> Return of the king
>  by emberflare
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Captain of the what's?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Hey guys, thanks for taking the time to read this. I am NOT Ember Flare, but Shadow Flare (Warning, Ember does appear in here, but as a different character). We write and edit together. This story, i came up with, but the idea was originating from 'Immortal game'. i recommend reading it. IF you have, the plot will be different, and i owe a lot of different brony writers credit for ideas that i have borrowed. Tribs will be at the end (sorry).
Ember here. My brother and I will be using this account to publish both of our stories, and expect his writing style to improve as i help him write and stuff. ciao..
Also there will be mistakes, please do mention them in the comments, as i will need help changing my writing style and spelling. 
Thanks again for taking the time to read this. Enjoy





Twilight Sparkle walked down her stairs and sees Spike sleeping on the floor, a mop lying next to him. She chuckles lightly and shakes her head. She exits her library and sees Pinkie Pie hopping towards her; Twilight doesn’t even raise her eye brow. She was almost immune to Pinkie’s acts of randomness. “Hey Twilight!” she seemed more energetic then usuals, which was saying something.

“Hey Pinkie” Twilight says “What’s up?” she asks.

The party pony bounces on the spot “You hear who came back?” she smiles and asks.

“No” says Twilight, a frown forming on her face “Who came back?” she was curious.

“Rainbow Dash of course” Pinkie giggles slightly at Twilight, who instantly face hoofs. 

‘How could I forget Rainbow Dash was coming back from Canterlot from a meeting with the Wonderbolts’.

“I’m sorry Pinkie, I completely forgot. Where is she?”

“At Sugar Cube Corner of course, I just had to throw her a party for her successes”

“Successes?” ask Twilight.

“Yeah, she is now the captain of the Wonderbolts”

“WHAT!!!!” exclaims Twilight “She made it!”

“I know right” says Pinkie smiling madly “And that’s not all she has” she hints at.

Twilight starts walking towards Sugar Cube corner with Pinkie in tow “What do you mean by that?”

“She has a coltfriend!” Pinkie jumps up slightly.

“Rainbow Dash has a coltfriend?” says Twilight, disregarding what Pinkie had just said “No way!”

Twilight started getting closer to Sugar Cube she could hear a party was definitely happening. 

“It’s true Twilight. No pony else could believe it either, but she’s fallen in love” Pinkie said.


“With who?”

The chanting from Sugar Cube corner gets clearer, until Twilight realised the call was “KISS. KISS. KISS”. Twilight starts to gallop, with Pinkie Pie right behind her “Some Pegasi. I don’t remember his name”.

Twilight runs through the door to see, in the middle of the room, Rainbow Dash and another Pegasi kissing. This Pegasus’s feathers were black, as was his mane. What struck Twilight as odd was his tail, unlike most ponies whose tail colours match their manes, his tail was fire red. They stayed like that for several minutes until the broke, and everypony continued to party. Rainbow and the colt open their eyes, her purple eyes similar to his red. 

Twilight simply stood there in shock until she felt somepony stand next to her “Eeyup” says Apple Jack “I couldn’t believe my eyes either, but it happened” AJ smiles slightly.

Rainbow spots Twilight and walks over to her, with him in tow “Hey Twilight. It’s good to see you” she smiles at her.
“Ohh. Hey Rainbow, yeah. It’s been some time” stutters Twilight, still recovering from the fact that Rainbow has a coltfriend.

“Hey, Shades. This is Twilight. The Unicorn I mentioned before” she points her hoof at Twilight.

“Nice to meet you Twilight, I have heard many things about you from Dash here” he says, smiling.

Rainbow jabs him “Introduce yourself” she ‘whispers’ quite loudly.

“Oh right” he blushes with embarrassment “I am Shadow, Shadow Flare” I he holds out his hoof.

Twilight shakes it “Shadow Flare. I have heard of you before, but I cannot remember where from” says Twilight, trying to remember where she had read his name.

“You most likely have, and I do suspect Rainbow would have mentioned me before she left. I was the reason the Wonderbolts recruited her, to stop me from recruiting her. You see Twilight, I am the captain of Luna’s Shadowbolt’s”

Twilight hits her head lightly with her hoof ‘How could I have forgotten Rainbow’s week before she left. She kept mentioning the Shadowbolt’s captain had offered her a spot, only for the Wonderbolt’s to snatch her away’. Twilight looks at Shadow and remembers Rainbow’s description of him. ‘Black feathers, with a black mane. But his tail was red’

“I am soo sorry Shadow, I completely forgot when Rainbow mentioned you”

“It’s all good” he nods slowly “This is an amazing party” he comments.

“Yeah. Pinkie Pie is very good when it comes to parties” agrees Twilight.

“It’s been great meeting you Twilight” he smiles.

“Yeah. Just one last question” 

Shadow tilts his head to one side, waiting.

“Are you planning to stay in Canterlot now with the others Dash?” she faces Rainbow Dash.

“What!?” Dash exclaims “No. I’m staying in PonyVille”

“What about you Shadow?”

He smiles before quickly glancing at Rainbow “I’m moving from Canterlot to here”. The pair then turned around and disappear into the crowd that was Ponyville’s population.

> The careful, the beautiful and the down-right dangerous
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was several weeks after Shadow Flare had moved into PonyVille, and everypony had just gotten used to him. Twilight was shopping with Spike in the market when she spotted a pony she had never seen before. He had just exited Sugar Cube Corner and Twilight got a good look at him. He was definitely a Unicorn like herself, but his fur was purple, with a green and purple mane and tail. His eyes were brown, and his cutie mark was a bunny. He walked very carefully, in fact, he reminded Twilight of Fluttershy in many ways. She walked up to him, but she see’s that he just ran into…Fluttershy. The yellow Pegasus had just purchased some food and had turned around when she ran into him.

Twilight trotted over to see they were both apologising to each other, and blaming each themselves for what had happened.

“It’s my fault. I should have been looking where I was going” he said while putting in bag back on.

“N.no. It was my fault, I should have been more careful when I turned around” replies Fluttershy.

“No it...” he finally takes a look at the pony he was talking to and blushes a bright red, she Fluttershy looks at him and turns a brighter red. Twilight walks up next to Fluttershy and faces her “Hey Fluttershy. Are you ok?” she asks.

“I…I’m fine, there was…an..accident” she stutters.

“Wait..you’re…you’re Fluttershy?” he asks, his face lightening up.

“Y-yeah, I am” she replies, he voice barely audible.

“I’m Stormrage.  From Canterlot, I came here looking for you, Miss Fluttershy. Princess Celestia believes I could use some lessons from you about. Well. Taking care of animals”

“REALLY!” yells Fluttershy, well, actually, it was around anypony else’s normal speaking voice, BUT we are talking about Fluttershy here, remember? “Princ..Princess Celestia..wants you, the royal garden keeper, to get..Lessons..From..Little me?” she asks, shocked.

“Yeah, she said that I’m good, but I could use some training, and who else than you? The best animal keeper in Equestia”

“I..I wouldn’t say the best” she relies modestly.

“Really?” he challengers “Then can you explain how you managed to tame, not only an enraged manticore, but a fully-grown dragon. You made the dragon cry!” he exclaimed.

“It was nothing really? I was just trying to protect my friends”

“Well, regardless. I was wondering if you could lead me back to your cottage, I am really excited to start learning from you”

“Ok, I guess that’s a good idea” she says, leading Stormrage towards her cottage on the edge of the Everfree forest. 

