Prologue

]

Prologue

There was a thud, as Twilight sparkle slammed against the painted glass in Celestia’s throne room, blood gathering around her forehead. Hanging from the ceiling in green cocoons where Celestia herself, as well as Rarity and Fluttershy. The sound of cruel laughter drew her head to another part of the room, where Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were tied to the ends of puppet strings, being forced to prance around. Above them floated Discord, laughing hysterically. The sound of a pony slamming into the floor, and the snap of bones drew her hazy eyes to Rainbow dash slamming into ground. Chrysalis walked towards Twilight with a bit of a swagger in her step. She began to gloat. At least, thats what Twilight thought she was saying. Everything seemed murky, like she was spinning through water. Blood moved coursed down her forehead, her Element of Harmony crown growing heavier with every passing moment. She felt so tired... So sleepy. She struggled to keep her eyes open. Raising her head, She attempted to shoot a resilient glare at Chrysalis, but instead, glared at an enormous blast of energy from Chrysalis’ horn.

There was no time for her to move. The energy slammed into her, and pushed her out the window, destroying the beautiful picture of she and her friends sealing Discord into stone. She sped towards the ground, obviously moving very quickly. However, for her, time seemed to move slowly. The broken glass swirled around her, along with drops of blood. It looks beautiful, she thought, looking at the drops of blood spinning in the air.

The light above her began to blur. I wonder if this is really the end, Twilight thought, as plummeted towards the ground. She reflected on her life, thinking back to the day Celestia had accepted her into her academy, the very same day she got her cutie mark. She remembered how sad she had been, now that she wouldn't be around to play with him as much anymore. Huh, I wonder if He'll miss me now, she wondered, as she observed another blood drop calmly. She remembered her first day, how she had known almost all the answers, how she meet spike, how hard she had studied, and then falling asleep under Celestia’s wing years later. Meeting her friends, her first friends. Vanquishing Nightmare moon with the elements of harmony. Some help those where, she thought, remembering the nights events. Vaguely, she noted a dark shape, flying fast in the rays of the moon. But she was dying, so, who cared? Sadly, she remembered her friends again, the ever caring Fluttershy, the party pony Pinkie, the loyal Rainbow Dash, the generous Rarity, and the honest Applejack. A tear welled in her eye as she remembered her first birthday she had shared with her friends. They were always there for her. No matter what.

She closed her eyes for a final time, as the ground moved towards her even faster. All her thoughts had taken place in a matter of seconds. Her conscious mind began to fade away. images in her mind flew by: Rarity and Spike, Rainbow and Fluttershy, pinkie Pie. And finally, her teacher and mentor, Princess Celestia. Oh Celestia.... she thought. I have failed you... Good bye.... Those where the last thoughts Twilight Sparkle was to think before her mind slipped away into nothing.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just in time, Princess Luna caught Twilight, moments before she crashed into the ground. Pain rolled off her back and the falling pony smashed into it. She groaned as she straightened up to look at Twilight Sparkle on her back, unconscious, blood dripping from her forehead. Luna looked back up at the castle, seeing guards attempting to flee for a lives, as Changelings captured others, and brought them back, kicking and screaming. Her heart broke to see her loyal subjects being treated in such a way, and what's worse is that she knew she could help. But for Twilight, she held herself back.

She peered at the window Twilight had fallen through, green smoke wafting from the sides. She could hear the cruel celebratory laughter of Chrysalis and Discord, obviously enjoying their triumph over Equestria. No one had seem them coming. No one could have guessed, save her, who had been lured away. She was the Princess of the night, and therefore could have foreseen all of this, but instead, she was easily drawn away from her post, with a simple letter from an old friend. She should have never believed that that person would ever contact her. If those Changelings had not attacked her she would have arrived at her home, and would probably have been killed.

Luna glanced about, and walked slowly away from Canterlot castle, as to avoid attracting attention. Her mane and coat blended into the scenery around her, making her almost impossible to see. Unfortunately, in the dark, it was hard to see anything else. there was a loud thump, as her face collided with a large tree. Peeling her face from the tree, she perked her ears, and listened for any sound of approach. Sure enough, she heard she quiet snap of branches as some creature attempted to sneak up on her. Heart pounding, the night princess began to move away quickly and stealthily. If she could move fast enough, and make it to the clearing ahead of her, she might just be able to fly away. Behind her, she could hear the snapping of more branches. Glancing back, she could make out the eyes of two changelings, green eyes boring into hers. They had seen her. No time for stealth now. Balancing Twilight on her back, she made an all out bolt for the clearing ahead of her. There was a screech from behind her, and another from in front, and from her left, then right. They had surrounded her. However, Luna’s step did not flatter as she galloped through the dark forest. She was almost to the clearing; the trees around were thinning out. Her breath came fast and heavy, as she ducked under branches, and jumped over logs. Spreading her wings, she sprinted into the clearing Almost at once, from all sides of her, Changelings swarmed out from the forest, snarling in victory.

