Five against One

by Paper-Lillie

Rating: teen
Tags: Princess Celestia, Tragedy, Twilight Sparkle, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Original Character, Princess Cadance, Adventure
Length: 7498

Everything is all fine and dandy for Twilight Sparkle, her being a princess and all that. But did you ever wonder how her friends actually feel?

Everything is all fine and dandy for Twilight Sparkle, her being a princess and all that.
But did you wonder how her friends actually feel?
Of course, they didn't know what would happen if they let their jealousy get the better of them.
Untagged characters: Princess Luna and Shining Armour

Published 2014-01-01 20:00:03 UTC
Last updated 2014-04-07 13:42:05 UTC

After the Coronation

After the Coronation

The newly crowned princess of Equestria gazed out of the window in her old room at Canterlot castle watching Luna raising the moon the day after she returned from the world in the mirror. She had and her friends had returned straight to Canterlot. She was thinking about how rushed these past few days had been; recieving Starswirl's spell, fixing her friend's destinies and transforming into an alicorn princess, saving a different world and stopping a giant plant invasion. For the first time in her life, Twilight Sparkle felt that her brain was overloaded. But there was one thought nagging her, hidden away at the back of her mind.

"Will my friends accept me now?" she pondered. Of course, the had seemed happy enough at the coronation, encouraging her with smiles and winks. They had backed her up when she had to go through the portal. They had aknowledged that they needed her to save the Tree of Harmony. But she couldn't shake of the feeling that she and her friends would soon drift apart.

Rainbow Dash flew round and round in circles in the castle courtyard. It was the kind of thing she liked to do to shake off bad feelings-even though she had never done it on castle grounds. And she had a very bad feeling. She had never felt jealous for any one of her friends before and she didn't like that she was jealous now.

Meanwhile, Pinkie Pie was literally shaking off a bad feeling. Pinkie felt strange. It wasn't that she wasn't happy, it was just because she had never experienced a feeling like this in her life. A guard stuck his head round the door.
"Are you OK?" he asked, unsure what the crazy pink party pony was doing. Pinkie, however, kept shaking and wriggling. She didn't like this odd feeling at all. The guard left, slowly, and thought tat he had never seen such a strange and random pony in all his life.

Fluttershy, Applejack and Rarity all felt the same uncomfortable feeling as their other friends.
"I feel so happy for Twilight, but its as if I don't want her to be an Alicorn Princess..." Fluttershy meekly told a pigeon outside the window of her castle bedroom. "She's getting so much attention, but she doesn't want it. She hasn't worn her crown at all yet. I feel like......like she doesn't deserve it. And that doesn't feel right."

Applejack was pacing around her room restlessly.
"Calm down, AJ. It's not as if Twilight has turned into a snob and she's gonna watch us die smugle while she takes over from Celestia an' Luna as the new ruler of Equestria. Its not as if she thinks we're rubbish friends now she's royalty. Its not as if.....oh, who am Ah kiddin', I can't lie to myself. I'm jealous!"

Rarity wasn't so lucky with holding back her feelings.
"I mean why can't I be an Alicorn Princess to? I'm beautiful and charming and well mannered and I wouldn't refuse to wear my crown or be called a Princess. I know every bit of magic that...that show-off knows and I know all about friendship to! I mean, Magic, what kind of key does that play in friendship? Generosity is a much better quality to have if you are going to be a Princess of Friendship? And she expects poor little Spike to follow her all day doing what she commands!
"Oh my, Rarity! Stop your little rant at once!" She scolded herself.

***** ***** *****

Twilight excused herself after breakfast that morning to ponder over her worries. Meanwhile, the rest of her friends had a little chat in the courtyard.

"I had the strangest feeling last night." Rarity informed her friends.
"So did I" Fluttershy whispered "I felt as if Twilight didn't deserve to be a princess."
The others agreed. Well, not all of them.
"You guys are jealous of Twilight? I mean seriously, what kind of friends are you?" Rainbow Dash smirked.
"So you didn't feel strange last night, I presume?" Rarity asked.
"Nope. I felt totally normal. Ok fine......I did feel a little bit funny about the whole Alicorn thing." Rainbow admitted after getting a disbelieving look from all the others. Apart from Pinkie Pie.
"Where's Pinkie?" Fluttershy asked.
"HERE!" Pinkie shouted while wriggling and squirming on the floor.
"What the hay are you doin'?" Applejack asked.
"I'm trying to shake off a funny feeling. It's the same one I had last night."
"Why?"
"Because whenever anyone mentions Twilight being an Alicorn, it comes back!"

Twilight knocked gently on Celestia's door.
"Come in-Twilight! How are you?" Celestia asked.
"Actually, not that great." Celestia's former student replied.
"Why?"
"I kept getting a feeling that my friends won't accept me as who I am."
"Twilight. You and your friends make up the Elements of Harmony. This is because you are the bestest of friends. Nothing could change that. It wasn't the Elements, but you friendship that helped defeat Discord and his hypnotising spell. It was your friendship that kept you determined to keep the crystal ponies occupied. It was your friendship that saved the Tree of Harmony. And you know that your friendship remains in every world existing. Never forget that. Everything will be fine."
"I sure hope it will be..."

