Chapter 1: The Beginning of the End
Chapter 1: The Beginning of the End
As night made its descent to the small town of Ponyville, it brought with it, a dark foreboding wind. There was a dead silence as the Sandman's spell washed over all the ponies drifting them over to their own personal paradise. It was only in the small confines of the Ponyville Library that a strange breeze, reminiscent of perfume and sulfite made its way in and surrounded the bed of a unicorn, Twilight Sparkle. The cold began to overtake her and she slowly drifted away to the sound of a snoring baby dragon, innocent and unaware.
The moment she closed her eyes, she could feel an unusual sensation crawling up her back, stinging her like an angry hornet. Her eyes opened to an empty room, dark and barren. Twilight looked around and nervously called out "Hello? Is anypony there?" Her voice echoed alone with no response.
Twilight walked forward and saw a bright light rising from the ground. The light began forming a tall, unusual figure. At first, it appeared as a pony, but rose, lifting his two front feet and stood straight up. The creature, now visible turned to Twilight Sparkle revealing a bright silhouette, blank except for three horizontal blue slits on his face. Twilight timidly looked up and spoke "Um, hi, would you mind telling me where exactly this is?"
The strange being ignore her and autonomously extended his right arm, palms open, turning his head in that direction. A huge ray of light burst forth from his hand and fired into the distance. As it made contact with the ground, a fiery explosion scorched the air and land around her. Twilight Sparkle closed her eyes and moved her hooves up to protect her face from the raging fires.
She slowly opened her eyes and stopped at the horrifying sight. She stood motionless, trying to form tears, but remained too stricken with fear to do so. Her lips stuttered and she let out muffled "No…" as a cloud of black smoke slowly began to wrap itself around her body.
Twilight Sparkle jolted up, covered in perspiration and fear, looked around at the familiar sights of the library. Books were neatly lined up and the rug, spotless and fresh from her recent cleaning escapades. Twilight, now breathing heavily, slammed her body back down against her bed and let out a sigh.
Out from below in a tired voice, the baby dragon, Spike "Twilight, are you okay?" Twilight, slightly embarrassed from the commotion answered "Yeah! Just a nightmare, that's all."
Spike, tired from his recent work, cleaning the library, fell right back to sleep and Twilight, now relaxed, did the same, peacefully falling into the safe haven provided only in the comfort of one's dreams.
"You summoned me, your highness?"
"Yes, we would request that you raise defenses around the castle and have all available guards placed strategically around any and all possible entrances."
"Of course, but what is the reason? Are expecting an attack?"
"No, tis just a feeling. I feel something strange, a danger approaching."
"What is it your highness? A flood or an assassination attempt, perhaps?"
"No, I fear it is far worse."
"Twilight!"
There was a voice ripping into Twilight Sparkle's mind like a knife through butter. She could feel the inner darkness of her subconscious fade away as she drifted into reality, sunlight pouring into her bed sheets. She let out a half-hearted grunt and looked to Spike, standing beside her.
The baby dragon spoke in an annoyed manner "Twilight, the Summer Suns Festival is tonight! You're supposed to meet with the others in less than an hour!"
Twilight's face turned to panic as she jolted upward, clumsily jumping off the bed. She headed for the door, saying "By Celestia's beard! I can't believe I slept in! In NEVER sleep in! I specifically scheduled ahead of time that I would wake up at precisely 9:15. I even scheduled it in schedule for my current schedule!"
Spike, sighed and spoke with great apathy "You don't have to hurry. I'm sure they'll understand if you're just a little late. Beside, you still haven't eaten breakfast!"
"No time, Spike! I'm never late and I don't intend for this to be the first time!"
Spike nodded his head silently as Twilight ran through the using her magic to slam the door behind her. With the library behind her, Twilight snapped her hooves forward and galloped with great hasted down the small dirt road, leading to the center of Poniville. Just as she made it past the first few houses, she stopped at the sight of a grey blob flashing in front of her. The sudden stop caused Twilight to fall to the ground, with her nose by the gray hooves of whoever stood before her.
Twilight stood up to the sight of a gray Pegasus with a long and unkempt hair, bright and golden. She stopped for a moment and stared at her eyes. They were walled and yellow with the left currently facing her and the right upwards, in an entirely separate direction.
