An Equestrian Lifestream Corrupted and Manipulated

by sweeT2010Tooth

Chapters

Poison Restraint
Four Types Of Love
Illusion Of Control
Secret Of The Crystal Heart
Power Struggle
The Road To Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions
Contention Among Brothers
Complete Control
Empty And Monstrous Fate
Loveless Sacrifice
Salvaging The Future's Remains

Poison Restraint

It was atop a lonely hill that Cloud looked upon Edge, the city bordering the remnants of Midgar. For a while now, everything seemed fine as reassured by Aeris. However, darkness came again to his mind. It was always the same thing too – Sephiroth. Even in present times of tranquility and peace, his last words rang though like a silent buzz one hears in complete silence. It is that eerie feeling in one’s own isolation that brings apprehension, paranoia, and worry to light. One is consumed by their thoughts to avoid this silent insanity but it only worsens it. This is how Cloud felt watching Edge from afar. He cherished everyone and everything. But if Sephiroth still existed, would he be able to keep him from the ones he loves most?

Cloud sat on that hill listening to the wind's breeze carrying an almost silent whisper from the past,

I will…never be a memory.

It would be folly to take Sephiroth’s words lightly and Cloud knew this well. The words were spoken as though they were a promise. With the wind blowing against his body, Cloud sat on the hill trying his best to relax.

Cloud? a familiar voice different than the one in his thoughts was carried in the wind’s breeze.

Cloud snapped out of his thoughts to look around for anyone nearby but didn’t spot others nearby. Perhaps he was starting to hear things. It was a voice with a soothing tone that filled his heart with familiar comfort.

Cloud? Aeris’s voice came to him a little clearer now that he was intently listening for it. He immediately recognized the voice an old friend.

“Aeris?” Cloud replied in hopes of hearing her voice again.

Yes, Cloud. It is me. Please come to the Sector 5 Church. I need to talk with you.

“On my way,” Cloud said as he got up from his sitting position. He mounted his nearby motorcycle used for the courier service he and Tifa ran and headed to the Sector 5 Church.

[/hr]

It was amazing the way the church was the only structure untouched by the fall of Meteor. Anytime Cloud saw the building, he felt a warmth and hope in seeing it stand among the irradiated ruins that littered the landscape. Arriving at the church, he got off the motorcycle and made his way through its doors.

He was soon greeted by the same flowers he knew so well for they were the only ones that grew in Midgar. To have beauty such as these grow in a shambled place of disrepair could uplift anyone’s spirit. He looked around which was pointless for he knew no one would be here.

“Aeris? I’m here.”

He waited a few minutes for a response heading in the flowers’ direction. He stopped on the edge of the flowerbed to take in their beauty without disturbing them.

Cloud, the voice rang clearly but still silently in the Church’s walls. I have a favor to ask.

“Is there a problem, Aeris?”

Yes. I know I told you everything was fine but…

Cloud didn’t want the answer but knew the purpose of this meeting before it was said. He felt the darkness overtake his mind again.

“It’s Sephiroth…isn’t it?”

…yes, it is. I wanted you to remain happy. I didn’t want to tell you.

“I’m fine Aeris,” Cloud lied.

No, you’re not. Even in the lifestream, I can sense your troubled mind.

“Don’t worry about it,” Cloud said calmly as he didn’t want to cause a friend to worry.

I wish there was another way, Cloud. But Sephiroth needs to be dealt with again. The corruption of Geostigma is gone. However, its weakening effects still linger in the lifestream. Sephiroth has taken this opportunity to gather himself together and escape its weakening grip to the living world. This gathering includes Jenova’s essence existing in the lifestream from those such as Kadaj. As we speak, he’s gathering Jenova within himself in a cave on an island south of the Ancient Forest. The lifestream’s hold on him is weakening every day and soon he’ll be free to corrupt the planet again.

Fed up with Sephiroth's inability to stay at rest, Cloud burst out in anger revealing much pent up frustration in keeping this shadow of a man from those he loves.

“He refuses to be taken in by the lifestream! I can’t escape his shadow!” Cloud said beginning to pace back and forth. “He won’t let go of his lust for power and control! What am I supposed to do, Aeris!? Just keep fighting him!? I’m not going to live forever! What do I do when I pass on!? Fight him in the lifestream forever too!? I don’t want to deal with him for an eternity, Aeris!”

Cloud, please calm down. I’m not asking you to fight him. That’ll not remove his poison from the lifestream. I see this as an opportunity now that his and Jenova's essence are in one location.

“It doesn’t seem like an opportunity to me, Aeris.”

Cloud, trust me. Please stop and hear me out.

Cloud stopped his pacing, cleared his mind, and sighed an ok.

Aeris continued, From his long struggle within the lifestream, Sephiroth is in a weakened state much like the lifestream's grip on him. We need to remove the poison from this planet to attain everlasting peace.

“How do you propose we ‘remove’ him?”

Cid was building another rocket, yes?

“Last I heard, yes.”

Here’s the plan I propose to you: Find one of Hojo’s experiment containers in the ruins of Midgar, contain Sephiroth, and use Cid’s rocket to expel Sephiroth into the sun.

“Aeris, that’s crazy.”

Yes, I know. A slight giggle could be heard.

“Considering his ‘oxygen tank’ miscalculations in the past, I don’t see Cid’s rocket sustaining life. It would be crazy to board his faulty junk.”

Cloud smiled and exited the church to gather what he needed for the trip. At the exit, he turned to look once more to the flowers and thought he caught a glimpse of Zack standing next to Aeris hand in hand.

[/hr]

Cloud gathered who he could in Rocket Town. Those that were present were Cid, Tifa, Barret, Vincent, Nanaki (Red XIII), Shera, and Cid’s workers. Cloud had made calls to his friends after obtaining one of Hojo’s containers used for his experiments to ask for their help in light of the rising situation. Most agreed though reaching Vincent took at least twenty calls as he was apparently ‘busy.’ Yuffie refused to come because of urgent matters in Wutai. This was an obvious cover up for her motion sickness. Cait Sith stayed behind with Marlene (Barret’s daughter) as Reeve wasn’t sure of the distance his remote control would work.

The group stared in awe at the rocket built by Cid and his pride obviously shined in his over-the-top boisterous voice describing its features. He made it clear that the rocket was to be named Shera 2. Cloud said that not everything could be named after his wife to which Cid replied that the numbskull should mind his own !@#$!#$@ business. When asked how it was going to reach the sun, Cid pointed out that Barret’s oil field find was very helpful but not enough. So, they resorted to dabbling into nuclear technology. Shera calmed the group down when they heard this and reassured them that she overlooked its implementation with her meticulous manner. Once preparations were made, they went to go collect Sephiroth.

[/hr]

In Cid’s airship, Shera (now Shera 1), they arrived at a lone island in the waters south of the Ancient Forest. They knew this was the right place as the Mako readings were abnormally high. The lone island was a bit gloomy in its appearance. Cid landed the ship next to a cave spotted by the helmsman. On foot, they approached the cave carefully unsure what they were going to find. The cave had a single path in and went on for about a mile. The further they went into the cave, a certain glow of an unknown source grew brighter. An opening appeared before them to a large spacious room where three figures stood in the distance. A single opening in the cave’s ceiling allowed some light to shine in illuminating the three figures.

“The world needs you no longer, Sephiroth. I am its protector and will not allow your return,” one of the figures spoke down to another on the ground.

The group recognized the one on the ground as Sephiroth only half-formed and looking like he was in a constant state of struggle. Despite this, Sephiroth looked up at the one that spoke to him.

“Even if the morrow is barren of promises, nothing shall forestall my return,” he smiled as he said this, “right Genesis?”

The one called Genesis flinched and looked upon Sephiroth with contempt evident in his facial expression.

“I am the hero now – not you. I have received the Gift of the Goddess and shall use the gift to defend the planet from threats. This includes you.”

With a means to use it, he pointed his sword at Sephiroth. Sephiroth, on the other hand, remained unperturbed enjoying the frustration from the one holding the sword.

“If the ‘gift’ of the Goddess is so great, why do you continue to deteriorate from a simple scratch?”

Genesis’s anger appeared to be rising with the continuing conversation.

“You’re a failure, Genesis. It's that simple. Miserably, you fail in all aspects of life due to your simple-minded dedication to a single love story. Ha, even ‘mother’ is greatly ashamed of you. I know because she is right here within me," Sephiroth said this while struggling to raise a left finger pointing to his chest. "And whatever made you think I wanted that gift in your pocket? You are Loveless.”

“Wipe that smug grin off your face, Sephiroth! Or I’ll do it for you!”

“Isn’t that what we were going for here? Aren’t you supposed to be striking me down like the ‘hero’ you are?”

The third figure spoke up and produced two swords. “I’ve heard enough. I’m finishing this, brother.”

“Weiss, is it?” Sephiroth turned his head to face the third figure. “What is your brother, Nero’s, thoughts on this course of action?”

Weiss stood still and did nothing.

Sephiroth continued, “Your brother exists within you but is dead nonetheless so I guess you won’t get much of a response considering how unclean you are now. Tell me, what’s it like to feel your brother dying inside you? Soon there will be nothing left and you'll have nobody to blame but your own ignorance. Tell me, whatever made you think two consciousnesses could cohesively exist in one body forever?”

“You have no right to speak of Nero.”

“You have no right to speak to me. Genesis is not your brother and neither am I. Once the one inside you ceases to exist, you'll have no one and be completely alone. Such is the life of a failed experiment once perfect but choosing an unclean path.”

Upon hearing these words, Weiss was absolutely livid with fury. Genesis, however, raised his head and turned it toward the direction of Cloud and his friends. He had noticed they were not alone for he could see some silhouettes in the darkness.

“We have company. We’ll finish this later, Sephiroth. When we do, there will be no talk. You best be prepared for the end for it will come without mercy.”

"Without mercy, Genesis? Be careful whom you threaten. Remember that even a snake with sharp fangs can, itself, be bitten."

Genesis and Weiss disregarded this reply and sheathed their swords with Genesis grabbing Weiss’s shoulders flying out of the opening in the cave’s ceiling.

