Struggle

by Rocktavius Dashylight

Rating: teen
Tags: Romance, Dark, Sad
Length: 7579

Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rainbow going through problems

No, this is not Mien Kampf. It is book one to the series Love and Death. Love and Death is my utopia; it is my past, present, and future. This series is of my life, untwined in the drama that sits before your eyes.

It has love. It has death. It has sadness, depression, anger, revenge, emptiness. It has possession, evil, betrayal, lies. It has humor, comedy, romance. It is a story of many colors.

Entrapped in a lonely body, I have suffered. This story is my life. This story is my love. This story is my death. It is my Utopia. But why does it have all of the problems? My Utopia has those problems fixed.

In this story specifically, it has finding love, loneliness, fighting self, fighting past, and fighting enemies. All of the characters are me. All of them going through what I have. Everything.

Love. Life. Death. All of the same.

Be ready to see laughter. Be ready to see depression. Be ready to see power. Be ready to see evil. Be ready to see the unseen battle if this world. The battle between darkness and light.

The battle of life. The battle of love. The battle of death.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2012-05-06 19:38:02 UTC

Frank Einstein

Her eyes. Her beautiful eyes. Those purple eyes that dig deep into the soul, carving it and shaking all of the anger, regrets, and evil away. Fulfilling my heart. Squeezing it causing me to long for her to stay in my life.

The beauty, tugging my attention. Her intelligence just as great. The love of my life in my possession.

She was everything.

The purple pony nuzzled her head under my grey chin. I petted her; the soft fur running under my hoof, the hair subsiding to the hoof. The warmth hugging my heart. The very thought of this precious pony sent chills up my spine.

"I love you," she suddenly said.

My heart skipped a beat. "I love you too. More than you know." She pulled away and pursed her lips, moving toward me. I did the same, and then----

Why does every good dream have to end with waking up? Frank Einstein groggily got out of bed, the sun blinded him as he brushed his ruffled hair...wait. He checked the time by the sun. SNAP! He was late!

Frank frantically grabbed his teaching books and galloped out of the house.

As he ran, the dream reapered from his memory banks. He'll never find somepony for him. Nopony was nerdy enough. And who would marry a math teacher? And the chances of finding somepony that perfect? Heh, he was a math teacher, and that can't even be calculated.

Love... He didn't really know love. He was a nerdy math teacher. Love needs to exist in his life, or he'll be living in this terrible secluded darkness.

Ponyville High  appeared, and he ran through the double doors.

"MR. EENSTEEN! LATE AGAIN!"

"Yes sir... Sorry sir" Frank said. He had never grown the courage to tell his boss that it was Ine stine, not een steen.

"Don't be late again, or ELSE!"

"Yes, Mr. Alvin Ribuk."

"THAT'S PROFESSOR RIBUK!"

"Yes sir. Yes sir,...Professor Ribuk." The pony trotted away, glaring at Frank.

Sigh...looks like Frank's gunna have to wing his lesson...

___________________________

The lesson went over well, actually. A student cantered up to his desk at the end of class with a friendly smile.

"Howdy, Professor Ahnstahn." The orange pony said, taking off her hat.

"Please, just call me Frank. What can I do for you...um..."

"Applejack."

"Well, hello Ms. Applejack. You're actually the first pony I've met since I've come here. Well, nice pony that is," Frank pointed out.

"Heh heh. Well, I'm mahty uhbliged." AJ spoke, replacing her hat.

"What did you want?" Frank liked this pony. So respectful.

"Well, Ah really need help with this math stuff. Ah am country folk, ya know."

"Well, I usually don't tutor. I'll think about it."

"So, ya said ya haven't met nopony. Ah got some friends ya should meet."

"Sure, I'd be glad to." The first time ever Frank was escorted by a student.

___________________________

"I'm gunna kill that brat."

"Huh?"

"Mr. Eensteen will ruin my plans."

"But, why him, brother?"

"He might ruin my plans."

"What plans?"

"You will see."

Rainbow and books

Rainbow Dash forced herself to put down the Daring Doo book so she can go to Fluttershy's. William Penn's writings are so compelling, so compelling, in fact, it led her to, how did Twilight put it? "Petty theft."

A lone adventurer, almost exactly like her. Everypony knew she was the adventurer, but they didn't see the other half. Daring Doo was alone.

Sometimes, Rainbow wonders if loving a fictional character was wrong, but Daring Doo was her. Exactly like her. Perfect for her.

She'll have to tell somepony someday. Maybe Twilight would understand? She reads a lot of fiction. Or maybe Fluttershy. She knows what love feels like. She married Trey.

Speaking of Trey, Rainbow hasn't seen him much since Hearth's Warming Eve, or Christmas, as he called it.

Fluttershy was lucky to get a stallion like him. Rainbow would never be as lucky. And those rumors about her liking mares doesn't help.

Just because she was adventurous, she was coltish. And that was the root of her lonliness. No matter how many friends she gains, she still feels alone.

Twilight wanted to be alone. Why? It felt horrible! Empty! Misplaced!

Death. Now there was an odd thought. Would death be better than life? What was death? And did love come from death. Does she want to be dead? Hmmm.... She never thought about that. She wouldn't tell anypony about that though.

