Twilight wakes up and see Ponyville a ghost town and her friends dead Derpy gives her answers
Twilight Sparkle wakes up and sees Ponyville exterminated including her friends. However, Derpy shows up at the marketplace and explains to Twilight that she serves Queen Glamour, who is imprisoned and that Twilight needs to think more critically. After Derpy somehow resurrects all of Ponyville (and many apologies and a little sleuth work) They discover Trixie was behind the murders and detonated a gamma bomb in the name of Discord who gave her the Element of Banality. Another mystery that Derpy hinted at. Now the Mane 6 need to stop Trixie and any other minion of Discord before all of Equestria is taken over. Granted with With radiated animals surrounding the wilderness and active plutonium deposits all around the countryside, they must be double careful
Twilight Sparkle woke up, lifted her eyelids and looked at her sundial. She realized she was three hours late for Pinkie Pie's party. She jumped out of her bed almost splintering it with her hooves and worked over her morning routine and went outside to see the day, this day was very different however. When she opened the door, Ponyville looked more like it was the victim of a purge of political dissidents than the lovely village she developed a love for. She galloped over to the Sugar Cube Corner, wondering what happened to her friend Pinkie Pie. That was who's party she was supposed to attend. She opened the door she nearly retched at the sight of Pinkie Pie's organs and most of her body parts strewn across the room. Twilight refused to enter the room any further.
“I have to check on the others.” Twilight said in a frantic tone. She charged full speed to Sweet Apple Acres to check on Applejack, who sadly along with Applebloom were crushed under the attic floor in the barn. Tears flowed down her cheek, she didn't want to see what happened to her other friends if this was the fate of her first two earth pony friends. She galloped back the town square crying while on her way back home to her study. She bumped into the only living pony she met so far after the purge, her acquaintance Ditsy Doo.
“I've been waiting for you Twilight Sparkle. Your destiny is here at last.” Ditsy Doo said. This put Twilight off guard usually Ditsy Do was slow, clumsy and overall foolish earning her nickname Derpy, however this Ditsy Doo was eloquent, serious and had an air of majesty and power that seemed to match Princesses Celestia and Luna.
“Did you do this Derpy? Did you kill all of Ponyville?” Twilight growled. “If so I am going to take you down so you cannot...”
“I didn't, in fact I am here to save it. I am still living because I was going to tell Luna about the incoming evil. However I felt a disturbance in the Power Mystic that turned out to be the deaths of your friends. I am here to bring back your friends from the dead and every pony in Ponyville. The Grand Evil that Dischord created millennia ago have awakened and are marching on Canterlot and Equstria's higher planes as we speak. The Elements of Harmony need to be harnessed once again against their counterpart of evil, The Elements of Chaos. Queen Glamour wishes to be free from her prison.” Ditsy Do firmly stated. Twilight was speechless until she had to ask questions. None of this made sense to her, she never picked up anything about this chapter in Equestria's history or magical items.
“How are you going to do that? What are these Elements of Chaos? What is the Power Mystic? What are we supposed to do after we are back from the dead?” Twilight asked Ditsy. She realized this pony wasn't so derpy afterall.
“Oh Twilight, ye of little critical thinking, the victors write the history books. I know more than even Celestia and Luna combined about magic and Equestria and if they do know as much as I do, I at least am willing impart some of it onto you.” Ditsy said as she turned her back on Twilight and spoke words of power that Twilight could not translate. As Ditsy finished her hymn a mushroom cloud of radiant energy engulfed all of Ponyville knocking over Twilight in awe, closing her eyes. The moment she opened her eyes, Ditsy Do had vanished. Her replacement was a bustling Ponyville. Bonbon and Lyra eating salad at the cafe, Doctor Hooves purchasing tomatoes at the marketplace. However, no signs of her five friends. Twilight rushed to Sugar Cube Corner and saw Pinkie Pie smiling as she gave Twist a bag of three cupcakes. Twilight smiled and walked gingerly up to Pinkie Pie who upon seeing her cowered behind the register and opened it up.