Cloud and his party took this opportunity to approach the being in the center of the room. Sephiroth did not acknowledge their presence as he lowered his head covering his face with a disheveled curtain of silver hair. The party spared no time in placing Sephiroth into the container. They covered it with a cloth so as to not see the being within it and departed for the rocket. Cloud approached the container only after the cloth was placed over it. He wanted nothing to do with the being inside that container.

Four Types Of Love

In the warm summer breeze, Twilight looked up to the sun and smiled. Today was going to be a great day. It was one of the few she had gotten to herself since assuming the role and responsibility of an alicorn. Taking a walk around Ponyville, she waved at everypony much like Pinkie Pie does on a daily basis. The ponies were happy, the birds were chirping, and the sun shined its grace from above. One could only assume this day was perfect in every meaning of the word. Twilight was in such high spirits she couldn’t resist visiting her friends.

Twilight first visited Rarity in her boutique. Working furiously at making a dress for a high profile client, she didn’t find the time to look up from her work.

“Yes, I will be with you in just a moment. First I just need to fold this, double that, stitch these…together. Done!” Rarity looked up from the dress which shone brilliantly in its own light. “Twilight! Darling! Come in! Come in! What can I do for you?”

“Oh, nothing Rarity. I’m just stopping by to say hello as it is such a beautiful day,” Twilight said this turning her head to the door she came in.

“It is! Oh, but I have to finish this dress for a very important client. One must be prompt and professional in their mannerisms to succeed in business, darling.”

“It’s ok, Rarity. I’ll take my leave now.” Twilight waved bye to her friend and exited the boutique. She decided to visit the Sugarcube corner next. Barely making it into the entrance, Pinkie Pie grabbed her and pulled her behind the counter so as to not make a scene in front of the customers.

“Twilight! We have an emergency on our hooves!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed pointing to an empty shelf.

“What emergency, Pinkie? I only see an empty shelf.”

“That’s just it – it’s empty! It shouldn’t be empty! There were cakes on that shelf and now they’re gone!”

Twilight sighed. “Maybe you sold them.”

“I didn’t! They just disappeared like my tail!” She looked behind her. “Well, that’s one mystery solved!”

Mr. Cake poked his head in from the back. “Pinkie, we’re selling cupcakes today not cakes as we’re running low on flour.”
Pinkie Pie facehooved herself. “Ah, I forgot. Sorry Mr. Cake.”

“It’s okay. Just remember to remind the customers so there’s no confusion.” Mr. Cake promptly went back to what he was previously doing.

“Well, Twilight, crisis averted!” Pinkie opened her arms wide in her own way of shrugging things off.

“Pinkie Pie, you really need to concentrate on the day ahead. If you were to know about the cakes ahead of time you…what now?” As Twilight spoke, Pinkie Pie started to shake all over uncontrollably. Spike ran into the bakery with a letter held high calling out for Twilight. Twilight then understood that Pinkie Pie’s shaking was foretelling a doozy. Considering the magnitude of her shaking, this was the biggest one seen so far.

*****

As requested by Cadance, Twilight Sparkle and her five friends ventured out to the Crystal Empire. Apparently, after holding the Equestria Games, word got around that the changelings were gaining an interest in the empire. Specifically, their aim was for the Crystal Heart. Nopony knew why as only those who exhibited love or the polar opposite affected it. Nonetheless, they needed to keep it safe.

It didn’t take much more than two steps off the train before Cadance hurriedly approached the ponies and ushered Twilight and her friends to the palace. On their way through Empire’s streets, they immediately recognized the familiar barrier surrounding the empire. Cadance wasn’t taking any chances for the safety of her people.

After nearing the palace, Cadance began telling Twilight how the changelings presented subtle threats to the empire by feeding off of those on its outskirts. It didn’t take long before the telltale signs of changeling presence was felt. Cadance immediately set up the barrier while Shining Armor went out to scout the surroundings for a possible invasion.

“I don’t get it. What could the changelings want with the Crystal Heart?” Twilight asked.

“We don’t know. Their constant need to feed probably signifies that the heart can provide something worth attacking the empire,” Cadance replied.

“If the heart absorbs love, can it dispel it?”

“It might be possible. I’ve been testing out different types of love on it lately and it seems to react slightly different to each one.”

“Different types of love?”

“Yes, Twilight. There are four types to be exact. There is an affectionate love such as found through familiarity with another. It is this established common ground, such as family bonds, that naturally ties two souls together. A second love is found in friendships.”

Twilight pondered this, “Friendship is a type of love?”

“It is. Being a special bond between friends, it is also found in finding common grounds or interests. However, it is very special in that it is freely chosen. One does not need to have friends though they lose the benefit.”

“What’s the third type of love?” Twilight asked.

“You may be a little too young to understand that type of love, Twilight. It is a romantic love when two ponies love each other. More specifically, these two ponies are consumed with the idea of being in love such like a school crush or young love infatuation. I’d rather avoid the topic of where foals come from, but understand that you don’t need to be in love to make a foal.”

“I guess I don’t understand. What’s the fourth love?” Twilight inquired as curiosity was getting the best of her.

“The fourth is considered unconditional love. Some argue it is the greatest of the four in that it is a charitable love regardless of circumstance. You and your friends portray this to one another no matter how dangerous a situation gets or what changes this life throws at you. Your friends are there for you and you are there for your friends. No questions asked.”

“Wow, Cadance! I knew about your magical abilities but didn’t realize how deep love could be.”

“Thank you. Maybe when you’re older I can tell you more,” Cadance smiled gratuitously as a guard approached to announce the approach of Princess Celestia outside the barrier.

This was unexpected as Princess Celestia would have sent a formal letter ahead of time - most of the time. Cadance didn't want to keep the princess waiting so she asked Twilight and her friends to accompany her.

Cadance thanked the guard for the message and, with Twilight and her friends in tow, made the trek to the barrier to greet Princess Celestia. The closer they got to the figure standing outside the barrier, they knew something was off. It looked like Princess Celestia and even called their names in the same manner. However, the smile it wore made them feel uneasy.
Let me in it asked. Lower the barrier it requested. They knew not to do it. And, when the thing outside realized this, it laughed hysterically. Hundreds upon hundreds of changelings came out of the ground and attacked the barrier in full force.

Illusion Of Control

After loading Sephiroth aboard Shera 2, Cid called out the final preparations for liftoff over a loud speaker. The takeoff went better than expected and soon the rocket was exiting the planet’s atmosphere. Shera, Cid’s wife, made sure to come along to make sure the rocket didn’t experience any malfunctions on the trip. Once the rocket was safely outside the planet’s atmosphere, the ship was set on autopilot with a course set for the sun.

With the exception of Cloud and Vincent, each member of the crew took turns watching over Sephiroth in the cargo hold keeping an eye out for any disturbance. The crew began whispering among themselves on how strange it was that Sephiroth slept completely dormant making no visible movements. Some reported a sense of dread in being near the container and refused to take their assigned watch. This made the turns that much longer and eerie in the dead silence of the hull.

After the first day in space, the nightmares began. First some experienced these nightmares then it spread to the rest of the crew. Most refused to sleep rather than see what their dreams would behold. It started out simple with the person watching over Sephiroth. For a mere second, they would look away and back at the container meeting a cold stare from within it. The green eyes’ illuminant stare would stay fixated on this unfortunate person never blinking and never looking away. It wouldn’t be so bad if the dreams didn’t seem like they were extending themselves over time. Worse yet, when the person woke up they felt as though they were being watched.

The nightmares came to Cloud with an extra twist. When met with Sephiroth’s stare, he was met with a smile too. Unheard words were also spoken to which Cloud could only make out a few words such as when his name was formed on Sephiroth’s lips. After witnessing one of the crew members whimpering in a corner, Cid decided he’d seen enough and confronted the container with verbal assaults with only silence as an answer. Tifa, Nanaki (Red XIII), Vincent, and Barret approached the container looking for any clue as to stopping Sephiroth’s influence.

Cloud soon became angry between seeing crew members scared of their endless nightmares and the look of Sephiroth’s smug face. Following his friends into the cargo hold he also demanded an answer from the dormant being. “What do you want Sephiroth!? We’re fast approaching your final destination. You better accept that quietly!”

For the first time Sephiroth opened his eyes causing the group to jump except Cloud. “Or what, Cloud?” Sephiroth said this in his calm monotone voice without moving his lips.

“I will not sit idly by while you torment my friends.”

Sephiroth smiled. “I’m going to do more than that. It is only a matter of time before I find the right one.”

Barret spoke up, “Find what? What the !@#$ are you talking ‘bout?”

“It would be a shame to spoil the surprise. Especially considering I haven’t yet given Cloud my wonderful present. I already know what he cherishes most,” Sephiroth’s grin only widened. “In fact, I believe this present should be shared with his wonderful friends.”

Cid stepped in, “Whatever stinking piece of $@!@ you’re selling, I don’t want it!”

“It is non-negotiable.”

Vincent made his way swiftly to the front of the group to speak directly with Sephiroth. “Now that you’re awake, I demand an answer of my own. Do you have anything to do with Lucrecia Crescent’s disappearance?” The rest of the group was shocked when they heard this and turned to face Vincent looking back and forth to the two speakers.

Sephiroth’s smile promptly disappeared. “Who?”

“A woman presiding in a place called the Crystal Cave who had recently disappeared. Did you have something to do with it!?”

“Woman in a Crystal Cave,” Sephiroth seemed to be pondering the thought, “ah, yes, the one who insisted she was my mother. I absorbed her to take in my real mother, Jenova. She must have been insane to believe such a notion that I would be her child. She even gave into my will willingly.” Sephiroth chuckled a little.
Vincent, having none of this, erupted in a fit of rage, “She was your !@#$#@! mother you imbecile! You killed your own mother!”

Sephiroth remained unswayed, “Nonsense. Even if she were my mother, it matters not and is of no significance to my rightful ascension.” Vincent turned around in anger intending to leave the room resisting the urge to attack Lucrecia’s son. Before he could leave the room, he heard Sephiroth ask, “I’m sensing something stirring up inside your soul. Did you love her?”

“It matters not, right?” replied Vincent making his leave.

Cloud spoke up, “You’ve made a foolish mistake, Sephiroth. One that you will never truly understand.”

“You’re one to speak, Cloud, letting your own mother die at my hands.”

