Chapters A cyan pegasus walked back and forth between two guards with a scowl on her face, “What do ya mean you won’t let me see her? THAT GIRL TRIED TO KILL TWO OF MY FRIENDS!”
“That attitude, young lady, is why you are not allowed in here. Not until Celestia has had a few words with the suspect,” Swift Arrow said staring Dash straight in the eyes.
With a small growl, Rainbow Dash crossed her forelegs and walked away to Pinkie’s room. While she did that, the suspect that she was mad at sat in the room, whimpering, “No, please, I don’t want to... AHHHH!”
“Shh, my former student, its all right,” Celestia said, putting a comforting hoof onto Sunset’s shoulder.
Sunset looked up at Celestia, eyes wide with fright, “Oh no! C-Celestia! I am so sorry for everything. I-I-I didn’t want to come back, I didn’t want to hurt anypony, I’m sorry for taking the crown, please-”
“Please, calm down Sunset,” Celestia pleaded.
After taking a few moments to breath, she looked up at her teacher, and smiled softly, “Even after all this time, and everything I did, you’re still willing to forgive me.”
Sunset’s eyes then widened in horror, “Wait, what about Pinkie? Is she...?”
“Pinkie Pie is all right; dazed and nursing a concussion, but she will live. I am quite curious as to why you are here, though. I was led to believe that you were staying in that world,” Celestia said, looking down at Shimmer.
“I was, but that changed. I will tell you everything once Twilight gets here,” Sunset said, looking down at the covers. After thinking for the moment she looked up to her former mentor, “But, what happened to that other mare? The one who blasted me?”
“After the fight, Twilight said she had left the Corner and ran off somewhere,” the white alicorn walked around to sit next to Sunset. “My guards are looking for her right now. Now, tell me something before Twilight gets back... why didn’t you come home?”
Sunset let out a small sigh before looking out the window, “I didn’t deserve to.”
Will laid against a tree, looking at her hooves in a mix of fear and wonder. The very idea that she could produce a bolt of lightning like a unicorn was both terrifying and exciting, “How could I do that? I’m not even on the weather patrol back home I-AHHHHH!”
“You have have been chosen to be the new guardians of the veil,” an old pony with a black mane said as she looked to the five mares at the table. “Irma, you have been gifted with the power over water. Taranee, you no longer need to fear fire for you can control it and to you Cornelia, you have power over Earth. As for my little Hay-Lin, you now control the might of air. All five of you will now have extraordinary abilities.”
“Wait,” a young pegasus said, “did you say five, grandma?”
The old pony turned to look at Will, “Yes, one will be there to bind the others in harmony.”
“W-who was that? Who-" she paused for a brief moment as she began to remember their faces. "My friends, Hay Lin, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia. But, who was that woman, what did she mean by guardains and bind them in harmony?"
“Mr. Huggles, come back!” A soft voice yelled, trying to call to small dormouse as it ran from the basket of a yellow pegasus.
Turning her head to the noise, Will watched as the dormouse ran up her foreleg, up her back, and onto the top of her head, “Mr. Huggles?”
“Oh, he’s so cute Matt,” Will said, holding the mouse and staring at him.
“His name is Mr. Huggles, I was hoping you could give him a good home.”
Will blinked a few times as the memory quickly faded, looking at the little mouse on her head, “Oh, hey there!”
“Oh, I am so sorry,” the butter colored pegasus said as she trotted up the hill, “Mr. Huggles normally doesn’t run away from me like this. He’s normally very calm and relaxed when I carry him here.”
“It’s ok,” Will said as the grey mouse slid down from her head and in between her forelegs where it curled up into a ball, asleep. “I think he likes me. The name’s Will, who are you?”
“F-Fluttershy,” she nervously said, looking down and away from the blue pegasus, “So, if you don’t mind me asking, why are you here alone by this tree?”
Will let out a sigh as she looked in the direction of Sugar Cube Corner, “ Earlier, I was with this mare named Twilight Sparkle at that little shop down there.
“Oh, were you down there when Sunset attacked?” Fluttershy asked.
“You heard?” Will asked, looking down and feeling bad about the fight.
“One of my friends, Rainbow Dash, told me about it,” Fluttershy said, a little smile on her face as she grabbed a basket of food, “I was just heading to the hospital to see if there was anything I could do to help. Why are you here?”
Will sighed, sorrowfully, “Because when that unicorn came in and attacked everypony, I... I somehow released this lighting bolt that struck her in the chest and this weird gem came out.” Will said, looking at her hooves in fear and then at the jewel around her neck, “I had to run away because I was afraid of what I was or if I would hurt anypony.”
Calmly, Fluttershy put a comforting hoof onto the shoulder of the blue pegasus, “Maybe you should’ve gone with Twilight to talk about this. She might be able to help you understand what happened to you.”
Will let out a small sigh, and then looked up at the yellow pegasus, “ Do you think she’ll really help a total stranger like me? We only just met.”
“I’d like to think so,” Fluttershy said, smiling softly as she sat with Will, “Twilight does like to help ponies who are in trouble, especially if they helped out one of her friends.”
Looking up at Fluttershy, and then back down to the little dormouse in her hooves, she smiled gently and looked back up at Fluttershy, “Alright, let’s do it.”
“What did you mean, ‘you didn’t deserve to?” Asked Twilight Sparkle as she walked into the room, just hearing the last bit of conversation, “I thought that the elements fixed you?”
Sunset let out a growl as she slammed her hoof against the bed, “You have no idea what they did to me. The elements are a balancing force when you think about it. When used, they balance out the bad with the good. A princess who demands eternal night is sent to a place with eternal sun and the light of the stars, the chaos god is put into perpetual stillness while unable to change a thing, and then a girl who wants total dominance and power is put into a body where she couldn’t do a thing with that power.” Tears flowing quickly from her eyes, she put her hooves to her eyes and began to cry.
“You didn’t have any control?” Twilight asked.
“NO! I didn’t,” Sunset sniffed, “you only saw a monster using my body to take control of those people. You saw a monster use all that power against you, while me? I was forced to sit on the sidelines in my own body!” Looking down at her hooves, she shook her head as if to remove the memory, “But, that wasn’t the worst of it. Try and imagine what it was like, wanting to be able to do something with the power that you had been given. That all you wanted to do was prove that you were worthy of being a princess by being able to take over something, even as small as a school. Then, imagine that you lose that control, that you could only watch as a demon version of you begins to pervert your desires. Can you imagine what it was like, no longer being in control? I was so disgusted with myself, I didn't want to come back.”
“So why did you come back?” Asked Twilight, sitting next to the yellow unicorn.
Sunset let out a soft sigh and looked out the window, “About a few months after you had left, I ha begun to try and redeem myself. I tried doing good around the school, and helping out our friends. Heck, I had even begun to look myself in the mirror again without wanting to break it. Then, one day while I was walking outside of school, he teleported right behind me.”
“Wait, magic doesn’t exist in that world!” Twilight objected.
Sunset furrowed her brow at Twilight, “I thought you were the most powerful unicorn on the planet. I thought you would’ve figured out that the only reason why you couldn’t use magic there was because you lacked the tools!” To empathise the point, Sunset flicked her hoof against Twilight’s horn.
“OW!” Twilight winced, rubbing her horn.
“Much like how you can’t farm without the proper tools, you can’t use magic without a place to focus,” Celestia said, beaming with pride at her former student.
“Correct, they use magic through their fingertips. It’s how I kept an eye on this world after all,” Sunset said, before continuing her story. “The man somehow knew everything about me: being an unicorn, my fight with Twilight, how I had all that power, what happened to the element, and everything else. He offered me a chance to have all that power back and to take revenge on you. He even tried to empathise with me, sweet talk me into being his weapon. Of course, I said no. I didn’t want to go back to being a cruel monster again, that was when he showed his trump card, your human friends.”
“What?!” Twilight yelled.
“He had them in a magical grip, with magical energy around their necks. He told me that if I refused, he would kill them one by one,” Sunset again teared up, “By this point, I had become so close with all five of them. I became their best friend and they mine and what’s more, I was worried for you.”
“Me?” Twilight asked.
“I had read somewhere that, according to multiversal theory, that killing an alternate counterpart might have an effect on the other selves. Some say the life force will transfer to the others and some say that the death might kill another version. I didn’t want to risk it, so I gave in. He branded me with his mark and sent me here with the intent to kill you.”
Celestia put a calming hoof onto Sunset’s shoulder, “Do you remember what the mark looked like?”
“No, I don’t” Sunset said, shaking her head sadly.
“I remember what it looked like, Princess Celestia,” Twilight said, bringing out some paper and a pen. Quickly, she began to write down the weird V placed in a circle. “ It was shaped like this.”
Celestia’s eyes opened wide in shock as she looked at the symbol, “Twilight, this is...”
“Is what, Celestia?” Asked Twilight, concern and curiosity in her voice.
Celestia calmly shook her head as she put the paper under her wing, “It’s nothing, Twilight. Now-”
“Uh, excuse me?” interrupted Will as she opened the door, “the guards said you wanted to see me, your highness?”
Will then stopped and gasped as another memory came to her head.
“Wow! A queen now, guess we’ll have to start bowing to you every time we meet,” Cornelia said, chuckling as they walked behind a young yellow mare with long blonde hair.
“Oh no, you don’t have to do that,” the mare said, smiling, “if anything, we should be bowing to all five of you for all that you did for Meridian.”
Will smiled as she bowed to her friend, “Yeah, but we still want to respect you, as a ruler.”
“Even if we did all the work,” muttered Irma under her breath.
Almost immediately upon seeing the princess, Will respectfully bowed, “Thank you Will. But there is no need to be so...”Celestia stopped herself as she looked at the jewel around Will’s neck, “Oh my goodness. Will, may I ask if I can take the jewel with me back to Canterlot? I wish to examine it a little more closely.”
Will looked down at her necklace, its soft pink glow almost seeming to tell her that it was alright, “Uh, sure.”
Lighting up her horn, Celestia took the necklace away from the red head and put it behind her wing, “Thank you, Will. Now, as for you Sunset.”
“I am ready for whatever punishment you have, Princess,” Sunset said, defeatedly.
“It seems that you are stuck here until we can find a way to open a new portal and, since your crime fell into Twilight’s realm, I leave it to her to decide your ultimate fate.”
At this, Twilight became a little flustered, “M-Me?” Regaining her composure, she turned to Sunset, “Well, seeing that you did attack me and might use your skills to attack again, I have no choice but to put you under house arrest for the time being. Will, you are welcome to stay with her. I will go to my friends and tell them of the news as well.” With that, Twilight walked out the door and to Pinkie’s room.
As Will watched the alicorn leave the room, she turned to the yellow unicorn, “So, you’re stuck too, huh?”
“Not exactly,” Sunset said, looking out the window at the setting sun, “I actually come from here, but I have been in another world for so long that this one... just feels alien to me now.” Chuckling, she looked at the young guardian, “You seem rather calm to be around a pony who just tried to kill you and a friend of yours.”
Will smiled as a memory came to her
A man with wavy black hair looked at Will, “Hey Will? Thanks for, you know, not being too mad about the whole, ‘trying to kill you thing;’
'
Sunset chuckled as she looked at Will, “Thanks.”
Within the majestic halls of Canterlot Castle, Celestia sat in her private chambers and held the mystical gem before her in her magic, “Amazing, to think that the heart of Kandrakar would wind up here in Equestria, and on that pony of all things.”
“SISTER? We must talk about a certain Phoenix of yours and how he is treating my little,” a dark blue alicorn said as she walked into the room, only to be silenced by the sight of the glowing pink gem in front of her sister. “By our father and mother! Is that...?”
“Yes, Luna. It is,” Celestia said with a smile.
“Oh my goodness. They have picked new guardians already? Who are they? Where are they? Is it one of Twilight’s friends? Oh won’t they be excited to know of the destiny that they have before them,” Luna squeed excitedly, prancing about.
Celestia held up a white hoof to calm her sister down, “I am afraid that the chosen guardian is not one of Twilight’s friends, nor is it anybody that we know. Apparently, the heart has already chosen its new wielder, and the four other guardians have already been chosen.”
Luna looked a little disappointed as she sat next to her sister and began to grumble to herself, “At the very least, those idiots back in Kandrakar could tell us when they have chosen the new guardians of the veil. So, why did you take it from the owner, sister?”
“Merely to examine the adventures that this guardian may have had, and why has she come to our world without the other four. And where are the other guardians?” Celestia said, using her magic to peer inside the gem.
“You expect foul play, Celestia?” Luna asked, looking at her sister, “Has that happened before?”
The white alicorn shot her eyes up in remembrance, thinking back to a long time ago, “N-No, never. But it is odd that one guardian has arrived here, and the other four are not present. Almost as if someone wants to keep her away from the others. What is more, is this.”
Luna watched as the small parchment floated over to her, taking a long look at the sip of paper with the image of a V inscribed on a circle, “Tia... this is.”
“I know, the mark of the dark dragon, his mark,” Celestia said, looking back at the gem.
“But he is dead, sister! You and I have both been to his final battle ground and you and I both know that there is no coming back from that battle,” Luna said, sitting next to her sister.
“I know, and that is what terrifies me,” Celestia said, looking solemnly at the glowing gem before her.
Author's Note
Thanks to Zoltanthemagificent for the edits.
And lets have a huge round of applause for my guard OC-Swift Arrow! Or, Scootaloo's dad in this and a few other fics.
Also, yes...there is more to this crossover than what it seems.
Chapter 3:
Bright Spark woke up that morning feeling angry, he didn’t know why,he just did He was in the kind of mood where everything could set him off. Walking down the stairs to the kitchen, he sat down at the seat while his wife continued to cook, “Morning hun. You’ll never guess what surprise I have for you.” his wife said.
“What is it, the same freaking food that you serve every freaking morning?” The stallion asked, standing up with his face distorted into a growl.
“Hunny? What’s wrong?” The mare asked backing away.
“What’s wrong?” The stallion asked before swatting away the cake, “The problem is that I am tired of sitting here, day in and out, haveing the same food badly prepared by a mare who doesn’t know how to cook. I am tired of working in the same dead end job for a wife who doesn’t appreciate anything I do, and I HATE the fact that a bookworm gets a high office while I GET SHIT! I’m going out, don’t bother looking for me!” The stallion growled, storming off through the door.
The young mare collapsed to the ground, tears filling her eyes, “FINE! GO OUT AND LEAVE!” She yelled, collapsing to the ground, her tears streaming down her face, “You probably wouldn’t like the news anyway! You would probably hate me for it!” Taking one look at the cake, she read the message, ‘congratulations! you r a daddy’ that was written on it with a pregnancy test next to it. Seeing this made her cry one more time, holding her stomach closely.
Twilight stepped out of the bedroom, using her magic to rub a towel across her wings, “‘Wing cleaning? OH it’s easy, you can get it done in a few minutes!’ That was a load and you know it, Dash! I still can’t see how you dry these things so quick,” Twilight grumbled to herself before looking into her guest room and noticing the absence of one of her guests, “Sunset? Where are-”
“Out of date, out of date, horribly written, inaccurate,” complained a voice from down the stairs.
“Sunset, what are you doing?” Twilight asked as she walked down the steps.
“Re-organizing your bookshelves,” Sunset said as she watched Twilight walk.,She thought A REAL alicorn would’ve glided down. “ I figured since I was stuck back here, with you, I might as well help around the house by fixing your books. I can’t help but notice that some of them are horribly out of date.”
“Wait, how would you know that?” Twilight asked.
“Because, when I was at Canterlot Castle, I would spend a lot of time there rewriting the books and fixing their misinformation with the right ones,” Sunset said as she took out another book with her magic.
Twilight’s eyes looked on at the activity with an air of disbelief, “I really don’t think Celestia would keep that many books that were written badly.”
“You be surprised,” Sunset said as she brought out another book and flipped through the pages, “Take this wing spell, for instance. I bet when you cast it, you were really exhausted weren’t you?”
“Well, yes but I was-”
“That’s because the writer of this spell was thinking too lightly, borrowing mana from butterflies takes too long. From what I have seen and done, it would be far easier to mix blue and white mana to create temporary wings,” Sunset said, putting away one of the books.
“How did you figure that out?” Asked Twilight, looking at the book and seeing that Sunset was right.
“Because I happen to be very talented in finding out the fastest ways to use spells with a very low drain on mana. I didn’t get into Celestia’s school just because I’m a pretty face you know,” Sunset smiled.
Twilight giggled as she put one of the books back, “Of course you didn’t. You know, I was kind of hoping you would come back one day,” thee alicorn said with a sigh, “I mean, you were Celestia’s student before me, I figured we could spend hours together talking about the classes, the lessons, different magical-” Twilight stopped to see Sunset beginning to cry, “What’s wrong?”
“I never wanted to come back,” Sunset said, tears welling up “I was just fine staying back in that world, live out the rest of my life with my new friends, and never bother with all of this, ever again! I grew to love those girls, Twilight, they were like my sisters,” Sunset choked back a sob, “but in an instant, that man took it all away from me. Why? I was... finally happy.”
Twilight reached over and gave Sunset a hug with her wing, “It’ll be alright, Sunset. You’ll see, it might take a while but I bet I can find a way to go past the time limit of the portal and open it for you to go home.”
“YOU DON'T GET IT!” Sunset screamed at Twilight, “There is no way back, not now, not ever!”
“What?” Asked Twilight.
“Just before I left for your world, I used my magic to decimate the statue where the portal was. I ruined my only chance back, and without a proper portal relay... I can’t go home. I can never go back,” Sunset tearfully said, putting her face into Twilight’s shoulder.
“Don’t say that, Sunset,” Twilight said, rubbing the yellow unicorn’s back, “Nothing is for certain. Give me some time and I can figure out a way to send you back.”
Sunset raised her head, “You’ll do that for me? Why? I... I’ve tried to kill you twice and I tried to kill your friend.”
Twilight shrugged, “ I can be a little stupid sometimes, because I like giving second chances. I guess its because I’ve seen it done some good things for ponies in the past.”
Sunset chuckled at this, “You’re right, you can be stupid. So, where is our other guest?”
“Will is still asleep in her bed. If you ask me, it’s getting too crowded here,” Spike said, coming out from the kitchen with a plate of waffles.
“Sorry Spike,” Twilight said, “ but you know its rare for us to have more than one guest here at a time. This place just isn’t built for more than two ponies and a dragon living here.”
Before this conversation took place, Will was asleep in her bed, tossing and turning in it.
“Look, Cornelia, I’m sorry,” Will said, looking down at the ground with tears in her eyes. “I know that my plan was stupid and I could’ve gotten your sister killed but I had to-”
The blonde unicorn quickly interrupted the blue pegasus with a big hug, “Look, I may not agree with your ideas, and there’ll be times when I think you are an idiot, but I’ll never hate you.” She then pulled away, looking like a human girl with a soft smile, “Just know, no matter what you plan, I’ll be there to back you up. But don’t expect me not to argue with you about it.”
Will put her forehead to her best friend’s head, smiling, “Never have any other way.”
“It’s too bad, you’re all alone now. Aren’t you,” a voice said, firing a wall of flame at the young woman, incernating her.
“ Cornelia!” Screamed Will as she woke up, panting. Taking the time to roll out of bed, she could hear the conversation from down below.
“I just.. .miss them Twilight. I never thought I would say that about anypony, ever,” Sunset said, looking down. “All my life, I was just focused on being the best, winning alone, and now... I can’t see my life without them.”
Will sighed as she walked to the edge of the stairs, “I feel the same about my friends. All of my old ones just wanted to be friends with me because they felt sorry and then I move to a new town and poof...I have four friends I can’t think about leaving.”
“Speaking of which, where are your friends now?” Asked Twilight.
“Well, they should be back in-” Will stopped herself, unsure of the answer. Her mind kept going back between the words ‘Vanhoover’ and ‘Heatherfield’, both seeming to be the right place and yet, seem wrong, “they should...”
Twilight watched as the redheaded mare swayed back and forth in confusion, “Hold on! Are you all right?”
Will smiled as she felt herself being held up by Twilight, “Y-yeah, I should be fine. I don’t know why I can’t remember where my friends are right now or where I live. It’s like a fog is in my head.”
“Twilight! The princess just sent something back,” Spike said, coming in with a letter and the pendant that was around Will’s neck.
“My pendant! Thanks Spike,” Will said smiling, putting it on as fast as she could. Once around her neck she lifted it up to her face and smiled, “The heart of Kandrakar, is the symbol of the leader of the guardians, it will bind you to the others.” She whispered softly to herself as she felt a little warmer with the necklace on her.
“I wonder what she found out?” Twilight asked as she look at the letter.
To my dearest Princess Twilight Sparkle.
Upon investigation, I have determined that the pendant is a source of very powerful magic and a n item that belongs to your friend . Do not let her let go of it and you must protect her for the time being. I cannot say more in written form for fear of somepony else reading this.
As to your inquiry about the symbol, I am afraid I cannot confirm what it means until I have more information. Until then, please be careful of anything strange happening in Ponyville and report to me the moment you find something odd.
Sincerly Princess-
“OH YEAH! WELL, BITE ME!” Rainbow Dash interrupted as she barged into the library, a book sticking out of her bag.
“Rainbow Dash, there isn’t a need to be rude,” Twilight said, rolling up the scroll.
“Not you, Twilight, I was yelling that out to-oh, you’re still here,” Dash remarked, looking at Sunset with a scowl.
“A pleasure to see you again, ‘Miss Dash’,” Sunset snarked back, only to get a light nudge from Will.
Twilight walked over to her cyan friend, “Rainbow, who were you yelling at then?”
Rainbow Dash let out a sigh as she looked at the door, “Thunderlane, he was having a fight with Bulk out there. I broke it up and he cussed me out for it.”
“Wait, Thunderlane? You mean that sweet guy? But he would never-” Twilight began.
“Yeah, I know,” Dash remarked, laying the book onto the table, “That’s the weird part. I know Thunderlane, he has a lot of patience. He’s not the type of guy to fly off the handle, just because somepony bumped into him.”
“That was it?” Asked Will.
“Yeah, weird huh?” Dash said as she walked to a bookcase.
At that moment, the door busted open and a ragged orange pony stepped out, “What is wrong with everypony today?”
“Applejack, what’s wrong?” Asked Twilight.
“Just a big feud going out there, is all,” Applejack said, not noticing Sunset.
“What do you mean?” Asked Will.
“Well, Ah was out in the market, when Ah saw the flower trio getting into an argument. No problem, Ah thought, after all, friends fight once in a while. Then, out of the bloom, they attacked another flower shop across from them. Ah had to step in before they could do anything serious!” Yelled Applejack.
“You guys don’t normally act like that, right. I thought Ponyville was peaceful and kind. At least that was what I heard,” Will said.
Applejack got a good look at Will and walked up to her, shaking her hoof fast, “Well, howdy! The name’s Applejack, ya must be Will. Thanks for savin’ Pinkie Pie and Twilight yesterday. Ah can’t thank ya enough for that and,” her green eyes then glared at Sunset, “What in Tarnation is she doing here?”
“A pleasure,” Sunset said, bowing to Applejack. “I seem to making new friends left and right.”
“Forgive me, Ah didn’t know Ah was supposed to be happy at seein’ a pony who tried to kill mah best friend TWICE, and put another in the hospital,” Applejack growled.
“To be fair, she was under a spell and your friend only suffered a mild head-”
“I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO INSULTED!” A white unicorn exclaimed as she walked into the house, followed closely by a tearful pegasus.
“Let me guess, ponies are easily agitated and take it out on others with no reason,” Twilight asked as she watched her two friends walk in.
“Yes, how did you know?” Asked the purple maned unicorn.
“It’s been happening a lot lately,” Twilight said plainly.
“Yes, it was horrible, Twilight,” Rarity said walking past the alicorn. “Not only did they insult my mane style and my fake lashes, but there was also a small stampede that hurt one of Fluttershy’s poor ducks!”
“Its ok, Goslyn, it’ll be all right,” Fluttershy said as she continued to wrap the wing of a duckling in a bandage.
“I swear, its getting weirder and weirder out there,” Rarity said as she walked around the library and looked at Will, “Ah, you must be Will! A pleasure to meet your acquaintance, I am Rarity and that is Fluttershy. And, my word, that is a lovely gem on your neck,” the white unicorn said, looking down at the heart.
“Thanks,” Will said.
“May I?” Asked Rarity.
“Sure,” Will said, smiling.
Using her magic, Rarity lifted the heart close to her face, “My word, where did you get this? I have never seen its make anywhere in all of Equestria, and there is no jeweler I know of that could possibly have cut it so well.”
“I... don’t know,” Will said, the name unable to come to her.
“Well, be as that may, I simply have to request you come to boutique soon and we can discuss your marvelous gem,” Rarity said with a smile before turning to Sunset, “And you must be Shimmer. A pleasure I’m sure.”
Sunset arched an eyebrow in surprise, “I’m surprised, no off-handed remark or insult?”
“Darling, as I told another mare not too long ago, I am a lady and we ladies do not hold grudges. Furthermore, if I am going to insult you, I will do so behind your back,” Rarity said with a smirk.
Will looked around the room, slightly confused, “I don’t get this, I thought that Ponyville was peaceful and quiet.”
“Yeah, its bucking weird,” remarked Dash, looking up from her book. “It’s like everypony decided to become flank-holes all of a sudden.”
“Kind of like, everypony jus’ up and forget how to be kind to one another,” Applejack added.
As Twilight listened to each of the girls talk about the previous events that had been occurring back in Ponyville, she looked back at the letter, “ Girls, pack your things! We’re making a trip to Canterlot!”
“What?” Asked Fluttershy.
“Princess Celestia told me to talk to her if I started to see something weird, and this most likely qualifies,” Twilight said.
Sunset walked to Twilight, looking rather perplexed, “So, you are just going to levitate us all there while flying? Wouldn’t a powerful mage like you rather teleport?”
“Actually, I was thinking of taking a train,” Twilight responded with a blush. “I mean, I can teleport me and Spike easily enough, but more than that and even I would get tired.”
“Wait, you get-you mean as an alicorn you never-” Sunset stammered.
“Took too much mana to try,” Twilight said.
Sunset sighed and muttered under her breath, “How did you even become an alicorn? How did you even beat me?” With a sigh, the orange unicorn looked up at Twilight, “Let me guess, you use only blue mana when you teleport, don’t you?”
“Well, teleportation is mainly mental, why? Is that a problem?” Asked Twilight.
Sunset sighed, “Because that is wasted energy and very insufficient. I know how to do it, without much of a drain.”
“How?” Asked Twilight.
Sunset then smugly smirked as she turned her flank to the other ponies, “Look at my mark. What is it?”
“A sun, so what?” Asked Dash.
“Wait,” Will said, taking a step closer, “Is that a yin/yang? A balance?”
“Yep,” the orange mare said, flipping back her mane confidently, “You see, I got this mark because I can balance out the mana needed for a spell while keeping enough for another without draining myself. This allows me to cast multiple giant spells in a row without tiring myself out or suffering mana drain for too long.” She looked back at the group of ponies, each with a confused look on their face save for Twilight and Will.
“I think I got it,” Will said, stepping forth, “What you are saying is that, a spell that would normally drain a normal unicorn like Rarity, you can cast while keeping enough mana for yourself to cast another strong spell.”
“But how? Even when I was an unicorn, I would have to use all of one of my mana pools to cast a large spell,” Twilight asked.
“Let me show you,” Sunset said, “Everypony, gather around Twilight.”
With questioning looks, the bearers and Will did so, with Fluttershy sighing, “It feels odd, doing this without Pinkie.”
“Ah, we’ll fill her in when we get back,” Dash said with a shrug.
“Ok, now, Twilight, prepare your teleport spell, and hold it,” Sunset said, watching as the purple alicorn lit up her horn. “Perfect. Now, do you feel yourself connected to the blue mana pool?”
“Yes,” Twilight said, closing her eyes.
“Now, instead of tapping into only that, I want you to take some of the energy from one of the other four pools. Bring it out,” Sunset, smirking.
“I-I- I can’t,” Twilight grunted, a small bit of sweat pouring down her face as she concentrated.
“Sure you can, its easy,” Sunset said, “You are an alicorn now, you have the largest mana reserve of any pony here. Just pull out the extra energy you need from those instead of only one.”
As Will watched the lesson go on, her mind began to shoot back in time.
An old mare, her once black mane now white, stood before the five mares, each tired from a battle, “Remember you five must always stand together. Alone, you are strong, but together, you are almost invincible.”
“Right, how can I forget,” Will said, looking to Cornelia, blushing. “Sorry,”
“It’s ok, if you didn’t mess up once in a while, you wouldn’t need us to lift you up,” giggled the unicorn. She then hugged Will with human arms.
The old woman smiled at the girls, “Never forget, your true strength flows from each other...”
“Hey Twilight,” Will asked, breaking Twilight out of her concentration, “When you used the elements to fire that rainbow thing. What did it feel like?”
Twilight smiled as she closed her eyes in remembrance, “It was like I could feel each of my friends giving me some of their energy, lending me just enough of their power to use but I was giving them some of mine, like we were all connected.”
“Try that,” Will said, “Try associating each one of the mana pools with your friends and treat it like each one of them is giving you their power.”
Twilight nodded and began to concentrate, her horn glowing for a moment. For a few moments, she felt nothing, then she began to smile, “I think I got it!”
“Do you?” Sunset asked.
“Yes, I can feel each one of them in a separate way,” Twilight said, making her horn flash, “Fluttershy is a calming white, Applejack is a strong green, Rainbow Dash is a blazing red, Rarity a creative blue, and Pinkie...” Twilight stopped herself, frowning about the lack of her friend..
Sunset shook her head, “It’s ok, you should be able to manage with only a bit from four pools.”
Eyes closed, Twilight nodded and continued to prepare the spell, taking in some energy from the other pools, not noticing her friends glowing as well, “HERE GOES! HOLD ON!”
“Who was that woman, and what did she mean that me and other guardians,” Will thought as they began to disappear into the ether, “And how did I know about how their power affect me, that I get stronger when they are nearby.”
“As you can see ambassador, everything will be fine for your people’s journey through Equestria tomorrow,” Celestia said to the satyr before her. “I am sorry to hear about your hometown, however.”
“Do not worry your highness,” the goatman said, his accent thick. “We Satyrs have this thing about vengeance and we will find the dragon responsible.” With that, he walked out the door of the castle, just as a purple dome of energy appeared in the center of the throne room.
“Sister, who is-” Luna asked, walking into the room, only to watch as Twilight and the others appear before her, “Twilight?”
Celestia, unfazed by the appearance of her student, chuckled at Twilight as she stood, barely panting, “Twilight, though I welcome your visits, I do wish you would warn me first. That, and I have never known you to teleport here before.”
“Your student never tried with a group before, I taught her how. Without wasting her mana I should add,” Sunset smugly smirked.
“I knew you two could learn from each other,” Celestia smiled as Twilight walked up.
“Princess,” Twilight said, trying to focus on the task at hand not on her glee at performing a new trick, “Something is going wrong in Ponyville. Fights are starting randomly, ponies are turning violent, and more and more are letting their rage overtake them.”
As Luna walked to stand next to her sister, she listened to this and shook her head. Looking to Twilight she asked, “Tell us, the ponies who attacked, did they have a V somewhere on their body. The neck or arm?”
Rainbow Dash quickly nodded, “Yeah, Thunderlane had this weird mark on his neck when he attacked Bulk.”
Celestia sighed, “It’s as I feared then.”
“You know something, your highness?” Asked Will.
“Of course she does, she’s the queen of secrets remember?” Responded Sunset with a scoff.
Celestia ignored the comment and began, “In order to know what is happening to the ponies, you must know who is responsible. Back when Queen Terra and King Titan were still young, the magic of our universe was held by a select group of dragons. The good king of dragons, Bahamut,” Celestia spat the name, like it sickened her to say it, “sent out his most trusted soldier to take it and bring it to the people. This purple dragon was joined on her quest by a kind yellow dragon, a generous white one, a loyal blue, an honest orange, and silly pink. Together they had many adventures and soon took the magic; but it was not without cost. The purple dragon lost her five friends in the course of the journey. So heartbroken was she, that she used the magic for one selfish thing... to bring back her friends.”
Twilight smiled tearfully at this and looked back at her friends, knowing she would do no less for them, “So, what happened next?”
“The six dragons used the magic to bring it forth across the universe, giving the earth ponies their strength, the pegasi the power over the weather and flight, and the unicorns their unique magicks. The five dragons then sealed their power into five orbs, known as aurameres and placed them within the halls of Kandrakar and the purple dragon became the first head of the council of Kandrakar.”
“What’s Kandrakar?” Asked Applejack.
“It’s a mystical realm just behind the veil that protects our world,” Sunset said, walking to the side of the group, “It a powerful source of magic, where all magic is said to flow. It is also said that, it is there where the five guardians will be chosen when the time comes.”
“Shouldn’t the red head one know this, she looks confused,” Luna said, whispering to her sister.
“But what does this have to do with what is going on in Ponyville?” Twilight asked.
“Have you ever heard of the balance?” Asked Sunset, “It states that when something of a great good happens in the universe, a great evil must also happen.”
“Agreed,” Luna stated, “When the purple dragon brought her five friends back, in exchanged, something dark was born. It was a black dragon, representing death and destruction. For eons, he rested, drawing upon energy from the death, hatred, and destruction that happened in the world overtime. All through this, a fairy with a heart as black as pitch raised him, tempered him into a fierce creature. Then she unleashed on our world, forcing him to try and kill us all.”
“Me and Luna teamed up with a company of brave soldiers to defeat him and finally seal him away. A year after Luna was freed, we had heard news of this monster’s release, and then his apparent death. We could hardly believe it, not only was he freed, but something was able to kill him. We went to where his grave was and sure enough... he was dead.”
“Who was this guy?” Asked Rainbow Dash.
“His name was Valtor,” Luna stated.
“And if that dreadful creature is dead, then why do you think he is the cause of what is happening?” Asked Rarity.
“His mark,” Luna stated plainly, “Whenever he would attack a world, his victims would bear the mark of a V upon their bodies. We can only assume this means that someone, or something has revived him and unleashed him on our world. For what reason, we cannot say.”
Applejack looked up at the two princesses, “So, what does all of that have to do with the ponies acting plumb out of their minds?”
“One of his many tactics that he would use to devastate the world was to unleash something that we had dubbed, the hate plague,” Luna stated plainly, the thought disgusting her. “It starts off when a carrier brings it into the world, touching and spreading it to the innocent populace of the planet. You have already seen the beginnings of the virus at the moment, stage one. Here, small things that once annoy a pony become huge means of aggravation. Ponies who would normally brush off a small insult will become aggressive and lash out. Stage two, the ponies rage increases, they begin attacking the ones that they feel have done the most harm to them. Friendly rivals turn into bitter enemies and now, even a small slight will turn a pony into a violent monster. Stage three, the pony starts to lash out at any and every pony, attacking and most likely, killing all that stand in their way.Lastly, stage four...” Luna stopped herself.
“S-Stage four?” asked Fluttershy, trembling.
“Your body cannot stand being a state of constant rage forever, the adrenalin pumping through you, your heart racing to keep up, it soon becomes too much and you...” Celestia stopped herself, “Die. Your body becomes covered in a black ooze and will drain you of your life. OR worse, your body will become covered in the ooze, turning you into a mindless monster, serving only the will of Valtor. What's more, when you are infected, your strength, senses, and some parts of your mind become stronger, sharper, and every way more powerful”
“Is there a cure?” Twilight asked.
“None that we found,” Luna said, shaking her head, “Though, we found that beating the tar out of the victims leaves them cold and unconscious long enough for you to find and defeat Valtor.”
“Twilight, me and Luna will try our best to find where Valtor is, but I want you and your friends to return to Ponyville and find a way to stop it. Or at the very least, find Valtor,” Celestia said. “EXCEPT! For you, Sunset shimmer, you are to stay in Canterlot.”
“Oh, I get it. Keep an eye on the criminal?” Sunset remarked, a bit of anger in her voice.
“Not at all,” Celestia said, shaking her head. “You have attacked a very beloved pony in Ponyville. The populace will be quite angry with you, and if any of them have the plague in them... they’ll attack you on sight. Do not fear, though, I have arranged to reopen your old room and you can assist in finding a cure for this plague with my student.”
Sunset walked by Celestia with a scoff and a flip of her mane, “Fine, but do not expect me to be reading any books.”
Celestia sighed and shook her head, “Of course not.”
Luna watched as Twilight and her friends left the throne room, “Sister, are you sure that the red head is, in fact, a guardian?”
“Yes, Luna,” Celestia nodded.
“Then why did she not fold here?” asked Luna.
“Perhaps she lacks the power too, maybe her powers have not fully bloomed,” Celestia stated.
“And where are the other four, there are FIVE guardians!” Luna asked. “She is nowhere near as powerful as she should be!”
“Yes, I know,” Celestia nodded. “A guardian alone, especially the keeper of the heart, is a very troubling sign indeed.”
Author's Note
Thanks to Zoltanthemagnificent for the edits.
Now we are clued in on the big bad of the story, of where the rest of this adventure will lead us and what I have planned next. Trust me, the ride is just beginning and I hope to see you all there.
And yes. Valtor is from Winx, I just modified his story for a bit.
Also, Don't worry about Sunset, I have plans for her, I just needed her to go off on her own adventures for a bit.
Ps. I feel horrible for what I did to that happy family :(
As the rays of the sun hit Pinkie’s eyes, she gave a little yawn as she woke up. Stretching her forelegs over her head, she quickly turned her head back and forth to look around. As her eyes began to scan around the room, she began to notice a distinct lack of her friends or anypony else. For all intents and purposes, she was alone in the room, “Hey, where did everypony go? Where are all my friends?”
“They’re busy, probably trying to stay away from you,” said the blonde nurse as she walked in with some medication on a cart.
“Now that’s just silly. Why would my friends want to stay away from me?” Asked Pinkie with a giggle.
“Because you are one of the most annoying ponies I have met! Do you even listen to yourself? Always jumping, squeaking, and being all happy all of the bucking time! Celestia, it makes me sick!” said Nurse Trueheart, grumbling as she got her medications read for Pinkie.
Taking a glass of water, Pinkie quickly downed the pills, “Oh, I get it.. .somepony’s grumpy! Everything always seems more annoying when they’re grumpy.”
“I’m not grumpy!” Yelled the mare, her eyes narrowing in rage, “I am just telling you what is on my and probably your friends’ minds.”
“No you’re not! If you were speaking my friends minds, then you would have their heads on your shoulders,” Pinkie said, before giggling at the image. “My friends know I just try to keep their minds off of being all frowny and grumpy when they are in a bad situation. So, come on, tell nana Pinkie what’s on your mind!”
“I’m four years older than you,” the nurse said, shaking her head. “And nothing is on my mind, I’m just... tired.”
“Of what?” Asked Pinkie scooting closer on her bed.
“Of everything, of sick people getting sicker, of everything I do not being enough, and just being overworked,” the nurse said, letting out a sigh as she sat next to Pinkie.
“Hmmmm, sounds like you need a motivator. How about this, you helped me and there are a few other ponies who are feeling better because of you right?”
“Yeah, but-”
“Exactly, all of those butts would be hurting without you. So what if it seems like there is more, if you keep at it, it’ll shrink, right?” Asked Pinkie with a smile.
“Yeah, I guess,” said Trueheart, then she looked at Pinkie, who now had a bad wig and beard on. “What?”
“It’s my doctoring beard, it shows I’m a P-shycharitst!” Said Pinkie.
“But-that... how could,” as Trueheart began to work through the motions, she began to giggle and then laugh for a few moments. The to then began to swap stories and talk to each other about their lives, all the while, the pink pony found ways to bring a smile to Trueheart’s lips.
Near an alleyway in the crystal empire, a young stallion with a emerald cutie mark walked by a flash of light, “What?” He asked before walking into the alleyway, “H-Hello?”
“Hmmmm, interesting, not the form I expected but it will have to do,” said a suave voice from within the shadows. “You there, stallion, come to me.”
“Y-yes sir?” Asked Emerald Glance as he walked closer to the being in the shadows, trying to identify the being.
“Tell me, is Princess Cadence entertaining court today?” Asked the voice as he looked to a clothesline and grabbed some robes.
“Oh yes, Princess Cadence is holding her love court today. She’ll see everypony who has a problem and will try and help them. She is so nice like that,” said the stallion with a smile. He then looked at the figure with a glare, “Hey! Don’t go and steal-URK!”
“I’m not stealing, I’m borrowing,” said the stallion as he strangled the crystal pony with his magic. “I’ll bring this back, when the empire is in flames.” With that, the being in shadows smirked as he dropped the stallion to the ground, dead. Walking towards the gleaming spires of the castle, the creature in shadows began to weave a spell across the land. One that began to slither and writhe as dark tendrils slunk deep into the ground.
After a few moments, he made his way up into the castle and into the throne room, “And I think we’ll convene after one more case,” the pink alicorn said as she sat on the throne.
“Ah, good,” the being in the cloak said as he walked into the throne room. “I was hoping that, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, princess of love and caring, would entertain me.”
“And who would you be, sir?” Cadence asked, looking at the thing in the cloak with a small bit of worry, “And please, it’s Cadence.”
“So this is what Nobility and Royalty have lowered themselves to? Allowing themselves to be called common names?” The man in the cloak said, removing his garb to the shock of the court, “My name is, Valtor of the Black Flame. And I have but one request, the Heart if you please.”
“The Crystal Heart is not to be given freely,” Cadence said defiantly, “It belongs to the crystal ponies!”
“I knew you would say something to that effect,” Valtor said, a sick smile came to his lips as magic glowed in his eyes. “Which is why,” he stopped as the screams of crystal ponies could be heard down below. “I brought the ponies of the crystal empire here. It seems that the dead of the past, the ones that Sombra took and butchered, are not too happy about being forgotten by the public. They wish to talk, and make the world burn,” Valtor chuckled as the fires began to erupt in the city below.
“GIRLS!” Will exclaimed as she walked into a circle, looking at the four ponies around her. “Oh, I am so glad to see you. You don’t know how much I need you right...now?”
As Will walked closer to the four ponies, she watch in horror as they began to fade away, their bodies being taken away from her, “Goodbye, Will,” the auburn earth pony said, her body being dragged by a wave of water.
“Goodbye, Will,” Cornelia said, the unicorn vanishing in a wave of starlight and moonbeam.
“Goodbye, Will,” Taranee said, the earth pony walking away into the dark.
“Goodbye, Will,” Hay Lin said, vanishing into a bright light.
“No! Girls, come back!” Will shouted, as her pleas were silenced by a booming laughter.
“Why, Will? I thought you knew where they are,” Valtor said, his voice carrying with it a sinister tone. “They are in Vanhoover, correct? You have so many memories of that place-”
“Of course I do I-” she was interrupted when she looked down at her hoof and saw a hand in its place. “W-what!!”
“A pony or a human? What are you? Do you even know?” Valtor asked, his voice coming from everywhere, “Maybe you should ask Twilight, maybe she might know what you are?”
Will shot awake from her bed as the dream ended, panting rapidly. Looking down at her body, she saw that she was still a blue pegasus with a weird pink cutie mark. Getting out of the bed, she gave her head a little shake in order to dispel the memory of the dream, hoping that it meant nothing and was just a nightmare. Perking her ears at the sounds of electricity and mumbling, Will began a slow walk down the stairs to where she thought she had heard Twilight, but was surprised to see nopony there, “If you’re looking for Twilight, she is in the lab down the basement. Though, I might warn you, she gets testy when ponies interrupt her,” Spike said.
“ARG! DARN IT!” Twilight screamed from within the basement, “557 spells in this stupid library and not a one of them is like this ‘hate plague’! AHHHH!”
“She, might be a while,” joked Spike.
Nodding with a small smile, Will began to flitter around the library. As she looked over some of the books, she began to try and figure out what was going on with her memories, “I was always a pony, wasn’t I? I mean, what else could I have been. I remember me and my friends meeting in Vanhoover, discovering our powers at Hay Lin’s, and then we became guardians. I can even remember being knighted by Cadence for what we-wait,” Will stopped herself as her hoof touched upon ‘multiversal theory’, “They... Hey Spike?”
“Yeah?” Spike asked, picking up some leftover papers around the table.
“Haven’t we-” before Will could ask, the front door of the library slammed open, a large green stallion standing in the doorway.
“WHERE IS ‘Princess’ TWILIGHT?” The stallion bellowed.
“Uh, who are UGGH!” Yelled spike as the unicorn lifted him with his magic and threw the young dragon across the room.
“Spike, what was that...SPIKE!” Yelled Twilight a she ran up the stairs and caught Spike in her magic. Lowering him down to the ground, she put a quick healing spell on him to keep him safe. Breathing out a sigh of relief at Spike’s dragon toughness, she turned to the unicorn who brought out his serrated knife, “Who are you?”
“You don’t need to know my name witch! That’s the problem with you pretentious piles of manure! You never pay attention to common folks like me, and then you just get the high paying offices handed to you. Well, not anymore, I’m gonna kill you!” He bellowed, charging at Twilight and slashing at her.
Twilight quickly moved out of the way and charged up her horn, then her eyes noticed the symbol on the stallion's neck, “He has the hate plague! I have to be careful how I fight and not hurt him too badly, it isn’t his-AHHHH!” She was knocked out of her thoughts by a right hook from the stallion. Getting up from being knocked against the books, she looked up to the stallion, “Celestia was right, they do get stronger from the plague. That punch really hurt!”
Will watched, trying to conjure up her inner magic that she had used a few days ago, “Come on, I need to hit him with something, anything!” Struggling, she tried to conjure up her inner spark, but then let out a gasp as a memory hit her.
“The one who holds the heart, has the power of Quintessence,” the old woman said as she poured some tea.
“Quin-whatta?” asked Irma, looking up from her bowl.
“Quintessence, means life don't it?” Asked Hay Lin.
“Yes, it does-” answered the old woman.
Watching the lightning crackle and charge around her blue hooves, she looked up at an unicorn statue head. “QUINTESSENCE!” She screamed, firing a surge of magical power at the object. She then watched in shock as the head came to life and leapt at the rampaging stallion, bashing him against the head and knocking him out.
Twilight stood in shock at the sight, “What, how did you?”
“I-I don’t know,” Will said, speechless. Looking down at her hooves in shock, she watched as the last remnants of lightning flowing from hoof to hoof.
Twilight’s eyes opened wide in wonder and curiosity as she picked up the pegasus and unicorn in her magic, “Oh, this is so utterly amazing! You have to tell me EVERYTHING!” With a squee, the alicorn pulled the two down into the basement and slammed the door. Once inside, she quickly strapped the unicorn to a table while letting the pegasus sit on a chair, “You know, I find it amazing that you can do unicorn magic like that. I mean, I have heard of bringing thing to life spells, but those were usually for very powerful unicorns, though I guess that includes me now that I am alicorn.” Without even turning to look back at Will, the young princess fired an anesthetic spell at the unicorn, “But you! You did something unbelievably amazing, used unicorn magic. Pegasi usually use emptha, emotion magic, when it comes to their magic, but using an Unicorn’s arcana? That’s never happened, even if a pegasus had the blood of a unicorn in them. Just,” Twilight stopped to take a breath as she finished laying her testing equipment onto a small table, “HOW!?”
“I-I don’t know,” Will said, shaking her head sadly. “All my memories come to me in little flashes, like I will see me and my friends standing around this old mare and she keeps talking to us about who we are and our ‘destiny’. She also keeps talking to me about what I can do, about what my powers are.”
As Twilight listened to the blue pegasus, she used a small needle to draw out some blood from the insane unicorn, “And that’s all you can remember?”
Will nodded, “ Other than where I live and my friends names.”
“Who are they?” Twilight asked, putting some of the black ooze under a microscope and looking at it.
“Well, there’s Irma and Taranee, both earth ponies. Hey Lin, a pegasus, and then there is Cornelia, an unicorn. We all come from,” Will held back a wince as the pain of her memories started up, “He-Vanhoover.”
“Vanhoover?” Twilight asked, out loud, “Isn’t that far away? Why did you come here?”
“I-I-”
“Hey Lin,” Will grunted as she looked to a small crater just a few feet away from the ruins of the high school. “Irma, Cornelia,” she said, struggling, but found that his grip increased the more she tried. Instead, she winced as she looked to the craters sitting side by side where two friends once stood, “...Taranee.” Will said, tearing up as the memory of her friend’s last moments came to her, “Where did you send them?”
“Isn’t it obvious, my dear? I killed them,” the man said, smirking.
“No, you didn’t. They’re alive, I can feel it! And I am going to find them!” Will said, her eyes looking back at the man’s golden ones.
“Such determination, that is why you will lead me to the heart,” the man smiled, forming a ball of energy in his hand.
“The-heart?” turning her eyes downward, she looked at the heart of Kandrakar around her neck.
“The greatest heart of them all,” he said, placing the ball onto Will’s heart, “the heart of worlds. ”
Will blinked her eyes a few times, trying to get back the memory but watched it vanish from her mind quickly, “I don’t know.”
“Maybe if you got a letter out to Vanhoover, you can figure it out. Who knows, maybe your friends are there,” Twilight said, putting the blood into the vial. “Spike should be ok by now. Have him send a letter to the princess and have her get in touch with Vanhoover.”
Nodding, Will ran back up the stairs and sent out her letter. Once she was done, she walked back down to see Twilight growling in frustration, “Something wrong?”
“It’s this virus, I can’t figure it out!” Twilight yelled as she walked to some of her other beakers, “This plague can’t be airborne, or else we would’ve contracted it earlier. It doesn’t seem to be liquid based or does it seem to be touch based, it just seems to be...There!”
“So, magic based?” asked Will as she walked over to one of the microscopes and looked in it.
“That’s the only explanation left, but that is the rub,” Twilight said, walking to the last beaker on the left. “Watch this,” with a loud zap from her horn, the beaker was covered in a bright purple light. When the light faded away, the blood as still black, “That was a very powerful cure spell that Cadence once taught me, and it is supposed to cure certain magical diseases. But not this one. I also know that, for magical diseases like this one to work, the caster need to be somewhere close by to begin the spell. This ‘plague’ started sometime after Sunset came into town, and she was infected too.”
“So what you’re saying is...?”
“That this has the elements of being a normal virus, but it’s power and effects are much more magical in nature. It’s like if somepony merged a spell with a virus,” Twilight said, looking over the vial before her. “This Valtor is close to being a magical genius! I mean to do a perpetual spell like this is utterly-”
“TWILIGHT!” yelled Spike as he ran down into the basement, “We have trouble!”
“What is it Spike?” Twilight asked.
“It’s the Crystal Empire, it’s under attack!” Spike said, running to Twilight with a panicked look in his eyes.
The mood on board the train was unnaturally quiet as the six mares rode off in the train. The five bearers sat in their seats, taking the time to look up at the window to see if they were getting closer to where their friend was under attack. Will, on the other hand, was trying to cope with her own memories.
“What’s going on, Twilight?” asked Applejack as she ran with Twilight.
“Cadence sent a letter asking for us to come and save the empire from a certain pony, Valtor,” Twilight said.
“Isn’t Valtor the ruffian who-” Rarity asked catching up.
“Yeah, and now we get a chance to kick his tail back to wherever he came from!” Dash said, a cocky smirk on her face.
“Umm, shouldn’t we pick up Pinkie Pie?” Asked Fluttershy.
“She still needs her rest, “ Dash said, speeding up her flight. “The nutball would just slow us down anyway.” The last part was softly muttered, but only Will caught part of it.
“Why did Dash say that, it wasn’t like her,” Will said as the train bumped and moved along the track. “WAIT! How did I know that, I never...
“...thank you all,” Cadence said, finishing her speech.
“It was no problem, you majesty,” Will said bowing.
“You know, if we were here,” Dash remarked, smirking, “we would’ve had this done in 10 seconds flat.”
“Wait... they were there when me and my friends saved the empire? But I never,” Will then stopped herself for the moment.” Wait, I don’t remember ever-no wait, yes we did, it was right after our battle with Nerissa. We came to the empire and saved them... right?” Will then looked up to the bearers of harmony, her eyebrow arched in confusion, “Twilight, have we-”
“Get ready girls, we’re here!” Dash exclaimed, looking out the window.
“Oh, my goodness,” Fluttershy said, trembling as the train came into the station and looking ahead at the burning city. The blue and black flames arose high in the city beyond, some of the fires reaching high into the sky. Even from that distance, the screams and pleas of ponies could be heard.
“We don’t have much time!” Twilight commanded as she and the others ran from the station to the city proper, “Rainbow, you and Fluttershy go and get some clouds to help with getting rid of this fire. Applejack, you help the guards to get the ponies to safety. Will, Rarity, you are with me.”
“Where are we going?” asked Rarity as they split into their separate groups.
“To the Crystal Heart, if Valtor is anywhere, he is going to be there,” Twilight said, while Applejack ran off to fight some decaying pony corpses.
“Ok, what the hay are these things!?” Asked Applejack as she began to punch and kick the creatures.
“Valtor called them the ponies of the past”,said one of the guards as he punched a few of the zombie puppets. “I think they’re the ponies that Sombra executed.”
“Oh, buckin great,” Applejack said as she adjusted her hat and continued to help the ponies.
Meanwhile, the three mares ran to the crystal heart and stopped when they saw a pony sized figure standing front of it, “Ah, so you have come, princess. I am humbled to be entertaining the presence of royalty twice in one day. And what do I the pleasure?” Valtor asked, turning around to reveal himself.
“My word, he’s a dragon!” Rarity said in shock.
“Yes, much to my dismay,” Valtor said as he stood on his hind legs. “I was expecting for this world to make me something much more elegant, like an alicorn.” He then gave his wide wings a flap as he walked in front of the three mares, widening his slitted eyes at the sight of Will, “ Will, welcome! I do hope you are enjoying your new world, or is it your old one?”
“What do you mean?” Will asked.
“Why not ask Twilight?” Valtor smirked, looking at the purple alicorn. “Ask her if there ever was a Will Vandom born in Vanhoover. Ask her if a Irma was ever born to a royal guard, or if Cornelia ever gotten dresses from Rarity?”
“What are you talking about?” Will asked, growling, “Of course they did. I was born not far from Ponyville, and then I moved to Vanhoover a few years ago. Then...then...”
“You met four friends, became the guardians, and helped to save this empire once. Correct?”Valtor asked, looking at the nodding Will, “Rarity?”
"Guardians, what does she mean?" Twilight asked.
"I-thought I knew," Will said, her mind racing.
“I am sorry darling,” Rarity said as Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy arrived, “I don’t recall ever having a mare named Cornelia buying one of my dresses.”
“But I-AHHHHHH!” Will screamed as she collapsed to the ground in pain.
“Oh? What is this? Memory problems?” Valtor chuckled as he walked to the Heart, “Or, maybe they’re lying to you. Changelings, magic, or mind control are all available in this world. So maybe you have been born here, and they are just lying to you to get the Heart of Kandrakar. Who can you trust?” Asked Valtor as he laid a claw onto the heart.
“Get away from that!” Dash yelled but was pushed back thanks to the dragon’s magic.
“Hold, whelp!” Valtor shouted, “ I wasn’t thinking about using this heart. It is powerful indeed, but it is not the heart I am looking for. No, I am looking for something far more precious.”
“What?” Asked Twilight.
“You are smart, you can figure it out, princess,” Valtor chuckled as he flew off into the distance.
Will, still writhing in pain, let out another scream as she fainted.
Author's Note
Thanks to Zoltan for the editing
Yes, now we meet the villian, from Winx...have you notice the huge amount of crossovers I do?
"I'm a pony," Will said as she stood in the darkness. "No, I'm not! I'm Will Vandom, I come from... Vanhoover? No! I-ARG!!!!!!”
"Poor, poor Will," Valtor said in her mind. "You have no idea who you are anymore, do you?"
"Yes I do! I'm a pegasus, I work with the guardians to protect the Veil. Me and my friends saved Equestria from dimensional threats!" Will argued, looking around for Valtor.
The black dragon appeared behind her, cupping her chin, "Is that so? Then why did you not know how to fly? Or what about Twilight Sparkle? You met her once didn't you?"
"I-I..."
"Maybe I'm right, and Twilight is lying to you," Valtor chuckled as he vanished.
"Wait, get back here!" Demanded Will as the world around her began to vanish into white.
Will shot up in a bed to see a buttery yellow pegasus sitting next to her.
The pegasus flew up with a start,"You're awake!" She said with a smile.
"Oh, hey Fluttershy," Will said with a pant, before looking around her. "How long was I out?"
“You passed out for almost an hour, we were all worried,” Fluttershy said, patting Will’s forehead. “I decided to stay with you while the others helped with the city. Are you all right?”
Will nodded. She then looked to the capital city of the empire. The streets, though still being after the flames were quelled, were now cleansed of zombies, "Wow, things cleaned up quick once Valtor left. Where's Twilight?"
Fluttershy blushed,"It was the weirdest thing, once Valtor left all of the zombies just... disintegrated." She looked towards the door,"Twilight is discussing things with our friends. We wanted to wait until you got better before we got back to Ponyville."
"Thanks," Will said, getting out the bed slowly, trying to steady herself. "Besides I have something I need of her."
Fluttershy helped Will up,"What would that be?"
Will smiled softly at Fluttershy, "I need her to find out about some ponies in Vanhoover."
Outside, Dash flew in the air, her scowl becoming worse, "What did that Valtor jerk mean by, 'this wasn't the heart that he was looking for?' That is the only heart for miles!!"
Twilight looked up at her friend,"He was probably speaking figuratively." She looked back down as she said"If this wasn't the heart he was looking for, then why did he attack..."
"Maybe he was using it as a distraction?" Rarity asked.
"Yes, a distraction, but-"Twilight gasped,"We have to get back to Ponyville, now!"
Will stepped out of the hospital room, "Why?"
Twilight turned to Will,"Good, you're awake! Listen, I think Valtor's after the Elements!"
"But they're stuck back in the tree, how can he get to them?" Applejack asked Twilight.
"They were taken out once before, unless..." Twilight's eyes opened wide as she flapped her wings,"He's after the tree itself!" She grabbed Applejack in her magic,"Come on!"
Valtor stood before the tree of harmony, a slick smile on his snout, "Now, this must be the heart of worlds." a low chuckle came from deep within his throat as he gazed at the crystalline tree
A maniacal laughter filled the air as Valtor looked upon the tree,"Hey, aren't you the little drake who got beaten by those pretty little faeries?"
"Who's there?" Valtor demanded, looking around.
"My dear wizard, you didn't think you could come in here without facing any... chaotic resistance, did you?" The voice laughed again.
"Chaos?" Asked Valtor to himself before opening his eyes wide, "Discord? Are you on this plane?"
"Well, of course!" Discord popped out in front of Valtor,"After all, Harmony exists here." He looked at the tree behind him,"How are you doing?" He asked, not really expecting an answer from the tree.
The tree said nothing, only gleaming in response. Valtor took a knee and spread his wings as he bowed, "It is a pleasure. My servant told me all about you: a multiversal entity. Someone who can exist in many forms on many universes. I am honored." he then walked closer to the tree, "I came here mainly to-AHHHHHHHHHH!" he pulled his black claw away, sizzling. Turning his slitted eyes up to the tree, he watched as it’s glow seemed to taunt him.
"Honored!?" Discord beamed with pride, then he frowned,"I could've told you that was going to happen. But I didn't, you know why?" His face went to Valtor's,"Because you're not as smart as you think. You don't know everything, do you?
Valtor waved his hand, trying to ignore his pain, "There are many things that have passed me by in my learnings. You’re right, I do not know everything. Sadly." he looked away, a growl escaping his snout.
"Aw, poor dragon!" Discord said in a mocking tone. He gave a wide grin,"At least you admit something, except that you still don't realize your other major flaws."
The black dragon walked next to Discord, "Other flaws? What flaws?" he growled that last word.
"Oh, yes! You think you're great, yet you've been defeated! You're a master, yet you've always been a pawn, even now!" Discord grinned,"You are also very prideful, even compared to me. But that's all I’ve got to say. Be grateful, Twilight, Guardian." Discord said as he looked beyond Valtor.
"I AM NOT A PAWN!" he yelled, wanting to burn Discord for the affront, but stopped when he heard hoofsteps
"Oh, Will, Twilight, a pleasure to see you and your friends arrive to the tree. However, I am afraid that this isn't the heart I am looking for either, but a very powerful magical source nonetheless," the black dragon smiled, opening a portal and began to walk into it.
Twilight growled as she reached the spot where Valtor left,"Darn it!" She looked up at Discord,"What did you mean?"
Discord smiled,"You girls figure it out. I have other matters to attend to. First, don't you have something to ask Twilight, Will?" He said, before snapping his fingers and disappearing.
"Not the heart... " Will looked down at the crystal around her neck. She then turned to look at Twilight, "Twilight, I need you to look up some ponies in Vanhoover by the names of Irma Lair, Taranee Cook, Cornelia Hale, and Hay Lin."
Twilight nodded and turned to walk out of the cave,"Be grateful... he must've been giving us a clue..." She said as they walked out of the cave.
"What clue?" Rainbow asked, throwing her hooves in the air. "This is Discord! His clue is probably something that leads to nowhere!"
"Rainbow, you know that's not true! Discord can be helpful, when he tries to be," Fluttershy argued.
Rainbow only scoffed as the group walked out of the forest. Her magenta eyes looked towards the hospital, "Isn't she out, yet?" she growled.
Will stood at the back of the group, wobbling a little as a voice rang in her head,
"The heart...
Rarity turned to Will,"Something wrong?" She asked.
"No, I’m fine," Will said, giving a small shake of her head as the voice said again,
"The heart... You are the possessor of...
Twilight looked at the hospital building,"Why don't you girls check on Pinkie, while I do a little research?"
The girls nodded, while Dash gave a huff, "Love too, but can't. I have some jobs that need to be done. See ya!"
"What's gotten into her?" Applejack asked.
Rarity flipped her mane, "She's just being her usual self!" she scoffed.
"I'll go check on her," Fluttershy said,”I’m worried
"I am going with Twilight," Will said, getting re-oriented.
As Rarity and Applejack entered the hospital, they found that the mood was a little lighter than is expected of a hospital. At the desk, a little mare with black mane sa,t looking at a photo, "Oh! Hello. And what brings you two to the hospital?" she said as she watched the duo enter.
"My, everything here's chipper." Rarity said.
"We're here for our friend, Pinkie Pie." Applejack answered the mare at the desk.
Nite Nurse smiled, "Sure, she is in room 303. I trust you know the way."
AJ and Rarity nodded as they went towards room 303. As the two mares walked in, they could see on Pinkie's bed a mare with a sheet covering her body.
Rarity gasped,"Pinkie!" She and Applejack ran to the sheet,"Oh, my poor, dear old friend! I can't believe you're gone!" She said in an over dramatic tone.
The pony under the blanket spoke, "Me neither. Maybe if they gave me some cake or something sweet, I wouldn't be gone."
Applejack teared up,"Alright, I've got some pie here with me right now!" she said, producing a piece of apple pie from her saddlebags.
"At last! Can you believe those silly nurses have me on a diet in here? They keep saying 'need to watch your sugar' or ' need to eat a balanced meal'. I am keeping balanced!" she said, throwing her hooves in the air. Hungrily, she took the pie and forced the entire thing into her mouth.
Applejack chuckled,"They must not be used to you yet."
"Yeth, anth teff are a buff of grumffy a buff of gumfy panfffs," Pinkie said through her food.
Rarity used her magic to wipe some of the crumbs off, "Pinkie, please, swallow."
"Pinkie, they're only looking out for ya," AJ said.