A few weeks pasted, and Twilight decided to give Rarity a visit. Twilight hadn’t seen Rarity in a few days, it didn’t seem like she left her house in ages. Twilight entered, pushing the door open to see Rarity, who was wearing one of her fabulous dressers , putting a tuxedo on another pony who was standing on the stage. The pony was defiantly a colt, and a lack of wings or a unicorn horn was very clear. He had orange fur and a bright yellow mane, reminding Twilight of Apple Jack. He didn’t move while it was being put on, but it clearly showed his cutie mark, a brown hammer.

“Hello? I’ll be right with you” says Rarity as she starts putting it on him.

“Hey there Rarity, I haven’t seen you in town in a few weeks, what’s the new project?” asks Twilight, hoping she doesn’t distract Rarity.

“Well, you see Aurora here is from Canterlot. He is a lawyer and is moving down here. I saw him and just thought he needed a new suit. So I got him in here, measured him and am now seeing if it works” she realises her magic, and the colt hops down. “Does it fit?” 

“It’s perfect, I owe you Rarity. You must let me repay this” he says, his voice was similar to Big Mac, but lighter.

“It’s fine dear” replies Rarity, as Twilight rolls her eyes behind her eyelids ‘Of course she would say that. She IS the element of generosity after all’ thinks Twilight.

“My dear Rarity, I simply must repay you. How about we go out for dinner sometime, my treat” he offers.

“Well, it is such a kind offer…” starts Rarity.

“Which Rarity is happy to accept” interrupts Twilight, getting looks from both of them.

“I am?!” asks Rarity.

“Yes, you are” retorted Twilight “I have to go now, you two have fun now” she says before teleporting out of the library and into Sugar Cube Corner, smiling to herself ‘You’ve done something nice for Rarity’.

She appears in Sugar Cube Corner, expecting to see Pinkie Pie jumping around, serving people. What Twilight actually sees is something that confuses her. She sees a pink pony, jumping around. But this pony wasn’t Pinkie Pie, this pony had a yellow and brown mane, green eyes and cutie mark was a cake.

The pony approaches her “Hi there” he says, his voice higher than a colts is socially acceptable to be “Welcome to Sugar Cube Corner, can I take your order?” he asks.

“Where…Where’s Pinkie Pie?” Twilight asks, slightly nervous at the site of a pony that was similar to Pinkie.

“OVER HERE!” come a call from the counter, Twilight turns and sees Pinkie Pie at the counter, and turns back to face the 
other pony 

“Who are you?” she asks, facing the colt.

“My names Berry Split, nice to meet you Twilight” he offers her his hoof to shake.

“Nice to meet you Berry!!!!!” she says, but as she finished her sentence and took his hoof, she started getting electrocuted. They broke and Berry revealed a zapper on his hoof.

“GOTCHA!” he says, falling on the ground laughing as Pinkie starts to giggle as well.

“Good one Berry” says Twilight, laughing lightly to herself. She looks at the two Earth pony, and noticed how similar they really were. She realised that if 1 Pinkie was hard to take care of, 2 Pinkies would be near impossible to keep track off. She walked out of the store with the laughter from inside intensifying. Twilight looked at the town, sighed, then started walking back to the library.


> Apple Problems
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello Everypony. Shadow here again thanking you for taking the time to read my story. I only have a few things i would like to point out.
One: I would like everypony to know that InsanityBerry is becoming me and Ember’s editor, allowing us more time to write the story, so thank you for taking the time to review our stories, we owe you one mate.
Second: If you could please visit Ember's story, Blood Moon Rising, and show her some support, it would be nice. Her stories been up longer, but has had less popularity, so a read over there would be nice, thank you to those who do it.
That's it, apart from the fact, as i mentioned before. My skills as a writer are experimental at best, and even with editing, there are going to be mistakes, so sorry, but I’m not perfect.
-Shadow Flare

Twilight had returned home and had been studying for a few hours when Apple Jack busted through the door. “Twilight!” she yelled. 

“Yes AJ. What’s wrong?” Asked Twilight. Twilight could easily tell when one of her friends needs help, and AJ nearly destroying her front door was an obvious sign.
“It’s our new helper, he’s hurt” She said, obviously distressed by the injury.
Twilight jumped up, grabbed a few books and placed them in her bag, placed it on her back, then galloped after AJ as she led the way back to the farm.

“Who’s your new helper?” asks Twilight as they gallop towards Sweet Apple Acres. 
“A Pegasus, he arrived a few weeks after Shadow Flare, looking for work. Ah accepted him and he’s been hurt! He was picking apples and ran head-first into a tree”

“WHAT! How does a pegasi crash into a tree?”
“He wasn’t looking where he was goin’ and smashed into a tree”
“He’s a Pegasus which means this could end badly, his bones aren’t designed to take heavy hits” Twilight said, remembering she had read a book before talking about the ‘magic’ of each type of pony. Pegasi were extremely agile and were able to fly, unfortunately this means that they can’t take heavy blows easily, and flying head-first into a tree is an example of this.

“What are you mumbling about Sugarcube? We gotta hurry, he was bleeding when I left to come get ya” said AJ as she starts to run faster to her farm, and Twilight followed her. 
Twilight was never into exercise, but all her adventures in PonyVille had made her extremely fit. The pair arrived at Sweet Apple Acres quickly and Twilight followed AJ into the barn.

Inside the barn sat Big Mac and Apple Bloom, both trying to help a pony that Big Mac was hiding from sight. Twilight walked around the side and got her first look at the Pegasus. He had white feathers, and his mane was a mixture of light blue, regular blue and dark blue. Twilight parked herself next to him and examined him some more. 
“Alrighty” she said as she activated her magic and started ‘analyzing’ the ponies injuries.
“Head injury is the most dangerous” she muttered to herself before pulling out one of her books and reading over it. 
The book covered the basics in unicorn healing, but every spell Twilight read wouldn’t fix the problem ‘So, if I can’t find a spell, I’ll make one’ she decided.

Twilight looked at a similar spell, but manipulated it so it would close up the injury and not do any form of long-term injury to the Pegasus. She stated healing the skin and ‘sewing’ it together, but to stop the body’s natural healing from interfering, she caused a small cut that would distract the body from a few minutes, which is all she needed. 
She closed the wound and double checked to make sure that she had avoided any injuries become annoying, which she had. She then released him from her magic, and as she opened her eyes, he started to stand up. 
The apple family simply stood there, watching.
The Pegasus stood up, but suddenly his front right leg failed on him and he fell over. AJ caught him with her back. “Ok there partner?” she asked.

“Yeah, I am. Thanks boss, sorry I messed up.” He said as he tried to get smaller. 
“Nah, its fine. Everypony that’s ever worked on this here farm gets hurt somehow, it was really only a matter of time,” AJ replied, her honestly making Twilight remember the time SHE managed to injured working on the farm.

“An example is Twilight here” AJ continued as Twilight blushed, embarrassed “She was collecting apples with her magic, dropped them into a barrel and keeps walking, and manages to fall down into the barrel she dropped the apples in!” laughs AJ as Twilight started walking out of the barn.

“Oh no you don’t missy” said Big Mac as he blocked Twilight’s path. “I’m sure we can repay you for helping us, how about lunch?” he offered.
Twilight looked back over to the Pegasus, to AJ, back to Big Mac, and finally to Apple Bloom. She was doing the cute eyes, just like she did when Twilight first came to down, Twilight couldn’t say no with her doing that face. “Sure, I’ll have some lunch”

“Well, that’s mighty fine of ya’ Twilight” says AJ as she leads the group out of the barn and into the family house, where Granny Smith sat, rocking slowly in her arm chair. As the group walked, Twilight walked next to the Pegasus. 