“How many times do I need to strike you down before I’m done being reminded of that night?”

“How about facing me in an honorable duel where I’m not in the middle of something like a real SOLDIER?” Sephiroth calmly mocked. “Keep in mind, Cloud, that Jenova’s cells have metamorphosis properties. Your fight with Kadaj was simply that – a fight with Kadaj infused with Jenova’s cells. The only two times you really fought me were in the reactor and the Northern Crater. The first time I was caught off guard. The second time, in the crater, I was a little preoccupied in holding back Holy. This must be the reason you never made the cut for the top ranks.”

Cloud refused to give into this as Sephiroth’s words were always spoken with a serpent’s tongue. “You’re a coward and a fool, Sephiroth. You prey on those below you only to be controlled against their will. You are blinded by a thirst for power that you’re even willing to sacrifice your own mother to achieve it.”

“Soon, Cloud, you will realize that everyone is a puppet awaiting one with the willpower to control them and pull the strings. I still have my wonderful present to give to you and your friends. In the end, you’ll be begging me for mercy.” With this said Sephiroth closed his eyes and went back into a dormant state.

The group left the room after a moment of silence one by one. Nanaki stayed behind to keep watch. For a while the nightmares stopped and their approach to the sun was coming closer. Cloud was lying down in his bed thinking about what Sephiroth had said. He also wanted to talk to Vincent about Lucrecia but didn’t know what to say. He soon grew tired and felt his eyelids inevitably close.

A nightmare appeared in his dreams more vivid than the ones before it. In it, one of the crew members opened Sephiroth’s container and promptly collapsed. Sephiroth stumbled out of the container and made his way to the cockpit. Along the way, Cloud saw the rest of the crew in the same unconscious state. He tried to wake up but felt trapped in this dream. He watched Sephiroth approach the ship’s controls turning off the autopilot with an intention to set a new course. Watching Sephiroth like this Cloud noticed the same familiar smile. Then, he realized this wasn’t a dream.

Secret Of The Crystal Heart

The barrier was holding back the onslaught carried out by the changeling army. This didn’t stop the ponies inside it from worrying, though. They watched as the figure disguised as Princess Celestia revealed its identity to be none other than Chrysalis, the Changeling Queen. She continued her maniacal laughter while the ponies watched on.

“You foolish ponies! We will have the Crystal Heart before the day is through! Surrender it now or we will take it by force!” said Chrysalis in an almost mocking voice of the barrier separating the changelings and their goal.

“We have defeated you before, monster, and we will do it again!” Cadance shot back.

“Oh! On contraire my dear, I hold a bargaining chip!” Chrysalis stepped aside to reveal a figure lying on the ground behind her being drained by three changelings.

“Shining Armor!” both Cadance and Twilight screamed his name at the same time.

“You see?! How much you lose today depends on the choice or, shall I say, sacrifice you’re willing to make!” said Chrysalis bursting out into another fit of laughter.

Cadance and Twilight’s group didn’t know what to do. Either they let the barrier fall giving entrance to the monstrous army or let Shining Armor die.

“Ok, I’ll drop the barrier. Just stop hurting him,” Cadance said almost immediately.

“What!?” Twilight interjected her response.

“It is ok Twilight. We can defend the Crystal Heart, but I’m not going to leave my love behind. Just get the guards ready for the attack,” Cadance whispered to Twilight. Twilight didn’t agree with this but promptly set off with her friends to make sure the city’s protectors were ready for a fight.

Cadance lowered the shield as promised. However, Chrysalis predictably ordered the continued attack on the Crystal Empire. The changelings marched into the empire making beelines for the Crystal Heart. For the meantime their advance was halted by the defending forces. Chrysalis moved past Cadance with an insidious smile crossing her lips. She didn’t touch the Crystal Princess but rather demonstrated her dominant position in the matter. Cadance watched Chrysalis walk away with many changelings following her and then ran to Shining Armor’s side to make sure he was ok.

A loud noise resounded through the empire making Cadance look up in time to see a rocket come out of the sky. She watched as it landed right on the outskirts of the empire. A hatch on the side opened and a ramp lowered to the ground. Exiting the flying machine a silver-haired man wearing a long black coat and silver pauldrons stepped out onto the ground below. The plant life beneath his feet withered and decayed. He continued an elegant walk in the direction of the empire with his face covered the whole time.

Cadance watched as this man simply walked through the fight around him without flinching and only the occasional weave and dodge. When some changelings attacked him, it looked as though he snapped their necks and threw them aside like rag dolls. It was like watching a phantom glide through the middle of a battlefield oblivious to the event. Even Twilight had a chance to look up from her fights to see the man approach the center of the empire. Twilight was the first to notice the intention in his path – the Crystal Heart.

The guards around the Crystal Heart had set up a barrier around themselves and the heart. The changelings couldn’t get in but kept pounding the barrier’s wall. As the man got near to the barrier, he crushed the necks of the nearby changelings and placed his left hand on the barrier.

“Halt! Stay where you are!” ordered the guards.

“I can feel it. I can feel everything. ‘Mother,’ now comes the moment to claim what is rightfully ours. Never again will the puppets of this life keep me from ascending. All will know pain, misery, and despair. Only death awaits you all. But do not fear. For it is through death that new spirit energy is born. Soon, you will live again as a part of me – and through my will alone.”

The man extended his right arm to the barrier but did not touch it. He then raised his left hand into the air. As the shine of the Crystal Heart faded, the empire itself lost its vibrant color. Life in the surrounding area seemed to be progressively decaying. The heart took on a dark look much like an onyx stone blacker than the midnight sky. In the man’s left hand materialized a sword longer than the man’s height.

The guards gave out a gasp but, before they could react any further, were killed instantly in a sweeping motion of the elongated sword. At the same time, the barrier fell and the nearby changelings took the opportunity to obtain the heart. They too were cut through falling to the ground in pools of blood. The man walked forward placing his hands on the blackened Crystal Heart as though admiring it.

Twilight and her friends were too preoccupied with the changeling army to do anything about the changing events. They had a hard enough time keeping track of each other as the changelings were taking on other ponies’ forms. Cadance stayed with Shining Armor watching her world fall apart. She heard movement behind her and noticed a group of people approaching carrying a somewhat large container. She got up ready to defend her loved one.

“Relax, we’re not here to fight you. We’ve come for a silver-haired man. Have you seen someone like that?” the spiky blonde man asked while raising both arms to signal no harmful intentions.

“Do you mean that man over there?” Cadance looked in Sephiroth’s direction.

“What the hell is that he has in his hands?” Barret asked.

“It is the Crystal Heart which protects this empire. We were attacked by the changeling army and now this man walked right in and took it effortlessly,” remarked Cadance in a sad tone.

“Sephiroth,” Cloud muttered almost speaking to himself, “how many times are you going to bring pain to others for your own selfish desires?”

“Excuse me, who is this ‘Sephiroth’?” Cadance asked.

“He’s a man who used to be a top-ranking SOLDIER and hero. But now he only covets power and control. Stay away from him. Sephiroth's strength is unreal. He is far stronger in reality than any story you might hear about him.”

“What does he want with the Crystal Heart?” Cadance was confused more than ever.

“I don’t know but it might have something to do with this planet’s lifestream considering the change in the landscape. The souls of the dead return to the planet. Not only humans…or ponies, but everything on the planet. In fact, all living things in the universe are the same. The spirits that return to the planet merge with one another and roam the planet. They roam, converge, and divide, becoming a swell, called the 'Lifestream.’ Lifestream... In other words, it is a path of energy of the souls roaming the planet.” Cloud explained.

“I don’t imagine the Crystal Heart could have that much of an effect,” Cadance was unsure about the crystal’s power, “however, it directly influences the empire and its surrounding environment…so maybe it does.”

“Sephiroth just needs an access point to the planet’s lifestream and he can begin to corrupt and control it…Cid, are you okay now? We have a situation here,” Cloud took out a radio and spoke into it.

“Of course I’m not !#$#!#@ okay!! That bastard killed my entire crew save four of them and…my wife!!” audible crying could be heard.

“I know Cid…we all know. We all had to watch Sephiroth do that in our sleep. I know it is hard but please we need help before Sephiroth continues this harm.”

“Harm!?! That’s more than @!@$#! Harm, boy!...wait,” deep breaths could be heard now. “Ok, ok, I think I’m all right for now…I’m reviewing the video logs now…give me a moment…” There was a pause for a couple of minutes. “It looks like after he turned off autopilot and slaughtered the crew…and my wife…he stood over your body, cut his arm, and…dropped some blood in your mouth?!”

Cloud was freaked out to hear this. He even felt like disregarding information as disturbing and weird as that. But needed to hear the rest, “...Cid, what happened next?”

“Well, he returned to the cockpit, checked the radar for mako readings, and was attacked by our two stowaways. They had quite the tussle and broke some equipment which is what veered the ship from its course. The fighting continues until the ship enters something that looks like a wormhole. The video log stops there.”

“Thanks, Cid. Watch over the ship until we get back. If those two stowaways wake up, let us know.”

Cloud looked around and noticed the sunlight dimming and a thick black fog settling in. They could barely make it out but a pair of green eyes with red irises made its way to the empire. Cadance gasped remarking that it shouldn’t be possible that the being was still alive.

Sephiroth absorbed the Crystal Heart flexing his right hand experiencing a power rush flowing though his body. He turned around and looked up to notice the enigma in the black fog gliding his way. He didn’t flinch and went back to admiring his increased power and control.

“Slaves,” King Sombra growled looking at all the ponies he passed on his way to the empire’s center. The fighting in the empire stopped as all present looked upon King Sombra’s entrance with fear. He brought his attention to the silver-haired man standing among a mess of bodies and pools of blood. Undeterred, King Sombra approached the man sensing the heart within him. “Crystal Heart. Give it to me or I will kill you in the most painful way imaginable.”

Sephiroth stopped admiring himself, calmly looked up with a smile, and said, “Come and try.”

Power Struggle

King Sombra bared his teeth and bum rushed Sephiroth into the Crystal Palace with a ferocity that shook its foundations. Pieces of the palace fell to the ground below with many ponies and changelings running in panic. As some of those were crushed below by falling rubble, Sephiroth emerged from one side of the building unscathed with a look of amusement. King Sombra gave pursuit to the man trying to rend him with his teeth to which Sephiroth took a swing cutting into King Sombra’s face.