“Here take the money, just don't gut me again!” Pinkie Pie yelled. Pinkie then looked at her hooves and flank and realized she was alive, no stitches, nothing that noted her being turned into a twisted science experiment. She was just Pinkie Pie. “Did you bring me back to life just so you can kill me again?”
“Nope not even armed.” Twilight Sparkle answered activating her telekinesis and showing no weapons were remotely near her. Pinkie Pie closed the register and trotted to her friend.
“Hmmm, you look like the Twilight Sparkle that killed me, but you have no weapon so you're kosher... for now.” Pinkie Pie said as she and Twilight went out of Sugar Cube Corner. “So you really didn't kill me eh?” Twilight nodded. Suddenly three distinct voices that both Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie heard.
“There she is! Arrest her!” The voices yelled. Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle turned around and saw Applejack, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash charging at them.
“Get away from Pinkie Pie you sadist!” Rainbow Dash yelled.
“Yeah let me lay a senior hoof in you rump!” Applejack snapped.
“Um... Ms Sparkle I would really like you to aplogize for killing me.” Fluttershy muttered.
“You do know just because the murderer looked like me doesn't mean it was me.” Twilight said rolling her eyes. “I mean many ponies have created spells to mask their evildoings. In fact Starswirl the Bearded's archnemesis; Obsideon Skull the Pockmarked made no less than 57 different kinds of disguise spells to fight the noble steed.”
“Well that just makes us 20 percent smarter than that old fart.” Rainbow Dash snorted. “Since we can see through that spell. You're good as glue, Pinkie Pie come with us if you want to party.” Pinkie Pie's eyes bugged out and turned to be with her friends against Twilight Sparkle.
“Ya'll better step back a few, time to show this mare ya don't pee with the puppies and crap in the big dog's yard.” Applejack huffed as she tuned up Buck McGuillicutty and Kicks McGee for a kick. Before A familiar voice cried out.
“Stand down you barbaric hive mind of jackanapes!” The four friends turned to see a familiar face, Rarity. She was covered in dust and minor scrapes over her body. “Friends, Twilight didn't murder you, nor all of Ponyville. It was... Trixie!”
“Trixie killed us?” Everypony asked Rarity in unison. Rarity nodded.
“That makes sense to an extent. She has intent and the means to frame her nemesis, me. Did she kill everybody in Ponyville as well?” Twilight asked Rarity.
“She did, but not one at a time. She detonated a gamma bomb that was planted in Ponyville's square. I recommend to not leave Ponyville as the outside is rather irradiated. Ponyville however seems rather untouched by the blast.” Rarity answered. “I saved some of the information I have on this via tape recorder. If you wish to question the validity of my statements.” Rarity pulled out a reel-to-reel tape recorder with her horn and dropped it onto the ground gently. The five ponies looked at their friends. They were still some holes in her story.
“How do you know all of this? Weren't y’all killed like the rest of us?” Applejack asked.
“You would think so but no. I was captured and tortured.” Rarity answered. “Trixie wanted a witness to Twilight's descent into madness which never happened thankfully. She also wanted a witness to the coming of Discord via something called the Elements of Chaos. Twilight, as a researcher and a scholar I want you to look these up.” Twilight nodded, hiding the fact she knew more than what her friends thought she did.
“How did you escape?” Rainbow Dash asked still skeptical.
“How are any of you alive?” Rarity asked. “I mean I saw you all die.”
“Fair enough.” Dash replied. “Looks like you are cleared of all charges Twilight I should've known you wouldn't kill us.”
“Now...the question is...where do we go from here?” Fluttershy asked.
“Simple we fix this, meet me here in two hours. Arm up, pack up and kiss your loved ones goodbye. We're going out and settling this.” Twilight Sparkle answered. “This is not only personal for me, but for us. Trixie made you all go from my friends to my foes. Thinking that I destroyed your lives and eventually taken them. As a final jest she detonated a bomb and irradiated the entire wilderness. This means war.”
“Um, Twilight what is it good for?” Fluttershy asked.