Eyes widening at the trap, she spread her wings, and soared into the air. then weight on her back began to slowly lessen, as she realized that Twilight beginning to slip from her back. Spinning quickly, Luna pointed her now glowing horn at Twilight, and her plummet turned into a quick accent, as she zipped up towards Luna. Behind her, Luna made out thousands of Changelings buzzing towards her, like an enormous wave of green lights. Face a mask of determination, the Princess flew higher, and higher, and higher, wings growing tired with every movement. Pain seared through her sore wings, as she flew past the cloud limit. Her breath became shallow, as the oxygen level dropped. Still, The changelings pursued her, seemingly unaffected by the change in pressure.

Luna’s eyes closed as ice began to gather on them. Slowly, she let her wings fall to a stop. Losing momentum, she spun in the air, the shot down towards the earth. Around her, a dark glowing cone began to gather.The Changelings, misinterpreting this as a sign of surrender, rushed up to greet her with claws and fangs. Still Luna fell, Twilight streaking behind her. Her tail fanned out, like a dark meteor entering the atmosphere. As the Changelings grew closer, they realized what was happening. Spinning around, they attempted to escape. But it was too late. Luna zipped into the center of the of the swarm, a sudden calmness swamping over her for an instant.... then her eyes snapped open, and she flapped her wings once.

An enormous explosion of dark energy shattered the night, preceding an enormous sonic boom. Windows half a mile radius shattered, the Changelings caught in the mass explosion of energy where instantly vaporized. Luna, traveling at unfathomable speeds, shot towards the ground like a bullet from the heavens. She pulled out of her dive, moments before her collision with the ground. A jet stream of dark energy flowed behind her, as she shoot out of canterlot castle. The force field surrounding Canterlot, now green rather than its usual dark purple, shattered under the amazing force of energy that was Princess Luna..

She aimed herself towards ponyville, as a dark stream of darkness flowed in her wake. Twilight floating before her. Tears coursed down her face, and were quickly lost behind the Alicron, who could do nothing to catch them. Canterlot began to fade into darkness as Luna moved farther and farther from it. The approaching lights of Ponyville did nothing to stem the Princess's tears of sadness. She had lost her sister once again, her kingdom once again, and her title as Princess... Once again. “I will return!” She vowed, turning to look back into the direction of Canterlot castle. “I Shall-” Her last vow was never complete, as she smashed into the Ancient Ruins in the Everfree Forest, and slipped into unconsciousness.

Closer To The Truth

View Online

Chapter 1
Closer To The Truth

A Television flickered to life in a dark from, occupied by a couch and princess Luna. Behind her lay a tightly bandaged Twilight. It had been three days since Luna’s escape. A small remote, glowing in Luna’s light blue magic, flickered as the channels began to shift, until they settled on a channel titled Canterlot News. There, standing on the middle the royal courtyard, stood Princess Celestia. But something was different. Instead of their usual color, her eyes were a dark green, and she wore a grotesque grin on her face. Behind her, four hooded ponies knelt, ensnared in guillotine devices. Celestia smiled brightly for the television.

“Ah, my children,” she said, eyes flashing, “I'm sure many you have heard of the incident of last night. Some rumors have been flying about that the Changeling Queen, as well as Discord, have returned, and attacked the royal palace.” she smiled gently. “Well, I am here to reassure that those rumors, are simply rumors.” Luna’s ears perked. “Instead, the kingdom was attack by seven ponies. They attempted to assassinate me and take the throne by force! they are here now, ready to pay for their acts of treason with their lives. Guards!” Four royal guards in bright Golden armour strode forward. “Remove the captives hoods!”