Sephiroth, in midair, landed on the ground below watching his enemy above yelling in anger. Sephiroth waited for the impending attack but instead noticed crystals rising from the ground below his feet. He also noticed that King Sombra’s horn had begun to glow a fiery red. The crystals below Sephiroth’s feet had started to engulf his lower body. King Sombra took this opportunity to rush his enemy again smashing into the man with enough velocity to level the surrounding buildings.
Watching from afar, Cloud turned to Cadance and asked about the shadow being.

“King Sombra is a shadow of the Crystal Empire. Under his rule, all ponies were slaves. He rules without mercy and is unrestrained in his use of power.”

“Sounds like Shinra,” Cloud remarked.

“Who?” Cadance asked.

“Just an old memory.” Cloud turned to his friends and said, “Sephiroth is our responsibility. We can’t sit on the sidelines and allow him to get stronger.”

“What the @!$# are we supposed to do?” Barret asked.

“Whatever we can. I’m not about to let Sephiroth have his way.” Cloud and his friends moved into the fight leaving the container behind until needed. They didn’t make it far before the black fog became thick cutting visibility to only a few feet in front of their eyes. All they knew was that they needed to stop Sephiroth before anyone else gets hurt.

King Sombra emerged from the ground missing his left eye screaming in fury. His horn started to glow again making the surrounding black fog much thicker. However, he was struck in the face with a soft object to which he stopped his outburst long enough to notice his missing eye falling to the ground where Sephiroth was smiling below.

The fog became so thick that only a single green eye with a red iris could be seen. Its intense glare was racing to and fro with loud crashes heard throughout the empire. That is until it disappeared followed by a loud scream – not one of fury but agony. The fog disappeared revealing the outcome.

Sephiroth stood over King Sombra who was missing his one eye, his horn, and bleeding very badly. In Sephiroth’s right hand he held the horn as if studying it. He felt like this particular pony was special and knew the magic it had casted. Sephiroth drove his sword, Masamune, into King Sombra’s side. His intention was two- faced. At first glance, he killed the king and let his spirit attempt reunion with the planet’s lifestream. However, he intercepted the leaving spirit with his control of the Crystal Heart – with a direct influence to the planet’s lifestream - to take King Sombra’s power as his own.

Cloud and his friends ran up to Sephiroth so as to take him down quickly. Sephiroth expected this and turned to face the approach.

“Not yet, Cloud. I’m a little busy. We’ll have our own special moment soon enough. So, why don’t you obey your master like a good little puppet?” Sephiroth raised his right hand and, in turn, Cloud stopped in his tracks unable to move. Tifa stopped to check on Cloud. Nanaki (Red XIII), Barret, and Vincent pressed the attack. Sephiroth swung his sword in a wide but quick arc cutting off Barret’s gun arm. With Sephiroth’s right hand he grabbed the attacking red lion.

Sephiroth tossed the red lion at Vincent who dodged it with ease. Vincent stopped within arm’s length distance of Sephiroth, pulled out his guns, but did nothing.

“Soft spot for the woman, huh?” Sephiroth jested.

Vincent was not amused and did not lower his guns.

“You understand I see. That attacking me is the same as attacking her. Good. However, what do you intend to do? Hold me at gunpoint forever? Or long enough to have the resolve to carry it through?”

“I should’ve stopped her…then this all wouldn’t…damn you Hojo!”

“Hojo? What does he have to do with this? I think you might want to get this checked out,” Sephiroth raised two fingers to his temple tapping it.

“I can’t…she’s…Lucrecia…I’m sorry…forgive me…” Vincent lowered his guns and head in shame.

Sephiroth, still amused, walked past him and said, “You lack commitment. However, I do not. You consider yourself immortal but remember immortals face a fate worse than death. Next time we meet, I’ll erase your very existence.”

Sephiroth walked past Barret still in pain at losing his arm and up to Cloud and Tifa. Tifa stood in between the two only to be knocked aside by Sephiroth.

“What did you do to me, Sephiroth!?” Cloud seethed.

“I reattached your strings with my blood. You are my puppet after all. All I needed to do was reintroduce my ‘mother’s’ cells into your body.” Sephiroth said poking Cloud in the forehead.

“Damn you, Sephiroth,” Cloud spoke in anger.

“Now, now. You are mine to control. What if I were to make you have an accident?” Sephiroth waved his right hand towards Tifa. Cloud, as well, turned in her direction with his drawn Fusion Sword. Cloud walked a few steps forward until standing directly above Tifa who was yelling his name to snap out of it. Cloud raised his sword trying fruitlessly to regain control of his body.

Sephiroth lowered his hand to which Cloud lowered his sword - without striking. “See, Cloud? You are my puppet and nothing more. We’ll have more fun next time. I look forward to it.”

Sephiroth left Cloud and his friends behind to pick up the pieces of the confrontation. Cloud, regaining control of his body, dropped to the ground with anxiety over Sephiroth’s influence. Tifa tried to comfort him but it didn’t help.

Behind them, Sephiroth continued slaughtering ponies and changelings alike in an attempt to further his control of the planet’s lifestream. Even Chrysalis stood in his way and tried blasting him with magic and feeding off him. However, it was not enough as Sephiroth cut her down the same as he did with King Sombra.

Cadance, Twilight, and the rest of the Mane 6 approached Cloud’s party bewildered to the destruction that remained of the Crystal Empire. Words could not express the disarray of the situation. There was no comfort and the air seemed very still. The ground was covered in bodies. The empire was completely destroyed. Blood ran in its streets. Twilight had never seen this kind of destruction. She looked in the direction the man went as he was responsible for it all. She then realized he was heading towards Ponyville.

The Road To Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions

“Girls we need to get back to Ponyville!” Twilight screamed.

The rest of the Mane 6 were all in agreement. But Cadance wanted them to wait a little longer to come up with a plan. Cadance had an idea that she could use her ability to spread love with her Power of Love spell to counteract Sephiroth’s influence on the Crystal Heart. This would weaken him long enough so the Mane 6 could use their elements of harmony. Twilight felt anxiety over Ponyville’s impending destruction so agreed to the plan in order to get back as soon as possible.

Cloud overheard the conversation and offered assistance to which the ponies were more than willing to accept in light of the circumstances. Barret and Shining Armor were in no fit shape to fight so they were sent to the rocket to recuperate. After retrieving the container used to hold Sephiroth, Cloud and his party were ready to be teleported by Twilight to Ponyville.

Before the group knew it, they were back in Ponyville with no time to spare. Cloud, his party, and Cadance headed to the city’s outskirts for a position to head off Sephiroth. Twilight and her friends ran to the tree house to retrieve the elements of harmony. Spike was there cleaning the library per usual. When Twilight and the girls burst through the door, he fell off his step ladder in surprise.

“Whoa Twilight, what’s the rush?” Spike asked.

Twilight was really anxious looking over her shoulder at the tree house’s door while speaking to Spike. “There’s no time to explain, Spike. You need to evacuate the citizens of Ponyville.”

“What? Why?”

“Spike! Not now! Do what I say!” Twilight quickly spoke in a frantic voice.

“Okay! I’m on it! But I’d like to at least know what is going on.”

“Something really bad is coming and, if we don’t evacuate the citizens of Ponyville, they’re going to be in a lot of danger.”

“Wow! Ok, you can count on me!” With that said the little dragon ran out the door to round up the town’s citizens.

Twilight and the girls quickly grabbed the elements of harmony and made their way to the meeting point. When they got there, they had a macabre sense of feeling hanging in the air.

“Oh, I forgot to send Princess Celestia a letter on what is happening,” Twilight remarked.

“I could fly there and back,” Rainbow Dash offered.

“No time,” Twilight responded.

Cadance was deep in thought. She was deeply sad about the pain brought onto the Crystal Ponies. She wished there was something she could have done but knew there wasn’t. She tried to focus on how to counteract Sephiroth’s influence on the Crystal Heart. It was her means of severing his link to the planet’s lifestream.

Silence hang in the air as all those attending prepared for the inevitable encounter. Then, on the horizon, they were approached by a far off man’s silhouette. The sword in his left hand was immediately recognized. Within earshot distance, the Mane 6 readied their attack. In addition, Cadance casted her spell in an attempt to interact with the Crystal Heart. Cloud and his party watched from the sidelines hoping that this would work.

Sephiroth kept up the speed of his approach without worry. A light from his chest emitted a few times to after which he abruptly stopped walking. Those watching Sephiroth realized he was in pain and began clutching his chest with his right hand. Twilight knew this was their chance to strike. She and the Mane 6 began their attack with beams of light firing from the elements of harmony. All at once, the elements of harmony synchronously powered up and launched a rainbow into the sky twisting in its ascension. Then, it dove down towards its target who only now saw it coming.

With the sword in his left hand, Sephiroth raised it as though to guard from the attack. It was assumed to be a feeble attempt. However, at that very moment, the glow in his chest stopped, and he regained control of the Crystal Heart. Everyone looked on in horror as Sephiroth completely stopped the elements of harmony a few feet from his face. The same familiar smile crossed his face as Sephiroth stood upright with renewed energy.

“Such a powerful and pure weapon. I can feel the strength in it design to cleanse evil intentions. It must be a weapon used for ‘good.’ Well, you know what they say about good intentions…”

Sephiroth redirected the attack back at those attending. Not expecting this turn of events the group had no time to react. The elements of harmony hit its new target with almost perfect accuracy. Everyone was blinded by the light of the attack so all they could do was hear the screaming echoing in their ears. It sounded much like a wild animal put in a grinder legs first.
When everyone could see again, they noticed who had been hit lying on the ground in his red cape.

“Vincent!” Cloud and his party yelled out at the same time rushing to his side.

Sephiroth resumed his march to Ponyville feeling accomplished.

“Immortals: They don’t understand there is more than one way to skin a cat even IF it has nine – or an infinite number of lives.”

“Sephiroth, what have you done?” Cloud called out to the man walking away.

“Nothing, Cloud. I’m not the one that attacked. I saw an opportunity and merely took it with no hesitation.”

