> A Sleeping Legend > by LE_MALEM > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Now is the Time > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A/N: Hello all and welcome to my new story. I know that I have another story as work in progress but I decided that I would write this because of the many ideas that came through my mind. I hope you enjoy it and don't forget to leave some comments please. "Talk": Normal Talk "Talk": Thoughts Writing: Normal Writing Writing: Flashback, Letter... "Talk": Dragon Language, Shout... Chapter 1: Now is the Time Prelude Nothing is believable until you see it with your own eyes. The fight against Alduin has ended and the Dragonborn achieved victory over the mythical dragon. But this victory didn't come without a price as Alduin summoned powers beyond our heroine's wildest imagination. A rift in space opened and our heroine was thrown into it, hearing Alduin cursing and seeking revenge one day. As everybody believed that the Dragonborn died as a martyr, our heroine found herself transfigurated into a miniature horse, a pony with wings, a pegasus as the population there would say. She accepted her fate but hid in the shadows and slums of Canterlot, taking measly jobs as the country called Equestria wasn't the war-waging type of countries. The worse has yet to come. Our heroine was pregnant (her husband was human). She couldn't afford to pay the hospital's outrageous fees and even with her pleas they couldn't accept her. She forced her baby out and it was a filly. What was strange about her is that her cutie mark already exists: It was a black dragon on her yellow skin. The mare couldn't believe her eyes: "This must...be your fate...my child...You are...the next Dovahkiin...*pants*," she said "I wish... I could leave you... somethings but... all I have is... this grimoire... where all... my secrets... shall be revealed to you one day." She attached the grimoire around the baby, closed her eyes and awaited her fate. "Goodbye... future of these land... and beyond... I hope... you will find the happiness... I never gave you..." she passed away as soon as she said these words. The baby's sentient cries were all over Canterlot but nobody would notice an abandoned baby in an alley, crying and wating care. Celestia, ruler over all Equestria, saw everything and decided to take action. She flew as fast as she could to the baby's location, put a camouflage spell on her cutie mark and took her to Cloudsdale's orphanage. Years passed and the little filly became a full-grown mare with long light-pink hair, baring the well-know name of... Present Time "Fluttershy, wake up!" a noise could be heard outside Fluttershy's cottage. "I'm coming..." she answered with her sweet little voice, opened the door and it was Rainbow Dash on the other side. "Oh come on Fluttershy! You're not usually that tardy at waking up. I came to ask you to check up on Tank; the regular check-up should do." Rainbow Dash said. "Okay. Just leave him with the other animals if that's okay with you." answered Fluttershy. "Oh fine! But I'll come in the afternoon just to pick him up okay?" inquired the rainbow maned pony. "O-okay then, see you soon." Fluttershy answered that before closing the door. It was noticeable that our favorite caretaker isn't that moody today for some unknown reason. She trotted towards the sink in her bathroom and tried to wash her face but still nothing. The anxiety was clear as sun on her face. Maybe she was ill? But no, she had animals to take care of. Everypony and other animals count on her to keep them animals' safety and welfare. "W-what's wrong with me?" she said feeling dizzy as she fell on the floor unconcious. Fluttershy's Dream Fluttershy woke up. It was to dark she couldn't see anything around her. She trotted into the darkness, into the unknown. But it was still too dark; it was like an endless decent into darkness. She tried to call for her friends but nopony was around. She felt afraid, terrified that she might die of loneliness or madness. She held her head as this dark world turned around her. Suddenly, she heard a warm voice calling "My baby..." and then a blurry spectre of a pegasus pony appeared in front of her. "You are my legacy... You are the one who shall save the worlds... You are the Dovahkiin!" it disappeared after saying those words then a blurry book with a draconic shape in its cover appeared in front of her. The sight of it made her head ache in pain, as if this book meant something grave and important to her. Then the book was engulfed in flames; two red eyes appeared. He said in a strange language that Fluttershy somehow understood: "Zu shalt have mine nahkriin, DOVAHKIIN!" as the creature shot scorching flames in the direction of Fluttershy. Dragon Language according to elderscrolls wiki. Please take a look at it if any word in Dragon Tongue is not understandable for you. End of the Dream Fluttershy woke up with a start. A piercing shriek that made all the animals around her startle. She was panting heavily, worrying the animals in the process, especially one particular bunny named Angel. He (I think Angel is male) tapped on her. "Um, I'm fine Angel. I'm totally fine. Sorry to have startled you all," Fluttershy said What a really weird dream! I hope none of that was real. It was really scary." Fluttershy was lost in her thoughts until Angel saw something that made him squeak. He was pointing at something anxiousely, but Fluttershy was still lost in her thoughts until a pull in her hair made her lose her train. "Ow, ow, what is it Angel? Is something the matter?" inquired Fluttershy as she saw him pointing at her flank. "Huh? What about my flank?" when she turned her head she gasped; there were no pink butterflies anymore, instead there was a black shape; a black winged dragon to be more precise. "Oh no no no no no no NO! What kind of magic is this? I hope this is just some sick joke! This can't be real. THIS CAN'T BE REAL!" yelled Fluttershy in her thoughts but the latters were wrong as this new cutie mark flashed white. She felt an attractive force pulling her somewhere. All animals tried to held her in place but the magnetic force was too strong as she was pulled into the air and the direction was... Canterlot's Library Fluttershy was shaking in fear, eyes closed, cowering during the whole trip. The mare crashed into the most secured library in all of Equestria: Canterlot's library. The glow on her new cutie mark and the magical force have disappearad. She slowly opened her eyes to see a book in front of her. It was a gigantic book imprisoned in a dome of glass. She inspected the book carefully and she saw the same mark on its cover. "The same as my new cutie mark and my dream..." she thought. She stared at the book carefully: "At last my child you have came..." a voice spoke. Fluttershy went to cover thinking it was a Canterlot guard. "Come closer..." the voice rang again. Fluttershy noticed there was no one to talk to so she decided to take action. "Who-who's there?" Fluttershy asked. "In front of you my child..." the voice answered. Fluttershy looked in front of her as she saw the big book speaking to her. "The-the g-giant book f-from my dream? A-are you sentient Mr. Book?" asked Fluttershy. "Mr.? I am female my dear. And I am just a mere soul imprisoned in this grimoire..." answered the book. "G-grimoire? Like a spell book? That sort of grimoire?" inquired Fluttershy. "Yes, my dear. Could you please get me out of this glass prison? I'll tell you everything you need to know; about your new cutie mark, about your ancestry, your family, anything you want." Fluttershy's eyes widened "I-I have a family? Since when? I thought I was an orphan raised in Cloudsdale. This is the first time I ever heard of this." She started crying at the realisation. "Oh, I am so sorry my child. I never knew-" "It's-It's okay. I think I am ready now." Fluttershy interrupted the grimoire as she lifted the glass prison and got the book out. "Thank you, my daughter." said the book. "Daughter? You are my mother?" asked Fluttershy. The grimoire glowed in green as its pages opened wide. Energy emaneted from the book to Fluttershy's fear as a silouhette of a beautiful pegasus mare appeared in front of her. She had a commanding stature and the same cutie mark as her. "Like I said, my daughter, I am just a soul imprisoned in this book. I did this just after I gave birth to you, my dear." Fluttershy's mother said. "B-but why? Why weren't you besides me?" Fluttershy asked. "I couldn't. I was unknown to your world." Fluttershy's mother answered. "Your world? You're saying that I am not from this world either?" screamed Fluttershy. "No no, you're totally from this world my dear. I mean that I didn't have anything in this world, not even the money for having a birth operation." explained her mother. "Canterlot couldn't help you? I am very sorry for you," gasped Fluttershy "I just couldn't believe that I am in front of my mother. Why couldn't you be with me from the very beginning?" "I wish I could really. This might sound crazy but it's your 'princess' who seperated you from me." Now Fluttershy was in state of shock, anger and sadness. Emotional conflict ran into her brain like a thunderstorm. "What? Princess Celestia did this? But why?" asked Fluttershy, glaring at her mother. "I honestly have no idea, my dear," she answered. "I don't know really; maybe she wanted you to feel secured, maybe she wanted the power inside this book. I felt her ineffective spells trying to break the seals of this book but in vain. After that, she imprisoned me in this dome. I was crying. I thought you died of carelessness. But there you are, my daughter in front of me." Fluttershy couldn't believe her ears. Princess Celestia, the most benevolant pony in Equestria, has hidden motives? Maybe her old cutie mark was her doing too in order to hide what's hers by birthright. These thoughts was a lot to take on but Fluttershy calmed down. "I will see onto this matter later, mother, please tell me what I am in this world." said Fluttershy with a stern look. "My child, this is going to be a long story: You and I are known as Dragonborn. We are not born from dragons. We are normal humans, or should I say ponies in this world, that have the powers of a dragon." explained the mother. "The powers of a dragon? Humans?" asked Fluttershy. "I am what we call a human in the world of Skyrim. Skyrim is, unlike your world, a place filled with conflicts, wars, mythical beasts, dragons... Us dragonborn have one objective in this world: Slay Alduin, king of the treacherous dragons and the World Eater." "S-slay dragons? A-Alduin? Is that the creature I