Dashpoint: New Equestria

The Devastation was located north of the abandoned city of Canterlot. It stretched from the very west of Equestria, to the east, right near Fillydelphia. It stretched over all landmarks in it's path, like Neighagra falls, and all the way over the Foal Mountains. Eventually, it just stops. Nopony in Equestria knows where it came from. It was like the land to the north just died. It is almost uninhabited of any kind of pony. Instead, all the monsters of Equestria gathered there. Dragons, Cockatrices, Manticores, Timber Wolves. There are many more creatures, all of the evil creatures that ever lived in Equestria have gathered into the Devastation or the Howling Woods. It was as if something was calling them there. Unfortunately, that was where Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Applejack were headed.

"So, why is the Devastation so dangerous?" Rainbow Dash asked, as they rode the train to the Frostwood Checkpoint.

"Every being that ever caused harm to ponies is there. Every single creature that ever once tried to harm the ponies." Applejack said as they bounced along the tracks. "We may need to actually go inside the checkpoint." Twilight looked at Applejack and groaned. "Calm down Twilight. Ya need the radiation suits." Rainbow Dash gulped. Not only was it full of every single dangerous creature that wanted to cause her harm, it was also full of deadly radiation. "Besides, it's the only way to M.A.R.E. Labs. If this pony is as crazy as you say she is, we may have a chance at ending this war." then, out of nowhere, Applejack talks to Rainbow Dash.

"So, Rainbow Dash, what's your story? How did you get into this?" Rainbow Dash panicked. She didn't actually expect Applejack to ask her. She looked at Twilight who made no expression whatsoever. She had to say something. Suddenly, an idea came to Rainbow Dash's head.

"Well," she began. "Me and Twilight go way back." Applejack interrupted her.

"Hang on, Ah was told ya didn't have any friends." she said to Twilight.

"Acquaintance." Twilight said quietly.

"Anyway," Rainbow Dash began again. "I'm a pretty good fighter, and very fast. One day, Twilight comes to me and says she needs somepony to come with her on a dangerous mission. I wasn't so sure at first, until she threatened to break my wings." Applejack looked at Twilight, who was nodding in agreement, and chuckled.

"Yep, that sure does sound like Twilight."

"So," Rainbow Dash asked. "Have you ever heard of a being known as Discord?" Twilight's eyes grew wide. Applejack looked at her.

"Where did that come from?" Applejack asked. "He's in Canterlot right now. Some say he'll be heading to Celestia's Crossing to watch the final battle. He never did anything for either side. He's just been sitting back, watching the violence. He was in the war at the very beginning. Ah watched him turn the Changeling army to dust, with the snap of his fingers. The crystal armies literally crumbled beneath him. He is the most dangerous being ya'll will ever meet." Rainbow Dash sighed.

"Believe me, I know," Rainbow Dash said. It was a long journey from Manehatten to the Frostwood Checkpoint, so Rainbow Dash decided to stretch her legs, and take a walk around the train.

There weren't many ponies on the train. The ones who were, had business with the Empire. Others were looking for safe passage beneath the Devastation. Underground, there were many tunnels that offered safe passage. Unfortunately for the group, Twilight had some issues with authority and she ran into trouble a few years earlier, so they took her picture, hoof print, and did not allow her in the tunnels.

As Rainbow Dash walked, she could hear the conversations some of the ponies were having. Most of them were boring conversations, like what they would do once they were off the train. One conversation really caught Rainbow Dash's attention, mostly because she sat down for a second and heard them in the next booth.

"You really think we can get to the Plains of Night from here?" the first pony asked.

"Of course," the second pony said. "I hear they're making a super weapon. Something that'll really turn the tide for this war. Hopefully it works, or those fuckers in the Empire will never give up."

"Once we're there, we can tell Nightmare Moon about whatever these shitheads are planning. I can't wait to see them burn."

"To the New Lunar Republic."

"To Eternal Night."

'A super weapon?' Rainbow Dash asked herself. 'What kind of Super Weapon?' If this was true, then Celestia might fall, and Nightmare Moon would win the war. She slowly got up from her seat, and walked back to her seat, two cars back.

She sat down without saying a word. Applejack and Twilight didn't notice she even left. They were still talking about their strategies for traversing the Devastation. Rainbow Dash did not tell them what she heard. It was better not to attract attention to herself. Especially information that might not even true. She just kept her mouth shut for the rest of the ride, which must have taken three hours. The Frostwood Checkpoint was the only place to get radiation suits. Applejack was an android, so she didn't need extra protection.

They got off the train, and entered the large bunker. There were hundreds of ponies, who all wanted safe passage under neath the Devastation to a large city at the edge. Some of them were calling it "Eternity's Salvation." Twilight's head was low as they walked through the building. She didn't like the Empire, nor did she like the Republic. She already knew who would win. Nopony would survive this war.

The guards watched her carefully. They knew who she was, and what she was doing there. Applejack didn't make eye contact with any of the guards, she kept eye contact with the door they were approaching. Applejack opened the door and went inside.