Sephiroth made his way to Ponyville while Cloud, his party, Cadance, and the Mane 6 came to Vincent’s side.

“We’re sorry! We didn’t mean for this to happen!” Twilight cried out.

“It is okay,” Vincent responded. “I’ve lived too long with too much sin to carry.”

“Don’t talk like that,” Cloud abruptly stepped in. “Your sins were not your own to carry, remember?”

“Maybe,” Vincent struggled to voice the words. “Maybe not. Sins can only be forgiven from another. Let me sleep…”

Vincent closed his eyes and, before the group’s eyes, decayed to what looked like an old man then ash floating away in the breeze. Cloud picked up the red cape.

“Your sins are forgiven, my friend. We will meet again.” Cloud put on the red cape in memory of his fallen friend.

Though a macabre feeling stayed in the air, the group – except Nanaki (Red XIII) – headed in pursuit of Sephiroth. Cloud asked Nanaki if he was okay. He reassured Cloud he was okay. However, while the group headed to Ponyville, Nanaki sat next to the spot of his fallen friend. He didn’t want to say it but he felt “Gilligan” growing in his heart now more than ever.

Cloud walked with the group a few steps towards Ponyville wondering what was going to happen now. It seemed like Sephiroth was out of control. In addition, it was obvious that he was gaining too much power for them to handle him. He felt a vibration in his pocket which was the radio used to speak with Cid.

“Yes, Cid. What is it?” Cloud talked into it.

“You know those two stowaways on the ship?”

“Yeah?”

“Heads up. They’re heading in your direction.” Cloud looked in the direction opposite of Ponyville and noticed a flying object approaching very rapidly. The rest of the group noticed the flying object as well when they realized Cloud had stopped walking. Coming closer, the flying object was recognized to be a one-winged man carrying another man.

“Genesis, what do you plan on doing?” Cloud said as he watched the two fly past the walking group heading towards the town with remarkable speed.

Contention Among Brothers

“Hold on everyone,” Cloud spoke to the group which was quickly diminishing in numbers. “I think we need to sit this one out. Genesis can very well handle himself and we need to come up with a solution of our own.”

“I agree,” Cadance replied.

The group stopped where they were right outside Ponyville to take a much needed breather. Cloud turned to Cadance with an inquiry on his mind.

“You said you were going to try and interact with the heart in order to counteract Sephiroth’s influence on it. What happened back there?”

“Well, I believe it rejected me.”

“That’s obvious but why?”

“I don’t know. The use of my spell affected it temporarily. However, it deemed Sephiroth’s influence more important. Perhaps the love in my spell was not strong enough or…” Cadance seemed to be pondering something. “…or perhaps it seeks influence only from those with a similar connection to the current owner. The Crystal Empire shared the Crystal Heart but no one ever explicitly took ownership of it much like King Sombra had done in the past.”

“I don’t follow,” Cloud said.

“Well, in the past when King Sombra reigned he was the only that could affect the heart because he completely controlled it. However, there was one particular pony that used her love in order to circumvent his rule. She released the heart from his dark grip and the empire’s citizens lent her the strength, love, and compassion to banish King Sombra.”

“I don’t remember reading anything about that pony,” Twilight said.

“I suppose you wouldn’t. The pony was stricken from the records and simply vanished with the empire under King Sombra’s curse.”

“How come we never saw her?” Twilight asked. “Especially since the rest of the Crystal Ponies had come back?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe she didn’t vanish with the empire and was an exception to the rule. She was King Sombra’s daughter after all.”

The ponies gasped at this remark. “Then, how do you know about her?” Twilight asked.

“Again, I don’t know. While in the empire, the memory came to me one day. I think it was shown to me by that pony,” Cadance looked off into the distance. “wherever she is. I almost feel like I have a connection with her.”

“So, being family, she was able to wrest control of the heart from King Sombra?” surmised Twilight.

“Yes, I believe so. Family is one of the deepest bonds living beings have. ‘Blood is thicker than water’ as they say. It carries with it the four types of love in its foundation. The power of love in that kind of familial connection would almost certainly be enough to regain complete control of the Crystal Heart.” Cadance regretted saying the word ‘blood’ as she had seen enough of it for one day. Everyone seemed to cringe at the word too.

“’Family’…” Cloud thought out loud looking towards Ponyville. “I believe I have a solution to our problem.”

The group regained some hope from these words looking up to Cloud for much needed answers.

“First, though, I need something done.”

*****

Sephiroth stood in the middle of Ponyville looking around. He saw no one around but was not surprised given that Cloud and his group had somehow headed him off. They probably got the citizens to leave. It didn’t matter; they can run but death is inevitable.

“Soon, ‘mother.’ The time is coming for me to begin my ascension. I will reclaim what was taken and is rightfully ours. Not a single soul will be able to evade my grasp.” He clenched his right fist holding it up in expressing and symbolizing the anger he had long felt against the Cetra for what they did to ‘mother.’ It was one grudge he was not willing to let go. Any who opposed him meant as much to him as those accursed Cetra that denied he and his ‘mother’s’ access to the Promised Land.

The Promised Land was his rightful inheritance and he was continually denied it by lesser beings. They repeatedly called upon the wrath of a soon-to-be-God. It was a mistake every living being was going to regret even if it meant an extreme show of force and power. Power is what Sephiroth had now with the number of souls under his control. In addition, his connection to the lifestream through the Crystal Heart and Jenova’s cells granted him corruption and manipulation of the lifestream. He could now feel the spiritual energy of the planet flowing through his fingers granting him the authority over its magical properties. All that was needed was one more boost in power and he would become a God.

“Once I’m done with this planet, I’ll use it as a second Meteor and destroy Gaia,” he thought out loud to himself. Sephiroth spotted a city far off in the distance on the side of a mountain and made that his next target. Before he could head towards it, however, he felt a familiar presence getting near. “He’s persistent, isn’t he ’mother’? I refuse to call that disgrace a brother.”

Genesis and Weiss landed a few feet from Sephiroth.

“It’s about time you showed, Genesis. Come to enjoy the show?”

Genesis took out his sword and entered an attack stance. “The world needs a new hero. It needs you no longer, Sephiroth.” Genesis held out his right hand to Weiss. “I’ll take Sephiroth alone.”

Weiss obeyed his brother’s command but stood ready to enter the fight if needed. Genesis ran forward striking at Sephiroth who deflected the attacks with ease. One of Genesis’s attacks was strong enough to knock Sephiroth into the air where they continued their fight. However, it was noticed that Sephiroth was not fighting back. In one forward strike Sephiroth matched Genesis’s attack and said in a mocking voice, Is this the best you can do? Genesis was furious by this striking more wildly than ever.

Sephiroth then began to attack with very quick strikes. Genesis slowly realized that Sephiroth’s strength was much stronger now than before on the rocket. One wouldn’t be able to immediately tell but Genesis felt it in every strike of his sword. Being in SOLDIER taught many things about warfare. One of these things was the ability to comprehend an enemy’s strength in physical combat. After so many fights in the Wutai War, Genesis had learned to recognize an enemy’s potential in their combat prowess.

This disadvantage was learned too late as Sephiroth delivered a powerful swing of his sword knocking Genesis into a building below which collapsed upon impact. Sephiroth landed in the street looking at the collapsed building. Weiss, who had seen enough, entered the fight and charged Sephiroth with both swords drawn. Once again, Sephiroth deflected the attacks with ease returning them in kind with his own attacks. However, he noted certain perfection in the art of Weiss’s use of swords. His attacks, guard, and parries were nearly flawless.

Weiss emitted a pulse of electricity from his body that burst into a shockwave destroying a few houses in the process. The force of the attack was enough to send Sephiroth flying into a far off building. Weiss continued his charge towards Sephiroth’s position intending to finish the job. In retaliation, Sephiroth burst out of the building in fury and came at Weiss with blinding speed. Weiss was able to block the assault but the power of Sephiroth’s swings pushed Weiss back twenty feet.

It was in this moment that Weiss was unable to attack. All he could do was defend and, though his abilities were nearly flawless, his strength was easily outmatched. Sephiroth used brute strength not only to put Weiss solely on the defensive but pushed through his guard running him cleanly through the stomach. In pain, Weiss dropped his swords and Sephiroth grabbed his head with his right hand.

“Brother,” was the last word to escape Weiss’s lips before Sephiroth drove his blade further in, twisted it, and pulled it out to let his victim bleed out.

Sephiroth felt a tremor in the ground below his feet witnessing Genesis burst out from the house he fell into. Genesis saw Weiss on the ground and felt his blood come to a boil.

“Now comes the time for the hero to take action,” Genesis said raising his rapier imbuing it with a red aura. The sword reflected this with runes appearing on its sides. Genesis pointed his sword above Sephiroth manifesting a crest of red energy. Sephiroth had no time to evade the attack and instead guarded against a wave of energy coming down on him.

Genesis pressed the attack by throwing projectiles at Sephiroth which reacted violently on impact by causing an explosion with enough force to level half of Ponyville. After the smoke cleared, it was apparent that Sephiroth had survived unscathed. With lightning speed, Sephiroth leapt at Genesis and engaged close quarter combat too quick for Genesis to handle. Blades of energy emitted from Sephiroth’s sword causing deep gashes in the surrounding landscape. While deflecting an attack, Genesis’s sword was knocked to one side pulling his body along with it being dragged for a few yards.

Sephiroth jumped onto Genesis’s back while he lay on the ground, driving his sword into his flesh. Genesis screamed in agony.

“You were right about one thing, Genesis,” Sephiroth said rather coldly. “I’m no hero. I am meant for something greater. A destiny and right given by ‘mother’.” Sephiroth pulled out his sword and started to walk away until he heard a voice. It wasn’t Genesis - who had passed out - but feminine. He turned around and was met by two talking horses wearing crowns.

“I will not abide lawless destruction of my loyal subjects or my lands! Cease you activities or face severe punishment for the crimes committed against the citizens of Equestria!” Princess Celestia demanded in an authoritative tone.

Sephiroth felt the threats were genuine for he could sense much more in these two than any of the world’s inhabitants he had faced so far. It was not a situation he was going to take lightly. He raised his sword ready for a fight that could very well be his match. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna entered their own stance intending to end the destruction this man had caused to their world.

