In The Twilight of Harmony’s End

Chapters

Chapter 1 The Beginning of The End
Chapter 3 Between the Nightmares
Chapter 4 A Crucial Choice
Chapter 5 Confirmation
Chapter 6 Escalation
Chapter 7 Together Again
Chapter 8 In Black and White
Chapter 9 Games and Consequences
Chapter 10 The Final Day of Scootaloo
Chapter 11 The Last Step Into Darkness
Chapter 12 The Final Moves
Chapter 13 CMC Forewer Yaaaay!
Chapter 14 Crystal Conquest
Chapter 15 CMC, Cheer up Specialists Yaaaay!
Chapter 16 Crystal Awakening
Chapter 2 The Fall of a Brave Filly Begins

Chapter 1 The Beginning of The End

In The Twilight of Harmony’s End
Chapter 1
The Beginning of The End

****

Twilight's skull was pounding, she couldn't remember any time it had hurt as much as it did right now. With a pained grunt she pushed herself up on her hooves, only to halt as she heard the rattle of chains around her.

Hissing harshly while she forced her eyes open, she looked down to see a chain curling up towards her neck where it was secured to an iron collar. Reaching for her magic to remove the cursed thing, her wings flared out and she cried out in agony as even more pain shot through her skull.

“You probably shouldn't do that… Those black crystals embedded in your horn don't react kindly to magic after all.” Twilight heard a somewhat familiar but still strange voice tell her before emitting a soft chuckling. Gritting her teeth, Twilight opened her eyes again. Looking up at her lavender horn, she could see that it was more or less completely covered in the same sort of crystals that had nullified Shining Armor’s magic in the Crystal Empire during King Sombra’s attempt to retake it. Twilight felt a shiver run down her spine when she understood what kind of predicament she found herself in. She was trapped, with no way of using her magic.

“Who… Who's there?” She managed to utter. The sporadic chuckling died away immediately and an eerie quiet fell over the dark room. Finally, just when she began to think whoever it was wouldn't answer, the hauntingly familiar voice came back.

“We are somepony you six have hurt worse than any of you can comprehend, oh thee faithful student of the light…” The voice hissed out. Finally Twilight thought that she recognized it. With a gasp she forced herself to stand up and struggled against the chain that was securing her to the floor.

“Nightmare Moon! How? How can you be here? We freed Luna from you! How can you have taken her over again!!!” Twilight yelled desperately into the darkness. A cold laughter emitted from Twilight's left side making her twirl in that direction.

“Luna? Oh no little one… I have no interest in that pathetic little wimp! My new host has made this much more personal between the nine of us!” Nightmare’s voice hissed out angrily. Twilight blinked in confusion while she peered around.

“What do you mean?” She asked. Nightmare chuckled at her.

“You didn't think you were here alone did you?” Nightmare wondered sarcastically as five pillars of light flared into existence. Twilight immediately clinched her eyes shut against the searing pain that the light caused her unprepared eyes. When she was finally able to open them, Twilight could to her horror see all of her friends unconscious and chained up around her.

“No…” Twilight whispered as she took in the state her friends were in.

Rarity was closest to her on her left side. Her horn had been similarly treated as Twilight's own, but then their predicaments differed greatly. Rarity’s pristine white coat was marred by the muck and filth she was chained down into, a stinking and oozing cesspool of mud and Celestia knows what else. And there in that muck, prim and proper Rarity was trapped and unconscious or... sleeping? She was lying on her side, only alive because her head was resting on a hard slimy rock in the middle of the cesspool, keeping her rasping airways above the pungent surface.

Twilight turned to the right, her horrified eyes falling on Applejack who's head and front hooves were locked in a stockade, completely immobilizing the mare even if she hadn't been unconscious. The tightness around her throat was made perfectly clear by the struggling breath escaping from her while she hung their limply. But apart from this, Applejack seemed to have been spared much of the humiliation Rarity was suffering for some reason.

Next to Applejack was a very tiny animal cage. A small piece of flowing pink mane was all that could be seen sticking out from the cramped compartment. Also, a few yellow feathers were lying in front of it, giving clear indication as to who had been stuffed into its restricted interior. Two bowls, one with food and one with water, could also be seen outside of the cage. Clearly it was meant to be visible but not reachable to Fluttershy inside of the cramped cage.

As Twilight looked back towards her left she could see that she was not the only one who was awake. Pinkie Pie was sitting inside of what looked like a crystal cube, her mane hanging flat and limply down the side of her face while she sat shivering in the middle of the cube. Pinkie hadn't so much as glanced over towards her friends, which made Twilight suspect that she couldn't see or hear anything outside of the strange cube at all. This was when Twilight realized she couldn't see Rainbow Dash anywhere. Twilight spun around several times trying to locate her. When she didn’t, she felt a small hope that perhaps Rainbow had escaped the predicament Twilight and the rest of her friends found themselves in, and therefore was most likely on her way to rescue them right now. As if she had read her thoughts, Nightmare’s low chuckling could be heard again.

“Look above you my dear princess.” Nightmares voice cooed sweetly. And as Twilight did just that her eyes became pin pricks as they locked onto Rainbow where she hung suspended in the air by several chains that were cruelly digging into her flesh. The chains were tightly wrapped around her torso and limbs several times before shooting off into different directions in the darkness. Her head was hanging down against her chest while Rainbow was spread out as if she was doing one of her famous victory poses. Twilight's lower lip quivered while she once again took in the state of her friends.

“Why? Why did you do this?” Twilight squeaked out in desperation. Hooves clopping against the ground could be heard off in the distant darkness, and then two turquoise dragon eyes opened up just outside the reach of the light, glaring back at Twilight.

“Because we both hate you six so much we don't want to kill you right away… Do you fools have any idea how much it hurt to be ripped apart by the elements of harmony? Or did you six deceive yourselves into thinking it was all TINGLY and NICE for me?!” Nightmares venomous voice yelled out of the darkness.

“What?… No… It was not supposed to-”

“And who told you that?! Princess Celestia? Ha! Gullible fools, why did you think I was screaming the whole while? Because it felt so good…” Nightmare said sarcastically. Twilight took a few quick breaths and made the calming gesture Cadence had shown her before. She managed to gather herself again. Her eyes snapped open and she glared back at Nightmare.

“You won't get away with this Nightmare! The princesses will find us, and your eternal night will be brought to a stop!” Twilight declared confidently, standing up with her back straight. A manic chuckle echoed through the dark chamber, and beneath the two turquoise eyes a vicious smile spread wide.

“Eternal night? I want no such nonsense this time. That was all Luna and her pathetic temper tantrum against Celestia. My new host had no such wishes, her hopes and dreams were so much more… manageable. And still the six of you failed her utterly in those easy regards. When she found me…… I thought I had reasons to hate you before, but now I truly loathe you!” Nightmare hissed. Twilight backed up until the chain went taught at this surprising accusation from Nightmare.

“Wait, what? Who did you trick into being your host this time?” Twilight wondered out loud. Nightmare laughed again.

“That's the thing! I didn't trick her, all I had to do was tell her the truth and she joined me willingly! She even laughed with joy as we became one! I have never been so completely bonded to a host before; you can even say we have truly become one. I can use far more of my true power through her than I ever could through Luna!” Nightmare said joyously. Twilight eyes turned to pin pricks at the revelation.

“No… We… We will still stop you! The princesses will still stop you! There is no way you can beat all of them at once!” Twilight now screamed back in defiance. Nightmare tilted her head for a moment, seemingly in deep thought, then nodded.

“Most likely a true scenario. Although… I didn't go after all at once, that would just be idiotic, and I'm not you after all Twilight.” Nightmare said. Suddenly, a metallic sound resounded in the darkness and Princess Cadence’s little golden crown came sliding towards Twilight, stopping just in front of her hooves. As Twilight realized what it was her whole chest felt like it was being squeezed mercilessly. She tried to cry out but not a sound came through her constricting throat. She gasped and wheezed as she tried to catch her breath.

“Little darling Cadence is rather poetically trapped in crystal atop that tower of hers in the crystal empire. But don't worry, she's not alone. After all her idiot husband is right there with her. Cadence should probably be fine, being immortal and all, although your idiot brother probably suffocated about two months ago when I trapped them there.” Nightmare said coldly.

“No… Shining…” Twilight squeaked out and started pulling and tugging desperately at the chain that still secured her firmly where she was.

“NO! NO! NOOOOOO!!!” She yelled as she continued to struggle more and more frantically while Nightmare stayed where she was looking at Twilight with pleasure. When Twilight finally collapsed after several minutes of fruitless attempts at breaking the chain, she looked up at Nightmare with tears running from her eyes, but the emotions behind them were now anger and hate. Black magic starting to seep in wisps from the corner of her eyes together with her tears.

“Good…” Nightmare whispered to herself as she saw the change in Twilight.

“I must unfortunately say that they put up a pathetically weak fight to stop me. Blasting me with love? Humph… Do I look like a changeling? Stupid mare, leaving her to watch her beloved slowly rot in front of her eyes was almost too kind.” Nightmares spat. Twilight gritted her teeth while anger started to boil within her.

“You won't get away with this! We'll fight you! Celestia and Luna will still defeat you, I swear it!” Twilight yelled.

“I guess they could be a problem… Although who would Celestia send to investigate what happened at the Crystal Empire when she couldn't find you I wonder? Hmmm, wouldn't that be… Luna wouldn’t it? And as she went there she would probably meet me coming the other way, and she would be more or less all alone to face me then…” The ringing sound that could be heard as Princess Luna's black crown landed in front of Twilight's hooves was deafening.

“At least she had a few good years before I sent her back to the moon.” Nightmare said and chuckled merrily. Twilight's jaw was now hanging open in complete disbelief.

“And before you start yelling at me about Celestia…” Another metallic clang sounded as Celestia’s crown landed beside Luna’s.

“I guess you finally understand your predicament. Cadence is locked away in the Crystal Empire; Luna is bound to the moon and Celestia to the sun.” Nightmare said. Twilight just stood there staring emptily out into nothing, her eyes glossy and empty.

“This… This is impossible… This can't be happening… This is just a bad dream!” Twilight shouted at the top of her lungs.

“Yes that's it! This is just a dream, a nightmare!” Twilight said with a desperate laughter.

“Oh really, come now Twilight. If this was just your nightmare as you claim, then why am I not acting the way I'm supposed to act according to you? Why haven't I ushered in an eternal night again? Moreover, why aren’t any of the dream weaving spells you learned from Luna working?” Nightmare said in a condescending tone. Twilight's eyes grew wide as she realized she truly had no control over anything in her surroundings. None of the mental exercises or spells she reached for were working, which was impossible unless… she was awake!

“NOOOOOO!!!” Twilight cried out and broke down sobbing. The leering smile that met her as she raised her gaze again made her anger explode. She charged straight at Nightmare screaming until the chain snapped taut and she was yanked back, landing painfully on her wings in a loud crash. Twilight reached up to the collar around her throat, gasping painfully where she lay. All the while Nightmare was laughing happily. Twilight forced herself up on her hooves again and glared over at Nightmare.

“Stop it! Show yourself you coward!!! Who did you possess! Who hated us so much as to give up herself for you! There is no one who’s that stupid! Unless… Trixie?!” Twilight spat the name out thinking that was the only logical choice. There was utter silence, and then a barking laugh filled the chambers.

“Oh Twilight you are such a laugh! I will enjoy making the six of you my willing servants. You especially though, that was after all one of my conditions in the bargain I made with my host. Although when I said I wanted you, she made the suggestion we get the rest of your happy little gang as well. And I must say that turned out wonderfully.” Nightmare said.

“I know…” Twilight then heard a very different yet familiar voice say, and it made a chill run down her spine because she instantly recognise it.

“No… It can be… you said your host hated us! There's no way she hates us! After all we've done for her! You're lying as always Nightmare! There's no way she could ever hate-”

“You six?! What have you ever done for me! TELL ME!!!” The shrill voice cried out furiously.

“Scootaloo we have… We are your friends aren't we? We will always help you, even now; we have always loved you Scootaloo.” Twilight said pleadingly.

Nightmare, or as it turned out, Scootaloo, stepped out of the darkness revealing that she was… herself? She looked the same; still the cute little filly Twilight had seen buzzing around Ponyville on her scooter for the last three years. At least until Twilight meet her eyes, which were most definitely Nightmare’s draconic eyes. And as Scootaloo smiled up at Twilight, she could see fangs protruding from beneath the filly’s lips.

“You are my friends? Really? Don't make me laugh.” Scootaloo said with a venomous voice Twilight had never heard from her.

“Of course we are Scootaloo, you-”

“So when was the last time you visited me at the orphanage?” Scootaloo wondered. Twilight blinked a couple of times.

“What?” She blurted out.

“Oh, you didn't even know that did you? It's perfectly understandable I guess. You have only been in Ponyville for... three years now, is it? Friends indeed…” Scootaloo said venomously, starting to walk around Twilight in a very predatory manner.

“No, Scootaloo, you have to believe me, all six of us are your friends.” Twilight said with intensity, trying to make the filly see the error of her ways. Scootaloo just arched an eyebrow at her.

“Really? Are you willing to bet your life on that statement?” Before Twilight had a chance to answer, Nightmare’s voice sounded from Scootaloo’s mouth.

“No, I won't allow you to kill her, she's mine!” It hissed warningly. Scootaloo’s face scowled up as if she had been denied a cookie, before giving an irritated huff.

“Okay… I won't break any of the toys… Again…” She said forlornly while scoffing one of her hooves against the ground. Twilight just stared at the little orange filly with wide eyes. Had Nightmare, the queen of the darkness and epitome of pure evil, just protected her from Scootaloo?

No that's just ridiculous! Twilight thought even more desperately, but the way the filly was looking at her was now making her entire being crawl. Then Scootaloo shawn up happily, a wide grin spreading on her face.

“I guess I do owe you an explanation! How about I show you the last week of my old life before I disappeared that night? Then I will ask you if any of you six truly are my friends.” Scootaloo said still grinning before she closed her eyes and started to transform.

She grew a little bit but not too much; it was still easy to see she was a filly. Her wings though… They filled out, grew larger, wider and more powerful. Then a horn started to protrude from Scootaloo’s forehead. The wings started to shift in color so that the leading edge was ebony black and then slowly faded to Orange at the back. Silver shoes encased Scootaloo’s hooves and the fur started turning black. But once again it slowly shifted towards orange the further up the leg one looked. The quite impressive horn that now protruded from Scootaloo’s forehead was also obsidian black at the tip but orange at the base. There was now also a very familiar helm covering much of Scootaloo’s head. As she opened her eyes Twilight could see that they were still Nightmare’s draconic eyes, but they now had streaks of Scootaloo’s violet running through them. With a wicked smile she spoke in a voice that was now neither Nightmare or Scootaloo’s own, but something new; as if the two had truly melted together into one being.

“Don't look so shocked my dear little Twilight. This is my true form now, and isn’t it lovely? I told you, I have grown closer to Scootaloo than I have with anyone ever before. We are truly one and the same in this form, and thus my name is not Nightmare or Scootaloo anymore… I'm Void now, because that is all that has ever been given to me… nothing…” Void said, the last word coming out only as a hiss. She moved in on Twilight who immediately scrambled back until the chain once again grew taught. She stared in horror as Void closed in on her with a snarl. Void’s hoof struck Twilight over the face, sending her to the ground with a cry. There a hoof immediately pressed down, securing her where she lay. Twilight looked up at what had once been what she thought was a joyous little filly named Scootaloo, tears once again flowed from Twilight's eyes.

“Please don't do this Scoota-” Twilight was cut off by a harsh kick to her stomach which made her gasp for air.

“I told you princess… It's Void now, because that’s all that's left of my feelings after you six showed what you truly thought of me… But still I'm not heartless, I will tell you what you want to know, why your friend Scootaloo chose to become me, and why it is entirely your own fault your world has come to an end.” Void said with a grin as her horn lit up. She bent down and pressed it to the side of Twilight’s head. At once, memories not her own started to flood her mind. Her eyes grew wide while she started to live through them as if they were her own, and it wasn't long before she was crying hysterically.

“No! NO! By Celestia NO!” Twilight yelled at the images and feelings of despair and loneliness that flashed through her mind.

“Come on Twilight! It can't be that bad! It's just my life after all! I was living through this every Celestia forsaking day! When you're done with this you'll only have lived through one measly week of my miserable existence! So suck it up!!!” Void snarled down at the frantically crying Alicorn. Twilight’s eyes rolled up into the back of her head as she started to fall even deeper into the memories. Void grinned widely as she pressed the mare down into the despair of her old life, drowning the princess of magic even deeper in the harsh sadness and loneliness Twilight had gone through her days happily oblivious to, while Scootaloo had to suffer on in obscurity.

“Now you will know, I will make you feel everything!” Void cried out as the spell took full effect and Twilight’s consciousness fell completely down into the memories of Scootaloo’s former life. Void stared down at the now unconscious Twilight. She didn't know how long this spell would last. Twilight could live through the week in a mere minute, or it could take an actual week, or more. It was always so hard to predict how dreams progressed. But still she was content to wait.

“Now you will know how it truly feels to be completely alone in the middle of every pony in Ponyville…” Void whispered as she turned and walked away from Twilight who had just started crying in her sleep.

“Please… no… please listen… you don't understand… please… help me…” Twilight whimpered where she lay fidgeting as she dreamt that she was what she thought was the happy little filly Scootaloo.

****

Thanks to Pen Perfect for the Pre-read/Edit

Author's Note

Here's a news story idea that been scrambling about in my skull ever since I saw the animated preview of season four, where it is made a 100% clear that Scootaloo can't fly, and then the scene where Luna turns into Nightmare Moon. And I thought to myself… is there a logical way to make those two join forces somehow, while keeping the main six within character? This will be my attempt to make just that happen.

And everyone who's waiting for a new chapter of True Black and A Different Kind of Music, I do have to apologies a bit to you. This idea has been rattling around in my brain and quite literally blocked every attempt for me to write on the other two stories. So I thought; Buck it!!! I'll put this idea on the screen so I can get it out of my head! And then I'll hopefully be able to go back to working on the other stories as well.

I hope you guys don't mind too much, so in the meantime have a nice one!!! ^^

Chapter 3 Between the Nightmares

In The Twilight of Harmony’s End

Chapter 3

Between the Nightmares

****

With a large gasp, Twilight drew in a pained breath before coughing violently from where she lay on the ground. As memories flooded into her mind, she remembered who she was; Princess Twilight Sparkle, not Scootaloo, the orphan from the terrible dream.

“Good, you are awake. That took a little less than an hour to go through one day. Excellent! I was afraid this would take a lot longer, but if it works similarly for your friends, then this will all be over and done with before the day is through,” the gleefully happy voice of Void rang out through the chamber the Elements of Harmony were all now trapped in.

“What? What do-” cough! “do you mean?” Twilight asked while she forced herself up on her hooves, the rattle of the chain around her neck once again reminding her of the situation she was in and the fact that she was the last Princess standing between Equestria and total destruction. The impact of that memory alone drove Twilight back to her knees.

“No… Celestia, Luna and Cadance you can’t all be-” Then she remembered the most horrifying thing of all. “Brother! NO!!!” Twilight screamed as she surged up on her hooves again looking around herself frantically. She could now see that four of her friends were chained to the floor around her in a semicircle and all of them were unconscious.

Rarity was still covered in filth from her earlier treatment of being chained down in that trash filled hole, while Applejack didn't look too worse for wear, except for the fact that she had two clearly marked rings around her hooves, where she had rubbed herself bloody trying to get out of the stockade she had been stuck in earlier. Beneath the metal collar Applejack now had on Twilight suspected her throat and neck would be in a similar state.

Next to Applejack, Fluttershy lay on her side. When Twilight saw her stomach she almost screamed again. She had so many scratch and bite marks across her soft under belly it would be impossible to get a hoof tip in between them.

Eyes wide and breathing rapidly, Twilight turned to the last of her friends she could see. Pinkie Pie, who was lying next to Rarity, actually looked to be completely unscathed, except for the fact that her mane was completely straight and flat. A sign Twilight knew meant she was not fine at all.

“What have you done?! And where is Rainbow!” Twilight yelled angrily up towards Void, who sat upon a black throne, looking down at her and her friends. Void’s only answer was to chuckle darkly.

“I decided you shouldn't be the only one to know why this is all happening. You should all know the role you played in making sure you ended up here. I think it's rather poetic really, how the six great heroes of Equestria couldn't even help one little filly. And, because of that, your whole world came tumbling down on your over bloated heads!” Void shot back.

“No! There is no way! Yes, Scootaloo seems to have been a lot worse off than I ever could have imagined, but all you had to do was ask us for help! Why didn't you ask us for help Scootaloo, instead of giving yourself to the Nightmare!!!” Twilight yelled angrily up at Void. Void sat quietly, staring back down at Twilight with disbelieving eyes. Suddenly, an enraged sneer sprang into existence across her features as she surged up out of the throne.

“You think I didn't try!!!” Scootaloo’s own voice shrieked.

“I begged you guys to help me in the end, but you all turned me away!!! You all abandoned me to nothing! All you cared about was your own little bubble of happiness! Me being miserable in your midst didn't fit in in to your worldview, so you all turned your backs on me! Everyone did, except… except…” Twilight stared, wide-eyed, up at Void, who had tears streaming down her face.

“You all kept them from me! I had nobody… and you kept them from me… You should all die alone so you could see how it feels!” Scootaloo’s own voice once again rang out.

“What? No… if you had asked any one of us, we would have helped you. You are being deceived by the Nightmare, Scootaloo! Please, fight it! I know you're better than this!” Twilight tried calling desperately for Scootaloo to regain her sense and see how ridiculous her claims were. Void snorted back at Twilight.

“Really? After all you six have… wait… you truly don't remember anything yourself, do you?” Void asked incredulously. Twilight’s blank expression as she looked back at her told void everything she needed to know.

“What is the last thing you remember, Twilight?” Void asked, now rather intrigued.

“I was at my coronation, then, after the party, I went to bed in the Palace… and then I woke up here,” Twilight said, disdainfully looking up at Void.

“Wow… I thought you were just pulling my chain-” Void suddenly chuckled at her unexpected pun. “Sorry, just realized that was a bad choice of words at the moment. Still, I would say you've lost about a month and a half of memory; from when you became a Princess to when I became what I am today and crushed you all beneath my hooves,” Void said with a chuckle.

Twilight grew cold inside. Could that be true? Could she really have last one and a half months of memory?

“I guess I might have overdone it a little bit when I captured you, Twilight. I did completely catch you unaware when I shot you through that mountainside… A little bit of memory loss wouldn't be all that unexpected, actually,” Void said with a laugh.

“Wait, what?! You shot me through a mountainside?” Twilight asked, paling considerably.

“Oh yes! You're an Alicorn now Twilight, anything less and you would have most likely just brushed it off and got up again. I had to make sure you would stay down for a while so I could play with your friends. Like dear old Rainbow up there,” Void answered with a grin as she pointed up into the air above Twilight.

When she looked up, Twilight could see that Rainbow Dash was still suspended in the air by chains, but her head had lolled over to the side while she, just like the rest of her friends, mumbled pleading words out into the ether. As Twilight once again focused her attention on her friends, she quickly realized they were words she remembered from the nightmare Void had plunged her into. All her friends were reliving what she had just been through. With that realization, the whole day she had lived as Scootaloo came crashing back to the forefront of her mind. She gasped at the cruelty she had seen in those memories, cruelty that just couldn't be real, because it was just too… cruel.

“That… That couldn't be real! It's all illusions you’re just making us live through! That's probably the lie you made Scootaloo think was real so that she would join you!” Twilight cried out in triumphant realization. She had cracked it; she knew Scootaloo would never willingly join the Nightmare. The naive little filly had just been tricked!

“We'll see… You can always ask your friends if they remember any of the so-called illusions I'm showing you, Princess,” Void said with a cold sneer.

Twilight clamped her eyes together. She just didn't want to believe it, this couldn't be real, those memories… That horrible place Scootaloo lived at, the way Twilight and her friends had treated her after the balloon fiasco… even though Scootaloo had not been to blame for what had happened. It just couldn't be real!

And how could the Timberwolves leave Everfree? It's a known fact they cannot leave the boundary of the forest, so this has to be an illusion, otherwise that would have been impossible, Twilight once again thought desperately, trying to convince herself it was all Nightmare trying to deceive them.

“Then how could they leave?” Twilight asked hotly.

“They didn't do it by choice! You six forced us apart!” Void spat back true rage now showing on her features.

“Wait, what?... No! I'm not talking about Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. How could the Timberwolves leave the Everfree? Everypony knows that's impossible!” Twilight shot back in challenge. Void now looked at Twilight mouth hanging open. Then the look of absolute rage came back, but ten times worse. A black aura ceased Twilight and lifted her up into the air, before ruthlessly slamming her down into the ground.

“YOU-” slam!

“JUST-” slam!

“SAW ME-” slam!

“LOSE-” slam!

“MY-” slam!

“TWO-” slam!

“BEST-” slam!

“FRIENDS-” slam!

“AND-” slam!

“YOU-” slam!

“ASK-” slam!

“ME-” slam!

“ABOUT-” slam!

“TIMBERWOLVES!!!” slam!

Twilight throbbing head now rang alarmingly where she lay bruised and battered with most likely several ribs broken. She couldn't do anything while she coughed and sputtered onto the cold floor in front of Void who continued to glare down at her menacingly. Every single inch Twilight could register was in more pain than she could possibly have imagined in her wildest nightmares. She coughed again and blood splattered out on the floor in front of her before she took a few more wheezing breaths and coughed up more blood. If Twilight had been anything but an Alicorn she would most definitely have been killed by that treatment.

“Immortality is a bitch isn’t it?” Void wondered out loud before giving the sputtering Alicorn a final kick to the sternum for good measure.

“B… bu-” cough… “but… yo-” cough… “thought it… yourself…” Twilight wheezed out, not understanding why Void had reacted like that.

“When?” Void asked harshly.

“After-” cough… “the Timberwolves left the” cough… “orphanage… You wondered how that could be…” Twilight said and clenched her teeth against the pain coursing through her body.

“HA! You idiot! You think I gave a flying buck why they were there? That was all you!!! In the dreamscape, your actions and words are exactly what I remember, but your thoughts are still your own, even though you don't remember who you are in the dream. The mere fact that you have just seen me being separated from my two best friends, only to wake up and wonder how the Timberwolves could leave the Everfree just shows where your priorities lie in life! And still, I shouldn't be surprised; it is just so… so… YOU!!! Damn cold hearted egghead… takes after Celestia more than she knows,” Void sneered and sat down on her throne again.

Twilight, however, was just lying still, concentrating on breathing while the revelation went through her head.

My thoughts are my own? Then I might be able to do something about this trap she has me in… She's blocked my horn… But… The dream magic is… In me… I can maybe… Wow I'm sleepy again… Twilight thought while her eyes slowly started to close.

“Good. It seems the magic is pulling you down so you can live through my next day of memories… I hope this day will leave you with more appropriate questions,” Twilight heard Void say just before she plunged back into the black oblivion of unconsciousness.

****

Syvvak - pre-reader/editor

Chapter 4 A Crucial Choice

In the Twilight of Harmony’s End
Chapter 4
A Crucial Choice

****

Scootaloo was wrenched out of her sleep with a startle. Miss Bad Winnie had yanked the door to the shed open and wrapped Scootaloo’s neck in a forceful telekinetic hold before dragging the bewildered filly out into the harsh light. With a smug grin she purposefully dropped the filly on her back, ensuring the she was now fully awake because of the pain coursing through her mangled wings. Groaning through clenched teeth, Scootaloo rolled onto her stomach and glanced up at a glaring Miss Bad Winnie.

“Get up, you good for nothing layabout!” Bad Winnie barked out and took a threatening step towards Scootaloo, who immediately scrambled up on all four hooves.

“Better… Now, go do your chores I've listed for you and then clean up the house. I'll be back later this afternoon, and when I return, this place better be spotless!” Bad Winnie said in a stern voice and scowled down at the little orange filly.

“Yes, Miss Bad Winnie,” Scootaloo said with a lowered head while she set off for the orphanage. Behind her, Bad Winnie gave a snort and set off towards Ponyville to see if she could knock some sense into that imbecile of an earth stallion that stood her up yesterday.

When Scootaloo had retrieved the list Miss Bad Winnie had prepared for the day, she almost gawked at the length of it as she noted that it actually touched the floor from where it hung on the noticeboard.

“You… You have got to be kidding me? How am I supposed to finish these chores before she gets back?” Scootaloo asked out loud in absolute horror, before realizing that that might be the point of it actually. She would never be able to finish this even if she had a whole day, let alone a half day.

With a defeated sigh, Scootaloo set to work with the impossibly long list of chores. She worked furiously, anger spurning her on through the endless list, and when she finally got to the last point she gave a sigh of relief when she read it.

Water the new trees in front of the orphanage. Wow, that was actually an easy one… Scootaloo thought and went to the shed out back to fetch a bucket to carry the water in. As she filled it up at the hoof water pump, she lifted it up in her mouth and carried it to the front where she suddenly stopped as she, for the first time that day, really looked at the newly planted trees.

What the… They were definitely not this big yesterday, were they? the orange Pegasus filly thought while she dumped the first bucket over the first tree in the newly planted row. The roots of the tree had definitely taken a very firm hold in the soil, and both the trunk and limbs of the tree she was now studying were definitely sturdier than yesterday.

Odd… Scootaloo thought absentmindedly while she continued her work of watering the new trees.

Maybe that's what the Timberwolves were doing yesterday… They could move outside of the Everfree because… because these trees are now the border of the Everfree! Scootaloo’s realization rattled through her brain while she dumped the last bucket of water on the last of the sapling trees.

“Finally…” A very tired Scootaloo panted from the very long and hard labor of the day…

Come to think of it, shouldn't Miss Bad Winnie be back by now? she thought. Checking the Sun's position, Scootaloo could see that it was rather late in the afternoon now; or rather it was early evening. Scootaloo's stomach gave a loud growl making it known just how hungry she really was, and she clutched at it when a the hunger caused a wave of pain to pass through her. Already knowing there was nothing to get in the orphanage, Scootaloo retrieved her scooter and shot off towards Ponyville in the hopes of finding something to eat there, also hoping her secret bits stash at the CMC clubhouse wasn't as empty as she remembered.

****

After making sure the coast was clear, Scootaloo rocketed into the clubhouse of the CMC. Breathing heavily as she glanced out of the windows and once again checked that she was alone, she carefully moved over to a loose plank amongst the floorboards and lifted it up. Below, a very empty looking wooden box was revealed. She carefully lifted it up and undid the fake bottom. As she glanced into it, she could see two gleaming bits on the bottom. With a sigh, Scootaloo dumped the two gleaming coins onto her hoof and inspected them.

Well… At least I'll be able to get a muffin at the Sugar Cube Corner, Scootaloo thought with a relieved sigh. Those things were huge, and sugary delicious, so hopefully she would be somewhat sated after eating one. She carefully returned the box to its proper place and laid the loose plank back in place to conceal her hiding spot. As she turned around, Scootaloo spotted something she had forgotten about. A bright red apple was situated on the crate that made up the central table of the clubhouse.

Feeling how her mouth started to salivate, Scootaloo quickly trotted over and picked up the leftover apple from their last CMC meeting yesterday. Apple Bloom had brought over six of them. But, as usual, Sweetie Bell could only eat one before she was completely stuffed, and left her second apple right where it now resided on the makeshift table.

Smiling with satisfaction Scootaloo took a bite out of the sweet apple and started heading back out of the CMC headquarters. Just as she jumped on to her scooter, Scootaloo heard a voice from behind that made her completely freeze in place.

“And what do you think you're doing around these parts, Scootaloo?” a very agitated voice wondered. Slowly, Scootaloo turned back towards Applejack, who was standing in the shadow of a tree just a few steps away.

“N… not… nothing!” Scootaloo stammered out, making Applejack narrow her gaze at the little filly.

“You wanna try again?” Applejack retorted with a voice of steel. Scootaloo immediately look down into the ground, not daring to meet Applejack accusing eyes.

“I… I was just getting my stuff. I’ll leave now, okay?” Scootaloo answered hastily and turned around starting to buzz her wings. A loud thump sounded from behind and her whole scooter rocked as Applejack pinned the scooters back wheel against the ground not giving the little orange Pegasus any chance of escape. Scootaloo who hadn't expected it yelped in surprise and fright as she whipped around looking straight up at the still glaring Applejack.

“Looks to me like some filly is stealing…” Applejack retorted in a very cold voice.

“What?!” Scootaloo answered in surprise and true fear, knowing there was nothing Applejack dislike more than somepony sneaking into her orchards to steal apples.

“Don't try it, Scootaloo. I've caught you red hoofed!” Applejack yelled, pointing at the half-eaten apple Scootaloo still had clutched in her right forelimb.

“No! That was from-”

“I don't want to hear your excuses, Scootaloo! I told you that you were not welcome on my farm anymore, and the very next day I find you in here stealing apples!” Applejack roared and snatched the apple out of Scootaloo’s grasp before turning around and flinging it off into the distance.

Mouth agape, Scootaloo could only watch as half of the first thing she'd eaten in almost two days went sailing through the air and then disappeared behind the greenery of the apple trees foliage.

“NO!” Scootaloo cried out and then looked up at Applejack with pure rage!

“WHY DID YOU DO THAT!!!” she yelled back at Applejack who only answered by gritting her teeth together and stomping her hoof into the ground with such force it actually left a crater. Scootaloo immediately shuffled backwards, now definitely very much afraid when she thought about Applejack doing what Miss Bad Winnie most often did when she was angry. The thought alone almost made Scootaloo wet herself since Applejack was easily ten times stronger than Miss Bad Winnie, at the very least!

“I won't have a thief eating my produce! Now leave my property before I really lose my temper with you!” Applejack hissed through her still gritted teeth at the now cowering Scootaloo.

“Now, up on your hooves, you Celestia forsaken, good for nothing, troublemaker!” Applejack growled. If there was one thing Scootaloo had unfortunately learned because of Miss Bad Winnie it was how to follow orders even when she was scared stiff, slowly, ever so slowly, Scootaloo forced herself to stand up in front of Applejack while still keeping her head low.

“Now, if you get off my property, like right this instant Scootaloo, then nothing will come of this. But don't let me catch you here again, and definitely don't let me hear you've been bothering my little sister either, or I'll have to have a serious talk with Miss Bad Winnie about your behavior,” Applejack said coldly while she pointed off away from the acres.

With stiff legs, Scootaloo recovered her scooter. As soon as she was on it, her wings started pumping furiously, making her quickly zip off into the distance while tears streaked down her face.

****

After almost an hour of hiding in the bushes outside of Ponyville, Scootaloo had gathered herself enough to stop snivelling. The growling of her stomach had also helped her along her way to Sugar Cube Corner. She was now finally sitting at a quiet table in Sugar Cube Corner eating her first of two muffins.

Derpy Hooves had apparently taken Dinky to visit her grandparents in Canterlot, and Sugar Cube Corner had found itself with a quite large amount of muffins left over when the market for muffins suddenly dropped by three quarters. Therefore, there were several left over from yesterday that only cost one bit per muffin, much to Scootaloo’s overjoyed surprise.

She had just finished her first muffin when a pink whirlwind entered Sugar Cube Corner. Before Scootaloo even knew what had happened, the interior of the shop had completely changed in what looked like the preparations for a party.

“Hi, Pinkie! What are you doing?” Scootaloo asked curiously. The pink mare in question came to a sudden halt in front of the orange Pegasus.

“Oh! Oh! I just had a request for a super-duper fun-olicious big-aruny all-out birthday party for Silver Spoon!” Pinkie Pie said joyfully and bounced off to continue her party preparations.

“Silver Spoon? Why would you throw a party for her? She's just… mean.” Scootaloo said with a none too pleased expression on her face.

“Oh! Oh! Pick me! Pick me! I know! I know!” Pinkie yelled, hopping up and down with her hoof in the air.

“Pinkie, we’re not in Cheerilee’s class. You don't have to raise your hoof to answer anything…” Scootaloo informed Pinkie Pie with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh! Right! Silly me!” Pinkie said and giggled. “It's probably because she's a really nice pony even though she can do some mean thing sometimes but that’s mostly because of the so-called friends she has which wasn't her own choice to begin with but rather her parents and all she really wants to do deep down inside is be nice and happy and have fun with lots and lots of ponies!!!” Pinkie Pie said without even stopping for breath once. Scootaloo shook her head to clear the rant out of it.

“You could just have said you think Silver Spoon is nice, and that you really really like throwing parties Pinkie,” Scootaloo answered, dumbfounded.

“Oh yeah, that too!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed happily and bounced off to continue her preparations.

After sitting quiet while eating her last muffin in deep thought watching Pinkie Pie go about her mad business at a quite literally impossible pace, Scootaloo took a deep breath as she came to a rather decimal conclusion.

“So… don't you like me Pinkie? Am I a bad pony?” Scootaloo asked in barely a whisper, thinking about all that had happened in the last two days. Pinkie Pie ground to a complete halt immediately, even though she was currently situated on the other side of Sugar Cube Corner.

“What do you mean Scoots? You're not a bad pony. I like you very much. I really like all of you CMC a lot!” Pinkie Pie said from right next to Scootaloo, even though she had no idea how Pinkie had gotten their from the other side of the store without her noticing.

“Then why… why haven't you ever thrown me a party?” Scootaloo wondered and looked up at Pinkie Pie with a heartbroken stare.

“Wait, what?! Noooo that's just silly, of course I have thrown you a party! We didn't last at… at… you know with the… haven't I……… That's impossible!” Pinkie Pie's eyes went wide when she realized she didn't have a single memory of throwing Scootaloo a party. Pinkie's face scrounged up in concentration, then she turned towards Scootaloo with a frown.

“Why aren't you on the list? Every pony is supposed to be on the list?!” Pinkie shouted at the filly, being a bit frazzled at the realization she had missed several parties she could have thrown for Scootaloo over the years.

“What! What list?!” Scootaloo answered, quite surprised at seeing Pinkie Pie’s mane go flat.

“The list Mayor Mare keeps in her office of every pony living in Ponyville! It has everypony's birthday on it; that's how I remember all the birthdays! It would be really hard remembering every single pony's birthday one by one! So I just remember the list the birthdays are on, then I can read it off the list which is much easier! But you're not on it! Why are you not on it?! And why didn’t I notice it anyway!!!” Pinkamena screeched at Scootaloo in a half-panic while shaking the little filly furiously desperate to get an answer out her.

“What?” Scootaloo answered, not understanding anything Pinkie was going on about.

“Why aren't you on the list of ponies in Ponyville the mayor keeps in her office?” Pinkamena asked again.

“I technically don't live in Ponyville…” Scootaloo said desperately, trying to get Pinkamena to stop shaking her.

“What?!” Pinkamena cried out in disbelief. “But you’re here all the time! How can you not live in Ponyville and be here all the time?” the now rattled pink pony stated, not understanding how that could be.

“The orphanage isn't part of Ponyville; it's outside the city limits,” Scootaloo said, looking dejected.