Suddenly, Rarity thought of something horrible.
"This is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!"
"What is?" Applejack asked as the others crowded around Rarity.
"We are all jealous of Twilight!"
"Yeah...I think we knew that already." Rainbow replied, thnking that Rarity was over-reacting as usual.
"But jealousy was what drove Princess Luna to become Nightmare Moon! If we let our jealousy get the better of us, we could all turn into evil Alicorns ourselves!"
"Oh, my. That is very dramatic..." Fluttershy whispered, scared.
"Oh, come on! We're not going to turn into Nightmare Moon! That's just stupid!" Rainbow Dash yelled.
"Even so, we can't run the risk of anything like that happening!" Fluttershy said.
"Indeed!" Rarity declared. "We must all Pinkie promise to never get jealous again!"

It never troubled them. Until a few 100 years after.

Author's Note

YAY! This is my first chapter in my first story. I hope you enjoy it!

Rarity's Jealousy

Rarity's Jealousy

Luna looked at her sister, uncertainty etched onto her face.
"Are you sure she is ready to take on such a big responsibility?"
Celestia smiled and rolled up her very last letter to her former student, before sending it off in a cloud of golden smoke.
"I am certain. Are you ready?"
"I suppose."
Celestia leaned in and touched her glowing horn to her sister's. A cocoon of blue and gold light encased the two Alicorns. When it disappeared, so did the they.

Rarity glided regally across the hallways of the castle. Her horn glowed and straightened the crown on her head. It was a beautiful piece, encrusted with a large, diamond-shaped purple gem in it's centre. But, Rarity allowed herself to think, it wasn't as beautiful as Princess Twilight Sparkle's was. She then scolded herself for even getting even the slightest bit jealous of her friend.
"Really, Rarity, being a Princess Minor isn't enough for you? I would've thought you would be more grateful for the promotion." She scolded herself quietly. She stepped into the throne room and took her place next to her other friends:
Applejack, who bore a crown with an orange, apple shaped gem; Fluttershy, whom had a crown with a pink butterfly jewel; Pinkie Pie, who's crown sported a light blue balloon; and Rainbow Dash, with a lopsided crown that had a lightning bolt carved out of red gemstone.
They were all awaiting on the arrival of the last of the six friends-the Princess of Magic, Friendship and Equestria herself-Twilight Sparkle.
Really Rarity, dear, she doesn't deserve you to call her by that title...
"Who's there?" Rarity asked.
Oh darling, it is only me, your subconsciousness...
"Rainbow Dash! If this is another of your pranks-" Rarity thought.
Hush. I assure you, Rainbow Dash has nothing to do with this. I just want to talk.
"What about?"
Nothing much. Just about your princess friend.
"Which one?"
You know which one. Don't joke with me.
"Twilight? What about her?"
The fact that SHE is a princess, and YOU are not.
"I am a princess."
You are not an Alicorn. Besides, you are just a Princess Minor. You do know what minor means, I presume?...
"Of course I do! There isn't room for six proper princesses in Equestria. Or should I say seven, counting Princess Cadance?"
At that moment Twilight arrived. Twilight's crown, was a large, beautiful tiara with a pink star and other pink diamonds embedded into it's surface. Rarity was glad as the Princess took her place on the throne, that voice inside her head was certainly one to get on anypony's nerves.
That day went on as normally as any day Rarity had experienced since she had become a Princess Minor. Citizens of Equestria would come to greet and talk with their princess, with Rarity and the other Minors stationed below the throne, silent as always. They would stop for lunch, and then continue. It was a bland lifestyle, but it was a lifestyle nonetheless.

The dark grey mare with sharp green eyes and a black mane and white tail marched into the throne room.
"I am Monochrome. I requested an audience with the Princess." When Monochrome said the word 'Princess', it was heavy and it dripped with envy. Rarity also noted that Monochrome's accent was haughty and self important.
"Yes. Monochrome. Um...please wait a second while I look for your letter..." Despite being in the business for three years, Twilight had still not got the knack of being an advisor.
You have the knack of an advisor, Rarity. I don't understand why you are not the one sitting up there.
Rarity blocked the voice as Monochrome spoke again.
"No need. I didn't send a letter. I came here on more direct matters."
"What matters?" enquired the Princess.
Monochrome drew herself up to her full height.
"I have a...request to make. You want your subjects to be happy, do you not?"
"Yes, of course I do."
"And how do you plan on achieving that? I think, the best way is to give them what they want."
"Yes. Though some pony's requests are-"
"That is where my request comes into play. I want to be a Princess."
There you go, Rarity. She gets to ask, why don't you? If some mare who hasn't even been promoted to Princess Minor yet can be a Princess, why can't you?
"A Princess? That's an awful lot to-"Twilight began.
"I also want to be an Alicorn! I want wings as well as a horn! I want to rule a kingdom!"
"She's a bit out of control..." Rainbow Dash whispered from beside Rarity.
"I'm sorry" stuttered the young Alicorn, "I'm afraid I can't say yes to your request."
"Why not?"
"First, I don't know how. Only Celestia knew, but now she and Luna have joined Those in the Sky, I'm afraid I couldn't help you, even if you had the right to become one, just by form of word."
"You princesses always have the most useless excuses. Now make me a princess NOW!" The out-of-control unicorn charged up her horn, and before Rarity could say "Did you see her mane?", all the Princess Minors and Twilight had dodged a very powerful silver blast, and Monochrome was lead away screaming by the guards.