Complete Control

“What you have done to the citizens of Equestria is unforgivable. My sister and I will not stand idly by while you kill those under our protection!” Pincess Celestia made it clear her stance on the man’s presence in Equestria.

“Is that a threat?” Sephiroth asked.

“Consider it an ultimatum,” Celestia response. “We demand your leave of this world!”

“No,” Sephiroth said flatly.

“Excuse me!?” Celestia was getting quite angry.

“This planet will be mine and I will do with it as I please,” Sephiroth butted heads with the most powerful ruler of Equestria.

“No you will not! Do you have any idea who you are talking to or where you are!?” testing the man’s sanity.

Sephiroth raised his right hand to his chest pointing to its center. “Those spirits I control are telling me you both are the princesses that raise the sun and moon of this land called Equestria. I am not sure if that is the region itself or the entire world. However, it matters not. I know who you are. It is you two who don’t know me.”

“Who are we talking to, then, that is so bold as to talk down to the rulers of Equestria!?” Celestia wasn’t really interested in the man per se but spoke out in aggravation to one who murdered an entire empire.

“Sephiroth,” Sephiroth spoke turning his back to the princesses extending his arms as though to embrace the sky. “My name is Sephiroth. Remember it well for this day you will lose everything with nothing but a name to go on.”

In a blink of an eye, Sephiroth gripped his sword, turned around, and charged the two princesses. Celestia didn’t see this coming but Luna was well prepared firing blasts of magical energy with enough force to stop Sephiroth in his tracks whose only option was to guard against it.

Celestia raised herself into the sky spreading her wings in the beams of sunlight. Sephiroth shielded his eyes in order to not be blinded. “I am Princess Celestia, ruler of the lands of Equestria. Remember that name for it will be your last memory in this plane of existence.”

Celestia fired a powerful beam of magic which Sephiroth could not see hitting him squarely in the chest. The force of the blast was so great it kicked up much dust and created a small crater with the man at its bottom. Sephiroth struggled to his feet but was hit with a second beam from Celestia’s horn. Luna combined her magic with her sister’s creating a small explosion.

Both sisters waited for the dust to clear. The man burst out from the cloud of dust his sword pointed at Celestia intending to run her through the chest. Celestia saw this and gripped the man with her magic throwing him into one of the few remaining houses that stood unaffected to the chaos happening around it. Sephiroth emerged from it staggering a little bit.

“The more you resist, the more this is going to be painful,” Celestia warned.

“For you, it will,” Sephiroth replied leaping into the air to attack the princess.

In midflight, however, his sword transformed into a balloon animal at the same time Luna used magic to slam him into the ground. The princesses looked around when they heard laughter.

“Discord! Now’s not the time for your games!” Celestia called out to the empty sky.

“Just having a little fun, Celestia. Calm your pretty little hooves,” Discord appeared next to Celestria stroking her chin to which she abruptly pulled her head away. “Having trouble with this, man? Don’t worry. I’ll take care of him. Don’t want her highness to get dirty, you see.”

Discord teleported to the man looking down at him. “Odd little creature,” he said poking Sephiroth with a stick.

Sephiroth jumped to his feet trying to hit the being before him. Discord dodged it easily.

“Feisty, aren’t you?”

Sephiroth said nothing fuming with both fists clenched.

“…And a little angry too.” Discord twisted around the man whispering into the man’s ear. “How bad do you want this? Let’s make things a little more interesting.” Discord snapped his fingers taking away Celestia and Luna’s horns and wings.

“Discord, what is the meaning of this!?” Celestia demanded an explanation falling to the ground below.

Discord teleported to the other side of the street onto a red couch conjuring up a bag of popcorn. “Just having a little fun making this booooring fight a little more interesting.”

“We don’t have time for this!” Celestia yelled at him.

“Might want to keep your head in the game, Celestia.” Discord pointed to the man charging at her.

Even with a lack of horns or wings, Celestia and Luna evaded Sephiroth’s punches with ease. The sisters, on the other hand, landed quite a few kicks that had Sephiroth reeling in pain. One such kick from Celestia hit Sephiroth in the face very hard. As a direct result, the impact forcibly and sharply turned his head a little more than ninety degrees. The sisters backed off with the man lying on the ground making no movements of life.

“Splendid! Now this is entertainment!” Discord shouted throwing popcorn into the air which promptly exploded when it hit the ground.

The sisters glared at him and he put a hand to his mouth much like when a person says too much.

“I’m no one’s entertainment,” Sephiroth said struggling to his feet hiding his face.

“It’s the end of line, ‘silver hair’ and I’m calling the score,” Discord said. “You’ve lost. Time to accept your punishment like a good boy.” Discord raised his left hand – insanity burning in his eyes – taking the bones out of Sephiroth’s left arm and making it ooze a light green liquid.

In pain, Sephiroth kneeled and clutched his left arm.

Discord lowered his left hand.

“Everyone likes jello, right? Much more tasteful and interesting than silly arms.” Discord waved both arms when he said this.

Sephiroth let go of his arm and stood upright still hiding his face. “You’re a complete joke.”

“Excuse me?” Discord stopped waving his arms and put his right lion’s paw to his ear. “Can’t quite hear you.”

“Jello? That’s your idea of punishment? You’re a joke and so is this land of ‘Equestria’.”

“Let me see you come up with a better one, then if you’re so smart.” Discord responded folding his arms like a child not getting his way.

“Wish granted,” Sephiroth raised his right arm and extended it as though reaching out to grasp something. “It is foolish to build on the sides of unstable mountains. Shall we learn from the mistake in choosing that location?”

Celestia, Luna, and Discord didn’t catch onto what the man was talking about until they heard a loud noise emanating a long distance away. Turning their heads, they saw the source of the noise in horror. Before their very eyes, the city of Canterlot was engulfed in a rock slide as the whole mountain shifted its entire weight onto the city and its unsuspecting population.

At a loss of words, the three watched as the city vanished beneath tons of rocks falling on top of it.

“Oh my…” Celestia gasped.

Luna had a few tears appear in her eyes.

Even Discord lost his jovial personality.

*****

Outside Ponyville, Cloud’s party and the ponies were preparing to give Cloud what he wanted when they heard the loud noise. They too noticed the entire city of Canterlot crushed as the mountain gave way. The whole group stopped what they were doing holding hands and hooves to their mouths in complete shock. They had seen Celestia and Luna arrive to confront Sephiroth but did not expect this turn of events.

“Mother…Father…” Twilight started crying. The rest of the mane 6 and Cadance hugged her in an effort to provide comfort.

“Damn you, Sephiroth,” Cloud talked out loud.

*****

“I turned your arm into jello! I certainly didn’t killing anyone!” Discord shouted at the man.

“Unlike you, I am not a joke,” Sephiroth pointed his finger at Discord. He then turned away from the group raising his right hand toward the sky. A congregation of grey and dark clouds blotted out the sky. “This planet is now under my complete control. Tell me, how would you like me to end you?”

“Discord, give us back our horns and wings, right now!” Celestia demanded with much worry in the man’s ability to control the planet’s environment.

“Oh, right,” Discord snapped his fingers giving back Celestia and Luna’s horns and wings.

Both sisters fired a magic beam at the man blasting him into the ground. The dust cleared and the man was nowhere to be seen.

Discord, Celestia, and Luna looked around for any signs of the man finding none. It was though he vanished.

“Up there,” Luna said.

All three looked up to see the man looking down on them with shadows covering his face. His arm looked restored to its previous state holding the sword he had lost. What was even more remarkable was the one black wing protruding from his right side.

“No more games. I ask you a simple question. Do you have it in you to slay a God?” Sephiroth stared down at the three foreshadowing his intent. “Now is the time to bid your loved ones a final farewell. Through me, Despair and Fear will be your only end. Can you hear your planet crying for you? It is whispering your fate. Say goodbye for your past and future are now forfeit.” Sephiroth raised both hands to the sky commanding the entire planet, sun, and moon to his will.

Empty And Monstrous Fate

“Are you sure this is going to help, mister,” Twilight asked Cloud after regaining her composure. The group needed a way out of this mess and Cloud’s plan was the only viable solution available.

“Yes, we need to be ready to move as soon as it is finished,” Cloud reassured her. “…As for your parents…I’m sorry…this is what Sephiroth does. He takes everything in his lust for power.”

“…don’t worry about it. I’m fine,” Twilight lied but tried to keep her cool despite the pain in her heart at the loss. Right now she needed to make things right before they get worse. There would be a time to mourn but not right now.

Cloud stood ready for whatever possible pain he would feel from this. Closing his eyes, he waited for the Mane 6 to do what needed to be done. He saw the effects of the attack beforehand and knew it could release him from Sephiroth’s control by removing Jenova’s cells inside him.

With eyes turning white, Twilight and her friends used the elements of harmony on Cloud sending a rainbow of light to wash over him. They didn’t know for sure but, hopefully, no harm would come to him as it did to Vincent. On a positive note, they heard no noise coming from Cloud that would denote pain.

Cloud stood dead center in the middle of the rainbow light as it passed through him. For the first time in his life, all worries and regrets left his mind. It felt different. It felt almost like everything was going to be all right – even if it wasn’t. Cloud began to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. He now recognized the peace that existed in Aeris’s eyes. Everything really is going to be all right, he thought. Even if death comes, the life stream would be there to take him in. He would be able to see Zack, his friend, again. He would be able to see his mother – taken by Sephiroth.

When the elements of harmony came to a rest, the group ran to Cloud to make sure everything was ok. He assured them of his renewed confidence. With a lifelong weight lifted from his soul, Cloud made sure everyone present knew what they had to do. If they stuck with the plan, everything would turn out just fine. Tifa recognized this renewed confidence in Cloud almost immediately. For once, she felt relief that he might have finally let go of the guilt from the Nibelheim incident. It wasn’t his fault in any way but he carried it on his shoulders the same as those he cares about.

*****

Discord, Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna did not notice the use of the elements of harmony outside of Ponyville. Their focus was on the one-winged man whose two raised hands seemed to command the entire planet – and possibly more.