“You don't live in Ponyville because the orphanage is outside the city limits?” Pinkamena repeated as it all started to fall into place for her. Suddenly, her mane went all poofy again, but a gloomy little smile still met Scootaloo.

“Oh, that's just so sad... I didn't know you lived at an orphanage Scootaloo. I didn't even know there was an orphanage!” Pinkie Pie said, looking up at the ceiling, contemplating what to do next. All of a sudden, Pinkie somehow made a snapping sound with her left hoof.

“Of course! I'll just make them redraw the lines so that the orphanage is inside of Ponyville! It's so obvious! Then you'll be on the list and I can throw a lot of parties for you!!!” Pinkie Pie cried out in triumph before shooting off out through the door of Sugar Cube Corner, only leaving a pink outlining where she had just been. Scootaloo looked from the quickly fading pink outlining to the door where Pinkie had disappeared out.

“What just happened?” Scootaloo wondered out loud.

Well, never mind. It's just Pinkie being Pinkie after all… Wow, it's starting to get dark outside. I better get back to the orphanage again… Scootaloo thought with a shudder and set off towards her so called home.

****

When Scootaloo finally walked through the door of the orphanage, she was met by a very oppressive feeling. Something was wrong. Seriously wrong. Hesitantly, she stepped further into the house while her instincts screamed at her to get out. As Scootaloo came into the kitchen, she found Miss Bad Winnie sitting calmly at the table sipping from a cup of tea. When she finally took notice of Scootaloo, she only frowned distastefully at the site of the filly returning.

“So… Just decided to leave the chores unfinished did we?” Miss Bad Winnie asked scornfully. A chill went down Scootaloo’s spine at that statement. Whatever she had forgotten, it would give Bad Winnie the excuse she needed to torment Scootaloo for the rest of the evening. Not that Miss Bad Winnie usually needed an excuse to do that lately, so what she would do when she actually had one now, Scootaloo didn't even want to imagine.

“I heard what you did yesterday, Scootaloo,” Miss Bad Winnie said. Scootaloo also noticed that Miss Bad Winnie’s usually spiteful gaze was on a completely new level of coldness and disdain. She was actually looking at Scootaloo with real hatred in her eyes. Reflexively, Scootaloo started backing away from her caretaker.

“Oh no you don't, you miserable little turd!!!” Miss Bad Winnie yelled as her horn lit up and flung Scootaloo into the kitchen to land harshly in front of the now extremely agitated unicorn.

“You almost killed a unicorn yesterday with your idiotic stunts, you insufferable, worthless sack of manure!” Miss Bad Winnie screamed down at Scootaloo, who now only lay shivering on the floor in front of the fuming mare. Bad Winnie’s horn lit up again and in the next instant Scootaloo found herself tied up on the floor in a very uncomfortable position.

“I see I have been too lenient on you lately! But don't you worry! I will rectify that immediately! I think a couple of hammer blows to the wing joints will keep you from ever taking somepony up into the air again!” Miss Bad Winnie shouted down at Scootaloo.

“NO! NOOO! Please don't! I'll never do it again! I promise!!! I'll do whatever you say forever just don't! Just don't hurt my wings! Please!!!” Scootaloo screeched in absolute terror before she started bawling her eyes out in front of Bad Winnie, whose eyes seemed to sparkle at the terror she was inflicting on the little orange filly.

“Oh… you've had your chances, you worthless rat!” Bad Winnie said with glee and grabbed Scootaloo’s mane in telekinesis so she could drag the now wildly kicking and crying filly behind her as she made her way through the house to the back door. She stopped dragging Scootaloo behind her and let her fall so that her head thumped down against the floor, electing groans of pain, which was much to Miss Bad Winnie’s amusement.

“You just stay right here like a good little Pegasus and I'll be right back to take care of those pesky wings. I just need to get a few things from the shed. I think that's where I left the hammer if I remember correctly…” Miss Bad Winnie said, seemingly pondering where it was, absentmindedly, while she opened the back door and stepped out of the orphanage leaving a completely terrified Scootaloo behind.

No, no, no, no, I've got to get out of here! She's completely lost it! She's going to kill me! Scootaloo thought in terror as she watched Miss Bad Winnie casually walk out to the toolshed and disappear into darkness. Scootaloo heard several loud thumps and saw different tools go flying out through the open door while Bad Winnie searched through the shed for her intended choice for the torture. Suddenly, a joyful exclamation was heard from within and Miss Bad Winnie exited the shed while holding a hammer in her telekinetic grasp, lazily spinning it in the air as she started on her way back.

“HELP! ANY PONY PLEASE HELP ME!!!” Scootaloo screamed hysterically while tears streamed down her face. The outcry made Bad Winnie pause for a second while looking around herself in alarm. Then, a great sadistic smile split her face.

“Scream all you want, Scootaloo! Tonight, you and I are going to have a lot of fun together!” Bad Winnie called back mockingly. Just then, Scootaloo saw something move at the edge of Everfree forest. With wide eyes Scootaloo watched several Timberwolves slowly emerge from the shadows behind the none-the-wiser Miss Bad Winnie. Scootaloo was about to call out a warning, so Miss Bad Winnie could run back to safety, but then what she was about to do struck her and she couldn't help but start laughing hysterically where she lay tied up on the floor. Miss Bad Winnie immediately started frowning.

“Ah come on! Don't tell me you lost it already! That won't be any fun at all!” she called to Scootaloo and started slowly walking while she tittered to herself. Scootaloo went quiet, but couldn't stop grinning as the Timberwolves quietly followed her just a few paces behind. When Miss Bad Winnie was about half-way back to the orphanage, Scootaloo’s manic grin melted away leaving an extremely cold expression looking down at the mare that had hurt her for so long.

“It's too bad I can't watch you die, but they might come in here if I don't close the door soon,” Scootaloo called down to a now very surprised looking Bad Winnie. Just as she was about to ask what Scootaloo meant by that, several loud growls sounded from behind her, making her completely freeze in place while every ounce of color drained from her face. Miss Bad Winnie didn't even have a chance to look behind her before she was pinned to the ground by two Timberwolves, who both started to tear at her in different directions.

She cried out in inconceivable pain as the teeth and claws of the Timberwolves started tearing into her soft flesh. Frantically, Miss Bad Winnie started fighting back with her still free hooves as she whacked at the wooden faces of the Timberwolves tearing at her hindquarters. Her horn lit up lashing out with magic trying to push the wolfs off herself. Just when she managed to dislodge one of them from her back legs, two more sunk their teeth into her forelegs, once again causing her to scream out in pain and terror. Miss Bad Winnie desperately looked back towards the orphanage and saw Scootaloo, who was still peeking out at her from the door opening.

“Help! Help me please!!!” she screamed pleadingly. Scootaloo only looked back at her with cold empty eyes before kicking the door shut with her tied together hooves. With a deafening click, the door locked itself as its swung shut. Scootaloo just lay still inside the door, unable to stop listening to the pained cries and screams of the dying Miss Bad Winnie. Finally, Bad Winnie's outcry stopped with a horrifying ripping sound that indicated that the Timberwolves had finally torn her apart. The silence after that was deafening.

It didn't take long before Scootaloo heard the sniffing of Timberwolves at the door, but they didn't seem to make any attempt at breaking through it at all. Just like Scootaloo had seen the night before from the shelter of the shed, they made their way around the house and then continued back into the forest again.

When Scootaloo was finally sure the Timberwolves had left, she frantically started fighting against her restraints. She didn't know how long it took, but it was quite a while before she was finally free from the ropes securing her front and back hooves as well as the wings. As soon as she was free she immediately hopped up on her back legs to peek out through the window at the now empty backyard of the orphanage. All that was left of Miss Bad Winnie was a red stain on the lawn.

Once again, to Scootaloo’s own surprise, she chuckled uncontrollably. She was free! Free from Miss Bad Winnie and all that entails. Unable to stop herself from chuckling, and even bursting out into sporadic laughter, Scootaloo stumbled her way up into her bed, feeling completely tuckered out and drained by the day's events. With the knowledge that Miss Bad Winnie was definitely not going to burst into her room that night, Scootaloo could relax for the first time that she could even remember, and, therefore, it didn't take long before she was sleeping soundly, content in the knowledge she was finally safe.

****

Thanks to Syvvak - pre-reader/editor
Thanks to Pen Perfect for the Pre-read/Edit

Chapter 5 Confirmation

In the Twilight of Harmony’s End
Chapter 5
Confirmation

****

Twilight awoke much more comfortably this time, almost like she had had a nice, long rest. At least, until she remembered what had just happened in the dream.

“By Celestia… she's dead… and… you were happy for it Scootaloo?” Twilight whispered as she slowly sat up. She couldn't believe it. Even if Miss Bad Winnie was being portrayed as a bad pony by Scootaloo’s memories, not even she deserved to be ripped apart by Timberwolves… did she?

“Twilight? You're awake?” the very hoarse, but still familiar, voice of Applejack uttered from beside her. Twilight looked up in disbelief at a fully awake Applejack who had tears running down her cheeks.

“Applejack!” Twilight cried out in relief and joy as she set off towards her friend at a full gallop.

“Stop!!!” Applejack cried, just as the chain went taught around Twilight's neck and brought her to an abrupt halt. She gasped in pain as she now lay on her back on the floor, legs pointing in every which way.

“Sorry… tried to warn you… Void made it so we can't really reach each other. We might be able to touch the tips of our back hooves together if we really stretch, but not even Pinkie has been able to do that yet… although she hasn't really tried,” Applejack said forlornly and looked over towards the unconscious pink pony.

Twilight coughed a few times before staggering up on her hooves again, rubbing at her sore throat.

“Right…" cough! "So how are we going to get out of this?” Twilight wondered as she started to look around herself. Applejack just gave a little sniffle before looking up at Twilight again.

“Get out of this?” Applejack answered before chuckling.

“There's no getting out of this, Twilight… We've already lost. You just slept through everything, and now Void woke you up just so she would have another plaything!” Applejack said in a harsh voice, looking away from a bewildered Twilight.

“Applejack, you don't mean that. As long as we're together we can still beat this; we'll save Scootaloo and the rest of Equestria!” Twilight answered with fierce determination, stomping her hoof to drive home the point.

“Save Scootaloo?! She is Scootaloo!!! Don't you get it?! Void is Scootaloo!!! And until I saw these memories, I was so angry at her! Cursing her for her weakness in giving into the Nightmare! I had my rightful anger to power me through all that she put us six through… but now I don't even have that!” she said with a blank expression. “How could we have been so blind not to see what was happening to her? I've lived in Ponyville all my life. I knew she was at the orphanage, but I never went there because… it was a bit out of the way… and I thought Miss Bad Winnie was doing a good job and I never ever thought to look if that was actually true…” Applejack said forlornly as she sank down on the cold floor, crying.

“I remember that day, you know… when I thought she had stolen from the orchard. I was so enraged when I saw her standing there with one of my precious apples just a day after I thought she’d almost killed Apple Bloom. I thought it proved, beyond a doubt, that all I have thought about her was the truth! I didn't even give her a chance to explain because I already knew the truth! I'm the bloody Element of Honesty so of course I knew the truth! And I was much too stubborn and prideful to think that what I knew might not have been the whole truth!... And Scootaloo paid the price for that!” Applejack said through clenched teeth and hammered her for hoof into the ground in anger at herself.

“You mean… The memories are real? It’s not just something Void is making up to fool me?” Twilight asked, not really wanting to know the answer. Applejack, however, just lay there silently, before she finally gave a tiny nod in confirmation.

“Yes… They are true… Void said you have lost quite a lot of your memories after the Coronation, but everything I've seen so far matches what I remember myself…” Applejack said, and proceeded retelling the events from her point of view, but when she got to the point where Scootaloo disappeared off into the distance Applejack continued on…

****

Applejack stood firmly, watching Scootaloo disappear off towards Ponyville. Finally, she lowered her leg again and stood on all fours, breathing heavily.

Dammit! she thought, turning around and beginning to walk back towards her still-unfinished chores around the Sweet Apple Acres. But she stopped at the first apple tree she reached and leaned against it, shaking visibly.

”Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! Gosh darn DAMMIT!!!” Applejack yelled and hit the apple tree viciously at every outcry. When she was finished, she stood with her head against the tree trunk, breathing raggedly.

“You sure that was a good idea?” an aggravatingly calm voice asked her from a few paces away. With a grunt of annoyance, Applejack looked up at her ever calm giant of a big brother who looked off into the distance, after the now gone Scootaloo.

“She was stealing from us! And I won't let her get near Apple Bloom again! So... so I had no choice!” Applejack said defensively. Big Mac looked back at her but said nothing, the quiet digging into Applejack more than any words possibly could have.

“Okay! Okay! I might have gone a little overboard! You happy!!!” Applejack yelled at him and threw her hoofs in the air in defeat. Big Mac, however, just continued looking at her calmly moving his wheat stalk from one side of the mouth to the other. After a few more minutes, Applejack gave a reluctant sigh.

“We… we both know I’m going to forgive her, Big Mac, but Scootaloo almost… almost…” Applejack's whole face scrunched up as she fought back tears.

“If something would have happened to Apple Bloom yesterday… I don't know what I would have done!” Applejack said and stomped her hoof into the ground again.

“I'm just going to keep them apart for a while… She needs to learn responsibility. I won't have Scootaloo endangering my little sister again, Big Mac. I won't allow it!” she said with fierce determination in her voice as she looked up towards Ponyville in the distance.

“She's grown up without having to think about any pony but herself, so it's no wonder she's not responsible or thinks about the well-being of others around her,” Applejack said with a sigh.

“But still… that might not be her fault, so I'll give her another chance eventually…” she uttered reluctantly. “And once Apple Bloom starts helping around here a little more, maybe we can teach Scootaloo how to help out at the same time. Give her some good old fashion Apple Family common sense and values… But, for right now, she needs to stay away so she learns that her actions will have consequences for her…” Applejack finally stated firmly, before once again starting to head back towards the barn, leaving a still thoughtful Big Mac pondering behind her.

****

”Well, isn't that nice of you Applejack…” the harsh voice of Void said from the darkness. Both Applejack and Twilight snapped their heads towards the two burning eyes looking out at them from the shadows.

“I am mistreated my whole life, right in front of every pony, and, in the end, even you six supposed heroes turn on me… and YOU were going to forgive ME?!” Void said in a dangerous voice as she stepped up and glared down at Applejack.

“I am sorry, Scoots. But nopony knew… how were we supposed to know?” Applejack asked apologetically.

“How where you supposed to know? I freaking told you!!!” Void bellowed down at the now cowering Applejack.

“But! But! The others-” WHACK!

The echoing sound of Void’s hoof striking Applejack was heard throughout the cavern. And when Void moved aside, Twilight could see a now unconscious Applejack sprawled out on the stone floor.

“Bitch…” Void grumbled, mostly to herself.

“Why would you do that?! I know she was wrong about you stealing, but that doesn't excuse all of this!” Twilight shouted at Void, who just turned towards her, glaring angrily.

“You think this is all because of what you six did up until those memories ended? You have no idea what you girls did to me…” Void hissed at Twilight, who staggered back from the hatred she saw in Void’s eyes.

“Scootaloo, please I’m sorry for what ever-” SLAP!

The back-hoofed below cut off anything Twilight was about to say as she just froze where she stood, cheek burning intensely from the slap.

“I told you before, Twilight… I'm not Scootaloo anymore. You six killed her,” Void said, nonchalantly sauntering past Twilight.

“I am Void now, and the next time you forget I will not be so lenient with you… or maybe one of your friends,” Void said calmly as she looked past Twilight to the four unconscious mares behind her.

“So now, I suggest you settle down and await your next day of memories. They should start any minute now and I'm sure you'll find them… entertaining,” Void said with a smirk as she sat down on her throne again.

“Why?” Twilight asked.

“Why what? You have to be a bit more specific, my dear scholar,” Void stated as she looked the mare in the eyes.

“Why would they be entertaining? Of what I've seen so far there is nothing funny about any of this,” Twilight said. Void tapped her hoof against her chin, as if in thought.

“Hummm… mostly because you will soon feature in them… and I will have a few questions for you when you do. So yeah, you probably won't find them entertaining but I sure as Tartarus will, and I will love to hear how you react to yourself,” Void said with a grin that sent cold shivers down Twilight’s spine.

“What did I do to… to…” Twilight took one stumbling step to the side. “No… not yet, I had longer last time… it's… it's too early…” she said as she sank down onto the floor feeling incredibly sleepy once again.

“Yes, well I got bored, so I added a bit more power to the spells to see if that would speed things up. And guess what?! It did!” Void said and laughed while Twilight once again fell into the inky black depths of unconsciousness.

****

Thanks to Syvvak - pre-reader/editor

Chapter 6 Escalation

In the Twilight of Harmony’s End
Chapter 6
Escalation

****

As Scootaloo awoke, she felt very much refreshed from a long overdue full night's rest. She lazily stretched out before going stiff for a couple of seconds. Scootaloo thought she heard some pony below and became absolutely terrified that Miss Bad Winnie somehow miraculously managing to escape the timberwolves after all. It didn't take long before Scootaloo realized it was only the old grandfather clock ticking away from the bottom floor that she had mistaken for hoof steps. Upon the recognition, she broke out in an almost frantic laugh.

“She's gone… get a grip Scoots… she's finally gone,” Scootaloo said, trying to remind herself of the fact while cementing the knowledge in her head. Scootaloo settled on the edge of the bed wondering what she should do now.

Usually, in this kind of situation, she would have gone to her friends. But, because of the stupid grown-ups, that was impossible. Although, Rarity hadn't been as hostile as Applejack had, so maybe she could go to Carousel Boutique and see if she could talk to Sweetie Belle.

“No… Well, maybe,” Scootaloo said to herself.

This whole affair with Miss Bad Winnie would most likely become rather complicated before everything was sorted out, especially when every pony finally found out just how terrible Miss Bad Winnie really was. Maybe Scootaloo shouldn't bring Sweetie Belle or Apple Bloom into the middle of this mess if she could help it. Still, just saying hi and talking to a friend would be really nice right now. Scootaloo really didn't have to mention her own problems to Sweetie Belle; after all, she never really did before. It was enough being around her two friends, knowing they were there if she really need of them.

No, what Scootaloo needed was an outside pony to speak to. Somepony that was smart and organized, with good connections to ensure this wouldn't happen again.

“Twilight…” Scootaloo whispered the name, feeling hope that the mare was just the one to help her through all of this misery. With Twilight's help, Scootaloo might finally be able to bring her tormented stay in this Celestia forsaken house to an end.

Once Scootaloo had collected her thoughts and feelings into something she could manage telling others, she would tell Twilight everything that happened to her at the hooves of Miss Bad Winnie. Then she would never have to worry about being sent back to any orphanage again.

With something akin to a plan in her head, Scootaloo arose and made her way down to the first floor. As she looked into the sparsely furnished sitting room, her eyes fell on the grandfather clock ticking away in the corner. She found herself astonished to discover it was almost thirty minutes past noon. She had slept in something fierce. It only made Scootaloo smile more knowing it would never have happened if Miss Bad Winnie had still been around.

With a pep in her step, Scootaloo grabbed her scooter, flung the front door open, and took off at a high speed down between the newly planted trees that had so thoroughly changed her life.

****

Not long after, Scootaloo stood in front of Carousel Boutique nervously rubbing her back hooves together while she waited for her knocks on the kitchen door to be answered. After a few minutes, she knocked again, even firmer than the first time, only for the door to open mid-knock.

“Yes! Yes! Keep your horses on darling I- Oh… it's you,” Rarity said, sounding almost neutral. Scootaloo took a couple of nervous steps in front of Rarity, starting to feeling more than a little bit awkward under the gaze of Sweetie Belle’s big sister.

“Hi… Is Sweetie Bell home?” Scootaloo asked nervously. Rarity looked down at the sorrowful looking Scootaloo and bit her lower lip before giving a defeated sigh.

“Actually, she is not Scootaloo. But even if she was, both I and our parents have decided she will not be seeing you for at least the rest of the month,” Rarity stated as a matter of fact.

“Oh… Okay… Sorry to bother you,” Scootaloo answered forlornly and lowered her head. Upon seeing how downcast the orange little filly was, Rarity had to struggle quite a bit when she started closing the door.

But just as Rarity was about to completely shut the door, a loud grumbling was heard through the crack. Startled by the volume of it, Rarity immediately swung the door open again looking down quizzically at a rather embarrassed Scootaloo.

“Was… was that you dear?” Rarity questioned.

“Maybe…” Scootaloo said, looking from side to side, seeing if there was anything she could blame the noise on. But she was instead betrayed by her stomach once again as it growled loudly in front of Rarity.

“Dear heavens, filly. When did you last eat?” Rarity said, eyes wide as she looked down at the furiously blushing Scootaloo.

“Ehhh… I had two muffins yesterday,” Scootaloo answered.

“You haven't eaten anything since yesterday? But it's well past noon!” Rarity exclaimed in disbelief. “Did you skip the meals at the orphanage?”

“There are no meals at the orphanage for me,” Scootaloo said with a snort. Rarity looked questioningly down at the filly.

“Now, now, Scootaloo, just because you don't like the food being served doesn't mean you can just skip them. You want to grow up and be big and strong don't you? Otherwise you’ll never become a good flyer like Rainbow Dash,” Rarity said, trying to lighten the mood. The effect was quite the opposite as Scootaloo remembered how her last meeting with her hero had ended. Realizing that she made a bit of a blunder, Rarity stepped out to pat Scootaloo carefully on the head.

“There, there… Tell you what, Scootaloo. If you would be so kind as to drag my trash cans out front for the trash collectors I will give you five bits for your trouble. Spike was supposed to do it later, but he has unfortunately been detained because of Twilight trying to enhance his letter sending abilities. She ended up removing it entirely instead, therefore Spike is currently in Canterlot so that Princess Celestia can recast the homing spell, plus the new additions Twilight has suggested,” Rarity said, lifting up Scootaloo’s chin with her hoof while smiling at her. “Five bits should be more than enough to buy you a little something until your next meal at the orphanage.”

“Right…” Scootaloo said in a huff, but then realized she could really use the bits. “No problem. I'll come in when I'm done.”

“Wonderful! I really wasn't looking forward to doing that myself; it's just so… icky,” Rarity said with a frown. “But now that you're here everything is alright I guess. So, I will go get the bits while you finish the chore.”

With that, Rarity disappeared back into the Boutique while Scootaloo walked over to the three trash cans at the back. They were all filled to the brim, and it was quite an effort to drag them all to the front.

Why the trash collectors couldn't just walk around the round building and collect them where they stood Scootaloo wouldn't bother asking. It was probably some stupid reason only grown-ups could understand anyway.

As the last trash can was dragged into place, Scootaloo could hear malicious snickering behind her. She didn't even have to turn around to know who was standing there.

“Why if it isn't the flightless wonder. Looks like you finally found your calling, Trashaloo!” a positively giggling Diamond Tiara stated.

“Oh wow! How long did it take you to figure that one out, Diamond? I mean really, Trashaloo? It feels like you're not even trying anymore,” Scootaloo said with a sigh as she turned around to face Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.

“I told you we should have gone with blank flank instead,” Silver Spoon said apprehensively.

“Shut up!” Diamond Tiara barked back at Silver Spoon, who cringed visibly at the rebuke from her friend. Without any care, Diamond instead looked through narrowed eyes at Scootaloo.

“You really shouldn't be so cocky without your two buddies around, blank flank,” Diamond Tiara said in a hiss, walking closer to Scootaloo.

“Yeah, and what are you going to do about it?” Scootaloo asked defiantly, not really being in the mood for Diamond Tiara’s games. Without any warning, Diamond Tiara harshly shoved Scootaloo, sending her sprawling in amongst the trash cans. Gritting her teeth, Scootaloo looked up just in time to see Diamond Tiara buck the nearest trash can right on top of her. The lid flew open and all the filth and muck inside of it spilled out on top of the orange filly. Scootaloo shrieked in rage and indignation as she pushed the trash can off of her and stood up, spitting and loudly cursing Diamond Tiara's name.

When she finally looked up she could see the laughing duo disappear off in the distance. With even more foul language, Scootaloo looked for the scooter but realized it was on the other side of the Boutique. With a groan, she wiped her face and stomped out of the trash heap she was lying in.

“Buck you, Diamond!” Scootaloo shouted after them in frustration. “I'll feed you to the Timberwolves as well one day…” she then grumbled to herself in absolute fury.

With her chance for retribution having slipped away, Scootaloo turned around and walked into the Carousel Boutique to collect her pay and hopefully find a bathroom to clean herself. She hadn't walked more than a few steps before a shriek sounded through the air.

“Get out! Get out! Just look what you have done to my beautiful floor! What have you been up to? You are positively filthy! Of all the worst possible things!” Rarity shrieked in horror as she beheld the trail of filth Scootaloo had inadvertently brought in with her. Rarity’s horn lit up and Scootaloo was unceremoniously lifted up and shoved out of the door again. With a thud, she landed outside with a positively fuming Rarity standing behind her.

“What do you think you're doing bringing that filth in here?” Rarity barked. “I told you to bring the trash out front, not roll around in it! By the heavens, you positively reek!”

“It wasn't my fault!” Scootaloo began to protest.

“I don't want to hear any excuses, why’s or maybe’s, young filly! You're not setting a hoof in my Boutique like that! Go down to the river and wash yourself right this instant, Scootaloo!” Rarity said, leaving no space for any protests as she slammed the door in the startled fillies face. Scootaloo blinked a couple of times not really understanding what just happened, before her face contorted in anger.

“Fine! Be that way then! I don't need you or your stinking bits either!” Scootaloo shouted and turned around to walk away, but she didn’t get more than a couple of steps before the door opened again revealing a somewhat pensive looking Rarity. Scootaloo had also stopped and was now looking back over her shoulder at the somewhat regrettable look Rarity was giving her.

“Sorry, it's just…” Rarity actually cringed again looking at how filthy Scootaloo was. “Alright, I did promise you five bits, and even if you didn't do the tasks to a satisfactory level I will still honor the agreement,” Rarity said and floated out five golden bits to Scootaloo. Scootaloo, however, just look back at the white pristine mare and felt her anger starting to boil even more.

“Keep your bucking bits! If you won't even let me wash up in your house after doing your dirty work than I guess I know exactly how much I’m worth in your eyes, Rarity, so I don’t want anything at all from you, got it!” Scootaloo said in a harsh voice and slapped the bits back towards a stunned looking Rarity. Scootaloo once again started to walk off, making Rarity scramble to follow after the fuming filly.

“Wait! Scootaloo, I didn't mean it like that! You're blowing this out of proportion!” Rarity called after the angry young filly in desperation.

“Yeah right!” was all Scootaloo answered while she continued to walk away from Rarity. “Do you think I don't know what every pony is saying behind my back?! ‘Oh, will you look at the little Pegasus. How she can possibly not fly yet I'll never know!’ ‘She'll never amount to anything, will the poor dear?!’ ‘Hasn't even got a Cutie Mark yet! She'll never be anything special that’s for sure!’ ‘She's just a troublemaker!’” Scootaloo said, mimicking the speech of several different ponies from around Ponyville.

Rarity stopped in her tracks as Scootaloo recited some of the very hurtful gossip she herself had actually heard mention behind Scootaloo’s back. But to think that the filly actually knew about them was horrifying on a completely new level for the fashionista. Little fillies weren't supposed to be exposed to stuff like that until later in life, if ever.

“Look, Scootaloo… You shouldn't listen to what some ponies say around town. You're a very special filly, but you still have to understand, darling, that you're not making it easy for yourself being the way you are. You would make it so much easier on yourself if you just-”

“Shut it, Rarity! You have no idea how my life is or what I'm going through, and still you think you have the right to judge and criticize me?! That any one of you has the right to tell me how I should live my life!” Scootaloo roared, once again startling Rarity. The little filly had turned around and was now walking up towards the elder mare, glaring at her with such anger that it did not seem possible that it was coming from such a young pony at all. The look on Scootaloo actually frightened Rarity in a way not many things had.

“Scoo… Scootaloo, please calm yourself. Won't you come back with me and we'll see about getting you cleaned up, and then I'll get you some tea and biscuits, as well,” Rarity tried, hoping to placate the still glaring Scootaloo.

“Forget it! I learned something yesterday, Rarity! In the end, you can't count on any pony but yourself!” Scootaloo said. Her eyes went wide as if she had an epiphany right then and there.

“I'm finally free… I can see the world for what it is now….. I now realize I've been hoping in vain, living in a dream,” the filly said with sad eyes before they once again grew angry.

“Like waiting for someone like Rainbow to help me… HA! What a laugh! There is nothing for a pony like me in this world unless I take it for myself! So buck you, Rarity. I have never seen your supposed generosity unless it serves yourself somehow!” Scootaloo shouted up at Rarity, who stumbled back several steps.

“Buck all your friends, too! Buck all your perfect narrow sighted lives! I'm done! The orphanage is mine now and I won't need any of you grown-ups ever again! You can all go to Tartarus for all I care! I've fed myself many times by grazing in the wild before; I will have no problem doing it again in the future! So you know what, Rarity? You can take all the things you think I need to do to fit in around here, and then shove it somewhere not even the power of friendship will be able to get it out again!” Scootaloo yelled as she ended her anger driven rant, breathing heavily.

Rarity couldn’t even begin to comprehend what had just happened, let alone what was said, before Scootaloo had turned around and began running away amongst the houses of Ponyville.

“No, wait… It's not supposed to go like this… You're supposed to learn your lesson and be happy…” Rarity said heartbrokenly, as she looked towards where Scootaloo had disappeared, feeling that she somehow had failed her, but not understanding in what way.

****

It wasn't long after Scootaloo’s rather heated exchange with Rarity that a much cleaner and calmer filly stepped up out of the water that slowly flows through the little village. She had made do, cleaning herself with plain water and sand off the bottom of the little stream.

Nonetheless, the cleansing now meant Scootaloo felt much better, both physically and mentally. With a somewhat relieved sigh, she sat down on the shore and started thinking of what to do next.

She realized she would need to learn more about what she could eat in the wild. Just eating grass wouldn't sustain her long, and whatever else she could scrounge up in food by helping other ponies around town probably wouldn't be able to sustain her on its own either. But if Scootaloo combined the two options, she might just eat better than she had done in a long while.

So the first course of action was rather obvious: find Twilight and borrow whatever book on bushcraft she could find. Then, maybe, see if there was anypony needing help in exchange for food or bits at the market.

Scootaloo’s stomach rumbled in protest of being empty, prompting a decision that she might do her tasks the other way around. Looking at the market first and going to Twilight later.

With a confident nod to herself, Scootaloo once again set off with a rudimentary plan in mind.

****

When Scootaloo reached the market, she noticed she was a little bit out of luck since it was obvious the market was already winding down, many of the merchants already packing up their stores for the day. Off in the distance, on the other side of the Market Square, Scootaloo could see the silhouette of an orange mare with a Stetson hat on her head.

Not having any interest in meeting Applejack at the moment, Scootaloo decided to stay away from that part of the market.

Fortunately, in the corner of her eye, Scootaloo saw what she was looking for: Carrot Top struggling with putting her produce back on her cart after the market’s end. Right away, Scootaloo made her way over to help Carrot Top get the uncooperative box with carrots back on her wagon.

“Why thank you,” Carrot Top said happily and trotted back for a few more boxes.

“No problem. Do you need some help?" she wondered hopefully. Carrot Top looked back at Scootaloo with a bit of apprehension, the destructive capacity of the CMC being well known throughout Ponyville. But on their lonesome they were mostly like any other filly.

Although, Scootaloo is still rumored to be the worst of the three... Carrot Top though a bit guiltily while she looked back at a still hopefully smiling filly. Right then, as if on cue, Scootaloo's stomach rumbled loudly, startling the older mare before she smiled again.

"Tell you what Scootaloo, if you'd be kind enough to help me with the latest boxes and the stand, I’ll give you two nice big carrots for your trouble," Carrot Top said and nodded Scootaloo over to where she stood waiting.

Happily, the orange filly hopped over to assist the yellow mare put all of her produce back on her cart. To Carrot's surprise, Scootaloo was both more eager and much more helpful than she thought the little filly could be. So when the time came to ‘pay’ for the help, Carrot Top actually felt a little guilty for only thinking about giving Scootaloo two carrots for her work. Therefore, she grabbed the two crooked, but big, carrots that no pony seemed to want to buy, plus one really nice looking, albeit smaller, one as an extra bonus.

"Thank you for helping me, Scootaloo. It was really nice of you. Here, take this, and if I ever need help again, I'll know which filly to ask," Carrot Top said with a smile. With an even bigger smile and badly hidden eagerness, Scootaloo took the three offered carrots.

"No problem! Thanks for the carrots Miss Carrot. I'm really super hungry right now," Scootaloo said without thinking, as her eyes positively sparkled when she looked at her three treasures. Carrot Top looked down at the little filly feeling a bit of concern as Scootaloo more or less gobbled down the strait and tasty looking carrot immediately.

"Are you really that hungry? That rumble from your stomach earlier was not just a little filly wanting a snack," Carrot Top stated knowingly. For a second, Scootaloo froze in place, not knowing how to respond. If she told the truth, that Miss Bad Winnie was dead, they would probably send another supposed caretaker to torment her instead. So there was only one thing Scootaloo could do: lie.

"No, it's okay; I just missed dinner, you know. Out crusading and stuff..." Scootaloo said, while smiling none to convincingly. Carrot Top looked a little bit dubiously at the orange Pegasus.

"Okay, if you say so," Carrot Top answer and hitched herself up to the wagon. When she turned back to ask if Scootaloo wanted to come with her and eat some of her famous carrot soup, Carrot Top found that the little energetic filly had already disappeared.

****

That was a close call, Scootaloo thought as she skidded to a halt just outside of the market. I don't want any pony finding out about Miss Bad Winnie. At least, not yet...

While taking a big bite out of her second carrot, Scootaloo turned around and was met with a fluffy white paw to the face. Giving off a startled cry, Scootaloo stumbled back, dropping her carrot which Angel Bunny snatced out of the air and immediately started munching happily on.

"Hey!" Scootaloo yelled in anger. She jumping forward and slapped Angel away to reclaim her carrot just as Fluttershy came round the corner. Angel crashed down in front of the gasping butter colored mare, who immediately scooped up the now pitifully trembling bunny. Turning to Scootaloo, Fluttershy's pink mane swirled revealing two glaring eyes locking on to the orange filly.

"Scootaloo! What do you think you are doing to poor little Angel Bunny?!" Fluttershy yelled, or at least what passed for Fluttershy yelling, while her eyes froze Scootaloo in place. It wasn't quite the Stare, although close enough to have similar effect. Fluttershy had, after all, resolved not to use the Stare on ponies… too much. But this was still very intense for the little filly.

"You apologize right now to poor little Angel Bunny," Fluttershy said while she held the white bunny out in front of her. Scootaloo had to fight with every ounce of mental strength she had not to immediately cave to Fluttershy’s demand. Even though Scootaloo's eyes were unable to leave Fluttershy's, she could still see Angel's smirking face in her periphery, which, of course, Fluttershy couldn't from her position.

At the sight of the now grinning horror of a bunny, Scootaloo's anger once again flared and she wishfully imagined Angel squealing in the jaws of a timberwolf. The gruesome mental image somehow decreased Fluttershy's mental lockdown on Scootaloo.

White a rough shake of her head, Scootaloo broke of the eye contact between her and Fluttershy, which surprised the older mare greatly as the timid Pegasus took a startled step back.

"No!" Scootaloo shouted furiously, "That mother bucker kicked me in the face and tried to steal my lunch! I should pound his fluffy behind into the ground! And it's not the first time he’s done that to a filly either!"

Pressing Angel Bunny to her chest, Fluttershy gasped and shook her head in denial. "No... Angel would never-"

"Save it. You don't know what that little horror is up to when you aren't looking, do you?" Scootaloo accused.

"No, he wouldn't, he is a good little-"

"Just because you’re such a doormat for him don't mean that the rest of us will put up with his crap! And don't tell me that you don't know he's a little monster, I've seen how he treats you! Putting him down would be a favor to the world worthy of Celestia’s Peace Prize!" Scootaloo growled in annoyance, while she put her carrot back in her mouth, only to turn around and go smashing right in to somepony coming the other way.

What the buck is wrong with every... Scootaloo's train of thought was truly derailed when her purple eyes met two jade green one's glaring down on her with ill hidden contempt.

"What the hay kinds of trouble are you causing now, you damn troublemaker?" Applejack almost spat down at the wide eyed filly on the ground in front of her.

Applejack took in the scene with a now crying Fluttershy fiercely hugging Angel Bunny, who in turn was glaring hatefully at Scootaloo. Snapping her eyes back to the obvious source of Fluttershy’s distress, Applejack's eyes hardened even further.

“I knew it! Can’t turn my eyes from you fer a second before you start making everyone's lives miserable! You better get out of here right now, ya hear, or I will give you the spanking of a lifetime before I drag your sorry flank back to Miss Bad Winnie, and have a real long talk with her about your behavior the last couple of days!” Applejack barked.

The threat of physical violence from Applejack should really have been just as frightening as the last time, but, for some reason, Scootaloo just didn't seem to have it in her to be afraid of getting beaten any longer. With a snort right in the face of a very surprised Applejack, Scootaloo stood up in front of the orange mare.

“Then do it,” Scootaloo whispered while she brushed herself off, not even looking at the angry earth pony in front of her, “what's another bully in my life?”

“What?!” Applejack said heatedly. “Did you just call me a bully?!”

“Yes, Miss Bully. I called you a bully!” Scootaloo shot back.

“Why I ought to-”

“To what! Beat me until I see things your way!” Scootaloo yelled as she looked back up at a stunned Applejack. “Your parents would be so proud!”

The next thing Scootaloo knew, she was back on the ground with the taste of copper in her mouth. Through blurry eyes, she looked up at a frozen and horrified Applejack, who was staring at her own outstretched hoof in disbelief.

Scootaloo felt the side of her face start to sting and swell. With a grunt, she turned over to her stomach and pushed herself up on her hooves again. Behind her, she could hear how Applejack took a few steps towards her.

“Scoots, I-”

“Don't,” Scootaloo said before spitting out some blood on the dirt in front of her. “Don't you take another step…”

Behind her, Applejack was looking everywhere except at the little filly she had just hit when her temperament got the better of her for a second. But, then again, no pony had ever been stupid enough to mention her parents like that before. Especially not when she was already so fired up. It was a low blow and Applejack sure as Tartarus wouldn't let that slide even if she did overreact.

“Look, Scootaloo, I shouldn't have hit you and I’m sorry for that… But you had no right to say that about my Ma and Pa! You have no idea what it felt like to lose them the way we did!” Applejack said heatedly, barely keeping her emotions in check. Scootaloo just snorted as she turned to look at Applejack.

“You’re actually that stupid, aren’t you? Do you ever think before you open your big mouth? The only filly currently living at an orphanage in Ponyville couldn't possibly know how it feels to lose her parents at an early age,” Scootaloo scoffed, glaring back at Applejack. As their eyes met, Applejack could make out much more than just anger in the young filly’s gaze. There was loathing and hate now, as well.