Rarity placed her crown on her bedside table before slipping into bed, and thinking furiously. Not a word had been spoken after Monochrome's outburst, and Twilight had been seen shaking at dinner.

All that thinking will hurt your brain, Rarity.
"Not you again."
Yes, me again. We need to talk.
"About Twilight and being a princess?"
Yes. I have a very good plan.
"Why would I need a plan?"
To become an Alicorn of course. Everyone knows your the most jealous of Twilight. You were bound to confront her soon, even withought my prompting.
"NO! I won't hassle her. She's my friend. And I'm happy enough with being a Princess Minor, OK? Now I want you to leave me alone, please."
Tell you what. I'll just go and convince the others to turn against her, then we'll work something out from there. Is that a nice plan? You don't have to do any thinking. Just doing what I ask. OK?
Rarity thought for a long time. Alright, it felt like that, but it was only a short while before she surprised herself by opening her mouth and saying:
"OK."

Applejack's Jealousy

Applejack’s Jealousy

Celestia and Luna appeared in a sky of red. They were far above land and far, far away from Equestria. There were clouds, but they provided little protection from the burning sun that blazed white hot behind them.
"I don't like it here." Luna whispered.
"Relax, my sister, we are at peace. We no longer have to worry about royal duties anymore. Our way is clear."
Luna spotted two god-like creatures silhouetted against the sun.
"Mother? Father? Is it really them, after all those years?.."
"Indeed. Let's go."

The dark silence of the prison was broken by the clattering of metal against the floor. Applejack sighed, and picked up her crown gently. All the cells were empty, apart from one. Inside was an angry mare. She was asleep, but the expression on her face highlighted the grey tones of her body, main and tail. Applejack then sighed again, thinking that she would probably end up in one of those cells if she ever went up against Princess Twilight Sparkle.

“No! I ain’t jealous of Twilight in any way. She’s mah friend an’ I’m proud of her an’ I’m happy with my life as it is!” Although Applejack had merely thought that, she had thought it so loud it hurt her ears.
Tut, tut, tut. Lying to yourself, are we? Whatever happened to the Element of Honesty?
“Who...wha....what? Who’s there? Is that you, Monochrome? If it is, I’m afraid I’m going to have to prolong your stay here, an believe me, Ah don’t want to do...”
No, no. I am merely your subconsciousness, dropping in for a little...chat, shall we say?
“Listen, I’m kinda busy right now. Ah have no time for a ‘little chat’ as you call it.” Applejack sighed as she came to her room. She set her crown on her desk. It slipped out of her hooves and she had to stoop down again to pick it up.
If you had a horn, you could just simply use your magic to move things around. Not many ponies just go around becoming unicorns, do they?
“And your point is?”
There are other types of ponies you can become without difficulty who have magic.
“Oh, yeah?”
Yes. Oh, and did I mention you even could get some wings thrown into the package.
“An Alicorn?”
Why not? Oh, what about an Alicorn princess, hmm? Does that sound nice?
“Listen, Miss. Subconsc-y-whatnot, I am NOT going to get jealous of mah friend. And Ah need some sleep, so Ah would appreciate it if you would double on back home, an’ leave me in peace.
As you wish...

Applejack awoke that morning, only to realise it wasn’t morning at all. She sighed for about the one thousandth time that week. She decided to sneak into the kitchen for some apples and a glass of milk.

It was still dark by the time she’d finished, and she was now fully awake. She decided to have a walk around until it was light outside.
If you were a princess, you could make it morning and night whenever you wanted.
“Great.”
Are you not happy to see me?
“No. I’m less than happy, actually. I don’t want you bugging me, OK?”
That is quite a bit rude and offensive, I must say!
“Look, the first anniversary of Twilight being a princess is coming up, and I won’t let anypony spoil it.”
First anniversary? Hasn’t she been doing this for three years?
“Well, Cadance mostly ruled for the first two.”
Poor Cadance, having to juggle all of Equestria as well as the Crystal Empire. I’m sure if you were a princess, you could manage ruling Equestria by yourself.
“Stop it! Oh, would you look at that, it’s morning an’ that means Twilight is up and that means breakfast an’ Ah’m starving. And I don’t want to hear from you for the rest of the day, ya hear?”
Oh, I understand completely. Of course.
“Good.”