"But they've been really grumpy. Like sometimes, they'll scream or rant at other ponies. There was a colt in here that almost started to cry because of one of them. Of course, after I was done talking to them, they were nicer again," Pinkie giggled. "So, what has been going on outside?"
Applejack blinked and looked at Rarity,"Well," She looked back at Pinkie,"A lot of ponies have been... mean outside too."
"Really?" Pinkie asked, her ears drooping. "That's so sad. Don't worry! I'll be out soon and I can make everypony happy again!!"
"Yeah, cuz the world needs a healthy Pinkie Pie," AJ said with a smile.
"And we need you, dear," Rarity said, hugging Pinkie.
As Dash flew in the air, she looked over her shoulder to see Fluttershy flying behind her, "What do you want, Fluttershy?"
"Um, well, you've been acting really strange lately." Fluttershy said, landing on a small cloud.
"Strange?!" Dash yelled, glaring into Fluttershy's blue eyes, "and how the buck have I been strange? Hmm?"
"Eep!" Fluttershy shrunk back into the cloud.
"I haven't been acting strange in the least! If anything-" she stopped herself, as if she held back some inner rage. "Look, I'm fine, really. Just annoyed that we couldn't find Valtor. Now, just let me GO!"
"But, Rainbow, y-you've been acting so mean!" Fluttershy said, weakly.
"No, I haven’t!" Dash Argued, " I have just been acting normally. I-this is about Pinkie, look, the mare can take anything and come out like roses. That is just how she is. Now, do me a favor and just go home!"
"But you need me!" Fluttershy yelled, a worried look crossing her features.
Dash had her back to Fluttershy, growling softly to herself as she held up a hoof. Then she looked at it and shook her head, lowering it slowly, "You're right, maybe I just need some rest. Thanks Flutters," she said, turning around hugging her tightly. A soft smile crosses her lips, "How about I check up on Pinkie tomorrow, while I get some rest today. Ok?"
Fluttershy hugged her back,"That would be great."
Rainbow Dash nodded and flew off to her home. As she landed, she punched at her cloud walls as hard as she could, growling to herself, "Stupid Fluttershy! Stupid Pinkie Pie! I don't need to check up on any of them! They were just messing me up! We could've had that guy by now if we didn't have them! Maybe it would be better if they,” Rainbow blinked,” what am I saying? What was I thinking!" Dash said, shaking her head. Taking a quick look outside, she decided to take another flight out of her home.
At the Library, Will followed Twilight in, looking at the small crystal around her neck. Softly, the pink gem glowed, a little dimmer now that it had left the side of the Tree of Harmony. Slowly, she began to rub the crystal in her hoof, trying to see if it would spark her memory.
Twilight looked up towards the second floor as she trotted,"Spike! I'm going do a little research, could you please send a request for some census forms from Vanhoover?"
"Sure thing, Twilight!" Spike said from upstairs.
Will walked around the library, the amulet around her neck glowing softly. Her mind began to think back to what Valtor had said, trying to shake of her sense of doubt and fear, "I live here. I was born here, I helped mom with foaling my brother. Wasn't I-"
"Will, this is your new baby brother!" Will’s mother smiled at her.
"I warn ya Will, little sibs can be trouble." A light blue earth pony with auburn hair smiled.
"Hey, I am a little sibling!" Taranee, a black woman argued.
"Sorry Taranee." Irma blushed, now a pony once more.
Will stumbled back a little, the image of her friends changing between a pony and a human rapidly. In her tumble she knocked a book off its shelf and onto her head.
Twilight turned to the sound of the book hitting a pony,"You alright!?" She said as she ran over to Will, and picked the book up in her magic.
Will stumbled for a bit before nodding, then reading the book' title, "The Power of a Heart by Wise Sage. Twilight, I think this is the right book!"
Twilight looked at the book, and then opened it's pages.
"The heart" the book read "Is the source of magical energy within a dimension. Although it’s usually seen taking the form of a gem, it has also been known to be a person or an object that is linked with that dimension's core virtue. Held by only a few, the Heart is meant to be guarded in secret or protected by that world's champion."
As Will listened to Twilight read the book, her mind began to fill with memories of her standing with four other humans and/or ponies, watching others get hearts.
An old woman held up her staff, standing in a throne room, "Now, I have the Heart of Meridian!"
"The Heart of Mana," a man in a black cloak chuckled as he held a young woman by the throat.
An old pony with a balding mane lead Will through a small cave to where a beacon of light shown, several crests flew by, "Behold, young guardians, the Heart of the Digital World."
"The Heart is usually hidden to all but a few.” Inside of the book were images of a jolly roger, a compass, a black heart, and a mushroom, each Heart unique in its own way, "Each Heart of a world has its own ability. Detection, protection, light, and there are even some hearts that bind others. No Heart is stronger than the other, the only difference is in the wielder and the Heart’s energy source."
"Does it say anything about our world's heart?" Will asked
"We'll see..." Twilight said.
Canterlot Castle...
Celestia sighed as she watched the yellow unicorn studying like a mad mare, "Oh Sunset... I think your time in the other world has done you good." Slowly she turned and began to walk away from the library entrance. As she walked, she looked to her side at the shadows, "Questions, my dear Luna?"
"You always seem to know where I am, Sister." Luna said as she appeared from the shadows with a pout. She looked back at Sunset,"What are we going to do about her, sister?"
"You haven't been able to trick me since our father was able to fly you on his back," Celestia giggled. She then turned her head back, "I do not know. I had her search for a cure in order to give her a job to do. But I know deep down she only wishes to find a way back to her world." A sigh escaped the white alicorn's lips. "She is much like Twilight in that regard, both won't stop to find an answer to a problem, even if it seems impossible."
Luna looked back at Sunset,"Are you sure we can't find another way to send her back?"
Celestia sighed, "The mirror is broken. I've been to the empire and Cadence has told me about it. It also seems that we are cut off from other dimensions as well. Starswirl mirror is dead at this moment, and try as I might, I cannot use my magic to try and leave this dimension. It is as if we have been cut off."
"Cut off!?" Luna growled as she stomped her hoof,"It must be Valtor's doing!"
In the shadows, next to a gargoyle, sat a black dragon statue, unseen and unheared by others. Slowly, he let out a small chuckle and snuck into the library and watched Sunset, "Now, my lady Sunset. Please tell mewhat you have discovered," he whispered to himself, trying to find a hiding place.
You think you're great, yet you've been defeated! You're a master, yet you've always been a pawn, even now!"
"Not a pawn," Valtor growled to himself, clenching his claw.
Sunset shoved another book in the 'read' section,"Come on! Do any of these books have anything on the plague!?" She put her head down on the table.
A white unicorn walked behind Sunset and bumped into her, "Oh, sorry. I hope I wasn't bothering you."
Sunset turned to the unicorn,"No, you weren't bothering anyone,"She muttered,"I wasn't making progress anyway..."
"Don't be like that!" Pinkie placed her hands on the desk,"I bet the answer is where you least expect it!"
"Pinkie, that doesn't help." Sunset said
"Would it help if I gave you my calculator?" Pinkie brought out her overtly pink device.
"This is a History paper, not a Math paper." Sunset frowned.
"Would it help if I brought Twilight from the other dimension!?"
"It hasn't been thirty moons yet." Sunset said
"Well, darn! How could I help if you're so picky!" Pinkie said, still grinning, as she hit the table, causing the book to flip it’s pages
"Pinkie, tha-that's exactly the page I need!"Sunset looked at the book, and gave a small giggle.
"Pinkie Pie, you know how to cure a good amount of frustration." Sunset said, laying her head down with a smile. Then she blinked,"Wait, frustration? Pinkie? No, that-that can't be it! But the Hate Plague is magical in nature..." She beamed as she grabbed the unicorn behind her,"I have to tell Twilight my hypothesis!"
The unicorn stumbled back as she was shaken by Sunset, "Oo-okay!"
The doors to the library quickly closed, "Care to tell me, too?" Valtor asked, stepping behind the unicorn, and looking at Sunset. "Ah, so this is you in unicorn form, how beautiful."
Sunset glared at Valtor. She looked down at the unicorn,"Run." She said as she grabbed her pen, and ran towards the Humor section of the library.
The unicorn nodded, running away. Using her magic to force open the library doors, she ran out towards the throne room. Valtor turned and walked towards Sunset, "Why do you run, Sunset? All I want to do is talk," he said, walking down the Humor section, but looked to History. " What about histories? What about myths? What about a certain Heart?"
Sunset touched a few books in the Humor section,"Sorry, there's somepony more important than the Heart! By the way, I love your new look!" Sunset said, running down another section.
"Why thank you, my dear," Valtor took a moment to bow as he walked down the aisles. "But who is more important than the heart?”
"My friend!" Sunset said, grinding her pen along the floor as she galloped off.
“Your friend? Surely you mean Twilight’s friend, you are just a replacement,” The black dragon continued his slow walk, a grin coming on to his face as he saw the pen lines, "Oh my dearest Sunset, what are you trying to do? You know full well that your magic is inferior to mine."
Sunset shrugged off his insult, focusing on her task, "You know what? You're right. I mean, I couldn't possibly stand up to such a magnificent creature such as you!" Sunset said in a mocking tone as she ran to the Science section, and looked at a window,"Unless, I show my true power to you, then you might have a problem."
"True power?" Valtor belted out a laugh, "Child, I was born before Celestia and Luna! I was there when the very kingdom you stand in was founded! I watched the defeat of Discord, and I was sealed away long before Luna was ever Nightmare Moon. I am far older than what you give me credit for, so no power you possess is a match for me."
"I do have the power to keep you talking!" Sunset's voice said. The symbols on the ground glowed as Sunset kept talking,"I left this library a long time ago."She laughed as a few books in the humor section teleported away.
Sunset ran through the streets, her horn glowing,"Come on, Twi! Please figure this out!"
"WHAT?!" Valtor growled as she slammed his fist against the History section. "OH well, at least I found my book. I was going to have her find it for me and take it, but... having this will do. Now, my little book, tell me your secrets." I have maybe two minutes before Sunset can get the princesses on my tail. I better find the page quickly, or...
A sword flew towards Valtor's face, as a midnight blue alicorn glared at him,"Valtor, you son of nitch!"
"Nadir, a blade that I have not seen in ages," the black dragon smirked as he moved to the side letting the sword hit the bookcase and spear some books. "Princess Luna! Does you mother Queen Terra or Princess Celestia know that you use such rude language on nobles?" Drat! I was hoping to find what I needed before the princesses get here . " Tell me, have the years been kind to you?"
"You are no noble, monster!" Luna shouted, her horn charging Nadir with lighting and swinging it at Valtor.
Valtor ducked under the blade, wincing at the pain from the sword nicking his wing, "But I am a noble. Raised by the fairy queen with black heart, and taught the ways of nobility by a horned king, I am the dragon of black night. I am just as noble as you are, Nightmare!" he added, lunging at Luna to swipe at her with his claws. (Thirteen seconds to set up a teleport spell, `10 seconds to think of a place to go that I have been to in this world. Need time! )
Luna stepped to the side, wincing as the claws hit her cheek,"I'm no longer a Nightmare! Although, I'm tempted to become yours!" Luna sent a wave of telekinetic force at Valtor.
Valtor grunted as he was slammed into some of the bookshelves, "(ten seconds are done, now need a location) I am honored, princess. but I do believe I have other appointments."
Luna gasped, as she realized what Valtor meant,"Don't you run from me!" she ran at him, her horn glowing.
"Oh but I will, fair Princess," Valtor said, opening a portal behind him. "Ta-ta, Night Queen!" he began walking into the portal.
Luna growled in frustration as she fired a lightning bolt at Valtor.
Valtor let out a laugh as he entered the portal. The bolt harmlessly striking the ground. Celestia landed next to Luna, using her magic to fix parts of the library, "Where do you think he went, Luna?"
Luna frowned,"He could be anywhere he's been before! How could we find him now!?" She looked around in anger
Celestia shook her head, "I have no idea, but I am glad that Sunset was able to tell us about him when you did." the princess of the sun said as she turned and began nuzzling Sunset.
Valtor landed at a castle in the Everfree, 'The Castle of the Two Sisters. Not my best choice for an escape, but it will have do."
Sunset backed away a bit from the nuzzle,"Yeah," She looked at the place where Valtor left,"What kind of book did he want anyway?"
Celestia walked to the history books, "Maybe there is a clue here. Luna, did you see what book he held in his hand before you came to fight him?"
Luna thought for a moment,"I saw it, but I didn't see the title."
Celestia picked up some of the history books and handed them to Sunset, "I think you might be able to find it, dearest Sunset."
Sunset nodded as she went to search the books.
Twilight rubbed her hoof along the side of the books when she heard a *pop*. She looked up and opened her mouth wide in shock as she watched several books fall on top of her.
Spike shook his head as he walked by,"I swear, you're like a magnet for these kinds of situations!"
"Are you all right?" Will asked, trying to help Twilight with the pile of books.
A purple hoof popped out of the books, followed by a head,"I'm fine," Twilight shook her head,"I think my head's building a resistance to this, unless that's the concussion talking." She used her magic to pick up the books,"The Science of Comedy? Laughter: The Best Cure? The Hitchpony's Guide to the Galaxy?" She went through the pile of books,"These are all based around comedy. Why would somepony send me this?" She then noticed markings written in ink on the bindings,"Three. Point. One. Four? What does pi have to do with comedy?"
Will looked over the books, "Maybe whoever sent you these wanted dessert? Wait... pie?"
Twilight frowned at her,"Pi is a num-" Twilight stopped before she could correct Will,"Comedy? Pie? Pinkie Pie!" Twilight said with a grin,"Of course! That's why Valtor had Sunset go after Pinkie!" Twilight grabbed Will,"The Plague is magical in nature, so the cure itself must also be magical! That was Doctor D. H. Filliams' theorem on medical magic! So, the plague must require the Element of Laughter!" She then frowned,"But Pinkie's still in the hospital..." Twilight put a hoof to her chin,"How do we get Pinkie to cure the plague..." She looked to her left and saw a mega-phone,"That's it!"
"What is it?" Will asked.
"First, we need to head to the KCOLT radio station!" Twilight said as she went towards the door,"Spike, hold down the fort!"
"Right!" Will said, flying after Twilight.
Spike gave a salute as Twilight left.
Twilight ran to the station, hearing Vinyl's voice over the waves,"Hello, and welcome to the Vinyl Scratch! I'm afraid Octy can't be here right now-"
"I will end you!" shouted a voice
"She's kinda tied up at the moment."
"DJ!" Twilight shouted as she entered the room, and looked at the tied up Octavia.”What in the -?”
Will looked on in shock as she walked into the room, "Ok, so what happened here?"
Vinyl grinned as she turned to watch the two enter,"Well, lookie here! Fillies and Gentlecolts, The illustrious Princess Twilight Sparkle has made an unexpected guest appearance!" She pointed at Octavia,"In case you missed it, Princess, Octy here got angrier than usual, and then attacked me!"
"I'll kill you!" Octavia shouted.
"Love ya too, Tavi." Vinyl smiled at the normally refined earth pony, she turned to the alicorn,"What brings you here?"
"I need you and your crew over to the Ponyville Hospital!" Twilight said, running into the booth and pointed at Octavia,"We have a cure for this!"
"Good, I'm getting tired of Octy's love songs." Vinyl said.
"Die!!!" Octavia frothed at the mouth.
Will couldn't help but chuckle as she she thought of two of her friends with a similar relationship, “They must be really close friends normally. No way they would put up with each other like this.”
Vinyl dragged Octavia by the rope while she and her crew followed Twiligh to the hospital.t,"Well, this shouldn't take long!"
Twilight looked at the DJ after explaining the hate plague,"I thought you would be the first one to get infected with the Hate Plague."
"Nah, I'm too zen for that!" DJPON-3 said with a grin.
"You overzealous pain in the flank!" Octy ranted
"Uh, Vinyl, be careful. Some of the equipment hopes that you guys make up soon. They don't like it when you fight for real." Will said.
Vinyl blinked as she pulled down her shades,"Whoa, you can talk to my equipment? That's cool!" She smiled, a toothy grin.
“Yeah, it’s kind of weird,” Will said, trying to figure out why.
Twilight headed up to the front desk,"Excuse me, we need to see Pinkie Pie."
"Room 303," night nurse said, pointing to the elevator.
Twilight and her group went up towards the room, where AJ and Rarity were about to leave.
"Hey Twi-" Applejack was about to say before she and the white unicorn were pushed back into the room.
"No time to talk, girls!" Twilight said as she walked into the room,"Pinkie!" She said as she went to the pink mare,"How are you feeling?"
"Super!" Pinkie squealed, looking at her friends, "The nurse said I can leave tomorrow and...” she looked at Vinyl and her crew,” Ooh, what are we partying for?"
Twilight grinned,"Well, we're trying to cure a very bad case of meanness."
"I'll murder you in your sleep!" Octavia shouted.
"Basically, we want you to sing." Twilight said, glaring at the earth pony.
Pinkie Pie smiled, "Twilight, you got it !!" grabbing the microphone in her hooves. She watched as Vinyl gave the signal.
"Why didn't she ask any questions about why?" Will asked.
"It's Pinkie, she doesn't need a reason to sing," Applejack smirked.
The song played loudly through the radio of Vinyl's equipment, sending the waves of music through every radio that was tuned in. Everywhere that Pinkie's voice was heard, ponies that were once filled with rage now found themselves quelled of their anger. The mark of Valtor, once prominent on a lot of ponies bodies were now fading into nothingness. From within the castle of the two sister's, Valtor watched Pinkie's healing music flow, " Well played, Sunset. Well played. Although, I consider this a small victory. The information to the Heart of Worlds on the other hand...is now mine. Surely this castle will have the information I require.”
The music continued to flow from Ponyville to the city of Canterlot and beyond, curing the ponies of the hate plague. Celestia, watching her former students look through the books of history, could only sigh as she felt the healing wave course through the palace, "You do me proud, my faithful students...."
Octavia shook her head as she went to normal,"Vinyl," She looked at the ropes,"Is this another one of your games?" She blinked as Vinyl gave her a big hug.
"Shut up and hug me!" the DJ said. She picked up the microphone,"And that was the Element of Laughter herself, Fillies and Gentlecolts! Now do your fav DJ a favor and hug the next pony you see!"
"OK!" Pinkie Pie giggled as she hugged all of her friends that were in the room.
Valtor walked through the old library, "Now, by my mother's good grace, I might be able to read some history in peace."
"Heart of Worlds?" A raspy voice called out to Valtor,"You have high aspirations, don't you, Drake?"
"Who's there?! Discord?" Valtor asked, turning his head at the noise.
"No, but I would like to meet him one day." Te raspy voice said,"I'd rather not speak my name, it would give too much away. Instead, I'd like to help you."
Valtor closed a book, "I seem to be getting a lot of 'help' lately, but I am listening, how can you help me get to what I want?"
"Well, first, I need to know why you want the Heart of Worlds so badly." The voice said.
"When I was resurrected by my servant, she gave me the history of the hearts. She told me about their magical power and how strong they would make a person," Valtor opened his dragon fist and looked at his palm. "But, then she told me of a heart that is connected to the very multiverse itself. The heart that is connected to all worlds. The person who can lay claim to such a heart would become the most powerful mage in the multiverse. Worlds would fall before him and none would stand against him. If I were to gain that heart, I would never fall again. I would never be betrayed by my mentor again as I am slain by a faerie and used as a puppet to test my other half!"
With that, he slammed his fist against the stone wall hard, "The owner of that heart... would finally stand on top of it all." a low growl escaped his lips as he pulled his claw away, looking at the mark.
"Ah, I know betrayal all too well." The voice growled,"You are ambitious, I like that. Allow me to give you a little bit of advice: Celestia would not place the location of a piece of the Heart of Worlds in an obvious, unprotected location such as this."
" Then where could it be? I have checked the crystal archives and I know that fool Sombra would not have the location," Valtor asked, looking for the voice.
"Try looking for something that Celestia holds precious. And look for specific wording. A heart can mean many things after all." The voice chuckled.
Valtor walked to a nearby chair and sat down, "Something she holds precious..."
Author's Note
TYhanks to Zoltanthemagificent for the editing.
Why yes, I am a Disney fan and I want to read the chronicles of Prydain so badly.
“What would the princess hold precious above all else?” Valtor asked, looking to the cloaked figure.
"I wouldn't know who that would be, but you may be able figure it out." The figure walked away. He grabbed a mouse in his red hand and opened his mouth wide, absorbing the magic from it,"This will be interesting." the figure said as he dropped the small animal. A light chuckle escaped his lips as he walked out of the castle.
Valtor sat back on a chair, listening to it creak, "The ponies of Equestria? Well, that goes without saying, she is a princess, so of course her ponies are important. No, I have to think more personal." with a chuckle, he held up his clawed hand and began to count, "Twilight, Sunset, and Cadence, surrogate daughters. Those she would give Equestria for, but... there is one who she would give everything for..." A throaty chuckle escaped his lips as he began to think
The girls left the hospital and caught sight of Spike running towards them, "Spike dear, whatever is the matter?" Rarity asked.
Spike panted as he held up the letter,"It's from the princess!"
Twilight took the letter in her magic and opened it,"It's the population forms, but there's something attached to it..." She took a note out,"Look for the code in the heart's book."
"Heart's book? What in tarnation does that mean?" Applejack asked.
Will landed next to Twilight and looked over her shoulder, "More importantly, what does it say about the people I asked about? Irma, Taranee, Cornelia, and Hay Lin!?"
Twilight looked at the forms, then frowned before looking at Will,"I... don't know how to tell you this..."
"Well come on, tell me!" Will said, trying her best to not take the forms out of Twilight's magic. "I need to know!"
Twilight sighed as she looked again,"Your friends aren't here."
Will’s eyes opened wide as she stumbled back, her entire body trembling "W-what? B-but they have to be there. They were born there and I remember being-"
Can't trust her
"There with them when I-"
She is lying. She wants the heart
"Twilight, maybe her friends were all sent away?" Rarity asked.
Twilight turned to Rarity,"I asked for birth records, even if they were sent away, their names would still be in there."
"N-no. That's wrong," Will said, backing up and trembling. Her mind started to race through memories faster than ever.
“You can't trust her!,” an old voice spoke out.
"My name is Narissa," an old Pony said, bowing.
“She just wants the heart,” the voice spoke again
"You know Phobos just plays with your head," Irma said, looking ahead at a burning city.
“You-” the voice was quickly interrupted by a young female’s voice, speaking with a soft comforting tone
Please, trust her. They are your only chance. Trust them for now, they are your friends
A pair of pink hooves grabbed Will as she stumbled back, "Whoops!"
“P-pinkie. What are ya doing out here, Ah thought the nurse said you had to stay in for another day?” Applejack asked.
Pinkie giggled as she lifted up Will, “The nurse saw how well I was acting and figured that I could leave a day early.”
Twilight looked at Will with concern in her eyes,"Will? It's okay, we'll find your friends." She walked up and put a hoof on her shoulder.
Will looked up at Pinkie Pie and smiled, "Thanks for the catch.” turning to look at Twilight she smiled, “You'll do that for me?"
“So, yeah, that’s why I was a little nervous about making you guys my friends at first,” Will sighed, a frown on her blue muzzle.
"I'll kill them, I'll freaking kill them!" IRma said, walking next to her friend.
"Irma, calm down," Cornelia said, placing a hoof onto the blue earth mare's shoulder.
"Irma, its ok, really," Will sighed ."Those were just a-holes."
"But they were only friends with you because your parents divorced. I mean, you have got to feel-"
"Mad, not at all. Actually, I want to thank them," Will smiled. "They helped me to remember who real friends are. What real friends are like."
"This hug needs some guardians, stat!" Hey Lin smiled, glomping her friend )
"Thanks," Will let out a breath, "but what about the rest of the message?"
"What message," Fluttershy asked, flying in.
Twilight smiled at the new arrival,"Celestia sent me a message saying something about looking for the code in the book of hearts." She looked at her,"How's Rainbow?"
She says," Fluttershy said, turning her head and trying not to remember how angry Dash looked. "She's fine, and she just needs some rest."
Will looked at Twilight, "Do you think the code is in that heart book we found?"
"Let's to the library to see that book again," Twilight said,'Although, I didn't see anything that could be considered a code...' she thought.
With a slow walk the six mares and one dragon went to the library.
"My lord," an old pony said, appearing next to Valtor.
The dragon smiled as he looked to the old mare, her cane stuck to her hoof, "Greetings my dear servant. Tell me, how are the guardians doing at this moment?"
"It is as you had requested, I have given the other four the tools and motivation they need to begin the hunts for their Hearts," the pony said, bowing.
"And my hate plagues?" Valtor asked, running his claws along the table.
"I am afraid only one of the carriers have made it to their destination. The others have all died," the old mare whispered.
"Good, and are you sure of the time displacement?"
The old mare nodded, "It is as I said before, the dimensions run on different time scales. You are free to spend as much time here finding the heart as you want. A brilliant plan, my lord. One that you came up with."
"Yes... I did," Valtor muttered, looking at his claws. "Servant?
“What is that staff you wield?” Valtor asked, his legs wobbling as he righted himself
“Why, it is the heart of a world, my lord,” the old woman said, running her hand along the gnarled cane.
“A...heart?” Valtor asked.
"This is my plan right?" Valtor asked, looking at the old pony’s eyes.
"Yes, it is. You came up with it the moment I told you about the tale of the hearts, all I did-" she smiled softly, "was give you the tools for it."
"T-that's what I thought," Valtor said.
"You have doubts?" the lady said.
"No, none at all...
Celestia walked into the library, "Did you find anything, Sunset?"
Sunset jumped at Celestia's voice, her flank hitting the book she was reading. She coughed,"Well, I've only been able to gather a little information. This book does have quite a bit of data about hearts, but nothing on the Heart of Worlds..."
"The Heart of Worlds? W-where did you hear about such a thing?" Celestia asked, a shiver running through her body..
"Valtor said something about it. Why?" Sunset looked at Celestia with a raised eyebrow.
"Because it is a very powerful object, one thought to be legend," Celestia said, walking next to her student.
Sunset stepped back a little from Celestia,"So if Valtor finds it, he may become unstoppable."
"Yes," Celestia sighed, hating the feeling of distance from her student. "Sadly, I have only heard of such an item, but,” Celestia paused, “not its location. However, I have heard that it is said "Twin students of the Sun will find the location." Celestia said, walking out of the library. As she walked, a small tear dropped down her cheek, "Have I become such a boogey-pony in her eyes?"
"Celestia! Help me! there's a spider"- a five -year-old Sunset screamed, running to her mentor’s side.
"Celestia, can you help me?" a ten-year old Sunset asked,
"Tia... I love you.” a twelve-year old Sunset said, hugging her mentor.
“ This is my mothe-" Sunset began as she talked to the instuctor
The white alicorn shook her head, trying to wipe the memory away.
Discord slinked out of the window of the library, a note carried in his hand,"You may not know where it is... but I do." he laughed as he copied Celestia's horn writing on the note,"But Twily doesn't have to know that." He laughed as he drank his wine glass of chocolate milk and quickly added it to the population forms. He threw the chocolate milk away and flew off.
"Tia, she's probably more scared of herself than of you." Luna appeared from the shadows again.
"What do you mean, Luna?" Celestia asked, looking to her sister.
"I know from experience." She said with a frown.
The white alicorn said nothing, just gave her sister a large embrace. After a few minutes of hugging, Celestia then asked, "So, what do you think we should do to help her?"
"Well," Luna said, not letting go,"You could try spending a little more quality time with her. No work, just spend time with her."
Celestia nodded, "Probably that would be best."
Back in the castle, Valtor looked at the two statues of Sunset and Twilight, then to Luna, "Which one first."
“My liege,” whispered the olden unicorn, running her hoof along her glowing staff, bowing. May I recommend you send me?”
“What?” Asked Valtor.
“I have had experience in the dream world. True, it is nothing compared to Luna’s power, but I can manipulate it so that she would not be able to detect me,” the mare smiled.
“Then go, bring me what you find,” Valtor said, running his claws along the table.
Twilight searched through the book, pieces of paper with notes written on them were laid all around her,"What code!?” Twilight stomped her hoof in frustration.”I've searched every misspelling, every highlighted word, even strung together all the first letters of each paragraph! What am I missing?!"
Twilight slammed her head on the desk in frustration,"Darn it! What in Tartarus am I supposed to be looking for!" She sat back up as her eyes suddenly went over to a health book.
Will sighed, "Maybe the answer isn't in these books." she then noticed Twilight walking to the health book. "Ok, it couldn't be...”
"It sounds odd," Twilight said as she ran her hoof over the spines of some of the tomes,"But what if we're looking in the wrong place? What if it's a play on words!?" She said as she picked a book titled, ‘The Equine Heart by D. H. Filliams.’ Twilight opened it and looked at the editor,"Hony Arm? Weird name."
"I know," Pinkie giggled as she began to look through another book. "It sounds like Harmony or something!"
Twilight blinked at Pinkie, then looked back at the name, then looked back at Pinkie with a wide grin,"Pinkie, you're a genius!" She said as she hugged Pinkie. She spun around and opened it up,"Look, These letters are written differently than the others... " Twilight began as she wrote down on notebook paper.
Applejack chuckled as she walked over to Rarity, "Sometimes Ah think Pinkie is smarter than she looks."
"So, it’s some sort of weird code?" Will asked, cocking her head.
Twilight continued to jot down the letters,"The Heart of Worlds..." Twilight read out as she turned to Will,"Yes, it's code, excuse me," She turned back around and flipped through more pages.
Spike shook his head,"Great, she's in her own little world again."
Will giggled as Spike said that, thinking to a young black girl who would do the same.
"... There, I think I got the code down," Twilight said, as she jotted down the last of the letters.
The girls gathered around Twilight, "What does it say?" asked Applejack asked.
"The Heart of Worlds is hidden in the decayed land of nothingness, the gates lay in sand, steel, and water." Twilight recited. She laid the notes down and tucked her hoof under her chin.
"What in tarnation does that mean?" Applejack asked, scratching her head.
"I think the gates are places in other countries. And those gates lead us to this Heart." Twilight said as she laid her hoof down.
"But, Twilight, where do you think those places are?" Rarity asked.
"Well, for sand, I would say Zebrica, but Saddle Arabia's got more desert land. Tauros is well known for it's steel crafting. And Aquastria is the most obvious place for sea."Twilight answered after she picked up a globe and pointed to the various countries.
"But do we even know that Valtor has any clue to this?" Will asked, looking at the three locations on the map.
"He probably doesn't know about this." Twilight said,"But I hope he doesn't find out about it." She turned to the others,"We have to get to it before he does."
"Just say the word, sugar cube, and we'll be right with ya," Applejack said. "Ah bet Rainbow would say the same, if she were here."
"Will, surely you don't mind us taking a break from find-"
"I think," Will interrupted. "That somehow, finding out about the heart of worlds... is connecte to my memories."
Celestia walked into the library, "Sunset? I think it is time you stepped away from the books, there is something I need to show you."
Sunset looked up at Celestia from her book,"Um, this is kind of important..." She said, scooting away a bit.
Celestia sighed, "You have also been studying for the past ten hours. You need to rest your eyes." It has been ages since I had to deal with Twilight like this.
Sunset looked at the clock above her desk,"Wow, it's been that long?" She laughed a little,"Rainbow always said I study too much." She looked down with a sigh,"Maybe I do need a break."
"Yes, you do," Celestia said, using her magic to close the book. She then began a slow walk to the door, "Come."
Sunset looked at Celestia, then gave a nervous sigh,"What do you want me to see?" she trotted with Celestia.
"You'll see," Celestia said, leading the young unicorn to a long spiraling tower. As she walked, she looked to Sunset, "Am I to assume that your new friends are treating you well in that world?"
Sunset walked with Celestia, her eyes averted from her former teacher,"Yes, th-they've been really nice to me. Even though I don't deserve it..."
"Everypony deserves a chance for forgiveness, and to not be alone," Celestia said with a smile.
"But, I've been so horrible to them! I've been so power hungry, so... evil!" Sunset said.
"So I've heard," Celestia drapped a white hoof along the unicorn's back, she gently rubbed it to calm her former student. "But, that is something you can work towards fixing. We make mistakes to grow from them," turning her head to a window, she caught a glimpse of her sister raising the moon. "And as long as we are alive, we can correct them. The ability to change... is the right of us all. They apparently saw what I see in you."
Sunset turned to the window,"What... you saw in me?"
As they neared the top of the tower, Celestia sighed contently, "A little sun, whose light had yet to come out and touch the hearts of others."
Sunset frowned,"How did you ever see that in me!? I was power hungry! I was constantly finding ways to become better than other ponies, just to say that I was better!" Tears were coming to her eyes.
"Because, I saw more. I still remember the little filly who came to my room, asking or help from the dark things that were in her closet. I saw you jump for joy whenever you leaned a new spell or when you were able to use three unique spells at once. You may have became power mad, but I knew the truth. You really enjoyed showing what you could do," she then sat on a cushion, "I only wish I found a better way to temper that before you ran away from home."
Sunset stood in the room looking away,"No, I wish I wasn't so horrible to you, or everyone else!"
"I've forgiven you ages ago Sunset. I've felt more like I failed you as a teacher. But, forgiveness and the like will take time. Right now, I brought you here to see something special," the white alicorn then pointed up at the roof, which slowly opened up to show the starry night. "Lovely, isn't it?"
Sunset looked up,"Yeah, it... looks better than when I last got a good look at it so long ago."
A soft chuckle came from Celestia’s lips as she looked up to the sky, "That's because Luna always had a better gift for the art than I did."
"Luna... was she the Mare in the Moon?" Sunset looked at the moon,"I never thought she really existed.” She pointed a hoof at the moon.”It feels odd not seeing that image up there..."
A regretful sigh escaped the alicorn's lips, "Yes, she was. My fault for not paying attention to her needs or her feelings. Her rage and jealousy allowed her to let corruption take hold, turning her into a nightmare. It was only with the help of Twilight and her friends that my sister was returned." She glanced up at the moon and smiled, "You say that it is weird to not see the image, it is comforting to me. It means that one of the ponies most dear to me has come home," with that she looked to Sunset and smiled. "If I was unable to forgive my student for conquering the minds of others and destroying friendships, how could I forgive my sister for almost destroying the world."
Sunset looked down with sadness,"Well, it's easy for you to forgive me." She looked up at Celestia,"Though, is destroying the world really preferable to my destruction of friendships?"
"I would let neither happen," Celestia said, looking down at her student. "But, given the choice, I would rather face the end of the world with my sister by my side, than losing her and never seeing her again. Loneliness is a very horrible fate, wouldn't you agree? I think that is what Twilight's friends in that other world began to see as well. Do you know what Luna looked like when she was cured?"
Sunset cocked her head,"No?"
"She was tiny and small," Celestia giggled holding her hoof about eye level. "No bigger than you were."
Sunny giggled,"Really? I wouldn't be able to tell, looking at her now." She looked at Celestia,"Were you ever like that?"
Celestia blushed, "Me? N-no, never. And don't you think about asking Luna for evidence to the contrary.”
A blue bit of magic appeared in front of Sunset, turning into parchment that read,"Yes. Yes she did
-HRM Luna "
Sunset chuckled at the parchment.
"And what is that in your magic? What are you laughing about?" Celestia asked with a frown.
Sunset simple shook her head as she crumpled up the paper and threw it into the fire,"Nothing."
“All right, but I will remember to hunt down my sister later," Celestia said, a joking tone in her voice. Raising her head, she took a look at the stars, "Oh, look at those constellations."
Sunset looked back up,"Wow, they're... so beautiful." She sat down next to Celestia.
She pointed a hoof to a unicorn with a bubble, "There's Fizzy the goofy, who brought water and laughter to the Minotaurs." her hoof then pointed to a unicorn blowing air from her horn, "Gusty, who brought wind to the Saddle Arabians. Truly," her wing then went over Sunset, covering the unicorn as she looked at an earth pony constellation, "Who helped the seaponies with her strength of heart, and then,” Her hoof moved to a pegasus constellation,”Wind Whistler who helped the others with the fires of knowledge. It is said that those four are the guardians and protectors of the Heart."
"Whoa," Sunset said," That's..." She cuddled closer to Celestia,"Amazing."
"And look there, another little sun coming out," she said, pointing to a small light in the sky.
"That's nice..." Sunset said as she slowly fell to sleep.
Celestia smiled as she began to hear the soft snoring of her former student
.Go with love upon your journey Go with wonder in your heart May the light be there to guide you Through the terrors of the dark
You have always been my daughter on the day you came into my heart And I am glad to see you again
There's a rainbow on the water There's a heart in the sky Will you see me when you leave? Will you know when I cry?
You have so much left for me to show All the love you have given me My only wish is to hold you one more time And for us to stay for a much longer time
In a parallel point of view And still they call, the friends who are there with you Will you take me by the hoof when I come through? You have left so much behind you All the love you have given life
And I wish only to hold you you have always been with me In a parallel point of view I hear them all, the ones I have left behind Will you bring me to the light when you come home?
Go with love upon your journey Go with desire in your heart May there be somepony beside you Who can hold you in the dark
When you get to where you need to be Don't forget all that you have learned I only wish to see you one more time How I wish that I could see you one more time
Go with love upon your journey
“Welcome home, my little Sunset,” Celestia said, nuzzling the unicorn.
"Mom..." Sunset muttered in her sleep.
Twilight set a couple a books in her saddle bags, and took a few maps of Aquastria, Saddle Arabia, and Tauros from a shelf and placed them inside. She looked out the window and smiled at the constellations. She pointed a hoof at each of them,"Four guardians of the heart. Wind Whistler, Fizzy, Gusty, and Truly." She smiled before turning to her clock, eyes open wide in shock,"Wow, is it that late? Well, I suppose I could stay up a little bit more to plan my day."
A soft crying was heard from the upstairs, as Twilight heard Will say, "I know you're out there. I'll find you, I promise!"
Twilight ran to the source of the crying, and found Will looking out the window,"Everything alright?"
"Oh, Twilight, I'm sorry," she sighed and sniffled. "I was just trying to get use to the fact that... my memories might be wrong or my friends are out there and I can't save them if they're in trouble!"
Twilight shook her head,"I wasn't sleeping anyway." She walked over and sat down next to Will,"Whatever makes you think those things?” She tried to think of how Celestia would handle this situation.
"I-I just don't know," the red maned pegasus said. "I thought I was born here, that my friends were born here, but now... I don't even know if they are real! I keep seeing so many visions, I can't even tell if I'm right anymore."
"You are right." Twilight said as she put a hoof on Will's shoulder,"Will, I think it's going to take some time and we're probably going to have to go all around the world for a bit, but I don't think you’re wrong. Your friends are out there."
"How can you trust me? For all you know, I might have had my memories wiped by Valtor just to reawaken as his agent at the last minute to kill you all," Will whimpered.
Twilight shook her head,"I don't think so." she smiled,"You are way too nice for that. Plus,” Twilight chuckled a bit,” I think if you were his agent, he would use you to find where this 'Heart of Worlds' is, and he would get to the gates before us." Twilight thought If this is even his plan. What Discord said still rings in my mind .
Will let out a sigh, and looked back to the window, "I-I hope you're right." she then rested her head on Twilight's shoulder, letting out a sigh.
Twilight smiled as she placed a hoof on Will's shoulder,"I know I'm right. Now get some sleep."
“You should do the same, Twilight,” Luna’s voice said from behind the purple unicorn.
Twilight turned,”Pri-” Her eyes fell as Luna placed a horn on her forehead.
“You’re welcome, sister.” Luna said as she flew off.
Back inside the clothing room of Carousel Boutique, Rarity sighed as she placed the turban in her bags,"... and now I'll get to the Tauros wear." She beamed as she went to her dresser,"Oh, but what would look good. It's to the north..."
Sweetie Belle watched with intent as Rarity began going through her closet, "OH! what about the toboggan?" the little filly recommended, a smile on her.
"Oh, that would be perfect! Toboggans are in this season!" She pulled out some toboggans,"But what color?
"White!" Sweetie Belle smiled. A small little frown then came to her face, "Rarity? A-are you going to be all right?"
"Oh, White is simply-" Rarity suddenly stopped and spun around at the question,"What was that?" She cocked her head.
"Are you going to be ok? I mean, will I still see you again," Sweetie Belle asked, looking down.
Rarity sighed and knelt down to Sweetie's level,"Sweetie Belle, of course you'll see me again! I always come out of all those dangerous places looking fabulous!" She raised a hoof dramatically. She then smiled as she tucked her little sister's chin up,"I will alright, I promise."
"Do you really promise? Big sister promise?" Sweetie Belle asked.
Rarity hugged the little unicorn in front of her,"Big sister promise."
At Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack twirled the rope in her hooves before stuffing it into her saddlebags,"Lucky rope, food, and," She tipped her hat while looking towards a photo,"Yer hat, Pa. Ah thank Ah'm all prepared!"
AppleBloom ran to her sister, hugging her tightly, "Be careful sis."
Applejack chuckled as she rubbed her sister's head,"Ah will. Don't cause too much trouble while Ah'm gone, ya hear?"
Applebloom nodded, smiling a little, "Ah won't."
"And don't forget about us while yer gone!" Granny Smith's voice came from beyond the room.
"Yes, Granny," Applejack chuckled, then she turned to the red stallion in the room,"And Ah'll be extra careful, Big Mac. Don't push yerself too hard while Ah'm gone!"
Big Mac frowned at her.
Applejack cocked her head,"What?"
Big Mac simply pointed to a pot and a kettle.
"Who ya callin’ a kettle!?" Applejack frowned.
Pinkie stuffed balloons in her bags, then put a party cannon, then a party balloon, then streamers, then cupcakes, then the kitchen sink,"There, all done!"
A colt and a filly ran to Pinkie Pie to give her legs a hug, "Don't worry pound and Pumpkin, big sissy Pinkie is going o be all right!" Pinkie said as she nuzzled her little adopted siblings.
"Just don't get too crazy out there, dear." Cup Cake said, walking in and putting a hoof on Pinkie's shoulder,"You just got out of the hospital."
"Don't worry! I just have to know not to hop around a lot for a while!" Pinkie said, then trotted in place,"I'll just have to trot happily!"
"Just keep yourself safe," Carrot said, nuzzling his little 'daughter.'
Pinkie giggled as she nuzzled back,"I will!"
Fluttershy stepped away from her writing desk, folding a little letter. She handed it to a bird,"Take this to Rainbow Dash, please. She needs to get ready." She turned and watched as her animals helped to put bandages, remedies, and other nice things into her saddle bags. She nuzzled Angel,”Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
Rainbow Dash growled a little as she sat on her could, watching as a little bird flew to her. Taking the letter, she just nodded and folded it up. A Little growl escaped her lips as she slammed her hoof onto the cloud and then flew to her home.
Valtor sat alone in the library when he heard the sound of a mare teleporting in, "You have returned from the dream world?"
"Yes my liege, and I have something for you," said the old mare, handing Valtor a small tiny white orb.
"A memory orb?" Valtor snickered as the orb flew into his palm. "Aren't we in the wrong universe for that?"
"It seemed nice. While I was in the dream world, I visited the sun queen's dream for the clues for what you seek," She smiled, her white mane covering her face.
Valtor raised an eyebrow, "And Luna?"
"Had no idea I was there. OF course, I dare not challenge her. I may be powerful in the dream world, but she has had a millenia experience on me," the witch bowed and began to walk away.
"Wait," Valtor said. "Servant...can I trust you?"
"Of course my lord," the old mare said, looking back as she began walking into a portal. "I am your friend."
Author's Note
Thanks to Zoltan the magificent for editing.
So it begins in earnest, the quest or the heart of worlds. Yes, I do look for an excuse to do some sweet Celestia being a mother moment. Also, yes, Mozenwrath is from th Aladdin tv show, because that series is awesome.
Sunset blinked as she found herself in a black void.
"Sunset Shimmer..." A white unicorn Saddle Arabian horse came into her line of sight.
Sunset turned and charged her horn,"Who are you?" She gasped as she saw the stallion's skeletal hoof.
"You should know who I am, Sunset." the stallion said, appearing behind her,"I've appeared in all of the old history books. I am one of Saddle Arabia’s many ancient threats, along with Mirage." He flipped his black mane,"I can still feel her magical residue in the palace."
Sunset gasped as she teleported away,"I know who you are now! Mozenwrath!" She fired a beam from her horn,"You should be dead!"
Black sand surrounded the stallion, shielding him from the blast,"Yes, that should be obvious. Surprisingly, it wasn't my boot that did me in. Luckily I put up a spell that kept my spirit on this plane." He looked down at Sunset,"Now, I'm looking for somepony to take, and you're just my type." He smirked.
Sunset stepped back growled,"Why? Why now!?"
"Because I don't want Valtor to take you first. Plus, you have near limitless mana, which would help to prevent this from happening again." He raised his skeletal hoof,"Another reason is that, well, Twilight is leaving with her friends." He smirked,"And I know exactly where she needs to go, for my boot is part of the three gates to the Heart of Worlds." He went closer to the unicorn,” Right there is the perfect place to take your body for my own. Then I'll take Twilight's power, then maybe the goddesses." He smirked,"I would've picked Twilight first, but her will's stronger than yours. You are still broken up over your mother-slash-mentor."
"Stay away from them!" Sunset fired her beam, but found nothing came out.
"Ah-ah, that's just rude. I let you have that first shot as a gesture of my good will. Besides, I'm not taking your body just yet, but I may help you. First, I'm make you go with Twilight, then I'm going to watch what you seven do. Observe your personalities in order to find better ways to hurt you. In the meantime, I can keep Valtor off of you."
"I'll tell Celestia-"
"No, if you do, I'll stop your mouth before you could get a chance to do so. Now hold still." He charged his horn as he went closer to her. Sunset screamed.
Sunset woke up in a cold sweat.
Celestia looked down at her little protege, "Sunset, what's the matter?
Sunset looked at Celestia, Mozenwrath's voice filling her head,"Just a bad dream, " He said.
"Just a bad dream." Sunset said out loud.
Celestia frowned, and then sighed, "I see. Go back to bed, my little Sunset." As she watched Sunset go to bed, the alicorn looked to Luna. "Sister? tell me, have there been any intruders in the dream world lately."
Luna shook her head as she landed from the window,"Not that I'm aware of. Why?"
"Sunset woke up from a nightmare," Celestia said, running her hoof through Sunset's mane. "Valtor is looking for the heart of worlds. It would be like him to invade the dream world to find it.”
"The Heart of Worlds!?" Luna shuddered from hearing that, then she looked down at Sunset,"I could look inside her dream right now, if you want?"
"Please, and let me know what you find," Celestia nodded.
Luna's horn glowed and her eyes went white.
Luna found herself in a large room with various bookshelves around her. She heard some ruffling and turned to see an orange filly looking through a book.
"One day, I will become a great archmage, just like my mom!" Sunset grinned,"I will be really powerful and be all cool"
Luna blinked," A memory," She then felt her hair stand on end. She turned but found nothing but a door.
Luna's eyes went back to normal,"I felt something, but I couldn't see what it was." She turned to her sister,"Her mother was an archmage?"
Celestia nodded, "One of the best, Sunshine Dawn was quite a skilled mage. Her power, skill, and speed when it came to using the different mana was only surpassed by two other ponies."
"Two others?" Luna asked.
"Three, if we include your student and her skill in ilusion/dream magic." Celestia said. She nodded towards Sunset "Her, and Twilight are the two. They both easily break the Astor/Starswirl scale.
Luna blinked in surprise,"You really know how to pick your students. What happened to her mother?"
"Says the mare who picked the magician from the streets," Celestia giggled. "I don't know, she just came to my school one day while holding little Sunset in her hooves. She told me to watch over her and to guard her."
"It wasn't the streets, it was a town square." Luna corrected with a nod. She looked at Sunset,"Have you ever thought of looking for her?"
"You should ask Glyphstorm about it, he met his wife on one of the searches. For thirteen years, I sent ponies to look for her, and turned up nothing," Celestia said, lowering her head.
Luna frowned,"I will ask this Glyphstorm, perhaps I may be able to assist in finding her."
Celestia nodded in response, giving Luna permission to leave. The sun monarch then draped her wing over Sunset, hoping that she will be safe.
Twilight gently laid the still-sleeping Will on the bed as the first lights of morning came up. She frowned up at the castle,"Stupid Princess, putting me to sleep..." She muttered as she went downstairs to make herself some coffee. She began to think,"If Valtor died, who brought him back? " She asked herself as she remember what Celestia said.
Spike, ever dutiful as ever, walked from the kitchen with two cups of coffee on a plate. An apron on that read 'kiss me, I'm a gem' on it, "Thinking about something Twilight?”
Twilight grabbed one of the cups,"Thank you, Spike." She looked down,"Yeah, I'm still thinking about what Discord said about Valtor. I believe Valtor may not be the true mastermind behind this."
"Wait,what!!" Spike yelped, trying not to wake Will upstairs. "Are you saying that there is someone up h-higher than Valtor? W-w-wh do you think that?"
"Well, Celestia said that Valtor died a while ago." Twilight took a sip of her coffee,"Plus, Discord said something about him being a pawn 'even now'. I have a feeling that somepony or something, brought him back, and is manipulating him. Think about this: Why would someone bring a creature like Valtor back without a reason?"
"Because he/she is into zombies?" Spike asked.
Twilight blinked at Spike, then shook her head,"... No Spike, then Valtor would be a mindless zombie. Valtor does seem to act like he has some degree of free will. If he didn't, I think I would be able to figure it out."
"You sure?" Spike asked.
"What's this about zombies?" Will asked, walking down the stairs.
Twilight turned to her and chuckled,"Oh, Spike just had a silly thought!" She whispered in Spike's ear,"I don't want her to worry anymore than she has to. I'm not going to tell her my theory until she can get her memories in order."
"Are you sure we shouldn't tell her? I mean, this guy is huge and if there is a bigger guy waiting..." Spike shuddered.
Will happily walked to the fridge, lightly brushing Owlowiscious’ feathers before walking to the fridge, "Ok, now lets see-"
"I wouldn't go for the sandwich, Twilight has left that thing in there since she got winges," the fridge said. "I think it's become nightmare."
Will turned to to Twilight, "Uh, Twilight, I think your sandwich has gone bad."
"I'm sure." Twilight said to Spike, then turned to Will,"What!?" She walked over to the fridge and looked inside, and stuck her tongue out,"How long did I keep that in there?"
“I will swallow your soul!” The nightmare sandwich said.
Will chuckled, "Apparently since before you got wings."
"That talking to appliances power of hers, still freaky ," Spike thought to himself.
Twilight shrieked,"Oh my Celestia! I'm usually more organized than that!" She took out the monster sandwich, and burned it,"I'm so sorry..."
"It's ok," Will giggled. "You should see my fridge."
Twilight cocked her head,"Your fridge...?"
"Yeah, mom always kept telling me to clean it. Especially when... my little brother was born," she let out a sigh as one of the ponies close to her came flooding back.
“Oh," Twilight said,"You're little brother must've been cute!" She said as she looked over the fridge,"The rest of the stuff's still good, thank goodness." she pulled out a few sandwiches.
"Ok, we have got to stop crowing the little future guardian," IRma joked.
"He isn't going to be a guardian, no. This is little guy is going to become king by his own hand," Will smiled, tickling her little brother
"Yeah, he is," Will sighed as she grabbed a sandwich.
Twilight looked at Spike,"Reminds me of another cute little guy."
Spike blushed and walked away, "Not that cute." he mumbled.
Will giggled, "Little brother?"
"Yeah, little brother." Twilight said with a nod.
"So, when do we leave?" Will asked.
Twilight looked at the clock on the window,"At noon. Hopefully,"Twilight headed towards the door,"Everypony will be ready."
At a little house in Canterlot, a little filly opened the door, "Oh, my gosh! Princess Luna! Daddy! Princess Luna is here."
"Honey, not every unicorn is Luna. You know that," a green pegasus said, walking up to the door. "I am so sorry. She is a huge fan of Luna that sh-sssshit! Princess Luna! My gosh, I am so sorry! Why are you here?"
Luna couldn’t help but chuckle at this"It’s alright, Glyphstorm, I’m rather glad I have such a good little fan." Luna nodded,"I’ve come for information regarding Sunshine Dawn."
"Sunshine Dawn, heh, that's a name I haven't heard of in ages. Princess Celestia sent me to Tauros to find her. Spent two years looking for her." he turned back to look at a white earth pony in the kitchen. "And all I got was a wonderful wife and a kid who loves to play Princess Luna with the fillies. What do you want to know, your highness?"
"I just needed to know all the information you have about her." Luna said.
"Well, I basically know is that she was a yellow unicorn with a red mane. Her cutie mark, interestingly enough, was a bright sun. I was chosen to look for her because I had some meetings with her, nice gal too. I don't know why she left her daughter or Equestria. When I was in Tauros, I was told that she was searching several of the libraries for some reason.
"Hmm, I'm going to take down your testimony. I think I can have somepony help with that." She wrote what he said down on a scroll and used her magic to send it towards Twilight.
"Thanks. Sunshine, she was a good mare, kind of thick headed, though. It’s so weird for her to leave her daughter like that.
"Yes, which is why I want to find her. I also want to do this for my sister's former student as well." Luna said.
Twilight was about to leave the door when Spike coughed up the letter. Twilight took it in her magic and looked at it,"Find Sunset's mother in Tauros?"
"Isn't Sunset that mare who I kind of hit with this thing?" Will asked, holding her heart
"Yes, I'm sorry for that." Sunset said as she walked up to them.
"Hey, you were evil, it happens," Will smiled.
Twilight jumped back in shock,"Sunset, what are you doing here?"
"I want to help you personally." Mozenwrath said.
"I want to help you personally, Twilight, it's the least I could do for you." Sunset said.
Celestia sighed as she looked on from her room, "Luna, dear. You student... is she available right now?"
"As far as I know, why?" Luna asked, stepping into the room
"I think I may have need o her. Tell her that its time for a show in Tauros, and Saddle Arabia," Celestia said, looking on.
Luna nodded as she teleported away.
Sunset frowned,"Yeah, it happens too easy for me..."
"Hey, it's alright!" Twilight patted Sunset's shoulder,"we still forgive you."
Sunset smiled,"Thank you."
"Still you doubt yourself." Mozenwrath said.
"Yeah, we're all friends here. The name is Will," the blue pegasus said, hugging her.
Out of nowhere, a pair of pink hooves joined in the hug.
Sunset blinked,"Pinkie!? Where did- why am I asking?"
Pinkie giggled, "Like a superhero, wherever there is depression or sadness, I am there with a hug!" the pink mare then happily pronked away.
Will turned to look at Twilight, "You know, I think I am starting to get used to her weird ness."
"THat means you are now officially a part of us." Twilight nodded as she walked with Sunset,"We're heading out to find the three gates to the Heart of Worlds..."
"Sounds like we have a lot of work to do." Sunset said,"I assume the others are getting ready?"
"They should all be at the train station." Twilight said.
Dash yelled from above, "We would be there sooner if we weren't waiting for all of you guys!"
"Yeah, you probably went there first!" Twilight shouted.
"Of course!" Dash shouted, flying to the station, her face hiding her anger at Sunset's appearance.
Twilight trotted inside the station,"Girls, Sunset's decided to join us."
"Well, howdy there sugarcube," Applejack said, holding out a hoof. "Look, Ah know what you did when ya came here, but Twilight seems to trust ya. That works in mah book for right now."
"A pleasure to meet you, Sunset," Rarity bowed and smiled.
"Um, hi?" Fluttershy said shyly. Dash on the other hand, scoffed and flew into the train.
Sunset blushed a bit and took Applejack's hoof. She sighed as sh looked to where Dash flew off.
"She'll need time, Sunset." Twilight said as she got on the train.
"Amazing how easily they trust you." Mozenwrath said.
"Shut up. You're lucky I can't tell them about you." Sunset thought.
"Yeah, Rainbow can be a little hardheaded sometimes, but her heart’s in the right place," Applejack said, walking into the train.
"Besides, you weren't yourself. IF we were angry at everypony who was under control, we would never feel right around Luna," Rarity said.
Pinkie giggled, "Besides, being mad all of the time is boring!"
Fluttershy nodded, walking in, "Even if Rainbow seems a little more mad than usual."
Twilight looked at Fluttershy,"What do you mean?"
"Well, when she came in, it was almost like she was looking for a chance to argue with Applejack," Fluttershy said as she walked with Twilight into the car.
Twilight frowned at this,"That's a little odd. Rainbow could be brash sometimes, but she never looked for a fight with any of us!" She looked at Dash, who laid in a seat away from the others"Perhaps we should go talk to her."
Fluttershy nodded, "Yes, we should."
Valtor slowly awoke, looking down at the memory orb, "Better give this a look." He looked deeply into the orb with his magic
When he opened them again, he found himself in a new body, "This is strange, guessing from the size I'm a-child?! and judging from my surroundings I'm in a-" he was interrupted by a soft voice.
"Tell me, Celestia, are you happy to finally meet your little sister?" the tall alicorn said, her green mane flowing while covered in flowers and branches.
"Celestia? Where-" Valtor began to ask when his host began to speak.
"Yes, Momma," squeaked Celestia, bounding.
"Wait, if I am in Celestia's body and that is her mother, then that must be Queen Terra. Of course," he smiled, looking at the queen's earthy brown coat.
"I can't wait for her to get a little bit bigger so we can talk to each other, play with each other, I can tell her my secrets, and we can be bestest of friends," the white alicorn said, bouncing after her mother.
Queen Terra let out a small chuckle at her daughter's excitement, "Yes, I can only imagine what my daughters can do." Putting on a serious face, she looked into her daughter's pink eyes, "Celestia, do you know why I called for you today?"
"Yes please," Valtor said while his host shook her head. Valtor got a good look at tree cutie mark of the queen as Terra turned to lead Celestia down the hall.
With a glow of her magic, Terra opened two massive ivory doors that laid at the end of the hall. The massive pink heart in the center of the door splitting in twain as the doors opened. Looking up in awe, Celestia followed her mother into the hallway, jumping slightly when the massive doors slammed behind her and disappeared. Following her mother down the hall, Celestia looked up and saw a row of stain glass windows, "Tell me, Celestia, what do you know of the stars?"
"Each one is a sun, each star has a power to give life or take it," Celestia said, as if reciting from a book.
"Yes," Terra smiled, nodding. "But there is something more, each star you see up there, is a world."
"They are?" asked Celestia.
"Yes, and on each world is a heart," Terra said, passing by a stain glassed window of an unicorn guarded by an earth pony in armor, a pegasus wielding dual crossbows, a unicorn in a hood, a zebra, and a mare singing.
"And each heart is as different and unique to their own world?" asked Celestia, looking across from the glass stain window to the opposite, seeing a picture of the grey unicorn standing alongside a mare in armor, a black alicorn, a filly, an elk, a griffon, and a pegasus.
"Yes, taking on a variety of forms," Terra said, walking forward. "But, there exists a heart of hearts, capable of drawing power from all hearts of all worlds. A heart of worlds."
"Wow," exclaimed the little filly. "Do you know where it is?"
"Yes, as it was told to me by my mother: The twin students of the sun shall find the heart in the decayed land of nothingness, the gates lay in sand, steel, and water. Look to the guardians of Fire Water Air and Earth for the gates. They will lead to you the keys to open the gates and bring you to the land of nothingness."
"The guardians..." Celestia asked, looking up at another stain glass, this one of a group of six mares holding a glowing light over a land of fire.
"Yes, now, keep this a secret, keep thi safe. Don't even tell Luna," terra said.
"Then who do I tell it to?" Asked Celestia.
"To your daughter of course," Terra said with a smile
Valtor awoke from the memory orb and looked to his servant, "My dear servant, let’s see some more of the world, shall we?"
Twilight walked over to Rainbow,"Rainbow, is something wrong? Fluttershy said that you've been acting strange lately."
Rainbow Dash,who had been resting on one of the chairs, looked up to her friends as a voice rang in her head (Don't tell them,), "Yeah, its insomanana or something like that. Haven been getting much sleep."
Twilight cocked her head,"Really? You haven't been getting any sleep?" She frowned skeptically,"Dash, did you hear a radio broadcast earlier yesterday?"
"Oh yeah, Pink’s song right?" Dash let you a chuckle, "Oh yeah, I heard it."
"Okay," Twilight said. She looked at Dash then turned away skeptically.
"I think she’s under a spell ," Mozenwrath said.
Sunset gasped. She tried to open her mouth, but failed to produce words.
"Oh, no, I can't have you telling them! How would that hurt you then!? " Mozenwrath said.
Pinkie Pie bounced happily to her seat, while Will sat next to her and looked outside the window. Applejack looked straight ahead at her window, watching the town of Ponyville "And here we go, far from home."
Rarity smiled, "Oh, I cannot wait to see Tauros, I have heard so many interesting things about that place."
"Like what?" Will asked.
"Well, I have heard that they are known for their wonderful steel art, and their excellent craftsmanship making," Rarity commented.
"Iron Will told me that they also had a love of mazes,"Fluttershy added.
Twilight grinned,"Plus, it is said that the ancient minotaur god, War, once created Mimic the Wise's horseshoes. In fact..." She began to ramble as she pulled out a book.
Sunset nodded,"All that is making me more and more anxious to see this place! But wouldn't it make more sense to go to Aquastria first? Isn't that closer, and you've been there before." She thought,"I'm also afraid to go any further."
"Hey, we have to get to the port anyway to get a boat to the northern coast,so let’s start there," Dash said, looking at a little map she had grabbed.
"... And the minotaurs also created Celestia's armor..." Twilight continued.
Sunset nodded,"So what's Aquastria like?"
"Oh, I remember that place. I one time terrorized a princess sea pony there ." Mozenwrath said.
"I didn't ask you." Sunset thought.
"Wet," Dash responded.
"Oh, simply gorgeous! Filled to the brim with sea coral and lovely crystalline palaces,"Rarity gushed.
"... And don't forget the legendary axe of invincibility..." Twilight said.
"I don't think Twilight's stoppin' anytime soon..." Applejack said.
"Wow, I can't wait to be there." Sunset said.
"How about Saddle Arabia ?" Mozenwrath said.
Sunset shuddered,"Um, what... have you... heard about... Saddle Arabia?"
As Twilight continued to speak, Rainbow Dash passed a note to Pinkie and Applejack that read '10mins before she stops' and an amount of bits on it.
"Well, I haven’t been there myself, but, I have seen some of the wonderful silk items they have made. The dresses and the fashions there are to die for!" Rarity said.
"Oh, they are to die for alright ." Mozenwrath said.
Applejack wrote down '15 mins'
"... But those are all the things I believe are there. Wanna hear about Aquastria?" Twilight said with a wide grin.
Sunset shook her head quickly,"I'm good!"
Pinkie Pie thrusted her hoof in a "Yes!" pose and took 25 bits from each mare.
Will looked to the end of the train, "So,how long until we reach the port?
"It should be about an hour from now,"Twilight said, she looked out the window, watching as the train entered the station.
Sunset visibly shuddered a bit, fearing the thing in her mind.
Somewhere, at Hoofington
"At last, the Great and Powerful Trixie returns to the stage. The power of her show will sure amaze, astonish, and shock all who see!" Trixie shouted walking out to the stage to an empty crowd, "Heh, still got it. Tonight, you're gonna wow them, honey."
"I'm afraid you're going to have to cancel, my faithful student." Luna said as she came from the shadows.
"Mistress!" Trixie said, turning and bowing before her teacher. "W-what brings you here?
