, before her face lit up excitedly. "Sweet!" she exclaimed, before putting on a more nonchalant front. "S-so uh... I'll be upstairs if you need anything."

Twilight giggled softly, nodding in agreement. Rainbow in turn smiled, before turning, and walking smack dab into the wall behind her.

Twilight winced, watching as her girlfriend recoiled, bringing a hoof to her muzzle as she meekly looked over her shoulder, back at her.

"Whoops, uh... That wasn't the way to my bedroom, was it?"

She chuckled sheepishly as Twilight smiled, shaking her head.

Rainbow turned and this time headed up the stairs, her smile gone as she groaned internally.

Smooth one, Dash...

Twilight followed Rainbow Dash with her eyes for as long as she could, before sighing softly and turning back to the outside world, fears and doubts once again setting in.

Twilight's chin rested on her forelegs as it was bathed in the setting sun, her eyes half-lidded.

Seems Celestia really is looking out for us after all—

A sudden and loud bang came at the door, causing Twilight to jerk upwards.

She stared at the front door with bated breath, half-expecting it to swing open at any moment, and yet... nothing ever came. She tentatively lowered her forelegs as she sat up to investigate what sounded like a pegasus slamming into it. The air after all, had grown colder, and the winds stronger, she supposed. Maybe they had been knocked off course?

Or maybe it was Applejack, having come to offer her condolences? The thought brought a slight smile to Twilight's lips, but as she approached the front door, her excitement was met with a sickening sense of dread.

Maybe it's an angry mob... come to run its very own Frankenstag out of town!

The thought gave her pause.

She put her crystal ear to the door, only to hear nothing but the whistling sounds of the harsh Winter wind.

No voices... Hay, she mused, easing up, maybe it really was just the wi—

She stepped back, startled as the door was blown open by a strong burst of wind.

It whipped past her, filling the room with an icy chill.

Oh no no no no, not good! she fretted, rushing forward to shut it.

It clicked shut, and momentary relief washed over her. She turned as she sat back down, back against the door.

The windigos must be active tonight, she supposed. Though, if that were true...

Her gaze lowered solemnly.

Am I the reaso—?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a scornful voice.

"You really did it this time, didn't you Twilight?"

Twilight's eyes widened as she lifted her head and saw Rainbow Dash at the base of the stairs.

Rainbow? Twilight stared back at her, dumbstruck. "I..."

"The storm, Spaz. Whatever dark thoughts you're having, are causing the storm to worsen!"

Spaz...?

Twilight's expression turned sullen, feeling a bitter pain start to swell from deep down inside her.

She shied away, clutching her foreleg. "I, I-I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash, I... I'm trying."

"You could've fooled me." Twilight looked back at her hurt, Rainbow turning partly away from her in disgust. "Why don't you just get out, and never come back. Spare the rest of us before we're all frozen to death."

"How could you say that? You... you said how much faith you had in me, you... you told me how much you loved me—!"

"Maybe I was just holding out hope there was still good in you... but clearly I was wrong."

Twilight continued to stare at her, dumbstruck by the confession.

"I..."

"Everypony close to you dies, Twilight. I mean, how long will it be before your actions get one of us killed?"

"N-none of those were my fault, Rainbow Dash—!"

"Yeah, I know, I know. It was the changelings!" she mocked. "Nopony could've predicted they'd do what they did! They're unpredictable!"

"They are!"

"Then why did you provoke them?"

"Because I was trying to keep you out of harm's way!"

Rainbow snorted. "Well, you've done a great job of that."

"What are you—? Since when are you...? We're not doomed, we... w-we can still fix this!"

"There's no stopping this storm..."

"There's no..." Twilight slowly blinked, clarity washing over her. "You're not Rainbow Dash."

"Whoa, okay, now you've officially lost it. If I'm not Rainbow Dash, then... then who the hay am I?"

Twilight narrowed her gaze accusingly.

"Nightmare Moon."

"Oh, that's rich. You think I'm Nightmare Moon, huh? Care to explain why?"

"Because Rainbow Dash would never snap at me the way you did! She... she loves me, a-and that's what you do! You get inside ponies' heads, a-and try to convince them of things that aren't true! And the one thing I know is true more than anything else, is that Rainbow would never admit defeat—!"

The front door was thrown open suddenly by the body of a blue-coated pony in a sleek black and purple flight suit, goggles, and a darker blue slicked-back mane. Whoever they were skidded along the floor before coming to a sudden stop, letting out a groan before collapsing.

Twilight's startled gaze switched focus, this time to the mare who swooped in, resembling her girlfriend. A second pony laid still in a headlock, dressed in a similar suit.

Rainbow let out a sigh of relief before shifting her gaze in Twilight's direction.

"Sorry if I spooked ya, Twilight." the rainbow-maned mare apologized, putting on a sorry smile. "So what'd I miss? Aaaaannd why exactly is there another me standing there? Wait wait wait, hold up... the changelings hightailed it after Chrysalis bit the dust, right? And... aren't these the illusions brought to life by..." It all of a sudden dawned on her. "Oh crud."

The two pegasus ponies changed into smoke, Rainbow jumping back in startlement as the smoke reunited with her doppelganger.

"I... had hoped my Shadowbolts would keep you distracted... rainbow nuisance," Nightmare Moon growled out, morphing back into her true form.

Rainbow glared back at her.

"That's Rainbow Dash!"

She landed with a small huff beside Twilight, who turned to her worriedly.

"You're okay... aren't you, Rainbow Dash?" she asked, lifting a hoof in concern. "T-they didn't hurt you, did they?"

"Hm? C'mon, Twilight... it's me you're talking about!" She grinned at her confidently, before taking on a more serious tone as she turned to address their intruder.

"Why the hay are you here, Nightmare Moon? Why come after Twilight?"

"Mind thy tongue when addressing nobility, pest."

Rainbow's feathers ruffled.

"Pest!?"

"Then tell me," Twilight cut in, stepping forward, "from one royal to another... Why come after me?"

Nightmare Moon smirked, and reared up onto her hind legs as her eyes burned a brilliant white.

"To snuff out that last bit of precious light you hold so desperately near!"

Twilight and Rainbow braced themselves as her hooves came crashing down, fracturing the floor into pieces.

Their legs buckled as it grew more uneven and threatened to drift apart from the clouds the ground was built upon began to dissipate.

"Twilight!" Rainbow yelled out to her, throwing her foreleg out in her direction.

Twilight reached for it, and came within a hair's breadth when the floor shifted once more. "Nngh..." She drew back her foreleg before turning her attention back to her girlfriend. "R-Rainbow—!"

Lightning crackled from Nightmare Moon's horn.

"Say goodbye!"

Rainbow and Twilight raised a foreleg to their eyes as lightning branched out in every direction, slicing through the walls and ceiling, and rippling through the thinning clouds.

The whistling of winds from the outside began creeping in through the cracks of the floor as, bit by bit, it fell to earth.

The two of them glanced up as drywall shook free from the ceiling—the second floor caving down the middle; and knowing what was about to happen, caused their ears to flop.

The whole place is about to come crashing down on us... That is— Twilight's gaze solemnly turned to her hooves. —if we don't fall first...

Rainbow's attention snapped back to Twilight in time to see her head dip, hope fading fast from her eyes.

Darn it, Twilight—! Everything drowned out around her as she rose up off the floor, her focus solely on her friend. Now's not the time to doubt yourself! You can't lose hope, you... "You can't let fear control you!" she shouted out.

Twilight's ears lifted slowly, her head turning in Rainbow's direction, a bit taken aback.

Rainbow—

Rainbow began to fly closer, when, in the blink of an eye, Nightmare Moon appeared before her.

"Actually," she sneered, rearing her hind leg back, "that's exactly what I want."

Before she could even react, Nightmare Moon sent her flying out the front door with a swift, powerful kick.

"Rainbow!" cried Twilight, reaching out after her.

The floor shifted once more, and the block beneath her own hooves gave out.

Her stomach sank as her eyes slowly widened in realization.

Her forelegs reached out for a brief moment, longing desperately to grab hold of the remaining floor before giving up... the gap she slipped through gradually growing smaller.

The sound of wind filled her ears as she squeezed her eyes shut, silently weighing her options as time seemed to slow.

Rainbow will catch me, she told herself. She, she will, she... That's who she is! Always swooping in at the last second, she'd...!

The memory of Nightmare Moon swatting her aside played out once more before her eyes, and she became a little less hopeful. Never let me down... Right. She averted her eyes in thought, then back towards the crumbling cloudominium with a wistful look. A crystal sphere began to take shape around her as she slowly sealed herself inside.

She's done so much for me... Maybe it's time I—

Her body was thrust forward as the makeshift shell smashed into the ground not a second after... shattering into hundreds of crystalline fragments.

A New Vessel

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Rainbow groaned, finding herself buried head-first within a mound of snow.

Narrowing her eyes and gritting her teeth, she got to her hind hooves and, firmly placing her forehooves on either side of her head, pulled her head free.

She fell back on her haunches, and shook the snow from her face and mane, all the while thinking, All right, that's it. No more Ms. Nice Mare!

She turned her attention back to her home in the clouds, and her heart sank... her angry scowl melting away. As her home collapsed in on itself. her attention found itself focusing on the lone pony falling from its floor.

with no snow under the shadow her home had cast to cushion her fall...

"Twilight!"

Rainbow scrambled to her hooves, and sprang into the air before darting off to where her girlfriend had fallen.

A sudden, dark fog materialized before her, with Nightmare Moon's upper half solidifying and springing forth from the dark mass.

"Stay thy hoof!"

She whipped her head, swiping her horn at Rainbow who narrowly dodged the attack.

Rainbow swerved and skidded through the snow to a halt, staring down the alicorn as she manifested fully.

Stepping out onto the snow, Nightmare Moon turned partway, locking eyes with the pegasus.

Rainbow, in turn, lowered her stance, crouching forward and standing her ground.

Nightmare Moon smirked at this.

"You are becoming quite the little pest," she mocked. "Do you honestly believe a child like you... stands a chance of defeating me?"

"Well, I won't know until I try."

The smile fell from Nightmare Moon's lips.

"Impudent brat." Her eyes once again turned white. Lightning sparked from her horn as she lowered into a charging position. A harsh wind stirred up the snow around them as a dense and eerie fog rolled in. "You will learn not to stand in my way!"

Mm... wha...?

Twilight's vision slowly came into focus, and she lifted her aching head, looking around warily.

Voices... she slowly came to realize. W-where—?

A pained scream came suddenly, and hauntingly from deep within the fog.

Rainbow?

Her eyes widened with fear as her chest grew heavy with sickening worry. She clumsily got to her forelegs and attempted to pull herself up off the ground when she froze, struck by a sudden realization.

I can't feel my legs...

She flipped over onto her back, staring in dismay at the sight of her hind legs in tatters, smoke seeping out through the open holes.

N-no... She desperately placed her hooves over whatever she could cover. "No no no no no no, no! W-why am I not healing?!"

"Because you're no longer the one in charge."

Twilight whipped her head around, coming face-to-face with the source of the sinister voice as she emerged from the fog. "Nightmare—?"

"When Sombra had you by the strings," Nightmare Moon continued. "You were magnificent—a true auteur... But now look at you."

Twilight tched, turning away from the villain to focus more on her wounds.

"With you in control of this dark power... you'll simply fade away, unable to regenerate. You have no control over it."

Twilight squeezed her eyelids shut.

Shut up shut up shut up—!

"But I can help you control it." A smoky tendril lifted her chin, lifting her wavering gaze to meet hers. "I have what it takes to master this dark magic." Nightmare Moon cracked a toothy grin. "I... can make you immortal."

"You mean your new vessel." Twilight forced her gaze away, swatting the tendril away. "I'd rather perish..."

"I cannot allow that." Nightmare Moon's tone grew serious. "When Luna lost to you, Twilight... I knew I needed a new host, and I saw one in you. Your potential is unlimited, your newfound strength is unparalleled, but what's truly special about you, Twilight Sparkle... is all of that jealously and rage you keep tucked away deep down inside. You try to stay calm and collected... but all this time, you've been harboring such bitter contempt for the ponies in power, Celestia, Luna... Chrysalis. Their war for this land has caused you so much strife, so much loss, and still you maintain a glimmer of hope because your beloved says everything will be alright."

I-I... Twilight's gaze faltered, feeling her resolve continue to weaken with each passing second.

"I told you before, did I not?" Nightmare sneered in delight, as her body began to de-materialize into smoke. "I said I'd snuff out that last bit of precious light."

Twilight's eyes widened, letting out a gasp right before being ensnared by the smoke. It swirled around her, creating a vacuum of wind that stirred up the nearby snow.

