Friendship is Universal

Chapters

Force from Beyond the sky
The Timeless Visage
Disturbance
Angels Deserve to Live
Susurration of the Night
Mortals can Change Fate
Empowerment to the Vengeful
Curing a Broken Soul
Price of Loyalty

Force from Beyond the sky

All the things I have created. All the stars I've made, the planets I've conjured. None of it ever stays the same anymore. It always... changes somehow. Maybe I've lost my grip on this universe... no... if that were to happen then it literally would fall apart... as would reality's source of its own control.

The large black alicorn thought to himself as he floated through space. He was covered in white spots with white and grey wings that resembled those of a butterfly, each wing was nearly as big as he was. Upon his flank, he bore the cutie mark of a galaxy. His eyes were bleach white with sickle like pupils. His long, wavey, black and white striped mane and tail flowed behind him as he drifted.

Maybe it has simply gotten too big for me to handle. No... I can exsist anywhere in an instant. Perhaps I am growing weaker. I don't feel any weaker. That can't be it, but this universe is getting duller. Less exciting. That's not the work of these changes, that's been going for... probably a few thousand years now. Maybe I've lost interest in it all.

He drifted through space, lost in his own thought. Knowing well what he was capable of and of all that he had created and could create and yet somehow knowing he had all this power and control never really made him happy. He continually wondered why as he drifted.

He came to a small solar system. Recognizing the single planet with a small moon that orbits in its sun. It was one of the first he had created. As he approached it to get a better look, he noticed it was different from when it was born. Its now green and blue surface, covered in scattered white spots and lines slowly moving over it. It seemed to glow as the nearby star shined upon it.

That world... yes I remember it now. But it's changed... more then anything else. I feel life force on this world... I hadn't learned how create life until several centuries after its creation. Well I am the one who decides the fate of worlds... this world should be no exception.

He hated when his creations changed without his permission. He began to gather his magic power at his horn. It began to glow bright, charging with extremely condensed energy at its tip and aimed at the world, ready to blast it into oblivion. He was about to fire the energy when new thoughts came across his mind.

What lies on this world I wonder. What life could have grown in the absence of my power? For that matter, how could it have grown? Perhaps the same force that created me?

His curiousity got the better of him. Lowering his power, he charged the planet, descending into its atmosphere. Never attempting to slow down as the alicorn knew he would survive. The only objective was to simply land on the planet. It didn't really matter to him how.

The wind seemed to screem in his ears as he plummeted through the atmosphere. Several seconds pass before he impacted the ground with a thunderous smash.

Princess Celestia sat on the balcony of her castle overlooking her kingdom, looking across it with pride. She was happy to be the princess of such a harmonious kingdom. It had been, for the most part, very peaceful ever since her rule began. With the exceptions of Discord's return and the Nightmare Moon incident with her sister, Equestria had been very peaceful. Only on occasion had crime ever stirred and it was typically something minor and easily correctable.

She had turned, about to leave the balcony to re enter her room in the castle her mind turned back to her responsibilities that she would need to meet in the days to come. She stopped cold as she heard a loud whilstling sound followed by a loud boom. The echo seemed to emanate across the land even from the balcony of her castle. Looking back and in the distance she saw and huge, pitch black mushroom cloud rising into the sky. She was dumbstruck, never in her life had she ever seen such an explosion. It was shortly followed by rumbling as the castle had been shaken by the force of the explosion. Along with it, she felt a magical force blow past her. Leading her to believe that what ever caused this explosion used magic to do so or had some kind of magical force.

Wha...What could have done that...?

Never had she witnessed power so destructive. Not even in her and her sister's confrontation with Discord had such destructive power arisen. The very thought that anyone or anything would have or use that kind of destructive power frightened her. She knew she was strong, and her kingdom now needed her. Hesitantly staring at the black cloud and rock that had been thrust into the air, it dawned on her where it was and suddenly she felt even more afraid. She quickly flew back into her castle.

"Guards! Gather the others, I fear something terrible has happened to Ponyville! We're going there assess the damages! You have thirty minutes to prepare!" She commanded, her voice filled with concern at the mention of Ponyville.

The two golden armored pegasus guards nodded and dashed through the doors. With this, the princess was alone. She turned back and looked through the door to her balcony at the explosion.

I hope your ok Twilight.

Twilight was in her room, reading up on using magic to create medicine and treat wounds. She was quietly reading aloud. She had become more interested in it after a recent vist from Zercora's Hut. Zecora had explained that the ingredients for some of the potions that she'd made were starting to become scarce. Twilight wanted to do what she could to help and being the gifted unicorn she was could with a little bit of study.

"Magic can be used to create the various ingredients needed in order to produce a viable cure for most illnesses. Generally, this reguards the growing of special plants via specific magical incantations. The most basic way to-"

Twilight didn't get to finish her sentence as the whole library began to shake violently causing Twilight fall to her side. Books began falling off the shelves and Twilight could hear the tree itself crack a few times. The rumble lasted only a few seconds. Twilight got up, now noticing that every part of the room seemed to have been slightly turned sideways. Paniced, she began searching for her beloved assistant.

"Spike! Spike! Spike are you alright!?" She called frantically.

"Ugh. I'm ok!" The dragon called back. Struggling to get out of a pile of books.

Twilight looked around, seeing her home in dismay. She cautiously walked down the steps, careful to avoid tripping as the steps were cracked, deformed and slanted along with most of the floor of the library. Spike managed to get out of the pile of books just as Twilight reached the bottom of the steps.

"What was that? A earthquake?!" Spike asked, his voice a bit shaken.

"I seriously doubt it, there have never been any recordings of seismic activity in this region of Equestria."

"Well then what do you think could have happened?"

"I'm not sure. Let's go find out." Twilight replied as she began heading for the door with Spike following behind her.

Twilight and Spike began to work their way towards the door, through the mess in the library. Books were scattered in piles across the floor along with some quills, parchment and spilled ink. When she reached the door it fell off its hinges revealing the out doors. Upon walking outside, they found that a portion of the tree's roots had been pulled out of the ground. The entire tree looked slanted to the side. Some of its branches were lying on the ground. The little dragon's jaw dropped in response to the sight.

Twilight turned to scan the rest of the town. Large cracks could be seen scattered along the pathways. Chunks of some of the houses had fallen off and onto the streets. The roofs of some the houses had been ripped clean off and pieces of glass from shattered windows along with leaves and pieces of wood scattered across the ground. Other ponies had started to come out of their homes as well.

"Spike, I am going to have a look around town and see if I can find out what's caused all this. I want you to stay here. Keep an eye on the library and let me know if any thing else happens."

"But Twilight-"

"No Spike, I want you to to stay here until I can figure out what's going on." Twilight said sternly.

Spike hesitated before finally giving in and saying ok.

Twilight began to walk through Ponyville seeing similar debris was lying around the town. Twilight started noticing rocks varying in size along the ground and lodged in some of the houses. She began to make her way to sugarcube corner. As it came into the distance, Twilight saw that a huge boulder was sticking out of the entire top of the house.

Oh no. "PINKIE!!" Twilight called out. She was in a full gallope towards Sugarube corner. She slammed through the door.

"Pinkie Pie!? Pinkie are you ok!?"

"Twilight! Twilight dear is that you?!" A voice called from upstairs.

"Mrs. Cake!? Don't worry! I'll be right there"

Twilight found that the stairs had fallen apart almost completely. She paused at this and decided to instead teleport. In a flash of light, Twilight found herself in the upstairs hallway. She found the massive rock she saw from outside was now in her way.

"Mrs. Cake! Mrs. Cake where are you!?"

"We're in the kids' room. I'm with the foals."

Twilight focused her magic once more. Another flash and she found herself infront of a horrified Mrs. Cake, an equally horrified Pound Cake holding Mrs. Cake's right hoof, and Pumkin Cake who was sucking on Mrs. Cakes left hoof with her eyes shut tight. Looking around, Twilight could see part of a crushed dresser and the massive rock blocking both the door and the window.

"Don't worry, I'll get you out of here." Twilight began to focus her magic once more. The purple aura around her horn started to flow around her and then around the Cakes. In a flash, they all found themselves outside.

"Oh, thank you Twilight! I don't know how we would've made it out if it wasn't for."

"That's ok, I'm just glad your safe."

Twilight gave her a smile. Pound Cake and Pumkin Cake had just noticed what had happened to there home and began to cry. Mrs. Cake frowned and tried to calm them down.

"There, there little ones, your ok. We're gonna be ok." Mrs. Cake said, speaking in a motherly tone. After a few minutes, the foals seemed to stop crying. Twilight could still see tears forming under their eyes. She felt sorry for them, having half of their home destroyed. She began to wonder how the rest of the town was holding up. She started to worry about her friends' homes. Remembering her friends her friends and there safety, she began to speak.

"Mrs. Cake, I know it might be a troubling time to ask but do you know where Pinkie and Mr. Cake are?" Twilight asked, her voice soft.

Mrs. Cake turned back to face her. Tears were now starting to form under her eyes.

"My husband went to the store to get some sugar. Pinkie went to Sweat Apple Acres to get some apples for a new recipe I was going to try and make."

"Ok... I'm sorry about all this."

"Don't worry honey, you couldn't do anything to stop it. If I were you..."

She paused and looked at the two foals huging her front legs.

"...I'd be more concerned my friends."

Twilight turned and started galloping off, her focus now set on her friends.

The Timeless Visage

That crash was harder than I had expected. But I've been in worse scenarios. What was I even thinking? Crashing on the planet. I could have just teleported... but what difference would have made? I'd still be fine, and that's all that matters.

He hadn't actually landed on a planet in several hundred centuries. Often he'd simply moderated worlds from there orbit most of the time. Not usually one to get up close. It wouldn't bother him if he had though.

The alicorn got to his hooves. Flapping his wings, he lifted himself up and out of the crater. Now floating in the air, he looked around. Trees were ripped clean out of their roots and spread out and away from the crater. In the distance he saw a small town.

Well, THEY likely know I'm here or at least that something has happened. I suppose this is bad mannerism - just barrging in like this, but on the other hoof, I DID make this rock. Albeit several millenia ago and it has changed quite a bit on its own but that's not really of importance now.

The alicorn began to fly toward the town.

Let's see what kind of creatures live in this town. Better go quietly, don't want to stir up any more attention. No doubt, what ever lives on this rock will think very xenophobically of me.

A white aura surronded his body. The aura exploded outwards, expanding in all direction. It engulfed everything very quickly.

Ah time control. Such a useful ability. I'll have this done in an instant.

The alicorn chuckled briefly at his own joke as he drifted towards the town.

Twilight was on her way to Sweet Apple Acres. Her worrying thoughts swimming through her mind as she galloped. Ponies all around seemed to be moving about now. Twilight's focus stayed on the safety of her friends.

I hope Applejack and Pinkie are ok. Hope nothing bad happened to her farm. And the others. I hope there ok. Rainbow Dash will probably be fine but Fluttershy could be in serious trouble.

Maybe I should che-

Her thoughts were cut off as what felt like a hugh wave of magic energy washed over her. Her vision suddenly became blurred. There was a ringing in her ear as she stumbled, nearly losing her balance and fell to her knees. She felt a pain in her forehead and held a hoof to it. Steadying her balance, her surrounding began to come back into view. The ringing in her ear had begun to subside. She had notice her horn was reacting to something as small spurts of static seemed to be given off by it. The energy quickly faded as she began looking around. Everything had seemed to lose its color and revert to black and white. The ponies that were moving about not a minute ago now stood perfectly still. They seemed as though they had been frozen while in motion. She was dumbfounded by the sight. She lifted her hoof up and found no change in the color of her coat. She turned her head back. Her mane and tail was its usual dark purple with a pink highlight and her cutie mark stilled looked to be the same pink star with surrounding white sparkles it has always been. After her self examination, Twight refocused her attention on the town.

What's happened to every pony?

She quickly trotted up to the now grey Lyra.

"Hello?" Twilight asked.

No response.

"Hellooooooooooo?" she asked again, now waving her hoof in front of Lyra's face.

No response.

She poked Lyra.

Not even a flinch.

Twilight tries other ponies and only yielded the same results. Several ponies later, Twilight eventually gave up her attempts.

It's as if everypony has just... stopped.

Twilight sat in wonder of what could of caused this. It seemed impossible how every one could not only stop, but stop in mid-air. Her train of thought was cut short when she saw a black and white form drift throught the town a few houses ahead of her. It seemed to pause every so often as it moved. Twilight gave brief hesitation before she started galloping in its direction. The form kept on moving, seemingly unaware of her approach. It moved very swiftly. Twilight managed to get closer to it and made out what appeared to be some kind of pony. Twilight was still able to keep up with it.

Ok first, a massive tremor, then everypony seems to freeze in place and now there is a mysterious, pony looking... thing moving about. This day just keeps getting wierder. I've got to find out what's going on. Twilight thought to herself as she galloped.

She followed mysterious figure to Carousel Boutique. The form landed right in front of the boutique. She caught up to it. She found that it was nearly twice her height. Looking taller then even Celestia.

"Hey!!!" Twilight called out. This seemed to startle the creature as it jumped and turned around quickly.

As Twilight approached, she made out the details.

Is that an alicorn? No, only the princesses are alicorns... But it has a horn AND wings. The wings don't look normal but still it has them.

She stopped a few feet in front of it. The alicorn stared at her with his white, widened eyes.

"Impossible..." The alicorn said in disbelief.

"Huh?"

"You... How did..."

It's voice sounded distinctly male and, while surprised, somehow intellectual. There was a long pause of silence before the alicorn spoke again.

"Well then, you must have extremely high magic levels to get caught up in this spell. That's very interesting." He said blatantly.

Twilight hesitated before answering.

"I... do?"

"You speak the universal language. Also interesting. I'm still not quite sure how exactly you got caught up in it, but no doubt you are powerful. Only those who have such high magic capability can get themselves caught in it. Although I did not know this pertained to those the spell was not ment to effect."

"Um... caught in what exactly?"

"A time flux spell. It creates a temperal rift in exsistence where time does not move. Of course only those who are... exceptionally gifted may cast it, even if they have the magic to perform it."

"So... then... time is... frozen?" Twilight asked, she found it difficult to grasp the concept that time even could stop.

"Basically, yes."

There was another long pause. Twilight was unsure what to think of this alicorn given what he was saying but she knew she needed answers. Finally she spoke up.

"Who are you?"

"I am known by many names... the universal creator, the deity of life and death, master of the universe. You may call me what you wish but my formal name - my self given name is Void."