"I've come with a mission, you might want to schedule a couple of shows in Saddle Arabia and Tauros." Luna said, giving Trixie a scroll.
"Trixie smiled, "I always did love the west. May Tixie inquire as to why?"
"Celestia failed to explain, but I don't think she has to." Luna looked at Trixie,"I believe it has to do with one of her former students, Sunset Shimmer."
"Sunset, wasn't she the mare who took the element a few months ago?" Asked Trixie as she walked to her wagon.
"Yes, but she's been reformed." Luna said,"Much like myself."
Trixie couldn't help but smile, "Twilight does that. All right, but Trixie will need some faster transport if she is to hope to get there. That and some extra cash from her usual stipend."
Luna pulled out a bag of bits,"Will this do?" She clopped her hooves and two night guards appeared,"Pull her carriage."
Trixie grinned as she went into the carriage,”Look out world, Trixie’s coming.”
Author's Note
Thus we find out the great secret of this whole thing...yep its in continuity with Equestria's Mirage. This story takes pace about a few months after that story but a few weeks befor the season 4 finale.
Yes, the glass window is a Fallout Equestria reference while the other one is one to the future fic that my little borther is working on. Also, Mozenwrath is also from Disney's aladdin...you know I wouldn't use these villians so often if they weren't cool charcters. Also, can you find the Kingdom Hearts reference?
Also, yes, Trixie has arrived.
The train gave a mighty l urch as it pulled into the station, “Now arriving at Portland Port, all ponies departing please get off and/or change for the train leaving or Vanhoover."
"Vanhoover," Will sighed, knowing it as the place that she thought she was born. Where she thought her friends were, and slowly she lowered her head.
"Hey," Pinkie placed a hoof on Will's back. "We'll find them." She said with a big smile.
Slowly, the redhead looked to Pinkie, before smiling back softly, “I don’t know... what if I’m making them up. What if I’m not-”
“Hey, do you feel all warm inside when you think about them?” Pinkie interrupted, looking back into her friend’s eyes. As Will nodded, Pinkie giggled, “Then they’re real, and they’re out there waiting to see you again!”
“Come on you two!” Rainbow Dash yelled as she followed the other mares out of the train and into the station.
The small port town of Portland wasn’t very large in comparison to towns like Manehatten and Fillydelphia, but it was a port town that led to Aquastria and that made it special. The bearers and their two companions were entertained by the talk of the town. Amid its modest setting were the calls of fishmongers, ship builders, and captains. However, the eight’s destination took them to a small set of steps leading into the water.
"Now," Twilight said, as they got closer to the water,"The spell I am going to use is going to feel a little weird." She looked at Sunset and Will.
"Weird how?" Sunset asked.
"How does growing fins and gills sound?" Twilight looked at Sunset with a bit of a smirk.
"Wait what?" Will asked, shocked.
Twilight's horn glowed, enveloping the ponies in a bright light. For a few moments, the mares could feel a ticklish feeling traveling down their necks and legs,"There!"
“Wait, what?” Will looked over her body in shock, seeing the fins and gills on her body.
Sunset sighed, “Celestia never got around to teaching me this.”
“Trust me, I bet she would’ve, if given the chance,” Twilight nodded, before looking back at Fluttershy, “"Our ride, please." She said with a smile as they went into the water.
As she moved quickly into the water, Pinkie couldn't help but giggle, "This tickles as much a last time!"
Twilight turned to Fluttershy as they went in the water,”Fluttershy, our ride please.”
Will raised an eyebrow, "Our ride? What do you-"
Fluttershy noded, treading the water and letting out a small call. After a few moments a small whale appeared before the girls, leaving Will to look on in amazement. Quickly, they got onto the back of the whale and he began to travel through the murky depths. As they traveled, various amounts of sea life passed them by. Will, deciding to focus more on the group around her, looked at each mare in turn. For some reason, she began to feel something unique as she looked to them; be it a calming presence as she watched Fluttershy playing with a passing by fish or a hopeful feeling as she looked to Pinkie Pie. However, as she gazed past each mare, she saw Sunset as the yellow unicorn sat alone,Now that I think about it, she’s like me... lost and far away from her friends. “ So, do you miss your world?”
Sunset turned to Will and sighed,"Yes, a lot." She looked down,"Even though I wasn't born there, I felt like it became my world!"
"Even though you don't deserve it." Mozenwrath said.
Sunset glowered at nothing.
Applejack looked to Sunset, "Y'all all right Sugarcube?"
Sunset shook her head,"Nothing... just nothing..."
"Probably just-" Dash stopped herself, letting out a growl instead.
Twilight frowned when she heard Dash growl,"Rainbow...”
"Stop!" A green sea-pony guard swam up and stopped in front of them and held out his spear,"Oh, it's just you, Princess Twilight Sparkle and friends! What are you doing here?"
"What's it to you?" Dash asked rudely.
"Um, we're here-" Will began, trying to figure what to say.
"We need to see King Leo." Twilight said, filling in for Will.
"Oh, is that all? Come, we'll take you to him!" The sea-pony said happily as he lead the eight through the massive gates of the city and into the town proper.
The difference between the shining city of captial of Aquestria vs Portalnd was immense. All throughout the city was the hustle and bustle of the normal city life with plenty of sea-ponies and merponies going about thier lives. Though they traveled well above the city on their floating whale, the eight mares could still watch in amazement at the bustling center. As they neared the massive and towering shapphire castle, Rarity looked and smiled at it, “It’s strange, but I can never get enough of the sheer magnificence of this palace.”
Looking down, Sunset smiled, “I remembered with Celestia showed me this place in a picture book once. I had always wanted to visit it and I thought about going here when I wa-”
Pinkie Pie then gave Sunset a quick hug, “Well, you’re here now! So, you now fulfilled a dream of yours!! Now you can remove this from your checklist!”
“Yeah, I guess I did,” Sunset chuckled.
Inside the throne room, a large lion-headed creature sat at a seashell throne,"Ah, the bearers of the elements. It is good to see you all again!" Leo said with a smile, bowing "and who are your two friends?"
Sunset gulped, looking at the massive size of the king "Oh, Celestia..."
"No, she is your princess. Who are you young lady?" Leo said with a laugh. He smiled at Sunset.
"S-Sunset Shimmer," Sunset stammered as she bowed,"This feels unreal. I've always heard of him, but I never thought I'd get the chance to meet him." She thought.
"I am Will Vandom," Will said, Feeling a sense of familarity as she stood before royalty. Instinctively she bowed before him.
"So, what brings you here?" Leo asked, stroking his mane.
Twilight looked up,"We're looking for a gate to the Heart of Worlds."
LEo gasped. He turned to his guards,"Leave us." When they did, Leo motioned for them to follow him to a large hallway,"Why are you looking for a thing like that?"
Will looked up, "A black dragon by the name of Valtor is hunting for it, and I think it might help me as well."
Leo shuddered,"Valtor." He looked at them,"He would be going straight for the gates" He sighed,"In order to access them, You must have the key. In order to get the key, you need to pass a challenge." He turned,"Find Squirk the Kraken in King Tydal's realm. He holds the key."
Dash let out a bout of laughter as she heared the name, "SQUIRK?! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" she doubled over in pure laughter. Pinkie let out a few giggles as well, while Rarity looked on in pure disgust. Twilight face-hoofed at the name. Applejack snickered a bit while Sunset was stunned.
Leo sighed,"Yes, I know, the name is silly. But you have to find him." He looked out the window,"My guards will lead you to the capital, but no further."
Will stepped forward, "And then what do we do?
"Ask Tydal where..." He sighed,"Squirk is. Be warned, though, Squirk can be difficult to work with." He shouted,"Guards! Take these ponies to Adalantis!"
"Thank you, sire," Will bowed, while Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash continued laughing.
"Yes sir!" Wave runner said, swimming up next to the group.
Sunblaster smiled as she sailed up next to the group, "It’s a shame you are going to leave so soon. We were about to perform the song of our people." the yellow sea pony said, a bright smile gracing her lips as she led the group out of the throne room and towards the city gates.
Leo laughed,"No need to be so formal! Call me Leo!" He looked at his guard,"Well, you could sing it to them while you are leading them there."
Sunset blinked,"Song of your people?"
"No ," Mozenwrath said,"No, please !"
The two seaponies looke to eahc other and smiled
As they walked to the border of the capital, the girls couldn't help but sing along
Call upon the sea ponies...
Mozenwrath was screaming all the way to the capital. Sunset just smiled as she sang along.
It is said that the capital of Tauros is one of the bigger manufacturing centers in the world. That one could not go five feet without encountering a smithie or minotaurs selling hand crated wares. Sadly, due to a combination of the smoke from the furnaces and the shouts of various minotaurs selling self-help books, a sight like a pony sized dragon flying through the sky went unnoticed.
Up above the city, the black dragon Valtor flew through the air while coasting on the hot updrafts coming from the furnances below. With a sot landing, he stood next to his servant as she held onto her staff for support, “Problems, sire?”
“The bearers,” said Valtor, hooking his wings together to form a makeshift cape. “They are not here as I was expecting them to.”
“And that is a problem sire?” asked the old pony, her white mane going over her eyes. “Now we have time to look for the gate on our own.”
“It’s not that simple,” Valtor sighed as he looked on. “I was hoping for the bearers to lead me to the key and the gate so I can deduce what I am looking for. Without that, I am flying blind.”
The old mare nodded, and looked to the heart on her staff, “I see, then you could beat them to the Heart of Worlds by simple deduction.”
“You know me too well,” Valtor smiled. “Can you locate them through your heart?”
“If only I could,” the old mare said, shaking her head, “But you know what you said. If we put a tracking spell onto Will, it would be troubling for us if the bearers find it.”
Valtor sighed, lightly scratching the stone of the rooftop with his claws, “Sadly, that means we have to play the wai...” he paused as he saw a young calf with his mother walking the streets.
“Valtor, come, it is time for your lessons,” the fairy in black said as she led the young Valtor down a hallway.
Valtor looked up from his book and smiled, “Yes, mother.”
“First, recite to me the five mana pools,” the fairy said, holding her staff.
“Red for destruction, Blue for control, Green for subjugation, Black for power, and white for weakness,” Valtor recited expertly.
The fairy chuckled, “Good, my son. You have become more proficent as you have grown.”
“Thank you mother,” Valtor said.
“...Tell me, servant, have you a family?” Valtor asked, looking at the mother and son.
“Yes, a grandfather and a father,” she said, her voice solomn. “It was thanks to them, that I realized how the only way we can truly be happy in this world is if someone takes control and brings it order. A lesson I wished my son had learned.”
Slowly, Valtor stood up to his full height, “For me, I had a mother. She trained me, cared or me, and made me feel like I could do anything. Then, when I was at the precipice of death, she abandoned me when I was about to have everything.” Reaching out wiht his right hand, a chuckle came from his throat as he made it glow, “You know, I think I know of how to have some fun while we wait for the arrival of the bearers.”
“Is that wise, sire?” Servant asked, looking at her master.
“Motivation, my dear servant. Movitation for the bearers to find the key,” Valtor chuckled as he walked away.
The servant just shook her head and looked to the heart adorning her staff, “Oh, Princess, I do hope you will enjoy your trip to Aquestria. I have heard that those who seek that key face hell. Hmmm, and it seems that your four friends’ journies have also begun. But, my huntress, where is she?”
After a few short hours of travel across the ocean pleans, the seaponies guided Twilight and to others to the city gates. At the entrance, two capricorns held up spears in thei tail,"Halt-" They then took a look at Twilight,"Princess!" The bowed.
Twilight shook her head and waved a hoof,"Please, no bowing." She looked at them,"We're here to see Tydal."
"Very well." one capricorn turned to the other,"Tell the king that Princess Twilight is here to see him."
A capricorn with a yellow mustach bowed and swam off. As the half-horse half fish swam off, Will looked up at the shining city that laid out beore her, "Wow, gorgeous, Cornelia would've loved this!" The various buldings made out of coral all gave the city a rainbow colored glow.
Twilight nodded,"I know." She sighed,"I'm so glad I get to come here."
"I remember when this was a small city," Mozenwrath began,"I was still an apprentice when I came here and saw Tydal for the first time."
It did not take long for the capricorn to return, "Lord Tydal says he will see you."
Twilight nodded as she and her group followed the capricorn through the streets of the city and towards the towering blood red castle. After exchaning greetings with the castle guards, the group was allowed into the castle proper. Entering the waiting hall of the majestic throne room, they were captivate by the large sapphires that highlight the halls, all reflecting the colors of the coral around them, “Oh my word! Look at all of this. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to live in castle made out of these beautiful crystals.” Rarity said, her eyes twinkling
Twilight smiled a little, “It does look nice, and so majestic, but I think this place would be a little intimidating for me to live in.”
“Don’t worry sugarcube, if ya ever wound up in a castle like this, we promise to help ya fix it up,” Applejack said, patting Twilight on the back.
As Fluttershy looked at the large mammals and other sea life swim overhead, she noticed Sunset standing next to her, “OH! I, um sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
“It’s ok, Fluttershy,” Sunset smiled as she looked at the coral. “It’s so unreal, being here. I always thought that it was going to be me here with Celestia, not here with-”
“Friends?” Giggled Pinkie as she skipped ahead of them.
Sunset nodded, giving out a little sigh before being nuzzled by Fluttershy, “You know, I didn’t expect you to become this friendly. I almost killed your friend over there. Aren’t you afraid?”
Fluttershy shook her head, “No, you just look like you need a shoulder. A pony to care for you.”
Sunset smiled and was about to reply when a female capricorn shouted, “Presenting, Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria along with party: Lady Rarity Belle, Lady Rainbow Danger Miriam Dash, Lady Abigail Jacqueline III, Lady Fluttershy Firewing, Lady Pinkamena Diane Pie. Along with them, two memembers of thier party: Madame Sunset Amber Shimmer and Will Vandom.”
“How does she know our names?” asked Sunset.
The female capricorn looked to the young unicorn with a smile, “Our mages scanned your names as you walked into the room,” she bowed to the mares as they walked into the throne room. They bowed to it’s occupant
"Hello, Princess Twilight." A large green Capricorn sat on the throne,"What are you here for?"
"We need to find," Twilight sighed,"Squirk, your majesty."
Tydal snickered,"Why?"
Will looked up at the capricorn, unbelieving at what she was seeing, "Because he, has a clue t help us find a key to a gate."
Tydal frowned,"A gate?" He looked down at all of them, then noticed Will's necklace,"You will find him in the Lost Trench. I will lead you to him." He said as he got off of the throne.
"Lost Trench? Oh great," Dash snarkily responded wiht a roll of her eyes. "Let me guess, next is the pit of eternal torment."
"My pendant? Why was he looking at this thing? ," Will said, looking down at her pendant. Carefully she held it up to her eyes and smiled softly at it, feeling a little warm at its sight.
Tydal led them down a dark passage way,"Be careful," He snickered."Squirk, can be difficult."
"Why, is he going to-"
"Rainbow DASH!" Shouted Rarity before Dash could make a vulgar comment. The ponies all turned to the loud rumble.
"Who dares enter my domain!?" A loud voice rumbled.A large squishy tentacled form came out a crevice,"I am Squirk!" the large squid shouted, then stopped, as if he was waiting for something.
Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Will, and Rainbow Dash all fell to the grond laughing their tails off. Rairtyy just looked on and shook her head, "How vulgar!
Twilight facehoofed again.
Squirk nodded,"That's what I was waiting for."
Tydal smirked,"These ponies need your key."
"My key!?" He looked at them all and laughed,"These ponies don't look like much! Are you sure they will be able to handle it?"
Rainbow Dash stopped her laughing, "Hey, are you saying we look puny to you? At least I don't have a name that sounds like when I-"
"Rainbow!" Rarity shouted with a glare, stopping Dash in her tracks.
"Yes, I'm very aware of what my name means." Squirk said with a roll of his eyes,"What makes you worthy of gaining my key?"
"Well, they are the Elements of Harmony." Tydal said.
"They are!?" Squirk's eyes bulged,"Hehe, well, I can't just give you the key, you have to go through my trench first. Be careful though, very few ponies have gone through and survived."
"I've survived. I can guide you through." Mozenwrath said.
"I don't trust you." Sunset thought.
"You don't have a choice ." Mozenwrath responded.
Fluttershy floated over to Squirk, patting his head,"It’s ok, I think it is a very respectable name." she then flew off to follow her friends as they walked towards the trench that lay behind Squirk.
"Go through a trench? HA! Easy," Dash chuckled.
"Uh, Rainbow?" Twilight said,"Whenever you say that, it usually leads to bad things."
Mozenwrath began to laugh,"Oh, she's so dead !"
As they neared the entrance of the trench, Rainbow Dah looked to Twilight, "Name one time!"
"Remember that one time we had to go in a cave and you said it'd be easy? Balrog attack. Fixing Cadance's table? Giant Impossible Fire Ants. Going up a tree?" Twilight shuddered,"A naga. Possum sitting for Luna? Got us cleaning the whole palace for three days."
Will laughed at this, her mind having small visions of her best friends in weird situations. She could see some of them winding up wet, or covered in mud. She stopped for a bit," Ok, how did fixing Cadence's table and a tree lead to ants and a naga?"
"And cleaning a palace just for possum sitting?" Sunset asked, arching an eyebrow.
Twilight turned and just shook her head,"It would take too long to explain..."
As they entered the trench, Pinkie Pie giggled, “Let’s just say, it was a fun experience!”
AS they continued, Mozenwrath's voice said,"Heat bubble trap, right in front of Rarity." Sunset pushed Rarity away as bubbles flew up from the ground and burnt the ceiling.
"OOF! Thank you Sunset, but how did you know about that?" Rarity said, getting up to watch the scalding bubbles burst.
"Instinct ." Mozenwrath said.
"Instinct, I learned a lot from Celestia." Sunset said with a nervous chuckle.
Applejack arched an eyebrow at this, and then shook her head. Dash flew ahead a little, smirking, "See, its nothing. Just a few traps here and there."
Pinkie nodded, skipping right behind the cyan mare. Twilight, meanwhile, looked at Sunset, placing a hoof onto her chin in thought,'Sunset's been acting weird lately .' Before turning around and following the leading Rainbow Dash.
Applejack looked to Twilight, "Hey, you think Sunset is a little bit...loopy?"
"Yeah, a bit." Twilight said, walking near AJ,"I just wish I knew what was going on..."
That was when large teeth chomped at Rainbow Dash, “YIP!" Dash shouted, flying back to stay with the group.
A large shark bared down on the pegasus, gnashing its large teeth as she retreated. Fluttershy saw the shark and flew up to it, staring it down, “Now see here: She is not to be eaten, she is my friend! Now, you go back home and find some regular food, now young man.”
The shark sniffled then cried back to its home. As the large fish ran away crying, Rainbow Dash growled, "Oh come on! What's next, a water dragon?"
"Yes." A large sea-green dragon said as he appeared.
With a growl and a sneer, Rainbow Dash yelled, “Oh come on!” she then bucked the dragon in the face.
The dragon rubbed his snout,"Really?" He shot out a stream of bubbles at them.
"Careful, those things burn ," Mozenwrath said.
"Keep away! Those bubbles burn!" Sunset said.
"Oh come on, what kind of bubbles-YIPE!" Dash yelled, feeling the heat from one of the bubbles wizz past her and burning her left shoulder a little. Before another set of bubbles could hit her, she banked left to let the next set of bubbles past her and burn the ground.
Twilight blinked,"Amazing! The beast is properly evolved to defend itself underwater! The heat bubbles..." She began.
"Great, could we get rid of this thing before she bores me?" Mozenwrath snarled,"If I have to hear anymore of this..."
Rarity gasped as she felt some gems in the seawalls, "Oh, that is interesting." With a smile,the white unicorn pulled out the diamond shard and began to wave it in front of the dragon, "Does mr. dragon want gems? Then go" and then tossed them into the distace.
The dragon barked like a dog as he chased the gem. His wings beating in the water like a bird. A smirk came to the mare’s face as she turned around nd followed her friends further along the trench.The group continued to walk when they came across a large wall of spikes, with no door in sight, "What on earth?" Rarity asked, looking at the giant wall. Stepping towards the massive wall, she ran her hoof along the sharp spike, "ouch, these things are razor sharp."
"Who put this here?" Asked Will.
Twilight looked at the wall,"For that matter, how do we get pass here?" She looked along the wall. All the spikes looked a bit rusted, except for one,"Oh, of course!" She grinned as she laid a hoof on the pristine looking spike, causing the wall to rise up,"Any sort of metal underwater would be corroded, so if this is the only spike that was normal looking, it must mean that it had to have been kept up by someone to keep the switch working!"
As the wall rose up, the mares began to walk through the portal. However, as Rainbow passed through, her flying began to become slower and her breathing a little shallower, "W-what's going on?"
"Maybe, we are just getting tired," Fluttershy said, before sighing, "But really, what's the point. I just drag you all down anyway. I’m so weak..."
"What's wrong with you guys?" Will asked, watching the ponies before her collapse. Each mare’s breathing became shallow, the bodies slowly greying as they laid down, and their eyes became black.
“Hey, sugarcube?” Applejack walked over to Dash,”What’s wrong?”
Dash turned away from Applejack, "What do you care? Haven't you been watching me? I've been getting myself nearly killed because I jump ahead!! I’m an idiot, a mare who can’t even handle saying goodbye!"
"I'm too much, I just..." Pinkie whimpered and ell down.
"Why am I even here?" Whispered Rarity.
AJ looked at Pinkie,"Ah'd never thought Pinkie would feel bad!" She looked at the group, then she looked at Dash,"C'mon Dash, ya may get a little bit reckless at times, but that's part of who ya are! Heck, sometimes if ya weren't here, we'd be dead!"
"OH yeah, how?" Rainbow Dash demanded, glaring a hole into Applejack.
"Well, if you hadn't kept that dragon away, his bubbles would've hurt one of the others. Look, Ah know we can get into some fights, but you know... there’s no pony Ah would rather have at my back. You just go ahead of the group because you can’t stand to lose anypony."
"I'm just a fashionista, not an adventurer, not a hero. Why am I here?" Rarity whimpered.
The orange mare looked at Rarity,"Oh c'mon Rares! You're not just a fashionista! You're a wonderful friend who would give up anything to protect those she cares about! Most ponies like you would run and hide, you are willing to give everything. That says hero to me!"
Will walked towards Twilight and Sunset, "Why is everypony actin-"
"Don't worry Nami, we'll ind her ,"said a voice in the shadows.
"Cornelia?" Asked Will as she walked towards a glowing portal.
"I'm worthless!" Cried Rarity.
“Now, none of that!” Applejack said, glaring into Rarity’s eyes. “ You are selfless, and we always need a gal who is willing to give everything she has to help. You are a great gal, both to Sweetie Belle and all o us.”
Fluttershy remained silent while Pinkie had begen to collasp to the ground, not moving an saying anything. Twilight just looked ahwad, "Why did I deserve anything?"
"You better just leave now, no telling when a new threat will just cauuse me to go evil again." Sunset whimpered.
Will touched the shimmer portal, and was presented wiht a vison of her friend, now human, rubbing the back of a orange haired young woman, "Who-"
"And even when it seems like everything is against you, and the others aren't there? I promise, I will hold the pain for you. I will hold your burden. I'll do all I can to protect you."
"C-Cornelia, I- " the vison then changed to show her and her friend now as ponies, standing in front of a large castle.
"Corny, look, I know that my plans aen't alway-"
A hug interrupted her, "Look, I know I disagree wth you, and I think I can plan better than you. But, even with that in mind, I will always be there to support you, to hold your burdens. That is who I am. I am-"
"My pillar -" she then blinked out of existance and back into the trench.
"C'mon." Applejack went to Twilight and picked her up,"You've always been there when a friend needed help. You earned those wings." She went to Fluttershy,"You've never backed down, even when you're scared. Fluttershy, sometimes Ah think yer braver than all of us combine!" She went to Sunset,"Ya ain't going to go evil again, because we'll be there to help ya, no matter where we are! And Pinkie...you’re a freak. But ya are also the most hopeful of all of us,you've always kept a smile on our faces! We'd be all depressed without you around!" She looked ahead,"Now c'mon, we have a job to do!"
Each mare looked beaten and drained, a glimmer of life still bearly in their hearts. As Applejack’s words flowed into their minds, each mare could feel a strange sensation overtake them, as if Applejack’s words were reigniting the energy in their hearts.
"You're right," Rainbow Dash said, slowly standing up, walking to her friend. "Besides, if I get too reckless, I know I can count on ya."
"Am I really that brave?" Fluttershy asked.
Applejack nodded,"Yer here, ain't ya?"
"Always there," Whispered Rarity to herself. “Always willing to give her all.”
Pinkie smiled, and then laughed a little, "I don't know why I was being mopey."
Sunset slowy tried to get up, shaking her head free of the influence tha the area was having on her.
"It must have been this area's trap," Twilight said, getting up, and looked at Applejack,"Thank you, Applejack." She said as she hugged her friend.
"Not the way I did it, but it worked. " Mozenwrath chuckled,"Almost makes me sad to split these six up, they’re perfect for each other."
The group continued on until Twilight stepped on a rock, causing several beams to appear in front of her.
Dash could only smirk as she saw the beams flowing widely and out of control. In the distance she could see a small button just ahead of her, and in her mind, a small beat began to play in her head, "Oh yeah, now we're talking !”
Sunset arched an eyebrow, "What's going on?" she asked, looking around as the lights flashed around the area rythmically.
"Oh thank goodness, I thought I was the only one who’s hearing that !" Mozenwrath said.
"My image song, it plays in my head when I'm about to be AWESOME!!" Dash cheered as she flew into the beams, swooping up when two beams went horizontally at her. Twisting her body into a corkscrew, she flew in between beams that went vertical, followed by four that tried a checkered formation. The next few beams came at her in a repeated formation according to the strange beat, wich Dash began to fly zig zag through it.
Laughing at the obsticle course she had been put on, Rainbow Dash flew up and under and around a series of more beam. Steadily, as if the song became faster, the beams began to increase their tem. Dash just smirked and began to increasee her own speed, soon coming across the button. The beams stopped as Dash pressed the button. The group congratulated Dash, then continued on until they came to a large door, with a large crab in front.
The crab coughed,"This is the last stretch. Tell me a joke and I will let you pass."
The five mare all smiled and turned to Pinkie Pie, who had a big grin on her face. Stepping forward with mighty strides, the pink mare took a deep breath, "So Celestia one day stood before three animals and asked them to bring her the item that best represents their cultures and she would bestoe on them a specail gift. Well, the three races :The bunny, the pony, and the deer all left and the next day brought out their gifts. The pony brought a rainbow colored gem and told her ‘This represents unity and friendship.’
Celestia said, ‘Then I grant you bonds that will last evermore.’
The deer brought out a tree, ‘This represents our strenght and courage. Our wisdom and long life.’
Celestia said, ‘Then I will grant you solace and peace evermore.’
The bunny then hopped to Celestia and brought out a calculator. Confused, Celestia looked to the calculator and noticed that it had only three buttons: a 2, a multiply button, and an equals sign.
Celestia said, ‘Then I will grant you a vasectomy, so you will multiply nevermore.’”
The crab snickered, before falling over laughing as the door behind him opened to reveal a statue holding a rainbow colored sea-shell
"Whoa," was all Rainbow could say as she stared at the statue.
Will turned to the crab, "Is that-
The crab laughed,"Yeah, that's the key!"
Twilight walked up to the key and looked around.
"Are there any surprises?" Sunset asked.
"No, this is it." Mozenwrath answered back.
Twilight used her magic to pick up the key and then she and the other Element Bearers were blinded by a flash of light.
"Friendship!" was the next thing Twilight heard. She found her and her friends sitting in a large castle on thrones. Twililght blinked as she noticed an alicorn running up to her,"Who...?"
"Friendship, there's an Earth Pony in the city!" The light blue alicorn said.
"Friendship?" Twilight asked, she looked behind her and noticed her friends were also alicorns, with flowing manes and glowing eyes. She craned her head a little in order to see the cutie marks but was unable to see what they looked like.
"... are you alright your majesty?" The alicorn said.
Twilight blinked, before turning to him"Let us see this Earth Pony," Twilight said,"But first give us your name."
"Me? But I've been your messenger-oh!" He grinned,"This is a test! My name is Speed, and I've been the messenger of the Six Queens of Harmony for two thousand years." He said, before turning,"Come!"
Twilight looked at the others and blinked,"This is getting weird." She said as the group headed towards the earth pony.
A white earth pony walked through the emerald city, her eyes looking on in amazement, "Why, I do declare, this is the most amazing city I done ever been to! So lovely and pretty. Now, where is that little ol’ castle of the alicorns? OH! There we are!" slowly she walked, still amazed by the sight.
Twilight looked down as she and the other five went to her
"Oh my, I wasn't expecting you six to be so... large and beautiful, just who does your manes?" Asked the earth pony before gasping, "Oh, I am sorry, where are my manners. My name is Truly Love, of Paradise Estate."
Loyalty chuckled and whispered to Friendship, "Great, one of those. Are they making earth ponies smaller or is it just me?"
"Uh, it's just you, Loyalty." Twilight said, guessing at her name. She looked down at Truly,"How did you get her, Truly?" Twilight thought ,'Wasn't she in one of the legends? Am I in the past?'
"Well, my friend Mimic gave me this here magical charm that lets me travel to a place in my head," with that, Truly brought out a small amulet that had a bird on it. "The girl has been really pushing herself to get us all where we need to go."
Twilight blinked,"May I see that?" She said, using her horn to detect the kind of magic on the charm,"Why did you need to come here?" She asked.
"Well, that is kind of an interesting story," Truly chuckled. "Mimic had been getting some visions about something about the Heart of Worlds. She said she didn't know what it was but, she said we needed to go and investigate it and maybe talk to the queens of harmony about it."
Twilight gasped.
"Darling, you realize how dangerous it is to talk about the Heart of Worlds?" the mare that Twilight assumed was Generosity said.
"Can we see Mimic? Perhaps we can make sense of her visions," A mare Twilight guessed to be Honesty said.
"Further more," Twilight said,"You said 'us', who are the others?"
"Mah little ol friends: Wind Whistler, Fizzy, and Gusty. No, we haven’t heard how dangerous it is, we never even heard of a thang until today. We knew of the heart of our world, but not the Heart of Worlds. Mimic is at home, trying to make sense of it all. Ah think this little talisman can take you there, if y'all want," she said.
"I think we should go there," Twilight said, taking the talisman in her magic, causing a blinding flash of light.
Truely closed her eyes at the blinding flash of light, before looking back at the sea, "Now for mah part." With a mighty sigh she continued her walk.
"Twilight?" Twilight heard faintly Applejack say,"You okay?"
Twilight blinked and shook her head,"What happened?"
"You spaced out for a bit," Sunset trotted over to her,"We were getting worried."
Pinkie Pie leapt in, "Yeah! Your eyes were all glowy and there was this light all around you like a giantnormus hearth’s warming tree!"
Twilight put a hoof to her chin,"Yeah, I was having some sort of weird vision, where I was controlling the body of an alicorn named Friendship, who was part of the so-called Queens of Harmony. The other virtues, Honesty, Laughter, Kindness, Loyalty, and Generosity were there as well, but they all looked like alicorn versions of you." She looked at the group,"How long was I out?"
Rainbow Dash looked down, a tear in her eyes, "For two months Twilight. We thought you were dead."
Twilight gasped,"Oh, no! And you've been staying by my side this whole time!?"
"Y-yes, and by the way, Sunset and Rarity fell for each other and got married in the meantime," Dash said.
"Rainbow Dash!" Shouted Rarity as Rainbow Dash began to laugh uncontrollably.
Twilight blinked, then frowned at Rainbow,"Well, if you want to be that way about it, I guess I won't tell you about the alicorn of speed I saw in my vision."
"Wait, the what? G-go back to that last one!" Rainbow pleaded.
Will watched this and began to laugh slowly to herself and stood next to Sunset, " Guess some things don't change, huh? Friends like that always know how to tease each other."
Sunset smiled as she watched them,"No, they don't." She chuckled to herself.
"Alicorn of speed, personal messenger to the Queens, but you don't want to hear anything about that!" Twilight said, turning her head away.
"Oh come on! Yeah I do, I want to know all about it! How fast was she? Could she break the speed barrier, was she anything like me? Come on!!!"
"Oh, okay," Twilight turned with a smile,"Well, I didn't get to see his speed, but I saw his cutie-mark of a lightning bolt."
"AW SWEET!" Dash smiled, making a note to try and top him next.
"So, what do we do with that there shell? If it’s supposed to be a key or gate, how are we supposed to open it?" Applejack said.
"For that matter, where is the gate?" Rarity asked.
Twilight looked at the shell,"Maybe we should ask Tydal when we get out."
The crab from earlier went up to them,"I'll take you out of here."
“Why thank you, darling,” Rarity said with a polite bow, enjoying the gentle crab’s manners. Each mare got onto his back and he quickly began to travel out of the trench. As they did, Will did not notice that her pendant began to glow softly with a low pink glow.
The group walked out of the entrance, where Squirk was being tied up by another crab.
Squirk squirmed,"I tell ya, I wasn't drunk! The whale just got in my way!"
"Yeah, tell it to the judge." The crab said.
The girls looked on with a raised eyebrow, "What?"
Tydal just gave a shrug,"While you were gone, these crabnasties appeared and arrested," He smirked a bit,"Squirk."
Twilight sighed,"Well, while that's going on,"
"Help me!" Squirk yelled," I'm being oppressed!"
"You have the right to remain silent," The crabnasty began.
"Where's the gate?" She asked.
Tydal pointed west,"At the Stone of Truly, near the base."
"Where's the stone of Truly?" asked Applejack.
"I'll lead you half-way there, but I could go no furthur. After I take you, you must traverse the Bed of Rememberence, and follow the Stone Turtle to the Gate." Tydal remarked, walking the group forward along the seabed.
"Oh, a bed? That sounds lovely," Fluttershy smiled.
"Great, a stone turtle," Dash rolled her eyes.
"Why can't you go any farther?" Will asked.
Tydal looked at them solemnly,"I have lived a long, terrible life, so I cannot bear to see the Bed of Remembrance, for it would show me the horrors I have committed in the past. You eight, however, would not endure that. The Bed would show you happy memories, sad times and your sins."
Sunset gasped,"Our sins?"
Twilight put a hoof on her shoulder,"You don't have to come if you don't want to."
"No, I came this far, I'm not abandoning you now!" Sunset looked at Twilight with determination.
Will looked down, "Wonder what it would show me?"
Pinkie hopped to Sunset, smiling at her, "Don't be so frowny downy Sunny! If you have any bad memories, we'll cheer you up!!"
For once, Rainbow Dash had no snarky thing to say, she just began to fly, "So, let’s go."
Tydal lead the group to a large desert like area, one that streched for miles, "Here it is. I must go, but I will be here when you return. Be safe, young ones." He said as he left.
"Well, what are we waitng for, let’s get moving!" Dash smirked as she flew on ahead.
"Rainbow, wait!" Twilight shouted.
As they walked along the sea bed, they could hear voices,
" You think you can destroy The Elements of Harmony just like that? Well, you're wrong, because the spirits of The Elements of Harmony are right here."
Rarity smiled as she watched some of her memories appear before her, "My word-"
"Rarity, this is your little sister," a light pink unicorn said, showing a small little white unicorn at her side
Fluttershy blushed as Rarity asked her, "OH, um, I like to come to this spa once in a while."
"You five really are the best friends a girl could ever have." Rarity said, hugging her friends tightly.
Pinkie Pie giggled as she looked on.
"Are you surprised, are you? I saw you and thought that you didn't have any friends and must be so sad." Pinkie said, looking at the surprised purple unicorn.
“I know you’re upset, that’s why I gave you a cupcake!” Pinkie Pie giggled.
“Welcome to Sugar Cube Corner,” Mr. Cake said.
"I just wanted verypony to love my favorite older sister." Pinkie said to the light grey earth pony, before hugging her.
"Sunset, welcome to your first day of classes." Celestia said, strolling into the majestic hall.
"Oh, is this a mother's day gift?" Celestia said to a young Sunset, smiling.
"Today, is your birthday, because this was the day you appeared on my doorstep," Celestia said, smiling.
Sunset sniffled at the memories of Celestia,"Oh, Celestia..."
"Of course the monsters aren't going to get me, they're too afraid you, big brother!" Little Twilight's voice echoed.
"That moment, I realized that you all, are my friends!" Twilight said triumphantly.
"Friendship isn't easy, but it is sure worth fighting for!"
A few tears came to Applejack's eyes as she looked at the pictures in front o her, "Oh...Ma."
"This is your job, you are in charge of helping the house now. " An orange earth pony said to young Applejack.
"Ah'll watch the farm, just like you pa!" Applejack said, a big grin on her face.
"Don't worry ya head, sugacube, we'll be by your side no matter what. We're bonded by something that nopony can break. " Applejack said, putting a hoof onto Twilight’s shoulder.
Fluttershy smiled softly," Oh I love this memory."
"You have to give it to my number one flyer." Rainbow Dash said, nudging over her shoulder
"You must be my little angel." Flutterhsy said to the shiverin little bunny.
"I won't breank a promise Discord." Fluttershy said, looking up at the draconiquis.
A yellow unicorn looked down at her young foal, "My precious Sunset..." but quickly, the image faded away.
Sunset reached for the image,”Of course, you leave me again...” She stomped her hoof.
Will turned, and walked to one image "This is my memory, but.. .why is it so blurry?" she asked, seeing it split into two. The same scene but shown in different styles.
"I don't know, should we even be friends? I mean, all we have in common is this little job we do, and then-"
"We'll figure out what's next later!" Giggled the pegasus/human.
"Yeah, I mean, it would be boring if we knew what we liked right out the bat, the discovery is half the fun," said the auburn earth pony/human.
A brown earth pony smiled, "Well, I am willing to find out."
"Some more than others," said a blonde unicorn.
“Yeah, but you’re you,” Rainbow dash said.
“ I am going to be the fastest ever, so no matter where you go, I’ll be by your side in an instant,” Rainbow Dash squeaked to her best friend.
"Ok, I admit it, I love this book," Dash said.
Dash smirked, "Ok, so I wass little overboard on that memory."
Twilight walked over to Will, seeing the blurry images in front of the pegasus, "It seems even the magic in this place can't show your memory." She then felt a shiver down her spine. She turned and saw a cat woman standing in front of her. On instinct, she fired at it
The cat woman laughed, "What is the matter dear Twilight? Still angry at the past?"
"Shut up Mirage!" Twilight shouted, firing from her horn again.
"Twilight?" Sunset put a hoof on her friend's shoulder,"It's okay, she's not..." She looked up and saw a demon woman above her,"No..."
The demon looked down at Sunset, saying nothing but looking down with a sneer. In her eyes, all of Sunset's crimes were on full display. Every person she hurt, every life she broken, and every crime she had ever done flown back into her mind.
“Yeah, he was, and he loved every moment o it,”
“It was Pinkie Pie after all.”
“Look, those kids never loved you.”
“Oh please, don’t fight, I might have use for all o you.”
“S-S-stop, please,” Sunset said, falling to her knees as more images flodded her mind.
“I am going to use these students as cannon fodder while I go after Celestia and wrangle the life from her body,” Sunset said, as the crown sat upon her head.
Rainbow Dash smiled at the image of her standing up for Fluttershy, and her first meeting with Twilight, when she saw an image of an old mare, smirking "Don't tell them, remember."
The cyan mare growled and attacked, only to watch it fade, and replaced with an image of an older mare leaving, "No, don't!" Then a few more images flew by her.
"Just go! I don’t need you here, Fluttershy!” Yelled Rainbow Dash.
“What does this MAre-Do-Well got that I don’t got. No, don’t leave me alone!” Whimpered Dash. “Why did you do this?”
“ Sorry Scoots, I have to leave for a while, see ya,” Dash said flying away.
"Aw shoot," Applejack said, watching as the image of two unicorns appeared, which she bucked.
"GO AWAY!" Yelled Rarity as she looked down at her little sister.
"You are all the worst! I give my everythng and now you abandon me?" Yelled Rarity.
“Oh, Spikey, just let me have the book,” Rarity chuckled madly.
"Oh my," Rarity sai, walking away from her memory, and then saw a face she hoped not to see again, "Suri" the unicorn growled a little and got ready to fire a shot.
Fluttershy backed away a little as she saw the rage filled her roaring and bumped into Pinkie. The pink earth pony shuddered as she looked to Fluttershy, "Fluttershy,y-you aren't mad at me right?"
Fluttershy looked at Pinkie, remembering the event that she was referring to, "Never. You were only trying to show how silly I was being and trying to show me the worst. You were being you... I can never fault you for that." With that, the yellow pegasus hugged her dear friend.
Will began to tremble as she heard a sinister laugh from off in the distance.
The woman in black smiled, "You can never escape me, Will. Your greatest failure, the one that almost got the ones you loved killed. The gallent hero..."
Shivering, Will backed up in fear, "N-nno. Who are you."
An olden pony, holding a staf smiled, "I'm you. The one you fear of becoming because of that small trinket."
"Come on, the princess needs us. " Twilight turned to see a sight she had hoped to never see again.
"You have a lot to think about. " the echo of Celestia said, walking way.
The five other bearers left Twilight alone, while Rainbow Dash flew back a little, "Guys, no...don't leave me."
Sunset went down in fear,"No, no, no."
Twilight began to tear up,"Not again, don't leave me."
"Twilight, it looks like you did it again! " Celestia's happy voice echoed.
Twilight's ear perked up at this,"Celestia?" She turned and saw Celestia looking at a little Twilight.
"Yay! What's the next spell, Princess !?" the filly said, hopping up and down.
"Patience, my dear. Come, you must be tired. " Celestia said, walking away towards a rock. Twilight followed.
"Ah want to protect her against Diamond, Ah want to punch that little filly so much, but Ah can't. He has the money and can ruin us," Applejack said in the dream.
The real Applejack stepped back, watching her faults hit her hard. She then put her hat over her eyes and growled .
Turning her green eyes to Twilight, she looked ahead, "That's it girls, follow her lead. All of these bad memories, all of these mistakes we done? They're nothing more than distractions!" Stepping forward slowly, each stride seemed to be in defiance of the bad memories,"Yeah we had plenty of bad memories in our time-"
"Oh, I failed them," Rainbow Dash whimpered as she fell to the ground, shivering.
"But, that was in our past. We can't forget all of our good memories too!" Applejack said, looking to Rainbow Dash.
"Get the buck away from her!"
"You mess with one of us, ya mess wiht all of us."
"We hurt each other, and we'll do it again one day. But, we make up for it, and we'll come out better than ever for it!"
"We've got a whole lifetime of friendship and love behind us. We won't let a little thing like this beat us," she then turned to look at Twilight and smiled, "Right?"
"Ah love ya, little sis."
Twilight turned, wiped a tear, then nodded as she continued on.
Sunset watched as Applejack gave her speech. She then saw the human Applejack before her. She got up and walked behind Twilight.
"And don't forget, we're right there with ya to help with the bad memories," Applejack said, hugging both Twilight an Sunset.
"I may like winning, but I love them way more ,"
"Yeah," Dash smiled as she walked behind Sunset an Twilight, "My faults are just gonna help make me more awesome!"
A human Dash appeared for Sunset, holding out her hand.
"I live to help and make things more lovely. I will be there ."
Rarity wiped a tear falling rom her eyes, before looking ahead. Pinkie Pie took Fluttershy by a hoof and led her ahead.
“So I act a little goofy, I alway want to bring a smile to anypony’s face,”
“I may be scared, but I wont let them down!”
In front of Sunset, Rarity, Pinkie, and Fluttershy stood with their hands holding out.
Applejack kept walking ," And i fyou have any problems, put them on me, I'll be there to hold them all up."
Will felt a familar tug on her heart, as if seven lights were pulling her away...
"...I don't deserve you girls,"
"You do, don't think otherwise." IRma said.
"Yeah, or else we'll hug you until you realize it." Hay Lin smiled.
Twilight looked at Applejack,”AJ, you are not going to put all our problems on yourself, we’re going to shoulder the burden with you.”
Applejack chuckled, a warm smile on her face as she put a hoof onto twilight's back, "Of course."
Will walked forward slowly, the inner light she had glowing a little more brightly
The group soon walked in front of a large stone turtle.
Twilight looked behind her,"Okay, I am so teleporting us back. Everypony agreed?"
"Agreed!!" Said the girls in unison.
Twilight looked at the large structure,”How is this going to lead us to the gate?”
“Hmm?” The turtle started to move,”Oh, I have visitors.”
“Wow! It’s a talking stone turtle!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“Fascinating, what exactly are you?” Twilight asked.
“I am a golem, created specifically to protect the gate. I assume that is what you are here for?” The turtle’s head laid down to look into the group’s eyes.
Twilight nodded,”Yes, we came to get the Heart of Worlds before Valtor could get to it. So who created you?”
“I... don’t remember.” The turtle cocked it’s head,”But Valtor is a name I fear. Come, I’ll take you to the gate.”
The group soon rode on the Turtle’s back to a large rock with a whiteearth pony etched onto it.
Twilight walked up to the Earth Pony image,"Truly," She said, rubbing the etched figure. Suddenly, the sea shell came out of her saddle bags and glowed, causing the stone to shimmer. A gate appeared on the front.
Rainbow Dash stepped forward, "So, who's first?"
Twilight looked at all of them,"I think I'd better take a look inside." She said, before turning and opening the door.
The door opened to a decayed wasteland, with various crystal buildings scattered across the area.
"Oh, my word!" Rarity exclaimed.
"What happened here?" Asked Will
Twilight stepped through it,"That's what I want to know."
Mozenwrath growled,"I sense Heartless in the area."
"Heartless? " Sunset thought.
A small shadow then began to follow them.
Author's Note
Thanks for Zoltan on his assistance and editing.
Yes, the heartless just showed up. Yes, I just realized how much Kingdom hearts has affected me through the course of coming up with these adventures. Also, can anypony figure out who the villian is that is training Valtor?
Now stayed tuned...next chapter brings a special guest that none of you will see coming.
Yes, Tydal is owned by Defender222
The cold and heavy feeling that filled the air of the city seemed to have no effect on Pinkie Pie as she skipped through some of the more destroyed buildings, "Hello! Anypony here?"
Twilight walked to a destroyed structure,"I don't think we'll find anypony here." She rubbed her hoof along it, the crystal reflecting her face.
"Sunset, look around you." Mozenwrath said.
Sunset looked around the group, and noticed several shadows moving,"That's not good, is it?" She thought.
"Those are Heartless. Their main purpose is to take various hearts, including the hearts of various worlds. They must've taken this one too. Be careful, don't let them take your hearts." Mozenwrath said.
"Why? They don't seem to be doing anything right now..."
"They are sizing you up, seeing your hearts in their eyes. Right now, you and your friends look like a banquet to them.”
Sunset raised an eyebrow skeptically,"Why are you helping me?"
"I don't want you and your friends to lose your hearts and become... worse than I need you to be." Mozenwrath said.
Sunset turned to Applejack,"AJ, do you notice something?" She whispered, motioning to the shadows.
Applejack began to look around her, watching the shadows at first appearing to be still. Then she let out a small gasp as some of them began to move, "The shadows, they're movin. Hey, Twilight!" she yelled
“You see them too?" Twilight said, turning away from the building she was inspecting,"I thought I was seeing things at first, too bad I was wrong." She looked around, seeing one of the shadows creep up on Will. The shadow began to form into a pony like creature with yellow eyes and tendril-like ears. Twilight fired a beam from her horn as the beast tried to snatch Will.
"Twilight, what are these things?!" Asked Dash as she pulled Fluttershy away from one of the creatures.
"Well, they certainly need a better dresser. Black, uggh," Rarity groaned, backing away from another creature and blasting it back with her horn.
"I don't know, Rainbow," Twilight looked around them,"But there are a lot of them!" She said as more creatures began to appear and surround them.
Dash turned and bucked a few in the face, watching as they dissipated, while Fluttershy led them away before flying behind them. Panting, Fluttershy wiped her forehead and flew away. Only to be flanked by several more flying heartless from her side. As she watched them come after her, she flew under them and hid in a back alleyway. A heartless came up behind her, and was quickly bucked by a kick from Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy smiled and followed her friend out of the alley. Pinkie quickly dodged tendril after tendril in a bit of acrobatics. Leaping up, she knocked some heartless together. Rarity looked to some of the crystals that laid around, levitated them, and sent them flying at the monsters.
Sunset and Twilight stood back to back, firing several beams at the monsters. Moving in perfect sync, the two students began to strike shot after shot upon each heartless. One creature slinked up behind them, trying to attack them. As the heartless lunged, Applejack bucked the creature hard into the side and sent it flying.
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy flew to catch up with their three friends, knocking off the weaker heartless before they landed. After setting Fluttershy down on the ground with her friends, Rainbow Dash took to the air and began to striking down airborne heartless. Two heartless swiped her claws at Fluttershy from behind, but they were thrown aside by Rarity and Pinkie Pie.
The seven mares began to stand back to back, each one striking out against the heartless and protecting the other. Each creature that leapt at them was swiftly taken down by a bolt or a punch from one of the seven protecting mares.Will ducked under a few of the creatures slashes, trying her best to summon her lighting magic, but finding it gone. Seeing the others circling against each other, Will flew to join them, switching to physical combat instead.
The creatures began to scurry away. A look of shock and fear in their eyes as they ran off. Panting, Dash looked to Sunset as she dusted off her legs, "So, does Bacon hair have any explanations?"
“Bacon hair?” Sunset panted and shook her head,"I wish I did."
Twilight looked ahead to a large crystal castle,"Maybe we should look in there."
The bearers and Will nodded and followed Twilight towards the gain castle. Looking up, Rarity commented, " It almost makes one think of the crystal palace back at the Empire."
Twilight nodded in agreement, then gasped when she noticed a blackened heart under the palace,"Girls, I think this is the Empire!"
"WHAT?!" Exclaimed the group as they ran to the blackened heart.
"But how?" Applejack asked, watching as the black heart shone like a diamond. For a moment, she thought she could hear a voice from the stone.
"Did we go backwards or forwards in time? OH, what if I meet my grandpa and we fall in love and I end up getting knocked up and end up giving birth to my mom?" Pinkie asked. "Does that mean I would have to call Maude grandkid?"
"Sometimes-" Will began hearing a voice from the past
"There will be times, girls, on your travels you will encounter a version of your own world. you will see horrible things that may have happened to the ones you care about .” the old mare told Will as she walked in front of her
"- we encounter alternate versions of our worlds. Sometimes, those versions aren't always pleasant." Will said solemnly.
"So," Twilight walked close to the blackened crystal heart,"somehow we ended up in a world taken over by whatever those things are. Those gates must lead us to other worlds, but why?" She turned and looked at the group,"Let's head inside the castle, maybe we'll find answers."
Applejack walked behind Twilight and pt a shoulder onto her shoulder, "Hey, Twilight. We might see Shining Armor or Cadence in her, you know that right?"
Twilight shuddered and looked away,"I know. I was... trying to get that out of my mind." She kicked a pebble. She could still feel Applejack’s comforting hoof running along along her back in a comforting manner as she watched the pebble roll away from one of the castles stands.
Turning away, the mares walked into the castle proper and up the flight of stairs. For the longest time, the only sound that could be heard from within was the sounds of their footsteps and their breathing. The crystal palace was wide and cavernous, echoing each step that they took. They did not notice a set of dragon like eyes watching from inside a sealed room.
"Who's there!?" a voice shouted.
Twilight blinked, turning to look at the direction where the voice came from" Who is it? Are you a survivor?"
"... Mom?" The voice said. Out of a door, a black unicorn head with dragon-like eyes peeped out,"You're alive?"
"Um, hello dear, it’s ok, we're your friends," Rarity said, waving a hoof for the unicorn.
"Oh, you poor thing. Where you left here all alone?" Asked Fluttershy.
"Mom?!" Dash asked, looking to her friend. “Twilight, what has your other self been doing?”
Twilight shrugged at Dash,"How would I know!?"
The unicorn was about to step out, but she stopped herself. "How do I know you're not a trick by the Heartless?" the unicorn said. She looked at Fluttershy"I wasn't left here, at least, not technically. I had to watch my friends turn into-" She stopped herself before heading back into the room,"Come inside if you are who you say you are."
Applejack was the first to walk in, followed by Will. The room was a small library with a window overlooking the decayed empire.”Who are you?" Will asked.
The unicorn turned in surprise, her wings briefly visible, under her cloak,"I guess you aren't a trick by the Heartless, or you wouldn't have gone passed my spell. So you are either real, or figments of my imagination. No matter." She turned to a journal,"My name is Nyx, and I'm the last survivor of this harsh world.”
"You're an alicorn!" Pinkie exclaimed as she saw the wings.
Nyx looked behind her,"Yeah, I kind of am." She sighed as she walked to a bookshelf. Her cutie mark of a shield with a crescent moon became visible.
“Wait, how did Twilight get an alicorn daughter?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“I was adopted after Mom saved me from an attempt to resurrect Nightmare Moon,” Nyx said calmly.
"Were you a royal guard?" Twilight asked. She wasn’t about to get into the details of the resurrection of Nightmare Moon just yet.
"Yeah, and yet I was unable to stop them..." Nyx growled as she hit one book in frustration.
Twilight looked at the journal on the desk and walked towards it . She noticed the title said,"Heartless."
"Nyx, just what happened here?" Rarity asked, her mind looking back at the ruins of the city. "How did the... heartless as you call them, manage to do all of this?"
"It started with a small portal. First there were a few, which me and my mom managed to drive off," Nyx began.
Twilight flipped the page to see one of the few they had fought, named "Shadow."
"We didn't know where they came from and just assumed they were just a random monster attack, but then more started to come," Nyx continued.
Twilight turned another page, to a large black dog labeled,"Gemhunter."
"They became stronger, they started to take creature's hearts, turning them into Heartless, then" she shuddered.
Twilight gasped as she saw more pages, with dark versions of her, the princesses and her friends,"Loneliness, Deceit, Treachery, Hatred, Cruelty, Avarice, Nightmare Moon, Corona, Decadence."
"They took Spike first, then my aunts, then the princesses, then." she gulped,"Oh, Mom, why didn't you let me help?" she started to cry into the shelf.
Fluttershy walked over to Nyx and gave her a hug, rubbing her hoof along the alicorn's back, "It’s ok, it'll be alright."
"You mom was probably trying to protect you," Pinkie said with a grin.
"And, then they did all this," Rarity said with a shocked look as she looked out of the window. Her eyes began to water as the realization hit her, "No, Sweetie Belle..."
"Can't start thinking like that, Rare, Applebloom and the others could be ok,"Applejack said, the small shudder in her throat betrayed her though.
"No, it won't be alright!" Nyx pulled away from Fluttershy,"They're all gone! Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo... all of them!"
Will walked to Twilight and looked at the nightmare forms of each bearer as well as the other heartless that was in the book, "Did you make this book?"
She picked up the journal with her magic,"I wrote that book when I was studying them, trying to find some sort of way to fix them, but now I'm only trying to survive! How did I survive so long?" She began to chuckle madly,"Apparently, the dumber ones, the ones that weren't my aunts, Mom, or the princesses, thought I was one of them! I guess being Nightmare Moon's reincarnation helps!" She laughed,"What cruel joke!" She yelled suddenly, slamming the cracked ground with her hoof.
The mention of the fates of their sisters caused Rainbow Dash and Applejack to furrow their brows and almost stepped out, were it not for Sunset's magic, "Girls, this is no time to go half-cocked into a vengeance spree." Sunset said.
"She's right, ladies do not take vengeance," Rarity said with a low voice, "They wait for the opportune time to honor their sister's memory." Her hair covered her eyes as she looked down at the ground.
"Its not a joke, cause I'm not laughing," Pinkie said, rubbing Nyx's back.
Will looked at the book, and then back to Twilight, "Do you think there is a way to fix them?"
“Well, if we-" Twilight said, but was cut off by Nyx.
"If I couldn't find an answer, how could she!?" Nyx shouted, tears in her eyes. She looked away and sighed,"Although, there is something..."
"What is it?" Fluttershy asked.
Nyx picked herself up walked over to a box with six gems on the top and kicked it open,"Here are objects used by the Queens of Harmony. I am unable to use them, but if my aunts and Mom were here..."
Twilight walked over to the box. Inside a purple sword with a star hilt glimmered. a vision of a purple alicorn with a flowing mane using the sword came to her mind. "Equinox." A voice whispered. Twilight pulled it out.
There was a white rapier with a diamond on the hilt. An image of a white alicorn with a flowing mane thrusting with it came to Rarity,"Vorpal."
Four shiny orange boots with green apples on the buckles shimmered. An orange alicorn with a flowing mane had them on, and was bucking entire mountains,"Gaia."
A pair of cyan wing blades with red lightning bolts glimmered. A cyan alicorn with a flowing rainbow mane was slicing tornadoes with them,"Chrysaor."
A pair of yellow wing blades with vines surrounding them, before stopping at pink butterflies glimmered. A yellow alicorn with a flowing mane used them to block a dragon's fire,"Mediena"
A large golden party cannon, with a blue balloon on the top shimmered. A pink alicorn was seen using it to make more parties,"Party Cannon MK 2000”
Rainbow Dash flew over to look at the wing blades, a smile on her face, "AWWWWW YEAH! That is what I am talking about!!!" As if by magic, the blades came onto her wings in a red flash
"My word, what excellent craftsmanship in the weaponry," Rarity said, looking down at Vorpal. As she stared into the reflective image, she fixed a little bit of her mane while it glowed a light white.
"Yeah, and some of these weapons are pretty nice looking too," Applejack said, smiling. Much like with Rainbow Dash, the boots flew onto her hooves, glowing faintly orange.
"Oh, my. Twilight, do you think these are for us?" Fluttershy asked, looking down at the wing blades as they glowed a bright yellow.
"Ohhh, please let me have the cannon!" Pinkie Pie giggled, as the cannon glowed blue.
"I believe so." Twilight said,"Though it's rather convenient that they would be here and our other selves didn't get them." She took Equinox out. The sword glowed a bright purple in her grasp.
Nyx blinked,"That... didn't happen when I tried to use them."
Will looked at each of the weapons, "Maybe, Nyx, its because it belonged to them."
"That..." Nyx looked at them,"Yes, that's why you all came here isn't it?"
"Where did you find these?" Sunset asked.
"How did the pink one put that cannon in her mane?" Mozenwrath asked.
"It's Pinkie." Sunset thought
"They just appeared." Nyx said," I only found them after my friends..."
A hoof slammed outside of the room,"Nyx..." A voice hissed,"It's Aunt Cadence, please come out this time..." the hoof slammed against the door again.
A smile came across Pinkie's face as she bounced to the door, putting her face to the door,"Not until you bring some cake!"
"... Pinkie? I thought you were a heartless now..." Decadence said.
“Can she get through the door?” Twilight asked, looking at the large library doors.
Nyx gasped as the heartless slammed on the door again,"No, we're safe. She can't get through the door, not with my enchantment."
Twilight walked in front of Nyx, Equinox in her magic,"Come on, girls, let's fix this problem." She looked at Sunset,"You stay here with Will and protect Nyx."
The girls smiled to Twilight, and nodded. Sunset took a step back towards Nyx and placed a foreleg around the little alicorn defensively, her brow furrowing in sheer determination. Will took a step forward, but a look from Sunset caused her to back away a little. “I want to help,” Will growled, rubbing her hoof into the ground, "But, what can I do."
"You can keep her and yourself safe and," She smiled at Nyx,"You can reassure Nyx that we'll be fine."
Sunset nodded,"She's right, Will." She put a hoof on her shoulder,"We need to be here in case anything happens.
Will nodded and sighed, "Kind of wish I could be with them."
As the six made their way to the door, Dash asked, “Do you two know how to use those things? I mean, basic wingblade training is something that is taught in the academy, but you-”
“Me and Shining used to spar with swords when I was little,” Twilight said. “I got interested in the art when I was doing some light reading and Shining offered to teach me.”
Rarity smiled knowingly, “I am quite fascinated by the finer arts in life: archery, fencing, and that sort of thing. For me, I love the art of using the sword, the swift movements of the blade, and the use of it as a sport. It is one of the few sports I am into.”
“And yet, ya won’t be caught dead in a hoofball match,” Applejack chuckled as they opened the door.
Slowly the door opened and the bearers of the elements stepped out of the door in a line, a faint mist at the bottom of their hooves. Twilight walked in front of her friends,"Hello, princess." She smiled at the pink and black form in front of her.
A black mare with pink eyes stared at them. Pink armor adorned her body, and a blackened heart was where her cutie mark should be,"You... think you can take... me?"
To answer, Rainbow Dash smirked and said, "Watch us!"
Several shadows leaped at them, before Twilight cut them all in a flash of light. Several hearts flowed up from them. Looking to her friends, Twilight’s expression darkened, “Just remember, they are only shadows. Just like the fearcats.”
Instinctually, Rainbow Dash flew off through the black creatures, letting her wing blades cut through them. She then turned up and flew through another row of the heartless. Rarity took a step back and used Vorpal to cut through two heartless, watching in shock as the creatures faded while a pink heart floated out. Giggling Pinkie Pie exclaimed, "Hey look, these guys have something inside them!"
"They look like hearts," Twilight said, grabbing a gemhunter and slicing it,"Perhaps these weapons are freeing captured hearts and those hearts are going back to their recipients!" She looked at Decadence,”I’m sorry, Cadence,” She muttered as she ran at her.
Decadence smirked,"How... gutless... suicide's the cowards way out!" She produced a black sword with a rose hilt and slashed at her. Twilight blocked it, then returned with a thrust, which was blocked by Decadence.
Fluttershy looked up at Applejack, as the hearts were released, "So, we're really helping them?"
"Yeah, so don't worry about killing them sugarcube, like Twilight said" Applejack said with a wink. She then slammed both hooves into the ground before punching two heartless in the face. Then, she helped Fluttershy down and hit a heartless that was behind her.
Rarity went to Pinkie's side slashing at them all the way. She watched as Twilight began to fight her former foalsitter, "Pinkie, go to Twi-" she stopped as she watched the pink ball of energy running to Twilight's side.
Rainbow Dash flew in from above, “Why is Pinkie heading towards Twilight?”
“She is fighting someone she cares for, do you think it will be easy for her? What if you had to fight Scootaloo or one of us?” Rarity said, thrusting at a few heartless.
Rainbow Dash said nothing, choosing instead to fly in the direction of the heartless and strike them down. Fluttershy let out a gasp as she watched some heartless come at her, and flew at them to cut them down. Realizing she had her eyes closed as she took down the heartless, she turned around to watch them fade into the ether. Letting out a sigh that her opponents were gone, she began to focus on her flying and getting to a safer spot. That was when she saw one heartless trying to stab Applejack from behind. Growling, the yellow pegasus flew through the shadow, her wingblade giving a clean hit. Turning to look down at her orange friend, Fluttershy smiled as she watched Applejack tip her hat in gratitude.
Rainbow Dash smiled as she cut a few more creatures down, letting her wing blades cut through the air, "Ok, we have got to see what these babies can do!" The air turned into blades from Dash's wings. The air blades cut through more heartless. Dash’s eyes went wide, "Ok, that is awesome!!"
Applejack and Rarity stood back to back, slamming down heartless after heartless. Rarity watched as five earth pony heartless backed up and ran at her, only to be swiped by Applejack’s legs. In return, Rarity slashed at three pegasi heartless behind her, before ducking under one more which she thrust her blade into one. Then she ran her hoof through her mane to quickly fix it.