Applejack and her friends finished breakfast and took their places in the hall.
“Let’s hope we don’t have any crazy princess wanna-be’s come today. Heh heh.” Rainbow Dash said awkwardly.
“Yes. Let’s.” Rarity said coolly.
Applejack could have sworn she heard Rarity mutter
“The less competitors there are for the throne, the better, I say.”
AJ shifted uncomfortably. Rarity had been acting strangely lately.
Shouldn’t you call yourself Princess Applejack now?
“Go away.”
“Sorry?”
“Oh. Sorry Fluttershy. Just...er...talking to myself. Heh heh.”
Lying again, are we?
“Ah’m not going to tell you nicely anymore. GO AWAY.”
Alright, alright. I will.

That day proved to be very uneventful and Applejack was bored to death. It was only when she lay on her bed that she heard it again.
Listen to me.
“No.”
You said you didn’t want to hear from me for the rest of the day, and it’s night now. If you were princess, you could make night never come and I would never bother you.
“What are you tryin’ to get at?”
Look. I have a plan. Just listen to me for once.
The voice was becoming agitated. “Alright, then.” Applejack sighed.
Rarity is already in on the plan. You don’t have to do a thing. I’ll just go around convincing the others, Ok? You won’t have to hear from me until the plan has to come together.
“And if Ah agree, will you leave me in peace?”
Of course.
“Alright then. Ah’m in!”

Author's Note

Sorry for not updating for a while. Thank you for being patient.

Fluttershy's Jealousy

Fluttershy's Jealousy

Luna glided across to her sister through the sky of never ending red. Celestia spent her days watching the sun, despite Mother and Father's best attempts.
"Can you feel it?"
Celestia sighed and walked closer to the sun. "Yes."
"What do you think she will do? Banish them to the moon?"
"I can't be sure. The Elements may not work when it does happen."
"Will Cadance be able to help?"
"Most probably."
"Did you know this was going to happen?"
Silence.
"Did you know what it may lead to?"
No answer.
"Did you know what would become of-"
"No."

Fluttershy smiled as all the birds from the garden helped her brush her hair. Three of them lifted her crown from the table and set it gently on her head.
"Are you ready for the rehearsal today?" She asked.
They all tweeted in reply.
"I am so excited for this anniversary!"
And why would that be?
"Who's that?" Fluttershy squealed.
Me. Just me.
"Who's 'me'?"
I'm your subconsciousness. That is all.
"Oh, ok...."
Do you want to be a princess?
"I am a princess..."
An Alicorn princess?
"Oh! That's a...er....big offer..."
Well?
"Alright then! I'll just check with Twili-"
No, no. This is a one time offer, and Twilight can't know.
"But doesn't she authorise all things like that?"
Oh, come on, dear. Just imagine it! You could authorise all the things YOU want, do anything YOU want! You could be great! They would love you!
"I'm beginning to think this is some kind of trick of Discord's. But that can't be possible."
I am not Discord. Do you want to think about the offer?
"Yes, please..."
Alright then. I will speak with you tonight.

'Subconsciousness' really scared Fluttershy. She was also very worried about the upcoming night. She dropped her baton quite a few times during rehearsal.
"I'm so sorry, everypony." She flew down for her baton for the 18th time that afternoon.
"You OK, sugarcube?" Applejack asked. Her face looked a bit strange, like she was forcing a smile every minute of the day.
"Oh, yes, thank you Applejack. Just a lot of things on my mind."
"She spoken to ya yet?"
"Sorry?"
"Heh heh. Nothin'. Y'all sounding great up there! Gotta go and err.....buck some farm at the apples!"
"But Applejack! You don't work on the farm anym - she's gone."
She sighed and picked up her baton.
"Is it me or are Rarity and Applejack acting all....false lately?"

Fluttershy skipped dinner and went up to her room.
Feeling uneasy, dear?
"Yes, a bit. Thank you for asking."
No need for thanks.
"Ok then."
Have you thought about my offer?
"Um......no?"
I know you have.
"Yes, ok, I did."
Well?
"What are the conditions?"
Well, on the night of the anniversary, everything will fall into place. You and the other Minors will suddenly reveal yourselves and vanquish that princess! Everypony else will fall under your control when you destroy Cadance before their eyes! I will finally rule! Celestia won't stop me and I will have my rightfull place on the throne like I was supposed to before she banished me to the moon! I. WILL. RULE. FORE-
"Excuse me?"
Sorry dear. Just going a little...crazy. I guess I just am in need of air. Though it would be physically impossible for me to get any, of course...
"Revealing ourselves and vanquishing Twilight? That wouldn't be very polite!"
Politeness, kindness, is that all that matters to you?
"Well, yes. I am the Element of-"
Oh I know! I know! Elements! Who ever cared for Elements?! I've given you the opportunity, Fluttershy! I won't be nice any more. YOU WILL FOLLOW MY COMMAND!
Fluttershy got very scared.
Unless, of course, you want to get destroyed alongside Twilight?! The only way to save your skin is to come with me!
"OK! OK! Just don't hurt me!"
Excellent. Rarity and Applejack already know about this, so you won't have to wait for long until I - I mean you have ultimate power!
Fluttershy squealed. "ok....."