The alicorn lifted his wings as he said this. Twilight had just then notice what appeared to be the picture of a small spiraling galaxy upon his flank. She wasn't quite sure at first. As she stared at is she noticed it slowly moving. Twilight was dumbfounded by it. Bewildered by the thought of what it could very well mean. She was a little startled when he spoke again.

"Who are you?"

"Me?"

"Yes... you are, so far that I know, the only one effected by this spell and there is no one else around."

"... My name is Twilight Sparkle."

"Interesting..."

Twilight began to feel nervous about this alicorn but wonder only drove her to ask more questions.

"Why are you here?"

"Observation."

"What are you... observing?"

"That isn't really any of your concern."

"Um... ok... then why and how do you have nicknames like 'The Creator' and 'deity of life and death?"

"These are names other creatures in the stars have given me. I have demonstrated to them my power and how I'm worthy of these titles."

"Can I get a demonstration?"

"You already have. And possibly, you will again in the future."

Twilight's uneasy feelings about the alicorn began to fade. He obviously wasn't a hostile being like Nightmare Moon and not as sparatic and unpredictable as Discord. Void seemed very straight forward. Remembering the power that shook her library out of its roots, she decided to press the issue onto him.

"Did you cause that tremor?"

"Yes, though I hadn't anticipated a town to be here."

Twilight felt a hint of anger starting to build, she started to raise her voise.

"Why?"

"It's part of the result of me coming to your world. I crashed on its surface." Void said blatantly.

Twilight was once again dumbfounded by his words. She began to wonder if any of it was even real. The thought that all of this could be happening seemed unrealistic.

Ok I have to be dreaming. None of this makes any sense. A weird alicorn stopping time who had fallen from space and survived who I am now having a conversation with.

"It's all real I promise. I can feel and manipulate the fabrications of space and time. Which is also how I know what you're thinking. All through the power of my very unique magic capabilities. But if you are still in doubt, I can always offer you some form of reassuance."

Twilight stared at him, at this point unsure of what to say. Void took this as a sign she needed to know it was real. He rasied his hoof and struck her on the head.

"OW! What did you do that for?"

"Pain cannot exsist in dreams in the way that it does in reality, it is often faint if ever felt at all. The fact that you are feeling pain like that only proves my point and furthermore that this cannot be a dream."

Twilight just sat there. She didn't want to believed it. She was still in disbelief over how he manipulated time. She decided to conitue her questions seeing as she was at least getting answers. Even though they didn't quite make sense to her. Twilight decided to just go with it, remembering the incident with Pinkie's pinkie senses.

"If you caused that tremor... and you can... bend space and time?

"Yes."

"Then why don't you fix what has happened here."

"I see no reason to."

Twilight's grew enraged at this. The thought that anyone could be so heartless as to cause such destruction with almost no reason and not do a thing to make amends infuriated her.

"But YOU did this, YOU should fix it!"

"Everything changes. Nothing ever stays the same. What's the point of fixing things if they're just going to end up broken again?"

"But people could be hurt because of what you did! You can't just hurt people like that!"

"Why does it matter so much to you?"

"Because... because this is my home... and I live here with my friends! I don't want to see them hurt!"

"Friends...?"

Twilight tried to regain her composure.

"Yes, they are my friends, and I care about them."

"Interesting..."

Twilight stood, glaring at Void who simply just gazed back at her, looking intrigued. She had never heard someone utter such heartless words but apart of her felt afraid of him. Her grey surroundings only reminded her that he was the one who made time stand still and apparently caused the tremor. Twilight could only imagine what else he could do. Her thoughts were interrupted when he spoke up.

"Well, it sounds like your friends are your highest priority. Correct?"

"Yes. They are."

"And you want to go help them with this... crisis. Correct?

"Yes"

"Very well, I shall see to it that you do."

"What?"

"I'm going to stop the time flux, so you can help your friends."

Twilight sat for a few moments as Void began to charge his energy.

"I thought you didn't care about us. Seeing how you won't at least undo what you did to our town."

"Events cannot be undone Twilight Sparkle. Their results and aftermath can be changed but they themselves cannot. Also, I disreguard life's existence but that does not mean I do not care about what it does with that and I'm not going to get in the way of your goals for it slows life's advancement and, in this instance, repair. I feel that gives me enough incentive to do this. I can feel your power Twilight Sparkle and I can tell you are very capable. Before I go however, I feel you should know that we will meet again and hopefully we'll both be prepared for it, seeing how neither of us were prepared for this little encounter."

Twilight tried to say something but didn't get the chance. As energy gathering at Void's horn had begun to expand and she was blinded by the white light. She started feeling the same headache, blurred vision, and ear ringing that she had felt earlier. Within moments, she found herself lying on the ground in front of Carousel Boutique, alone. The color that had earlier been drained from the scenery seemed to have return to its prior state. Twilight could once again hear the sound of ponies, moving about.

Disturbance

Twilight had only just now noticed the shattered windows of the boutique. She was a little amazed that it hadn't taken so much damage. Thinking back to what had happen in her own home, she imagined that the boutiques inside would tell a different story. Putting her thoughts aside, she walked up to the boutique. She was about to open the door when she heard a voice call from behind her.

"Twilight!?"

Turning to see friend Rarity running this way. Her hair didn't have its normal curls. It looked as though it had been exposed to one of Rainbow Dash's rainblow dries.

"Rarity! Are you alright?"

"NO! I had just finnished delivering an order and was walking home when I was blown off my hooves by something I could never explain. There were rocks and tree started flying and crashing into buildings. Not to mention LOOK WHAT IT DID TO MY HAIR! Of all the worst possible things that could happen this is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!"

"Rarity, while I admit that your probably right about this being the worst possible thing. Don't you think there are more important things to worry about then your hair?"

"Oh come now Twilight. We may be in a crisis but that doesn't mean I have to stop looking fabulous." She said while running her hoof through her hair.

She stopped cold at the realization of what specifically Twilight might be talking about. Her eyes widened as a look of horror came across her face when it dawned on her.

"Oh no! My work! My boutique! MY SISTER!"

Rarity ran into the boutique, Twilight followed her inside. Fabric had fallen off the shelves and had rolled off across the floor along with some bows and ribons. There were a few boxes lying at the based of on of the shelves. The gems were spread out along the multicolored mess. In the middle of the mess stood a white unicorn filly with a pink and purple mane.

"Sweetie Bell!"

"Rarity! I swear I didn't do it this time! It just-"

Sweetie Bell was interrpted as her sister came up to her and met her with a tight hug.

"It's ok Sweetie Bell. I'm just glad to know you're safe."

Gazing at the sight, Twilight began to wonder what could have happened.

Sweetie Bell means everything to Rariy. What if she had gotten hurt or worse.

Twilight remembered her encouter with Void and her anger started to return.

Void... HE did this. Sweetie Bell could have gotten hurt because of him. The Cakes were almost seriously hurt because of him. My friends could have been seriously hurt because of him.

"Twilight? Do you know what's going on?"

Twilght looked down. She didn't want to believe what she had seen as it seemed too unreal and far-fetched to explain.

"I have an idea but right now I'm worried about the others. I think we should check on them first."

"I agree, I can only imagine what might have happened to them. Especially Fluttershy. Poor dear must be scared to death by this whole ordeal."

Rarity had turned to face her sister.

"Now Sweetie Bell, I need to go check on my friends. I'll be back as soon as I can but I want you to stay here alright?"

"Ok."

"First things first though. I''l bee right back." Rarity went to her room. Twilight sighed at this.

After several minutes of correcting the mess that was Rarity's mane and restoring its former curl. Twilight and Rarity had galloped out the door, off to find their friends.

Rainbow Dash was now lying in the streets of Ponyville. She was dazed and her whole body ached. It was more focused at her left wing. She was having trouble breathing through her nose which she had just notice felt very runny. She tapped a hoof on her muzzle and discovered a few drops of blood.

"Are you alright?"

Rainbow Dash looked up and made out a yellow and orange blur.

"Carrot Top? ugh... what... happened?"

"I was hoping you could tell me, because what ever it was seems to have brought you here and did that."

Carrot Top pointed to a large tree branch that was impaled into part of her carrot garden.

"... and what also did that." Carrot top said as she pointed to the wreckage the rest of the town was in.

Rainbow Dash hesitated few seconds, she wanted to believe she was still seeing things. It seemed like not moments ago she was just enjoying one of her afternoon naps. After a few minutes, Carrot Top finally spoke up.

"... so I guess you don't know then? I was just wondering because if your here then maybe it had something to do with the wheather."

"Weather doesn't just explode!" The pegasus snapped. Carrot Top shrugged in response.

"I'm not a pegesus so I wouldn't know that now would I."

Rainbow Dash tried to get to up but stumbled as her body started aching again. Carrot Top noticed the pegasus wince in pain.

"I think you should see a doctor. I can-"

"I'm FINE."

"You fell out of the sky, your nose is bleeding, your wing looks dislocated and your having trouble getting up. I'd be amazed if you actually were fine."

Rainbow Dash was going to say something to argue but as she struggled the pain seemed to grow stronger. Carrot Top came beside her and kneeled.

"Here, I'll help you up."

Rainbow Dash hooked her hoof around Carrot Top's neck and managed to get onto her hooves. The pain returned and made it hard for her to keep her balance. Rainbow Dash didn't want to say thank you, it sounded weak to her. Despite the fact that she was hurt much more severely than she had gotten herself into the past. She limped along with Carrot Top at her side through town. She felt embarrassed being reduced to a limping pony. Even more so when everyone seemed to see her limping alongside Carrot Top, her face winced in pain.

Well... at least my nose stopped bleeding. She thought, trying and failing to make the situation sound like it had improved.

"Rainbow Dash!"

She recognized the voice and frowned.

Of all the ponies that have to see me like this. Why does Applejack have to be one of them?

Applejack ran up to her, followed by a bouncing Pinkie.

"DASHIE! DID YOU SEE THAT!? it was like 'BOOM' and we were all "HHUUU!" and then applejacks tree got knowed over, and apples went flying all OVER the place. It was so crazy that I think it was more crazy than the craziest party I ever THREW. And you know my parties are always crazy and you know how crazy they can get. THEY GET REALLY REALLY REALLY CRAZY! Like seeing Lauren Faust crazy. And DASHIE! WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU? Are you alright? Are you look hurt? Oh, I know! I'll throw you a party, that will make you feel super-"

Pinke Pie was cut off as Applejack put a hoof in her mouth. Pinkie seemed to stop in mid air for a brief moment before falling to the ground.

"Now ah know Dash would love ta hear 'bout that party later. But right now she's hurt and we should help her."

Applejack turned to Rainbow Dash. It would be pointless to ask if she was alright. She was clearly hurt and knowing Rainbow Dash, she would likely deny that she was. Applejack came to Rainbow Dash's other side. Applejack lifted the disfigured blue wing onto her back. On cue, Rainbow Dash, hooked her other front hoof around Applejack's neck. The four of them continued there way to the hospital. Applejack spoke up as the walked.

"So Dash, you wouldn't happen to know what going on now would'ya?"

"I was just taking a little nap on a cloud when I heard a boom. And then... I'm not sure. I just kinda woke up lying in the middle of ponyville and to Carrot Top."

Applejack turned her head to Carrot Top.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it." Carrot Top said with a smile.

"Hey! Aren't those royal guards?" Pinkie said pointing her hoof up.

The other three looked up and sure enough, a series of white, golden armored pegasi were pulling chariots with grey, golden armored unicorns ridding in them. They flew just over the roof tops of the houses.

"Do you suppose that they are here to help?" Carrot Top asked.

"Ah dunno. Ah reckon if they're here it must be somthin' serious."

"Ooh. Maybe it has to do with that big 'BOOM'!" Pinkie suggested.

Some of the royal guard chariots started landing nearby, dropping off some of the armored unicorns before taking back to the sky. The unicorns began to look around at the damage that had been caused. Some start using their magic to mend the cracks in the ground while others started levitating debris.

"I guess they're here to help fix up the town." Rainbow Dash managed to say, still fighting the pain she was feeling. It had seemed to hurt a little less. Applejack turned her head back to face her.

"That don't make any sense. Why would Princess Celestia send royal guards all the way from Canterlot ta fix up this place. She didn't do that when Spike went all crazy like and destroyed half of Ponyville."

"Maybe she saw it. After all, she didn't even know about Spike's rampage until after he sent his letter and that was a big 'boom'" Pinkie suggested.

"That is possible, Canterlot supposedly overlooks a good portion of Equestria, including Ponyville." Carrot Top added.

They noticed another chariot come down from the sky. In it sat Princess Celestia. As she got off of it the guards turned to give her a solute.

"Princess Celestia!" Applejack called out.

The princess turned to see the four of them. She flew over to them with a very concerned look on her face.

"Applejack. What is going on?"

Applejack was about to respond when she heard Twilight calling her name in the distance. They turned to see her running their way along with Rarity.

As Twilight ran she noticed Rainbow Dash and immediately turned her attention to the hurt pegasus.

"Rainbow Dash! What happened to you!?"

"I was blown out of a cloud that's all, nothing to big..." Rainbow Dash tried to say casually. Carrot Top turned her head and gave the pegasus a look.

"You were also slammed into the ground and lucky enough that I managed to see you."

Rainbow Dash looked down. Once again feeling humiliated knowing that she had to limp along side another pony. Twilight looked at her as memories of Void returned to her once more. Bringing with them her hatred towards his actions.

He actually caused Rainbow Dash to get hurt. He's probably hurt others too. That... that monster. Carelessly hurting others and not even careing enough to fix what he's done.

Twilights friends noticed her as she had her head lowered and look of anger was on it. Something was clearly wrong and it couldn't just be the fact that Rainbow Dash got hurt, Twilight wouldn't look so upset about it. After all Rainbow Dash got herslf hurt before and never once had Twilight ever shown much emotion other than hope for her to get bettter. The princess decided to speak up.

"Twilight, are you alright?"

Twilight looked up at them and just stared. She began to worry if they what they would think if they found out.

What should I tell them? That I just happened to come across some alicorn who stopped time and caused this explosion. They might think I've l've lost my mind again. Well I can't just hide it. They should know. Most importantly the princess should know. But how do I tell them. Maybe I'll just tell them later.

"You'd think I'm crazy," was all Twilight managed to say as she looked back down.

Rainbow Dash gave her an annoyed look.

"Twilight we've seen how crazy you can get and this is not crazy."

"Dash is right sugarcube. And if it's really got you worked up, we'll listen."

Twilight looked back up to see everyone smiling back at her. She smiled being thankful to have such nice friends. It seemed like they were always there for her. She decided to come forward about the issue.