“Definitely something.” Pinkie Pie said grinning ear to ear as she suddenly wore a kilt, eye patch and bandolier of Leiter Blücher soup cans. In her hooves was a crude rocket launcher made from pipes, mismatched handles and a filter held together with bolts and electrical tape. A colander was attached to the end as a makeshift exhaust port. “The only thing better than pranking a pony with a high sucrose, high velocity confectionery launcher? Pranking a pony with a high sucrose, high velocity confectionery launcher that I MADE!” She cackled.
“Not yet Pinkie Pie, the other ponies must meet us at the marketplace in two hours.” Twilight said smirking. With that everybody departed for their homes to say good bye to their next of kin and gearing up for the adventure ahead of them.
Twilight Sparkle headed back to her home and saw Spike sleeping, she frowned and started packing necessary supplies such as foodstuffs and a lantern. She then looked at the box that Shining Armor gave her when she left to Ponyville, he told her to open it whenever she or Ponyville were threatened. “This is a good time as any.” Twilight said as she opened it with her horn. In the box was a long, ornately carved rifle with a small circular sight attached to a long rod, secured with golden straps. It has a curved stock with a golden recoil pad with Shining Armor's cutie mark on it. However once Twilight touched it the cutie mark became hers. She felt as if she used it or saw it being used even though this was new to her.
She realized that this was the rifle of her ancestor, Twilight Twinkle. She looked at Spike and shed a tear. He slept so peaceful, blissfully unaware of what happened and the fact Twilight will be leaving Ponyville to fight The Great, Powerful and Evil Trixie. She kissed his cheek. “Wish I could tell you everything but Equestria needs to be saved.” With that she trotted away towards the marketplace.
Rainbow Dash was up in Cloudsdale, crowded around by her at the bar Cloud Nine where they were swallowing goldfish. “Is it true you're gonna save all of Equestria Rainbow?” Serenity asked handing Rainbow Dash another goldfish.
“Honestly I can do it all by myself,” Rainbow Dash answered, she smiled and added to her boast. “I can even do it drunk.”
“YEAH!!!” Yelled Snowflake as he flexed his muscles and slid a mug of whisky to her.
“Cheers mate.” Rainbow Dash said as she took a swig of the whisky. The other pegasi started chanting “Chug.” And Rainbow Dash did. “Gimme another round.” Rainbow Dash burped. Opal Water obliged her and slid her a flagon of brandy and Rainbow Dash chugged that too. She motioned for another round. As the glass slid towards her it was blocked by a familiar hoof. It was Soarin of the Wonderbolts, standing next to him was Spitfire.
“This ends here Rainbow Dash.” Soarin said almost booming in authority. The other pegasi scattered, intimidated by his no-nonsense tone. Rainbow Dash, being rather drunk was rather angry at the intervention of her idols.
“I'll foight ya for the glory to ketchup and lick her. Her being... something.” Rainbow Dash slurred. She then slumped over and passed out. Soarin motioned to Spitfire to carry Rainbow Dash out and give her what Rainbow Dash's mother, Firefly wanted to pass down to Rainbow Dash. Spitfire pulled out some smelling salts and that awoke Rainbow Dash instantly.
“Fleetfoot, send the H&K MP5 to Fluttershy for safety. I don't want Rainbow Dash to kill herself due to drunken handling of her mother's weapon.” Soarin ordered. Him and Spitfire pulled out a Wonderbolts outfit and helped her put it on. “You are officially a Wonderbolt.” With these words Rainbow Dash snapped out of her drunken stupor.
“Are you serious?” Rainbow Dash asked grovelling. Soarin nodded. “Oh my gosh I am so ready for this!” With that, Rainbow Dash made a Sonic Rainboom and zoomed for the meeting place for her friends.
“What about the info about Firefly? Shall I go after her?” Spitfire asked Soarin.
“No, she will find out in due time. May Celestia guide her to victory against this menace.” Soarin answered.