Author's Note

Seems like Subby's plan is finally leaking out!
I almost said *MANICAL LOOPY LAUGHTER INSERT HERE* but I didn't because that would ruin the drama. And I probably just ruined the drama right there.

Pinkie Pie's Jealousy

Pinkie Pie's Jealousy

"It's getting so strong...."
"If I would have known what would have happened, I would have never left."
"You were never to know. Our time was almost up, anyway."
"You could have stayed."
"I didn't. Your my sister, Tia. I love you. It's not your fault she wasn't vanquished completely."
"My powers are limited here. I don't know what will become of Equestria now."
"We'll just have to wait and see."
Just wait.
And see.

"Cause all I really need's a smile, smile, smile! Yes I do!"
Pinkie Pie was bouncing round the castle halls, her crown bouncing along with her. She was so carefree, and Fluttershy, Rarity and Applejack all looked at her with sour looks on their faces.
"She's never going to become the least bit jealous of Twilight!" Rarity huffed.
"Plus, she made a Pinkie Promise, an' she's never goin' to break that." Applejack said.
"I personally think that Rainbow will be very hard to corrupt." Fluttershy whispered. "After all, I know her best, and the display of loyalty she's shown to you guys, is nothing compared to what she did for me."
Are you doubting my plan?
That voice. That mean, disrupting voice. It hushed them all.
I, of course, have thought things through very carefully. No plan B's are needed. Trust me.
And that's all they could do to save their skins from potential demolition.

Pinkie Pie skipped around some more, then jumped, then bounded. It was a Sunday, and Sunday meant no advisory court or crazy Alicorn-Princess-wallabies!
Or was it Alicorn-Princess-wannabes?
Pinkie didn't really care.
She never really does.
And then something caught her eye. It sparkled, like it was made entirely of glitter. Scratch that, it was like it was made of pure gold! It was so mouthwateringly delicious and so superydupery! It was amazing! It was a cookie! An EXTRA-LARGE cookie!
"Oh, boy, Pinkie! You really should make time for cookie eating! I'd forgotton how amazing these things were."
She smacked her lips and vacuumed up all the crumbs that decorated her face. And that's when she noticed a whole trail of delectible circles of delicious wonder.
"Who needs lunch when you have a cookie trail?"

Twilight pondered like pony princesses like to do. And then she stepped on a cookie.
"What?"
Her gaze travelled up the corridor as she looked at the trail of cookies. She chewed her lip.
"I might as well treat myself. When was the last time I ever found the time to just enjoy cookies?"
She used her magic to levitate a cookie when she heard what might have been a tractor crossed with a vacuum. She moved her gaze to where she had just come from, to see Pinkie Pie hoovering up the cookie trail. She wizzed right past Twilight, and she did it so fast that she created a dust cloud. In a hall that was cleaned every four hours. Twilight sighed as she straightened her crown, folded back he wings and shook her mane back into it's original state. It had just started to grow longer, and the end of her tail was gently sparkling and moving. She made to walk on, then spotted her cookie on the floor. She shrugged, picked it up, took a bite and headed to her room.

"Ya'll know what they say, girls! Ya'll can lead a cow to water, and ya'll can make it drink!" Applejack proclaimed confidently as she laid a cookie on the floor.
"Isn't it 'You can lead a cow to water, but you CAN'T make it drink'?"
"Ya'll bein' really glass-half-empty, Rarity."
"Girls! I can hear Pinkie." Fluttershy said as she caught wind of the tractor-vacuum sound. "We better pick up the pace."