After explaining to them what had happend. They all looked at her in shock. None of them knew what to say in response. Not even Pinkie Pie could offer one of her trademark, random comments at this. They all, like Twilight, had never heard of such a pony. Princess Celestia decided to break the silence.

"Twilight you said he came here to make observations. Perhaps he is merely studying our lifestyle."

Twilight thought for a minute. Thinking back to what Void had told her.

I disreguard life's exsistence, but that does not mean I don't care about what it does.

"I guess your right. But princess what about what he has done to Ponyville?"

"He said he didn't know there would be a town here which leads me to believe he didn't intend to do damage."

Twilight hesitated for a moment. She knew the princess was right but she felt it was still wrong of him to just ignore what he had done.

"But still, don't you think he should at least fix it?"

"I agree with you and I think he should. But we don't know where he is and if he is as powerful as you make him out to be then catching him would likely be as hard as trying to catch Discord."

"But princess, how do we even know we can even trust him?" Rainbow Dash asked.

The princess hesitated, now considering the possibility that what Void said could be a lie.

"I'm not sure. But he did say that he and Twilight would meet again. At the very least we can use that to find out for sure if he stays true to his words. If it is to happen though I would rather it happen under my supervision so that I may get a better understanding of what is going on."

She turned to face Twilight.

"Twilight I want you and your friends to come stay with me in Canterlot."

They hesitated for a moment as they hadn't expected the princess to make such a suggestion. Applejack was the first to speak up.

"Princess Celestia don't you think we should get ready first. We don't even know if Fluttershy is alright."

"Why don't we check on that right now."

With a flash of golden energy, Celestia had transported the to Fluttleshy's Cottage. Leaving Carrot Top alone.

Well that was wierd. Oh well, their gone. Better go check on my garden.

With that, she ran off.

Angels Deserve to Live

"OW!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she found herself on the ground. Applejack and Rarity proceeded to helping her back on her hooves. They had found themselves in front of a pile of trees sitting on top of what used to be Fluttershy's Cottage.

"Fluttershy!" Twilight called out and began towards the trees followed by Pinkie and a slowly walking Rarity and Applejack carrying a limping Rainbow Dash.

Twilight's horn began to glow as she got close. With strong telekinetic force, she heaved the trees, one by one out, of the way. Pinkie rushed past her and ran through the broken doorway. The roof and entire second floor of the cottage looked like it had just been ripped off. Twilight proceeded to galloping after Pinkie. After she ran inside. She saw Pinkie sitting. Seeing Pinkie's hair flattened immediatly sent up red flags in Twilight's mind.

"Pinkie what are you-"

When she reached Pinkie. She noticed her eyes were teary and she had a big frown.

"Pinkie? What's wrong?"

Pinkie raised her hoof and pointed to a yellow pony shaped body, impaled by a piece of wood, lying on the ground that Pinkie was looking at. It was lying in a pool of Blood surrounded by a number of small animals all looking at it.

"Flutt..er...shy." Was all she managed to say.

Twilight felt tears falling off her face. Pinkie suddenly started sobbing loudly.

Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash walked in with looks of shock. Tears began to trickle from their eyes down there faces at the sight of the remains of the kind, yellow pegasus they knew as their friend. Ovecome with sadness they all began to cry. Princess Celestia came along side them and looked. Twilight turn to her with a desperate look in her eye. She stuttered as she spoke.

"Princess... please tell me you can help her. Please tell me you can fix this."

"I'm sorry Twilight, I cannot." She returned, looking down at the ground.

Tears began to form under her eyes. Not only because of Fluttlershy's death but at the thought of knowing that she couldn't help her student and that she couldn't save her subjects. It frightened her to know that she didn't have the power to do so. In her entire life never once had she been faced with the task

What will happen to them when I can't protect them. She thought to herself.

Their sobbing began to fade as they began to think back to all the times they shared with Fluttershy. The memories didn't make the loss any easier but looking back on all the times they shared felt nice somehow.

I'll miss those trips to the spa. Knowing I had someone to talk to. It was nice knowing somepony cared to listen. And...now. Rarity didn't finish her thought.

Ah remember when you stood up to that dragon. Ah didn't know anypony could be so brave, not even Dash could look a dragon in the face like that. Now ah might never get to again. Applejack whispered to herself.

You were a year older... but Auntie Pinkie is still going to miss you and the parties we shared. Pinkie thought to herself.

That cheer you gave me in the best young flyer competition... that was the most awesome cheer ever. I'll never get to hear it again. Rainbow Dash began sob again at her own thoughts. Twilight put her hoof around the pegusus' neck.

You were always so kind, so thoughtful, so caring. You cared for not just for your animals, but for your friends. For us. And now... you'll never be able to again. Twilight thought.

"Might I ask what's troubling you?"

All of them nearly jumped and looked up to see a black and white alicorn floating in the air. He wasn't flapping his wings. Twilight's face changed from one of sadness to a mix of sadness and rage.

"You..." She uttered in a deep, hateful voice.

It had dawned on the others who this was and their faces twisted as well. Void looked over them only to receive angry glares.

"I was just curious. Is that so wrong?"

Instead of giving a response they contiued their glares.

"Well then, I guess I'm not wanted here so I suppose I'll just be-"

Void was turning around when he was cut off by Celestia.

"Wait!"

"Hm?"

"...Could... you... fix this? Restore her I mean."

Void floated down and landed in front of her. He stood several inches taller than her and slowly lowered his head to her level before he spoke.

"I could... but tell me. Why should I?"

"Because you killed her." Twilight interjected.

Void turned and gave her an annoyed look before walking over to her.

"I didn't kill her. The explosion did. An explosion that was never ment to harm any of you. It was simply one of the reprecussions of my arrival here. Her death was never my intention. To say I killed her would imply that I ment for her death to occur. Besides, even if I had intentionally killed her, what difference would it make? She'd still be dead and you'd apparently still be crying about it."

"She still died because of what you did."

"And that automatically means I should restore her? You must think life is all about equality don't you Twilight Sparkle. It does not work that way. If it were then your friend would have already been healed, your town restored, and I would be gone. All of it would have happened on its own without any sort of intervention."

"Hey! You can't treat her like she's stupid!" Rainbow Dash interjected. Void turned to her.

"I'm not. I'm simply telling her what is true. If I were 'treating her like she was stupid', I would blatantly tell her that she has no idea what she's talking about."

"Fluttershy's dead because of you! You don't even feel sorry for what you did to her!"

"How can one even feel sorry for someone whom he or she has never met? And even if I did know her, I'd likely think nothing more of her."

"She's my friend and you'd better think twice before trying to just walk off after killing her."

Void chuckled briefly.

"You know, it's funny how those who are inferior think so mightily of themselves. Just goes to show how self centered and spoiled they can be."

Rainbow Dash was about to say something but was hushed by Applejack.

"Why won't you help her?" the orange pony asked.

"I have no reason to."

"What might a reason to help her be?"

"I was hoping you could tell me seeing how you all seem to care so much about her."

Void turned to face the others. Giving them all an annoyed look.

"Because of what she does for others." Rarity managed to say.

Void turned to her and tilted his head, giving her an intrigued look.

"Go on."

"Well. She's always looking out for others and trying her hardest to be helpful."

"Helpful how?"

"She'll always be there to listen to your thoughts and opinions"

Void sighed and rolled his eyes.

"One's ideology is not worth caring for as it is only entirely true from one persons perception."

"She's also there for you when you need her to be to help support you to be your best." Rainbow Dash commented.

Void turned again with another look of intrest. Now looking straight at the hurting Pegasus.

"Support you how?"

"Well. At the best young flyers competition. She gave me an awesome cheer while I was competing. It made pulling off the sonic rainboom feel way cooler."

"Hmm. Interesting, but I'm still not convinced. You could easily receive such influence from others."

"She's also willing to stand up for her friends. Y'all remember that one time when we was tryin' to get that dragon to leave. The thing blew us back and she got all mad and stared it clear in the face and scared the thing." Applejack added.

"She is ambitious to aid others... interesting. That situation sounds more like pure luck though."

Pinkie spoke up, her hair was still flat and her voice lacked the energy that it usually had.

"She's really great at taking care of animals. That's her special talent you know. Being good with animals."

Void turned his head to face her.

"I'm listening."

"She always helps them get better when they get hurt. She'd nurture them in her cottage. Actually there were a lot that lived in her cottage... like these little guys." Pinkie Pie pointed to the animals that had gathered around Fluttershy's body. They were now looking at Void wide eyed.

"These creatures eh? Hmm..."

"She doesn't just take care of animals, she takes care of ponies too." Twilight offered.

"That's right, like when she took care of my sister and her friends. Sweetie Bell told me about how she managed to resist a Cockatrice stare that turns ponies to stone and save them." Rarity added.

"Hmmm. Interesting."

Void turned to look at Fluttershy's body. He walked up to it and wiped away some of the blood, revealing the three butterflies that serve as her cutie mark. He looked at them hesitantly then turned to face Celestia.

"What do you know of Fluttershy?"

Celestia hesitated. She wasn't sure what to say. She didn't really know Fluttershy that well. She barely had any personal experiances with the yellow pegasus. Most of what she had know was base upon letter sent to her by Twiligt. Celestia remembered the incident with her pet pheonix Philomena.

"Her heart is always in the right place. Even when she makes mistakes, like she did with my pet Philomena. But she learns from every mistake she makes. Just as her friends do."

Celestia looked back to the others as she spoke her last sentence. Void followed her glance and retuirned his gaze to her.

"Very interesting..."

Void turned back to Fluttershy's body. Looking down on her corpse, his stoic face started to turn into a smile.

"She sounds like a true matriarch. A true angel. I wonder if she was as powerful as me, would she be as utopian? Perhaps. Fate normally does not offer second chances but then again, fate must abide by my rulings... and... I think I have enough incentive to make one."

Twilight looked at him, her eyes wide, her hope was beginning to return to her. The others looked on in awe as a hugh white ball of magic energy emenated from his horn, engulfing Fluttershy's body. The puddle of blood seemed to seep into the glowing white sphere. The energy around Voids horn seem to amplify, growing layers of energy around it. There was a blinding flash of light which lasted for a few seconds. As it receded, Twilight and her friends looked at Fluttershy. The blood was gone, the piece of wood that was impaled into her body was no where to be seen, her wings looked normally shaped and folded at her sides. She was lying there in front of them, her eyes closed. Slowly, Fluttershy opened her eyes, looking up to see them. She spoke in her ever so soft voice.

"Guys? What's going on? Why are you all crying?"

Her friends looked at her with wide smiles. Tears of joy now streaming down there faces.

"FLUTTERSHY!" Pinkie yelled, her hair sprung back to its normal puffy state as she did.

She quickly ran up to Fluttershy and gave her a tight huge. Everyone, including Rainbow Dash who had forgotten all about the pain she was feeling ran up to her and gave her a tight hug.

"Your alright." They all said in unison.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

Pinkie immediatly started talking at her insane speed again.

"Because Void made a big explosion. There were trees and rocks flying EVERYWHERE. It was CRAZY! They destroyed your house and killed you. And then we found you and were all super sad. I was afraid I'd never seen you again. I'd never get to have another party with you again. You weren't really much of a partyer but STILL. What would a party be without you!"

Fluttershy just sat there. It took her a minute to process what Pinkie had said.

"I...d-d-died?" Was all she managed to say. Her voice shrinking to a frail whisper.

"Yeah. But then he brought you back to life." Rainbow Dash interjected.

"He?" Fluttershy had turned and noticed the black and white alicorn standing several feet from her.

"A-a-are y-y-you-"

"Your savior? Yes, I am the one known as Void."

Fluttershy tried to hide her face behind her hair but found it difficult while in her friends' embrace. Twilight had turned to face him giving him weak smile. She was uncertain of what to think of Void now.

"Thank you..." she whispered. Void raised an eyebrow at this.

"What for? You gave me reasons for her to continue her life. In fact her resurrection is more your doing than it is mine."

"But your're the one who brought her back. That's something we couldn't do."

Void shook his head at this.

"You know Twilight Sparkle, I think you look too deeply into things. Seeing them as more then they actually are. That can cause obssesion over small details you know. I would think that thinking in such a manor is unhealty. I'm going to be leaving now. But before I do, I'd like you to know that this wasn't what I meant when I said we'd meet again."

Void's gave them a stern look as her and started floating in the air once more.

"You should not think so fondly of me. Especially given what now lies ahead of you. You have managed to give me insight into something that will most likely impact all of your lives. Expect my presents in the future... all of you."

In a flash of magic energy, he was gone. Leaving the seven of them.

"Rainbow Dash! What happened to your wing?" Fluttershy asked now seeing her wing. Rainbow Dash only responded with a heavy sigh. At which Pinkie laughed.

"We should get you to the hostital." Celestia suggested.

Susurration of the Night

It had been four days since Void came to Equestria. Celestia had brought them all to Canterlot the following day. In that time, she had a portion of her royal guard working their magic to repair the damages to Ponyville. Everyone had trouble leaving their homes and adjusting to living in the castle except for Twilight but managed to adjust. She had lived in Canterlot after all, and knew the castle. Fluttershy managed to gain the trust of the animals in the royal gardens outside the castle despite what happened at the Grand Galloping Gala. They seemed not to realize who she was without the dress. Rainbow Dash, who despite being grounded because of the explosion, managed to become good friends with Celestia's phoenix Philomena and through her kept herself preoccupied pulling pranks on the guards and some of the people of Canterlot at which Philomena seemed to enjoy doing. Rarity enjoyed getting to see her friend Fancypants again but she also kept worrying about her Boutique and her sister having to be watched by her parents. Applejack was downright homesick. She didn't like being around the people of Canterlot, it reminder her too much of her Aunt and Uncle Orange and life she lived with them, though there was at least more food be had. Pinkie Pie seemed to be in the royal kitchen a lot. To her surprise Celestia's personal chefs were not as much of 'party poopers' as she had thought they might be, given how everyone was at the Grand Galloping Gala.

It was now evening, Twilight was now lying on top of the red bed in her room of Canterlot Castle, gazing out the window at Luna's rising moon. She had been torn about what to think of Void ever since he revived Fluttershy and he was all she could think about. Void was an enigma to her.

He comes to our world and causes massive damage to Ponyville, I get caught in his time spell, Fluttershy dies and he revives her. What does he want here? What does he want from us? He said he came to observe, but what is there to observe. If he the creator of the universe or something shouldn't he already KNOW what he's looking at. This doesn't make any sense!

Twilight began to pound into her head with her hooves in frustration. She couldn't come to any answers and the only way she could find out more was if he showed up again. But Void was nowhere to be seen and had given no trace of his existence ever since their last encounter.