saw in my dreams?" asked Fluttershy, terrified. "You dreamt of Alduin? That means my suspicions are correct," thought her mother aloud. "I didn't kill Alduin in my world my dear. He flunged me into yours before I struck the final blow on him. You being my descendant and seeing him in your dream are confirmations that he's still alive." "Alduin is still alive? W-what should we do? I-I am sorry mother! I'm not suited in combat. I lived a peaceful life until this moment of truth. How can I be powerful if I am this dull?" stammered Fluttershy. She was crying rivers. It was true that she has a heart of gold and couldn't harm a fly but she, a dragonborn? Impossible! This was too much for her to take in. The mother approached Fluttershy and hugged her. "Fluttershy, my dear, you are the only hope of Equestria and Skyrim. No one except you can do it. And I'll help you fulfil your quest. I'll train you to be ready for it. I know you are strong inside. I have felt it when you 'Stared' at that dragon in the mountain." "That stare is one of my powers?" asked Fluttershy. "Your powers were sealed thanks to that contraption of your princess. The stare is just a proof that you are a dragonborn," answered her mother "That dragon was nothing compared to the other scaly lizard I fight in my world. They are monstruous beasts with no mercy that will tear innocents apart." Fluttershy was not as scared as before but still the thought of killing dragons was a little extreme for her to do. "Shhh- do you hear that Fluttershy?" said her mother. It was a faint noise but it indeed sounded bad news. "A dragon's roar?" Fluttershy said "But I thought dragons were kept at bay from any Equestrian city." "Not those pathetic dragons, my dear, these are the dragons I spoke of. Maybe you have to fulfil your destiny sooner than we thought," said her mother "I'll merge my soul within your body for this battle, please trust me we don't have much time." "B-but mother..." she hadn't the time to answer as her mother possessed her body. The possession was successful as Fluttershy's body flew outside the library in an amazing speed in the direction of the noise. Ponyville In the peaceful city of Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle was in her library writing a letter for the princess. She was so excited to tell her about the new things that she learned about friendship. "Howdy, Twilight! You're here?" A voice outside called. "Yes, Applejack, I'm here you can enter now!" Twilight answered as she magically opened the door. Applejack came in as requested and she started talking. "Haven't you seen good ol' sweetheart Fluttershy round here today? I sure haven't seen her at all. Maybe she's at Zecora's y'know; taking some medecine for her animals?" inquired the southern pony. "Fluttershy? I'm sure Rainbow Dash told me that she let Tank under her care this morning. You sure she ain't in her cottage?" replied the bookworm. "Ah'm not really sure about that at all-" she was interrupted by a very loud roar outside. The roar was followed by screams of Ponyville citizens. "What is all this fuss about?" asked Twilight as she looked outside the window to see the unimaginable. A gigantic gray dragon was outside, terrorising Ponyville. The whole town was in chaos as this dragon was ripping and tearing houses apart. A swing from his tail impaled two stallions trying to defend their families. The unguarded town was at full alert once but with stallions badly equiped and poorly underprepared against this monstrosity have fallen under the might of its ice breath. "What in the name of all that is holy is happening here?" said Twilight, mouth agape. "Don't stay like that, Twi' and let's go help." snapped Applejack as she charged into the dragon at full force. She bucked his face as hard as she could but the dragon wouldn't budge as he tried to engulf her in one bite. The mare was lucky as she dodged that bite but wasn't expecting the dragon's wing slamming her down out cold. He was going to eat her alive but a dark purple barrier protected her and carried her out of the battle: It was made with the combined forces of Rarity and Twilight. "What an awful monster! A tragedy! A calamity! We should teach you your place you ruffian!" said Rarity, menacing the creature who was unfazed by the threat as he approached the marshmallow pony. "Ready Twilight?" asked Rarity. "I am ready." answered Twilight as they botched a spell together. The dragon somehow noticed that and shouted on the ponies: "GAAN LAH HASS" the shout made Twilight and Rarity fell weak as the spell was cancelled. "What is happening, Twilight? My magic isn't working! I suddenly feel that my forces are drained!" screamed Rarity, trying to do any spell she could but in vain. Twilight tried to do the same but nothing worked. "I- I don't know! What was that yell he did? How is that yell doing that?" stammered Twilight as she panted of fatigue. They were at the mercy of the dragon, ready to be eaten or frozen. They both closed their eyes, accepting their swift death. "FUS ROH DAH" a shout came from the sky, startling the dragon and making both unicorns fly away from battle. "Wahahahaw-" was the only thing that Rarity could say before flying from the force of the shout. They crash-landed on a house's debrits and slowly rose up. They looked up the same direction as the dragon to only see one pony they know well. "FLUTTERSHY!?" they screamed. "Dovahkiin!!!" yelled the dragon as he flew to her direction, eyes filled with rage. "Wow! This is amazing! Such power, mother! I cannot believe it! It is real!" squealed Fluttershy in her mind. "Now is not the time for childplay, daughter. Concentrate and put your two hooves together!" ordred her mother. Fluttershy mentally nodded as she did what was ordered. Suddenly a fireball appeared from her hands. "This fire feels so warm! It doesn't hurt at all! "Throw it! What are you waiting for? and that Fluttershy did. The fireball made contact with the dragon and made him roar in pain as he went down to the ground. Twilight and Rarity couldn't believe their eyes anymore. Fluttershy can do magic? They thought only unicorn do magic and stuff like this. They snapped the thought as they saw Fluttershy in front of them. "Are you guys okay?" asked Fluttershy. "Apart from a mental shock that you caused? Yeah we're fine! You owe us a lot and-" she was interrupted by an incoming glacial breath that Fluttershy countered with a barrier. "Now is not the time for talk! I have a dragon to kill!" Fluttershy's eyes were glaring on the dragon. She placed one hoof in the air. Purple magic glew and after that a sword materialised. She gripped tightly onto it as she charged at the dragon. "For me, for my friends, for my mother and for Equestria! yelled Fluttershy mentally. She noticed he was preparing another ice breath which she countered with a FUS ROH DAH which made him flinch as she rammed the sword into his jaw. The sword pierced his mouth from the inside yet he was struggling. Fluttershy kept slashing his face then she flew and rammed the sword right into his throat. The dragon roared in pain then grunted and fell down. The dragon was dead yet it was still imminating energy. "Congratulations! Fluttershy! Now you must absorb is soul. It is the only way to assure that a dragon is dead." said her mother, getting out of Fluttershy's body and reverting back to her grimoire form. "I am sorry for what I have caused to you Mr. Dragon! You were evil and I had to do it! It is my destiny I guess!" thought Fluttershy as the energy of the dragon was flowing around her. She was standing, all high and mighty over the dragon's bones as everypony got out of their hiding places, looking to their new hero in amazement, anxiety and curiosity. Fluttershy must prepare for the worst to come for her because a sleeping legend was reborn from the ashes. A/N: And cut! It took me three days of thinking about the story but I managed to corner the first chapter at least! Anything could happen from now on on this fanfic. Please leave any feedback or comments and excuse my sloppy style of writing in advance. Thanks. > Truths and Betrayals > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Talk": Normal Talk "Talk": Thoughts Writing: Normal Writing Writing: Flashback, Letter... "Talk": Dragon Language, Shout... Chapter 2: Truths and Betrayals What makes a human, or in this case a pony, change in a day or another? Is it destiny or the feelings that we feel towards each other? The feelings of betrayal and jealousy are what changes a character most. If we were equal in this world, we might never lie to each other, hide secrets from each other or be selfish towards each other. A person, or in this case a pony, might gain many things because of these two peculiar feelings but his losses might be some things very important for him. Fluttershy was acclaimed as a heroine. Everypony was circling her and the dragon's remains, shouting her name high. But there was something that they forgot but our heroine did not: The ponies who died in this battle. Their sacrifices in the other ponies' eyes was indeed vain since only their families cared about them. Fluttershy looked at Ponyville; devastation and death roamed the place and all they cared about is their savior? "I am really sorry! I'm so sorry for being this late to save you from this imminent danger. If only I knew beforehand I would have been able to save everypony." she thought, tears in her eyes. But still nopony notices her crying. She was about to take her flight away from population when Twilight approached her. "F-Fluttershy? Why..." she begun to say. Fluttershy thought that she was asking her why did she save them but... "Why did you kill this dragon, Fluttershy? Aren't you an animal lover who sacrifices her life for animals?" these questions shocked Fluttershy. What was she doing was the opposite of her personnality. Once she was Fluttershy, the kind and loving animal caretaker that everypony knew and loved. Now, she appeared to the eyes of her friend as a cold-blooded killer. But as the spirit of her mother said, it was her destiny to purge these rouge dragons. "I really didn't have a choice in the matter, Twilight. It had to be done. Didn't you see the terror that this dragon has caused. Didn't ALL OF YOU see this?" she pointed to the destruction caused by the dragon. "If I didn't interfeere, Ponyville might be history by now." this made Twilight scoff. "Pah! I bet this dragon wouldn't be a match to the Princess..." at the mention of the Princess, Fluttershy glared at Twilight intensly. The mention of Princess Celestia made her remember the reason she was an orphan in the first place. Her