Twilight nervously smiled saying "Oh, hi Derpy Hooves…"
The wall-eyed Derpy smiled ecstatically and spoke in a gleeful voice "Hey, Twilight! I was just wondering, if you weren't busy, if we could hang out before the big festival."
Twilight awkwardly looked away and maneuvered around Derpy saying "Oh, umm, I would love to but I'm afraid I have a very busy schedule and have to meet somebody very important. Maybe next time!"
Twilight continued to force a smile and ran past her while Derpy simply smiled and waved shouting "Okay, next time!"
Twilight, picked up pace as she galloped to the center of Poniville market, now arriving to the large candy decorated house labeled "Sugarcube Corner". Twilight used her head to gently push open the doors and walked into the colorful, sugar scented house.
Inside, it was completely empty. Twilight Sparkle briefly recalled Mr. and Mrs. Cake saying that they were going to Canterlot for a special order. Twilight yelled into receptive, candy-filled walls "Hello? Is Pinkie Pie here?"
She could hear a rustling nearby and heard an excited voice yell "Twilight, I'm down here!" Twilight's eyes followed the voice to a large halfway open door. Twilight slowly walked over and pushed the door open with her front hoof revealing a flight of stairs. She was familiar with the basement in sugarcube corner but had never actually been inside of it.
Twilight Sparkle walked forward cautious of each and every step. She called out "Pinkie Pie, are you down here?"
There was a giggle as Pinkie Pie "Of course, silly!"
"Why is it so dark and why are you alone in the basement?"
"I'm not alone, Dashie's here! We're just in the middle of making cupcakes! You want to help?"
"Umm, I don't know. Pinkie, just what are you up to?"
Twilight flashed a bright ball of light from her horn, illuminating the entire room. In the flash that it took Twilight to summon the light, a bright pink figure jumped in front of her and yelled "Surprise!"
Twilight fell back, her heart pounding, and looked around her. In front of her was a smiling Pinkie Pie, her hair ever so fluffy and pink. There was a mess of sugar and frosting as well as a banner that read "Happy Almost your Birthday, Twilight!" To the right, floating on top of a set of trays was Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash flapped her wings excitedly and laughed "Haha! You should see the look on your face! We got you good!"
Twilight stumbled back up and asked with a dumbfounded look "Guys, what's going on?" Pinkie Pie hopped back and forth "We threw you a surprise party!"
"But my birthday isn't for another month."
"That's why we threw you a party for your pre-birthday birthday party! It would have had a bigger turnout but the others were a little busy." said Pinkie Pie now giggling hysterically.
Twilight Sparkle joined in the laughter and added "Oh, Pinkie Pie, you are so random." The laughter was soon followed by the sounds of joy as they ate the freshly made cupcakes and joked around. After Twilight finished off the last one, she spoke in a more serious tone "I almost forgot! We still need to meet with Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rarity! Do you know where they are?"
Rainbow Dash flying around the room said "I don't know where they are at the moment but I think they're having another one of those Cutie Mark Crusader Meetings at Fluttershy's place. It should end soon, so if we hurry we can meet up with all of them at the same time."
The other two followed Twilight Sparkle up the stairs with Twilight commenting "Great idea! We'll head there right away! Hopefully Fluttershy can handle those three foals for a little while longer. I mean, they're just fillies…"
Fluttershy's entire body remained frozen in panic, rhythmically breathing in sparse frequency. Her body remained firm, hugging against the base wood of her large oak tree. She looked down at the ground, several feet below. She knew that if she fell, it would mean certain injury and she was too scared to even open her wings. She could vaguely make out the sounds of children's screams behind her.
"Sorry again, Miss Fluttershy, we were just trying to make a birdhouse. Besides, it was Scootaloo's idea to use hornbeam instead of dragonheart for the base wood!"
"Me!? It was Sweetie Belle's idea to use the Necronomicon!"
"I was just trying to help!"
Twilight Sparkle gave an exasperated sigh and huffed and puffed, trying to keep with Rainbow Dash's sheer speed and Pinkie Pie's limitless supply of energy. She rushed to keep up and while yelling "What's the rush, we have all day!"
Pinkie Pie gleefully exclaimed "So we can meet the others! I've been busy with party planning and working all week! I can't wait to see the others again!"