Rarity looked around her workshop. She saw the ponyquinns that she used for her friends' dresses for the Grand Galloping Gala. While no expert on gamma radiation, Rarity learned a lot about it from listening on Trixie's statements on how the gamma bomb killed everypony in Ponyville. She thought back on how she proved Twilight Sparkle's innocence. While she knew Twilight was framed she did had a nagging question: How did Twilight survive, unmutated and unharmed from the explosion? Was it the hoof of Celestia that shielded her? Did the lead in Twilight's room shield her from the blast? So many questions and possible answers. She knew Twilight was right, this was serious and she had to take things serious: foodstuffs, gamma protection, weapons. She lacked the last one. Aside from possibly her cat Opalescence. She started packing everything she had that could be usable. Rarity was still wondering where she could get a weapon to serve in this all out war against Discord and Trixie. There was a knock at the door, it was Sweetie Belle who was carrying a package. She gave it to Rarity.
“It is from mom and dad, said it was from Grandma Glory.” Sweetie Belle told her sister who opened up the package. It was a Walther P99 with a silencer. The holster had Rarity's full name: Rarity Matsukaze Incitatus. Rarity smiled and strapped the holster to her flank.
“This is all I need Sweetie Belle. Thank you.” Rarity said as she hugged her sister. “If I don't make it, you're next in line for the store's ownership.” With that, Rarity trotted off to the town hall to meet her friends.
Pinkie Pie looked at her improvised pie launcher and cupcake launcher. The two weapons were ready to be used. She was pumped up, ready to defend Equestria. And yet she felt slightly empty. She had to say goodbye to her family, not just the Cakes which she already did. Even their foals. She realized there was one last person she had to bid farewell to. Cranky Doodle Donkey, she hopped, skipped and jumped to his house and knocked on the door.
“Good afternoon Pinkie Pie. I heard you're leaving to defeat the dastardly Trixie, word travels fast.” Cranky told her. “What will you be using? As a former veteran I am curious.”
“The latest word in big badda boom hardware.” Pinkie said as she pulled out her confection launcher. “Made by me.” Cranky looked happy at his friend.
“You have my support friend, just be careful.” Cranky told her. “Here's something to remember me by.” Cranky gave Pinkie her his toupee that Pinkie Pie damaged on their first meeting. With a salute, Cranky bid farewell to Pinkie.
Fluttershy paced back and forth in her cottage. She had everything but a weapon. She was nervous as she knew she had to help Twilight in some way. However, she abhorred the use of violence, despite being a Pegasus whom have a strong military culture and history. The Wonderbolts were originally part of the Equestrian air force, Rainbow Dash was an excellent athlete and fighter. Also many of the legendary pony warriors were pegasi: Bucephalus and Bellerophon were the first that popped into Fluttershy's mind. There was a knock at the door, it was Fleetfoot of the Wonderbolt's with a case.
“Make sure Rainbow Dash gets this, it was her mother's.” Fleetfoot said as she flew off. Fluttershy opened up the case, it was a Stallionn Co. MP5 with a silencer. She noticed there was a drawer underneath the MP5. Fluttershy curiously opened the drawer and found a Baby Browning pistol. This was her chance to arm herself. She quickly placed it in her saddlebag after checking if the safety was on. There was another knock, it was Rainbow Dash who was in a Wonderbolt uniform.
“Yo Fluttershy, Soarin said I will find my mom's SMG here.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Oh yeah here you go.” Fluttershy whispered as she gave Rainbow Dash the case.
“Awesome, come with me we can go to the market together.” Rainbow Dash told her friend. Fluttershy smiled and followed her fellow Pegasus to the meeting place.
Applejack had military history in her family, she knew the ropes, knew where to get her supplies. Even her weapon she knew exactly where to get it. The mantlepiece above her fireplace. They were her two Smith & Wesson Model 29 revolvers. She quickly buckled them up and readied her supplies and was about to trot out. Until she heard Apple Bloom wake up and saw her sister leave, maybe for the last time. Applejack turned around and gave Apple Bloom her hat, hugged her and with a wink and the quote “Them vermits can beat me if they can, survive if I let them.” she trotted out to the town hall.
