Shadowblade's Revenge

Applejack sat in the ice cream shop with her friends, watching Rainbow Dash, who was much more herself. But she wondered: why were those stallions there? And what would they have to do with Rainbow? She decided to ask her later and just relax. She listened to the conversation that started between her friends. “So Rainbow, who exactly were those stallions?” Twilight asked. “I don't really know...” “WHY DID YOU LEAVE?!” Pinkie demanded.

“I crashed after this awesome stunt that wasn't so successful and then when I woke up a group of stallions surrounded me. I didn't recognize them.” Rainbow Dash explained. Applejack figured that since that subject was already brought up, she would ask a question.

“Why'd they be after you in particular? Wha'd you ever do to make them wanna kill ya?” She asked. “Beats me.” Rainbow replied. She shrugged and continued licking her ice cream. “Who were those two other ponies with you?” Twilight asked. “Their names were Vinyl Scratch and Octavia. They were lost too, so together we found Canterlot and they went to evacuate everypony while I distracted the enemy. I'm sure glad I had your help.” Rainbow said. “Will she ever be able to fly again?” Fluttershy asked quietly. “What's that Sugarcube?” Said Applejack.  They turned their eyes to Fluttershy as she repeated her question. “I said, will Rainbow Dash ever be able to fly again?” They turned their eyes to Rainbow. She frowned. “I don't know.” “Let's take our minds off a' this. Wouldn't hurt to have some cheerful conversation, would it?” Applejack suggested. “That's what I was just going to say.” Rarity agreed. “Mmm, this stuff is good!” Pinkie said as she licked her 20 scoops of ice cream. The place had some interesting flavors. Twilight had blueberry, Rarity had cherry, Applejack had apple (who would've guessed), Fluttershy had strawberry, Rainbow Dash had rainbow flavor (again, who would've guessed), which was a bunch of different flavors in one, and Pinkie Pie had one scoop of everything. “I really wanna go home now.” Rainbow said. “Me too. Plus, Spike probably is wondering where we are. We should get going.” Twilight agreed. “And I need to hop around to burn off those calories!” Pinkie added. Applejack rolled her eyes. They walked out of the ice cream shop, heading back to Ponyville.

Princess Celestia looked out of her castle windows, looking at the wrecked streets of Canterlot. What had happened? Who had done this? The questions raced through her brain. She still felt bad about Rainbow Dash's being lost. She felt bad for Rainbow, and of course her friends as well. She sighed. A voice made her jump. “Your Highness! We've found the villains!” A guard said as he rushed in. “Good. Who were they?” “A familiar enemy...”

Applejack was the last to hop off of the taxi. The 6 friends first walked to Twilight's house.  “Good to be back.” Rainbow muttered. AJ nodded. When they walked into the door of Twilight's house, they saw Spike pacing back and forth. When he saw them he stopped immediately and ran over to them. “Oh, you're back! I was so worried when I got a letter from Princess Celestia talking about all the wreckage in Canterlot! Did you find Rainb-“ He stopped when he saw Rainbow, all covered in casts and bandages. “Oh no! What happened?” Spike asked, shocked. “Ehh, long story.” Rainbow said. Spike suddenly received a letter from his green fire breathing stuff. “What's it say?” Twilight asked. Spike read the letter.

My dearest Twilight,

MEET ME IN CANTERLOT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

“Really? Really? We just got back from there! Must be an emergency.” Applejack said. She sighed. Just back and forth all day? “Sorry to leave so soon, Spike, but we need to go.” Twilight said. “Okay.” Spike said. He didn't want them to leave him again. He sighed and watched the 6 friends dash off to Canterlot.

“We came as fast as we could!” Twilight said as they entered. “Good.” Celestia answered. “All of you were in that fight, correct?” She asked, pointing out of the window. They all nodded. “I'm sure you have no idea who the assailants were.” They all shook their heads. Celestia sighed. Princess Luna burst into the room. “Celestia! The enemies are launching a full scale attack!” She yelled urgently. “Just who are these here enemies? And wha' do they want with us?” Applejack asked. “Many years before you were born, these enemies were normal ponies. They lived normal lives, and there was nothing bad about them. But one day, they attempted to overthrow me. I don't know why. The guards and I stopped them and I banished them from Equestria. Now they have grown larger in number and have come to get revenge.” Celestia explained. Since that day was a day for burstin through doors, a dark stallion dashed in. “Celestia! We meet again.” He said evilly. Applejack stared with hatred into his dark blue, bloodshot eyes. “I won't be here long, I don't wanna kill you right now. But don't worry, I will later. I'm just here to officially declare war on Equestria! And my army will get so huge that you won't be able to stop me!” He yelled and ran away. The two sisters sighed.  “Should we use the Elements of Harmony?” Twilight asked. “Yes.” Celestia managed to say. So much stress was placed on her in just one afternoon. “What about everpony else? They'd better get to knowin' Equstria's gettin' involved in a war.” Applejack said. “Luna and I will take care of that. You just do your part and we'll cover the rest.” Celestia said. She led them to the Elements of Harmony. “Here, get out there. Good luck.” She said. The 6 friends were off to save Equestria... again.

“This is perfect! She's sent those mares to stop my army. Ha! She sent them to their death! Alright squad! They will be distracted with the rest of the army, so we, the strike team, will sneak into Canterlot Castle and finally bring an end to Celestia's rule while the diversion team distracts her!” Said the leader. Cheers came from the squad. “We will rule Equestria!” He yelled. “Sir! I have a question!” One said. “Whaddaya want?” “I just wanted to know why we want to rule Equestria? I kinda forgot, ya know since it's been so long and you've never really succeeded and-” “One more word and I'll cut your throat! I don't remember. But that's beside the point. No more questions.” He answered. It was beginning to get dark outside. All, so far, was going as they planned.