As the cyclone of snow whirled around her, she squeezed her eyelids shut, resisting the overwhelming urge to scream. Her head was thrown back as the smoke itself filed in through her sinuses, her entire body stiffening as every muscle was slowly taken over.

Her eyes shot open, burning brightly as she felt her consciousness begin to fade.

And just like that, it was over.

The light dimmed from her eyes as she opened them, coming to inside the interior of her old library.

She blinked her eyes, looking around herself in awe.

T-this isn't...

She cut herself off, catching sight of her hooves out of the corner of her eyes as she looked around, and held one out before her eyes. The fur, and familiar purple hue were unmistakable.

This was her body, without any crystal surrounding it.

It's like before... Everything, she thought, lowering her hoof, is like before... Then, t-that just means...

Her ears flopped as her head and shoulders slumped, the glimmer in her eyes fading.

None of this is...

Real?

Twilight's head shot up, startled by the sudden voice. Across the foyer, the room seemed to ripple and distort for a long moment as the ghostly image of Nightmare Moon manifested itself before her.

N-Nightmare Moon? she stammered out, taking a nervous step backwards. W-where...? You... can read m-my thoughts?

Of course, little one, she replied simply. After all, we're one now, you and me.

Of one mind? Twilight repeated in thought. So that means... She grew pensive, looking off wistfully.

I'm a part of you, Twilight Sparkle, Nightmare Moon explained with a growing sneer, as she stepped closer. I told you that I could save you. Already my magic is repairing the damage dealt to your body.

Twilight nodded begrudgingly, letting out a little snort. So I can serve you without question? she asked.

Nightmare Moon's sneer fell, as the look on her face turned serious.

If you and your friends hadn't interfered, she accused, every creature in Equestria would be doing the same. She took a step closer, her gaze glowering. It is mere destiny that all things bow to me.

She stopped, gazing down at the little pony who seemed lost in thought.

So... what say you... Twilight Sparkle?

Twilight remained quiet for a single, long moment.

What say me? She turned her head towards the villain, taking a defiant stance, her horn aglow. Fat chance.

Nightmare Moon glared back at her, insulted. You'd defy me?!

Twilight doubled down, kneeling forward, gaze fixated into a glare. I'm not about to stand by and watch you strip away everypony's free will!

A heavy silence fell over the two, with neither moving an inch, nor saying a word... Nightmare Moon merely staring back at the younger mare, unamused.

Foolish girl... she began. Free will is an illusion! You've spent your whole life praising the sun, and praising her... dedicating your entire life to her! Her horn ignited suddenly, a beam past her, and tearing through the wall above her... leaving a rugged trail in its wake. Twilight's heart nearly escaped her chest as the beam whizzed by her, her hooves stumbling backwards. You adopted Spike because of her... you made friends because of her... you rose up to stop me... because... of... her. Yes, you're ever the faithful student... All this power and potential, and you use it to serve somepony who'd be as loathed as I, were she the one left largely ignored!

Black tendrils manifested themselves from behind where Nightmare Moon stood, shooting towards, and ensnaring Twilight in their grasp, anchoring her body to the library wall before she barely had the chance to utter a startled cry.

Twilight lurched forward, reeling from the impact. She winced as debris from the ceiling crumbled down around her. Ngh... H-how are you—?

But now your heart wavers, having come to the realization that she isn't a pony worthy of worship! Always asking that you believe in her and yet... you can't seem to count on her. Instead, it was you and your friends who had to pick up the fallen pieces and clean up her mess... Nightmare Moon sneered as she leaned in close to her ear. We should be the ones in charge. We're everything she isn't, we... could save everyone.

Twilight froze, her body slowly going limp, her brow softly raising. We...?

She bit her lip in contemplation, her thoughtful gaze becoming obscured by her bangs.

I agree, she uttered after a moment, that the ruling class have made a lot of mistakes... but I wouldn't be any better! She looked dead ahead of her, into her enemy's eyes with a determined look. I too, have let so many ponies down. My friends, Rainbow Dash... even my own family. She peered back away at the somber reminder. I don't even deserve to be a Princess of Friendship, much less a ruler of Equestria...

Nightmare Moon scowled. That is not what I said. We—!

You? Twilight scoffed halfheartedly. You think you'd be a better leader than Celestia... but you would only be worse. Celestia may be a lot of things... but she sent me here to make friends, and... and I, I made five wonderful ones! That's something you'd never allow—!

Enough! Nightmare Moon exclaimed, her tone raising, and temper flaring. For our union to work, you must see things my way. Her angered simmered as she took a step back, draping her free hoof down further, until it lay over the younger mare's chest. I had hoped you would be more agreeable, but alas...

Nightmare Moon drew back her hoof, and with it, tendrils of darkness were yanked forth from the young mare's chest.

Twilight writhed, gasping breathlessly at the feeling of her very essence being yanked out from deep within her.

As you ponies say... Out with the old— Twilight weakly opened her gaze to meet Nightmare Moon's sinister smile. —and in with the new.

The darkness snapped loose from her chest, and dropped to the floor like spilled lines of ink.

Now rise... Twilight Sparkle's shadow! Nightmare Moon commanded.

Twilight stared at the spot on the floor, her gaze unwavering. M-my... shadow...?

The streaks of black goo slowly joined together, forming into a single, gelatinous blob.

Nightmare Moon cocked her head to the side, staring back at her dryly. Yes, Twilight, your shadow. All your bitterness and anger incarnate! She turned her attention back to the growing mass with a wicked grin. There'll be no resistance from this one.

Twilight watched with a twinge of fear in her eyes as the mass slowly took the shape of her body.

The more time you spent in Celestia's precious light, the more it grew!

Twilight snapped out of it, beseeching pleadingly to Nightmare Moon, You have to stop! You can't possibly hope to control these emotions! They're... they're something only I can manage!

Nightmare Moon snorted at her words, her plea falling on deaf ears. Well isn't that convenient! Sorry, Sparkle... but you refused my little offer, so now I have no choice but to draw upon your darkest wants and feelings.

T-they'll overpower you! Twilight persisted. You... you have no idea just how much I've been holding back my entire life! Even moments ago, when you possessed me... I... I-I wasn't scared, I was—!

Oh shut up.

The dark apparition fully formed, resembling Twilight in every detail except one. The color had been drained from her body completely as she now bore a light gray coat, and jet black hair.

I was angry...

The dark apparition opened her eyes, revealing her black irises.

She looked around expressionless for a moment, muttering in amazement, I'm free...

A wicked sneer began to spread across her face.

Nightmare Moon rolled her eyes.

Yes yes, you're free. Now, can we get to why I brought you here in the first place?

Twilight's shadow dropped her smile, and turned back to Nightmare Moon slowly with a perturbed look.

Join with me— Nightmare Moon held out her hoof. —so that we may become one.

Twilight's shadow stared back at her for a moment, before peering down dubiously at the outstretched hoof, then back again at the one offering it to her.

Slowly, she rose her own hoof up off the ground.

Yes... Nightmare Moon's smile widened. That's it...

No! Twilight yelled forth from across the room. You have no idea what you're doing!

I know exactly what it is I am doing! Nightmare Moon snapped back at her. She turned back in time for Twilight's shadow to clasp her hoof.

Famous last words, she said, a slick, black ooze seeping from her hoof, and proceeding up Nightmare Moon's foreleg.

What!?

The ooze spread rapidly across Nightmare Moon's body, locking her in place all while reducing her body to a malleable state... absorbing it into her hoof.

Nightmare Moon cursed, feeling her thoughts begin to fade.

You wretched little foal! How dare you do this to me! I, I freed you! I... I am—!

The slime dripped over Nightmare's Moon face and muzzle, cutting her off, and reducing what remained of her consciousness into the same black ooze that Twilight's shadow assimilated.

She stood still for a moment, staring ahead, expressionless.

Twilight watched from her restraints, motionless, unblinking... too unnerved to make a sound.

Overrated, the shadow at long last murmured, before turning away without a second thought. That's what you princesses are. You're all given so much power and responsibility, and what do they do with it, other than squander it? You make bad decision after bad decision after bad decision! She turned furious to her other self, still embedded in the wall of the treehouse.

You're the worst of them all! her doppelganger screamed. You're supposed to be a Princess of Friendship? A pony who selfishly spreads goodwill and cheer, and you... y-you fall head over hooves for a pony you've never once felt a romantic inkling to before... at Spike's own funeral no less!

Twilight winced at the outburst, before steadily averting her eyes.

You were so reckless, making such rash decisions pushing your friends to the wayside even... and look where it's gotten you. You're homeless, friendless, your own girlfriend is dead... not to mention your own family...

Twilight sniffled, lifting her head and glaring back at her doppelganger.

Her shadow, in turn, smirked back at her.

And here I thought you were drained of all your anger... What, can't you handle hearing the truth?

What I can't handle... is my past... being dug up... including m-my mistakes, a-and losses... and having them thrown right back in my face!

I hope you choke on them, her shadow murmured callously.

Twilight peered away pensively, in deep thought. I've let a lot of ponies down, and... had I known better... I would have done it all differently... She smiled fondly, returning her gaze to her evil shadow. But now... all of that's in the past. There's no going back, there's... only moving forward. You wouldn't know that because you're nothing but the anger and frustration I felt in those moments. The difference is I was able to let it go—!

Shut up! her shadow screamed suddenly, causing her to jump slightly. Her doppelganger fumed, glaring icy daggers into her other self. Would you stop acting so high and mighty? You have nothing to look forward to anymore! Your friends have abandoned you, a-and anypony you once considered family is dead!

I have my brother, and step-sister, Twilight rebuked.

Her shadow scoffed at that.

Cadance, and Shining Armor? Big whoop.

And come to think of it, Twilight continued, with a slight, coy smirk, Rainbow's not exactly the type to die so easily.

Twilight's shadow grit her teeth.

Twilight donned a confident look. So I'm not about to give up either, a-and neither are my friends! They'll come around eventually... She lowered her gaze, smiling softly. I just know they will...

Oh, and why's that? her doppelganger mocked. Because you're the Princess of Friendship?

Exactly.

Her shadow narrowed her eyes back at her. You princesses think you're all so noble... Well guess what? It's thanks to the likes of you that the world is in such a sorry state. Maybe you're right: maybe I am unable to let it go... but who's to say I should? Kings, queens... princesses... I will absorb their strength, then make it all mine, and do with it something they never could.

Twilight stood her ground, staring back at the madmare, unamused.

I will make this a perfect world... One free of conflict and strife! I only have the powers of Nightmare Moon and King Sombra, but once I control this body... I'll have the powers of the Element of Magic herself!

Twilight grimaced, and with all her might, tore her right foreleg free from her restraints. She breathed out, glaring back at her doppelganger. Not if I take back my body first!

She ripped the remainder of her restraints loose, before falling forward onto her forelegs.

Her doppelganger laughed. Are you for real? You seriously think you stand a chance? Need I remind you of what you told Nightmare Moon?

Twilight's brow lifted at the stark reminder. N-no... she replied, getting to her hooves. B-but I'm not about to hand over my body willingly either!

Hmph. Her doppelganger stared back at her, unamused by her resolve. Yes you will.

She stomped her hoof, and from under it, a blackness seeped across the floor that forced her other half to take a few startled steps back.

W-what is—?

Nightmare Moon's ability to spread darkness wherever she went. Her doppelganger formed a smirk. Neat, huh?

The darkness quickly spread, coating the walls and interior of her mind until it resembled nothing more than a black void.

Twilight's lips slowly parted in dismay as she watched it all unfold, before she switched back to her doppelganger with a glare.

If you think clouding my mind in darkness is going to stop me—!

Stop you? She laughed some more. Please... I'm merely redecorating.

Tendrils of black sludge grabbed Twilight by her fetlocks, tugging at them from the ground. She nearly jumped out of her skin at the sudden, cool touch.

Her horn fired off a single, broad beam, whizzing by her target and instead tearing through the ceiling as she was thrown off balance, and tossed backwards into a wall. The darkness cocooned over forelegs and hind legs... leaving only her chest and head exposed.

Sorry, Sparkle, her doppelganger grinned in glee, but it's my mind now!

Y-you...! Twilight grit her teeth, struggled against the darkness's hold on her.

Don't worry, her shadowy doppelganger added in a condescending tone, nopony can argue that you didn't at least put up a fight.

She turned without a moment's hesitation, walking and leaving her hapless other self in the dark, grunting and fighting ever still against her new restraints.

I... I-I'll get out of this! Twilight screamed out after her. Even if... even if it kills me! I... I won't let you hurt my friends!