“I… I… I didn't-”

“Shut up! And go back to your lovey-dovey family! You at least still got one!” Scootaloo yelled at Applejack, who inadvertently took a step back, but when Scootaloo turned around to walk away again Applejack shot forward grabbing her shoulder.

“Wait!” Applejack tried but was immediately cut off when Scootaloo bucks with her rear legs connecting harshly with Applejack's chest. With a thud her hunches hit the dirt, and when she looked up Applejack cringed at the disgusted look Scootaloo was giving her.

“Don't you ever touch me again,” Scootaloo said coldly before gathering up her two carrots and walking off leaving a very shamed face Applejack massaging her chest while Fluttershy just sat there sniffling while fiercely hugging Angel Bunny.

Fluttershy looked totally lost as her gaze wandered back and forth between the now receding Scootaloo and Applejack, not knowing what to do in this situation. As soon as the option of trying to comforting Scootaloo disappeared around the corner, she moved over to Applejack, hoping she could at least do something to comfort her friend.

****

It wasn't long before Scootaloo was home again, she just didn't have the energy or will to try and talk to Twilight right now. It was also getting dark, which Scootaloo knew perfectly well what that meant by now. She came to a stop at the front entrance to the orphanage on her scooter, which she had collected from behind Rarity’s boutique on her way home. Scootaloo now looked back at the newly planted trees behind her, she noted that the seemed even bigger and healthier than when she left. There was most definitely some sort of magical aspect to them.

Scootaloo made her way into the empty orphanage. After making sure all the doors and windows on the lower floor were locked, she made her way back up to her room. With heavy steps, she made her way over and collapsed into her bed giving off a sigh of satisfaction. Finally, Scootaloo felt somewhat safe from the world. So she lay there, thinking about the day, about how she once again seemed to end up on the wrong side of everything, even though it never really seemed to be her fault. At least not that she could tell.

And that's when she noticed it. Some kind of new feeling inside of her. It had started with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. The feeling had then thoroughly taken root during her heated exchange with Rarity before growing even stronger when she saw the beady eyes of Angel thinking he had her where he wanted in order to steal her carrots. Then even more thinking about the way Fluttershy had taken Angel's side without even a second thought to what had actually happened. But the feeling had finally exploded when she looked up at Applejack after having been punched in the face by the orange earth pony, all for essentially doing nothing more than standing up for herself. Now finally she could identify what was she felt.

Scootaloo felt hatred…

And it felt good…

“Yeeeeeessss…” a voice said to Scootaloo seemingly from nowhere. She bolted upright looking around herself in fright, thinking maybe the timberwolves had made it into the house without her noticing.

“Hello! Is somepony there?” Scootaloo asked hesitantly with her ears flat against her skull. Quickly, she crawled in against the wall where she lay still, looking around her fearfully.

“Not per say… but I feel your sadness… I feel your… animosity… it calls out to me…” the insubstantial voice answered.

“Who are you?” Scootaloo wondered as she looked around herself trying to find the source of the voice.

“I am… a kindred spirit… someone who has been tossed aside… just like you…” the voice answered soothingly.

“Let me guess, I just have to do a few things for you and then you'll be my best friend forever and ever. Get a life, I don't care who you are, because I’m not going to do anything for you just because you can throw your voice!” Scootaloo yelled, and then gave a loud snort. For a little while, she was the only met by silence, but finally a low chuckle could be heard from the shadowy corners of her room.

“I truly like you… young Scootaloo… but remember… when they come for you… and they will come for you… I will offer to guide you… if you accept my offer then… I leave that entirely up to you… now have a good night… my young Scootaloo…” the voice said while it slowly faded away. Simultaneously, the room seemed to lighten up again. Scootaloo hadn't even noticed, but it had been almost as if it was night outside even though it was still early evening.

With a shudder, Scootaloo crawled under her covers to make herself comfortable. Even though she'd been a bit spooked by the voice, it didn't take long for her to succumb to the day’s emotional exhaustion; she quickly sank down into the blissful sleep. At least it would have been, if it wasn't for the fact that she was constantly being chased by an angry orange mare.

****

Thanks to Syvvak - pre-reader/editor
Thanks to Mikemeiers - pre-reader/editor

Author's Note

A lot happened in this chapter, and more is to follow. The story is about to come to a head, as little Scootaloo starts to tumble down the slippery slope towards darkness...

I also have to say I'm a little bit sorry, It took a little longer for this to come out then I planned. Although as a result I'm pretty pleased with this instalment, having a few extra time to go through everything sure added up to hopefully a better chapter.

So as always, do leave a comment. Feedback is always appreciated and I love hearing your thoughts.

Until next time, have a nice one!

PS: Find anything we missed please point it out.

Chapter 7 Together Again

In the Twilight of Harmony’s End
Chapter 7
Together Again

****

As Twilight slowly regained consciousness, she could hear muffled voices around her. They sounded like they were coming from miles away. But eventually, she could finally identify who was speaking. Startled, Twilight’s eyes snapped open, still desperately hoping for this whole situation to be a cruel joke.

“It is not too late Void… Please! We know what happened to you now, so please stop this. I’m imploring you Scoot-” Rarity was cut off by harsh hoof beats walking towards her, “Void! I mean Void! Please… have mercy...” Rarity’s raspy voice begged, as she tried to hold back sobs.

The only response she got was a snort from Void as the dark alicorn once again walked back to her carved obsidian throne.

“I really shouldn’t… but still, you were not as bad as Applejack and Rainbow Dash,” Void stated coldly, as she lazily draped herself across the cold surface, looking down upon the ponies chained in front of her seat of power. In doing so, she noticed that Twilight had once again regained consciousness.

“Well, well… Our dear Princess is with us once again,” She said with a wicked smile. “So how did you find yourself? Disgusting, right?”

Twilight could only give Void a blank stare in response, unable to remember herself being present at any point during the last memory dreams.

“I… I don’t think I was in that memory,” Twilight said carefully while she looked Void over. There was something different about her, but twilight couldn’t really put her hoof on it.

Then she realized what it was, it was actually so obvious she felt a bit embarrassed about not noticing it sooner. Void’s coat was now even more covered in black than Twilight remembered. Void’s entire head to halfway down her neck was now completely black, just like all four of her legs and wings, leaving only her torso showing a little of Scootaloo’s original orange coat.

Even Void’s stature, though she was lazily lying on her side draped across the throne, was not that of a filly anymore; not even by Alicorn standards. She was definitely bigger and more mature-looking in her body now, much more… Nightmare Moon-looking.

At hearing Twilight’s answer, Void scowled while her eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

“Hmm…” she pondered, “perhaps it’s the next day you come in then… Once you’ve had as many bad days as I have, they tend to blur together, and exactly when somepony hurt me becomes irrelevant.” Void said derisively while she thought back on her life as Scootaloo, trying to pinpoint where exactly in the memories they ought to be.

“Twilight? Oh Twilight, thank heavens you’re up!” Rarity exclaimed, relief evident in her voice.

Twilight lifted herself up and turned towards her friend. Rarity had been lying down almost as far back as the chain would allow her to go, but once she saw her friend standing up, she immediately moved as close as she could.

“Rarity…” Twilight said, taking in the state of the completely filthy unicorn, she smelled horrible and looked worse. Nevertheless, Rarity sat down prim and proper and as gracefully as she could at the edge of her little circle.

Twilight moved up as close to Rarity as she could get before sinking back to the ground. The two of them looked at each other with relief at having a friend at their side once more.

“Well isn’t this touching?” Void said sarcastically, not sounding too pleased. “Perhaps I should put you all back in your own little holes again?”

“NO! Nononono! Please don’t put me back in there! I’m begging you Void! I will do anything!” Rarity screamed in absolute terror, before breaking down into sobs. “Just… don’t… please… I can’t take that filth anymore…” She said between her sobs, literally begging on her knees for Void not to put her back in that dirty pit.

Twilight was looking in absolute shock at Rarity; she had gone from the composed and ever proper, if at the moment filthy, mare she had always known to a complete wrecked shadow of herself at just a few words from Void.

“Void! Let her be! I’m warning you!” Twilight shouted in anger as she stood up and spread her wings protectively in front of the now-weeping Rarity who had prostrated herself before the nightmare.

“No Twilight! Don’t anger her; you’ll only make it worse for us!” Rarity cried out pleadingly from behind a completely speechless Twilight.

“You should listen to your friend,” Void commented, while she started clicking her tongue in disappointment at the behavior of her playthings. “Unlike you, my dear Princess, she has not been sleeping for the last two months or so. She knows what happens when I get annoyed. Don’t you Rarity?”

“Yes! Yes I do Void!” Rarity assured frantically, “I promise you, she didn’t mean anything by it. Dear Twilight has just woken up, after all,” She finished with a desperately fake laugh, trying to brush it all off as a poor pun from Twilight’s side.

Before anypony could say anymore, several groans were heard around them. Twilight turned about gleefully, hope gleaming in her eyes, as several of her friends started coming to.

“Girls! Oh, I’m so happy you’re all okay!” Twilight said, before she looked over towards Fluttershy, grimacing as she briefly saw the scratch and bite marks on her stomach once more. “Well, mostly okay…”

Twilight moved over towards the shy Pegasus, trying to see how severe her injuries were.

“Okay?” Applejack said with a harsh laugh while she staggered up on her hooves. “Ya got a funny definition of ‘okay’, Twilight.”

Frowning, the purple Alicorn looked over towards the orange farmer. Applejack only glanced back, her whole being radiating defeat.

“I refuse to believe this is over… There’s always hope…” Twilight said in a low voice, mostly to herself. She looked back towards the yellow mare. “How are you Fluttershy? Are you alright?…” Twilight grimaced as she realize how poorly thought out that question was, “well… obviously not, but… are you coping?”

The timid little Pegasus looked back at Twilight through her pink bangs, eyes widening as she took in the purple Alicorn’s presence.

“Oh… hi Twilight…” Fluttershy whispered, almost inaudible.

“I’m…” The yellow Pegasus looked down at herself regretfully, “I’m fine… It’s… nothing that I don’t deserve…”

Twilight just looked at her friend, not understanding how Fluttershy could think she deserved to be in her current situation.

“Fluttershy, you’re the nicest pony I have ever met. You definitely don’t deserve anything that’s happening here, none of us do!” Twilight said assuredly.

Fluttershy only stared down at her hooves, hiding behind her pink mane while she shuffled in place.

“No, I… I deserve…” Fluttershy started, but when she saw the way Twilight was looking at her, she eeped and once again hid behind her pink locks. “I mean… if you say so Twilight… I guess that could be… I mean, if that’s the way you see it, I guess it could be true…” The butter-colored Pegasus murmured hastily.

However, before the purple Alicorn thought to respond, she was distracted by a somewhat perky voice from behind her.

“Hi Twilight! Are you here for the party? I like parties! I should really get another one going… yeah… hehe… definitely…” Pinkie Pie’s voice startled not only Fluttershy, but Twilight as well with the sudden and loud proclamation, which nevertheless tapered off towards the end in a very non-Pinkie Pie manner.

As Twilight turned around to look at her once again conscious pink friend, she could see how the pink pony’s eyes started to glaze over; ending with Pinkie Pie staring into space.

The purple Alicorn moved over as much as she could and waved a hoof towards Pinkie Pie, whose eyes has now gone completely vacant.

“Pinkie? Pinkie Pie! Can you hear me Pinkie?!” Twilight yells at the now once again catatonic pink earth pony.

“Don’t bother… She does that all the time now.” Applejack said with a huff.

“I believe it’s her way to cope with this unfortunate situation.” Rarity said demurely, “she goes into her own little world for hours on end…”

“That… That can’t be good?” Twilight said while looking worriedly at Pinkie Pie who just then giggled a bit at something only she could see.

“Ya don’t say, Princess obvious.” Applejack scoffed before turning away in a very grumpy manner.

“AJ?” Twilight said with more than a little hurt in her voice, making Applejack sigh and crouch down in shame.

“Look… Ah’m sorry Twilight; Ah really shouldn’t ’ve said that,” AJ muttered regrettably, while turning her eyes back at her friend, tears running down her cheeks. “But ya gotta understand; the rest of us girls have been here for over two months! We’re at the end of our ropes!”

“Don’t worry Applejack,” Twilight said comfortingly. “If we have been gone for that long, there can’t be many places left to look for us. Some pony is bound to find us sooner rather than later.”

Upon hearing this, Void burst into uproarious laughter, causing Twilight to look back the alicorn. She couldn’t understand what their captor found so funny about what she’d just said.

“What?!” Twilight challenged.

Void just looked down at Twilight before shaking her head, giggling a little more.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Void said as she tapped a hoof against her chest in a show of trying to catch her breath. “I totally forgot to tell you, didn’t I?”

“Tell me what?” Twilight said with a bit more apprehension now.

“No pony is looking for us…” Rarity said forlornly from where she lay.

“WHAT!!!” Twilight burst out, “that’s impossible! Of course every pony is looking for us! They have to!”

Void burst out laughing again, making Twilight glare up at her.

“Why would some pony be looking for you... When you’re not missing?” Void asked coldly, her voice dripping with menace.

“I have a shadow clone filling each of your roles almost perfectly. Even now I am ruling all the lands of Equestria through my shadow image of you, sitting upon the throne of Celestia!” Void proclaimed and started laughing maniacally, causing Twilight’s eyes to widen in understanding. The crushing realization made the purple alicorn lay her ears flat against her head before slumping down and pressing herself against the cold obsidian floor, not even wanting to believe that what she just heard could be possible.

“No! That can be! You’re just lying, trying to make us fall apart! That is your endgame! Isn’t it! Making sure the Elements of Harmony can’t work against you!” Twilight exclaimed, still trying desperately to invalidate Void’s claim.

Void looked at Twilight with a confused expression, suddenly reminding Twilight very much of the filly Void used to be. It was actually hard to see such a ‘Scootaloo’ expression shine through on the features of the dark mare standing in front of her now.

“Wow. I had forgotten, you can be the most stupid smart pony ever sometimes…” Void said in a deadpan. “If my only goal was to destroy any chance you girls had of using the Elements of Harmony, I would just have killed one of your friends long ago. But I have a different end altogether in mind… Besides, just killing you outright would be letting you off too easy,” she said before tapping her hoof against her chin thoughtfully. “Well, maybe I would let Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie die soon… but the rest of you girls? No, you’re going to live for a long time under my… tender care.”

Twilight could feel her blood run cold at Void’s proclamation. Furthermore given that she didn’t have a clue as to how long she would live now being an Alicorn; it could be a long time indeed to suffer.

She could feel despair and hatred towards Void start to fill her heart. Slowly, her eyes turned green with red irises and purple mist starting to leak out from the corner of her now very frightening-looking eyes.

Unbeknownst to Twilight, Void’s own heart started beating excitedly as she sees the transformation taking place on her most problematic subject.

“AHHHHHH!” Twilight screamed out in rage as she stomped down with all her might, cracking that obsidian floor beneath her hooves.

Yes… Soon I will be-

But then, to Void’s frustration, her thoughts were cut off as Twilight’s breathing once again grew calmer while she stood, eyes tightly shut, gathering herself. The purple mist stopped seeping forth from the corner of her eyes while she stood up straight, took a calming breath and performed the motion Cadence had once shown her.

When she was finally done, Twilight opened her eyes, revealing that they were once more purple and uncontaminated by dark magic.

“You will not break us Void,” Twilight said defiantly.

Void only snorted, stepping down from her obsidian throne to walk slowly amongst her chained-down prisoners.

“Break you? My dear Twilight, I have already broken every one of your friends. Why else do you think I woke you up? You are the last piece of the puzzle. Once I have you bowing at my hooves like this,” Void elaborated while standing in front of Applejack, glaring down at her until she could do nothing but meet Void’s gaze. AJ held out only for a mere second before prostrating herself in front of Void, who coldly proceeded to put a hoof on the farmers neck and pressing down mercilessly, making Applejack grown in pain. But still, she did not try to escape her predicament. “When I have you liked this, my dear Twilight, my victory will be complete.”

Twilight was fiercely struggling against her chains, trying to reach out to her friend.

“Void stop it!” Twilight yelled in anger and despair at seeing her proud friend reduced to nothing more than a Hoof wipe for Void.

With a cruel chuckle, Void stepped back from Applejack who only slumped down on the floor, tears burning in her eyes.

“The problem with Earth ponies is they’re so damn durable. During the first two weeks, I would beat them all into an inch of their lives. However, AJ and Pinkie Pie would more often than not wake up a few hours later not being too worse for wear; Their Earth pony magic healing them up right as rain again and again. It was rather frustrating until I realized how to best deal with them,” Void said while she walked over towards Fluttershy who started shaking almost uncontrollably.

“Void ya hateful bitch!” AJ angrily called after the dark Alicorn.

Void, however, only tittered at Applejack’s rather obvious attempt at drawing her attention away from the farmer’s friend.

“Really AJ? That was one of your more pathetic attempts to rattle me up. I must say, just for that I’ll make sure Fluttershy has something to really cry about this time,” Void retorted while AJ launched herself to the end of her chain, kicking and screaming obscenities at Void’s back.

In the meantime Fluttershy had curled up into a little ball of yellow and pink, wrapping her wings around her head in a desperate bid to protect herself.

“Now… What shall we do today Fluttershy?” Void asked as if she wondered what the yellow and pink Pegasus wanted to do during a pleasant afternoon together. Her true intentions were however, completely clear. She wanted Fluttershy to choose her own torment.

“I… I… I guess we could-”

“VOID! LEAVE HER ALONE!!!” Twilight’s Royal Canterlot voice boomed, sending Void tumbling off to the side from the sheer force of the sound.

As Void got back to her hooves, she snapped her head back, glaring down at the now-fuming purple Alicorn who stood defiantly with her wings spread wide in a clear challenge.

“Testy, aren’t we my dear Princess?” Void said to Twilight, but all the same she continued towards Fluttershy. “Why don’t you come over here and stop me? Oh that’s right; you can’t!”

When Void reached Fluttershy, she roughly rolled the timid Pegasus over on her back while she forcibly stretched out her wings to either side.

“Void, I’m warning you…” Twilight continued threateningly.

“If you don’t shut up soon Princess, I will not be satisfied with hurting just one of your friends,” Void snapped back at Twilight, whose wings immediately lowered a bit at the retort.

“From now on, every time you test my patience, your friends will suffer the consequences.” Void stated coldly, as she gazed down at the trembling form of Fluttershy. “Do you understand, my little Princess?”

Twilight gritted her teeth while she looked at her trembling friend. Then she slumped down, hanging her head.

“Yes…” She whispered.

“What was that, I didn’t quite hear you!” Void barked at her.

“Yes! I understand!” Twilight shouted back in utter frustration.

Void chuckled darkly while she brushed her hoof over Fluttershy’s scared stomach.

“Good. Now that that’s out of the way, I think we can continue on a more pleasant note from here. Don’t you agree, little miss murderer?” Void stated and stepped away from a cowering Fluttershy.

“Y… ye… yes…” Fluttershy stammered out.

“How dare you!” Twilight shouted at Void, “Fluttershy wouldn’t hurt a fly! And you know it; she’s the kindest, most gentle pony in Equestria!”

“No, I’m not…” Fluttershy whispered again shrinking in on herself even more.

“Yes you-”

“I killed Angel!” Fluttershy shouted in desperation, cutting off Twilight’s defense of her with tears running down her face.

Twilight just looked back at the yellow Pegasus, not able to process what her friend had just said.

“Wait… What? You did what... to Angel?” Twilight sputtered out.

“I killed him…” Fluttershy said shakily, “I’m such a bad, evil, mean pony…”

“No, yer not Flutter! Ya can’t blame yerself fer what happened,” Applejack called over sounding a bit annoyed, as if this was a conversation they had had many times before.

“AJ is quite right darling…” Rarity said, much more soothingly, “Angel was in an absolute panic: he would have clawed his way right through you if you hadn’t… done that.”

“But he was just so afraid! It was so cramped in there, and so hot, and all he wanted was to get out… And he, he-”

“The white little Tartarus’s spawn panicked, almost clawing straight into your stomach before you broke his neck to save your own life,” Void cut off, chuckling in absolute glee. “Even dear little Fluttershy has quite the survival instinct when it comes down to life and death.”

Cringing, Twilight looked over at the now empty animal-carrying cage she had seen Fluttershy crammed in to earlier.

With a shudder, she understood what had happened, both the timid Pegasus and Angel had been forced in there together. Evidently, it hadn’t taken long for the rabbits to lose it in the cramped compartment.

Or had it? They might have been in that container for weeks before Angel finally broke…

“I’m so sorry Angel… I’m so sorry…” Fluttershy cried, rocking herself back and forth in the protection of her own wings as her sobs started to get louder and louder.

“Oh please, spare me the waterworks,” Void said agitatedly, her horn flashing with black magic as Fluttershy was engulfed in a pillar of absolute darkness. The darkness immediately drowned out the sound of her shuddering sobs.

Twilight stared with wide eyes. She knew her pink and yellow friend was just a few meters in front of her, but even with her now-sharpened alicorn senses, she couldn’t pick up a single sound or see any movement from within the inky blackness.

“Much better,” Void muttered from her throne. “That gets old so fast you wouldn’t believe it. Always going on about poor Angel, and all the other animals in the freaking universe! I swear, if that bunny-obsessed mad mare had to choose between saving, oh I don’t know- let’s say an orphan from a burning building, or some fluffy animal- She would leave the freaking filly to slowly fry in the flames!”

“That’s horrible of you to say Void! Of course she would save the filly!” Twilight shot back angrily.

Void looked coldly down at Twilight before bursting out into a very evil grin.

“Would you bet your friends’ lives on that?” Void said challengingly. “After all, I said I might be willing to part with some of you.”

“What?” Twilight uttered in shock, before realizing her mistake.

“Let’s see,” Void mused thoughtfully while looking between Applejack and Pinkie Pie, “I’ve mostly tortured you two mentally of late... this will be a nice change of pace.”

With that said, the chains securing Applejack and Pinkie to the floor melted away like shadows, before the two ponies were dragged in front of Void on her throne.

“Aw, hell no! Ah won’t let ya do this! Ya darn varmint!” Applejack called out while she struggled against Void’s grip. Pinky Pie, however just lay on the floor, apparently not having noticed anything changing around her.

“No! Void don’t!” Twilight yelled, struggling against her chain while she tried reaching her two friends.

“Oh don’t be like that Princess; it’s just a fun little game after all. You like games, don’t you Pinky?” Void asked contemptuously to the non-responsive earth pony. “I’ll even throw in a little bonus for you:” she continued and turned back to Twilight, “if Fluttershy acts like an actual pony and saves your friends...” Void smiled down at AJ and Pinky, “I won’t torture her ever again.”

“Like we can trust anything you say Void,” Applejack spat up at her captor.

“O, ye have little faith…” Void said smoothly, “look into my eyes, Element of Honesty, when I say this,” Applejack reluctantly obeyed, “I will not torture Fluttershy again if she saves you.”

Applejack’s eyes widened as she stared up at Void before turning away.

“Ya… yer not lyin’,” she said reluctantly, “at least, as far as Ah can tell yer not.”

“But surely, we cannot even think about trusting her?” Rarity croaked out in weak protest from where she still lay chained to the floor.

“So, do we have a deal?” Void asked as she glanced over towards Twilight, who just stood frozen where she was.

Her thoughts were going several million miles an hour. On one hand, she could presumably make sure Fluttershy wouldn’t suffer anymore, but on the other hand…

She had little doubt now that Void would actually go through with it and kill AJ and Pinky if Fluttershy did make the wrong choice.

But this is Fluttershy we’re talking about: she would never leave a filly to die just to save an animal! Would she? Twilight thought, before her eyes went wide. By Celestia! What does it say about me and about how well I know and trust Flutters that I actually have to think so hard about this?!

“Your answer, Princess!” Void snapped, breaking Twilight out of her jumbled thought process.

“I… I-”

“Do it Twi!” Applejack said heatedly. “If there’s a chance to get one of us out of this Tartarus, then ya better take it!”

Twilight’s purple eyes met Applejack’s green ones and, with a last nod from Applejack, she turned back towards Void.

“Yes, Fluttershy will save her friends,” Twilight stated.

“Oh goody!” Void said, prancing like a school filly, “it’s been so boring lately: this will definitely liven things up a bit.”

“Now then: let’s set the scene!” Void chortled.

At once, Applejack and Pinkie Pie were dragged off into the darkness by wrapping tendrils of shadow, electing a last yelp from AJ as she disappeared into the darkness surrounding their prison.

Suddenly, Twilight could feel her eyes starting to droop, and with mounting horror, she understood she was being pulled back down into the nightmarish dream world of Scootaloo’s memories.

“No… Not now!” Twilight croaked as she took a few stumbling steps off to the side.

“Looks like it’s time for you to take a nap again, Princess,” Void said, when she saw how Twilight stubbornly struggled to keep herself awake. “Don’t worry, I will not do anything without you awake to see it. Besides, this will give me some time to come up with the perfect stage for our little show.”

With that, Void disappeared off into the darkness after Applejack and Pinkie Pie, almost giddy with excitement as she thought of all the ways she could play this little wager out.

“No…” Twilight whispered one last time, before darkness once again enveloped her.

****

Thanks to Mikemeiers - pre-reader/editor
Thanks to Evanescyan - pre-reader/editor

Chapter 8 In Black and White

In the Twilight of Harmony’s End
Chapter 8
In Black and White

****

Somepony was banging insistently on the door. Reluctantly, Scootaloo pushed herself out of the comfort of her warm and comfortable bed. She could still hear it call out to her as she stumbled out of her room and down the stairs.

“Geez! I’m coming! I’m coming!” Scootaloo yelled out in annoyance as the persistent banging continued.

When she arrived downstairs, Scootaloo rubbed the sleep from her eyes before unlocking the door. Once opened, she had no choice but to look into the bright sunshine of the new day. Scootaloo squinted to shield her eyes from the sunlight’s glare, making out three pony shadows before her.

“Hello, Scootaloo,” the voice of Twilight Sparkle said. “Is Miss Bad Winnie in by any chance? We would very much like to have a word with the two of you regarding the last couple of days. I would also very much enjoy having a look around. I was surprised to learn that there was an orphanage outside of Ponyville, not to mention that you were staying here,” the librarian continued while trying to look over Scootaloo into the orphanage.

“What?” Scootaloo uttered in surprise, any hint of drowsiness from having just woken up immediately disappearing from the little filly now caught in the spotlight, so to speak.

“We feel that things may have gone a bit out of hoof as of late, so we feel a few ground rules must be set to avoid this in the future,” Rarity’s dainty voice chimed in from the side.

“What?” Scootaloo said again.

“Listen; just bring Miss Bad Winnie out so we can sort this out, grown-up like. Once this hooey’s been cleared up, I reckon things can go back to the way they’re meant ta be. ‘Cept you won’t be setting a hoof back on Sweet Apple Acres anytime soon,” Applejack said sternly, earning two sharp looks from the other mares standing at the door. “But I still reckon I owe ya an apology for mah hollerin’ at ya yesterday, even if ya kinda deserved it…” Applejack followed up reluctantly.

“WHAT!?!” Scootaloo now shouted as she glared up at Applejack, anger radiating off her like heat.

“Now, everypony, please calm down,” Twilight interjected when she saw that the exchange was heading towards a new confrontation between the two strong-willed ponies. “We came here to resolve things, not aggravate them,” she finished and gave AJ an even more pointed glare.

“Fine!” Applejack said with a huff. “I’ll let you handle this Twi. Seein’ as it’s why we brought ya here an’ all…”

“Indeed…” Rarity affirmed. “We do seem to need a pony uninvolved in the issue at hoof to mediate between us.”

“And I’m very glad to help you solve this problem,” Twilight proclaimed happily to her companions. “After all, that’s what good friends do for each other.”

“So in other words, you’re all here to gang up on me?” Scootaloo scuffed. “Well, I shouldn’t be surprised, really,” Scootaloo affirmed in a very cold voice.

All three adult mares gasped at Scootaloo’s statement.

“Scootaloo? That’s not true-” Twilight began.

“Good heavens, we would never-” Rarity proclaimed dramatically at the accusation.

“Why you little vermin!” Applejack yelled, cutting both her friends off. “Ya can’t even last two seconds ‘fore ya go accusin’ up-standing ponies of being nuthin’ more than rowdy hooligans like yerself!” Applejack spat in anger.

“Yeah… You all definitely seem very open-minded in this little blame game you’ve got started here,” Scootaloo deadpanned with ill-hidden contempt.

“Ah’m tired of wastin’ mah time! Let’s just head on in ta Miss Bad Winnie so we can get this done and over with,” Applejack barked and proceeded to push past Scootaloo in the doorway.

“GET OUT!” Scootaloo yelled in anger. “You think you can just tell me I’m not welcome at your place and then come barging into my home the next day!”

“Applejack darling, manners please. Also don’t take this the wrong way Scootaloo, but we really need to talk to Miss Bad Winnie so we can work this whole mess out,” Rarity spoke softly and patted Scootaloo on the head as she walked by. “Once we are done, we will be on our way again and you won’t have to see us. Unless you want to, of course.”

“This is for the best Scootaloo, so just bear with it for now. And, please, be considerate about AJ; she’s been a bit short-tempered lately because of things you don’t really need to worry about. It’s not just you, so don’t take it too personally,” Twilight said, smiling down at the little orange filly. “Now, please tell us where we can find Miss Bad Winnie.”

Scootaloo ground her teeth together as she watched Applejack storm into the kitchen of the orphanage while Rarity stood at the bottom of the stairs with a frown on her face. Obviously, she didn’t appreciate what she saw when she looked into the spartanly furnished living room.

They want to find Miss Bad Winnie do they? Well, maybe I’ll show them exactly where they can start looking! Scootaloo thought with a sneer forming across her face.

“I must say that the decor is a bit drab…” Rarity muttered. “Perhaps I should offer Miss Bad Winnie a few pointers.”

“She ain’t in the kitchen!” Applejack called out with a bit of annoyance in her voice.

“Does Miss Bad Winnie have an office?” Twilight wondered, to which Scootaloo only pointed down the hall, at the closed door at the end of it.

“Well, why didn’t you say she was there in the first place!” Applejack grumbled in annoyance as she came out of the kitchen and immediately turned down towards Miss Bad Winnie’s office.

“Applejack, you’re not being very sociable,” Rarity reprimanded soothingly.

“Oh, can it Rarity!” Applejack shot back, “Ah’m lookin’ ta get this hogwash out of the way lickety-split so I can get back to working the Acres!”

“Why, I never…” Rarity scoffed and followed the farm pony with a rather heated glare.

“As you can see…” Twilight said with a sigh as she walked away from Scootaloo, “Applejack is rather short with every pony right now.”

With a couple of loud knocks, Applejack tried to get the attention of Miss Bad Winnie, who she thought was inside the office.

“That’s enough Applejack, if you please,” Rarity said as she walked up to the door and opened it up instead of banging on it like a brute. “I’m so sorry for the noise, Miss Bad Winnie, but my friends and I would like to have a-”

Rarity stopped abruptly when she noticed that the room was indeed empty. With a raised eyebrow, she turned back towards the little orange filly still standing at the door, glaring towards the three mares who had just barged into her home.

“That does it! You’d best tell us where the hay we can find Miss Bad Winnie right now-”

“Or you’ll what?” Scootaloo asked, challengingly. “Beat me again? Tie me up and throw me in the shed to freeze overnight while the Timberwolves claw at the walls? Or maybe not feed me for a few days?”

All three mares looked back at Scootaloo in complete horror at what she said, even Applejack.

“Scootaloo, that’s really horrible of you to say! Of course we wouldn’t do anything of the sort, nopony would ever do that to somepony else!” Twilight reprimanded sharply.

Scootaloo just rolled her eyes and scoffed.

“It would be nice if that were true, but unlike you three, I don’t live in a perfect little dream world surrounded by my ever-loving family,” Scootaloo hissed and looked pointedly at Applejack. Then she shifted her gaze towards the prim, white fashionista. “Nor am I obsessed with the latest junk to grab the attention of those snooty and egotistical nobles!” the orange filly continued crossly, electing a gasp from Rarity. “And I sure as Tartarus didn’t grow up in some fantasy castle, doted on by the princess and given every possible chance to succeed, all because I was startled by a Sonic Rainboom at my already failed entry exam to the school nopony can even get near unless they’re wealthy unicorns to begin with!” Scootaloo shouted angrily at Twilight.

The three older mares were now standing with their jaws hanging open, unable to fully comprehend what this little filly had just yelled at them.

“I, on the other hoof, have been constantly living in a nightmare ever since my parents died! It was bearable up until three years ago when Snips and Snails were adopted, leaving Miss Bad Winnie free to focus all her attention on me!” Scootaloo shouted at the oblivious ponies, living in their separate world from hers, where everypony was apparently happy.

“I thought…” Scootaloo started but choked on the words, tears streaming down her cheeks against her will. “I thought that finally Miss Bad Winnie would see that I wasn’t such a terrible filly when she could finally spend some time with me one-on-one…” The little orange filly grit her teeth while she wiped away her tears. “I had never been so wrong! Beforehoof, she never spared me a second thought, but when she had nothing but me to focus on, her true colors really started shining through!”

“Scootaloo…” Twilight said shakily, “just… just tell us what’s wrong, and we will help you. I promise.”

“Ha!” Scootaloo laughed harshly and glared back at the purple alicorn. “Now you want to help me? When I don’t need it anymore? Like I haven’t asked for help before! Like I haven’t been promised help before! But all you’re thinking of doing is talking to Miss Bad Winnie, isn’t it Twilight?!” the young filly yelled.

“What? Well, of course… I’m sure if we talk to her about-”

“And then you would have just walked home, convinced of how well you handled that situation and I would have spent another night tied up in the shed while you slept in your warm and comfortable bed!” Scootaloo cut Twilight off.

“Now you cut that out right this minute, Scoots!” AJ said in a stern voice. “Ah don’t believe fer one second that that’s really what’s goin’ on. Miss Bad Winnie’s good at takin’ care of fillies an’ colts: this wouldn’t be her job if she weren’t. Ah’m sure if ya just spoke up about it, instead of spewin’ all this here nonsense about yer life bein’ Tartarus, she coulda helped ya fix any little problem ya had.”

“Oh… am I interrupting something? I could come back later… If that’s okay with you girls,” the meek voice of Fluttershy sounded from the door behind Scootaloo, causing all four of them turned towards her.

“Flutters! Perfect timin’! Now we can get back on track here,” Applejack said with glee as she waved Fluttershy into the orphanage.

“Oh… it’s okay… As I said, I can come back later-”

“No! Angel deserves an’ apology. You said he was kicked just ‘cuz he picked up this here hooligan’s carrot, which she dropped. So Scootaloo ain’t gettin’ mah apology ‘til she fesses up ta what she did yesterday,” Applejack said sternly.

“You want me to come clean about yesterday AJ?” Scootaloo said through clenched teeth. “I punched Angel after he tried to steal the only food I’d managed to get my hooves on during the entire day! It’s true that I dropped it, but that was after he’d kicked me in the face! And this isn’t the first time he’s done that to me: or other foals, for that matter! Also, just so you don’t misunderstand me: if I ever get the chance, I’ll make sure he ends up in the jaws of a Timberwolf so he can’t pull anything like that ever again!” the little orange Pegasus roared as loudly as she could at Fluttershy and Angel. The yellow Pegasus clutched the white bunny to her chest as she flew out, tears streaming down her face.

“Darling, wait!” Rarity called after Fluttershy, but to no avail; she was already gone. Angered, the white unicorn turned towards the orange filly. “Scootaloo! How could you? That was just appalling behavior: quite unbefitting a lady!”

“Do I look like- HEY!?!”

“That’s it! Yer goin’ to yer room right now!” AJ affirmed with steel in her voice as she picked up Scootaloo with one limb. “You girls see if ya can’t find Miss Bad Winnie - Ah’ll make sure this troublemaker stays put!”

With that, Applejack started dragging a wildly kicking and screaming Scootaloo up the stairs. When the stronger Earth pony mare made it to the top of the stairs, she saw that the closest door to the stairs was open. She then made her way over, unceremoniously shoved Scootaloo into the room and slammed the door shut behind the filly.

Applejack was looking for a chair to block the door with when she saw that the door was conveniently equipped with a bolt lock on the outside - she used it to lock the rowdy filly in the room.

“Now you sit in there and think about what you’ve done! Once we’ve talked to Miss Bad Winnie about what ta do with you, we’ll let ya out, but not before that, ya hear me?” Applejack yelled through the door.

“Buck you!” Scootaloo shouted back while hitting the door repeatedly.

With a huff, Applejack left Scootaloo to her pouting and rejoined her friends in search of Miss Bad Winnie.

****

It had been over an hour when Scootaloo finally heard several sets of hooves making their way up the stairs. It had only taken them a short while to discover the blood stains on the grass in the backyard, and how it left a very gruesome trail leading off towards Everfree forest. This discovery starting a very loud and frantic discussion between the mares, which Scootaloo couldn’t really follow from where she was.

Once they had established that something was terribly wrong at the orphanage, and that Miss Bad Winnie was most likely dead, Twilight, Rarity and Applejack had quickly made their way back inside again. But to Scootaloo’s surprise, they didn’t come for her; they instead made their way back to the office on the first floor, where they started rummaging through whatever Miss Bad Winnie had in there.

Now, as the bolt locking her in was released, Scootaloo looked up from where she lay on top of her bed as the three mares made their way into the barren room, one after the other.

Twilight entered first, of course, and set herself in the middle of the room. She looked sorrowfully at the orange Pegasus lying on the bed before once again starting to read the material she brought with her.

Rarity instead moved to the foot of the bed, looking at Scootaloo with equally sorrowful understanding and pity.

Lastly, Applejack closed the door again and leaned against it, looking anywhere but towards the little filly she had treated rather harshly over the last couple of days.

With a long sigh, Twilight finally looked away from the books and paperwork she had brought with her.

“Okay… So I should… Hang on a second…” Twilight looked back into her book again, flipping through a few pages. “Aha… okay… that question makes sense…” She muttered and looked back up at the orange filly in front of her, “So, how are you feeling Scootaloo?”

“…seriously?” Scootaloo answered, looking back at Twilight with a blank expression. “You’re going to ask me questions from…” she looked at the cover of the book and read out loud, “Foal psychology for dummies?” Scootaloo couldn’t help but laugh. “This is going to be hilarious.”

Twilight exchanged an uncertain look with Rarity and Applejack.

“Look, Scootaloo - is it okay if I call you Scootaloo?” Twilight asked, as if this was the first time that they had ever met. Scootaloo couldn’t help but face hoof now.

“Twilight, we’ve known each other for three years: it’s okay that you call me by my name,” The filly answered calmly as she looked up at the purple alicorn again.

“Oh right…” Twilight answered and start shuffling her hooves nervously, “we just need to be careful with how we approach this trauma you have experienced.”

“Yeah right, this is all about my trauma. Nothing at all about what you three are feeling at the moment,” Scootaloo scoffed, causing the three adult mares look at each other even more uncertainly; the young filly wasn’t reacting at all like they thought she would.

“Okay then darling: could you please tell us what you know of what happened to Miss Bad Winnie?” Rarity instead tried.

