Rainbow Dash made her way through Canterlot Castle. What she had been summoned there for, she didn't know, but the letter she had received insisted that the matter was urgent, and that she come alone. She began to wonder if perhaps this had to do with the unrest in Equestria, the unease that had fallen upon ponies all around. It was something they couldn't explain.
She made her way to the throne room, where Princess Celestia sat alone. Rainbow Dash looked at the stained glass portraying the various stories of Equestria, how she and her friends had protected the land time and again from the various threats that threatened them.
"Welcome, Rainbow Dash," Celestia greeted her with a nod. "You have arrived as I requested."
"Of course, Princess Celestia." Rainbow Dash bowed before her. A radiant ruler, and a vision of beauty and power, Dash had never seen a pony more worthy to follow. She returned to a standing position, awaiting to be spoken to.
Celestia stood from her throne, and made her way towards Rainbow.
"I trust you have noticed it as I have? This unsettling energy that permeates the land?" Dash nodded, and Celestia continued, her tone was steady and serious. "Something wicked approaches us, something frightening indeed. It is powerful enough that we are merely feeling it as it wakes."
Rainbow Dash swallowed hard, but she kept a strong face. "What does this mean for Equestria?"
"If we do nothing... it could mean its end. Though as we are, we don't have the strength to take it on." Celestia now stood in front of Rainbow Dash, and motioned for her to follow. They walked side by side through the throne room as Celestia spoke. "This was something I never saw coming, or rather... I hoped it would not. I fooled myself into thinking that it could never happen."
"What exactly is it, Your Highness?" Rainbow Dash asked, curious as to what could rattle Celestia in such a way.
"It is something ancient, predating Luna and myself. A god of old is rising from Tartarus." Celestia stopped and looked to the stained window in front of her. Rainbow looked up in turn, and felt the pit of her stomach stir. "This is merely an image of his capabilities." The window was colored with dark hues. What appeared to be a black cloud swallowed the top of the window, with images of skeletal ponies descending upon the living. "Should we let him rise, Equestria will become a wasteland, a necropolis."
"How have I never seen this one?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"It is hidden from those who don't know of it. Enchanted. You never bothered to look at it, because I never brought it to your attention until now," Celestia responded.
Dash looked upon the window, and felt her heart beating against her chest. She lowered her brow, frowning hard. "Well I'm not going to let this happen!" she shouted angrily, drawing Celestia's gaze. "Tell me how to stop it! How are we going to save Equestria? That's why you brought me here, isn't it?"
Celestia smiled. "Truly, I am grateful for your presence." Her smile faded quickly however. "We hold no power to defeat this monster. The elements would hold no effect towards him, and I am not strong enough to banish him, even with the aid of my sister. A princess is not enough to go against this."
Dash merely stamped her hoof to the stone. "What about Twilight? Cadence? They're princesses too. And Discord! Shouldn't he be able to do something?"
"That's part of the problem, Rainbow Dash," Celestia continued. "They are princesses. Our power is spread thin among the four of us. Discord will be able to provide us aid, but he can only do so much." She looked Rainbow Dash dead in the eyes, her face telling that something heavy was on her mind, something she wasn't sharing just yet. "Back when Discord threatened us with his return, you said that you would always be loyal to me. Do you remember that Rainbow Dash?"
Rainbow nodded. "Of course I do. I'll say it again if you want me to."
"Do you truly mean it?"
"Absolutely!" she responded without a moment of hesitation.
"Even if I were to ask something terrible of you... for the sake of our home?"
This, however, caught Rainbow Dash off guard. She looked to the window once again, looking at the fate that awaited them. She then turned back to Celestia's gaze, and without pause, she put her hoof to her heart. "I am the Element of Loyalty. You are my leader, my Princess. If I can help you save this land, I will do it."
Celestia nodded. "Please forgive me for the deeds I must have you do; and if you can't, then I ask that you know it is the only option at our disposal." Rainbow kept her determined stare, unflinching. "Your friends will hate us, though I will keep them safe."
"That's all I ask," Rainbow returned. "Are you going to tell me what to do, or what?"
Celestia nodded. She brought her muzzle to Rainbow Dash's ear, whispering dark tasks to her. When she drew her head back, Rainbow's gaze had weakened, no longer proud and unflinching. "Will you still stand by me?"
Rainbow Dash felt herself shaking, she couldn't look Celestia in the eyes. So instead, she looked to the window, and remembered what was coming. "You can guarantee that the others will be safe... if we do this." She looked back, and Celestia nodded. "And... You're sure that this is the only way?"
"The only one that we have time for. Any other course of action would result in the death and perversion of all of Equestria. Ponyville, Canterlot, and even Cloudsdale won't be spared," Celestia responded. "I understand if you are unwilling, and that this is a lot of pressure, but you are truly the only pony I can ask to do this. I need somepony to act without question or hesitation to help me save our land."
Rainbow Dash felt nauseous. Her mind swam with confused thoughts and conflicting opinions, but one thing remained strong. She collected herself, stilled her shaking, and quieted her mind. She focused on the one thought that mattered at this moment. She was Loyalty; that meant being loyal to herself, loyal to what she said, loyal to her country, and loyal to the princess, as she said she would be. She buried her worries and accepted any regrets that would come. "I am your loyal weapon. Use me as you see most fit, and I will obey. I will cut through our enemies in the hope for a brighter future."
Celestia gave a final nod. "Then suit up. You are a member of the Solar Inquisition, our lives are now merely tools to make sure that Equestria may live on."
"What's happening?" Cadence called out. There was shouting and the sound of metal clanging.
"Cadence, we have to go!" Shining Armor responded, slamming the door behind him. "Something is wrong. We're under attack."
"By who?" Cadence was insistent on answers, confused and obviously frightened.
"We don't know. They just appeared, but they seem to be after you. They're trying to get in here now." Shining made his way to a wall and pressed his hooves against it, searching the wall before he found the spot he was looking for. He pressed it and the wall opened up into a passage. "Hurry!"