Pinkie Pie finished her snack, and saw that she had ended up in the hallway with all the stained glass windows. She looked outside, and saw that the sky was dark and Twilight was raising the moon.
"Funny how time flies when your eating cookies!"
It is funny, isn't it?
"Who said that?"
I did. I'm your subconsciousness.
"That's a mouthfull! Do you mind if I call you Subby?"
Yes, I do a bit, actually.
"Subby it is! So, what do ya want?"
I want to make an offer. A wonderfull, brilliant offer that can grant you all the power you could ever imagine!
"Would I be able to make an unlimited amount of cookies!?"
I suppose......
"Great! So what's the offer?"
I can make you a princess....with wings, and a horn! I can make you a proper ruler!
"Ruler of what? Candy!? I've always dreamed of being the Candy Queen!"
"No, no, Pinkie, darling! She means a ruler of Equestria!" Rarity stepped out into the light. As if there had been any shadows in the room, anyway.
Pinkie turned to her friend.
"What, like take over from Twilight?"
"Exactly!"
"Sorry, Rarity. Sorry, Subby. I made a Pinkie Pie Promise a few years ago that I would never get jealous of Twilight."
"But you didn't Pinkie Pie Promise that you wouldn't try to take over from her."
Listen to Rarity, dear! You could have more power than you could ever need! You need only to raise a hoof, and mountains would crumble and turn into rock candy!
"That...that....perfect pony princess will be wiped of the face of Equestria and the lands surrounding!" Rarity shouted, slamming a hoof down. The impact caused the window of Twilight becoming a princess to shatter with a chilling series of clutters.
Just think of all the times that Twilight made you feel like a lesser peasant!
Pinkie did, and it made her mane deflate.
Now think of the things you could do to her if you follow me!
Pinkie's mane poofed up, and she laughed manically.
"I can see it now, Rarity! I see what you mean, Subby! Oh, the pain on her face would bring me joy an-" She noticed that Applejack and Fluttershy had joined Rarity, and that Fluttershy was hidden behind Applejck. "Too much?"
"So, are ya'll in, sugarcube?" Applejack asked.
"Do I get to wear my mustache?"
"Ah guess....."
"Alright then! Count me in!"
Pinkie Pie put on her mustache, deflated her mane and chuckled insanley.
"I can't wait!"
Excellent.

A Million Years on the Moon

A Million Years on the Moon

"Luna?"
Luna turned at the sound of her sister's voice. "What?"
"What was it like to be banished to the moon?"
"It felt like several million years had passed in a single week. It was lonely."
"I'm so sorry-"
"I had been on the moon for several days at a time before, but this....I guess it was different. Sometimes I would go crazy, and hear her in my head, but I blocked her out. Then, just a day before I came back, I slipped and changed for what might have been forever. I'm just glad you had faith in me."
"And I'm glad you were still there, deep within her mind, having faith in me."
"I love you, Tia."
"I love you more, Luna."
"I know."

"There we are, girls!" Rarity sang as she fastened a few safety pins to the dresses of her 4 other friends and 1 particular princess.
"Thank you, Rarity!" The mentioned princess said. "You always do such a great job, every single time! In fact, I may have something to thank you!"
A pink orb of magic appeared in front of Rarity before popping and being replaced with a carefully gift - wrapped box. It had deep purple wrapping paper with a ribbon that changed from pearly white to shimmering blue everytime you moved it.
"It's an early coronation gift, from me!" Twilight proclaimed as presents carefully wrapped appeared before the others. Each was wrapped corresponding to their own personal colors.
She is so oblivious to her fate, it is almost adorable that she spends so much time pleasing all of you.
Rarity for once since her corruption ignored the voice and removed the ribbon from the package. The box fell away and inside was a single, silver tiara. It was smaller than her hoof, didn't sparkle and didn't have a gem on it anywhere. Rarity could see that this was exactly what the others had gotten, too.
"It's...lovely, Twilight." Applejack said.
Don't lie, Applejack. Break her heart and tell her what you really think!
"Go on, girls! Put them on!"
Rarity looked around at the others. Seeing that they weren't putting it on, she nominated herself to do so. She slipped the tiara onto her head. It was so small, you could barely see it hidden in her mane.
"Wait for it..." Twilight urged.
A silver ball of light encased the tiara and Rarity could fell it growing on her head. The others watched her in awe as she felt the magic spread along the length of her main and then down her body to her tail and along her dress. There was a small, delicate silver firework and the magic faded. Her tiara had now grown and had shaped itself beautifully to encase thousands of shimmery purple and silver jewels and pearls. The same gems had been woven into her now delicately and perfectly curled and styled main and tail, and light purple shimmering glitter had been added onto the dress. Other things had been added to her outfit and as she looked at herself in the mirror, she gasped. She looked stunning.
If only she knew that her efforts were completely wasted....
The others put their tiaras on and each gasped at each others improved outfits.
"Ready for the ceremony, girls?" Twilight asked.
They all nodded.
I am as ready as I will ever be.

Act normal. The time will come soon.
"So um, Twilight. Don't you have a special magical tiara thingy too?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Yes, I do!" Twilight drew out a small silver tiara from the folds of her dress.
"Why isn't it gold?" Rarity asked.
"What? Why would it need to be gold?"
"You are the main princess, so wouldn't a gold tiara mark you out as special?"
"Oh, Rarity! Whenever did you get so silly? I want us all to be the special princesses tonight! Not just me! I want my friends to be equal to me and have just as much fun that I will have!" Twilight put on her tiara and ended up looking beautiful, but nevertheless, a bit like her friends.
I do not think being destroyed is going to be fun.
"Cadance! There you are!" Twilight galloped over to her sister-in-law who was talking with a few other ponies who had gathered in the courtyard. These other ponies bowed when they saw Twilight coming, and then went away to talk with those of a less higher status.
"Twilight! You look amazing!" Cadance exclaimed as her husband Shining Armour went to greet his parents who had just arrived.
"Not as amazing as you do!"
"Thanks! But I can't help feeling there's something missing to my outfit..."
"I have just the thing!"
Twilight presented Cadance with a tiara. The result was that Cadance was transformed into her crystal form and looked as stunning as she had done on her wedding day.
The sisters hugged, Cadance muttering thanks and Twilight then galloped over to greet her parents, who were old but had been granted half-immortality due to the family's big connection with royalty.
More ponies arrived and it was finally time for the ceremony.