eyes filled with rage, she said: "Don't... you ever... mention her... in front of me... or I'll kill you on the spot. If what you said is true then why isn't she here caring about you right now huh? You'll find soon enough, Twilight. By the way, I think I will meet her right now." as she flew in the direction of Canterlot's castle. For the first time in her life, Twilight was scared of Fluttershy "What is she talking about? There must be something I've missed. Did Fluttershy just threaten me? What has had changed Fluttershy so much to be like that? The magic, the dragon, the Princess..." thoughts were ramming against Twilight like a catapult. "Oh no! The Princess... I have a bad feeling about this." she went to the Library, preparing the airballoon. Canterlot's Castle Princess Celestia was enjoying her tea with her sister, Princess Luna. The guards were off duty due to lunch break so they were in the calm, alone, in the dinning room. Suddenly, the window broke and Fluttershy appeared before their eyes, glaring at the Sun Princess. "I'm sorry for the window Princesses but I'm afraid that we must talk." Celestia and Luna rose up from their seats. The Sun Princess remained calm and positive while eyeing Fluttershy carefully while Luna was the first to speak: "Dear me Fluttershy, what thou you want from our Highness? Why there is a harsh tone in thine sweet voice?" "Maybe you should ask your big sister what my arrival is about, huh? Why didn't you tell me that I had a loving and caring mother? Why did you hide this fact from me for years?" spatted Fluttershy. "I'm afraid we have no idea what thou talkest about Fluttershy, do we Tia?" but the white alicorn didn't answer because she was eyeing Fluttershy's new cutie mark. "Tia?" "Oh, yes, yes Luna, I really have no idea what you're talking about Fluttershy. You have always been an orphan my little pony and nopony in Cloudsdale could deny that." admitted Celestia, still unfazed by the new events. "Oh really? Nopony except one: My mother herself!" she yelled as she opened the grimoire. An aura materialized into a spectral pegasus pony. The spectre looked around her and saw the Princesses. "You!!! The one in white" pointed Fluttershy's mother at Celestia "You have tried to tamper with my grimoire! You have denied my daughter's rights to be my successor! You have manipulated her to your vile ends! I can still sense that dark and machiavelic aura behind that angelic stature! I suggest you reveal yourself before you face my daughter and my wrath!" her voice echoed in the whole room. "What thou art talking about, foul mare? Art thy in league with Discord and try to manipulate poor innocent Fluttershy to your ends? Tia we must stop-" she couldn't finish her sentence when she saw her older sister, crackling then laughing evily. It wasn't like Celestia to laugh in such manner and Luna knew it. "Tia? What is the matter with-" but before she could finish her sentence she was sent flying by Celestia to a wall, rendering her unconcious. "Good night, sister. Or should I say good riddance!" spat Celestia then she looked at Fluttershy and her mother "You are really the one that I was afraid of, Fluttershy." she glared at her intensly. "So it was true. You really were going to use my mother's powers to come to your ends? I don't know what to say anymore! My mother was right all along. It's not you isn't it Princess!" said Fluttershy, worried. "Hmph!" she replied as flames engulfed the Sun Princess. As the flames disappeared, she was transformed into a dark alicorn with black and scorching red mane, she was wearing a helmet and her cutie mark was an ablaze sun. "True I am not Celestia. I am Scorching Sun and I am Nightmare Moon's sister!" said the newly introduced alicorn. "Now fear my wrath!" She set her horn on fire as Fluttershy was englobed into a fiery prison. Worry came into Fluttershy's mind as she was sweating bullets and kneeling under the pressure of the flames. "Wh-what are you planning to do?" asked Fluttershy, weakeaned. "I existed the same time Nightmare Moon existed! But even if we were sisters, we were destined to fight each other for power but Nightmare Moon, due to that foalish soul possession made to Celestia's sister grew more and more powerful. She was ready to end my life until that foalish mare cast the Elements of Harmony upon her, sealing her forever. However, I took the opportunity and hid in part of Celestia's soul. I was like a virus in both her body and mind as I consumed her year after year. Then you and your mother came. Really your mother was pathetic as I surveyed her failed attempts to give birth to you but in the end she died giving birth to you. I saw your awakened powers when you were a filly so I decided to seal them off..." "My fake cutie mark..." whispered Fluttershy, now she had no shadow of doubt in her mind: Her mother was indeed the spirit of the grimoire and all this; her destiny; her childhood; her doing magic and fighting dragons now was all true. "Mother I am so sorry!" cried Fluttershy inside. "I tried to infuse the powers of that book into mine but no matter what I did, I couldn't open it! Then a fateful event happened..." "Nightmare Moon's arrival?" "Why yes! I've hid the Elements' storybook into Twilight's library." this shocked Fluttershy. Not only her but her five friends were involved. "Yessss! I used her and you five to my ends because in order to absorb Nightmare Moon's powers I had to sacrifice the Elements for my sake. Now I am the most powerful being in Equestria and no creature shall stop me from conquering everything from the shadows. Now goodbye, mysterious foal. I shall see you in the afterlife." as soon as she finished that sentence, Fluttershy was engulfed by the prison. Princess Luna, who was witnessing everything, couldn't believe her eyes and ears. "I was but a mere puppet in this mare's hooves! She used me too! I must act quickly!" she thought as she rose up and rushed to Fluttershy's rescuse. Scorching Sun saw that coming and unicon magic began to fly all over the room while the sphere was still burning Fluttershy to ashes. Fluttershy's Dreamscape Fluttershy was crying: She couldn't do anything at the end. Not only she was a scapegoat but she was a burden. Or at least that's what she thought until her mother came to her. "You are my daughter: The heir of the Dragonborn, a warrior who fights for the good and in order to do justice in these lands!" "Mother..." she said, crying "I am not fit for this! I killed the dragon because you were possessing me..." "I was possessing you that's true but only your body to increase your capacities. You were the one in control. You saw your friends in danger so you rescued them, true?" "Yes... But killing-" but Fluttershy was interrupted. "I didn't kill for power like that madmare, I killed to protect the innocent and weak. It was something hard to do but I was proud of doing it. Now Fluttershy! Regain your composure and help Princess Luna. She can't hold her up much longer than this." Her mother's words were printed in her memory as a white light engulfed her. Back to the fight Luna indeed couldn't hold much longer. She was cornered in a wall, under the mercy of her assailiant. Scorching Sun was ready to give her the final blow. But flames started to go haywire as the sphere where Fluttershy was burning exploded around her and revealed an irisless Fluttershy with white gleaming eyes. She was conjuring two swords, one in each hoof. Scorching Sun and Luna couldn't believe their eyes as they saw a pegasus pony performing magic in front of their eyes. Fluttershy looked at the Dark Princess. "Dir! WULD NAH KEST!" as soon as she said the last segment, she flew at a blinding speed towards Scorching Sun and sliced her chest. "AGGGGH!" screamed the Dark Princess "You shall pay for this." She began to assimilate flames around the yellow pony who flew out of their sight but they were like homing missles. When they finally made impact, the princess laughed maniacly. "Hahahaha! I finally got-" her laughter dropped down as she eyed the explosion seeing that Fluttershy was unharmed. Fluttershy was gritting her teeth, hitting her spectral swords with each other. Now Scorching Sun was fearful. She was backing off. Fluttershy was approaching slowly, cornering her and aiming her sword at her. "Stay away from me you monster! What in the hell are you? "Zu'u Fluttershy! Dovahkiin like my moonah before me! DIR!" and without any remorse she cut the Dark Princess in half. The Princess's lower body flew away from its top and she fell. As soon as she fell, she reverted back to Celestia but her mane was dim and starless. An old evil was vanquised at last but at what cost? Celestia, the respected and all powerful Sun Princess, was also lost forever. Fluttershy was panting as her aura dissipated. She looked around her and saw what she has done. She couldn't realise that she was blinded by rage and fury. "Oh no! I didn't want to do this!" "This is why I told you that you should control your powers! This shouldn't have happened if you haven't let your emotions take over you. I shall teach you to control your powers as soon as we get out of here. "Get out of here? Why?" It was then that Fluttershy realised something: The only witness she had was Princess Luna. The latter approached Fluttershy and hugged her. "I thank thee, O mighty warrior Fluttershy. Thou hast saved me from a certain peril!" she was crying. Fluttershy hugged her back realising that she had just lost her sister who cared for her. "I can't believe that my sister was brainwashed! I should have known from the beginning..." she was cowering her head in regret. "L-luna..." a weak voice spoke out of nowwhere: It was Celestia, or at least her torn-apart body speaking to Luna. "Tia! You're alive! By the Stars! I should get something to help you." "N-no don't... l-listen to me Luna! B-beware... t-there is... another danger... coming after Equestria... I-I have a feeling that... i-it's someone we both... know... F-Fluttershy... T-thanks for free... freeing me *pants* from my dark... prison... I have no regrets... now... May the... stars guide you... in your quest... I am..................... sorry....." her voice faded away as her eyes rolled into darkness. Celestia was dead before their eyes. Fluttershy hugged the bloody upper half and whispered "I forgive you." Outside the room Twilight trotted at full speed to the tea room after seeing the window broken. "Oh no this could be bad!" she thought "I hope my thoughts are misplaced for the sake of ponykind!" She arrived at the room's door. She was going to open the door but someone was before her to open it revealing Fluttershy, her