Rainbow Dash, currently hiding her enthusiasm, was also excited, for she had been waiting all month for the festival just so she could see the Wonderbolts perform, and hanging out with her friends was an added bonus.
As Twilight Sparkle began to pick up speed, it suddenly came to a stop as Pinkie slammed her hooves to the ground, causing Twilight to crash into her and land face against the dirt. Twilight Sparkle slowly rubbed dirt away from her face saying in an annoyed tone "Pinkie, what was that for? Next time, give me a proper warning."
However, there was no response. Twilight growing aggravated turned her head to shout at the other but as she tried to speak, her lips fell silent as she stared in the horizon, past he leaves of the Everfree Forest.
A cloud of red had formed in a perfect circle around Fluttershy's house. Below the cloud was a large arching rock formation filled with a fiery, orange, liquid-like substance. The substance however, appeared to be 2 dimensional, thinly veiling the rocks around it. Past it she could make out a large red figure moving towards a large oak tree.
Rainbow Dash fumbled out the word "Wha-what in the name of Celestia is that?"
Twilight Sparkle paused, trying to gather words spoke hesitantly "I-I don't know, but I think Fluttershy and those three fillies are still over there!"
Rainbow Dash jumped to her senses "Then let's not waste anymore time!" Rainbow Dash flapped her wings and zipped straight towards Fluttershy's cottage, followed closely by Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle.
Twilight tripped over the rocks and broken twigs that laced the ground she tread on. She continued to gain speed and stopped before the towering tree and looked into the eyes of the red figure she had spotted earlier.
The strange being was bipedal and walked with a firm and stern poise. He was almost 20 feet in height, easily towering over Twilight Sparkle and her friends. The creature wore a long brown, cloth that covered his legs and a spikey, black neckpiece that matched his long black fingernails. What scared Twilight most, apart his protruding horns, was his eyes; blood red and completely devoid of rational thought or intelligent reasoning.
Twilight Sparkle backed her hind legs up and twisted her neck up to see the three fillies, desperately hugging Fluttershy for comfort. Twilight yelled at the top of her lungs "Hold on girls! We'll get you down from there!"
The girls seemed to ignore her and continued to look on in fear while Twilight tried to think. As she backed up, still tripping over her own hooves, she could hear Rainbow Dash yelling at her "That's it! If no one's going to do anything, I will!"
Rainbow Dash flapped her wings as if to charge the best before being halted by Twilight's left hoof.
"That wouldn't be a very good idea. I think I know what we're dealing with."
"Well, what is it?"
"I'm not sure, but I've several books that mention monsters almost identical to this thing. They go by the name 'Dremora'."
"Dremora? What the heck is that?"
"They're powerful creatures that reside deep in the realm of Oblivion, but I have no idea how it could have entered into our world."
"Okay, we know what it is, how is that going to help us stop it?"
"I think if we can somehow incapacitate him, I can cast a sealing spell and send him back to Oblivion. Unfortunately that's easier said than done."
As she prepared herself, a voice came from behind her "What in tarnation is going on here?"
Twilight Sparkle turned around, staring at Applejack, who was now adjusting her brown hat and looking in confusion at the demon. The orange-furred pony continued forward beside Twilight, saying "Twilight, what did my little sister do this time?"
"I'm not quite sure, but right now we need to concentrate on getting them out that tree, pronto."
"Alright, Rarity and I can get them out while you try and do yer fancy magic and whatnot."
"Rarity?" Twilight said confused.
Amidst their conversation, there was a huffing and heavy panting coming from out of the field. Applejack turned and shouted "Took you long nuff, now hurry, we gotta save our sisters!"
"I'm a delicate fashionista, I'm not suited to for such manual labor!"
"Dangit Rarity! In all my years of selling apples and apple accessories, ain't never seen a bigger whiner!"
"I'm not whining, I'm complaining! Also-Sweetie Belle!" Rarity's long, violet, curly mane fell against the tormented winds as stared in horror at the endangered fillies.
"Rarity, now ain't no time to be arguing. We need to find a way to get those foals out of there, right now."
"Okay, I'm ready!"