Her doppelganger gave a less than enthused nod in response, rolling her eyes at her other self's solemn vow. I'm not holding my breath.

She soon stopped, staring down at an inconspicuous spot on the murky floor's surface. This spot should do, she decided aloud, igniting her horn.

The area before her began rippling, followed by the emergence of a tall object, covered in the same black sludge that coated the walls and floor.

The sludge swiftly solidified, taking the shape of a tall, black throne, its interior a dark gray with a deep red stripe down its center, leading to the seat itself. Decorative rinceau patterns adorned the sides, and atop the throne sat a carving of a malevolent-looking alicorn with broad, outstretched wings.

Ah... Twilight's shadow marveled. A throne fit for Equestria's one true ruler. Now, then...

She sat back, crossing her hind legs and resting her cheek against the hoof of her propped-up foreleg.

With a wave of her free foreleg, she opened up her body's eyes, appearing as two large windows suspended before her.

Her own eyes widened.

Rainbow Dash stood before her new body, hooves rested upon her shoulders, and shaking them desperately.

Twilight eased her struggling, noticing Rainbow's familiar colors from the other side of her body's eyes.

Rainbow...

Twilight's shadow jolted forth from her seat.

What!?

She gritted her teeth and clenched one of her hooves before slamming it down against the armrest.

How is she still alive?!

Twilight smiled in relief.

That's loyalty for you. Rainbow Dash would never leave me hanging so easily.

Oh we'll see about that... Her shadow waved her hoof once more. Ears! she commanded, then turned her attention back towards the view outside. May as well hear what she's blathering on about...

"Twilight!"

Her voice echoed like a voice through a loudspeaker.

"Twilight, can you hear me! It's me... Rainbow Dash!"

A Glimmer of Hope

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"Rrgh... Niiightmaaare!"

Rainbow seethed out in anger, lying on her side in the snow, and inching herself through the dense fog.

Her hind legs lagged behind, and her right wing laid flat, having been dislocated. She shivered, her body slowly becoming buried in a blanket of snow, but still she persevered.

Tiredness began to set in as her eyelids dared to close on her, every moment causing a nauseating feeling to build.

Still, thoughts of Twilight kept her going.

Gotta... reach... Twilight... before...

"Rainbow one?"

Rainbow froze, blinked, and glanced around herself at the surroundings she had been paying little attention to.

Despite the fog, and the worsening snowstorm... she had recognized the voice, and she knew who it was that lay before her.

Luna sat defeated in the snow, snow littering her body... her voice sounding weaker than usual.

As she softly regained her strength, Rainbow noticed something else about the alicorn.

Her coat was paler, her body smaller and frail—like the night she and her friends had first freed her from Nightmare Moon...

"Luna!" exclaimed Rainbow, eyes wide in disbelief. "Y-you...!"

Luna chucked weakly upon seeing the younger pony's startled expression. "I... suppose my outward appearance has changed..." She peered away, her voice softening. "That is no surprise..."

"I... I don't understand," replied Rainbow, longing to make sense of the scene in front of her. "What happened to you? Aren't you and Nightmare Moon the same? Why are you... wait." Her eyes lit up in hope. "Did you somehow overcome—?"

Luna solemnly shook her head, and at that, Rainbow's hopeful smile fell, her heart sinking.

"When I... gave myself over to Nightmare Moon, I gave her complete dominion over my mind... my body. This weakened me, so much so that, had I wanted to, I... I could not have fought back."

"Yeah, about that..." Rainbow's brow furrowed. "Why the hay did you do that anyway? Couldn't you have just waited for Celestia to back you up?"

"I... let my emotions get the best of me, and took it upon myself to avenge young Twilight Sparkle and her family. When it dawned on me what exactly I had done... it was too late." The princess let out a remorseful sigh, further averting her eyes. "I thought maybe it was for the best, because I knew I would never be able to face Twilight again after breaking the promise I made to her... I am sorry, Twilight's friend... I acted selfishly..."

"Actually," Rainbow supposed, brining a meek hoof to the back of her neck, "I... think Twilight would understand." She turned her gaze back in the direction of her once-proud cloudominium, all the while thinking, Where the hay is she?

"That's just it though!" urged Luna, snapping Rainbow from her thoughts. "I should never have released that monster back into the world. I should have lived with my actions, but instead... now I must live with the repercussions..."

"What are you talking about, Luna? Where is Nightmare Moon?"

"She stripped herself of me, leaving me in pursuit of a... less resilient host. O-one who embodies dark magic, jealousy and rage..."

Rainbow's pupils shrunk as fear swept over her. She swallowed hard, her words trembling as she asked, "Y-you d-don't mean...?"

Luna bowed her head in disgrace. "I am truly sorry—"

Rainbow forced her gaze away. "Later! Right now we need to stop her from taking over Twilight!" She looked ahead of her with an air of determination, before continuing to inch herself closer to her destination. No wonder she was so determined to stop me... she mused all the while, thinking back.

Rainbow continued forward for a few, grueling moments longer, when she stopped, something suddenly occurred to her.

Luna wasn't following.

She looked back over her shoulder, shouting angrily, "What's with you? I said we need to rescue Twilight!"

She looked back ahead, exhaling a little snort. "I don't care if it's too late! I promised I'd never leave her hanging... no matter what!"

A long couple of moments of passed in unbearable silence before the older mare at last gave her response.

"I'm dying. That is why... I cannot move."

Rainbow's eyes blinked open. "What—?"

"When she and I separated," Luna solemnly continued, "the strain it placed upon my body was too great."

Rainbow's breathing hastened.

"W-well, what about when the Elements of Harmony—?"

They simply allowed me to take back control. Had I wanted... I could have transformed right back."

Her words slowly sunk in as silence set back in between the two. Snow continued to fall, harshening the divide between them.

"Okay, so... what? You're just gonna give up?" She glared, her voice rising as her temper flared. "Luna, if Nightmare Moon has her way, we may as well be dead! Aren't you at least willing to fight for a brighter tomorrow?"

Rainbow silently fumed, staring as Luna remained quiet, seemingly hesitant to say anything.

Her voice softened. "Luna... I know right now you feel like everything's your fault, and that... you feel like you deserve to curl up and die... but now's the time to make things right!"

After being met with more silence, Rainbow sighed, peering away. "Fine, I see how it is..." She carried onwards with a renewed look of determination. "Well, I'm not about to let Twilight dow-ooowwn!"

Her flank was raised into the air suddenly, finding her body being scooped up by a magical construct.

A s-sled? she wondered, staring stupefied at the blue, shimmering runners beneath the board she laid upon. The sled hit a bump and Rainbow fell back further, brushing up against a furred body.

She looked over her shoulder, startled.

"Luna?" she uttered. "I... I-I don't understand—"

"My body may be too weak to move... but I still have some magic left. Now—" She smiled down at the smaller pony. "—let us save Twilight Sparkle."

"Luna..." Rainbow's surprise melted away, her lips forming a heartfelt smile. "R-right!" she declared, looking back on ahead.

"Hang on just a little longer, Twilight..."

The sled propelled itself over a snowy hill, skidding through the grass a bit before stopping abruptly.

The two braced for the impact, their bodies rocking from the bumpy stop.

Rainbow grunted, furrowing her brow as she turned to look back at Luna.

"Nngh... A-are you alright?"

"Y-yes," she assured shakily, looking off to the center of the clearing, and spotting Twilight amidst the wreckage of what was once the pegasus's home.

She wasn't the only one, as Rainbow too, spotted her friend, sitting still as a statue. Her expression saddened, her ears flopping at the sight.

"Twilight..."

"Go to her," Luna ushered, grabbing Rainbow's attention. Rainbow herself stared back at her in wonder, ears perking back up.

Using her magic once more, Luna lifted her into the air. "If there's anypony who can still save her... it is you."

Luna set her down carefully before Twilight, and as soon as she could, Rainbow rose up and grabbed her girlfriend's crystal shoulders. She stared pensively through the crystal plating and into Twilight's eyes, only to find them glazed over.

"Twilight!"

Rainbow shook her shoulders.

"Twilight, can you even hear me? Come on, it's me... Rainbow Dash!"

Twilight furrowed her brow, an angry scowl spreading across her face.

"Please, Twilight..." Rainbow shut her eyes, bowing her head against Twilight's chest. "Please don't let it control—"

Twilight lifted a foreleg and smacked her aside.

Luna's heart skipped, her eyes widening from where she sat. It cannot be! Were we too late?

Rainbow collapsed on her side with a heavy thud, staring up bemused at her crystal-clad friend. "Twilight...?"

Twilight snorted, cocking her head smugly as she turned to face her, her sinister gaze glowering down at her.

"Not exactly."

Rainbow's look turned fearful as she tentatively propped herself up, unnerved by the growing realization that her girlfriend was no longer the one in charge of her body.

She swallowed hard, stuttering out, "N-Nightmare...?"

Luna continued watching from afar with a worsening feeling of dread swelling up deep within her insides.

She fired up her horn, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"I defeated Nightmare Moon," Twilight boasted indignantly. "She's a part of me now."

She sneered as she cocked her head down at the pegasus, lying on her back... so defenseless and weak.

"A part... of you...?" Rainbow uttered, feeling her heart begin to sink.

"I absorbed her powers, stupid." Darkness seeped over her crystal armor, covering her body in a black and blue smog, as dark as the night sky itself. The whites of her eyes became all-encompassing, and two majestic wings sprouted from the smoke. Her horn began sparking, and rippling with electricity.

"You... you're n-not Twilight."

Twilight's lips curled slightly in amusement.

"You're right..." A fierce orb of light formed at the tip of her horn, the ripples of electricity pouring into it.

Rainbow squinted, turning her head away slightly from the growing light.

No! Twilight yelled in desperation from deep within her mind, her body once again fighting to break through the darkness her other self imposed upon her.

That much electricity... it, it'll kill her!

Her shadow smirked. That's the plan.

Her body's head bowed forward, and Rainbow felt her heart ache.

Twilight's body recoiled back as the shot was fired, Rainbow's pupils shrinking before she instinctively shut her eyes... bracing the the impact.

Twilight, I... I'm sorry I couldn't save—

Her ears alerted her to the sudden, crackling noise of lightning striking something, but... wait, she thought, she felt fine.

She slowly opened her eyes to find streaks of light passing all around her... and the shadow of a pony cast over her, forearms and wings held out before her protectively.

Her eyes widened, her breath catching in the back of her throat.

L-Luna...

She stared, too unnerved to look away... instantly feeling a heavy sadness wrack her heart.

Her shocked gaze grew heavy as she let out a choked sob. "N-no..."

"Hmph," Twilight's shadow snorted. Well what do you know...

The lightning fizzled out, and Luna dropped lifelessly to the ground, smoke simmering from her singed feathers and fur.

Rainbow just stared, too stunned for words... too mortified to move.

"How unlike a princess, to selflessly lie down their own life..." Twilight's shadow mused without a hint of solace in her voice. "I had wondered why you didn't try avoiding my attack. Now I see though that Nightmare Moon already did a number on you..."

She chuckled at the realization, before dismissing the notion with a wave of her hoof. "I had planned on taking the lives of you and our friends... but on second thought, why waste such potent energy on you, when this storm will surely do you in. As for her..." She looked down at Luna's body with an amused smirk. "What magic would I have to gain from a dying mare?"

Rainbow shook out of her stupor, glaring back with teary eyes at the one responsible.

"Oh, are you angry?" Humored, Twilight's shadow cracked a grin before turning halfway. "Anger is wasted on the likes of you," she softly added, before turning the remainder of the way, unfurling her wings.

Rainbow tailed the alicorn with her eyes until she disappeared from view, then sniffled, turning her teary gaze to the fallen princess. She pushed herself forward, inching closer to her.

"L-Luna?" she pressed softly. "Luna... please tell me you're still..."

Luna's body shifted, and a small, barely audible groan came from her lips.

Rainbow's brow lifted immediately, and she blinked away some tears before leaning in closer.

Luna opened her eyes tiredly, peering up at the worried mare for a moment before forming a lukewarm smile.

"I... am glad to see you are... unharmed."

"Luna... I, I-I don't understand! Why put yourself in harm's way?"

"To protect you... that is why."

"That isn't what I meant!" Rainbow shut her eyes tight, shaking her head desperately. "You... y-you could have attacked her instead, o-or... or...!"

"My body is already dying, so what's a little lightning?" She let out a weak, halfhearted laugh. "I couldn't risk using up the last of my magic. Not before..." She trailed off, lowering her gaze.

"Before what?" Rainbow pressed.

Luna managed a slight smile. "Before I could name you... my successor."