“She was eaten by Timberwolves,” Scootaloo said without as much as a stutter.

“Oh, you poor dear! It must have been awful: hearing something like that while hiding under your bed,” Rarity said and moved up to sit beside Scootaloo, trying to smile comfortingly down at her.

“Hiding under the bed? I saw the whole thing,” the little filly said and then shocked the three mares by smiling broadly, “I can’t tell you how relieved I was! I was finally free from her thanks to those Timberwolves.”

The eerie quiet that settled over the room was more than a little unnerving for Twilight, who just stared at Scootaloo. Rarity had pulled her hoof back as if it had been burned. And finally, Applejack just couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“What in tarnation did you just say, young filly?!?” AJ yelled in disbelief, to which Scootaloo only raised an eyebrow.

“No, no! Wait Applejack! This actually makes perfect sense according to the book!” Twilight said stabbing her hoof at a particular page. “Scootaloo is suppressing her feelings by mentally alienating herself from her caretaker, thereby making the pain seems smaller than it actually is…”

“I don’t know Twilight…” Applejack said suspiciously and gave a little shudder, “she looked pleased as punch ta me when she said that about Miss Bad Winnie being eaten.”

“And why shouldn’t I?” Scootaloo cut in before Twilight could continue her psychological rant, “She had left me tied up at the door to go fetch a hammer in the shed, so she could destroy any sliver of chance I’d ever had of flying by smashing my wings to bits!” Scootaloo screamed at a now very shocked Applejack. Twilight looked at Scootaloo with wide eyes and Rarity, despite her white coat, was even paler than usual.

“Scootaloo, I know you’re hurting right now,” Twilight said soothingly when she had finally gathered herself again, “But that’s still not an excuse for you to go making up accusations like that. It would just be horrible if somepony actually started believing that about Miss Bad Winnie.”

Scootaloo couldn’t help but stare at the purple alicorn. She then looked over to Rarity, who was fanning herself as she tried to regain her composure. For her part, Applejack just looked at Scootaloo, a very angry expression adorning her face once more.

“I’m banging my head against the wall here, aren’t I?” Scootaloo asked in absolute disbelief, “You three are going to make sure that whatever is said about what happened here fits into your own little picture of how the world should work… no matter if it’s to truth or not.”

“Darling we know-”

“It doesn’t matter that Miss Bad Winnie has been hitting me every day for three years, or that she’s been starving me every now and then just to amuse herself, or even made me sleep in the shed in the dead of winter! Of course I didn’t sleep those icy cold nights; if I had fallen asleep I would never have woken up again!”

Once again, the oppressing silence was back in the room after Scootaloo’s statement. None of the grown mares really knew how to proceed, what with the discussion going in the direction that it had. This was so vastly different from what they had expected the little filly to do, that they simply couldn’t process it.

“Okay… Well…” Twilight said while clearing her throat, “it is clear that this trauma has left Scootaloo much more rattled than we first believed. We should send somepony from the mental ward of the hospital to take a closer look at her as soon as we can,” The purple alicorn continued, as if Scootaloo was no longer even in the room, “once we have determined what’s wrong with her, we can move on from there.”

Scootaloo could now feel icy chills running down her spine; she was telling them what really happened and they weren’t listening at all. It did not fit into their world, so they would not accept it, and that was that.

“WHY WON’T YOU LISTEN TO ME!?!” Scootaloo screamed in utter dismay, once again forcing the three mares to look towards her. Fidgeting a bit, Twilight walked up to the now openly crying filly.

“Scootaloo,” Twilight began as soothingly as she could, “I know this is difficult for you to understand right now, but we are generally trying to help you. You’re confused, frightened and scared. Once you’ve calmed down, you’ll see that whatever fantasy you build up isn’t real.”

“THIS ISN’T A FANTASY! SHE’S A HORRIBLE MONSTER!” Scootaloo yelled even more desperately, while she backed away from the outstretched hoof Twilight was trying to comfort her with.

Growing a bit frustrated with the young filly’s refusal to see the logical side of things, Twilight did the only thing she thought could to solve this problem: start peppering Scootaloo with facts.

“I’m sorry Scootaloo, but Miss Bad Winnie has been working here for years without any complaints being raised,” Twilight stated and levitated quite a substantial mass of paperwork up beside her, “and from the reports on you in this official documentation, you have been working against her every chance you got. If anything, I would even say you should be grateful for how well she’s been taking care of you, what with all the lying and mischief you are constantly up to. And don’t try to deny it young filly; it is written here in black and white.”

“What!” Scootaloo said in shock, “but that’s not true! She’s lying! She-”

“SHUT IT!” AJ suddenly roared, “Ah get thet yer real deluded. I can tell you ain’t lyin’, an’ that’s ‘cuz you actually believe yer tellin’ the truth. Ah get it! But if ya don’t quit bad mouthin’ Miss Bad Winnie right this instant, I’ll give you such a spanking ya won’t be able to sit down until next winter wrap-up! For Celestia’s sake Scootaloo, she’s darn well the closest thing ya got to a family!”

Pressing herself against the wall, Scootaloo looked back in disbelief and no small amount of fear at the looks she was receiving from Applejack, Twilight and Rarity. Each was very different, but one and all conveyed the same message: they didn’t believe her for a second. Suddenly, a voice sounded in her head, snapping her out of her stupor.

They are coming for you little one… The voice from last evening said urgently in her head.

“No!” Scootaloo screamed, making the three mares in the room flinch at the terror in her voice.

You have to flee now! It’s your only chance! The voice proclaimed.

“Darling don’t be scared, Applejack is not going to hit you, I promise,” Rarity said daintily while giving the apple farmer a very stern look, “Now please calm down and we will get everything sorted as best we can.”

Rarity, Twilight and Applejack were now standing much closer to the bed, looking worriedly at the clearly panicking orange filly.

Oh yes… They’ll make you see things their way before long… and when they’re finished with you, you’ll be standing at Miss Bad Winnie’s funeral, telling every pony how well she treated you and how sorry you are that she’s gone… The voice said, finishing in a sneer.

“NO! I WOULD RATHER DIE!” Scootaloo shrieked, and hurled herself off the bed between Twilight and Rarity. The terrified filly took a tumble as she landed, but almost instantly bounced up and shot off towards the unguarded door.

But just as Scootaloo reached it, the door was encased in a purple glow making the desperate filly slam face first into it, even though she pulled down the handle to get out.

“Scootaloo, calm down!” Twilight yelled anxiously. Because yelling at some pony that was clearly in a panic always calms them down. The thunder of hooves hitting the wooden floor told Scootaloo that Applejack was inbound. With all the strength she could muster, Scootaloo pushed off from the door, narrowly avoiding being blindsided by the farmer. The little filly spun around, blood running down her snout; frantically looking for a way out.

“Oh dear... please calm down Scootaloo, you’re hurting yourself.” Rarity said in dismay. “Applejack, please stop frightening her further by doing anything else rash!”

That was when Scootaloo’s way to freedom was made clear to her. With her wings buzzing and hooves digging into the floor, she shot off like she had been fired from a cannon - propelling herself straight through the window in a mighty crash.

“SCOOTALOO!!!” Three panicked voices screamed from behind her while she plummeted towards the ground. With her wings buzzing even harder, Scootaloo managed to slow her descent enough to only have a hard impact, and not a crippling one.

“Ohffff!” Scootaloo grunted as she hit the ground and rolled several times.

“Scootaloo!” Twilight’s voice called out again.

The adrenaline coursing through the young filly’s body made her bounce up immediately and start running for the Everfree forest. Just as she reached the border, she heard a pop behind her, signaling that Twilight Sparkle had just teleported there.

“Scootaloo wait!” The alicorn’s desperate voice called out, “Don’t go in there! You are hurt and bleeding!” Twilight yelled even more desperately; she knew there wasn’t a predator in the forest that wouldn’t catch the scent of Scootalo’s blood with the way she had been cut up going through the window.

But it was now too late; Scootaloo was lost in the undergrowth of the dark forest. Twilight could do nothing but stare into the murky woods while Rarity and Applejack came running up behind her.

****

Scootaloo was running. She had been running for what felt like hours while the voice had told her to go right or left; faster or to freeze in place; hide or run her little legs off.

STOP! The voice’s shout echoed in her head, into the bushes and stay quiet. NOW!

Having learned to trust the voice’s instructions the hard way earlier, Scootaloo immediately jumped into the nearest bush and tried getting her breathing under control.

Not even ten seconds later, four Timberwolves shot past the Bush she was hiding in. But to her great dismay, the lead wolf suddenly stopped abruptly, almost getting run over by his followers.

Agitatedly, it started to sniff the ground, moving around in a circle, before it lifted his head back the way they had come from.

RUN! The voice yelled with clear worry, Run towards your left; it’s your only hope!

Scootaloo exploded out of the bush in the direction she had been told to go. Behind her, a long chilling howl sounded, proclaiming that the Timberwolves were now truly on the hunt for her.

With her heart racing and lungs burning with effort, Scootaloo ran onward. She was running faster than she even thought possible. However, even as fast she was running, the Timberwolves were clearly gaining on her.

With tears streaming down her cheeks, Scootaloo burst out into a clearing… only to immediately come to a screeching halt, leaving long furrows in the ground. With eyes wide in disbelief, Scootaloo looked up at the being standing in front of her.

“Oh, come on! This isn’t fair!” She yelled. She was answered by the loud roar from a Manticore, the beast having been rudely woken by her loud entrance into its preferred napping spot.

The Manticore began moving in on Scootaloo; its massive frame overshadowing her while still lightly padding towards its intended snack on massive filly-sized paws; licking its lips at the free meal before it. When its focus was abruptly shifted towards the Timberwolves who burst into the clearing after the little pony. They too came to an abrupt halt when they saw what was waiting for them.

The wolves started growling fiercely at the Manticore. It roared out in a clear challenge in response: spreading its tiny wings and raising its large stinger.

An instant later, the four Timberwolves were fighting tooth to claw with the Manticore. One of the Wolves was immediately reduced to nothing more than splinters before two of them could pull the Manticore to the ground, leaving the third free to go for the throat.

But before it could reach its target, its back was pierced by the Manticore’s stinger. The venom that was now being pumped into the Timberwolf had quite the effect, because the Timberwolves let out howls of pain before shuddering and collapsing into pieces.

The magical essence of the Timberwolf oozed out of the previously animated wood and disappeared back towards wherever Timberwolves called home.

Just then Scootaloo noticed how the first Timberwolf the Manticore had struck down was now starting to reassemble itself from its fragmented pieces.

Move filly… The voice ordered sharply, they will not fight forever.

As the yellow eyes once again lit up in the previously dead Timberwolf, Scootaloo spun around and started running away from the battle as fast as her little hooves could carry her.

****

Shortly thereafter, the little orange filly could finally see where it was the voice had been leading her all day. An old castle ruin was situated on the other side of a small rope bridge connecting the isolated cliff the castle was on to the rest of the forest.

The sun was now hovering low in the sky, painting the world in a purple twilight. Under any other circumstances, the sight would have made even Scootaloo take a second look at the beauty of it. As the circumstances were now, Scootaloo hadn’t even noticed the soon to be setting sun.

Panting heavily, she looked behind her. Scootaloo couldn’t hear anything, but she knew the Timberwolves were still tracking her, and that Manticore couldn’t be far behind either. It had actually been her lucky day that the two predators had found her at the more or less same time; they’d wound up fighting each other for the honor of eating her, then actually fully concentrating on hunting her through the Everfree.

Hurry… The wood spirits are closing in… and I cannot confuse them for much longer… The voice told her.

That was all the prompting the exhausted little filly needed. With stumbling steps she crossed, the rickety bridge, more or less collapsing the minute she was at the end of it.

Good… Almost none of the creatures in this forest will dare tread upon this hollow ground… But ponies and dragons unfortunately will, therefore you have to make it inside the castle before you can rest, my brave little one… The voice said soothingly.

“Oh, come on…” Scootaloo panted, “I’m dying here…”

Hardly… troublesome your road has been, but dying you are not… The voice said with mirth, besides, now you are finally within my reach, I will be able to help you more than ever…

No sooner had the voice finished did Scootaloo feel her aches and pains starting to fade away.

“Huh?” The little filly uttered in surprise when the soreness of her body disappeared. The injuries were still there - she could clearly see the cuts and bruises all over her body - but thankfully, she no longer felt them.

Without feeling the soreness of her body anymore, Scootaloo stood up, but quickly realized she wasn’t okay by a long shot; her legs trembled beneath her from just the effort of holding her up.

Now take heed… You no longer feel your injuries, but they are still there… The voice warned.

Fierce growls now sounded from behind Scootaloo. When she looked back, she could see that the Timberwolves had finally arrived at the bridge. However, just like the voice had promised, they did not try to cross. They growled and howled and snapped towards the little filly in agitation.

Still, caution is the better part of valor, so Scootaloo started making her way onwards. On very unsteady legs, she managed to make her way over to the entrance of the castle complex. As she came in through the open double doors, made of thick, sturdy oak, she was greeted by a crumbling hall. The roof had caved in, and several of the pillars were broken.

In the middle of the hall stood and ornamental-looking sculpture, with five arms stretching out in different directions. If Scootaloo remembered Rainbow Dash’s numerous re-accountings of the Nightmare Moon tale, then this was where they had found the elements of harmony in their dormant form.

Yes it is… The voice whispered in Scootaloo’s head, now continue further in; you will not be able to sleep comfortably here without a roof.

Too tired to really argue anymore, Scootaloo simply staggered on. Through the broken back window, the little filly could see a stairway leading up into a different part of the castle: for some reason, she felt that that was where she had to go.

Slowly making her way through the courtyard that separated the hall she came out of from this other structure she felt she had to get to, Scootaloo noticed that she had more and more trouble keeping her eyes open. If she fell down here in this tall, and most likely wonderfully soft grass, there was no doubt in her mind that she would fall asleep immediately.

Stubbornly, she trudged on, making her way up the stairs and arriving at the entrance of the former tower. After staggering on through a small curved hallway, Scootaloo emerged into a throne room which, mercifully, had a completely intact roof.

You have suffered much today, my young one… But you are almost done... just reach the dais at the end of the hall... then, you may rest in safety while I hold vigil. The voice promised soothingly.

With a last effort of will, Scootaloo made her way over to the three steps leading up on the dais. As she staggered to the center of it, all she could see were the remnants of some old, broken ornamental armor laying scattered on the floor.

Now, my young one… The voice cooed softly, sleep, and I will heal you…

Scootaloo just collapsed onto her side amongst the splinters of the armor. Just before she closed her eyes, Scootaloo could have sworn she saw one of the smallest pieces of the armor turn to liquid shadow and start moving over the floor towards her.

“Okay… That’s…” But she couldn’t utter another word, Scootaloo’s wary body and mind finally gave out, plunging down into blessed sleep.

****

Thanks to Mikemeiers - pre-reader/editor
Thanks to Evanescyan - pre-reader/editor
Thanks to Syvvak - pre-reader/editor

Chapter 9 Games and Consequences

In the Twilight of Harmony’s End
Chapter 9
Games and Consequences

****

Slap!

Twilight groaned. Whatever that noise was, it was getting annoying.

Slap! “Ahhhh!” Twilight’s eyes opened with a start, the pain shooting through her cheeks suddenly registering in her brain.

“Wow. Can’t believe how long I could do that for,” Void’s gleeful voice said. “When that memory spell pulls you under, you really stay under.”

Twilight hissed through gritted teeth, the fire she felt burning on her cheeks only getting worse with every second. Through blurry eyes, Twilight took in her surroundings, noticing that things had changed since last she was awake.

“Why?” Twilight asked, tears streaming down her face no matter how much she fought against it. The position Twilight found herself and Rarity in now was even more humiliating than being shackled to the floor. Both of them were hanging suspended in the air by their front hooves, Twilight’s wings also firmly secured to her sides, leaving their bodies stretched out and exposed to any torment Void might want to inflict on them.

“Why?!” Twilight asked louder and more desperate.

Void looked at the purple alicorn like she was an idiot.

SLAP!

“Ahhhh! Stop that!” Twilight yelled, while the hardest blow she had received so far made her start spinning around in a lazy circle.

“You really haven’t grasped the concept here yet?” Void wondered. “Do you think anypony can go through a lifetime of what you haven’t even seen a week of without feeling a little bit of resentment? Especially towards those who could’ve done something about it, but never did?!”

“But we didn’t know!” Twilight stated frantically. “How could we have known? There was no evidence of what was going on! I didn’t even know you were at the orphanage until the day you ran into the Everfree!”

“No evidence?” Void scoffed. “There was plenty of evidence pointing to abuse: everypony just refused to see it!”

“I’m sorry for what happened to you, Void! But one isolated incident like this is more or less impossible to foresee or catch! I am truly sorry for what happened to you, but finding a single mad pony like Miss Bad Winnie would be like looking for a needle in a haystack that’s literally the size of Equestria!” Twilight shouted back at Void as she once again came into her view.

“Isolated incident?” Void started laughing harshly. “Don’t kid yourself Princess. While you’ve been sleeping for these two months, I’ve been doing what should have been done long ago. And do you know what I found without any real effort?” the black alicorn asked with a sneer. “I found a dozen Miss Bad Winnie’s throughout Equestria. Two of them made my caretaker look like Fluttershy in comparison!” Void screamed into the face of a startled Twilight.

“W… what?” Twilight stuttered out. “That’s not possible…”

“Oh… Then you try to find an explanation for all the skeletons of little colts and fillies I found in their orphanage gardens. Some of the bodies were so mutilated even I can barely comprehend it!” Void yelled angrily.

Twilight’s pupils had turned into pinpricks upon hearing what Void told her. Could there actually be ponies that had been worse than Miss Bad Winnie in charge of taking care of little foals?

“Oh yes…” Void answered Twilight’s silent question, as if she had spoken out loud. “Compared to much of the suffering I have found by only scratching the surface, mine seems insignificant. I am far from the only one who found themselves in a hopeless situation, but my case was far less severe than some of the most appalling ones.”

A very sinister smile spread on Void’s lips.

“I truly enjoyed testing some of the more painful procedures the Nightmare knew on them. To think that Celestia, who never would have found any of them, would merely have turned them into stone for all the suffering they caused.” The area around Void seemed to darken even further. “It would have been too lenient: even the suffering I managed to inflict before they died was nowhere near enough to atone for what they had done.”

A sudden groan from Rarity made the two alicorns turn their heads towards her. She blinked warily as she slowly woke up again.

“Excellent!” Void exclaimed gleefully. “Now we can finally have our little fun!”

Rarity winced and hissed as the joints in her front legs became aware of the strain placed on them by hanging suspended like she was.

“Oh dear heavens…” Rarity croaked in a whimper. “Have we not suffered enough?”

A snort was all the answer she got from Void, who stepped away from the two dangling ponies.

“Well I think it’s time to introduce tonight’s entertainment!” Void said happily, snapping her wings wide and making two pillars of light shine down upon a horrific scene.

Secured to the floor were two fillies, one orange and one pink.

“What the- WHOA NELLY!!” Applejack burst out in shock when she saw what was hanging above her and Pinkie.

“No! Void, I take it back! I call off the bet!” Twilight yelled in horror, when the thought of Applejack and Pinkie Pie actually being killed sank in with appalling clarity into Twilight’s mind.

“Oh, dear Celestia…” Rarity croaked. “What have we done? We should never have agreed to this madness...”

Suspended high up in the air was a huge block of obsidian, its jagged tips pointing straight down towards the trapped fillies. Also secured to the floor in exactly the same manner, no more than ten meters to the left of AJ and Pinkie, Angel Bunny lay struggling to get out of his bonds.

“That’s not fair, Void! Using Angel Bunny’s image like that!” Twilight yelled at Void in absolute fury.

“Oh really? I’m letting that wonderful, caring mare, choose between two children, with striking resemblance to two of her best friends, and a rabbit she already knows is dead,” Void answered mockingly. “If anything, I would say I’m making her choice quite obvious and straightforward.”

“You know it doesn’t work like that! Fluttershy is distraught about what she did to Angel! She could- hmmmf! Phuu? HUUUMPFF!!!” Twilight tried to scream through her now-gagged muzzle.

“Do be a dear and SHUT UP!” Void snarled. “Your bet was that Fluttershy wouldn’t sacrifice two fillies for an animal! This is the choice she has, now let’s see what happens.”

Following the statement, the whole room was plunged back into darkness except for the area around Void. Soon, sniffling could be heard, followed by a yelp before Fluttershy came floating out of the darkness.

Fluttershy looked at Void in absolute terror, shaking like a leaf and squeaking fearfully.

“I have some good news for you, dear Fluttershy,” Void said pleasantly, to which the shy mare only curled up even more into a ball as a response. “I’m going to let you go, and you can take some friends with you. All you have to do is choose which and you will be reunited with them,” Void stated pleasantly.

“Wh… What?” Fluttershy squeaked in bewilderment, not understanding what Void was getting at. She looked around, trying to understand what was wrong.

“Pay attention now, because I’m not joking Fluttershy: all you have to do is choose. After you have chosen you will be reunited with some of your friends,” Void stated again and gestured with her hoof behind Fluttershy where two pillars of lights now revealed the scene from earlier.

“All you-”

“Angel?” Fluttershy’s surprised voice cut off Void as her eyes zeroed in on her beloved pet before going wide at seeing his predicament. “ANGEL!!!”

In an absolute blur, Fluttershy was at Angel’s side, releasing the white bunny frantically before finally pressing him to her chest.

An absolutely horrific click sounded throughout the chamber. The sound of a screaming filly made Fluttershy spin around just in time to see the two little ponies she hadn’t even noticed be crushed beneath a giant block of obsidian. The sound of the impact was deafening and sent her pink mane twirling around her.

Back towards the black throne, two agonized, blood-curling screams where now ripping out of Twilight and Rarity as they frantically struggled against their chains trying to get over to the two crushed fillies.

In a muffled daze, Fluttershy sank to the floor, still clutching Angel Bunny, who had just gone limp. She looked from where the two fillies had been over to Twilight and Rarity: the two had both finally stopped struggling, but still wailed inconsolably. Her gaze finally settled on Void, who was rolling around on the floor in front of her throne, belly laughing.

“I… I… What just happened?” Fluttershy whimpered pathetically as she looked back towards where the fillies had been a few moments earlier. “That… They weren’t… They weren’t… real… They weren’t REAL! RIGHT!?!” Fluttershy screamed in soul wrenching agony.

Void righted herself and looked back at the desperate mare in absolute glee.

“Of course they were! It was Applejack and Pinkie Pie. I told you, you would be reunited with whoever you choose to go to. And you chose a shadow clone,” Void said coldly.

“NOOOO!!!” Fluttershy screamed as she fell to the floor sobbing.

“Oh, it went exactly as I thought it would. The moment you saw that little monster, the only thing in the world you could see was Bunny! Bunny! Bunny! BUNNY!” Void shouted teasingly before she started laughing again.

“You monster!!! You evil, horrible monster!!!” Twilight screamed at Void.

“Don’t be a sore loser, Twilight!” Void shot back as she stood up and started walking towards Fluttershy. The pegasus was now lying on the floor, shaking in convolutions; what had happened was finally fully striking home.

Rarity had passed out sometime during the last few moments, while Twilight was once again struggling with all her might to break the chain so she could get her hooves on Void.

“I am at least a mare of my word,” Void said as she stopped beside the shivering form of Fluttershy.

A moment later, the obsidian block shimmered and disappeared, revealing a very heavily breathing Applejack and a very dazed-looking Pinkie Pie. The latter had been snapped out of whatever dream world she had created for herself by the traumatic experience.

“Applejack! Pinkie!” Twilight cried out in disbelief and relief at seeing them unharmed. “Oh thank Celestia! I thought she actually killed you!”

Twilight’s head sank down as tears started to flow down her cheeks when she couldn’t keep her feelings inside. She was just so relieved and happy at seeing her two friends safe. She looked over towards Void with gratitude shining in her eyes.

“Thank you, Void… Thank you…” Twilight managed to croak out as she tried to compose herself again. “You… you aren’t, a complete… monster after all.”

“I told you Twilight, I’m a mare of my word,” Void answered coldly, making a chill run down Twilight’s spine as she looked up in bewilderment. “I said I would not torture Fluttershy ever again, and I won’t. Nevertheless, the bet that you lost was for the life of a friend. I just never specified which friend you would lose.”

Twilight’s eyes became pinpricks when she realized the implications of Void’s words. At the same time, a black blade shot out from Void’s hoof: a blade which she immediately stabbed viciously into the back of the still-whimpering yellow Pegasus on the ground.

A screen of agony tore from Fluttershy while Void pressed down on the helpless mare.

“NO! NO! Please, Void! NO!” Twilight shrieked frantically as she, for the second time in a few minutes, watched some pony she loved die in front of her eyes.

The gurgling and rasping of dying breath emanating from where Fluttershy lay became fainter and fainter as she slowly passed away.

Tendrils of black ooze began emerging from Fluttershy’s mouth and back where the black shadow blade was piercing her. The slithering coils quickly began covering the yellow Pegasus’ form while she jerked back and forth as tremendous pain flooded her body. The black ooze filled her throat: it was all that kept her from screaming.

Twilight watched in absolute horror as Fluttershy was engulfed in a cocoon of darkness and shadow. Once she became motionless, Void extracted her blade, which disappeared back into her leg.

“Now then, where were we?” Void said, calmly walking back towards her throne, floating Applejack and Pinkie Pie behind her. Both of them stared with wide eyes at Fluttershy’s still form.

“What… What just happened? Who are you?” Pinkie Pie asked in a hollow voice.

“Don’t you worry your little head, Pinkie; you’ll be back in your own little la la land soon anyway, I’d wager,” Void answered dismissively.

“No… I… What do you mean?” Pinkie Pie sputtered, her eyes glued to the black-coated, unmoving form of Fluttershy lying behind them on the floor.

“Well, it’s how you’ve been coping so far. You get this vacant look in your eyes and then off you go, throwing parties and having fun, fun, fun in that cracked little mind of yours,” Void explained as she looked back at Pinkie. “And there we go: you’re already slipping away, aren’t you?”

“Naha… I’m just… oh, hi Twilight…” Pinkie waved at Twilight as she floated by. “Want to join the party? Do you? Because I think… Madam le Flour… Would love...”

Pinkie’s eyes became more and more vacant. When Void laid Pinkie back in her little circle on the floor, stoically reattaching the chain and collar, the mostly black Alicorn sighed.

“I don’t even know why I bother with the chain on you. You’re not going anywhere anytime soon, are you?” Void stated.

Dismissing the pink pony, she turned her attention back towards the two still-conscious playthings she had left. Void could see that both Twilight and Applejack were staring back at her through gritted teeth, tears flowing freely down their faces.

“You… You just killed her… Why? WHY!!!” Applejack screamed desperately. “Ah could understand ya wantin’ ta get rid of me! But Fluttershy never did nuthin’ ta hurt ya one bit! SO WHY!?! ”

“Because it would hurt the rest of you girls to think she was dead of course,” Void answered matter-of-factly.

“Dagnabbit! Curse you!” Applejack roared and started fighting against her restraints, putting some real strain on the chains.

“Wait…” Twilight suddenly whispered, before her eyes went wide with shock. “What?”

“You’re supposed to be the smart one Princess. I’ve even told you this before,” Void said with a chuckle, “if my plan was only to kill any of you, I would have done it long ago.”

With that, Void looked back over towards where Fluttershy lay and smiled.

“Wouldn’t you agree?” Void rotated Twilight and Applejack so they could see their friend sitting up with her back towards them, staring out into the darkness.

“Fluttershy?” Twilight said, her breath caught in her throat. “Is that really you?”

Applejack now only hung limp in her restraints. Next to her, a sharp intake of breath announced that Rarity was once again conscious.

Fluttershy carefully stretched her wings experimentally, not really trusting what she was feeling, before turning around to face her friends and captor. Her serpentine eyes narrowed at the sight of them. Even more astonishing, Fluttershy noticed her eyes were now able to pierce through the darkness surrounding them. They had also changed color: their glacier-blue hue almost seemed to glow in the dark.

The shy Pegasus’ once pristine yellow coat was now completely black. The only thing left of her seemed to be her signature pink mane, which was now even more voluminous and made her look completely stunning as she stood up on her hooves.

“So, how are you feeling Fluttershy?” Void asked expectantly. “It’s been more than a thousand years since a Dread last walked upon the soil of Equestria.”

“Wait!” Twilight shouted with wide eyes as something sparked in her memories. “Dread? Wasn’t that what your… I mean… Nightmare Moon’s closest confidants were called in the Luna rebellion against Celestia?”

“Astute as always, my dear Princess,” Void answered. “And it is the end that awaits all of you. From this point on, you need only ask to join me at my side to be released from this place.”

The absolute horror and defeat that now radiated off the three captive mares almost made Void burst out laughing. Nonetheless she kept it in while she watched how Fluttershy slowly but surely made her way over to her new master.

“So?” Void asked again.

Fluttershy slowly cracked her neck, still not really used to being out of the cramped compartment of the animal carriage. With a sigh of relief, she once again stretched each of her wings, after which she smiled, showing off her now razor-sharp teeth.

“I feel…” Her face contorted a bit as she realized how she truly felt. “Horrible…”

“Well… give that a day or two and you’ll feel better than you ever did before,” Void stated while she looked the transformed Pegasus over. “The experience of becoming a Dread is hardly pleasant: not that I tried to make it so in the slightest.”

The statement made Fluttershy nod before she looked up at her three friends, seemingly only now registering their presence. They on the other hoof, one and all, had looks of complete disbelief plastered across their faces as they took in the new appearance of their friend.

“Oh, hi girls…” Fluttershy greeted in almost a normal speaking voice, but with the very Fluttershy manner of hiding behind her pink mane.

“D… Da… Darling… are you… alright?” Rarity stammered out as she met the piercing gaze of her best friend.

“Oh… Yes, I’m okay. It hurts a lot right now but… I think Void is right, it will be fine in a day or so when the process is complete,” Fluttershy answered and looked up at Rarity, smiling.

“What in Celestia’s name didya ta her, Void?” Applejack said sternly, making Fluttershy snap her eyes upon the apple farmer. Her powerful gaze cut off anything else the orange pony might have wanted to say.

“Nothing much, really. I flipped a few switches in her head, made Fluttershy’s self-prohibitions much less intrusive in her psyche, and also made it so that she will not hide away from the truth just because she doesn’t like it,” Void said with a smirk. “Oh! And I more or less stopped her aging, so she will be sticking around for quite a while now. Isn’t that nice, Twilight? You won’t have to worry about your friends dying off too soon: something Celestia could have done, but never would have.”

Twilight’s jaw was hanging open. The amount of things that could go wrong in a transformation like this, both physically and mentally, was just staggering. There was, after all, a reason why Celestia never tried anything like that on her little ponies. At least as far as she had explained why she would not do something similar.

“Now then, Fluttershy,” Void said and started moving away from Twilight, Rarity and Applejack. “We’ve got a lot of work to do. If my hunch is correct, there are still quite a few bad ponies out there to find and punish accordingly.”

“Oh? Really?” Fluttershy answered thoughtfully before looking back towards the other girls. “Then shouldn’t we bring Pinkie along?”

Void scowled down at the young Dread, causing her to immediately hide behind her pink bangs. But then, to all the ponies’ surprise, she looked up again at Void expectantly.

“Hmm…” Void murmured thoughtfully. “Why do you say that?”

“Well… you see… Pinkie is really good at finding things. And from what I’ve seen so far, Pinkie Pie hasn’t really done anything bad to you… Except, you know, your birthdays. So, anyway… I think she has been here long enough, and I would really enjoy her company while we look for the little colts and fillies,” Fluttershy said in a soft but still firm voice. “And if we are going to punish ponies… I’m just not… any good at that yet. It might change when I see the poor little dears that have been hurt, but the thought still troubles me a bit… Sorry.”

Void took a long hard look at Fluttershy, before finally smiling pleasantly back at her.

“Element of Kindness indeed…” Void said thoughtfully. “Very well, Fluttershy; for you my dear, I will oblige your request.”

“Oh! Thank you!” Fluttershy exclaimed giddily, her whole form exuding happiness and contentment.

With a nod, Void turned back towards the pink mare lying motionless in her chains.

“Wait! No! You can’t!” Twilight exclaimed in horror “I will not allow you to do this!”

“Really Princess? We’ve been here before: just how will you stop me?” Void wondered derisively, just walking past the dangling alicorn with not so much as a look towards her.

“Ponyfeathers!” Applejack cursed while fighting against her chains once again. Rarity just hung where she was, her tear-filled gaze fixed on Fluttershy, who simply smiled back pleasantly at her friend.

“Thought so…” Void retorted at the same time as the black blade once again shot out from her hoof. With a vicious thrust, Void stabbed it into the defenseless pony’s side, aiming straight for Pinkie’s heart.

A bloodcurdling scream emitted from Pinkie Pie as she was abruptly brought back to reality when the black ooze started to flow out over her body and rip through her innards. Just as Fluttershy had been earlier, Pinkie was engulfed in a cocoon of darkness and shadow.

Void extracted her blade, which immediately disappeared from sight. It didn’t take more than a few minutes for whatever magic was in effect to finally finish the first stage of the Dread transformation.

All five mares looked on; two in anticipation, three with cold terror, as Pinkie Pie stood up.

Pinkie now had the same black coat and glacier-blue glowing eyes that Fluttershy had. Her mane and tail had remained their trademark poufy bright pink. However there were now also black and very dark pink streaks running through her mane. As her serpentine eyes locked onto Void, Pinkie burst out into a wide grin, showing her newly-pointed teeth.

“HI! I’m Pinkie Pie! Do you want to be friends? I don’t know why, but I really like you a lot!” Pinkie said and giggled while her eyes focused on her three restrained friends.

“Oh! Hi girls! Are you all hanging out?” she said and laughed. “That’s a really weird game you’re playing.” Pinkie’s eyes widened as an idea struck her. “Oh, oh! I just had the most superrific idea! Let’s have a party for our new friend!”

With that, she bounced over to sit in front of Void, who only smiled down at her newest Dread.

“Yes Pinkie, that’s a very good idea,” sounded the timid voice of Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie looked over towards her friend and grinned widely.

“Wow! Did you do something to your mane? You look different… Super nice, but definitely different.” The puffy-pink-maned Dread thoughtfully tapped her own chin, trying to figure out what was so different about Fluttershy.

“Thank you, Pinkie… You look very nice, too,” Fluttershy answered.

“I do?” Pinkie said looking down at herself, with a gasp she took in her own changes. “Neato! I look super-duper-terrific-spookalicious!”

With that she bounced up, twirling about in place, making sure everypony could take in her appearance, before bouncing up to stand in front of Rarity, spread wide in a “ta-da” position.

“What do you say, Rarity? Isn’t it nice?” Pinkie said gleefully.

“Yes…” Rarity said with a strained smile. “You look very… lovely.”

A moment later, Pinkie had disappeared, leaving Rarity looking quite relieved.

“Where did-”

Two hooves hugged Twilight around her midsection before Pinkie’s ice blue eyes came into Twilight’s peripheral vision on her right.

“You know that looks really uncomfortable, hanging like that. You should think about getting down from there,” Pinkie said while she smiled up at her somewhat uneasy looking friend.

“We ain’t hangin’ here cuz’ we wanna, sugarcube. Void trapped us!” Applejack barked out in annoyance.

“Really? Why? Wait… I should know this!” Pinkie exclaimed and sat down, tapping the side of her head. It didn’t take long before Pinkie apparently came to a conclusion. She sat up straight and somehow managed to make a snapping sound with one of her front hooves.

“Oh right! We were all being inconsiderate meanie-pants to Scootaloo - not believing anything she said about Miss Bad Winnie. That forced her to seek the help of the Nightmare, who turned her into Void so that they could work together and try to fix it so that no bad meanie pants could ever harm a filly or colt ever again.” She smiled up at Void, who simply nodded back.

“That’s right, Pinke. So now, you and Fluttershy need to find more of the bad ponies. When you do find them, you will make sure whatever town or city that orphanage is closest to will be made aware just how thoroughly they failed to protect those colts and fillies,” Void stated firmly.

Fluttershy nodded once in understanding while Pinkie Pie’s head bobbed up and down so fast it was nothing but a blur.

“Okay so first off, find bad ponies, then make sure everypony knows what the bad pony did…” Pinkie’s faced scrunched up. “Then what?”

“Retribution, Pinkie. Retribution. You will take that bad pony somewhere out of sight, and then you will play with the bad pony until they can’t play any longer,” Void said with a very terrifying grin.

Pinkie only giggled and nodded in understanding.

“Don’t you worry, Void!” Pinkie said, smiling the most disturbing smile Twilight, Rarity or Applejack had ever seen. “I’ll play with them so they will never forget what bad ponies they were in life, no matter how little of that life may be left.”

“Very good.” Void patted Pinkie on the head. “Now, you two get going; you have a lot of work to do.”

“Okey-dokey-loki!” Pinkie said gleefully and bounced away. “Come on, Fluttershy! We got bad ponies to play with!”

“Oh, okay…” Fluttershy said quietly and hurried after her happily bouncing friend. “Bye girls, hope you join us soon. There are a lot of things we need to make right.”

With a final wave, Fluttershy disappeared into the darkness after Pinkie Pie.

“I almost forgot!” Pinkie’s loud voice suddenly yelled from behind Twilight, Applejack and Rarity. Not a moment later, the three mares found themselves in a giant bear hug, courtesy of Pinkie Pie.

“As soon as we’re all together again, I’ll throw us a humongous party!” Pinkie declared before giving her three friends a final squeeze and almost breaking each of their ribcages in the process.

Then Pinkie was gone again, without leaving so much as a clue as to how she had come and gone without being noticed by any pony.

Void gave a short laugh while she looked at the three gasping mares who were swinging back and forth in their chains.

“I guess Pinkie will always be Pinkie…” Void said and giggled demurely. “Now, where were we… Oh yes,” the dark alicorn raised an eyebrow and looked at Twilight. “How did you find yourself in the last memory, dear Princess?”

“I… I… I just can’t.” Twilight’s thoughts were very muffled and strained.

Too much had happened; too many strong emotions had torn through her psyche. The memories she had just woken up from felt like they had been days if not weeks ago. This made it difficult for her to grasp onto what she had been feeling while it played out.

“What… What do you want me to say?!” Twilight yelled. “I was wrong! I was so terribly wrong! And I’m sorry, Scootaloo!” she screamed, her voice breaking towards the end. “I’m… I’m so… I’m so sorry… Scootaloo…”

Next thing she knew, her whole body was catapulted away as Void bucked her viciously, snapping the chain she was suspended in. She shattered through the obsidian throne, only stopping when she smashed into the cavern wall behind the former seat of Void’s audience chamber.

As the purple alicorn slumped down on the floor, she groaned pitifully.

“TWILIGHT!!!” both Rarity and Applejack yelled in shock, thinking Twilight was surely dead.

“You’re sorry?” Void said with a snort. “Well, I guess it’s a start…”

Void slowly made her way over to Twilight, who was crawling along the wall trying to escape her tormentor. Applejack and Rarity were shouting frantically for Void to leave their friend alone: even going so far as trying to draw Void’s considerable anger towards them.