“Tonight is a good night.” Twilight Sparkle stated as she looked up at the stars at Ponyville's marketplace and lit a hoof-rolled stogie and breathed in the smoke. “I deserve this.” She sighed. She looked at her rifle and smiled. As it will see action very soon. She heard hooves in the distance. She saw the two Pegasi; Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash approaching her. She nodded and saluted her comrades.
“Ready to go full bore, Sparkle.” Rainbow Dash said as she saluted back.
“Fluttershy, ready to go the distance.” Fluttershy said as she shivered in fear. Next came Rarity trotting along.
“Rarity here. Sharp as a razor.” Rarity sounded off and pulled a cigarette holder that suddenly became a stiletto. Applejack cantered over next to Rarity.
“Go ahead Twilight, make my day.” Applejack grumbled smiling. Twilight Sparkle smiled at her assembled team. Trixie had no chance of victory. She looked at her friends, she wondered where Pinkie Pie was. She heard graceful trotting and turned around urgently as she knew it wasn't somepony with the walking habits of Pinkie Pie and aimed her rifle at the darkness.
“Show yourself!” Twilight yelled. The mare did show herself, it was Princess Luna. Twilight lowered her rifle. And bowed, as did the other ponies.
“Ditsy Doo sent Us your message about assembling a team to fight that ingrate Trixie, We are here to give you our blessing.”
“We lack Pinkie Pie however.” Twilight pointed out. Right after she said this a huge KA-BOOM! Cried out and something landed right between Luna and Twilight. As the dust cleared it was Pinkie Pie, still dressed in her kilt, eye patch and soup cans.
“Hey Twilight are you ready for some adventure?” Pinkie asked excitedly.
“Are you ready to get a watch?” Twilight grumbled, keeping her cigar in her mouth.
“SILENCE!” Luna yelled using her Princess voice. “THE SIX OF YOU ARE NOW PROTECTORS OF EQUESTRIA'S WELL BEING! FOR THAT WE GIVE YOU OUR BLESSING HERE AND NOW! MAY TRIXIE BE DROWNED IN FLAMES FOR HER CRIMES AGAINST PONYKIND!” The Ponies eased up and stood at attention. Luna glared at Twilight's cigar. “Twilight, stamp out that cigar!” She ordered sternly. Twilight's eyes bugged out and she immediately stamped out the cigar. “Everybody else is good to go. I must leave to attend to the night.” With that Luna vanished.
“Well Twilight where shall we move to first? We have gamma protection, should we check on the Everfree Forest. In my opinion of course.” Rarity asked.
“Nope, we're gonna go to Appleloosa we have to check on Braeburn!” Applejack yelled worried. “I just remembered that Braeburn might've been caught in a gamma bomb. We have to check if he's safe.”
“Exactly why I chose to move out and check on Appleloosa first.” Twilight Sparkle answered.
“You do know that our gamma protection might not last walking all the way to Appleloosa right Twilight?” Rarity asked.
“We're not going to hoof it.” Twilight remarked pointing to the train. “The train's lead paint can help us get the extra protection we need.”
“I have a bad feeling about this.” Rainbow Dash said. “But you're our leader Twilight.” With that, all six of the ponies walked into the train.
“Before we go I want to name ourselves. You know the six of us. We have been friends for so long and are willing to die for each other now.” Fluttershy said said nervously.
“I like that idea.” Pinkie Pie said.
“Ah'm with them too we need a name.” Applejack concurred.
“Yeah we're the six main ponies that protect Equestria we need something catchy, epic and of course marketable when we have dolls of each other.” Rarity said hyped up about this idea.
“Twilight's Five.” Twilight said.
“No, it has to be dramatic, twenty percent more memorable and makes sure each of us is an individual. Like you said Rarity, we are the six main ponies. So how about the Mane 6 as in a horse's mane?” Rainbow Dash requested to everybody. One by one, everypony's hooves were raised in agreement. Twilight smiled and raised her hoof in the final agreement.
“Let's roll out some armor Mane 6. We got a war to win now.” Twilight ordered as she started the train to Appleloosa.