Decadence and Twilight’s duel continued on, through the castle and into the throne room. Each blade clashing together in a shower of sparks and light. The fight was only interrupted when Pinkie Pie appeared on the top of Decadence head, “Hi, Twily!” the party mare said with a flutter of her eyes.
“Pinkie?” Twilight asked in shock as she blocked a swipe from Decadence. “What are you doing here?”
“Helping! Whoa!” Pinkie exclaimed as Decadence began to buck and thrash about in an attempt to throw her off. With a timed flip, the young mare jumped off from the wildly thrashing princess and landed in front of Twilight. Before she had a chance to say something else, her tail quickly began to flail. Eyes wide, she jumped out of the way of Decadence’s lunge.
Decadence growled,”Annoyance...” she stepped to the side as Twilight struck at her with her sword.
"I prefer to think of myself as peppy!" Pinkie squealed as she rolled under and lightly began to punch Decadence's underside.
Decadence screamed as Pinkie hit her, and began to desperately try and get to Pinkie under her. She did not see Twilight as the purple pony flew up and sliced at her side, cutting her deep. Blasting out a wave of magic that blew the two ponies against the wall, Decadence put up a shield around herself.
Pinkie got up, shaking some of the dizziness way as the shield went up, "The big silly."
"Silly? How... am I silly?" Decadence demanded.
"You trapped yourself with my cannon," Pinkie giggled, pointing to the cannon beneath the alicorn. "And...boom."
The alicorn looked down,"Aw... shoot." She said as the cannon exploded, sending her backwards. Then Twilight flew and stabbed her, causing her to disappear.
A shimmer was seen as a pink alicorn lay limp on the ground.A small smirk came to the pink pony's face as she looked to Twilight to hoof bump her, and then began to look into her saddle bag. The others, watching as the creatures began to dissipate ran into the throne room where their friend awaited.
From within the library, Will put her ear to the door, “I think the fighting’s stopped.”
“Good, that means we can stop waiting,” Sunset remarked, putting away one the books that she used to occupy her time. Reaching for the young teen alicorn, the yellow unicorn smiled, “Trust me. It’ll be ok.”
“You know, that could also mean that your friends have failed,” Mozenwrath said.
Sunset shook her head, “They didn’t, trust me. If they are anything like my world’s friends...”
As Will went for the door, Dash quickly opened it from the other side, “Come on guys, Cadence is awake.”
Nyx ran out and gasped when she heard the news. Sunset chuckled to Moznewrath as she followed Nyx and the others out of the library. Nyx beamed as she saw the alicorn,"Cadence!" She shouted, running to her aunt.
Twilight held Cadence's head up, trying to get the love alicorn to her feet,"Cady?" Twilight said.
The pink alicorn's eyes fluttered open,"T-Twily?"
Tears filling her eyes, Twilight forgot for the moment that this was not her Cadence and gave her a giant hug. This embrace was soon joined by Nyx who hugged her just as tightly, "Princess?" Rarity asked, stepping forward with a bow, "Are you all right?"
Applejack smiled and tipped her hat, "Welcome back, yer majesty."
Pinkie Pie skipped to Cadence and offered her a cupcake, "Hungry?"
Cadence took the cupcake and ate it happily,"I'm fine... now. Everypony else?"
"We're all doing ok," Fluttershy said, smiling.
"Princess, how could've all of this happen? Ah mean, the heart or the elements should've done something!" Applejack said.
Will stood back and sighed, looking at the group, "And I did nothing." she sighed as the others began to talk to the princess.
"Do you know where we are? I mean, where the other we are? OR Tia and Luna?" Pinkie asked.
Cadence shook her head,"I don't about that. The heart, for some reason, couldn't stop them. The heartless took the bearers before they could use the Elements."
Twilight put a hoof to her chin,"Hmm."
"What is it Twi?" asked Applejack.
"Well, since these things can apparently purify heartless, I was thinking we can apply the magic in these weapons to the Crystal Heart and fix the world." Twilight said, taking a look at her sword.
"That's what I was thinking, other Mom," Nyx said with a nod.
“But it’s not going to be easy, is it?” Rarity asked.
"No, I'm pretty sure our heartless selves are going to stop us." Twilight said with an affirmative nod.
Rainbow Dash smirked, "Oh, and I thought you said we were going to have something tough," brushing down her wings, she let out a grin, "I always knew I could beat myself in a dog fight."
Fluttershy gulped, "Not to mention, there might be a chance Luna and Celestia are there. Oh, Twilight, I don't know i I could fight any of you girls."
"Well, one thing to remember is that they are not us or the princesses," Twilight said, walking to a nearby window and looking out at the destroyed city."They're just shadows of us."
"Even so darling, it will be tough," Rarity said, looking down.
Applejack then put a hoof onto Twilight's shoulder, "Now, who are telling that to Sugarcube, us or to yourself?"
Twilight looked at Applejack, then her pupils went down,"Myself." She whispered.
Applejack slowly wrapped a foreleg around Twilight and hugged her. Rainbow Dash looked to Cadence, “But, the heart was black when we saw it downstairs. Doesn’t that mean its dead?"
Cadence shook her head,"It's only corrupted, not destroyed. If you can purify it, you can fix it."
"Oh, great,” Dash rolled her eyes at this. “Think these weapons can do the job Twi?" Dash asked.
Will looked at the group and stepped forward, “Um, Twilight. I would also like to try and see if I can purify the heart. ”
Rainbow Dash let out a scoff at this, “And what makes you think you can do anything?”
“That pendant did cure me of the hate plague that was in me,” Sunset said. “It might do the same for the heart.”
Twilight looked at her sword and then to the pendant on Will’s neck, “It is a possibility. I am still quite curious as to how that gem works, and I wish I had a chance to study it.”
“Well, it makes a great flashlight! Look at it glow.” Pinkie giggled.
Will turned her head down and stepped back, “What? Wh-when has it been doing this?”
Nyx arched an eyebrow at this, “You mean, it wasn’t supposed to do that? It was glowing when you came in the library.”
“Interesting,” Twilight said, walking to the pendant and lifting it with her magic. “Maybe its glow has something to do with the Crystal Heart. Maybe if we could get to it and place this pendant on it, we could revive the heart.”
“Hey, Twilight, think that monster could help us down?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“What monster?” Twilght asked, before letting out a small eep as a giant eyeball appeared outside the window.
Nyx looked at the eyeball,"Not a behemoth..." She gulped.
"Ok, what is a behamoth?" Asked Rainbow Dash.
"Well, it's big, breaths fire, and I do believe it came from the heart of a dragon," Nyx said, taking a step back as a clawed hoof slammed against the castle.
"A dragon?" Flutterhy squeaked at the rumbling of the toner/
"Wait, a heart of a dragon?" Applejack asked, as she started to realize the horror of what that could mean.
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes at this, "Bucking great, who wants to go outside and sya hello?"
Twilight looked out the window, her body shivering,"Don't think about it, don't think about it." She opened the window and leaped out.
"TWILIGHT!" the five mares shouted.
Applejack turned to look at Nyx, "Is there a faster way outside?"
"No Time! I can fly-" Dash said, beginning to fly out the door. But was quickly blocked by Will.
"No! We don't need two reckless ponies out there," Will said, looking into Dash's magenta eyes. "We need to plan something else.
"What do you know, newbie? Out of my way!" Dash shouted.
"Rainbow," Fluttershy whispered, to which Dash sighed and floated down.
Nyx nodded,"Down here," She said as she ran towards a corridor.
Quickly, the mares followed Nyx downstairs to where the behemoth was attacking," No, Spike..." Rarity said, noticing the faint purple color in the behemoth's body.
"Where's Twilight?" Asked Fluttershy.
Applejack turned to look back at Nyx, “Nyx, you go and keep an eye on Cadence. That’s an order!”
“Yes ma’am!” Nyx saluted, unable to refuse a command from her aunt.
Twilight's body flew down in front of Fluttershy. She got up, feeling a little dizzy,"Bad Spike, take your medicine..." She shook her head and growled as she got up.
"Twilight, are you all right?" Fluttershy asked, looking over her friend.
Twilight looked at Fluttershy,"Well, my faithful assistant is now a dark being and I'm trying to get help him as fast as possible without endangering my friends, who in this world are also heartless, but other than those things, I'm just peachy!" She yelled, as the behemoth breathed fire. The fire was blocked by Sunset's shield.
Fluttershy let out a squeak as Twilight yelled, hiding it behind her wings.
Twilight stepped back a little,"I-I'm sorry Fluttershy. It's this world." She looked at the behemoth behind her,"It took you, the princesses, and Spike." She sighed.
Sunset nodded,"No problem, but could you girls maybe come up with a plan before I lose this?" She felt a bit of unfamiliar magic bolstering her shield,"Mozenwrath
As I've said, I don't want these things to kill you all
"W-well, he's a little big, but I can try," Fluttershy nodded
"Alright you try to stare him down," She turned to Applejack and Rainbow Dash,"You two take a piece of rope and tie it around his legs." She looked at Rarity,"Rarity, when he goes down, you and I swing up at him. Pinkie?" She looked at the pink mare with a smile,"Party Time."
Each mare nodded in response, before breaking away from the group as Sunset dropped the shield. The dragon let out another roar as he saw his prey expose themselves from the shield. Taking a deep breath, Fluttershy flew straight up towards the dragon and landing on his nose. Narrowing her eyes, she looked deep into the dragon’s eyes, giving him the full power of the stare, “Spike, what on earth is the meaning of this? You are breaking you poor Twilight’s heart by being so destructive and cruel. Now, you stop attacking us right now or else I will give you a time out.”
The beast shuddered as it stepped back, not seeing Rainbow Dash and Applejack pulling a rope taught around the dragon’s legs and causing him to trip. This allowed for Twilight and Rarity to swung up with their sword. Pinkie Pie, finding a broken building, aimed her cannon, "Ready, ready, aim and fire!" she squealed, firing the shot at the monster as he fell backwards. The monster screamed as it hit the broken building. A heart flew out as it disappeared.
Twilight took a step towards the building, and then she shuddered,"Anypony else feel a little cold?" She said, her air visible. A figure drew near her.
"Y-yeah," Rainbow Dash said, shuddering. Which was surprisingly for her since pegasi like her didn't get cold.
Will looked towards the heart and saw eight figures approaching, “Guys, look ou-” her voice was drowned out by a severe gust of wind.
After several minutes of strong wind blowing them back, the eight mares found themselves in town center, facing the castle and the path to the heart. Rainbow Dash swore under her breath as she watched six mares approaching from the path. One in particular caused her horn to glow and appear closer to Twilight, "Do... you feel it?" Twilight's voice whispered in the alicorn’s ear," the Loneliness?"
Fluttery barely had time to let out a yelp of surprise when she was hit by A yellow and black shape tackled Fluttershy,"Can you run? I think not!" Cruelty said, through jagged teeth.
“Fluttershy!” Yelled Rainbow Dash when a black and rainbow blur flew around her.
"Oh look, it's a poser!" The thing said with a laugh.
A pink and black hoof slammed the ground before Pinkie,"Not you, I hate you!"
A white and black form danced through the air,"Oh, my, I hate it when ponies copy me!" She said, beckoning Rarity to come away from the group.
A orange and black hoof stormed towards AJ,"Howdy, Ah'm here to be yer friend!"
Twilight took a step back,"Sunset, you and Will go for the Heart , now!"
Will looked back to Sunset and then to Twilight, "But what about you?"
Twilight looked up at her evil self, who was standing a small distance away from her, a sword drawn,"We'll be fine, we've got each other after all." She said with a smile.
Will calmly nodded and flew off, Sunset turned and followed her, her horn glowing as she got ready for the first sign of trouble.
Fluttershy grunted as her opponent landed on top of her, putting her foreleg to the evil her throat, trying to hold her back. "Who are you?"
"Cruelty," She hissed,"and I'm feeling hungry for a little filly’s heart!" She snapped at her.
With a grunt, Fluttershy managed to push her evil half off, looking at her with concerned eyes"Why?"
"Because that's what I do!" Cruelty screeched.
"You don't have to," Fluttershy said calmly, looking into the monster's eyes. "You have to hurt others or steal their hearts."
"Yes, I do!" She shook her head,"Don't confuse me!"
"No, you don't. You don't have to hurt others, pain only brings misery and that only brings loneliness and hatred," Fluttershy said, watching as the evil her stepped closer. "I am not trying to confuse you, I am telling the truth."
Cruelty shook,"No, you're lying."
"No, I'm not," Fluttershy said, shaking her head. " You have a wonderful life, friends you can spend time with, and a world to live in. It might be terrifying, but there is so much to explore and live with."
Cruelty went back, her body shivering,"Shut up... please!"
Fluttershy walked up slowly, putting her hoof onto her heartless's shoulder, "No, you need to hear this. Hurting others will get you nowhere, all it will do is leave you alone. You are more than just a mindless monster, you are a pony."
"I... am a pony?" The heartless shook her head, stopping.
"Yes, you are," Fluttershy said, looking into the eyes of cruelty. "You are not a trait, you are a pony with your own thoughts."
Cruelty looked down,"I... am?"
"Really?" Cruelty said.
"Yes," Fluttershy smiled.
Cruelty teared up,"Thank you..." She said as she faded.
Avarice walked slowly towards Rarity, bringing out her own rapier. Rarity said nothing, but calmly brought up her sword and looked straight down at the heartless. In her mind, she began to size her opponent up, letting her dressmaker side to kick in and look at a body for flaws and traits. Avarice pointed her sword at Rarity, her gaze trying to cut down the dressmaker. The two mares stood there for a moment, not moving, allowing the wind to blow through their manes. In a flash, Avarice launched into a thrust towards Rarity.Rarity parried the blow, and returned it, adding a slash to her attack. Avarice parried that, and went with a thrust. Holding her sword upwards, she blocked the thrust with a swipe of her sword and slashed at a low angle. The heartless took a step back to dodge the blow.
Across the square, the two mares duel took them past ruined building after ruined building. Each thrust and slash was returned with a similar strike, as if a mirror was placed between them and they were just following each other’s motions. There was almost a faint smile on Rarity’s face as she blocked three thrusts in a row from her opponent. In return, she copied the move in perfect sync, with the heartless blocking in the same manner. Then, the heartless slashed across Rarity’s chest, causing her to wince from the blow, and just barely dodging the next thrust.
From her crouching position, the dressmaker swiped up and then thrusted at Avarice left hoof, catching the other mare off guard. The other mare growled and sent a slash at Rarity, and Rarity managed to block that, only to get nicked in the leg by the strike from the heartless. Another swiped was blocked by Rarity’s upward strike, and then lowered her sword to block and then swiped in an upwards fashion, "Avarice, greed. Quite a detestable sin if I do say so."
"Really? Quite a lot coming from you, considering that you skirt the line of greed." She jumped back and then did a horizontal swipe.
Calmly, Rarity blocked the hit with her sword. She then did a diagonal swipe with her blade, " True, I admit to my flaws. However, I also remember to be as generous as I can be to offset it. For My friends, my sister, and my business, I would give it my all."
Avarice parried,"Your all? Hmm, I'd say you haven't done enough!" She did a swipe downwards.
"How so?" Rarity said, blocking the attack.
"You need to give more of yourself, because that greed is all that your so called friends ever see of you!" She thrusted.
Rarity narrowed her eyes, blocking the thrust with ease,"That is where you are wrong. They see how often I give my time, and how I construct my business. They know that, while I am generous, I am not an idiot. I make sure to keep myself in balance," pushing the unicorn off, she swiped, twisting her sword into a thrust.
"But what does your sister think!?" Avarice felt the tip nick her body, and returned with a slash that managed to make a nick along Rarity’s chest.
Rarity looked down as she sliced at Avarice, "She does think I am selfish, that is true. But, deep down, she also realizes the work I put into my career and respects that."
Avarice backed up, and lunged at her. Rarity smirked, dodging the blade and swiped at the pony, only to watch it go through, "What?" Rarity blinked
“... I hate you,” growled Anger.
"Shame, because I like you! You look kind of funny," the pink pony giggles as she looked to her heartless.
"You think this is funny!" Anger growled. Pinkie calmly nodded, the smile never leaving her face. Anger growled,"you annoying little snot!"
Pinkie Pie giggled as she rolled out o the way and brought out a pie, "I think I am more energetic."
Anger growled, and looked down at the pie,"Don't show me that.” She turned away.
"Ok, how about this?" Pinkie asked shoin her a cuppy cake, with her face one it.
Anger growled,"Stop it!"
"I would stop, but I can't" Pinkie said, looking at Anger with a big smile.
"What do you mean you can't!?" Anger screamed and stomped her hoof.
"I can't, because you are still upset," Pinkie said, offering a sponge cake and then put a silly hat onto her opponent. "And I never leave a pony with a frown!!"
"But... I always have a frown!" Anger said.
"You don't have to!" Pinkie giggled. "You can have fun instead! Or, you could be thinking of a joke, or your favorite word. Mine is pumpernickel, because you can't spell it off the top of your head!"
Anger frowned,"Maybe, maybe having fun again would be nice..." She said as she began to fade.
Rainbow Dash looked at her imposter as she said the word poser, and could only smirk, “"Hey! At least I'm not a shadow bolt wannabe!" Dash said, growling at herself. Deep inside she could feel the anger boiling within her, like she wanted this version of her dead.
"Wannabe!?" Treachery exclaimed,"I'm way cooler than a wannabe! You're lamer than I am."
"Yeah, you're lame, and a bit of an idiot," Dash grin as she took off. "Because you challenged me. Now, come on, jerk, let's fly. "and with that she took of.
Treachery flew after her in a rage, reaching out with her front hooves in an attempt to punch her down.Rainbow Dash flew just enough to keep ahead of her counterpart, turning her head to keep an eye on the heartless’s distance. After flying down a few streets of the city and through a few broken buildings, the cyan mare caught sight of a broken beam of wood. Slowing down just enough for her counterpart to almost get her tail, Dash flew around the beam before flying back to hit Treachery from the top and into her back.
Treachery growled, as she felt the hooves strike her back,"That was low!" Turning around in mid-flight, she threw a hook at Rainbow’s face. Smirking, Rainbow Dash managed to block the hit to her face, but was unable to block the double jab to her chest.Dash gruted as she felt the blow hit her chest, " So, how does it feel to be a lonely old fogey?" she panted, delivering a few blows of her own.
Treachery grunted,"I'm not lonely!" She swung at her, her attacks being blocked as much as they connected while they flew through the air and the city proper.
Dash blocked the shot, "You betray ponies, yeah... that leads to loneliness." she then retaliated with a kick and punch.
"No, that's Loneliness!" Treachery pointed to the heartless in question, blocking each strike," but I'm going to hurt ya anyway for that comment!" She flew up and struck at her again.
Dash grunted as she felt the blow to her stomach, and stumbled in the air from the hit. Shaking her head, she grinned, "Yeah, not seeing the difference here." she then flew in a circle around the pegasus, creating a small tornado. Then the pegasus drove her leg into the back of the heartless. “You betray your friends, you lose everything and you probably run off from your own goals. I bet you can’t even perform a Sonic Rainboom!”
Treachery howled in pain. She landed and looked up at Dash with her yellow eyes,"Oh, you'll see!" She flew up into the air and began to fly down, picking up speed.
As Rainbow Dash watched her opponent fly up past her, she landed back down on the ground directly underneath and looked up. Smiling a knowing grin, moving her legs into a launching position and taking off in a streak of rainbow colors. Aiming herself straight at her heartless, the speedster thrusted her forelegs forward as a cone of air began to form around her, “Like I said, you can’t.”
"Oh, yes I can!" Treachery flew down faster, a similar cone of air forming in front of her.
"No, you can't, cause you see..." Dash smirked, her speed kicking up. "That little Rainboom of mine? Its special, because I can only use it on one condition."
"And what is that!?" Treachery screamed, her voice drowned out by the noise of wind brushing past her.
"That it comes from a need to do something you could NEVER do!" Rainbow Dash shouted her speed increasing. As she spoke, a killer look came to her eyes, wanting to drive her forelegs through the heart of her opponent "A need to be there for somepony else!!"
Treachery was about to say something, and then she felt the hooves go through her.
Applejack began to circle her opponent, "Ah don't really like liars."
"Shame, 'cuz Ah do!" Deceit jumped at her. Applejack stood her ground, waiting for Deceit to come at her, and then uppercutted her with both fore hooves. Deceit stepped back from the blow, and sent two punches at AJ. Applejack let the two punches hit her face and shoulder, before smirking. Deceit arched an eyebrow at this and began to lay blow after blow onto Applejack, and still she stood unmoving with a smirk on her face. The only change in expression was when would wince from a particularly hard blow. The earth pony let out a roar of rage as she delivered a hard buck into Applejack’s chest, making the earth pony stumble a bit and spit out some blood. Deceit looked confused as Applejack stood by up with a cunning smirk, Deceit "What are you so happy about?"
"Nothing," Applejack smirked, waving her hoof, beckoning for another strike. "Hit me."
"Well, Ah won't hit ya," Deceit turned, then bucked at her.
AJ took the hit, not flinching. Her smirk now turning into a cunning grin. Growling, Deceit laid a flurry of blows onto Applejack, only to watch in horror as it seemed to barely hurt the farmer. After another hard blow, the dark pony began to growl, "What is with ya? Not that I'm getting worried or anything..." Deceit stomped towards her.
"Nothing," Applejack said, almost taunting. "Ah'm just gagging."
Deceit cocked her head,"Gauging?"
"Just how weak ya are," AJ said.
"Ah ain't weak!" Deceit yelled,"Or am Ah?" She cocked her head. She growled,"Whatever, killing ya now!" She bucked at AJ.
Aj took the shot, "Yeah, ya'll are kind of weak... because that shot was weaker than last." cracking her neck to the side, she smiled, "and that means, its time for ya to go down!" slamming her hooves to the ground, she caused the earth to shake beneath Deciet's legs. Then, she laid a series of punches into the body of her opponent.
Lonliness brought out a sword,"Do... you know how lonliness feels?" She said, her breath visible.
"I do." Twilight said, blocking a sword strike,"But you don't have to be lonely!" Twilight put a hoof out towards Loneliness,"We can be friends." She blocked another sword strike.Twilight walked forward,”You just need to embrace friendship again.”
“Friendship? Have you seen where that has gotten me? The only reason we are together is to take the hearts of you and your companions!” Loneliness said, striking her sword down at Twilight. Twilight quickly blocked the blade and struck out with her own attack. Loneliness received the blade and stuck out with two strikes, following up with a fire wave.
With a little clumsiness in her swing, Twilight blocked each blow with her blade. Then, when the fire wave approached her, she quickly put up a shield of frost; however, Loneliness took the opening and slashed across her chest and hit her chin with the pommel of her blade. Growling, the alicorn princess pushed Loneliness away with a telekinetic push and slashed at Loneliness, “Yes, friendship got me these.” she waved her wings for emphasis.
“A title? Further separation from your friends? Was that your reward?” Loneliness demanded, slashing hard at Twilight.
“Separation? No, not at all,” Twilight said, slashing at her opponent to block the blade. “If anything, they are still my betters.”
Loneliness glared at Twilight, “How?”
“My secret,” Twilight smiled softly as she struck out with three strikes, each of with were blocked. Flying over Lioness's head, Twilight used some mist to block her opponents vision and struck out with a thrust, cutting into Loneliness side. In pain, the mare struck out with a few slashes at Twilight. Twilight winced as one sword strike connected, then she did a slash at Loneliness. Twilight flew above her double, and slashed down, as Loneliness blocked and struck with her own.
Twilight and Loneliness' blades struck each other,"You know, all this is going to do is break the swords!" Twilight said,"Theoretically, this is not a good idea!" She pulled away and slashed again.
Will looked up ahead of the path towards the castle, "There, the heart!"
Then a blast of shadow and flame hit the ground before Sunset and Will as they approached the castle center. Sunset gasped as she saw two black alicorns guarding it,"Yeah, and there they are!" She pointed.
“Remember Corona, we kill them and then I go after you,” Nightmare moon said, looking at the pegasus and unicorn.
Corona just shrugged, “On that we agree sister.” she sent a wave of fire at them.
"Aw, buck," Will said, trying to close her eyes against Corona's flames, "how many do you think you can take alone."
"Well,"She shielded her eyes against the flames of Corona,"1/2, but I think I can try to manage."
"Good,because with me, that should be one that we can take down," Will gulped as she looked at Nightmare Moon. She felt a small shudder as the black alicorn glared into her eyes and straight into her heart.
"Yeah, and then the other one kills us!" Sunset said. She looked between the two.
"Sunset, keep Will distracted, I have an idea. " Mozenwrath said.
Sunset turned to Will,"... Run to the Heart," She sighed, her horn glowing,"I'll try to keep them both off you."
"Right," Will nodded and flared her wings out before taking off. “If I could just get this stupid lighting to work!! ”
"Ok, so Cornelia gets earth, Irma water, Hay Lin blows wind, and Taranee fire," Will said to the old mare before her. "Why do I shoot lighting?"
"Lighting is the spark of life, what you are throwing is your quintessence manifesting in an elemental form. Life energy," Yan Lin said, looking human for a moment. "Just use the power of you heart"
Will's eyes narrowed as she began to charge lighting in her hooves, and then threw it out at the two alicorns. With a grin, she moved between them before making her way to the heart.
THe two alicorns put up shields to block the lightning. When those shields went down, they turned to strike at Will, but they were stopped by a teleporting Sunset. Sunset gulped,"Now what, Mozenwrath ?" She thought,"I'm about to get myself killed and ruin your plan here! And while ruining your plan would be a good idea, I don't feel like dying! "
A greenish black spark came from her horn and to the ground. The two alicorns charged at her, but they were struck back by a unicorn stallion with a curved red horn. The stallion turned to Sunset and bowed.
"Oh, King Sombra! " Mozenwrath said,"I wasn't expecting to grab his body. Sunset, this is a Mamluk, he will distract one of them for you, until the others get here. He's already dead so you don't have to worry about him. Just protect yourself ."
Sunset blinked for a bit, then shook her head,"Distract her!" She said, pointing to Nightmare Moon. She turned to Corona, and was sent flying from the alicorn's hoof.
"I said protect yourself, not get hit ." Mozenwrath said.
"Thanks, Mozy, how about I run from the big monster like I’ve been doing!? " Sunset growled.
Will walked to the heart, looking back over her shoulder, "I should go and-" she was interrupted by the light of her pendant glowing brighter. "Ok, we'll go with Sunset's plan. But, whatever you are, we are going to have a long talk about helping others!" she grumbled, walking closer to the heart and watching as the two began to resonate with each other.
Sunset put up another barrier, as Corona fired a beam at her. Sunset gasped as the barrier shattered and the beam hit her. She got up slowly, and watched in horror as Corona walked slowly towards her.
"Ok, now what am I supposed to do," Will thought to herself as she held the gem in front of the heart. Its glowing began to increase as she neared it.
"I don't know what you're supposed to do, but could you hurry it up!?" Sunset yelled, dodging Corona.
Sombra smiled, generating three crystal blades at once and sending them at Nightmare moon.
Nightmare Moon blocked the blades and sent a beam towards the undead king.
Closing her eyes, Will placed the pendant onto the heart, and her world went white. At the same time, Applejack kicked a broken and beaten deceit into a building. Before she could walk a step further, the life seemed to fade from her eyes and she walked to the heart, dodging the battles around her. Slowly she placed her hoof onto the heart, and the Gaia boots began to glow a green color.
Twilight cut down her heartless. The life then faded from her eyes. She turned and walked towards the heart, her magic pushing Corona away in front of her. She pulled Equinox out and placed it on the heart.
Will slowly woke up, finding herself in a white void, "Hello? Is anypony there?"
"What, where on Earth am Ah?" Applejack asked waking up slowly. "Twilight?" she asked looking to her friend.
Twilight looked around,"I don't know."
"Guardian of Harmony, Guardian of friendship, you are here to open the gate to the Heart of Worlds, correct? " an echoing voice boomed.
Twilight looked up, trying to find the voice,"Yes, we're looking for the gate. Who are you?"
The voice seemed to ignore Twilight, "Then, the bearer of the heart, step forward. Guardian of Friendship, you must watch ."
Will stepped forward slowly, "The heart? That’s what Valtor said this was, the heart of Kandrakar." she then looked down at her pendant. “ My memory has been jumbled up so much lately, I am surprised I can even remember my name . “Is that what this is? A heart?"
"The heart of Kandrakar bearer is the one who must help open the gate ," the voice said.
“What about my memories? Why can I remember being some sort of guardian and a hero sometimes, but in others I can’t even remember why I have this thing!” Will yelled.
"Ain't Kandrakar that place Celestia told us about? That dimension with all of the magic and dragons." Applejack asked
In a flash of light, four tan unicorns appeared before the three mares. Each one with manes of blond and green eyes, Will recognized them immediately, "CORNELIA!!!" She ran to them, but was blocked by a barrier.
"Scion of friendship, you must complete the test as well ," four Applejacks appeared before her. "You must pick which one of these four is your true friend. Honesty, it is your task to help them find the right one. Each pony will say something to you, and you must choose ."
"And if we choose wrong?" Will asked.
"Then this world and everypony in it, will be swallowed by the darkness. This world will fade and become no more. Including your friends ."
"Okay, " Twilight gulped,"Will, I hope you really know your friend." She looked at the four.
"I do too..."
“Guardian or normal girl? Are you a mare who saved the empire time and again, helping the bearers protect Equestria, or a human superhero who has protected the multiverse, who are you?” a voice echoed in Will’s mind. “You forget if you are a guardian, but yet, you remember them. Who are you? What is real?” Will shook her head, trying to focus.
The four unicorns looked to Will, the first one on the left huffed, "Will, I know you are the leader, but what kind of leader almost gets us killed! Next time, tell us your plans before you do something so foolish. "
"Will," the next mare sighed, "I am sorry that this happened. But, don't worry, we are going to do everything we can to help. "
The third mare held out her hoof, "Whatever your problem is, don't worry...I'll be right by your side. "
"Will ," the fourth mare turned away from Will, crying. "I am fine, I don't need the help."
The Applejacks looked to Twilight, "Twilight, Ah know you are pretty smart, but there is a difference between book smarts and common sense ."
"Twilight ," the second Applejack said, pulling her hat to the chest. "Ah know you are going through a rough time, but don't worry about it. Ah'll take care of it, everything will be fine because Ah'll handle it ."
The third Applejack stood in front of them all, "You mess with Twilight, ya mess with me. And brother, you better not be messing with me !"
The fourth sat down, "Twilight, it’s ok," she said, holding back her tears. "Ah'm fine, really."
The real Applejack looked to the two mares, "Wait a minute... something ain’t right here."
"Honesty, you will have one chance to help them with their choice... be ready .
Twilight bit her lip as she looked around at the different Applejacks,"They're all pretty convincing. Come on Twilight! You're the Element of Magic, you should be able to figure this out!" Twilight said to herself.
"That's easy, it's-" Will was about to say
"Wait," Applejack objected as she walked to Will. "Ah just realized... can you really define your friend by one little trait or thing they do?"
"What do you mean?" Will asked.
"Ah mean, think about it," Applejack said. "Is your friend always helpful, or angry, or distrustful?"she asked, hoping Twilight would hear.
Twilight overheard Applejack. Her eyes sparkled as her mind raced through her memories of the farmer. She looked up and said,"They're all Applejack. She is protective of her family and friends. She can be the sensible one, especially when I'm going through my own brand of crazy," she chuckled at that one,"She tries to put other ponies problems on herself, even she doesn't have to, and she always tries to hide her feelings.”
"She's right! My friend isn't just one personality," Will said, looking around her. "She is a person, and people have different sides to them. We argue, yes, but she is always by my side. Because she is the type of girl to hold onto the pain for me."
"You have chosen, wisely, " said the voice as the light washed over them.
Will found herself seeing a scene of a unicorn standing before a Will lying on the ground in pain,"You made a mistake," the unicorn said, standing in front of Will as she laid behind her. "You messed with my best friend. Now, you mess with me ."
"Twilight," aid an image of Applejack, placing her hoof on to Twilight's shoulder. "You will always have a place here, no matter what. Ah will keep you going when you fall. "
Will saw an image of her sitting in a car with Cornelia, as Cornelia finished isnging,
"Light, of a true true friend ," Cornelia smiled. "Our song. Whenever you hear that... you know we are close by."
As the two images played out, a white earth pony appeared, "Why Ah do declare, I am so glad to meet you three. Honesty, Friendship and the bearer of Kandrakar. It is a pleasure to meet y'all. Oh, and you look just like your little ol ancestor," the earth pony smiled as she rubbed Applejack's cheek. "Oh, and my name is Truly Love"
Twilight gasped,"Truly!" She walked up to her,"Amazing, I've never thought I'd actually meet a legend! Oh, there is so much I have to ask!" she squealed.
"A legend? You mean little ol me? Well, Ah'm flattered," Truly smiled at Twilight. "Tell, what type of questions do ya need answering, sweetie?"
"Well, what were Terra and Majesty like in their foalhood? How was the alicorn city? What was Mimic the Wise like? Why are you here? What was the world like? Did you fight any ancient evils?"
"Well, Ah've never actually met Queen Terra and Mejesty when they were little foals, the alicorn city was fantastic, like nothing Ah had ever seen before, Ah am here because you girls have opened mah gate, the world wa a little more dangerous than this, and yes... a few," Truly said.
"You called me the Bearer of the Heart, what do you mean?" asked Will. “And what did Valtor mean when he called me a guardian? Why can I use lighting powers?”
"Ah don't really know. When Mimic activated this spell, she set it so it would recognize the bearers of Harmony and the bearer of the Heart of Kandrakar," Truly said, looking at Will's pendant. "Beyond that, Ah am mainly here to activate one of the four gates."
"So, I guess you wouldn't know why the key sent me a vision of the past, would you?" Twilight sighed,"Or why we went to this specific world." Then she had a thought,"I thought there were three gates!?"
"I don't really know. Mimic said she set those up for the ones in the future so she could learn the secrets of the past. Ah'm not entirely sure," Truely said. "As for this world, Ah don't know that either. Ah guess it has something to do with looking for the Heart. Ah can only guess that you gals will be sent to another world like this. An of course there are four little gates. Didn't you hear the legend?
The three gates will open the light to the fourth
And some other little ol things that Ah can't remember. Ah was too busy fixing my mane to pay any attention."
"But, why me? Why am Ah here?" Asked Applejack.
"Oh, its because each of Harmony's chosen has to be there to help the bearer unlock the door," Truly said. "It's a failsafe. Harmony can't do anything without the guardian and the bearer can't do anything without Harmony. At least that's how Mimic described it."
"I... didn't really see that part in the book I read, but I could've missed that part..." Twilight muttered. She looked up,"So the bearer of the heart needs the bearers of the Elements of Harmony." She smiled at Truly,"Thank you, Truly. I'm starting to understand what we have to do."
“You are welcome, oh and thank you kindly, Honesty," she said, walking up to Applejack. "You were the best one to help get them through this."
"Aww, shucks, tweren't no problem." Applejack blushed."
"Hey, it’s what we Earth guardians do..."
"Ah know Ah can seem a little small, but Ah promise you darlins...I will get your through all of this. You can put all of your problems on my shoulders and I will help you," a memory of Truly said.
That was when their dream worlds shattered.
The heart in the real world began to glow brightly, the four lights on the weapons of the girls began to glow bright and hit the heart head on.
The heart shone, causing a large wave to wash over the world. Everywhere that the wave touched, the damage caused by the heartless seemed to fade. Places where the innocent fell, now was restored with the noise of ponies celebrating their return to life.
Sunset raised her hoof, but saw that Corona, Sombra, and Nightmare Moon had vanished. She turned and ran towards Twilight,"You did it!"
Will struggled to her hooves, only to be helped up by Applejack and Fluttershy. Dash landed next to Twilight, "Did you see that?"
"It was all like, whoose, and blast, and beam!!" Pinkie shouted.
Twilight shook her head,"Wait, it's over?"
"Mom!" Nyx shouted, running over to a purple unicorn body.
"I guess it is." Twilight said,"Are you girls alright?" She looked at all of them.
"Well, I'm a little banged up, but I'll manage." Sunset winced
Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie noded. Rarity ran her hoof through her mane to how how she managed, while Rainbow Dash winced a little on her leg. Applejack moaned a little "A few hurt ribs, but Ah'm ok."
Sunset went to Twilight,"And you?"
"A few cuts and bruises, but I'll be fine." Twilight said with a smile. Then she was tackled by Nyx.
"Thank you all so much! I thought I would go crazy in here! But you saved everypony!" She said with a grin.
"Hey, it’s what we do best," Rainbow Dash said with a cocky grin.
Pinkie then nudged Rainbow Dash, "Don't say that! That's usually when the big bad amps up the ante and we get hit with a giant Godzilla or a giant pony eating cake monster or a pony-turned pretzle or Trolls who like to riff on good fanfics.
Fluttershy shuddered at the thought.Twilight chuckled as Nyx ran to the awakening forms of her friends,"I don't think that's going to happen here." She said as a large doorway opened behind them.
"I think this is our cue to leave." Sunset said, looking at the doorway.
Will could only chuckle as the heart of Kandrakar began to dim, "So, I have name for you, huh? The heart of Kandrakar. A pleasure. Now,if I can only figure out what she meant by guardian, and that voice that called me hero."
“Thank you, guardians. The heart is safe and you saved the kingdom,” Cadence said, looking to the five ponies.
“No problem Cad-leon,” Irma said, switching from a pony to a human.
“There it is again, a vision,” Will said. “Am I a guardian, a pony, or that wierd ape thing?” she whispered as she looked to the other ponies.
Author's Note
Thanks to Zoltan for his editing and being the co-writer on all of this. I don't think I would be this far without the help.
I like how this world came out, we get to see some more of the world and a further inspection on what has happened to Will's mind. Also, Nyx appearence!! Yay! I think this makes it the third time I have used her in a story. and most of the time its her teen form.
As they stepped out of the gate, the light began to glow a dark green. After pulsating for a few moments, it shot straight up, through the waters and into the sky. At its apex, the light reached the constellation Truly, making the stars shine and firing a light towards two locations, Tauros and Saddle Arabia. A third light, the one on her cutie mark, glowed dimly and began to point.
In Tauros, Valtor began his walk towards the castle, his servant walking close behind him, "Sire, look."
"What is it...oh, I see," Valtor smiled as he watched the light hit the castle. "The three shall light the door to the fourth gate. Forgiveness’ fall shall foretell Faith, Loyalty will be tested. That's what some of the prophecy meant!"
In Saddle Arabia, in a castle that sits in the land of black sand, a brown eel awakens from sleeping on an obsidian throne, "Master is awake, Master is preparing. Need to awaken guards, need to prepare. Master has returned, plan is ready."
"What in the hey?" Applejack asked, watching as the light glowed.
"Wow," Sunset said as the light shot up.
"It must be leading to the other keys!" Twilight said with a smile,"The three shall light the door to the fourth gate, this must be one of those lights!"
"Well, what are we waiting for, let’s teleport out of her and back to Tydal!" Dash said, flying up to Twilight impatiently
Twilight nodded, and turned to Sunset,"Alright, I can't teleport you all at once, and the trip into that dimension took out a lot of my mana.” she said, letting out a tired breath, “but, Sunset, if you touch your horn to mine, we should be able to combine our magics to get all of us to Tydal's throne room."
Sunset looked at Twilight,"Combine our magics? I've never done that kind of thing before..." She gulped.
"That's okay, I've seen it done, and I've done it with a friend of mine before," Twilight went up to Sunset,"Just touch your horn to mine, and concentrate." She and Sunset touched horns. The group was encased in an aura of magic, and they were teleported to Tydal's throne room.
Rainbow Dash stumbled for a bit, while Applejack shook her head to clear the dizziness. Rarity and Fluttershy held onto each other and as for Pinkie, "LETS DO THAT AGAIN SOMETIME!!" she said as she bounced around the group.
Sunset and Twilight pulled away,"That was amazing!" Sunset said, holding her head with a smile.
Twilight stood silent for a moment,'Something felt off ' She looked at Sunset, giving a quick nod,"Yeah, you get that feeling with friends."
Tydal got up from his throne,"You're back! I assume everything went well."
"Yes it was, yer highness," Applejack bowed.
"We," Will stepped forward. "Went through the desert and then we met up with the gate, where we met a spirit."
"A spirit?" Tydal put a hoof to his chin,"Truly..." He looked at all of them,"You must be tired. My guest quarters are open to you."
"Thanks Tydie-widie!"Pinkie cheered as a few capricorns wearing formal attire came to lead the bearers and their two companions to their rooms. Once inside, Pinkie Pie let out a cheer as she ran to the nearest bed, "DIBS!!! Oooh, fluffy!" the pink mare giggled as she grabbed a pillow.
"My word, Tydal down know how to treat a guest, does he not?" Rarity said.
Rainbow Dash said nothing in response, just lowered her head as she walked to the bed in a daze, “I wanted to kill her...I wanted her dead” she thought to herself, as the image of her heartless laid dieing at her hooves flashed through her mind. Shuddering, she tried to shake the image off.
Sunset ran to her bed,"Oh, I needed this!" She said as she yawned.
Twilight lay on her bed, her mind in a different place,"I felt something in Sunset's mind. What was it?" She muttered to herself.
Fluttershy laid on the soft bed, before looking over to Will, who was busy staring at the heart of Kandrakar. Letting her blue eyes look at the gem, she noticed that it had lost the shine that it had earlier and now back to the dull pink of before. Will looked to Fluttershy, who quickly turned away, "Oh, sorry... I didn't mean to look at your pendant."
"It's ok," Will said, letting go of it. "I just want to try and know why was I given this, and why did it lead me to that-"
"Boring!" Pinkie said, interrupting, "Discussions about mystical pendants later, talk about other worlds now! Because, Sunny," she said, rolling over onto her back and letting her head drop over the side of the bed, " I REEAAAAAALLLLLYY want to know more about other me! Is she as good as baking? Oh, what about Maude?? Oh, does the cakes have the twins yet? What about Mr. Quarry? Is he still alive? What about-"
Rainbow Dash, hearing Pinkie's interrogation, quickly put a pillow over her head and grumbled "Oh, she is going to do this all night isn't she?"
"Sombra? Or what about Sweetie Belle? Is she seeing Button? What about Scootaloo? Is Rainbow Dash her biological sister or just adopted? What about Apple Bloom? How is she? Did you meet a version of Mirage? Is there a version of Cheese? Is Lyra Bon Bon obsessed or just mythological creature obsessed?”
Sunset looked at Pinkie and smiled,"Well, the other you is just as good at baking, I have met Maude, though I can't believe you both are sisters..." Sunset frowned,"I did notice that Mrs. Cake was a little pregnant, Sweetie Belle is a Freshmen, and hasn’t met Button; although me and Rarity did try to get them together. Scootaloo is Rainbow Dash’s sister, and Apple Bloom is doing fine. Mirage, I think you are talking about the crazy cat lady that lives a few miles outside of town. Yes, and we have gone to three of his concerts. Lyra is both, and she has been trying to get you to introduce her. Quarry?" Sunset shuddered,"Oh my Celestia is he huge... And well Sombra is a teacher at a rival school."
“You mean to tell me Mirage is a crazy cat lady in that world?” Mozenwrath laughed,”I’d pay anything to see that!”
Pinkie giggled, "Oh, he was big here too. And ain't Maude the greatest?"
"-and then we nee-Oh, a party! After this is all one, I have got to throw you a welcome to Ponyville and thanks for not being a psycho-kill-me-mare anymore!" Pinkie giggled.
"Was it something special?" Fluttershy asked Will, looking at her pendant.
“Yeah,” Will sighed, letting go of her glowing pendant and letting it rest on her chest. “It is. This thing is kind of a promise between me and my friends, that we are always together.”
Applejack looked to twilight, "Something on ya mind Sugarcube?"
Twilight shook her head,"Uh, it's nothing!" she said,'At least, I hope it's nothing..."
Sunset giggled,"I wouldn't mind that Pinkie. It would make me feel a lot better.
"OH, and we got to invite your family over! Do you know where they are? Huh?" Pinkie asked.
Sunset froze,"I- no." She sighed as she looked down with sadness in her voice."My biological mom left me at Celestia's doorstep. Celestia tried to find her, but her investigators came across nothing. I guess that was part of the reason I went crazy."
Fluttershy flittered over to Sunset, and placed a comforting hoof onto her shoulder. A faint mumbling could be heard from Rainbow Dash as she held a pillow over her face as Applejack sighed, "So sorry to hear that sugarcube." She let out a sigh, looking down at the ground, "Can't imagine what it was like to be without yer ma. Ah mean, my parents were there fer a little while, but they-"
"What are you talking about," Pinkie giggled, "She had a great mom growing up! One of the best, well other than my mom!"
Sunset looked at Pinkie then sighed,"Yeah, the best mom ever, till I spat in her face and left." She hit the bed.
Rarity, who was busy hoof filing, looked up, "Sunset, dear, I am sure she holds no ill will about that. And you weren't spitting her face, you were just... entering your rebellious stage."
"Let me guess, you began to think your mom was too controlling, wouldn't let you do what you wanted when you wanted, and then decided to act it out," Will said, looking at her bed. A part of her could hear every argument she had ever been in with her mother, all of the times she thought she hated her.
Sunset scoffed,"That's one way to put it..." She looked away,"If by acting out you mean wanting to take over the world..."
"Ok I never did that..." Will sighed. "But, ran away, yelled at her, sometimes wished I never was there. The whole bit. But, taking over the world? That's a new one"
“Come on, sugar,” Applejack smiled. “We all had our little rebel days.”
Twilight chuckled a bit,"I bet you didn't hear of how my rebel phase went."
Sunset turned to Twilight,"Excuse me?"
"Well, at first I decided not to ace my tests, I would only get Bs, then I decided I wanted to worship the moon and started painting anything that was gold, silver and replacing suns with moons..." Twilight put a hoof to her chin,"Come to think of it, it wasn't that bad of a rebel phase..."
Applejack laughed, "Are ya kiddin? Yours were tame!"
Realizing that sleep was never going to come, Rainbow Dash rolled over onto her belly, "Ok, I’m curious, how did yours go?"
"Well, Ah kind of did basically start selling carrots for Carrot Top, try to get mah name changed,and tried to disown mah little sister," Applejack joked.
"Oh, mine was simply horrible, I...I..." Fluttershy began.
"You told your mom that you weren’t going to bed one time and kept animals you weren’t supposed to keep and then apologized profusely for it. I was there Flutters," Rainbow Dash said, looking at her and shaking her head.
Sunset began to laugh at this,"Okay, I gotta know, what was Pinkie's rebel phase?"
"Welllllllll," Pinkie waved a hoof to get to everypony to come closer. "When I was seventeen, just a little bit before Twilight came to Ponyville, my rebel phase began. At first, it was the simple things, I started to change the orders, and making weird designs on the cakes. Then, I started to not obey the cakes anymore, and then I began to use Gummy as my secret weapon for scaring ponies. Then... on my last day of my rebel phase, I stepped out when I wasn't supposed to and found an innocent little purple unicorn. I figured, I was going to kidnap her, and force her to enjoy the best party ever!" She then laughed evilly, as only Pinkie could.
Rarity rolled her eyes in exasperation, "And all I did was go goth." before beginning to giggle a little
Twilight raised an eyebrow,"Uh, what?" her mind began to unwind at that.
Sunset giggled at Pinkie and Rarity's statements,"I actually would've loved to see you being a goth, Rarity." She looked at Rainbow Dash,"Let me guess, you never quite left your rebel phase, did you, Rainbow?"
Growling, Rainbow Dash threw a pillow at Sunset, hitting the red maned mare in the face. She then laid back onto the bed, "For your information, I am too cool for a rebel phase!"
Applejack whispered in Sunset's ear,"Translation: No, she never did."
"The point is, dear," Rarity said, looking up from her hoof filing, "We know you have done wrong, but we have all done horrible things in our lifetimes. We have done things to our friendships that would make you wonder how we have stayed together for so long. But, the ones who love you-"
"Would love ya, even if ya turned nightmare," Applejack said, smiling at Rarity.
"Or friended Chaos," Fluttershy smiled.
Sunset smiled,"You girls... really are the best of friends," She looked down.
Pinkie giggled, "And we are your friends too." she then rolled to her side, and then down onto back again. "You know, I think I get it now! Twin students, sisters! You and Twilight!"
Sunset blinked,"Excuse me?" She cocked her head.
"Well, you two!," the earth pony smiled as she laid on her back with her head dangling over the bed. "You two could be sisters with how you two are sitting together. And you are both students of Celestia, so... sisters!"
Sunset looked at Twilight, who looked at her back,"Well, I guess..."
Twilight smiled,"It seems to work for me!" She pulled Sunset into a hug,"After all, you need a sister."
"And a good friend," Applejack said, getting onto the bed and hugging Sunset.
Friends, sisters, and people who can be there for you. I hope mine are out there somewhere .” she then noticed that Fluttershy gave her a look that said, 'You'll find them.' she smiled at that.
"Aw, how sweet, kind of almost makes you forget that there's a sorcerer living in your head planning on doing horrible things to them ." Mozenwrath said.
Twilight looked at the sleeping Dash,"She fell asleep quick..." She whispered to herself
"Well, Ah'm heading to bed. Night girls, "Applejack said, getting onto the bed, as the other girls did the same.
Rarity could be heard murmuring, "I am not, messing up the covers ..."
As she got herself into the bed, Will took one last look at the heart of Kanaar, "Where are they.?"
Sunset, aged 6, looked up from her drawing,"Princess Mommy, look!" She said, holding up the picture of her and Celestia with a sun surrounding them.
"That's nice, Sunset," THe picture was taken in the princess' magic,"If only you stayed this nice."
The filly cocked her head,"What do you mean?"
"If only you hadn't betrayed me, than you would still be loved!" Celestia's face turned into a skull with glowing eyes,"Then I would be alive!"
Sunset took a step back in fear, only to bump into a body. She turned her head, her body turning into an adult's, and saw her friend's corpses. She looked down at a purple hoof attached to an alicorn skeleton.
Twilight's voice come from the skeleton,"You are a monster, you don't deserve to live! You deserve to be like me!" The skeleton got up and lunged at Sunset.
Sunset woke up in a cold sweat. She looked around, noticing that each of her friends were still asleep, except for one,"Twilight?" She got up and carefully sneaked out of the room.
Twilight looked at the book in front of her, scouring the passages for an answer,"If I could do a more thorough-"
Rainbow Dash woke up to Sunset's yell, and watched as she walked down the stairs. As she made her way to the library, she saw Sunset and Twilight talking to each other. (do it. Give it to them. Finish her)
"NO," Dash said to herself, running up to a window and flying off into the ocean, swimming for a bit.
"You should be asleep." Sunset said as she entered the library.
Twilight squeaked as she put the book behind her,"Sunset! You're up early!" She gave a quick grin.
"What are you reading?" Sunset walked closer.
Twilight looked behind her,"Oh, I, um, I'm studying a few spells for the upcoming trip!" She gave a nervous grin.
Sunset frowned,"Twilight, are you lying to me?" She gasped,"You're working on a reform spell for me, aren't you!?"
"What!? No! That'd be crazy!" Twilight shook her head. She sighed as she pulled the book out,"Look at the author."
Sunset looked at the name,"Sunshine Dawn." She looked at Twilight,"My mother?"
Twilight looked around,"Princess Luna gave me a mission before we left: I was to look for your mother in Tauros where she was last seen. I was hoping that book would give me a clue. I didn't tell you, because I didn't know how you would react."
"You know, Twi?" Sunset said,"If we do find Mom, I don't think it matters if she's alive or not. I didn't know her, so if she's dead, it wouldn't affect me. If she's alive, though, I think I would give her the yelling of her life." She smiled.
"So, you won't feel too bad if she isn't there?" Twilight asked.
"Well, I would a little, but I already had a mom. Princess Mommy." Sunset said with a smile.
"... Princess Mommy?" Twilight snickered.
"I was six when I called her that!" Sunset said.
Sunset took Twilight's shoulder,"Come on, let's go back to bed. We'll find my mom when we get to Tauros."
Twilight frowned,"You're starting to sound like my big brother. Never letting me stay up to study." she muttered
"Well you need your sleep!" Sunset said with a chuckle as they went back to their room.
"She's right sugarcube, ya need sleep!" Applejack said, standing against the doorframe with a smile.
Twilight hopped back in shock,"How long were you there?"
"Long enough to see you two being sweet on each other," Applejack chuckled.
Sunset chuckled nervously,"Not that sweet..."
"Yer right," Applejack smiled as she led the two upstairs. "It was adorable."
"Not as adorable as Princess Mommy." Twilight said as she trotted into the room.
"Again, six!" Sunset gave a mock frown.
Twilight looked down at a bed,"Hey, where's Rainbow?"
"Right behind you," Rainbow Dash said behind Twilight. "HA! Did I scare ya?"
Twilight jumped,"Yes, yes you did!" Twilight said with a growl.
Sunset looked at Dash,"Why was she up?" She thought to herself.
"Perhaps she wanted to kill you ." Mozenwrath said,"After all, she was kinda brutal to her heartless ."
"What were you doing up?" Asked Applejack, to which Dash shrugged as she went to bed.
"Had to, you know." Dash said, walking into her bed and going to sleep.
Sunset sighed in a bit of relief as she went back to bed. She laid with her eyes still open, almost afraid to go to sleep.
"Don't worry, I'm here," She could almost hear Celestia's voice say as her eyes began to grow heavy.
That night, a blue alicorn fought off some of the worst nightmares imaginable.
Will rolled in her sleep, mumbling to herself, "Heart, friends, as one..."
("Ok, that was awesome!" Irma said, smirking.
"Can you imagine it? A world where we grew up as sisters!" Hay Lin squeed.
"You mean we aren't?" Asked Irma.
Taranee smiled at Will, "Will... how is she?"
"Who?"
"Sunset...how will she come home? Sunset can't-"
"Can't what?"
"Oh, and here we are again Will," Valtor said, his voice a whisper. "You are seeing echoes of things that aren't. You are getting thoughts that may not be your own. Are you a hero? A human? A pony? o you even belong here? do you even have the right to own that heart?"
"I... I"
"You can't recall..." Valtor laughed. "By the way, I hope the minotaurs of Tauros are going to enjoy their hell."
"Wbat? "
At night a lone wagon reached the outskirts of Tauros. Inside, a young blue mare smiled, "Well, time to begin. Look out you wonderful minotaurs, Trixie is here."
King Minos sat in his throne, watching as the last of the night court finished its rounds. As he stood to call it a evening, the mighty red minotaur heard, "Presenting, the last guest of the evening. Lord Valtor, of the black flame. Conquerer of the order of light, destroyer of the world of hopes, harbinger of conquest, and deliverer of the flames."
The guard then stood to the side as the doors to the throne room opened. Valtor stepped across the threshold "Ah, King Minos, a pleasure to be sure."
"VALTOR! I had thought you to be only legend," said the king, his red eyes glaring down at the black dragon.
"Yes, and Nightmare Moon is but a foal’s tale. But, we are here to talk about my legend," Valtor said, bowing. "We are here to talk about, the key to the gate."
"The key-" the king's eyes went wide. "No. Guards, seize him!"
A small smirk came to Valtor's lips as he turned and breathed black flame at the doors, blocking the guards entry. Behind Minos, he felt a shock go through his body that forced him to buckle to his knees, and turned to look up at an old mare, "Good job, Servant."
"I live but to serve," Servant said, bowing.
" Now, about the key," Valtor said, looking into the minotaur's eyes.
"Buck you," shouted the king, spitting in Valtor's eyes.
"Now, that is wrong. Servant, we seem to be getting nowhere with him, suggestions?" Aske Valtor.
"We can't hit him with the hate plague, the bearers know of a cure," said servant, running her hoof along her staff. "An, if we turn them against the bearers, the fact that you are here will be too obvious. So, I suggest... we do nothing."
"Nothing?" asked Valtor.
"We are here already, the king will now try and hunt us down. The fear that will permeate here will be enough to slow the bearers and Will down." Chuckled the servent as she left through a doorway.
"Where are you-"
"The earth guardian needs a push, and I will give it to her. A little fear for a loved one," Servant said, vanishing into a portal.
The next morning, Will woke up to the sun outside, "You know, I wonder how they are getting the sun down here."
Twilight got up next,"Oh, it's actually artificial light, you see the sea-ponies use magic..." She began to ramble.
Pinkie Pie woke up, watching Twilight. She then giggled and walked to Applejack, "Twily's rambling. Place your bets."
"50 on her trying to fly away. And it wakes up RD," Applejack chuckled, waking up.
"I cannot believe you two, taking bets on such a thing...40 on 5 minutes for flying away, and Rainbow Dash wakes up screaming," Rarity complained.
Fluttershy woke up, looking at a small cat fish. Calmly, she petted it, "Um...I don't think I want to bet on that."
"Ok Sunset, your go," Applejack said.
Sunset shook her head as she woke up,"Um probably 60 on her screaming, flying away, and waking up Rainbow Dash and she screams a non-sequitur."
Will backed away a memory passing through her mind of a brown earth pony speaking the same kind of nonsense and her friends walking away, "Um, I wonder if King Leo has prepared a feast!" and then flew away.
Rainbow Dash woke up and looked at Twilight, "Oh great, egghead, you scared away the girl."
Twilight frowned,"Some ponies just don't want to learn!" She glared at Rainbow before leaving.
There was indeed a feast waiting for them.
"Banquet!!!!!" Pinkie cheered as she wan to the table.
Applejack saunter up and began to feed like a manticore. Fluttershy softly began to chew on some of the apples, while Rarity dainty began to eat her light salad.
Rainbow Dash began to eat like a maniac while Will began to eat somewhat normally.
Twilight and Sunset began to eat quickly.
Leo laughed as he looked to Tydal,"My hungry, weren't they?"
"I would be too, Leo." Tydal said with a laugh.
Will looked at the food for a bit as she continued to eat, wanting to figure out just how did they get all of this other variety of food. Then one look at Twilight, and one memory of what happened that morning quickly threw that idea out the window. Applejack looked up at Leo and Tydal, "So, pardon me for asking your majesties... but what did Truly do while she was here?"
Leo leaned back and smiled,"Truly. She helped bring my people together with her heart."
Tydal looked ahead,"She helped me... change who I was."
"You mean you weren't always a big capricorn?" Pinkie Pie asked, throwing a sea muffin into the air and chomping on it.
Tydal shook his head,"I was always a capricorn, but I wasn't always this nice. In fact, I pretty much tried to kill everything I could find. Until Truly came and taught me how to be kind. I never opened my heart to others, and take on the help of others."
"How?" Rainbow Dash asked, and then looked to Fluttershy. "What is with you girls somedays?"
Tydal leaned back,"Let's just say, she knew just what she was talking about."
The girls couldn't help but chuckle at this as they continued their morning meal. As will looked to Sunset, she began to ask a question, but was interrupted by Rarity, "So, Sunset, how did you manage to live alone all that time before coming here."
Sunset looked down,"Well, at first I just seduced several guys in order to mooch off of them, but now... well it's mainly Pinkie or Fluttershy who let me stay in with them."
"What? No place... this will not stand!" Rarity said, thrusting a hoof into the air. "As soon as we get home, we are going to find you a few gem deposits to take home with you."
You would do that?" Sunset blinked,"For me?"
"Why of course dea," Rarity smiled. "why wouldn't I?"
"She doesn't know, even if she could come back, there might be a chance that her friends are all... " Will thought to herself.
"Well, I just wasn't expecting you to do that for me, especially if there's a chance I won't be able to come back." Sunset said. “Before I left, Valtor destroyed the portal.”
"Aw, don't be like that, Sunny. You can find a way, especially if Twilight has anything to say," Pinkie Pie winked to her friend.
Twilight nodded,"I even created a blueprint for a machine just in case I ever needed the mirror again!"
"...When did you find time to do that?" Rainbow Dash asked, eyebrow arched.
"Oh, you know, there are just times when I have a free spot in my schedule to do some planning, make some inventions, and create a list of what I should do if I ever turn evil!" Twilight said with a grin.
Rainbow Dash coughed, "No life!"
"Wait, if you turn evil?" Will asked, looking terrified.
"Yeah, if I turn evil, I better make sure I do it right. As a matter of fact, here's a checklist of things I want to do if I turn evil." Twilight handed Will a list.
1) Turn my friends over to my side, see Checklist #44
2) Stage a coup to overthrow Celestia and Luna, see Checklist #45
3) Distract Shining Armor with a mind-controlled Cadance, see Checklist #42
4) Turn good again after realizing the downsides to being evil, see Checklist #46
"Oh, 'Downsides is even underlined," Pinkie Pie looked at the list.
"Um, shouldn't there be an apologize to the princesses after that?" Will asked.
"Oh, that's for the checklist in case I reform!" Twilight said with a wide smile,"It's right next to the checklist for the exact way to turn my friends over to my side!"
"You know what I did when I was evil? I merely guessed on everything! My big plan was all based on what I found when I went through the portal, and just going on from there!" Sunset said, her hoof falling to her face.
Pinkie Pie rubbed Sunset's back, "That's ok, you just aren't super extra super duper prepared like Twilight is!!!"
"Yeah, she even has a checklist in case one of us becomes a Royal guard working for Celestia to find a cure for a poi-and how were you going to get me to come over?" Rainbow Dash asked with a raised eyebrow.
Twilight pulled out another checklist,"Well, first I was hoping on relying on your undying loyalty to me to get you over, but if that didn't work out, I would agree to make you my Captain of the Royal Guard and Stunt Pony!"
Rainbow Dash nodded, "Yeah, I could work with that."
"I can't believe that they are actually talking about that," Leo whispered to Tydal
Tydal shook his head,"Well, that's what friends do I'm sure."
"Weird, but," he chuckled as he looked at the group. "It seems to have worked for them."
"Ok, so I think we can confirm that Twilight has enough lists to prepare for anything," Applejack said.
"Ok, Me, pick me!" Pinkie Pie squealed, "How would you turn me over."
"Well, I was thinking of letting you have all the fun you want, plus I use your... Pinkiness to my own advantage." Twilight said.
"Cool!" Pinkie said, taking another bite of her apple.
"I would probably just agree without a fight... ," Fluttershy said, looking away a little.
Rarity smiled, "So, for me it would be my nobility and Applejack?"
"Yes and yes." Twilight said, looking at Fluttershy and Rarity," And Applejack, well, she's really stubborn so I would have to convince her that working with me would be beneficial not only for her, but for her entire family as well!"
Sunset gulped,"Um, you guys wouldn't really do all that, would you?"
Rainbow Dash looked evil to Sunset, "Who says we haven't already. Maybe this was just our way of luring you into our evil cabal."
"One of us, one of us," Pinkie said, holding up a plushie of a turkey, "gobble gobble."
Sunset backed,"No," She said,"No!" She shouted overdramatically.
Pinkie Pie then used her turkey to tickle Sunset, laughing maniacally. Will chuckled and leaned to Twilight, "Does it always end like this?"
Twilight leaned in to Will,"Yeah, it does." She smiled as Sunset giggled a lot
“It feels familiar," Will smiled.
Ok, which one of us will turn evil first?" Irma asked.
"Wait, are we really doing this? Putting money on wich one is mostly likely to turn evil?" Cornelia asked."
"Well, I just figured," Irma began.
"You would be the most likely to turn evil, so no contest," Cornelia said only to be hit with a pillow
Will laughed softly as the breakfast finished.
Leo swam over to Twilight,"I assume you are heading towards Tauros?"
Twilight nodded,"It's closest after here. Tell me King," She looked,"Do you know where the key is forTauros?"