Cadence didn't hesitate to follow, running alongside her husband in an attempt to escape. "Where are we going?"
"We have to get you to Canterlot. You'll be safe there, and they'll need you to help stop this," Shining responded, he pressed a lever as they passed, and they heard the wall behind them close. He brought light to his horn to guide them through the passage.
"What about you Shining?" Cadence was trying desperately to wrap her head around what was happening.
"I'll be fine. You know that I will. But I have to get you to safety first." They continued down the passageway, running, until they finally came to the exit at the bottom of the Crystal Castle, where a pegasus, clad in silvery armor, awaited them.
"Rainbow Dash? What are you doing here?" Cadence found herself growing only more confused as things progressed.
"She's here as your escort to Canterlot. Just follow her, and I'll meet you at the castle," Shining said as he pushed her towards Rainbow Dash. "Arrivederci, my dear."
Cadence looked back at her husband, puzzled, as she approached Rainbow Dash. "Please Rainbow, tell me what's going on."
"There's no time to explain here, Princess. I'll tell you as we fly, alright? We have to get you back to Canterlot on the double," Rainbow Dash insisted, spreading her wings. "Try to keep up."
"Thou shalt not go forward with this wicked task!" A booming voice forced the three ponies to look into the sky, where Luna flew, eyes flashing white. "This illusion is over!"
"Quickly Cadence!" Shining armor shouted, firing off a blast of magic towards Luna, missing her. "Rainbow, get her out of here!"
"Shining what are you doing?!" Cadence cried.
"Hurry Princess! We have to get out of here! She is our enemy now!" Rainbow pushed Cadence into the air, forcing her to fly and follow.
"Halt!" Luna turned to chase after them, before she felt a blast hit her in the back.
A laugh came from Shining Armor. "Got ya! You've no idea how long I wanted to do that."
Luna was forced to return her attention to Shining Armor as Cadence and Rainbow Dash flew away. When they had made a comfortable distance, Cadence began to ask her questions. "Rainbow, will you please tell me what's happening?"
"Princess Luna has waged war against us," Rainbow Dash answered. "An ancient god has awakened and she turned on us. Celestia has asked me to help her stop the creature before it can destroy Equestria, and to do that, we're going to need you and Twilight in Canterlot."
"But why not just send for me?" Cadence insisted.
"Didn't you see Luna? We needed to keep you safe," Rainbow insisted.
"Well, why would she turn on us like that? I thought she was purified by the elements."
Rainbow Dash looked over her shoulder to Cadence. "We're all in serious danger. Everypony has had to adapt to it. Besides, Celestia used the elements on Nightmare Moon once before and they simply imprisoned her, why would they 'fix' her the second time?"
The two of them continued to fly for what seemed like hours, until finally they saw Canterlot below. They landed in front of the castle and were greeted by the guards. Rainbow lead Cadence into the throne room, where Celestia awaited them. Rainbow bowed low and removed her helmet. "She is here, safe, as you requested."
Celestia nodded and made her way to greet the two of them. "I am glad to see you two are unharmed. Cadence, I assume Rainbow Dash has informed you of our situation."
"Yes. I will do what I must to bring aid to Equestria. Please tell me what I should do," Cadence said, standing bravely, despite her worry for her husband.
"Yes, she did in fact follow quite willingly. I must say it was a rather fun game you had me play, Celestia." Shining Armor's voice rang out, drawing Cadence's attention. "Oh, I'm sorry my dear." The image of Shining stepped out from behind Celestia's throne.
Celestia spoke in an unwavering voice. "You shouldn't taunt her..."
"But of course. My apologies," Shining chuckled. Rainbow Dash made her way back to the entrance and closed the doors.
"Shining... how did you get here so quickly? How did you get past Luna?" Cadence just couldn't figure anything out.
"Well, it was simple really." The voice of the white unicorn stallion shifted as smoke rose around him. When it cleared, the image was no longer of the captain of the guard, but rather of--
"Discord?"
"Yes, yes. So sorry princess, but we truly are in rather dire straits here--and as such-- I've been asked to provide aid to Celestia's cause." Discord smiled as he observed the talons on his left arm. "How could I have said no?" he chuckled.
Cadence turned to Celestia, confusion spreading wide across her face. "But I heard weapons and cries. We were under attack. Where is Shining Armor?"
"More of my own doing my dear," Discord said, drawing her attention once again. He cleared his throat and produced a baton from thin air, and with each wave he gave with it, a clang or yell could be heard within the room. "Mother always said I'd be a scream," he said with a laugh, tossing the baton behind his back. "Don't worry, your dear husband is perfectly safe, I merely played his part."
"Why all the deception? I was frightened! I would have come willingly if you had simply asked." Cadence was obviously frustrated and nervous.
"I know you would have," was all Celestia had to say. She stepped before Cadence with an unflinching, stony gaze. "But Luna would have never allowed us to take you."
"Why?" Cadence began to step backwards towards the door.
"Because we need more than just your support," Rainbow Dash answered from behind her. "I'm sorry, Cadence... But I made my promises."
"What are you talking about?"
"There is an old ritual. Magic known only to my sister, and myself. To assimilate the power of the alicorns and form a Queen. Somepony to rival the ancient gods and put them away, for good this time," Celestia explained. "It is something I hoped would never happen, but prepared for in case it should prove necessary." Cadence watched in terror as Celestia loomed over her. "Please know that I loved you as if you were my own." As Celestia closed her eyes, Cadence's horn began to glow, and it's light flowed into Celestia's.
Rainbow Dash watched. Cadence made no noise, as if there was no air in her lungs. She felt the urge to scream, to cry as she watched her friend robbed of her life, though she showed no outward emotion. She had to accept this, she had to focus, so she took this opportunity to harden herself, throwing away the feelings inside. She had no use for them, not if she was going to save her friends.
As Cadence’s lifeless body fell to the ground, Celestia opened her eyes. She looked upon her adopted niece; cold, limp, and empty. Her eyes, once full of life and love, now frozen open with an expression of fear and sadness, from a betrayal none of them wanted.