Rainbow blinked, completely dumbfounded. Her eyes wide, she leaned her head back. "Woah woah woah... w-what now...?"

Luna gazed up at her, a hint of amusement tugging at her smile. "What I saw in you tonight made it clear to me."

"What, me getting my flank handed to me?"

Luna shook her head. "Your unwavering loyalty and dedication to your friend... and to do what is right. Even when I was willing to... curl up and die, there you were, dragging yourself through the snow... committed to saving a friend. You have always been a good friend to everypony, but tonight, Rainbow Dash... you moved even me."

Rainbow stared back at her silently, taken aback. "I-I..."

She jumped back, her breath catching in her throat as the princess's horn flared suddenly, erupting into a magnificent aura.

"L-Luna...?"

Luna eyes burned brightly as they were encompassed by a sudden, white light.

Wind rushed past her, through her fur and blowing her mane back, forcing her eyes to squint. A white light encompassed her, and before she knew it, the sounds of the real world filled her ears once more as she was thrust back into reality.

Rainbow knelt forward onto one forearm, feeling... surprisingly lightheaded for a moment.

Weakly, she opened her gaze, peering down at the grass and gentle snowfall that drifted before her eyes.

She let out a wary groan. What just...? The thought ceased as she knelt back up and realized... she was standing!

She glanced back over her shoulder at her hind legs, a giddy smile spreading across her face until she could no longer hold back her excitement. She leapt up, pumping her hoof into the air before being struck by another revelation.

Both of her wings were flapping, keeping herself afloat.

She screamed internally. Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh...

Her excitement quickly came to a halt as she was reminded of her current situation.

She sheepishly dove back to the ground, before taking a few cautious steps back towards Luna.

Luna, in turn, peered up at her with a saddened smile.

"The horn suits you," she remarked.

Horn? Rainbow blinked, dumbfounded, before raising a hoof to the top of her head.

Sure enough, she felt... something protruding from her head as she ran her hoof along it.

"Huh. I guess this explains the... surge of power I'm feeling..." Rainbow caught a glimpse of the princess out of the corner of her eye, and her smile fell immediately, her excitement replaced with a sickening feeling of dread.

"Luna!"

The Princess's body was slowly splitting apart into orbs of light, no different than fireflies.

Luna lifted her forearm partway, assuring her. "Do not fret, Rainbow Dash. I am at peace finally, knowing that, in my final moments... I did something right." She smiled, looking towards the night sky. "I... know you can right my wrongs."

"H-hold on," panicked Rainbow, "hold on! I... I... Y-you... I-I d-don't even know how to use magic! With... without y-you, or... or Twilight here to teach me—!"

"But that's just it. Magic stems from your heart... your emotions. All you must do is think of what you want—nay, cherish most... and it will do the rest."

Rainbow took a step back, her gaze faltering as she considered Luna's words.

"I... I don't know if I can take her alone," she admitted softly, her voice starting to break.

"Which is why I reached out to your friends in their sleep... They will be here any moment."

Luna's forelegs and back began to break into orbs of light and float into the air, fading eventually into nothing.

"You're the key to a brighter future, Rainbow Dash. After all..." Luna noted with a proud smile, "rainbows succeed storms, do they not?"

Rainbow lifted her head, staring back at her surprised. "Y-yeah, I... g-guess they do."

"Go now, Rainbow Dash. You have the power to end the bitterness that has plagued Equestria' for centuries. Anger that began in me, and was brought out in Twilight Sparkle... You have the means to undo it all."

"L-Luna, I—!"

Before Rainbow could get the chance, the rest of Luna's body erupted into orbs, and floated on past her.

Rainbow stood, stunned.

I-I... She bit her lip, gazing down solemnly at herself. I have the power to undo it all...

She sniffled, gazing back toward the sky with teary eyes and renewed confidence.

"I... I won't let you down!"

"Let who down, Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow spun around in surprise and inadvertently startled her four other friends who each let out a gasp.

"What? What is it?"

"You... you have a horn," Rarity was the first to point out.

Rainbow snorted, smiling meekly.

"Yeah, I, uh... just got it actually." Rainbow blinked away the tears in her eyes. "Luna, she um... made me into an alicorn—"

"Oh my gosh, now two of my friends are alicorns! This means we get to have a second alicorn par—!"

Rainbow lifted a hoof, asking her to quiet down.

"Pinkie... Not now, okay?"

"Rainbow," Fluttershy spoke up hesitantly, as she looked around puzzled. "W-where... where is Luna? She reached out to us in our dreams, but..." Her ears flopped as she shrunk back nervously. "I don't see her anywhere."

Rainbow stared back at her for a moment, before biting her lip. "Luna's gone, Fluttershy," she confeesed.

"G-gone?" Fluttershy repeated, raising her brow. "Y-you mean...?"

Rainbow shied her gaze away in shame... replying with a solemn nod of her head.

Pinkie's mane slowly lost its poof, and each of their heads dipped in dismay, Applejack holding her hat over her chest in respect.

"So Ah see now that that's who you were talkin' to..." After another moment of silence, she asked, "Do... do you know who's responsible? Surely, you must have seen somepony—!"

"I-it was Nightmare Moon. She's..." Rainbow trailed off for a moment. "She's responsible."

"My word... That horrid fiend... I thought we had seen the last of her," remarked Rarity.

Rainbow shook her head.

"Luna gave herself over to her, during the attack on Canterlot," she explained. "It... it was her only hope of defeating Chrysalis. She had been overpowered and wasn't sure if Celestia could, or even would, help her."

"But, then..." Fluttershy started to ask, "how did Nightmare Moon..." She quickly averted her eyes, shrinking back behind her mane. "Y-you know."

"She overpowered, and stripped herself of Luna. The forced separation left her dying, and, in her last moments... passed her remaining magic onto me."

Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Now why in the hay would she go and do something like that? And for that matter... where is Twilight?"

At the sound of her name being mentioned, Rainbow grew quieter, averting her gaze from the group.

"Is there something you're not telling us, Dash?" Rarity pressed.

"Did Nightmare Moon kidnap her?" asked Applejack.

"Is she hurt?" Fluttershy added.

Girls...

Rainbow peered off guiltily, their surmounting questions almost becoming too much for her to bear.

"Nightmare Moon, she... brought out the darkness in Twilight's heart... but it overpowered her... a-and now it has complete control over her mind."

"Well why on earth would Nightmare Moon try and make Twilight her new host? Surely her magic isn't more powerful than Luna's was."

"No, but..." Rainbow let out a shaky breath. "Her dark magic was."

"Dark magic? Is that right..."

Applejack stared back at her in disappointment, which caused her own crestfallen gaze to further shy away ashamedly.

"Mind tellin' us what's really been going on?"

Rainbow's brow further creased as the guilt mounted. She sighed heavily before beginning to explain.

"Twilight's crystal armor... wasn't just some spell. It was a fail-safe... to piece her body back together after she... she replaced her horn with Sombra's."

"What?" her friends all nearly exclaimed at once.

"I-in order to take on Chrysalis!" Rainbow reiterated. "Little did she know though... that the horn was actually a crystal fragment... housing his consciousness. He poisoned her body and mind with dark magic, and used her to attack the princesses—u-until I stopped him that is."

"And you kept this from us?" Rarity was the first to say, after a silent pause.

"It wasn't the right time!" argued Rainbow. "Chrysalis's attack was on the horizon, and we needed everypony to think she was okay. To see her as a symbol of strength and fortitude, w-which you all did—and it motivated you all to rebuild!"

Her friends however, each bore looks of uncertainty.

Rainbow huffed, staring back at her group of friends... the longer she continued to do so, the more she felt her resolve start to weaken.

"Look," she relented with a sigh, "I... I don't have time to go over all the details... and I don't blame you guys if you don't trust me right now. I just know... that none of this is Twilight's fault. The changelings took so much away from her... causing her so much grief and anger... Grief and anger that Nightmare Moon prayed upon... but now it's growing out of control, and it's going after Celestia! So please!" She shut her eyes, lowering her head. "Don't do it for me, but for the ponies who brought us all—!"

"Well now... Ah must say that was a mighty powerful speech you just gave." Rainbow's head lifted, brow raised at the sight of Applejack standing before her, bearing a kind smile.

The farmpony rested a hoof on her shoulder, garnishing a look of understanding. "I think Ah speak for every one of us when I say of course we'll help ya."

Rainbow blinked, staring back at her dumbfounded. "You... y-you will? But earlier... I-I mean, I knew you'd turn around, I just—"

Applejack cracked a slight grin. "Aw shoot, Rainbow Dash. Did you really think I'd still be sore over you and Twilight? We're better friends than that."

"No, I..." Rainbow breathed out heavily. "I guess my emotions are just a bit... all over the place right about now..."

Applejack surprised her with a sudden nudge to her side. "I just wanted a bit more honesty from you an' Twi... and right now, you were plenty honest."

"It doesn't matter if you're our friends," added in Fluttershy. "If somepony's in danger, we're always willing to lend a hoof."

"Of course," Rarity chimed in, "it took Luna reaching out us for you to ask for our help. Still, you've been an absolute dear to Twilight, putting her first this whole time." She prodded, leaning in closer. "Do I sense something between you two?"

Rainbow immediately stiffened, staring back at her. "I-I..."

Applejack chuckled. "Rarity, you have no idea."

Rarity leaned her head back, turning to look at Applejack with piqued curiosity, and allowing Rainbow some room to breath.

Sighing out a breath of relief, she turned towards her only other friend that wasn't currently gathered around her.

"Pinkie?" she called out to the crestfallen pink mare, sitting silently alone with her mane drooping around her head, slightly obscuring her features. "What about you?"

Pinkie perked up at the sound of her friend's voice, but remained still, merely giving her shoulders a shrug.

"Nothing about any of this is fun..." she murmured, as the four of them walked back on over. "Me, you... Twilight... I just want us all to be able to laugh together again."

She jolted up suddenly at the feeling of Rainbow's hoof on her shoulder, and looked up at her friend, surprised.

"Me too, Pinkie... Me too..."

Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy, bearing heartfelt looks, followed suit, gathering together into a group hug... and as all of her friends huddled together... Rainbow felt a sudden spark.

Is this... the feeling Twilight felt... that night? She smiled warmly, relishing in the sensation. The magic of friendship... Huh.

"Rainbow, dear..." Rainbow snapped back to reality at the sound of Rarity's startled voice. "You're positively glowing!"

All of her friends stepped back in astonishment, Rainbow herself lifting a hoof up against the moonlight.

"What... do you think it means?" Fluttershy was the first to ask, looking between the others.

"I think it's time for us to go," Rainbow decided, lowering her hoof back down. "Twilight's counting on us."

"But... how in the hay are we supposed to find her?"

"She'll be going after Celestia, Applejack."

"Nopony's seen her for days though—!"

"I-I have," Rainbow confessed. She bit her lip, ears flopping as she clutched her forearm with her other hoof. "Twilight sent me to search for her, after Canterlot..." She sighed, peering back up ashamedly. "I told you guys there was a lot I hadn't told you..."

"You're telling us now, dear..." replied Rarity with a look of understanding. "That's what really counts."

Rainbow looked back at her with a thankful smile.

"How are we supposed to go after her though?" Pinkie asked as she pointed out, "You and Fluttershy are the only ones with wings!"

Rainbow's smile fell, her lips slowly parting. "I... I hadn't really considered... Hold on," she said. "I'm gonna try something..."

Her horn fizzled to life, her aura glowing a light blue. Each of her friends stood with bated breath, when a round, cerulean platform rose up under their hooves, and rose them into the air slightly. The platforms each then expanded around them, forming a bubble-like shield.

Each of them looked around at themselves, and then at each other in utter astonishment.

"Rainbow Dash, why... you've done it."

Rainbow's ears stood tall, her face muscles relaxing, and eyes opening in stunned silence.

"Incredible... you're a natural! However did you manage?"

Rainbow blushed at Rarity's kind words, peering away with a soft smile. "I just... thought of you guys, a-and wanting to keep you guys safe is all..." She gave her shoulders an innocent shrug.

"Aw, Dashie..." Fluttershy chimed in. "Don't be bashful."

"Hooray for Rainbow Dash!" cheered Pinkie, leaping up as her mane sprung back to life. She looked back at the others, only to notice them deadpanning back at her. "What? How can I stay upset when there's so much positivity in the air? It's making my mane all frizzly."

Rainbow shook her head, stepping forward. "Don't get too excited, Pinkie," she remarked. "We're about to face the biggest fight of our lives..."

Pinkie froze mid-leap, staring back at her friend as her smile quickly fell. "Guess I was just... getting it out of my system." She let out a halfhearted laugh, sinking back to the bottom of her magical bubble.