Leo shook his head,"I'm afraid I do not. However, you can seek King Minos, and ask him for the key." Leo looked outside,"I've already prepared the manta-hawk to take you there."
"Thank you sir," Twilight said with a bow.
Leo shouted as the group walked to the manta-hawk,"Be safe, my little ponies, there may more dangers ahead!"
"Alright, Rainbow," Twilight chuckled as the group got on the manta-hawk
The manta-hawk let out a small screech as it took off through the water.
Valtor woke up that morning to look across the city from the abandoned building. His mind began to drift back through the past as he thought of the element bearers, "Friends, and a strong heart..."
The woman in black walked with Valtor, passing by several photos, "Do you know who these are, my child?"
"Your... friends?" asked young Valtor as he ran his hand along a picture of a snake becoming a genie.
"No, they are failures, memories," the black fairy said plainly. "and a lesson."
"What is that, mother?" asked Valtor.
The black fairy smiled and hand her green fingertips under Valtor's chin, "To not underestimate the power of a heart, and the bonds that they have made. Look around you, this one underestimated a simple street rat's desire for redemption, (her staff pointed to an image of a demon) this one underestimated the heart of a hero, (This one pointed to a lion demon) this one believed that a boy's guilt would keep him at bay, and (points to a wizard standing fronnt of several emon masks) this one believed that the powers of darkness would keep him in power long enough to take become godlike."
Valtor watch i awe as the fairy opened her cloak and revealed painting after painted of monsters, demons, and mages, "Did even Master Horn King fall like this."
"Who said he fell?" the fairy chuckled. "Remember this, my sweet child, a heart alone is weak. Easy to destroy and crush, but when that heart has friends, or a reason to fight, then it becomes a force to be reckoned with."
"Then, how do you beat that heart?" asked Valtor.
"Simple, you use it. Now, I have to go and practice my own magic, you... look at the paintings, learn the stories of the fallen and learn from their failings," the fairy said.
"Yes ma’am," Valtor bowed, before producing a flower. "Oh, and... happy Mother's Day."
The fairy smiled as she took the rose and caressed it, "Thank you, child."
Valtor smiled before looking back at one painting, "Once upon a time, there was.. .”
"My lord, I have returned," Servant said with a bow. "Is something wrong?"
"Huh, no, nothing. Why?" Asked Valtor.
"You seemed to be crying, were you missing someone?" Servant asked, rubbing Valtor's shoulder.
"No," Valtor said, resting his legs over the ledge of a building.
"Ok, but remember, I am your friend..."
As the manta hawk breached the water, Pinkie Pie let out a giant "WHOOOOOOOOO!!!" as the creature sailed through the water. Rarity quickly began to fix all of the girls manes as she soared, while Will sat back, "Ok, lets see what we got... My gem is called the heart of Kandrakar, my friends may or may not be in this world, and I may or may not be some sort of superhero. I wonder what else life can throw at me!"
Twilight held on tight to her mane,"Hey, at least you're learning more about yourself!"
Sunset screamed as she held on,"This thing is going too fast!"
"Are you kidding," Dash remarked with a cocky grin, "It's not going fast enough!"
Sunset whimpered,"This is just like when I was introduced to cars..." She said, her tears flying to the side.
"What's a car?" Rainbow Dash asked, watching as everything flew by.
Fluttershy, being a little more sympathetic, gave a hug to Sunset, "It's ok. As long as you aren't getting sick.'
"Something that goes very fast, and it's something that I don't want to go on again!" Sunset yelled at Dash.
"Well, Rainbow, it looks like you're prepared to go through the test. What do you think, Sunset ." Rarity looked behind her at the young woman, who was curled up and crying about an old man in the way.
A coy smirk came to Rainbow's lips, "Sounds like my kind of ride."
Twilight's eyes opened wide,"Why did I do this? Why did I do this? Why did I do this..."
Will couldn't help but giggle, seeing the group interact like this. She sighed happily as she thought back to her friends, and to how they have grown together. Walking ahead, she looked at the incoming city, "That must be the port town."
"Wow, you're right! I hope Mr. Hawk is good at landings," Pinkie said from her binoculars.
“I didn’t realize that you like to jump from the water, Mrs. Hawk,” The hawk let out a series of squacks, and Fluttershy nodded, "I see...eeep."
Before any of them could ask, the manta-hawk hit the port suddenly, and literally, causing all of them to go flying off.
Valtor walked to a dark cave, looking down the entrance with a cruel smile, "Why are we here, my lord?" asked Servant.
"The bearers are going to be hunting for the horseshoes soon enough. This will something to play with," the black dragon said, his footsteps echoing in the cavern.
"You mean, a distraction," the servant said, using her staff to light up the cavern.
"Yes, a quaint distraction-
"Who comes to my tomb?" whispered a voice.
"And there we are..."
Author's Note
Thanks to Zoltan for the edits
Fluttershy listened to the manta-hawk intensely, hearing the squawks coming from it, “I see... eep.”
"Dear Fluttershy...what did he say?" Asked Rarity, looking down at Fluttershy.
"Well, she said that while she was a fast flyer..." Fluttershy said, looking around at her friends.
"Yeah?" Applejack said, eyebrow arched.
"She was a horrible lander," Fluttershy said, looking down with a blush.
"Well, at least we can take heart that she tries," Will said, looking up at Fluttershy with a smile.
"Yeah, some ponies could have their wings for a year and still can’t land...huh Princess?" Rainbow Dash asked, frowning down at Twilight.
Rolling her eyes, Twilight scoffed, “Nopony is perfect on their first try, Rainbow Dash.” She said in a muffled voice
Pinkie Pie pronked down the street to look at the alleyway where her friends landed, searching for their voices. Upon reaching down the street, she saw her friends piled on top of each other: Fluttershy on top, Rarity below her, Applejack below the white unicorn, Rainbow Dash below Applejack, Will beneath Applejack, and a purple wing as the only sign of the princess of friendship. "There you girls are. I was just saying goodbye our Hawk friend,"she stated with a smile, she then jumped on top of the pony totem pole, "Pony pile! Hey... where's Twilight and Sunset?"
A muffled voice came from the bottom,"Down here. I think Sunset's out of it, though!"
Another muffled voice called out,"Stick it in, my friend!"
Carefully the 8 ponies got off one another and to their hooves, "Are you alright, Sunset?" Fluttershy asked, holding the yellow mare's hoof.
Sunset shook her head as she got up,"I'm... feeling better."
Placing a hoof onto Sunset's shoulder, Applejack smiled softly, "Are you sure?"
Sunset nodded,”I’m not seeing your twin sister, at least.”
"Well, first we have to find out where exactly we are." Twilight said, looking around.
"Well, after I got off the sign post," Pinkie Pie said bouncing next to Twilight, "I think I saw the town called-
"WELCOME PONIES!” Shouted a large blue minotaur, a black shirt over his chest that read 'Mayor 3:16.' "I am Mayor Stone COLD! I welcome ya to the town of Pectoralis! What brings you to the wonderful port town!!!"
Twilight combed her hair,"Sweet Celestia, he's as loud as Iron Will..." She muttered,"Um, we're here to find your capital so we can talk to King Minos."
"Ah!" said Stone cold, posing hard, "Well, our train that is leading into the capital is going to be here in a few Hours! Until then, you can have a fun relaxation in our bar!"
"A welcome party?" Pinkie exclaimed, bouncing up and down.
"That doesn't sound too bad..." Sunset said, looking at the bar called,'Macho Savage's Bar'
"Great, Just go inside and they'll get you what you need!" Stone said as Rainbow flew past.
"CIDER!!!" she squeed.
"OH, YEAH!" The bartender, wearing a shirt of mustard yellow, said as the group went inside,"I'VE GOT MORE CIDER THAN YOU KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH!"
Rarity almost fainted at the sight of the minotaur and his weird clothes. She backed away slowly, only to bump into another Minotaur, "Oh excuse m-"
"SKRONK!" The Minotaur wearing a rainbow facemask snorted. "You feel like Sauring Breezes, soon you two will erup with the power of unlimited destruction and strength. Thanks you will have the power, AHHHHHHHHHHH!"
She backed up, unable to continue to stare at the minotaur’s rainbow facepaint and tassels, “Uh, uh...” was all Rarity could gasp out.
“He said that he wants to know what you want to drink,” Pinkie said.
Twilight raised an eyebrow, “You understood...that!”
“Yep!” Pinkie nodded with enthusiasm, “Graduated top of my class at Destrucity U.”
Suddenly, near a table, a minotaur slammed his fists into the table,"Warrior, stop messing with those ponies, Brother!"
"Oh, shut up Hoak Hogan!!!" shouted Warrior as he to grab the drinks. “I will go to starships and end up flying in the mud. Crashing destruction will cause waves of power.”
Twilight began to cry,"Why must he ruin linguistics!?"
"The Hulkster doesn't know what you're talking about!" the minotaur said.
Behind them, a black Minotaur sat looking down, "I guess its good that we are celebrating now, considering how the capital is right now."
Sunset turned away as Rarity was comforting a crying Twilight,"What do you mean?"
The black Minotaur sighed, "It seems like the city has become more distrusting of late. Especially after the king was assaulted.
"Assaulted!?" Sunset exclaimed,"By who!?"
"They haven't said, there have been rumors spreading," the black minotaur said. He then looked at Sunset, "Sunshine?...no, you're too young."
"Excuse me?" Sunset asked,"What did you say!?" She trotted up to him
"I said, you looked like Sunshine," the Minotaur said.
"Ha, under taker is thinking of his little crush," A red striped Minotaur said, swigging down a tankard.
"She wasn't a crush, just a mare who helped saved you, remember? Sorry, Kain is a little bit of an annoyance," Undertaker said.
"And how did M- Sunshine help save you?" Sunset asked.
"Kain was hit some sort of magical plague. It caused mild distortions in his face, slowly deteriorate his bones, and poisoned his blood," Undertaker said. "Then Sunny use some sort of magic t fix him.”
"So, what happened next? Where did she go?" Sunset asked, stepping a little closer.
"I don't know, never saw her after that," undertake said, with a sad sigh. "You know, you are the second pony who asked about her. There was another one, she said thank you and left. Can't remember what she looked like."
Sunset blinked,"Somepony else is looking for her?" She looked down,"Mother..." She turned back, eyebrow raised as she watched Twilight still crying,"... Is Twilight still going crazy over that guy's language."
Will looked at Twilight, and then to Sunset, "Yes."
"Give her time, she'll snap out of it in a few moments," said Rainbow Dash.
"What is wrong with that grammar? What was that noise..." Twilight rocked back and forth petting her tail.
Sunset sighed,"I'll tell her my discovery later. Right now, I'm interested in some hot chocolate!" She said as she went to the bartender.
"Ha! I knew it, these mares are lightweights," the Macho stallion said, smirking.
Rainbow Dash growled, "Lightweights? How about you put your money where your mouth is? Free drinks for me and my friends if I can handle your toughest stuff without going under."
the bar gasped as they all looked on in horror, "She dares to drink 'Alicorn Killer'? But, only the prince and Iron Will can drink it without fainting." said a minotaur with long fur.
"Flair, I think we may have a brave, but stupid mare. Your friend is quite brave indeed," the minotaur with white facepaint said.
"Yeah, let me have it, and if I faint... then you can put it on Twilight's princess tab," Dash smirked.
Twilight's head went up on that,"Excuse me!?" Then she saw what Dash was trying to do, and smiled a little.
Sunset gasped as she drank her hot chocolate,"Rainbow, you're not serious!?"
"Oh, I'm going to enjoy this ," Mozenwrath said.
I am serious," Rainbow Dash said, looking at Sunset.
"Twilight, aren't you gonna stop her?" Aske Will.
"Ok, hit me big boy," Dash said as the Minotaur began to shake and mix the Alicorn Killer. Reaching behind his back, he pulled out some vodka, rum, and gin. Then he pulled out some Rainbow juice and a vial of a small blue liquid.
Twilight turned to Will with a smile,"Trust me, she's just fine." She gave a knowing nod,"Twily's going to be drinking a whole lot of coffee tonight." She muttered.
Sunset gulped,"But what do you think that Alicorn Killer's going to do to you!?"
“Well, it might turn me into a princess or make me an easy target for every sex starved creature for miles," Rainbow Dash watched as the Minotaur began to lower his cup of steaming and moaning alcohol. "Well, wish me luck girls. See you on the other side." and with that, she took a slow drink of the screaming mixture.
Applejack nodded, "Ah'll tell Scootaloo."
"Good luck Dashie," Pinkie giggled.
"I'll miss you," Fluttershy.
"Oh, the poor ear!" Rarity swooned.
Then, slowly, Rainbow Dash drank the beverage. Will looked away.
Twilight nodded,"I guess I'll have to pick a new Element of Loyalty."
"Why are you guys being so complacent!?" Sunset screamed.
As Rainbow finishes the drink, she swayed for a bit. Then, she drooped, and then, got up with a smirk "Drinks are on me."
The group cheered, Sunset was left with her mouth hanging open. Twilight ran to the counter,"Coffee, please." She smiled at Sunset,"I'll explain later." She closed Sunset's mouth.
Rarity looked and smiled, “Green tea for me.”
“Cider,” Applejack nodded.
“The Mean Gean milkshake,” Pinkie said.
“Another Alicorn Killer,” Rainbow Dash said.
“Tea,” Fluttershy added, and looked to Will, “I think she will have some too.”
“How did she? How...”Will said in a dumbfounded tone.
Sunset, after getting her act together, turned to Twilight,"Twilight, I found out something about my mother. She passed through this town."
Twilight took a sip of her coffee,"That's good to know."
Pinkie Pie bounced back with her ultra sugary milkshake, "What is?"
"My mom helped a minotaur in this town, then she left. Also, another pony was looking for her as well." Sunset said, taking a swig of her hot chocolate.
"Another pony, who?" Applejack asked, sitting with a cup of apple cider. Rainbow Dash came in, three cups and a wide grin on her face.
Will took a sip of her tea, " I don't think you've ever mentioned you mom yet."
Rarity and Fluttershy came back with their own cups, taking their seats with the alicorn and unicorn.
Sunset sighed,"He didn't say."
"Her mom left her at Celestia's door when she was a baby for unknown reasons." Twilight explained,"I was tasked by Luna to help find her."
"So, besides stopping Valtor from finding the heart of worlds, we also have to reunite Bacon-hair with with her mom?" asked Rainbow Dash, "Buck me..."
"Oh Rainbow, don't be like that. Think of how sweet it will be when it happens," Rarity smiled.
"If it happens." Sunset said.
"Yeah, but first, we gotta get to the capital," Applejack sai, drinking slowly.
Twilight nodded,"And we have to talk to the king."
Sunset looked at The group,"I also found out the king was assaulted by someone, so getting to the capital might not be easy with some of the panic."
"Now, who in tarnation would assault the king?" Asked Applejack.
"Was he hurt?" Fluttershy asked, looking a little worried
"He didn't say. I hope not." Sunset said.
"There could be quite a few creatures that would try to hurt Minos." Twilight said, putting a hoof to her chin,"The Lava Demons of the north do have a bit of a grudge with him."
"L-Lava Demons?" whispered Fluttershy.
Twilight nodded,"Yeah, they're notorious for stealing magical artifacts, burning down villages, and just being plain rude."
"Those thieves," Rainbow Dash rumbled.
"How could they do that?" Applejack said.
"Oh, rude! That is just horrible!" Rarity said.
Will looked up from finishing her drink, "Anypony else?"
"Well, none that I can think off. The only other races around here are the Flutter Ponies, but those are so shy and they’re so peaceful, they wouldn't hurt a fly. The Speeders of the South have good relations with the minotaurs, but that's about it." Twilight said.
"Speeders?" Rainbow Dash quirked an eyebrow at this.
"Weird little ostrich things. They're supposed to be some of the fastest things alive." Twilight said, then facehoofed,"Why did I say that?"
"Ok, we need to find these things!" Rainbow Dash shouted, thrusting her hoof into the air.
"You always have to beat something better than you?" Applejack asked.
"Hey, gotta keep the skill sharp. Beside, who knows what tricks these things got," Rainbow Dash said.
Rarity looked over to Twilight, "Twilight, how much did you read up before we left?"
Twilight pulled out a book,"About as much I possibly could. There is quite a bit of history on minotaur civilization, so I didn't get a chance to read all of it before we got here."
Applejack noded as she saw that there was a bookmark on the halfway page. At that moment, a voice rang out, "Yo! The train is coming."
"Finally,” Rainbow Dash said, trotting out. "Wonder what kept them so long."
"I am sorry, but I needed the rest before I could start the train again," a voice called up from above.
"Well, that is under-oh my CELESTIA!!" Shrieked Rarity as she looked up at the towering minotaur. The minotaur, who towered over the large buildings that populated the port town, waved hi to Rarity, who nicely waved back.
"Oh, hello. Mr. Cold not say that there were more passengers, he just said bearers," the minotaur smiled. "Hello pretty ponies."
Sunset looked up,"Oh my Celestia..."
Twilight could only gawk.
"Please don't break us... " Mozenwrath said.
The giant smiled at them, eyes opening wide at Twilight’s wings,"Oh, I am sorry you majesty. My name is Andre, please to meet you!" he waved.
"No need to call me majesty, just Twilight's fine." Twilight nodded nervously.
"Um, why did you need a rest?" asked Applejack, staring slack jawed.
Andre cracked his neck, “Because operating the train is hard work.”
The giant minotaur lead them to the train. Strangely, the train held no engine, but it still held four long and massive cars linked end to end. At the last car was a stand where a minotaur was meant to place himself being the last car.
"OOOOOH, what do you think he is going to do?" Pinkie asked as they got onboard the train.
Fluttershy let out a gulp as she looked behind her at the window as Andre walked to the back of the train, "Oh, I hope he isn't...
"Dear Celestia and Luna in Canterlot, This guy must be ridiculously strong!" Sunset said.
Reaching back with his fist, Andre aimed his balled up hand at the back of the train. Rarity, and Fluttershy's eyes opened in horror. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie smiled with death defying grins, while Applejack held onto her hat.
Sunset held on to her seat,"Not again..."
Twilight gulped,"Oh, today is just not my day..."
There was a sound that was heard from the back of the train, one that to the ponies, sounded like a sonic rainboom. To the minotaurs, it was just a normal sound that hits when a strong minotaur hit the back of the strain. The train, upon impact, hit the tracks at a speed that would seem unnatural for normal ponies or coal. The bullet train began to sped along the tracks at such speeds, that the area outside the windows seems like small blurs, "My word! Do these minotaurs go this way all the time?" Rarity asked.
"WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!" Pinkie squealed.
"This is awesome!" Rainbow Dash shouted.
"YEEEEE HAW!" Applejack cheered.
Straining, Rainbow Dash moved to a nearby Minotaur, "So, how fast are we going?"
"About, 780 miles per hour," the blue minotaur said, sitting back and reading his newspaper.
"Twilight, next time, find a way to teleport instead!" shouted Will.
"Dear, mind telling us how are we going to stop? I mean who has the breaks?" Rarity asked, looking with a soft smile.
The blue minotaur arched an eyebrow, "What are breaks?"
Upon hearing that, Sunset began to scream wildly.
As the train continued to speed along, it wasn't long until they reached the capital. At the end of the tracks, there stood another minotaur about the size of Andre. A boisterous smile came to him as he saw the train incoming. Slamming his feet down into the ground, the minotaur prepared for the train. As the speeding piece of metal neared him, he grabbed the front and stopped it with all of his might. Inside the eight mares rattled around in the car, "Oh my gosh... let's do that again!!!!!" Pinkie shouted.
"YEAH!"" Dash agreed
Sunset and Twilight both screamed at the same time,"NO!"
"Fine," Dash rolled her eyes. Then whispered to Pinkie, "Later."
Twilight clumsily stepped out of the train, and looked at the other minotaur,"I'm glad you were able to stop that. Who are you?"
The minotaur knelt down to look at Twilight, glaring straight into her very soul, "Goldberg."
Twilight gulped,"Oh, okay, hi Goldberg..." She said nervously.
"Hi," growled the minotaur, before sitting back in his chair, bringing out a 'Space Queen comic (The one where she winds up in a post apocalyptic world where she has to help a little girl in spacesuit find her mother) and began to read.
"I haven't read that one!" Pinkie giggled as she looked up. "Do you know where I can buy one?"
"Comic store in the city," said Goldberg.
"A comic store in the city? Spike does need a souvenir, plus if there's a comic store, a library isn't too far away. And my royal symbol does allow me access to extra stuff in libraries..." Twilight turned to her friends,"Everypony, we're making a trip to the library!" She said before speeding off.
"Wait! and I thought I was the gal who likes to run off," Rainbow Dash said, flying after Twilight.
"What's the problem, RD?" Applejack asked.
"I just didn't want to spend my time in a library!"
As Twilight exited the train station, she came to the sight of the city. Normally a very vibrant and exciting town. It was now quiet and barren, without many minotaurs in the streets. Even the sounds of the foundry were awfully quiet, "Where the hey is everypony?"
"They were attacked Applejack, perhaps they are scared. And they are untrusting of us," Rarity said.
"I hope Twilight doesn't get rudely attacked in the library," Fluttershy said.
"I just hope a mob doesn't show up." Will said.
Sunset shook her head,"If a mob were to show up, they would've shown up by now."
“That, doesn’t exactly make me any less worried,” Will said, taking flight as they followed Twilight through the many bends that led to the library.
As Twilight ran into the library, she encountered a large muscular librarian,"Hello, I am Princess Twilight Sparkle. Do you know where I can find books on the Heart of Worlds?"
The minotaur looked at Twilight, growling, "Princess? How do you expect me to believe that!? That monster who attacked Minos was said to transform into other ponies."
Twilight blinked,"Okay, but if I were a monster, why would I go to a library?" She asked
"The monster came in with a pleasant face too," the minotaur said, before suddenly looking into a pair of magenta eyes.
"Hey, if she says she's Twilight, then she's Twilight Sparkle. Now, help us out before I-OW!" yelled Rainbow Dash as she was pulled away by Applejack.
The minotaur rolled his eyes, but then looked at Rarity, "Wait, is that Rarity Belle? The one who made the hotel chic line?"
"Why, yes," Rarity said, then was shocked when he stood up, wearing a dress that she had made. His long curtain dress matched the pillow top that he wore on his body.
"OH, I bought some of your line! I mean, making a dress out of curtains? I never would've thunk it!" He said, "Well, I guess you must be who you say you are. The books on ancient relics is in the ancient myths section." and then he opened the door behind him, revealing quite a large library. While not the size of the Canterlot archives, it contained no less the magnificence of the building.
With a toss of her mane, Rarity smiled, "Well, he has quite the taste, I must say."
"Why hotel?" Will sked,
"Long story sugarcube," Applejack said with a chuckle.
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy began to fly above, trying to look for the book. while the unicorns began to look at the middle shelves. A few minutes grinded into horse as the mres began to look through each book.
"Erebus: Fact or Fiction?, The Legend of Hilda, God of Smithing: How Tauros came to be ." Twilight frowned,"All I'm going to read later, but they're not what I'm looking for."
Sunset ran her hoof along the books, until she came across a title,"The Laughter of Fizzy." She pulled it out and looked through it,"Girls, I think I found something!"
"Ooooh, what what what!?" Pinkie Pie squeaked as she bounced to Sunset.
"This a story about Fizzy, who helped give water and laughter to the minotaurs!" Sunset said.
"Of course! We met Truly's spirit in Aquastria, so it could be possible that one of her friends could be the key to finding, well, the key!" Twilight said, looking over Sunset's shoulder.
"What else does it say?" Rarity asked.
"It's talking about how, in thanks for helping the minotaurs, the God of Smithing, Buddy, created the four golden horseshoes: One with the power of flight, one with the power to control the weather itself, one to heal with a touch, and one to control the earth beneath. It is said that the four horseshoes were given to Fizzy to help her friend Mimic. A few years later, the horseshoes were given back to the minotaur king, Pat." Sunset said.
"Do you think those shoes are the key?" Twilight said.
"Could be. I mean, the first key was related to something good that Truly did," Will said.
"Wait, the god of smithing is named Buddy?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Sunset shrugged,"I'm sure there are gods with sillier names."
"Or nicknames," Twilight gave a slight smile.
"I was six!" Sunset said.
"Anyway, I guess one way to find that out for sure is if we talk to Minos himself. If we can get past the guards." Twilight said.
"Yeah, if only we had a-"
"Hey, something is happening in the square!" shouted a minotaur as he ran out.
"Distraction?" Applejack asked.
"I wonder what's going on in the square?" Twilight asked as she and her friends walked out.
As the minotaurs gathered around the square, a loud and brash voice shouted from the center, "Minotaurs of Tauros! Fear not of visitors to your fair town. Fear not anymore! For the greatest hero of Equestria is here.
"Oh, is that-" Rainbow Dash began.
"Yes... I think it is!" Squaled Pinkie Pie in excitement
"The defeater of Mirage! The liberator of the Elements, and the guardian of the dream worlds! The most powerful mage in all of Equestria!
At that moment, a flash and a loud bang is heard, filling the square with smoke. When the smoke clears, a simple wagon with a stereo stand in the center. Then the smoke twirls in a circle, before dropping off a blue unicorn with a hat and cape. The blue unicorn smirked, "For I am-"
She then clicked on the stereo
"Oh, my Celestia, her ego's just as big in this world..." Sunset muttered, her light blue eyes wide in shock.
"Quick, let's use Trixie's huge ego to go to the castle!" Twilight said, noticing that the guards were too busy watching Trixie's show.
"Did she rehearse that entire bit?" Sunset asked, listening to the faint singing.
"Trust me, she did." Twilight shook her head, their trot leading them to the front gates,"Must she introduce herself with a song every time?"
Rainbow Dash chuckled as they made their way to the castle, "With an ego that big, what you expect?"
Applejack did her best to refuse to retort as they walked into the large castle.
Twilight opened the huge double doors, which lead into the hallway that went into the throne room,"King Minos?"
The king, sitting on his throne, looked up, "Who's there?"
"I am Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria." Twilight said, standing upright,"I've come to ask you for a favor."
"Princess, you grace my kingdom with your presence. I must apologize for how my people are acting. The attack has stuck them in fear," Mino said, bowing. "What is the favor you ask of me?"
"Yes, I've heard of the attack." Twilight nodded,"I'm looking for a key to the Heart of Worlds, and I believe it has something to do with the four horseshoes of Mimic that you should have."
"...I do not have the horseshoes," Minos said with a sigh.
"What?" shouted Rainbow Dash.
"Well, who does then?" Twilight asked.
"Let us guess, they're scattered aren't they?" Sunset said with a frown
"It is, an unusual story," said the minotaur. "After the horseshoes were given to my ancestor, times were peaceful. Then, a shark attacked the palace."
"A shark?" asked Fluttershy, excited to hear about a new creature.
"A treasure shark, a rare beast said to appear once every 500 years. His belly is said to be covered in jewels, gold, and valuable metals that could make Celestia seem poor in comparison," Mino said with a twinkle in his eye.
"Tell me more!" Rarity said, her love for jewels kicking into high gear.
"However, the beast is said to be ungodly strong and during his travels, he swam through our palace and ate the shrine that held the four horseshoes," he then pointed to a tapestry showing the beast. "Then, he swam away with the shoes."
..." Twilight blinked for a bit,"A treasure shark. Okay, is there any possible way we could find this guy and get the horseshoes back?" She asked with a hopeful look.
"We have our best hunters on it for centuries, but no such luck," Minos said. "However, it is said that he should be making a pass around this kingdom around this time."
"Right," Twilight looked up at the picture,"So, we just sit and wait for the treasure shark, and try and take the shoes from it!" She chuckled nervously,"Sounds... easy."
"Well, it is just a giant shark that is capable of eating all of us inone bite!" Pinkie Pie giggled.
“Yeah, that's comforting!" Sunset said with a frown.
"And gems are Rarity's forte! So," Twilight turned to Rarity,"Is there anything you might be able to do?"
"I've never tried to expand my gem finding spell that far before Twilight," Rarity said, looking up to King Minos. "But, If maybe I had a high enough tower I could try."
"MY castle parapet is yours, my lady," Minos bowed.
Will sighed, "I guess we just have to look around the town while we wait."
"I'll have my guards send word that you are allies."
Twilight gave a grin,"Good! I've always wanted to see this place!" Twilight said as she hopped out,"I wonder if I could find a museum!"
"Leave to the egghead t want to find a museum first," Rainbow Dash said, rolling her eyes.
"Ah think Ah'll go and find some better saddlebags fer us. These weapons are getting mighty heavy," Applejack said walking out.
As the others began to talk amongst themselves, Mino called out to Will, "Wait, redhair."
"The name is Will, your highness," Will said.
"Lady Will, tell me... is that the Heart of Kandrakar upon your neck?" Asked Minos.
"Yes, it is," Will said, holding her pendant, crestfallen at its lack of a pale pink glow.
Minos smiled, "So, the guardians of magic have been chosen then. I assume that the others have the other elements. The unicorn is of water, the rainbow mane is fire, the orange one earth, and the pink one wind?"
"No," Will said with a shake of her head. "They hold the elements of harmony, but not elemental magic. Wait, do you know who I am, or why I can wield magic?"
"Only what I have heard of in legends, dear Will. I thought Celestia would tell you more about you, seeing as you are in the presence of her student," Minos said, with a hoof on his chin.
"No,she didn't." Willi sighed. "She just told me the legend of how Kandrakar was born, nothing more."
"Then maybe you are only to deliver the heart to the true guardians, or maybe your fellows have not been found," Mino said, staring down at Will.
Looking up, Will then stated, "But, I do know that they are out there. I see these visions, of me and my friends doing things for ponies... sometimes we're these ape things, sometime we're ponies. We help others and I'm not-"
"Perhaps you need some aid, there is a museum not too far from our forges. It has a tapestry detailing the story of the heart and its myriad of legends."
Nodding, Will ran out of the room
Sunset stopped before she left. She turned to look at Minos,"King, do you know if a mare named Sunshine Dawn passed through here?"
"That I do not know, you might have to ask around town," Minos aid.
Sunset nodded,"Thank you."she walked out. As she neared the entrance to the castle, she watched as the bearers and Will began to go their separate ways, Rainbow Dash Applejack, Fluttershy went to the city while Twilight and Will walked to the museum. Sighing and lowering her head, Sunset walked a little bit ahead, unaware of the presence of two purple eyes watching her.
"Oh, dusty, dusty dust," Rarity bemoaned as she walked up the stairs of the tower.
"Maybe he should've warned me about this,” the alabaster unicorn paused her talking when a pair of blue eyes appeared before her.”Pinkie what are you doing up here?"
Pinkie Pie giggled, hopping to stand next to Rarity, "Didn't want you to get lonely, and besides," she then brought out a telescope. "I wanted to use my new telescope that Maude bought me.”
Rarity took a look at the telescope that Pinkie brought out of her mane and then turned to continue the trek up the spiral staircase. While the walk was long and hard for Rarity, Pinkie Pie was taking steps by bounds. After several long moments the two ponies reached the top, "My word, look at all of this. You can see the entirety of Tauros from up here."
"Wow, you're right!" Pinkie squealed as she pronked to a window. "Hey, look at this!"
"By Celestia... this entire town is a...” the white mare trailed off as she gazed across the city.
Pinkie let out a gasp of amazement as she looked at the twisting and turning streets below the tower, “A MAZE!!!!!”
Pinkie Pie looked out around the tower, "So, ready with the spell?"
"I am going to try at least," nodded the alabaster unicorn as she breathed slowly. Then, her horn lit up in a blue light. For a few moments, she concentrated bathing the room in her blue color , but then fell to her knees panting, "No use. I can only cover the city."
"Aw, if only you had a way of boosting your signal. Then you could be a little like a radar!" Pinkie said.
"Pinkie, you are a genius!" Rarity exclaimed, shooting back up. "How's your throwing arm?"
Smirking, Pinkie walked over to Rarity, "Wait, Pinkie what are you doing!?"
"I was going to throw you!" Pinkie giggled.
"No, I mean," Rarity used her gem finding spell to find and gather various gems from around the city. "On this." she then began to charge her horn, allowing each gem o glow. “Twilight showed me a book that told of how to enhance gems with different type of spells. This is a spell amplifier enchantment. It will enhance the area of a spell, making a sort of... megaspell as it were.
"Sweet!" Pinkie said, as she began to throw the gems over her shoulder in a series of pitches.
Rarity began to charge her magic as the gems hit the ground. A smile graced her lips as she felt her her magical range increase by miles. As her magical wave hit each gem, her range began to increase mile by mile. She couldn’t help but feel an euphoria as her mind began to feel all of the gems that her magic touched. After a few minutes, she felt a large creature full of gems swimming just northward, “There, it’s about-”
“Rarity, look!” Pinkie Pie shouted, pointing at a billow of smoke and a small tornado appearing at a foundry.
“Oh my word-”
As Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Fluttershy began to walk around the marketplace, Rainbow Dash took to the air, while Applejack began to look up and down the streets, "Let's see, saddlebags, saddle bags." she muttered as she began to walk away from the group.
"Oh, I wish this foundry wasn't so loud," Fluttershy muttered, walking past the various minotaurs working at the bellows and furnaces. Her ears then perked up as she heard a minotaur complain. Turning towards the sound, she began to trot t the sound,looking at a minotaur.
"Come on, little guy, come on," the minotaur said, looking at a little armadillo.
Fluttershy looked at the coughing creature with worry and sat down with the fire armadillo, "There there, it going to be all right. When did he start up like this?" her nervousness forgotten as her medical side began to kick in.
The bull shrugged, "I think about yesterday. It been hitting a lot of the fire armadillos, like some sort of plague."
"That's horrible!" Fluttershy said,"The poor things." she looked at the fire armadillos. Walking own, she saw a few symbols on each that glowed but vanished, "Valtor," Fluttershy whispered. Looking down at each animal, she lifted up one neck, "swollen lymph nodes. Coated tongue... Ok, I think I know what to do," Fluttershy said, "that all of the fire armadillos for me."
The minotaur nodded and ran to the other bellows and rolled the creatures to the pegasus. Fluttershy then flew to the furnace and grabbed a pair of tongs with her wings. Turning away from the furnace with a coal in the tongs, she put it into a small bowl. Then she grabbed one of the hammers, and lifted it up to crush it into small pieces.
Once done, she reached over to the oil chamber and dripped a little onto the orange rocks. Carefully she began to mix the two in the bowl, “They are fire creatures, so, they need to be stoked.” smiling she began to rub her hot oil on the backs of each armadillo, watching with a smile as how each symbol disappeared. “Do this for the others and they’ll be fine.” she said, just as she watched a explosion take place, “Oh my goodness!!”
Rainbow Dash flew amongst the clouds of the city, when suddenly she got hit by a bellow, "HEY!"
"Sorry," one of the bulls said.
"We don't usually get a flyer around here," a cow said to Rainbow Dash she landed.
"What's the big idea hitting me with... a cloud?" the pegasus asked as she watched the bellows shoot up another cloud.
"Yep, the Taros bellows. It's kind of like how you pegasi make clouds," the bull said, smiling. "The engines take groundwater and seawater from the ground and shoot them up into the sky as steam thanks to our heat."
Rainbow Dash looked on at the broilers, "But, how do you make it rain without pegasi?"
"Well, after we let the clouds out, we let them do as they will," Red Bull said.
"So, the weather's unpredictable?"Dash asked.
"Well, we do guess. But we have weather scientists that help out," Red smiled.
Rainbow Dash watched in awe, keeping an eye on the bellows, "This is so cool."
"We have an accident in chamber 2!" Shouted a bull, causing Rainbow Dash to fly in.
"What is going on?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Our heaters were powered by fire armadillos. But, since ours is sick he couldn't keep up the pace and..." he looked back at the cloud machine, which was beginning to launch a tornado.
"MAZE!!?" Applejack shouted to the Minotaur.
"Yes, every town in Taros is a maze," the red minotaur said, looking about. "Unless you have a good knowledge of mazes, you could get lost if you ain’t a minotaur."
"But why-" Asked Applejack.
"Inate sense of direction," the red minotaur said. "Now, to get to the satchel store, you are going to have to make two lefts, two rights, two ups, two downs, and then start a right on AB street.
Applejack made her long trek to the store, "Ok, now, saddlebags, where are they?"
"Saddle bags? You've come to the right place!" said the minotaur as he welcomed Applejack in.
"Ok, now, this is going to be something unique," said the bull as he walked Applejack into the room. "You are going to make your own."
"Make mah own?"
"Surely you know what your friends like," said the Minotaur. "These are special made cloth...”
Without thinking, Rainbow Dash flew in the opposite of the tornado and began to fly opposite. At the same Time, Fluttershy began to administer some medication to the Armadillos.
"Ok, so what Am Ah supposed to do?" asked Applejack.
"Just begin to push that wheel, and then tell me about your friends," the bull said sitting on a chair.
As Applejack began to speak, Rainbow Dash flew into the tornado, flying in the opposite direction as fast as she could. As Rainbow Dash kept the tornado under control, Fluttershy ran in and saw the sick armadillo. Moving quickly, she began to help the animal.
"Well, Fluttershy is soft spoken and Rainbow Dash is impulsive. But, Ah know that deep down, they are very dependable. Heck, Rainbow has a big heart, she doesn't show it to anypony else and Fluttershy? Well,"
Fluttershy held her mane as Dash continued to move, the winds increasing.
"She is probably the bravest mare Ah met.
"Then Rarity is good at being a frou frou gal, but..."
Rarity ran into the weather factory, seeing how Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were trying to fix it. Levitating some of the gems, she began to help protect them.
"The gal isn't afraid to do what she can to help, and Pinkie is only insane on the outside. When you get to know her though-"
Pinkie then put a pie in Fluttershy's hoof, the yellow pegasus smiled in return.
"she can be real smart."
"And what about you, Lady Applejack?" asked the bull.
"Me, Ah'm just a simple farming gal who likes to... wait, how did ya know my name?"
"Don't you know," smiled the minotaur as he finished making the satchels. "I am BUDDY, GOD OF FORGE!"
"What, but Ah thought-" Applejack began
"AH my dear little pony, while other gods are content to be rulers and princesses. I prefer the forge of my homeland! Making gifts for those who find me!" Buddy said, flexing his pecs.
"Uh, well, Ah didn't find ya on purpose. It was an accident," Applejack blushed.
"HAHAHAHHAH! Honest as well as hard working! That is good," he said, handing the satchels to Applejack. "These will hold your weapons, as well as any food you may need. And tell Twilight that she makes a fine mage!"
"Uh, thanks, but what do ah owe ya?" Applejack asked.
"Just agree to come to my forge when you are done. I wish to make something for the holder on honesty," smiled Buddy
Twilight looked around the town as she trotted for a museum.
Will flew up next to Twilight, " Hey Twilight. Found the museum yet?"
Twilight turned,"Yes, over there!" she said, pointing to a Museum of Ancient History.
Smiling, Will walked to with Twilight to the large doors of the white museum.
Twilight opened the doors and looked around,"This place... is a literal maze. . I should've known..."
"How in Equestria are we supposed to figure our way around here?" Will asked. For a few moments, the blue pegasus began to pour over the map of the museum. "Oh, I get it. It’s kind of like a hexagon." Will began to trace her hoof along the trail through the rooms.
Twilight turned to Will,"What do you mean?"
Will walked a few inches to the left to the edge of one hallway and then the next, "The maze is in a hexadecimal, with smaller rooms like it. It's kind of like a bunch of littler circles in one," the blue mare then smiled.
“Ok, why are you so good at this? “Irma asked.
“Well, blame Narissa. She kept with all of those mind games against us, I kind of wanted to get some practice in,” Will smirked.
Twilight's eyes opened wide,"Wow, I didn't think you would be so good at mazes!"
Will chuckled, "It’s a hobby." an then she began to walk down the path leading to "Heart and its keepers."
"Wow, this place even has an exhibit on the Heart!" Twilight said.
“The heart you say?" said a cow walking behind them. "Oh, I am the curator of this place, Soft Heart. A pleasure, princess and a hello to your friend."
"Oh, no! It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am." Twilight bowed.
"Tell me what brings you to our heart exhibit today?" asked Soft Heart
"Come then," Soft smiled.
Twilight gave a big grin as she followed the cow.
With a slow trot, the trio walked by a large tapestry that depicted a large dragon sitting in a circular room, "When Kandrakar was formed by the dragons of old, they were strong enough to protect the worlds on their own. However," the cow walked by a picture of five olden dragons, weak looking. "age has a way to affect us all. Soon the five knew the ha to pass on their power and the job of guardians of magic. So thus, they went on one last quest." the next picture was of the Heart of Kandrakar on a pedestal, surrounded by five gems.
"A last quest..." Twilight muttered as she looked at the gems.
"To find the heart of Kandrakar," she smiled as she moved. "Once found, the five dragons put their elemental energies into five orbs known as Aurameres: Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, and Quintessence. It was then written that once a generation, the heart would be given to a keeper who would watch over the Heart of Kandrakar and protect the realms of the multiverse and the magic that lies within us all. The heart of Kandrakar would bestow upon these chose five the powers of the guardians and the powers of the five elements. These would be known as the guardians of the veil," the last photo showed five ponies with fairy wings floating in a pink space. Across their bodies, their respective elements flowed.
"Wow!" Twilight said with a wide smile,"Think, Will, you could be part of this!"
Will looked down at her pendant, "I know, but... why am I getting visions of the guardians in my dreams?"
"Maybe, the heart is waiting for you to guide it to its proper bearer," Soft said as she walked away.
"Do you think so, Twilight?" asked Will.
Twilight thought for a bit,"It's probable." She looked around,"I wonder if this museum has an exhibit on Fizzy?"
"Let's see!" Will cheered.
Twilight grinned as she found a directory,"Oh, look! It's over here!" She said as she led Will.
Will quickly followed Twilight, admiring all of the exhibits.
Twilight looked around,"Look, Buddy the God of Smithing! And he's crafting Queen Majesty and Queen Terra's armor!" She pointed towards an image of a minotaur creating a suit of armor for two alicorns.
"Wow!" Will said in fascination.
Twilight pointed to another tapestry,"Fizzy and the four horseshoes!" The tapestry showed a unicorn being handed four horseshoes.
"Maybe there is something written on it," Will said.
Twilight looked down at the writing,"Buddy, on the request of the Queens of Harmony, gives Fizzy the horseshoes for her friend."
"So, they were close. Though, I wonder why the queens did it?" Will said.
"Maybe it was the right thing to do?" Twilight said,"Mimic was a sickly unicorn before she became the Wise."
"she was?" asked Will. "What was wrong with her?"
"Well, I don't know all the details, but from my vision back in Aquastria, I heard that she was having strange visions. Another thing that I heard was that, well, she was too powerful for her body."
“Can that even happen?" Will asked.
Twilight nodded,"It doesn't happen often now, but back then pony bodies weren't as well developed. The most powerful pony at the time before Mimic's birth could only do simple telekinesis. When Mimic was born, thought, she began to exhibit the ability to teleport long distances, lift entire boulders with ease, and she was able to do realistic illusions."
"And was that the reason for her horseshoes?" asked Will."
"Yep!" Twilight nodded,"You know, I wonder what those horseshoes would be like, added on to somepony like me or Sunset..."
"Probably godlike," Will said, looking at the horseshoes.
"Hmm, I don't think I would like that power." She gave a sigh,"I'm having trouble holding back myself as it is."
"You look like you are handling yourself well , though," sai Will.
Twilight sighed,"Yeah, for the most part." She walked up close to Will,"Do you know what it's like, being me? I once turned my own parents into cacti, and caused Spike to grow into a large dragon, accidentally! It was only because of Celestia that they were turned back to normal!" She turned away,"I've never forgotten just how powerful I can be. Sometimes, I worry that if I let go, I break something. Sometimes, I'm afraid of what exactly I can do!" She looked at Will,"Celestia didn't just teach me to improve myself, she taught me to control myself, because I live in a world of cardboard."
Will quickly gave Twilight a hug.
"Thanks, but I've made peace with that." She smiled,"because I know my friends will help hold me back."
"Hey, that's what friends are..." she trailed off, seeing the vision of four friends holding their hooves out. "For."
"You okay?" Twilight asked,"You kind of spaced out for a bit."
"Yeah, I just saw," she smiled softly. "My friends."
Twilight smiled,"Good, at least you won't forget them." She said, before turning around,"Come on, let's go see what the other's are doing."
Will noded, following Twilight out.
Twilight looked at a minotaur,"Hey, have you seen a yellow unicorn with a bacon-colored mane around here?"
"Yeah, I saw somepony grabbing her and taking her into that bar over there," he said pointing to the nearby bar.
"Grabbing her!?" Twilight exclaimed,"Oh no, someone's trying to do horrible things to her in a bar!" she ran towards the bar.
Somewhere, behind Sunset, an invisible mare began to walk up behind her.
"We're being followed ." Mozenwrath said.
Sunset looked behind her,"I don't see anything."
Suddenly, a flash of smoke blocked the yellow unicorn's vision, "SUNSET SHIMMER! Trixie has come for you," the blue mare shouted, pointing her hoof at Sunset.
Sunset gasped,"B-But I've changed!"
"Oh, it is not for your theft of the crown that Trixie has come," Trixie growled a she stared into Sunset's eyes. "It is for a far worse crime that Trixie has directed her ire!"
Sunset stepped back in fear,"And that would be?"
Pointing a hoof against Sunset' chest, Trixie furrowed her brow, "You stole Trixie's title as the princess's rival! She was gonna let that slide, but then she saw you out with her and that just restock Trixie's fire."
"But I-What?" Sunset cocked her head,"But I'm nopony's rival!"
"Oh yes you are!" Trixie argued. "You were a student of Celestia's, you had the potential to be the Element of Magic, in terms of mana usage you are somehow more powerful than Trixie, you have similar traits, and you can match her in strength. You are perfect RIVAL material! That was once Trixie's job and title!"
"But I'm not Twilight's rival! I'm not even that strong!" Sunset said,"I mean, yes, I can balance all my mana pools so I never run out of mana, but still!"
"... You just proven Trixie's point," Trixie said dryly.
"She's right, I mean you've just said you were stronger ." Mozenwrath said.
"Well, I'm still not her rival! I don't want to be her rival! You can stay as her rival for all I care!" Sunset yelled.
"What? You just gave Tixie the title, like that... no... struggle or magic duel?" Trixie asked, rather dumbfounded.
Sunset nodded
"You... don't want to fight," Trixie asked with an arched eyebrow
"No." Sunset shook her head.
Trixie growled and then walked close to Sunset, "You don't know how this works do you? I am the challenger and you are the... oh, never mind!" Trixie then took Sunset by the shoulder. "Trixie is going to take you with her while she goes on her mission, and then she is going to teach you on how to be a good rival, and then we will meet up with Sparkle."
"A mission? Rival?" Sunset blinked as she was pulled,"But I don't want to be a rival!”
"A mission given to Tixie by Luna, and yes, you are going to be a rival. If not to Twilight, then to me. Now come, we have a bar to hit!" the blue mare smirked as she pulled Sunset into a bar.
"But I don't want to be a rival to you either!" She screamed as she was pulled into the bar.
"Not Trixie's problem, now... if you excuse her. Barkeep, bourbon and what do you want?" asked the magician.
"Oh, hot chocolate." Sunset blinked, and turned to Trixie,"Bourbon!? Won't that mess up your magic!?"
"Trixie thinks better with a slight buzz," Trixie said. As the drinks were brought out, she looked to Sunset, "Now, before you become a good rival, you need to straighten up! You don't need to be like Trixie, just strong enough to growl with confidence!"
"But- Oy!" Sunset shook her head as she drank the chocolate,"Fine. Growl with confidence?"
"Like this," Trixie growled with a flair. "That shows how strong you are, but that you are willing to see your rivals side."
"Okay, grr." Sunset did simply.
"Good, now- excuse Trixie," she smirked as she walked up to one Bull. "Word is, you met Sunshine Dawn."
"Yeah and,"
"Trixie wants to know where she went," Trixie said
Sunset blinked,"You're looking for my mom?"
"Princess Luna gave Trixie the quest to hunt her down," Trixie said, then back to the bull. "Why was she here?"
"She was doin some investigation on something she called 'the Street Rat's' Legacy. She mentioned it was a secret that she had been investigating," the bull said.
"Why would a powerful spellcaster care about rats?" Trixie said.
"Street Rat could be a name." Sunset suggested,"Twilight's also on this quest, maybe you two could help each other!"
"Street Rat. Even in death you are an annoyance... " Mozenwrath growled.
"Trixie has plans to do so. But first, we need to work on your rival side a little more," Trixie smirked.
Sunset sighed,"Fine..."She shook her head.
"Good, but first," Trixie smiled. "We are going to drink a little more and you are going to tell Trixie how much better she is than that other Trixie."
"Well," Sunset thought for a bit,"She is a lot like you in the ego department.
"Of course," smiled Trixie. "and in terms of stage magic?"
"Well, I haven't seen much of her stage magic, but then again she's still in high school so she can't do a whole lot."
"Ha, and that is why Trixie will always be superior," Trixie smirked.
"Well, to be fair, magic doesn't completely exist in that world." Sunset said.
"Bt there is enough," Trixie said. "Remind Trixie to meet her counterpart one day."
Sunset shook her head,"No, I'm afraid you'd destroy the world with your ego." she narrowed her eyes
"Trixie knows her limits!" Trixie said with a smirk.
"That's why you're drinking your second glass of bourbon?" Sunset asked.
"Nope, Tixie is doing this because she likes to drink after a good show," Trixie smiled.
"As long as you don't overdo it..." Sunset gulped.
"Trixie is not speaking Prench yet?" Trixie asked.
"Uh, no?" Sunset said.
"Good, then she has hit her limit," Trixie chuckled.
"Wait, don't you want to at least be a little coherent when, uh, teaching me!?" Sunset asked.
"Yes, which is why, you are here," Trixie smiled.
"Excuse me!?" Sunset exclaimed.
"Trixie said, you are here to help make sure that she can keep coherent," Trixie said/.
"Oh, that gives me hope!" Sunset rolled her eyes.
"Of course it should you give you hope, Do you know who it is that you are speaking to?" Trixie asked. "You are speaking to the mare who single hoofedly saved the bearers of the elements!"
Before Sunset could ask, Twilight burst into the bar,"Unhand my friend, you cad!" She yelled, firing a beam of magic at Trixie. She blinked when she noticed the unicorn next to Sunset,"Trixie?"
Trixie yelped as the beam flew at her, ducking beneath the table as the blast hit the wall. This caused the shelf behind her to break, and the glasses to slide off and onto a minotaur. As another Minotaur laughed, the previous minotaur growled and punched his friend. Two minotaurs growled and began to punch one another, "Um, maybe we should go," Will said as she peered into the bar.
Twilight grabbed Trixie,"I am so sorry!"
"Apologize later, we gotta get out of here!" Sunset said as she and Twilight ran out with Trixie in tow.
"Trixie is sorry that you are such a lousy shot!" Trixie ribbed as she was pulled out.
The bartender smiled as the four ran out the door, "HAHAHAH! This was fantastic! Come start another brawl in my bar again!!"
"Trixie thinks everybody is...," she said as she panted. Once they were out of the way of the bar, the blue mare looked to Twilight, "Mind telling Trixie why you shot at her?"
Twilight gave a nervous chuckle,"I kind of thought you were an evil kidnapper, and you were going to do horrible things to Sunset..."
Sunset muttered,"Not too far from the truth..."
"Trixie was not kidnapping any pony. She just needed to tell her other rival what was what. She needed to remind her that the only mare who is your rival is the Great and Powerful Trixie," Trixie said, pointing a hoof to her chest.
"You have a rival?" Will asked.
Twilight sighed,"Yes, even though we know who's somewhat stronger." She looked at Trixie,"Look, Sunset is not my rival. You know you're the only rival for me." She put a hoof on Trixie's shoulder.
"You, mean that?" Trixie asked, smiling softly.
Twilight nodded.
Trixie smiled softly back at her, "Um you two need a moment?” asked a raspy voice. Down the road were Twilight's friends, Dash smirking as she asked.
Twilight blinked, and coughed,"Um, well, uh, everypony!" She turned,"How did everything go?"
"Well, we-"
"TRIXIE!" Pinkie Said, giving Trixie a giant hug.
"As I was saying, Twilight," Rarity said. "I may have had to use some of the gems around town, but I think I have located our wayward Shark."
"Ah got some saddle bags, and Rainbow,"
"Totally stopped an out of control weather machine," Dash said.
"Ah, business as usual!" Twilight said with a smile,"Where is the shark?"
"About two days away from here. About a little aways to the south," Rarity said.
"So, what brings you here Trixie?" Applejack asked.
The old zebra walked along Valtor, standing in front of the ancient cave, "So, you say that the horseshoes of Mimic are there on the shark?"
"Yes, my dear friend," Valtor smiled.
"Long have I desired to have those shoes, to feel them on my own hooves," he turned to look at Valtor, his staff glowing slightly. "But, why guide me to them? You must know of their power."
"Oh, but my dear sir, it is as I said when my servant resurrected you. I seek only to have the greatest magicians of the world walk Harmonia once more," Valtor said bowing.
"Is that why you are to leave me to kill this shark on my own? Because you care?" asked the shaman.
"Oh no, I am just making sure not to take away the credit from you," Valtor said, bowing.
"She was sent by Luna to help find my mom." Sunset said.
"Wow! What did you find, Trixie?" Twilight asked.
"Well, so far. Mostly nothing," Trixie said, looking beaten. "All she could find was that Sunshine was here looking into something called Street Rat's Legacy. Trixie has never hear of such a thing."
Twilight blinked,"Street Rat's legacy?" She looked at Trixie,"I've read about Street Rat after our second encounter with Mirage," She said, emphasizing the name with a hint of venom,"Street Rat was a stallion in Saddle Arabia who's known to have fought Mirage, Mozenwrath, and many more threats." She put a hoof to her chin,"Though why would she look here?"
"Mirage," Fluttershy said, looking down and away in a little bit of anger at the mention of her name.
"Trixie has no idea, the other minotaurs just know she went to the library to check it. Maybe Street Rat came here once," Trixie said. "Wait, its a name!!!!?"
Twilight looked at Trixie with a frown,"With names like Fancy Pants and Night Light in Equestria, you're shocked at Street Rat?"
As the small band walked through the maze like streets, Trixie commented, "Well, yes! Trixie means, she thought there would be some different names here. Didn't know Sale arabians went by a similar naming conventions
Twilight nodded,"It's been said that an early equine civilization went to Saddle Arabia in prehistoric times, which is why Saddle Arabians and Equestrians have similar features and naming styles. As a matter of fact..." Twilight pulled out a book on Saddle Arabia.
"Oh Celestia, here we go!" Sunset put hooves over her ears
Author's Note
Thanks for Zoltan.
Quick, point out how many Wrestling references I made in this chapter. Who can you recognize?
For this chapter, I decided to explore more of just the girls on their own and give them time to rxplore the world around them.
“Nobody?” What’s a nobody ?” asked Sunset to herself as Mozenwrath’s words played in her head.
"Princess?" Rainbow Dash asked, looking at the hooded version of Celestia with a look of confusion on her face.
"Sugarcube? Something wrong? You look nervous," Applejack asked, looking at Sunset.
"N-nothing," Sunset shook her head,"It's just a little weird seeing her like this..."
"Queen, actually, and Celestia was a name I had long left." The cloaked pony said.
Trixie looked at the cloaked pony with an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
"I am no longer Celestia, I am Iaxselect." The pony said with a bow,"Tell me, what are you doing here?"
"We're looking for where the heart is so we can fix whatever this is," Rainbow Dash said.
As the two ponies continued their talk, Pinkie Pie began to feel her knee pinch, "Pinchy knee, pinchy knee," squeaked Pinkie Pie, beginning to look around her.
Sunset turned to Pinkie,"Pinchy knee?"
"Something scary about to happen," Pinkie whispered.
"Something scary?" Sunset asked, then she gulped as she looked at the cloaked version of her mother and mentor.
"The heart!?" Iaxselect had a smile on her muzzle as she came closer,"I think I may be able to help you with that." She pointed to the white fortress behind her,"Go to that fortress, and find the pedestals of the six. The six chosen must stand on them, and thus will allow a compass to appear to aid you." She looked at Rainbow,"There is no fixing this world, though, I'm afraid. It will never be completed."
"What do you mean, never completed?" Rarity asked.
Iaxselect turned and walked to one of the travelling shadows, and placed a hoof through it,"This world is a place where stories go to die, a place where ideas go incomplete. This are where ponies without hearts or souls go, because there is nowhere else for them."
"How is that, possible," Applejack said, looking at one of the shadows.
"How... sad," Fluttershy said, feeling a pang in her heart for the ponies. "Is there anything we can do ?"
"I'm afraid there is nothing you can do to give them hearts." Iaxselect said,"The multiverse is a wondrous thing, filled with mysteries you cannot comprehend. I must take my leave now." She disappeared in a portal of darkness.
At that moment, ghostly images of ponies began to surround the group, walking alongside them. Some of them held their heads in sorrow, while others smiled.
"Told you, something scary," Pinkie said, looking at the ghosts.
"Ok, yeah, that was just creepy," Rainbow Dash said, looking back up to the white castle. "So, guess we're heading up there?"
Twilight nodded,"We have nowhere else to go," She looked around, noticing that every other direction lead to stars,"Come on." She walked, and then gasped as she walked through a shadow.
"I can't wait to meet Bon-Bon..." A voice rang out.
"Lyra?" Trixie asked as she stuck out her hoof to feel the spirit.
"I hope Trixie is all right"
"Raindrops?" Trixie ase, pulling back.
Rainbow Dash backed into one, "Wha-"
"So we just use these little pokemon guys and then we can get you home Flutters," Dash said.
"Was that me?"
Another voice rang out, "Rainbow Dash, my little girl " Celestia's voice spoke as Dash bumped into another spirit.
Sunset looked around them as she touched another,"Come on, Sunset, you can't get anything done by being lazy ..." Sunset blinked when she heard Twilight's voice.
"Twilight?" Applejack asked and then shuddered as she felt one walk by her.
"Applejack, dear, you need to be warm. "
"Mom..." Applejack whispered
"Rarity, can me and big sis Rainbow Dash go and play?"
"Pinkie, you are a demon "
Rarity was a aghast by the voice, while Pinkie took a step back.
Fluttershy looked shocked as the spirit touched her, “Rainbow Dash, thank you, big sis.”
Will looked to the one she touched, wonder whatshe would hear.
“You do not exist, Will Vandom! " A voice growled.
Will became pale at this, backing up and trembling, "N-no. But, I-I...”
"Will?" Twilight walked towards her,"It's probably talking about somepony else, okay?"
"How can you be so sure," the blue pegasus said, backing away from the stairs."My memories have not been clear, I haven't been able to remember anything and my friends may not even exist. How can you be so sure that I'm real?
Twilight put a hoof on her shoulder,"Look, from what we've been hearing, these are just shadows of creatures from other worlds. And besides, you look pretty real to me, but if it'll make you feel better, I'll scan you with my magic."
"P-please," Will sai with a shudder.
Twilight used her magic to scan over Will, a light blue aura shined forth from the pegasus. As her magic went over Will’s body, Twilight could see an unusual black spot in her figure, "Well, you look normal to me.” she frowned at the spot,”I’ll check that later...”
"Look?" Will asked, but was hugged by Pinkie.
"Well, you feel real, you talk real, and you," she licked Will, "Taste real!!!! So, you must be real! Well, at least to me and everypony else. That's all that's important." with a giggle she then pressed her hoof to another image
"Is she alway this blunt?"
"We did it, we found our seventh sister. Welcome to the group, Sunny !"
"Sister?" Sunset blinked as the group stepped towards the white fortress.
"Hmmm, a world where the six of us are sisters... Ah think Ah ca get used to that," Applejack smiled.
"But, then who of us would be the oldest?" Rarity said as they walk up the steps to the fortress
Twilight put a hoof to her chin,"Well, it could be Applejack."
"What? Why not me?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Well, Ah mean, you are kind of stubborn and hard headed and... what's with the snickering?" Applejack raised an eyebrow
The doors opened to a long white hallway that would lead to a large circular room. The large center made the place echo with their footsteps as they trotted in. Soon they entered the room with six large pedestals, "Anypony else feeling like this is too easy?" asked Rainbow Dash, looking up.
Sunset frowned,"Please don't say that."
"Well, I don't see anything that could be a trap." She then noticed something on the pedestals,"Those have our cutie marks on them!"
Dash looked around at the quietness of the room and yelled, "HEY TRAP!!!!"
Applejack jumped and held her hat, "Try that again sugarcube and Ah am punching yer wings off."
"Well, shall we go touch them, Twilight," Rarity asked.
Twilight nodded as she went to them,"What's the worst that could happen?"
As Twilight touches the pedestal, a light flashed, giving Twilight purple metal boots, a breastplate with a star on it, and a shiny purple helmet. Purple metal gleamed across her wings and electricity surged on her horn. An image of a purple alicorn absorbing magic through her chest showed through her eyes.
As Fluttershy touches the pedestal, a light flashed, causing vines to grow over her as a yellow leather armor appeared on her hooves, and a leather helm came on her head. Vines breathed on her wings. An image of a yellow alicorn using her boots to command the trees flashed through her eyes.
As Rainbow Dash touches the pedestal, lightning surged around her, causing a cyan suit of armor to come onto her, with rainbow boots and a plate of cyan on her breast. A helm of flowing rainbow energy adorned her head as lightning surged around her wings. An image of a cyan alicorn becoming lightning itself flashed through her eyes.
Applejack touched the pedestal, and a orange energy appeared as orange plate-mail appeared on her entire body. The mail seemed to breath as her helmet came onto her head. An image of an orange alicorn taking the brunt of several meteors without flinching came through her eyes.
Pinkie touched the pedestal and several streamers flowed around her body as pink armor appeared on her hooves. Balloons caused a piece of armor to appear on her barrel, and a pink helmet appeared on her head. An image of a pink alicorn ripping holes in the universe and then making chocolate rain flashed through her eyes.
Rarity touched the pedestal, and several diamond gleamed around her body as diamond armor appeared on her hooves. A plate of armor appeared on her chest as a single helm appeared, making her horn glitter. An image of a white alicorn creating diamonds out of thin air appeared before her eyes.
An opening appeared in the center of the room and a pillar rose, showing a small book
"My word, that was," Rarity stepped back to admire her armor.
"AWESOME!!!!!" Dash exclaimed thrusting her hoof into the air. "Look at this, it is so so... YEAH!!!"
Fluttershy looked at the breathing vines, and could only gasp in astonishment, while Pinkie Pie giggled up a storm, " Look at you! Look at this! Oh, and look at me! This is fantastic."
Applejack arched an eyebrow at the helmet, and then pulled out her hat and put it on to the helmet, "Better."
Trixie growled a little, "Next place we go to, better have something for the Great and Powerful Trixie. A little Faith Blade or something!"
Will shook her head and looked to the book in the center, "Twilight?"
Twilight gasped at her armor,"Amazing..." She turned to look at the others
Sunset shook her head at Trixie’s remark. Twilight noticed the word,'Forgiveness' on top of her head, as Sunset explained, "Sorry, I think these gifts are only meant for them."
Trixie growled, "Fine, but Trixie expects to have something from all of this."
Twilight saw the other’s elements on top of their heads. Each element blazed with their individual color, with the exception of Dash which was beginning to blur. She then went over to the book and opened it, and saw the Crystal Heart,"Heart of Love?" She flipped the page,"Heart of Nothingness, Heart of Happiness, and Heart of Despair." Each one was in the shape of a heart, but black, pink, and dark blue respectively.