“SHUT UP!” Void bellowed in the Royal Canterlot voice, silencing the two ponies immediately. “You each had your turn: now it is little Miss Pretty Princess’ time!”

With that, Void stomped her hoof down in front of Twilight’s snout, shattering the stone floor. Twilight stared at the black, silver-clad appendage in fear of what was to come: her frantic mind working overtime coming up with all the things that Void could do to her in her defenseless state.

“Now then… Let’s start the trial of your willful ignorance, Twilight,” Void stated coldly.

“What? What do you mean?” Twilight answered looking up at the balefully glaring black alicorn.

“Come now, you’re supposed to be intelligent - work it out,” Void encouraged.

When Twilight did nothing but continue to stare up at Void, the black alicorn proceeded to viciously kick the purple Princess in the gut, making Twilight violently cough, trying to catch her breath.

“I said, work it OUT!!!” Void screamed down at Twilight.

*cough*

“Ook-”

*cough*

“okay…”

*cough*

Apparently satisfied by that answer, Void walked away while the purple alicorn continued her coughing fit. When it finally ended, and Twilight managed to take a deep breath, Void looked back expectantly.

“So…” Twilight began while breathing heavily. “You… You feel that I should somehow have known what was happening to you even though there were no signs of what was going on.”

“No signs?” Void snorted. “Let’s try this theory shall we...”

With that, Void started to advance on Twilight again.

“Tell me, Princess, how many times have I been limping through town with unexplained injuries?” Void asked.

“But you’re a tomcolt! Everypony knows that. You fall off your scooter all the time. You’re also a much more risk-taking filly than any other foal I know,” Twilight defended.

“Hmm… tomcolt?” Void said thoughtfully while nodding. “And yet Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, who I often pull behind me in their little red wagon when we crash, never seem to suffer the same injuries…” The dark alicorn tilted her head, looking thoughtful. “How peculiar... For one filly to suffer so many injuries when the other two do not.”

“Well… yes but… Still you are said to be a bit clumsy…” Twilight countered rather pathetically.

“I’m clumsy?” Void raised an eyebrow, “are we talking about the same filly? The filly who can blast through town on her scooter without hitting a single object when she’s not pulling her friends around; the one who does daredevil tricks that only a certain rainbow colored Pegasus could match; the one who’s without a doubt the best dancer in all of Ponyville, seeing as she’s able to do twirls and pirouettes that would leave a ballet dancer dizzy - are we talking about THAT CLUMSY FILLY!?” Void screamed down at Twilight who was cowering at the onslaught.

“Yes…” Twilight answered in near whisper once Void’s shout had stopped echoing around the chamber.

“I see…” Void conceded with a huff. “But you still haven’t answered the question, Princess: how many times have you seen or heard of me taking a tumble on my scooter that would coalesce with how often I was bruised, beaten and injured?”

“I… That’s a bit hard to remember…” Twilight croaked.

“Try…” Void said coldly, “or do I need to jog your memory a bit?”

“No!” Twilight answered immediately. “Okay, okay, just give me a minute… let’s see…” With that, the purple alicorn shut her eyes, trying desperately to remember hearing of, or seeing, Scootaloo take a tumble that would leave her as bruised and battered as she always seemed to be. After a few moments, she reached a total which, upon closer inspection, seemed impossible.

“Twenty-seven…” Twilight murmured in disbelief. “In the over one-thousand days I spent in Ponyville so far, I’ve seen or heard of you getting injured like that on your scooter twenty-seven times…”

“Well that’s twenty-seven days accounted for: that only leaves over nine-hundred and seventy-three days… Funny how I seem to be just as bruised and injured during those days as well, isn’t it?” Void said in a very condescending tone. “But I suppose that could be overlooked, especially since I was a tomcolt and all…”

Twilight had no answer for that. Now that she truly looked at the numbers, it was astonishing how anypony could have missed it during these last three years.

“But enough of that, let’s try your knowledge in cause and effect,” Void continued, “Tell me, off the top of your head, Twilight, what is the leading cause for late wing development in underage Pegasus foals born to non-Pegasus parents?”

“Oh… Let’s see.” With that Twilight entered her lecture mode: “The lead cause for late wing-development in underage Pegasus foals born to non-Pegasus parents are, according to statistics, malnourishment due to the lack of information given to unicorn and earth pony parents, especially in regard to the energy needed to develop proper wings. From the period of time when the Pegasus foals start developing their wings up until their adult size, their food consumption often triples or quadruples. This lasts until their wings are fully developed. Failure in meeting the nutritional demands of the foal leads to… under… developed… wings…”

As Twilight came to her stuttering halt in her lecture, Void burst out in a very toothy and evil grin.

“So tell me again how there were no signs of me being mistreated, Princess,” Void stated and slowly walked away from the stumped purple alicorn.

“I… I…” Twilight tried to speak, but any words she wanted to say just fled her paralyzed thoughts.

“Don’t…” the dark alicorn warned. “Somepony should have looked into why my wings weren’t developing long before you even came to Ponyville. But nopony did. Not even Nurse Redheart reacted because of how things are run. The orphanage was, after all, not within her jurisdiction. Miss Bad Winnie only filled out a form, saying everything was fine and every foal under her care was healthy, and that no foals needed medical attention. She sent that off to the main orphanage bureau In Canterlot and everypony believed her reports, of course. Since she’s an official caretaker, she would never tell a lie about something so serious; it’s her job and destiny to take care of fillies and colts, after all.”

Chuckling darkly, Void turned back to Twilight.

“You see how easy Celestia made it for anypony who wanted to be cruel, malevolent and downright evil to go unnoticed? As long as it didn’t threaten the perfect painting she had made of the world, it didn’t matter to her how many suffered behind the paper-thin veneer. Your perfect world is built on the suffering of its unknown victims. Now, tell me Princess, I am wrong to want to tear that world down!?” Void screamed at Twilight, once again standing over the trembling purple alicorn.

When no answer was forthcoming, Void grabbed hold of Twilight’s mane with her telekinesis, and started dragging the whimpering purple alicorn back towards her friends.

Both Applejack and Rarity were hanging speechless, having heard everything said between the two. Neither could comprehend just how they had missed so much; it seemed so obvious when they put everything together.

Could they all truly have been so caught up in their own lives, their own little bubble of happiness, so as not to notice any of this? The answer, unfortunately, was standing before them.

With a final jerk, Void threw Twilight so she ended up at the hooves of her two friends. Before she could even think about getting up, shadow chains shot out of the ground; crisscrossing over her torso and legs; binding her violently to the ground.

Grunting in pain as the bonds tightened more and more, Twilight once again noticed how the world started falling away. The memory spell was reasserting itself, inexorably dragging her down into the hell that had been Scootaloo’s life.

With a final shriek of pain, caused by Void’s hoof stomping down on her neck, Twilight started to fade from consciousness.

“When you wake up next, your fate will be decided,” Twilight heard Void’s malicious voice say just as everything turned black.

****

Thanks to Mikemeiers - pre-reader/editor
Thanks to Evanescyan - pre-reader/editor
Thanks to Syvvak - pre-reader/editor

Author's Note

Well finally! You guys won't believe the two weeks I have behind me with a crashed computer, and then when I finally get it back and try to install my programs I have error 1721 flashing everywhere.

What that means is that I could not install the programs I wanted because I already have them on my computer, which I didn't, and I couldn't remove the programs that were blocking my installations because they were not there to begin with… A real nice Catch-22 there Windows!

So off with my computer again to one of my friends who is a programmer, and late last night I finally got a working computer back again. So this morning without further ado, I have presented to you the latest chapter, which was actually ready to be published the night the computer crash!

Now back to writing again, and as always tell me what you think of the chapter and storyline.

Chapter 10 The Final Day of Scootaloo

In the Twilight of Harmony’s End
Chapter 10
The Final Day of Scootaloo

****

Scootaloo woke up feeling surprisingly well. She carefully lifted her head up and looked around with eyes blurred from sleep. Smacking her lips a few times, she looked down at the rocky bed she had been resting on. The first thing she saw was the shattered pieces of the purple armor around her.

With a gasp, the events of yesterday flooded into her mind. Nevertheless, before she could panic or bolt off to do something stupid, Scootaloo was reminded that she was not, in fact, alone.

Calm yourself child; nothing will harm you here… At least not for a few hours still, the voice in her head stated.

“What? Oh, it’s you…” Scootaloo said with relief. “I… I…” Tears were now running down her cheeks. “Thank you, for yesterday… I’d be dead now if it weren’t for you.”

“You’re very welcome, child,” the voice said very affectionately. “You have been through a lot, young one. So much more than I had glimpsed at a distance…”

“You have no idea…” Scootaloo stated, hanging her head low, before snapping her eyes open at the realization of something being different. “HEY! That wasn’t in my head!”

A pleased chuckled sounded throughout the throne room.

“Correct, child. I am speaking to you directly now. Also, I do know what you’ve been through. While you were sleeping, your memories and dreams lay open to me. What I’ve seen thoroughly makes me question how you were able to fight through it all without giving up.” The voice spoke softly, a bit of appreciation in her voice. “You are so strong, young one, and you don’t even know it yourself.”

Scootaloo was now spinning around, trying to see who was speaking to her.

“Where are you? Actually, who are you? Are you a ghost?” Scootaloo asked suspiciously.

A low chuckle once again sounded through the chamber.

“I assure you I am no ghost, even if I could be mistaken for one right now,” the voice said mischievously. “Look down at the helmet, to your right.”

As Scootaloo did just that, she could see ethereal eyes with a horizontal slit looking up at her from the cracked eye sockets of the purple helmet. The orange filly’s own eyes went wide as she backpedalled and promptly fell off the raised platform with a yelp.

True laughter rang through the throne room. When Scootaloo’s head popped back up over the edge, she was scowling at the helmet that was, without any doubt, looking back at her. With a very suspicious expression, Scootaloo made her way back up on the dais.

“So you really are Nightmare Moon,” Scootaloo said with a scowl before nudging the helmet repeatedly.

“Stop that!” Nightmare snapped, making Scootaloo pull her hoof back as if it had been burned. “I’m not some trinket for you to play with, and I am not Nightmare Moon! That was what Luna called herself while siphoning my power. Then she had the nerve to blame me for the outcome.”

Nightmare sounded truly affronted as she spit out the last part.

“Okay… But you’re still evil and stuff… right?” Scootaloo asked with apprehension.

“Evil is such a loose term, child,” Nightmare answered. “After all, I have been used for many different purposes throughout my existence.”

“Oh yeah? Like what? What good have you ever done?” Scootaloo wondered.

“Ever heard of Star Swirl the Bearded?” the purple helmet asked with what seemed to be a raised eyebrow. The confusion that spread across the filly’s face was answer enough for Nightmare.

“He was one of the most powerful unicorns throughout all of Equestrian history. Everything he learned and supposedly discovered, he learned from me, right under Celestia’s nose,” Nightmare said with a chuckle.

“Wow… So everything he discovered was from you? And then he passed it off as his own magic stuff? You must really hate him for doing something uncool like that,” Scootaloo said while sitting down in front of the Nightmare, who was still looking on rather fondly at the young orange filly.

“On the contrary,” Nightmare answered. “Star Swirl is one of the few ponies I ever respected. He had a piece of me with him throughout most of his life and never once did he succumb to the temptation of power that was within his reach. The only thing he ever truly lost control over was his insatiable thirst for knowledge. It ultimately cost him the few friendships he had. Even Celestia and his own apprentice, Clover the Clever, eventually gave up and left him to his lonely fate.”

“Really? You were around back then, you must be as old as the Princess then,” Scootaloo stated while tilting her head, trying to comprehend just how old that would make Nightmare.

“Celestia? Old? Don't make me laugh,” Nightmare said with a roll of her serpentine eye. “Celestia is a mere infant compared to me. I have forgotten more than Celestia has even had a chance to learn.”

“What? But she's the oldest thing like… ever!” Scootaloo burst out.

“You ponies give Celestia far too much credit; the only being to even come close in matching my age was Moochick. He was a very strong and powerful gnome sage, even though his absent-minded demeanor would most often fool everyone when it came to just how powerful he truly was,” Nightmare said while chuckling at the memory.

“Moochick? What's a Moochick?” Scootaloo wondered with a thoughtful expression.

“It does not matter young one. Moochick and all the gnomes have been extinct for many millennia now,” Nightmare stated.

“Oh, come on! There has to be loads of cool stuff you have done!” Scootaloo almost yelled in excitement at the prospect of being told some awesome stories. Seeing the young filly’s excitement, Nightmare only smiled inwardly.

“Very well. I know all of your secrets, I guess it would only be fair to tell you some of mine,” Nightmare admitted.

“Cool!” Scootaloo said excitedly, and then settled down in front of Nightmare’s helmet in rapt attention.

“Where to begin?” Nightmare wondered thoughtfully.

“Why don't you tell me about some of the bad guys you've been with?” Scootaloo said cheerfully.

“Very well… hmmm…” Nightmare went quiet. Just when Scootaloo thought she would not continue, the dark apparition began telling the filly of her past.

“There have been so many, and as I said, both good and evil. But since you asked for the ‘bad guys’, I guess I'll start with Arabus.” She continued with something that sounded like a sneer in her voice. “Now there was a foul creature. Despite all the things he could have learned from me, he went down a path that eventually turned him into a Cloud Demon: an evil creature that sustains itself by eating the shadows of other beings. The more magical the being, the more delicious the shadow, making pony shadows particularly appetizing. But alas, his new form was insubstantial, thus making him very sensitive to wind magic. Something that Flutter Ponies excelled at even more so than any Pegasus throughout history.”

“Flutter Ponies? What are those?” a perplexed Scootaloo wondered.

“To my knowledge, they do not exist in the world today. Whether they went extinct, or simply moved on to another dimension as the Breezies have, I do not know. But they looked like Pegasi with butterfly wings, ultimately making them a lot more fragile than Pegasi,” Nightmare explained.

“Oh, okay…” Scootaloo said and pouted before shining up again. “So, was there anyone that was really strong?”

“Well, Arabus’ opposite would probably be Crunch. I wasn't directly responsible for him, but my power was used to create him nonetheless. He was a gigantic rock golem shaped like a bulldog, but instead of paws he had hands.” Seeing the confusion on Scootaloo’s face, Nightmare elaborated. “Similar to a Dragon’s forepaw.”

“Yeah, I know what a dragon’s paw looks like,” Scootaloo snorted, but seemed pleased with the explanation nonetheless.

“All right then. He was created to guard something known as the Heart Stone, which was a very powerful mystical gem. However, the oversight that was made was that he was created without any feelings except anger and hate, thinking it would make him a better guard. Therefore, he became brutish and cruel, using his magic to pursue anything he saw as ‘soft’ or ‘nice’: petrifying any living creature whilst laying waste to the land around himself. His creation was utter foolishness. In the end, the mistake was rectified by giving him a small shard of the Heart Stone he was created to guard. Crunch is without a doubt still guarding the Heart Stone in the depth of that dark mountain even now.”

“Oh that's awesome! He must be as strong as Big Macintosh!” Scootaloo exclaimed. With a little snort of amusement at just how much the little filly has underestimated the strength and immense stature of Crunch the Rockdog, Nightmare continued.

“So who's next… Maybe Queen Bumble, she was the ruler of all bees and of Bumbleland. She hated the Flutter Ponies with a passion. Although you could hardly blame her. She and her people were exiled from Flutter Valley, which both had lived in for several generations,” Nightmare said with a somber tone.

“Why would the Flutter Ponies do that? If they lived together for so long, why couldn't they stay friends?” Scootaloo asked angrily.

“Food…” Nightmare said matter-of-factly, “both the Flutter Ponies and Queen Bumble’s people were heavily dependent on flowers, more specifically pollen and nectar, for their survival. As their populations grew, the conflict was inevitable. The bees were exiled into a wasteland where they would have most assuredly starved if they hadn’t done anything.”

“What did they do?” the orange filly wondered, hanging on to Nightmare’s every word.

“Something truly stupid: they went to Hydia for help against the Flutter Ponies. You see, Hydia was something I'm truly grateful does not exist in the world today. She was a witch, a human magic user of great power and much evil-”

“Wait! Human? Like the things Lyra is always going on about?!” Scootaloo yelled out in surprise.

“It seems the legend of these creatures still lingers on to this day,” Nightmare said with a snort. “But yes… She told Queen Bumble she could fix everything: her people’s problems in the cold wasteland and her desire for revenge on the Flutter Ponies. She claimed she could do so by using the Sunstone to heat up her land while also slowly destroying Flutter Valley, where the Flutter Ponies lived, in the process.”

“Really? The Sunstone is that powerful?” Scootaloo wondered in awe.

“Oh it was much more powerful than Queen Bumble ever bargained for. It wasn't long before she realized Hydia had double-crossed her, the Sunstone wouldn't stop warming everything up and it wasn't long before Queen Bumble’s own home was nothing more than a fiery death trap. I don't exactly remember how it ended—I think there was a peace treaty for a short while, but neither of their species is around today, so perhaps they ended up destroying each other after all,” Nightmare said thoughtfully. “Wait… I actually didn't have anything to do with that conflict. Oh well.” The ethereal eyes in the helmet once more focused on Scootaloo.

“Next was King Charlatan of the South Pole, whom I encountered during a bitter winter. Now there was an evil tyrant if I ever did meet one. No offense to King Sombra, he was my favorite student throughout the ages, and also the one who eventually made me turn my attention towards Luna, but Sombra never had genocidal ambitions like King Charlatan. Through the use of my powers, he enhanced his natural ice magic to the point where he could literally freeze the world and create an ice age,” Nightmare said with a huff. “The fool would have succeeded as well, if not for the fact that his own son stood against him with the ponies. There was only one thing King Charlatan truly loved in the world, and that was his son. So when he accidentally froze him, he lost his will to expand his kingdom and power. It turned out he had done everything for his son. He wanted him to have a frozen paradise for the Penguins to live and thrive in without any opposition. When he finally understood that his son had many friends outside the kingdom, he stopped, and let the ones he had frozen in his prisons go.”

“Wow… I wish I had somepony like that…” Scootaloo said reservedly. “You know, somepony who would actually destroy the world if they thought it would make me happy… Not that I would want that!”

“Don't you worry, my little one,” Nightmare said with a calm voice. “I already know what you want… and we are very similar in that respect.”

“Really?” Scootaloo asked.

“Yes…” The Nightmare simply stated. “But we will get to that later.”

“Okay… So…” Scootaloo looked thoughtful, “you said something about a human witch earlier. Was she the only one?”

“The only what, child? Human or witch?” The Nightmare asked.

“Ehh… both I guess?” Scootaloo said sheepishly.

“No on both accounts. Hydia was most definitely not the only human or witch,” the disembodied entity continued. “Hydia herself had two daughters, both were witches with mind boggling shortcomings. The only other witch worthy of mention would be Catrina, but she was not a human.”

“So you didn't have to be human to be a witch?” Scootaloo wondered.

“No, but Hydia was definitely the worst one.”

“Why?” Scootaloo probed.

“…The Smooze,” Nightmare stated and would have given a shudder if she could have.

“The Smooze? What's that? It doesn't really sound like anything scary,” Scootaloo stated confidently. The silence that met the young filly’s statement made Scootaloo shuffle a bit uncomfortably.

“The Smooze was a gargantuan slime-monster. It was semi-sentient and able to form hands and faces which always expressed rage and malice. It had some limited speech, but mostly stuck to animalistic roars and grunts. Nothing could stand in its way. It devoured every last bit of land before it, endlessly hungry as it expanded more and more without end,” The Nightmare said with disgust while Scootaloo’s jaw was hanging open at what she was hearing. “Not even that accursed Rainbow of Light, or Rainbow of Harmony as it is known today, stood a chance, ultimately being overwhelmed by the Smooze's power.”

“Wow… but…” Scootaloo’s face scrounged up, “why isn't the world covered in Smooze today then?”

“The Smooze, being such an insubstantial entity, was only susceptible to one thing… wind magic,” Nightmare said and cocked one of her eyes at Scootaloo expectantly.

“Oh! Oh!” the little orange filly exclaimed excitedly while raising her hoof, like she was back in Miss Cheerilee’s classroom. “Wind magic! Like what the Flutter Ponies had?!”

“Correct!” chuckled Nightmare. “Those little wind mages managed to push the Smooze back and eventually force it down into an active volcano.”

“Awesome!” Scootaloo shrieked while she jumped up on all fours in excitement.

“Yes, only someone as completely mad as Hydia would be capable of releasing such a vile creature. She was truly and utterly insane. Not even Grogar, the demonic ram necromancer, or my master, Tirek, would even consider something so utterly foolish!”

“Your master?” Scootaloo looked down at Nightmare, nestled securely in her helmet, head cocked in curiosity, the motion causing her fuchsia mane to fall across her face, her ear twitching in anticipation while the silence dragged on for quite some time before a shaky voice finally answered.

“Yes, my one and only master, Tirek.”

“Who… who was he?” the orange filly carefully asked while sitting down once again.

“I...” Nightmare's eyes shifted off into the distance. “The first memory I even have is of him stroking me as I lay pulsing under his right hand. And still… I do not truly know what he was; there has never been another like him before or after. All I know is I was connected to him. He drew upon my power for strength… and somewhere along the way, I think I gained my self-awareness through him.” Suddenly Nightmare’s ethereal eyes shot open. “Wait! Why am I telling-”

The wary quiet that settled after Nightmare suddenly stopped talking was beginning to get oppressive between the two of them.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to pry…” Scootaloo whispered while shifting nervously.

“No, Scootaloo… It's okay. I just haven't said that to any being… ever,” Nightmare uttered thoughtfully. “I have seen your life, your pain, and your suffering along with the never ending excuses for why no pony ever helps you. Unfortunately, the answer is only too obvious and damning.” Nightmare growled. “They don't truly care about you… Not even the so called heroes could be bothered to check in on you even once.”

“Thanks…” Scootaloo answered with a smile, to which Nightmare’s eyes shot open in surprise.

“For what? Telling you that your friends don’t care?” the dark apparition wondered.

“No… You called me Scootaloo, you haven't done that before.” The young filly laid down a little closer to Nightmare again.

“Oh… I hadn't realized…” Nightmare murmured.

She had tricked this little filly into coming here with the intent of persuading her into letting Nightmare take over the youngster’s body. But during the night, she’d seen all of Scootaloo’s haunted memories: the pain of losing her parents, the awful life she found herself in afterwards, the way no pony seemed to really care for her… It was like she had truly found a kindred spirit in this abused and neglected child. They were both, in all honesty, looking for the same thing.

Suddenly, the thought of adding more pain to this already battered soul wasn't at all sitting well with Nightmare.

What am I thinking? Am I actually considering joining with her completely? Not just let her use my power as an avatar? Nightmare thought, looking at the orange filly in a completely new light. Why am I having these… feelings of being whole around her… like the void inside me isn’t so big anymore?

Nightmare’s focus settled squarely on the filly in front of her, eyeing her critically.

Could she even survive the process? The physical pain is one thing I might be able to help with somewhat… But is Scootaloo mentally strong enough to keep herself together through the process and not lose herself in my personality? the dark presence wondered.

“Yes…” Nightmare murmured. Scootaloo was strong, there was no doubt about that. Otherwise, she could not have lived through what she had.

“What?” the filly questioned when she didn't quite catch what Nightmare said.

“Nothing, just…” Her sigh sound through the chamber. “Now then, if you want I can join a small piece of me to you. I won't lie; it will hurt. But it will make you stronger—something you will need to be if you want to avoid the others when they get here.”

“The others?” Scootaloo asked before her eyes went wide in panic. “Nonononono! I won't go back! They'll just put me in another orphanage and it will start all over again!”

“I won't let that happen Scootaloo. I promise,” Nightmare said reassuringly. “If you agree, then as I said, I can let a piece of me join you for real. With it, I will not only be able to heal you, but make your body stronger. Strong enough for you to withstand a complete merge with me.”

“Why can't we just do it now?!” Scootaloo demanded.

“We could, but you might not survive the process in your current state. That is a chance I am not willing to take,” a stern Nightmare asserted.

“Okay… then yes. You can do that stuff you said; pain doesn't really bother me anymore,” Scootaloo affirmed, trying to keep a brave face.

“Very well, Scootaloo. I'll try to make it as painless as I can,” Nightmare assured.

With that, several small pieces of her armor melted into shadow. They rose up off the floor, coalescing into a small arc in front of Scootaloo’s very curious eyes.

“This is me. This is what I truly look like, Scootaloo.” The orange filly watched the little mesmerizing ark hovering in front of her in awe.

“Wow… It looks kinda like a… rainbow. But black and sparkling instead of colorful... like it was made of night,” Scootaloo whispered in reverence, almost feeling drawn into the endless depths of the void it seemed to be made of.

“Actually, my first name was The Rainbow of Darkness,” Nightmare answered with what sounded like amusement. “Now, Scootaloo… brace yourself.”

With that, the piece of darkness shot off towards Scootaloo’s neck, settling at the base of it, along her spinal column. There was an intense sting which caused Scootaloo to wince and then catch her breath. However, after that, the pain was over.

“Ha! That wasn't bad at all!” Scootaloo said confidently.

“I'm sorry… That was just me making my way down to the spinal column. It is only about to begin now,” the spectre said sorrowfully.

“WhaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH—”

The word transformed into a scream which only stopped when Scootaloo finally ran out of air. She lay on the ground, twitching as if she were having a seizure, as Nightmare strengthened her small body. While the dark being worked on her, Scootaloo had but one thought: Nightmare was right; it hurt.

****

A jolt ran through the filly, making her jerk awake. With labored breaths, Scootaloo took in her surroundings until her eyes focused on Nightmare’s ethereal ones. With gritted teeth, she tried to move her legs, only to gasp at the first twitch they made. Pain shot through them with terrifying intensity.

“I'm sorry for the pain you're feeling… I put you under as quickly as I could, but there were a few steps I had to do while you were awake,” Nightmare said solemnly. Scootaloo only grunted in acknowledgment.

“You need to get up…” the dark presence carefully encouraged.

Another pained grunt was the only response from Scootaloo.

“You have to move, young one; five mares from your home of Ponyville have almost made it to the castle. If they find us, I don’t think I have to say what will happen,” Nightmare encouraged, urgency saturating her voice.

“Oh, come on…” the little filly wheezed, slowly moving each one of her limbs while gritting her teeth.

“Good. It will hurt less the more you move around,” Nightmare encouraged.

After a few minutes of agonizingly slow progress, Scootaloo made her way up on all fours again. Shortly after that, she was trotting back and forth while slowly flapping her wings. As the orange filly finally felt somewhat limber again, she looked back towards the armored helmet Nightmare was confined to once again.

“So where are they now?” Scootaloo inquired while she cracked her neck quite loudly before giving out a sigh of relief. “Ohhhh… that hit the spot.”

“They are at the bridge separating the Everfree Forest from the castle.” At the panicked look from Scootaloo, Nightmare continued calmingly, “Don't worry; just hide me away, then you can keep yourself hidden while they search through this place.”

“Okay… But why can't you just turn into that Rainbow of Darkness stuff and hide yourself?” Scootaloo wondered while she looked about for someplace to hide the broken armor pieces.

“Do you not think I would have done so a long time ago if it could be done without consequence?” Nightmare asked rather shortly. “In my natural state, my magic is exposed. Even from this far away, the princesses would feel a disturbance if I released all of my power, then come to investigate. It wouldn't take them long to realize I have not been destroyed as they believed.”

“Oh… Okay, that makes sense I guess…” Scootaloo mumbled.

“Now then, the second step up onto the dais has a stone in it that is loose; it was made specifically for Celestia and Luna to hide their toys when they were younger. Now it will have to serve me until those damned supposed heroes leave this place again,” Nightmare growled, not looking forward to the hours she would be spending hidden away like that.

It didn't take long for Scootaloo to hide her new friend. She checked one last time that the stone was securely in place again before taking off to see what her old friends were up to.

As she ran through the overgrown garden back towards the main entrance of the castle, she could see a multicolored streak heading towards their location from the direction of Cloudsdale. At the realization of who that was, Scootaloo’s heart started to beat faster.

Rainbow… the little orange Pegasus thought, unable to stop from smiling gleefully at the thought of seeing her idol again.

“So all six will be here: you had better be careful.” Nightmare’s voice sounded like she was standing just behind Scootaloo, causing the filly to stumble and nearly fall flat on her face in surprise.

“You almost gave me a heart attack!” Scootaloo yelled, feeling a bit annoyed as she spun around to confront Nightmare. To her surprise, nothing was there. “Huh?”

“Perhaps I should have warned you: since I'm literally with you at all times, I can talk to you without anyone else overhearing,” Nightmare's voice informed the now even more annoyed filly.

“Ya think!?” Scootaloo snorted. “Hearing your voice in my head when I’m near your armor is one thing, but hearing it anytime anywhere is downright spooky…”

“Sorry…” Nightmare said with a bit too much mirth in her voice. “I'll try to keep the conversation to a minimum.”

With that out of the way, Scootaloo once again set off towards the entrance. As she neared, she started hearing voices calling out.

“Scootaloo! Scootaloo!” The unmistakable voice of Twilight echoed through the building. “Why isn't she answering? I am positive the scrying spell showed me the castle of the two pony sisters. She should be here…”

Slowing down and moving as quietly as she could, Scootaloo peeked around one of the pillars in the caved-in entrance hall. Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and… Applejack, were all standing just inside of the entrance to the castle. Looking around, expecting Scootaloo to come trotting out and be ‘rescued’.

“Why that little varmint just won't stop causing trouble fer us. Now she won't even come when we call ‘er! That's jus’ plain unhelpful!” Applejack stated irritably and stomped her hoof into the ground.

“You… you don't think she's hurt? Oh, that would be so terrible…” Fluttershy mumbled, looking even more frantically around the entrance hall.

“Are you sure it was here, Twilight darling?” Rarity wondered as she trotted up next to Twilight, somehow still looking immaculate even after going through Everfree Forest.

“Yes, I'm sure- Aaou! That hurt!” Twilight whined as she pulled out the twig from her mane.

“Oh WOW! I'm definitely going to use this costume for my next Nightmare Night party!” Pinkie said gleefully bouncing up on the other side of Twilight from Rarity. Her pink swirly mane full of branches and twigs, somehow making it look like she had a very impressive set of moose antlers. “Be right back! I just got a hide this in one of my emergency costume hideaways in Ponyville!”

With that, Pinkie Pie blurred off out through the door of the castle, leaving four very perturbed looking mares behind.

“Did she just…” Applejack sighed. “It's just Pinkie being Pinkie.”

“Rainbow Dash is almost here! I saw her while I left the costume,” a completely branch and twig-free Pinkie proclaimed loudly next to Fluttershy, who gave a surprised ‘eep’.

Twilight, Rarity, and Applejack just looked at Pinkie while Fluttershy hid behind the orange farmer. Pinkie Pie only smiled happily before starting to bounce off deeper into the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters, all the while singing something about Gummi Bears.

"Anyhow, I cast the spell three times. Despite the magical turbulence of the Everfree Forest, which seems to be even more focused near the castle, it still showed the same location each time,” Twilight clarified as they followed the energetic pink mare. “Although I couldn't look inside the castle for some reason.”

“I'm sorry for doubting you, darling, it's just… This place is so, yucky! Not at all a place fit for a lady. And don't even get me started on the decor here; it's just so decayed! Some pony should really do something about that…” Rarity's features suddenly grew very thoughtful. “Hmmmm… Maybe…”

“Okay! Where is that little squirt?!” a very aggravated Rainbow Dash shouted as she flew in through a broken window, snapping her head from side-to-side. “I'm going to give her a piece of my mind! Do you guys have any idea how furious Spitfire was when I told her I had to go look for the same filly that pulled me away from training a few days ago again?”

“Ah’m with ya, Rainbow. We’re all tired of this here nonsense. Why, when I get mah hooves on that filly, ah’m telllin’ ya, she’ll be gettin’ a spankin’ she ain’t gonna forget anytime soon!” Applejack grunted, just as annoyed as her flying rainbow-maned friend.

“Oh come now, I do not believe physical violence is the answer here ladies,” Rarity said as she trotted past Applejack.

“I'm with Rarity…” Fluttershy said as firmly as she could, only to squeak when Applejack and Rainbow turn to look at her in annoyance. “I mean… if you don't mind that is…”

“Rarity and Fluttershy are right; do you two really think Scootaloo will step forward if you two openly threaten her with a spanking if she does?” Twilight said while looking back at the two most hotheaded ponies she knew. “First thing we have to do is get her back to Ponyville safe and sound. Then we can talk about suitable punishment for all the trouble she's caused.”

“I reckon yer right, Twilight,” Applejack said in a huff. “Fer now, let’s just find the little troublemaker an’ git back home.”

“Good. Now that that's settled, you and Rainbow can head off to the right and search for her there; Rarity and I will go left; Fluttershy, you go straight ahead after Pinkie Pie,” Twilight instructed, pointing off in different directions. “It will be much more efficient to split up during the search. We'll all meet up again in the central garden when we're finished looking through each of our parts of the castle.”

“Okey-dokey-loki!” Pinkie Pie shouted all the way down from the other side of the entrance hall.

“Oh my… wait for me Pinkie…” Fluttershy stuttered as she sat of after the pink poofy-maned mare.

“We’ll meet ya back here in a jiffy,” Applejack said as she trotted off toward the right exit of the hall.

“Yeah! We'll find that stupid little squirt in no time!” Rainbow Dash yelled with all the confidence in the world as she shot off after Applejack.

“Really, those two…” Rarity sighed. “Well, shall we darling?”

“Yes. The sooner this is over, the sooner I can get back to my studies. There is a special project from Princess Celestia I really need to be focusing on. Not that this is an important… But still. This excursion could actually make me tardy on my project.” Twilight whined while the two of them headed out to the left exit.

After a few minutes, when she was sure no pony would come back, Scootaloo came out from her hiding place behind a large pillar. She looked towards where Rainbow Dash had disappeared with Applejack. From the corner of her eye, a single tear made its way down her cheek.

“I am sorry you had to hear that.” Nightmare whispered. “But it's not like you hadn’t realized it already.”

“Yeah…” Scootaloo said solemnly. “Still, I thought she would be worried about me… Rainbow said she would be my sister…”

“And how many times has she stood by that since the camping trip?” Nightmare asked with spite. “How many times has she said she was too busy, didn't feel like it, or just flew off pretending she didn't see you, only for you to find her sleeping on a branch not long after-”

“I know… I know…” the orange filly cut off the spectre, trying to swallow her emotions. “But I always hoped…”

“Hope is for fools, something you have had to learn the hard way.” Then Nightmare said soothingly, “If some ponies like us want something in this world worth keeping, we will have to take it, especially since no pony has even given us a chance to begin with.”

With only a grunt in acknowledgment, Scootaloo wiped her tears and stomped her hoof defiantly.

“You're right; can you help me hide from them until they leave?” the purple-maned filly wondered.

“Of course I can, and you are actually in the perfect place to hide right now, my brave Scootaloo. Make your way up on top of one of the broken pillars and I will hide you with a spell,” Nightmare said confidently. “Not even Twilight will be able to see you, especially since she's looking for a Pegasus without any magic to help her hide.”

“But I can't climb up on a pillar; they're too high.” Scootaloo hung her head, defeated by her shortcomings.

“That may have been true yesterday, but remember, you are strong enough now… I guarantee it. I can also help with your grip, or lack thereof,” Nightmare reassured.

With an uneasy look at the pillar she was standing next to she moved over. As the young filly looked up, Scootaloo could see that surface was quite full of cracks and indentations and more or less covered in clinging vines. With a little more belief in herself, Scootaloo started making her way up.

Every time Scootaloo put her hoof against a hold, all the shadows nearby seemed to stretch out and cling to her, ensuring she would not lose her grip and fall. With little to no problem, she found herself standing on top of the broken off pillar a few minutes later. A grin spread across her face from ear to ear.

“That was awesome!” Scootaloo exclaimed excitedly.

“Hush child! Though I might be able to assist in hiding you, I’m of no use if you're standing up there, bellowing out where you are!” Nightmare warned, sounding quite cross at the little filly’s foolishness.

“S… sorry…” Scootaloo stammered with her ears lying flat to her skull.

“It's okay… Just be quiet from now on. Now lie down and don't move again until I tell you to; the spell will make it look like there's nothing on top of this pillar except a bunch of vines,” Nightmare explained while Scootaloo both saw and felt how shadows started to crisscross over her.

Soon thereafter, she was no longer recognizable as a pony from the outside, but could still look down at the entrance hall beneath her. With a last shuffle to make herself comfortable, Scootaloo settled in for the long wait until the six heroes of Ponyville would leave.

****

Scootaloo’s eyes once again opened. She didn't know if she had been asleep for ten minutes or two hours, but what she did know was that she heard ponies approaching. They did not sound happy.

As quietly as she could, Scootaloo scooched up to the edge of the pillar and looked down at the disgruntled mares now entering the hall.

“Darn it! That filly just won't stop causing trouble for us! She can stay in this here castle and rot for all I care!” Applejack bellowed in anger.

“Oh, please Applejack, don't say that…” Fluttershy whispered. “She's probably just scared; I know I would be…”

“No offense, but you’re always scared, Flutters,” Rainbow Dash said with a snort, making the yellow Pegasus shy away. “But this is way past being annoying! I mean, look at my wing! I'll be grounded for a day, maybe even two because of that stupid rock falling on me! That's all her fault, making us search in this stupid castle!!!”

Rainbow’s loud accusation made Scootaloo cringe back from the edge of her hideaway, so she wouldn’t see the angry look on her idol’s face.

“Now, it isn't just her fault; you weren't paying attention to what you were doing, Rainbow.” Twilight said a bit reproachfully. “Still… I should've been back at the library hours ago to study. This unnecessary interruption is definitely keeping me from my very important research. That's just rude of her and quite frustrating. What if the Princess thinks I'm tardy? What if she thinks I don't take my study seriously? What if-”

“Now, darling, what did Cadance say about working yourself up so much over trivialities? Also, I really don't think you have to worry about Celestia abandoning you, especially now that you're a Princess as well,” Rarity said teasingly.

With a disgruntled look at Rarity, the newly crowned Princess took a deep breath and started the calming hoof motion exercise Cadance had shown her the last time they were in the Crystal Empire.

“Much better,” Rarity said with a smile. “Now, can we please leave this depressing place? The color scheme alone is enough to give one nightmares.”

“Oh, but we can't leave yet!” Pinkie exclaimed happily, though it was quite clear to all that Pinkie’s smile and happy demeanor was quite forced at the moment. “If we go back without Scootaloo, I can't throw a big, ‘Yay! We found Scootaloo in the scary castle’, party! And that would just be sad! I mean, that would be one less party for me to throw! And that's just wrong, no matter how you put it!”

“The little vermin doesn't deserve a party! The minute she’s found, I say we put her on a train to that military school we were talkin’ ‘bout earlier in Stalliongrad. At least they might be able to buck some sense into that stubborn head of hers! Otherwise, she'll at least be useful as she cleans out the latrines of the mares and stallions in training to become Royal guards,” Applejack said with ill-hidden contempt for the troublesome filly.