Rainbow sighed, turning around to look back on ahead.

"For a brighter tomorrow..." she whispered softly to herself, unfurling her wings.

She lifted herself up off the ground, and lit up her horn, taking hold of the four bubbles in her kinetic grasp... then reared back before taking off at supersonic speeds.

The speed didn't rattle them. They simply watched in awe as time seemingly froze, the outside world blurring around them.

All the while Rainbow kept her gaze focused on what was in front of her.

"You're right, Rainbow Dash," a sudden memory surfaced, Celestia's voice playing out in her head. "Twilight is indeed gifted when it comes to keeping order. However, with the possibility of changelings, and Chrysalis herself showing up... I fear the sight of them may trigger the dark magic residing inside her mind to come forth. We do not need another threat on top of the one we already face."

"Well, you won't have to worry about that, 'cause I believe in Twilight!"

"If Twilight's other half begins to take over—"

"If that happens, I'll deal with it. Trust me... I'm not about to let Twilight lose what makes her sparkle."

With their exchange still lingering in the back of her mind, she pressed onwards, flying towards the burgeoning sunrise.

Fiendship is Magic

View Online

Celestia sat at the narrow end of a ledge, just outside a mountain cave. The calm waves splashed against the rocks below, a gentle breeze coming from the ocean running through her fur.

However, she paid it little mind.

Her horn dimmed as the sun had now fully risen, and was now visible over the horizon.

She breathed out, leaning back. I forgot how hard it can be... without...

Her gaze fell at the bitter reminder.

Luna... I promise I—

Her ears perked up, and her brow slowly raised, before standing tall and spinning around to face whatever it was attempting to sneak up behind her.

A long couple of moments passed as she stood unflinching, with nothing more than the crashing sounds of the waves to fill the eerie silence.

She tched, staring deeper into the darkness of the cave.

"I know you are there!" She readied her stance, aiming her horn into the darkness. "I would recognize that magical signature anywhere... Nightmare Moon!"

A callous laughter came from within the darkness, as a dark figure, that of a pony's, stepped a little more clearly into view.

"Bra-vo... Celestia," the shadowy figure patronized.

"You..." Celestia's eyes widened, staring puzzled at the intruder. "You're not my sister..."

"Mm?" The figure looked off in thought, brining a hoof to their chin. "No, no, I... left her to die. One less princess to screw things up, you know?"

Celestia grit her teeth, igniting her horn's aura. "What did you say!?"

"If it's any consolation—" Her words were cut off as her body was shot with an intense beam of sunlight, knocking her into the back wall of the cave, and smashing open the back of her crystal armor.

She fell limp to the cave floor, her crystalline body purged of most of the darkness that had surrounded it.

As Celestia stepped deeper like a predator nearing in on its prey... she suddenly froze, noticing half of her attacker's face was unveiled from the darkness.

Her heart ached at the sight of her student's eye peering back at her.

"Your sister was... already dying..."

"Twilight?"

"Not anymore," Twilight's shadow shot back, weakly getting to her hooves. "You see... Nightmare Moon tried taking her over... but she only ended up awakening me instead. Twilight Sparkle's superior self!"

"Her superior...? So Nightmare Moon tempted the darkness within you..." Celestia's gaze solemnly fell. "I never would have guessed she'd go after you."

"And that's the problem with you princesses... You're never able to see what's right in front of you!"

Celestia conjured a shield just as Twilight unleashed a flurry of shots, each one pummeling her barrier.

"You princesses are the problem with this world! All you ever did... was use me, mistrust me... and when I needed you most... you abandoned me!"

Celestia winced, enduring the brunt of her student's barrage. Her hooves skidded back little by little across the cave floor with each blow to her shield.

"I was... searching for my sister!" she desperately tried to explain, however her words did little to quell her student's fiery rage.

"And it never occurred to you that she might come after me!?"

Twilight's darkness seethed, her horn's aura erupting. She wound her head back, before bowing forward, and unleashing a magnificent beam at her old mentor's shield, shattering it completely.

Hundreds of gleaming light particles fizzled out as her shield dissipated, Celestia skidding briefly across the cave floor before collapsing onto a single forearm.

She winced, looking up at the younger mare regretfully.

"I'm... so sorry, Twilight—"

"That isn't my name!" screamed her darkness, unleashing a second beam of energy, and sending Celestia reeling backwards.

The alicorn princess fell onto her side, defeated... and for a long moment, everything was still.

Twilight's shadow snorted, gazing down coldly at the once-proud ruler.

"You failed me, Celestia...," she continued, stepping closer, "but I see things clearly now... and with this newfound power...!" She held up a hoof, displaying the base of it flat. From its surface rose two black, intertwining tendrils, like a corkscrew with a piercing tip.

She smirked down at her fallen idol. "I know what needs to be done."

"You think taking my power will make things better?"

"In my hooves, yes. I will reshape this world into one a little less complicated, where everything goes according to... to..." Her words trailed off, feeling the ground beneath her hooves begin to rumble, and looked towards the cave opening in confusion.

"Is that a—?"

A rainbow blur sped into her, grabbing her by her torso, and slamming her with such force into the back wall of the cave, that it exploded outwards into the scenic forest on the other side.

The rainbow curved into the ground, plowing her through the grass and dirt before coming to a swift halt.

The impact stripped away her shadowy exterior, and shredded her armor as pieces of crystal body chipped away, littering the ditch their bodies had dug.

Rainbow glared down at her friend's face as she grimaced, though amazingly, seemed more peeved than in pain.

"How are you still alive!?" Twilight's darkness demanded, scowling up at her.

"Remember that magic you didn't want?"

"You...!" Her horn ignited, sending a beam of magic into Rainbow's chest. The beam repelled her long enough for her to regain her own footing.

Her crystal armor already repairing itself, she popped the kinks in her neck, before glaring daggers at the newly-crowned alicorn hovering in the skies before her. "So, Luna made you an alicorn, did she? Hmph, no matter..." She smirked, crouching forward. "You're just another princess on my list."

Rainbow grimaced from the residual sting of her friend's magic. Smoke simmered from her tinged fur as she grit her teeth, pushing through the pain. "Give Twilight back her body!"

Twilight's darkness stared back at her, her expression unrelenting. "No," she insisted. "I must be the one... to use these powers."

Rainbow cocked her head, remaining no less wary. "To do what?" she tentatively asked.

"Reshape reality," she replied. "Do not try to stop me."

Rainbow's brow slowly raised in disbelief. "Reshape...? You mean like... rewrite history?" A cold shiver ran down her spine at the notion.

"No, I meant make the Earth flat," came her condescending response. "Yes rewrite history! This world is too far gone for its own good, but I could make everything right again, Dash! Make it so that there's no war, no strife, no causalities! I could bring back all the ones we've lost!"

Rainbow swallowed down a courageous lump in her throat. "There's no way I'm about to let that happen!" she exclaimed, diving at her.

Twilight's body manifested a crystal blade, countering Rainbow's hoof with its blunt edge.

The two glowered at one another, neither budging an inch.

"Your parents died, right? I can make it so that that never happened... Don't you want to see them again—?"

"Of course I do... but not like this! You threatened to kill my friends, you... you're trying to kill Celestia! You... you may not be Twilight... but you still care for Spike, right? What would he say if he knew you were doing this!?"

Twilight's body eased up momentarily, her eyes widening at the chilling reminder. "Spike...?"

"I mean, you want to make things right in the world, right? Undo all the hurt... Well, you're made up of Twilight's pain, and anger at those in charge... but also at the heartbreak she felt when her family died... You want them back too, don't you?" beseeched Rainbow. "That's really why you're doing this... isn't it?"

Twilight's gaze wavered, her voice softening. "I... I just want those... those who betrayed me... to pay! If you understand that, then join with me!" She stared back yearningly into Rainbow's eyes, her blade dematerializing as she instead extended her hoof.

"Lend me your hoof, and we can forge a more perfect world with our powers!"

Rainbow remained steadfast, staring back at her sternly. "Celestia never betrayed you... and neither did Luna, me, or any of the girls! You only think they did because that's what you felt at the time! No world can ever be perfect; we just... learn to make the best of what we're given."

Twilight's brow furled in anger. "I am saying that I can make—!"

Rainbow looked away, softly shaking her head. "I don't want any blood on my hooves... not anymore than I already have."

Twilight stared back into her eyes, feeling her own heart pang at her old friend's resolve. The betrayal she felt right then, morphed swiftly into anger once more as the hurt vanished from her eyes. "Then you will be erased like the rest!"

Rainbow leapt into the air and fired a shot of her own in retaliation, to which Twilight's body conjured up a crystal shield to block the blast.

She winced, feeling her hooves dig into the ground as her body waned and forelegs buckled under the enormous pressure.

Ngh... S-such magical prowess... Her eyes sparked to life as she cracked an excited grin. I can't wait... until it's all mine!

The magic hitting her shield and flittering around it—splitting into several fragmented beams of light—soon subsided, letting up on Twilight's body... the darkness controlling it letting out a solitary sigh of relief.

Then her eyes widened, as a hoof punched through her barrier, grinding across the side of her face.

She stumbled a bit as her head cocked to one side, staring wide-eyed at the pony who had attacked her. Pinkie Pie...?

She regained her balance, smirking back at the pink earth pony as her shield dematerialized. "I never took you for a fighter... Then again... you did grow up on a rock farm."

"Give Twilight back her body... you meanie!"

Twilight's body glowered back at her. She manifested a blade along the side of her foreleg before readying herself to strike. "How about instead I—!"

She lunged forward, only to find her foreleg frozen in place, as if something had suddenly grabbed a tight hold of it.

She grunted, struggling against its grip on her as she looked back to locate its source.

Her gaze immediately narrowed.

Rarity...

A glowing blue thread had wrapped itself tightly around her foreleg, and as she followed the source of the thread, it lead her directly to Rarity's horn.

"Rarity..." Twilight's darkness cracked a cocky smirk. "If you think you can hold me back..."

Rarity let out a grunt, as she continued to bare the strain being placed upon her horn. She squeezed her eyes tight. "I'm certainly willing... to try!"

She glared at the unicorn in over her head, gritting her teeth at the indignant response as she snapped the connection and prepared to charge at her... when something else caused her to trip and fall.

She looked back bewildered at her hind legs, only to discover a second magical thread tying them together.

Growling out in frustration, she quickly severed the thread with a quick burst of magic, then struggled to her hooves, smiling warily.

"You will all... have to try way harder than that if you want to—to...?"

The ground under her gave way suddenly, and she found herself taken aback as she fell into a deep pit.

"Thank you all for your help, little ones," Fluttershy said with a kind smile to the moles who had helped her, before ushering them to move along. "It's not safe here. Please... scurry on over to someplace else for the time being."

She blinked her eyes, giving her head a shake.

Moles...? she silently pondered, when another voice captured her attention.

"Move out of the way, ya'll!"

A low rumbling that swiftly grew ever louder followed the exclamation.

Applejack...? What is—?

The rumbling quickly grew into what could have been mistaken as a stampeding herd of buffalo as rocks came barreling down the cliffside... filtering directly into the hole where Twilight's body still lay.

Twilight's darkness could only gasp breathlessly, her eyes widening before squeezing shut, her body bracing itself.

The dust soon cleared as Rainbow came down beside her four friends, and for a moment, everything was still.

Together, the five of them stepped cautiously towards the sealed-up hole.

"I... I do hope we didn't overdo it," Rarity was the first to remark, gazing down worriedly at the pit of debris.

"Twilight would have wanted us to give it our all," replied Rainbow, her sorrowful gaze remaining transfixed on the hole. She sighed, giving her shoulders a shrug. "Besides... I know that wasn't enough to seriously wound her. Twilight's tougher than that."

"Rainbow, Ah..." Applejack spoke up nervously, starting to reach out to comfort her. "Ah know this can't be easy for you..."

Rainbow shook her head softly, reaffirming her friend's suspicion. "It's not, Applejack... but I'm a princess now." Her voice grew quieter, her eyes growing heavier. "This is a burden that I must bare."

Her friends all looked at one another, exchanging apprehensive looks.

Rainbow jumped in startlement, her eyes widening as Pinkie Pie threw her forelegs around her shoulders suddenly.

"No way, Rainbow Dash!" she exclaimed, grinning reassuringly. "We'll shoulder it together, because Twilight's our friend too."

Rainbow stared back into her friend's eyes at a loss for words. She glanced back at her other friends who all nodded their heads in agreement.

"G-guys..."

Rainbow smiled warmly, gazing back on ahead. Thank you.