“Hey” he says, his head hanging slightly, a side effect of Twilights spell. 
“Hey, how are you? You took a bad knock to the head” she commented as they walked through the front door.
“I’m better now, thanks to you and your magic” he said as he sat down at the table.
“I’m glad you’re better, it was a bad hit. How’d you do that? You have a cutie mark in crashing?” she joked. 
“Ha, well. Actually my cutie mark is a compass, for my, well, navigation skills” he said as he blushed slightly. 

“So, you’re a Pegasus that has a cutie mark in navigation, and managed to crash head-first into an apple tree. That’s a new one” commented Twilight as AJ started to serve them apple pie.

Several hours later Twilight walked out of the apple family’s house and started heading home with a small smile on her face ‘Illidan was really nice’ she thought to herself before looking over the last few weeks.

“First Shadow Flare arrives, a Pegasus daredevil like Rainbow. Then, Stormrage, the Canterlot gardener, then Rarity and Aurora. Pinkie meet’s Berry and now AJ’s has Illidan,” she laughed gently to herself. “Where’s my copy?” she asked as she opened her door and closed it, turning around to see an unknown pony reading. 
He was sitting in the middle reading ‘Teleporting safety guides’. Despite Twilight’s rather loud entry, he didn’t even move.

Twilight clears her throat and caught the attention of the colt, his red fur almost mixing into his red and orange mane, with a horn poking out of it. “Yes?” he asked. 

“My name is Twilight Sparkle, who are you?”
She approached the unicorn with curiously and a single thought going through her mind. 
‘Could he be my double?’

“Ember Korsane, at your service” he said, bowing his head. Twilight could have sworn something was off with the way he said that sentence, but she couldn’t put her hoof on it.
“At my service?” she asked, confused. 
“Surely you knew I was coming, I thought I sent a few letters saying I would be needing to borrow some books for study,” he replied sounding genuinely confused.

“Study for what?”

“Well, you see. I am studying self-defensive magic, and I thought that you, being the most powerful unicorn, could help me learn how to protect myself,” he responded, looking at Twilight like she was his last hope.
Twilight stood there looking at the unicorn, the same thought going through her head. She remembered one of her mane lessons here at Pineville, when she had accepted Pinkie's special ability 'Just because I can't explain it, doesn't mean it impossible'. Twilight returned to the present and looked back at Ember.
“I guess I can teach you some magic” she says, and smiles slightly at the look of pure joy on the other unicorns face.

> Mysterious plans
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was midnight and Luna’s moon was high in the sky as, inside an abandoned in the everfree forest, a small group of six ponies sat around a table facing each other.
“Kind of strange, don’t you think?” asks one of them.
“No, the plan was simple. I don’t see why you’re questioning it now. It’s too late if you’re having second thoughts” replies another pony harshly.
“It’s simply that, well. Is this right? It just seems like we’re going to complete our mission, then be disposed of”
The group remained silent for several minutes after that comment. None of them wanted to think about what had just been said, but it was in the back of all their minds.
Suddenly a seventh pony entered from the front door. It was clear that this pony meant business. He entered and instantly spoke, a deep voice “Gentle colts, it is nice to see you all made it”   
There was simply silence, the group were intimated by this 7th pony. He was, after all, in charge of their group and a mastermind. “Have you all completed your tasks?”
“Yes” they all reply.
“Very good. Follow me” he orders “We have work to do” he walks out the house, and the 6 ponies follow him out, deeper into the ever free forest. 

At the same time in Canterlot, Princess Luna had been reading several royal documents when she came across something that raised her eye brows. She instantly burst into Celestia’s room, expecting to see her sleeping, instead seeing her sister standing up, almost like she was…waiting for her.
“Luna” Celestia says in a weak voice.
“I have found several documents that are….” Luna paused, trying to think of the words to say “I can’t even think of the words for you right now!” yells Luna, using her Royal Canterlot Voice Celestia had taught her as a little joke.
“Luna, you must understand. My position isn’t easy! I don’t like what I am being forced to do, but it is necessary! For the continued survival of our kingdom!” preaches Celestia.
“Since I returned from my banishment, you’ve taught me to be a kind ruler, despite the treatment I get from the general public. I agreed with you, only to find these!” Luna uses to throw the documents at Celestia out of frustration, knowing her 
sister was right.
“If you’ve seen these, then you understand what I have to do to keep this a secret. Imagine the consequences if…” Celestia couldn’t finish her sentence.
“Sister, I may disagree with you on moral grounds, what could happen if….” Luna pauses for a few seconds “Do you really think some pony would actually try it?” asks Luna tensely.

“I hope not, but you yourself Luna know the horrors that can be committed if…somepony is pushed”
Luna slowly understands what her sister was doing “Very well, I will make the necessary arrangements” 
“One last thing Luna” says Celestia, making Luna turn around “Leave them where they are. If my theory is correct, they’ll need to work together”.
“Very well sister. I do think, however, Twilight at minimum should be informed” suggests Luna.
“Very well, I will ask her to come. I hope this day doesn’t come, but if it does..”
“Then everypony will be looking for us” Luna finishing Celestia’s sentence as she exits the room. Celestia walks over to her private study desk and opens a secret compartment. She brings out, off all things, a board with many pieces on it. Each piece looked like a pony, and the board, Equestia.
Celestia started making changes to the board unhappily, knowing it was necessary, yet cruel. She hated his board, this game. But the protection of her subjects made it necessary. 
Celestia then put it back, and walked over and started writing on a scroll to send to Twilight.

“Dear Twilight Sparkle, my most trusted student. I request that you come to Canterlot as soon as possible, the situation requires it. I know this is hard, but please keep this secret, even from your friend for now. When you return, you may inform them, but until then, it is important this is kept quiet. 
Your teacher, Princess Celestia”

Celestia wrapped it up, placed a special royal seal on it, on that hopefully Spike recognises, then sent it off to Spike.  
She looked back at the drawer as she lies down in her bed “I am doing this to protect all my subjects” she whispers, trying to convince herself what she was doing was the right thing to do “I am sick of this battle, this fight. This game” she closes her eyes and tries to sleep, guilty the only thing on her conscience.

Back, deeper in the everfree forest, the group of 7 ponies are still walking, getting closer to their target. Despite the cold weather and silence, they continued on.
After several hours of hiking, the group finally arrived outside a hill. This hill had massive gates buried into them, and gave a cold feeling. The group stopped.
“We are here” says the leader, a smile forming on his face before he turns around to face his companions “Are you colts ready?”
“Yes” they all reply. The colts sounded similar, and changed. The leader smiled as he remembered casting a powerful spell, basically rendering them his slaves, able to think, but not much.
“Well then, let’s go meet our maker” he says, opening the gates and entering the tomb. He walks only several metres inside, the cold air making his followers shiver.

Suddenly, a deep strong voice emits itself deep from within the tomb “Who goes there?” it demands.
The unicorn doesn’t reply, his blood red mane covering one of his eyes. His other eye looking out in the darkness in front of him “I have come to free you master, the world will yet again bow to you!” he calls out, using his magic to carry his voice.
A laugh fills the hall, even making the unicorn himself feel the cold “It has been many years when I dreamed of this day. It has finally arrived. Come, my student. Come and free me from my stone prison!” calls the voice, as the unicorn alone head further into the tomb. The tomb of those who shouldn’t see the light of day, of those who would destroy the world.