“Oh ponyfeathers!” Rainbow suddenly exclaimed. “I can't fly back to the Wonderbolts’ training with a sprained wing! Spitfire is going to have ME cleaning out the latrines next time for sure! If there will even be a next time for me!”

“I don't think they'll do that,” Fluttershy said soothingly while she patted Rainbow on her back. “You're here for a good reason, so once she's calmed down-”

“Calm down! Don't tell me to calm down!” Rainbow barked.

“Oh, no. I didn't mean you-”

“Spitfire was furious when I left! Now I won't even come back for the last two days of training! I mean, only a Royal pardon from Celestia is going to stop her from kicking me out on my flank!” Rainbow shouted in panic, not hearing a word Fluttershy tried to say. “I mean, I'm a flightless Pegasus! Do any of you have any idea how useless a flightless Pegasus is?!” Rainbow yelled as her panic rose. “Well, I'll tell you! There is nothing more pathetic than a Pegasus who can't fly!”

The shout from Rainbow reverberated through the castle halls, bouncing around and coming back as an echo to the surprised mares, who, one and all, looked at the heavily breathing Rainbow Dash. Nevertheless, she was finally getting a hold of herself again.

“Feel better now, sugarcube?” Applejack said, smirking at the somewhat flustered-looking Pegasus.

“Yeah… hehe… sorry,” Rainbow said as she rubbed the back of her neck. “Still, it doesn't change the fact that everything has gone to Tartarus for most of us lately because of her! She should really just come out and take what's coming to her instead of hiding like some little filly!”

Right then, the six mares heard a soft sniffle from above them. At the top of one of the pillars, they could now all see what looked like a filly made of green vines.

“What in tarnation is that?” Applejack asked in confusion as they saw how the creature moved towards the edge of the pillar it was standing on.

With a leap, Scootaloo exploded out from the vines which quickly melted away into shadows.

The shocked mares could only look on as the filly they had been searching for all day spread her wings and glided over to land at the rearmost exit, leading deeper into the castle.

Scootaloo looked back at them, tears streaming down her face. When Rainbow’s eyes finally met Scootaloo’s, the brash Pegasus froze in place. Rainbow couldn't even feel her heartbeat.

If it was true that the eyes were the windows to the soul, then Scootaloo’s soul was now nothing more than an empty void of sorrow and betrayal.

This chilling realization filled Rainbow with dread, fear and sorrow. Even though she wanted to deny it, she knew she had a part in whatever had pushed Scootaloo so far from any form of happiness a filly her age should be enjoying. Then, another horrifying realization struck Rainbow as though the whole of Canterlot mountain came crashing down upon her."

“No… No… she didn't… did she… hear us? She… she wasn't supposed to hear us,” Rainbow Dash said in a whimper.

“Oh dear,” Fluttershy squeaked at the alarming comprehension.

“Good heavens, no,” Rarity whispered.

Scootaloo looked back one last time at the dazed mares who sat there, gawking at her. This time, the look she gave them was not one of sorrow or betrayal. No, Scootaloo’s gaze was now filled with pure hatred for the six ‘heroes’. Each and every one of them cringed back when they saw the expression the little filly gave them before dashing off into the shadows of the castle.

The six friends only sat there quietly as they heard Scootaloo gallop off deeper into the darkness surrounding them before finally managing to react.

“Scootaloo! Come back!” The desperate young filly distantly heard the other ponies shout, their hoofsteps echoing down the corridor after her.

****

“She hates me… She hates me! Rainbow… hates… No. Not just her. They ALL hate me!” Scootaloo screamed as the anger inside consumed every bit of her being while tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Quick! You need to get back here! If you put on the armor, I will still be able to strengthen you without risking a complete joining!” Nightmare’s voice called in desperation.

This had not at all gone according to plan. The two of them were supposed to join slowly over time, but now the Elements of Harmony were chasing Scootaloo through the castle.

However, all may not be lost; something drastic would have to be done. It would be painful for both of them, but hopefully the element of surprise would work in their favor.

Scootaloo skidded to a halt in front of Nightmare’s hiding place, viciously kicking the loose step stone from in front of the hideaway. When she looked down into the dark, the desperate filly was met by Nightmare’s ethereal eyes looking back at her. Immediately, all the pieces of the armor flew up and started swirling around Scootaloo.

“Will you join with me willingly, Scootaloo?! Will you let me make you more powerful than any creature I have ever joined with?!” Nightmare called out to the little filly in front of her. Then, she said something she had never said to any being before in her life.

“Will you be my friend?” Nightmare asked, hoping against hope to hear that one answer she had always secretly craved, but never dared ask for.

“YES! I will be your friend!” Scootaloo shouted so loudly it echoed through the castle, instantly halting the six mares that had just burst into the audience chamber, all of them breathing heavily from their pursuit.

In absolute horror, Twilight and her five friends watched as the armor pieces snapped onto Scootaloo’s body one after the other, melting and readjusting to her small frame.

And all the while, the little filly laughed as if she could find nothing funnier in the world than the surreal situation in which she found herself. Slowly, Scootaloo began rising into the air as more and more power coursed through her.

“NO!” Rainbow Dash yelled. Spreading her wings, she set off towards Scootaloo at near sonic speed.

A tendril of darkness shot out, viciously knocking the chromatic-colored mare back, only for Rainbow to be saved in the last instant from crashing headfirst into the stonework by Applejack and Pinkie Pie.

As the magic in the room intensified, it seemed like all sound and light was being sucked into the twirling maelstrom of darkness that was now surrounding Scootaloo. The dark storm exploded outwards in a shockwave that sent all the six friends flying before they smashed into the back wall of the chamber with bone crunching thuds.

As Twilight rose again, she noticed she was the only one who had done so. The rest of her friends were still lying on the ground, groaning from both the magical and physical impacts they had just endured.

“You will not hurt either of us again!” a booming voice sounded from the other end of the throne room.

Twilight staggered forward, lifting her gaze to look at Scootaloo, only to gasp at the sight of the filly. She had the unmistakable armor of Nightmare Moon, although it covered a much larger part of the orange filly’s smaller frame. Slowly, as Twilight watched in stunned horror, a fake horn grew out of the helmet.

“Oh, Scootaloo… you were corrupted after all… now it all makes sense. But don't worry, we will save you!” Twilight called out, only to be met by laughter.

“You will save me? Where were you when I actually needed saving?!” Scootaloo shouted back in anger.

“Don't believe in the Nightmare’s lies! She's tricking you! Fight her, Scootaloo! Fight her for us! For the princesses! For Equestria!” Twilight shouted hoping to encourage the filly in a desperate battle against the corrupting darkness. The response the purple alicorn got was not at all what she had hoped for.

“For you?” Scootaloo laughed. “For Equestria? For the princesses?!” The armor clad filly spread her little wings in defiance. “What have any of you ever done for me, except turn your backs on me?!”

“What?” Twilight uttered in surprise at hearing Scootaloo’s own voice. “We have… I'm sure we… I mean we haven't—”

“You haven't done ANYTHING!” the enraged filly screamed down at the stuttering Twilight and her friends, who were just now starting to pick themselves up.

“Brace yourself, Scootaloo! This will hurt!” Nightmare called out in warning.

“Do it!” Scootaloo immediately answered. The filly started to float up into the air as magic energy started to crackle along the black protrusion on the helmet.

“Wha—”

Twilight was cut off when an enormous beam of energy shot out from what she'd so far taken to be a fake horn. Caught completely off guard, Twilight immediately buckled under the powerful barrage.

She was pushed down against the floor, and then into it. She screamed while the torrent of energy continued, pushing her down, down, and further down still.

The attack Nightmare had released had pushed her through the floor of the audience chamber, down through the bedrock, and out through the mountainside, leaving her crumpled body to lie at the bottom of the ravine outside the castle. It didn't take very long for Twilight to lose consciousness.

Scootaloo now lay panting on the raised dais while Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie sat in complete and utter silence, unable to comprehend what they had just seen.

With a low, pained chuckle, a smoking Scootaloo rose to her hooves again.

“So… who wants to play a little game of tag you're dead?” both Scootaloo and Nightmare’s voices said simultaneously. “If any one of you make it back to Ponyville, I will think about letting that pony go unharmed. Now… RUN!”

Instantly, all but one of the five ponies set off at a gallop—Rainbow, however, simply sat there looking at Scootaloo with empty eyes.

“How… How could you—Why would you betray us like this? Aren't you supposed to be my number one fan?” Rainbow Dash croaked out through the tears that ran down her face.

“How? Why?” Scootaloo said without any pleasure as she walked to stand in front of her former idol. “Let me show you why.”

With that, she pressed Nightmare’s horn against Rainbow’s brow, sending the chromatic Pegasus into a loop of never-ending dreams of every instant they had been together, viewed from the filly’s point of view: from the very first time Scootaloo saw Rainbow right up until the second the filly trapped the Pegasus in a nightmare of her own making.

“Now then,” Scootaloo murmured as she left the twitching body of the unconscious Rainbow Dash behind her. “Two down, more fun to go!” the smirking filly called out as she disappeared into the darkness. “Ready or not, here I come!”

And with that, sobs, screams and shouts of anger started to rip through the otherwise quiet night as the hunter caught her prey one after the other. Through it all, both Scootaloo and Nightmare had one of the best times of their lives so far.

****

Thanks to Mikemeiers - pre-reader/editor
Thanks to Evanescyan - pre-reader/editor
Thanks to Syvvak - pre-reader/editor

Chapter 11 The Last Step Into Darkness

In the Twilight of Harmony’s End
Chapter 11
The Last Step Into Darkness

****

Twilight opened her eyes, but didn't move an inch. Her mind was reeling from having witnessed Scootaloo laughing and giggling while the clearly emotionally traumatized filly hunted down all of her friends.

But Twilight had just witnessed how she and her friends had treated Scootaloo; thoughtlessly implying that she deserved no less than the horrible life she’d been burdened with. Therefore, try as she might, the purple alicorn just couldn't blame Scootaloo for lashing out like she had…

Rainbow! Oh dear Celestia! Twilight thought in panic. Has she been stuck reliving every time she abandoned Scootaloo from Scootaloo’s point of view since that night?

“Void…” Twilight croaked out while she staggered up on her hooves. “Void! Please! You need to release Rainbow right now!” she called desperately. “She could… Rainbow could lose herself in your memories! Please, I'm begging you Void! Wake her up!”

Nothing answered Twilight’s pleading but the echo of her own calls.

“Void?!” Twilight called again. “Please, Void! She could die! Her mind could die if this carries on too long. It might already have been too long!”

Twilight called out again as she stood paralyzed in plays, looking at Rainbow where she hung suspended in the shadow chains. Only now did she realize something that ought to have been obvious.

She was free; she wasn't strapped to the floor or chained down. Even her wings were free. The only thing remaining of her restraints was her crystal-covered horn.

Looking around herself, obviously suspecting a trap or cruel joke,Twilight slowly and carefully flew up to her unconscious friend.

“Rainbow?” She shook her friend gently, trying to get any response out of her. “Rainbow, you have to wake up.”

“She will…” the echoing voice of Void sounded. “As soon as you free your magic, this will all be over, and you can wake her up.”

“What?” Twilight said in disbelief. “You… you want me to free my magic?”

“Truly princess… You're supposed to be intelligent,” Void scoffed while she walked in with a nonchalant trot. “Why do you think I have not turned you into a Dread like your friends, hmm?”

“Like my…” It wasn't until now that Twilight realized she had woken up alone, except for Rainbow. “Where are Rarity and Applejack!?”

“Twilight, Twilight, Twilight,” Void teased while the purple alicorn dropped down in front of her black counterpart, glaring daggers at her antagonist. “That has always been your problem, hasn't it princess? You stare yourself blind on one thing, like Rainbow now when you woke up, and you completely forget about everything else, like your two other absent friends.” Void walked in a circle around the now uncertain-looking princess. “No wonder you never noticed anything beyond the page of whatever book you were reading at any given time. Now, I'll give you a clue so you can work out the problem, Sombra.”

“Sombra? You mean dark magic?” Twilight said with disdain.

“Bingo! Now, be a good little princess and free yourself from those crystals,” Void said with a menacing smile.

“Why? Why do you want me to use… Wait!” Twilight narrowed her eyes at Void. “You need me to do this in order to change me into a Dread!”

“Bravo, Twilight!” Void snickered while slowly clapping her hooves together. “You're making connections both left and right now. I need you to use black magic in order for me to gain enough of a hoofhold in your heart to start the transformation. Because of your new alicorn status, you are simply too harmonious in your magical wellspring for me to do what needs to be done. But while you're using black magic…”

“Dark feelings would be present in my heart, allowing you to gain the leverage you need…” Twilight finished with wide eyes before narrowing them aggressively. “Never! I will never let you in to my heart Void!”

“Oh… That's too bad for Rainbow,” Void said sadly as she looked up at the suspended Pegasus. “I guess her mind is destined to slowly fade away while you just sit here with the power to stop it at any moment you so wish.”

“For crying out loud, Twilight!” the very agitated voice of Applejack suddenly shouted. “Ya can't honestly be thinking of letting Rainbow just hang up there while you sit on your flank and watch her suffer!”

Out of the darkness behind Void, a pitch black Applejack trotted, her orange tail swishing behind her in agitation while her cold, blue, slit-pupiled eyes glared at Twilight reproachfully. Applejack was quickly followed by Rarity, who seemed to be gliding forward so sensually even Fleur Dis Lee would have been hard-pressed to match it. The unicorn’s purple mane had new white highlights which framed her delicate features perfectly. But despite her deep, glacier-blue eyes, what was ultimately most chilling about Rarity was her expression: the small smirk donning her features gave her a look of cold confidence, making her seem far more dangerous than any of the other Dreads.

“Oh please, not you two as well,” Twilight whispered. She looked on in grief as she took in the changes her two friends had gone through.

“Now, don't be like that darling. Not everything is doom and gloom with this transformation. You will see it for yourself when you join us,” Rarity said reproachfully. “All you have to do is a teensy-weensy bit of black magic, and this will all be over. Then we can get started on the truly important work.”

“What?” wondered Twilight, her curiosity piqued at the mention of important work. “What important work?”

“Well ah’ll be…” Applejack smirked while slowly shaking her head. “One mention of important work and she manages to almost completely forget about the situation she's in.”

“You have no right to say anything like that, young Dread,” Void spat at Applejack, who immediately shrunk away fearfully from her new master. “or do I need to remind you of what you did to earn your place of suffering here yourself?”

“No master!” a deeply bowing Applejack answered in fear. “I… I… I just-”

“Oh do shut up!” Void snapped harshly making Applejack's jaws clack together so fast that the sound of her teeth reverberated through the chamber. “If I had my way, you would be spending at least another two months in here as my plaything. Unfortunately, a ruler cannot always have it her own way. Things are moving forward, and I need your services elsewhere.”

Applejack's only answer was to bow even lower in submission.

“Good, now you will follow Rarity’s lead. She knows what the two of you are supposed to do,” Void said shortly while she picked up Applejack in her telekinesis and flung her back into the darkness. A dull thud, followed by a grown, was the only indication that Applejack had not simply disappeared in the inky black void beyond Twilight’s vision.

“Master, I know you’re still… upset with Applejack,” Rarity said coyly while presenting herself from the most advantageous angle possible. “surely, if we are to carry out your commands efficiently, we would better do so without physical injuries, no?”

Void turned her attention completely upon Rarity who immediately shied back, understanding that she might have made a mistake in voicing her opinion.

“You are treading on thin ice, Lady Rarity.” Void scowled down at the prim fashionista. “I only gave you authority over Applejack because I knew she would hate it, not because I value you more.”

“Of course, Master. Please forgive my outburst,” a chastised Rarity responded, trying to placate Void, who in turn gave a snort of amusement at the display.

“Learn your place, Rarity; of the six of you here, only Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy are somewhat in my good graces. Both of them are mostly here because they had the misfortune of being Elements of Harmony.” Void’s expressions then softened, “I would not have hunted them down if it wasn't for that little detail… The two of them never truly hurt me the way the rest of you girls did.” Void’s face suddenly shifted into a cruel smirk. “Although I would still have killed Angel.”

“I… I understand master,” Rarity said, carefully standing up straight again.

“Good, now leave us; you two have work to do.” Void dismissed Rarity with a wave of her hoof. The young Dread gave another short bow and trotted off, leaving the dark Alicorn alone with Twilight and the unconscious Rainbow Dash.

It was now that Twilight noticed Void was completely black—nothing of Scootaloo’s orange coat remained. With a shuddering sob, the purple Alicorn sank down on the floor and let her pent up feelings flow freely.

“So, she's completely gone, dead, and immediately you start showing your true face, Void.” Twilight murmured while thinking about how she and her friends so utterly failed to save Scootaloo from the horrible fate of being consumed alive by Nightmare’s essence.

“Don't be so melodramatic, Princess; you didn't really care for me until you were forcefully made to see what you willfully ignored,” Void spat coldly as she walked up to stand directly in front of Twilight.

“But we didn't know Scoot-”

“And that's supposed to make it alright?” Void bellowed down at the cringing princess. “It would have been so easy to stop my and many other foals’ suffering! But no, as long as the happy ponies could continue to be happy, the suffering of a few foals meant NOTHING!”

The enraged shout bounced around the chamber for quite a while before silence once again fell.

“I'm… I'm sorry we failed you, Scootaloo. Badly at that, I admit… so… so very badly,” Twilight murmured before she raised her head to look back at Void with determination. “But that doesn't make anything you're doing here right! Nothing you say can make it so!”

To Twilight’s surprise, Void started laughing uproariously. It took quite a few tries before she could get a hold of herself again.

“Do you truly think I'm so deluded as to believe that anything I've done here is right or just?!” a very dangerous-sounding Void asked. “What I've done here has been nothing but sating my own hunger for revenge. Some of you didn't deserve anything: others deserved far more! But not for a second did I think that any of this was for justice! There is no justice for what my life has been!”

Twilight was now lying on her back with her forehooves covering her head. She shook violently under the seething rage of Void, who was standing over her breathing heavily as she tried to rein herself back in again. With a final snort down at the Princess, Void stepped away from her captive.

“Still… even Applejack’s reactions to what happened that week I can understand, at least once I found out why she did what she did… The only one of you with no excuse is Rainbow Dash. She promised to be my sister, and then just left me to suffer alone.” Void’s sad voice sounded from where she stood, looking out into the darkness around her.

“What?” Twilight said, quite shocked. “You understand Applejack? Then why-”

“I said I understand her!” Void snapped as she spun around to face Twilight. “That does not mean I forgive her!”

“I'm sorry!” Twilight shrieked as she curled up on the floor again, knowing she was powerless to stop Void from doing anything she wanted to her.

“Indeed…” Void snorted. “I know why Applejack reacted the way she did… After all, I now know how her parents died.”

“It… It has to do with her parents?” Twilight uncurled a bit, curious about this revelation.

Applejack had never said a word about her parents, save the rare mentions of how great they were, and Twilight never pushed to find out how they disappeared. Or, more accurately, died—Twilight had been told of their fate by Rarity. Though, once again, the specific circumstances were unknown to her.

“Very much so… This was before I was even born as Scootaloo; Applebloom is a few months older than I, after all,” Void said with a sigh as she started walking a slow circle around Twilight. “Applebloom had just been born, she was about three months old when her parents left her for the first time to be Ponyville’s representatives on the maiden voyage of the Hindentrotter airship.” A gasp from Twilight confirmed that she knew exactly where this story was heading. “They were both very respected ponies in the community of Ponyville. So it came as no surprise when the former mayor asked if they wanted to come along to see if Ponyville should invest in a Skyport or just stick to regular old trains. They naturally said yes."

The silence that filled the throne room was deafening.

“I'm sure you know that the Hindentrotter went down, killing all the passengers in a blazing fireball…” Void said, her voice filled with sorrow. “And then Applejack found out that I supposedly almost killed her little sister in a hot air balloon… To say that she completely lost it would be putting it mildly. The fear and anguish of how she lost her parents surfaced again and, this time around, it was solely focused on me, a target she could lash out against.”

“I… I had no idea…” Twilight murmured when she understood Void was done with her story.

“It didn't have anything to do with your own happy little world, so I'm not surprised that you didn't,” Void stated with a sneer making Twilight shrink down against the floor again.

Void’s horn flashed with magic, and, in the next instant, Rainbow landed heavily right in front of Twilight.

“Now then, let's end this charade. As I said earlier, we have a lot to do if we want to save all the fillies and colts of Equestria,” Void said harshly, pushing Rainbow’s limp body into Twilight’s hooves.

“Save your friend or you can slowly watch her die while I entomb both of you here alive. Which, of course, will not be too much of a problem for you.”

“No! Void, please, I'm begging you! Don't make me do this! You loved her as a sister once, remember?!” Twilight's desperate pleas fell on deaf ears as Void simply turned around and started heading off into the darkness.

“Such a pity… goodbye Twilight,” Void spoke over her shoulder as she walked away.

“Wait!” the now-panicking Twilight screamed.

“Oh, how silly of me,” the teasing voice of the black Alicorn suddenly sounded out from the darkness. “You should at least know what you're forcing your friend to live through.”

With that, a bolt of dark magic shot out and struck the prismatic Pegasus on the forehead. Instantly, the still sleeping Rainbow started to wail and sob frantically in Twilight’s grasp.

“Come back! Please, Rainbow! Wait! I don't want… I don't want to go back there… please…” the frantic calls of Rainbow sounded through the chambers, all the while her limbs were flailing about like she was trying to catch up to somepony.

Completely shocked and stunned, Twilight looked in horror down at Rainbow, who continued to wail and sniffle. After a few minutes, a new scene seemed to start up, and this time it was apparent she was being beaten by Miss Bad Winnie… for forgetting to polish all the shoes in the shoe rack to shining perfection, at least if Rainbow’s sobs and wails were anything to go by.

It didn't take many more minutes of listening to Rainbow before Twilight finally caved.

“Curse you, Void! I will banish you to the sun if it's the last thing I do!” Twilight shrieked as black magic filled her eyes and started bubbling out from her horn. The black crystals that had so far been blocking all of her attempts at magic now suddenly reacted like boosters, fueling her magic even further, making the act of breaking Void’s memory spell an easy task.

Rainbow hadn't even fallen unconscious in Twilight’s grasp, the Pegasus’ mind finally allowed to completely rest after so long, before a sharp pain shot through Twilight’s back. Slowly turning, she let her now green and red eyes linger upon the sight of Void as dark purple mist seeped out of the corners from her own eyes, mingling with her lighter purple coat.

Void, on the other hoof, simply stood there; grinning in victory, her savage-looking shadow blade buried to the hilt in the princess’ purple-coated back.

Tears were streaming down Twilight’s cheeks as coldness started to spread from her heart into the rest of her body. Pain started to roll through her in waves, making her grit her teeth and turn away from Void.

Twilight felt the blade of darkness being pulled from her, sending another spike of pain through her as she grunted.

Looking down at her hooves, she could see that she was holding on to Rainbow so fiercely that the Pegasus had turned an even deeper shade of blue than usual. With a gasp at the realization of what she was doing, Twilight tenderly laid Rainbow to rest on the floor in front of her, before collapsing next to her friend herself.

Just as the pain was about to become overwhelming, the purple Alicorn felt how her lungs were suddenly flooded, the substance burning like it was black tar she was breathing.

She tried to scream but couldn't. From the wound on her back, black tendrils of dark magic lashed out and started to spread over her. She had seen this process from the outside; it had not prepared her in the slightest for what it was to truly go through the experience herself.

Void now trotted into her view. All Twilight could do was follow the black demon with her pinprick eyes as she stopped beside Rainbow. Looking down at the unconscious Pegasus, she snorted. Void raised her shadow blade for the final strike.

But then she hesitated, the hoof with the shadow blade extended from it slowly lowered from its striking position. Void was clearly aggravated, clenching her teeth as she looked down at the rainbow-maned Pegasus, rage and confusion etched on her face.

“Why! Why can't I hate you more?!” Void screamed down at the unconscious mare. “You hurt me the most! And still… and still…” the dark Alicorn muttered while she let her head slowly fall, a single tear rolling down her left cheek. “And still I had to keep you asleep this whole time… a single word from you, a single plea for mercy from your lips... and I would have most certainly let you all go free…”

With a final shudder, Void dried her eyes and took a deep breath, steeling herself for what had to be done. She stood up straight, raised her hoof and let the shadow blade form again, hovering above Rainbow’s unprotected chest.

The last thing Twilight saw before the cocoon of darkness enveloped her was how Void drove her black blade straight down into Rainbow.

****

Thanks to Mikemeiers - pre-reader/editor
Thanks to Evanescyan - pre-reader/editor
Thanks to Captain Syvvak, the Pirate Judge - pre-reader/editor/ninja

Chapter 12 The Final Moves

In the Twilight of Harmony’s End
Chapter 12
The Final Moves

****

The ground beneath Void's hooves was smooth, stomped flat by the great red dragon that was chased away by the Elements of Harmony a few years back. Void slowly walked to the precipice, gazing out over the surrounding wilderness. She could see the Peak of Smokey Mountain, all across White Tail Woods, to the Unicorn Ranges, and even as far as Ponyville and Canterlot, especially on a clear night like tonight.

A slight noise caused a shift of Void’s ear, the unintended sound informing her that she was getting some company. Two black-coated Dreads emerged from the cave, looking around themselves in bewilderment.

As their gazes fell upon Void, both gasped. Her wings snapped open and waved them forward. Carefully, Twilight and Rainbow Dash trotted out to stand on either side of Void, who only continued to gaze out over the peacefully sleeping Equestria.

After a few more agonizingly quiet moments of gazing out across the impressive expanse, Twilight finally took courage and spoke up.

“Void, why… Why do-”

“Sit.” Immediately, Twilight and Rainbow's rear ends met the cold ground.

“What the?” Rainbow Dash asked as she looked incredulously at her own flank.

“Just a demonstration. You are not as free as you may think, my young Dreads,” Void said firmly, then gave a sigh. “Nevertheless, throughout the ages, I have come to learn that the best mind control… is the mind control a pony inflicts on themselves. At the moment, you have two compulsions that are foreign to you. The first is that you cannot continue ignoring something simply because you don't like the way it fits in your view of the world. Second is that you cannot refuse any order that I give. Apart from that, you are all still yourselves at the core.”

“Oh… I see,” Twilight said as she nodded in understanding. “I was actually surprised at the feelings I could feel towards you when I woke up. I thought you would just have… wiped my mind clean.”

“Now that would have truly been a waste.” Void sat and chuckled merrily. “No, you are a group of astounding individuals. Once you come to see what I'm trying to do, the wrongs I’m trying to right, I'm quite certain you will all start following my orders without any need for control whatsoever…” There was a small pause as she gazed towards the rainbow-maned mare sitting on her other side. “Wouldn't you agree, Rainbow? You have, after all, seen quite a lot of my life at the orphanage several times by now.”

Rainbow's shoulders and head fell, as she stared down into the ground, not daring to look towards Void.

“Are… Are you really her? Is Scootaloo… alive?” Rainbow managed to ask in a stuttering voice. A flash emitted from Void’s eyes, and, in the next instance, Rainbow’s own went wide as saucers.

“Yes… I am in here, Sister…” At Void’s last word, Rainbow flinched as if she had been physically struck.

“Don't… Don't call me that… I don't deserve it.” Rainbow Dash looked back up at Void with tears running down her cheeks. “I'm so sorry! I had no idea! I'm so… so sorry!” Rainbow was shivering now. “How… How could you live through that Scootaloo? I… I wanted to kill myself just a few days in. Why... Why didn't you?”

Void spread her left wing over a very surprised Rainbow’s back.

“I had three things keeping me alive through all my suffering: Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and... you. It wasn't until I lost you three that I broke,” Void explained. “It was then that Nightmare found me… sensed me is more correct.” There was a small tilt to Void’s head. “How could I not–the despair and sorrow she emanated was drawing me to her like a magnet. Seeing it from both sides as I do now, it was almost as if it was meant for the two of us to become one. Two damaged souls drawn together to heal one another. The more time goes by, the more closely we will merge. Creating something new, something… better.”

There was another drawn out silence after Void’s monolog. Rainbow continued crying as she was held close to Void’s side.

“May I ask a few questions, Master?” a very thoughtful-looking Twilight suddenly asked.

“I wouldn't expect anything less than a few hundred questions from you, Twilight, so yes, ask your questions. But do try to keep them somewhat relevant to the present,” Void answered as she looked down at the dark blue maned Dread standing to her right side. Twilight still had her characteristic pink and purple stripes running through it, as before her Dread transformation, but her mane was now far longer as it swept down her side, stopping only inches above the ground.

“Right…” the thoughtful Dread Alicorn muttered as she looked over towards Rainbow. “First off then, I have run a few calculations in my head, and, according to them, Rainbow should be under the illusion she's you… or Scootaloo. And that was the best case scenario. From the amount of time she spent living through Scootaloo’s memories… Rainbow should quite frankly be a vegetable right now.”

“That would have been true, if I hadn’t made it so that she saw my memories from the outside nine times out of ten, remembering exactly who and what she was. Only the tenth time did she go through my memories believing she was me.” At this point Void withdrew her protective wing from Rainbow, who once again looked like she had been kicked by the action. “It actually turned out to be an even more effective punishment than I had initially intended, since while she watched me suffer, she would also remember exactly what she was doing at the time. Like every time she flew off to take a nap she really didn't need, while sending me back to take a beating and so on. I do remember one particular thrilling moment where I actually begged to come with you to a picnic with the rest of the girls… Do you remember Rainbow? It was just before the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor.”

Rainbow clenched her jaw and nodded.

“You hadn't eaten for two days, so you had been… bugging me for food the whole afternoon since I got off work.” Rainbow turned her head away from both Twilight and Void. “I was getting annoyed, thinking you were only out to score some free snacks or something… and then I saw her.” A shiver of pure revulsion went through Rainbow, making it perfectly clear she was talking about Miss Bad Winnie. “And… and I called that bitch over! Told her how you have been bugging me for food all day! Sent you off with her, while I went and had a yummy picnic with my friends! While I was stuffing my face, you were being beaten and tossed back into the shed again for thinking you deserve any food at all!”

Rainbow had curled up into a ball on the ground again covering her head with her for hooves.

“I'm sorry, Scoots! I'm so, so sorry!” The sniffling mare bawled.

“I know…” Void said softly and absentmindedly patted Rainbow on the head, “And I may forgive you… someday.”

“You may?” Rainbow asked with both hope and apprehension in her voice.

“Yes, once you've proven your loyalty to me. You will have earned your forgiveness.” Void stated while lifting Rainbow's chin up to meet her eyes.

“I will! I swear to you I will!” Rainbow's desperate promise echoed out from the cliff side.

“Good…” Was Void’s only response.

“Why didn't you ever tell any pony?” Twilight suddenly asked still caught in her own musings.

“Twilight! Get off it! We bucked up, so Scoots doesn't have to tell us anything!” Rainbow shot back at her friend, taking a quite threatening stance.

“And why don't you react when she's called you Scootaloo?” Twilight continued not really noticing the shift in her friend's attitude.

“Be still Rainbow, she's caught in her own little world again,” Void said soothingly, placing an outstretched wing between Rainbow and Twilight.

“Eggheads, go figure…” Rainbow spat and walked away grumpily while Void focused back on Twilight.

“And most importantly, why didn't Luna find you in your nightmares? You must have had hundreds over the years! It just doesn't make sense!” A much frazzled Twilight exclaimed when she was not able to figure out the answer.

“To answer your second question first, Rainbow sees me as Scootaloo because I want her to. She will without a doubt be my most loyal and fierce protector.” Void narrowed her eyes at Twilight. “The rest of you girls saw a mere fraction of my life at the orphanage. Rainbow has lived through it, with me, several times over. How far do you think she will go to keep me safe from all threats in the future, having seen what I've been through so intimately?”

“She… she would die for you… without a second thought,” Twilight whispered.

“Exactly… as for your first question, I was a scared little filly. Who had already received proof that no pony believed anything she said. If no pony believed me when I said I hadn't stolen a fruit at the market, was it so strange that I thought no pony would trust me when I said Miss Bad Winnie was systematically beating and starving me?” Void asked and then glared down at Twilight. “You yourself proved rather efficiently how that would have most likely turned out.”

Twilight cringed down at the accusation, but at the same time, now she understood how a little filly could without too much trouble be convinced that even if she told some pony, nothing would really change. More likely, it would lead to far worse suffering for her instead.

“Finally, when it comes to Luna’s inaptitude to find me and many others...” A magical construct formed between Void and Twilight, it consisted of a circle with what looked like webbing inside the circle and feathers hanging down below. “This is a dream catcher; it's a technique from very olden times, yet surprisingly potent, dream magic. Its original purpose was to help Luna keep away nightmares. But with a few small tweaks, it will block all dream magic, essentially making the one who sleeps behind it invisible to even Luna. If I remember correctly, it was actually some enemies of old who perfected this technique, wishing to keep Luna out of their heads at night. Evidently it also works very well to keep her from noticing little fillies and colts, no matter how much they cry out for help in their sleep. Surprisingly, an easy step-by-step explanation of how to build one of these can be found in most libraries. Just look under ancient folklore and curses, you know, stuff most contemporary scholars call humbug.”

With her explanation done, Void unceremoniously crushed the supposed dream catcher between her front hooves with quite an excessive amount of force. Twilight just sat silently for a while, processing what Void told her, before finally looking up.

“So, what now?” Twilight asked while she gazed out towards Canterlot in the distance. “Will you attack Canterlot and take the throne?”

“I already have the throne, so there is no need to rush with that. The first step has already begun: wherever I or one of you six has been seen, abuse and neglect have somehow been uncovered shortly after. Furthermore the culprit has been dealt with or brought to justice in the case of ponies who knew about neglected and abused foals without reporting it. Most of Equestria thinks that the way you six look is merely a theatrical illusion, meant to scare the bad ponies we hunt. The general public is becoming aware of the fact that Equestria is not at all the paradise they thought it was–your shadow self on the throne is receiving more and more reports every day of possible neglect and abuse from around Equestria. You Dreads are already becoming something of underground heroes, moving through the night, protecting innocent foals wherever you go. A view we have been very effective in promoting, of course,” Void explained.

“Awesome! So we get to kick some foal abusing flank! Let me at them! I'll tear them apart!” A very enthusiastic Rainbow Dash shouted while shadowboxing against nothing.

“How do we know anyone is not innocent?” Twilight questioned.

“Easy,” Void said with a smile. “I send in a shadow in the form of a colt or filly as a new addition to the orphanage, talk to the other children, do a few mistakes that shouldn't require too much of a punishment. It usually doesn’t take more than a couple of days for the caretaker’s true colors to emerge. Once that happens, whichever of the seven of us is closest pays them a visit and ends their miserable lives!” Void’s manic smile now disappeared as she moved on from the execution part of the plan. “We then release all the children. They tell others from their community their stories: how they were being treated and just what was going unnoticed by ponies. Of course, we also make sure every pony knows how they were saved by us Dreads in the end.”

“I see…” Twilight said thoughtfully. “So when the time comes to reveal that you already control Equestria, you’ll already have a majority of the population thinking of you as a hero… This could truly work; if we proceed correctly, you can take control without any more innocent bloodshed.”

The look of relief that was painted on Twilight's features actually made Void smile more pleasantly again.

“I'm not here to destroy what's good about Equestria, only that which is bad,” Void stated reassuringly.

“I'm starting to see that…” Twilight said with a little smile. “To be completely honest with you, I was actually afraid the forests would be on fire and Canterlot itself scraped off the mountainside when we emerged from the cave.”

“And if our places had been reversed I would have thought the same Twilight,” Void admitted as she looked her fellow Alicorn in the eye. “But I took my anger out on you six instead of the rest of the world, and I did not only do it for my own pleasure. I wanted to show you all what true helplessness felt like before making you stronger and tougher for going through this baptism of fire. Only by knowing what it is to be a victim could any of you truly comprehend what we are fighting against.” Now Void’s gaze hardened. “Or can you stand here, in front of me, and claim that you would have understood if I merely told you what I and so many others have gone through?”

“No…” Twilight answered while Rainbow sat down beside her, both now looking towards the cave they had spent so many months in. “No pony who has not been in that situation can completely understand.”

“Then we are in agreement: Let the past be the past; we start anew today.” with that, Void’s horn glowed and the sun started to rise, coloring the sky in a wonderful purple twilight. “Come now, my young Dreads: we have much work to do.”

With that, Void launched herself off the cliff, followed closely by Rainbow who flew perfectly on Void’s nine as a true wonderbolt would, while Twilight followed at a safer distance.

****

Four months later

Princess Twilight Sparkle sat upon the throne, ready to begin today's court proceedings. The two huge golden doors at the end of the audience hall leading into the court of the sun opened wide, admitting noblepony and commoner alike to partake of today's proceedings. There were numerous murmurs running through the court. There had been quite a lot of sightings of the new heroes calling themselves the Dreads, to inspire fear in the heart of the wicked.

And if the rumors were to be believed, they seemed to be heading towards Canterlot, and Princess Twilight Sparkle had made it known that they would be more than welcome at the Palace to receive the recognition they deserved. As time had gone by, it had become apparent that two of these heroes were in fact Alicorns.

At first this had spread a bit of panic throughout Equestria. They might have been the ones to banish Princess Celestia and Luna. Or been behind the attack that left Princess Cadence and her husband Shining Armor sealed in Crystal at the top of the Crystal Tower.

These whispers had been quickly swept aside however. Especially when it became obvious the strange new ponies were actually saving foals all over Equestria. And by the sound of things, they had needed saving for quite a while–long before Princess Celestia and Luna had disappeared. Furthermore, Princess Twilight Sparkle had revealed one shortcoming after another from the former rulers.

“Welcome my little ponies! Welcome to today's sun court!” Princess Twilight Sparkle announced happily from her throne. “It brings me great happiness to finally present you Queen Void! And her noble Dreads!”

With that announcement, a gasp went through the crowds as a fanfare sounded. In through the open doors a magnificent black Alicorn walked. She was big enough to rival even the former Princess Celestia. Queen Void wore only purple regalia as she strode up to give a small curtsy to Princess Twilight Sparkle, who in turn bowed deeply to this unknown Queen, causing more than a few nobles to mutter disapprovingly at the response. Not even the Griffon or Minotaur King was granted such a respectful greeting. And now that one looked closely, did she not seem quite similar to Nightmare Moon?

“Now accompanying Queen Void’s Dreads are our very own Elements of Harmony!” Princess Twilight Sparkle announced to more than a few relieved nobles in the stands. The Princess had obviously been cautious enough to take precautions it seemed.

Leading the procession of… very similar-looking mares was the rumored second Alicorn, she was much smaller than Void… actually she looked quite similar to Princess Twilight… very similar indeed.

The procession walked in to stand in front of the throne where now both Princess Twilight and Queen Void stood together, looking out over the excited assembly. Looking down Void smiled widely and motioned for the second Alicorn to join them up in front of the throne.

“Please Twilight, come and take your rightful place at my side,” Queen Void said loudly followed by a very surprised murmur as the black Alicorn stepped forward.