The cottage appeared, and a new thought popped up. Why did Fluttershy call them to her house. She could see it now. "I bet you all are wondering why i called you here today..."

"what are you up to, Fluttershy?" Rainbow mumbled to herself.

____________________________________________________________

Twilight had her own dream. The same, repeating nightmare. Her dark past coming and nearly killing her. The cuts, the bruises, the scars, all feeling real. She never could wake up when she wasnted to escape. Blood pouring under her, dying fast.

The dark Marenite laughing over her fallen body. Midnight Sparkle. Her dark past.

She awoke with sweat-soaked sheets. That nightmare...again!

She slowly got out of bed, mind reeling at the dream yet again. She had to get her mind off of it, so she burried herself in books.

She saw a book about dreams. "Maybe this'll help." She started reading, and she read aloud some things that caught her eye.

"Dreams could represent future, past, or present events." "[Dreams] could hold certain messages." "[Dreams] are supervised by the ruler of the night."

She'll have to ask Luna about this.

"Twilight? Shouldn't you be up at Fluttershy's?" Spike asked as he walked down the stairs.

Twilight looked at the sun. "You're right! See ya, Spike." She galloped out the library door.

___________________________

Spike wandered over to the opened book. "What has Twi been reading?" He picked up the book and read the circled line.

"Dreaming of the past may lead to death in the near future."

"My my. What HAS Twi been reading?" Must be that repeating nightmare she talks about. Hopefully she gets over this soon.

Sigh... Twilight left a huge mess... Time for a clean up.

A Personal Talk

Fluttershy looked at the six ponies as they awaited the reason of the meeting. She wondered if allowing this new pony in was such a good idea.

"Before we start," the grey unicorn requested, "can you girls introduce yourselves?"

"I'm Rarity. If you need any clothes, I'm the one to ask." She was bobbing her curl in her mane.

"I'm Pinkie Pie! I love parties! Partypartypartypartypartypar-"

"I'm Rainbow Dash," she said with her hoof pressed against Pinkie's mouth.

"I'm Fluttershy..."

"And my name is Twilight Sparkle." It was the first time the new pony noticed the purple unicorn. He looked as if he'd seen her before. But, before he could ask anything...

"Tea anypony?" Trey trotted in with a platter on his back. He gave Fluttershy a peck on the lips as he passed. Her heart fluttered once again.

___________________________

Frank wanted to know if he's seen Twilight anywhere, but a white pegasus walked in with tea. Why can't he find his special somepony like this fellow did?

"Hello, sir." Trey looked up to see who spoke.

"Why, hello. I didn't know we had somepony extra. Who might you be?"

"Frank. Frank Einstein."

"Ahhh. Mr. Einstein." He stuck out his hoof, and Frank shook it. "I've heard about you. Very high IQ."

"And who are you?"

"Bandmaster Anacrusis III, but call me Trey. I'm the band teacher for Ponyville High."

"Is that so? I teach up there too. Math teacher."

"Ain't that something?"

"Tell me, am I the only one who thinks there's something up with Alvin?"

"Huuuuuh! Oh no you didn't!"

The two started cracking up. "That's Professor Ribuk to you." Frank mimicked.

"But, to answer your question, yes."

"Man, I like you." Frank gave Trey a playful punch.

"Can we start, if you don't mind?" Fluttershy asked. Trey set the drinks on the coffee table while Frank cleared his throat and sat down.

"I was thinking...maybe, if you don't mind, that we could...tell...of our struggles."

Just as Fluttershy said this, Rainbow flew from the chair. "Sorry Fluttershy, but I'm not gunna stick around for these mamby pamby stories. Good bye." She flew out of the door and started racing home. She couldn't tell them! It'd ruin her reputation!

She finally got home, burrying her head under her pillow, and cried herself to sleep.

___________________________

Twilight couldn't tell these ponies her problems. That was for Luna and Luna only. Hopefully somepony will go before --

"Granny Smith died last night." Phew, AJ saved her.

"Oh, Darling." Rarity gave the cowgirl a hug.

After many words of encouragement and comfort, it got really late, and Trey told them they should get some rest.

On her way out of the house, the new pony happened beside her. "Have I seen you before somewhere?" he asked.

"Not that I know of. Why?" She looked him in the eye. "Do I look familiar?"

The pony lost his breath and struggled to recover. "I...I..." Scratch that. He didn't recover.

"Well, I should get some sleep. Night" She started trotting away.

"Wait!" She turned around and looked at Frank. "Twilight, is it?"

"Yes."

"I guess...I'll be seeing you around then?"

"Of course."

"See you later, My Sparkle...I mean, Ms. Sparkle." O....k.....

William Penn

Aaah. Moving from the big city of Canterlot to this city, Ponyville, was a great idea. Less crowds. Less noise. Best conditions to write. Second that, he liked adventure, and all you do in Canterlot is canter a lot. Ponyville has been rumored to have many strange happenings.

William Penn set down his suitcases and breathed the fresh air of his new house. The house was a pretty good size, due to his best sellers. But, it seemed empty. Like it was missing something. Somepony to share it with, perhaps?