Slowly the guards removed the dark hoods from the faces of the four ponies. Luna gasped in horror and surprise. There, knelt four of the wielders of the Elements of Harmony: Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie. They’re faces were beaten and bloodied, eyes and faces stained with tears, blood, and other fluids, showing signs that some stallions, “had a go,” at them. Celestia however, wasn’t done yet. “But," she continued, “Did I not say seven?” she moved away from the the camera to reveal Rainbow Dash, tied to a pole. She was the most disfigured, also showing signs of stallion brutality, as well as blood coursing down the left side of her face. Her left eye was shut tight, blood still seeping from the cracks, and a gag lay in her mouth. There were bruises and cuts traveling up and down her body as she glared at the camera. Her eye however, revealed her intense pain, sadness, and disgrace. Tears began to well in them as she looked at her friends on deaths row.

“These five are guilty of conspiring against the royal throne,” Celestia said commandingly, “and Equestria in a whole. They will now be sentenced to beheading by guillotine in a public execution. Do you have anything to say for yourselves, traitors?”

Rarity, somehow mustered enough courage and strength, lifted her head, and spat at Celestia, the glob missing by several feet. Celestia raised an eyebrow at looked at her quizzically, “And what was that supposed to accomplish?” she asked, motioning to one of her guards. Rarity screeched as a guard struck her flank hard with the flat of his spear.

“You-” she coughed, blood flowing from her mouth. ‘You will never get away with this!” she hissed. “Princess Luna and Twilight will return! They will save-” she was cut off as as the guard struck her in the flank once again, causing her to cry out in pain. Celestia turned back to the camera.

“As I said,” she spoke solemnly, “There were seven. My dear sister and...” her voice cracked, “And my dedicated student... they betrayed me.” Her eyes hardened as she looked back at the camera. “They are enemies of Equestria. They are to be stopped as soon as possible, before they can gather more traitors, and declare war upon us.” She turned back to Rainbow Dash. “My forces believe that this pony,” she kicked rainbow hard in the gut, causing her to cough through her gag,” knows where the they are hiding. So, for the time being, she shall live. These ones however,” she turned to the kneeling ponies, ”are to be killed immediately.” There was a click, and guillotine blades began to rise.

Fluttershy, trembling, looked over at Rarity. “I’m scared.” She whispered, tears streaming down her face. “What’s going to happen? Will we ever see each other again?” Apple Jack glanced at her, blinking blood and tears from her eyes.

“Now you hush now sugarcube.” she croaked. “Everythings gonna be alright. Right?”

Pinkie spoke up, hair low, and flat; deflated. “Don't give her false hopes Applejack.” Pinkie Pie said. “We’re all going to die, though I guess at least it could be painless.” Fluttershy trembled even more.

“So, we are gonna never see each other again, aren't we?” she said, beginning to cry. Rarity smiled sadly.

“Well now, that's not necessarily true!” she said, as the guillotine blades clicked higher. “We’re all going to the same place.” She reassured them, tears growing in her own eyes. ‘There’s no doubt about that. We will see each other again, on the other side. And we will be friends. Friends till the end, and beyond.”

Fluttershy smiled. “Thank you Rarity.” she said closing her eyes as the clicking stopped. “I guess we will.” She smiled at all of her friends. “See you guys later.”

Luna turned her head as the guillotine fell, the image of the four ponies smiling, still friends on their deathbeds, burned into her mind. there were four “thunks”, signifying the death of four, noble, caring ponies, that had done everything, even given their lives for Equestria, harmony, and peace....

Or had they?

There was a scream of extreme pain, that drew Luna’s eyes back to the television screen. She stared in surprise, as the camera zoomed in on the now glowing body of rainbow dash. The gag, burned from her mouth, and the bods, shattering like glass. Around her, the beheaded bodies of the four ponies began to glow as well. They dissolved into bright balls of multicolored light, and shot into the sky. Rainbow Dash shone a brilliant bright blue, setting the pole around her ablaze.The guards stumbled back, blinded by the the light. Even Celestia had to cringed back as she shielded her dark green eyes. “What is this!?” she screeched, squeezing her eyes shut as the light flooded over her.

Then, a bright, blue, ball of multicolored light floated from Rainbows mouth. The light scalded the eyes of the gathered Ponies, and even Luna’s, who was forced to turn away. the light was pressing on from both sides. The blinding, painful... wait, both sides? Cringing, and shielding her eyes, Luna looked up towards the opposite side of the room, and gasped. Floating a few feet above the ground, was a glowing Twilight sparkle. Luna stumbled back, and crashed into the TV, which silenced the voice of Celestia, ordering guards to recapture a fleeing Rainbow Dash. Luna’s throat dried as she looked upon the floating specter, glowing bright in the dark room. Voice quivering, Luna asked, “Wh-what is it that thou requires from us, and who art thou?” The floating not-exactly-Twilight-thingy did not respond at once, but floated higher in the air.