Celestia brought her muzzle down towards her ear, hoping to leave her with a few final words. "I will miss you." After leaving a light nuzzle, she turned her gaze back to Rainbow Dash. It was as if they could read one another perfectly, understanding the pain the other felt. "Luna will no doubt be building her forces to try and stop us. We must act quickly to acquire..."
Rainbow Dash nodded. "I know. We have to get Twilight before Luna can tell her."
"Oh that's right!" Discord giggled to himself. "I'd forgotten about that. When I was taking the place of young Twilight's big brother, it's quite possible I let it slip that she was in danger."
"Discord!" Celestia roared, turning towards him. "Why would you do such a thing? You're no less in danger than the rest of us should we fail to stop this!"
"I simply thought I'd throw a wild card into the game, make it a bit more interesting. You don't honestly think I'd let a plan go as it was intended to, do you?"
"Tell me why I shouldn't have you turned back to stone right now!" Celestia shouted.
"Hmm... perhaps due to the fact that you no longer wield the elements of harmony?" Discord said with a smile. Celestia let loose a magic blast towards him, and he looked down in horror as he saw his feet and tail slowly petrifying. "Alright, fine! I'm on your side Celestia! No more jokes!" His body returned to normal. "How did you--"
"The effects of the ritual are evident before its completion. You'd be wise to remember that." Celestia turned and faced Rainbow Dash once more.
"I already understand, Princess," Rainbow Dash replied. "I'll get there quickly and return with Twi..." she hesitated. "Return with Princess Twilight Sparkle."
"Please take care, and keep your objective in mind. Do whatever you must to bring her here, for all of our sake," Celestia said. She saw the reluctance behind Dash's brave and determined stare. "It won't get easier."
Rainbow Dash scanned her home below, breathing deeply to push past the barriers that still remained in her mind. As she approached the Golden Oak Library, she noticed a circle of ponies standing before the door. As she flew in closer, she was able to recognize them as her friends, and they didn't seem too happy to see her. Rainbow Dash landed in front of them, awaiting to hear their voices. They stood silent, Applejack stood front and center with Shining Armor at her side.
"Chaos... I guess he got what he wanted by letting you know, Shining. 'Cause that's all that's going on in my head right now." She looked around, before realizing something. "Where's Twilight?"
"None of your business!" Shining Armor shouted, taking a step towards Rainbow Dash. Applejack however, held out a foreleg to keep him at bay. He reluctantly backed off.
"She's inside," Applejack answered, bringing her hoof back down into the dirt. She didn't frown, but looked to Rainbow Dash with a determined gaze.
Rainbow stared hard at her friends, a cold stare she never wished to give them. "This is going to happen... isn't it? Whether I like it or not."
"You tell me Rainbow," Applejack answered, returning the glare. "You really gonna be goin' through with this? Or you gonna drop that armor an' help us protect Twi?"
"AJ, you know me well enough by now that I don't have to answer that," Rainbow Dash answered.
Applejack sighed. "Yeah. Ya gotta be loyal ta yer beliefs. An' ah hope that you know that that means ah gotta be honest to mine, right?" Rainbow Dash nodded, without hesitation. Applejack let out a half-hearted chuckle without a smile.
"Ah don't blame ya, it's a hard choice ta make. But ah'm also gonna have ta take a stand. Ah don't think this is right. So, we're gonna have ta settle this somehow, as ah don't imagine ya have the time ta be waitin' fer me ta budge."
Dash gave a light smile at that, shaking her head. "As stubborn as you are, I don't think anypony would have the time, regardless of the apocalypse." She stilled her head, and slowly opened her eyes, her gaze shaking her friends and Shining Armor. "But you're right. We don't have the time." She flared her wings. "I have to take Twilight back with me... for your sakes."
Applejack brought herself low and Shining's horn began to flare. "Then you'll have ta work for it," Applejack returned.
Tension ran through everypony, Pinkie took Fluttershy off to the side to watch, leaving Rarity, Applejack, and Shining Armor, glaring and ready.
Rainbow made the first move, launching herself full speed at Applejack. Shining Armor swung his head and threw up a wall of violet light in front of Applejack. Dash let her hooves out in front of her and landed against the barrier, springing herself towards Shining Armor instead, landing a solid blow to his jaw with her forehoof. She flew through it and pulled back, feeling a powerful force punch into her back before she brought herself to an upside down position, her friends underneath her head. She identified Rarity as the source of the attack as her horn was glowing and she stood facing towards Rainbow's previous position. Dash tried to circle around and hit Rarity from behind, but she was met with another barrier as she hit it head on. Shining was still standing strong with only a small trickle of blood coming from his lower lip. Dash quickly jumped back, avoiding Rarity's back leg as it swung out to kick her. She didn't, however, move fast enough to avoid Applejack as she rammed hard into her side, forcing one of her forelegs into Dash's shoulder and knocking her back a few feet.
Rainbow brought herself quickly back to her hooves as Applejack made another charge. Dash however proved to be faster and belted out a quick smack with the back of her foreleg, hitting AJ in the mouth, causing her to turn and miss Dash completely. Dash made a turn to keep on Applejack, but she felt another one of Rarity's blasts hit her in the side, and changed targets, flying quickly towards Shining and Rarity. Shining threw up another barrier in front of Rarity, but Dash had curved her angle and brought both of her forehooves hard into Shining's chest, and knocked him onto his back, trying to catch his breath. Dash wanted to land another blow on him, keep him out of the fight, but she knew that the other two were ready to hit her again. She jumped to the side, dodging the expected magic blast from Rarity. Applejack met her with a solid hit though, dragging poor Rainbow across the ground.
"You'd have a hard enough time with just me or Shining Armor, Rainbow! Ya can't win against the three of us!" Applejack shouted, bringing both her forehooves onto Rainbow Dash's side and pressing.
Rainbow let out a grunt of pain as Applejack began to press harder into her side. "Augh! You say that like I'd give up," she growled.