"Think Twilight. Think." She whispered to herself.

"Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight jumped as she heard the voice call from behind. She turned to see a familiar tall, dark blue alicorn with a flowing mane and tail standing in the doorway.

"Princess Luna." Twilight replied, turning to face her, readjusting her composure.

"How are you? I haven't seen you in a while."

"I am fine Twilight." she said, giving Twilight a look of sympathy.

"Your smile betrays your feelings Twilight. I can tell something is troubling you."

Twilight frowned and looked down. She didn't respond.

"This is about Void isn't it?"

Twilight continued to stare at the ground, giving a slight nod. Luna floated up and landed next to her and put her hoof around Twilight's shoulder.

"I know it seems scary to you, being around somepony so strange and yet so powerful. You're unsure of what to think of him. Afraid of what he might be capable of. I felt that way when I had confronted Discord with my sister."

Twilight turned her head to her, Luna was giving her a motherly smile as she continued.

"Yes, I was afraid. Just as you are now. But I remembered I had the friendship of my sister. I didn't have to face it alone."

Twilight looked at her and gave her a look of desperation. Her voice filled with fear as she spoke.

"Void isn't like Discord. He's far more powerful and even less predictable. Discord manage to turn all my friends against me. Void could probably just as easily do the same."

"How can you be so certain Twilight?"

"I'm not certain and that's exactly why I'm afraid of him. I can't figure him out! I don't know what he'll do! Most of all I don't know what he wants!"

Twilight dropped to the floor and put her hooves over her head and shut her eyes tight in frustration. Luna frowned at this and sighed.

"You are not alone in this Twilight. He is just as much of a mystery to me as he is to you. I know he is to Celestia and I'm sure he is to you friends as well."

Twilight lifted her head in realization of what the princess was telling her. She remembered what Void had said just before he vanished. Expect my presence in the future... all of you.

If he he's going to see us all again. I can't face this alone, and neither can they. We'll have to do this together.

With this Twilight of reminded of all the times her friends have been there for her and the foes they defeated together. She got back to her hooves. She felt calmer, more at ease knowing she wouldn't have to figure it out alone. She turned to face the princess with a sincere smile.

"Thank you princess, I don't know what got into me."

"Your afraid. Its perfectly natural to feel afraid of what you don't understand. You should get some sleep."

"I will. Goodnight princess."

Luna turned and walked out the door, closing it behind her. Twilight shifted in the bed and got beneath the covers. She closed her eyes, thoughts of Void no longer swirling through her mind. She was about to drift off into a peaceful slumber when the felt a wave of energy wash over to her. It felt similar to one she felt when Void froze time but it was different. There was no headache. Twilight lost the feeling of the bed beneath her, it had seemed to just vanish. Her weight seemed to shift as well. As she opened her eyes. Twilight saw dark swirling purple clouds flying past her. She was falling forward into what seemed like and endless vortex. She tried to scream but she couldn't, her body wasn't responding. After a few seconds of terror, the vortex had opened up in front of her. She could only see grey. Her fall seemed to slow suddenly just before she hit the ground. For some reason she felt no pain. It hadn't seemed to hinder her body in any way either as she got back up with ease. Looking around, the entire ground was grey. The sky was black as night and Twilight noticed a C shape in the sky. It was mostly green but had distorted white patterns on it. The sun seemed to be shining next to it, outside the curve, but there was no light shining on the other.

"Where am I?" She asked herself.

Twilight jumped when she heard her voice. It was meant to be in her head but she had heard it aloud. It sounded like a loud echo.

"You are in you dreams." returned a familiar masculine voice. It had seemed to be an echo from all around her, just like her own.

"Void! Where am I and where are you! Show yourself!" She called in a demanding tone.

"You are inside your own dream Twilight Sparkle as am I. I have altered it so that you may only see what I want you to see. You are currently standing on the moon, looking at your home world Equestria."

Little white specs seemed to come from out of nowhere. They began gathering and forming a white ball of light. There was a flash of energy. From it appeared the black and white alicorn right in front of her eyes. Twilight saw the whole thing, she felt no need to look away despite the brightness of the light. Twilight gave him an unwelcoming look.

"What do you want now?" She asked, her tone was calmer but still angry. Void simply gazed at her showing his typical, emotionless face.

"I have simply come to ask you some questions. The answers I receive will determine when we meet again. I know you are frustrated with me right now but please bare with me. I simply want to ask you something. Tell me Twilight Sparkle, why is friendship so important to you?"

Twilight's expression changed from one of seriousness to one of confusion. She hadn't expected him to ask such an odd question. She paused and gave some thought on what to say.

"It's just something that is nice I guess. Knowing that there are others around you who care about you, who'll be there for you and want to spend time together with you. May I ask why you want to know this."

Void's gave an angry expression.

"It is part of my observation and it has confirmed my suspicions about your world." He said in a stern tone.

He turned to face the curve in the sky that was Equestria. Twilight gave him a puzzled look.

"Suspicions about what exactly?"

"Your world is blind Twilight Sparkle, just as you are. You don't know the greater truths of the universe. It is the reality that I enforce. None of you see that friendship cannot help you in life."

Twilight felt a pang of disgust at his words. Her anger rising as it had when she first met Void.

"How can you say that?"

"Because I see the truth Twilight Sparkle, the thing that you as well as you world are blinded from seeing."

"Friendship is a great thing Void. It helps us become happier."

"Feelings of bliss so you cannot see reality? Sounds more to me like a dangerous drug."

Twilight became infuriated at his words. He seemed even more heartless then before. These words seemed too harsh for even him.

"NO! It brings us closer together! Isn't that why you brought Fluttershy back?"

"I revived her because she was an overall benefit to life's cause which is to grow. Not to be blinded by 'friendship' and looking back on it. I wouldn't have done it had I known this was the way you know life and that this is what she would see. It makes sense towards your beliefs in equality though. 'Friendship' is nothing but a feeling that allows one to hide. It cannot help you from the real dangers of the universe. If anything, it makes you more vulnerable to its harsh ways."

"That's not true! The power of friendship has helped us defeat great foes in the past! It won't stop us from protecting Equestria!"

"Twilight I have looked at your so called foes through your memories and I assure you that there are worse beings in the universe. The only reason you defeated them was because they made fatal errors. I promise you there are creatures in the universe that don't make such mistakes and I am one of them. Also, 'friendship' did not help you. Magical artifacts that are powered by your feelings are what helped you. You know them as the Elements of Harmony and while they are powerful, they are heavily flawed."

"Being together still make us stronger!"

"In numbers perhaps. But there are forces that can overwhelm even the population of your entire world. And you'd never be prepared for them."

"How do you know!?"

"Because I know the truth. The truth the universe lives in. The truth you will soon come to know whether you want to or not."

"I thought you said life isn't about equality! Why would you try to change us to be like everything else?"

"It's not, and that's not the reason I am doing this. I know you'd find it hard to believe but I am doing this for the sake of your world. Much like how a father would discipline his child in order to better prepare the child for its life ahead."

"But its worked out for us for so long."

"Only because this world has remained unaltered for so long. Because I had left it alone after its creation. And knowing what it has now become, that is something I regret."

"But its grown into something so good. How could you just put an end to that?"

"I'm not putting an end to what's good Twilight. I am going enlighten this world."

Twilight paused. For the time, she wasn't sure of what else to say. Being with her friends had never once been a bad thing. It was only when they changed that it became a bad thing but that was only when Discord intervened with there lives. Was Void planning to do the same? She didn't want her friends or her world to change and the way Void was talking about it filled her with fear and anger. Without thinking she spoke up.

"Your not going to change my friends!"

"I have no intention of changing them. At least not personality wise. I am going to teach them and you what you have yet to understand."

"How do you know Equestria even needs this?"

"Because Twilight Sparkle, I have looked at all the books that are of value to me and taken all the memories of every single intellectual creature on this rock. I can do this all in a time flux Twilight and I now know the only reason you got caught in the first one was a small mistake on my part and sheer luck on yours. It is not surprising to me that you cannot see that as you and you world are the ones being blinded."

Void turned around and began walking away. Twilight didn't know Void's exact power but she knew he was more powerful then princess Celestia and he could probably stay true to his words She was afraid she would lose her friends now. She spoke up, her tone changing from angry to fearful.

"Isn't there any easier way?"

"No there is not. Believe me if there was I would use it instead of this Twilight Sparkle but the sad truth is there is not."

"Can't you at least give friendship a chance?"

Void paused. He felt sympathetic for Twilight. Void knew the just how hard learning cruelty that life has can be. Excepting the possibilities succumbing to violence and death in one's actions can be traumatic for one who is new to it. Though he had never actually felt it himself, he could imagine the pain that it must come with. He sighed and turned around to face her, giving her a smile.

"Perhaps. If you think you can teach me then try when you get the chance. But don't expect me to be welcoming of it. Goodbye Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight's vision became blurred. Her eyes shut involuntarily and and she felt herself thrust upwards. Gravity seemed to shift once more and she felt herself lying on something soft and warm. No doubt it was her bed. She slowly opened her eyes. Looking out the window to see Celestia's rising sun in the distance.

She was even more afraid now then she was she went to sleep.

Mortals can Change Fate

Rainbow Dash was lying back on the hospital bed of the medical ward with a cast at her leg. Her body had bandages in various areas. Looking out the window at the morning sun. Her whole body felt sore but she couldn't focus on it. Her mind was set on what had transpired in the clouds the previous day. She still felt anger towards Void for what he'd done but her hatred was over powered by her feelings of guilt. She'd never let her friends down before, it simply wasn't her. She never thought it would ever happen. She was so strong and confident in herself and yet here she was. Crushed and broken by a storm that managed to damage a good portion of Canterlot.

Can I even call myself the bearer of loyalty anymore? I couldn't stop it.

Before she could continue her grief, her five friends walked in followed by both princesses.

"Hey Rainbow Dash." Twilight spoke up. There was a hint of sadness in her voice. It was weak but noticeable.

"Are you feeling any better?"

Rainbow Dash continued to stare out the window, not bothering to turn her head. She still couldn't face her friends. She shook her head. Celestia frowned at this and spoke up.

"Rainbow Dash you didn't have to do what you did. You didn't have to go out of your way to help Canterlot."

Rainbow Dash turned to face them with a frantic expression.

"But I had too. I wasn't going to let it get destroyed like-" She halted at her words. She looked down attempting to clear her thoughts of what Void had told her. The thought of what may very well have happened to Cloudsdale haunted her. She had no intention of talking about it with her friends.

"Wha-" Twilight started but was interrupted by the blue pegasus.

"Nothing."

They all just stared at her. The princesses looked at one another before Celestia refocused her attention on the cyan pegasus, giving a serious look.

"Rainbow Dash if any sort of destruction happened without my knowledge. I would like to know about it." Celestia said in a stern tone.

"As would I, especially after what has just happened over our capital." Luna added.

Rainbow Dash cringed at their words. She knew she had to tell them. They at least deserved to know but even so she still felt guilt.

"You won't get mad at me?" She asked at which Applejack raised an eyebrow.

"Mad? Why in the hay would ya think we'd get mad at ya sugarcube? It ain't your fault that storm went up and caused a ruckus. And don't go on sayin' ya could have stopped it. I know you Rainbow Dash. If ya could have stopped it, ya would have. Ain't nothin' else to it."

Rainbow Dash pondered the cowpony's words. Thinking back to all the times she had helped her friends. She was driven to help them and almost every time she had. The solution to their problems was usually within her grasp. Even when it was far away and it seemed hopeless she would always strive to get to it. But even if she couldn't, it was enough for her friends. For the first time in days. She'd felt a smile coming on. She looked back up to the others. Realizing now that she didn't need to be perfect for them to still be her friends.

"Heh, I guess your right... I guess Void just got into my head."

"VOID!?" They all yelled. Her friends immediately became frantic at the mention of his name.

"You saw him!?" Rarity asked with desperation in her tone.

Rainbow Dash looked down, feeling a mix of hatred and sadness build with in her. Now knowing she had nothing to feel guilty for.

"Yeah..." She began to tear up.

"And he told me that the storm blew Cloudsdale to smithereens... Please Celestia. Tell me it didn't happen!"

Her five friends dropped there jaw at this and looked to Celestia. She hesitated before responding

"I can find out." Was all the said before she had vanished in a flash of energy.

Rainbow Dash sat there. Eagerly awaiting the princess's return. Her friends sat by her and gave her sympathetic looks. Applejack turned to face princess Luna.

"What are we gonna do about Void. He's been doin' nothin' but causin' trouble here in Equestria. Ain't there somethin' we can do to stop him?" The cowpony asked

Luna looked down and gave a heavy sigh. She had no personal experience with Void but even so she had a pretty good idea of his power. Catching him obviously was out of the question given he could teleport anywhere at will.

"I don't think we can. He is a lot like Discord. We simply cannot predict his appearances."

The seven of them waited anxiously for Celestia to return. After about a half an hour, she appeared back into the room frowning and looking down. Everyone looked at her with anticipation of the worst. Rainbow Dash had begun to tear up at the sight.

"Yes... it is true. A vast majority of the clouds and building in Cloudsdale are missing. Ponies have already begun repairs. A good portion of my guards have begun to repairs to the buildings. No pony was seriously hurt, they all managed to reach the ground beneath the town to escape the more serious winds."

Rainbow Dash felt mixed feelings of rage and sadness welling up inside her, desperate for release.

"VOID! WHY DID YOU DO THIS!" She screamed. To everyone's surprise, she received a response.

"To teach you." The voice said, it seemed to be an echo coming from everywhere in the room. Everyone cringed at the sound of the voice. Rainbow Dash scowled at the ceiling as if it were the source of the voice.

"To teach her what?" Twilight asked.

"Have you not been paying attention to anything I have said Twilight Sparkle? I have already told you what."

"Void! You had better fix this RIGHT NOW! You can't just destroy a city like that! THAT was my HOMETOWN!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

"Demanding things only works when you have the upper hand in a situation. I thought I made it clear to you earlier that you don't Rainbow Dash. I decide the fate of worlds and stars. Cherish the fact that I didn't annihilate your world, I was set to do so before I decided to come here. I thought I'd give this world a chance to show me something worth my time. So far however, it has failed to, as have you."

"I don't believe you! Your just trying to scare us! It isn't gonna work!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

"You didn't believe me when I told you Cloudsdale was destroyed and what turned out to be the case?"

Rainbow Dash's began to shrink in her bed. Her expression changed to angry to fearful. Her friends gave similar expressions of fear. There was a few minutes of silence.

