A Second Chance

Vertrain was on his way to visit Checkmate when a huge crash was heard from inside Checkmate’s hut. He burst into see that Checkmate was enraged, using his magic to throw everything around the hut.

“What in the name of Celestia is going on here!” Vertrain said, worried about his friend.

Checkmate turned to face Vertrain. “I just heard that Twilight had been made a princess. All of my plans have failed. All attempts to break apart Twilight, and her friends have only made their friendship stronger!” Another burst of magic sent a shelf of books flying across the room. “It seems the only way to defeat Twilight is for me to take matters into my own hooves, and destroy each one of them myself,” he said with cruelty.

“Checkmate, you have become obsessed with getting your revenge on Twilight. I think you should give it a rest,” Vertrain pleaded, stepping through the bedraggled remains of Checkmates home.

“Give it a rest” Checkmate said appalled at the other pony’s statement, “Vertrain, you know what gaining entrance to that school would have done for me and my family. It would have covered everything! Housing, medical care, even our taxes would have been covered!” he argued, his rage spiraling out of control. “And if I didn’t know better, it sounds like you are taking her side!”

“That’s not true-” Vertrain was cut off as he was thrown magically across the room by Checkmate. Searing pain shot through Vertrain as his head connected with the wall, making his surroundings spin.

“Yes you are, and I don’t need your treachery!” he exclaimed, “but in light of our past, I will let you go, but if you do not get out of my sight in three seconds...I will kill you,” he said coldly.

As Vertrain tried to reason with him, Checkmate began counting down. Knowing well that there was no persuading him, Vertrain turned to leave, but before he did, he turned to speak once more. “If you want to live your life ruled by hate and selfishness, be that way.” Vertrain paused reluctant to say his last words, “I will not stop you.” And with that he turned his back and left.

When he was gone, Checkmate began plotting his revenge. He already knew each of their strengths and all their weaknesses. The time had come to take matters into his own hooves. The next morning Checkmate sent a warning note to the new princess.

“Dear Princess Sparkle,

I tire of working in the shadows. No longer will I be the puppet master, it is time for you to face your real enemy. Meet me in the Everfree Forest. Bring your friends if you must, but be warned if you do they will share your fate. Fail to comply and I will pick off your friends, one-by-one until none are left. Do not disappoint me Twilight.

C.

In preparation for the upcoming battle, Checkmate grabbed all of his spell books and began studying, trying to learn all the spells he can to achieve his goal. In twelve hours he had read, and mastered, every spell of his twenty four spell books and scrolls. Duplication spells, memory charms, corruption curses, obedience charms, speed spells, disintegration curses, and illusions. Everything he needed to finally get his revenge and bring his life back to normal.

“Now for one last thing,” he said with evil intent infecting his voice. Checkmate then left his hut and started, charging towards Zecora’s hut where The Alicorn Amulet was being kept. His plans was to steal the amulet with nopony noticing, and get out, but if push-came to-shove he would have no problem laying waste to anypony who dared to stand in his way.

Checkmate infiltrated Zecora’s home and started his search. Using his magic, Checkmate began tearing through the hut, ripping open drawers, throwing open chests, and seeking out any secret hiding holes for signs of the amulet. In a matter of minutes, the hut looked like a tornado had ripped through it, potions had been spilled, books had been torn apart, and it all littered the floor.

With a grunt of annoyance and anger Checkmate exclaimed, “Where in the wide, wide world of Equestria did they hide that accursed amulet!?” And just as he uttered those words, the door swung open revealing Zecora standing, completely in shock at her destroyed hut.

“What happened in here, why would you do this my dea-” Zecora was rudely interrupted as Checkmate cast an obedience charm on her, making her stop mid-sentence, and stare blankly at nothing.

“Show me where you hid the Alicorn Amulet!” Checkmate demanded.