Will looked over Twilight's shoulder and read the page, "Hearts? Like what we found back in the empire with Nyx?"
"So what? Each gate has its own heart to find?" Dahs asked, playing with the lightning that her new gear provided.
"Apparently, and from the descriptions here," She took the book and placed it in her saddlebags,"The Heart of Nothingness belongs to the World that Never Was. That could be talking about here! And it's supposed to be at the top of the Fortress of Nobodies."
“What about the other hearts?” asked Will.
“The heart of Despair seems to lie in the world of never ending night, while the heart of happiness is,” Twilight raised an eyebrow as she flipped to an empty page. “It... doesn’t say.”
“What?” asked Applejack.
“It’s just blank,” Twilight said, flipping back. “It just has information about two of the hearts. Like the one in the world of nobodies.”
"And we're in the middle of that, aint we?" Applejack asked, looking up.
"So why are we getting these cool weapons and armor in the past two worlds we went to?"
Twilight nodded, and then flipped the book,"I... don't see the reason. My only guess is that the Queens left these here for us, but that would mean that they could see into the future..."
"Then they would know about us," Applejack said, looking at her boots.
"Then how didn't they know about valtor, Will, and all of that other stuff?" Pinkie asked.
"Perhaps they didn't get all the information?" Twilight shook her head,"Or they couldn't stop it otherwise it might break time or something." She looked out the door,"In any case, we'd better go find the Heart.
The girls nodded, following Twilight out the door. They walked up a flight of stairs and towards a door marked with the Element's cutie marks. The marks glowed and opened the doors. The group walked in as several sounds of portals appeared behind them.
"Thank you for opening that for us." Twilight's voice came from behind them.
"You're welcome, Twilight," Pinkie said, then looked behind her. "Or is that another Twilight?”
"Uh, that wasn't me..." Twilight turned to see six black cloaked beings standing before them. One had diamonds on her cloak, another had a cowpony hat, and a third had colorful stripes adorning her cloak.
The pony with the colors bounced up and down,"Wow! Other Us! I have been waiting so long to meet them!"
Lixtwight, the mare who spoke with Twilight's voice shook her head,"Yes, Pinkxie, I know, and I rather you not talk with your other." She smiled at the Bearers,"We, for some reason, couldn't get through this door, so we had to wait until someponies like you opened it." She took off her hood to reveal Twilight's face,"Now, Pinkxie, get the Heart."
Pinkxie nodded as she suddenly appeared in the center and grabbed a black heart in the center of the room.
The bearers took a step back as they saw the ones with cloaks. Pinkie Pie giggled, "Pinkxie, Lixtwight? I like their names and-" she was interrupted by the speed of Pinkxie as she ran and grabbed the heart.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing with the heart?" Rainbow Dash demanded.
Rarity looked on, "And where did you manage to get the idea for such horrible cloaks. Seriously, black is not very you."
"Wait, other...us?" Applejack asked.
The one with the diamonds scoff,"I know! I mean, I at least managed to vary mine, and I tried to modify the rest, but they won't let me!"
Pinkxie giggled,"It's ours now! We're going to-" Her muzzle was zipped up by Lixtwight. The pink mare happily ran away from the group and out of Dash’s range before she could make a move.
"We have plans for the Heart of Nothingness."
"What kind of plans?" Will asked.
"We ain't gonna say." The one in the hat said.
"We might tell you, if you catch us!" One flew in the air with cyan wings.
"Oh buck, not a stupid riddle!" Trixie moaned. "Space when you leave, so we must be at the spot where we left. Twilight, we need a time travel spell and..."
As Trixie began to ramble of ingredients, Applejack walked up to Twilight, "What do ya think she means.”
"I... am not sure..." Twilight put a hoof to her chin,"I think she's talking about the stars around the Pseudo-Ponyville for space. The spot where we left..."
"Great, I'm being reminded of Celestia's teachings..." Sunset frowned,"I wasn't very good at those, I prefered the more hooves-on ideas."
"So, I guess we better head out." Twilight said
Will began to think as well as the others left
"...and then we need to find a megaspell, which might risk decimating the timeline of this world and end up making all of us-Hey Wait up!" Trixie shouted as she followed the others.
They left the castle, only to find themselves separated by a black wave of energy. As their senses returned to each one of them, the bearers found themselves alone and in a place that was familiar to them.
Applejack walked through the empty orchard as five shadows began working on the trees.
Applejack began to look around frantically, quickly remembering the last time her friends were separated. Then, she noticed the five shadows, "Who..."
One of the shadows picked up a filly and placed her on his back as he began to walk home. He was wearing a hat similar to Applejack's.
"PA, MA!!!!" Applejack shouted
("Pa, did you see, Ah bucked 2 apples! All on mah own!" A little Applejack said as she hopped up to her dad.
"Did you really? Amazing, little apple," her father said snuggling her. "Maybe we should start putting her to the plow now. What do you think Big mac?"
"Nope," Big mac squeaked.
"But Ah can move things just as much a maw can." Applejack protested.)
Applejack reached out with her hoof, wanting to touch them again.
"Ah miss them a little myself." Applejack's voice leaned on a tree,”Do you?”
"With all of mah heart, " Applejack said, wiping a tear from her eye and then turning to look at her nobody. "You lost them too?"
"Of course Ah did. Ah'm, well, Ah was you." She took off her hood, and put her hat back on almost immediately.
"How was that possible?" Applejack asked as she walked to her nobody, and laid next to a tree, and pulled out a piece of grass to put in her teeth.
"Well, Lixtwight didn't explain it all too well, but what I understood was that, well," She looked at Applejack,"You went to a world full of Heartless, right?"
"Yep, and stopped a lot of evil us along the way," Applejack noded.
"Yeah, we're the result of those things." Applejack's nobody tipped her hat,"The name's Jackppaxle, and Ah'm your Nobody."
"Applejack, but guess ya already know that," the farmer said, looking at her nobody. "So, how did ya came to be?"
"Well, according to Iaxselect, we Nobodies are created when a pony with a strong heart becomes a heartless. So, Ah came from you, Lixtwight came from Twilight, Iaxselect came from Celestia, Naxul came from Luna, Pinkxie came from Pinkie, Trarixy from Rares, Fluttxerysh from Fluttershy, and Raixbown from Rainbow. Of course, when we came out, we didn't have names, we didn't even know where we were! Then a stallion came, and helped us out."
"A stallion? His name wouldn't be Valtor would it?" Applejack asked, putting her hooves behind her head.
Jackppaxle leaned back,"Ah don't rightly know. He never gave us his name, just told us that we were supposed to stay here and wait for ya'll."
"And here we are," Applejack said, leaning back. "So now what happens? Ah know Ah can win and you know you can win. But we are just two hard-headed ponies who really don’t like to give up."
Jackppaxle shook her head,"The thing is, Ah don't want to fight ya, because AHh'm not like the other nobodies."
"How so?" Applejack said. she pulled out an apple and handed it over.
The nobody took the apple and ate it,"Well, every nobody thinks that they don't have a heart, and they don't really like the idea that, well, ya'll are running around having lives we, supposedly, can't have! Ah don't see that though. Ah'm pretty sure Ah have a heart, and Ah don't mind seein' ya'll having these lives."
"Neither do Ah," Applejack said, smiling. "And that fact you want to live and be here, proves ya have a heart. The way ah see it, if you want to live you life to the fullest, then you have a heart. You are your own pony and ain't nopony gonna take that away from ya."
Hoofington revealed itself before Trixie as she stood on a stage, overlooking several shadows.
Luna's voice came over the crowd,"Trixie, isn't it nice to be home again?"
"Yes, it is. Trixie has longed to see the sights of her hometown once more, but why is she here?" Trixie asked
"You are here, because you are meant to be here." Luna's voice said.
Meant to be-" Trixie asked, looking at Luna. "What do you mean?"
A cloaked form appeared and laid a wing over Trixie,"You were meant to be on stage, and yet you forced yourself all around the world, because you had something to prove."
"To prove?" Trixie asked Luna. "Trixie is on her journeys because she wants to. Because Luna has sent her there! There is nothing to prove, because Trixie is already powerful!"
"Really? You mean you aren't feeling a little jealous of Twilight Sparkle?" 'Luna' said.
Trixie looked down, "A little. But Trixie thinks we have come to a... mutual trust."
"Really? A mutual trust? Do you believe that?" Luna's Nobody said.
Trixie looked at Luna, "Yes, she is. Twilight has told her before. Heck, Trixie has saved her twice... that has to count."
"Indeed? and you don't feel weak compared to her?" Naxul asked,"She will always be stronger than you."
"Not always," Trixie smiled. "Trixie won once."
"Once?" Naxul asked.
"Yes, once," Trixie smiled and her horn began to glow. Images began to play as she started her story. "Not too long ago, the princess was caught in a nightmare world. Trixie, with her friends, stormed into the nightmares to fight and free her mind. Trixie was alone in her world, but, she won. She used her method of defeating Twilight with her own flaws.”
"But that can only work once." Naxul said with a frown.
Trixie frowned, "Yes, her method to defeat Twilight is gone now. That just means that she will think up a new way. A better way that is flashier and more powerful than the other!!"
Naxul scoffed,"Such... willpower. I commend you, Trixie." She said as two rainbooms came overhead.
Trixie smiled, "I have a wonderful rival. An Trixie would never trade her for anything.
Shadow ponies pass by Rainbow Dash as Cloudsdale appeared before her. One group of shadows stood out, however: Two pegasi holding a small pegasus filly, looking at a Wonderbolts poster.
Rainbow Dash let out a growl as she shouted, "Girls! Where-" she stopped when she saw two shadows and a little filly. Walking closer, she began to hear
“One day momma, I am going to be a Wonderbolt. Then I'll be so fast, no one will ever have to say goodbye! ” Rainbow Dash said, hopping around her parents.
"Interesting, isn't it?" Dash's own voice said from above.
Rainbow Dash looked up at her nobody, "What is? What do you mean?"
(Rainbow Dash shuddered, ”Don't do it, I'll... go with what you wan t”)
"Won't tell them what?" Rainbow Dash asked, growling lowly at her. "And what the buck are you talking about, am as hopeful as I have ever been."
"Don't lie to me, I smelled it when I saw you." the nobody, Raixbown, said,"You're hiding a piece of despair within you."
"No I'm not!" Rainbow Dash denied, growling, feeling the armor flare up. "I'm hiding anything, not from you, not from my friends, not anypony!" her magenta eyes began to glow red.
"It looks like you are!" Raixbown stepped back,"You're becoming a danger to your friends, and yourself!"
"Say that again," Rainbow ash growled, her eyes focusing on her nobody.
"You are dangerous, I see it in your eyes." Raixbown stepped back a bit,"I know you are going to attack me like an insane nut who can't acknowledge her own faults!"
"You want to see my faults, you want to know who I am!?" she yelled as she pounced at her nobody, her wings blazing lighting as she charged.
Raixbown grunted as she kicked Dash off,"You're only confirming my suspicions! You're making yourself out to be the bad pony!" Her hooves became electrified.
(“Please... I'll do it .”
"Loyal to the end, and that is the chink in your armor,” An old voice said. )
Rainbow Dash said nothing, generating her own lighting bolt to block it. She then began to create her own tornado and kick it.
Raixbown flew into the tornado and began going in the opposite direction to dissipate it. She looked up and flew into Dash.
Rainbow Dash let out a grunt, and began to knee her nobody in the stomach, "I don't give up. You wanna see giving up?" Spinning around, she threw her counterpart into the ground.
"Oh, yeah!" She kicked her off and flew up,"That's giving up! How about I show you what real loyalty is?" She flew down, creating a cone around her.
"Go ahead, I perfected it, you nobody!" Dash growled flying up to create her own cone of air.
Rarity looked to the sounds of whimpering inside a small riverside home in Ponyville.
Rarity began to walk closer
Rarity looked at her old house, her eyebrow arched, "Home?"
The giggling became louder as soon as Rarity spoke.
“-nd then, I'll introduce her to the finer arts, and then make her famous and the-"
"Now, hold on there, little gal," Cookie said. "We just brought her home, now's not the time to start planning her entire life, don't ya know."
Magnum smiled as he patted Rarity, "Ah, the little gal is just excited to be having a little sister there. Just wait for her to start dressing her up in her little outfits."
"Oh, can I, Daddy?!" )
Rarity felt some tears run down her cheeks.
"Stay away from that shadow, Other." Rarity's voice said.
"Why?" Rarity asked.
"You don't deserve her." Rarity's nobody appeared, her cloak shimmering.
"What do you mean? Of course I deserve Sweetie Belle," Rarity said, feeling insulted.
"I know how you treat her, your friends, and everyone else! It seems all you care about is yourself!"
"What are you talking about," Rarity said, looking shocked. "I have never thought about myself. I have alway tried to do things for them."
“Really?" Rarity's Nobody walked around,"It seems that all you think about is leaving this little pile of dirt to go to the big city, the wide, wonderful, clean, Canterlot!"
"Just because I have big dreams and aspirations to move up in the world, doesn't mean that I think little of my friends and family," Rarity said.
Trarixy scoffed,"Really? Or are you just justifying yourself?"
"I don't have to prove myself to anypony," Rarity said with a huff. "A lady lets her actions speak for her. My friends know me for who I really am."
Trarixy thought for a moment,"I suppose you have a point." She pulled out a rapier,"But isn't your self-image important for work?"
Rarity brought out Vorpal, "Why yes, it is This is why I struggle to keep my image up."
"Well, then I admire that part of you!" She thrusted.
"Thank you, Aren't you like that?" Rarity asked, blocking the rapier.
"No, I'm not. Because I'm not you! I want to be you!" She shouted, swiping at Rarity,"You have a heart, real emotions, but I don't!"
Rarity blocked each shot and thrusted back with her own, thrusting and slashing, "Well, you are definitely not me. Because I would NEVER want to be exactly like another person. I tried that once, and it ended badly or me."
Things were drab and dreary as Pinkie looked upon a rock farm, where six shadows slowly stepped around the rocks.
"Girls, this is no time for hide and seek, there isn't enough stuff around to hide..." Pinkie stopped when she saw the shadows. Looking closely, she saw one of them having a familiar mane style, "M-maude? Mom, Dad, Inkie, Blinkie?"
The shadows began to leave one shadow behind,"Do you like them, other me?" Pinkxie said.
(Pinkie solemnly pusha rock, then squeaked when she felt something poke her. She began to whimper, and was ignored by her parents. Then she felt a pair of lips on her hoof, and smiled at Maude. Then her parents came back with some bandages, a teddy, and a hug from her sisters)
"I don't like them," Pinkie smiled. "I love them! Why, don't you love them?"
"Well, I kinda do, I kinda don't." Pinkxie said,"I've seen many worlds where our parents aren't very nice." She leaned in next to her.
"Not nice?" Pinkie asked her other self
"Yeah, for some reason, our parents are portrayed as mean!" Pinkie's nobody said.
"Well, they can be sourpusses," Pinkie giggled. "It's why I was always so close to Maude, she understood me the best."
"But, do you care about them? What do you say about them when they're not around?" Pinkxie said.
"That they need to lighten up sometimes," Pinkie aid. "I know they care about me, but..."
"But what?" Pinkxie leaned her head forward.
"Sometimes, they just don't get me. And I could feel lonely," Pinkie looked down
Pinkxie sat beside Pinkie,"Well, you are a little different, but that's what makes their raising of you so special!"
"I know, and I wouldn't trade them for anything," Pinkie smiled.
"And it's that idea that makes you, you!" Pinkxie gave her a cupcake.
"And then there's you. You are a me too, though a me with a silly name, but a me!" Pinkie giggled.
A big cloud home went beyond Fluttershy's eyes as Cloudsdale opened up, with several shadows trying to fly, but failing.
Fluttershy gasped and tried to fly up
The other shadows turned as they watched Fluttershy fly. Moans came from them.
(“Fluttershy Fluttershy can-"
"Now, don't you listen to them. No Firewing I know is a weak pegasus," said her mother.
Her brother smiled and hugged Fluttershy, "Just you watch sis, you are going to wow them!"
"H-how?" squeaked Fluttershy"
"By being better at something other than flying. ")
Fluttershy tried to back away from the moans, "Why are you moaning?"
"They're jealous." Fluttershy's voice said.
"Of who?" Fluttershy asked, looking around as her nobody appeared.
"Of you." Fluttershy's nobody pointed a hoof towards them all,"Perhaps you haven't figured it out yet."
"Figured what out?" Fluttershy asked.
Fluttershy's nobody touched a shadow.
"I don't deserve these wings... I wish I was an Earth Pony..." Fluttershy's voice came out.
Fluttershy backed up, "Is that... me? But, why would I say these things?"
"Because you were a terrible flier." she looked down,"You even thought a couple of times that you should've been born an Earth Pony."
"You're right, I have," Fluttershy said. She looked up, "When my wings were taken from me, I was actually kind of happy. But..."
"But, you felt like something was missing?" Fluttershy's nobody said.
"Yes," Fluttershy nodded.
"That's... nice." Fluttershy's nobody smiled,"I wish I was more like you."
"You can be," Fluttershy said, putting her hoof onto her nobody's shoulder. "By realizing you don't want to be like me."
"But I do! Because I am you!" The nobody said, tears welling up in her eyes,"But I'm not real, just a fragment of a whole."
Twilight looked around her past home at Canterlot,"My... old library..." She looked and saw several unicorn shadows run pass her.
Lixtwight teleported behind Twilight,"Nice place, isn't it? At least, I thought it was. Not sure about you."
"Hey, I liked it here!" Twilight said.
"Then how come you've never once come back to clean it up, or sell it?" Lixtwight said.
“Because..." Twilight stopped herself as she looked away,"Because I never thought about it..."
"Of course. You've never thought about any of your family members, or the rest of your home!"Lixtwight said with a growl.
"I... I..." Twilight stammered.
"You don't care for anyone you met here! You don't even acknowledge your real mother, only Celestia! You don't even bother to contact your dear brother Shining Armor!" Lixtwight shouted, pointing a hoof at her.
Twilight looked down, her eyes going back and forth.
"Do you even remember the last time you spoke to your mom? And I'm not talking about Celly!" Lixtwight produced a white version of Equinox and pointed it at her,"All the things you do, and you hardly remember where you came from!" She thrusted, only to be blocked by Twilight's shield.
Twilight pulled out Equinox,"You're right, I should care about where I come from." She swung at her nobody.
Lixtwight gasped as she dodged an attack by Twilight,"I'm glad you realize it, but why are you still standing!?"
"Because I acknowledge my faults, and I don't let myself get discouraged by ponies like you who think they know me!" Twilight pushed her back with a shield spell.
Canterlot Castle showed itself around Sunset. Sunset gasped as she looked at a few unicorn shadows staying stagnant.
"Welcome home, Sunset." Iaxselect said as she stood on a throne. Her hood was removed showing her pink maned head.
Sunset looked around,"Iaxselect, why am I here? Where is everypony?"
"I am here to, well, I believe you need my help." Iaxselect began to walk towards her.
"You feel so lost, so alone, I can help alleviate that." She draped a wing over Sunset.
Sunset blinked,"But I have something to do..."
"You don't have to worry about them, they're safe, just like you are, my dear Sunset." Iaxselect said.
"Why are you doing this!?" Sunset stepped away,"You're not Celestia!"
Iaxselect frowned,"You're right, but I am trying to help you."
"You... you're trying to distract me aren't you?" Sunset said, backing away.
Iaxselect sighed,"I'm hurt, Sunset. You're treating me like I'm trying to hurt you."
"Yes, because I know you are!" Sunset yelled,"Like you usually do! You've never cared about me, you've never cared about what I wanted to learn, you were always busy and always... always..." Sunset's eyes widened.
Iaxselect laid a hoof to Sunset,"It's okay, Celestia still loves you."
Will was on a small, empty road, with a pathway leading to the Heart.
Will looked at the heart and smiled. She started to take the step, but stopped, "Wait, where is everypony else"
"There is nopony else." A voice said to Will.
"What do you mean? the others were right here?" Asked Will
"They never existed, they were all in your head!"
"No, that isn- you're wrong. You have to be!” Will screamed, “They are real!”
"No they aren't, you're lying to yourself!"
Will shook her head, "I'm not-right?"Why would they befriend me just because they met me. Why haven't they noticed me. Why haven't I told them of my problems.
"You want friends so badly that you made them up in your mind!"
"No, I-"
(Will sits alone in a park, looking at the school she once went to. Her friends admittance of who they are still hurt her deep inside, “They were only my friends because they felt pity for me”)
"No..."
(Will looking around the fountain of her middle school and finding it empty. )
"That's right, sit there, and wh-"
"No!" A pegasus shadow ran past Will,"Will, you do exist!"
"Who?" Will asked as she saw the pegasus.
"Silly, don't you know?" She sent her hoof into Will.
Hay Lin took Will by the hand,"Come on, there's a really good rollercoaster over here!"
Hay Lin, I just-Whoa!
"H-Hay Lin?"
An earth pony stood in front of her, "Back away from her!"
(Ok, so you see this problem, Will are you asleep?” Taranee asked Will. )
"Stop! What are you doing!? You are supposed to be mindless, heartless shadows!"
An unicorn stepped forward, growling, "Who do you think we are?"
"Ok, so we have been to the dressers, the jewelry, the build a bear... Will are you ok? You look like you are tilting,” Cornelia asked .
A blue earth pony showed up, "We would never just let ourselves be sitting back while our friend is in trouble!"
(" Come on Will, just charge it up! I really need your lighting power!” Irma asked. )
"This... This is impossible!" The voice wailed
Hay Lin giggle, "No it isn't! We are always where we need to be!"
"In here," Irma pointed to the pendant on Will's neck.
"But-no, no, NO!" The voice raged,"This is impossible, you should be broken!"
"But I am you! Or I was you, or-" She shook her head, tears coming out,"I- I just want a heart like yours!" She yelled as the sound of two rainbooms echoed.
Rainbow Dash landed, looking at her nobody. She growled, but there was an uneasy calmness to her as she walked away.
Raixbown growled,"Don't walk away from me!!" She flew after, then she felt her hoof cracked.
"It's over," Dash said, no emotion in her voice
"You idiot! You have to tell Twilight! Trust her! Trust her!"She growled as she watched her hooves disappear,"No!" She shouted, willing the pieces back for a moment as she flew off.
Fluttershy gave her a hug, "No, you are... Shutterfly. You are real, because I can touch you. You are crying and you are sad. You feel like me. You cry and want to be with others like me because you feel alone. But you know that there are so many ponies who will be with you."
"Other ponies? With me..." She then whimpered,"But I don't have a heart..." Two rainbooms cried overhead.
Fluttershy looked up, "There's your heart. Your friends, they will be your heart." she then felt herself walking away.
Shutterfly smiled softly as she watched her other walk away, her body cracking.
Naxul smiled as her body began to grey out,"Good. It's that will that will help you in the next few days to come."
"Thank you. You know, Luna told Trixie how to use Twilight as a rival like she has been. It's helped Trixie a lot. When she felt weak... I have always told myself, don't fall, you can't disappoint Twilight now. You have to prove yourself. And somehow... I’ll win."
Naxul smiled as she faded,"Good."
"Exactly!" Jackppaxle smiled as she got up,"We should tell that to mah other friends!" She then heard something as she looked up and saw two sonic rainbooms.
Applejack smiled as she looked up, "You know, that mare has a way of putting things together, don't she?"
Jackppaxle looked at her hoof, and smiled sadly,"Well, Will won out." She let a tear go to her eye as her hoof began to gray out crack,"AJ, do me a favor and tell Twilight to do a magic check-up on Rainbow."
"Wait, what do ya mean? W-wait! Stop, don't go!" Applejack said, running over to her friend and hugging her. "Stop this. You don't have to die! Don't... stop!" tears began to flow from her eyes.
"Ah'm sorry, AJ." She smiled as pieces began to fall away,"But this is what happens when a Heart is activated. It's... reversing certain things, and that includes me." She leaned in,"But Ah'll be beside you, always..."
"No, No NO DAMN IT!!!" Applejack yelled as she began to cry. "Just like ma and pa."
Pinkxie giggled,"Our names are kind of silly! But that's what the Mystery Stallion did!" She then looked up as two rainbooms came overhead.
Pinkie Pie smiled, "Hey Dashie!" then her eyes went wide as she began to walk away from her nobody.
Pinkxie blinked,"Where are you going, silly?" She then looked at her cracking hoof,"Uh-oh."
Pinkie whispered as she looked behind her, "Don't worry, I won't forget you."
Pinkxie smiled,"Thanks..." She said as she disappeared.
Sunset sniffled,"What about you? Do you love anyone?"
Iaxselect smiled,"I do, and I hope they understand what me and my sister have begun to understand."
“What’s that?” Sunset asked as two rainbooms went over head.
Iaxselect smiled,"I think she's won. Go, congratulate her."
Sunset looked up,"You're just going to let me-" She gasped,"Your body!" She watched as the nobody began to crack.
Sunset cried,"Please don't do this! Please don't leave me!"
Iaxselect smiled as her body began to turn to dust,"I'll never leave you..."
Sunset began to sob as she took the dust and began to try and piece the nobody back together.
Trixie walked next to Sunset, and then placed a hoof onto her should, "Trixie is... sorry."
“She... she was so much like her....” Sunset curled up into a ball and began to sob.
"I know, I know," Trixie said, hugging Sunset.
"But I do know you! Every waking hour, I resent you for having something I couldn't have!" Lixtwight shouted.
"And that would be?" Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow."
"A heart." Lixtwight said, as two rainbooms came overhead.
Twilight took a step back,"A heart? Well, you act like you have one." She looked at her nobody,"You don't need to be exactly like me," Then she gasped as she watched Lixtwight get up, the nobody's body slowing graying out.
Lixtwight gasped,"No, I don't want to go!"
Twilight ran to her nobody,"Tell me what's happening so I could reverse it!"
Lixtwight frowned as she watched herself disappear,"Idiot... there's nothing you can do..." She sobbed as her eyes went.
Twilight's hoof fell as she watched the nobody fall,"Twilight!" She heard as she turned to see the Rainbow Dash nobody fly to her,"Something's wrong with Dash! You need to-" She shouted before her body disappeared.
Twilight looked down and a tear fell across her face as she got up and walked towards the heart.
"You do have one, a beautifully unique one, you don't need to be me to prove that," Rarity said.
Trarixy stopped and sobbed,"But..." Her body began to crack.
"Wait, what's happening?" Rarity asked as he watched other self crack. "No, don't do this darling."
"I... can't stop it. I-I'm sorry, I don't know what to do!" Trarixy began to fade away.
Rarity could only watch on in shock, and whimpered in cold silence.
Taranee helped Will up, "She' not broken and he will never be broken."
"But I don't know if you-"
"Look, we may not exist in that world ,r all of your memorie are in your head," Irma said looking into Will's eyes "But look into your heart and tell me, what do you know i realy."
"That I-"
("I am Will, please to meet you Twilight"
" Get me off of this bird!!"
"We are all here for you )
"Stop, stop, stop!" The voice faded as the path to the Heart opened to the sound of two rainbooms. It shined, waiting for Will to come.
Will smiled, and flew to the heart, her heart glowing bright as she heard the heart. Taking her heart she placed it onto it and her eyes glowed white.
Twilight, Fluttershy and Pinkie put their weapons on to the heart and their worlds faded.
Twilight blinked as she looked around a void.
"Where is everyone!" Twilight shouted.
“Welcome, scion of magic, and bearer of the heart," A lighter voice boomed from the heavens. "Have you been brought for the door to the Heart of Worlds?"
Will found herself in a white void, "Twilight? Anypony?" she yelled, but stopped when she heard the voice. "Where is everypony?"
The voice said nothing, but instead, Irma appeared, "Hello, Fake."
Pinkie Pie tapped Fluttershy on the shoulder, "Flutters, hey Flutters! We're here!!!!"
"Oh! Hello Pinkie," the yellow pegasus said with a smile. She then looked around the white void. "W-where is everypony?"
"I don't know, but look at this void!" Pinkie squealed as she ran as far as she cloud. Once she was nothing more than a speck in the distance, she yelled, "You could run for miles!!!!!"
"Uh, Pinkie-eeep!" Fluttershy said as she wa suddenly met with a pink face.
"We have got to bring Rainbow Dash here and see how far she can go!!!" Pinkie giggled as she bounced back.
The voice chuckled as his light voice began to speak, "Laughter, Kindness... it is good to have two strong sources of light in the test."
"HEY!!!!! Hi Mr. Voice!!" Pinkie waved to the sky. "But you got it wrong, my name isn't Laughter, it’s Pinkie Pie. And this is Fluttershy!"
"Hello," Fluttershy said, trying to hide from the booming voice behind Pinkie.
"Hahahahahaha!" laughed the voice. "How interesting. Laughter and Kindness found their bearers in two ponies who are the most opposite of each other. How peculiar friendship is."
"Thanks," Pinkie said, giving Fluttershy a hug. "Speaking of which, where are our other friends?"
"They are beginning their tests. The ones which you will have to help them with. You must help them pass each one, no matter how hard it is," the voice said, his tone becoming more serious.
"And, what if we," Fluttershy gulped, "Fail?"
"Then the fate that fell your nobodies, will befall them," for emphasis, he showed an image in their heads of Will and Twilight crumbling into dust.
Fluttershy put her hoof to her mouth, "No."
"But, you can't do that," Pinkie whimpered.
"What's more, your memories, your friends memories, and her friends memories of them will be wiped from your minds. You will forget everything you have done together, every experience that you have had together, and the world will forget that they had ever existed. Whenever someone asks you, you will only draw a blank. There won't even be an empty feeling where there spots in your hearts lay, or an empty chair in a throne room that was once occupied," the voice boomed.
"Silly voice, Twilight doesn't have a castle," Pinkie said.
If a voice could smirk, he would, "Regardless, fail... and you will leave here never knowing that they existed."
Fluttershy trembled at the thought, while Pinkie Pie bounced and saluted, "Don't worry sir, we'll do this test lickety split!!"
"Good, because it is starting..."
Thorny vines appeared from the white void and surrounded Twilight. Then a fiery circle appeared before her, with a hoof slowly emerging, "Hello Twilight," the voice chuckled. "Shall we talk?" a horn with holes in it appeared as she slowly arose.
"What's going on? What do you-" Twilight was interrupted by the vines and the ring of fire. She turned towards the voice with a glare.
Slowly the body appeared from the ring of fire, "Hello, Twilight. Shall we discuss your friends’ failures?"
"W-what are we supposed to do?" asked Fluttershy as she turned and saw the ring of vines. Inside, she saw Twilight, standing in front of Chrysalis. She gasped when she saw the queen’s horn glow a soft green. "Oh no."
"Help her, help your friend," the voice said. He then made Will appear in the distance.
"Fake, Irma, I have been through this, I'm-" Will was interrupted by the auburn earth pony's remark.
"You're A Will, from A Equestria. How can you be so sure that you are who you say you are. You've seen that there are multiple versions of ponies," Irma said, walking up to Will and pulling her mane. "You could be just a Will who is a nobody, taken the heart from the real Will of this universe and is taking her place."
Twilight blinked,"Failures!?" She glared at Chrysalis,"What are you talking about!?"
Fluttershy flew to the ring of vines and tried to fly over it. She gasped when the vines began to raise higher and higher. The higher she went, the more the vines vines to meet her altitude. With a defeated moan, she laned back down and looked to her side, sighing at the lost of her wingblades. Taking another look at the vines, she reached out a hoof to touch the thorns, and pulled back when it pricked her. She looked down at the drop of blood that pooled from the point, "Will you walk through the fire and the vines to help Twilight?"
Fluttershy said nothing, instead took another step forward. Her first scream went unheard, despite of how loud it was.
"Why, the failures of their lives of course," Chrysalis said. "Now, I know you six have gotten over what they did at the wedding. Focusing on me, brilliant, saying that I am the bigger picture, you're right. And I know how you six had a sickening and sad forgiving talk with each other in the hotel before you went back to the reception. I know all of this. But, I want to talk about how they fail as ponies, as heroes, and as friends." her horn glowed softly. "Let's start with Applejack, how long do you think she's gonna live?"
"Laughter, you must help Will," the voice said.
Twilight took a step back,"Applejack? Well, I guess she should be live to be around as old as Granny Smith, at about 90 or so."
"Wrong, her element is a pure conflict with her personality. She has to lie in order to hide her pain and misery. That mare will take on the pain and the anguish of everypony. She will never tell you the pain she has because it will be her responsibility and hers alone. She has 10 year at most with the way she acts. Of course, that is nothing to say of Rainbow Dash, how long until she goes away with the Wonderbolts or something else. You know, I bet she is still angry at you for so many things you have done. They all are, but we are focusing on their failures right now."
Fluttershy let out another scream of pain as she felt a thorn stab into her leg, while her wing got entangled in another vine. Whimpering and struggling, she pulled out the feathered limb from the vine. For a few moments, she looked behind her, and then turned her head forward, taking another step.
Pinkie Pie walked to the two, listening to their talk, "Hey Will! Remember what we said, you're you! You're the you that we know, and that is what is-"
Will did not hear Pinkie, just the sound of IRma yelling at her.
"The ponies know you, and you might think that is enough. But, you know what? That isn't the truth. All you are is just a little pegasus with a gem, that is all the facts you have right now. That groups of guardians you've seen, they are just versions of a group the might have a connection with you."
"What!?" Twilight shook her head,"That's wrong, AJ keeps a lot of stuff bottled up, but I know we've been helping her keep her pride in check! And Rainbow Dash probably doesn't care about whatever I've done! I know she'll go away to the Wonderbolts, but we can still see each other!"
"Do you really believe that?" Chrysalis asked. "Do you really believe that she puts away her anger so easily. That is like thinking Rarity will give up being so vain that she ignores the basics of life or Pinkie won't be such an insufferable twit who hurts more than she helps. Did you see her actions? How she gets? that pink pony is a menace. You are logical, you must see it like that."
Fluttershy took slow step after slow step, wincing at every thorn and vine that cut into her body. A painful gasp escaped her lips as she felt another thorn slice across her cheek. She let out a painful hiss as another fine cut into her wing, this one burning with acid.
"Rarity is not vain! And Pinkie, while she has her annoying moments, does help a lot!" Twilight shouted.
"All those defenses, and for what? Ponies that will die on you? Run on you? You say that failing their elements make them more like normal onies, and I say that is their failures. They are wrong, but you... you are right. Well, except that you have had everything taken from you. But you have always been a blank slate," chuckled Chrysalis, her horn glowing more.
Fluttershy let out another scream and then began to gag as the vines wrapped themselves around her throat. With a growl she began to push herself further breaking through the vines as she could feel the warm blood trickle down her body.
Pinkie could only listen as she watched Will collapse to her knees at the insults from Irma, "Hmmmm, she has an interesting point but..."
Twilight shook her head as she began to kneel down,"Blank? N-no, they will never turn on me. They are not their elements, I-I know I'm not always right."
"Tell me, are you angry with me right now?" a sword appeared at Twilight's side. "Because you know I'm right, I'm the one who is representing your failures, your rage. You know that your friends are easily beaten. Each one is a pathetic weak mess."
"Yes, I am very angry with you," She looked at the sword at her side, and began to think.
"Then you know what you should do, because I am going to kill you," Chrysalis raised her blade and struck at Twilight.
Twilight blocked the blade, and glared at Chrysalis. She fired a bolt of magic from her horn.
Fluttershy opened her eyes wide at the fight, struggling through the vines as each one cut deeper into her flesh. The vines began to catch on fire as she started to cough.
Twilight swung her sword at Chrysalis with a scream of rage.
Chrysalis screamed as the blade cut deep and fell to the ground, awaiting the final blow. Just before Twilight could raise her sword, Fluttershy jumped on top of the bug queen, "Twilight, stop!!!! Please, don't kill her."
Twilight stepped back a little, her eyes losing their anger,"Fluttershy!?" She looked at Chrysalis, and looked at her bloodied sword,"Oh Celestia..."
"You know that there is better way than killing, that everypony needs a chance... even her. An even if they can't change," Fluttershy sighed, "It should be a last resort." weakly, Fluttershy began to fix the wounds of the bug queen, and she looked to Twilight, "Help."
Twilight looked at Chrysalis and threw her sword away in disgust,"You're right, I wasn't thinking straight. " She said with a smile as she knelt down and used her magic on Chrysalis.
As Chrysalis was being treated, her body slowly changed, to Fluttershy. The yellow pegasus let out a gasp, "Wh-" she froze as she looked down at herself laying on the ground as Twilight helped herself.
"You were kind to an enemy, because you never know when one might become a friend," the voice said.
"WILL!" Pinkie shouted, trying to be heard,
"That will not work, her friend is too busy drowning out your voice with her fears," the voice said.
"But she isn't her friend! She knows that, right?" Pinkie said, looking over her shoulder.
Will's heart began to glow as she heard Pinkie's whisper, "She's right."
"What?" Irma asked.
"You aren't my friend," Will said, getting up. "You may look alike her, but Irma-
("Yeah, it looks bad, why do you think I am joking. It helps get my mind off the bad.)
"Irma-"
(Come on, cheer up, you can do this. You outsmarted Nerissa!)
"She-"
(I don't care how bad it looks, I won't lose the faith that I can kick your can.)
"She would treat my fear like a joke. She would laugh it off and make me do the same. She would look at me like a new playmate, that is who she is,"
"How can you be so sure? You might-"
"I don't know if I am Will, or some alternate reality Will or just some pony with her body. But I can feel in my heart that I have four friends who mean the world to me, that would never leave me. I WILL see them one day, and if I am just some fake... then I will make friends with them. That is what Irma has taught me, to always have hope," Will smiled.
Twilight chuckled as she looked at Fluttershy,"Thank you”
Fluttershy smiled as she felt her wounds begin to heal, and then turned to hear the sound of hoofsteps. Looking behind Twilight she spotted Will flying to them. As Will laned, she looked to the two mares, "Where's Pinkie." at that question, everything with dark for a few moments.
"Do you know Laughter's strength?" the voice asked.
"Well of course!" Pinkie said, and as she began to talk, a blue light began to shine in the darkness, guiding the three ponies. "Being laughter is all about laughing at those dark moments and making you smile. It about looking at a really bad day and laughing at it, knowing you can make it better. It's looking at an accident or your fear and laughing about how silly it was. Then smiling about a brand new day. It’s why I always like acting silly, because somepony has to brighten," the pink pony then went over to Twilight, Will and Fluttershy and hugged them tightly, "their day...even if it doesn't always work
The white shown a bright star as a dark green unicorn appeared with a little bubble po. As she looked at Twilight and the others, she gasped, "Oh wow! I was hoping I was going to meet the bearer of Laughter again. and now I did! Please to meet you all!" Fizzy jumped up and down in excitement with her soda pop cutie mark showing
Twilight blinked,"Again!?"
"Well, I met the alicorn of laughter so yes, I meet Laughter again/ OH, isn’t spirit and time travel so much fun? You meet so many ponies! Like I was telling Wind Whistler... I forgot." she sighed.
Twilight blinked at the mare,"Oh, Celestia..." She shook her head. She then grinned,"So, is there anything interesting you can tell me about way back when you were alive!?"
Will looked on, "But first, why did Pinkie and Fluttershy take the same test?"
"Because, because... oooooh how did Windy put it. She relayed the message that Mimic said," her eyes popped up, "OH! now I know. Because Kindness and Laughter are connected! A kind laugh born of happiness is easier to have than one out of meanness. And when you are kind you have an easier time of laughing. As for interesting tales... Uh, let's see. OH! There was a time when I was making this extra large bubble and trapped Windy in it. She rolled around for ages in there, and then there was this-
Twilight opened her eyes wide in anticipation for more stories about a long time legend, even if they're a little weird.
"-Then I didn't know that soda was supposed to be used that way, live and learn..."
*******
"-Then Firefly threatened to kill me if I ever tried to mix those two again. I said I was sorry, but no she got all huffy
***************
"The Big Brother ponies looked so scared when I had rounded them up in my little bubble, you’d have thought I was going to do something nasty to them-
***********************
"And that was the first time I ever wondered if Paradise's head was going to explode. I did my calculations and I was pretty sur-
**************************************
"I thought Gusty was going to kill everypony by that point!"
"Wow, history is so fascinating!" Twilight squeed.
"This is history?" mouthed Will. Fluttershy noded while Pinkie Pie brought out marshmallows
"I feel like I should ask something..." Twilight's logical side then kicked in,"Wait, you said that Mimic gave that message out? Could she see the future or something?"
"Well, my memory's a little fizzy," said Fizzy.
"I get it!" Pinkie giggled.
"But sort of. It all started back when Mimic was having another one her spells, she got them a lot and we hoped that this would pass like the rest. It didn't this time, it just got worse. Our doctor didn't know what to do. That was when she started to tell us about how the Heart was in danger of 'the darkness without heart and body, the one of the past who corrupts while bringing the two toned sun to light, the one who will black out worlds." Fizzy shed a tear. "She kept shaking, couldn't catch her breath, and wouldn't eat. She told us to seek out the queens of harmony and warn them. She picked me, Wind Whistler, Gusty, and Truly to go out. We thought that it might have been Mirage, or that black dragon that had been growing in the east."
Twilight's mind began to go over the details,,"The one who will black out worlds... the one of the past who corrupts..." She then gasped,"Black Dragon!? You couldn't be talking about Valtor!?"
"Valtor? Was that what his name was? I think it was him, but we never saw him in our time," Fizzy said. "The alicorns only saw a black spot in the multiverse, something that was beneath their notice. They," she smiled softly, "Wanted to focus on saving Mimic first. I'm glad they did, because that was when the planning started. I guess that's why they left their weapons and armor behind. for the next bearers."
"Planning?" Twilight asked.
"Yep but I wasn't there," Fizzy calmly kicked a rock, "I was busy with the Flutter Ponies and the Minotaurs. One of them was nice enough to give me the shoes that helped save Mimic and made her ultra strong, like really powerful. Then she told us to..., and then we....You know, I completely forgot that part. But it was really special because we all did it together and Queen Majesty knighted us with this huge knife."
Twilight gave a heavy sigh,"Okay, I'll ask another spirit about that later..." She looked around,"Are we done?"
"Ye, I think soon you should wake back up in the world," Fizzy noded and gave the four a hug. "I'm sorry this is the only chance we get to talk to one another."
Pinkie hugged Fizzy tightly, "It’s ok. Who knows, maybe next vision we and see all of you!
Twilight hugged Fizzy as well,"Don't worry, I'm sure there'll be another way..." She gave a knowing smile.
"I hope so. Oh, almost forgot," Fizzy said. "They told me to let you in on a little more of the prophecy. They said it’s what helped them a little.
Twin students of the sun will bring the heart
And I think something else. It led them to the gates, and told them to give you their armor." Fizzy said as the world went white.
Fizzy looked up and smiled at the minotaur "We need to talk, I think you have some problems.”
“And you think you can fix everything?” The king asked
“Yep,” Fizzy smiled
Twilight awoke,"More and more, the pieces seem to come together..." She said to herself.
"You're awake! Thank heavens," Rarity said with a smile.
"What do ya mean, the pieces are coming together?" Aplejack aked.
"I've learned a little more about this prophecy." Twilight said as she got up,"Apparently the alicorns saw some sort of black spot in the multiverse and left the armors here for us. Also how the twin students of the sun will bring the heart to Despair, Nothing, Happiness, and Love. The gates of Earth, Air, and Water will open up Fire." She looked around,"Where's Sunset?"
"I am dreadfully sorry Twilight, none of us have seen her," Rarity said.
"Who cares, probably ran off upset that she didn't get a chance to kill our nobodies," Rainbow Dash said.
"Rainbow!" Fluttershy admonished, looking stern. "You shouldn't think that about ponies."
"Awww, don't be a louse Dashie," Pinkie said, hopping up to Rainbow Dash.
"Look, all I'm saying is that she probably saw her nobody die and-" Dash then looked around. "Where's Trixie?"
Twilight stared at Rainbow for a few seconds, the sight of what Dash's nobody told her still fresh in her mind..."Let's go look for them." She trotted off. Nearby, they could hear the soft sounds of crying.
"Sunset, I," Trixie sighed, and then turned to look at the incoming septet. "What Trixie means is...” She shook her head as she got up,” your friends are here." with that, the blue mare walked to them. "You should talk to her, she has been like this ever since..."
"Ah get it sugarcube," Applejack said. She then looked at Trixie, "Are you alright?"
"Of course! Trixie was no where near as close to Luna as someponies might get with their mentors. Trixie is fine and she will be! She is the Great and Powerful one after all," Trixie said, walking away.
Twilight watched as Trixie walked by,"You're sure? We can still help."
"Of course Trixie is fine," Trixie chuckled. "She has no need of help from anypony, unlike Sunset. She will be waiting nearby while you help out the lesser powerful unicorn."
Rarity looked to Twilight, "You know she's lying.”
Twilight nodded,"Yeah. I just wish she'd open up." She walked over to Sunset and put a wing over her.
Sunset gasped,"Why couldn't I save her... I was always afraid... afraid that she would leave me just like my mom..." she sobbed.
"Sunset, dear, I don't think Celestia would ever do that to you," Rarity said, putting a hoof onto Sunset's shoulder.
Applejack walked to Sunset, and took off her hat. She then put her hat onto Sunset's head before looking at her friend in the eyes, "Ah remember, when mah Ma died. It was right after Paw died making a delivery run. When that happened, Ah was so afraid that Ah would lose Big Mac that I wouldn't let him go. Ah was so afraid that Ah would never see him again, so... Ah can understand Sunset." She smiled at her. "But, Celestia isn't like yer mom. She wouldn't leave you."
"That's just it..." Sunset sniffled,"I've seen Celestia hurt before, and I always, always clinged to her, afraid that she would die on me..."
"You've seen her hurt before?" Rarity asked.
"I've seen her trying to stop a monster. She came back with so many..." She cried,"I saw the doctor, and I couldn't look at her."
Twilight leaned in to her,"I know. Celestia does a lot of things for us, that we have taken for granted. Though I can't imagine your pain. I would've just lost a mentor, but you would’ve lost a mother."
"Ah can," Applejack said. "It's like a black hole that you can never get it out of. You do something amazing and you and to tell her, and you find out that you can't anymore. You just want to say, 'Hey Mom, look at what I did." "Mom, there was something frightening, help" "I love you, Momma." Applejack began to choke back a sob. : Ah know why you're afraid, Ah just wish Ah could tell you that it would be ok. But it won't, it'll always hurt. But you know what will help with it?" she then offered a hoof. Aj looked down, " you’re always afraid to leave your eyes on her, because you are afraid that one day you'll wake up and she'll be gone. Right?"
Sunset sniffled as she looked up at Applejack's face, and then took her hoof.Applejack's hoof was soon joined by a white one, a pink one, a blue one, and a purple one. Sunset shakily placed a hoof on theirs. Rainbow Dash watched from one of the buildings, her wings drooping for a moment. Timidly, she reached out, placing her hoof where she knew the others were. Then she felt a twitch, and pulled away, "I'm sorry." she whispered.
"Darling, if the worst were to ever happen," she looked into Sunset's eyes, "We'll be there for you. Always."
A tear came to Pinkie's eyes, "Yeah, if you need a shoulder to cry on, or hoof to hold."
"All of us," Will then hugged her friend.
Rainbow Dash smiled softly as she landed behind Sunset, and then placed her hoof, though it was shaking, she then looked into Sunset's eyes, "I-I-I'll come for you, just say it."
As the others began to comfort Sunset, Fluttershy looked at Trixie and flew over to her, "Trixie..."
"I said I'm fine!" Trixie denied. "I know that wasn't Luna, I-I know that she isn't her mentor, the one who finally did w-what nopony else did and gave me a chance," she then took her hat and held it down. She began to sniff, " I mean, sure... Luna was only the princess who saw Trixie' show and thought, 'she had potential' while everypony else saw a washed up showmare who had no chance. But, I have no connection with THAT Luna, because, she isn't my Luna."
Fluttershy then walked over to Trixie and hugged her.
Trixie tried to pull away from Fluttershy, but began to feel her tears beginning to break, "Sunset, she lost a mother figure, what have I lost but an image of a mare who never lost faith in me. The only mare who had ANY faith in her after she lost her grandpa. I...." Trixie whimpered.
" I remember this one day, I had a mission and I failed. I messed up and I thought this was it, she was going to hate me. But then, she came to the hospital with a grin I didn't know he had and said to me, 'You once again reassured my faith in you.’" Trixie finally broke down and cried into Fluttershy's shoulder, "No pony has ever had faith in me before! Not my mom, my sister, nopony!!!! And here is this mare who just saw me fail hard, say she had faith in me. Why? I'm nothing compared to her, you, or anypony!!! But, she had faith in... in... me." She sniffled,”So, why should my problems be a big one. Sunset is scared for her mother, and I just watched Luna fade before my eyes. I tried to put on a brave face, because... because,"
"You're afraid?" Flutterhsy whispered.
"YES!!!" Trixie cried harder and harder now, her tears falling into Fluttershy's shoulder. "Afraid of failure, afraid losing her, an you and...."
"Shhhh, it's alright," Fluttershy said."Want to talk to them and say it," Fluttershy sked.
Trixie shook her head, "I can't. They... this is Sunset's moment, I-"
Fluttershy pulled Trixie's hoof as Trixie continued, "I shouldn’t be there. I'll just take it away from her."
Rarity placed a hoof onto Trixie's should "No...you won't."
"And you know I'll always be with you, sis." Twilight said with a smile. She looked at Trixie and waved her over."
Timidly, Trixie walked over to her circle of friends. She took a shuddering breath, "I... that is Trixie is," she said trying to get back into her performer mode, trying to hide her face again.
Twilight pulled her into the hug using her magic.
"What did I ever do without you?" Sunset said as she leaned into the hug.
"Pray you don't ever have to find out," Applejack said, holding them close.
"Live a boring life," Rarity said, looking at each one.
"Not having friends I feel like myself with," Pinkie said.
"Not feeling complete?" Dash smirked.
"Being not alone?" Fluttershy said.
"Feeling stronger," Will said.
"Knowing that there is somepony who believes in you," Trixie said, looking at Twilight.
"Or having anyone to hold you up." Twilight finished.
They said nothing as they held each other there for a few more moments, letting their friendship warm them and keep out the nothingness of the world. The bleakness, the darkness, and the sorrow of the stories and the ponies that were incomplete felt insignificant to the love that they were sharing at that moment. Each one felt a warmth they could never describe, one that kept them going throughout their journey. Rainbow Dash let out a sigh, the warm feeling at odds with the blackness forming in her heart. Applejack nuzzled her head against the others, and Pinkie held hers against them, not wanting to let go.
The heart glowed a little, as if signifying that the test was over, and that in the end, the stories and ponies that were incomplete would end happily. Somewhere across the multiverse, a new story began, and six mares, who were once nobodies to others, began a long journey of friendship.
A bright doorway opened behind them.
Rainbow Dash asked, "Ready to go?"
"I want to stay like th for a bit longer, I like it like this." Will wmiled.
Twilight smiled,"Me too..."
After a few moments, the girls walked through the bright light. As they stepped into the room where Erebus once was, they could a faint sound, like screaming, "You girls hear that?"
Twilight looked at all of them,"Let's check it out!" She said as she ran towards the screaming.
As they ran outside, they saw the Great Forest Spirit stumble, in front of the large god, was Valtor, who had a blade pointed at his throat, "Ah, Princess, so good to see you." the black dragon bowed
"Valtor! Let him go!" Twilight shouted, her horn glowing.
“What is that fool doing!?” Mozenwrath growled.
"No, I think not," the black dragon said, walking before the nine. "See, I was beginning to think that you had forgotten about me. That I have been ranking low on your radar. I couldn't stand that, it's just not proper," he then looked to the great spirit. "So I decided to leave a reminder, AFTER I was done seeing the next light. And..." he smiled as the light shot up.
The light hit the constellation of Fizzy, hitting her cutie mark. This made the light that hit Truly to brightened a little, moving to another point. Elsewhere the third light began to shine, glowing a bit brighter.
"I must thank you. Soon, you will open the third gate, and with that, the location of the fourth, which will lead to the Heart of Worlds," Valtor chuckled.
Dash growled, "And we'll stop you!"
"Yes, I assume you will. Especially in your new armor," he smiled. "But, I think you might enjoy this. After all Will, isn't your favorite movie Journey Through Fairyland ?"
"What do you mea-" Will gasped as Valtor sliced through the spirit's head.
"You are foolish, dragon!" Mozenwrath growled,"That's not going to be good!"
Twilight gasped,"Oh, no!"
The sun seemed to be eclipsed by the transformation as the great spirit became a black decaying blob. As it rose, everything it began to touch decay and desecrate, his tentacles eroding all it touched. It began to howl and moan.
“You annoyance! If that thing kills us, you’d lose your way to the Heart!” Mozenwrath yelled.
"Sunset, this is a good sight, is it not? Must remind you of the home you lost, the one you can never go to again. After all, you used your magic to break the portal, and sealed yourself here, adieu." with a bow, he disappeared.
Sunset took a step back in fear,"No..."
"It's okay, we can stop this." Mozenwrath said,"Give me a minute and I'll tell you."
"I leave you nine for a few minutes!" Discord shouted as he teleported and scooped the group up in a giant baseball mitt and carried them up in the air where several flutter ponies were flying with Erebus.
"Discord!" the nine shouted.
"Thanks," Flutershy smiled at her friend as she looked at the lumbering once-spirit. His black tentacles touching everything it could grab.
"Twilight, we need a plan. Now!" Applejack said.
Rainbow Dash looked at the Flutter Ponies and then back up at Discord, "Yeah, because our best choices for plans are you, bacon-hair, and nutty!"
Twilight's eyes darted back and forth,"Darn it,"
"Do you see the head anywhere, Sunset!?" Mozenwrath said immediately.
Sunset looked down and back to Rainbow,"Do you remember if he took the head anywhere?"
"Darn it? Darn it is not good Twilight! There is very little good things associated with Darn it!" Dash said, and then looked at Sunset with a growl. "No, I don't remember!"
"Oh, I think he left it back down there!" Pinkie said, pointing down from the baseball mitt.
"If I don’t figure something out fast enough!" Twilight said,"At the rate it’s going, it looks like it could cover the entire country in an hour, the continent in five hours, and the world in half a day!"
Sunset looked down at the head,"Somepony needs to grab it”
Dash, while no-one was looking, pushed Sunset
"Wh-" Sunset screamed as she fell.
“You fool!” Mozenwrath shouted towards to whoever pushed them.
"Sunset!" Twilight shouted as she tried to fly off the mitt.
Applejack grabbed Twilight by the tail, "Twilight, No!"
"I have to save her! Let me go!" Twilight shouted.
Applejack held fast, "You ain't thinking right now. If you go, you are gonna get dragged in! You won't be able to save her like that!" she then looked into the eyes of Twilight, and saw the same type of eyes that she would have if Applebloom was in trouble, "We can't stop you, can we?"
Twilight glared at Applejack,"The answer is no, now let me go!" Se shouted, her horn glowing.
"Fine!" Applejack growled, letting go of Twilight, "But don't come crying to us if we can't save you!!"
Twilight flew down to the beast, her horn glowing a pitch white as she went into the creature.
“Stupid Bucking-" Applejack growled and adjusted her hat, "Wait up!"
"No you aren't!" Rarity said, putting her hoof on to Applejack's shoulder. As the orange mare frowned, Rarity smiled back, "Not without us."
Applejack smiled as she leapt, followed by Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Will. Rainbow Dash held out her hoof, something holding her back, and then shook her head as a light shone from her armor and a Rainbow flashed in her eyes. She leapt after them. Trixie watched in horror, and then shook her head, "Discord, do Trixie a favor, and don’t tell the world that she is about to die doing something stupid." she then leapt, "WHY DOES TRIXIE HANG OUT WITH YOU SUICIDAL PONIESS!!!!"
Discord leaned back, filing his nails,"Sure, have fun!"
"You're just going to let them go!?" Rosedust shouted.
"Yes." Discord looked up and gave a smile.
Sunset blinked, hearing the faint echo from before repeat in her head, "Hurt?"
"So much hurt. Creatures hurt so much, can't forgive," hundreds of eyes looked to her. "You!"
"You have caused so much, hurt. Why do you forgive, why should forgive?"
"Wh-what are you talking about?" Sunset said, then she felt pain in her head.
“Sunset!? Listen, what you’re-” Mozenwrath’s voice was cut off.
"Hurt, Suffering"
"Forgive"
"I... I..." Sunset fell to her knees, a headache going through her mind,"I'm, I can't- But all that..."
"Lies, Betrayal"
Sunset's heart began to sink, she toppled over in pain, “Oh Celestia, please. Not this one, not this-”
"Hurt, pain. Can't forgive !"
"I... I'm sorry. I don't- I don't know-" Sunset curled into a fetal position.
"Hate, HATE, HATE!!!!"
"Why, how can anyone forgive this"
"I... I.." Sunset whimpered as she curled into a fetal position.
"Because she has friends !" Twilight's voice shouted. A purple hoof smashed through the muck
An orange light began shine, whispering 'Honesty'
(Applejack smiled, taking Sunset by the hand to her farm "Come on Sunset, Ah need ya for this."
"Bt I-"
"No buts )
"There ya are Sunset!" Applejack said, punching through, and then straightening her hat.
"How"
A yellow light began to blaze, "Kindness"
(I can't believe Twilight expects us to forgive-where's Fluttershy?"
Fluttershy walks to Sunset, carrying a towel )
"Twilight, Sunset!" Fluttershy said, pushing aside the muck.
"Generousity" a white light shown.
("Oh that will never- Hold still Sunset."
"Why are you having me stand for your dress."
"My dress? Sunset, this is yours.. .")
Rarity stepped through the muck, feeling it stick to her boots, "I thought we would never find you.”
"WHy forgive?"
A pink light began to shimmer "Laughter"
("But I-"
"Nope"
"But there's"
"Nope"
"You are going to force me to enjoy this birthday aren't you?"
"Yup!" )
Pinkie Pie bounced in, followed by Rainbow Dash as a faint voice tried to speak ,"Loyalty"
("Leave her alone!" )
"Friends, how forgive, so much hate.”
(Sunset took Twilight's shoulder,"Come on, let's go back to bed. We'll find my mom when we get to Tauros."
Twilight frowned,"You're starting to sound like my big brother. Never letting me stay up to study." she muttered )
“Magic!”Twilight forced her way through to grab Sunset with her magic
Sunset felt tears come to her eyes as the seven glowed bright.
Twilight looked up,"There's just as much love, you just need to see it!
("so, you know now about her."
"Yes, and Trixie has no worries. Sparkle does that, and she trust in her rival's judgement. _)
"Faith,"
Trixie ran in, Will following. The blue mare smiled as she watched the seven beginning to glow.
"Forgive? Love, Friendship?"
An inner light began to glow brightly in Sunset, forming into a shadowy golden tiara with her cutie mark inside it.Sunset looked around them,"Yes, all of that, all of this, is the reason why I can be forgiven!"
"Do you, forgive me ?"
Sunset blinked at the question,"For what?"
"For the devastation, almost taking you away."
"You were attacked, I understand. I forgive you." Sunset said, putting the shadowy tiara on.
"Thank you"
A bright light shone, and the blackness vanished. Soon, the nine found themselves standing back in the village, the world restored. The Great Forest Spirit smiled, and blew a soft kiss to the nine mares. Turning he walked back into the woods. Trixie cheered, "We won and... Discord... you told the world that Trixie died doing something stupid, didn't you?"
.Discord had a funeral veil over his head, and a bouquet of flowers,"Well, I was going to!" He said as he threw the flowers away, and stomped off in frustration.
Twilight let out a sigh of relief. She then frowned,"It doesn't make sense..."
"It's discord, it doesn't," Rainbow Dash said, before being interrupted.
"What doesn't, sugarcube?" Applejack asked.
Twilight shook her head,"No, Discord's never made sense." Twilight looked at them,"Why would Valtor attack now? Couldn't he have waited to show up?"
"Ah don't know sugarcube," Applejack said.
Rarity looked at the passing-by spirit, "Maybe he wanted to hurt us or discourage us?"
"But all that did was make us realize that he's watching us, that we're the key to finding the heart!" Twilight gasped,"What he said, that's his flaw! He's arrogant!" She turned to the group,"Even though his plan was to lay low, he couldn't stand the idea of being forgotten! But if he can't do a simple plan like this..." She thought for a moment,"Then there is something bigger behind him..." She muttered.
“But then, who could possibly have the power to control somedragon with that much power?" Rarity asked, looking at Twilight inquisitively.
"I don't know, but it'd have to be a very old wizard or something..." Twilight gave a thoughtful look.
"Great, just bucking great," Rainbow Dash yelled, throing her hooves up in the air. "Bad enough we are looking for a gateway to a heart of a world and facing down evil versions of us, facing off against a pony sized dragon monster, and now there is someone ever badder than that in the wings!!! Why doesn't the world send an evil necromancer at us?"
"Give it time ..." Mozenwrath said with a chuckle.
"Don't give the universe ideas, Rainbow." Twilight's look lingered on Dash for a second.
Will shook her head at Dash's comment, "You got to admit, it’s pretty arrogant. But now, he has us figuring out who the stallion behind the dragon is. probably even trying to see if he's in control or not, if he really is under control."
"The thing is, was that his or her plan? Did they want Valtor to go out of his way to try and hurt us?" Twilight asked,'I guess my suspicions were correct.' she thought
Before Will could say anymore, Pinkie interjected, "Hey, what's Trixie doing."
Trixie, upon seeing the gathered Flutter Ponies looking at the gathered group of bearers, stepped onto a small fountain, "Fair ponyfolk! Raise your voices proudly for your savors, for the wondrous and heroic feats of the marvelous ponies behind me! The heroic and brave Princess Twilight and her knights!!!" Trixie shouted.
"Knights?" Applejack asked, looking to Twilight.
"Long have they traveled through the world of Harmonia to come and right the wrongs of the past, and protect the equines under their vision. Though they were on a quest to protect the Heart of Worlds from the machinations of a malevolent malicious miscreant, they did not find it beneath their notice to save you in your time of need!!!"
"Should we stop her?" asked Will.
The flutter ponies cheered.
Twilight gulped,"Trixie..." She nudged her.
Trixie looked over her shoulder, and then winked "What?" she whispered under her breath.
"What are you doing!?" Twilight said through her teeth.
"These Flutter Ponies have almost lost their homes, their lives, and their world. They need the chance to see who has saved them and to thank their heroes. No problem with a little hero worship," Trixie smirked. The show mare began to form an illusion of darkness around the eight other mares. "Behold! You saviors and heroes!!! Rainbow Dash, Knight of Speed!"
Rainbow Dash smirked as a spotlight came upon her.
"Rarity, Knight of Fabulosity," Trixie blasted the area with light, and shown Rarity. The white unicorn flipped her mane in response. "Applejack, Knight of the Land!" Trixie shouted, showing the orange mare, who blushed and grinned a bit. "Fluttershy, Knight of the Forest!" Fluttershy hid behind Pinkie when the light shone on her, "Pinkie Pie, Knight of the Smile!" Pinkie bounced up and down in the light. "They are led by PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE! Conqueror of nightmares, Foe of Chaos, Liberator of the Empire, the Fear of Mirage, the Harbinger of Light!" and then she looked at Sunset.
Twilight gave a sheepish grin,"I think you're laying it on a little thick..." She whispered.
"No such thing!" Rainbow Dash said, taking in the spotlight.