"Please don't destroy our world." Fluttershy spoke up, at which she recieved a mix of amazed looks from her friends. None of them expected Fluttershy of all ponies to show bravery towards Void.

"I said I almost did. That doesn't mean I'm going to. Believe me, if I wanted to I wouldn't bother telling you about it. I'd just have it done and move on."

There was more silence. No one was sure of what to say. Nothing they said really seemed mattered. Twilight still had more questions that needed answers and only once had Void refused to answer. He may have been cruel but at least he listens and responds. With this, she decided to speak up.

"You said our world is blind. You want to... 'enlighten them' about your... uh... morals." Twilight began.

"Correct."

"Why did you start with just Rainbow Dash. Couldn't you have just changed the ways of all ponies."

"Yes, I could have. But I there are three reasons I yielded. One, you and most every other equine on this rock have an ideology that peaks my interest - friendship. Two, I am open to new things. However in order to prove them, they must prove something against my moral. Three, you six are more interested in stopping me then anyone else. Still that is a given, seeing how you and your rulers are the only ones who even know of my existence. I will set my morals upon you before I spread there influence across your world. Should you fail to disprove them with an aspect of friendship, your world will be assimilated the ideals the rest of the universe knows and your friendship shall be forgotten forever. Should you succeed and convince me friendship has a good, beneficial purpose in its existence. I shall spread it to the rest of the universe and your world can return to its prior, peaceful state and you'll never have to see me again. I will also be observing you. If I see something that catches my attention, I'll take it into account. Now I'm afraid our conversation has reached ad nauseum so I bid you adieu."

"Wait!" Twilight yelled.

"Hmm?"

"How are we suppose to disprove you? You won't listen to anything we say."

"That is not true Twilight Sparkle. I have in fact been listening to everything you and your friends say. As it is why Fluttershy stands with you now. It is something your must figure out for yourself. I'm willing to believe you are capable of it. Be warned however. My morals are harsh and unrelenting as your friends Rainbow Dash now knows well. Don't expect any mercy from them. Until next time, goodbye."

They sat there for awhile, letting Void's words sink in. Luna was the first to speak.

"So... that... was Void?" She asked looking over the others.

They all gave a weak smile and nodded.

"Well... he seems... very..." Luna raised a hoof to her chin trying to think of the right word.

"Informal?" She asked looking at her sister. Celestia gave her an unsure look.

Celestia decided that sitting around wasn't going to do them any good and spoke up.

"Well first thing's first. I think you shouldn't be sitting in here, moping about your wings and about Canterlot or Cloudsdale."

Celestia's horn began to glow. The aura passed from her horn to Rainbow Dash's body, spreading across the cyan pegasus. The radiance of the aura seemed to make Rainbow Dash's body glow with a slight shade of gold. The casts on her lower body began to crack. Falling to her sides and off the bed. Rainbow Dash began to levitate off of the bed and was placed on her hooves by the aura.

"Thanks princess." Rainbow Dash said, giving a small smile.

"It's the least I could do after you had to endure that encounter with Void."

"Um. Princess? I was wondering if I could go help with Cloudsdale's recovery. I know you want us to stay here but-" She was interrupted by the white alicorn.

"Rainbow Dash, I understand you want to help Cloudsdale. But I think it would be best if you stayed here for awhile."

Rainbow Dash looked down at this. Pinkie, being the one who never liked to see anyone unhappy and always enjoyed making people smile, spoke up. She thought for a moment and a gave a loud gasp as an idea dawned on her.

"HEY! Princess! I just had the bestest best super terrific idea! What if we all go to Cloudsdale to help with repair. And I can throw them a 'get better soon' party!"

Her friends gave her deadpan looks at the mention of a party.

"What? It would help cheer them up. Turn those frowns upside down!"The pinkie pony shouted raising a hoof. At which Rainbow Dash face hoofed.

"You know. That might be the greatest idea you've ever had Pinkie." Twilight said. Everyone except Pinkie gave her a deadpan look.

"The party? I KNOW RIGHT!"

"No, no. About all of us going to Cloudsdale." Twilight said, turning to face the princess.

"Void said he would teach his morals to us. I think it would be better for us to go together. We'd be able to help each other face what ever it is Void might throw at us. We'll be doing something to help both Cloudsdale and our friend. Who knows maybe that would help us convince him that friendship is a good thing." Twilight pointed out, looking back at Rainbow Dash. Rainbow dash returned a small smile.

Celestia put a hoof to her chin in thought. Twilight and Pinkie were giving her hopeful looks that screamed 'please'.

"Alright..."

"YES!" Pinkie yelled with glee as she began jumping around the princess.

"But..." the princess said in a stern tone. Pinkie seemed to stop in mid for a second before falling.

"Be careful. We don't know what Void has planned for you all. We also have no idea when he will strike again. Now, more then ever you must be cautious. Especially what happened to Rainbow Dash. I want you to take the elements with you."

A golden box appeared in front the princess. Her magical aura began to glow around it as she opened it with her telekinesis, revealing the six golden artifacts inside. The necklaces and crown floated to their corresponding bearers.

"I wish there was more I could do for you girls. This is all I can offer. I hope that it helps. Unfortunately, it will take some time for me to have living arrangement for you. I advise that in the mean time you make preparations. I fear for Equestria as well as you all."

"Don't worry princess. We'll be fine. There isn't anything we haven't overcome together yet." Twilight said with a smile. Celestia merely closed her eyes and sighed.

"I wish you could be Twilight. But not you nor any pony in Equestria has ever been faced with something as powerful as Void. I can feel his power Twilight. It is well beyond my own. And I'm afraid of what he could do with it. I'm afraid of what he will do to you." The princess looked down as she spoke.

"He's not gonna be able to stop us, I won't let him! Besides, we've taken down the spirit of chaos with these things!" Rainbow Dash Interjected, pointing to the red lightning bolt upon her necklace. The princess looked over them and managed to smile.

"Alright. I'll have two chariots arranged for you though it will take some time for me to prepare living arrangements. In the meantime I suggest you do what you need to prepare."

The six of them nodded and walked out the door of the ward. Both Celestia and Luna watched them go. After a few minutes Luna turned to face her older sister.

"Do think they will succeed?" She asked with concern.

"I don't know sister. We can only hope. The fate of Equestria has once again been set in their hooves."

Empowerment to the Vengeful

There are poisons to the peaceful mind.

Hatred and Obsession are two of them.

For those who are powerful, ordinary creatures can transform into savage monsters.

I wonder.

Can friendship offer a viable cure?

Gilda wondered along a mountain trail lost and alone. Being shunned by her friend over the crazy earth pony had filled her with hate every step she now took. She had hoped to keep it a secret from the other Griffins. Unfortunately, word reached her home. Her other friends found out she got shown up by a 'stupid, pink earth pony' and rejected her, saying she was weak. She ran away, attempting to escape the ridicule everyone gave her. She wondered along the mountain's path, trying to find her way.

Stupid Pinkie Pie. I hate that dweeb. Rainbow Dash wants to have a weird, stupid... PINKIE PIE for a friend then me then FINE! I don't need her... I don't need any them...

She recoiled at her thoughts. Reminded of the loneliness she was now subject to. She had continually ranted over her loss with Rainbow Dash only to feel the same anguish. Anger began to well up within her, causing her to give a loud roar out of sheer hatred for her former friend. The sound seemed to echo off the mountains that she had traversed.

"YOU STUPID PEGASUS! YOU LEFT ME A FOR A STUPID PONY THAT CAN'T EVEN FLY!" She screamed. She turned to face the rocks and began punching them with her talons. The sharp rocks began to leave marks on her but she was blind with rage as she continually smashed through rock after rock, her anger refusing to vent. She began to speak with each blow.

"How. Could. You. Do. That.To. ME!" She yelled, smashing through the rocks.

She smashed through it leaving chunks of rock scattered around where it once stood. She stood looking at the rocks wishing they had been the pink earth pony she had come to despise. Resenting the fact that she had lost all her friends because of what had happen in Ponyville.

"How could you do it to me Dash? How could you just leave me like that?" She asked aloud. The response she received caught her off guard.

"Sounds to me like she doesn't care about you." A voice spoke from above. The griffon looked up to see an unfamiliar black and white alicorn. She gave an unwelcoming glare, not thinking to question the strange physical nature of this alicorn. She didn't care.

"What's it to you!? Why do you care so much about it!?" Gilda called with agitation. The alicorn lowered himself to the ground in front of her.

"Hard not to notice how much it bothers you. You wouldn't happen to be referring to a light blue pegasus with a multicolored mane named Rainbow Dash now would you?"

Gilda hesitated at his response before she responded. She felt curious but she wasn't about to care about it. She refused to care about it.

"What if I am? She's just a stupid pegasus." The griffon replied turning her head to look the other way.

"I agree."

Gilda turned back to face the alicorn. She was a little surprised. She hadn't expected such words to come from a pony. Clearly whoever this was different from the others. He didn't seem to show the same care that they typically carried in there speech. Last time she talked to a pony about her past events, they acted like what she did was foolish and that was coming from random loners that just seem to wonder.

"You... do? I mean, of course you do. I'm right aren't I?"

"Yes. I do. Whatever it is must make you feel infuriated." He replied.

Gilda looked down. Thinking back to the events that took place in Ponyville and her losing her other friends.

"Yeah. But it's not so much her. It's more her friend Pinkie Pie."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. That stupid pink pony turned Dash against me. Dash thinks I'm uncool because of her and all my other friends just treat me like I'm a joke because of what she did."

"And you're all alone now?" He asked. Gilda shot her head back up attempting to counter.

"NO! I have friends! They just...don't..."

"Don't care anymore?" The alicorn asked.

Gilda didn't respond she looked back at the ground and paused, remorsing in what she knew was the truth. She shook her head of her thoughts and looked back up at him. It bothered her to look so low.

"Why do you even care anyway? And who are you?"

"I am Void and if you ask me, she should be punished for what she did to you."

"Punished?"

"Yes. She should have known that this would be the result of her actions. She obviously knew this was going to happen to you. I'm sure her friend Pinkie knew it as well if she had did what she has done to you."

Gilda pondered this. The thought that this was all intended to ruin her life had never once crossed her mind. Now taking into consideration what Void was telling her, it seemed to make sense. She immediately felt her rage return to her.

"Dash... that backstaber! I'll show them I don't need friends! I'll be fine all on my own!"

"Is that really how you intend to go about making it better? That won't fix anything. Judging from how your acting, I'd say they've pretty much ended your happiness. I say you should do the same to them. Don't you think?"

"Yeah! I'll give her a prank that she'll never forget! One that will-" She was interrupted by the Void as he gave a loud, audible sigh as he shook his head.

"NO! Pranks can be forgotten and she will just continue to hate you. You're friends will still think you are weak. We need to show them that no one messes with you. And they deserve to suffer for their actions. You need to do something that will make them regret what they did forever. Something that will show your friends that you are tougher then they let on."

Void whispered into her ear his instructions. Upon hearing them, Gilda's expression slowly turned into a maniacal evil smile. She began to imagine all the things she was going to do to Pinkie. All the things she had been fantasizing about doing ever since she lost her friends. Void interrupted her daydreams.

"As an added bonus. I'll make it more... enjoyable." He said with a smile as he began to charge the energy at his horn. The energy grew into a glowing blue ball that engulfed Gilda.

"I'm sure you'll like this."

Trixie sat in her room inside of her stage wagon looking herself in the mirror. She sighed heavily as she gazed into her reflection, overcome with depression at what she saw. Her life had gone downhill since the incident in Ponyville. She was forced to retreat to Fillydelphia.

Just look at you Trixie. Your pathetic. You used to be the greatest unicorn in Equestria and now look at you. Sitting here in Fillydelphia, spending your time working for kids birthday parties. No pony respects you. Your just a mare who knows a few tricks. Not even the kids see you as at least cool.

She became filled with resentment at the memory of the unicorn that had taken away her fame and her glory.

"To think that you were out matched by a mere librarian."

Trixie resented the thought of being shown up by the lavender unicorn. She was was practically chased out of Ponyville in shame over what had happened. Being forced to rebuild her stage wagon hadn't made things any easier. She continued her grief as she combed her hair. As she finished, she looked the body she saw in the reflection.

"Well, at least Trixie still looks the part of being the great and powerful." She said to herself with a smirk.

"Is that really enough to make you happy though?" Called a male voice from within her reflection.

The image in the mirror began to distort and morph. Twisting as the colors shifted. After swirling a few times, the reflection realigned itself, revealing the image of a small butterfly-winged alicorn. Trixie was taken aback by the sight.

"W-who are you? Trixie demands to know why you have invaded her private space!"

"Now, now Trixie. I mean no threat to you. I promise. My name is Void and I've noticed the suffering you've been forced to endure." The image replied.

He began to move towards her in the image. The reflection rippled with warped colors as the form of the small alicorn began to pass through it. Trixie began to step back from the anomaly she was now witnessing. After passing through the mirror the reflection of both her and the alicorn had appeared leaving the image to look normal once more. She looked cautiously at the small form that was now floating before her. He seemed small enough for her to fit in her hoof.

"You... have?"

"Yes. I bet you must feel very angry at Twilight."

Trixie didn't think to question how Void knew about Twilight. She was too caught up in thought that anyone cared about it. It felt nice to have someone that cared enough to sympathies her. Everyone else seemed to barely regard her ever since what happened. It had actually started to make it difficult for her to find work.

"Yes. Trixie greatly despises that unicorn."

"Then why don't you try to get back at her?" Void asked. Trixie gave him an annoyed looked.

"What can I do? Trixie is but a show pony. Twilight has seriously powerful magic."

"But if you could do something about it. What would you do."

"Um... well. Trixie would show her that she is better."

"But she would just grow stronger and come back to face you again and crush you once more. You'd try again and the process would repeat forever."

"Who side are you on? Anyway? Trixie thinks your just trying to make her angry. She doesn't need this."

"I'm on your side. I'm just stating what I know will happen. If you had powers then you should just..." Void moved to her ear and spoke into it. Trixie became surprised at his suggestion but her hope gave in as her depressive thoughts returned to her.

"But I don't have the kind of power to do that now do I? Trixie has had enough of this." The blue unicorn said as she turned her back. Void proceeded to appearing in front of her. Giving the show pony a slight startle.

"Now who said you weren't going to get more powerful?" Void said as a sphere of red light began to expand from his tiny horn. Engulfing Trixie's body.

"Think of this as your second chance. You will be not be alone in you quest however. Someone else will be joining you."

The day after Rainbow Dash was healed, the princess had arranged for Twilight and her friends to stay in a small camp operated by her guards. The camp was meant to help the residents of the now destroyed city of Cloudsdale and aid in its reconstruction. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy flew along side the chariot that carried the other four. Pinkie stuck her tongue out as they flew, letting it flap in the wind. The saliva trickling offer tongue landed on Rarities face.