mane was down, blood covering her body as she walked slowly outside. Tears were running in her cheeks as she passed Twilight. Time went slow as Twilight looked at Fluttershy. She was unable to say anything because Fluttershy suddenly flew away to a very far place. Twilight entered the room to find destruction and small flames all over the room. She was a body or a half body to be exact: It was her mentor, Celestia, laying dead before her eyes. Her eyes widened at the realisation and all her body shook like earthquakes. Her mentor was murdered, torn apart by whoever did this and she wasn't there to protect her. She trotted over the dead body. "PRINCESS CELESTIA! NO! WHAT HAVE I DONE?" yelled Twilight as Princess Luna came over. "I am so sorry Twilight! Something terrible happened between Fluttershy and my sister and-" she couldn't finish her sentence as she was choking under the hooves of Twilight. "FLUTTERSHY DID THIS? IMPOSSIBLE! HOW? I SAW HER SLAY A DRAGON TO SAVE US BUT NOW SHE KILLS THE PRINCESS? WHY? AND WHY WEREN'T YOU THERE FOR YOUR SISTER!" "I *chokes* couldn't do nothing *chokes* my sister was someone evil-" but Twilight didn't want to listen anymore as she slammed her into the wall rendering her unconcious. "GUARDS! GUARDS!" yelled the purple unicorn and the guards showed up "APPREHEND PRINCESS LUNA! SHE'S GUILTY OF BEING AN ACCOMPLICE OF THE MURDER OF PRINCESS CELESTIA! SEARCH FOR FLUTTERSHY EVERYWHERE IN EQUESTRIA! BRING HER HEAD ON YOUR SPEARS! NOPONY KILLS THE PRINCESS AND GETS AWAY WITH IT!" The guards were in shock: Twilight was a mare of cool demanor but the Princess's death was more shocking and Princess Luna was the accomplice? They couldn't believe their ears. But something terrible happened as one of the guards had a hole blown in his head. It was Twilight's doing. "OBEY!" menaced Twilight. The guards nodded in fear as they carried Princess Luna away. A/N: AND CUT! I'm sorry for the terrible lateness! I moved from my home to another for the sake of my studies! I hope you find this chapter interesting because the plot thickens. Please give some comments and stay tuned. I have the whole story in mind but when it comes to writing, I'm a little bit lazy. Thanks for your comments and advance and thanks for reading, faving and subscribing. > Training Sessions in Time > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Talk": Normal Talk "Talk": Thoughts Writing: Normal Writing Writing: Flashback, Letter... "Talk": Dragon Language, Shout... Chapter 3: Training Sessions in Time There are certain humans, or in this case ponies, that are born wealthy, smart or with a natural born talent in this world we live in. Some of these see that their strong point can make them whatever they want in this world but also can lead them to arrogance, selfishness, narcissism and so on and so forth. It is well-known that not any human, or in this case anypony, is a complete being. What do you have as qualities may not be enough to live as a human being or as a ponyfolk. We, as creatures created by the Supreme, are being created to aid each other in times of need and in times of war against anyone that stands against our freedom of life. If the world was truly one big united island under one single solitary constitution, there would never be wars and there would never be conflicts (apart from religion). It is not easy to trust people in these dark times but the blinding light that envelopes each and everyone of us people or ponies shall never let us see the glimpse of darkness that others have. Deep in the Everfree Forest Fluttershy was panting heavily as she landed in a deep part of the Everfree Forest. Covered in blood, she started running from the Celestial guards that were engaging pursuit against her. Every muscle of her was tired from the fight against Celestia's evil form, even her brain. She had only one thought: Run for her life. "Fluttershy, Element for Kindness by orders of the Celestial Apprentice Twilight Sparkle, you are charged of murdering Princess Celestia. We order you to surrender to the Royal forces of Canterlot. Come out wherever you are with your hooves behind your neck or we shall be obliged to use force and forfeit your life for good." The captain of the guards announced, flying over the Everfree Forest with his patrol. "'Forfeit your life?'" Fluttershy thought, afraid. "I cannot believe that Twilight would say something like that. She couldn't mean it, could it? "Don't be so gullible my daughter. You really don't know what can change people, do you? What your friend Twilight saw was the body of HER Princess cut in half in front for her eyes. Your friend is too smart to deduce that you are her murderer even if you didn't mean it but she is blinded by faith in the Princess of the Sun, the one she knew and loved not the one you brutally murdered to end an evil plot that threatens ponykind. Don't you remember what the Princess said before she died in your arms?" Fluttershy was dodging the spears flying towards her hardly as she has not enough force anymore. She was also thinking about what her mother told her. "There is another danger coming after Equestria? No! You don't mean Twilight, don't you mother? How can all this be connected?" "Trust me my dear she is the only one who you are going to face after how your destiny turned out to be. But how? I have no idea, not a single clue about it. I am sorry but in the state you are we cannot stop her now." Fluttershy was now regretting everything she had done. She lost Twilight and made her lose her faith for her. She didn't want to reach this point of complexity in her fate. For now, she was busy running away from the guards who wanted her dead. She couldn't run anymore as she reached a dead end: A big mountain-like rock was blocking her path. Guards were in the air and on the ground and with nowhere to run she could only wish for a miracle to happen. "We got you now." said the captain as he held one of his spears, levitating with magic. Fluttershy couldn't bear to watch as she closed her eyes awaiting for a swift and painful death. The captain smirked as he threw the spear. *THRUST* Same time, Canterlot's Castle, Murder Scene Twilight has gone insane. She was tearing the caslte upside down searching for anything to prove Fluttershy's involvement in the events that happened in this timespan. Suddenly, a guard came in and started talking. "Miss Twilight, we have finished interrogating Princess Luna. She always says the same things over and over again: Her sister was controlled by an evil manifestation that could threaten Equestria. She also said if it wasn't for Fluttershy, she would-" the guard was interrupted rudely by Twilight. "Lies... Lies... ALL OF THEM! Princess Celestia is too powerful to be controlled by a pathetic manifestation. She was proclaimed a Goddess of all ponykind. She could raise the Sun and the Moon. She was the savior of all ponykind from Nightmare Moon. But now that she's dead, thanks to 'Fluttershy', we do not have anyone to protect us. I have no idea what powers Fluttershy acquired in order to defeat the Princess but something tells me that it's out of this world." Twilight said, anger clearly showing in her face. "I swear by my honor and my duties towards you Princess that I'll avenge you. Fluttershy is going to pay for whatever harm she has caused to our land. She is not worthy of her title as Element of Kindness, not anymore!" "Keep extracting information from the traitor that is Princess Luna! Use any methods of torture available and known to ponykind. That is an order, soldier!" menaced Twilight. The soldier eeped and nodded furiously as he went to the prison as fast as he could. Twilight was thinking about what will happen to Equestria in the future: The Princess of the Sun was killed and the Princess of the Moon was branded a traitor for usurpation of the throne. If any enemy kingdom was to hear about this, Equestria and all of ponykind are in peril. "Soldier!" Twilight called and a lieutenant appeared "Inform the whole populace of every single country and city in Equestria! Tell them to look at the sky in an hour top! I have an announcement to make." she ordered and the lieutenant nodded as his platoon flew all over Equestria carrying the message to every single pony there is. An hour later Ponies from all over Equestria were now aware of the announcement but all of them thought that it is the Princess who will give the speech. Murmurs were all over the crowds about what's behind this general meeting. Suddenly, the sky became purple, clouds begun to move on their own as they formed a gigantic circle all over Equestria. A mirror-like object appeared in the sky as the ponies' eyes were wide in front of the view. In the mirror, the image of Twilight Sparkle appeared and startled most of the assembly. Her voice was booming as if she was the Princess speaking in the Royal Canterlot voice. "Citizens of Equestria! I am Twilight Sparkle, First Apprentice of her Royal Sun Goddess Princess Celestia and Element of Magic. I am the one who gathered you all today because it is a tragic day to me and to everypony living in this lovely land. It is indeed my deepest regret to announce that the Princess of the Sun is no longer with us anymore!" Everypony witnessing the speech were all like 'What?' 'That's not possible' 'How could this happen?'