“We are the Elements of Harmony.” said Twilight Sparkle, voice sounding like six Twilights, speaking at the same time, in different pitches. “And we are here to deliver you your destiny.” Luna shivered at Twilight’s ominous words.

“Our... destiny?” she asked hesitantly. Twilight nodded.

“Your destiny. To save Equestria from certain doom. To Lead the Next Generation of our welders. To do what's right for Equestria.”

Luna suddenly filled with angry, lashed out at the Element of harmony with barbed words. “Our destiny!? We were of the opinion that it was thy job to protect Equestria! Thou is the Elements of Harmony! And yet, thou did nothing to aid your followers and wielders!” she kicked the television on the ground, now featuring a Celestia using colorful words to describe Rainbow Dashes escape, towards Twilight. “Thou did nothing! And if it wasn’t for us, Then the one thou be possessing at the moment would have been killed because of your inability to be the guardian thou were meant to be!”
The Elements of Harmony floated closer to her, and Luna flinched back, squeezing her eyes shut, ready for any retribution the artifact would befall on her. However, much to her surprise, she did not receive an brutal scoldings, but rather a comforting hoof on the shoulder. She looked up to see a smiling twilight, eyes glowing bright.

"Ah, young Princess of the Night, We know you are confused, and lost, and feel as though you need someone other than yourself to blame," Luna flinched again, "but you cannot run from your destiny, for it will hunt you down somewhere along the way."

Luna cringed and looked away. Destiny. She thought. Was it really her destiny to fight against her sister again? "But," Luna said, "no one will help us! This will be the second time we have been forced to fight against our sister, and most do not trust us anymore!"

Twilight smiled again. "That comes to a good part of what we have to tell you." She said. "As there always must be wielders of the Elements of Harmony, when one of our hosts is killed, new ones shall take their place."

Luna's eyes widened. "Is thou implying that there are six new bearers of thy power?" Twilight nodded.

"Before you and your sister, there were also those before, and more before them. They are all recorded in our Sanctum of Harmony. There are six more to be found-" Twilight coughed and stumbled back." Luna took a step forwards.

"Is thou all right?" She asked hesitantly. Twilight looked up with a pained expression on her face.

"It is very strenuous for us to talk without a proper host. However, we can give you this last piece of advice; go to where it all began. The new wielders shall find you. Go to where you received your elements of harmony, and where countless generations before you received theirs. Go to Ponyville."

Blood Flows Red

View Online

Chapter 2

Blood Flows Red

Cheerilee cried out in pain as her body collided with the chalkboard of her classroom. Outside, the moon hung high in the sky, ignorant to the brutal beating the earth pony bellow was taking. Cheerilee cried out again as a hoof smashed into her chest, pinning her there, crushing her lungs. She gasped for breath as she looked helplessly into the eyes of a grinning green-eyed pony, wearing the armor of a Canterlot Guard.

"Hey boys, I think she just about ready!" He called, removing his hoof. Cheerilee toppled to the floor, pain lancing through her jaw as it collided with the earth. A forehoof pressed her head harder into the cold wooden planks. Lifting her eyes, she noticed something glinting from beneath a desk near her. She reached out her forehoof.

"'Bout time!" She heard another voice somewhere behind her say. "Can't believe ya had trouble pinin' down some lil' old school teacher!"

Cheerilee struggled vainly, the hoof on her head shoving her harder. "Well, it's worth it. Check it out!" Horror filled her as she felt the pony on top of her grab her tail, and jerk it up, pulling her flanks up as well. Humiliation beat down on her as she heard appreciative whistles.

"Dayum!" Said third voice. "Dat's some great ass! And it's all for us."

Panic fueled her movements as she struggled harder, her back hooves floundering about. There was a smack as one of the stallions swatted her flank, causing her to gasp in pain and surprise. There was more laughing. Cheerilee swallowed her pride, and slowly began to inch a hoof towards the shining object.

"Heh... I can't wait." Somepony touched her in a place that never should have been touched. She screamed and bucked whomever was behind her. She heard a grunt of pain and the stallion fell back, winded. There was the clop of hooves as another took his place.

"Dumb move bitch." Pain exploded where the other stallion had previously touched. Cheerilee screamed louder than she had ever screamed in her life. The agony seared through her entire body, causing it to spasm and twist. Tears filled her view. Still, she slowly inched her hoof towards the shiny object.