> Worst Night ever
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 5: Worse night ever
Quick Thanks again to InsanityBerry and Poniard Dagger for editing. This would be a lot worse if you guys didn't help, thanks. -Shadow

Twilight had quickly departed the following day with no reason, all everypony knew is that she was going to Canterlot.
“Well, perhaps she’s going to surprise Shining Armour?” suggested Rarity as the group left the station.
“Hey girls, you know what we haven’t done in ages?” asks Pinkie.
“What Sugar cube?” asks AJ.
“Gone out, we should hit up that new club that opened up a few days ago” suggests Pinkie.
“That sounds like a great idea Pinkie” agrees Rainbow Dash “I’m gonna pop home and pick up Shades, he’s been studying flight plans trying to come up with a move that will out-shine my sonic rainboom”
“How’s he doing?” asks Rarity.
“He hasn’t done anything else for several days, if that’s any clue” says Rainbow, laughing softly to herself before flaring her wings “I’ll catch you ladies tonight at the club, meet us inside.” 
One second she was standing there, the next she was gone.
“That’s a good thought, Ah should get Illidan. He could have a rest after today’s buckin’,” says Applejack before she slowly trots away, heading towards her farm.
“Berry would LOVE to come out with us! I’ll go grab him.” Suddenly the pink phantom vanished before the groups eyes.
“I guess I should go invite the lawyer, he might appreciate some time off” says Rarity before heading off to Ponyville’s hotel. 
Fluttershy simply stood there, before slowly heading towards her cottage where Angel was, hopefully, helping Stormrage keep the place in check.

Several hours later, Ember Korsane entered sugar cube corner. He had been told by Twilight that she would only be a few days, and to practise on his own. ‘Great idea, that was’ he thought, remembering his attempted spell to teleport himself to the other side of the library. Instead he managed to teleport a tree. Spike was less than pleased, and had told him to ‘give him some room’. Naturally, Ember came to Sugarcube Corner to get some food.
He ordered a cupcake and sat down to eat it, just as something bright pink, almost as pink as the colt that had served him burst through the door and started telling him to follow her, before noticing Ember and, before Ember could comprehend it, the pink mare was right next to him.
“HEY!” she shouted, making Ember jump a little from shock “I’m Pinkie Pie and I wondering if YOU would like to join me and Berry at a club tonight with a few of Twilight’s friends” offers the pink mare.
“Ummm. Yeah” Ember nods slowly “I’ll hang out with you guys, beats sitting here” he finished his cupcake and then followed the two pink ponies out towards the club she had mentioned. Several minutes later Ember stood outside the ‘club’ which looked like some ponies house, only it had a sign saying ‘The Stable’, lights shining and music going on.
Ember walked inside with the pink ponies and looked around for any pony he might have recognised. He looked and saw two ponies he recognised instantly, because of who they were, it would be impossible to miss them. One of these ponies was unique because his tail didn’t match his mane, and the other because her mane and tail were a rainbow. The pair was sitting at a table with a small group, all of which were drinking. 
Ember walked up towards them, only for the pink mare and her equally as pink companion to arrive and sit down with them. He saw the black Pegasus finish another drink before he started to fly, only for the rainbow Pegasus to stop him. Ember used his magic and listened into what they were saying.

“You’re lying to me!” accuses the cyan mare.
“What? I am not. I’ve been studying for a few days, and now my head is pounding. I just need some sleep!” the colt protests. Ember chuckled a little at the sight of the captains of the best flying teams arguing like a married couple.
“Fine, you go. I’m staying here” says Rainbow Dash.
“I never asked you to leave your friends. You’d be pretty bad at being loyal if you did that” Shadow Flare replies before turning around and trying to fly out, only to hit the wall.
Rainbow Dash could do nothing but start laughing really loudly, making the club stop and look at what had taken place. “Good one Shades, if that’s how the captain of the Shadowbolt flies, I don’t think you’ll even be better than a team of fillies” says Rainbow through her laughing.
Shadow got to his feet and trotted out the club, blushing redder than a tomato. Ember walked over to the group, and Pinkie Pie instantly started the introductions. Ember ordered a drink, knowing this would be a long night.

Outside ‘The Stable’ Shadow Flare slowly and uneasily flew back to Rainbow’s house. He was flying slowly because, despite being 20, he wasn’t very good at consuming alcohol. He crashed on her front porch, and reached for the key in his bag, only to see the door wide open. Shadow slowly got up, fearing the worst. ‘If somepony has decided to rob from here, I best be on my guard’ he says, the adrenalin starting to sober him up. 

Shadow enters the house, and sees movement in the living room. On the floor, he saw hoof-marks for only a single pony. He decided that making the first move and hopefully surprising them would give him the first hit, and in his drunken condition, he would need it.
Shadow jumps into the room and, facing the intruder, shouts “NONE OF YOU ARE SAFE!” only to see a familiar lavender unicorn standing in the living room, fear deep in her eyes. She instantly picks up Shadow with her magic, and suspends him in the air.
“HOW DARE YOU! I WILL” starts the unicorn until she sees who it is she’s holding in her magic “Oh, Shadow, you startled me” she says, not realising him.
“I am so sorry Twilight, I thought you were a thief. I saw the door open and assumed the worst” Shadow stated as he relaxed.
“It’s OK Shadow. Not even you are perfect” she beings him slightly closer with her magic.
“Hey, could you..umm. you know, release me? I’m kinda stuck here” he asks, stuck in her spell.
Twilight shook her head, like she was day dreaming, “Yeah, sure” she lowered the Pegasus down to the floor, before realising. “Hey, could you help me actually? I was planning to get Rainbow, but you’re already here” she asks.
“Yeah, I’ll help, what’s the spell?” the Pegasus trots towards her.
“Well, it’s rather complicated. I’ll make more sense once you’ve experienced it. Can I rely on your..loyalty?” she asks, making an obvious pause that confused Shadow.
“I’ll give it a shot. I’m not Rainbow, but I’m loyal to my friends. What do you need me to do?” he gets closer, looking at Twilight.
“Just, don’t resist” she says, picking the Pegasus up, and tightening the magic around him, making it harder from him to move.
“Are you OK Twilight, It might just be me, but you don’t seem…yourself” comments Shadow as the magic envelops him “And what happened with Canterlot today? I heard you planned to come back in a few days” 
Twilight starts to shake her head “ohh Shadow. You know, for some pony of your position and power. You are really STUPID” her voice changed at her last word, it was deeper. It made Shadow feel a cold shiver go over his entire body.
“Twi…Twilight, what’s wrong?” he asks, obviously panicking. 
“Twilight…Twilight” she repeats her name “NO! That is not my name” she starts laughing, it sounded like deep..Cold.
Shadow tries to move, to free himself, but her levitation spell denies him the ability to move “TWILIGHT! What is wrong with you! LET ME GO!” demands the Pegasus.
The unicorn places her horn on his crest “Don’t worry Shadow, this will be harmless. It’s a simple spell really, it called a ‘Thought manipulation control’ spell. Really simple, after it runs its course, you will have free will, but you WILL obey my every command. If you don’t, it attacks your mind and body, torturing you physically and mentally. Eventually, however, you will obey me willingly.” She smiles crazily as a small grey circle appears on his chest.
“Please!” begs the Pegasus, tears starting to form in his eyes “Twilight! Why? Why would you betray your friends like this? Who’s controlling you?” he asks.
“No pony is controlling me, I simply pledged myself to them. Tomorrow, we will invade Ponyville, and you WILL help me!” he horn glows again, and the grey circle starts to spread, slowly, moving like oil.