Sunset gulped as the spotlight came on her,"Uh-oh."
"Joined with her, are myself and these two wanderers," Trixie leapt in with the group of three. "We are her loyal vassals! Will, who is the bearer of a magical jewel that she must take to a distant realm to protect it from harm! Myself, I am the bard of their story, the one who will tell you all of their magnificence of their adventure. This is why our third vassal is here!" She pointed to Sunset Shimmer, "Former student of Princess Celestia! She came from a far off world to help protect her younger counterpart, to guide her as she was once guided herself by the sun. She brought the light of the sun with her to help our beloved princess.
Sunset blinked at the praise,"Uh, thank you..."
Twilight blushed furiously,"This is getting embarrassing...."
"Praise your saviors, for we will be moving soon to find the monster who did this to the great forest spirit. Led by the twin students of the sun and her brave knights, we will put down any threat!" Trixie shouted as fireworks began to shoot around them
The Flutter Ponies cheered and clapped their hooves together.
Pinkie Pie brought out her party cannon and smiled. Rainbow Dash smirked, "Well,the guy is going to be waiting for us to get to the other hearts anyway."
"Oh boy," Applejack said, holding her hat down.
Twilight's eyes widened,"Here we go..."
"PARTY TIME !!!"
All at once, the Flutter Ponies village was covered in streamers, balloons, and a banner marked "thank you". The Pink mare leaped from the fountain and pulled one of the flutter ponies into a hug and began to dance. Rainbow Dash looked to Twilight, "Should we even ask?"
Twilight looked at Dash,"No, no we shouldn't."
Lily squealed,"This is so amazing!" she said as she flew around
Rarity walked down to the other mares and began to chat up with the party goers. Fluttershy flew to some of the tree tops and began to talk with some of the birds. Will looked on in shock and looked to Sunset, "Could look at this? It’s amazing.
Rarity walked down to the other mares and began to chat up with the. Fluttershy flew to some of the treetops and began to talk with some of the birds. Will looked on in shock and looked to Sunset, "Could you look at this? It's amazing.” She looked around,"How does she, I mean, they do remember that they were being attacked by an eldritch abomination right?" Will aske
“That's the power of Pinkie, she seems to make you forget your problems for a little while..." Sunset gave a sad smile. The spirit’s words still rang in her head.
“Hello,” Mozenwrath said, as if something had just caught his eye.
"Hey, what's with that frown?" Pinkie asked, bouncing to Sunset.
"Nothing, just nothing..." Sunset said, seeing the human Pinkie for a few seconds.
"Ok, but if you get depressed, there is a pony over there who is offering happy juice!" Pinkie squeaked as she hiccupped.
Rarity looked to one of the Flutter Ponies, "So your wings they are-"
"Yes, fragile, but you should see how they look in the sunlight."
"I have no doubt about that dear" Rarity replied.
Rainbow Dash found a cloud to land on and chose to watch the fun from above
“Happy juice?" Sunset asked.
Twilight looked over one of the other Flutter Ponies,"So, what's your culture like!? I mean, I've heard of you, but I never thought I'd get to see one of you! I didn't get a chance to ask all of this before but..."
Will sniffed the cup, "I think it's booze," she said looking at Sunset. Then she smiled softly, "Don't worry, you'll see them again.
"I can’t believe I did that, she could've died!" Dash shouted to herself, looking at her hoof. "So what? she's..."
Sunset frowned,” I don’t know if I believe that.”
"Why not?" Will asked.
"I..." Sunset shook her head,"My memory's still a little fuzzy, but Valtor said something about what happened to my world." She stopped herself as she lingered on the phrase 'my world'
Will sighed, and looked down, "I know about having a fuzzy memory. But for some reason, I feel like we'll both find our way back. Or at the very least, I can get you back."
"Or I'll get you back." Sunset looked at Will with a smile.
Will gave Sunset a hoof bump, before watching back at the party.
Up in the clouds Rainbow Dash sighed, watching the party with a forlorn look. She sighed a little, a desire to join with them burning through her heart. Slowly she reached out a hoof, but pulled it back the moment she remembered that it was her who pushed Sunset. She growled and turned to lay back onto the cloud, "Stupid-"
"Hey Rainbow!" Applejack called, "The party is really picking up, what are ya doing up there?"
"Nothing! I just want to chill, it's been a busy day and I want to relax," Rainbow Dash said, laying on her back.
Applejack sighed and walked away, "What is wrong with her?"
Lily creeped up next to Dash,"Are you sure!?"
Dash jumped up, "Ah! when did you get here?"
"Two years after my big sister!" Lily said with a grin.
Dash scoffed, "What are you doing up here? I am trying to relax." she then looked over her shoulder at the part below.
"Well, you look lonely." Lily said.
"I'm not lonely, what makes you think that I'm lonely. Do I look lonely to you?" Dash asked.
"Well, you're all alone and without your friends. They're all having fun down there and it disappoints me that you're not with them."
"Why do you care if I'm not with them. And they are doing fine without me," Dash said, turning away.
"Because... I want friends to stay together." Lily said.
Applejack walked to Twilight, "Hey Twilight? Think something is up with Dash?"
Twilight had a scroll in her mouth and several pieces of paper in her saddlebags,"Hold on," She took the scroll out and placed it on a table, then began to write,"Yeah, she has been acting really weird lately. There was something her nobody was trying to tell me..."
Dash smiled softly, "But, it's just..." she looked down at the party. and then she smiled a little bit at seeing the fun her friends were having.
"Go ahead, join them." Lily said with a smile.
"How did her nobody know the something was wrong with her, though..." Twilight muttered,"But I intend to look her over, just in case...”
At that point, Rainbow Dash flew over head Twilight's head, flipping her mane, "Come on egg head, stop looking over those notes and get to partying! We just saved another town and I feel like drinking some flutter ponies under the table!"
Twilight yelped as Dash flew by her. Her look lingered on her for a minute,"Yeah, I'll get to partying..."
Trixie took another drink and walked over to Fluttershy, "Hey Fluttershy, could you come over here, mah cherie?"
"Um, yes, Trixie?" Fluttershy asked.
"Mon cher Fluttershy, pensez-vous ou Crépuscule Coucher de soleil seront dérange si je leur demande pour une nuit de folie ce soir?," Trixie asked.
"Um... no?" Fluttershy said, not understanding what the blue mare said.
"Ah, thank ya. Ya'll are the cutest little thing, non?" Trixie said, stumbling over to Twilight. "Oh, Twilight, could you come over here and bring that cute little petite Sunset with you!"
Twilight turned to Trixie with a raised eyebrow,"Uh sure..."
Sunset blinked,"Wait, I don't think I want this!" she said as she walked to her.
"Aw, mon dear Sunny. Don't you know, you want his cute," Trixie said. "See, Lulamoon just wants to know L'un de vous bien jeunes juments souhaitez rejoindre Lulamoon pour un temps chaud sous la lune ce soir. Là, elle peut vous montrer les voies de plaisir que Pinkie innocent a même pas pensé.
Sunset cocked her head,"What?"
"Lulamoon! She's doesn't need to go with you for a hot time!" Twilight said.
"You speak Prench!?" Sunset gasped.
"Yeah, I had to for my lessons with the Princess." Twilight said with a nod.
Sunset frowned,”I fell asleep through those classes...”
"Oh, then you perhaps? My dear sweetie little rival?" Lulamoon smiled, "Peut-être qu'ensemble, nous pouvons appeler des mentors les uns des autres dans les langues que vous avez même pas appris. Comme Minbari, oh nous pourrions crier ensemble. Mais non?" she then kissed Twilight's cheek before skipping off, "Oh Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash? Où êtes-vous mon petit poney de l'amour arc en ciel?"
Twilight blushed furiously,"That was awkward."
"What just happened?" Sunset raised an eyebrow.
"Lulamoon, and she just said some," she coughed,"embarrassing things, and called Rainbow her love rainbow."
Will came rushing by, "Girls did you know if Trixie drinks too much she becomes slightly... amorous?"
"I noticed..." Sunset said with a frown.
"She also starts speaking Prench." Twilight said
Pinkie bounced by the alicorn and unicorn, "Hey girls, do you know what Pinkie, je me demande ce que comme votre goût de la tarte? Allons-nous savoir? means? Fluttershy kind of blushed and hid behind her mane when she heard it."
Rarity looke on in shock and walked away slowly, "So, Rosedust... just how do you get your wings to sparkle like that?"
Applejack ran a hoof along of of the bigger trees, "Just how the heck do they make their trees so big without earth ponies?"
Twilight's eyes opened wide,"Pinkie, you really don't want to know..." She shook her head. She looked at the clueless Sunset and whispered in her ear, causing the unicorn to blush furiously.
Rosedust looked behind her,"Oh, they're normally like that when ponies get to my age."
Lily flew up to AJ,"Oh, we use Flutter Magic!" for emphasis, she fluttered her wings.
"really? They are quite mangif-"
Pinkie interrupted, a glass in one hoof as she laid on top of Rarity "Sooooo, now that we saved you from the spirit and all. Are you going to visit some of the other lands now?huhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuh?"
"Flutter Magic?" Applejack asked.
"HAHA!" Rainbow Dash laughed a she watched Trixie.
"Rainbow, it isn't funny," Fluttershy said, watching as well.
Wiping a tear from her eyes Dash replied, "I think she has toasted almost everything under Luna's moon, Flutters. Of course it's funny."
"Et here's to Raindrops, et here's to awesome Sunset, et Sunsets! et here's to... non, es stupido!Et here's to... to... to passing out!" and then she fell onto the table, grabbing and snuggling the nearest pony. In this case, it was sunset, "Teddy."
Rosedust chuckled at Pinkie,"Perhaps, it'll be difficult to get my ponies used to the outside world though."
Lily nodded,"We concentrate on our wings and flap them a lot, and that gets some growth into the trees!"
Sunset's eyes opened wide,"Help." She whimpered.
"Aw, it'll be easy, all we need is to have at least somepony to go out and say hi...and I know whoooo!" Squealed Pinkie as she ran off.
Rainbow Dash laughed, "No way bacon hair! It ain't a real celebration unless someone is drunk in another ponies arms tonight!"
Rosedust blinked,"I wonder who's she's talking about..." She cocked her head,"And how is she so fast?"
Sunset gave a mock glare to Rainbow Dash.
Pinkie pushed Lilly to Rosedust, "One ambassador coming up." her ear then twitched as she heard something that RD said. A smile came across her lips as she ran away in a puff of dust.
Rainbow Dash laughed and blew a raspberry at Sunset, "Hey, rules are rules. You know that you should -"
"Um, Dashie," fluttershy said, tapping Rainbow Dash's shoulder as she noticed a pink tail inching her way closer.
"Dun Dun,"
"I mean, seriously, Bacon, don't they have wild parties in the human world?" Dash asked. "I remember how-"
"Dashie," Fluttershy mummered as the pink tail came closer.
"Dun Dun, Dun dun,"
"Not now Flutters. How me and Gilda went to this wild party and she somehow wounded up in bed wit-"
"Dashie!" Fluttershy said, backing away slowly as the tail crept closer and closer.
"Dundundundundundudnudnundundundundunddundundundundund," the tail said as it neared its victim.
"Not now Fluttershy! Anyway, she was in bed with a minotaur and a-"
"GLOMP SHARK!" Yelled Pinkie Pie as she leapt from the table and hugged Dash tightly. Before letting out a yawn and muttering, "Dashie."
"Gak! Twilight, Help me!" Rainbow Dash said, struggling against the sleeping pink pony
Lily blinked,"What!? Me!?" She looked at Rosedust, who gave her a smile.
"Hello, Ambassador Lily." The queen said.
Twilight shook her head,"Sorry, Rainbow, you said it yourself:No party is complete without anypony sleeping in another's arms."
Rainbow Dash glowered at Twilight, "Revenge, I will have my revenge!!"
Twilight chuckled,"Okay, I'll keep one eye open." She forced a smile suddenly.
Soon the party passed on into the night, and soon everypony feel where they slept.
Sunset, having managed to get out of Trixie’s grip, walked to a clearing.
Trixie woke up and totted to the small clearing, "Hey, Sunset... can we talk?"
Sunset traced the ground with her hoof. The spirit’s voice still ringing in her head,”More manipulations... more outside forces making me feel weak, making me feel powerless! First my own Mother, then Celestia, then the Elements, then Valtor, and finally this !” She jumped when she heard Trixie's voice,"Shouldn't you be asleep?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, but Trixi-I just wanted to get this off my chest," Trixie took a deep breath. "I'm so-sorry for assaulting you back in Tauros.
Sunset blinked,"Really? It's okay, you were just a little jealous." She frowned,"Unless there's something more."
"Yes," Trixie walked around Sunset. "I had always thought, I was the best kind of rival for Twilight. That it was me who could beat her. Heck, I thought I could achieve greatness by one day winning in a fair fight," she then sighed. "Then you came along, and were just so much better at it. You had a past that connected you to her, you had power equal to her, you could match her qualitie I never could. And me, I was just a magician with a giant ego who thought she was the best. I just felt... pointless. Like I didn’t matter. I just felt... like I didn't matter," Trixie sighed.
Sunset got up and placed a hoof on Trixie's shoulder,"I don't know, you have one thing I don't."
"What?" Trixie asked.
“Sheer determination. I don't know how you got this far, even knowing that Twilight is stronger than you, yet you still kept on going”
A bit of Trixie's confidence came to her smile as she looked into Sunset's eyes, "Really?"
"Really, I mean, who else has the will to go into darkness to save a friend?"
Trixie sighed, "We weren't friends at the time. It was just a mission that I took because Luna sent me there. I didn't really start to become friends with them until I started to help them get home."
"Really? Just a mission?" Sunset said,"Are you sure that there wasn't something else?"
"Ok, so maybe since it was a few months after the alicorn amulet, Trixie decided to prove something to Twilight. I wanted to show off what I could do now. Then, when I saw her, and hung around her... Yeah, I did want to help out. I wanted to use my magic for somepony," Trixie smiled. "You know what I mean?"
"Yeah, I think I know what you mean." Sunset said with a smile.
"You know, I think we have something in common," Trixie smiled back
"Yeah, we do." Sunset said.
"Twilight changed us for the better, "Trixie chuckled as she leaned onto Sunset's should and began to fall asleep.
Sunset smiled as she leaned herself on Trixie's head, a soft smile on her lips as she began to fall asleep.
“More machinations, more people trying to hurt you and your friends,” Mozenwrath whispered in Sunset’s ear,”Allow me to make it better...”
Author's Note
Thanks for Zolt.
Did you make it down here? Good! You can make it past a 17000 word epic. My gosh, I didn't think I could ever do it, but...there you are.
Notes: I had some scenes during the spirit section where I had Sunset be confronted by nightmares of her sins. Highlights include, forcing a student into suicide, breaking up a couple, and breaking a pair of brothers. I wanted to do it to show Sunset as the opposite of Twilight and focus on her personal demons. Then my fellow writer objected because he thought that it made Sunset truely unforgivable.
There was a joke about Trixie riffing on Roleplayer in French, but that was wiped.
If glomp shark isn't a thing yet, it should be.
Oh, and you didn't think Valtor was going to let you forget him yet.
Under the light of the moon, Rainbow Dash watched as Sunset and Trixie rested alongside one another. Carefully, she began to step forward with a rock in hoof, "What are ya doing?" said a voice behind her
"Oh, Hey!" Rainbow Dash said, turning to look at Applejack. "I was just skipping rocks."
"At Sunset?" Applejack asked, eyebrow arched as Dash dropped the rock. "You know Rainbow, you've been acting pretty weird since we've left home. Ah've seen you fly out of the palace for no reason, you been getting more aggressive, and now-"
Rainbow Dash growed, interrupting Applejack, "I told you, I'm fine. I'm only more aggressive because we've been traveling with Bacon over there. You know she almost killed Pinkie Pie."
"Ah thought you got over that. It wasn't her fault and you know it sugrcube," Applejack said. "And it's rather odd you are still mad with her but you are pretty chummy with Luna."
Rainbow Dash back up against the tree, trying to avoid the bearer of honesty's gaze, "I can't tell you."
"Can't or won't?" Applejack asked.
"You tell them, and you will die. Then the plague will hit them ,” a voice echoed in Dash’s mind.
Dash pulled her fist away, "Can't. Just can't."
"Dash, we're all here for you," Applejack placed her hooves onto her friend's shoulder and smiled softly. "Heck, you can just tell me and Ah'll take it for ya."
"Aj, -I-" Dash looked into her friend's eyes,and then turned her head away. "Promise me-"
"Promise what?"
"That if I start to go off the deep end, that if I start doing something that may hurt any of the others. Stop me," Rainbow Dash said. "I don't care what you have to do, just stop me."
"Sugarcube, what is wrong?" Applejack asked,looking worried as Rainbow Dash began to walk away.
"I can't say. I just need to know that...somepony's got their back," Rainbow ash said. "And don't tell Twilight. Ok?"
“Remember, Mirage's mindspell? The one she used to split Twilight’s mind seven ways?” the voice echoed.
"Sugar-"
“Imagine one that will do its job wuicker and more efficently ” the voice chuckled.
"Don't Tell her ok-" Before she flew off, Applejack hugged her.
"Take care of yourself. Don't go trying anything foolhardy ok, or I will hurt you," Applejack said, holding her friend.
"Still trust me?" Dash asked.
"With my life Sugarcube," Applejack smiled as she went to bed, taking one last sad look at Rainbow as she flew away.
Rainbow then felt a surge on the back of her neck, causing her to fall to the ground. A figure walked up to her, horn glowing. The figure touched her horn to Rainbow’s neck.
Twilight tapped the chess piece forward,"And that's all I know."
Luna looked at her as the dream books flew by them,"Street Rat's Legacy... I'm afraid I don't know anything about that. My sister might."
"Shall we go to her dream and ask her?" Twilight asked, placing her knight on a space.
Luna knocked the rainbow colored knight o ver,"Perhaps, but I'm afraid of interrupting it. She tends to have... sad dreams." She got up, several doors flowing past her before stopping at a single white door.
As the massive doors began to open, they could hear voices,” "Congratulations Miss Sparkle, you graduated with honors!" said the headmaster.
"You hear that big sis?" Twilight smiled as she hugged Sunset.
Celestia sat back in her chair in her dream, smiling softly to herself, "If only." She then chuckled when her daughters ran to her side, curled up and fell asleep under her with a yawn. At the sound of the approaching alicorns, the solar diarch looked up, "Luna, Twilight, what are you two doing here?"
Twilight gasped at the sight,"Aw, that's sweet." She looked up at Celestia,"Celestia, I've found out a little more about Sunshine. Apparently she was looking for an item called Street Rat's Legacy, do you know anything about it?"
"Street rat's legacy?" Celestia put a hoof to her chin. "I can remember it faintly from my mother. She told me how, in the final days of the Street Rat's life, he brought a gem to his country. He said it was meant to be used when the first sun was in its darkest moments. Other that, nothing."
"First sun?" Twilight put a hoof to her chin.
"Sister, why can't these prophecies ever be specific!?" Luna said with a frown.
"Because,then everyone could solve them," Celestia said. "I wish I could know more, but as they say in Saddle Arabia, such is lost in the sands of time."
"Sands of Time... are you sure that's not a real place?" Twilight asked.
"I do not believe so. I think it's an ancient Saddle Arabian saying," Celestia said.
Twilight grumbled to herself,"Mark that off the list..." She looked at Celestia,"Do you know anything about the Queens of Harmony? Or at least do you know any creature that can bring back the dead?"
“Wait, our world has bogs of eternal stench, fire swamps, and the lands of killer flowers, but no sands of time!?” Luna asked.
"Well, I do not know why that is. The ambassadors simply laughed when I asked them, "Celestia said. Looking to Twilight she said, "The queens were long gone before I was born, Twilight. But as for the necromancer. There is one I have heard about.
"Really? Tell me more." Twilight said
"There was a necromancer, back in Saddle Arabia, known as Mozenwrath. He ruled an area of the country known as the black sands," Celestia began and looked to Luna. "Luna, dear, mind using your magic for some effect?"
Luna nodded as she used her magic to create some scenes. Her horn began to glow brighter as she started to change the world around them to match Celestia’s words. Around Twilight, she was surrounded by black sand, "Nopony knew where he came from, only that he took power from a sorcerer at a young age. He took charge of the black sands and used the dead as his slaves." Around Twilight, undead ponies began to walk around her. The scene then changed to a stallion with a glove over his right hoof. "But this was not enough for him. He made frequent attempts to grab for even stronger magic. He even had the nerve to try and take my sun away.
"What!? How did he even manage to do that?" Twilight gasped.
"A mystic set of statues that led to an ancient shield," Celestia said simply, then watched as her imagery chained to a little Celestia holding her stuffed sun in fear, "Luna, Could you not show that again?"
Luna giggled,"Sorry, couldn't resist! But you're so cute!"
"An ancient shield, wow..." Twilight said. She frowned a little,"Not what I was looking for, but thank you, Celestia."
Celestia looked at Luna and smiled, as she changed the dream to-
"Fawthew, the sweeper has awaken! she has tawen the sun as her fiwst victim," Luna said, standing on top of a sleeping Celestia.
"You are welcome, my little Twilight," Celestia nuzzled Twilight. She then looked at Twilight, "How is Sunset?"
“Tia!" Luna exclaimed,"Oh, you are so having the cake nightmare tonight..."
"Sunset's... doing okay. Speaking of that." Twilight immediately hugged Celestia tightly,"Don't ever leave."
Celestia stuck her tongue out at the little sister, and then felt Twilight's warm body against her. Celestia smiled softly, and returned the hug holding Twilight tightly, "I could say the same to the two of you. Give Sunset my love.
"I... will." Twilight sniffled before letting go and turning back to the door. Luna then suddenly hugged her sister.
Celestia hugged Luna back, and began to breathe softly, "And don't you ever leave me again. Luna."
"I'll never leave your side, ever." She nuzzled her sister.
Celestia's sun began to rise slowly out of the horizon, hitting Rarity in the eyes, "Ugh, I wish I brought my eye covers," she mumbled to herself as she felt something warm and soft next to her.Turning to her right, she found herself looking into the eyes of Applejack, "Wha-"
"Morning Darling," Applejack said with a smile. "Sleep well?"
"No you two didn't. I mean, I have never heard anypony be so loud like you two,," Rainbow Dash said as she landed next to the group with a wet mane.
"WHAT?!" Rarity shot up in shock and fear
Discord was laying under her with a wide grin,"You were real good, baby."
"AHHH!" Rarity shrieked as she ran off into a nearby bathroom.
Will walked by Discord, "You had to escalate that didn't you?"
“Worth it for the look on her face!" Discord laughed.
“Don't be rude Discord," reprimanded Fluttershy as she flew in with some tea. She smiled at Twilight, "Oh morning, Twilight. Rosedust offered all of us some tea."
Discord gave a sigh,"Yes, Fluttershy..."
Twilight finished combing her hair,"Great!" She levitated the tea over to herself
A flutter pony with a teal mane flew in, "Queen Rosedust wishes to deliver you whatever meal you desire and," she took one look at Discor, "WHAT ARE YOU STILL DOING HERE?”
Discord grinned at her,"Well, I heard that there was a party, some skim milk was involved, and, then I passed out on the air."
“You know what," the teal Flutterpony waist with a shake of her head. "There is an old Flutterpony saying, never ask an Dragoniquis. Anyway, what do you desire, miladies?"
Rarity walked out of the pool of water that served as a bath, “Miladies? Oh you are a charmer. I would love to have some-"
As Rarity began her o, P Pinkie Pie bounce in, "Hey, has anypony seen Sunset or trixie?
Twilight looked around, and then spotted the two leaning on each other,"Oh, they're snuggling!"
Trixie let out a snort as she woke up and looked at Sunset. She then heard Twilight and glared at her, "Trixie does not snuggle!"
Sunset woke up,"Who's snogging who?" she groaned.
"Yoiu were snogging Trixie," Rainbow Dash. "You two were so cute."
Fluttershy nodded, "Very adorable."
Sunset stepped away with a blush,"We were just sleeping together- I mean, just cuddling- I mean- there is no way out of this, is there?"
“Nope, no way Bacon Hair!" Rainbow Dash laughed as she flew to the Flutterpony. "Cider plus all of the fruit you got. I am kind of hungry."
"Trixie will have," Trixie began, "A cucumber salad with peanut butter on the lettuce, mixed with hot peppers, catsup, chili powder, cheese, dandelion, applesauce, and a light jelly glaze."
Sunset blinked at Trixie,"What is all that? Can you even eat that?"
"Oh please, that is a light snack for the Great and Powerful Trixie," Trixie said with a smirk.
Will looked as Pinkie Pie was writing on her hoof, “ Should I worried it looks like Pinkie is taking notes?"
Twilight shook her head,"Yes, you should be very worried..."
The teal flutterpony flew off, while Will shook her head and looked to her friends, "So, where to next?"
"First, Ah want to head back to Taros," Applejack said.
"We're backtracking? Why?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Well, Buddy kind of wants me to bring him back his four horseshoes," Applejack said.
“Why?" Twilight asked.
"Yes, tell me so I have someone to kill when I take Sunset's body." Mozenwrath said.
"Well, he said we wanted to make something for me. It's kind of a gift for making these satchels we got, "Applejack said.
“Okay- wait," Twilight looked at Applejack,"You met a god!? Where!?"
"Back in Taros," Applejack said.
"In Taros, without anypony noticing..." Twilight said,"But he's a god, he should've noticeable!"
"Yeah, weirdest thing. He said that he prefers to be behind a furnace and at a forge then ruling like Celestia."
"That's..." Twilight blinked,"That's pretty understandable." she gave a nod
"Understandable? The guy has the power to craft awesome armor and he just wants to sit behind a forge all day?" Dash grumbled.
"Well, he could be humble," Twilight looked at Dash,"He probably doesn't want to live a royal life, and only to be a normal blacksmith, well, as normal as he can be."
Rainbow Dash let out a chickle, "I don't know, if it was me I would be having a giant billboard announcing how awesome I am."
"Hmmm," Rarity heard the comment and put down on a notepad (Billboards, Canterlot Carousel)"She does have a point Twilight, why not announce to the world where you are?
"Because then everypony in the world would come just to see him, and not his work. Imagine if everypony just came to my house not to rent books, but just for photo ops. It would get pretty tiring after a while." Twilight said.
"I can see, it would be horrible for me as well," Rarity nodded.
As the food came in, Pinkie Pie happily jumped to her friends, "So as soon as we are done, we move out?"
Twilight nodded as the mares finished eating.
The servant watched as Valtor flew towards her, landing on his feet and wrapping his wings across his chest, "That was foolish, my lord. Now they will expect outside help and will be on their toes."
"I know," Valtor said, leaning against a wall.
"Then why?" Servant asked.
Valtor sighed and looked up at the sky, "For proof."
"Proof, sire?"
"That I am still my own man. I have vowed to never be under the thumb of anyone again. My mother, the witches, they all have betrayed me and left me to die!" he growled as he punched the wall. Valtor then sighed. "So today, I decided to prove that I am my own man."
"Why do you need proof, milord?" asked Servant.
"Because, ever since this whole adventure started, I have been taking your suggestions. The times we went to the different worlds to set up the trials necessary for the other guardians to grab the hearts. The trials we set up to break the hunter, all of those were based on your suggestions. The only time I have had any control, was when I had the ability to search the huntress's past and to use what I could find to break her." Valtor said, clenching his fist.
"Sire surely you don't think that I am taking over your role? I only brought you back to serve you, not to command you," Servant said, shaking her head and holding up her hoof in defense.
"Never crossed my mind, Servant," Valtor smiled as he held the old pony's hoof. "You have been my most trusted friend through this adventure. But I know somepony is controlling me, and doing this will show that no one controls me. I am Valtor, of the Black Flame, the Black Dragon of Domino, and I will not be controlled."
Servant smiled, "That is the spirit, my lord. So, shall we wait here in Saddle Arabia or head forward?"
"Let's' go, I wait to see what Twilight will figure out about who is controlling who," Valtor said.
The nine ponies began to walk through the forest, their stomachs full and minds recharged. The sound of the forest gave their journey some much needed life and energy. The group listened to the birds sing and felt the warm energy of the forest flow by them, while Twilight kept ahead of the group and led them on.
Twilight looked at a map,"Okay, if we take the train east..."
"Again!?" Sunset said,"But last time was so... fast...."
"Ah, you'll be fine Bacon-Hair!" Dash said, patting Sunset on the back.
Applejack looked to Twilight, Hey, Twi, just how fast did those Riders of Ramone go?"
"Approximately 90 mph. Trust me, I know, I blacked out at one point." She looked at Applejack,"Why?"
"Well, Ah was thinking, they might have traveled days in mere seconds to get here," Applejack said.
Rarity let out a gasp, "Which means we could be walking for weeks!" she then began to swoon onto Applejack's side as they walked out of the forest.
Will gulped, and then looked to her heart, "Um, I think I have an idea."
Twilight looked at Will,"And that would be?"
Sunset shrugged,"We could teleport."
"Well, I was thinking about what happened with Erebus. How my heart opened a portal to that amusement park world," Will looked down at her gem. "I was thinking... maybe I could try and open a portal to Taros."
"Well, try it." Twilight said,"I mean, what's the worst that could happ- I'm going to be quiet about that."
The glares from the group said it all as Will held out her gem to the air. Closing her eyes, she began to draw the heart along the air like a zipper, creating a blue light. As she did this, Servant smiled softly to herself in the distance, chuckling softly. Slowly , the portal opened wide, revealing Taros, "IT worked!" Will shouted, and wavered slightly.
"Oh my, are you ok?" asked Fluttershy.
"Y-yeah, just that took a lot out me for some reason," Will said, looking down at the heart, which was now dull and pink.
Twilight looked at Will with a frown,"Still," She panted,"We're saving that for emergencies if you feel tired after each use.
Will nodded, "Right. Thanks Twilight." slowly they all stepped through the portal and landed softly back on the other side.
Twilight looked around,"Alright, now let's find Buddy!" She said, a gleam in her eyes.
"Right, so let's see," Applejack said, looking around. "Now, where did Ah leav-"
"WELCOME PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE AND KNIGHTS," Buddy shouted from his forge as he bowed to the passing group. "Bearer of Honesty, it pleases me that you have brought friends with you."
Applejack nodded to the bulky Minotaur, "Yep, and even brought ya the horseshoes."
"Thank you, they needed to be displayed for her highness. Dear Princess, please give these to Celestia when you see her.
Twilight nodded vigorously,"Thank you sir, and I just want to say that it's a great pleasure to meet someone like you!" Using her magic, she guided the horseshoes back into Applejack’s sack.
"Oh, sure, show them before I acquire them..." Mozenwrath said with a laugh.
"It is my pleasure to meet the one who now holds friendship in her grip. As well as the other bearers. I am even impressed that you have brought guest. " Slowly he walked to Will, Trixie, and Sunset. "Hmmm," he mused as he glowered at them.
Sunset gulped,"Uh, hi?"
"Interesting, I did not believe that Forgiveness would find a kindred spirit in this age, nor Faith," he said, looking at Trixie. "Two equal virtues, making a journey as one.
“Forgiveness?" Sunset blinked,"What do you mean? How do you know?”
“Forgiveness, and Faith. Two old friends who used to join the Queens of Harmony during the times of the alicorns. Ha, they were good fighters, but could get on my nerves. As for how I knew... you have the scent of her," Buddy walked to a staff. "Honesty, take this."
Applejack watched as the staff flew to her, and quickly she grabbed the staff. It was a green staff, wrapped in vines with runes written on it, "Uh, thanks but Ah'm much more of a-"
"Keep it, it is a gift. Weapons have more than one use you know," Buddy said.
Twilight looked at Buddy,"Speaking of the Queens, lately I've been getting visions of them, do you know why?"
"I am a smith, Magic. I may take the five pools and use them as my quench, and I may use the stones that made the font of magic as my hammer and anvil, but I do not know much about magic. Maybe the items you have gathered are linking you to the queens to see the past," Buddy smiled as he looked at Rarity, who was admiring the armor. "You are intrigued, Generosity?"
"Oh, yes! I adore the craftsmanship you put into your work!" Rarity gasped in awe.
"Thank you. I made the armors and weapons for the queens personally, which is why I am glad to see them used," Buddy smiled.
“No, thank you for creating these." Twilight said with a bow
"The worst thing for a blacksmith, is to see their equipment being unused," Buddy said, taking a seat, "It was a pleasure meeting you, now good luck on your journey!”
Sunset looked down as they left, deep in thought.
Will looked at Sunset as she looked down and walked up next to her, "Something on your mind?"
"I... was just thinking about the forest spirit..." She frowned.
"I'm betting you're tired of having your mind messed with, aren't you ?" Mozenwrath said.
"I think he's fine." Fluttershy sai. "He didn't look troubled when he left. U-unless you were thinking about something else."
"Uh, yeah, I was, but I... don't want to talk about it..." Sunset then began to think,'That was horrible, all those things it showed me...'
"Are you sure Sunset? We have plenty of time before Twilight finds our way to the train station through the maze," Rarity said, overhearing Trixie shouting.
"Why would they base their cities in a maze? How do they expect any living creature to find their way through a city? Did they want to get lost," Trixie yelled, throwing her hooves into the air.
"Hey, it's a part of their culture!" Twilight said as she flew in the air,"Besides, we get to see so many interesting bits, like that statue of their fifth king!"
Trixie mumbled under breath, "That Trixie is pretty sure she had seen twice."
"No, I... am fine." Sunset frowned. ignoring Trixie and Twilight’s conversation
"Ok, but remember when you feel ready, we are all here for you," Rarity said with a sigh as she walked a little bit a head.
Pinkie bounced to Sunset and put a hat on top of her head, "Happy Hat! Now, come one, we only have to more gates to go!"
Sunset nodded,"Yeah, that's a plus..."
"Hey, sugarcube? Are you sure you're gonna be ok with leaving your wagon behind?" Applejack asked.
"Oh, don't worry," Trixie smiled. "That is only Trixie's temporary base, Luna has given Trixie many more like it."
"There!" Twilight said, jotting down on her makeshift map,"We should be near the train station.
A large blue Minotaur with a long curly mustache walked to the princess,"Alright," he whispered in a voice lower than Fluttershy, "Where are you ponies heading?"
"Saddle Arabia, sir," Twilight said, straining her ears a little. The minotaur then let them onto the train
Twilight gulped,"This won't be fun..." She held on to the seat.
Sunset whimpered as she did the same.
“Here we go!" Dash said excitedly, while Fluttershy held onto her friend tightly.
"Applejack, if we don't make it, you have always been-"
"I know Rare, I know," Applejack said as she held her friend tightly.
Will gulped, "I never even got to see my friends again."
As the minotaur slowly stretched his arm back, Trixie arched an eyebrow, "What is your problem? this is just a train."
Twilight turned to Trixie with a scared look and shook her head.
"What is with that shaaaaaaaHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Sweet Merciful Luna, Cadence, Buddy, Twilight, Celestia, and anyone else I missed, what the total and utter AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" Trixie screamed as the train broke the sound barrier upon being hit by the Minotaur.
Dash pumped the air as train sped along, "YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
"Why must they pick such a horrid way of travel?" Rarity asked as she tried to hold onto the seat.
"Please tell me when it's... over?" Fluttershy said as the train slowed down to a halt.
Twilight's eyes were closed,"I... hope it is..." She opened one eye as the train stopped.
There was a sound of hoofbeats against ground from the outside. Taking a quick look, Will raised an eyebrow, "What are they-"
Her answer came as the Saddle Arabians locked the engine with giant boards. Then other horses began to link the boards with their comrades. Taking deep breaths the horses began to run ahead, speeding down the tracks at a similar pace to a normal train.
Twilight gave a sigh of relief,"Thank Celestia." She got up,"Now that things have calmed down, I'm going to get some coffee!" She walked into a different car.
Sunset was passed out.
"Oh my!" Fluttershy squeaked, flying to Sunset and flapping her wings, "Are you ok? Twilight, bring some water with you."
Rarity held a hoof to her chest as she panted, while AJ rolled her eyes at a grumbling Rainbow Dash. Trixie was helped up by Will, "Remind Trixie to NEVER take another train."
"Ok," Will chuckled.
Sunset's eyes fluttered open,"Tell me it's over..."
"Yeah, it’s over," Dash sighed as she walked away. "I'm just sorry though."
Sunset looked at Rainbow,"For what?"
"That the train wrecked Sunset. We're all dead," Dash walked away slowly, "Now we must go to our final resting spot. Fare well."
"Rainbow!" AJ admonished.
Rainbow would feel a small shock inside of her head.
Sunset smirked as her horn glowed.
"Nice shot," Aj nudged Sunset.
"Yep we're done and these nice saddle arabians are pulling us along!" Pinkie said.
A minotaur at the front sighed as he read, "Yeah, it’s a nice train ride to Saddle Arabia, except for the weekly train robbery."
"Weekly," Rarity said.
"Train," Trixie added.
"Robbery?" said Fluttershy.
"Yeah, wouldn't worry too much,' the minotaur said. "It only happens on Fridays."
Sunset's eyes opened wide,"And today is...?"
"Friday," the minotaur said, going back to his paper, not noticing the wide eyes of the eight ponies.
In the dining car, several cloaked equines began to mill around.
Sunset looked behind her,"Twilight, please hurry up!" her horn began to glow.
Twilight hummed to herself as she walked to the counter, not noticing the cloaked figures mulling around,"One cup of coffee and a bottle of water, please?"
A short round figure in a cloak shouted, "Hold on, dear ponies! For you are about to be robbed by the greatest thief in the history of Saddle Arabia."
"Ninth ma’am, you just got promoted after the candy robbery last month," said a tall cloaked figure, rolling her eyes under the hood.
"NINTH! Which, as we all know, is still better than ten! Ninth best thief in the history of Saddle Arabia! The marauder of the many sands, the taker of the cherries, the ultimate kumquat, and the descendant of the greatest thief in the seven deserts Abyiss Malaise! Yes, fear for you are" the thief did not notice that the car runner still worked on making Twilight her coffee. As she tried to jump onto the table, she made feeble attempts at jumping, "Have, help."
"Yes mam," droned the tall shadow as she picked up the fat pony and put her on the table.
Dramatically, the round pony threw off her cloak in sequence with the other robbers, "Dank Corridors!"
"Here you go princess, and goodbye," squeaked the runner as he hid, handing Twilight her coffee.
“Thank you-" Twilight said, then watched in horror as the cloak hit her cup and caused it to fall to the ground. She looked down with a neutral expression. Her eyes slowly turned to Dank and glowered. She snorted, her eyes began to glow for a bit,"Excuse me, Miss Corridors, would you mind waiting, just for a bit?" she asked.
"Do YOU mind? I am trying to handle a robbery here," Dank said, looking at Twilight insulted. "Now, why don't you go and cower in the corner while the master thief accomplishes her goal."
"Uh, ma’am?" Have raised a hoof.
"Don't uh me! I have a robbery to accomplish.”
"No," Twilight began to seethe before calming herself, barely,"You see, I didn't get my daily dose of coffee. The Flutter Ponies don't have coffee, unfortunately, so I needed that cup. I don't know what WE'LL DO if I don't have my coffee." Her voice began to get a bit louder as her hair singed.
"Well, little missy," Dank said, plucking Twilight's nose, "I don't care. So how about you take your caffeine addiction elsewhere!"
"Brilliant idea ma’am, antagonize Equestria's newest princess," Have rolled her eyes.
"Princess, I don't see any princess. All I see is a purple unicorn with wings and..." her eye widened in horror
Twilight's eye twitched as her nose was plucked,"You know, normally, I don't like throwing my title around," her eyes glanced at the scared ponies,"but in this case..." Her eyes went white and her mane and tail crackled as her magic grabbed every thief possible.
Sunset blinked as a bandit came through the door, only to scream horribly as he was dragged back.
"WE ARE WILLING TO MAKE AN EXCEPTION!"She pulled Dank to her face,"THOU HAVE SCARED CIVILIANS, STOLE MANY THINGS, AND BROKE OUR COFFEE! THY PUNISHMENT SHALL BE SWIFT!" She growled,"TELL US, WHAT GODS DOST THOU PRAY TO!?"
"Um, all of them?" Dank said before looking into her white eyes. "Look I can say that I am a brave mare, so let me be the first to say-MURDER MY MEN BUT SPARE ME!!! I haven’t pray to any gods in a while but I am pretty positive that I wet them by now."
"Yes, that will appease the Element of Magic," Have said
Twilight chuckled a very loud chuckle,"THERE'S NO GETTING OUT OF THIS, KNAVE! NOW, PRAY!" Twilight carefully opened the windows, and chucked the bandits out.
"Mudder." muttered Dank before she was thrown out with her men.
The keeper smiled as he handed Twilight a new cup, "Wow, I have never seen anyone throw out a robber that fast before."
"That's what happens when I don't get my caffeine." she smiled at the keeper,"Thank you, and I'll pay for any damages these guys caused."
Sunset raised an eyebrow as she watched several specks flying towards the distance,"What in Celestia's name?"
“Oh, maybe somepony is practicing their baseball game!" Pinkie said, looking out the window.
"Or maybe we are looking at bugs," Trixie said.
Applejack looked to Twilight, "Hey Twilight, any idea what those specks could be?"
Twilight took a sip of her coffee as she sat down,"I don't know, birds probably." she shrugged.
Soon the grasslands of Taros gave way to the sands of Saddle Arabia. As the train slowly traveled along the rails, the sand passed by the metal giant like a sea passing by a boat. The mares inside would lean against the window, staring at the roving dunes and the passing by small animals. Occasionally, they would pass by the statue of a young Saddle Arabian horse looking out, "Hey, what is that?" Pinkie asked.
A mare looked at Pinkie, "Those are sand markers. The son of Street Rat had those installed millennia ago to help guide lost caravans. Of course with the invention of trains, those are mainly relics. But they helped to established the Saddle Arabian trade system.
Twilight gasped in awe,"So wonderful!"
"Of course, I remember Rough Diamond. I never got to talk to him, being dead and all, but he was always the more economic-focused and more like a sultan than his sister." Mozenwrath said.
"Maybe if we're lucky we’ll see the monument to Street Rat's daughter," the mare said. "She was something special. It was she that was said to help banish Mirage from this land forever."
Twilight smiled a bit sadly,"She wasn't totally successful, unfortunately." She muttered under her breath.
"Look mommy, there it is!" said a little arabian pegasus foal as she pointed out a statue of a mare riding on a carpet to the sky.
Mozenwrath chuckled,"Oh, yes, her. Jade was a daddy's girl if I ever saw one. She kept up fighting monsters long after her dad died. Speaking of the rug, whatever happened to that thing?"
Trixie patted Twilight's shoulder and hugged her.
As the train passed the statue, Applejack looked to the mare, "What is up with that rug she's riding?"
"That was her father's. It's said that he would fly to so many places on it, sadly it's been lost to the sands of time," the mare said, taking her foal down the train.
Twilight frowned,"Aw, I wanted to see it. I guess it went the way of the genies as well." She sighed.
"Please don't mention him!" Mozenwrath growled,"That guy got on my nerves!"
The train continued to roll along the tracks, passing by some small towns and a giant canyon as it sped towards its destination. Through most of the day and night it passed by the desert in a slow path until in the afternoon it passed through the canyon to it's final destination. At the end of the tracks, the train neared the capital city, "Now approaching Agrabah!" The conductor yelled as the train went into the station.
Over the millennia, the city had changed. No more was it a large city with small stone houses, but a bustling city with ponies everywhere mingling and talking. Throughout the large expanse, ponies could be heard talking and hawking their wares. There were ponies in the streets as far as the eye could see.
"Agrabah, it's been too long..." Mozenwrath said with a hint of disgust.
Twilight looked at the bustling city,"Wow! I've always wanted to see this place!" She looked at the others,"What do you want to do first!?
"Ah have no idea," Applejack said in awe.
"I'd like to check the library, and see if they have anything on the key!" Twilight said as she ran off.
As Twilight ran off, she took Rainbow Dash in her magic,"You're coming with me, Rainbow!"
"Wait, why?" Rainbow shouted as she was dragged away.
As Rarity stepped off the platform, she began to squee, "Oh think about it: The silks, the spices, the gems! Who knows what we will find out here. Come along girls!"
"Look, Rarity, Ah think we bought enough back in-"
"Apple seeds, rare seeds!" shouted a saddle arabian.
"Then again..."
"Come on Flutters!" Pinkie squealed as she took Fluttershy by the hoof.
Will hovered and shouted to Twilight, "Twilight, do you have a place you want to meet?"
"Yeah, we'll meet near the front of the palace!" Twilight said with a grin. She winked at Rainbow,"Come on, we need to spend more time together!"
"Trixie will continue her investigations," Trixie said as she walked.
“Fine, but they better have some awesome books there!" Rainbow Dash shouted.
Twilight grinned,"Of course they will! Imagine," She said as the library came into view,"all those spells, artifacts, and history!"
Sunset looked towards a museum,"I'd like to check out that museum."
Will chuckled and flew next to Sunset, "Mind if I come with?"
Sunset nodded,"Sure." She frowned a little.
“Hours of boredom, coughing n dust, oh yeah...a blast," Dash rolled her eyes as they stepped into the library.
The librarian, a light green arabian horse with a black mane looked and smiled, "OH! Equestrians! I am so excited to see you both," she said, jumping to the two Equestrians. "I mean, you are like the second and third ones I saw this morning."
“Second and third?" Twilight asked, using a hoof to hold Rainbow close.
"Oh yes, there was this cute little yellow mare with bacon hair passed by here a hour ago. She went in and checked out some really nice books," the green arabian smiled.
"Think Sunny has a twin?" Rainbow Dash asked
Twilight's eyes widened,"Do you know what she checked out? Do you know if she went anywhere!?"
"Well, I don't know where she went, but I do know what she looked up," she smiled and bounded out of the main room and back with a short stack of books. "’Ancient gems’, 'heroes of the past', 'the power of Djinn's’, and my favorite 'Street Rat and Legacy."
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, "Great, more reading and more waiting around."
Twilight grinned,"I know!" She grabbed Rainbow's tail,"Come on, let's go to that table over there!" Her horn glowed a bright red and she winced a little.
“Fine!" Rainbow Dash growled a little , but as she picked up the books, she saw Twilight wince. "Twilight, something wrong?"
"No, nothing's wrong," Twilight said with a shake of her head,"I just didn't get much sleep."
As Dash picked up the books, her eyes glowed a bit purple, giving her a strange urge to read them thoroughly.
"Ok," Dash said with a smile, putting down the power of Djinns and began to read through it. Her eyes locking into the book with fierce determination.Rainbow Dash continued to look through the book not knowing why her mind was focused on reading each page.
Twilight looked up at Dash while she read Ancient Jewels,"Enjoying yourself?"
"Heck yes," Dash said enthusiastically.
"Great!" Twilight said. She looked up and took a book titled,'Shadow Spells,' and placed it on the table,"I knew you'd have fun!"
"I know, it’s a shock!" Dash exclaimed.
"Uh-huh," Twilight hugged Dash,"It's a little weird though." She walked back to her spot, dropping a mathematical equation along the way.
Dash squeaked at the hug, "Twilight, are you ok? What do you mean weird?" she looked at the equation and her mind began to decipher it.
Twilight looked at Dash and shook her head,"Nothing, erm, I think we'd better check these books out and find a place to stay for a while."
"Ice cream time!" squeaked the librarian as she ran past the table with two bowls of ice cream. Then ran back to the desk.
Twilight blinked. She grabbed the bowl,"How did she...?"
"Who cares, ice cream!" Dash said with a smile.
"But, how and when," She sighed,"Oh well." Twilight began to eat the ice cream
The green librarian smiled as she handed some drinks before reading a comic labeled 'Space Queen vs. Cosmos'
"Are you sure you are all right?" Will asked, looking at the frowning Sunset.
Sunset said nothing as she looked towards the museum and looked at the statues in front. "You're tired, aren't you? Tired of everything going against you, things manipulating you and forcing things out of your hooves. The Elements, Valtor, The Spirit, all forced you to see and do things you didn't want. I could help with that. Give me your body, and I'll make it all better." Mozenwrath said.
"... I will be." Sunset snarled.
"Wow," Will said, looking at the statues in awe. "I wonder what they are?"
"Well, my dear friend," said a raspy voice. Behind them stood a short arabian with a turban, "These are some of the statues of the previous sultans of the past, leading up to the current."
Sunset turned to the voice,"Wow," She looked at the statues,
"And there's even the crazy old man." Mozenwrath said.
Sunset walked into the museum, and looked at the artifacts,"Look at all this, so many memories. Oh, is that Mechanikles' spider machine?" Mozenwrath said
"Tell, my dear," said the peddler to Sunset, "would you like to see the Street Rat exhibit?"
Sunset nodded,"Yes, of course!"
"Right, I want to see what my mortal foe has in this exhibit of yours." Mozenwrath said
A light Blue arabian smiled at the two ponies, "Ah, and Welcome to the Street Rat exhibit. Oh, I bet you can't wait to see what awesome things are in here. Whoa, Bacon and a jewel bearer, sweet!" he said leading the two mares in side.
"Again with the bacon!" Sunset yelled in her mind.
"Not another blue thing. I've had enough of those..." Mozenwrath shuddered.
"First we begin the journey at the gaining of his best tool the lamp, it was a fun advenute-
"Oh,no! He's going through his entire story! Excuse me, I'm going to sleep in your subconscious for a while!" Mozenwrath said.
Will listened to the story with great enthusiasm, looking from painting to statue.
Sunset marveled as she listened to the story.
"And this," the blue stallion said, "is the picture known as the dark forces. Here you can see all of Street Rat's powerful foes: Abiss Malaise, Mechanikles, Mirage, and here in the middle, is Mozenrath.
"Wow," Sunset said,"But Mirage, she makes me feel uneasy."
"Me too. Hey, they got my good side again!" Mozenwrath chuckled
When the two mare looked up, they had found the stallion gone, and then just as suddenly, he reappeared again "-and that is why you should run from genie hunters," the blue stallion said, now wearing a 'I heart Equestria t-shirt'
“How did you change the shirt when you left for the bathroom," Will asked.
"Oh, needed a change," smiled the stallion. "Now, walk this way to some of the elemental beings he fought." with that, he walked under a hat and began to shuffle off. Two hats fell onto Sunset and Will
"Oh, please don't tell me..." Mozenwrath shuddered.
"No, not at all," giggled Will as they walked into the elemental room.
"Now, some of these are actually artefacts. Like this," the stallion pointed to a wooden necklace, "Is a replica given to the museum to represent the amulet of the rainbow griffon Thundara."
"Wow, Thundara, I've heard of her." Sunset said in amazement.
"You have?" Will asked.
"Yeah, she was said to be able to control the weather with just a flick of her wrist." Sunset said.
"And this is the glass that was said to melt the ice giant, back when he covered all of Agrabah in snow," said the blue arabian as he walked on.
"Ah, yes, I remember laughing as I saw the citizens in shock." Mozenwrath chuckled.
"Of course all of these pieces represent some of the highlights of the fights with Street Rat's best foes, except Moze... we didn't think about him," winked the blue stallion.
Sunset blinked,"What?"
"What do you mean you don't think about me!?" Mozenwrath yelled,"I'm way more important than all of these hacks!"
The stallion chuckled, "Just kidding, the 'great' Mozenwrath was one of the worst foes of Street Rat. Second to Mirage, who had forced him through many trials. Mozenwrath on the other hoof, matched him in many aspects... except charm."
“What!? I'm a thousand times more charming than that Street Rat!" Mozenwrath growled
As the stallion led them further down the path, Will whispered, "I think I'm starting to see what you mean. Look at his shirt, when we passed by earlier it said 'I luv Equestrians', then 'Sonata is my waifu', and now 'Mozenwrath is a dipstick, and dies his mane."
Sunset blinked,"Wait, does he know...?" She thought.
Mozenwrath growled,"I do not dye my mane!"
"Are you a dipstick then?" Sunset thought.
"No, I- ARGH! I'm going to rip you to shreds, you time-warping idiot!"
"As a matter of fact, it was a fight with Mozenwrath, that was one of the hero's last quests," the stallion smiled, his shirt now reading 'me and my buddy'.
“Okay, seriously, how are you changing shirts so quickly!" Sunset asked,"But, also, what was his last quest like?"
The stallion got up close, and whispered, "MAGIC!" he said throwing his hooves to the side. Smiling he walked down to a circular room, "Well, it apparently was very hush hush. He didn't even let his wife and kids know about it. But what I heard, was that he had heard rumors about Mozenwrath finding an ancient artifact that would've led him to one of the most magical realms in the multiverse, Kandrakar. Street Rat never did trust his daughter to fight Mozenwrath, something about he was to smart for her. So one night, he left on his own with the only two friends that could still fight.
Sunset raised an eyebrow,"My goodness..." She frowned,"The Genie and the carpet. What happened next?"
The blue stallion smiled softly as he led them to a case, "The hero followed the trail of Mozenwrath over a long time and past a lot of old friends and foes. It was like Mozey wanted Street Rat to have one last farewell before he killed him. Soon Street Rat trailed him to an old cave."
“That old, old cave." Mozenwrath said,"Our final battle, and he got me by surprise...”
"Mozey was a cocky little twerp, he thought he had everything in hand, but Street Rat won through skill and intelligence and being his usual heroic self," he said, sticking a tongue out at nothing.
"Quit mocking me, you blue simpleton!" Mozenwrath said.
"If he knows, why isn't he doing anything?" Sunset thought.
The stallion smiled, and winked as if to say 'wouldn't you like to know', "This led to the biggest mystery of the Street Rat's life. Street Rat's legacy," he pulled open the case to show a glass ball. "This isn't the crystal of course, no one knows what it looks like. But this is what one person who saw it think it looks like."
"What is it supposed to do, and whatever happened to the glove?" Will asked.
"The glove has vanished," The stallion said.
“What!?" Sunset gasped.
"Yep. Street Rat knew he couldn't destroy it, so he left it for his Genie to take care of. Sadly, Genie couldn't destroy it either, so it;s still in that cave," he stallion said.
"And the cave's gone isn't it." Sunset said.
"Well the genie did his best to hide it. He wanted to make sure no one found it," the stallions said.
"But what if somepony needed to find it to save the world or something?" Sunset asked.
"Of course, because he will let you find it for that reason." Mozenwrath rolled his eyes.
"Well, I heard the map is located in the palace, you wouldn't go there, would you?"
"Hmm, well, we do know a princess that could get us there..." Sunset muttered.
The stallion then winked, "Maybe she could also help with a little problem of yours."
Sunset frowned at him,”Just who are you anyway?”
The stallion smiled as he seemed to disappear, "A friend like you never had before."
Will opened her mouth, but then heard another stallion rush in, "Sorry, was a little late." the red stallion said. "I am ready to guide... oh, I suppose you didn't need it."
Trixie walked down the street, hearing all of the vendors and hawkers selling their wares, "Note to self, perform here later when I have the tim-" she stopped herself when she saw a red and yellow tail duck down an alley. eyebrow arched, she ran down it, only to come to a dead end.
Trixie ran out from the alleyway, growling. She never did like it when someone else tricked her, and her nostrils flared n rage. Looking to her left, her purple eyes narrowed in determination as she saw the red tail run down the street.
Trixie raced down the street, passing by the various arabians that were walking by. After a few minutes of running, she caught her down one alley way, and leapt to pounce at her quarry. Only to be blinded by a flash, "Ok, that mare is good. Whoever she is, Trixie is going to catch her," the unicorn said as she took a few steps and then backed up when she saw that she was on a tall rooftop. "What the? How did Trixie? When? OH, I am going to kill her!" Trixie said, turning around to walk the opposite direction.
Trixie let out a groan as she began to walk, trying to gain her bearings. So focused on her attempt to get off the rooftop, she did not notice her slow descent, until she was back on the ground. As she stepped back onto the ground, she looked over her shoulder for what lifted her down to the ground, only to see a purple carpet with yellow tassels lying on the ground. Trixie shook her head at the odd occurrence and began to walk through the city.
Pinkie ran by Trixie, Fluttershy in tow, "Where is he?"
"Where is who?" asked Trixie.
"The guy who brushed Fluttershy's mane! There was some weird blurry thing that brushed her mane while we were looking at the fuzzy animal exhibit," Pinkie said, looking back and forth.
Trixie continued to trot with Pinkie and Fluttershy as they looked through the various stalls and vendors, "Ok, play this by Trixie again?"
"Well, I was playing around with the monkeys while Fluttershy was talking to the tigers, " Pinkie began as she looked under the stalls. "When I turned around, looking at some piglets when 'whoosh!' I tuned and a purple blur buzzed around Fluttershy and left her mane a mess!"
"It kind of tickled and it wasn't a really big deal," Fluttershy whispered.
"Nonetheless, no pony pranks Flutters under my eyes!" Pinkie said, looking around.
"Odd, Trixie stood on something purple not too long ago, a carpet," Trixie said.
"Ahhh," a blue arabian stallion with a saxaphone said, blowing into it to make some music. "You are talking about the little prankster. He always appears around this time of year."
"Prankster?" asked Trixie.
"Yep," the blue stallion said, blowing a smoke ring. "Some say, its an imp. Others say it's a spirit mad at Street rat, while others say it's a friendly little spirit."
"OH, I remember him the last time I came here," a Yak said, smiling. "My ancestors told me that if I ever wanted to have some fun, head to Agrabah. It's an Odiferous tradition. One time, I was here and I heard my daughter giggling and saw her playing with a purple thing with little yellow tassels. It was cute."
Fluttershy smiled, "So, it's actually friendly?"
"Then why did it mess with her mane?" asked Pinkie.
"Because it's a little prankster," said the blue stallion, before pulling out a pair of drums from nowhere. "Just listen to the arabians and you will hear stories of being saved or being cheered up around this time of year."
"Why this time?" Trixie asked.
"Because, it's one of the five days important to him," the blue stallion said, looking down at the ground.
"One of the five, what do you-" Tricie began to ask, but stood back when she saw him gone.
"Ok, mysterious arabians, rugs, and a pony who looks like Sunset running around the town. What is up with this city?" Trixie asked.
"Ooh, maybe it-" Pinkie began.
Trixie rolled her eyes, "No, it's not some weird ancient draconequus that Valtor awok just to mess with us."
As Pinkie deflated, Fluttershy piped in, "Maybe, it’s Sunset's mother? Or not, forget I said anything."
"That is what Trixie is thinking as well, come on. There isn't a moment to..." Trixie paused as she felt her mane. Eyes widening, she gasped, "Where did my hat go?"
As if in answer, the pointed hat fell onto Trixie's head. Then a purple blur flew in circles around her before flying off. Growling, Trixie ran after it, followed by Pinkie and Flutters
Rarity walked up from the street of one of the vendors, a smile on her face and a song in her heart.
I parachuted down the Trot Majal
She looked over her shoulder behind her, "Come on Applejack." Rarity arched her eyebrow, "Well, come on"
"Nopony." Applejack grumbled.
"Oh don't be like that, dear," Rarity said as she walked to a stall, "You love the hard work."
"Yeah, but," she grunted as Rarity helped to adjust the mountain or bags and cases that were on the farmer's back. "I didn't think you would have me carry all your shopping! Ah just was going to carry your new clothes and the seeds Ah bought. But you bought dang near the whole stores."
"Not all of it, just enough to help with some new designs I came up with," Rarity said, looking at one of the silk sheets.
"And you ain't using your magic why?" Applejack asked.
Rarity scoffed, "Applejack, I am appalled! You are insinuating that I want to use my telekinesis for such a simple task? We are on a mission here! What if, during the quest, we encounter another barbaric monster or a creature and I run out of mana when we need it the most. Why, I could lead to the death of all our friends because I ran out of magic at a crucial moment."
"Didn't we just buy mana potions?" Applejack asked.
"That stuff tastes like bile, I would never touch it!" Rarity exclaimed.
"And how are ya going to get it home?" Applejack asked with an arched eyebrow.
"Oh, what should I do," Rarity swooned. "If only I had a pegasus friend capable of traveling at mach 7 and could actually carry heavy objects. What shall I do?"
“Think Rainbow Dash would actually agree?" Applejack asked.
"I have my ways," Rarity grinned. She looked at one of the silk cloths, and then let out a gasp as she watched it crumble, "What? But, it shouldn't...i s this counterfeit?" she said, not noticing the purple blur that destroyed the cloth.
"Well, I-"
Rarity interrupted her with a hoof, "Tut! I have never been so insulted!"
"Stupid purple thing," grumbled the mare as the two walked away.
As they walked, they quickly ran into Trixie and the others, "Trixie, what is going on?"
"Tell Trixie, have you seen a purple blur lately?" Trixie asked.
"No, why?"
"Because apparently its been playing tricks, and Trixie wants to pay it back for," she let out a gasp as she was spun around and her cape was put on her head. "That!" she yelled, feeling herself again hatless.
"Looks like somepony got your hat," Applejack said, chuckling.
"There it goes!" Pinkie shouted, pointing to Trixie's hat flying away.
"After it!"
Twilight blinked as she saw her friends run past the window,"What are they doing?" She grinned and turned to Dash,"Come on, it's probably something dangerous!"
The green mare smiled, "Bye, have fun storming the bad guy fortress!" she then bought out a hoof puppet, "Think they got a chance?"
"It'll take a miracle," the hoof puppet said.
The mare then began to walk away, adjusting her nametag that read 'Hi my name is Eden.'
Rainbow Dash flew alongside the girls, "Ok, so why are we running?"
"Something took Trixie's hat!" Trixie said as she ran.
Applejack panted, "Ah can't believe we are getting worked up over her hat!"
"Up there!" Pinkie Pie said as she bounced on some of the tarps after the flying hat. The purple blur flew back and spun Pinkie around before taking off.
Rairty gasped, "My word that thing is fast."
"Am I the only one who is wondering why the two magic users aren’t using MAGIC?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Excuse me, Dashie, but it's a little hard to get a hold of something going that fast!" Twilight's horn glowed as she attempted to grab the thing.
“Let me try!" Dash said, flying off towards the flying blur. Only to get spun around like a top as the object flew off. Trixie looked ahead and made some steps.
"Princesses first!" Trixie said.
"Sure thing, Trix!"Twilight nodded as she charged her horn to try and grab the thing.
The carpet manage to fly just ahead, and into a small hut. As the bearers walked in, they found an old ramshackle home, big enough for one person. The window offered a perfect view of the palace in the distance. All around was various nicknacks including, "My hat!" Trixie cheered, putting it back n with a flourish.
"What is this place, besides filthy," Rarity said, kicking aside a broken vase. Looking up she saw a purple carpet with yellow assals that caught her eye.
" The place must’ve been here for ages," Applejack said, walking around. "Think this place was ever lived in?"
"I don't know, but whoever lived her last had a remarkable taste in furniture," Rarity said, placing her hoof onto the carpet, which twitched at her touch. She took a step back in shock, and tapped again and watched in shock as it twitched. "I-I-I think that the carpet is alive."
Fluttershy walked close to the carpet and touched it, as he hoof near it the purple rug move a little. She squeaked and hid behind Rainbow Dash, "Twilight that carpet-"
Twilight walked up to it,"Is it a magic carpet!?" She gave a grin.
Carpet let out a jump, and flew from the wall to flitter around Twilight before landing back on the ground and bowing to the princess. Pinkie bounced forward, "Wait, are you the purple blur?"
The carpet nodded enthusiastically, as if to say 'yes. I like playing around this time of year."
"I like him," Pinkie said, smiling.