"May I present to you, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Prince Shining Armour of the Crystal Empire!" The crowed cheered as the couple walked down the carpet and onto the balcony. They waved at the gathering of ponies below and then moved aside for the announcer's next announcement.
"May I also present to you, the five Princess Minors of Equestria!" The crowed cheered and hollered, but died down again when they realised the five ponies weren't there.
"Where are the Princess Minors?" The anonymous announcer whispered to another pony. Said pony galloped off before returning with even worse news.
"Princess Twilight Sparkle is missing as well!"

**** **** ****

"Girls, are you nervous?" Twilight asked her friends as she prepared herself to walk out onto the balcony.
"Not really, dear. Why are you nervous?" Rarity asked absent-mindedly.
"I don't know, really."
"Then don't be nervous."
"I suppose we should go get ready to go on, then." Twilight made for the door before realising that her friends weren't following. "Aren't you coming, girls?"
"Don't worry, Twilight, were coming."
"OK, then." Twilight stepped forward and then collided with a strong magical barrier. "Girls, there's a barrier here. I think we're trapped!"
"We know, Twilight." Fluttershy whispered slyly.
"Girls, what's going on!?" Twilight turned to face her friends to see that they were all grinning menacingly, Pinkie's mane had deflated and Rarity's horn was charging up rapidly.
"Girls!?..."
"Don't bother screaming because there'll be no-one around to hear you!"
Twilight screamed anyway as they were teleported out of the room.

**** **** ****

"I'm sure there's an explanation for this!" Cadance cried as she made to search the castle. "Wait here, I'll go look for them!"
No need to panic, my little ponies!
Everyone was silenced as dark smoke started spiraling from the balcony.
Cadance screamed. "That looks like...like..."
The smoke grew think and joined together in a big bubble. It then contracted and exploded and in it's place stood a ferocious alicorn mare. She was taller than Celestia had been and her mane was made up of fire which was streaked with rainbow colours, yet this made it look all the more menacing. It had a white horn, yellow and cyan wings, and and orange and pink body. It's eyes were empty, and a scar was slashed right across the left eye.
"The Princess Minors...they're evil?" Cadance murmered.
"What have you done with my sister!?" Shining Armour yelled at the abomination.
She's right...here!
Everypony gasped as that horn levitated an unconscious Twilight into their view.
Here is your precious princess!
"Who are you!?" Cadance yelled at the evil alicorn, though she already knew the answer. Instead of sending out thoughts, the creature opened it's mouth to speak. When it spoke, it spoke with the voices of Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy.
"I am the Scarred Mare, of course!"
"No, who are they? The ones at the back of your mind?"
"Us? We are the Princess Minors! The other five Elements of Harmony!" The Scareed Mare levitated Twilight higher off the ground and a firey red ball of dark magic encased her.
"We have been waiting all our lives for the chance to become great! When we were entrusted with the task of Princess Minors, then we took this as destiny telling us we were destined to be proper rulers! And finally, with little Twilight Sparkle out of the way-" The dark globe of magic pulsed and shot towards a window, shattering it. It zoomed like a shadowy comet towards the night sky, and then it dissappeared, Twilight going with it."-we shall finally have that power!"
"No! I won't let you drive fear into the hearts of the citizens of Equestria!" Cadance cried. "I'll fight you!"
"Oh really?"
Cadance screamed along with all the other ponies as white light encased her. The last thing she heard was her husband screaming her name.

**** **** ****

"I must say, this has proved to be a very worthy evening." The Scarred Mare said in a voice that was very much her own. It was a beautiful but dark and cold voice. She looked out of a smashed window in the tallest tower of Canterlot Castle. She could sense the five ponies at the back of her mind fighting her, trying to break free.
She laughed. "Let us out!" She mimicked. "We've changed our minds!" "This isn't what we wanted!"
She chuckled. "Oh, you little sillies! It's to late to change your mind! Twilight has been sent to the smallest star in the sky, without any feeling or senses in an unbreakable coma, you are trapped in my mind and Cadance and anyone who have any chance of beating me are now chained up deeper down than the dungeon. It was only your jealous foolishness that brought this sorrow to the land. Can't you see? I have won, once and for all!"

"She's done it."
"I know."
"What about Cadance?"
"She'll survive, I'm sure."
"Are you really, really, very sure?"
"You know I'm not."
"What do we do know?"
"We hope. Are you willing to hope?"
"Yes."
"Just hope, and things may turn out right. Remember that."
"I will."
Hope.