"Well said," remarked Celestia, as she walked up from behind them... the five of them looking up at her in surprise.

"Princess!"

"You're okay!"

"Why, I never thought we'd see you again!"

Celestia smiled at their kind words, softly ushering them to quiet down. "Yes, I am alright, thanks to you all showing up when you did. Unfortunately..." Her expression turned dour, looking past them, to the pile of rubble they had created. "I only wish it were under different circumstances."

Rainbow looked up at her, tilting her head in confusion. "Princess?"

"I must ask that the five of you leave this area, and get as far from here as you can. It's me she wants... and I won't have any of you putting yourselves in harm's way."

"What!?" the five friends nearly all exclaimed at once.

"You can't be serious!" Pinkie argued. "After we came all this way?"

"Yeah, and, uh, hel-lo?" Rainbow interjected, pointing to the tip of her horn.

Celestia paused, staring back at her, a bit taken aback.

"Yes, I... noticed you had undergone a change, Rainbow Dash." She hesitated a moment more before asking, "Tell me... m-my sister... I can sense her magic. I-is she...?"

"Her magic, her... her will... lives on in me, Princess." ears lowered. "It was when Nightmare Moon severed their connection." "I'm sorry, Celestia..."

Celestia paled as she stared back through her, unblinking... Rainbow's words like a tough pill to swallow, it was almost too much to accept.

I suppose, deep down, I already knew the truth the moment I saw her as an alicorn... Her breaths turned rugged, cold chills running throughout her body. Maybe that's why I didn't acknowledge her transformation right away... I just couldn't bear to hear what my heart already feared.

"Princess?"

Celestia exited her thoughts at the sound of Rainbow's inquisitive tone, to find the five of them looking up at her in concern.

She hurriedly dried her tears, gathering her composure, and throwing on a brave face for the five of them.

"I have no one to blame but myself, Rainbow Dash," she replied, her voice breaking a little. "The Nightmare has always burdened my sister, and even when it brought out the worst in her... I did nothing but retaliate, banishing her to the moon for a millennia. And when she returned, I... made it your responsibilities."

She bowed her head in disgrace, the others looking around at one another, unsure of what to say.

"Oh, we didn't mind," Pinkie replied, braking the silence as she pronked upwards. "It was a fun little adventure!" she added cheerfully, the others chiming in in agreement.

"That may be... but I put Twilight in direct contact with her, and now... history is repeating itself. All I've ever done is count on others to save the day..." She sighed, averting her gaze further. "Perhaps Twili—this foe of ours—is right about me..."

Her pitiful words caused the smiles and hopeful faces of the group of friends to be replaced with uncertain looks of anxiousness.

Well, all except for one.

"Urgh... What is it with you and Luna, a-and Twilight... being so hard on yourselves, a-and shouldering everything all the time?" Rainbow blurted out in frustration. She huffed, drawing surprised looks from the others.

"So you made some mistakes... We all have. The important thing is that we learn from them in order to avoid the mistakes of the past!"

"Darn tootin'!" Applejack chimed in, smiling proudly over at her.

"Unlike the five of you, though... there isn't much more I have to lose, and I couldn't bear the thought of losing you all too! S-so please... leave, w-while you still have the chance!" Her tone swiftly turned urgent, as she picked up on slight vibrations within the ground, as the surrounding earth begin to quake under her hooves.

Rainbow shook her head, remaining firm. "Not a chance. See, Luna told me that I was the key to ending this cycle of hatred... and if anypony could reach Twilight, it was me."

Rainbow... Celestia bit her bottom lip, the anxiousness she felt starting to swell. Now really isn't the time for your stubbornness…

She sighed, stating pleadingly, "Yes, but Luna wouldn't have wanted you to throw yourself in harm's way either. Please, Rainbow... Friends lie down their lives for one another, so please let me put my life on the line to try and save her!"

"But what about when Twilight returns to us? She'll need the five of—!"

A pillar of light exploded upwards from deep within the hole, completely incinerating the rocks that covered it.

Rainbow and the others shielded themselves from the powerful magic, lifting a foreleg to their eyes, only lowering it once the pillar started to fade.

In its place, hovering above the pit, was Twilight's body, seething in and out. A veil of darkness once more adorned her crystalline body, though already the others could see the sunlight burning holes through it, exposing the crystal layer beneath.

"We're not... finished yet!"

The six readied themselves just as a couple bolts of lightning were unleashed, forcing Rainbow and Celestia back into a couple of trees.

The others gasped, looking after them and crying out their names. They started after them when Twilight's voice boomed out once more.

"Stop right there!"

The remaining four becoming frozen in place, a shimmering glow encompassing their bodies.

"Now..." She smirked, lifting her foreleg above her head, and with it, dragged the four terrified friends off their hooves and into the air. "Celestia said that she couldn't bear to lose the four of you..." Her horn's aura grew in intensity, causing the four of them to writhe in agony.

Rainbow and Celestia's eyes both widened at the sight, with Rainbow scrambling to her hooves, wincing from the residing, stinging pain she still felt.

"Ngh... d-don't!" she pleaded, reaching out her hoof. "Twilight, you... you've got to fight her!"

Twilight's gaze narrowed, and turned to face her.

"You loudmouth... Why don't you learn how to shut your mouth? Or rather..." She cracked a smirk. "Why don't I do it for you?"

Rainbow's brow raised in wonder at the sudden, empty feeling below her muzzle and inside her. She tried to speak, to part her lips and make a sound... but to her dismay, her lips felt like they had been sealed shut.

She turned shakily towards Celestia, whose own expression seemed to confirm her fear.

"Rainbow, d-don't worry," stammered Celestia in assurance. "I-I'll have the spell undone in no time. J-just stay calm, breath through your muzzle—!"

"Ah-hem!"

Celestia and Rainbow turned fearfully back towards Twilight's darkness as she herself bore a bored expression.

"Now... let me show you how it feels to watch helplessly while everypony you care for gets ripped away from you before your very eyes!"

Don't! Twilight's voice—her true voice rang out pleadingly within her head. Please... whatever you do, just don't do this! They—they're your friends too, they... Everything you ever did was to keep them safe!

Her darkness remained still for a moment, in pensive silence.

And looks where that's gotten us, she remarked coldly, charging her horn and looking back to the world outside her eyes.

The four let out anguished screams as their bodies began being torn apart, molecule by molecule as if slowly being erased... their bodies vanishing completely from reality itself.

Rainbow's eyes immediately grew heavy with tears, screaming out only for a muffled squeak to be heard in its place.

No...

Twilight's inner gaze fell, her voice breaking.

Tch... Celestia forced her gaze away, tears of her own falling from her eyes. She ignited her horn and in a flash, restored Rainbow's mouth to her face, then unfurled her wings as her heart beat sickeningly.

She breathed out before directing her now scornful gaze towards Twilight.

She indented the ground beneath her hooves as she took off, leaving blustery winds in her wake.

She slammed into Twilight, tackling her body to the ground, before coming to stand over her fiercely. "You monster..."

Twilight's face winced, all the while cracking a callous smirk. "Oh, is the pot calling the kettle black, now? You created me, Princess... or did you already forget that?"

Celestia relented for a second. "I..."

Her foe sneered as black tendrils rose up from her chest suddenly, puncturing Celestia's.

The princess herself let out a gasp, feeling the tendrils begin to suck away her energy, lapping away at her very essence.

"Celestia!"

Rainbow wrapped her forelegs over and around the princess's torso, then drew back, flying them both a safe distance away.

"Rainbow Dash!" Celestia looked to her, bewildered to see her back in the fray so soon. "Y-you...?"

Her eyes were still teary and red, but she managed to display a brave face, remaining determined.

"You've got to stay focused, Celestia!" she chided her, voice strained from her crying.

Celestia only stared back at her, a bit too unnerved to speak.

"R-right..." she managed to let out after a moment.

The two turned their focus back to Twilight's darkness, who cocked her head irritably at them.

"Why do the two of you insist on putting up a fight? You've both lost so much..." She stomped her hoof down in anger. "Just allow me to create my perfect world, and your minds will be at ease. Your sacrifices will not be in vain!"

"I told you already," Rainbow said. "No world can be perfect... especially one lead by you."

Their foe scoffed. "And pray tell, how would I be a worse leader than Celestia?"

She sneered, watching as Rainbow hovered opposite her, remaining silent for a long moment before she at last gave her response.

"Celestia... Twilight... even Luna..." she began. "They all understood something that you never will."

"Which is...?" Twilight gazed up at her humorously, raising an eyebrow.

Rainbow's expression remained serious, as she glared down at her bravely.

"Friendship... will always be magic."

Before their foe could get a word in edgewise, Rainbow took off at blazing speeds, circling around her, and kicking up a flurry of winds, quickly tunneling around her. "Celestia!" she exclaimed, flying back towards her. "Now!"

"N-now?" she repeated, dumbfounded. "Do what?"

"We need to soften up that crystal shell of hers, then shatter it completely before it regenerates! Quick!" She pointed to the waning tunnel of wind. "Cast a fire spell on that tornado of mine before it's too late!"

"A fire spell?" Celestia repeated, incredulously. She peered back anxiously at the winds that ensnared her pupil's body. Looking further, she made out the silhouette of Twilight, struggling to maintain her ground.

You'd better be right about this, Rainbow...

Tentatively, she fired up her horn, firing a beam directly at the base of the winds that lit the swirling vortex ablaze.

Rainbow and Celestia watched as the tunnel of fire rose high into the sky.

Come on, Twilight... Rainbow bit her bottom lip in anticipation. Fight back—!

"What in the world?"

Rainbow's attention snapped back to Celestia, who noticed the silhouette of a dome crop up within the vortex.

"Shatter," Twilight's darkness whispered, and the dome burst into hundreds of shards, suspended and each catching fire like hundreds of flaming arrows.

She took a step forward, and the impact quelled the whirlwind in an instant before she then grinned up at them.

"Is all that all you've got!?"

The flaming shards turned towards the two alicorns all at once.

"Now it's my turn."

Following her command, the shards were launched like daggers through the air.

"They're telepathically linked," Celestia noted nervously, as Twilight thrust her foreleg forward. "Even if we move out of the way, they'll no doubt stay locked onto us."

"Then we won't run," remarked Rainbow, conjuring a couple spears in her hooves, and readying herself.

Celestia nodded wearily, conjuring up a staff of her own, and deflecting the first shot in one swift swing.

Rainbow twirled her spears like propellers, slicing apart dozens of shards with Celestia by her side, moving at the speed of light.

The last shard was made quick work of, and winding her foreleg back as Rainbow wound her body up, spun all the way around before hurdling the spear at her foe.

Twilight's darkness widened her eyes, swerving her body just in time to dodge the incoming throw.

It embedded itself deep in the ground beside her, and she nervously smiled, turning back to the duo.

A second blade soared past her vision, slicing through the slide of her face before she could even blink.

She breathed out ruggedly, the crystals already repairing themselves. She chuckled under her breath, forming a gleeful grin. "It's going to take more than that if you both want to defeat—!"

She was cut off by the sound of something sizzling, and found that the source of the noise, where the ethereal spears had embedded themselves, were now steaming and bubbling.

Her expression immediately deadpanned.

"Oh, for—"

The ground around her hooves exploded, causing dirt to fly in all directions as smoke and dust filled the air

When the air cleared, Twilight's darkness stood in the center of it all, seething in and out... most of the crystal torn asunder, leaving her darkened, malleable body exposed to the elements.

Twilight...

Rainbow's heart ached at the sight of her friend's body—her true body—for the first time in weeks.

She and Celestia exchanged sorrowful looks. Is this really what dark magic does to a pony?

Twilight's hoof stomped down, snapping her from her thoughts.

"Alright..." she growled out, crouching forward. Slight smoke simmered from her darkened fur as her protective layer of crystal slowly reconstituted itself. "You wanna dance?"

She cracked a maniacal grin. "Alright, Dash! One last dance then... you and me!"

Smoke billowed out from craters that dotted the once-lush and green forest. The tall trees that once stood proudly over the grassy field, now lay on their sides, or splintered in half, loosely hanging on to their trunk.

And through the smoke and disarray, the sounds of combat still prevailed, cutting through the otherwise eerie silence.

Rainbow clashed with Twilight's darkness on the ground, glaring into one another's eyes. Sweat trickled down Rainbow's brow as her hoof pushed into a shield Twilight materialized out of dark magic.

Celestia knelt forward onto her foreleg a little ways away, singed spots of fur across her body. She breathed out, her fore and hind legs feeling as though they were about to give out any second...

She peered up at the two longtime friends through tired eyes. Her horn's aura ignited briefly before fizzling back out... a few sparks falling as a result.