Zecora slowly started walking, her eyes aglow with Checkmates influence, to one of the many strange looking masks that she had hanging on her wall. She reached a tired looking face, whose cracks were pronounced as canyons and valleys of green and red staining their features she began stomping on it, attempting to crush the sturdy oak mask. Realizing what she was doing Checkmate shot a powerful blast of magic that completely obliterated the mask reducing it to a pile of ashes and discarded splinters. After pawing through the remains of the mask Checkmate found a little chest, no bigger than Fluttershy’s little pet rabbit, and inside was the powerful Alicorn Amulet.

Checkmate heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank you for your cooperation, Zecora, sadly you are no longer needed,” he cooed as he slipped the amulet back into its case and levitated it just behind him. “Forget my face,” he commanded as he sent a rush of magic straight into Zecora’s brain, erasing any memory of their encounter. Zecora’s eyes dilated as her memory was wiped, then slumped to the floor, unconscious. Having found what he was looking for, Checkmate left the hut, and began his trek home to plan his battle strategy.

For hours, Checkmate locked himself in his house, plotting every possible outcome, bringing all the variables into account, such as strength, durability, battle skills, terrain, health conditions, and, of course, the dreaded Elements of Harmony. Looking for any possible way to gain the upper hoof over Twilight and her friends, which if all went according to plan, would never happen. His only back up plan he had, if things went wrong, was his amulet, and only in dire circumstances would he even dare to take it out. He knew that the amulet would corrupt the wearer, much like it did to Trixie. He couldn't fail, not this time.

Morning came quickly that next day. If he didn’t know better, Checkmate would have gladly taken a stroll through the normally dreadful forest. But today was too important. Today was the day he finally got his revenge, today was the day that Twilight paid for what happened all those years ago, today it would all end. In the clearing that he had pre-selected for this final battle all was calm. The birds were singing their graceful songs, the clouds drifted lazily across the tranquil sky, and a gentle breeze could be felt only just brushing the leaves together. Checkmate sat on the outer edge of the clearing, hidden in the shadow of a nearby tree, waiting for Twilight, and most likely her friends, to appear.

It didn’t take them long to show up. Twilight was leading the group and was flanked by Rainbow Dash and Applejack on either side, followed by Pinkie Pie with Rarity and Fluttershy at the back.

“Wh-where is he?” Fluttershy asked with fear in her soft and gentle voice as she looked around.

“OO! OO! I want to meet this mystery pony! Maybe they want to be friends!” Pinkie said, bouncing up and down like a wind up-toy.

“I don’t think this here ‘M’ character wants to be friends, sugarcube. That there letter seems pretty cross with Twi’,” Applejack said with a worried expression across her face. “But Fluttershy has a point, this mystery pony don’t seem to be here. What do you reckon we should do Twi’?”

“Well, I highly doubt that he would have decided not to show up. I mean, he did call this gathering together,” Twilight reasoned. “Maybe he’s just late”

“Well I think he got scared. I mean, he would have to get through me before he could reach you, Twilight,” Rainbow Dash said with a great amount of certainty. Soon after she spoke, the laughter could be heard from the edge of the clearing. A dark colt seemed to melt from the shadows and then became a physical entity.

“Sorry to disappoint you Rainbow Dash, but its quite the contrary,” he uttered with a commanding voice, “you shall be the one running in fear. You may represent loyalty, but I believe I can make you turn your back on friends. Even more so, I will make you fight them for me,” Checkmate said coldly.

“Who are you, and why have you placed a threat against us?” Twilight asked with genuine concern.

This made Checkmate laugh, a sound that sounded like gas escaping from a pressurized can. “Where are my Manners? I am Checkmate, and it’s not a threat. It’s a promise, and like I told you in the letter, they,” he made a sweeping gesture with his hoof that crossed Twilight’s friends, “are just collateral damage.”

“That's some mighty big talk coming from such a little’ pony,” Applejack mused tipping her hat back.

“Yah, plus there are six of us and only one of you,” Rainbow Dash said, taking to the sky.