"Alright, that's it." Two more hooves steadied her quivering backside. "I'm goin in."

Cheerilee's tear soaked eyes widened. "No! Please, I beg of you!" She tried to buck him away as well, only to find that her back hooves were already secured by two strong forehooves. "I'll do anything! Please, don't!"

Cruel laughter played out behind her. "Sorry babe, but it been centuries since I could get this kind of love from a pony." His voice sounded odd, almost like it was buzzing. "And it tastes sooo good!"

Something metallic, and cold, slipped over her two front forehooves. She risked a glance at them. The shiny thing had vanished, and here where twin metal... Something's.... On her hooves.

The odd sounding stallion behind her chuckled darkly. "I wonder if a pony can get pregnant from on of us?" He said, his voice sounding like some kind of insects. Something definitely not a hoof prodded her mare-hood. "Lets find out."

"NOOO!" Cheerilee cried, swinging her forehoof back. There was a small "click," quickly followed by a "squelch." Warm, wet liquid covered her back as something thumped to the floor. She was almost afraid to look. But she did anyways. And immediately regretted it. Lying next to her, was the lifeless head of one former Royal Guard. Minus one body. The cerise colored mare screamed and she shoved herself away from the head, the body quickly falling beside her as well.

Looking up, she screamed again at the creatures who had been seconds away from rapping her. They were black, insectoid looking things, with sleek black bodies, a tattered pair of wings, and a twisted horn. Changelings.

The sickening creatures rounded on her, surprise blatantly carved onto their faces. But it vanished quickly. "What the hell!?" It said, "I'm gonna screw you over, you.. you..." It apparently couldn't come up with words vile enough to describe her. It opened its law to reveal savage looking teeth, before leaping at her.

Cheerilee's body responded of its own accord. Rolling to the side, she allowed the changeling to crash into the desks behind her. She curled her back, rolling over backwards, and performing a backflip. She landed on her hooves, ready for the second changeling- the one she had bucked earlier- who came flying at her.

Instead of dodging, Cheerilee somersaulted underneath the flying changeling. She swept one hoof up in a deadly arch as she rolled out from underneath. The now dead changeling fell to the floor, internal organs decorating the school room with a vibrant crimson color.

All that was left was the dazed changeling, lying amongst the toppled desks. Before he could so much as blink, Cheerilee plunged, what she now recognized as Hoof Blades, deep into its chest. He coughed out streams of blood, before the light died from his eyes.

Unsteadily, Cheerilee backed away. Her coat was stained red with blood as she swayed on her hooves. She had just killed three Changelings, almost effortlessly. Trembling, she raised her forehooves to her face They were covered in blood. She could just make out a symbol on the flat of the two twin weapons: three smiling flowers. Her cutie mark. Cheerilee’s legs gave out, and she tumbled to the floor. This was too much! She was a simple school teacher, not a murdering assassin! Butterflies filled her stomach, and the room pitched precariously. She suddenly felt drained; completely exhausted. Here eyelids grew heavy as her legs gave out from under her. She was out before she hit the floor.

----

Cheerilee did not remember falling asleep, but when she awoke, she was lying on a bed. The moons rays shone through a small window, illuminating part of the room she was in. it seemed ancient. Dust covered a drawer opposite the large bed she was on, and the floor was made of old stone. The scene reminded her of some kind of medieval castle.

Groaning, Cheerilee forced her damaged body to her hooves, and immediately fell back down on the soft bed. Pain shot up from between her hind legs, and she cried out in pain. The kick from the Changeling earlier had done more damage than just a scratch.

“I would not suggest doing that if I were you,” came a voice from the shadows behind her. Startled, Cheerilee tried to roll over onto her back, and was only rewarded with more pain.

“Whos there!?” she called in a trembling voice, straining to see behind her. “Show yourself!”

There was the clop of hooves as whoever was behind her drew closer. Something levitated into her view. It was a bottle of odd purple glowing liquid. It moved towards pale rose mained earth pony, who promptly clenched her jaw tight. “Drink,” the voice soothed. It was definitely a mare’s voice, but it held some sort of... mystical quality to it. Something she could not place. “It will sooth the pain.” The bottle inched towards her again. Gingerly, Cheerilee unclenched her jaw, and opened it just a smidgen.

“Good.” Said the soothing voice. “This will help. Drink slowly.”