“Come on, ya'll!” Applejack shouted. They ran to the army with the Elements of Harmony. There were about 400 stallions charging towards them. They all got in position. The stallions laughed. They didn't think these ponies could last a chance against them. They began to work the awesome magic of the Elements. Rays of rainbow colored light spread through the army. Each stallion fell to the ground, dead. Their thoughts were completely wrong. Soon after they took down the enemies, Pinkie Pie ran off (to who knows where), and returned in a few seconds with an easy button. She pressed it. “That was easy.” It said. Applejack rolled her eyes, stifled a laugh, and wondered where she got that easy button. Pinkie never failed to make someone smile. “We'd best be getting' back to Canterlot Castle soon-“ Applejack was unable to finish her sentence because a gag was placed over her mouth. AJ took off her Elemental necklace and threw it to Pinkie, who had collected the other ones, because she was the only one not captured by the warriors that crept up behind them. Each of their legs were bound together with chains. They were dragged away. Pinkie hid the Elements of Harmony and as about to get help when two warriors seized her and took her away.

When Applejack woke up, she was locked in a cage, all alone. “Hello?” She said. The only answer was her echo. “Is anypony here?” She asked. “Applejack? Oh I'm so glad to hear a friendly voice. Where are we?” “I dunno, Rarity. Are you in a cage?” Rarity didn't answer. Rainbow Dash did. “Um, yeah, we're all in cages. I really wanna get outta here so I can show those jerks who's boss!” “Oh, good, you're here, too.” AJ said. “Can anypony hear me?” said a hushed voice. “Hardly. Speak up!” Applejack replied. “I said, can anypony hear me?” Fluttershy said a little louder. “I can.” “Oh, Twilight. Are you okay?” Fluttershy asked. “Yes. Are you?” Twilight said. “Yes, I guess so.” She answered. “Okay, so we're all here except Pinkie Pie. I do hope she hid those Elements and went to get help.” Rarity said. “Help? How could I get help of I was captured?” Pinkie said. “You're here! Did you hide the Elements?” Twilight asked urgently. “Yup! I hid them where nopony in Equestria could find them!” She said. “Any a' ya'll gotta plan?” Applejack asked. Silence followed. “Yeah. Does anyone know where we could find a cannon at this hour?” Rainbow asked. Twilight sighed. Applejack worked at her lock for a minute. Then she walked out of her cage and grabbed the keys on the wall, unlocking each of the cages. “How did you-“ Rainbow began. “Ah found a paperclip in mah cage and picked the lock.” Applejack interrupted. “Wow, it was rather unintelligent of them to just leave a paperclip there.” Twilight said. The 6 ponies walked out of the small room and out of the base. It was easy to sneak out because it was night time. The guards were easy to avoid, considering that they were asleep on the job. It was cold outside. Applejack looked behind her to see Rainbow Dash lighting a stick of dynamite. “Where'd ya get that?” She asked. “Found it in there.” Dash answered mischievously. Once it was lit, she threw it into the base and giggled. They all stepped back and waited until the base exploded. The base was too big to be exploded by one stick of dynamite, but there were plenty of explosives in there, each exploded by the explosion of the dynamite. Once they were done watching the fireworks, they began to walk back to Canterlot, which was very far away. They could see it in the light of the moon which was particularly bright that night. Applejack's walking quickly turned into a run. The others' speed surged as well. After a minute, each mare was engaged in a full sprint, because they knew they had to get to Canterlot ASAP. The stars shone at their full brilliance. The skies were clear and the moon was luminous. After an exhausting hour of sprinting, they arrived at Canterlot. It was calm and nothing was going on. It was quiet. A little too quiet.

“Don't worry, Celestia. I'll be a good ruler. Far greater than you ever were.” The leader said. “Why are you doing this?” She asked. “I don't really remember. It's been such a long time that I can't remember. But I do hate you, and that's all that matters to me.” “You're despicable.” Celestia said as 10 warriors locked her in a cage. “I try.” He replied with an evil smile. “What are you going to do to me?” She asked. “Well I was going to kill you but another idea just popped into my head.” He said. He grabbed a dark gray staff and brought it down hard on Princess Celestia's head. She blacked out.

Celestia woke up. “You are at my command now. Whatever I say, you must do.” The leader said. “Yes, sir! I'm at your command, sir!” Celestia replied. She was now an evil minion just like every other guy in his army. Most of them were never evil at first. “Let 'er go!”  Applejack shouted as she burst through the doors with her friends. She kicked the staff out of his hoof, but it was not broken. Applejack also dealt him a stunning blow to the face. “How are you still alive?” He yelled, holding back his pain, but then whispered to Celestia, “Pretend that you're good.” “Yes, sir.” She whispered in reply. The 6 were engaged in battle, taking out all of the stallions in the room. The leader hid. “Princess! Are you okay?” Twilight asked. “I am fine, Twilight Sparkle. Thank you for helping me.” Celestia said. “No prob!” Rainbow Dash responded. “GUARDS! KILL THEM!” Celestia yelled. They were all taken aback by her words. “What are you doing, Princess?!” Twilight asked, shocked. “Oh, nothing.” She answered as if it was no big deal. Each pony was seized by two strong warriors. “Stop! Don't kill them!” The leader called, getting out of his hiding place. “I have a better idea.”

The 6 had no way of escaping. Celestia couldn't do anything about it, and Luna left before any of that had happened. They stood in the room and listened to the poisonous words of the leader as he spoke just what they feared. “As the ruler of Equestria, I hereby declare that these 6 mares are banished from Equestria! Guards! Take those exiles away!” He said.

“Sir! Where do you want them?” A guard asked. He thought for a moment. “I know exactly where.”