“Well, why don’t you go and gather some more ponies and make it a fair fight,” he challenged, with a devious look in his eyes, as if daring her to actually go, “by the time you come back, all of your friends will have been defeated.”

“Why you little-” enraged, Rainbow Dash zoomed straight towards Checkmate like a bullet, front hooves outstretched, but was stopped when Applejack threw a lasso around her and pulled her back.

“Please Rainbow, there might be a civilised way to diffuse the tension. Maybe we can reason with him,” Twilight said hopefully, but this only sprang laughter from Checkmate’s throat.

“The time for reason has long past, now is the time for action. I will say this once, and only once. You can surrender now so I can dispatch you quickly and painlessly, or you can feudally resist and bring your innocent friends, down with you,” Checkmate mocked with all seriousness in his voice. “It’s your choice.” After this the group exchanged nervous glances towards one another.

After a moment of silence Rainbow Dash addressed Checkmate, “there is no way that we are going to let you do anything to Twilight, and we will do anything we can to protect her.” the others nodded in agreement.

“So be it,” Checkmate declared, as he crouched down, as if getting ready to charge forward. The other six did the same. Checkmate’s face expressionless as he analyzed each one of them, Twilight was in the center with Rainbow Dash to her right and Applejack on her left. Next to Rainbow was Pinkie pie followed by Fluttershy, Rarity stood beside Applejack. Each of them had taken a similar stance as he had, except Fluttershy of course, who seemed to have all her weight on her hind legs, prepared to run if things got too messy.

An eerie calm descended over the clearing, the birds were singing graceful songs, the clouds drifted lazily across the tranquil sky, and a gentle breeze could be felt only just brushing the leaves together, but then all was still, as if the world itself was prepared for battle, but the stillness only lasted for a moment. The seven ponies suddenly charged at each other with Checkmate and Twilight on a collision course, but just before they collided Checkmate vaulted over her and twisted in the air so he was facing their backs.

Once he landed, Checkmate shot a beam of energy at Twilight’s back leg sending her cascading across the floor. Applejack was the first to turn around to strike back, but was met with two back hooves to her muzzle making her fall backwards in pain. Checkmate spun around to see Rainbow Dash flying towards him, hooves outstretched in an attempt to knock him over, but only made it easier for Checkmate to grab her outstretched hooves and use her momentum to slam her to the ground with a satisfying ‘thud’. As Dash’s body smashed into the ground Checkmate was only just able to dodge a beam of blue magic that was aimed for his head, and counter with a blast of light that would temporarily blind Rarity. The spell would last just long enough for him to screw with her mane. Satisfied with his work Checkmate turned to let her vision come back, but was met with the sight of what looked like a cannon, aimed right at his face.

“FIRE!” pinkie shouted as she yanked on a pull string at the back of the cannon, sending a volley of streamers and party favors rocketing out the barrel. Checkmate was only just able to teleport in time to dodge the party projectiles and see them slam into Rarity, just as she regained her sight. “Oh my gosh, Rarity are you ok?” Pinkie Pie asked, rushing to her aid, only to be intercepted by Checkmate and stuffed into her own cannon.

“Bon-voyage,” Checkmate stated coldly as he angled the cannon upwards and tugged the ignition rope and sent Pinkie flying into the forest. “Now who’s next?” Checkmate asked scanning the battlefield, only to spot Fluttershy cowering on the far side of the field.

Letting out an amused laugh he used his magic and teleported in front of her, causing her to shriek as he appeared. With his eyes full of dark intent he started to charge his horn, as if preparing a spell to attack her. Fluttershy just layed there helpless and terrified in her fear. Checkmate leaned closer to her, his horn, the light continuing to grow as more magic was being stored in it, until his mussel touched hers. Just as he was about to unleash his stored magic he whispered a simple word, “Boo.” Suddenly a flash of light filled the clearing engulfing everything in it.

The other four ponies in the clearing shielded their eyes against the bright light. Once the light died down fluttershy was gone, a burnt patch on the ground was all that remained, with Checkmate standing over it laughing maniacally.