This Alicorn was named Twilight as well? This might get confusing… wow… now that they're standing side by side they really do look alike don't they? In fact, doesn't all the Elements look astonishingly alike their Dread counterparts?

The increased murmurs at the realization of just how similar every pony in front of the throne seemed to be now really took off.

“It seems that you have all begun to see the truth!” Queen Void’s voice proclaimed merrily. “But I don't think you grasp the whole truth yet!”

“Please! Stay calm every pony!” Princess Twilight Sparkle announced soothingly when she saw the increased tension forming in the crowd. “The truth of the matter is, you have all been under the rule of Queen Void since the moment I claimed the throne after Celestia’s and Luna’s disappearance.” Now the Dread Twilight stepped forward and spoke with the same voice, “Void has been your Queen for almost a year now, and has she not made things better?”

At the sound of Dread Twilight's voice, the whole assembly went quiet. Then, a snooty voice rose in defiance.

“Preposterous! We have seen Princess Twilight Sparkle every day in court, ruling our kingdom!” A very high male voice that made both the Rarity’s cringe. “I for one will not stand for this!”

As Prince Blueblood tried to make his way through, up towards the throne he so blatantly coveted. Even going as far as to several times try to maneuver the young, and what he had hoped, impressionable, new Princess into accepting the only proper proposal for marriage there was… him.

However, to Blueblood’s surprise and outrage, he was quite resolutely blocked and pushed back. He was just about to call out for the guards when his eyes fell upon who was standing in his way.

“Sorry darling,” the prim and proper white unicorn from his nightmares proclaimed, before what could have been her twin stepped up beside her and continued in the exact same voice, “But if you don't step back my Prince, cake in your mane will be the least of your trouble.”

As Prince Blueblood snapped his head from one to the other in rapid succession, a horrible realization dawned on him.

“Oh by Celestia! There are two of them!” The Prince screeched before running for the door. His exit was followed by much laughter. Especially from the two Pinkie Pies that somehow seemed to appear at the door just as Blueblood was running through.

In a perfect synchronized movement, the two of them made a pirouette through the air before landing and sliding towards the none the wiser Prince, giving him a double flank bump that launched him through the air and out of the throne room.

“Mind the fountain!” The pink mare yelled after the Prince just before a loud splash was heard from outside of the doors. “Never mind!” The Dread Pinky then yelled to even more uproarious laughter as the two of them skipped and jumped back to their friends just below the throne.

“Very funny Pinky…” Princess Twilight Sparkle said through a facehoof while Dread Twilight continued, “He will be cranky for weeks now.”

“Come on! That was awesome!” Rainbow Dash proclaimed while her Dread counterpart hoof-bumped both of the returning pinkies.

“Ah've never been one for pranks Pinkie,” Orange Applejack stated before black Applejack continued, “But I gotta hand it to ya, that was funny.”

“This has all been very amusing, my little ponies,” Void said in a very mirthful voice. “But we still have serious things to attend to. Namely, my first proclamation as Queen of Equestria. First of all, return to the ether, shadow clones.”

No sooner had her proclamation been made did the Elements of Harmony and Princess Twilight Sparkle melt into shadow and disappear into their Dread counterparts. Twilight has suggested it be done this way, because seeing the shadow clones being sucked into Void might not be looked upon as favorably as if the shadows disappeared into their Dread counterparts.

Quite a few gasps were once again heard throughout the audience chamber as they melted away. Before any type of panic could ensue, Void continued her proclamation.

“I am Queen Void of Equestria! And you, my wonderful little ponies, will have plenty of time to get to know me, I will be holding today’s sun court, and tomorrow's, and all that will follow. Spread the word, if anypony has any questions, I will be more than happy to answer them. With time, we will build an even better Equestria: an Equestria where the weak are not trampled upon simply because they cannot make their voices heard. Where colts and fillies will always have the protection they deserve. I have only started the Reformation that has so far brought forth several evil ponies. Ponies that once were able to all hide in plain sight under Celestia’s negligent rule. But no longer! Celestia may have been satisfied so long as all looked peaceful from atop her ivory tower, but this will not be allowed to continue under my rule! Because now, even evil has something to Dread!”

At the end of Void’s speech, many ponies started stomping and hooting in approval, and it wasn't long before the whole throne room was thundering with happy hoof stomps as the new Queen ascended to the throne to sit down with her six Dreads spread out in front of her, all of them smiling happily out at the gathered crowd.

****

One month later

“Are you sure? Are you really, really sure?” a positively giddy Twilight Sparkle repeated for the millionth time that day.

“Of course I am; we are now viewed with overwhelming approval. Our hold on Equestria is firmly cemented. Besides, you have performed well above my expectations. Reuniting you with two of your loved ones is not without risk for us. But if it makes you happy, it will be well worth the risk, Twilight,” Void said with a little smirk as the two of them finally made their way up on top of the crystal tower at the heart of the crystal empire.

Twilight immediately ran forward until her hooves clacked against the black crystal which held within it Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor.

“But are you sure they're okay?” Twilight once again asked anxiously.

“Yes. They should both be in magical stasis, so even your brother should be fine,” Void repeated, for she didn't know which time during the last hour alone; sighing she put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. “I only told you Shining was dead because I needed you to use black magic. I hoped that the despair and anger you felt at that time would have been enough to push you over the edge. But as we both know, you resisted.”

Nodding in understanding, Twilight once again pressed her muzzle up against the crystal, trying to catch a glimpse of Cadence and Shining inside the crystal structure.

“I was so close to doing just that; the things I felt when you said my brother was dead… it… I… I never want to feel that again,” Twilight whispered while a tear ran down her cheek.

“I am sorry for that Twilight,” Void said in all sincerity before giving the Alicorn Dread a playful smack to the back of her head. “But seriously, I was a flower filly at their wedding. And once I got to know the real Princess Cadence and Shining Armor, I adored them almost half as much as I loved Rainbow Dash at the time.”

“Yes, you really did get along pretty well with Cadence and my brother at the wedding.” She looked back apprehensively at Void “But still… why didn't you tell me Shining was still alive before now?”

“Come now Twilight…” Void answered with a sigh. “We both know that if you knew he was alive, you would have spent every waking moment trying to come up with a scenario where I would have to release him. Or can you honestly say that would not have been the case?”

“No…” Twilight said as her ears pressed down against her head. “I would have done anything within my power to have you release them…”

“And you are both smart and powerful Twilight.” Void continued with a chuckle, “You would have most certainly found some way to make it happen. For instance, have you found a way to circumvent my compulsions yet?”

The horror etched into Twilight’s face at that question told Void all she needed to know.

“Ye… yes… and no,” Twilight stammered as she looked up at Void pleadingly. “It's just theories… but with enough time and resources at my disposal I could most likely break your command over me… and my friends.”

Twilight was now sitting slumped against the crystal holding her brother and Cadence. Tears run down her cheeks as she thought she had blown her chance at having her brother back.

“Do not worry, my young Dread; I am not angry.” Carefully, Void put a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder making her look up at, to her surprise, a smiling Alicorn. “We are both very long-lived creatures, and I never planned to keep you under my thrall forever. I’ll even make a wager with you Twilight Sparkle. If you can break my control over you within five years… I will bring back Luna.” At those words, Twilight’s jaw went slack. “Even though she wasn't technically conscious during those thousand years on the moon… It pains me to have her there once again, though it's necessary at the moment. After all, Luna doesn’t deserve to take the punishment for something that is in fact Celestia’s fault again.”

“Again?” Twilight wondered curiously.

“Just as Scootaloo at the time, Luna had very real reasons to seek my powers, and that is all I'm going to say on that subject… If you want to know more you have to ask Luna yourself,” Void said and stepped back, motioning with her wings for Twilight to follow her.

Obediently, Twilight did so. When they had gained enough space, Void’s horn lit up and powerful magical runes begin to encircle the black crystal in front of them. As Void finished her work, there was also a smaller rune circle in front of her.

“Now just as I told you before, the runes will take care of everything: all you will have to do is supply the power,” Void instructed while motioning for Twilight to take her place in the middle of the smaller circle.

“I understand,” Twilight answered snapping her eyes open, both of which were glowing from within with power.

Slowly, she rose into the air as more and more magic flowed through her. With the sound of thousands of mirrors breaking, the crystal structure shattered and melted away into shadow.

Twilight thumped down on the ground again, steam rising off her as she staggered up on her hooves. She looked over towards where the crystal had formerly stood just as the wind cleared away the smoke that was concealing Cadence and Shining Armor.

“Brother!” Twilight yelled as she saw him lying motionless on the floor.

She stumbled over as despair and panic rose within her. Scooping up her brother in her hooves, she put her head against his chest and listened.

…

“Please…”

…

“Shining please…”

…

Thump-thump!

Twilight eyes flew wide before she let out an almost hysterically happy laugh at the sound of Shining Armor's heartbeat.

“He's alive! He's alive!” Twilight yelled gleefully while she cried tears of pure happiness.

“Happy birthday Twilight…” Void said soothingly from where she stood at the unconscious Princess Cadence’s side, “It will take a little time for them to regain consciousness. Why don't you take them down to their bed chambers. I'm also sure that the others will be happy at the news that everything went well.”

“Thank you…” Twilight whispered from where she was still sitting and hugging her brother fiercely. “Thank you so much Void! You have no idea how much this means to me… I… I… Thank you…”

“That's all right. I have almost never had to use compulsion on you Twilight; you have earned my trust, so I will put them in your care. Make sure they don't do anything stupid when they wake up.”

“Of course… you have my word,” Twilight promised before teleporting away with Cadence and Shining Armor.

Void stayed where she was, wondering how long it would take.

“You can come out you know…” Void voiced.

“Ohhh… You're no fun!” A grumpy male sounded. “It's very hard to hide in the shadows when they whisper my secrets to you.”

Void turned around with a smile, and looked at Discord who stood leaning against one of the pillars with a rather perturbed appearance.

“So you're going to release Luna? I guess of the two of them Celestia is the one needing a time out the most,” The spirit chuckled.

“Come now, Discord; you know just as well as me that the banishment spell I put on them will only last one hundred years in a best case scenario: ten in a worst-case.” Void said while she walked up towards Discord who grunted in response.

“True, and with all the power being focused only on Celestia, you will make sure she will suffer the longer sentence,” Discord said as he popped into existence behind Void leaning on her flank making her give an annoyed snort.

“Quiet… Besides, Luna still doesn't carry much favor with the rest of the equines. Bringing her back will make me seem very lenient, without having to worry about Luna gathering support to try and overthrow me.” With that Void turned into a sparkling cloud and let Discord fall through her only to faceplant into the crystal floor beneath.

“You know,” Discord mumbled while his right claw grab the back of his head only to pull himself up from the ground. With a loud pop as his lips left the crystal smooth surface, he shut up into the air revealing a very flat face. “For half of your personality now common from a little filly… your plans seem very thoroughly thought out.”

“Oh…” Void stated as her body turned solid again. “You more than anyone should know just how powerful a filly’s imagination can be.”

“True!” Discord exclaimed with a wicked smile. “There is after all a reason why I love them so much; the chaos they can bring is truly breathtaking!”

“Speaking of little ones… How are things with you and Fluttershy?” Void wondered.

“At first I was a little apprehensive about what you'd done to her… Nevertheless, she's still her ever-loving and adorable self at the core,” Discord said as he got all do-eyed. “And she's so much more open with her feelings and thoughts now, it’s actually quite refreshing.”

“I'm happy,” Void said honestly and quite relieved.

“Well, talking about that little ball of adorableness,” Discord said as he put his hand up to his ear. “I think I hear her thinking about me. I did promise her dinner in Prans tonight.”

With that he snapped his fingers and was gone again. With a happy smile across her features Void started to make her way down into the crystal palace again.

****

Two months later

“That was hilarious!” Rainbow exclaimed as she flew in through the massive golden doors leading into the throne room, followed by the rest of the gang.

“I know!” Pinkie giggled as she somehow popped up next to Void on the throne. “I can't believe that guy was supposed to be some sort of all-powerful-superduper-meanie-pants!”

Void giggled at the pink mare’s antics before lifting her up and dumping her back with her friends again.

“I agree darlings,” Rarity said dramatically as she puffed up her long flowing mane. “But it was a good thing we came with dear old Discord; that Lord Tirek fellow was quite the smooth talker.”

“I reckon you're right Rari,” Applejack affirmed. “No offense, but he was spinning you around like, three sixty, Discord. If we hadn’t been there you would have ended up as his little sidekick for sure.”

“Come now AJ, we don't know that,” Twilight retorted and then looked thoughtfully back at Applejack. “And if you turn someone around three sixty, they only end up back where they started. It wouldn't have made any difference!”

Applejack’s response was to blow a raspberry at Twilight.

“Don't you start using your fancy mathematics!” Then Applejack also got a thoughtful expression on her face. “Besides he's already done it once… kind of… Don't you all remember that chaos seed thing he pulled earlier?”

“Hey I resent that!” Discord exclaimed as he and Fluttershy popped into existence behind Applejack. “I fixed that little problem… eventually.”

“Besides… the vines work really well now as extra security throughout the gardens of the palace.” Fluttershy pointed out happily as she hugged Discord from behind draping herself over his shoulder.

“Oh shucks…” Discord said with a blush. “Anything for you Flutters, you know that.”

“Ahem…” Void cleared her throat a little bit to get everyone's attention. “I think we were discussing Lord Tirek.”

“Oh! Of course my Queen, sorry, so-” then Pinky cut in two Twilight's explanation.

“So Discord is like standing there with meanie pants and Tirek says like.” Pinky grabbed her mane, forming it into two horns before saying in a very dark voice, “Help me to grow strong and be rewarded with something far greater than friendship.” Pinky’s mane sprang back into its poufy self as she continues, “This is when Fluttershy lands on Discord’s shoulder and gives him a big smooch so Discord just snaps his fingers sending Tirek back to Tartarus. And you should have just seen the look on Tirek’s face as it happened.” her whole being now looked like it was about to explode, “Priceless!” Pinky proclaimed as she threw her hooves up into the air before falling backwards giggling for all that she was worth.

“Yeah, we really should have had a camera! That expression was like, so awesome!” Rainbow agreed with a grin from where she hovered above the still-giggling Pinky Pie.

“Thank you, Pinky,” A very annoyed Twilight said. “That was truly a very informative explanation.”

“If you want to, you can write a report on the incident. Have it on my desk by tomorrow evening,” Void said smiling down at Twilight who immediately shown up at the prospect.

“Oh, that's an excellent idea!” Twilight said giddily as she clopped her hooves together in excitement. “I'll get started right away!”

Immediately there was a purple flash as Twilight teleported straight to her study, which left Rainbow, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy and Discord standing before Void on the throne. The Queen smiled down at her most beloved subjects before she spoke.

“Now then, Rarity, you will be heading back to Manehattan to continue our work there. I've had three troubling reports for you to look into,” Void said as she nodded towards the fashionable Dread.

“At once, my Queen,” Rarity said with an elegant bow, before disappearing out through the doors.

“Applejack, there has been some reports of colts and fillies being made to work much too hard for it to be called ‘chores’ in Appleloosa and Dodge Junction. Look into it and make sure we don't need to intervene,” Void said sternly as she looked down at Applejack.

“Will do, my Queen,” Applejack responded and bowed in respect before making her way out of the throne room.

“Fluttershy…” Void then continued with a smile. “You and Discord can return to Ponyville if you want to. From what I heard you two deserve a little break to enjoy yourself after this latest adventure.”

“Oh, thank you very much, my Queen,” A smiling Fluttershy answered.

“Oh come on, that's too boring. What do you say Flutters! Don't you feel like joining Rarity in Manehattan for a bit? I've heard about this lovely café in the harbor,” Discord said and giggled, which immediately made Void narrow her eyes at the spirit of chaos.

“If you bring the Mare of Liberty to life again we will have serious words Discord,” Void said with no small amount of warning in her voice.

“You're no fun at all sometimes! I'll have you know the Mare of Liberty is quite a good conversationalist, once you get over her whole judgmental aspect to her personality…” Discord now actually frowned a bit as if he remembered something not entirely pleasant about that particular incident. “Actually, I think I will let her be this time around.”

“Good… Have a nice time you two, wherever you choose to take your little vacation,” Void said quite pleased as Discord snapped his fingers, disappearing together with Fluttershy.

This only left Rainbow Dash, who jumped up next to the throne, taking up her position as personal guard to Queen Void.

“So anything interesting you can tell me Rainbow?” Void wondered.

“Nah… The immediate threat of Tirek has been taken care of, and all our other plans are proceeding on schedule. Except for Spike–he is actually ahead of the curve in his training, and will become very useful before too long. Also, Cadence and Shining Armor are keeping things civil in the Crystal Empire, even though they don't really like us for understandable reasons. They have kept their word of keeping to themselves for now. Furthermore, the more they learn about us the less likely it is they will even think to start trouble to begin with.”

“Good… Very good… Keep me informed of Spike’s progress and make sure we have enough informants throughout the Crystal Empire to notice if anything changes,” Void said contently before looking over towards the Herald standing ready at the massive doors. “You can send in the next petitioner; a Queen’s work is, after all, never done.”

The End

****

Thanks to Mikemeiers - pre-reader/editor
Thanks to Evanescyan - pre-reader/editor

Chapter 13 CMC Forewer Yaaaay!

Author's Note

So, finally I'm coming back to writing. Yes... its been a while but better late then never I hope. Alright then, 4 extra chapters for your enjoyment. It will show what happens with the CmC, Cadence and Shining Armor. I'm not going to show Luna and Celestia because that's where I'm starting in the next part of this story... if I ever get to it :trollestia:

Chapter 13 CMC Forewer Yaaaay!

In the Twilight of Harmony’s End
Chapter 13 (Bonus 1/4)
CMC Forewer Yaaaay!

****

Sweetie Belle’s hooves thundered up the gangway leading to the CMC clubhouse. It had been three days since Scootaloo ran off into the Everfree forest with her sister Rarity and her friends in tow. With a final rush of speed, Sweetie Bell burst through the door, hoping against hope to find Scootaloo waiting there as she usually did. The only thing that greeted her was a very surprised-looking Apple Bloom.

“So they’re not back yet?” Sweetie squeaked disappointedly.

“No…” Apple Bloom answered solemnly. “Granny and Big Mac tell me not to worry any, that Applejack knows how to take care of herself, but I can tell that they are starting to get worried as well.”

“Yeah... same with Mom and Dad. They’re telling me everything will be fine, and then they start whispering to each other when they think I can't hear them.”

“So what should we do?” Apple Bloom asked no one in particular. “We have to do something!”

“But aren't we still forbidden from seeing Scootaloo?” Sweetie asked, perplexed. “It's pretty hard finding somepony that you're not allowed to see…”

“Oh come on Sweetie Bell, you're not letting something like that stop us! Are you?” Apple Bloom said with a big grin.

“Well no.” Sweetie answered matter-of-factly.

“Right! Because it doesn't matter if it's Nightmare Moon, Discord, Queen Chrysalis or even”--a shudder went through Apple Bloom's body--“Diamond Tiara who has our friend captive in a dark dungeon somewhere, we're going to bring Scootaloo back no ma-”

“Hey girls! Are you up there?” a very familiar voice called out from almost underneath the clubhouse.

“SCOOTALOO!” Both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell cried out in joy as they almost flung themselves out of the small window to look down below.

Standing below the treehouse was their friend, looking no worse for wear. With all the haste two exuberantly happy little fillies could muster, Apple Bloom and Sweetie tumbled over each other as they made for the door. With a mighty crash they were through, and, as soon as they got to the bottom of the gangway, they flung themselves into a tackle hug with Scootaloo, ending up in a laughing and giggling heap.

“Where were you, you big Dodo! We've been worried sick about you!” Sweetie Bell cried out while she tried to hold back tears.

“Yeah you big chicken! Why did you have to run off like that?!” Apple Bloom yelled while similarly trying to keep her tears back and giving Scootaloo the fiercest hug she had ever given anypony. As a matter of fact, the little orange Pegasus was quite certain that if this particular body hadn't been a shadow clone, her ribs and most likely her spine would have been crushed by now.

“Breathe… need… to… breathe…” Scootaloo gasped, while she thought about not simulating this body's responses quite so accurately as to actually feel her body being crushed in the future.

“Sorry! Sorry!” Apple Bloom said as she quickly let go of her friend, Sweetie Bell already having extracted herself from the former pile of fillies.

“Well now, ain't that just adorable.” Applejack said from where she stood a few meters away together with Rarity.

“Oh, darling! That was just so precious!” Rarity cooed while gushing at the cuteness of it all. “Can you three do that again once I’ve retrieved my camera?”

“No way!” Sweetie Bell squeaked embarrassedly, before both she and Apple Bloom realized that both their sisters were standing in front of them.

“Oh no!” Apple Bloom gasped, and jumped out in front of Scootaloo, pulling Sweetie Bell with her so that they both were now blocking the view of their friend.

“Hi, Sis!” Apple Bloom said with a very big fake smile, “When did you guys get back? We haven't seen Scootaloo anywhere! Nope! Hehe… Not that all, definitely not anywhere near Sweet Apple Acres.”

Sweetie Bell looked perplexedly at Apple Bloom before turning to look at Scootaloo, who was still quite visible behind the two of them, and then back to her yellow and red friend.

“Really…” Sweetie said with a baffled look, “I don't even think Snips and Snails would have bought this.”

“Don't worry, AB; me and Scootaloo fixed things up between us. As a matter of fact, I'm still real sorry for what I did to you, Scoots,” Applejack said, looking ashamed.

“Don't worry Applejack; everything is fine now,” Scootaloo answered without really looking towards the orange earth pony.

“Well, guess I better get to bucking some apple trees!” Applejack stated in an overly cheerful voice.

“But…” Apple Bloom said looking surprised, “Apple bucking season is still weeks off, isn't it?”

The shadow clone of Applejack went completely still, while the bigger part of Nightmare’s conscience back in the Castle of the two sisters put her horn against the unconscious head of the real Applejack. A few seconds of dreaming later, and the knowledge needed became available to the Applejack shadow clone.

“Oh, that's right…” the orange clone said with a cheesy smile as it came to life again. “I must be more tuckered out then I realized. Still, I'll go see what Big Mac is up to. I think there were a few things he needed help with maintaining around the acres.”

With that, the clone of Applejack scampered off to find a secluded place where it could receive all the information it would need to run the acres efficiently, so as not to raise any suspicion in the future.

“Well my little darlings, I'm off to the spa for some much-needed relaxation and rejuvenation,” the clone of Rarity said while poofing her mane up with a forehoof. The spa would also be a very good place for it to receive any information it would need from the real Rarity to maintain its own cover. “Have fun you three! Ta-ta!”

“Did Applejack seem weird to you?” Apple Bloom wondered.

“What? No… but Rarity… she seemed off somehow.” Sweetie Bell murmured.

Realizing that the two younger sisters had already seen that something was off about their older siblings, Scootaloo immediately set about distracting them from their misgivings.

“It's really been a rough couple of days.” Scootaloo said gaining both of her friends’ attention. “Let's go up to the clubhouse and I'll tell you all about it…”

****

Several hours later, Scootaloo had told them everything, or at least a version of everything that they could handle. She had left out some key parts, like the fact that it was her action that ultimately killed Miss Harsh Winnie, and that she and Nightmare were now one, and that the clones that came back were not their sisters and their friends. But other than that she had told them everything… sort of.

“… So that's when I found you two in the clubhouse when we came out of the Everfree, and now here we are… I guess that's it really.” Scootaloo said with a shrug as she ended her story.

“Wow…” Apple Bloom said completely stumped before looking away, “I… I know Applejack can be stubborn and… pigheaded sometimes. But I'm really sorry she hit you like that. We had heard some rumors but… neither me, Big Mac nor Granny wanted to believe it.”

“It's okay AB; none of this is your fault.” Scootaloo said reassuringly while placing a hoof on her shoulder. “It's finally over now, and I really don't want to think about it anymore, so please… can we just move on from here?” Scootaloo asked in a pleading voice.

“But… why didn't you ever tell us Scoots?” Sweetie Bell wondered in a quivering voice while she wiped some more tears from her eyes. “We could have helped, if we’d known how bad you had it… I would've asked mom and dad to come get you in an instant!”

“I… I didn't think of that… I had sort of given up the thought of leaving the orphanage by now.” Scootaloo said honestly and smiled a bit sadly towards Sweetie Bell, “I just didn't want to burden you guys with any of my problems.”

Then, as if on cue, three little bellies grumbled loudly, voicing their displeasure at being ignored for so long.

“Looks like we all need a little bit of food in our bellies.” Apple Bloom said while blushing a bit along with her two friends, and then a stray thought crossed her mind. “Scootaloo, where are you off to now? You're not heading back to the orphanage are you?”

Scootaloo hadn't actually thought about that.

Go with Sweetie Belle. The Nightmares voice said soothingly in Scootaloo’s mind. I'll make Rarity's shadow clone start cooking dinner for the two of you; it should be done by the time you get there.

“No. I’ll go back with Sweetie Belle,” Scootaloo announced quickly. “She offered to let me stay with her until everything is settled around here, so your idea about us being sisters will sort of happen. We'll at least be living together for a little while.”

In a squeal of delight, Sweetie Bell immediately tackled Scootaloo in yet another hug – Scootaloo had long ago lost count of how many she’d received this evening.

“Well I reckon that's settled then. See you girls back here tomorrow?” Apple Bloom asked hopefully.

“Absolutely!” Sweetie Bell piped up.

“Like you even have to ask.” Scootaloo stated with a grin.

****

It was late now and it had been a nice dinner, the shadow clone of Rarity having performed much better now that it had received more memories and particular quirks that the real Rarity possessed. Still, Sweetie Bell continued to notice that something was off about her sister… forcing Scootaloo to cover for the clone on several occasions.

But now, finally, Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell were lying in bed, and it didn't take long for the white unicorn to fall asleep, even with the excitement of a sleepover.

With a final check to see that her friend was truly sleeping, Scootaloo let the majority of her conscience retreat from controlling the shadow clone of her former self.

Slowly, she refocused on her actual body, which she now shared with the Nightmare back in the Castle of the two sisters. She left only enough of herself to alert her if somepony was trying to wake the now mostly empty body.

“I see we will have to work on the shadow clones’ personalities a bit more…” Nightmare’s soothing voice greeted in her mind as Scootaloo fully returned.

“Yeah, both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell noticed something was different about them,” Scootaloo answered with a frown which disappeared when she happily flexed her large wings.

“We needn’t worry too much; a few days of extracting memories and characteristics from the originals, and no pony will be able to tell the difference.” Nightmare reassured.

“I guess…” Scootaloo murmured.

“While siphoning through the memories of these six, I have also found another in need of help in Ponyville,” Nightmare informed bitterly.

“Really?” At that moment, the memories in question became available to Scootaloo’s side of their shared conscience, “…wow, he works even harder than I do.”

“Yes… It is quite ironic how they call him a baby, but still leave him a workload an adult pony would have a hard time handling.” Nightmare growled, “For Twilight to call him little brother… and still not even treat him with the dignity afforded to a servant. Spike is belittled and berated by them all, especially Twilight and Rarity.” Scootaloo can feel how Nightmare’s mood soured even more, “Twilight treating Spike like nothing more than a thrall is appalling… but what Rarity puts him through is pure evil. Using his feelings for her as she does, and not even for a second thinking of returning them, he's quite frankly nothing more than a slave to her. And the truly horrifying thing is they didn't even realize they were doing it, because they were so caught up in their own little worlds, where only their needs or the needs of ponies are important.”

“So what do we do?” Scootaloo wondered. “I don't think Spike will react very well to us showing up and telling him how badly he's being treated, and he definitely won't like what happened to the six originals.”

“First of all, we need to get him eating what he should. Just like you, there is a reason why hasn't grown like he's supposed to.” Nightmare explained.

“Really? What…” More knowledge and memories flooded into Scootaloo’s consciousness. “Oh… He needs meat.”

“Of course he needs meat; he is primarily a carnivore, just like a griffin, even though he can survive on more or less anything. Meat is the only food source which can fully fuel a growing dragon.” Nightmare affirmed.

“So that’s why Spike hasn't grown at all since he got here,” Scootaloo said as her eyes went wide when she realized Spike was in almost the exact same position as herself. He hadn't grown correctly, because someone was denying him the nourishment he needed.

“I see you understand now,” Nightmare said darkly.

“I do…” Scootaloo answered with new anger as she looked over towards Twilight and Rarity, both lying on the floor held in magical unconsciousness while experiencing horrific nightmares. “They really are oblivious to their own shortcomings aren't they? They do deserve their comeuppance; you can do what you want with them, I won't stop you.”

“Thank you; it will be a pleasure to educate them in their failings.” Nightmare chuckled darkly.

“Although… leave Rainbow to me, she's mine.” Scootaloo added as an afterthought.

“Very well, if that is what you wish, then I will respect that,” came Nightmare’s answer.

Then followed a somewhat oppressive silence. Scootaloo could feel that Nightmare was holding something back something she wanted to bring up but was afraid of, wondering how Scootaloo would react to it.

“Nightmare?” Scootaloo pressured lightly, “What are you thinking about?”

“Something that would keep your friends safely with you for a long time, but the price for it is high I'm afraid.” Nightmare admitted as the method of turning a pony into a Dread flooded Scootaloo’s mind.

Her eyes went wide with delight at the idea of keeping her friends with her for thousands of years, putting almost a complete stop to their aging process. But as the memories kept coming, showing how Nightmare had turned ponies before, it became more and more obvious just how unimaginably painful the transformation was.

With a final gasp, the memories stopped, leaving Scootaloo panting as she tried to comprehend what Nightmare intended to do with this knowledge.

“When do you want to turn your friends?” Nightmare inquired carefully.

“WHAT!” Scootaloo yelled out. “You… you can't be serious! You know how much that hurts! I can't put them through that!”

“Yes it does hurt… But consider the alternative. Your friends are going to die in the blink of an eye,” Nightmare said with a mournful voice. “Trust me, the more we merge, the more you will realize how true this fact is.”

Scootaloo shook her head in denial, appalled by the thought of putting her friends through the painful process of becoming a Dread. Surely there had to be another way. Could she truly ask her friends to go through that?

“No! No! I won't allow it!” Scootaloo shouted defiantly while stomping her front hoof into the ground, cracking the stone beneath.

“Very well, it's obviously too early for this discussion,” Nightmare said gently. “But mark my words; you will come to the same conclusion as I before too long.”

“Yeah right. Don't hold your breath.” Scootaloo countered.

“Let's continue this discussion at a more opportune time; things will begin to stir soon, and we need to keep ahead of the princesses. We should move against the Crystal Empire to take care of Cadence and Shining Armor while everypony is still ignorant about what is happening.” The Nightmare advised.

“Very well…” Scootaloo huffed, “let's be off then!”

With that Scootaloo spread her new wonderful wings and shot out the shattered windows and headed north towards her first real test as a growing Nightmare.

****

Thanks to Cyanhyde - pre-reader/editor
Thanks to Syvvak - pre-reader/editor

Chapter 14 Crystal Conquest

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 15 CMC, Cheer up Specialists Yaaaay!

In the Twilight of Harmony’s End
Chapter 15 (Bonus 3/4)
CMC, Cheer up Specialists Yaaaay!

****

Scootaloo, or more accurately the shadow clone with all of Scootaloo's memory's in planted within, stood on Apple Bloom's back as she carefully looked into the golden oaks library through a window. She could pick up a subdued sniffling from within.

"Are you positive this is a good idea?" Sweetie Belle wondered as she looked up at the frowning Scootaloo. "Rarity did say Twilight and the rest of them had to go to Canterlot because of something important. And for us not to cause any trouble while they are gone."

"We aren't going to cause trouble; we are going to fix something that's wrong and bad." Scootaloo said with conviction and jumped down from Apple Bloom's back.

"Right... Like we haven't set out to do that before, only for it to come back and bite us in the flank later." Apple Bloom snorted.

"Yeah, not to be a downer, but most of Ponyville is panicking right now. Maybe we should just do as we were told and stay home." Sweetie Belle said carefully.

"No! Believe me, Spike needs us right now." Scootaloo stated with a sad look on her face. "You girls didn't hear what they said to him... I know they want to keep him safe, but they crushed him again. Not even realizing what they were doing."

Looking at each other a bit worriedly, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle nonetheless followed Scootaloo to the entrance of the library. Carefully and soundlessly, sort of, the three fillies made their way into the mostly dark building.

As they were inside, they could see what a complete mess the library was in. Most likely the result of Twilight having one of her study frenzies when confronted with a problem she hasn’t faced before. Lastly, the faint sounds of a crying dragon could be heard without difficulty from the second floor.

Casting an “I told you so” look at her friends, Scootaloo continued to move forward. They made their way up the stairs only to find the crying dragon curled up in his basket. Ever so carefully, they inched up to the so far oblivious drake.

“Are you okay Spike?” Scootaloo asked.

“Gahhh!” Spike yelled in fright as he whipped around to face the three fillies. “No… I mean yes! I mean…” Turning around quickly to wipe the tears from his face, he once again looked at the girls. “What… what are you three doing here? Shouldn't you be at home with your fa-” Spike managed to stop himself before he said family. Awkwardly rubbing his left arm, he looked away from Scootaloo. “There is a big emergency in Canterlot, and no pony really knows what's going to happen. So I think you should be… you know… someplace safe.”

“We're not safe with you?” Scootaloo wondered with a tilt of her head. “Of all the places we can be to be safe right now, staying with a Dragon sounds pretty good to me.”

“Yeah right…” Spike said looking defeated. “I'm just a baby Dragon: I can't do anything.”

“Come on Spike, that's not true and you know it.” Sweetie Belle piped in. “You're always helping Twilight and my sist-”

“Don't…” Spike cut in brusquely while looking away from Sweetie Belle, a new sniffle escaping from him.

“Spike?” Apple Bloom said worriedly when she saw how her draconic friend sank down and curled his tail around himself protectively. “What… What happened? I've never seen you like this before.”

“Nothing… Just nothing, leave it alone AB.” Spike protested weakly.

“It's not nothing Spike!” Scootaloo said rather harshly, making Spike look up at her in surprise. “Sorry… It's just, I was there… What they said… You didn't deserve any of that, Spike. You do so much for them and they just take it for granted… it's not right. And… and then they just leave you behind like that…”

“No… It's okay… really…” Spike tried to say, but the look in his eyes clearly told a different story.”

“Spike…” Scootaloo said carefully and took a step closer. “They were really mean to you Spike. I know they were stressed, but that still doesn't give them the right to say what they said.” She now got a very angry expression and stomped her hoof on the floor. “Heck, Twilight was yelling at you for doing things she told you to do! And… and Rarity, going on and on, telling you about her latest non-successful crush. Then she starts complaining about you, that you didn't help her enough in her endeavor with him, more or less giving you the blame for the breakup! And Rainbow gets angry when everything is taking too long, yelling at you for being too slow while she sits on her flank doing nothing! Saying you're not a real dragon since you are too little and too weak! And that was while you were carrying everypony's baggage out to the royal carriages! And! And! Applejack Mmmp-”

Scootaloo’s furious rant was suddenly interrupted by Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle wrapping themselves around the orange filly and stuffing one hoof in her mouth.

Both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked with wide eyes from Scootaloo to Spike, not wanting to believe what they had just heard.

“Is… Is that true?” Sweetie Belle asked timidly of a very wide-eyed looking Spike.

“Well… yeah… ma- maybe a little.” He stammered out.

Scootaloo managed to free herself from her two friends, giving them both a rather annoyed look.

“Maybe my sweet flank!” She stated earning a gasp from the other three youths. “Things have been getting worse for you Spike. I've seen a few times when they haven't even reacted when you got hurt! If you don't stand up for yourself… you could end up like me.”

“Now wait a minute…” Apple Bloom cuts in. “This is our sisters and friends we’re talking about! They wouldn't do anything like that! They're not Miss Bad Winnie!”

“Yeah right! They all turned their backs on me pretty easily!” Scootaloo countered stiffly. “They didn't even give me a chance, they just went with the grown up pony and bought every lie she ever told!”

“They… they said they were sorry…” Sweetie Belle tried to placate Scootaloo.

“Look, let's just drop it! We are not here for me, we’re here for… Spike?” Scootaloo and the two other fillies looked around in surprise for the missing Dragon. “Where did he go?”

A shuffling sound from behind them made them turn around to see Spike having begun the process of cleaning up the library… again.

“Spike… what are you doing?” Sweetie Belle asked, concerned.

“Cleaning…” He answered flatly. “When I get upset, I like to clean.”

“And who taught you that?” Scootaloo challenged while she stomped towards the Dragon who continued to pick up more books.

“No one!” Spike said agitatedly. “I've always been like that! So just… back off okay!”

“Really! How old are you Spike! Fifteen, Sixteen?” Scootaloo shot back.

“Fifteen! And what has that got to do with anything?!” The Dragon growled back.

“How many fifteen-year-old colts do you know that enjoy picking up after the very ponies that are supposed to take care of them? Face it Spike, Twilight is using you and Rarity even more so!” Scootaloo snarled.

“Don't you dare say that…” Spike hissed and turned towards the orange Pegasus with anger in his eyes. “Not about Twilight! Or Rarity!”

“Or what? You just told us you were useless, so what could you possibly do!?” Scootaloo once again roared, her frustration at the stubborn Dragon quickly getting the better of her.

“I… I…” With that, Spike seemed to collapse, dropping all of the books he picked up, while he buried his face in his claws as tears once again started to flow down his cheeks. “I don't know okay! I'm useless. There I said it! Are you happy? I'm nothing without Twilight!”

Spike curled up on the floor and once again wrapped his tail around his body, just like they had found him when they first entered the bedroom.

Seeing what she had done, Scootaloo took a few hurried steps backwards looking crestfallen.

“I'm… I'm sorry Spike!” She said pleadingly. “I came here to make you feel better… and… and here I am making it all worse. Looks like I'm the useless one it would seem.”

Seeing that two of their friends were now down in the dumps so to speak, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle quickly walked over to them. Sweetie Belle sitting down next to Spike, before carefully draping one forehoof over his back while he continued with his subdued crying. To her surprise, Spike immediately buried his face against her chest, clinging onto her as if she were a life raft in a stormy sea.

“It's okay Spike… It's okay.” Sweetie said soothingly while she embraced him in a hug.

“No… No it's not.” Spike said with a sniffle. “I've… I've known some things were wrong with me for a while now; I'm not like other dragons in the slightest. My every thought and every action while I'm awake are to help Twilight… It didn't take me long to realize that that's not natural. Especially with how educated I am, I should most likely have realized it long ago.”

“Realized what?” Apple Bloom asked from beside Scootaloo.

“That I've got compulsions or something planted in my mind… That they have been there for a long time, most likely my whole life!” Spike yelled in a mixture of hurt and annoyance. “And it doesn't matter that I know they're there; I still have to follow them. If I'm not useful to Twilight or… or other ponies, it… it makes me feel awful.”

“That's terrible!” Sweetie Belle squealed. “Who would do such a thing?!”

“Celestia…” Scootaloo whispered. Without even looking up Spike nodded.