... There was a huge commotion between ponies. Taking news as terrible as this one was a big deal indeed. "That's not all! The Princess didn't pass away like anypony else. She was murdered by somepony who we considered a friend in need, somepony who was an Element like me. This pony is Fluttershy, the Ex-Element of Kindness! Her accomplice, Princess Luna, tried to usurpate the throne as her own!" This caused an uproar. Fluttershy, a murderer and Princess Luna, a traitor? This is for sure the biggest stab in the back that Equestria have ever taken during years and years of peace and love. The majority of ponies believed the news as they are. "Currently, Princess Luna is in prison and still hasn't attoned for her crimes and Fluttershy deserted her local city, Ponyville, after commiting the crime. For desertion and murder of Princess Celestia, anypony who brings me her head on a silver platter shall be rewarded ten million bits and made a hero forever and ever. This is an order issued by your new Queen: QUEEN TWILIGHT SPARKLE!" She wore Celestia's bloody crown as she announced the last sentence. Ponies were astonished when they saw Twilight with the crown covered in blood on her head. "Long live Queen Twilight!" one pony cheered. "Death to traitors and murderers!" another threats. Most ponies followed the cheers over and over again. Twilight's eyes glittered as she announced. "I will protect Equestria with all my powers. I shall create a new order where everypony shall feel most secure wherever he or she is. I'll make sure that everypony who made a mistake shall be punished accordingly. As for today and from today onward, it shall be called" Twilight stopped speaking as her horn glew intenslty. The Sun and the Moon moved at the same time and as soon as they were on the same line. A black object covered the sky as darkness was roaming everywhere. Everypony was amazed by Twilight's prowess as she continued her sentence "TWILIGHT'S ECLIPSE!" Ponies all over Equestria were happy about these news as the mirror disappeared leaving nothing. Twilight was exhausted from giving her speech as she was now assuming new responsibilities as a Queen. Meanwhile, the captain who was sent to capture and kill Fluttershy returned from his mission with a cocky smile. "Mission accomplished, my Queen! Yes, yes, I saw the all mighty speech you made over the sky and I am glad that you were accepted by the population." "Thanks, captain! But one question: Where is that murderer's head?" spat Twilight as she saw his spear, unspoiled by blood and lacking somepony-who-needs-to-be-murdered's head. "Well... you see... when I thrusted my spear at her, she... just vanished into... thin air... she's not a unicorn so... she can't use magic... can she...?" the captain was stammering in each segment as Twilight became furious. She levitated the captain in the air. "You... INCOMPETENT FOAL! You are not worthy of your title you little, pesky, pathetic excuse for a captain. You are relieved from your functions and... your life." "What? No, my Queen, please-" the poor captain felt all his muscles grow as he exploded into thousands of pieces all over the throne room. Twilight calmed down for a moment as she sat in her newly acquired throne. "No matter where you go you traitor, I'll find you even if you go to the end of the Earth!" she thought maniacly. "Call the cleaners to clean up this mess! I have an important business trip in Appleoosa I need to attend! Prepare my carriage!" Twilight ordered here and there as she went to the carriage parking, royalty-style. Unknown Place Fluttershy's eyes opened slowly as she saw the unseen: A beautiful place covered in red veils and only red veils around her. She called if anypony could hear her but no answer. She sat down and cried. "Am I... in Hell? To whatever entity who created me or this place... I deserve to be in here because I've commited unforgivable sins." she thought. "No, my dear, you're not in Hell." a well-known voice answered. It was her mother in her spiritual form although her form was intense and clearer than before. She had a long sword in her back and her armor this time. "Mother! What have you done to me? Where are we? Weren't I supposed to die?" asked Fluttershy furiously. "Yes you were. But I kind of interfeered in the nick of time..." The spear was aiming for Fluttershy's head. Fluttershy had her eyes closed awaiting for a swift death. Her mother saw everything from the grimoire as she transformed into her spiritual form. "TIID KLO UL" she shouted as strong as she can, not only time slowed down but also the shout absorbed both Fluttershy and the grimoire along with it. As time took its initial pace, the spear was planted into the mountain. With no trace of Fluttershy, the captain ordered his troops to retreat to the castle. "Speaking of time, I never visited this place before but I have a feeling that this is the rift between time and space." she deduced. "How... are we going... to go back?" asked Fluttershy. "Don't worry my dear! Going back is as simple as getting in. But I have a better idea. We will start your training here and now." "Training? But-" she was interrupted when her mother unsteathed her sword. "No buts my dear! I shall make a Dragonborn out of you even if it kills me!" she charged at her daughter. "SQUEEEEEE!" she yelled as she was running away and dodging every strike. "Moher! Aren't I missing something perhaps?" the mother stopped in her tracks, noticed Fluttershy and said. "Oh yes! How silly of me! The basics of course! You don't know anything about me, my origins and my land." she calmed and sat down as Fluttershy did the same. "My name is Assunder and I was from a race called humans." she introduced herself to her daughter as she told her her stories back when she was a human. Fluttershy was amazed by these bipedal creatures, not only they were crafty, they were also as smart as ponies and anyone of them could learn magic, or as her mother calls it Magicka. That explained how Fluttershy was able to use magic and how everypony, or everybody as her mother called them, were able to use it too. Her mother explained her that she was a very skilled sorceress and a vailliant knight. Fluttershy pondered her mind about it: She wasn't even as close as her mother. Assunder explained and tought a lot of things to Fluttershy in the span of two months spent in the rift about history, dragons and dragonborn, magic, swordsmanship basics. Now, she summoned a forge with all its equipments in front of her (The user can summon anything he/she thinks of in the rift. Cool huh?). "Fluttershy, my dear! It's time now we moved on from books and stories onto business. I'll teach you how to forge your own equipment and adapt to it. Ready?" asked her mother. "I am ready, mother." answered Fluttershy briefly. "A weapon is an extended hoof for a pony. You must think of it as a fifth hoof able to do harm. But you must understand that this hoof can also do you harm if you don't use it properly. Understand?" explained Assunder. Fluttershy was thinking of the pain that many ponies like her could suffer from. She doesn't want to kill anymore but she will be forced to sooner or later so she nodded her head. "Ok, we shall continue! Think of the armor as a second skin that can protect you from powerful blows but this skin can also be damaged if you don't take care of it too well." she said as she handed over an iron sword and armor. "You will craft your armor and sword later! For now we shall do a spar." ordered her mother. "A spar? But I'm afraid to hurt you-" "SILENCE! You must learn how to defend yourself and other ponies in need at least! You won't be the frail and fragile little pony I know! You shall be as strong as I am one day, now wear the armor and defend yourself." Fluttershy nodded furiously as she wore her armor and sword. Fluttershy was doing some sports in the last two months so she gained some endurance as she could wear them without clonging on the ground. Assunder charged at Fluttershy and knocked her sword in one hit. "Oh come on Fluttershy! Your stance is off! You lack concentration! Pick up your sword and start over!" she ordered in anger. Fluttershy was cowering in front of her as she nodded and picked up her sword. "Tighten your grip! Loosen your body! Float with your wings and strike with your frontal hooves!" she said as she stroke Fluttershy who did her best to parry her moves. Fluttershy was injured a lot and a lot but thanks to her Restoration classes she took, she became a Master already. Unlike her mother who is based on Destruction magicka, she decided to go for a much more peaceful way so her Destructive spells were not that good with the exception of lightning. Speaking of lightning, Fluttershy sent a lightning bolt to her mother as an answer to the flurry of hits she made her suffer. She took the bolt by just standing there. It was not doing anything to slow her down as she approached Fluttershy and sent her flying with a FUS ROH DAH. Fluttershy was knocked down unconcious as her mother slammed her forehead. "Uhhh... I overdid it again I guess. But she's progressing in a fast pace now!" she thought. Suddenly, a strange feeling was overcoming her etheral body as she begun to disappear. "No, not now! She still isn't ready!" the phenomenon stopped as she panted heavily and fell asleep. 8 Months later, Rift (By the way, time didn't stop in the Real World so 10 months passed in the Real World! I guess you guessed it when Twilight killed the captain who failed. It's just a reminder.) Fluttershy stood on her hind hooves, floating. She has not the same innocent look anymore: Her mane was cut short leaving a beautiful strand of hair over her right eye (Imagine how short her mane when she was a filly). She has became more serious over the months she trained with her mother but she couldn't forget anypony, her animals, the kindness of her inner self. Those virtues that she was thought over the years were like habits dying hard in her conciousness. Her mother, noticing that she is disappearing little by little, felt that she overused her time in the world of the living and it was time for her to go to Sovngarde where the other Dragonborn were sent after death. "Fluttershy! I am sorry to tell you this but this is the last time you shall see me!" said her mother, surprising Fluttershy. "Mother? What are you saying all of a sudden? After encountering you all this time you are saying that you will never see me again? Why?" "I overstayed my welcome in the world of the living, my dear!" explained her mother. Fluttershy suddenly remembered that her mother was dead to begin with. She's living with her own powers. "B-but mother, you gave me everything, taught me everything you knew, made me revive my lost childhood." "You are an adult mare, Fluttershy! You have a destiny to fulfil sooner or later! Now please before I go, I have one request: Fight me so that I die a hero and a mother's death!" ordered Assunder. Fluttershy's tears were overcoming her but she decided to not let them go down as she wore her Light Dragon Armor and equipping her own crafted sword: The Dragonmare as she named it, was a blade crafted from dragon bones and with a yellow hilt crafted with pegasi feathers and skin (her own). It was a beautiful Katana when its owner, Fluttershy, was holding it. Fluttershy charged at her mother. Metal met metal in a beautiful harmony. The mother broke up the sword fight with an overhead strike, which Fluttershy parried as she prepared a lightning bolt which stroke her mother right into the abdomen. The impact was powerful as Assunder was sent flying but still remained calm. She threw fireballs after fireballs which Fluttershy dodged some of them and took some others head on. Both Fluttershy and her mother were healing themselves but Fluttershy had the upper hand in this so to overcome her disadvantage, the latter used potions to come back to the fight quickly. She drew her sword and then shouted. "WULD NAH KEST" her