Here he is thinking about ponies, and he hasn't met anypony yet. Well, besides that pink one. She sort of had a strange reaction to his appearance and he thought, 'this is definitely the place for me.'

Opening his suitcases, he pulled out his typewriter and latest work. He called it Daring Doo and the Dark Demons. This was a strange twist in his story format, surly to throw readers.

After unpacking, he was exhausted. He needs to sleep if he wanted a chance in meeting somepony tommorow.

He quickly pulled out his blankets and tried his best to get comfortable on the floor. Another thing to do: buy a bed.

After a few moments, he drifted off to dreamland, or, as he liked to call it, The Land of Inspiration.

___________________________________

Twilight trotted into her library, too tired to say good night to Spike. She crawled in bed and passed out immediately. She read all day, then went to Fluttershy's. How long had she read? 12 hours? She fell asleep and dreamt.

"Hello, Twilight." Midnight! Not this again!

"Leave me alone, you filthy Marenite!"

"I am you, Twilight."

"NO! YOU AREN'T ME! I changed, Midnight! I was reborn. You were the evil character that tried to destroy Equestria, NOT ME!"

"We are one in the same. You have my soul."

"But, YOU died, not ME!" Twilight felt the heat rise in her neck.

"Oh? Then feel death!" A slice came out of nowhere and bashed Twilight's head to the side, causing a few flips sideways. Midnight ran up to her and used the knife-tipped hooves to slice a few more scars into the bloody body.

"How do you like death?"

She kicked her legs with the hooves to make deep indentions.

"Good bye Twilight." And Midnight flew away, leaving Twilight to bleed to death.

But, that was usually where the dream ended.

A white alicorn flew down from the sky, but it wasn't Celestia. It looked a lot like Twilight, actually!

"Twilight, my name is Starlight."

The vision faded.

Twilight shot up in bed. That was new, this Starlight character. What did that mean? Who the hay was she? If Midnight was her past, Twilight was her present, could Starlight be her future?

She had to talk to Luna!

She quickly wrote a note to Spike, and used her secret library book spell to transport her to Canterlot.

___________________________________

Will had a very strange dream. He was Daring again, wandering through a dark forest. Marenites jumping out of everywhere, trees, ground, sky, and shadows. Daring skillfully maneuvered around them, like any good adventurer does.

Where was she going? In her mind, she was looking for the greatest treasure of the world. Thinking about this distracted her a bit, and she got hit by a few of the Marenites.

The greatest treasure. What was it? Gold? Rubies? An ancient artifact with some special power?

She got to her destination. A tower in the sky. Wait...she was just in the forest, and now she was in the Cloudsdale Trade Center.

Guards rushed her. Not royal guards, but these guards dressed in blue and red. They were called the Strati, she remembered. She jumped on top of their heads, and flipped behind them.

Why were THEY trying to stop her? They were the Cloudsdale police! They did have a strange black glow in their eyes.

She skid to a stop at the elevator. Floor 6. Why? She had no idea.

The guards continued to chase her down the hallway there too. Room 66. Again, she had no idea why.

She ran in, locked the door, and turned around to a dark room. She flipped on the light switch, and found...a mirror?

She walked up to the mirror. There was another feeling that this was what she was looking for. She looked. It was her, duh, but something was different. The pony in the mirror had multicolored hair. But everything else was exactly the same.

What happened to her black hair?

Before she could figure anything out, Will slowly woke up. That was a very odd dream.

Work

Frank didn't dream that night. Nonetheless, he still managed to wake up late...again.

As he ran out of his home, he ran into another pony, spilling both of their books.

"Oh, I am so sorry." Frank told the other pegasus, as he picked up the books.

"Quite alright." The pony responded, picking up his books.

"So, you into reading?" Frank asked, to keep away the awkward silence.

"Writing, actually."

"Oh? What do you write?"

"Daring Doo novels."

Frank stopped. "You're the well known William Penn?"

"The one and only. Who might you be?"

"Frank Einstein."

"Ahh, pony with the IQ of a telephone number."

Frank picked up his last book. "Well, I got to get to school to reach my class. I'll see ya around."

"Ya, see ya. I got to get up to the CTC."

"CTC?"

"Cloudsdale Trade Center."

"Well, bye" The two walked away from eachother.

Frank was not looking forward to Alvin's anger for being late again. He flinched while walking through the door, expecting a furious yell. But none came. Hmm...

Alvin must have not been there that day. Phew.

In walking into his class, he got a wink from Applejack, lifting his mood through the roof.

"Now, where did we leave off yesterday? The Law of Sines, correct?" The class nodded.

"Now, according to this equation, a/sina=b/sinb=c/sinc, we can concur the following..."

The rest came naturally. He didn't even remember what he taught.

__________________________________

Trey got up early, knowing very well on being early to anywhere. Flutterheart was still asleep, so he gave her a kiss on the cheek, saw her grin in her sleep, and got ready to teach his class.

Alvin wasn't there that day, but it didn't matter. He usually came in and said how horrible the music was, but they always knew he tries to put everypony down.

"New Beggings is what we're going to play today." He has to play this song, one of his best compositions, for the hoofball game coming up. This one was special. It was the chamionship, against The Cornets of Connecticut High.