Sephiroth, whose face was covered in shadow as he looked down upon the three, expressed no emotion. Instead he only slightly moved his two arms directed in opposite ends of the sky. His arms were twitching towards each other by a few centimeters each second. He continued this until both arms overlapped each other and the three noticed a change in lighting in the surrounding landscape. They also noticed that they weren’t able to see the mountains where Canterlot had just been demolished.

A smirk appeared on Sephiroth’s shadow covered face as he lowered his arms.

“Who wants to go first?” He said with a disturbing air of confidence.

“All those ponies in Canterlot! How dare you!!” Princess Celestia was furious with the man. She fired a magic blast at him and this time he easily deflected it with his sword. Even Luna took a shot which was also deflected with ease. Discord rubbed his chin with his eagle claw trying to comprehend the man’s scheme. It seemed very suspicious.

Princess Celestia was the first to take off into the air charging at the man with much anger in her heart. She only flew a feet before the man raised his right arm. In a circular motion, he moved the clouds above away revealing a blinding light that stopped Celestia in her flight. In addition, Discord and Luna covered their eyes from the blinding light.

Discord realized what the man had done right under their noses. He raced towards Celestia’s last known position hoping he wasn’t too late. However, he stopped when he heard the blood curling scream as Sephiroth came down on Princess Celestia without mercy. Discord struggled to see what had happened but could only make out a blur of two objects where smaller pieces fell from the first. The first object began falling to the ground. The second object flew right at him and he feared the worst.

The blur, however, passed him and headed toward the ground. Discord found it was easier to look down with the light to his back. He saw Sephiroth heading straight towards Princes Luna with incredible speed. Discord could now see so teleportation was a viable option. He teleported to Princess Luna’s side and tried to grab hold and pull her to safety.

He felt the sword pierce his left eagle’s claw. Worse yet, he saw her expression as the sword went through her entire body. Eyes that were so full of life began to dim and turn black. Her mouth hung open as if to express the pain but only a final breath escaped the lips. Looking up, he noticed the man a few inches from his face with a smile crossing his lips with a face still covered in shadow.

Discord, for once in his entire existence, felt scared. How was this man able to kill immortals? Maybe it wasn’t exactly death he delivered. It certainly didn’t feel like death happened upon the two he just witnessed. It felt more like they ceased to exist. Sephiroth pulled his sword out of the body and Discord’s claw to which he clutched it and felt blood streaming out.

More than anything, Discord felt the fear in his heart growing and not so much the pain in his claw. He began to marvel at the situation. He was the master of chaos and disharmony but this was something on a whole new level. It was something he was not ready to deal with. He staggered back a few steps in complete shock with eyes full of fear.

Sephiroth closed up the clouds in the sky still smiling at the draconequus being.

“I…um…ehh…” Discord mumbled. “…Isn’t this a little too far?”

“No,” Sephiroth replied.

Discord looked around now that he could rightly see and noticed Celestia’s body on the ground missing a head to match.

“’Tia. No…” Discord kept stumbling backwards. A few tears began to fill his eyes. “I never got to…”

The man began to walk toward Discord with his wing outstretched.

I should’ve seen it coming. I saw the signs, Discord thought. While we were busy watching the man, he was busy moving the sun and moon into an eclipse that we could not see beyond the blanket of clouds! He used it as a tactical advantage.

“…well, it has been a pleasure. But I really must be going,” Discord quickly said snapping his fingers and teleported somewhere safer.

Sephiroth snapped his fingers and the draconequus being came before him again confused. Sephiroth ran his blade straight through Discord who cried out in pain.

Pushing his blade deeper, Sephiroth came near to Discord’s ear. “A little secret between you and me. If I control the planet, I control you.”

*****

Cloud and his group had trouble moving towards Ponyville when a blinding light came from above. They couldn’t see two feet in front their eyes and had to wait it out. After the light went away, they traversed past the collapsed buildings to see the results of the battle. It was the worst nightmare they could have ever walked into.

Genesis, Weiss, Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna, at first glance, looked to be murdered. Sephiroth was immediately recognized as he pulled his sword out of Discord who fell to the ground with lifeless eyes. The ponies were doing everything in their power to stop from having nervous breakdowns. They even turned away from the sight in order to make sure their sanity stayed intact. The Mane 6 didn’t want to go anywhere near the field so they stayed back and waited for their role in the plan. Tifa waited with them next to Hojo’s container.

Cadance rushed to Genesis to see if their plan had any chance of success. She lowered her horn to his back and recognized he was still showing weak signs of life. Cadance called over Twilight, who was very reluctant to enter the field. However, the Mane 6 knew they had to show courage and face the threat before them no matter the cost. They approached Cadance who pointed out Genesis’s wounds to Twilight. Twilight lowered her horn to his back and began the healing spell.

Cloud approached Sephiroth without any fear of him. It was the first time he never felt scared of the man – more specifically scared of the harm he brings to those he loves.

“Good to see you, Cloud.” Sephiroth turned to face Cloud. “Are you ready to accept my present?”

“Your sins stop here, Sephiroth. I won’t let you hurt any more innocent lives!” Cloud raised his sword ready to attack.

“When are you going to realize you’re nothing more than a puppet?” Sephiroth raised his right arm in a failed attempt to control Cloud. “I see you removed Jenova’s cells. That’s too bad.”

“Shut up, Sephiroth! Stop being a coward and raise your sword!” Cloud demanded.

“If you insist,” Sephiroth rushed at Cloud striking without mercy.

Cloud was able to defend against the attacks returning some of his own. Sephiroth was much more powerful and drove the fight to the opposite ends of Ponyville. He was surprised to find Cloud holding his own with little to no hesitation in his defense. Sephiroth preyed on this new confidence trying to taunt his opponent. However, Cloud gave Sephiroth no such satisfaction and resisted with every fiber in his being.

Genesis came back to life gasping for air. In a delirious state, he looked up and saw Cadance standing in front of him.

“Goddess…?” grunted Genesis still feeling pangs of pain.

“I need your help. Lend me your strength. You have a compassion and love I need that will be able to stop Sephiroth. Will you please give it to me?” inquired Cadance.

“…anything…for you…Goddess…” Genesis stretched his hand out to Cadance.

Cloud began to get the upper hand against Sephiroth. Cloud felt a deep desire within him to protect the ones he loves to which gave him much strength. At one point, Sephiroth made contact with Cloud on top of a broken roof and was knocked away into the air. Cloud took this opportunity and swirled his Fusion Sword above his head separating it into smaller sword pieces that surrounded Sephiroth.

With lightning speed, Cloud jumped between the pieces of the sword slashing at Sephiroth’s body delivering one final blow from above knocking Sephiroth to the ground. Sephiroth was on the ground not moving so Cloud approached his body. Unfortunately, Sephiroth retained consciousness, got up, and renewed the fight.

This time Sephiroth learned Cloud’s moves and got past them with ease. Finding an opening in Cloud’s offense, Sephiroth drove his sword through Cloud’s stomach. Cloud did not give Sephiroth the satisfaction of hearing a scream. Instead, he dropped his sword and gripped the one that was piercing him.

Cadance showed up in time to see this. The Mane 6 with Genesis, and Tifa with the container were not far behind. They knew they had to be quick as they were running out of time to execute the plan. It was their only means of salvation.

Loveless Sacrifice

“End of the line, Cloud. You’ve failed. It is a wonder that anyone depends on you for help. Much like a failure in being a SOLDIER, you’re a failure to those that get too close. I’m going to enjoy taking the spiritual energy of this planet to destroy the one world you love so much,” Sephiroth gave a look of satisfaction.

“You still don’t get it. I don’t think you ever will.” Cloud continued to grip Sephiroth’s sword piercing his stomach. Blood began to drip from his mouth but nonetheless he managed his cool. “I’m not afraid of you anymore. I pity you. Even though you were once hailed as a hero and top SOLDIER, you fail to comprehend compassion, humility, and love. Your failure is much greater than mine, Sephiroth.”

“Those idealisms are for the weak.”

“No, Sephiroth. They are the strength that binds us all together. Without them, you have nothing but the emptiness of space to look forward to as a companion.”

Sephiroth tried to pull his sword out but Cloud’s grip remained firm.

“Are you ready, mister?” Cadance called to Genesis. “Open your heart so I may channel it into my spell to interact with the Crystal Heart.”

Still delirious from a near death experience, Genesis replied, “Of course, my Goddess.”

The Mane 6 looked at the man with concern as he was starting to freak them out a little. Cadance, oblivious to the man’s state of mind, started casting the spell to counteract Sephiroth’s influence on the Crystal Heart. Sephiroth’s chest started to glow and he put his right hand to it showing that it was working.

“Almost there,” Cadance said struggling to regain control of the Crystal Heart.

“Your killings have not gone unwarranted, Sephiroth,” Cloud said still clutching the sword in him.

Cloud slowly pulled the sword deeper into himself getting nearer to Sephiroth. Refusing to let go of his own sword, Sephiroth struggled to pull the sword out in frustration.

“They have a present for you – those you have wrongly killed. A just reward to your lust for power. Taste the blood of the fallen.”

Cloud spat a mouthful of blood into Sephiroth’s face and he let go of his grip on the sword. Freeing his sword and blinded, Sephiroth reeled backwards in complete shock trying to wipe the blood from his eyes. Some of it even got into his mouth.

Cloud fell onto the ground clutching his stomach and Tifa ran out to pull him to safety.

“Eww! That’s digusting!” Rarity shouted out being revolted at such a display of indecency.

“Is it working!?” Twilight called out to Cadance.

“Yes…no…” Cadance struggled to speak. “…I don’t know…It feels…like…I’m not…the one the heart wants…”

Genesis immediately recognized what he needed to do. He watched as Sephiroth flew into the air in a confused state still trying to wipe the blood from his eyes. So long have they been fighting that they forgot what was most important. He needed to remind Sephiroth of this no matter the cost or end it brings. There was a time he envied Sephiroth and he longed for the days of the past. Though the three went their separate ways, now was the time to correct the mistake. Every journey that begins must have an end. Genesis stared at Cadance and watched as she struggled to maintain the spell. His Goddess…he loves her so much.

Genesis spoke very clearly that those around him heard every word he said.

When the war of the beasts brings about the world's end
The goddess descends from the sky
Wings of light and dark spread afar
She guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting

“Is this guy serious? He’s starting to freak me out,” Rainbow Dash whispered to Applejack.