“HELP! ANYPONY, HELP ME!” he cries out, as loud as he can before Twilight forced his mouth shut. 
“Now now, that’s not very nice. Betraying your master like that” she tuts at him and the circle starts to cover his legs.
Suddenly, Twilight’s ears pop up hearing something. Shadow hoped it was some pony who had heard him. Twilight turns around and sees, of all ponies, Rainbow Dash staring at Twilight, who was obviously holding Shadow against his will.
“Twilight, you have about 10 seconds to explain yourself” she says threateningly, glaring at her.
“Ohhh, Rainbow Dash. Just the pony I wanted to meet. You see, I was planning to meet you first, but SOMEPONY,” she glared over at Shadow, the circle had covered his legs. His legs were now a drab grey, and the colour started to move up. “Arrived early, so I decided it would be good to test my spell, instead of putting YOU danger, it’ll be safe for your turn” she says, the crazy smile forming on her face.
“Shadow, is this true?” she asks, only to see him slowly nodding. He was obviously running out of energy to fight. The grey had now started going up his neck, and down his forearms.
“Twilight, as much as I honour our friendship, I am going to kick your flank” growls Rainbow before flaring her wings and charging straight at Twilight, screaming “RELEASE HIM!”
Shadow could only stare, completely powerful to stop Twilight grabbing Rainbow with her magic and tossing her back into the wall. While they were made of clouds, since they were a wall, they would hurt, a lot.
“Rainbow, do you think I wouldn’t expect that?” asks the unicorn “Do you think your predictable attack would work?” she taunts. Shadow feels the spell corrupting his body as it starts to slide up his neck. He tries to resist, but its power is too great. He feels it wash over his face, and his consequences starts to fade. He looks over at Twilight picking up Rainbow, the noises blocked out. ‘NO!!!!’ he screams, knowing her fate was to be the same as his.
“Well Rainbow Dash. It seems like time” gloats Twilight, picking the injured Pegasus up with her magic.
“Yeah, time for me to kick you FLANK!” yells Rainbow.
“No. Look!” she pointed towards Shadow, as Twilight released him. Rainbow could barely recognise Shadow. His coat, mane and...everything on him had turned grey.
“Very soon” Twilight places her horn on Rainbows chest “THAT. Will be you” 
“Twilight..WHY?” asks the pleading mare as the greyness started consuming her.
“MY NAME, YOU FOAL, IS NOT TWILIGHT! IT IS DUSK!” she yells, laughing as the spell corrupted her friend

> Special Delivery
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 6


The sun had been raised and Ember woke up. He looks around him and sees himself surrounded by the ponies he had been with last night. Aurora the lawyer, Illidan the navigator and Berry the party animal. He stood up and tried to avoid standing on one of them. He looked around and saw hay, lots of it, piled on the floor.
“Where am I?” he asked himself as he took another step forwards, only to find nothing under his hooves. Ember looked down and, an instant before he fell, saw he was on a balcony. He crashed into another large pile of hay, thankfully breaking his fall.

He hears somepony laughing hard as his head pokes out from the hay; he spots the orange mare from last night, AJ, lying on her back, tears starting to form as her laughter got louder.
“Hey, what’s with the racket!” yells a voice from above, as the pink colt, Berry, was poking his head out from the balcony.
“Somepony decided to go for a little fall,” says Pinkie Pie, appearing behind AJ.
“Too bad I missed that, could have been funny to watch,” comments Berry before his head disappears.
“Well, look at the…” starts AJ before something crashes through the barn doors, and slides along the ground, finally stopping front of Ember. Ember looks in shock at what had, literally, landed at his hooves. “P..Princess Luna?” he asks, his voice almost a whisper, his mind telling him this couldn’t be true. The princess looked like somepony had nearly killed her. She had cuts all along her body, and a deep gash on her left side, she was also covered in her own blood. 
She weakly raised her head, her dark blue eyes pleading for Ember to help her, before her head falls and hits the floor.
“Oh my, is that Luna?” asks AJ, turning to face the princess “She looks hurt.”
“Really? I didn’t notice,” says Ember, his voice covered in sarcasm.

“And what the hay is that suppose to mean?”
Ember stood there before facing AJ. “Listen, you have to trust me. Get everypony you can trust here now, family, friends,” he says, concern written all over his face.
“What’s all the noise about?” complains Rarity, walking into the barn wearing a very large, red sleeping gown with Pinkie Pie in tow, “oh my, is that Princess Luna?”
“Yes it is,” replies Ember “Now, get them. I have a bad feeling about today.” Ember looks over at the mares, Pinkie had been surprisingly quiet this whole time. “NOW!” 
The mares started moving, and in several minutes, they had all gone to get help. Ember knelt down beside Luna “Is this why I was really sent here Luna? Did you know this would happen?” He asks her, knowing he would never get a reply he would enjoy.

*30 minutes later, inside Rainbow Dash’s home*
“You know, you are both really persistent. Somepony should record this,” giggled Dusk as she looked over at her pets. Naturally, when they had finally regained conscious, they had both tried fighting her. Neither had even gotten close. Dusk saw them on the floor, trying to fight themselves.
Suddenly, the colt started muttering to himself. 
“Speak up, my pet. I demand you tell me what you are saying.” Dusk faced him, only for his hooves to fall from under him ‘Naturally, he’s trying to convince himself he’s in control,’ she concludes.
“My name…is….Shadow.” His voice was strained with each word, a side effect of her spell. He was trying to rebel against her, and her spell was punishing him to for his betrayal “Fl..are,” he growls.
“Name?” laughs Dusk “No my pet. You have no name as of yet, neither does the filly next to you.” Dusk lazily points to what remained of Rainbow Dash, a grey version of her, a shell. She had been fighting since she recovered, being loyalty and all, the spell had eventually knocked her unconscious.
“Her name…is…Rainbow..” He held his head with his hooves, trying to fight her magic “D…Dash!” He collapses onto the floor, rolling around in pain as his sanity was slowly taken away from him.
“My my pet. You are really persistent, you are all mine and you still fight against me,” mutters Dusk “No matter, today is the day when I take Ponyville, and as I promised you, you will be helping me.” An evil smile forms on her face.
“What….What are our n..names?” asks the grey Filly, slowly standing on her hooves.
“Awwww, it seems you have finally awoken and accepted your fate little filly.” Dusk smiles to herself “I have the perfect name for you, little filly. You are to be called ‘Traitor’ for that is who you are.” She turns and points at the colt “And you..you are to be called ‘Abomination’. You are a shell of your former shelf, a monster. You both will become my willing servants, and serve and bow to me.”

“NEVER!” Yells Abomination as he stands up and flares his wings “I will NEVER BOW TO YOU!” He starts charging at Dusk, flapping his wings to increase his speed. Dusk simply stood still in shock ‘How is he overcoming my spell? He must have remarkable will power’ she thinks right before the Pegasus simply collapses, and falls directly at her feet.
“Remarkable, but useless. You waste your energy, just accept your fate like the filly has.” She pointed towards Rainbow, “and your life will become easier.”
Neither of them reply, instead they lie on the ground, obviously fighting the spell she had cast on them. ‘Keep on fighting’ she thinks as she watches the two former pegasi lovers rolling over the floor, the foundations of their mind being assaulted ‘The more you fight, the harder you fight, the quicker you deliver yourself to me.’ She smiles evilly again.
“You have some time to recover, I’d assume by then our reinforcements would have arrived. But be warned.” She starts looking through some magic books she had brought with her, “I’ll be keeping both of you on a short leash.”
Dusk sits down, only to hear another voice. It was weak and dispirit, but alive. It called out to her inside her own head ‘Please, stop hurting them’ it was begging. Dusk ignored it and, just like Twilight before her, sat down to read a good book, ignoring the noise around her. 