Cheerilee eyed it. She felt like hell. All her joints were sore, and the spot between her legs where searing with pain. To Tartarus with it all she thought, grabbing the bottle, ignoring her muscles who were screaming in protest, and drained it’s contents.

A serious mistake.

Her throat burned like she had force fed herself laval. The fire spread through her body, incinerating her. Cheerilee screamed in pain, and flailed about on her bed. the pain seared at her throat, and burned at her stomach. It was an indescribable agony. Some part of her mind couldn't take the pain, and she passed out again.

---

She awoke several hours later feeling... amazing. Totally refreshed. And starving. She glanced towards her window. It was night again, and the moon was casting its illumination across her bed. The mare was sitting upright, back propped up by pillows, so she was in an almost sitting position. She lifted her forehooves gingerly, and noticed a large metal band on them. The Hoof Blades. So they where retractable.

Grabbing one in her teeth, she attempted to pull it off. It didn't budge. Frowning, she shook her arms around, trying to get it off. It seemed to be part of her arm now.

“It will not come off.” The mystical voice was back. Cheerilee looked around for the source, but could see nothing but a shadowed part of the room where she assumed the voice or originating from. “I have tried many times while you were unconscious.”

Groaning, Cheerilee moved her hind legs out of the bed. She winced as a slight pain emanated from between her hind legs, but it diminished quickly. Gods that had hurt. “You never told me who you are,” she noticed, glancing towards the shadowed part of the room.

The shadows began to shift, like some odd pool of mist. “What do you think of the situation in Canterlot?” the voice responded, ignoring her question. “That Princess Luna is a traitor, and the Elements of Harmony tried to murder Celestia?”

The mare fell onto four hooves and stood normally, joints a little stiff, but in one piece. She mauled at the question the voice had given her. It wasn't what the answer was. It was weather to answer at all or not that was the hard part. A few hours ago, expressing her opinion had almost gotten her a foal... She squeezed her eyes shut. She didn't want to think about that. Either way, this... thing, hadn't healed he, just to beat her up again, had it?

“I think it’s a load of bull,” she said, surprised to find herself using language that didn’t usually befall her. “I don’t think a Princess Luna would try that again, and I think that if she did, The Elements of Harmony, several of which I was in school with myself, would be smart enough not to go along with her. And that theres something abrew up in Canterlot. Something very, very, bad.” The shadows shifted again at her answer. “Now tell me who you are.” Cheerilee demanded.

The dark shadows began to wither and shift again. Suddenly, they began to form and take shape. Like the shadows itself was alive. or, more like something was walking straight out of it. Firt came a long, slim, blue horn, quickly followed by a flowing star filled mane, a pretty face, fore legs, Folded blue feathered wings, a flank, embolized with a half moon, and then a matching flowing tail. Princess Luna walked from the shadows.

“I am Princess Luna.” Said... well Princess Luna. “And I think we should discuss the night’s events over some sort of food, don’t you agree?”

Lessons For Life: Cellists are Scary

View Online

Friendship Was Magic

Chapter III

Lessons for life: Cellists are Scary

Two months later,

“Hey, this is Pon-3!"

“Hey Vinyl. It’s Octavia.”

“Oh hey Octy! What’s up?”

“I’m just wondering if your still coming to my... concert tonight. I got a seat saved up for you!”

“Awww no... thats... thats tonight? Aww gee, Aww, I'm so sorry--I totally blanked on this one. I’m actually working on a huge project with me and Neon Lights right now, and we just hit a breakthrough with the... *sigh* I don’t think I can make it tonight.”

“Alright.”

“I swear I’ll make the next one! Like I promised, okay?”

“It’s fine.”

“Awesome! Now I really need to get back to--”

“Actually, No. No, It’s not fine, Vinyl. You’ve done this to me before-- and this is a really big thing for me; you're not there to support me.”

“Yeah, I know, it’s just--”

“I don't think I can believe you.”

“Aww, Octy. You know how my schedule can get! Look, after tonight, I swear things will be different okay? We can go that restaurant that you--”

“I don’t want to. Sorry Vinyl.”

“Wh-what?”

“Consider this friendship over.”

“Octavia, come on--you don’t mean that.”

“You’ve let me down too many times.”

“Wait, No! Please, Octavia--”

*beep*

“Octavia,” said a tan mare with a microphone around her neck, “you're on in five minutes.”

Tear drops fell from the gray maned earth pony. She quickly wiped her face to avoid arousing attention for her producer.