"Rainbow Dash, we don't want to hurt you," Rarity pleaded, but her horn still glowed at the ready. Shining Armor caught his breath and returned to all fours.
"I know you don't," Dash grunted. "But you're acting like Celestia wouldn't see something like this coming."
"Now what in tarnation are ya--" Applejack began, but before she could finish, she had to turn her eyes away from Rainbow Dash as she lit up, her armor reflecting the sun's light as it concentrated on her. She had to bring her hooves to her eyes to block the blinding light. No sooner had she done so though that she felt Dash's hoof connect hard to her stomach, expelling all the wind in her body.
Shining Armor and Rarity couldn't bear to look directly at Rainbow Dash as she zipped about, shining with the light of the sun itself. Dash threw herself from one target to the other, landing her blows as quickly as she could, focusing harder on Applejack and Shining Armor, they could take it, and they would require more. She flew fast towards Shining, and he could only make out a bright ball of light heading straight towards him. He tried to cast a barrier, but he was too slow. He took a blow to the bottom of his jaw, forcing him onto his back legs, where Dash mercilessly pummeled at his stomach in rapid succession. It didn't take long after that for him to drop to the dirt.
It took a few hits, but Rarity soon hit the ground in turn. Dash made sure to plant her kicks where Rarity would be able to hide the marks, as a last bit of consideration for her friend. As Dash turned, she saw Applejack charging her, squinting hard to try and lessen the effects of the light. Dash charged in turn, the two of them butting heads and pushing hard against the other. Neither one seemed to budge as they were locked in their attack, Applejack's legs kept her grounded as Rainbows wings pushed her forward. They kept pushing against each other for a minute, glaring into one another's eyes, neither one willing to back down.
From the sidelines, Pinkie Pie watched as her two friends fought a battle on even ground, one unable to overthrow the other. She held onto Fluttershy as she sobbed loudly at her friends' fighting. This wasn't fun, this wasn't anything party worthy. Pinkie Pie felt something different welling up within her. Anger and sadness pushed its way through her body, and her mane lost its bounce, falling straight. She let go of Fluttershy, bringing herself to her hooves. She had to do something to break them apart, to turn the odds in Applejack's favor.
Rainbow and Applejack remained locked, pushing hard against the other to the point that the sores against their skulls seemed to vanish. A painful kick hit Rainbow's side, knocking her out of the way and forcing Applejack to land on her face with nothing resisting her. Dash rolled onto her hooves to face her opponent, expecting Shining Armor back up, but was surprised when she was met with a swift pink hoof to her cheek. She saw Pinkie Pie, standing up on her back legs, swinging out with her front hooves. Dash moved quickly to avoid the punches, but Pinkie was surprisingly quick and managed to clock Dash again in the right cheek. Rainbow had to keep jumping back and bring her forelegs in front of her face to avoid the onslaught Pinkie Pie brought.
Applejack squinted, watching as Pinkie and Dash fought, both at speed she couldn't hope to match, but it seemed that Pinkie Pie had the upper hoof. Perhaps they had been slowing Dash down after all. She suddenly felt the pain from Dash's attacks wash over her at once and plopped back to the ground, tired.
Pinkie Pie continued her attack, pummeling at Dash's guard. Whether it was through focus or that she simply didn't care, she didn't seem to be affected by Rainbow's light. She swung low, jabbing Dash below her ribs and putting her off her guard. She quickly followed with a swift roundhouse to her face, knocking Rainbow Dash to the side. Pinkie fell to her hooves and began her charge. Rainbow Dash once again rolled herself back up and turned to face Pinkie once again, making to charge as she had with Applejack only moments ago. They both pulled back a foreleg to go for a heavy blow.
"Stop it! Stop it NOW!" Pinkie and Rainbow Dash found themselves dangling in the air, lifted by an unseen force. They turned towards the shouting and saw Twilight standing in the doorway to the library. Rainbow Dash's armor lost its shine as Spike ran out of the library to Rarity's side. Shining Armor brought himself to stand and took his place next to Twilight.
"Rainbow Dash! Pinkie Pie! Applejack! Don't fight anymore," Twilight demanded.
Rainbow and Pinkie were brought back to the ground. "Twilight..." Rainbow Dash began. "I need you to--"
"I'll go," Twilight interrupted.
A gasp could be heard from most everypony around, even Fluttershy had stopped crying in surprise. "But Twily! You know what'll happen!" Shining interjected.
"I do know, and I looked. There's nothing I could find on how to stop this," Twilight returned, looking her brother in the eye. "If Celestia truly believes that this will save everypony... Then... I guess my choice has already been made. I trust her, and you should too!"
"That's easy for you to say. Cadence is--"
"Shining Armor, I know!" Twilight once again interrupted, silencing her brother. "But Celestia has never done anything to harm Equestria before... She's never lead me astray. If this is the only way, then it is my duty as a princess to save the citizens of Equestria." Twilight then turned and began walking towards Rainbow Dash.
Applejack began to stand. "No. There's gotta be somethin' we can--" She was silenced when Twilight looked her in the eyes. All of the wisdom, knowledge, and intelligence in Twilight's eyes; it told Applejack that she knew this was the only way.
Applejack then let herself return to the ground with a thud, bringing her hat down over her eyes before anypony could see the tears streaming down her face.
Pinkie Pie didn't move as she saw Twilight meet Rainbow Dash. She simply frowned and felt her own tears building.
"Rainbow... take me back to Celestia. We have a Queen to crown." Twilight's voice was calm and steady, but Rainbow Dash saw the fear and nerves in her eyes.
"Alright Twilight. We... we should probably say goodbye. Don't you think?" Rainbow said.
Twilight nodded, and turned. "Girls, Shining, Spike... I wish I had been able to prepare this better. Thank you. For everything. I'll miss you."
There was no response, as nopony seemed to know what to say in return. Rainbow then spread her wings. "C'mon Twilight. We're expected."
When Twilight and Rainbow Dash stood in front of the doors to the throne room, Twilight stopped, standing still. "Hey... Rainbow Dash?"