“Ay hear ya. Not sure ‘bout this one,” Applejack responded. Twilight and Fluttershy nodded in agreement.

Pinkie Pie and Rarity, on the other hand, started to tear up for no apparent reason. Genesis noticed this looking at Rarity wiping away a tear.

Infinite in mystery is the gift of the Goddess
We seek it thus, and take to the sky
Ripples form on the water's surface
The wandering soul knows no rest

From his pocket, he produced a single Banora White. He looked at it with a flood of memories returning to him.

There is no hate, only joy
For you are beloved by the goddess
Hero of the dawn, Healer of worlds
Dreams of the morrow hath the shattered soul
Pride is lost
Wings stripped away, the end is nigh

Genesis took off into the air to meet Sephiroth in midflight. The ponies called out for him to return but did not acknowledge their words.

My friend, do you fly away now?
To a world that abhors you and I?
All that awaits you is a somber morrow
No matter where the winds may blow
My friend, your desire
Is the bringer of life, the gift of the goddess
Even if the morrow is barren of promises
Nothing shall forestall my return

Genesis grabbed hold of Sephiroth restraining him. The glow in Sephiroth’s chest grew bright with a white light emanating from it. Twilight saw this as their chance and the Mane 6 readied the elements of harmony firing a rainbow of light into the sky. Genesis looked up at that rainbow light.

My friend, the fates are cruel
There are no dreams, no honor remains
The arrow has left, the bow of the goddess
My soul, corrupted by vengeance
Hath endured torment, to find the end of the journey
In my own salvation
And your eternal slumber
Legend shall speak
Of sacrifice at world's end
The wind sails over the water's surface
Quietly, but surely

The rainbow of light came down from the sky with much velocity. It hit both Genesis and Sephiroth deteriorating their bodies in the process. Cadance looked up to see if it was working. In the bright light before her, she thought she saw Genesis standing before Sephiroth – both wingless. Genesis took a bite out of something in his hands and offered it to Sephiroth. Sephiroth looked at the item for a while, picked it up, and took a bite. A third figure appeared dressed in black with black hair. It then took the item and bit into it. All three looked as though they were happy.

Even if the morrow is barren of promises
Nothing shall forestall my return
To become the dew that quenches the land
To spare the sands, the seas, the skies
I offer thee this silent sacrifice

The bright light vanished and a cloud of dust and smoky mist was all that was seen where Genesis and Sephiroth had just been. Cadance quickly casted a spell to contain their remains. Tifa positioned Hojo’s container closer to the remains above. The remains were then placed into the container and it was sealed. Twilight ran over to Cloud to heal his wound.

For a while, a complete silence hang in the air. It was though everything stopped, Looking down, Cadance noticed what looked like a half-eaten white apple before her on the ground. For some reason, it filled her with sadness.

Salvaging The Future's Remains

In the aftermath of the situation, no one made a sound. None knew what to do. So much had happened and it felt unreal. They needed an answer for everything that happened. Carried in the wind’s breeze, came that answer. It was a final message from mentor to student; a message from Celestia to Twilight.

When your present falls apart, how do you pick up the pieces to your future? Remember, Twilight, the ties that bind for they shall remain your eternal strength. I sent you to Ponyville to learn the most important lesson of your life. You need companionship. You need friendship. You need love. You need limitless affection.

For some, Twilight, morality and love mean nothing because they are intangible. Such are the ways of those that ignore the wind, shame honor, and deny emotional values. Yet, these same individuals seek the most intangible gift – power – and eternally fail to fill the empty space that is their soul.

Much lies ahead Twilight for all of Equestria is now you and your friend’s. Fear not, cry not. We immortals have lived a fulfilling existence. Though we cannot die, we must go now. Remember your friends, Twilight. They will be the light in the darkness.

Forever are you my most faithful - and cherished - student…

Celestia’s final words echoed across Ponyville attracting the attention of those standing in its ruins. Twilight looked around for Celestia with hope she was still alive. Silence gave the answer. Crying tears, Twilight looked at the ground. Everything felt so wrong. This isn’t how things should be.

“Sugarcube…are you all right?” Applejack said approaching Twilight with the rest of the ponies.

Twilight didn’t answer and it was obvious she wasn’t fine.

“Ay know it ain’t easy, Twilight. But no matter how things fall apart, we need to pull ourselves together. It is like my barn. It always needsa fixin’.”

“It is not like a barn!” Twilight screamed.

“Yes, you’re right. It ain’t like a barn. The point is Celestia is still depending on us to make things right. What hope does the rest of Equestria have if it sees itself in a state of disrepair?”

“So…just suck it up? It’s great to be a princess,” Twilight said sarcastically.

“That’s just it, sugarcube. You’re a princess and you are Twilight, the most gifted unicorn specifically chosen as Celestia’s mentor. You have the ability to make things right. Celestia believes in you and so do we.” Applejack looked at the other ponies who sounded their agreement.

“I understand. Thank you Applejack.”

“What’re friends for?” The ponies starting giggling with bitter tears. Cloud and Tifa didn’t understand what was so funny but they decided to smile too.

*****

Twilight asked Cloud and Tifa what they were going to do with Hojo’s container considering how dangerous the being inside it was. They told Twilight of the plan to send the container into the sun. They didn’t need to explain the container’s danger for the ponies knew why. Cloud and Tifa were ready to take Hojo’s container back to the ship. However, Twilight stopped them and asked them why they were willing to give the container – and its contents – another second of peace. It had spared them none. She then magically teleported the container into the sun exacting a little revenge on the one who had taken away her mentor.

Cloud and Tifa were surprised at the magical feat but were glad to be rid of the container. It felt like a burden had been lifted on one of the most tragic journeys they’ve taken. As Cloud, Tifa, and the ponies walked through Ponyville, they saw all the destruction that had been wrought. They even noticed the bodies of Celestia, Luna, and Discord with much sadness. Cloud apologized for the pain Sephiroth brought to these ponies’ world. Then, the group heard a very soft noise. They couldn’t make it out at first but heard it a second time.

“Fluttershy?” A weak voice spoke softly. It was Discord trying to hold on for his life. The group ran over to him with Twilight trying to heal his wounds. She couldn’t heal them for they looked like poison was seeping out.

“Don’t worry, Discord. I’m here. Everything is going to be fine,” Fluttershy said to Discord with tears in her eyes.

“Fluttershy?” Discord repeated.

In a sort of parrot talk, it seemed like Discord was unaware of his surroundings. He spoke the same word like it was his only lifeline to the world. In fact, he might have been saying the word longer than anyone near enough could hear it.

“I’m here, Discord,” Fluttershy said again brushing his hair. Fluttershy started to hum a song gently into his ears – Hush Now, Quiet Now. A smile crossed Discord’s lips. “Thank you for being my only friend, Fluttershy.”

With that Discord became lifeless with Fluttershy still humming into his ear for a while longer.

*****

The ponies walked back with Cloud, Tifa, and Nanaki (Red XIII) to the rocket left outside what remained of the Crystal Empire. Cloud and Tifa tried to ask if Nanaki was ok for he had been in the exact spot they left him for the entire time they dealt with Sephiroth. He didn’t speak a word to them causing much worry.

The trek back to the rocket was long. Twilight could have used her teleportation but everyone needed to walk to clear their minds. When they reached the rocket, Cid was the first to jump out making sure everyone was ok in his loud and obnoxious ways. Barret came out and was hugged by Tifa. Cloud decided to hug Barret as well which only made him feel uncomfortable. They laughed when Barret pushed Cloud off cursing at him. Twilight and Cadance gave Shining Armor a hug. He tried to ask what happened to the Crystal Empire but they weren’t ready to relay the news. They were just happy to see him alive.

The ponies watched the rocket take off unsure of what the future held for them. There was a lot of rebuilding to do. It wasn’t going to be easy. But Twilight could it. Everypony knew she could do it. Everypony knows Twilight can’t fail. She cannot afford to fail.

*****

Not all citizens of the Crystal Empire were killed in the fight for the Crystal Heart. Cadance rebuilt the empire with the help of these citizens. The same was found with Canterlot though the only survivors who lived were away from the city at the time of the disaster. The citizens of Ponyville remained safe under Spike’s care when Twilight ordered its evacuation. Effectively due to the population shift, Ponyville became the new Canterlot City albeit it stuck with the prior name.

A memorial was built to those whose lives were taken in the Crystal Empire and the City of Canterlot. The mourning lasted for more than a month. This wouldn’t include the tragedies’ anniversary dates. There was even a funeral procession for the passing of Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and even Discord that almost everypony in Equestria attended though space did not allow the crowds. From those days on, Twilight expressed what she learned as a capable ruler. Some even regarded her as Celestia’s equal. In time, she even surpassed her mentor.

*****

The journey back to Gaia was not a happy one. The rocket, being emptier than it ought to have been, felt like an empty vessel making its way through an empty void. Cloud spent the entire time thinking about the past trying to find a ray of light or happiness. Everything just seemed to fall apart. Cloud found his cell phone where he slept and saw that he had a voice message. Vincent’s voice spoke through the phone saying that when this journey was over Cloud’s sins would be forgiven. Normally, this would have gotten him down. However, his confidence was renewed after hit with the elements of harmony. Maybe he could use this confidence to try and make things better for his friends. If his friends were happier, perhaps he could find some of his own.

Cloud had a talk with Cid, Nanaki (Red XIII), Barret, and Tifa. Cid talked about his wife. Cloud listened vowing never to forget her. Barret talked about the fear of a sad Marlene when he was bleeding out. Cloud listened promising to take care of Marlene if anything ever happened to Barret. Cloud listened to Nanaki about his annual meetings with Vincent. Cloud reassured Nanaki that he and his children would take Vincent’s place in those meetings. Cloud listened to Tifa as she described her fear that, like her father, he would have died in her arms. Cloud listened and let her know he was not going anywhere. He made sure to not only understand how they were feeling but he also tried to uplift their spirits. This sense of a tighter friendship bond was shown to him by Cadance, Genesis, and the Mane 6. From that day on, life seemed just a bit brighter. Cloud finally understood what Aeris was trying to show him.