"1. 2. 1 2 3 4" he thought as he conducted the count off.

The First Movement was very good. They will surly blow the audience away with that performance.

"Bakon. Donut. Jack. Can I talk to you in the other room?" The three teens nodded and came with him into his office.

"You three are very exceptional students. I want to know if you three are interested in advanced music." Trey offered.

"Yes! I'd love to!" Bakon, the clarinet/guitar player, answered.

"You bet!" Jack Black, the percussionist said, twirling his sticks in his hoof.

"As sure as my name is Doe!" Doe Nut, aka Donut, the trumpeter, answered.

"Great. I've been working on a song with Harmony that will put you three to the test."

"What is it?" the trio asked

"I'm not gunna tell ya yet. It's gunna be a surprise."

___________________________________

"Luna?" Twilight ran into the castle, looking for the princess. Celestia wasn't there, probably because of that insane breakdown she had that almost costed somepony's life, then losin her powers.

"Twilight?" Queen Royal Blue trotted out to her. "Did you need something?"

"I've been having these nightmares. The same one repeatedly. But, last dream had something new. I need to talk to Luna."

"I'll take you to her, Twilight."

"Thank you" They trotted along, not saying a word.

"Here she is." Luna's room lay ahead. "I'll leave ya to it" she said, and walked away.

Twilight gulped and entered the room.

The Start of Something Blue

William Penn took a deep breath before entering the CTC. Today was the day. He could feel it in his bones. The day for what? He had no idea, but he knew it was something. His book series getting big bits? Him becoming the boss? Time will tell.

Cloudsdale Trade Center. Run by a unicorn, of all things. Alvin Ribuk was nopony to toy with. Everypony who has crossed his line was fired, which is why Will has to resist the urge to strangle the brat.

He pulled out the keys from his satule and fumbled with them to get into the door. He was suddenly shoved aside by a huge force, knocking him to the ground. He looked up at the perpatrator. "No fact flying in the halls!" he yelled.

The blue pony sat up, her multicolored mane babbing slightly. "Ya, sorta learned that the hard way. Sorry 'bout that"

Will was speechless. The rainbow hair! The dream! Was he destined to become friends with this pony? "It's quite alright." He stuck out his hoof to offer a shake. "And what would your name be?"

"Rainbow Dash. Fastest pegasis in Equestria." She ignored the hoof, doing movements with her own to emphasise her words.

Will got up and started unlocking his door again. "Well," Rainbow said, "Are'nt you gunna tell me your name?"

"Will," he answered, opening his door. "William Penn." It took a while to register in the pegasus's mind, but by the time it did, he was already in his room.

He let all of the air in his luns out. He had been holding his breath! His mind lingered back to that ime of Daring with rainbow hair. Beautiful rainbow hair. Scruffy mane, and he liked scruffy.

He went to his writing. Hmm. Daring Doo finding love! Brilliant

__________________________________

Frank finished his lesson succesful yet again. He athered his stuff after his 6th period geometry, which AJ was also in, left.

Oh? What's this? Frank picked up a packet of paper entitled Daring Do and the Marenites. This must be Will's new book! He better give it back ASAP.

As he galloped outside, he passed the marching band, gettin a salute from Trey, and him returning one. To the CTC.

___________________________

"That does sound like an odd dream." Luna gave Twilight a friendly hug. "I've had similar dreams, Twilight Sparkle. I believe it's just fighting your past."

"What about Starlight?"

"It could mean you would meet somepony great. Maybe you become Starlight like Blue became Royal. Maybe somepony will save you from this evil."

"Thanks, Luna."

"No problem, Twilight."

Twi started trotting to the door and turned around. "Luna?"

"Yes?"

"I'd like to talk more often."

"That'd be great. I rarely get company."

"Good. See you later, Luna." and she walked out.

__________________________

Applejack came home from the funeral, cheeks still wet from tears. Granny was such a great pony.

AJ went to the orchard to buck a few trees. She needed to get her mind off things. She sat in the tree's grove to try to relax. She's in a better place now, Applejack thought. She continued to chew on the hay on her lips.

Sigh... The past is the past.

Applejack's head snapped to the side and smacked the ground. "What in tarnation?!" She got up holding her head. Before any reaction could take place, her nose was smashed in, causing her to fly back into the far tree.

The perpetrator's hooves pressed AJ against the tree. Applejack tasted the blood from her nose as she looked at the pony's red eyes. "Twahlaht?" she said weakly. The pony lifted her hoof and sliced a cut in her cheek.

AJ grew light-headed and weak from the blood loss, and fell to the ground. There, she was kicked and cut even more. She slowly and painfuly passed out.

Hospitalized

Frank busted through the doors of the hospital. Fluttershy, Trey, and Rainbow were already there, Fluttershy crying and Rainbow furiously rubbing her head. Trey was hugging his yellow mare.

He walked into the door and was horrified by the sight. Applejack all bandaged up. Guaze wrapped all around her head, the front right hoof wrapped up in a cast, bandages scattered around her body.

Frank couldn't take it and stomped outside in the hallway. He tried his best to swallow the tears. That was his first friend.

___________________________

Trey remembered the moment that that very pony helped his little Flutterheart. And now she was in the hospital all sliced up. If she would die, it'd be all his fault.