speed was inhuman as Fluttershy couldn't parry that hit which knocked her helmet over. Fluttershy, now having a scar across her cheek, was angry, so angry that she shouted "STRUN BAH QO" her mother's eyes widened as a storm was brewing in the sky. Lightning started to fall over her. She couldn't dodge fast enough as she was stroke by some bolts. She stood on her sword when the storm ended only to find Fluttershy's sword at her neck. Before she could retaliate, she fell on the ground. Fluttershy steathed her sword then grabbed her mother who said. "I think my time has come my daughter! You did well!" she started to dissipate into thin air. "Please be strong, honor me by killing Alduin! I'll see you in Sovngarde my dear! I am sorry I have been a bad mother to you! Thank you for all the good moments! Goodbye my dear beautiful Fluttershy!" and then she was gone for good. Fluttershy was panting and crying over and over. She was lonely again. (I can't believe how much this song matches Fluttershy! Song by Celine Dion and El Divo - I believe in you. Just look at the lyrics and look at Fluttershy.) As the song goes on, Fluttershy was slowly getting out of the rift, back to her world where her destiny, along with other surprises, were awaiting her. 2 Months later - Appleoosa Rumors about a pony who was slaying dragons came all over Equestria. The pony's face was never seen and rumors say that the pony appears whenever a dragon strikes over any place in Equestria. Over the year, they couldn't even kill the dragons that started roaming over Equestria because of their weapons inferiority. Many sacrifices were made in order to kill a single one. Even the new Queen, Twilight, was frustrated over the fact of her inability. In fact, the Queen was focused more on her revenge than on her people but nopony could overthrow her since they couldn't find a better replacement or couldn't overpower her might. We are now at Appleoosa. Wanted posters were everywhere now as chaos roamed the horizons. Nopony was seen in sight except in the local saloon. Speaking of the saloon, a pony trotted in, attracting the attention of everypony there. Judging from the mane, she was female with a long blonde mane with no strings attached. She wore a white strange dress that anypony in Appleoosa haven't seen before. She also had a sword strapped in her back and a cowboy hat made of straw covering her face except her mouth. She sat down on the counter. "What can I do for ya, missy?" the bartender asked. The blonde pony tilted her hat up, revealing a black band on her eyes and scars coming out and over. The bartender was scared of her appearance. She suddenly said. "One Applecider, shaken but not stir!" said the blind pony. AND CUT! This chapter is complete. I kind of hasted the training process over there and I hope you'll enjoy this chapter. Thanks for your support by commenting and faving. > Making Allies: Appleoosa's Grief > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Talk": Normal Talk "Talk": Thoughts Writing: Normal Writing Writing: Flashback, Letter... "Talk": Dragon Language, Shout... Chapter 4: Making Allies: Appleoosa's Grief Last time on A Sleeping Legend The blonde pony tilted her hat up, revealing a black band on her eyes and scars coming out and over. The bartender was scared of her appearance. She suddenly said. "One Applecider, shaken but not stir!" said the blind pony. The bartender looked at the strange pony then blinked twice. A sudden silence roamed the saloon but the stranger broke the silence. "What's the matter?" The bartender laughed loudly along with the whole bar. The blind blonde quirked an eyebrow which caught the attention of the bartender. "Ah'm sorry, ma'am" he said "But we do not serve anymore Applecider in these parts, or any parts of Equestria that is." "And why is that?" asked the blind pony. "Ya mean ya don't know!?" exclaimed the bartender "Any of the Apples' merchendise doesn't exist anymore. All the Apple farms all over Equestria were bought by Flim and Flam, y'know the two inventors, and they're dominating the market of apples and do never allow any competition. All this happened because of Queen Twilight's influence and the Element of Honesty's sudden disapperance, or should I say desertion." The blonde quirked an eyebrow at the news then hunched her head. She tilted her strawhat down as she said. "What about Braeburn?" "Braeburn? Well after the big Apples' Crisis as we call it, he didn't give up and was still selling his apples until one day at night, they torched his entire apple supply along with his house where he died totally burned to crisps." The news to the blonde pony were like thunderclaps to her heart. She tried to cry but she decided not to, not yet anyways. She placed a few bits on the counter but as she was leaving the saloon, she heard sounds, sounds of swords and knives being unsteathed. "Not so fast, ma'am" a customer said. She couldn't see him or anyone else but they were all, including the bartender, armed to the teeth, litterally. "We are under orders from Flim and Flam to apprehend or kill anypony that mentions any information about the Apples. We didn't expect that there is still an acquaitance for them in here except for the Queen but orders are orders. Do not expect us to pity you because you're blind." The blonde pony wasn't fazed by the threats but one thing was sure: Her heart wasn't the same as her mindset. "Why wherever I go there should be bloodshed? When will it cease? I am sorry for death shall be your fate!" *SLASH* Outskirts of Appleoosa In the hot desert, we could see two ponies' silouhettes approaching the entrance of the city. One was quite recognisable with her dragon armor, sword and stature; of course it was Fluttershy. But the second pony couldn't be seen or identified, it was hooded and wore brown clothing hiding everything. "Appleoosa!" Fluttershy exclaimed "The last time I was here I was trying to bring back Applejack to Ponyville." "You mean you knew that cowboy pony, my Thane?" the strange pony asked, unfazed by the mention of Applejack. The voice of the stranger looked female and calling Fluttershy 'My Thane' was sign that she is under her command. "Yes indeed! She was one of my best friends at the time. But enough chatter about the past! We're here for business. Could you please find a place where to hide? I will call you when I need support!" ordered Fluttershy. "Your orders are my commands, My Thane." she replied as they went their seperate ways. Fluttershy noticed the lively Appleoosa has become quite desert in the past year she saw it last time. No pony was in sight. It is as if ghosts inhabited the town. The green fields and trees were now piles of sand and dead pieces of logs scattered everywhere, waiting to be burned or carried by the winds. Fluttershy was saddened by the sight: She regretted every second that she killed the Princess. She wouldn't imagine that who once was her friend, Twilight, neglects something as simple as this but again she thought about her destiny and the fate of Equestria being at her capable hands, or should I say hooves. After that grim sight of the apple forest, she returned back to the city. She suddenly passed the saloon where she could hear screams of pain and agony all and around. "P-please, have mercy! I'll give you all the money I ca-GLAAAGHHHH." the pleading pony's voice yelled in pain as he was beheaded. His head rolled out the door of the saloon: It was the bartender's. Fluttershy's eyes, upon seeing the head, glared at the saloon's door and entered inside. She saw a bloody massacre: Limbs of every customer were scattered everywhere in the saloon. Bottles of Flim and Flam's Cider were broken all over the counter and shelves. Blood was roaming all and around as somepony was slowly cleaning her bloody sword and steathing behind her back. Her dress wasn't spared of the massacre as it was also covered in blood. As soon as she heard Fluttershy enter, she turned around, her face also shocked Fluttershy: Being blind yet capable of all this carnage was shocking indeed. "Who's there? I command you to tell me who's there before you face my wrath!" said the blind pony, pointing at Fluttershy's direction. "A-are you the one who caused all this?" asked Fluttershy. "What if I am? They saw it coming. They were all pathetic. They deserved to die!" she seethed. "I did it all of self-defense. They were trying to kill me too." "Well, wasn't there a more peaceful solution?" she asked again. "Peaceful? Let me tell you something there, stranger, this world has changed since Fluttershy murdered our Princess Celestia." these words were tearing Fluttershy's heart apart right now. "This world was as peaceful as it is until Fluttershy suddenly out of nowhere decides to kill her. Now we are feeling the wrath of Twilight herself because of this! It's chaos everywhere I go. Killers, thieves, rapists, opportunists and anypony that is corrupt... all this didn't happen in Celestia's reign. I swore myself when I lost my eyesight because of Rainbow I'll kill her and Fluttershy no matter what the cost." Fluttershy's eyes widened "Rainbow? As in Rainbow Dash? She did this to this pony? No! It can't be! Rainbow is the most loyal pony in all of Equestria. She couldn't harm anypony! And who is this pony anyway? How does she know Rainbow? I am really sorry for you." "I feel that you are a warrior of some sort! You want to battle with me?" asked the blonde pony all of a sudden. How did she know she was a warrior? Was she really blind? "True I am a warrior but I am not fighting you without any good reason. I am not here to fight you but to fight some threat that is coming to Appleoosa!" retorted Fluttershy. "Oh? In that case, we could simply test our mettle against each other, IF you're not scared that is." she unsteathed her sword as she stood on her two hind hooves, her stance was strange as she was gripping her sword while the blade faced the opposite way Fluttershy was standing. (I can't describe it well but imagine Johnny's stance from Guilty Gear). "B-but I said-" she was cut off by the blonde pony's rush. She moved incredibly fast towards Fluttershy. The latter backed to the streets where it is more open. "Good reflexes, warrior! Now less talk more fight! I don't have all day." she said, taking the same stance again. "I really do not wish to harm her but she's so spirited over a fight. I can feel that she doesn't want a fight either but maybe she really just wants to test her skills. Plus I've never seen that stance before! Maybe it's specialized for visually challenged pones such as her or maybe there is more to it." Fluttershy thought as she unsteathed her sword. "I