> Revelations 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 7: Revelations 

Thanks King Otrepony for his editing.


Back inside the barn in Sweet Apple Acres, a small group was standing around. This group currently consisted Rarity, Apple Jack, Pinkie Pie, Apple Bloom, Big Mac Sweetie Bell. Fluttershy was out trying to find where Scootaloo was, and none of the colts had come back. Big Mac was finishing bucking some trees can collecting food, Stormrage had gone up to Fluttershy’s cottage to get the animals and bring them down. Aurora had gone to his hotel room for some supplies, while Berry and Illidan had gone out to collect more food from Sugar Cube Corner.

Big Mac returned with a lot of apples, all of which the girls started placing in pacts that Ember had made before going to see how Luna was doing. Several minutes later, Aurora came back carrying a large pack on his back which he claimed carried “family memories”.   Berry arrived by himself with a large number of sweets and cakes.
Ember walked out of the house and into the barn, where he saw everypony working hard to get everything done. Where is Twilight? If what Luna says is true, then I fear for her safety. But’ Ember never finished his train of thought as he saw, actually, the lack of a certain farm Pegasus. He walked to Berry who was helping Pinkie split the cake up “Berry, where is Illidan? I sent him with you”
“Oh, I told him to go up to that cloud house where Shadow and Rainbow are. I remember you mentioning something about getting our friends, and since I can’t fly nor stand on clouds. I asked Illidan to go there instead” 
“Smart idea, thanks Berry, can you get Fluttershy or somepony to just run out and quickly check up on them? I’m sure they won’t be long, but rather safe than sorry” 
Berry nods his head quickly before trotting off to where Fluttershy was sorting food, and replaced her in the station, before she walks out of the barn and took off.

At the same time as Fluttershy starts flying towards Rainbows home, Illidan had landed on Rainbow’s porch and tapped on the door which slid open. Illidan walked into the living room and saw a pony that honestly shocked him. He spotted Twilight Sparkle who was simply standing in the living room, facing him. He remembered meeting her when he crashed into the tree, but he knew that she had headed up to Canterlot and was meant to be up there for a few days.
“Twilight..What are you doing here?” 
Twilight took a step towards him “Funny you should ask, I was about to ask you the same damn question”
“I-I came here to get Rainbow Dash and Shadow Flare”
“And why would you do that?”
“Well, as I’m sure you know, Princess Luna crashed here and Ember told us……” Illidan stopped as he realised something odd ‘If Twilight knew about the Princesses injury, then why is she relaxing up here, unless she has no idea. But something has happened up there, and Twilight coming back here is more than ‘convenient’. She knew what happened……’
“She crashed? So the little bitch did survive” Twilight says, interrupting Illidan’s train of thought as her horn starts glowing. 
“Tw-Tw-Twilight, what happened in Canterlot…?” He took a step back, fear starting to creep into his eyes.
Suddenly, the door slams shut, making Illidan jump and his head face the closed door that has a slight purple glow on it. His body starts to shake with fear as he takes another step back, getting closer to the back wall.
“In Canterlot, I was freed. And stop calling me Twilight, that’s not my name. And you’re here for whom again?”
“Tw-Tw-Twilight, please uh wh-where’s Rainbow and Shadow?” He sees a sly smile forming on her face “What have you done with them?”
“Rainbow? Shadow? You mean the Pegasi that live here? The captains that break regulations by going out, despite being competitors? They’re here” Twilight pointed behind him.

Illidan turns around and sees 2 Pegasi standing behind him. First thing that surprised him was they had snuck up on him, but what caught most of his notice was who it was. He instantly knew who they were, despite being completely grey. He knew his idols every feature and to see them like that make his heart beat heavily.
“Shadow! Rainbow! What happened?” he completely forgot about Twilight, completely fixated on the ponies in front of him.
“They are my loyal puppets now Illidan, and unless you want to join them. Tell me where that bitch Luna is” She took a step towards him, making him panic even more.

“RUN!” Illidan turns around in shock as the pony he knew as Shadow Flare jumps in-between him and Twilight, allowing him to run. Seconds later Rainbow Dash was doing the same.
Illidan ran and jumped next to the window and turned, expecting to see Shadow and Rainbow right behind him. Instead he saw them on the ground, writhing in pain. Shadow glances up and looks straight into his eyes and, despite the pain it would cause him, he yells “Get out! T…The attack! RUN!” he brings his head down before screaming in pain. Illidan looks back one last time, regretting not being able to help the ponies he looks up to, before taking off and heading to the farm, only to nearly crash into Fluttershy.
“I-I-Illidan, what’s the rush? Where’s Rainbow and Shadow?” she managed to keep flying despite the hit in mid-air.
“Come on, I’ll explain later. We have to leave town with everypony now!” He grabs onto Fluttershy and practically drags her with him back to the farm.

Illidan lands with Fluttershy in tow, seeing ever pony was finishing organising all the supplies. He ran to Ember.
“Ember, you got to hear this. You’re not going to believe what just happened at Rainbow’s place” 
Ember turns around, looking Illidan straight in the eyes “Now is not the time Illidan, I’m kind of busy talking to Luna about what happened in Canterlot” Illidan could see Princess Luna was lying on some hay, her wounds mostly healed.
Illidan signed, before looking straight into Embers “It’s Twilight, isn’t it?”
“How…?” Ember looked at the Pegasus with a look of pure shock and horror clear on his face before Luna spoke up, her voice shaky.
“Enter. We need to hear everything” The door was covered in a light blue aura and closed, leaving Illidan to explain what he had saw in Rainbow’s home. 


> Ambush at the acres
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 8: Ambush at the Acres
“Everypony” calls out Ember as he, Illidan and Princess Luna walked out into the barn “It’s about time we leave, I promise all will be explained when we leave”
Most the ponies grabbed their saddle bags, but one small Pegasus filly didn’t move “Hey…Where’s Rainbow Dash and Shadow Flare?”
Ember sighs, knowing it would be hard to get her to leave “They’re waiting for us Scootaloo, I promise” This lie make the filly quickly run off into the other room.
“That was a lie Sugarcube” says Applejack simply as she closes the door.
“Yes, but they can’t know what has happened”
“What’s happened? Ya know something, and know I want ya to tell us”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


“Now my pets, with these magical trackers on you, you’ll have to stay close to me” says Dusk as her spell finishes on the 2 pegasi standing before her, neither replied.
“Come now, we have things to do. And don’t forget what happens if you even think of disobeying me” and with that Dusk walked out towards the front door, the two pegasi following her. Dusk exited the cloud mansion and teleported to the ground, where the pegasi quickly flew down, staying within close proximity to her. Dusk spotted a large team of earth ponies, 50 strong. All of them were grey, like they were mimicking that of the former Shadow Flare and Rainbow Dash.
Dusk walked up to the leader of the ponies, Battle Armour. He was an extremely strong Earth pony, with a silver coat and light blue mane. His eyes practically glowed orange as he saluted.
“Ma’am!”
Dusk simply nods in response “Commander, I assume this is our attack force?”
“Roger that Ma’am. I have told each of them our targets, they should do their job adequately”
She took a step forwards “Should? You have doubts?”
“Honestly Ma’am? Yes, despite that we have….Aquired two of our thirteen targets, the remaining will not be easy. The Pegasi could easily fly off, and with this Ember character being who we think he is, it will not be easy”
“Oh really? And Ember is who?”
Battle Armour looked at sheepishly “Well, if what we read is correct, he is Luna’s top operative and spy”
Dusk looked in slight shock at him “You mean to say that the traitor Luna’s student is here?”
“Yes, and these things won’t over power him, even if there were millions of them”
Dusk looked at him unimpressed “Are you saying they’re that weak? If this made it back to the…..” Dusk never got to finish her sentence.
“NO! I’m saying that with only 50 of them, we have little chance of capturing them! They are all rallied in the same spot, the farm”
“Then let’s get moving, come my pets. We will go our own way” and with that Dusk, Traitor and Abomination walked off, in the direction of the farm. Battle turned around to face the ponies These shells “Listen up! We are to move through the town until we arrive at Sweet Apple Acres, where all 10 off our targets are all waiting. I want them alive, but that doesn’t mean you should be gentle” and with that, Battle Armour led his force towards the town, and the farm.