"Ya'll wait out here. It's safer if Ah go in alone." Applejack said. Rainbow Dash did not understand. Applejack closed the door behind her, leaving Rainbow Dash and Twilight outside.

"What did she mean by 'safer'?" Rainbow Dash asked. Twilight slowly turned towards her. She leaned closer to Twilight, whisper something.

"That section is full of ponies from the Republic." Twilight whispered. "None of the guards can go in, because the ponies say the guards don't have a high enough 'clearance' to get in." Rainbow Dash sighed. The Republic was everywhere. On the trains, in the bunkers, next thing she's gonna see is the Republic in the Devastation! She sighed, and relaxed on the floor.

Rainbow Dash was still processing what she went through. She was forced to travel across an unfamiliar world, only because of the selfishness of that stupid pegasus. She wanted to find Blitz so bad. That was the only real way to end this. She didn't even know why Blitz wanted to ruin her life! She hadn't done anything to him, he just wanted to ruin her life, even if it meant destroying the world in the process. Applejack took her time as she got the radiation gear. You could never be too careful when you're dealing with the New Lunar Republic. After many minutes, Applejack emerged with three radiation suits.

"Three?" Twilight asked. "I thought you didn't need one." Applejack glared at her.

"It's for the pony y'all are trying to get from M.A.R.E!" Applejack said. "I doubt this 'friend' of yours is radiation-proof!" Rainbow Dash got up and chuckled.

"It wouldn't surprise me," she said. "Pinkie Pie is one of the craziest ponies I've ever met! She's literally broken dimensions, just to save me!" Applejack chuckled.

"Just in case, Ah don't wanna take no chances," Applejack began walking towards the door. Twilight handed Rainbow Dash the suit, as she began to put hers on. The suit was kind of snug, but at least it would keep Rainbow Dash safe. She followed Twilight out the doors.

"There it is," Twilight said, pointing to the dead areas that lay ahead of them. "The Devastation. Let's get going." They passed countless signs that all said "RADIATION WARNING! TURN BACK!" Soon, the signs stopped, and everything fell silent. The was a crackling noise coming from a part of Applejack. Rainbow Dash looked back at her.

"It's the Geiger Counter," she said, looking at Rainbow Dash. "We're officially in the Devastation. Congratulations." There was not much to talk about. They were out in the open, with miles of thick fog to block their sight. Whatever trees that were there, were reduced to ash. It was hard for Rainbow Dash to imagine anything that could survive out there.

"How can anything survive out here?" Rainbow Dash asked. Twilight put her hoof in front of Rainbow Dash.

"Shh!" she said. Twilight looked back at Applejack, who only just stopped walking. "Applejack, did you hear that?" Applejack nodded. Twilight slowly reached for her gun. "We're being watched," Twilight put her hoof down, and the four ponies slowly moved on. Soon, Twilight's pace quickened, and she tried hard not to look back.

"What did you hear?" Rainbow Dash asked. Twilight didn't say anything. Rainbow Dash sighed. She was careful where she stepped, making sure to not make any noise.

"I heard a growl," Twilight finally said. "And that is a very big deal in the Devastation. Years in the radiation caused the beings to evolve. It would kill a normal pony, but there are more beings in Equestria than just ponies, and some are made to survive in these harsh environments."

The ponies marched on, unaware they were walking into a trap. Twilight realized, but did not say anything. The changeling that was following them would alert the others, and they would be surrounded. Suddenly, Twilight felt the ground change. It used to be soft and grainy, but it had changed to hard and lumpy. She felt stirring beneath her. They were directly over them.

"Imagine," Twilight said. Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight.

"What did you say?"

"Imagine, you were a Changeling; one of the last of the changelings. Imagine you were hiding in the mist, when suddenly you stumble across three defenseless travelers. What do you do? You stalk the prey in silence, before striking."

"Yeah, I understand that. So?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"So, when I did a headcount a second ago, why did I count four ponies?" Rainbow Dash stopped. Applejack gasped and turned around. Who was that fourth pony walking with them? It lifted its head, its bright blue eyes shone through the fog. It snarled, showing its teeth, before howling. Immediately, the ground rumbled around the three ponies, and Changelings rose from the dust and ash. "It's a trap, run!" Twilight grabbed Rainbow Dash as they ran passed the Changelings, as they rose from the ground. Applejack followed behind them. She looked back and saw the group of Changelings, gaining on them.

Twilight looked around for anywhere to hide but, unfortunately, she was unable to locate anything, them being in a long stretch of nothing. She looked back and fired some bullets at the Changelings. Every time they took a step, more Changelings seemed to emerge. Even if she did manage to hit any, it wouldn't do any damage. There were enough Changelings there to recreate the army. Apparently, Chrysalis had an extra reserve, should the first army fall. Apparently, they all seemed to gather in the Devastation. They also evolved to be able to deflect bullets, seeing how the gun did nothing.

The only thing that did seem to work was hitting things in their eyes. Twilight was a pretty good shot, and was able to throw the gun at a changelings eye, which made it tumble over itself, and a few others behind. It may have been odd, but it seemed to work.