"Pinkie, what in Equestria are you doing? That's so... disgusting. Honestly Pinkie! Your getting your spit in my in my mane."

"Whath? Th' Air Tasths goooooths!" She replied, her tongue still dangling in the wind. Rainbow Dash chuckled.

"Pinkie you are so random." she stated, hovering along side the pink mare as she hung over the edge of the chariot.

"Thry It." she replied, spraying Rarity's face with spit. Applejack chuckled, at which she immediately received a glare from the now soaked unicorn. Rainbow Dash stuck her tongue out and let it hang in the wind briefly to see if there was a taste.

"I don't taste anything." the pegasus replied. Pinkie put her tongue back in her mouth.

"I think it tastes sour and sweet at the same time. Kinda like gummy horseshoes."

Twilight and Fluttershy turned to face the party pony.

"Gummy horseshoes?"

"Yeah! You know. Those little candies that are shaped like horseshoes that come in different colors that taste sweet and sour. I gotta figure out how they make candy taste like that. Making stuff taste two ways at the same time. Do you know the kind treats I could make knowing how to make stuff taste like that?" The party pony said, shaking Applejack by the shoulders.

"Well, I'm sure ya could make somethin' with it Pinkie." The cowpony replied.

Twilight turned her attention to the guards.

"Hey how far are we from the camp Aero?" She asked

"We are coming up on it now Ms. Sparkle." The guard on the right replied.

They saw a clearing in the forest off in the distance. As the the chariot slowly lowered, they notices the mass number of large, colored tents that had been set up in the clearing. Ponies could be seen moving along ground and floating in the air. There were a few large machines that stood out from the field of tents that seemed to be giving off clouds into the sky. Large, white platforms and columns could be seen lifting up from the other areas of the camp into the sky very slowly, each seemed to be glowing different colors as the slowly drifted upwards. Twilight looked up to see their destination. Many scattered clouds varying in size that that were floating over the camp. Some of them were darker and seemed to pass small bolts through to the other clouds.

"That must be Cloudsdale." She spoke.

"Or what's left of it..." Rainbow Dash added with a sigh.

"Don't worry Rainbow Dash. We'll have Cloudsdale fixed up in no time." Fluttershy offered. Rainbow Dash turned to her friend and gave a smile. Losing her hometown seemed to become easier knowing her friends wanted to help her fix it.

The chariot reached the clearing and began to slow down as it hovered over the tents. Ponies could be seen and heard talking and moving about with papers in their mouths and carrying crates around. There was a group of pegasus guards pulling a large wagon full of boxes that crossed the path of their chariot. The six of them looked back up to the clouds now noticing the large masses that were being levitated to the clouds being formed in the sky. The chariot slowed to a stop and began to lower before a large white tent that stood out from the others. A group of both unicorn guards was waiting for them. A black unicorn guard with blood red tail began to walk towards them. His helmet bore three ruby gemstones along either side of the top of his helmet and four larger ones along the sides of his armor.

"You must be six that were sent by the princess. I give you my welcome." The guard said in a stern tone as he bowed to them. His voice was deep and it sounded as though it demanded authority. Twilight was first to speak up.

"Thank you Mister..."

"Maelstrom. Commander Maelstrom of the Royal Unicorn Guard. I along with pegasus commander Cyclone and earth pony commander Quake have been assigned by Celestia herself to run operations here and I have been informed that you were been personally sent here by her. Please follow me." He said as he began to turn towards the tent, motioning with his hoof for the them to follow. A silver aura appeared at the tents entrance and opened it.

"Hole on for just a second." Rarity said as she levitated a comb from the chariot. Applejack gave her a deadpan look.

"Ya just had to bring that didn't ya?"

"Well of course. I always want to look my best. You should try it sometime Applejack. I think it would do you wonders." The white unicorn replied as she had finished giving her mane its curl.

"Well ah think-"

"Can we please get moving? There are things we need to discuss." Maelstrom interrupted, giving them an annoyed look.

The two looked at each other before turning back to face him.

"Sorry." Applejack said.

"Just come along." He said with a sigh as he began to walk into the tent. The six of them following behind him.

Inside there were a several filing cabinets on each side of the tent. Some of them were open and some them had files lying on top of them. In it center was a desk with several blue papers, charts and a few maps lying on it. Maelstrom levitated the papers on his desks into various cabinets as he walked towards it. He sat on behind in and faced them.

"Alright." He began, giving a heavy sigh.

"I already know your names and that you are the bearers of the elements of harmony. Other then that, the only documentation I have of any of you is a little bit about the two of you that used to live in Cloudsdale which is outdated and at this point useless to me. From the letter I received from the princess, I have a rough idea of your talents and abilities. I was not expecting you and could not prepare any jobs for you so the only job I can give you is helping to get the compressed cloud panels into the city. Do you want to get started on it now?"

They all nodded.

"Alright then. We can begin."

There was a flash of silver energy and the seven of them found themselves outside in another part of the camp. Ponies seemed to pause briefly at their appearance at which Maelstrom grew annoyed. With one glare from him, they continued there work. Applejack looked on at this in awe.

"Jus' one look from ya and they jus' keep on workin'?" The cowpony asked.

"I have the power to take away their rations for the day. They don't work. They don't get a meal. Simple as that." Maelstrom said as he began walking up to a pile of massive white square panels.

"Here's your job. You need to get these panel up into the clouds. You'll need magic to lift them. This group of panels is suppose to go through a whole into the clouds there." The commander said pointing to one of the larger clouds above.

"Um... Maelstrom. If you don't mind me asking. What are these panels made of?" The shy yellow pegasus asked.

"Special clouds condensed to a solid mass by magic and compressed by stamping. It works sort of like molding clay and its the only thing that will stay on the clouds without falling through. I recommend making a hole for the platforms to move up through. That's usually pegasus work. When you get them up there. Commander Cyclone will give you orders as to where to put them. I'll let him know your coming. Now I have work to-" The commander said as he began to turn to leave.

"Hold on a minute. What are me an' Pinkie suppose to do?" Applejack asked. At which Maelstrom just shrugs.

"I'm going to let Cyclone figure that one out. Until I can get another place for you to work arranged, you're just going to have to make do with what ever he assigns. But before I go, you'll need this." Maelstroms horn began to glow its silver aura. This same aura now around Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Applejack. His horn gave a flash and the aura went away.

"You four can now walk on clouds. That spell is temporary and only lasts a day so make sure you have it cast on you again."

"I know that spell. I can cast it so you won't have to." Twilight offered.

"Alright fine. Now, to get up there you can either take a chariot or ride the clouds that fly up there. I'd say just tha-"

Pinkie gave a loud audible gasp before running to to the machine that Maelstrom had started pointing at. She immediately climbed the few flights of stairs leading to its top and looked over its edge. She peering into the dark pit, waiting for something to happen. The machine started to make a small whistling sound that grew louder and Pinkie made out movement. She jumped in and was thrust upwards as the machine fired a cloud into the sky. The others looked on in horror.

"Pinkie what are you doing!?" Twilight called out.

"Relax. She's got the right idea. I'd say you should follow her." Maelstrom said just before teleporting.

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash took to the sky as Twilight, Applejack, and rarity followed after Pinkie. Climbing up the stairs they heard the machine make a sound again and took note of it. They reached the top and waited. Upon hearing the sound once more. They all jumped in together and flew up with the cloud.

"YEEEE HAAAA!" Applejack called out as they drifted upwards.

Twilight turned back to face the panels. She began to focus her magic around them and slowly levitate them. She could feel the weight pushing against her power. It was slightly heavier than she had anticipated but still nothing she couldn't handle. She began to lift it upwards to her level along side the cloud. Rainbow Dash flew to the spot in the clouds above them and proceeded to buck through it to make a whole. Everything was going smoothly as Pinkie was about to reach the top.

"Hey! Dashie I see y-" She was cut off as a blue beam streaked through the cloud causing it to vanish. Pinkie began to plummet.

"PINKIE! HOLD ON!" Rainbow Dashed called out as she darted downwards after her friend. She managed position the her front arms beneath Pinkies and slowed her to a stop.

"Thanks Dash-"

The same force that hit the cloud slammed into them, knocking Rainbow Dash away. It grabbed hold of Pinkie began flying at the panel. With ferocious strength, it chucked Pinkie straight at the panel. She struck it head on, breaking it into chunks on impact. She fell along with the pieces of the panel towards that ground. The glowing blue entity sped towards her once more, extending its talons. It was knocked aside by an extremely angry Rainbow Dash. The cyan pegasus turned and bolted after her friend who was now falling once more in panic. She manage to catch up to the pink pony who was screaming. Rainbow Dash brought her to a stop just before she hit the ground. Twilight teleported the other beside them.

"Pinkie are you alright?"

"Yeah I'm fine thanks to Rainbow Dash here. I would thank her if somepony didn't keep interrupting me!" Pinkie yelled in annoyance turning to face the creature that landed several feet from them.

Rainbow Dash, now getting a better look at the creature, looked at it in horror over what she saw. Standing several feet away from her was a Griffon who's body had a was covered in radiant electric blue streaks like bolts of electricity that shined through its fur and feathers. Its eyes glowed blue as well and gave off small sparks. The tips of its talons were transparent like crystals and glowed with the same radiance that adorned its body. It gave an evil smile.

"Hey Dash, how you been?" It called out. Rainbow Dash felt petrified at who this was. She knew that voice all too well as the voice of her first friend. The griffon that ruined the party back in Ponyville. Her former friend.

"G-g-gilda!?" The terrified pegasus called back.

"What's happened to you?"

"A lot has happened to me Dash, but you already knew that now DIDN'T YOU!" The griffon yelled as she charged them. Rainbow Dash flew up with Pinkie as everyone else jumped to the side. They all just barely dodged the attack. Gilda swooped past them and stopped, turning back to give a loud roar.

"I'm going to END YOU LOSERS!" She screamed before charging once more. She was stopped in mid air as she was held in place by a telekinetic grasp. Purple aura emulated around her as she struggled in the grasp of the lavender unicorn's magic.

"I'm not going to let you hurt my friends Gilda." Twilight stated.

"Trixie is not going to let you get away with that!" Called another voice from above.

As Twilight looked up to see its source, she was blasted by a beam of energy, plowing her against the ground where she stood. She couldn't focus. She was blinded by the pain. She could feel her body grind against the rock. An alarm sounded as Ponies began to gallop past her towards her foe. Her vision was null. She felt someone levitate her upwards and onto there back. She could feel herself bouncing as the pony galloped past her. She heard a voice call out to her. She recognized it as Rarity's.

"Twilight! Twilight Darling are you alright! We need to get you out of here." Rarity called out

"Trixie?" Twilight asked. Rarity only replied with a frown as she looked back. Twilight followed her glance, seeing the floating blue unicorn in the distance, her body surrounded in a blood red aura as she blasted away at the guards attempting to swarm her. Twilight looked on in fear over what she was witnessing.

Celestia help us...

Rainbow Dash flew through the tent areas holding on to her pink friend desperate to get away from the raging Griffon that pursued her. She flew through low to the ground in the camp to avoid being seen. Dodging the guards and ponies who were running about frantically. She kept swerving randomly desperate to get away but found it was to no avail as she could hear ponies calling out in pain as each was knocked to the side by the force that pursued them. Rainbow Dash didn't bother to look back, she was too focused on getting her friend to safety. Part of her began to wonder why Gilda was so upset.

Does she seriously want to kill us just because she got rejected as a friend? No. I know Gilda. She may be bad but she wouldn't go that low without a reason. Her thoughts were interrupted as the griffon called out to them.

"COME BACK HERE DWEEBS!" Gilda yelled from behind, her voice was filled with anger and frustration.

Rainbow Dash pushed herself harder to get away. She managed to get far enough away that Gilda could barely see them. She looked back briefly to make sure the griffon was out of view. She was barely insight as they swerved around the tents of the camp. Rainbow Dash bolted to the side and hid behind them. She looked back up to see the griffon zoom past them. She looked in the direction to make sure Gilda was gone and sighed with relief.

"That was close Pinkie?" She asked turning to face her pink friend.

"Pinkie?" The pegasus asked noticing that the party pony was beginning to tear up. She was clearly

"Why is Gilda acting this way Dashie?"

"I wish I knew Pinkie."

"Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash! It's me Cyclone! Common we got to go!" A deep masculine voice called out.

The two turned to see an silver pegasus guard with a black tail. His armor looked identical to that of Commander Maelstrom with the exception of the blades lined along the edge of his wings. He was motioning for them to follow. The two of them came beside him as they began to gallop. Bolts of lightning started to streak across the sky over the sky and boom over the camp. Smoke began to rise in various areas around them. Ponies could be heard screaming and running in panic.

"Those monsters are tearing apart the camp. We need to get you out of here! Come on we need to get to the chariots!" The commander yelled over the loud noises of screams and explosions.

"What about our friends!?" Rainbow Dash.

"The others will take care of them! You need to get out of here."

"No! I'm not leaving unless I know my friends are safe."

"Are you insane? Do you not see the destruction those things are causing. Do you want to get killed?"

Rainbow Dash never wanted to let her friends down. She didn't wanted not even this time of crisis to be an exception to that. She stopped following. Pinkie and the guard turned back to face the pegasus.

"I never leave my friends down. I will give my life if it means I can help them." The cyan pegasus stated firmly. Cylcone looked hesitantly before giving a smile.

"You've got the heart of a true soldier kid. I've got to make sure everyone gets out in one piece so I have to go. Pinkie you should come with me."

"But I want to help Rainbo-" Pinkie stopped as the cyan pegasus placed a hoof on her shoulder.

"Pinkie I want you to be safe. Go with him. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

Pinkie stared at her with worry before giving a smile and turning back to face the guard and the two of them began running off. Rainbow Dash turned back in the direction of the chaos. She could see lights flashing in the direction of it. She gathered all the bravery she could muster from within herself before charging in its direction.

Alright Gilda. You want me? Here I come!

Curing a Broken Soul

The darkness spread to the griffin's heart faster then I had anticipated.

Permanent corruption is eminent and their failure is starting to seem likely.