Dash simply stood there, looking forward. She didn't want to show what she was feeling, for the fear that she may back out, and all of this be pointless. She kept her grim expression as Twilight continued.
"I hope you know that I still consider you one of my closest friends. You're only doing what you think is right, and I believe it is too. So please, don't think you're alone in this fight. You have Celestia and myself to support you." Twilight looked towards Rainbow, who had turned her gaze downward, but her expression didn't change. "You're going to save them. I have faith in Celestia, and--"
"Enough! Twilight, please!" Dash cried out, causing Twilight to jump. "Don't make this any harder for me... please." She fought hard against it, but she couldn't stop the few tears that ran down her face, or the crack in her voice. "I don't want to do this. I have to." She turned away from Twilight, attempting to hide her tears. Twilight simply looked on as her friend fought against her own feelings. "You're my friend. No matter how hard I tried to prepare for this I... I can't get over it. I knew it would hurt. I knew I would never be comfortable with it, but please stop making it worse..."
Twilight looked on as Dash continued to lose against herself. She could see the pain ripple through her. Her pride was breaking as she cried, she cried because she was losing a friend, she was losing one friend to save them all, and regardless of all she would save, she felt guilty. She could tell that acting as Rainbow's friend was only twisting the knife in that guilt. She said nothing more, and walked through the doors alone.
Inside the throne room, Celestia watched as Twilight Sparkle approached her. "Welcome back, my faithful student," she said, making her way to meet her halfway. When the two of them met, they gave an affectionate nuzzle to one another. "I wish it was under better circumstances that we could meet," Celestia said, obvious pain in her words.
"Well, things rarely go as planned. That's one lesson I've had to learn the hard way, Princess," Twilight said with a half-hearted chuckle.
Celestia smiled back at Twilight. "That's very true." Her smile vanished the next second however. "I truly am sorry that it had to come to this. I never thought this would happen when you ascended to an alicorn."
"I know you didn't, Princess," Twilight returned. "You've been a brilliant teacher to me, and have shown that you only care for the well being of Equestria. Just... One thing."
Celestia cocked her head in curiosity. "Of course, Twilight Sparkle. Whatever you would have of me."
Twilight turned back towards the doors, behind which Rainbow Dash wallowed in her pain and sadness. "She's given up a lot to keep Equestria safe. Will you please take care of her? She's going to need a friend after all of this is over." She returned her gaze to Celestia.
Celestia looked towards the doors as well, then back to Twilight. "I will. She's been through a lot already, and I unfortunately have more to ask of her. But when Equestria is safe, she will be welcome here, and cared for. I will befriend her, if she would have me."
"Thank you, Princess." Twilight gave a smile. "Now, I guess we should get it done with. It's only going to be harder for you and her the longer it takes."
"Of course. Do you have anything left to report before we go through with this, Princess Twilight?"
"Yes." Twilight took a deep breath. "Friendship can be difficult, an obstacle even, if we are faced with difficult choices. We won't always agree with our friends, but if we don't do what we believe is right, and stay loyal to ourselves, then we might make mistakes."
"So you're saying friendship may be detrimental?" Celestia asked.
Twilight shook her head. "Not at all. Friends will push us if they feel they need to. We may fight, but we fight for what we believe in. Friends, however, will keep us questioning if what we're doing truly is the right thing. That's a lesson I think we could all learn. It's important to know if we're on the right side, instead of blindly fighting for something."
Celestia's smile returned to her face. "Very well then. Are you ready, Twilight?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," Twilight answered nervously. "Does it hurt?"
Celestia shook her head. "Not at all, Twilight."
The student then nodded and the teacher began, class had come to an end. Twilight felt life flowing out of herself, watching as Celestia continued the ritual. There was no pain, as she was promised, she merely felt tired, almost sleepy. She knew that she would never see her beloved mentor or friends again, but she could help keep them safe. She felt tears slip down her cheeks at the thought of it, but she kept a brave face, decorated with a smile. If they were safe, she would gladly give this much.
It was late when Celestia emerged from her throne room, Rainbow Dash to her left, quietly quivering. "Are you alright?"
Dash turned back towards her. Her eyes were red, but she wore the same determined face that Celestia saw when Dash had sworn herself to her cause. "I'm fine." She had a couple small dents in the side of her armor, a few deeper ones in her helmet, and a good number of smaller ones punched into the armor around her forelegs. She was sporting a black eye, fat lip and bloody nose, and Celestia was sure if she wasn't armored, she'd have a number of bruises showing too. "I got a bit more scuffed up than I thought, but I got out okay. I really didn't expect Pinkie Pie to go off like that." She shook her head, immediately regretting to have done so as she brought a hoof to her head, wincing in pain.
"Here, let me help." Celestia's horn glowed, her magic surrounding Rainbow. She felt her wounds healing as Celestia's power enveloped her. It took only about a minute for her to feel refreshed, but her eyes were still red when she looked at Celestia. "Better?"
Rainbow Dash nodded. "Feels better." She looked down at her forelegs. "You fixed the armor too... I didn't know you could do that." Celestia remained quiet. "Right... becoming Queen and all that."
Celestia watched Rainbow take her helmet off and wipe a hoof across her nose, wiping the blood away. "Rainbow Dash. I understand the pain you are going through. For us to finish what we've started, we must collect my sister."
"Yeah. I know. I'll be ready whenever you need me, Princess." Rainbow tucked her helmet under her wing and began walking away.
"Please, wait," Celestia said. Rainbow stood still, listening. Celestia walked over to her side and brought a wing around Rainbow. "You're very brave. We both know this already. You can let it all out. It's only you and I in here." She stepped in front of Dash, looking into her eyes, eyes tired from crying.
Dash felt Celestia's coat against her face, pressed against her chest. She felt pressure building up in her face, her head hurt and her eyes began to blur. "Dammit! Don't do this. Don't..." She felt her tears begin to leak and pressed her face deeper into Celestia's chest. She brought her forehooves around Celestia's neck, trying to silence her crying in her fur as the sound of her helmet falling to the floor clanged through the hall.