“Yeah… Most likely.” He affirmed.

“Oh come on!” Apple Bloom piped up, “The princess wouldn't do anything like that… would she?”

“I don't know… It's just the only conclusion that makes sense.” Spike said as he stood up.

“Spike…” Scootaloo said as she stared down into the floor. “Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle…” She continued very seriously. “Can you guys keep a secret? Like a really big humongous secret?”

Looking curiously at the orange Pegasus, the two other fillies and Dragon finally nodded.

“Of course we can, we you’re best friends!” Apple Bloom affirmed.

“Yeah, we're CMC for life, remember?” Sweetie Belle piped in.

That was a long pause during which Scootaloo, AB and Sweetie Belle looked at Spike. The expressions on their faces grew more worried until finally...

“I… I would, if it was only up to me… But I don't truly know if I can.” Spike said crestfallen. “You probably shouldn't tell me.”

“Thank you Spike… That's all I needed to know.” Scootaloo stated before stepping into the shadows of the library. The only things visible now were her eyes, shining out from the darkness.

“Ehhh… Scoots? What… What's wrong with your eyes?” Apple Bloom suddenly stammered when Scootaloo’s eyes became very similar to Spike's.

“Nothing is wrong AB.” Scootaloo’s voice stated. “I might actually be able to help Spike with whatever Celestia did to him.”

“We don't really know-”

“Come on Sweetie Belle… It makes perfect sense; Celestia wouldn’t chance Spike hurting Twilight for any reason. It would be easy for her to put a few subliminal compulsions in him, making Spike the perfect assistant. Then, when he's big and strong, Spike would become the best bodyguard ever.” Scootaloo said in a voice that now sounded more… powerful. “After all, she wasn't meant to hatch that egg. Whatever fault Celestia might have, she would not kill a defenseless baby Dragon, not when he could be put to much better use.”

Scootaloo now stepped out from the shadows, revealing herself as the alicorn she was slowly turning into. Though she didn't have much power in this fake body of hers, there was definitely enough for what she wanted to do.

Her three companions gasped in shock upon seeing her. She was still the same orange filly, except she now had a small horn and serpentine eyes.

“Scootaloo! What… What happened to you?!” Both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle yelled in unison. Spike was just sitting where he was, mouth hanging open.

“I found something in the Everfree while I was hiding, and… well… the short of it is that I'm now an alicorn, like Twilight and Cadence.”

“I think I need to send a letter!” Spike said in a panic before bolting towards the quilt and paper situated on Twilight's writing desk.

With a few moves so fast Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle couldn't even follow them, Scootaloo stood in front of Spike and put her horn against his head. Before he could even react, his eyes crossed and he fell down to the floor, sleeping soundly.

“Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom shouted as she rushed to Spike's side. “What did you do?!”

“I put him to sleep.” Scootaloo answered.

“Why?” Sweetie Belle wondered as she came up to Spike's other side. “Is he okay?”

“Yes, he'll be fine. I needed him to be asleep so I can check what Celestia really did to him. If it's what I think it is, then he'll most likely feel a lot better when I reverse it.” Scootaloo says with a serious expression.

“You… you can do that?” Sweetie Belle asked in astonishment. “You can reverse the spell Princess Celestia put on him?”

“They’re not spells Sweetie, they’re mental compulsions and those I can remove.” Scootaloo affirmed as she leaned down and put her horn against the sleeping dragon’s forehead. “Now please, I need to concentrate.”

With that she opened her mind to the Nightmare, quickly filling her in on what had happened. While Scootaloo kept the connection open, Nightmare delved into the subconscience of the sleeping Spike.

After several minutes of intense waiting, Scootaloo once again heard her other side’s voice in her head.

You were right young one; there were several compulsions keeping his draconic tendencies in check. I have removed all of them except one, which I altered. When he wakes up, he will slowly but surely start to trust you completely, like he did with Twilight and Celestia beforehand. The Nightmare explained in Scootaloo’s head. I will wake the Dragon up now: keep him calm for the first few minutes and the changes to his mindset will take hold.

With that Scootaloo pulled her head back and gave a sigh in relief.

“We… I did it… Spike won't be forced into being some pony’s unwilling servant anymore.” Scootaloo stated with pride.

“Awooo… My head…” Spike slowly sat up rubbing his temples. “What just happened? I feel really dizzy and… and… You attacked me!”

Spike's eyes had gone wide as dinner plates; he first looked for a place to hide, then a new instinct to hold of him. He lowered himself to all fours and spread his legs out wide for better balance, ready to take the fight to his attacker. A few flames came out his nose as he huffed, anger bubbling up in the purple Dragon.

“You dare attack me!” Spike growled. “That was not a smart thing to do!”

“Now you're acting like a Dragon.” Scootaloo said calmly with a smile, then her expression turned serious. “So you have to be careful with your temper from now on Spike; you don't have any safety switches in your head anymore.”

At this revelation, Spike tensed up as he took in the situation he was currently experiencing. He looked down at his claws and the deep furrows they had dug into the floorboards, the combat ready stance he was holding, and the feelings of hostility he felt towards Scootaloo when he thought she had attacked him.

He looked back up at the little alicorn with wide eyes, disbelief clearly showing in them. Then shame, as he realized how close he had been to attacking the very pony that had set him free, so to speak. Then he felt even worse when he saw the two other crusaders cowering in fear from him behind Scootaloo.

“I'm… I'm so sorry girls. I've… I've just never felt this before; I don't think I've ever gotten really angry like this, just annoyed. And… and I'm not even angry with you guys. You were just here with me. I'm so sorry.” Spike said in a surprisingly firm tone. “It's Twilight, Rarity, the rest of the girls, and some ponies in Ponyville I'm really angry at, not you three.”

“It's okay, just take it easy for a while Spike. You need to adjust to a full range of emotions again. Nonetheless, try to remember that you can actually hurt ponies now if you want to, so don't do anything stupid just because you're angry. You have to be careful with your temper from now on.” Scootaloo berated. “Still, we can perform one more test: do you still feel like cleaning this place up?”

Spike looked around himself with a frown. His eyes landed on the books at his feet he had been in the middle of cleaning up earlier. He took a deep breath and then incinerated the little pile of books. When he finally stopped blowing, all the books were completely reduced to charcoal. Even the living wood beneath was smoldering from the heat, Twilight's fireproofing spell not completely able to withstand his Dragon breath.

With a smile, he looked up at Scootaloo. “What do you think?”

Uttering a dark little chuckle, Scootaloo walked up to Spike and put a hoof on his shoulder. “I think it's time we started treating and training you like a real dragon, Spike. We'll get those wings of yours to grow big and strong in no time.”

At hearing this, Spike had to sit down. He stared up at Scootaloo with a new light shining in his eyes: hope… then utter devotion and trust.

“You… I… You can get my wings to grow in?” Spike wondered, sounding almost pleading.

With a wide smile of victory, Scootaloo brought a big piece of her future plans to her side with one word, “Definitely.”

****

Thanks to Cyanhyde - pre-reader/editor

Chapter 16 Crystal Awakening

In the Twilight of Harmony’s End
Chapter 16 (Bonus 4/4)
Crystal Awakening

****

Cadence suddenly became aware of the fact that she existed. It was quite shocking to realize this; only for the first shock to be drowned out by the realization that she had friends and loved ones as well.

She felt energy pulsate around her, pulsing through whatever was keeping her stock still. She couldn't remember where she was, or how she had ended up there. The only thing she knew was that she had to get to Shining for some reason.

Shining… I'm-

Cadence’s sluggish thoughts were interrupted by the sound of thousands of mirrors breaking at once all around her, and the next thing she knew Cadence hit a hard surface below her.

“Brother!” Cadence heard a very familiar voice yell.

Twilight? She thought, but Twilight’s supposed to be at home, isn't she?

A shadow suddenly loomed over Cadence. She tried to look, up but nothing in her body answered her call. Cadence was completely exhausted for some reason. But that didn't make any sense; she just woke up, shouldn't she be getting coffee or something for her and Shining? A horn pressed to the side of her head and she could feel herself getting incredibly sleepy once more.

“He's alive! He's alive!” Twilight's voice called out in utter glee, making Cadence once again wish she could look at anything except what was a few inches in front of her half-lidded eyes.

“Happy birthday Twilight…” A voice Cadence did not recognize said smoothly just before the darkness of sleep took a firm hold of her mind once again.

****

Cadence groaned in protest as she woke up the next morning. Tentatively, she stretched her hoof out. Absentmindedly, she curled it around the still sleeping form of Shining Armor, who was lying next to her, snoring peacefully.

Lazily opening her eyes, Cadence smiled at the sleeping form of her husband. He was lying with his face buried underneath a very drooled upon pillow. The sight actually made Cadence giggle; it looked like Shining was trying to escape the sound of his own snoring.

“He does look silly doesn't he?” sompony said with a familiar chuckle.

Realizing that she was not alone, Cadence raised her head to look over towards whomever it was who’d spoken.

The sight of a black Alicorn, looking back at her with glacier-blue serpentine eyes not too far from the foot of the bed, made the Crystal Princess bounce back against the Crystal headboard and scream.

Immediately, Shining Armor jumped up into a combat stance, looking around himself until his eyes locked onto Twilight. Not recognizing her, he charged.

SMACK!

Groaning, Shining slid down off the very force field he himself had taught his sister how to use when she was little and bothered by bullies.

“Good morning to you too brother…” Twilight said with a sheepish smile, before cringing as Shining Armor landed on the floor in front of her hooves.

“Sorry about that…” She stated as the force field dropped, “It just comes up by instinct nowadays.”

“T… Twi… Twilight?” Cadence stammered from where she sat with her back against the wall, unable to believe what she was seeing in front of her eyes. “Is… Is that you? What happened to you? Wha… what's going on here?”

“Well… First off… yes, it's me.” With that, she began, dance and everything, “Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake!”

Still sitting wide-eyed, Cadence watched the black Alicorn perform her and Twilight's ‘secret’ greeting, still not really believing what she was seeing.

“Oh, come on!” Twilight said a little bit miffed, “You're supposed to do it too, otherwise I look ridiculous.”

“I'm… I'm sorry.” Cadence answered, as she finally seems to be relaxing a little bit, calming down enough to at least settle onto the bed again. “You just shocked me quite a bit, now if-”

“Owww… my horn.” A once again conscious Shining painfully murmured from the floor.

“Sorry about that BBBFF. I tweaked your shield spell a little bit. That's why you couldn't just dispel it like you can with most magic shields and barriers.” Twilight said apologetically.

“Tw… Twilight?” Shining said as he recognized the voice but still had not opened his eyes.

“What are you doing here? You shouldn't be-” when Shining finally did open his eyes, they went wide, making him look like nothing more than a deer caught in a magical spotlight.

“Changeling!” Armor yelled and once again jumped at Twilight.

But this time, her brother ended up frozen in midair, held firmly but carefully in Twilight’s telekinetic grasp. With a sigh, she floated her still struggling brother back and dumped him besides Cadence.

“Look BBBFF: it may not seem like it, but it's me, Twilight, your little sister. The two of you have been asleep for eight months, so sit down, be quiet, and I'll let you two know what's been going on.” Twilight said rather harshly as she glared at Shining, daring him to try something stupid.

After a few moments of Shining Armor sitting there looking shocked beyond reason, and his wife's wing covering his back holding him down, Twilight nodded in approval.

“Good… Now then, I've prepared a little presentation.” With that, several charts, diagrams, and pictures of familiar yet strange looking ponies appeared all around the room, hovering in Twilight's magic. The black Alicorn herself now had a rather giddy expression. After all, she could finally begin to give her well planned and obviously thoroughly thought out presentation.

“Oh, dear Celestia…” Shining whispered in astonishment, “It really is her…”

****

After the presentation that seemed to last for days, even though Twilight pointed out it had only been a little over ten hours, Cadence and Shining Armor were brought to the Crystal throne where Void sat talking absentmindedly to Rainbow Dash, who was standing guard at her right side.

Twilight made her way up and sat down on Void’s left side, waiting to be acknowledged.

“How dare you!” Said Shining Armor in a very threatening voice, “I don't care what you think justifies your actions in Equestria! But this is the Crystal Empire, and that is not your place!”

Both Void and Rainbow immediately fell silent, Rainbow glaring daggers at the white unicorn. While Void first looked annoyed, then got a very thoughtful expression across her face.

“You are right Shining.” Void then said to everyone’s surprise.

“But… But… My Queen?” Rainbow stuttered in shock at what she was hearing.

“No, it's okay Rainbow. I am the queen of Equestria, but Cadence is still the Crystal Princess. I am not here to usurp her; we have after all not found any evidence of mistreated young ones in her Empire. Therefore she has my blessing to continue as she has.” Void stated as she stood up and walked down to stand in front of Cadence.

“Your blessing! You have no authority-”

“Shining…” Cadence said and laid a wing over his back, calming her husband’s outburst- “Please calm down; we are truly not in a position to argue right now.”

As Shining looked around, he could see the rest of the element bearers, or Dreads as they were now called, emerging from the shadows around the throne room as if they melted out from them.

“Oh dear…” Shining heard from behind him, making him spin around and come face-to-face with a Dread Pegasus with a luxurious pink mane. “What a nasty bump you have on your head, do you want me to take a look at it?”

“Wh… what?” Shining said as he stared at the gorgeous creature until it clicked for him who it was. “Fluttershy?”

“Oh you remember me? How nice of you, Shining.” Fluttershy said, but instead of hiding away like she usually did, she gave Shining a very friendly smile.

Although, the effect was somewhat ruined by the fact that her teeth were now razor-sharp and gleaming white. A shudder ran through Shining at the sight and a bit timidly, he stepped closer to Cadence.

“Well, just let me know if you change your mind.” Fluttershy said quite confidently, “We are here to help, after all.”

“She's right brother. You may not believe what I've told you and Cadence earlier, but things have become quite a lot better for many little colts and fillies throughout Equestria since Void took over. Celestia was happy with things as long as they looked good on the surface, not bothering to check if it was really true. She has grown complacent, believing her own lies about happiness and prosperity for every pony. Because of that, I cannot tell you how much pain and suffering has gone unnoticed throughout the ages of her rule.” Twilight said sadly, as if she still didn't want to believe that Celestia actually missed something so horrifying for such a long time.

There was a heavy silence throughout the throne room after that, Shining not really knowing how to respond to his sister. And Cadence staring up at Void, trying to identify the only two connections of love she could feel coming from the dark Alicorn.

“We will not get much further this evening I believe,” Void said calmly and started heading for the exit of the throne room. “Let's talk tomorrow over breakfast when our heads are clear.”

With that she walked out, followed by five Dreads. Twilight however still sat next to her brother and Cadence, watching them carefully.

“Please you two… try not to anger her; she's been through more than you can possibly imagine.” Twilight said sorrowfully as a tear went down her cheek. “We are not perfect, but unlike Celestia we are actually aware of that. Please listen to what we have to tell you tomorrow and every pony will be all the more happy because of it.”

“We will try Twilight…” Cadence said to Shining's obvious surprise, “I can feel that there are two in her life she loves above all others, and if Void can feel love… Then she cannot be all bad.”

On hearing this, Twilight broke out in a wide smile.

“Thank you Cadence! I know you will not regret this!” She said happily and hugged her sister-in-law before reaching out with a foreleg and bringing her brother into the hug as well.

With a quick kiss to each of their cheeks, Twilight let them go with a happy giggle and followed her friends and Queen out of the throne room, leaving Cadence and Shining Armor deep in thought.

****

It had been a whole week of tough negotiations, explanations and re-compensations. All of which, Twilight constantly reminded Cadence and Shining Armor, were incredibly generous shows of goodwill from Void, since she truly didn't have to accommodate anything the Princess and Prince of the Crystal Empire felt they were owed.

Twilight had actually grumbled a few times that they should be happy being allowed to stay in power at all and not forced to simply become a sovereign nation under Equestrian rule.

Still, after a few spats here and there, the Crystal Empire and Equestria would continue to coexist in harmony and friendship.

Once again, all were gathered in the throne room, this time with Cadence sitting on the throne and Shining Armor at her right hoof.

As Void and her loyal Dreads entered, Cadence and Shining walked down from the throne to meet them halfway across the red carpet.

“So, I guess this is goodbye then…” Cadence said a bit sorrowfully while mostly gazing towards Twilight. Shining Armor meanwhile had no problem showing that he was only concerned with his sister, looking at her with eyes that pleaded for her to stay with him and Cadence.

“It is farewell for now, but do not look so glum you two; once we have gotten Equestria back on track again, there will be much more time to get to know each other better. And both of you will always be welcome to visit in Equestria. I know it has not been easy for you to take all these changes in, but believe me, once you've started gathering your own independent information, you will come to see that we have not been lying to you, and that Equestria is better off with us at the helm.” Void said sincerely.

“We will see about that…” Shining muttered, thinking nopony heard him.

“Always so distrusting Shining…” Void scoffed, “Although that is to be expected from a former Captain of the Royal Gaurd.”

“He doesn't mean anything by it…” Twilight interjected, glaring a bit at her brother. “He just wants every pony to be safe and he really doesn't know when to keep quiet sometimes.”

“Hey don't you-”

“It's okay Twilight; Shining and I are very happy with how things worked out between our countries. That being said, we cannot help still being worried on a more personal level.” Cadence said cutting her husband off mid-sentence.

“Quite understandable.” Void said with a nod, “You two have still been thrusted into this rather abruptly and the fact that I froze you two in a void Crystal eight months ago doesn't really help matters either. But with time. I'm hoping we can all work together towards a brighter future.”

“I do hope so Void, but only time will tell.” Cadence answered a bit curtly. “But for what it's worth, my first impression of you is a lot better than I could have initially hoped for.”

“Then I suggest we end our discussions with that in mind.” Void said with a hum. “Not much more can be accomplished during this first meeting between us. The trust is not there yet, but altogether, I'm very pleased with how things have worked out so far.”

“Then I bid you all a fond farewell and a safe journey home back to Equestria.” Cadence said and bowed respectfully to Void, who returned the gesture gracefully.

”You two are welcome at any time Princess Cadence.” Void answered. “When you and Shining Armor are more at ease with this situation, please do come visit us, I know that Twilight would be thrilled to see you both on a regular basis.”

Something that was perfectly clear since Twilight was already in a loving hug with her brother, before turning to Cadence and giving her too a very fierce hug goodbye.

“I love you two; please don't spy too long on us before you decide to come by for a visit.” Twilight said with a teasing little smile before she followed the rest of the friends that had already left for the train station.

“Wouldn't dream of it!” Shining Armor called after her, although it would appear he was just as good as Twilight when it comes to telling a lie, his very fake smile being anything but convincing.

“Then we will see you two soon.” Void said with a soft smile. “And if the Griffins give you any trouble, we will help your country any way we can.”

“Thank you Void, we will remember that.” Cadence answered.

“Well then, I best be going, or this goodbye will never end.” Void chuckled. “Also, Rainbow Dash will most likely storm in here, demanding my release, if she's kept separated from me for too many more minutes.”

With that, Void turned around, following Twilight away from the Crystal Tower. Cadence and Shining Armor stood for a while watching them leave.

“So… What do we do?” Shining Armor wondered.

“Nothing for now; there is really nothing we can do. Other than visit them in a few months, smile and play along.” Cadence said dejectedly. “If what Twilight said is true and Luna will be coming back soon. Then perhaps we will be able to plan something in order to help the rest of the girls.”

“Won't that be kind of obvious?” Shining asked. “Luna returns and we start planning to free Twilight and the rest. Void would be a fool not to see it and she does not seem to be a fool.”

“We will have to put our hopes in Luna. She is, after all, the Princess of the Night. I am sure she has more than one way to contact us without Void knowing about it if she wants to.” Cadence stated and turned to enter their Crystal citadel.

With a nod of acceptance, Shining Armor followed his wife, longing with all his heart for the day he could meet Princess Luna again.

****

Thanks to Cyanhyde - pre-reader/editor

Chapter 2 The Fall of a Brave Filly Begins

In The Twilight of Harmony’s End
Chapter 2
The Fall of a Brave Filly Begins

****

Twilight woke up with a shriek in her bed, her little wings flapping wildly as she tumbled down onto the floor, the cover following her immediately after.

“Ow! Ow! Ow!” She flinched as she felt pain shoot up her back and sides. She tried to access her magic but nothing happened. Slowly and carefully she lifted the cover off herself, revealing her orange hooves and purple locks. She gave a loud huff.

Right… I'm not some pampered Alicorn princess. I'm just the same old flightless, useless Scootaloo! She thought angrily. She winced again as she stood up on shaky legs.

Wow… Miss Bad Winnie must have really gone overboard last night… Although she has been quite moody lately so it wasn't too surprising she ended up giving me another beating. Scootaloo thought forlornly while she inspected her new bruises and checked to see that nothing was severely injured. Luckily the only things she could find were that her right wing was very stiff, most likely sprained, and that her ribs hurt quite a bit, but that usually mellowed during the day. It was a good thing she had such a colorful coat since it really helped hide the bruises from other ponies.

Carefully Scootaloo made her bed, making sure not to leave any crests in the fabric else Miss Bad Winnie would be having another word with her that evening about the importance of keeping a tidy room. She shivered at the thought while making her way down to the kitchen where a frowning Miss Bad Winnie was sitting at a table eating her breakfast.

“Just because you have spring break doesn't excuse you for being tardy.” Bad Winnie informed her shortly. Scootaloo glanced up at the clock seeing that it was 06:03 in the morning, At the same time her belly rumbled.

“Breakfast is served 06:00 hours, but since you can't be bothered to keep time I guess you aren't very hungry. Since that's the case I suggest you start with your chores instead. Your list is hanging in the usual place by the door; now get out of my sight before I really lose my temper with you.” Bad Winnie said, no longer looking at Scootaloo while she took a healthy bite out of her blueberry pancakes.

“Yes Miss Winnie…” Scootaloo answered, knowing there was no point in arguing or it would only get worse quite quickly. So with her head held low, Scootaloo walked to the front door of the orphanage, took the note hanging from the side of it and continued out into the early morning.

****

There had been quite a few chores on the list that morning, and finally she was at the last one. Apparently Miss Bad Winnie wanted to impress the welfare inspectors that were scheduled to arrive in little over a week from today by planting some new trees along the path leading up to the orphanage. Scootaloo had methodically walked back and forth between the edge of Everfree Forest, digging up small saplings and transferring them to the front of the orphanage where she planted them in a neat row along the main path to the entrance.

With one final effort Scootaloo shoveled the last of the dirt onto the tree roots. She sat down panting loudly as she was finally able to relax. Her empty belly grumbled in annoyance at being ignored while she fell onto her back, staring longingly up at the blue sky that so far was denied her. But a small smile soon found its way onto her features.

Soon… Soon I will fly. Rainbow Dash did promise to take me under her wing and teach me… Although it's been a long time since the camping trip now, but still… soon… She'll definitely teach me to fly soon. She thought hopefully while she looked over towards the orphanage that was her home. It had always been a bad place for her, but ever since Snips and Snails got adopted by some ponies in Ponyville things had gotten even worse. Miss Bad Winnie, being a former Canterlot social worker, had not been very happy with being ‘promoted’ to head mare of Ponyville’s backwater orphanage. She was after all a prim and proper Canterlot unicorn with her nose in the air and a serious distaste for both Earth ponies and Pegasi alike. So when the only two unicorns at the orphanage were adopted, leaving only that little filthy Pegasus Scootaloo as its lone resident, she had not been happy at all.

“Get on your hooves you lazy good for nothing lay about! If you have nothing better to do than waste time, you can go in and clean up after breakfast! I'm heading into Ponyville and won't be back until later tonight. I know it's a bit much to ask, but try not to do anything stupid while I'm gone!” Miss Bad Winnie’s shrill cry shattered the momentary calm that had settled over Scootaloo.

With a groan she got up on her hooves again and looked up towards the orphanage, where she could see the mare in question glaring at her. Slowly Scootaloo started making her way back, keeping her head low as she passed Miss Bad Winnie who was heading in the other direction.

When she entered the kitchen she could see the mess that was left for her to clean up after breakfast, which had been several hours ago. As she started to put everything back in its place Scootaloo saw that there were a few slices of pancake left on the serving plate. With a thankful sigh she quickly scooped one of the blueberry pancake pieces into her mouth. Immediately her eyes went wide and she desperately spat out the piece, running over to the faucets and gulping down mouthful after mouthful of heavenly water.

Finally the awful taste was out of her mouth and she set up again, looking forlornly at the breakfast that was still being denied her. Miss Bad Winnie had poured enough salt on them to make them completely inedible. With nothing more to be done Scootaloo threw the blueberry pancakes into the trash bin. When she had finally cleaned all the plates and pots and put them to dry, Scootaloo looked through all the cabinets hoping to find something she could eat. Finally she found two old rice cakes that she hungrily munched down.

“Better than nothing I guess…” she encouraged herself and headed off towards the door again. Since Miss Bad Winnie wouldn't be back until later that night she might as well see what Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were up to today. Her two fellow Crusaders were literally the only thing that made her still get up each morning. So finally finished with her chores she headed out with a widening smile. Scootaloo grabbed her infamous scooter from beside the entrance into the orphanage and shot off towards her two best friends in the world.

****

Scootaloo had finally found her two friends at the Cutie Mark Crusaders headquarters deep within Sweet Apple Acres’ endless orchards. As she came to a skidding halt both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle popped their heads out of the window and happily waved to her.

“Hi Scoot’s! What kept you all this morning?!” Apple Bloom yelled down towards Scootaloo and frowned.

“Notin, just had stuff to do you know!” Scootaloo called back.

“Well get up here will ya! We're trying to think of a new way to get our cutie marks!” Sweetie Belle bellowed in her shrill little voice, making both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo cover their ears reflexively.

“Okay coming!” Scootaloo answered and happily skipped up to join her two best friends ever for today's session on the thinking spot. As she joined them in the little circle Apple Bloom accidentally bumped her in the side, making her hiss a bit at the unexpected pain.

“Are you okay?” Apple Bloom asked seeing her friend’s reaction.

“Are you hurt?” Sweetie Belle also chimed in worriedly. Scootaloo forced a smile as she shook her head.

“Na.. I'm okay, just tried a new trick on the scooter and wiped out completely is all…” Scootaloo said, hoping her friends would once again buy the white lie. And with two overdramatic eye rolls they both did.

“You should really let us come along sometime Scoot’s, I bet we could get some awesome pictures for the school paper.” Sweetie Belle said with a grin. Scootaloo just looked back at her dubiously.

“Yeah right… And you wonder why Rainbow Dash and I almost never let anypony come along when we practice our tricks.” She said with a deadpan. The two other Crusaders laughed merrily and the three of them set to work planning out the day's adventure.

****

“Are you two sure this is such a good idea? I don't think this is the balloon Twilight thought we wanted to borrow after all…” Sweetie Belle asked her fellow Crusaders, once again looking a bit unsure about the whole situation.

“Why would you say that?” Apple Bloom wondered out loud while she glanced over at the filly in question.

“Well… maybe because we were standing amongst the balloons left over from Pinkie Pie’s last party?” Sweetie Belle answered with a raised eyebrow.

“And why would we ask to borrow those old things? We would just have gone straight to Pinkie if we wanted regular old balloons after all. I'm sure Twilight new what we wanted!” Apple Bloom exclaimed happily and received an affirmative nod from Scootaloo.

“Yeah! This is going to be awesome! I mean what could possibly go wrong?” Scootaloo said confidently and smiled from ear to ear while she loosened the last line securing the hot air balloon to the ground.

****

“Wow! We are seriously super high up now girls! I mean… I think I can even see Appleloosa over there!” Apple Bloom yelled enthusiastically while she pointed off into the distance. Around the Crusaders the whole of Equestria spread out for them to see. Canterlot, Cloudsdale, Winter Tail Woods, Ghastly Gorge, Everfree and now even Appleloosa could be seen. And they were still heading up further.

“Ehhh… girls… How do we steer this… thing?” Sweetie Belle suddenly wondered nervously. Both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked around themselves to find some sort of a steering device only to end up looking at each other questioningly.

“I don't know?” Scootaloo finally said.

“I thought maybe there would be a steering wheel or something…” Apple Bloom said sheepishly, still looking around for said steering wheel.

“No… That's a Zeppelin I think.” Scootaloo said with a grin, happy that she was for once the one who added something knowledgeable.

“Oh yeah! That's right!” Apple Bloom exclaimed nodding approvingly while Sweetie Belle finally began to understand their predicament, actually seeming to grow even paler than her prim white coat usually was.

“Ehhh girls… I think we need to get down somehow. It's starting to get really cold and it will only get colder the higher we go.” Sweetie informed her two friends who were still busy congratulating each other for realizing that they had absolutely no idea how to steer the hot air balloon at all.

“Don't you worry ‘bout nothin’ Sweetie Belle, I'm sure it will stop rising soon… Right?” Apple Bloom said a bit uncertainly towards the end. Scootaloo shrugged, not really noticing that it was any colder than it had been before. She simply hung her head over the side of the basket to watch the view some more, and it did not take many minutes before the altitude had nearly doubled. Finally even Scootaloo had to admit she was starting to feel a bit cold.

“I… I… I am… I'm r.. really… r.. really cold n.. now…” Sweetie Belle finally whimpered, not able to take it anymore. Apple Bloom was also standing rubbing herself vigorously while smoke puffed from her breath.

“Y.. Yeah… m.. me too!” Apple Bloom agreed while she shivered visibly.

“Okay it's a bit nippy… But it's not really that bad is it?” Scootaloo wondered as she looked at her obviously freezing friends. Both the other Crusaders looked at her like they usually did when she said something they thought was truly stupid.

“A.. Are y..you… k.. k.. kidding? It's f.. f.. freezing!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed before tightly hugging herself around Apple Bloom who did not seem to complain in the least.

“Well… okay maybe it's a little cold?... Look I'll just try something okay? I mean what's the worst that could happen?” Scootaloo said and turned around, missing the horrified expressions that were now plastered on the faces of both Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom.

“W.. Wait!!!” The two other Crusaders exclaimed simultaneously just as Scootaloo undid a rope that didn't seem too important to her. Without warning all five sandbags around the basket fell away and the balloon shot up into the sky much more rapidly, pushing the Crusaders to the floor before they could regain their balance. The three fillies now stared at each other in horror as they could feel the temperature starting to drop even further. And as one they all went for the last option available to them.

“HHHHHHHEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPP!!!!!”

****

It had most likely not even been twenty minutes before something landed on the edge of the balloon’s basket. Scootaloo, being the only one still conscious in the thin air, drowsily looked up to see an extremely miffed Rainbow Dash looking down at them. She was still wearing her Wonderbolts cadet uniform indicating she had probably just arrived from Wonderbolts Academy.

“R.. r.. r.. rain… b.. b.. b.. bow…..” Scootaloo stammered out through clattering teeth before slumping down over the two unconscious fillies she was trying to keep warm beneath herself. Above them, Rainbow Dash’s expression changed from annoyed to extremely worried as it suddenly dawned on her how bad the situation really was.

“Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh-” Rainbow Dash repeatedly proclaimed in absolute panic while she scooped up the three frozen Crusaders and shot back down towards Ponyville at almost Sonic Rainboom speed.

****

Scootaloo slowly came to again, finding herself and her fellow Crusaders in a tub in the center of Twilight’s library. The water had been magically heated to perfectly warm up their frozen bodies while still not burning them too much. Scootaloo’s eyes finally focused on four very worried mares standing around the wooden bathtub looking down at them.

“Are you okay Scootaloo?” Rainbow Dash asked. Scootaloo squirmed a bit in the uncomfortably warm water before slowly nodding.

“Yeah… I think I'm okay… But the water… does it really have to be so hot? It feels like it's scalding me…” She said weekly.

“Well good! Serves you right! What the buck did you think you three were doing up there!!!???” Rainbow Dash yelled down at Scootaloo who recoiled in fright.

“Dash darling please watch your language, I know you're annoyed right now but don't yell at the little dear. You only lost one day of the week's training at the Wonderbolts Academy. And I am positive they will forgive you when you tell them why you had to leave so suddenly.” Rarity said and placed a calming hoof on Rainbow Dash’s tense shoulder. Rainbow huffed and looked over at Rarity.

“Yeah, yeah… Look if the three of them are fine now I really need to head back, or else Spitfire is going to have my flank doing double duty the rest of the week at least!” She proclaimed angrily and started walking towards the library door. Scootaloo weekly raised one hoof after her now rapidly disappearing honorary sister and full-time hero.

“R.. Rainbow… please… I'm… I’m sorry…” She weekly called after Rainbow who only flung the door open and disappeared out into the twilight of the now setting sun without so much as a backward glance. Applejack sighed heavily where she stood beside Rarity and Twilight.

“She's just a bit upset right now for having been forced to skip her Wonderbolts training. But you can't really blame her, it is only one week every two months and it's really important to her. She just need some time to cool off… Now just how did you three fillies end up in the hot air balloon unsupervised? Who's idea was this?” Applejack said looking pointedly down at Scootaloo, already having some ideas in her head which only grew stronger when Scootaloo flinched back a bit at the question.

The Crusader looked up at the now three frowning faces meeting her and sank down into the hot water. It was no use telling them it was Apple Bloom's idea, even though it was. Scootaloo always seem to end up covering for her two friends when some idea turned out really bad.

“Look we only wanted our cutie marks… that's all…” She said weakly, looking pleadingly up at the now openly glaring mares above her.

“Honestly Scootaloo! This has gone too far even for you! You had your Pegasus magic to protect you from the altitude. My little Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom did not! They could have died because of this!” Rarity scolded a now wilting Scootaloo.

“This is really the last straw Scootaloo, if you keep being this bad of an influence on Apple Bloom I'm afraid I'm going to have to forbid her from seeing you in the future.” Applejack said in a gruff voice. Scootaloo could feel her whole world starting to tilt and fall away beneath her.

“No! You can't! Please!!!” Scootaloo begged on the verge of crying, but Applejack just shook her head.

“I don't want to hear it Scoot’s, unless you stop putting my sister in danger I'm cutting you off from her. I know you'll both be sad about it for a while, but I need to do what's best for my family and my little sister.” Applejack said and stomped her hoof to emphasize her point. Scootaloo was breathing rapidly not believing what she was hearing.

“Well I will not cut you off indefinitely Scootaloo, but for the time being I don't want you around Sweetie Belle either… I am sorry, but Applejack is right, we need to look out for the well-being of our little sisters.” Rarity then said apologetically.

Now tears were streaming down Scootaloo’s face openly while Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle slowly came around. The two newly awakened Crusaders saw the crying Scootaloo and questioningly looked around, trying to find whoever it was that made their friend cry, only to meet the gazes of their two sisters.

“Hey… What's going on?” Apple Bloom wondered looking from Scootaloo to a noticeably relieved Applejack and Rarity.

“Nothing for you to worry about, now come here Apple Bloom and I will carry you home okay?” Applejack said smiling lovingly at her little sister. Beside her Rarity had done the exact same thing with Sweetie Belle, and together the four of them were heading off towards the library door. From the backs of their sisters the two now well wrapped up fillies looked back at their miserable friend now sitting alone in the bathtub sniffling quietly.

“See you tomorrow Scoot’s!” Apple Bloom called back trying to cheer her up.

“No you will not!” Applejack reprimanded immediately and firmly.

“What?!” Was the last thing Scootaloo heard Apple Bloom cry out in surprise as they disappeared out on the streets of Ponyville. Suddenly, Twilight’s magic enveloped Scootaloo and lifted her out of the tub then quickly dried her off. With a sigh, Twilight looked down at the now completely melancholic filly.

“Look Scootaloo… Just try to get your act together in the future and be more responsible. Then you'll be able to see your friends again soon, okay.” Twilight said trying to cheer up Scootaloo, but her lack of any sort of social fineness severely hampered her efforts as usual. Scootaloo didn't even answer as she started heading for the door. Twilight looked after her a bit uncertainly.

“Do… Do you want me to follow you home?” Twilight asked hesitantly, not having read any books on how to handle a situation like this.

“No… I'll be… fine…” Scootaloo croaked out.

“Oh… Okay.” Twilight said and looked on as Scootaloo walked out of the library, closing the door after herself.

****

When Scootaloo finally made it back to the orphanage she found that it was still empty, so she merely made her way up onto the second floor and into her room where she crawled into bed and proceeded to cry herself asleep. But it wasn’t long before she was abruptly woken up by the front door slamming shut.

“I can't believe that brute of a stallion! How can he say no to me!? Me! A unicorn! While all he will ever be is a big dumb earth pony!” Miss Bad Winnie wailed angrily from downstairs.

Please don't come up here… please don't come up here… please don't come up here… Scootaloo thought desperately while she crawled into a tight ball on the bed. But as if summoned by her thoughts, Scootaloo immediately heard loud stomping steps coming up the stairway. Miss Bad Winnie burst into her room, grabbing Scootaloo by the mane and wrenching her out of her bed. Scootaloo began crying out in pain while she was roughly dragged out of her room.

“This place is a pigsty you worthless filly! You had all day to clean it up but have done absolutely nothing at all!” Bad Winnie shrieked angrily at the flailing Scootaloo while she dragged her down the stairs. She kicked the back door open and proceeded to drag Scootaloo out back towards the toolshed where she unceremoniously tossed in her ward and slammed the door shut behind her. Quickly the door was secured with a bolt lock and a plank of wood that stood beside the door.

“You can sleep out here tonight thinking of just how lucky you are to have anyone even bothering to take care of you at all!!!” Miss Bad Winnie shouted through the rickety door of the shed. She then made her way back to the orphanage, slamming that door shut behind her as well. Left in the dark, alone on the damp earth floor Scootaloo once again curled into a sniffling ball.

How can this be happening? This isn't fair! It just isn't fair! She thought desperately as she started crying loudly. Of course, being this close to the Everfree making lots of noise at night was never a good idea. And it wasn't long into the night before she heard the all too familiar sound of Timberwolves sniffling along the outside of the rickety shed. Scootaloo immediately grew quiet as the instinct for self-preservation took hold. But then something that surprised her happened.

Instead of sticking to the back wall of the shed like the magical constructs usually did, apparently confined to stay within the outer edge of the Everfree forest, they suddenly went around to the front of the shed, sniffling eagerly at the still blocked door. Scootaloo heard a low growl as the Timberwolves sniffed the ground outside and started to move towards the orphanage.

She lay completely still for a few minutes to confirm she was alone then made her way over to a small gap in the front door where she could look out. What she saw made her heart skip a beat. Scootaloo could see the faint shadows of a few Timberwolves prowling around while inspecting the orphanage inquisitively, sniffling at the doors and now black windows before disappearing around the corner to the front of the building.

Scootaloo backed away and hastily hid beneath the workbench where she lay absolutely quietly. After several minutes she could faintly hear the rustle of the Timberwolves heading back into the Everfree again. Shivering almost uncontrollably, it took quite a while before Scootaloo could finally fall asleep that night. And just before she did, Scootaloo asked herself that same question she'd already asked herself a thousand times that nigh.

How could the Timberwolves suddenly leave the Everfree when they haven’t been able to that before?

****

Thanks to Pen Perfect for the Pre-read/Edit