His wife was crying her eyes out. All he could do was cradle her in his hug, because he was on the verge of tears also.

The 7 ponies waited outside until she awoke.

___________________________

Twilight couldn't believe what she saw, the injured Applejack. When she awoke, what she said horrified her even more.

"Twahlaht? Why'd you hurt me like that?"

"What?"

"I'm pretty sure it was you."

"I would never!" A thought popped up. "How did she injure your hooves?"

She groaned. "She kicked deep indentions into all four."

"Oh no." Twi trotted out. Midnight!

_________________________________

Rainbow could only stare at her injurred friend. She couldn't help like she really wanted to, to nurse her back to health. To take her place. But, no. All she could do was stare.

Her stomach growled, but she hardly cared. Her mind was worried about her friend. Who knows if AJ will just black out and never wake up.

"Rainbow." Rainbow hardly heard the voice calling her name. She was burried deep in thoughts. "Raaaainboooooow."  She snapped out of it. "Rainbow. If you need somethin' to eat, you can leave."

Applejack! Rainbow gave her friend a hug. "But I don't want to leave my best friend hangin'"

"Ah'm fine. Go on. Your stomach is keepin' me up"

"Sorry. I guess I'll go."

"Ah really wish you were my sis."

"Me too." Rainbow slowly glides out of the door. She DID need some food in her system.

She slowly sat down and ordered her food. She covered her head while it was laying on the table. Her life was collapsing around her, killing her. She was wishing for somepony...anypony...that felt her pain.

"Rainbow? Is that you?"

Rainbow raised her tear stricken face to the voice. Her eye sight was blurred.

"What's the matter?"

"Who--who..."

"Don't you rememeber me? William Penn"

"Then you won't care. Nopony would care, besides Daring Do"

"I do care, Rainbow."

"You're no Daring."

"Rainbow. I'm the writer, and Daring is based off of me. I'm Daring Do." Rainbow groaned. "I want to help, Rainbow. What's the matter?"

"I'm always alone...I get no love...my best friend's in the hospital...and she might not make it..."

"I don't think nopony loves you. You have friends, right?"

"Yeah, but, I'd like to have a special somepony. One pony who can sweep me off my feet and take me into paradise. Somepony to love me. More than a friend."

"I'm sure there is somepony out there that wants you, Rainbow."

"And how do you know that?"

Will paused before answering. But, he answered the question with a question. "Do you believe in love at first sight, Rainbow?"

"I don't know. Why? You can't be saying...."

"I love you, Rainbow"

Rainbow wasn't expecting that at all. She was speechless. Will sensed her reaction. "Sorry. That was too pushy. I should leave." He set down a few bits for her food and trotted out.

Rainbow wanted to call out to him, but she was still frozen in shock. Not by the audacity. Not by the leaving. But by the love.

Rainbow looked up at the door again. She should chase after him. She didn't realize how much she wanted him until then.

But, she didn't go very far from the restaraunt when something hit her temple, her vision went black, and she dreamt.

___________________________________

Twilight trotted out of the room. She had done this! She had hurt her friend! She doesn't deserve being in Applejack's presence. How could she possibly forgive her?

Frank trotted out behind her, but she didn't care. She couldn't hold back her tears of guilt.

_________________________

"Oh, Twilight..." Frank saw the water falling from her face. He wanted to hug her. Tell her it's ok. Everything is going to be alright.

He hugged her and did just that. She told him of her guilt.

"I'm a monster."

"No." Frank pulled away from the hug. "Twi, listen to me." He pushed some stray strands of hair from her left eye. "You're not a monster. You're a beautiful masterpiece. That evil is not you."

She sniffed and looked up into his eyes. His blue eyes, contrasting against the yellow hair and grey fur. He could only imagine what she was thinking. "But..." She started sobbing again, leaping into Frank's open arms...legs....whatever.

"Shhh. Shhh. It's ok" She continued her cries.

An explosive boom like lightnin made Frank and Twi jump, ruining the romantic moment. A fraction of a second later, a scream came.

Fluttershy's scream.

Evil's Ahoof

"Oh, dear Celestia..." Frank, Pinkie, Twi, and Rarity stared at the burning cottage. Frank didn't wait for a plan, he just ran in through the door.

The animals were scampering away, which was a good thing. "Fluttershy?" Frank moved to the side to avoid a falling burning ember. "Fluttershy?!?!" He galloped, to speed up the process, but tripped.

Frank got up to see Trey laying on the ground, what he tripped on. "Trey. Trey." Frank shook him franticaly, but to no avail.

Frank promised not to use his power after moving to Ponyville, but he had to.

"Division" Trey shrank to the size of a doll, and Frank gently put him in his bag with his magic. Fluttershy still couldn't be found. The smoke was causing Frank to cough, meaning he was running out of air.

He could kill the fire with a click of the hooves, but they'll react to him as a threat, like the last ponies did. But Fluttershy could die if he didn't stop it.

He had to. For Fluttershy. "Subtraction" The fire imploded and vanished. A puff of smoke was all that remained of the burning cottage. The gasps from outside came instantly, and he knew it was a mistake.