Celestia brought her other wing around and nuzzled Dash's hair. "It must be so difficult having to go through this, my dear Rainbow Dash. You've been working to save your friends, only to lose them. If you wish... I will stand by your side, and provide you with whatever you desire." Rainbow pulled back slightly, her face matted with tears, and her nose dribbling slightly. Celestia moved her wing around and wiped away a tear flowing down Rainbow's cheek. It was strange to see her in such a vulnerable state. Celestia had only ever seen Rainbow Dash as this proud strong pegasus, a bit boastful, but worthy of her element. It was rather touching to see that, despite her bravery, she could be very emotional.
Rainbow Dash brought her hoof to Celestia's wing, keeping it pressed against her cheek. It was the only comfort she had at this moment. She looked up into her eyes and saw the warmth and comfort in them that she imagined Twilight must have found. She felt safe in her wings, like she could let go. She didn't have to save anyone with her here, she could just let go and--
Neither of them truly saw it coming, but they knew it happened. Rainbow Dash felt her heart skip a beat when she realized she had connected lips with the princess. She pulled back immediately in embarrassment. "I'm so sorry, Princess! I-I-I I'm just... I didn't mean to..."
Celestia silenced Dash, pressing her lips to hers once again, pulling back with a smile. "It's okay. I don't mind."
Dash turned red, shaking her head. "But no, it's not! I'm confused and vulnerable and weak, I'm just doing this because I'm comfortable in all of... this," Dash spoke quickly and panicked as she circled her hooves in a motion around the both of them. "I don't know what this is, but..."
Celestia smiled. "Truly, it is alright. Rainbow Dash, I would ease your pain in whatever way you ask me. If you want this, it would be met with no resistance from me."
"I do... I do I do I do, but I shouldn't." Rainbow Dash kept shaking her head. "I'm not in my right mind. I just--"
"Need somepony to comfort you and tell you it's going to be alright," Celestia finished for her. Dash merely looked back up at her.
"I don't know what I need... but it's definitely what I want right now." Rainbow Dash let out a sigh. "I shouldn't have done anything, I'm sorry I did it. I should be stronger than that if I'm going to serve by your side, if I'm going to help make you queen."
Celestia stepped closer and nudged Dash's chin so that she was looking into her eyes once again. Those brilliant pools of magenta, rippling with pain and want for aid. "You don't need to be strong all the time Rainbow Dash. Even I have had my moments of weakness."
Rainbow returned Celestia's gaze, feeling her stress becoming second to the warmth overtaking her. She began leaning up towards her once again, letting everything around her drop to the side. She allowed this selfish desire to fill her, and guide her. She met once again with Celestia's lips, warm and soft. She let herself go, and pressed her chest against hers, hooking a hoof around one of Celestia's. She felt as her wings embraced her, bringing privacy to the two of them, and in the goddess' embrace, she forgot about everything but the taste and touch on her lips.
They drew back from one another. Celestia brought her muzzle towards Rainbow's ear and whispered. "If you wish, we may retire to my chambers together, and I shall keep you company until the morning."
Dash hooked her own head against Celestia's neck and responded. "I would like that."
Celestia and Rainbow Dash stood on a balcony, looking over Canterlot. Dash watched as Celestia's horn glowed, and light began to rise over the horizon, bringing the sun into the sky. She was remarkable, brimming with elegance and power as she brought light into the world. When she stopped, and opened her eyes, she turned them to Rainbow Dash. "It appears my sister intends to keep the moon in the sky, no doubt to symbol her rebellion against us."
"Are you worried?" Dash asked.
Celestia gave a sigh. "I am. Tonight I lose my only sister... if things go well, that is. Luna has proven herself a challenge before, and is quite the skilled leader when it comes to leading her guards."
"Then I'll have to get to her as quick as I can," Dash said.
"She won't come quietly, in fact, she may not come at all. I have to ask you to do what you must to bring her in." Celestia turned and made her way back inside her bedchamber as Rainbow followed close to her side.
"Of course. With the armor you gave me I should--"
"The reflection won't help you against her, she'll see it coming and make a counter measure," Celestia interjected.
"... Well then, what am I supposed to do? I barely managed against Shining, AJ, and the others. I don't think I'm wrong in believing that she'll end up being more difficult than they were." Rainbow Dash shook her head in disappointment.
"Your belief is correct. Should you face Luna, I cannot guarantee your victory. But don't sell me short, I have a few tricks left." Celestia rummaged through various drawers in the room, pulling out various items and replacing them when she saw they weren't what she was looking for.
"Another enchantment?" Dash asked excitedly.
"Luna is just as adept with magic as me. It's very possible that if we throw an enchantment at her, she'll identify it and counter its effects. However, if we should find a way to prevent that, then we'll have an incredible advantage over her." Celestia continued to rummage through her room, looking for something.
"How are we going to do that? Break her horn?"
"That would be one way, but it would be incredibly painful for my sister. I don't wish for her to suffer, plus, alicorn is a truly hard substance, even somepony as strong as you couldn't break it."
"Wait, I think you missed a few words in that sentence, Princess. Don't you mean that an alicorn's horn is hard?"
"No, I meant what I said. Alicorn is the substance that our horns are made of. A magical and powerful material, and quite possibly the only thing to cancel it out is..." Suddenly Celestia stopped pulling items out as she came to an object wrapped in cloth. "This..."
Rainbow Dash walked over towards Celestia as she held the item in the air between the two of them. "Well, what is it?"
"Black alicorn. The horn of a corrupted unicorn, gone through various evil rituals and touched by fiendish claws."
"You mean like Sombra's?" Dash asked.
"Similar, but not to this level. It is the bane of unicorns. This one was something I recovered long ago from a cruel and sinister creature. I've kept it in case Luna should ever return to her dark ways and I found myself without the aid of the elements. But to use it now will turn the tide in our favor, preventing any suffering she would have from breaking her horn, and keep you safe from her magic," Celestia explained as she stared into Rainbow's eyes, trying to convey the importance of this matter. If you are able to keep this within a close range of her, it will cancel her power, allowing you to face her on equal terms. Be aware that the glare enchantment from your armor will be unable to activate as well however."