And, as she continued to watch, her body too weak to move any further, her eyes could do nothing more than well up tearfully in regret.

Twilight's darkness snorted. "You're one heck of a dance partner, Dash." She sneered warily, wincing as a crooked, clawed appendage rose up out of her back. "But I think it's time this little dance of ours came to a close."

Rainbow's ears flopped, her heart sinking as her furrowed gaze peered up at the clawed hand looming over her menacingly.

She let out a frightened cry as it snatched her up off the ground, clenching around her, squeezing her.

"Ngh... Tw-Twi..."

Rainbow...

Twilight's inner light looked up woefully from the inside of her mind, Rainbow's voice reaching her.

She brought this upon herself, her darkness remarked, glaring back unsympathetically at the young alicorn pony.

She smirked before drawing the shadowy appendage back, then whipping it forward, letting Rainbow out of her grasp as she threw her.

Celestia's eyes widened. "Rainbow!"

Rainbow's side slammed into a tree, the alicorn pony sucking in a sharp breath through gritted teeth as her body fell limply to the grass below.

Celestia's breath caught, watching in worry before becoming alert to Twilight's presence once more. Her pupil's body walked up behind her, almost going unnoticed.

Celestia turned to face her, Twilight's body almost encased entirely again in crystal. Her horn bubbled, giving off an eerie green and black aura; and what parts of her face remained unencased, glared down coldly at the older alicorn. Celestia's heart sunk, her horn attempting once again to charge in one final, daring act before the wind was knocked out of her... her eyes slowly widening.

Twilight's magic had beaten her to the punch... shooting her in the chest, and sending her reeling back into the mountain. Celestia slammed into the base of the mountain, lurching forward from the initial shock, before a second beam proceeded the first. Twilight's darkness lowered her head, wincing as she poured all of her anger and frustration into this second attack.

The beam increased in both size and ferocity, tunneling deep into the mountainside for a few, long moments before eventually fizzling out.

Twilight dropped her head for a moment, panting softly as she allowed herself a moment's reprieve before once again lifting her gaze, and smirking at the utter devastation she had caused.

Rainbow lay collapsed on her side to her left, and Celestia...

Celestia lay limply against the back of the hole she had dug, her figure becoming clearer as more of the smoke billowed out. Her head hung down, her once-pristine coat was now singed black in several places, with dirt and bits of rubble strewn over her body.

She snorted at the sight.

I'm so strong... I bet I don't even need their powers.

She winced as something gnawed suddenly at the back of her head, pressing onward to the edge of the forest.

She grinned, turning her attention up towards the sun.

I bet I could even move the sun!

Her horn flared, aiming her magic at the large, spherical star, slowly but surely feeling her magic encompass it in its entirety. Hmph. This is easier than I could have hoped—

Twilight's true self managed to free one of her forelegs, tearing it free from the darkness.

Her outside body stumbled as though she just received a blow to the head.

Her darkness fumed, sitting up straight from her mind's throne, staring angrily towards her other self.

How... how are you still fighting back?!

Anger may be strong... It may push us, a-and motivate us... Twilight ripped her left foreleg loose, again sending a shockwave through her head that rocked her shadow. But you know what...? Her teary gaze lifted, glaring bitterly at her other self. Grief... is an even bigger motivator!

With a fierce scream, she forced her hind legs free, falling to the depths of her mind. The floor rippled like a puddle as she landed in it, and sloshed around as she pulled herself to her hooves.

Her shadow backed up, for a moment overcome with a twinge of fear. N-no... she stammered, that fear quickly being replaced once more with rage. Why... why am I feeling so afraid?! You're nothing compared to me! You're everything I'm not! You're weak, you're vulnerable, you...! She tched, backing up further. T-this is my mind!

Twilight stopped, staring back at her dark reflection for a moment, taken aback... before shaking her head, and igniting her horn. The walls of her mind began to shake, and the darkness that had muddied the floor of her mind now rocked back and forth with mounting intensity like that of roaring ocean waves.

Her shadow found it hard to stand, her legs buckling... and she found herself kneeling forward as one of her forelegs came out from under her. Then, before she could react, a shimmering hoof came down from above, belonging to a faceless, ethereal alicorn giant... that now lingered over her other half—as if it were a manifestation of all her pain and grief that had been conjured up right then and there.

It pinned her into the darkness, and immediately she was hit with the feeling of warmth, of... tear-stricken sadness, and of guilt. Is this, she wondered, the true strength of...? Is anger really not enough...? No... she was being assimilated back into...

Her eyes widened in fear of the revelation.

N-no...! I... I-I'm not about to go back! I... I'm not about to be defeated so easily!

Twilight all the while, in a moment of reprieve, eased up... while the feeling in her chest however, continued to mount... her heart growing all the heavier. She tore her gaze away from her dark shadow as tears began to form. She blinked several times, before shutting her eyelids tight... her entire body beginning to tremble.

Over the hate-filled screams of her shadow, she let it all come out: the pain, the sadness... Imaginary tears ran down her cheeks, representative of the tears her real body cried on the outside. She sniffled, her crying outright becoming choke-filled sobs... Gritting her teeth as her jaw quivered, she slowly lifted a hoof to her chest, clutching the spot where it ached the most.

"Twilight?"

Twilight's ears perked up at the sound of her girlfriend's voice calling her name. She brought a foreleg to her eyes, rubbing away her tears swiftly before composing herself completely.

R-Rainbow?

"Twilight?" the voice repeated. "Can you hear me? Did... did you do it? Did you take back control?"

The question had forced the slightest of smiles to her lips. My physical body has probably been standing completely still ever since I wrangled back control...

She ran on over to the center of her mindscape where she proceeded to take back control of her eyes, and look into the face of her dearest friend.

She cleared her throat before replying, "Yes, yes Rainbow, I... I did."

The look on her face saddened once again, seeing the sorry state her girlfriend was in. Her matted, dirty fur, messy mane and bruises, cuts...

"G-good." Rainbow's lips curved into a smile for a brief second. "That's great, Twilight."

Things became quiet between the two of them as Twilight's own voice softened

"I... I just wish that... it'd hadn't taken the, the d-deaths of our..." Her voice broke as more tears began to well in her eyes.

"I know, Twilight, I know..." Rainbow garnished a sympathetic smile, resting her hoof on the other mare's shoulder. "I think it'll be okay though because... Celestia told me there's still something we can do."

Twilight's ears perked up. "Celestia? S-she's still...?" She blinked away her tears, clearing her eyes. "You mean there's still hope? Oh, Rainbow..." A look of relief washed over her as she took Rainbow's hoof into her own. "Take me to her!"

She nodded, glancing up towards the sky for a second, before turning back to Twilight.

"She's over this way, come on!" She motioned with her head for Twilight to follow her, before turning, and running back to the base of the mountain, Twilight trailing closely behind her.

Celestia sat where she had seen her last: in the indentation within the mountainside... areas of her body and forelegs singed completely black.

Twilight approached her ashamedly, her eyes full of sorrow as Celestia lifted her head to greet her.

She smiled softly. "It's good to see you... Twilight."

Celestia... Her mentor's weakened state caused her chest to once again swell up with sadness. She brought her foreleg up to her mouth in horror of what she had done.

Rainbow bit her bottom lip, looking between the two, brushing a hoof up along her foreleg.

"Don't be sad, Twilight... I will... be alright." She winced as she slowly sat up straight. "We shall all be."

"We... w-we shall all be?" Twilight stared back at her mentor inquisitively, in stunned silence.

Celestia nodded, Rainbow helping her to her hooves. "For now, we must focus on what truly matters... which is saving our world."

"Saving our...? Whatever do you mean?" She looked between the two with a bewildered expression. "What is—?"

Celestia ignited her horn, and within seconds the earth began to rumble. Twilight looked all around her hooves in startlement, and from beside her, to her surprise, came forth a pale-blue tree with spindly branches and luminescence decorations hung from them. A star-like insignia adorned the center of the tree.

The Tree of Harmony, Twilight realized, looking up at it in awe of its magnificence. At the end of its branches... were the Elements of Harmony, no different now than when she and the girls had given them up weeks prior.

As they gleamed and shined brilliantly in the morning sun... one question still remained, nestled in the back of her mind.

Why had Celestia summoned the tree, and the Elements... to their location?

She looked up at Celestia, confusion written all over her face as she longed desperately for an answer.

"What's going on?" she tentatively asked.

Celestia averted her eyes, unable to meet her student's. She instead remained quiet, much to her pupil's growing frustration.

Twilight's brow furrowed. "Why won't you...?" She looked around for some kind of clue, but the only thing that stood out to her was the sun's light that bathed the area in a harsh, golden glow.

She turned to Rainbow, distressed. "Rainbow?" she asked. "Rainbow, you've been quiet this whole time." Her voice softened, as she reached a hoof out in concern. "Do you know what this is all about?"

"I..." Rainbow struggled to find the right words. "I, u-um..."

She scratched the back of her head, peering back at her woefully. "There's... really no easy way to answer that, Twilight."

"Why not, Dash?" Twilight pressed, before noticing something peculiar. Beads of sweat were now trickling through her girlfriend's fur, and down her face.

She titled her head in confusion, before asking, "Rainbow, why are you sweating?"

Rainbow simply smiled back at her halfheartedly, sadness in her eyes.

She nodded past her, up at the sky, and as Twilight turned to look, that's when she saw it.

The sky was ablaze with fire, with erupting solar flares and smoldering, red-hot flames looming over their heads.

Twilight paled at the sight. Her pupils turned to pinpricks as her heart sunk sickeningly from within her chest, and she stood frozen, paralyzed with fear at the overwhelming sight.

From behind them both, Celestia let out a sigh, turning her attention away from the sun, and instead back to the Tree of Harmony. One by one, she reclaimed the Elements, and passed them to Rainbow. "We must make haste," she commanded, grabbing her pupil's curiosity.

"To do what?" she demanded, growing exasperated as the ever-increasing temperature only worsened her frustration. She stomped her hoof into the cracking earth. "You still haven't told me what's going on!"

"When you suppressed your other half..." Celestia explained, not wasting a moment, "they were in the middle of moving the sun. So when you took back control... the spell was interrupted before it could be properly locked in place... and now it's falling right towards us."

"N-no..." Twilight stepped back, shaking her head in denial. "No, that... that can't... I-I didn't..." Her breathing hastened, growing more erratic. "S-surely the three of us t-together could—!"

Celestia solemnly shook her head before Twilight could finish her thought.

"I'm sorry to say that Rainbow and I exhausted most of our strength during our fight with your other half... and even if we had time to recover... it wouldn't be enough." Her voice lowered, the words she was about to speak just not feeling real to her. "The sun will envelop the Earth within minutes... or less."

Twilight stumbled back, feeling herself quickly becoming lightheaded.

I can't believe... I-I don't...?

She felt sick. She felt like crying.

More than that... she felt angry.

Deep within her subconscious, her dark side screamed, Well, isn't this great? Looks like we're all going to burn to death!

Twilight grit her teeth, squeezing her eyelids shut. Shut up...

"Twilight?" Rainbow asked, cocking her head at her. "Twilight, listen to me. Celestia knows a spell to send you back in time, alright? We're gonna try and send you back, before all of this!"

Rainbow's plea however, fell mostly on deaf ears as her darkness continued to berate her.

Poor Twilight Sparkle, her darkness mocked. It's like I said before: you're a failure. Everything you do, no matter how well-meaning... ends in disaster; and everything you touch... ends in destruction!

Her entire body trembled with rage. I s-said...!

"Twilight?" Rainbow's voice echoed. "What's going on?"

Her darkness smirked, turning her gaze away to peer up at the giant pouring its grief into her. Her skin literally began to bubble, before then bursting into a black goo—darkness that seeped over her own body and up the foreleg of Twilight's conscious.

She grinned, watching as the giant writhed and recoiled at the negative emotions, even as the ensuing darkness washed over her, submerging her completely in its murky depths.

You princesses are all so quick to give up, she mused, amidst the growing darkness; but not me. I swear I will find a way to survive this cataclysm no matter the cost...

She surprised her other self as she sprang up out from the darkness from right behind her, grabbing her around her withers while bearing a crazed grin. And it is your anger... your own self-deprecation... that will provide me the strength to do just that!

Twilight gasped at the feeling of her darkness's hold around her, and before she could do anything about it, was thrown backwards into the dark depths.

On the outside, darkness once more began forming around her crystalline body, burning from the sunlight, yet managing to prevail... coating her body in the same, dark veil as before. Celestia and Rainbow both stepped back, startled.

"Her anger must be getting the better of her. This isn't good... We cannot send her through time like this!"