Frank continued looking for Fluttershy. When he found her, it wasn't pretty. Her mane was cinged. She had a few burns on her body, but nothing huge. Frank picked her up in the same fashion he picked Trey up, and walked out.

Instantly, when he trotted out of the door, " What happened in there?" "Did you save Fluttershy?" "Was Trey in the house?" "How did you extinguish the fire?" Instead of answering, he pulled Fluttershy and Trey out of his sack, both wrapped in napkins. The crowd gasped.

"I need to get these two to the hospital. If you'll excuse me." Frank trotted away.

__________________________________

Twilight was a bit confused. For one, three of her friends were in the hospital. Second, Rainbow never came back from dinner. Third, that house fire was caused by lightning, but it wasn't supposed to storm today. Fourth, the fire vanished, leaving the house rebuildable. Finally, FRANK somehow put out the fire AND shrunk Trey and Fluttershy. He was too powerful.

A threat, maybe. But, he saved Fluttershy and Trey, correct? They would be dead without him. So, he would be a hero, not an enemy.

Frank trotted out of the hospital room with his head hanging. "I guess I'll be leaving then. I'm a threat to Ponyville." Twilight grabbed him before he walked away.

"Frank! No."

Frank turned to the purple pony hanging on the side of his neck. "Why do you want me to stay? I'm--" His voice was cut off by a pair of lips covering his mouth. Twilight?! Kissing him?

He put his hooves behind her head and embraced it. Twi pulled away from him for a second. With a sparkle in her eye, she said, "I love you, Frank."

"But you've barely known me."

"This burning fire in my heart can not be mistaken for anything else." They embraced again.

___________________________________

Rarity was sitting on the bench, listening to Pinkie Pie ramble, when Twilight kissed Frank. It was so cute. Rarity pulled out a hanky. Twilight finally found something to love besides her books.

It was just so beautiful.

But, there was a matter of who exactly injurred Applejack. AJ said she saw Twilight being the prosecuter, but is that possible? Frank will hopefuly help straiten this out.

Pinkie Pie bumped into Rarity as she was hopping around. "Watch yourself, Pinkie"

Also, Rainbow hasn't returned from eating. That's very odd for her.

Clearly, somepony was after them. Somepony that looks like Twilight, or maybe it IS Twilight. But why worry about that with this love scene playing out in front of them.

___________________________

Frank held Twilight in his arms, his delicate flower. He could never let her go. His Sparkle.

What happened next was unexpected.

She held her head, groaned, and fainted. "Twilight?!"

Her head flashed up, eyes beemin red. Twi kicked Frank back and...flew...out the window. "Twilight?!" Frank was still in shock when Pinkie and Rarity ran up to him to help him up.

Twilight?!

___________________________

William snapped out of his writing trance, in the middle of a sentence. That's unusual...

The dream came back to him. The Strati. The CTC. Room 66. The rainbow hair. The mirror. He felt the urge of checking it out.

Will trotted to the door. Stratus stood at the doorway. "Sorry, sir. You can't leave at the moment." What? Something's going on.

Will pushed against the guard and forced his way out the door. "We got a runner. Floor four," the guard said in his radio. Strati started charging at Will. What's goin' on?

Will jumped up above the first gurads, and pushed past the others. He flew threw lightning bolts that three others shot. He had to Get to floor 6.

Will hopped onto the elevator with guards chasing him. Floor 6 opened up to him a few seconds later, to be met with more guards.

________________________

Falling.....falling....falling.....down a black space. Screaming. Rainbow shot up in her bed....or was it her bed? She couldn't remember.

Alone... Just...alone. That's what Rainbow Dash was. No friends. No love. Nothing. Rainbow awoke to a strange place with nopony around. Just her and her thoughts. The lingering vortex of darkness threatening to swallow her whole.

She was lost. Lost from herself. Her identity...mixed up and all wrong. She felt death knocking at her door, pleading to come in. Her hoof was on the nob.

Death seemed better than this. Being alone. Lonliness has stolen most of her life. And nopony cared.

She obviously didn't have any friends. If she did, they would be busting down that door trying to find her. A neglected soul.

A tear slipped down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, for it was a sign of weakness. And weakness meant losing. She's lost enough, and she didn't want to lose anymore.

She closed her eyes, and turned the door nob, about to let death enter. Nopony would care, let alone miss her. She was a nopony. She picked up the knife. "Goodbye, cruel world."

Saved

Rainbow jumped when the door busted in. A guard stood in the doorway, and collapsed limply. "Rainbow?!"

"Will?!" Rainbow threw the knife to the side.

"Rainbow, what are you doing here?"

"I don't know..."

"Rainbow, what were you doing with that knife?" He was concerned.

"Uhh...nothing"

"I'm worried about you, Rainbow" Will hugged the mare. "Are you ok?"

"I...I..." Rainbow started crying.

"Just remember, Rainbow. I love you."

"Really?" Amnesia?

Will grabed her when a noise was heard down the hallway. He flew to the window, ducked, and busted through. "Let's get out of here."

His book was still in there...not to mention the part he just wrote. Everything was still in his room. He might have to return to get the stuff.