“Oh, okay!" ,she said in a faux chipper voice.

“Good luck.”, she said before walking off stage. Octavia sat silently with her cello; her cell phone dropped to the ground beside her. Behind her sat the silent, deaf pianist. Of course he was deaf; no such thing as a good pianist, unless he/she was deaf and mute. He always seemed to know too. Even now, he flashed Octavia a small, sympathetic smile. But she didn’t want it. All she wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry her eyes out. Especially when it was this song. She clenched her eyes shut, trying to stem the tears decorating her cello. She swallowed as the announcer prepared the crowd. There was the sound of clopping hooves, then the red curtains rose before her. She drew her bow across the strings, and began to sing.

I comb the crowd, but I can't see your face out there

I'm playing now, won't wait on love

I'm paralyzed, from all these whispers in my brain

I'm focused now, I won't give up

I'm resonant, won't stop for you

playing away, playing away

you play your games, you bring me pain

playing away, playing away

you hurt me now, but I won't cry

I am Octavia

you hurt me now, but I won't cry

I am Octavia...

Vinyl stood up, knocking over the table that she and a neon maned pegasus beside her were working at. She sighed in distress, “Sorry Neon, I can’t concentrate I just... I just gotta go.”

Ditch me now, but it's you who'll have lost it all

Lost now and bleeding love

Rain it pours, but I won't let it bring me down

I'm playing now, won't wait on love

I'm resonant, won't stop for you

Playing away, playing away...

“Hey come on! My friend is playing right now, so let me in!”, demanded Vinyl.

“I said this to you already,” said a rather gruff looking brown security guard. I can’t let you in! But I can let you in during the interval!"

You play your games, you bring me pain

Playing away, playing away

You hurt me now, but I won't cry

I am Octavia

You hurt me now, but I won't cry

I am Octavia

I am Octavia...

“I don’t want to go in at the interval; I want to go in now! I need to be in there right now! I... I gotta see her!”, pleated the white unicorn, looking desperately into the guard’s sharp green ones.

The guard sighed, looking down at her. “I’m sorry, I can’t allow it.”

“Alright, fine!” Vinyl’s horn began to glow softly in the night’s air. You want to do this the hard way!? We can do this the hard way!” She tackled the stallion, hooves flying, horn glowing as she tried to pin down the buck and move around him.

He grunted. “Oh no you don’t!” he said, shoving her away. Vinyl wasn't to be deterred. She leapt at him again, but this time, he met her flying hooves with his own, smashing her into the ground so hard she bounced. He leapt on top of her, pinning her down.

“Merph! Get off of me! I need to see her! Ach, OCTAVIA!”

Born strong, believe none

Dying over broken dreams

Born strong, and raised with class

You hurt me now, but I won't cry

I am Octavia

You hurt me now, but I won't cry

I am Octavia

You hurt me now, but I won't cry

I am Octavia

You hurt me now, but I won't cry

I am Octavia

I am Octavia.

Octavia drew the final bow stroke across her cello. Her tears stained the bow as the last note echoed about the quiet room, right before it erupted into applause. Good; applause was good. They hid the sounds of her sobs. The silent pianist behind her looked at her in a sad manner. She shot him an angry look, but he turned his dark purple eyes away. She wanted to curl up and fade away from the noise of thousands of adoring fans, calling her name in repetition. Octavia, Octavia, Octavia--

“OCTAVIA!” ,a single voice carried over all the others, piercing her ears like a sharp knife. She looked up abruptly, eyes scanning about, searching for the source of the noise. Her eyes immediately fell on a white coated unicorn with an electrifying blue mane, which was frizzled around the edges. She noted various bruises on her body, but it was all overshadowed by the huge smile on her face. The tears began to obstruct Octavia’s vision as she leapt to her hooves, and sprang through the audience. There were gasps of surprise from the audience, but the joy of seeing her only friend pushed her onward.

Vinyl Scratch rushed towards her, tears of happiness streaking down her face. Then, she glanced to her left. Time seemed to slow down as Octavia noticed a sudden change in her features. Her beaming face melted into a mask of horror. Her hooves sped up, until she was at a full gallop.

“Vinyl, what are you--”, Octavia's sentence ended in a screech as her friend crashed into her, knocking the wind from her lungs. Her eyes were suddenly filled with green light. The world spun at Vinyl’s scream of terror and agony.