"Guys! Throw things at their eyes! The Changelings are falling over." Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked back and saw a group who were tripping over each other. As they ran, Twilight, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash picked up things they found on the ground, which were mostly rocks. They managed to get far enough ahead that the Changelings could not see them through the fog. Eventually, Rainbow Dash tripped and landed in a small ditch.

"Guys, wait!" she said. Twilight and Applejack turned back and saw her in the ditch. They immediately ran back and ducked as low as they could. They watched as the Changelings either went around the ditch, or jumped over it. After a few minutes, the last Changeling jumped over, and they vanished into the fog. Rainbow Dash sighed.

"Whew," Applejack said wiping her forehead. (Apparently androids sweat) "Nice job back there. Ah never would've thought of that!" Twilight stared into the fog.

"Guys, do you realize that there are more than just Changelings out here?" Twilight asked. "We've made our presence known, and now every being will be here soon. That's how it works in the Devastation. They knew we were here the moment we took the first step." Applejack stared at her, before looking at her wrist. A small pinging noise had been coming from it for a few minutes.

"We need to keep movin'! We're almost there." Applejack led the way through the fog, followed by Twilight and Rainbow Dash.

Twilight did not talk much while they walked. Rainbow Dash was anxious. In her memory, Pinkie had a couple screws loose. She hoped that being in these M.A.R.E Labs would make her less insane, and more of a friend. The ground's texture changed again. It went from a soft and ashy feeling, to a hard and metal surface. Applejack stopped. She bounced twice, which made a metal clank.

"Y'all feel that? We're here." Applejack said, walking carefully. "Be careful! We don't want anypony inside to hear us." Twilight looked to the sky. The fog was beginning to lift, making the moonlight visible. Twilight sighed and turned back towards Applejack.

"Applejack," Twilight called. Applejack turned around. "The fog is beginning to clear! You can already see the moonlight!" Applejack nodded.

"It's okay," Applejack said looking at the ground. "We can rest here, and continue when the fog comes back, and we have our cover."

They saw in a circle under the moonlight. They did not exchange glances, but pondered in their minds. Applejack grew uneasy. After many minutes of silence, she sighed and looked at Twilight.

"What's this really about?" she asked. "First, ya don't wanna help, an' now, because we have somepony else, it's totally fine?" Twilight looked up at her.

"It's not about winning the war, it's about helping a friend!" Twilight said before looking at Rainbow Dash.

"You don't have any friends! Ya told me that yourself!" Twilight looked back at her.

"An acquaintance then!" Applejack was silent for a moment before scoffing.

"Yeah, but if this one is as strong as ya say she is, we may finally be able to end this war!" Twilight looked down. She seemed to gather her thoughts for a moment, before looking back up and chuckling.

"You know," she paused and looked at Rainbow Dash, before turning back to Applejack. "That's the mindset Shining Armor had! Before he dissapeared on the Plains of Night, and was never seen again!" Applejack stopped talking. "I told you before, and I'll tell you again: This war is already over, and everypony lost."

"I can stop this," Rainbow Dash said, looking up. Twilight looked at her.

"What did you say?"

"I can stop this!" Applejack looked up at her. "I know who caused all this, and if I can find him, I'll be able to set things right!"

"What do you mean?" Applejack asked. Twilight went to talk, but Rainbow Dash stopped her.

"No, she has a right to know." Twilight sat back. "I'm not from here. I'm from a parallel universe, where there is no war. Celestia and Nightmare Moon, or Princess Luna, rule together in Harmony. In the world, you and I are best friends. We all are." Rainbow Dash pointed to Twilight. "There are six of us. We're on our way to one of them right now! The other two are ponies called Rarity and Fluttershy." Twilight looked up, her eyes were wide. Applejack looked concerned.

"You failed to mention this to me!" Twilight said. "You're telling me the leader of the Resistance and Nightmare Moon's first officer are both of our friends in another universe?" Rainbow Dash was just as confused as they were.

"Fluttershy is the first officer? Rarity is the leader of the Resistance? HOW?!"

"Anyway, we'll discuss this later!" Applejack said. "In this other dimension, you and Ah are friends? Along with Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash nodded.

"And Pinkie Pie, the one we're coming for now." Applejack was surprised they didn't tell her before.

"Well, Ah believe ya." Applejack chuckled. "Ya know, only a week ago, Ah had this plan for Celestia. Ah had this amazing and strategic plan to end the war, but she refused it. Ya know what she did? She relieved me of my duties. That's why Ah was so eager to help y'all! I didn't really care anymore." Applejack sighed, and looked back down. She looked at the ground beneath her, before knocking. "Ya know what? Let's go, we can get there now."

"But, it's clear! The monsters will be able to see us!" Twilight said.

"No need," Applejack stomped her hoof on the ground, making the clunking noise. "Ah just found the entrance!" Applejack bent over and broke a large metal door out of the ground. "Age before beauty," Applejack gestured for Twilight to go down.