Rainbow Dash accepted the artifact as Celestia placed it into her hoof. "Do you think I can beat her?"
Celestia nodded. "My sister relies a great deal more on her strategy and magic than her own skill. That being said, it will be no easy feat to defeat her, and it may very well be one of the most difficult tasks you undertake. But I believe in your skill and determination. So long as you keep close to her with this out, you can win." Celestia smiled towards Dash, expressing the faith she held for her. However, that smile vanished quickly, as she continued to speak. "Another thing. Luna has never been the type to give in. She will resist you every step of the way, even in her defeat. If... If she should show resistance..." Rainbow Dash could see something in Celestia as she struggled to let her next order out. A pain in her eyes that mirrored her own from last night. "If my sister should resist you, then you have my permission, and order... t... to bring her back dead." Celestia didn't quiver or tear up as Rainbow Dash had.
Rainbow Dash nodded. "I'm ready."
Dash once again found herself flying towards conflict, but she wasn't alone this time. At her side, were the pegasus guards Celestia had sent. Below, on a mountaintop, Luna stood with her own personal army of guards at her side. Dash brought them all down a fair distance away from Luna and her guard.
"Where is our sister?" Luna called out.
"She didn't want to see this," Rainbow answered. "Not to mention we need to keep her safe."
"Thou art no doubt aware that this will not end without a fight. We shall not allow this wicked deed to be done." Luna stamped one of her forehooves into the ground.
"Trust me, Luna, if you have a better idea, I'd love to hear it. This is the only known way we can protect everypony," Rainbow Dash spoke in a collected and resolved tone. "I didn't want to sacrifice what I did, and your sister doesn't want this either!"
"Our sister might return to the moon with us! From there we may plan our attack upon the creature, drive it back to where it belongs," Luna insisted.
"And how long will that take, Luna? Days, perhaps weeks or months? Years? This thing will swallow up everything in Equestria! Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Spike, Shining Armor and so many others will be gone before you were ready!" Rainbow yelled angrily. "I know it's not perfect, that maybe the cost is great, and she knows it too! But we have to defend our home, not abandon it and fix it later. Equestria won't be here if you run!"
"And We won't be here if We stay!" Luna returned. Rainbow Dash stared at Luna. She didn't look it, but from that one sentence, she confessed she was afraid. "We might start over! Begin anew with what we have saved!"
"And what if you can't save anything?" Rainbow interjected, seeming to stop Luna cold. "I understand you're afraid, but so is everypony who knows what's coming. They have lives too, Luna, and they don't want it to end either. I know I have no right to ask you to go through with this, and that it's cruel to go through with, but I have no choice in the matter. I will save my friends, my country, my very planet, and my Queen! If you are an obstacle I have to get past to save them all, then I will overcome you!"
Luna gave a vicious gaze towards her opponent and shouted her command, sending her guards charging directly towards Rainbow Dash. Celestia's guard followed suit, diving into battle with the guardians of the night. Suddenly though, it seemed as if Luna's guards were flipped, like someone turning a table one hundred eighty degrees, and they were charging in the direction they came from, stopping suddenly in confusion before they felt the clash of Celestia's guard smack into their backs. Luna's face contorted with perplexity, not knowing what had happened. She suddenly caught a glance at one of Celestia's guards who hadn't charged, simply staying where he was, laughing at the sudden chaos that had been unfolded.
"Discord! We were a fool to suspect otherwise!" Luna shouted as she fired off a beam of magical energy towards the cackling guard. He disappeared before the blast had made contact, and the draconequus appeared in his true form.
"He's not who you should be worried about!" Rainbow shouted, flying fast for Luna. She fired off another ray of energy. It only seemed to pass through Dash. "Then again, I guess he could cause quite the problem, huh?" Dash crashed into Luna from behind, forcing her onto her side. "Celestia knows you well. If you can't tell what's happening, you can't give orders!"
"Then we will have to settle this directly!" Luna cried out, aiming another blast at Rainbow Dash. She was taken aback when nothing fired off from her horn. "What is this trickery? More of Discord's power?"
"Oh no, my dear Luna! I'm having much too much fun over here!" Discord chuckled from afar as he began spinning various numbers of Luna's guards in circles.
"But--" Luna turned back towards Dash and saw her dangling a black object from a thread around her neck. "You would stoop so low as to use such an evil artifact?"
"Coming off a tiny bit hypocritical there, aren't we, Nightmare?" Rainbow Dash flared her wings and charged Luna, taking her off guard and getting the first strike with a blow to her nose. Luna's nose bled as she grimaced and swung back at Dash, throwing her skyward as she hit her in the stomach, clanging against her armor. Dash swung her hind legs below herself and swung them into Luna's chest, knocking her back.
Luna spread her wings wide to keep herself standing and braced herself as she saw Dash coming again. As Dash came in at a rapid pace to land another blow, Luna readied herself and brought herself to the side, moving with incredible speed and knocking her forehoof down on Dash's back, forcing her to the ground. She then brought both her forehooves down, just at the moment Dash jumped off to the side and returned to her hooves.
Dash crouched low so that she could spring out for an attack, but she noticed one of Luna's guards charging in her direction. "Discord!"
"How pesky!" Discord snapped a finger and the guard transformed into a chicken, pausing and looking at himself before running off in fear.
Dash suddenly felt Luna crashing hard into her. Luna's forehooves rammed into her sides at a ridiculous speed, clanging hard into Dash's armor, sending rings throughout the air. Dash struggled to get out of the assault, feeling the pain start to build, but Luna was able to rival her speed and catch up to her no matter how great she jumped away. She spun quickly after she jumped again, bringing a hind leg into Luna's cheek, splashing the blood that was pouring from her nose into an arc in the dirt. Dash was quick to take this opportunity and rushed Luna, bashing into her ribs to force a sickening crunching noise to echo in her ears. She was shocked to see that this did little to bother her, and she instantly backed away, narrowly dodging a swipe from Luna's horn.