“So, Twilight’s evil?” says Pinkie Pie in disbelief.
“I’m afraid so” confirms Luna “I can explain in more detail about what happened in Canterlot, and what happened to her when we get into a safe place”
Illidan flew into the barn “Guys, we have a problem”
Everypony except Luna looked at Illidan “Well?” asked AJ “What ya see?”
“A large group of ponies are on their way here and all of them look grey, just like Shadow and Rainbow. I think they’re comin’ here to attack”
“What!? If those vermin even think about…..”
“Apple Jack, please clam down. I don’t think we could stand up to 50 earth ponies” says Luna “As much as I hate to say it, we have to leave now”
“Where are we planning to go?” asked Rarity.
“Right now? All we can do is run into the forest, back to the old-castle”
“That place? But think about my mane!” Rarity whined.
“Seriously?” asked Stormrage “Twilight’s coming here with a mini army to capture or even kill us, and you’re worried about your mane? You’ve got to be kidding me!”
Apple Jack just gave Stormrage a look that told him everything “Wow…we’re doomed”
“Correct, you are” said another voice, all the ponies in the barn turned to face it. There at the rear exit of the barn, stood Twilight Sparkle
 No, that’s no Twilight Ember reminded himself Whatever happened to Twilight, that thing has replaced her
“Twilight?” asked Pinkie, her mane deflating slightly.
“No! My name is not Twilight, but Illidan is correct, you are all doomed”
“Twilight, why are ya doing this ta ya friends!?” Apple Jack staring at her.
“Friends? I don’t need friends, I have power and that is all I need to survive. Now, surrender nicely and I won’t kill anypony”
“Twilight, I can’t let you do that” says Ember quietly, walking towards her.
“Ember, did you really think I don’t know who you really are?”
He shrugged “It was worth a shot, but now you know. I don’t have to hold back”
“I would be hurt if you did”
He quickly turns his head “Princess, get them out of here. I’ll keep this thing here”
The princess quickly nods “Good luck” before ushering the 12 remaining ponies out of the barn.

“They’ll never make it, my force is simply to big” Dusk says confidently
“50 Earth ponies won’t stand a chance”
“Who said anything about just earth ponies?”
Ember’s horn started to glow “You…you monster!”
Dusk’s horn started to glow, and a smirk formed on her face “There is no word in our language that can describe what I am. Now, it’s time to die!” and with that Dusk started to attack Ember.
“Come on, let’s go!” says Apple Jack as she heard the fighting start inside her barn.
The group of13 ponies were all running down the path towards the town. They kept going until they saw the group of ponies approaching them.
Luna looked at each of the ponies, most of them were grey all over. But one stood out to her, he was silver with a dark blue mane. He was the only pony actually wearing any armour.
“Well, look what we have here. Princess Luna and the traitors” he smirked as the large force started to surround the mares.
“Who are you?” demanded Luna.
“General Battle Armour, General of all Earth Pony divisions in our new and glorious empire”
“Battle Armour, I don’t know what lies you’ve been fed, but I will give you one last warning. Get out of my way”
He glared at the princess and the 12 other ponies standing behind her “I will do my royal duties, and you will pay with your life”
Luna turned her head to her ponies behind her “You know the route, go quickly” and with that, Apple Jack lead the ground round the army, towards the forest.
“You realise such a sacrifice is pointless? You will be captured now, and they will be soon”
Luna stared at Battle Armour “You have threatened my subject, and you and your lackies will pay”
“Just bring it on, traitor” Battle Armour prepares to charge.
At the entrance of the forest, Apple Jack was also having difficulties, but it wasn’t because they were under attack.
“What’s happenin’ sis? Why is Twilight and all thos’ other ponies tryin’ to hurt us?” asked Apple Bloom, a blank flank still.
“Apple Bloom, right now. We’ve got bigger problems, I’ll explain it later, I promise. Right now we need to get to the castle of the old pony sisters. Come on!” Apple Jack lead the way into the forest, with Illidan covering the back.
Back in the barn house, just after Luna had lead everypony out, chaos erupted. Dusk was about to fire a powerful spell that would have crushed Ember with the pressure of the sun, but he was quicker. He fired a quick barrage of mini fire projectiles that forced Dusk to abandon her attacking spell and raise a barrier around herself. Ember kept up his consistent barrage of fire attacks, hoping to find a break in Dusk’s defences. It became quickly apparent to him that Dusk didn’t have any clear weakness in her shield spell. He knew that, with access to the mana reserves that Twilight had, that his mana would run out long before he would break through the barrier.

Dusk quickly stopped firing his fire missiles and charged his teleportation spell ‘Come on, think! Where do I want to go…..’
Dusk frowned slightly, before it dawned on her, and I don’t mean the sun ‘NO! You will not escape me, you fool!’
She remembered something she’d read in the cloud house of her minion, about shields and their special power. Dusk quickly gathered all the damage her shield had absorbed from Ember’s annoying barrage and, using a simple redirection spell, and fired around 70 fire missiles straight back at Ember.
Ember’s spell was nearly complete when he saw Dusk fire a barrage of missiles that looked familiar to the ones he had fired at her ‘Not familiar, the exact ones I fired at her!’
Dusk smiled as Ember’s own missiles exploded around him, a sadistic smile formed on her face. She walked over to the flaming ground, but saw nothing except the flames.
“What! How…He escaped!” Dusk’s anger escalated into a blood rage, tearing the barn down within seconds. Her screams of anger echoing into Ponyville.


> 400 year old fury
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 9: 400 year old Fury

Luna lowered her head as the grey ponies completely surrounded her. Battle Armour stood back and simply watched as his troops slowly advanced on the princess of the night.
Luna’s horn started glowing and her long wings stretched out.
‘Alright, outnumbered by 50 earth ponies, but these ones are simply puppets. Not even real, which makes this all the much easier.

The ponies all charged with the exception of Battle Armour, all heading straight at Luna. Luna simply used her wings to levitate herself mere meters above the ground, out of reach of the Earth Ponies.
Battle Armour glared at the princess, before whistling for his reinforcements.
Luna heard a whistle, and saw Battle Armour as the pony responsible, but no idea what it meant.

It doesn’t matter. I need to dispose of these abominations, then I can……Luna felt something sharp penetrate along her left side, from her mark to her shoulder. 
“AARRGGHHH” she screamed. The wound wasn’t deep, but it was in a near identical position to her previous wound. She looked ahead of her and saw 2 grey ponies flying side-by-side, a perfect formation. Luna glared at them, anger burning within her as a memory flashed before her own eyes.