Applejack extended her neck to her side and used her teeth to pull open the small satchel hanging on her side. She reached in and pulled out a long, worn-out lasso by the grit of her teeth. She tapped her front hoof against the dirt, as she readied her lasso. She spoke against the girth of the rope "Rarity, when I give you the signal, I need ya to use that horn of your and keep those fillies protected so they stay under my rope."
"I shall try!"
Applejack silently nodded and stomped her hoof one more time, ready to give the signal. Before she could however, there was a sudden silence followed by sound of wood tearing. Applejack panicked and ran forward, faster than Rarity could anticipate. Rarity fell to the ground as Applejack left a wall of smoke behind her, gaining speed. Her head lay forward continuously spinning the rope looking at the branch that housed her sister and her friends. She looped around the monster, dodging its immediate vision and slid to a stop as she twirled her rope one last time.
There was a loud crack as the tree branch housing Fluttershy and the others burst into pieces, with tiny wooden fragments filling the gloomy skies. Applejack wasted no time as tossed the rope towards the falling ponies. They were now falling fast against the wind, releasing screams of terror. She could vaguely make out Fluttershy's tears as she tried to hug the three fillies and open her wings, but was too overcome with fright and shock. The rope continued to extend as they came farther down, where they were sure to make contact. Applejack's perspiration was now making it difficult to maintain a grasp on the flying rope.
The two forces came closer and closer until Applejack felt a snag as the rope tightened on the falling ponies. Applejack acted quickly and began to pull back, making the rope grab hold and force them backwards. An instantaneous feeling of relief hit Applejack before she could notice the orange silhouette quickly falling from under the rope. Applejack was still pulling the group out when she heard them all shout in unison "Scootaloo!" Applejack had no time to react and could only watch as Scootaloo's eyes closed, soaked with tears, as she came closer and closer to the ground. Before she could even think to react, there was a huge burst for wind that pushed her blond mane forward.
Scootaloo could feel herself now fully separated from the rope and could see the ground coming closer and closer. She wanted to scream, she wanted to cry, but could only feel hopeless overpower her and wrap around her like black veil. She could only close her eyes and cry at her weak little wings that could barely support her weight. She curled and covered her face as she let out a flood of tears, giving up all hope as she prepared for the force of the ground. She could feel a strange wind her as she fell now. Before she could react or open her eyes, she felt a force against her, pick her up and stop her in place.
Scootaloo remained with her feet dangling but could feel a warm arm underneath her belly, supporting her. Scootaloo opened her, eyes and past the wetness that filled her visions, she could see a blue arm holding her and large almost angelic wings stretching to the heavens. Scootaloo lifted head to the skies and could make out a flowing rainbow mane glistening in the sunlight. Scootaloo's eyes grew wide and she fumbled out the words "R-R-Rainbow Dash!" She could barely contain herself as tears glistened her cheeks and smile extended across her face.
"Hey, you okay kid? Be more careful. There's no need to cry while I'm around, I've got ya!"
Scootaloo wiped the tears from her face and said "Yeah, I know…" Rainbow Dash smiled flew off over the red monster and the two briefly made eye contact. The monster was now making a smirk as it looked at the guarded Scootaloo, eliciting a scowl from Rainbow Dash. Applejack was just now arriving with the other fillies and Fluttershy as Rainbow Dash made her landing and dropped off Scootaloo. Applejack herded them together and pulled next to Twilight Sparkle as the three fillies continued to hug each other in relief.
"That takes care of one problem. Now how's about we take care of this creep!" said Applejack watching the dremora begin his tread towards them, having made notice of their earlier actions.
"The only question is how. I know I can send him back with my magic but I don't know how you're going to be able to subdue him. I don't think any of our physical attacks will do any damage to him.
Rainbow Dash flew forward and said in a cocky tone "We'll see about that!"
"Wait, Rainbow Dash!"
Rainbow Dash ignored their pleas and smiled and sped with her hooves raised. This thing didn't even have any weapons, how was it going to stop the fastest mare in all Equestria?" Rainbow Dash curled her hooves and readied for attack and began to notice the dremora doing the same. As she came closer the demon raised his left hand, spreading his fingers out, as a dark violet cloud of smoke gathered around it. The smoke began to materialize in the form of a long red sword. Rainbow Dash quickly swerved to avoid the dremora's attack. The monster continued forward and made more attempts at Rainbow Dash as she maneuvered around him, realizing the mistake in her rashness.