Octavia crashed to the ground; breath knocked out of her; vision swimming. She dragged her body to her legs; ears were ringing. She could just barely make out the screams of terror; ponies running around her. But when her eyes fell on her beloved Vinyl, everything around her seemed to melt away.

She was missing some important body parts; a foreleg specifically; Her chest was missing. There was just a red mass of obscene gore, cascading over her body like a waterfall. Octavia choked, holding back bile building up in her throat as she gazed at her long time friend. To her utter horror and surprise, Vinyl gave a weak cough, spitting blood from her bloodstained muzzle.

The gray mare stumbled towards her friend; eyes only for her. Her mind struggled to conceive what had happened in the last few moments. Happiness: Vinyl had come to her. Surprise: Vinyl had rushed at her. A green flash: Vinyl had intercepted a blast aimed for her. She sat next to her, eyes wide with horror. Vinyl looked up with her, a painful, cocky grin.

“I look like a zombie, don’t I?” she rasped, looking down to check herself. Her eyes widened, “Oh yeah, not good.” She made a little smile appear on Octavia's face. “Guess it’s what I deserve.”, she gave a heavy cough, which caused the gray mare to wince.

“Do--don’t talk like that ,Vinyl.” Octavia whispered, “You’ll b--be fine! You’ll see!”

Vinyl gave her a snort. “And you’ll grow a horn.” ,she coughed again, sprinkling blood over the Cellist. Octavia shrunk back, then something black caught her eye.

She turned in time to duck a green bolt of energy. A jet black, smooth, and lithe creature, with insectoid wings, sharp teeth, and a smoldering horn, advanced on her; a changeling. A burning fire lit in Octavia’s chest as Vinyl gave another, weaker, cough. This was the second time a changeling had decided to ruin something for her. First time, a wedding. That was slightly more okay. But this-- attacking Vinyl!? Words could not express her anger as she rose to her hooves. The changeling paused, seemingly amused. As Octavia rushed at it, it’s horn glowed as it charged a spell.

It never released it.

Before it could aim, there was something long and sharp shoved through it’s mouth, and out it's throat; a cello bow. Octavia pulled it out, splattering more blood over her coat as the changeling fell with a surprised look on it’s face. Another changeling rushed at her, and Octavia was ready. As it flew at her, she dove beneath it, swinging her bow up. Somehow, the piece of wood and tail hairs had become wicked sharp. The easily cut through the changeling, creating a small trail of blood, and a heap of blood, and internal organs.

Octavia trembled, wiping the bow before her, ready for another attack. Stop it! She told herself. Just... stop! She wasn’t in control anymore. Something else was causing her to lash out; to hold the bow expertly; to know what she was doing; to fight without mercy.

Pain lanced through her back legs as she was flipped onto her back. She stared into the eyes of a third changeling, whose horn was casting a green glow on her body. Octavia trembled even more. Never mind, MOVE! She attempted to swing the bow at the changeling, but the black creature was faster. It brought a hoof down on her foreleg, causing it to emit a sharp *snap*. She couldn't tell if she screamed; she couldn't tell if she was crying, she just stared into the eyes of that changeling, who was reflecting her pure hatred... and her terror. It was terrified. She could tell now, by the way it trembled, the way it hesitated to deliver the final blow.

Then, much to her surprise, the creatures horn stopped glowing. She watched in shock as it moved off of her. Then It looked down at her in desperation. “I-” Whatever it was going to say was cut off by a screech. In a blur, a purple cerise colored mare slashed out the eye of the changeling before her. It toppled to the ground, clutching it’s eye withering in pain. The mare inched closer, hoof raised. Octavia’s eyes were drawn first to the odd blades on her forehooves, then to her flank, where the familiar mark of three smiling flowers grinned back at her.

“M--Ms. Cheerilee!”, Octavia exclaimed, naming her old teacher. She caught the mare's little jolt of surprise, and glanced in her direction, but she continued her advance on the changeling. “Wait!" she called, taking a step towards Cheerilee. Suddenly, her legs gave out. A wave of exhaustion washed over her as she toppled to the ground. Cheerilee paused for a moment, then turned to Octavia.

“Don’t... Don't kill him.”, She rasped, trying to get back to her hooves. Every bone in her body ached, “Just.. wait!” Cheerilee eyed her for a moment, saying nothing. The changelings screams of pain had died to wimpers. Explosions echoed in the background, displaying an ongoing body. Octavia began to feel faint. The world began to tilt from her. “Don’t... Save Vinyl... help...”, darkness consumed her vision, and the world tilted away from her.