So, Frank Einstein was in Ponyville. Maybe he'll know how to solve this predicament. Willand Rainbow flew to Frank's house, which had a note saying, "At hospital." Will aimed for the hospital.

__________________________

Frank was still stunned when William Penn and Rainbow flew in through the door. Pinkie and Rarity ran up to the mare asking where she had been. Will looked strait at Frank. "Hello again, Will. What brings you here?"

"We have a predicament. Why are you here?"

"Three of my friends are hospitalized. What's the problem?"

"The CTC is up to no good."

"Oh...that is a problem..."

__________________________________

Twilight continued flying until she got to floor 50 of the Cloudsdale Trade Center. "Alvin Ribuk?"

The grey unicorn turned around. "Yes, Midnight?"

"What next, master?" Alvin discussed the plan with Twilight. "Yes master." Twilight flew out to find Frank and the gang. It is time to destroy them.

Why?

That annoying voice was gnawing at Midnight's mind again. She had to ignore it the best she could.

We're rejects

We have friends

Nopony loves us

What about Frank

Yah right

Don't follow through with this plan!!!

Shut up. Just shut up.

Midnight flew up to the cloud and waited. She saw that Frank character trot under her. Hmm... She should follow him. And she does just that, knife tipped shoes at the ready.

A Deathly Love

Frank Einstein trotted to the diner to get some food for his friends, unaware of the follower. This Twilight business is hard. Is she evil now, or possessed? What really happened back there? Hopefully, he will see her again.

He trotted back to the hospital with the takeout bags in his telekenesis. Before he entered the doors, he was shoved to the ground. A dark pony jumped off of his back and landed in front of him. Will saw what happened and frantically tugged on the locked door from the inside.

"Twilight?" Right after he got up, he was uppercutted, then Midnight did a 360 kick, throwing him farther away. Frank rolled and drew his knives. "Don't make me do this, Twilight."

She jumped up, hoof aiming down, but Frank deflected it with crossed knives. He kicked her back and charged at her, knives at side.

"I don't want to fight you, Twilight!" She rolled and bucked him in the gut. Frank rolled to the side and deflected her next blow. The pain in his gut he ignored when he cut her cheek with his next attack.

She touched the bloody cheek, then dived for him. After another deflection, Frank had Midnight with his knife at his neck.

Both were breathing hard. "Twilight, I know you're in there. I don't want to kill you." To prove it, he dropped his knives and spread his hooves apart, bearing his chest. "Kill me"

Will was banging on the door. " FRAAAANK!!!!"

Midnight put her knife-tipped hoof out, aimed at his chest. "I love you, Twi. Kill me if you don't want me. I'd rather die without you."

"You feel for me..." She pressed her hoof against his chest, blade not touching his flesh. "...in here?"

__________________________________

Midnight felt the soft, rythmic heartbeat of his chest. She couldn't believe it. Midnight released Twilight, and she went back in control.

Twi charged forward, hugging him. "I love you Frank. I'm so sorry...."

"I don't understand everything yet, but I still love you, no matter what you choose to do"

"But, you risked your life... I could have killed you."

"And if you didn't accept my love, I would have rather died."

"Really?!"

"Really"

___________________________________

Will relaxed when the two fighters embraced. That was when he saw the sign on the door that said "PUSH". Facehoof.

He pushed open the door and trotted out to Frank and Twilight. "Good work, but we still have a problem"

"Right. The CTC is some evil base of some sort. If we only knew who exactly the leader was...."

"Oh, we know. Alvin Ribuk."

"You're pulling my leg"

"No..."

"That's the principle at Ponyville High. I knew he was evil!!!"

Will rubbed his chin. "Interesting..."

___________________________________

"Midnight has failed me..." Alvin stared into the mirror talking to himself. "If you want something done right...." His right eye turned red as his grey coat went to black. "You got to do it yourself..."

The door opened and a pegasus trotted in. "I know we're step brothers and all but--WHAT THE--" Arnold was unable to finish the statement as Alvin shot an electric bolt at him.

A couple of guards ran up to the door as Alvin changed back to normal form. They looked down at the limp body. "Get it out of my sight" The two Strati grabbed the body and dragged it out of the doorway.

It's Lucy's time to shine.

_______________________________________

Frank took Twilight home because the sun was setting. "What a day" Frank commented. The two finally got to the library, where Spike was snoozing away. "Twilight? Are you good now?"

"Not without a kiss goodnight."

But, before they kissed, a bright light came out of nowhere, making Frank and Twilight shield their eyes. The light dissipated and all that stood there was a white alicorn. "Hello again, Twilight."

"Starlight?"

"You have defeated Midnight, but she will return. Frank..."

"Yes?"

"Stay with Twilight. And thank you for saving her"

"Of course I will stay with My Sparkle."

"Now, I will take my leave." The light imploded and she was gone. They kissed good night and Frank left for home.

_________________________________

Will grabbed Rainbow up in his arms. "Would you like to come with me to my mansion?" Rainbow nodded and he flew off with her to his house.

"This is nice!" Rainbow complemented.

"Why thank you. If it weren't for those Daring Do books, this wouldn't exist."

"And neither would I" Rainbow started tearing up and Will reached over and hugged the pegasus.