think you're taking this more seriously, warrior! Let's see what you've got!" said the blonde as she charged Fluttershy again but this time with a horizontal slash. Fluttershy dodged it but as she dodged it she heard a crack on her helmet. "Huh? How did this happen? I dodged the strike!" she thought, evading the next flurry of strikes. The blind pony was moving with such grace that she could land her hits easily. Fluttershy had scars all over her body despite her ability to dodge. "I can feel that my sword has tasted your blood! Is this all you've got, warrior? I can feel that you're more than that! By the way, are you a pegasus pony?" she asked. "How did she know that? Is it-" her train of thoughts were interrupted. "I couldn't feel your hooves on the ground at all!" she said. Fluttershy's eyes widened. "This pony is amazing! Not only she controls her sword better than I do but also she's in total commune with earth itself. I underestimated her because she's blind but now I won't hold back at all." she steathed her sword, closed her eyes and concentrated her hooves; a yellowish aura enveloped her body as her scars closed up and the blood all over her disappeared. The blind pony felt that energy. "What is this power I feel? It's like the source of life itself was around this warrior! She's showing her true colors. Maybe that warrior has more that came from! I better interrupt her." she charged at Fluttershy again with an overhead slash. Fluttershy opened her eyes in the nick of time as she found an opening. She unsteathed her sword quickly and slashed the pony's stomach. Her wound was deep as her skin were split open by the sheer force of the strike. Her stomach was bleeding heavily as the blind pony fell on the ground. She was in pain as she was approached by Fluttershy. She could feel the danger coming. "I cannot die now! Not after all this, not after I've returned, NOT BEFORE I TAKE MY REVENGE!" she thought as she became unconcious. As the hours passed, the blind pony regained conciousness. Her body was quite in a rough shape as it was bandaged up. Her clothes and hat were on a chair besides the bed she was in. She woke up but couldn't totally get up as she held her stomach in pain. "It seems you're with us now!" a strange voice said. It was different from the warrior's sound. "Where am I?" she asked. "My Thane, after your duel, carried you here with my aid. I can't beliveve you survived! You must be a strong-willed pony to survive a wound like that." the strange voice answered. "'Thane'? What kind of name is that?" she asked again. "That would be my title." a familiar voice answered: It was the warrior she was fighting. "I'm glad that you're safe, Applejack!" If the blind pony was able to see, she would have her eyes widened of astonishment. She nearly passed out again but she maintained her composture. "H-how did you know my name?" Applejack asked. "You're clotheless now! I still can remember your cutie mark even after a year! Those unmistakable three apples are and were always in my memory." Fluttershy answered. "Y-you? C-could you please come over here? I-I want to touch your face please." Applejack stammered and demanded politely. Fluttershy removed her helmet, approached Applejack who touched her face gentlely. There was no mistake about it. "F-Flutter...shy?" she asked, gluping. "Yes, Applejack! It's me." Fluttershy replied calmly. "W-why? W-why did you save me? I- I threatned you. I tried to kill you. I swore that I will! Why did you do this to me?" every question for her was like a sword piercing her heart and soul. "Wouldn't that be a normal thing for a friend to do to his friend?" she replied. "A friend? You? You killed our beloved Princess! You turned Equestria into a chaotic mess under Twilight's reign. You made us go our seperate ways. You made us betray and forget everything we knew and loved till now and you say that you are my friend? I am sorry but I am not buying it." yelled Applejack, emptying her heart from the sadness that has overcame her the past year in those harsh words. "Then..." saif Fluttershy as she kneeled in front of her. "Kill me!" the servant pony tried to yell in protest but Fluttershy's hoof blurted out of nowhere ordering her to stop. Fluttershy handed her own sword to Applejack. "I had my own reasons of killing the Princess! Once in a time I regret doing it but it was the Princess' last wish. She accepted her fate to be killed by my hands after discovering she was evil. She always thinks and will think in Heaven that I did the right choice for Equestria. True I did make it plunge into its doom with Twilight as a new queen but one thing is clear: I would never betray my beloved Equestria no matter what. These were my last words. Now... Kill me!" she explained herself solemnly, still kneeling in front of her friend, thinking about failing her legacy, her mother and Equestria. She was ready to sacrifice her own life for the sake of her goals. The hooded pony's tears were showing on her face. Her master's words were touching. Applejack was still laying on her bed. Fluttershy's sword on her lap, she hunched her head down in shame. Her hooves were shaking when she held the sword and put it back. She got up and hugged Fluttershy tenderly, crying tears but not any tears, her bandana was turning red: She was crying blood. "I...don't know what to say to you, Fluttershy. I can't belive I was the Element of Honesty in Equestria yet I was blinded by vengance. I... am sorry but I cannot kill you. I just had that feeling that you're telling me the truth. I just want to say-" she was interrupted as Fluttershy put her hoof on her mouth. She wiped the blood on her cheeks, took off her bandana and used a spell. "Don't worry! It's just a spell I can use." Fluttershy calmed her as the blood stopped from her eyes. She couldn't open them but she kept crying but this time they were normal tears. "I- I do not cry blood anymore! Just what are you Fluttershy?" as soon as she asked the question, roars could be heard outside the abandonned house. It was chaos as the citizens were coming out of their burned houses yelling: "Dragons! Dragons in sight!" "Run for your lives!" There were four dragons this time attacking Appleoosa, ripping anypony apart and burning every house that stood in their way. Fluttershy, hearing the help calls, grabbed her swords and went out. "It's them! I am sorry Applejack but destiny calls. Don't move from your bed! Trixie, I require assistance please!" "Trixie? Trixie the showoff mare?" Applejack pointed at the hooded pony who unhooded herself. "Oh come on! I am just Trixie, my Thane is my master and I am her servant and yours too, no hardfeelings right." she replied quite eloquently Trixie's appearence changed in the past year, her hair became longer. She had a bow which she levitated by her horn and a quiver of arrows strapped on her back. Not only her appearence but her manners became better with Fluttershy's company the past two months. She rushed out of the house onto the roof as she notched up her arrow. Fluttershy was walking slowly, her beloved sword on her back. Instead, she reached for a glass short sword as she knew that the dragons were... weaker than those she faced before. There was a song that her mother taught her when she was training. She told her that a strange bard sang her the song. "Allow me to introduce myself to the world!" declared Fluttershy Music: Skyrim Rap: Dan Bull (Pony Edition) (Listen to the song while reading the next part) Fluttershy rushed towards the first dragon as an arrow was shot by Trixie to its eye. She slashes the dragon then mounts him, jumps and tears his mouth. The first dragon fell down from Fluttershy's brutality. She rushed to the second dragon, going under its belly and slicing it in a half. Blood was running out like a fountain dowsing Fluttershy as Trixie finished him off with an arrow to the face. The third dragon tried to toast her but. "FUS ROH DAH" Fluttershy shouted at his face interrupting him and startling him. He answered by a tail swipe which injured Fluttershy but she was unfazed. But she was angered as she shoved her glass sword right into his upper jaw and electrocuted him from the inside. She saw citizens being attacked by the fourth dragon which was the strongest of them and the most intelligent. "RUN FOR COVER!" she yelled to the citizens as she rushed towards the last dragon. Trixie's arrows were ineffective as he was flying all over the place. Fluttershy flew towards him shouting "STRUN BAH QO" as a storm was brewing in the sky. She slashed one of his wings which made him roar from pain. He fell down breaking some houses. As lightning stroke him over and over, the dragon didn't fall. He was a tenacious one but Fluttershy decided to put an end to this: She steathed her sword, mounted the dragon and with her own sheer force, beheaded him along with its spine which made Trixie squeal of joy upon seeing the power of her master. The dragons turned into bones as Trixie was looting them and Fluttershy absorbing their souls. Applejack didn't need her sight to know that Fluttershy was not the same pony as her mouth was open ajar from her power. She heard every slash, every roar and every gash of blood coming from those dragons as they stood no chance against the most unlikely pony imaginable. She knew that if she dueled her once again, she won't ever win in a fight with her at full power: She admitted defeat. Fluttershy and Trixie were approaching Applejack which kneeled in front of them. "I am Applejack, Ex-Element of Honesty in Equestria, want to go along with you in your quest and follows you wherever you are." declared Applejack. "Before we go Applejack, who's this Rainbow you swore vengance upon?" asked Fluttershy. "..." Silence roamed the place. "Well?" she asked again. "*sigh* I guess I can't hide it from you. Rainbow Dash is the cause of my blindness and my misery for the past few years." Fluttershy was all ears to hear Applejack's story (Will come in a seperate chapter later on). As soon as they heard the whole story, the newly formed group headed to their next destination. Canterlot's Castle Twilight was sitting on her throne (imagine Dracula from Castlevania: SoTN) as she was holding a glass of wine with her magic and drinking from it. Reports of the Appleoosa's dragon attack came through her via pegasus pony. "I think I'll have to investigate upon this matter much more seriously!" she said as she read the document. "But later, there is another matter at hand. I think Rainbow should take care of it by now." she smirked evily as she held up a poster. Wanted Dead or Alive Vinyl Scratch codenamed DJ-PON the 3rd For massive