Gilda was finding Void's power-up had drastically modified her agility and strength. No matter how much she had to do, no matter how much energy she used up and no matter how far she pushed herself her stamina would not cease. It just kept charging her with power like an everlasting battery. She could feel the mix of the magic and adrenaline pulsating through her as she angrily flew through the pillaged camp grounds. She cursed under her breath at having lost sight of her prey and flew up to the sky to look across the devastation. She gazed over through the fire and smoke in search of her targets, finding no sign of Rainbow Dash or Pinkie Pie. She could only make out the rushing of guards along the ground and in the sky, chariots began to leave from the burning campgrounds. Gilda positioned herself to engage them but paused, seeing her ally was in the distance already at work bringing them down with bolts of lightning. Her pent up frustration began to consume her once more as she screamed.

"PINKIE PIE! RAINBOW DASH! WHERE ARE YOU!" She called, looking around.

Her cry hadn't gone unnoticed as royal pegasus guards began to rise up from the camp and charge at her. The first guard flew up to her level and charged straight towards her with his front hooves extended, prepared to ram. Gilda turned and moved to the side just before impact, grabbing the guard by the wing and breaking it with a loud crack in her talons. The guard cried out in pain, as she held him up and delivered a hard punch to his neck. The denting of the armor was blocked out by another loud crack as a small stream of blood spurted from his muzzle. Gilda caught the sight of another guard approaching from behind. The spun around and chucked the broken pegasus at her attacker, slamming into the guard and knocking them both out of the sky. Two more charged up from behind her only to each receive a kick in the face from her two hind legs.

"Come on! Is that all you got! That's weak!" She taunted to the guards as they fell.

Her tone began deepened as she spoke with less feminine quality. The lights in her eyes began to glow brighter as electric blue crystal shards had begun to grow along her spine and along the front edges of her wings. The mutation had gone completely unnoticed to her as she scanned the ground for more. Sure enough, guards had begun to rise, this time in greater numbers. Gilda opened her talons as they flew in attempting to swarm her. Every attempt they made to buck and slice at her with steal horseshoes and blades along their wings at her was only met with thin air as she evaded, blocked and countered their attacks. Every buck and slice only met thin air as she maneuvered around them, only to have her talons slice and punch at them, sheering and denting their armor with frequent blood splatter as she sent them falling to their death. Looking upon the broken bodies, she only felt frustration over the fact that none of them were Pinkie Pie or Rainbow Dash. She paused to get a better look at the carnage, chuckling at the positions she say the corpses laying in as it gave her some ideas about how to torment Pinkie. In her daydreams she hadn't noticed the cyan pegasus rocketing towards her from the side. From her peripheral vision, she caught a glimpse and turn her head only to receive a buck straight to the face.

"No one hurts my friends!" Rainbow Dash yelled at the griffin. Her kick sent Gilda spiraling straight into one of the weather machines. Rainbow Dash saw the large explosion that followed from impact and hesitated at the sight of fire rising into the sky. She was slightly surprised by how easy it was to land a hit on the griffin. Looking back on the times they had spent together when the two of them were friends, Gilda was never one to get beaten so easily which was one of the many thing they shared. At least they used to. Looking at the explosion she began to wonder if that was it for Gilda.

Is it really over...?

Her hope was crushed as she heard the familiar roar of the enraged griffin as Gilda bolted upwards from the wreckage. She stopped, hovering above the destroyed machines. Her morphed figure stuck out from the smoke of the machines.

"I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!" She roared in a demonic voice. Rainbow Dash felt herself cringe in fear at the altered sound of Gilda's voice.

"Gilda! What's happened to you!?"

"YOU'RE WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND I'M GOING TO PUT AN END TO YOUR PATHETIC LIFE BACK STABBING LOSER!" Gilda screamed back.

Rainbow Dash could make out the fusion of rage and sadness in the griffon's call. It sounded as though Gilda had lost her mind. The griffin raised her talon and opened her grasp as a blue ball of energy formed at the tips. The ball began to grow larger in size as it charged with energy.

That's new Rainbow Dash thought just before Gilda swung her arm, sending the ball straight at Rainbow Dash. The pegasus flew up, dodging the shot. Gilda only grew more enraged as she focused all the energy to her talons. She started throwing a barrage of the blasts at Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash started to fly around, evading the orbs that just barely missed her. Gilda threw shot after shot, every miss only made her go faster. Rainbow Dash was struggling to keep up with them. She hesitated at one that just past her face and without warning, she felt something slam into her wing and explode. The concussive force of the blast cause her to black out and begin falling.

"Oh no you don't! I want to ENJOY KILLING YOU!" Gilda called out as she dove after the pegasus. It wasn't hard to catch up with the pegasus with her new found power, after all she couldn't tire with it. She grabbed the pegasus by the neck and flew with her to the ground. She shifted her momentum just before impact, flying straight towards one of the weather generating machines. She slowed herself and pinned her prey against the wall. Gilda shifted her fingers along the the pegasus' neck, paying little attention to the red and golden necklace. She was reassured when she felt a pulse.

"Wake up! Your not dead yet. Not until I get to have some fun with you." Gilda uttered with a devious smile as she slapped the pegasus' muzzle with her free talon.

Rainbow Dash's consciousness slowly began to return to her. She could feel something grabbing hold of her neck and had began to struggle. Gilda's smile grew wider as she saw the pegasus was coming to.

"Hehe. Have a nice nap Dash? Did you forget about your old bud Gilda? Well here I am and I haven't forgotten about you". Gilda said, her voice changed from sinister to angry at the mention of of memory of Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash wasn't about to let a stuck up griffon finish her off, especially not after a storm nearly did the same. Her ambition overpowering the pain from the blast as she lifted her hind legs and bucked Gilda straight in the beak, sending her back.

"I don't know what your problem is Gilda but you better think twice before you can jus- WOAH!"

She was caught off guard by Gilda's sudden charge. Rainbow Dash moved to the side as Gilda just barely missed, putting a a large dent in the machine with her fists. Rainbow Dash took the opportunity to take to the sky. Gilda spun around and charged after her. Rainbow Dash could hear the sound of Gilda's energy being charged once more and began to sway as the two of them ascended to the clouds. Her attempts were successful as the glowing blue orbs flew past her, only to infuriate the Griffin. Rainbow Dash flew through the clouds and began to fly along their surface. Orbs continued to fly through the clouds from beneath her. She swerved to avoid them as sh looked over the clouds. She moved up getting a better look as she flew. She saw the cloud panels that were being set up. Some of them had been stacked in box like shapes, forming houses. She was stopped short when the griffin rose from beneath and appeared in front of her. Rainbow Dash panicked, sending her front hooves forward and slammed them into Gilda's face once more. Gilda moved her talons to her face as she felt and heard something crack. Rainbow Dash took the opportunity as she turned and bucked the griffin in the chest with her hind legs. Gilda flew backwards and fell to surface of the soft clouds. Rainbow Dash proceeded to pinning her by the shoulders.

"This isn't you Gilda, I know you can be stubborn and hold a grudge but this. This isn't the griffin I used to know." Rainbow Dash said with all seriousness. Gilda merely smirked in response.

"Heh. You expect me not to feel angry after you took EVERYTHING!" She roared as she charged the energy at her talons once more. Rainbow Dash leaped back as Gilda fired the blast. Gilda dug her wings into the cloud and pushed herself though it. Rainbow Dash dove through the clouds after her only to find the griffin had vanished beneath the clouds.

What? Where did you go? She thought to herself as she looked over the camp in apprehension, completely unaware of the griffin clinging to the clouds about her, giving her an evil smile. Gilda released her grips from the floating mass and dove after her target with talons opened. Rainbow Dash turned in time only to feel a talon impact her chest, bringing her downwards. She screamed in pain as they both plummeted. Gilda didn't yield as she had before, she wanted the pegasus to suffer this time. They were about to make impact when they were stopped by an unknown force. They were surrounded by a silver aura that held them in place. Gilda felt the force undo her grasp on the pegasus. She began flailing around in mid air, attempting to break free.

"What's going on!? I... can't...move! Rainbow DAAASH!" Gilda said angrily tried to swipe at the weaken pegasus lying on the ground. The force thrust her to her side she gazed back at the cyan pegasus before she slammed into a pile of cloud panels. Rainbow Dash put her hooves over her chest, she could feel gashes left by Gilda's talons.

"Rainbow Dash! Are you alright?" Called a familiar masculine voice. It wasn't as stern as she recalled, it sounded more concerned. She turned head as she lay on the ground and saw a familiar black unicorn wearing golden armor followed by a group other also clad in golden armor. The cyan pegasus fought against the pain to give a response.

"Commander Maelstrom?" She asked in a weak voice as the group her. He noticed her wounds and looked back at the griffin who was getting out of the rubble. A look of certainty crossed his face.

"Men! There is one of the monsters that pillaged the camp. Engage it and subdue it! NOW!"

Rainbow Dash saw the guards galloping towards. She struggled to suppress her feelings of apprehension. Maelstrom walked up beside her and looked down giving her a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry Rainbow Dash, We'll get you out of h-" He was cut off by the sound a of an electrical explosion. Rainbow Dash saw the guards being launched in the air fly past him. They both turned to see the source had come from the wrecked pile of cloud panels. The other guards hesitated as dust rose pile and around it. They heard a loud roar and braced themselves as Gilda leaped from the pile slamming into one of the guards and causing him to fall back. With one swipe of her talons the armor was slices open along with the flesh of the pony. The guard tried to scream but was cut off as the enraged griffon impaled his muzzle with her glowing fist. Turning to see the other guards attempt to rush her, she pointed her talon balled into a fist at them. It charged with energy, beginning to glow brighter. Gilda opened her grasp, releasing a several bolts of lightning that struck the guards, blasting them through them and burning away their flesh. Rainbow Dash saw more crystal-like spike growing along Gilda's arms, the mutation seemed to go unnoticed to Gilda. Rainbow Dash turned to see an equally horrified Maelstrom looking on at the sight. His look changed to one of serious nature as his horn began to light up, sending a beam of white energy at the griffon. Gilda quickly dodged as she charged another orb. This orb was red and it was larger then the spheres of energy she seemed now capable of producing. Maelstrom stopped the blast only to see the projectile flying towards him. It was traveling far to fast for him to dodge. Instead of exploding on impact it carried him into another pile of panels on Rainbow Dash's other side. Rainbow turned her head and saw the ball explode with steaks of lightning as they both impacted the pile. Gilda ignored what she had done and began walking towards Rainbow Dash

Rainbow Dash looked back at the griffon in realization of what was standing before her. She didn't see the friend who was always there for her back in flight school nor the stubborn griffon who was stuck up and only cared about being cool. Instead, she only saw a heartless monster. She knew Gilda well enough to know that while Gilda would hold a grudge, she would never go so low as to kill and yet here the griffon stood with bloody talons, hell bent on taking the life of her old friend. Rainbow Dash was utterly horrified that any one could become something so cruel and part of her refused to believe that this is what she was staring at. She gathered what strength she had left to speak, she had to know the truth.

"Gilda. Please. Just tell me why."

Gilda winced for a moment at the pegasus' words as if she had been hit by something. She paused before looking back and gave a stoic expression as she picked Rainbow Dash up by the neck once more.

"I though you'd know about what happened since you just left me. But I didn't just lose you, I lost EVERYONE!" Gilda yelled as she lifted and hurled the pegasus to her side. Rainbow Dash could feel the ground hit her in random spots around her as her body ricocheted along it until she rolled to a stop. Rainbow Dash fought deeply tried prevent her consciousness from fading again as she looked back at the menacing griffon who was walking towards her.

"I'll bet you just forgot about it. You forgot about your old pal. Well let me refresh your memory." Gilda uttered in a hateful tone as she walked up to the cyan pegasus and grabbed her by the neck once more.

"You made me the laughing stock of griffins Dash. I lost my other friends because of you and your stupid pink friend. they all think I'm weak and worthless now. But now that I have the pleasure of taking away everything from you, I don't care anymore. I wish Pinkie Pie was here to see this. To see the look on your face right now. I'm really diggin' it myself." Gilda said with a smile.

Rainbow Dash struggled to speak as her throat was starting to be squeezed by the griffin. She held her hooves up in an attempt to get them off but it was to of no avail.

"But *cough*... I... didn't know that *cough* would happen to...*cough cough* you." Rainbow Dash managed to whisper through Gilda's grip. Gilda only looked down and sighed at her words.

"That's too bad Dash. But you know what?" Gilda asked as she lifted the two of them off the ground and proceeded gripped Rainbow Dash's abdomen. Pegasus winced in pain as Gilda dug her sharpened talons into the pegasus, feeling blood ooze from the wounds.

"Neither did I." Gilda uttered in a cold voice as she continued to torment the pegasus. She chuckled knowing she would finally have her revenge. Part of her wanted something else to remember the death of her former friend by. Not just pain but words. She pulled her talon from the Rainbow Dash's abdomen and loosened her grasp as she charged another red ball of energy in her free talon.

"Anything you want to tell me or talk about before I kill you? I wanna know what your last thoughts are. You know. Something to remember you by when I do the same to Pinkie. I think she'd like to know what they were." Gilda said causally with an evil smile.

Rainbow Dash gave a light wine as she fought desperately the pain to get the words out.

"What about your family? Don't you have a family you could have gone to?"

Gilda froze at her words, completely caught off guard. She was expecting her to beg for mercy or forgiveness. To spare her life and/or Pinkie Pie's something. She paused, unsure of what to say before she spoke up. She realized she'd never told her old friend about her life at home. Most of the time it had just been them hanging out, trying to get away from the people that ridiculed them both in flight school. They talked about what they liked about the classes and and how stuck up everyone seemed they had so much in common and knowing that made them both feel better. She decided Dash at least deserved to know the truth.

"I never had a family Dash. I also didn't have a home either. I had to survive..." Gilda said looking down, her tone lightened somewhat.

Rainbow Dash felt a sense of guilt wash over her. Even in her pain as the griffin stood positioned to kill her, she still felt sorry for her old friend. Realizing now that there was something else they had in common. They didn't just have no other friends. Neither of them had anything else to look forward to other then eachother.

"Gilda, I know that feeling. Having no one to be there for you. I didn't have anything either. *cough cough* ... I know... what that's like because I *cough*... I had no one either. I never knew my dad and from what ponies at an orphanage told me. My mom died when I was born. The kids at the orphanage always *cough*... picked on me... until I met you and *cough* ...I *cough cough* ... I knew I wasn't alone anymore. I had someone there for me. Someone I could hang out with."

Gilda paused briefly, she remembered there times together and how they ended. Despite how much she hated flight school. She would go back if it meant seeing the Rainbow Dash she once knew. Her rage returned as the memory of the party entered her mind once more.

"If that's true... why did you leave me?" The griffin asked with her anger in her voice. She tightened her grip around the pegasus' neck once more. Rainbow Dash could feel herself begin to lose consciousness again. She was reminded of the blood was slowly leaving her body. She quickened the pace of her words as she knew they may very well be her last.