Twilight... Rainbow bit her lip hesitantly, before grabbing her by the shoulders, desperate to get through to her. "Twilight, listen to my voice. She tried to move the sun, okay? All you did was try to take back your body. Twilight... you did a good thing, and... Celestia and I both believe... that you can set everything right, because... because you're you, Twilight."

Deep below the surface of the darkness... a pale light began to shine.

"You're different. Unique and special, talented... gifted... Why else would I have fallen in love with you? You're not a failure, Twilight. That voice in the back of your head is wrong, and you've got to stop listening to every word it says! Okay, Twilight? You've got to stop beating yourself up!"

She... s-she's right... Twilight breached the darkness's surface with a renewed sense of self. I'm not about to let my own anger suffocate me!

As Twilight pulled herself loose and got to her hooves, she heard her shadow's voice speak up mockingly from all around her.

It's futile, she laughed. We both know you lack the resolve to overpower me!

Maybe so... but... with the aid of my friends—!

Your friends are dead, Sparkle.

Not all of them...

She swiftly turned back ahead, shouting to the outside world, "Rainbow Dash, Celestia! Do it! S-send me back!"

"We cannot risk it while your other half still resists!" Celestia's voice replied. "Twilight, if your darkness overpowers you, we'd only be dooming our past selves!"

Tch...

Hear that? her darkness taunted.

"So then..." Rainbow spoke up. "What are we supposed—?"

"Seal away my memories and emotions," Twilight solemnly told them both. "Lock them away, deep within the furthest confines of my mind."

Are you insane? That'd leave us both not knowing who we are!

Rainbow shook her head incredulously. "Twilight... you can't be serious... We can't send you into the past without your memories!"

Exactly! her darkness cried.

"That's just it though, Dash!" Twilight went on to add, "You'll only be locking away the bad, because... you'll be casting a spell on me."

"Spell?"

"The Shield of Wisdom."

"The Shield of...?" Rainbow cocked her head. "What?"

"Wisdom. It protects the knowledge one wishes to keep safe."

"It's also never been properly tested on something tangible, like a pony or their memories, but rather, the words in books," Celestia added in, uncertainty in her voice. "Furthermore, the spell can only be completed on the Autumnal Equine-nox. Twilight, I don't know if..."

Celestia looked down at her most faithful student, urging her to reconsider.

"With all due respect, Princess..." Twilight looked back into her old mentor's eyes sincerely, bearing a saddened smile. "What other choice do we really have?"

"Twilight..." Rainbow spoke up worriedly. "Are you sure about this?"

Twilight just smiled warmly back at her, shaking her head.

"Ever since I became a princess, I took the weight of the world on my shoulders, and tried to do everything so that the five of you wouldn't have to. After I lost Spike, I... wanted to protect what little I had left; and after my parents died, I... thought I'd never be able to rely on anypony ever again... But I forgot... that it was my friends who helped me whenever I needed it most. So I think it's time I put my trust in all of you again."

Rainbow smiled back at her warmly.

"The time spell will send you back to the moment things took a turn for the worse."

"In this case, the morning I came to the library, and found you asleep," Rainbow clarified.

"But, Twilight... you should know that, when you change the course of history, the current you... will cease to exist."

Twilight fell into silence, her mentor's words taking her aback.

"Then I guess... this is goodbye." She shrugged her shoulders, gazing at the two of them tearfully.

Rainbow's ears flopped. "Twilight..."

She sniffled unwittingly, putting on a brave face. "I wouldn't want to live in a world without all of you anyway."

"We may not recognize one another, or even remember what happened here... but this isn't goodbye, Twilight. This isn't the end, it's... just the beginning of something new."

"Sure, Dash..." Twilight nodded softly. "Sure..."

"I'll ready the spells then," Celestia said. "Rainbow, you begin harnessing the power of the Elements and imagining the time and place you'll be sending her."

Rainbow snapped to attention.

"R-right!"

Celestia breathed out, calming her mind as she recited the age-old incantation under her breath, altering the words ever so slightly. As she spoke, a white aura began to outline her body.

Twilight's darkness widened her eyes as she witnessed the same magic begin to encompass her other self's incorporeal body from within their shared mind, and scrambled to her hooves in a fit of desperation.

No!

She lunged at Twilight, only for a wind to stir around her, whipping through her mane and elevating her off the murky surface of her mind.

She winced. I'm not about to let—!

Twilight's eyes opened to reveal a blindingly white light just as her other self was close to tackling her out of the air, and from within her, expelled a force that rocked her shadow's body, sending her flying backwards.

She skidded the surface of the darkness, writhing in agony.

What did... you hit me with!? She peering down with gritted teeth at her body, darkness wafting from her chest. What did you curse me with!?

Twilight stared back at her befuddled, her eyes flickering back to normal as she was lowered back down. The luminous glow remained, morphing into a radiant suit of armor that formed fittingly around her body. A crest, in the shape of her cutie mark, manifested in the center of her chest.

Twilight looked down at herself in awe, taking in her new appearance.

Whoa...

"Twilight? Twilight, did it work?"

Celestia's concern voice snapped her out of her amazement, and she turned hurriedly back to the outside world. "Y-yes! Yes, I... think it did!"

"Good. That's... that's a relief."

"Twilight?" Rainbow spoke up, grabbing her attention. "Celestia's going to cast the sealing spell now... Are you ready?"

"I... I t-think so!"

"Okay. Then..." She looked to Celestia, who nodded, igniting her horn.

Twilight's darkness meanwhile, glowered at her as she warily stumbled to her hooves.

Don't you—!

A swirling vortex formed in the center of the darkness, with a powerful vacuum draining it all down, deeper into the pit of her subconscious. It pulled the dark sludge from the walls and floor of her mind, returning it to its once humble interior.

Twilight's darkness froze in place, feeling the enormous weight of the spell on her back, dragging her back. She fought to no avail against the tremendous strain, feeling like she was caught in some sort of telekinetic grip—she felt weightless.

N-no...! She pawed desperately at the floor for something to grab hold of as the feeling of fear crept over her for the second time since her other half had seized back control of her body.

And just like before, that momentary fear morphed back into unbridled anger.

D-don't think you've won! Anger and hate, she screamed, are absolute! She scowled, glaring daggers into her counterpart even as the incredible force of the vortex pulled her to the ground... her hind legs slipping in.

Still she continued to curse Twilight out.

You are nothing without me—without the... the clarity to do what's necessary... and you will give in! Sooner or later—! Nngh... I... will return, I... I swear I—!

Her words were cut off as the rest of her body was plunged into the recesses of her mind, along with the remaining darkness. The circling vortex disappeared in an instant, and the floor of her mind stabilized, solidifying under her hooves.

And then everything was still.

Twilight stood, a little shaken as her gaze remained locked on the spot her shadow had been... her voice still echoing through her thoughts.

As the warm glow of the library's overhead light once again illuminated her mind, she, for the first time in her life... felt utterly at peace. A calming serenity came over her as she felt not a single dark thought or impulse... nor could she feel the influence of her shadow. Rather she now felt...

Empty, she slowly realized. Emptiness is what I feel... I knew sealing away a part of myself would have its repercussions, but I never imagined it'd be like this... Well, on the upside—

She stopped mid-thought as she heard Rainbow's voice ring out inside her head.

"Twilight? Twilight, did... did the spell work? Are you still...?"

Twilight smiled softly, turning once more towards the outside world. At least I won't be alive much longer to really notice...

The world outside was ablaze with fire, with the sky a dark orange. Loud rumbles and destruction sounded from all around her as the Earth disintegrated little by little, but Twilight kept her focus on her friends.

"Yes, Dash," she assured her. "It... it's over."

"Then that just leaves one more thing that needs to be done." She looked down with a saddened smile, the Elements encircling her faster and faster until appearing to Twilight like a glowing ring of light. Beside her, Celestia readied her third and final spell: Star Swirl's time spell.

Twilight looked away from the Elements, instead looking to meet Rainbow's gaze... becoming a little teary-eyed. Maybe it was the overwhelming heat playing tricks on her mind, but beside her girlfriend she saw a vision of Spike staring back at her, hopeful longing in his eyes.

Spike...

As the scenery behind Rainbow Dash and the ghostly apparition of Spike was engulfed by an intense white light, four more figures manifested themselves on either side of Rainbow... seemingly from the Elements themselves, as if to wish her good luck.

Pinkie sprung up from the ground joyfully while waving one of her forelegs back at her... all the while grinning cheerfully. Applejack tipped her stetson at her and Rarity knowingly winked at her, entrusting their lives to her... and Fluttershy, with her head bowed and face partially obscured by her mane, peered up at her from the group, and smiled meekly.

That was all Twilight needed for her eyes to start welling up with tears once again.

Everypony...

The Elements generated a rainbow beam that shot into her, enveloping her body. At the same time, a portal to the past opened behind her. Another thunderous crash rang out, that this time shook the very Earth.

Twilight reached out to her friends, the air so thick... only for the images of her friends to fade away... and for Rainbow to turn to ash before her very eyes.

They widened, her pupils darting to Celestia who, too, faded into nothingness; and before she could even react, found herself being thrust backwards... the portal closing once in an instant the moment she fell through into a twisting, winding passageway.

Rainbow colors bled and swirled together, but she squinted past it all, keeping her eyes and mind focused on her destination... and mission at hand.

The portal reopened, spitting her out into a space devoid of light... just darkness, as far as her eyes could see.

"W... w-what is...?"

She sniffled, the memory of her world's destruction still very much fresh in her mind as she struggled to her hooves. Her forelegs trembled uncontrollably as her body shook with sadness. She made no attempt to mask her loud sobs, or tears... as they flowed freely, dripping into the crooks of her crystal faceplate.

"What is this place!?"

Her desperate cry was met with silence for several long moments, until...

"This is Limbo."

What?

Twilight lifted her tear-stricken gaze to the sound of the mysterious voice. Her lips slowly parted in bewilderment. W-who—?

Her breath caught, and she immediately fell back onto her haunches at the growing presence of... something.

Its steps shook the empty void, giving her a sense of its enormous size... feeling it growing closer and closer when, to her surprise... a young male unicorn walked out from the shadows. As he drew closer, she noted that was he was even slightly shorter than she was, and that he bore a grey coat, and deep blue-stripped mane, cut similarly to her own.

The image of him reminded her of herself in a lot of ways, but she quickly placed those thoughts aside, scrambling back cautiously as the unknown pony continued near her.

"You needn't be afraid," he assured, his voice sounding different than before. He spoke softly, if not a little nervously. "I-it's not often ponies get sent here—if ever. Tell me, how'd a crystal-clad warrior such as yourself... end up here?"

"Warrior...?" Twilight repeated breathlessly, a bit dumbfounded. "O-oh no, you... you misunderstand. I-I'm not...!"

The mysterious unicorn raised a hoof. "Ah ah, say no more. I understand; you wouldn't be here otherwise."

Twilight simply stared back at him, puzzled.

"So tell me..." he inquired. "What's your name?"

"O-oh! Um..." Twilight froze for a moment as she found herself taken aback by the simple question. "T-Twilight," she answered.

"Nice to meet you, Twilight." He grinned, holding out his hoof for her to shake.

"I'm Stygian."

The sun sat in place of the Earth, in the empty, silent void of space. All was still, that was until an area of space began to ripple and distort, overlooking the once vibrant and lively planet.

A tear emerged suddenly in the spacetime continuum, before being parted by a paw, and a talon as a strange, mismatched creature stepped out grumpily from another dimension.

"What is with all the racket?" The bearded draconequus stormed out fuming, walking out into the empty void of space. "I know it's ironic for a lover of all things chaotic, to complain about a little noise... but for crying out loud—!"

He stopped mid-sentence, all of a sudden realizing how hot it was as he himself began to sweat. He reached up and pulled out a cloth out from his ear, dabbing it across his forehead as the sight of the sun captured his attention.

"I say..." he murmured aloud. Was the sun always in this spot? I could have sworn... He whipped out a spyglass, turning to look in the empty, black patch of space where the sun used to reside before shakily lowering the spyglass from his line of sight, fear beginning to swell in the pit of stomach. It can't be...

He turned back towards the sun as a slow realization began to set in, and his face turned deathly pale.

"Fluttershy...?"

Longing for the Past

by Fantasia

Worlds Apart

The Calm Before the Storm

Of Flights and Festivities

From Bad to Worse

What We Leave Behind

Hopeful Horizons

Nighttime Intrusions

Duel Monsters

Umbrum

Tensions Rising

Tragedy Strikes

Aftermath

Simpler Times

A New Vessel

A Glimmer of Hope

Fiendship is Magic