"Rainbow," Will told her, "I love you. I don't want to lose you. Please...don't cry....please." Rainbow sniffled and stopped the tears. Will kissed her then, beautifying the moment. "Stay with me forever, Rainbow"

"I will, William Penn" A stream of light leaked from the bottom of Rainbow's eye and swam over to Will's. Many streams of light came from Rainbow's face and went over to Will's, surrounding the kiss in a white sun.

Will opened his eyes in awe. "What's this?"

"I was given these powers from a human during the Dream Walker phase. You know, at that Sonic Rainboom incident. It wasn't Rarity falling that was the only problem."

"You'll have to tell me about that someday"

"Sure thing. But, right now, I'd like some sleep."

"Guest room on the left. Three doors down."

The two love birds get in thier beds and instantly fall asleep.

___________________________________

Trey stared at his Flutterheart as they were leaving the hospital. "Are you sure you're ok?"

"Yes...yes..."

"Well, we should get some rest. A few unicorns fixed the cottage, and your animal friends came back."

"Good" Trey and Fluttershy hugged and they embraced in a kiss.

"I love you, Flutterheart."

Afterthoughts

The cuts and scars healed quickly and AJ was soon out of the hospital. "Glad that's all over with" Frank commented. This was not what he expected in becoming a math teacher in Ponyville. Of course...he did have a past. He will have to find the right time for that.

He finished up his letter to Areceus...

_____________________

"Amessage for you, sir" Areceus picked up the letter. He couldn't wait to return to his Blue. The threat against Canterlot could not be taken lightly, and as a warrior, the Captian asked for him to find it.

The boat continued to rock as he read. Blue...was...dead... A tear escaped his eye, but he quickly wiped it away. At least the evil was killed...

_________________________

A dark body. Broken horn. Torn up wings. But, suddenly, they regenerated. A red eye opened at the bottom of the cavern.

"Lucy isn't done yet!"

Prologue

Alone... Just...alone. That's what Rainbow Dash was. No friends. No love. Nothing. Rainbow awoke to a strange place with nopony around. Just her and her thoughts. The lingering vortex of darkness threatening to swallow her whole.

She was lost. Lost from herself. Her identity...mixed up and all wrong. She felt death knocking at her door, pleading to come in. Her hoof was on the nob.

The echo of death was resonating through her head. She didn't want to be here! She wasn't cared for! She has never felt love. Has Daring ever felt this way? This death routine? How many ponies have heard the echo of death? This new sensation stabbed fear into her broken heart, making the crevice wider.

Death seemed better than this. Being alone. Lonliness has stolen most of her life. And nopony cared.

She obviously didn't have any friends. If she did, they would be busting down that door trying to find her. A neglected soul.

A tear slipped down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, for it was a sign of weakness. And weakness meant losing. She's lost enough, and she didn't want to lose anymore.

She closed her eyes, and turned the door nob, about to let death enter. Nopony would care, let alone miss her. She was a nopony. She picked up the knife. "Goodbye, cruel world."

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

An Eye For an Eye

The next morning, the six awoke to the Saturday sunrise. Last night, they planned on meeting at the hospital to check on Applejack, and that's what they did.

But there was another pony there.

"Alvin Ribúk?! What are you doing here?!" Frank asked at the frozen unicorn.

"That's PROFFESSOR RIBÚK!" He jumped in the air, turning completely black, and wings unfolding. A dark blue orb surrounded him.

"Lucy!" Frank said. Before anypony reacted, Lucy uppercutted Twilight after striking her side, creating two big gashes. She flew back...as if in slow motion... Frank screaming her name... Twi hit the ground and skid, scattering dust and spreading blood. Frank Einstein ran as fast as he could to her.

"Hey!" Rainbow yelled, as she charged. Before she got close, Will got in front of her before the electric ball hit her, knocking him out. A hoof came down on Rainbow's head, knocking her to the ground.

Lucy formed another electric ball, and turned to Fluttershy. Trey stepped in front of her. "You will NOT touch a HAIR on her body!" He swished around and attempted to buck the Marenite. It dodged and hit Trey, causing his cheek to bleed. Trey tried again, getting in return another slice.

Frank felt fury rise up in the back of his neck and in his face. He jumped at Lucy, knives ready. He was rewarded with a back hoof to the chest, making him lose his breath and balance. He fell.

Lucy did a roundhouse, hitting Trey away. "Goodbye, little twerp." She reformed the ball, and prepared it for Fluttershy. A yell came out of nowhere. Lucy suddenly fell out of the sky, a blue figure on top.

The electricity flowed through both as the two wrestled. Each took great blows from the other. Soon, the electricity wore them both down.

Frank got back up, still furious. He used his magic to grab the dark body and throw it down the cavern. "Good riddance, sister" he mumbled.

Twilight hobbled over to Blue Sky, whom saved Fluttershy. "Blue?!"

"Hey sis...ugh!" Her eyes rolled back for a few seconds.

"Sis?!"

"I am Galaxia. The one who defeated Midnight, her sister."

"Sister?!"

"Take Luna as your daughter.......she........needs..............somepony......" Twi's eyes teared up.

"Blue! No!" Blue's eyes lulled back for a final time. "Noooooooooo!"