"Like I *cough*... said... I *cough cough* ...I didn't know that this would happen to you. I wish I did Gilda. I really do. I would have tried to stay friends. I know *cough cough* ... I know you're mad at me and I'm sorry. I speak for both me and Pinkie when I say I never meant for you to feel so alone again. *cough*... I'll still... I'll still be...*cough* you're friend." Rainbow Dash managed to whisper just before she fainted.

Gilda dropped bloody pegasus and looked at it in silence. She didn't feel the anger or rage from what had happened. All that had happened at the party seemed meaningless now. Gilda heard the voice she recognized all to well as her friend from flight school. The crystals around her body slowly began to dissolve.

"Hey Gilda! Are you going to compete in the flight school race? Everyone's going to be there and it's going to be so awesome."

I would but...

"But why Gilda? Are ya chicken?"

No! I just... just.

"Just what Gilda? You can tell me."

No one will be there to cheer me on... why do I even bother? It won't be that cool anyway. You should just go on without me

...

"... I'll be there to cheer for you."

...Huh? But... won't you be racing.

"Well, yeah... but that doesn't mean I can't also cheer you on too right?"

I... I guess so

"Common Gilda, it will be fun. We'll show those guys how its REALLY done!"

... yeah... Yeah! We can show these foals how we fly with style.

Gilda felt tears start to run down her eyes at the memory of the friend she once knew. Here she was ready to kill the one person who had always been there for her. Who had always cheered her up when she was down and who had always helped her stand up for herself. She ready to kill the first and closest friend she ever had. The silence was interrupted by a flash of light blue energy. Gilda turned her head to see her partner in vengeance.

"Oh Gilda! Trixie brought you a little gift." The blue unicorn chimed as she lowered an unconscious pink earth pony with a bubbly pink mane to the ground. Gilda stared at what was her second target, the one who she thought was behind the party but she couldn't feel anger as Rainbow Dash's words played back in her head.

I speak for both me and Pinkie when I say I never meant for you to feel so alone.

Gilda continued to stare at Pinkie's body, remembering the words she spoke from the party. The words that seemed like blatant lies before now suddenly seemed only to tell the truth.

I threw this party to improve your attitude. I thought a good party might turn that frown upside down.

"Gilda? What's wrong with you? Trixie goes out of her way to bring you the pony that you were so eager to have vengeance with and you're just stand th-... OH! Trixie understands. Your thinking of a way to kill them just right. Oooh. Trixie sees you've already found one of them. Well go ahead. Take your time. Trixie can't seem to find Twilight so she will take a seat and watch as Gilda has her vengeance!" The show pony said, chuckling in mid air as a bag of popcorn seemingly appeared from out of nowhere.

Gilda looked back to the body lying before her as panic arose from within her. It dawned on her that her closest friend was about to die. She grabbed the cyan pegasus in her arm and flew over to the pinkie pony. Slipping it securely under her arm as she flew. She darted upwards, taking to the sky. Leaving behind a very confused and annoyed Trixie.

"Gilda! Where are you going!" The show pony called only to receive no responce.

Price of Loyalty

Friendship can be a burden. Leaving those vulnerable to failure liable to suffer.

It took only a few more days for Rainbow Dash to recover from her condition with the help of some of Celestia's magic. Her body was healed completely but her wings had to heal on there own. Rainbow Dash wasn't really paying attention to Celestia reason for this. She remembered a doctor saying something about being lucky that the wings weren't horribly fractured. She didn't really care. She was free now, but she wasn't entirely happy. Hearing about Twilight's dream made her hate Void even more. She was already angry at him for taking away her ability to fly and badly damaging her home not to mention completely blowing away her cloud house. All she wanted was to buck him back into where ever it is he'd come from.

Philomena was still around to pull some pranks and help take her mind away from the alicorn. Philomena was a surprisingly fast phoenix. Rainbow Dash raced her around the castle just for fun. It was so large that they could go down a variety of different paths, making different courses for the two to go head to head. Rainbow Dash was faster but Philomena knew all the shortcuts and often their races ended in ties. It was fun, despite the fact that there was the issue with Void to worry about.

"Your not going to get away that easily!" Rainbow Dash called out, zooming through the air. Philomena turned around while flying in front of her and stuck her tongue out at the blue pegasus before turning back around and zooming ahead leaving a small, fiery trail behind her.

Rainbow Dash bolted after her. Streaking through the halls of the castle and swerving through the corridors in pursuit of the incredibly fast firebird. Rainbow Dash managed to keep the bird in her sight but with all the turns they were now making keeping up was becoming difficult.

"Come back here you!" She shouted. Following the bird out a window.

The two of them now flying high above the royal gardens. Rainbow Dash saw Philomena was headed straight for their preset finish line. Princess Celestia's throne room. Rainbow Dash pushed harder. Feeling the wind blasting hard against her, she pressed on. She wasn't about to get beaten by a bird. The force pushing against her seemed to grow and grow until she broke it. Suddenly she jolted forward straight past Philomena, leaving a massive multicolored ring in her trail. She flew though the window. She halted right as she reached the floor. Philomena flew in a second later.

"YES! HA! I beat you!" She yelled enthusiastically, pointing a hoof at the birds beak. Philomena gave her an upset crow.

"Ahem."

The two of them turned to see an annoyed looking princess Celestia sitting on her throne. She was levitating a number of opened and closed scrolls along with a quill and parchment. It had looked like she was in the middle of writing something on one of the scrolls.

"Philomena, Rainbow Dash, while I am pleased to see the two of you having fun together. I would appreciate it if you did it somewhere else right now."

"Opps, sorry princess Celestia. Didn't mean to bother you."

"That's alright Rainbow Dash."

The princess turned her attention back to the scroll she was writing on. Rainbow Dash floated to the window.

"Come on Philomena, I'll race race to Spike's favorite donutshop." She said giving the bird a smirk. To her surprise, Philomena shook her head.

"No? What do you mean no? I thought you liked to race."

Philomena flew past her, landing on the windowsill and pointed a wing at the dark clouds forming in the sky.

"Huh? What? You afraid of a little rain?"

The princess paused and raised her head at this.

"Rain? There isn't supposed to be any rain today."

She flew over to the window and looked up at the sky. After seeing that there was in fact rain clouds forming, she turned to face one of the two guards standing at her door.

"Aero, I want you to check up on the unicorns at Canterlot Weather Control. Find out why there is a storm coming when I didn't schedule one for today."

"Right away." the golden armored pegasus replied before flying out the door.

Rainbow Dash gave her a confused look.

"There isn't suppose to be rain?" She asked.

"I personally assign the weather patterns for Canterlot and Manehatten. I could do this myself but I personally don't have the time so I have a set of unicorns who are trained in the ways of weather magic to do it for me. They are known as the Canterlot Weather Control. They are run mostly by unicorns from my guard and I have it that way for it be easier for me to give them orders and in doesn't take as long, this makes it easier to change bad weather for upcoming special events in Canterlot. Every month I send them a series of an instructions for the weather spells that are to be cast, how severe they are to be and when they must occur."

The princess turned walked back to her throne. Rainbow Dash never though the weather could be controlled by magic but then again she never really needed to know much about magic. She wasn't a unicorn after all.

"I thought all weather was controlled by the weather factory in Cloudsdale."

"It only controls weather in Cloudsdale and the neighboring town of Ponyville and Whitetail Woods. There is actually another weather factory that controls the weather for Phillydelphea and Trottingham and other towns in that region of Equestria that is run by earth ponies. Although, from what I've heard it's not too different from the one in Cloudsdale."

The princess sat back upon her throne, setting her attention to her writing once more. Rainbow Dash stared at her. She found it hard to believe that earth ponies controlled the weather at all much less over major cities. She dismissed the thought, refocusing her attention to the clouds outside the window that seemed to be getting thinker and darker. She stared in thought for a minute on what to do. She wanted to do something about it.

"Well. I'm not going to let a little rain spoil the fun me and my friend are having. Especially if it's not even supposed to be there."

The princess looked back to her

"Rainbow Dash that's very nice of you but I don't thi-" She was cut off as the guard returned through the door.

"Your highness, the weather control reports that no storm spells have been cast. The team has been working to try and counter this storm but so far it is to of no avail."

Princess looked at him and paused for a brief moment. She was lost in thought at what to do. Rainbow Dash grew impatient.

"Don't worry princess. I've cleared plenty of clouds before. These cloud will be no problem." Rainbow Dash siad just before she flew out the window.

"Rainbow Dash, wait!" Celestia flew to the window only to find that the blue pegasus was nowhere to be seen.

The concerned alicorn turned to face her guards.

"Aero, Rondevu, I want you two to gather some of the guards and keep a lookout for Rainbow Dash should she get herself hurt. Take to the skies if you can and do not interfere with her while she clears the sky."

"Yes your highness." the town guards said together before flying out the door.

Rainbow Dash was now flying the the think clouds. The air seemed very dense but it wasn't anything she wasn't use to. After all most of what she did with her time was go through clouds at high speed when practicing to become a part of the Wonderbolts. She felt a few light static shocks as she flew.

HA! I don't know why the princess doesn't have pegasi do this. We do it way better and way cooler. I've already got almost have this storm gone. Too easy. She thought to herself

"Are you so sure?" called out a voice from above.

Rainbow Dash stopped cold at the sound of the voice. Immediately she felt angry. She looked up to see a familiar black and white alicorn sitting on a pitch black cloud that seemed to give out static.

"Void! I'm not afraid of you now that I got these babies back!" She tilted her body to showcase her wings. Void gave her a smile.

"Excellent, though having one more body feature present makes you no more prepared to face me in a battle. Not that you'd ever get the chance anyway."

"Oh yeah!?" Rainbow Dash yelled before charging at him full speed. Void vanished just before she made contact.

"Come on! What are you? Chicken? Braaakbukbukbukbuk Braak!" Rainbow Dash called out, giving a smirk as she motioning her arms to mimic wings. She stopped cold when she heard him again.

"No. A deity." He whispered into her ear.

Before she could respond, Rainbow Dash felt something like strike her back, sending her plummeting. She flew straight through several clouds. Wincing back at the alicorn in pain and anger as she fell. Determination taking hold of her, she began flopping about and managed to regain her balance.

"Is that it? I can take more then that!" she called back. Void teleported to her side once again. His presence so close filled her with fear.

"That wasn't meant to seriously hurt you. I don't have any intention of doing that directly, not yet. But right now I think you should worry about this storm. Seeing as it blew half of Cloudsdale to smithereens. A shame you weren't there to stop it. You probably could have." He said, floating around her as he spoke. Rainbow Dash stared at him, utterly shocked.

No storm could do that to a city that's made of clouds could it? She thought to herself and shook her head in disbelief.

"NO! I don't believe you! Storms can't just do that!"

Void moved his head closer to her face.

"You don't have to believe what's true. But that doesn't make it any less fact and, inevitably, you won't be able to hide from it. And if I were you, I'd try to stop it before it does the same to Canterlot."

Rainbow Dash winced at his words. She wanted to beat him to a pulp right then and there but she didn't know if Void was bluffing or not. She couldn't risk it. Looking around she noticed the storm was once again as big as it was when she'd started. She wasted no time and began once more. She went through cloud after cloud, buck after buck, and shock after shock. The storm hadn't seemed to lessen much but she pressed on, determined to help her friends. Bolts of lightning began move through the clouds. The pain from the shocks started to increase. She was beginning to lose control of her body. Without warning, something slammed into through her flank and and out the lower part of her leg. Rainbow Dash screamed in pain as she began falling, losing all control over her body. The burning sensation she felt was unbearable and something seemed to be flowing up from her flank as she fell. Her vision began to darken as she looked back at the clouds from above before she blacked out completely.

Rainbow Dash managed to crack open her eyes. She was lying on the ground upside down in the middle of a street in Canterlot. The pain now searing through her entire body was immense and she was to weak to call out for help. She could feel the patter of the rain that was now falling upon her. She saw something burning in the distance. Light flashed in the sky as lightning struck the ground around the same area. The sound was deafening. Rainbow Dash was now hearing a ringing in her ear. Through it she heard someone calling out her name. It sounded distorted, more like an echo. She felt something touch her head from behind. It felt like a hoof. The pain and ringing seemed to vanish as it made contact. The patter of the rain became louder. She tried to get up but for some reason she couldn't.

"Poor Rainbow Dash. She tried to help her friends and look what happened... how tragic." Said the masculine voice. Rainbow Dash felt herself getting angry once more as she recognized the voice all to well.

"And look at what's happening because you couldn't help them." The voice continued.

Rainbow Dash felt her vision clearing. She saw building in the streets of Canterlot burning. Chunks of some of them were missing and some had fallen into the streets.

"No..." she whispered, she was to weak to speak loudly.

"And to think the same thing happened to your hometown Rainbow Dash. Such a tragedy."

Rainbow Dash felt tears form beneath her eyes upon taking into account what Void was telling her.

He's right... I couldn't help them... I couldn't help my friends...

The hoof touching her head disappeared and the pain seemed to return instantaneously. Her vision began to blacken once more. As it did, she notices two forms that seemed to be running towards her just before she passed out.

Rainbow Dash awoke to find herself lying in a bed in the medical ward of Canterlot Castle. She was familiar with it after having spent her time there recovering from the explosion. She looked up to see her five friends standing by the bed, tears streaming from there eyes. Pinkie was the first to speak up. Her hair was flattened and she wasn't as hyper as normal.

"Dashie. Your alright." She said with a smile of relief.

Pinkie was about to give her a hug when Rainbow Dash pushed away and looked down.

"What's wrong Dashie?"

The guilt of having failed to help Canterlot began to pile up in Rainbow Dash's mind.

How can they still even call me their friend after what just happened? It's my fault Canterlot is like this.

"Just leave me alone." the pegasus responded before lying back in bed and covering her face with the sheets.

All of them gave her a look of concerned. Twilight used her magic to pull the sheets away from her friend's face.

"Rainbow Dash you can tell us."

Rainbow Dash turned her head away from them, her eyes still shut tight began to leak tears. The polite nature of her friends only made the fact that she'd failed them hurt more.

"Are you in pain?" Twilight asked.

Rainbow Dash nodded her head. It wasn't entirely a lie, her wings and back left leg ached. She had just wanted them to go away.

"Ah think we should just give her some rest. Come on y'all." Applejack said walking out the door, the others followed her.

Fluttershy was the last to walk out. She turned back to face Rainbow Dash. She spoke up.

"What happened isn't your fault Rainbow Dash." She said her soft voice before continuing.

But it is Fluttershy... It is...