Luna kept her horn facing forward as she charged towards Rainbow. Dash threw herself to the side, but not without feeling Luna's horn stick her right under the eye, dragging under her helmet across to the edge of her cheek. The cut was shallow, but was bleeding down to her chin.
The two kept their distance as they turned, panting hard. Luna's horn dripped lightly with Rainbow's blood as her own nose continued to drip into the ground at her hooves. Dash had to work harder to catch her breath, dents scattered all about on her armor and blood trickling from her face. Even the battle among the guards hadn't reached a point like this, as they were merely fighting to win, it had become obvious though to Rainbow and Luna, that their own battle wouldn't be over until the other was still and silent in the dirt.
"Why are you still here? You could go and hide on the moon yourself!" Dash called.
"Silence! Art thou not here to collect us? Why doth it matter?" Luna snapped back, readying for a charge.
"That's your plan, isn't it? Why stay here where we could seek you out and force you into this?" Rainbow continued, preparing herself to move away.
"Our sister would find us regardless! She would--"
"You know she wouldn't!" Dash shot back. "Why the hell do you think she sent me? She couldn't bear to bring harm to you!" Rainbow took advantage of Luna's sudden shock to charge her and bring her forehooves hard into Luna's chest, knocking her back onto the ground. She then flew up quickly and dove, stretching out her hind leg. She sped towards Luna before, at the last second, she rolled out of the way and Dash felt her leg crack. She yelled out in agony as she dropped to the ground and felt Luna buck her, sending her rolling and bouncing against the stone and dirt.
"The ritual must be completed for our sister to stand any chance against the beast that approaches us! Our fate was sealed from the moment it began!" Luna screamed, walking slowly towards the now crippled Rainbow Dash. "We are the Princess of the Night! To die without a fight would be shameful!"
Rainbow struggled to her hooves, slowly backing away from Luna's advance, limping and trying to keep her broken leg off the ground. "So you were afraid she'd convince you. You know that this is the only way to save anypony, but you're scared, and you deny it. You weren't afraid of her killing you, you were afraid of accepting this."
"SILENCE!" Luna's royal voice boomed, attracting the attention of some of the guards below, but the quiver that Dash heard told her that her guess was right. "'TIS MERELY THE ONLY KNOWN METHOD! WITH TIME--"
"With time more ponies would die! You're scared!" Rainbow Dash shouted back. Luna's eyes went white as she smacked Dash hard with the back of her forehoof. Dash only swung her head back and shouted louder. "I don't give a fuck how scared you are! You have your reasons, and I have mine! Fight all you want, I won't blame you! But I'm scared as shit too, so I have to fight back!" She lunged herself forward, ignoring the incredible pain in her broken leg, and clubbed hard at Luna's side with both of her forehooves at once, feeling more of her ribs give way as she fell to the ground.
Many of Luna's guards attempted to charge Rainbow Dash at once to save their princess, but they found the task nearly impossible as they were suddenly forced into the air, floating and turning under the control of Discord's power. Discord himself watched the scene unfold intently, holding a rather serious look on his face.
Dash looked down at Luna, gasping desperately for air. Rainbow wore that stony gaze she had taken ever since Celestia had given her her first order, a mask disguising the pain and sorrow she felt for the actions she would regret forever. "I understand your fear. But I have to stay loyal to what I believe to be right."
Luna looked back up at Rainbow Dash. "We... understand as... well," she answered, trying to breathe through her sentences. "And we know... that we have... been foolish... in not... remaining loyal to the truth... we denied." Her eyes began to water. "But we will not... accept it."
"I know you won't," Dash answered. She made the final attack quick, snapping Luna's neck with a sudden and powerful stomp. "You wouldn't want to put her through this deed... and I wouldn't want to either." Dash looked out over the guards that had been fighting, now watching as Luna lay before her. "We are to return to Canterlot!" she called out. "Those of you who wish to resign, you will not be punished! Return home to your families, and let them know that they will be safe under the rule of their new queen." The guards stirred, unsure. A large number of them dropped their helmets and armor, flying off to wherever their homes may lie. Others, though, joined alongside the guards that Dash had brought with her. She nodded and made her way through them with her limp as they parted with respect.
Dash made her way to Discord, looking up at him. "If you can repair her bones and clean her up, make her look at peace... please, do so. Celestia would prefer it that way." Discord merely nodded, not smiling, nor frowning. Dash then grabbed at the thread around her neck, taking the black alicorn off of her neck, and dropping it to the ground. "And destroy this. It's served it's purpose." Discord dipped into a deep bow and lifted the artifact, it shattered in his grip. Rainbow then turned and took to the sky, making her way back to Canterlot.
In Celestia's bedchamber, Rainbow Dash waited, looking into the mirror. Celestia had healed her wounds, but the cut she had received from Luna had scarred. Celestia had offered to remove it, but Dash insisted it stay, insisting that it "looked cool" with a light-hearted tone in her voice. Looking into the mirror though, it was also a reminder of what she had to do to keep her friends safe. She wouldn't be returning to Ponyville. There was an emptiness there now, and she knew that she would never be able to speak with Applejack, Rarity, and the others in the same way again. She was an inquisitor now anyways, somepony to stand and defend her queen and goddess. She was now Celestia's personal guard, loyal weapon... friend... lover.
Celestia entered the room, a sorrowful look in her eyes. "It's done. Equestria now has a ruler that can properly protect it." Dash gazed upon her. Something was different for sure, a strong and brilliant aura seemed to ooze from Celestia. Regardless of her radiance though, tears leaked from her eyes. "Forgive me, I... I never wished you to see this."
Dash came close to her, nuzzling Celestia. Again, she found herself alone with her, surrounded by snowy, warm, feathered wings. "If... When we survive... I'll still be here. We'll never forget the loss... but we can help one another try. But the fact is, we will have that time to try."