robberies, breakings and enterings and gambling Reward: Five million bits Facts: She loves gambling very much and was known as a disco pony in the past. And that's it for today folks! Part 2 is coming soon so don't forget to comment. Also, Trixie and Applejack's stories will be special chapters and I'll deal with them as soon as possible. Thanks for all and see you in another chapter! > Making Allies: Showdown at Los Pegasus: Part 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Talk": Normal Talk "Talk": Thoughts Writing: Normal Writing Writing: Flashback, Letter... "Talk": Dragon Language, Shout... Chapter 5: Making Allies: Showdown at Los Pegasus: Part 1 Unknown Cave Rain was falling torrents outside the shelter our group found in their way. Fire and chiche kebab sticks made of vegetables were around it. Applejack had eaten already and was laying on the ground, katana between her lap and meditating while Trixie was intensely staring at her Thane holding a piece of paper: It was a wanted poster she picked up back in Appleoosa. It read: Wanted Dead or Alive Vinyl Scratch codenamed DJ-PON the 3rd For massive robberies, breakings and enterings and gambling Reward: Five million bits Facts: She loves gambling very much and was known as a disco pony in the past. Fluttershy stared at the poster's profile and picture again and again: She only saw the mare once but never knew her but somehow she must be doing these henious crimes for a particular reason. She asked: "Tell me everypony; where could be the best place for gambling in Equestria?" Of course she wasn't a pony that went out a lot in her previous life and adding her absence to that she didn't know anything about the world. Applejack facefaulted from her meditation and Trixie gasped: "M-my Thaaaane! What are you thinking? Are you really into-" she was interrupted by a glare. "Of course not! It's because of this!" Fluttershy shoved the poster into Trixie's face as she read it throughtly. "DJ-PON the 3rd?" she thought aloud "What possibly sparked your interest about a criminal of that caliber, my Thane?" "Believe me or not Trixie, she's the ideal mare to recruit." she answered "What? My Thane, with all my respect for you, I find this suicidal. Not only she's a wanted criminal but also you risk to blow your cover searching for her." she roared in outburst. Fluttershy just sighed and glared at her servant again, smirking evily. "This is why I asked YOU what is the best place for gambling: YOU are going into a solo mission into that place and capture or convince this mare to join us. She's needed for the next phase of operations." she said pointing at her. "Me? Why me? I am probably the weakest of the three of us and might not be able to engage close combat with a pony that is specialised in thivery and in consequence, in assassination and stealth." she asked reluctantly. "No offense but Applejack is blind thus she can't play poker. As for me, well I never played anything my entire life except with my animals and my weapons so that leaves you, who was a travelling showmare, to confront Vinyl Scratch and convince her by any means to join our cause no matter what reasons she have to refuse!" she argumented flawlessly making Trixie sigh heavily before nodding. "Oh alright! I'll do it!" she said, giving up "The most famous place for gambling is Los Pegasus or "The City that Never Sleeps". It is famous for its casinos and gambling tournaments since gambling there isn't considered as a crime and is regulated by Canterlot higher ups. The most famous casino there is "The Royal Trot": A place famous for its diamond briefcases which are considered as the prizes for its tournament but the participation fees are as outrageous as ever and the security is one of the tightest in the city but since you asked me my Thane, you must have thought about the money way ahead of me." Fluttershy nodded as she threw her a huge money bag containing a million bits (How did she collect all that money will be revealed). "It's about time we had some money to spend. A shame that it will be spent on this mission. All right my Thane! I won't decieve you!" she said valliantly. "Applejack and I will wait at the outskirts of Los Pegasus! Do not fail me, Trixie! The future of Equestria depends on it!" "You have matured most than any of us have imagined. Just what is on your mind, Fluttershy?" thought Applejack as she went back into meditating. Los Pegasus - The Royal Trot - Night of the Tournament Los Pegasus was indeed a city that never sleeps: Even at night time, every single building was illuminated as if it was a challenge to Twilight's moon and a sign of vivacity and neverending awakening. Trixie, wearing her showmare outfit, was in the front of the huge building. The guard was interpelling her. "You must be Miss Trixie Lulamoon! We were expecting your arrival" he said, putting a magnetic ring on her horn "I am sorry ma'am but these are the procedures here if you want to participate in the tournament. Nopony is allowed to use magic in the vicinity." "I certainly understand that. Thanks for your concern." she answered as she entered the building. The latter's ceiling was covered in chandeliers all over the place and the green poker tables were all set with dealers shuffling and giving cards away to players. But her target wasn't these measly tables: There was a room with metallic doors; behind these doors were two golden tables, one of them was waiting for her. "Welcome to the Royal Trot! Miss Trixie Lulamoon, isn't it?" the tournament's host said, she sounded female "Well we have been waiting for you. Please take a seat! The tournament shall start soon." Trixie complied as everypony took his seat. The ponies were ten males and six females, including her. "So one of these five is my target, huh? There must be a way to contact her without anypony noticing but how?" The host was standing in the podium as she annouced, yelling: "Fillies and Gentlecolts! The official Texas Hold'em up Poker tournament shall now commence. Everypony, stare in awe at your grand price: A sixteen million dollar diamond briefcase including the briefcase itself!" the curtains behind the host were revealed as the barrier-protected diamond briefcase appeared in all its glittering glory. Every spectator stared in awe and envy as the curtain suddenly fell down, thwarting their fantasies into oblivion. "Now without further adeu, let the tournament begins: Eight players will play on each table. Each pony starts with 500.000 chips. The blinds are 5.000/10.000. Apart from that, it's a Texas Hold'em up Poker so let's rumble." Trixie blinked a few times : The host was definitly the most eccentric mare she ever laid her eyes on that's for sure. The hands were dealt, chips were being played wisely. Trixie had lost a few of hers from folding at her small and big blinds but at her third hand she had a Two and a Five of Hearts. "ALL IN! 485.000 chips!" She announced making everypony gasping. Somepony at the table was hiding his smirk as he had a pair of Aces: An Ace of Spades and Diamonds. He called her bet leaving himself with only 30.000 chips. Everypony else on the table was folding as the showdown of the century was about to start. They revealed their cards. "She's roast!" the overconfined pony said with a smirk as he saw her megre hand. Trixie just remained motionless. The flop was dealt as the two remaining Aces of Clubs and Hearts and a three of Hearts: A roar of awe from the spectators as they were cheering on the luckiest stallion in the world. Then came the turn which was the King of Clubs: Still being overconfident, the stallion cracked his hooves and cheered everypony and without even looking at the river card he reached for the chips. "970.000 chips go to Miss Trixie Lulamoon!" this sentence coming from the dealer blew the stallion's mind. "B-b-b-b-b-b-but HOW? I HAVE 4 OF A KIND ACES! SHE COULDN'T HAVE-" then he noticed the five cards on the table: There were the two Aces lying there along with the King of Clubs, the three of Hearts from before and the river card which happened to be a FOUR OF HEARTS. "Straight Flush from Ace to Five of Hearts! Winner is Trixie Lulamoon!" the dealer confirmed again. In outrage, the stallion was going to attack Trixie but the host surprisingly jumped in his way and sucker hoofed him rendering him unconcious. "My fair fillies and gentlecolts! I am sorry for this outburst but I'm afraid that Mister Horseshoe here is disqualified for breaking the rules therefore the rest of his chips go to Miss Trixie! Guards, carry him outside!" and with that settled, the tournament was still on. Being the chip leader, Trixie kept folding lots of her hands making her only lose her big blind and small blind chips until someponies were knocked out until Trixie and two other gentlecolts were here. She noticed the tension going on with these two dukeing it out so she decided to interfeere by making an ALL IN with her 900.000 chips while glaring at them. Being afraid to challenge her, they folded thus losing their 500.000 pot to her, raising her chips to 1.400.000 while the two other have 1.600.000 and 1.000.000 respectively. Another hand was dealt. Trixie looked at her cards: She had a pair of sevens, Hearts and Clubs. "Raise, one million chips!" she announced, pushing her chips to the center. One of the ponies, the richer one, had a Queen and King of Diamonds, was going for it. "Re-raise, 400.000 chips!" he announced putting the amount of chips while the other pony folded. One thing was left to do for Trixie. "Call!!" She said as they revealed their hands. The flop was a ten and Jack of Diamonds in addition for the Seven of Diamonds: A three of a kind Sevens for Trixie and a Flush for the gentlecolt. The turn came in as the missing seven of Spades: By now Trixie was sighing and the gentlecolt had his eyes into his sockets and his balls were tripping of fear and excitement. "Please be an Ace of Diamonds!" he kept repeating the same thoughts all over but in avail as the river turned to be a two of clubs. "Winner of 2.800.000 chips, Miss Trixie-" he was interrupted by the two ponies. "I give up at this stage! I cannot make a comeback now!" the pony who just lost said. "Me too, I cannot hope to best her as she is right now! I am sorry ma'am for not giving you a fair challenge." the other pony, who was afraid at this point, admitted. While recieving boos from the crowd, Trixie bowed her head. "Thank you very much! It was a pleasure playing with you." she congratulated. The two ponies left the table, heads hunched as the host announced Trixie as the first winner. She was eager to know what the future will reserve to her. To be Continued!