Rainbow Dash gave up and turned back, flying towards her friends. The monster continued to follow as Rainbow Dash screamed, her voice growing hoarse "Run!" Rainbow Dash took a sharp turn, voiding her friends as the daedra continued towards the others in a bloodthirsty rage. Twilight Sparkle signaled the others and the followed Rainbow Dash's lead.
Twilight Sparkle clumsily ran and turned to Applejack saying "Great, what are we going to do NOW?"
"I don't know, but I reckon we're gonna have to shoot for a miracle if we hope to beat this thing."
Twilight Sparkle turned around and saw the back of the daedra. She twisted her body around and yelled to the others "Wait! There's something wrong."
Rainbow stopped and flew higher to see the red silhouette hovering over a small creature. A look of worry poured over Rainbow Dash's face.
"Guys, is everyone with you?"
"Yeah, me, you, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applebloom, Scootaloo, and-Sweetie Belle! Where's Sweetie Belle?"
Rarity let out a scream as she looked around shouting "Sweetie Belle! Sweetie Belle! Where are you?"
Pinkie Pie gasped and pointed in the distance to the dremora "Look! I think I found her!"
The dremora was now walking in a steady pace, holding onto his sword. In front of him was a small white mare, clumsily running and obviously exhausted. Rarity's face grew wide and a feeling of shock expanded throughout the group and was broken as Rarity let out a scream "Sweetie Belle!"
Rainbow Dash flew forward in a desperate attempt to halt the beast but was tossed aside like a ragdoll. Sweetie Belle, pushed beyond her physical limits, fell face forward and could only crawl along the dirt and mud in an attempt to get away. Hopelessness grew as the vile daedra stopped and with a smile, licked his lips, raising his sword arm.
The others tried to move forward but were stopped in fear as the daedra raised his sword. A mist of silence swept through the group like blanket covering and muffling their voices. In the midst of the silence came a sudden roar. The others turned to see Rarity; her eyes now brimmed with rage. She yelled "You stupid beast. NO ONE HURTS MY FAMILY!" A purple aura wrapped itself around her body and shot outward at the monster.
The monster stopped his hand mind thrust as the purple ray of light shot towards him quickly wrapped itself around him. The daedra struggled to move was restrained by Rarity's attack. The others stood in shock as Rarity stood triumphant. Rarity said impatiently "Just what are you waiting for, an invitation? Save my sister and send this ruffian back where he belongs!"
Twilight Sparkle nodded and called out to the others "Applejack, you grab Sweetie Belle. Pinkie Pie, you and Fluttershy will watch over Scootaloo and Applebloom and help Rarity in any way you can. Rainbow Dash, I need to get his attention and draw him here."
The others ran and took their positions, with Twilight Sparkle staying behind with Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. As the others left, Twilight turned to Rarity, sweating but still staring with a look of determination. Twilight said "Rarity, when Applejack grabs Sweetie Belle and I give the signal, I want you to let go of him."
"What? I thought you said you needed him incapacity before you could seal him!"
"I have a plan. Trust me; I know what I'm doing."
Applejack, running with full speed, swerved around the feet of the dremora, ignoring its hungry stare. She ran and by the grit of her teeth, grabbed a hold of the small white filly by the back of its neck. With Sweetie Belle in her grasp, she did a full turn, quickly stumbling over her hooves and fled away from the monster.
As the monster watched his prey escape, his anger grew in size and struggled harder against the glowing purple aura. There was now approaching a voice from behind him "Hey stupid, whatchya doing there? Too chicken to do anything?"
Rainbow dash began moving her arms around like a pair of wings and made squawking sounds. The monster was now visibly furious at the blue pegasus's taunting and was writhing about in his magical prison.
While watching from afar, Twilight yelled "Now Rarity!" Rarity followed Twilight and with a sigh, dropped her head and dissipated the violet aura from her body.
The mystical cloak began to fade from the dremora's body and he quickly took pleasure in his newfound freedom by swinging his arm and grasping tightly on his blade. Rainbow Dash back up and yelled "Twilight, why is it moving?"
"It's okay, I need you to draw him here!"
"Sounds crazy, but okay!"
Rainbow Dash gave him a playful squawk and flew west, towards the others. The monster angrily took part in her little game, running towards her with full speed.