Rainbow Dash's Jealousy

Rainbow Dash's Jealousy

"One more to go and she'll have won. That's it."
Celestia walked over to stand next to her sister.
"I do not doubt her power, Luna, but just remember that there will always be hope."
"Since when did hope ever do anyhting?"
Celestia raised an eyebrow. Luna continued.
"Since when did hoping do anything! I hoped for 1000 years, stuck on the moon, waiting for 'the time to be right' as you always put it! I was alone, and I hoped! I have hoped that she would never return! I have hoped that nothing wrong would happen anymore! Hope didn't ever do anything!"
"Luna-"
Luna got up and fought her sister's annoying, reasoning voice and galloped away across the red, away from the sun and her parents and everything to do with anything.

"What. Is. That?!" Rainbow Dash yelled at a weather mare nearby.
"Um....a r-raincloud?...."
"Why is there a raincloud in the sky today?"
"Um...Fillydelphia are scheduled for a storm today and were just moving it across-"
"Tell them to reschedule! Do you even know what day it is?!"
"Um.....n-not exactly..."
"It is 'Princess-Twilight's-First-Anniversary-Eve', that's what day it is!"
The weather mare squealed, nodded and flew off.
Four friends of hers were watching, not very far off.
"She is just too loyal for this plan to work!" Rarity whispered.
"Let Subby handle it! She's really talented! If I knew what she looked like, I bet her cutie mark would be in persuading people to get involved in evil schemes!"
"An' what would that even look like?"
Pinkie shrugged, her main bouncing happily. She had recently poofed it up, because 'Subby' had told her she was drawing to much attention to herself.
And you will all draw attention to yourselves if you go around whispering like scheming maniacs!
Everypony silenced themselves to tune in to the voices latest branch of the plan.

"Rainbow, you do know that the colour of the napkins was fine already?" Twilight said as Rainbow Dash bossed the staff around the dining hall that would be used tomorrow evening. She had made them change the napkin colour, the plates, the candles-she had even made them take down the chandelier and put up a new one.
"Just sticking up for you, Twi." Rainbow assured.
"I know, I know."

"We have to get her alone. That's probably the only way we'll have some chance of corrupting her." Fluttershy whispered to Angel as they walked down the corridor to meet the other three. "Do you think you could help?"
Angel stuck his nose in the air.
"I'll give you your favourite salad!"
The bunny ignored her.
"I promise I won't give you a bath for a week!"
The bunny wanted more.
"Three weeks!"
Nope.
"A whole month!"
That won't do it.
"An entire year!"
The stubborn creature opened one eye, and finally nodded.
Finally.

"Angel! Come back here with that napkin!" Rainbow raced across the halls at Wonderbolt speed, but she couldn't catch up to the annoying animal. She was also strangely obsessed with napkins right now. Rainbow, I mean, not Angel.
"You little-UGH! Where are you!" Rainbow lost sight of the mischevious bunny and came to a halt in a strange but familiar room. It was the room shrouded in shadows. The room that contained a chest. A chest that contained Nightmare Moon's shattered pieces of armour.
Don't fret. That rabbit will return the napkin to its rightful place soon.
"Who's there? Show yourself! I'm not scared of you!"
Listen. Stop jumping around!
"This is starting to get creepy..." Rainbow said as whisps of smoke seemed to rise from the armour and float around the room. "Pinkie, if this is you trying to get back at me for the other day, then it's fine, lesson learned!"
No. I am not Pinkie Pie. I am your subconsiousness.
"Right......."
Listen. I have an offer to make.
"I'm listening."
Do you want to be an alicorn princess and have ultimate power?
"But wouldn't that mean Twili-"
Of course you would have to destroy her first to get your hands on the throne, but then-
"Uh-uh! No way! Are you crazy? The others wouldn't let me do this! They would exile me right on the spot!"
"No, we wouldn't." Rainbow Dash jumped as Fluttershy's, Pinkie Pie's, Rarity's and Applejack's voices all spoke as one from the shadows. "In fact, we love this idea of power!"
"All of you guys are in on this?"
"That's right."
"I don't know....sure it sounds promising..."
Come on, Rainbow Dash. Are you not the Element of Loyalty?
"I am the Element of Loyalty!"
So, who are you going to be loyal to? One petty little princess, or your best friend since flight camp...
Rainbow's gaze wondered to Fluttershy.
....a friend who always made the time to hear your problems......
Rainbow looked at Rarity.
....the super fun party pony that you love to pull pranks with.....
Rainbow glanced at Pinkie Pie.
......and a friendly rival who may never give you any apple cider ever again if you don't follow the plan?
Rainbow turned her head towards Applejack.
"I don't know.....I should probably go with Twilight, being a princess having to follow my duty and all...."
Let me picture this.....another way. Can you see your home city in your mind's eye?
"Cloudsdale?"
Exactly. Now picture i crumbling, being burned to a cinder, flames raging around the place, the ones you loved getting lost forever.
"What? You don't seriously mean-"
I do. All of this can be saved if you just come with me. Will you be loyal to your home city and family?
"Yes. I'll go with you."
We start tomorrow.