She was back in the immortal war, as it was called. Luna was fighting on the front line, her powers of the night destroying all of the ponies that stood in her way, butchering Earth ponies, Pegasi and Unicorns alike. She took to the sky, delivering death to all that opposed her.
Suddenly, a small number of grey Pegasi flew straight past Luna. She used her war magic, but she wasn't fast enough and 2, just 2 got past her.
It was minutes later, her reinforcements didn't arrive and her army was forced to lose the position. The loss forced her father to divert troops from his army to hers, an act he was most displeased with. Those 2 Pegasi had, not only taken her reinforcements out, had never been caught.
Luna exited the flash back, and eyed the 2 Pegasi. So similar to those that caused her humiliation nearly 4 centuries ago. Luna’s eyes started to glow white as she lost control, firing every spell she knew that would commit harm at the ponies beneath her.  

The grey ponies under her were all vaporised under the barrage, and even a hole in the ground was formed where the ponies used to be. Battle Armour took an involuntary step back, and saw his entire attack force destroyed. 
“Ohhh, come on! Hell with this” He turned around and started what he would call, a tactical retreated.
Luna’s last targets were the Pegasi. Luna fired her most destructive spell, a missile type that explodes with dire ramifications. The pegasi both saw the spells, but flew at Luna regardless. Suddenly, the spell did their job and the sky around the Pegasi exploded in blue. Luna saw with a strange feeling of both satisfaction and dismay as they crashed into the Apple fields. Luna quickly charged a teleportation spell, then the barn near exploded.
Then, she teleported.

> Regrouping
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 10: Regroup
Deep in the Everfree forest, in the old temple. Apple Jack rested, they had made it. The Cutie Mark crusaders were playing tag in the courtyard, Illidan was helping Aurora and Fluttershy unpack. Pinkie, Berry and Big Mac were all getting the food prepared. Stormrage was sitting next to Apple Jack, tired from his walk.
“Well, this isn’t a good start”
“Right there partner, and it’s going to get a lot worse”
“What do you mean AJ?”
“Well, we’re sending Big Mac with the fillies to Manehatten to our relatives, they’ll take care of em’”
“That’s good, isn’t it?”
“Well, that just leaves us. Ah have no idea if the Princess will make it here, or that fancy-shamcy operative. Afraid it’ll be just on our own legs for the time being”
Storm glanced back at the castle before getting up “Come on AJ, we should probably help the others set up camp. It might be a rough night, assuming all this keeps up”
Apple Jack looked around the eerily quiet forest “Ah don’t hear anything”
“That’s precisely what I mean, this is the Everfree forest right? Where everything is unnatural and stuff? Why can’t I hear that then?”
“Ah…have no idea, you’ll have to ask Fluttershy bout that. I’m no good with animals”
“I thought you had a pet?”
Apple Jack stood up “I’d rather not talk about that…..come on, we’d better help the others”
Apple Jack trotted off, leaving Storm looking out at the forest.


Inside the castle, where everypony had just finished setting up camp, there was a red flash. Out of it appeared Ember, who’s left front leg quickly failed to support him and hits the ground. Fluttershy and Big Mac were instantly by his side.
“A-are you ok Ember?” asked Fluttershy, who was quickly examining him for any obvious injuries.
“I’m fine Fluttershy, just a little winded. That parasite that’s taken over Twilight…man, it was teasing me”
“What do you mean, teasing?”
Big Mac lifted Ember onto his back, and they all start walking towards the ‘sleep’ section of the camp.
“Well, I didn’t think she intended me to escape, but I know Twilight, and I know that that thing was barely using her mana storage. I was quickly to attack, but if that thing is as smart as I think it is, it could have attacked and defended at the same time”
“W-what? You mean bad Twilight wanted to wear you down?”
“Basically, and she nearly did. My spells have a lot of kick, but mana endurance isn’t my specialty” 
Big Mac enters the sleeping area, where Illidan and Berry and Pinkie where setting up tents. Well, then I say tents, I mean several tents, a couple of just sleeping bags and a giant mansion 

Big Mac lowered himself and let Ember hop of his back, lying him down onto one of the sleeping bags.
“So..Now what Ember?”
“Well, I think our biggest priorty is to rest up. It’ll take them some time, I hope, to find us here. Hopefully by the time they do, we’ll be long gone from here”
Fluttershy nodded, while Big Mac said, traditionally, “Eeeyep” 
Scootaloo trotted into the room “Um, where is Rainbow Dash? You said she’d be here!”
Ember glanced at the filly, and felt a sinking feeling in his chest. He didn’t like lying, and this filly held Rainbow Dash in high regard. He knew she’d have to learn, but not yet.
“It’s….” Ember was interrupted by another flash of magic, blue this time. Luna materialised in that room, and she winced her eyes. The wound on her side bleeding, not heavily, but enough to weaken the Princess. 
Fluttershy took mere seconds to grab her first-aid kit, quickly leading Luna onto a sleeping bag, where the Pegasus got started on cleaning and fixing Luna’s wounds.

“Well? What’s happened to Rainbow Dash!?” Scootaloo hadn’t even been phased by the sudden arrival of Luna, keeping her eyes trained on Ember.
Ember saw all the ponies eyes on him, and he lowered his eyes and head. There was one thing he didn’t want to deal with, it was a head-broken filly.
“W-well, you see…Luna asked Rainbow to fly to the other cities, rally up some support…It’s hard to explain to one so young. War is…not something a filly your age should know about”
“W-war? We’re at war!?” Scootaloo’s mouth dropped “Against who!?”
Ember closed his eyes, it was about time they all knew what happened in Canterlot, why Twilight had changed and, who their enemy really was. “It’s, not mine right to explain, but my princesses. Tomorrow, we wil talk about it, but…I must…rest” Ember’s eyes slowly closed, and he drifted into sleep.
Aurora walked into the area, a large, bulky bag on his back “I agree with Ember, we could all use some rest. I’ll take first watch, everypony else rest”
A nod was all the reply needed, and everypony but Aurora went to sleep. He sat in the corner, the contents’ of his bag on the ground in front of him.

> Farewell, for now
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello Everyone, no idea how long it's been, over a year i suspect since i did anywork on this, and the major reason is i feel like i'm stealing The Immortal Games's idea of the king. 
While there are major differences, this story's idealogy and such have been taken. And i can't work on it anymore without feeling like i've taken something wonderful and mutiliated it. So, i am high chance, Cancelling RotK. 
Now, i am tempted to write something new, and i have a few ideas that i'll be messing around with now. But, Don't expect this story to get udated agin, unless it's urgent.
Thanks to everyone for helping me, insirping me or just being supportive, i never expected my first ever attmept at proper writing to get 32 likes. But, like i said, unless their is a demand for me to write this, i might be either a) Taking charge of Blood Moon Rising, or b) Working on a brand new project.
Anyway, thanks everyone, i'll catch you later i hope

-Shadow Flare
> New Story
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a conclusive message for anyone who reads that.
The first thing is that, thanks for the support for this fic, but like i've mentioned, the idea was not my own and it's stealing a good story. That is why i'm canning this story RotK.
And i highly doubt Ember is actually going to do work on Blood Moon Rising, given life off the internet.
However, i now have a story i can call my own. Equestrian Revolution, which is going to be an interesting project, has just started. So if you liked this, this story will be of similar standard, and i mean this in action, adventure. But will have a darker overtone. Anyway, thanks y'all.

See you on the far side my friends.
-Shadow 'Blitz' Flare