Twilight Sparkle, watched from a distance and sighed saying "Good, now it's my turn!" Twilight stomped her hoof on the ground and her horn grew a bright orange tint. She lifted up the back of her hoof and drew a small circle in the dirt and drew symmetrical lines from the inside to its edges. The circle began glowing in a similar tint to that of her horn before growing in size.
Twilight Sparkle backed up behind the now massive glowing circle and clamped her front hooves together, standing only on her hind legs. Her horn now sprayed fiery sparks into the ground as she watched Rainbow Dash head towards the circle. She yelled "Rainbow Dash, lure him onto the circle!"
With only a simple salute, Rainbow Dash obliged and spun around the giant circle, waiting for the beast to come closer. She continued taunting "What's the matter, tired?"
The angered and blood red daedra sprinted and to the center of the circle. As he landed his right foot, however, the circle exploded into an explosion of color and long golden chains sprung from the ground.
The demon tried to move but was helpless, but was unable to dodge the chains as they jumped up and wrapped around his body. Twilight closed her eyes and began chanting in an unusual tongue "Daal! Daal! Bovul Faal Taazokaan! Bex Faal Jot Do Dinok Ahrk Daal Wah Hin Lein!"
The circle, housing the monster began spraying rays of light into the sky and covering itself around the monster. The helpless daedra began screaming manically and its entire body began to fade into the ground and fall though the dirt like it was falling through water. The others watched in awe as the monster slowly faded from existence. Twilight Sparkle continued to concentrate as rays of light burst from her horn until, as quickly as it came; the creature disappeared from the face of the earth.
As the deadra now vanished, so the sky cleared and returned to its original state; pure and blue as the water's rippling waves. The air blossomed with cheers of excitement and sighs of relief blooming from some of the most unlikely of ponies; namely a certain blue winged pegasus. Amidst their cheers and joy, Twilight Sparkles' horn and body had relinquished its pervious orange glow. Twilight could quickly feel her body growing numb and struggled to stand. She violently fell against the dirt, heavily breathing and desperately struggling to maintain consciousness. There was a brief moment of silence followed by panic as they ran to the injured pony.
Applejack lifted her up, using her back as leverage and yelled "Twilight, you okay? Twilight?" Twilight softly mumbled and spoke in a weak tone "I'm fine, that spell just took a lot out of me." Twilight began coughing furiously and continued "But right now, we need to tell the princes about what happened here. If a couple of fillies could open the inter-dimensional gates, I don't want to think about what could happen if someone actively tried to use it against us." Twilight continued her coughing her body began to shake feverishly.
Applejack shushed her and said "It's okay sugarcube, don't you worry. We'll let the princess know right away."
Twilight, only one eye remaining open said "Wait! Bring Spike. Having him along will make it easier to enter the castle. He should still be at the library."
"Alright, we'll take you on home and fetch Spike. Don't you worry about a thing Twilight!"
Twilight tried to smile but her body was worn out beyond exhaustion. She could feel her body growing numb and she slowly faded out of consciousness. As her eyes began to close, she could barely make out large sparks blending in the background; a bright, burning light engulfing everything around her.
Applejack, noticing Twilight falling asleep, dashed past Fluttershy's cottage and through the town. Of all the night for disaster, it was this: the Summer Sun's Festival. As the ponies grew in excitement and naively readied themselves for a night of fun and games, a dark shadow dawned over the peaceful town of Ponyville.
Far away in the lands east, two figures stood, walking alongside the dirt and sand, now stained with blood. There were no voices in the small town of Appleloosa, only the flickering of flames and the sound of broken wood and the collapsing of buildings.
"So this is Equestria, eh? Can't believe the boss would even care about a place like this."
"Now, now, I'm sure he has his reasons. Besides, it's not our job to question him."
"Fine, but let's get on with this then. I'm already bored."
"Calm yourself. We have a job to do, might as well enjoy it."
"I'll try, but I still don't understand why the boss needs these targets so bad."
"Supposedly, one of them has mastery of the sun and the other controls the moon. Or at least that's what these ponies believe. Either way, all we have to worry about is securing the target and taking out the rest of the surrounding towns. Our men will take care of the rest."
"Sounds like fun to me!"
"That's the spirit! Now let's pay Ponyville a little visit."