"Wow! I wonder who owned you?" Twilight asked. She looked around,"Sounds like you've been all alone this time."
Carpet nodded slowly, and moved as if to sigh. It kicked a little rock around in a solemn way. Fluttershy walked to it, "Did you lose your owner? Who was he?"
"Oh, you poor thing!" Twilight said, then she stopped,"Your owner... he wouldn't be Street Rat, would he?"
The carpet nodded. Trixie looked shocked, "But, how? Street Rat was millennia ago and-" she paused as it flew around her. "Will you cut that out?"
"I think it likes you," Fluttershy said.
Twilight chuckled," Well, it's magic, so something kept it in good condition. Hey little guy, do you anything about a key to the Heart of Worlds?"
The carpet nodded, and was about to help, when a voice rang out, "What are you seven doing here?" asked a yellow mare with red and yellow hair with greying streaks.
Twilight turned and gasped,"Um, we followed this carpet here-" She blinked,"Sunset?"
Sunset looked around the crowd,"Uh, excuse me, have you see a purple alicorn run by here?"
"Yes, we saw her run that way," one stallion said, pointing to a nearby loft.
The mare opened her eyes wide, "My daughter, you know of her? You met her-" she then noticed the wings. "Oh Sweet Celestia, Princess! I am so sorry."
"Wait, daughter?" Twilight gasped,"Sunshine!" She smiled.
"Sunshine!?" A voice came from behind Sunset's mother. Sunset ran at her, and punched her across the room,"Where've you been!?"
Slowly Sunshine got up, "S-sunset? My daughter, oh Celestia." tears began to flow down her face as she knelt down on the ground, "I deserved that, and I know I did. I am sorry, but please understand it was to protect you."
"Protect me!?" Sunset yelled,"I practically went insane, trying to learn magic, living in fear for my own mother figure, and then feeling betrayed by said mother figure, all so you could protect me!? From what!?" she stomped her hooves.
She whispered one name, "Mozenwrath."
Sunset stopped seething for a minute,"What? Mozenwrath?"
"I agree, what?" Mozenwrath blinked.
"What does he have to do with anything?" Twilight asked.
“I read of a curse on our family, one that leads to darkness," she then showed off her flank, her cutie mark of a mostly red sun covering a yellow sphere. " Our family has always been one of balance, light and dark, good and evil. Great power that can be used for a great good and a great evil. When Sunset was born, I performed a divination to see what her destiny was, and what I saw... scared me."
"Scared you?" Trixie asked.
"Correction, it horrified me!" she said, looking out the window. "I saw her becoming a demon, and worse. I saw the cure on our family coming to light. There is something in our mana pool that makes us a doorway for a spirit like Mozenwrath to come inside.To invade our bodies and use it. I was scared that he would use Sunset as his vessal."
Sunset blinked,"And... that's why you came here..." She looked down.
"Have you found anything else?" Twilight shot a quick glance at Sunset.
"Only that the way to help remove this curse and Mozenwrath from our world is to find Street Rat's legacy. This was the last place I could find any clues," Sunshine say looking down, and then to Sunset. "Sunset, I am so sorry, I needed to know you were safe. So I gave you to the one pony I trusted above all others."
Sunset frowned,"... What I really needed was you." She said, walking away,"I believe the clue is in the palace. Let's talk to the sultan."
Twilight shook her head. She looked at Sunshine,"Give her time." She said, before following.
Sunshine nodded, sighing as she followed the princess. As Trixie followed the other bearers, carpet began to follow her, "What do you think you're doing? Trixie does not-"
"I think he likes you, don't you?" Will said, rubbing Carpet's back.
Trixie rolled her eyes at this.
Rainbow Dash flew over the heads of the alicorn and unicorn, "I agree, it would be quite beneficial."
Twilight grinned,"Oh, come on, Trix, don't you think having a magic carpet would be totally radical?" She covered her mouth,"Did I really just say that? I must be losing my mind..." She frowned a little.
Applejack arched an eyebrow, "Uh, sugarcube? Are you ok?"
Twilight raised an eyebrow at Dash,"Uh, we're fine, just fine." she smiled a little,'Everything is just fine.' She said as Sunset led them to the castle.
“Halt!" said a palace guard, looking down at the ten ponies, "What brings you here-Princess!" he then began to bow to Twilight Sparkle.
"We're here to see the sultan to discuss something important." Twilight said.
"The guard nodded, "Yes, of course, walk this way." he then led them into the large throne room. Ahead of them, a tiny little bird like creature with a turban step into the room.
"Ahem," squeaked the little creature.
Applejack arched an eyebrow at this, "What type of bird is that?"
"I don't know, I have never seen one before," Fluttershy said.
Trixie had a confused look on her face, "A imp?"
"A what?"
“An imp." Twilight said,"A little bird creature that hangs around Saddle Arabia." She looked at it,"What are you doing here?"
A memory flashed in Rainbow's head,
"Pwincess, what's an imp?" A little cyan and rainbow maned unicorn filly asked Celestia
"I work here, I announce the ponies coming in and help organize construction efforts," the imp, Totafaire, said. "Presenting, her royal majesty Princess Twilight Sparkle and company, Lady Dash, Lady Applejack, Lady Rarity, Lady Fluttershy, Lady Pinkie Pie, Lady Sunset Shimmer, and three guests."
"Trixie is regulated to guest?" She grumbled.
Rainbow Dash arched an eyebrow at the memory, "What was that?"
Twilight shrugged,”Guess you’re just not as important as us.”
Trixie was taken aback at that comment and raised her hoof to object, Dash put a hoof onto her shoulder, "It’s ok, she wa just kidding."
Twilight looked at the sultan,”We’re here for the Heart of Worlds, do you know anything about it, and this mystical cave?”
"The Heart of Worlds?" said the green arabian, she shuddered a little. " It is a legendary place, and the key that you are searching for is not to be messed with. Why are you looking for it”
"Well, we kinda need it to save the world." Twilight said,"Ever heard of Valtor?"
“Valtor, the black dragon?" asked the sultan. "I have heard of him, but I thought he was only a legend. Is he looking for the heart of worlds?"
Twilight nodded,"Yes, which means we need that map you have."
The sultan sighed, "It's in the treasury, but I should warn you... the journey won't be pleasant. I have no idea what lies back there or what you will face."
“So," Twilight gave a smirk,"Basically you're telling us to be careful of random dangers? Awesome!" She trotted over to the treasury.
Sunset shook her head,"The dangers can't be worse than we normally face."
“Must you be so forthright?" Rainbow Dash asked Twilight. "We are going to need a plan when we get there."
Sunset looked at Rainbow with a wide eyed stare,"Did... you just say that?"
"Oh, come on!" Twilight grinned,"We don't need that much of a plan!" She opened the doors of the treasury.
Applejack walked to Twilight as they stood in the gold covered treasury, "You ok? That was kind of out of the normal for you."
"Oh my," Rarity said, looking at the various gems that littered the room. "Will you look at all of these wonderful gems!"
"How are we going to find the map in all of this?" Asked Fluttershy.
Will flew to the top of the room, "Give me a few minutes."
Twilight looked at Applejack,"What do you mean? I'm not acting weird!" She immediately turned around.
Sunset looked around, her face scrunched up in thought,
"Apparently it was destiny that I ended up with you. And here I thought I picked you because you were less stable then Twilight." Mozenwrath said.
"Well, you just liked like Rainbow for a second. You wanted to rush headlong into a scene and Rainbow," Applejack said as Rainbow Dash began to babble on about a scroll she found. "Well, look."
"Hmmm, if I was a map playing hide and seek, where would I hide?" Pinkie asked.
"Huh," Twilight chuckled. She turned to Applejack,"Well, if it keeps happening? Just... try to ignore it, please?" her face went serious for a moment,"Especially for Rainbow Dash." She smirked as she used her magic,"Now come on, we have a map to find!"
Applejack nodded and winked at Twilight, turning to look for the map.
Sunshine looked at Sunset and sighed, turning to look at the piles of coins. Her eyes widened as she saw a scroll enveloped by a blue aura, "I think I found it!"
Sunset turned and went to the scroll,"What's this blue aura?" She asked as she attempted pick it up with her magic.
The orb exploded in a sparkle of light and levitated to Sunset. As it floated in front of her, a line of text appeared, one that wa only visible to Mozenrath and Sunset, 'If you hurt whoever you are possessing, I will find you. Remember, you have never won-SR'
"Are you sure that's the map?" Pinkie asked looking over Sunset's shoulder. "It's blank."
As Sunset looked on, lines and locations began to appear on the map, invisible to the others.
“Please, Street Rat, how can you possibly find me? For once, I will win." Mozenwrath said.
"It seems... that only I can read the map." Sunset said.
Sunshine stepped back and looked away with a frown, while Rainbow Dash smiled, "Intriguing! It's like it’s working on a mental spell-frame keyed in on a spell. Maybe it works on a dna charm or a positive energy flow."
"Well, thank goodness I went shopping earlier," Rarity smiled. "Now we can be prepared for the journey."
"Awesome!" Twilight said,"But why does it work with you? What, I'm not awesome enough for it?" She frowned.
Sunset raised an eyebrow at the response from Twilight. She looked at Sunshine,"Do you know something?" She frowned.
"I think so, tell me... have you been hearing voices or felt a presence within you as of late?" Sunshine asked.
"Uh," Sunset gulped,"I don't think I can answer that question."
"And why not?" Trixie asked.
"Something you're not telling us?" Applejack asked.
Rainbow Dash flew next to Sunset, "Girls, it's probably just the reverberations from Valtor's spell. I wouldn't worry about it. It’s like my mom always said, 'Plan for the future, but trust in your friends for now.'" she then smiled at Sunset as she flew off.
Sunset blinked,"That... was pretty profound."
"Unless she just can't tell us." Twilight said with a frown. She winced as her horn glowed red for a bit,"I'm following Rainbow Dash." She walked out
“Firefly never said anything like that," Fluttershy whispered as they walked out of the palace.
Rainbow Dash took to the air, smiling, " Hey Twilight, think we should stock up a little before going out. That desert's going to be killer."
Twilight looked up,"Oh, come on, I'm sure Rarity already did that," SHe looked at the white unicorn,"Tell me you did, I really want to get there!"
“Well, I bought some covering for the heat, and some beautiful looking water caskets for us all, and Applejack bought some food for us," Rarity said, looking back at Applejack.
"Yeah, that I carried," the farmer said with a roll of her eyes.
"So, we are good to go!" Pinkie cheered.
As Trixie walked, she felt a nudging from her left. Looking back at Carpet, she rolled her head, "Trixie supposed you want to come along with us. Well, look you little thing, Trixi will not-Whoa!" she yelped as she was lifted by Carpet.
Aw, it wants to fly us!" Sunset said with a smile,"I'd like to ride, provided it isn't too fast." She blinked as Twilight flew up with an enthusiastic woop.
Carpet nodded and took the six ponies
Onto its back and began to fly. Pinkie Pie immediately began to cheer, "WHOOOO! This is great.
Rarity dangled her hooves over the edge of carpet, "I agree, a lot nicer than the riders that we met a few days ago."
Sunset nodded as she took out the map, and began to give directions.
Twilight looked around as she flew,"Wow, nothing but sand for miles!"
The map read, 'beware of the mechanical claw.' Pinkie Pie looked at the map as Sunset read it out, "What do you think that me-Whooooa!" she squealed when three mechanical claws appeared from the sand.
When Rainbow looks upon the monstrosities, her eyes glowed purple, showing the best angles of attack.
Twilight brought out Equinox, her eyes glowing magenta as her muscles tensed.
Rainbow Dash smiled as she began to put on the wingblades for her armor and began to fly, striking the monstrous claws. Applejack soared nearby, striking against the center of the claws, causing the beast to shake violently.
Twilight flew up,"I hope that's a good thing..." She frowned as the beast shook.
Sunset looked down and fired a magic bolt into it.
:Well, that's one obstacle, anything else?" Sunset panted as she looked at her map.
Past the wolf and the roc' was the next part of the map. As they flew along the desert gorun, they had to close their eyes as two fierce tornadoes began to blow fiercely.
"The wolf and the-" Sunset gasped as the tornadoes blew.
Twilight looked the tornadoes and flew up, her eyes glowing magenta again as she attempted to fly around them in the opposite direction.
Rainbow Dash followed, but was shocked when she was cut by the white tornado. Tilting up, she began to fly over head, hearing a strange sound, "Twi, wait!"
Twilight stopped,"What!?"
“These tornadoes, they aren't natural-" Dash began, but heard below.
"Stop it, stop this right now," Fluttershy shouted as much as she could.
"What?" Asked Rainbow as she hovered next to Fluttershy.
"Them, they need to stop fighting before they kill one another," Fluttershy said.
"They?" Trixie yelled to be heard.
"Listen," Fluttershy said.
Twilight blinked as she and Sunset attempted to listen.
At first, it was the large howl of the winds as the two tornadoes continues to spin at one another, but over time, a new noise was heard. One sound was a windy howl, like a wolf's, while the other was a bird cry, "A hawk?" Dash asked.
"No, it's different somehow. It’s like a screech and less of a caw," Fluttershy said. "And then there is a wolf."
Mozenwrath smiled at this, as he whispered one name in Sunset's head, 'Sirocco, its name is Sirrocco."
"Sirocco?" Sunset looked to one of the tornado,"Sirocco!"
The white tornado stopped for a moment, turning into a wolf. It turned and glared its red eyes at Sunset and ran to her. Panting, it gave her a quick lick and smiled, (Hello, my faithful pet, it’s been a while) Mozenwrath smiled. (Whisper its order to head home, I'll have need of my pet for later)
the golden tornado died down, and landing in front of the bearers was a giant hawk like creature with a serpent tongue, "Ok, Twilight, what the buck is that thing?"
"A roc," Trixie said, looking on with shock, "Luna mentioned seeing them before."
"A what?" Dash asked.
"I know rocks, and that is not a rock," Pinkie added.
Sunset gasped,"Uh, head home, you'll be needed later." she told the wolf
"A weather bird." Twilight said,"They're really massive, I'm surprised Rainbow doesn't know what it was considering she's a weather mare and all."
Rainbow Dash flew up to it, and began to pet it, "Hey, I fell asleep during that part of history class. It’s not like all of this history will be important to me later."
"What about the reserve exams?" Asked Fluttershy.
"Eh, I'll get to it," Dash shrugged.
Twilight rolled her eyes as she flew up to it,"So why were these two fighting?"
"Yeah, why, Mozenwrath," Sunset thought.
Fluttershy flew up to the bird, "The Wolf wanted to fight it. It seemed to have wanted to do it in order to hold somepony back from coming further."
I think that means us." Twilight said, then grinned,"Cool."
"I think I'm not liking this one bit." Sunset muttered.
After giving the roc a clean bill of health, Fluttershy took her place alongside carpet as it took off. Sunshine sighed as she looked ahead, "No coincidences."
"What was that?" Will asked.
"I said, no coincidences, a rule in science," Sunshine said, pushing her greying mane back. "Sirocco, that machine, and whatever is next... It's almost like Mozenwrath was running a gauntlet to see who was worthy of working with him when he finished street rat."
Twilight smirked,"Well, if he were alive, he'd be in for a rude awakening, because why would we work for him?”
"No,I mean the monster would work for him after they had killed the street rat," she said. "He was trying to wear him down before the kill and then take whoever was left as his own soldiers."
"So, we're his personal recruiting team?" Dash asked.
“Oh, that's nice, I'm so glad we could be helpful to him." Sunset muttered.
"You're welcome!" Mozenwrath chuckled.
Will growled, "I can't believe he's using us like this."
"So, what's," Pinkie began, but suddenly her voice became monotone, "Next?"
"Pinkie?" Applejack began, "Is something wrong, dear?" she said, her voice now older.
Rainbow Dash flew back, "Applejack? You just got-owd! Hey! What?" she noticed her younger body
The note on the page read, "Time will meet you again."
Sunset blinked,"Time will meet you again, like, what!?" she said, suddenly a teenager.
Sunshine, now a young adult, looked up, "Wait, I think I read about this."
"WAHHHHHHHH!" cried baby Trixie as she crawled over to Sunset, who now became a teen.
"What did you hear, sweetie, "asked an older Fluttershy, her flying having to be supported by Rainbow Dash.
Sunset put a hoof on Trixie,"Like, you have!? Like, how do we totally reverse this?"
Sunshine frowned,”There should be a gem that messes with time, somewhere.”
"Where do we find this gem, though," An elderly Twilight said, pushing up her glasses.
"Like, what it look like?" Sunset frowned as she felt her braces.
Little Rarity began to concentrate, "I think I almost," she grunted as she felt Fluttershy's closeness, enhancing her powers. Her horn glowed brighter and she looked to the ground, "Thew!"
"Good," Old Twilight said, before coughing,"Oh, no..." She said. She used her magic, causing her to wince.
"Like, what's the deal?" Teen Sunset asked.
"My magic..." She crumpled down to Carpet,"I think it's working against my old body: Pretty much, My magic's too strong for my body now." She winced as she breathed heavily.
Teen Sunset frowned,"Well, don't have a cow, I'll, like, totally handle this!" She turned and used her magic to disrupt the gem.
The gem glowed brightly before shattering,returning the timeline and the ponies to normal. Rainbow Dash flew to Twilight, "Hey, are you ok?"
Twilight gasped,"Yeah, just fine, I just have to remind myself to buy magic dampening pills when I'm 70." She said.
Sunset felt her teeth,"I'm normal again!" She jumped for joy
Sunshine smiled, “You were so adorable when you were younger."
"Ah had no idea you wore braces, sugarcube," Applejack said.
Sunset frowned at Sunshine's comment, and then turned to Applejack with a blush,"Well, it's not something I'd like to think about..."
"Oh come on, give," Dash said, flying to Sunset. "I mean-
("Momesjty, do I really need to wear these?" asked the rainbow maned unicorn.
"Yes, my faithful student," Celestia said, as smoke rose from her flank. "I think when we train in battle spells, this will be for the best. We do not want to hurt the passerbys.")
"I used to wear glasses to help with my aim," Dash said.
"What do you mean by aim, Rainbow Dash?" Rarity asked.
"Well, when I hit targets of course."
Sunset blinked,"Hit them with what?"
Twilight immediately changed the subject,"So what's next on the map?"
The next point on the map, 'Rider of the storm."
Dash looked up as the clouds began to darken, "UH oh. Twilight, I think this is bad."
"Why is the sky so-" a loud boom followed by laugh made Fluttershy get close to Sunset.
"Why, hello there," a female voice boomed.
Twilight looked around at the clouds,"Who's there!?"
A giant snake-like bird fell from the dark sky, his body black and charred. From the hole that he created, an earth pony with a dark purple coat slowly lowered herself on the cloud, "Well, Valtor was right. You were making good time. And as for my name," the mare laughed, throwing her wild purple mane back. "The name is Stormy, Valtor sends his regards."
Twilight growled,"Well, tell Valtor that he can take his regards and shove them!" she fired a bolt towards Stormy.
Stormy dodged, bobbing out of the way of the bolt, "Ohh, testy."
"Wait, you met Valtor? Where are my friends? What happened to my mind," yelled Will as she threw a bolt of lighting at Stormy.
The witch smiled, "Oh you don't know? Well they are right now-" she winced at the pain as a bolt went through her mind.
(No, my soldier, you shouldn't spoil the surprise )
"Who said they exits. You are just a little mare with wings who is in too big over her head!”
Sunset growled,"Don't start!" She yelled, sending a magic ray from her horn at her.
Twilight teleported behind Stormy and kicked her in the head.
Stormy let out a gasp as she fell from the cloud, spinning around to create a blizzard to hit Twilight with. Letting out and yell, she felt the beam from Sunset hitting her in the back. With a roar she threw a lightning bolt at the carpet, only to watch it blocked by Fluttershy's wings blade.
Twilight gasped as she used a barrier to block the blizzard.
Sunset charged up her horn to send a few magic bolts at Stormy
Focusing on the lighting, Fluttershy redirected to Rainbow, who took into body and flew at high speed to repeatedly hit Stormy. Getting onto a new cloud, Stormy tried to unleash a thunder head, but a hail of diamonds distracted her from firing.
Twilight teleported under her cloud and kicked up into her stomach.
Stormy was sent flying into the cloud cover, and Will quickly followed. As she broke through, she found nothing there.
Stormy shook her head as she found herself in a void, "What? Where am I?"
"That is what we would like to know," said a female voice. "I was stuck in prison wondering how I was going to break us out when I woke up here."
"Icy, Darcy!" cheered Stormy as she ran to her sisters sides. "You're ok!"
"Yeah, we are," sighed Darcy. "But I have no idea how or why-"
"I have something to do with that," whispered a calm soothing voice. "I have need of the three of you. Tell me, how would you like to get revenge?"
"I say," Icy smiled. "Where do I sign up?"
Will flew back down, "She's gone."
Twilight panted,"Well, that was surprisingly easy."
"All of these have been too easy," Applejack said, looking up at Twilight from the carpet. "Twilight, I don't like it. Something ain’t right."
"We, Mozenwrath didn't want Street Rat dead by the time he got here. He probably set these trials to be easy on purpose," Sunshine said.
"I concur, Twilight ," Rainbow Dash said, looking at the alicorn. "It has been too easy. I fear for the next task."
Sunset gulped,"I'm pretty sure Mozy probably expected Street Rat to handle himself..." She looked at the map.‘Before you and I meet, dream a little dream of me.' she read.
"Now what in tarnation does that mean?" Applejack asked as Trixie put a hoof to her chin.
"Maybe he is going to try and use a sleep spell?" Fluttershy asked.
"Dream, a gauntlet of Street Rat's foes..." Trixie began to think to herself.
Pinkie Pie bounced up to look ahead, "Oh, maybe the Street Rat faced off against a sleep monster."
"I have studied much of Street Rat's history, and I know that to be untrue," Sunshine said.
"Dream?" Rainbow Dash said, then her eyes went wide in time with Trixie's.
Twilight's eyes widened,"N-
"Sunset? Sunset? Wake up my little one," Celestia called, nudging the sleeping alicorn.
A little filly giggled, "Sunny is a sleepy head."
Sunset shook her head,"Celestia?" She looked at the filly,"Where am I?"
"You're home, silly," giggled the purple unicorn as she snugged to Sunset's leg. "Home with me forever."
"Now, Twilight. You know that is unfair. Sunset has responsibilities back home. Much like you have school," Celestia reprimanded her youngest daughter.
"Yes, Mom," Twilight said. Then, she looked up with a smiled, "Momejesty, after I finish studying, can I go play with the other crusaders?"
"Yes dear," Celestia then looked at Sunset, "You are in Canterlot, my dearest. You came because you wanted to study up on a spell for Applejack. You must have fallen asleep."
"But..." Sunset looked around, then she noticed her wings,"But, we were in Saddle Arabia! Sunshine, everyone, this..." She shook her head as she looked at a mirror and saw Mozenwrath staring at her.
"You are overworked my dearest," Celestia said, draping a wing over Sunset's body. "Come with me. You must tell me about your friends."
"This isn't real, Sunset," Mozenwrath said,
"This isn't real, this is a dream isn't it?" She said, gulping,"But it feels real..."
"Whatever do you mean sunset? This is as real as you want it to be," Celestia said plainly. "You have friends, you have a life, and you are surrounded by love. No one knows about your crimes, you are loved."
"Wait, how do you know about my crimes?" Sunset asked.
"You know," Celestia winked at Sunset. Leaning in, she whispered "That time you stole from the cookie jar." Giggling she walked ahead. "Come, your Aunt Luna is waiting.
"Aunt Luna?" Sunset said. She got up.
"You fool! Don't follow her!" Mozenwrath shouted
"Shut up, I'm going to enjoy myself." Sunset growled.
"Applejack! Come home, you are working too much," Gala called from the house.
"Alright Maw!" Applejack answered back, running to the house, looking at all of the apples that she had bucked. "Paw, ain't Big mac back yet?"
"Nope, he is still with that little school marm," said the stallion as he walked with his daughter. "She is going to be Missus Apple soon enough. Wait and see."
"Ewww, Paw," grumbled Applebloom, a blurry cutie mark on her flank. "That's my teacher you're talking about."
"Ok, then let's talk about that little filly you are hanging out with," snarked Rambo.
Running into the house in response, Applebloom called out, "MAW!"
Applejack chuckled as she leaned against the door.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5QUOCQgoV4
This is just a thriller
Sweetie Belle shouted, striking a pose as the lights went down. Standing just off to the side, Rarity began to stomp her hooves, "Brava! I say Brava!"
"Rarity!" Squeaked Sweetie Belle as she ran to her big sister and hugged her tightly. "I though-"
"Nonsense," Rarity said, running her hoof through her sister's mane, "I would not miss my little sister's command performance for the princesses for all of the world. Especially when she is wearing my dress."
"Our dress," said a blue unicorn with an orange mane. Next to her, an earth pony with a blue mane smiled as she looked to Rarity.
"Did we do good?" asked Coco.
"Of course. I expect nothing less from the Manehatten branch of my empire. You make the world shine, Coco," Rarity smiled.
There were days when ponies did battle, when ponies were angry, and were upset with one another. But that was not today, today was a day of fun and laughs. Pinkie Pie couldn't help but smile as everypony began to laugh, sing, and dance with one another. Skipping, she waved hello to a centaur with a red face and a light pink unicorn with a blue mane. Looking around, she saw Valtor with a big grin and a saucer of cupcakes.
Fluttershy sighed as she laid back in her cottage. Her animals were cared for, Discord was playing with her friends, and the world seemed to be a calm place once more.
"And the winner," shouted the announcer. "Rainbow Dash!"
"Was there any doubt?" Rainbow Dash smirked, turning to look at her little sister. "Huh Scoots."
"Nope, big sis!" Cheered her little sister as she hugged her leg.
Will stood on a balcony, listening to the party. It was the second one that her parents had that month, and she was a little tired, "Something wrong?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing Matt," Will said, leaning onto the shoulder of a tall winged stallion with long black mane. "I just didn't think mom and dad would have another party so soon."
"Well, it’s not everyday that they find out their only daughter is expecting the same time that they are," Matt said, nuzzling his wife.
"Mmmmm, yeah," Will sighed. She then looked up, "How are the others?"
"Fine, they miss you. They love you, like I do," Matt said.
"I love you, Mommy," sighed Sunset as she snuggled into Sunshine's legs.
Trixie sighed as she waved goodbye to her seven friends, glad that the gave her a ride home. As she opened the door to her wagon, she was taken back by a shout of, "Congratulations!"
Trixie shook her head as she saw the two blue unicorns in front of her, "Mother? Checker? You... you came!"
Hazel Lulamoon nodded as she nuzzled her youngest daughter, "fg course I did. I wouldn't miss my little girl's most special night."
"You were wonderful little sister," Checker monarch smiled as she nuzzled her little sister. "You made me proud."
"Jealous?" smirked Trixie.
Checker shook her head, "Never."
Twilight awoke inside the dream realm, a symbol glowing on her chest,"Not again..." She looked around,"Alright, time to find one of their doors..."
Twilight's horn glowed, eight strings flew from it. The closest string was a dark blue string leading to a door with a wand cutie mark. As Twilight neared, she could hear an echo, "Are you sure? This isn't like before, they are happy.”
"..." Twilight growled,"Are they? Why should I let them have fake happiness!?" she walked closer to Trixie's door.
“Be my guest," the voice echoed.
The door opened slowly, revealing the wagon and Trixie partying with her mother and sister. Trixie turned her head to look at Twilight, "Sparkle?" her eyes then widened, before shaking her head, "No, no no no. Please...n ot this. Don't tell me that his is just a dream."
Twilight sighed as she walked up to Trixie,"I... am sorry." She placed a hoof on Trixie's shoulder.
Trixie's eyes displayed a multitude of emotions at once, but she quickly put her hat over her eyes, and said "Let's go. Trixie needs to...she needs to, she then leaned into Twilight's shoulder, "She's not even here and she knows how to hurt me!"
Twilight gave Trixie a hug, and then led her out the door
Looking back at the doors, Trixie turned ot her rival, "Ok, so how do you want to divide this up. I get Will and Sunshine and you get your friends?"
Twilight nodded,"And we stop at Sunset." She said, heading off towards Applejack's dream.
Trixie nodded, opening Sunshine's door, "You, don't need to tell me... this is a dream. I didn't think it would be this simple to wipe away years." Sunshine said with a sigh as she walked out of her door.
Trixie ran over to Will's door.
Applejack began to eat her next meal when she heard the door, "Oh, howdy Twilight! What brings you here?"
“Applejack..." Twilight gulped as she saw her friend's parents,"This..." She choked a bit,"This isn't real."
Applejack chuckled, "Wha-what do you mean, Twilight? Of course this is real! Mom and Dad are Alive, Applebloom has her cutie mark, and..
Twilight immediately put a hoof on Applejack's shoulder,"Applejack, think! You've been through this kind of thing, it... it isn't real. Think, notice Apple Bloom's 'Cutie Mark.' It's blurry, why can't you see it clearly?"
Well, that's simple. It's because...because," Applejack paused, and then furrowed her brow. "Let's go Twilight. Ah need to work out some aggression."
Twilight nodded as she led Applejack out, and headed towards Fluttershy's door.
Fluttershy let out a soft yawn a she turned to the two approaching mares, "Oh, hello Applejack and Twilight. Isn't today a wonderful day?"
“Fluttershy," Twilight gave a heavy sigh,"This... isn't real."
"What? No, it has to be real, look," Fluttershy said, pointing outside. "Everything is so calm and peaceful. Nothing bad is really happening, and no monsters are out. It has to be."
Applejack shook her head, "Sorry, sugarcube."
“Fluttershy,"Twilight walked up to her,"This is all a fabrication, just a illusion made to keep you happy."
"But," Fluttershy stopped and then looked behind her. Letting out a sigh, she turned to Applejack and Twilight. "It wouldn't be that easy, would it?"
"You know the world can be a bad place sugar, would you really want nothing bad," Applejack asked.
"No. Ok Twilight, let's go," Fluttershy said.
Twilight sniffled,"I'm sorry." She said as she led them out, and towards Rarity's door.
Fluttershy said nothing, opening the door for Twilight. When they entered, they could hear the ballet music of a grand gala, where all of the others were dancing. Rarity twirled by them, leaving the foreleg of a stallion ," Oh girls! You wouldn't believe the evening I had. Sweetie Belle and friends-"
"Rarity," Applejack said.
"-and then there was Spike with that Mina dragon,"
"Rarity," Applejack said again.
"And then there was Shining Armor and Cadence's son who just asked me-"
Twilight frowned, her eyes glowing magenta for a second as she slapped Rarity,"Get a hold of yourself, mare!"
"Oof!" Rarity exclaimed. "Twilight, why on earth did you do that for?"
"Because you were losing yourself Rare," Applejack said, lowering her hat over her eyes. "You're in a dream."
"Applejack, dear, what do you mean? I have everything I could want, the dreams of my friends have been made real, and..." she began to look behind her. "Odd, but I don't see Sunset here. She should be here, as well."
"Rarity, if this was a world where you helped everypony, why isn't she here," asked Fluttershy.
A depressed sigh escaped her lips, "Because I haven't spent nearly enough time with her to know everything about her wants."
Twilight shook her head,"And you won't get to know her, if you stay here."
Your right," Rarity said, her look of determination coming back to her. "Let's go."
Trixie opened the door to Will's dream, and then stepped back in horror, "What on Earth?'
Will slowly turned her head to look at Trixie, "Trixie, you're here. Isn't this wonderful? I found my friends and family!"
Trixie shook her head, looking at all of the blank faces, "Will... they're blank."
"No they're not," Will shook. "I know what my friends look like. I know my own parent's faces, I can dream of who they are!"
"Will, Trixie is-"
"I know this is just a dream!" Will shouted. "I just wanted to...to...”
Trixie hugged her friend, "I know, I know. Let's go."
Twilight opened Pinkie's dream door
As the door opened, Pinkie Pie tackle glomped her best friend, "Twilight! That dream was so awesome, I need to share it! I mean, there was so many ideas in there that I am going to pop!”
"Pinkie, didn’t you want that world?" Fluttershy asked.
Pinkie shook her head, "Well, I did... at first. I mean, who wouldn't want a world where we are all laughing, smiling, and giggling and having fun. Why wouldn't I love it when the world is one big party and nobody is mean and angry. But-"
"But what?" Applejack asked.
"When I thought about it, no I wouldn't. Because, then you aren't yourself," Pinkie giggled. "I want genuine smiles, I want ponies to laugh because they are happy."
Twilight smiled,"Thank you, Pinkie," She said as her hoof touched Rainbow Dash's
The door opened to the sound of a roaring crowd, Rainbow Dash flew down to her friends, "Hey girls! Did ya catch the awesome show?"
"Uh, no Rainbow, as a matter of fact," Twilight frowned at the crowd,"We've got to take you out of this dream..."
"Wait, what? Applejack, tell me she's," Rainbow Dash looked to Applejack, who shook her head. "OH, BUCKING MIRAGE!"
"Ah know sugarcube, Ah know," Applejack said, nodding.
"So, who's left?"
“Sunset." Twilight said, she opened the door, and walked towards Sunset's door. As she went through, a barrier would stop the others from coming in.
Twilight looked behind her in shock,
"Hello, Twilight." Sunset said, looking at a door to the throne room of Canterlot.
Twilight turned and blinked at Sunset's alicorn form,"Sunset, what is this..."
"A life I always wanted, a life I should've had, a life I needed, if only ponies had paid attention to what I wanted!" Sunset said, turning towards Twilight,"I felt ignored sometimes, felt so alone, I felt like I needed more power to get Celestia, or find my mother," She teared up,"I wanted a sister, and I wanted a family." She looked away,"I screwed that up, didn't I?"
Twilight walked over to Sunset,"You can start again, Sunset, but you don't need fake happiness."
"... I know." Sunset sniffled,"But I'll get it again..." She muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing..." She said as they left.
The girls all hugged Sunset as she came out, and the world began to dimmed, "Ah Twilight, I am a little shocked to see you here." a familiar feline voice spoke.
Twilight swung her sword in the direction of the voice,"Mirage!" She yelled.
"Oh, don't bother looking for me, dear," Mirage chuckled.
"Ah want to find you, and beat you so hard that nopony ever has to see your bucking face again in anyverse," Applejack growled.
"Such language," Mirage chuckled. "As I said, I am not here. I am busy destroying the lives of another set of bearers in another universe. This is just an echo of me that I left for you to find. Well, Street Rat, but you coming in was a nice benefit. I have to say, I am glad to see that you got out of my dreams."
"An echo, huh!? And how about you let us out of this world, Mirage!" Twilight growled, her horn glowing a bright red as her coat went a little darker.
This went unnoticed by the bearers as they searched for the feline, "Don't worry, I will. Oh, When you get to the chamber, it's' going to be fun." she chuckled.
After a flash of light, the ponies would find themselves in front of a large set of doors. Behind them, a set of undead ponies began to shamble away.
Twilight blinked,"How?" She looked behind them at the undead ponies shambling away,"They must've done that while we were asleep." She frowned as she turned to the double doors.
Sunset walked to them,"Well, what are we waiting for..." She used her hooves to open them.
The doors slowly opened, presenting a large sandy room. Burn marks, shattered vases, and torn rags littered the area. All around them, signs of a final battle were evident, "Can't say much for the decor."
"The genie must have put a sealing spell here," Sunshine said.
Rainbow Dash flew around the circular room, "So, where is the glove?"
"Look!" Pinkie said, pointing to a throne sitting at the back of the room, where a blue glove rested.
Sunset's eyes opened wide, she stared as she saw the glove was still attached to a unicorn skeleton, with a dagger in it's chest.
Twilight walked up to it, and made a face in disgust,"Ew, I'd hate to do this to a corpse."
"That's okay, I'm not using it." Mozenwrath said in Sunset's head.
Twilight pulled the glove off and her eyes went white.
Twilight blinked,"This isn't Friendship's body!" She thought as she felt her hoof encased in a glove. She was indeed tall, but she noticed that the body she was in was more masculine,"Who-" The body she was in looked up to see a stallion in a purple vest and a fez with a greying mane and a beard. Her body coughed,
Street Rat's pirceing black eyes, looked at Moenwrath, "You hve a back up plan, you always do."
Of course... I do." Mozenwrath said with another cough,"I will not die, today. I will survive, I always do. While you will die old and feeble, I will stay alive." Twilight felt his horn glow for a split second.
"I might one day,but" Street Rat chuckled. "You can bet, I will find a way to stop you, I always will." he then turned away from his old foe, walking to the door. With a sigh, he muttered, "Jas is right, I am getting too old for this."
Mozenwrath's eyes dashed over to an eel creature,"Xerxes, sleep. I will return, in a new body. I may have to wait centuries, but I will return..." His eyes closed as Twilight felt herself fly away from the body. Several years flew by before her eyes, until stopping at a yellow unicorn,"There, that's the one."
Sunset watched,"Alright, do it if you must." She thought.
Mozenwrath smiled, slowly, Sunset walked over to the center, and screamed as her horn glowed green, and her once yellow streaks turned black.
'Sunset' laughed with a deeper voice,"Finally!"
Rainbow dash landed next to Fluttershy, "What's going on with Sunset?"
'Sunset' walked up to Twilight and smiled,"Perfect, she isn't even aware of me." She said as she grabbed the glove and put it on, feeling energy course through her,"It fits just like it used to!"
Applejack ran to Sunset, "Hey, what y'all think yer doing!"
Mozenwrath shot a beam of magic at Applejack,"I'm taking back what's mine!" She shouted, her eyes glowing,"Now, can I have the horseshoes, please?"
"APPLEJACK!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she flew at Sunset.
"Why should Ah give them to you? Who are you? You ain't Sunset!" Applejack asked
"Oh, I don't have to introduce myself, do I?" She looked at Sunshine. She put up a barrier around Rainbow Dash,"Honestly, I was in her mind for a week, I know how headstrong and stupid you can be, Rainbow Dash."
"No, No...GET OUT OF MY DAUGHTER YOU MONSTER!" Shouted Sunshine.
"Mozenwrath?" shuddered Fluttershy.
"Hey!" Dash yelled as she began to kick at the barrier.
Mozenwrath turned and teleported the bubble with Dash inside away,"One down," She turned to Sunshine,"Sorry, but your daughter did this willingly." She looked at Applejack and used her magic to trap her hooves.
Applejack struggled, and Rarity raced behind him with Vorpal drawn, but hesitated as she looked at Sunset, "No..."
"Hold on," Fluttershy said as she flew to Applejack to help her out.
Pinkie Pie pulled out her cannon, "Liar! Why would she do that?"
Mozenwrath pulled up her hoof and fired several bolts at Rarity from it,"She just got tired of being manipulated. After all, the Elements forced her to change, the Spirit showed her horrible things, Celestia wasn't attentive enough," She smirked as she lifted the horseshoes from Applejack's saddle bags,"And dear old Mommy didn't care for her." She put the shoes on.
Sunshine shuddered, "No, it wasn't... I failed."
as Sunshine whimpered, Applejack struggled to move. Rarity tried to block the bolts as Pinkie fired her party cannon, "But, the Elements were trying to help her!" Fluttershy argued.
“Help her!? They forced her to see what she has wrought, they forced her to be powerless, they forced her to change her mind." Mozenwrath said. He put up a shield to block the confetti as he used his horn to teleport Applejack away,"Ironic, isn't it? You left your daughter to protect her, and all you did was make her more vulnerable."
"And what did you do to Rainbow Dash!" Screamed Pinkie
Once free, Applejack ran to Mozenwrath, with all of the attention to pinch her, "Just get out of mah friend's body!"
"Twilight, wake up, we need you!" Fluttershy said to Twilight, shaking her.
"I sent her to a place where she won't use her abilities to hinder me. The same place I will send you all." Her horn glowed as she teleported Applejack just before she punched her. She turned to Pinkie,"I'll enjoy this, you kind of annoyed me." She fired a bolt at Pinkie
"Hey! I don’t anno-" Pinkie began, but was sent away. Fluttershy trembled, but stood her ground a she flew at Mozenwrath. "Give my friends back!"
A faint shimmer could be seen near Twilight, "How the buck do you get out of this stupid vision thing?"
Mozenwrath closed her eyes,"Kind Fluttershy, I shan't look at your eyes, for I fear the Stare." She fired a beam at the pegasus. She looked over at the shimmer,"Don't bother, Magician, that spell's near impossible to break." She turned to Rarity and fired a beam at her.
“Flutter-" Rarity screamed as she was beamed away.
"(BUCK!)" Trixie whispered. "So, what are you going to do to the great and powerful Trixie? Send her away as well, leaving you to kill Twilight and Sunshine?”
Mozenwrath smirked as she walked towards the showpony,"Yes, I will send you away, as for the other things, that depends on Sunshine's actions," She fired a beam at Trixie
"What do you mean-" Trixie began, but her voice was silenced by the beam.
"What do you mean, by my actions?" asked Sunshine.
Mozenwrath turned to Sunshine,"Well, are you going to fight me? Try to stop me? I know you want to save your poor daughter," She smiled.
"I... can't." Sunshine said , bowing down. "I failed in protecting her, I failed in being a mother, and I am not strong enough to beat you."
"Oh, poor thing." Mozenwrath chuckled, her horn glowing,"Alright, then cower, and watch as I take your li-" A purple beam smashed into her.
Twilight got up, her mane flowing and her eyes completely white,"Let. Her. Go!" She said, her horn charging for another blast.
"Oh, no. I was hoping you'd be out for longer." Mozenwrath frowned,"Oh well. I don't want to fight you, not here, so bye!" She teleported away.
Twilight growled, then she shuddered as she looked at Sunshine,"What did he do to my friends?" A tear fell from her pure white eyes.
Will flew right behind Mozenwrath, causing her hooves to crackle, but Sunshine shook her head. Nodding, the blue mare flew up into the rafters and hid.
Will quietly whispered o herself, "I have never saw Twilight like this."
Twilight growled,"Sunshine, help Will find them!" She glared at her,"I'll talk to you, later!" She walked out of the cave, and screamed, magic flowing off of her, causing magic to ripple across the sands.
Mozenwrath walked towards Agrabah, using her horn to summon mumluks, and then stopped and turned to see a bright light in the distance.
Luna gasped,"Sister, you feel that!?" She looked at a light in the distance.
Celestia nodded, "Oh, my faithful student...nwhat has happened to you."
In the Everfree Forest, a cloaked figure chuckled,"Oh, that power... this'll be interesting.." He put a red hand to his chin.
"Ugghm" Cadence winced, holding her her stomach as she backed a few steps.
"Cadey!" Shining yelled as he went to Cadence's side, leaving behind his plans for a scavenger hunt. "What's wrong? Is it the baby?"
Cadence wearily shook her head, "No, I just felt a power surge of magic. Like somepony just tampered with a harmonic source and is causing a magical feedback."
"No," Shining's eyes went wide in horror as he looked tot eh bright like, "Twily."
Somewhere, in Manehatten, Valtor sits in a cafe and drinks a bit of soda. Turning his head to look towards the light, he arched an eyebrow, "Servant, what is that light?"
"Oh, nothing my lord, just a player moving her particular piece forward," Chuckling lowly, the servant whispered (What are you going to do, bearer?)
Author's Note
If you can get all of the Aladdin references, you get a cookie.
Slowly the doors to the chamber opened and Will walked out, a despondent Sunshine following close behind. Once they were out, Sunshine fell to her knees and began to cry, "I failed, I couldn't save her. Everything I did was all for nothing..." she then watched as Will began to walk ahead. "Where are you going?"
Narrowing her eyes, Will stated calmly, "To save my friends, and then kick Mozenwrath's tail."
"Didn't you hear what I just said? I failed her, we all failed in saving her! Now Mozenwrath has her body and soul and Twilight has gone out of control! We have failed," Sunshine yelled to Will, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Oh will you get over yourself!?" Will shouted, walking up to her and putting a hoof to Sunshine's haunches. "Do you know what it really means to fail and lose anything? Do you know what happened to me? I have been thrown into a world I am not even sure is my own, have my mind ripped to shreds, Don't even know if the friends that I love the most are real or just figments of my own imagination, been told that I am just a delivery girl for this thing," to empathise she held up the heart of Kandrakar, " face monsters, heartless, nobodies, and my own fears. So don't you think that you have failed anything! Now if you excuse me, I have something to do."
"Didn't you say you have no idea if your memories are real? Why are you putting so much effort into saving us?" asked Sunshine.
"Because there are 12 girls out there who need me," Will said softly
"Twelve?" Sunshine asked.
"Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Trixie Sunset Shimmer, and" Will sighed, seeing four mares in her mind as they held their hooves out to her. "Irma, Taranee, Cornelia, and Hay Lin."
“You don't even know if they are real," Sunshine growled.
"The warmth, the love, and the happiest I feel when I think about them is real. So what if they’re figments of my imagination and this is just me trying to cope, I still feel something when I think about the and that is what I am fighting for! Now, follow or get out of my " Will said walking away. Sunshine nodded and began to follow Will. Suddenly a purple object flew by them, "Carpet!"
"He must have waited for us," Sunshine said.
Will looked at Carpet, "Do you know where Trixie is?"
At this Carpet nodded and laid down for Sunshine to get on.
Once on Carpet, the two ponies sped through the air, where they could hear a voice yelling, "Stupid, bucking son of a cow! Trixie cannot believe that she was sent all the way here, that no good-"
"Trixie," shoute Will as she saw Trixie walk back and forth through the sand.
"Will, Sunshine, Over here!," Trixie shouted, her hooves waving.
Sunshine cracked her head to the side, "Why are you so upset, miss Trixie? You are near a mile marker.”
Trixie went up to Sunshine's face, "That is just it!! Trixie didn't get sent to some hell hole, she didn't get sent to some monster battle. She just got sent out of the way! Like like-"
"You are weaker than him?" asked Sunshine. "I mean\n you are-"
"Finish that sentence and Trixie will bury you," Trixie growled.
Will let out a chuckle, "It’s no offense Trixie, but he has probably met magic users like you before and probably sees you as weak. Don't worry," she smirked, "We're about to prove how wrong he is!"
Trixie smirked at this as she got up on the carpet, "Why are you so confident in my skills?"
"And now, I will kill Teller slowly. But don't worry, he is used to this," the big magician said, putting his partner under a chain saw.
"Whooo!" cheered Will, looking back at her boyfriend. "What's up?"
"I am just wondering how you can stils be excited at illusions. I mean, you cast lightning from your fingertips," Matt asked.
Will smiled softly, "Well, yeah I can do that. But my magic? that's easy. To trick people like they can.. .is something else. That's real magic.
"Well, they must be magicians," Irma said. "I tried to use my suggestion powers on Teller to convince him to talk, and he resisted."
"I have a love for magicians," Will smiled. "Trixie, think you have a spell that can find the others?"
Trixie nodded and began to concentrate, igniting her horn with a light violet aura. Will jumped back when she saw a string wrapped around her hoof, matching her coat color. Then she was 7 more strings connected to Trixie's horn, "What on earth?"
"It's a spell that Twilight taught Trixie . It allows her to spend a little magic to locate the others in case of emergency," Trixie said, looking at the white string, "Rarity is that way!"
Quickly, the carpet flew through the air, soaring at speeds that some would think impossible for something that lacked wings. After several moments, the trio came to a large cave, "Hello, is anypony there?" Rarity's voice echoed from deep within the cavern.
"Rarity?" Trixie yelled.
"Hang on, we're coming!" shouted Will as she flew in, only to be blocked by her own face. Taking a step back, Will exclaimed, "What on earth?"
"It's a cavern of... mirrors," said Sunshine as she placed her her hoof on one. Then she looked to another and gasped when she saw herself looking very skinny.
Trixie walked by a few, admiring her visage and her looks. There was one that showed her in a full alicorn regalia, and another that showed her with matted fur. Trixie smiled at the one that showed her with a coat similar to Luna's. Sunshine began to pace around the foyer of the maze, a smile of hope coming to her face.
Will on the other hoof, continued to fly through the mirrors. After a few minutes of flying, she landed on the ground and took a deep breath. Turning her head to look at a mirrored path, she shouted, "Rarity, how good at catching spells are you?"
"Not very, but," she looked at Vorpal, and levitated some gems, "I should be able to block it. Why?" she then shrieked when she saw a lighting bolt coming at her.
"Which direction did it come from?" Will shouted.
"To the left," Rarity said, panting, only to smile a little bit later. After dodging three lightning bolt, she found herself running right into Will, "Will! That was brilliant! But, how on earth did you figure out the angles to hit?"
Will chuckled, "Well, truth be told. I just guessed. But I knew my lighting spell would reflect off of glass. So I used that to find you."
"Brilliant!" Rarity exclaimed as Sunshine an Trixie came running in. "I have to thank you for finding me. As much as I do like looking gorgeous, even this was too much for me."
"Good, now may we can go and find a mirror," Sunshine said, stepping forward.
"Take your pick," Trixie snarked.
"No, I mean a particular kind of mirror. See, I just remembered about how to find Street Rats legacy, or at least what I heard. Apparently the key is to use the mirror that shows the truth behind appearances," Sunshine sadi.
Trixie growled, "Now what on earth does that mean?"
"Maybe a mirror that shows your innerself?" asked Will as she walked by a mirror that showed her as a human, wearing a green shirt and fairy wings. Shaking her head at the sight, Will continue to walk away, looking at each mirror.
Rarity walked towards the mirror that Will had looked at, and placed a hoof on the image that stared back at her. The image that stared back at her was her as a pure white alicorn, with long flowing purple mane. Taking a step back, Rarity smiled and began to pull on it, removing the mirror. With a curt smile, Rarity walked to the others," Found it."
Trixie looked at the mirror, and was shocked to see it wa the one that showed her as an alicorn, "H-How are you so sure?"
"Wimple, it's the truth behind appearances. Me and the others have our destinies tied to the tree, do we not?" Rarity smiled.
"So, that means you would show up as alicorn," Sunshine said, watching as Will flew out.
Fluttershy is up ahead!" Trixie said, looking at the string connecting to Fluttershy. As they flew closer, the world around them became darker and darker, until they could only see the light of the string that connected them.
They could hear trembling and shivering from up ahead. Narrowing her eyes, Rarity used her magic to illuminate the dark area, to reveal a curled up Fluttershy. A soft smile came to her as she looked up at her friend, "Oh, thank goodness. I was so worried that I would never find my way out." she said with a smile as she flew to the carpet.
As the ponies flew through the air, Trixie looked at Fluttershy "Fluttershy, there is something in your feathers."
"What?" the timid pegasus asked as she landed on the carpet. Upon stretching out her wing, a small shiny object fell out.
Rarity scooted over to her friend and saw a small crystal laying on the back of carpet, "My word, what is this?"
"It looks like a crystal," Trixie said, looking at the gem in Rarity's magic.
"More like a piece of one," Rarity said, spinning the gem around in a circle. "Look at it, the way it’s cut, the way it’s shaped. It is obvious that this was separated from another larger piece.
Fluttershy looked at it, "But, who would cut a gem like this."
"I, don't know," Rarity said shaking her mane.
"Hey, anypony out there?" Applejack's voice echoed.
Rarity looked over the side of carpet at a giant hole in the ground, "Applejack, what are you doing down there?"
"Trying to, uggh." she grunted, feeling the slime covering her orange hoove. "Get the buck out of this stupid hole!!"
"Maybe I can fly down there," Will said.
Applejack shook her head, "Bad idea. Whatever this slime is, it’s oozing from the walls. It's like this thing was made for earth ponies to get trapped in!"
"I'm not strong enough to lift her out,"Trixie said, looking down at the hole.
After a few moments, Applejack saw a long rope sliding down to her, " What, Oh Rares..." she moaned as she touched the silken rope that was near her. "You didn't have to tear your silk dress."
Rarity could only ask, "My dear, have you met me?"
"Yeah," Applejack said, straightening her hat. "And Am grateful everyday to know ya. Now pull me wup!"
With a heave the mare began to pull Applejack up, stopping only for a moment when Applejack wouldn’t budge. After a few struggling moments, the mares got Applejack out of the whole. Will looked at Applejack, "Why did you pause.?"
"Because, " Applejack said, pulling out a crystal from her heat, "Ah found this.”
"What, another crystal" Trixie asked.
Rarity immediately went to it, "Excuse me." levitating the gem she had earlier with the one from Fluttershy, she began to match the sides up evenly, "Oh my... it fits!"
Sunshine looked at the mirror that showed the truth and held it up, "Wait... those pieces" looking at the mirror, she saw that the two gems would combine with a third to make a whole, "Oh my...
"This is," Trixie began.
"Street Rat's legacy! We found it!" Sunshine said.
"Not yet,we need that last piece," Rarity commented.
"And I bet it's with either Dash or Pinkie!" Will said.
As the carpet continued its flight, Trixie noticed that Rainbow Dash's thread beginning to dim, "No, no, this is bad. Carpet, fly to Rainbow now!"
"What's going on?" Fluttershy asked, her face tingd with worry.
"It's Dash's thread, its glowing dimmer, and that means-"
"She's in trouble, faster Carpet!" Applejack yelled to their companion as the rug flw , but stopped. In front of them were giant howling winds. Deep within the winds , they could hear Rainbow Dash's faint howls of pain.
"Rainbow!" Shouted Applejack, "Hang on Sugarcube! We're a comin’!"
"But how?" asked Sunshine. "None of us are capable of navigating through those winds."
Will stared ahead, and then back to Rarity and Applejack,” I'll go."
"What?" Rarity exclaimed.
"Uh, darling. not to insult your flying abilities or anything, but Rainbow Dash has problems flying through this, how are you going to do it?" Applejack asked.
Will looked at the two mares, "Simple, you two are going to do it."
"What?" Rarity asked.
"Rarity, you are good at precision, Applejack is strong," Will said, picking up a lasso. "Tie this around me and Rarity, guide me."
"Not to spoil the plan, but Will... think about it. If they aren't careful, if you're not careful, you could be bashed against those winds and into who knows what kind of rocks," Trixie said, to which Will nodded.
"Yes, but I wouldn't do anything less, " Will smiled.
Nodding, the two ponies set about their task. Applejack tied the lasso tightly around Will stomach, while Rarity bathed Will in the glow of her horn. With a quick nod, Will began to take into thee howling winds, groaning in pain as she felt rocks and other debri began to hit her sides and cut deeply into her body. After several minutes, she spotted Rainbow laying in the middle of a large collection of debris. Worried look in her eyes, Will flew down to Rainbow dash and picked her up onto her back and flew back to the group.
Once back, Will laid Rainbow's battered and bloodied body onto the carpet. Applejack looked down, "No, please don't tell me she's-"
With a cough, Rainbow moaned, "I'm not, just hurting badly. He teleported me into a wall and that caused me to crash."
Applejack smiled and Fluttershy gave Rainbow dash a tearful high, "I am just glad you're ok. If just a little hurt."
"Only one left, wonder where he sent Pinkie Pie?"asked Trixie.
The carpet soon made its way to a small grassy knoll, where the plants and trees grew high. Once they landed, Will began to take flight, looking for Pinkie Pie. Fluttering softly, the young mare kept her eyes peeled for the pink pony. As she flew further in, she could her Applejack and Rarity talking, "What do ya mean that you can't connect them?"
"Its as I said, I cannot put them together and keep them there. It’s odd, they fit and yet... they won’t stay," Rarity said continuing to use her magic.
Will let out a sigh and turned to continue her flight, her mind focusing on both Twilight and her pink friend. Her flying stopped when she saw streamers, balloons, and confetti laying about. As she flew closer, she could smell cake and batter. Then, she began to hear an unusual sound.
"zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"
"Is, somepony snoring?" Will said, and then thought, "and is actually saying 'Z' while doing it?" She paused for a moment when she thought about it, and then her eyes shot up as it hit her, "PINKIE PIE! Girls, I found her."
Looking up at the airborne Will, the two ponies ran after her into a central grove. In the middle of it all, was Pinkie asleep on a bed of pink flowers. Applejack took the first step forward, but was stopped by a large green hand, "Hold, the mare is asleep."
"Our apologies good sir, but we need to-OH HEAVENS!" Rarity said, backing up in shock and awe at the towering creature before her.
The creature bowed, the roots and vines that encompassed his body making a hand for him to take her hoof, "My apologies, Miss Rarity. I do not mean to scare." he said, his yellow eyes cloaked behind bushy eyebrows. His beard touched the ground as he lowered his head.
"IT is quite all right, sir-" Rarity paused as the tree creature kissed her hoof.
"Arbutus, milady," the plant pant said, offering Rarity a bouquet. " My apologies if it seems that your friend is in trouble. Quite the opposite, I merely gave the excited one a chance to sleep."
"Why?" Applejack asked.
Arbutus smiled, "Because she was so tired after giving me a chance to smile. See, today was the day I died."
"What?!" came the collective gasp from the three mares.
"Let me explain," he said, walking to a small table. "Ages past, I was filled with hatred and loathing for ponykind. I blamed them for allowing the monsters to come to this world and only stopping them when they did something wrong. I wanted them to go and hunt those monsters, I wanted blood. But, Majesty would not listen, and so, I hid myself away for years... until..."
"Until when?" Rarity asked.
"The Sultan of Saddle Arabia took a rose from me. In return, I took his rose," Arbutus sighed, lowering his head.
"His daughter?" Applejack asked.
With a slow nod, Arbutus continued, "But, the princess taught me that I could've helped, that I shouldn't close my heart to others. However, Steet Rat killed me before I could prove myself."
"Oh, my," Rarity gasped.
Applejack shook her head, "But how-"
"An earth pony should know, we plants are very hard to kill. We get cut down, we get burned, but we regenerate. However, It still pains me to remember this day, and I will cry when it comes to it," Arbutus said.
Pinkie Pie then appeared on his shoulder, "Well, I can never leave a guy with a frown on his face. So, I decided to do what I do best, throw him a party!!!!"
"Pinkie!" the three mares said, walking over to their friend as she landed on the ground and hugged her tightly.
"Hmmm, that should've made you fall asleep longer," Arbutus said.
"Yeah, but my heart started to flutter and my coat buzzed, and that means my friends are near. I couldn't sleep knowing that," Pinkie giggled, and that was when she saw the three gems in Rarity's grasp. "Hey, those look familiar!"
"They do?" Rarity asked.
In answer, Pinkie nodded and led the the three to a small stand, "See? They fit those whole things."
Rarity looked back at the gems and then back at the stand. Taking a moment to look closer, she let out a gasp, "Of course. Earth, Water, Wind! The three gates that we found," Rarity said, walking to the stand and putting each into a slot. The stand glowed a bright light, showing a picture of Fizzy, Truly, and Gusty taking a piece of a gem from a pair of hooves and then putting them together. After the light vanished, the stand revealed a long cylindrical gem.
Will took a step forward and took the gem into her hooves, "So, this is Street Rat's legacy?"
"A soul gem?" Rarity questioned.
"A what?" Applejack asked.
"Trixie and Twilight can explain it better than I can. But, it's a gem that some craftsponies will use to put into armor or weapons to bind certain souls into the object forever," Rarity said. She looked up to Arbutus, "We are dreadfully sorry, but we must take this."
"Go, your friend needs you," Arbutus said, looking back towards Agrabah. "I fear she may be slipping into a nightmare that none will escape."
This caused the girl's' eyes to widen in horror and them to run out of the forest towards Carpet. Dash looked up, her bandages still wrapped thanks to Fluttershy, "Whoa, what's going on."
"Long story short, Twilight might be going nightmare on us all and we need to save her!" Applejack said, leaping to carpet.
Trixie looked down at Carpet, "Go you little rug!" she shouted, looking back at the quartet, she asked, "Is that a soul gem?"
"A what?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"A soul gem, it's meant to bind a soul to an item. It also serves as an easy way to make a soul jar, something in zebra lore," Trixie said, looking it over.
"So that's the plan!" Will said, "Street Rat is planning on trapping Mozenwrath in an object forever. He can't escape a soul gem right?"
"Yes, but how are we going to get it to work?" asked Sunshine.
"Figure that out later!" Applejack said, putting her hat down over her eyes. "We have a couple of friends to save!!!"
Mozenwrath burst open the door to the throne room,"Hello Sultan, would you mind hurrying up with giving me your kingdom? A very angry alicorn is on my tail and I'm afraid the pegasi mumluks I sent to slow her down, aren't going to slow her down."
"M-Mozenwrath!" tremble the sultan, recognizing the hat and glove. Her mother told her stories, ones meant to make her a great sultan, and they always scared her, "Y-you can't be real."
Mozenwrath chuckled,"Oh, my dear, All myths have a hint of truth to them. Excuse me," She put up a barrier as a purple energy shield broke through a window and then charged to Mozenwrath. Mozenwrath chuckled, only for her barrier to break and get a purple hoof in his face, sending him flying through the wall.
Twilight's mane flowed as she turned to the Sultan,"Evacuate, now." She said, her horn crackling.
In the city, a mumluk in a purple vest headed towards an old hut...
Mozenwrath levitated up into the air with her horseshoes,"This, is actually pretty funny." She smirked, firing a beam at Twilight, causing the alicorn to back up a bit,"All this time I had to fight a normal, lowly street rat, but now? Now I can battle a mage on my level!" She fired several magic bolts at the princess.
Twilight appeared behind her, and kicked her down,"No, you're wrong." She growled, sending a wave of energy down on her,"I'm leagues above you!"
Twilight landed as Mozenwrath got up,"Do you know something?" Twilight's horn glowed as she fired a beam of magic, that the necromancer blocked with a shield,"For years I've been afraid, been worried that everypony I meet will fall apart if I don't use my magic right." She pulled apart wooden planks and sent them at blinding speeds towards Mozenwrath who put up a shield around herself,"I have powers that are beyond most ponies, I can learn all spells, and I'm very good at casting. Few ponies rarely see my power, for good reason. You aren't afraid, however. You took the sun, created hundreds of mumluks, and terrified even gods. You can take my magic now, you can fight me. Now, I can cut loose on you!" She fired a large bolt of magic at him.
Mozenwrath smiled at this. She fired a bolt as well, hitting it at the same time.
Twilight leaped at Mozenwrath and punched him through another building. Mozenwrath got up and summoned up thunder clouds to strike at the alicorn. She charged his horn, firing several shots at her.
Mozenwrath smiled,"That's right..." He muttered,"Get fed up with me." She teleported in front of Twilight and hit her in the face. Twilight growled, using Equinox to slash at her, which she blocked with an energy scimitar. They struck at each other with the swords, matching blow for blow until Twilight fired a lightning bolt at him.
Mozenwrath got up, panting as he recovered from the lightning strike. Sh fired several sun rays, hitting Twilight straight on. Twilight walked forward, her coat growing a little dark as she sent rays of purple energy at him.
Twilight lifted Mozenwrath up in her magic, and proceeded to slam her to the ground repeatedly,"I. Am. Sick and tired. Of people. Like. You!" She pulled her close,"You monsters keep taking my friends away, keep hurting innocent people, and I keep finding myself unable to stop you. Well, that ends here, I'm going to tear your soul apart!" She raised her hooves and proceeded to punch him.
'That's right, beat the tar out of me...' Mozenwrath chuckled.
As Twilight pinched again and again, she founder herself being pulled back by a pair of orange hooves. A blue and yellow set of hooves held her right fore leg while a pair of white hooves held her other, and a pink set held her tight. "TWILIGHT STOP! You're gonna kill her!" Applejack said, holding as tight as she can.
Behind them in the distance, Sunshine st on the carpet, looking over her notes, "Ok, now how to make this work."
"Let me go, I'm going to tear him apart!" Twilight screamed, tears falling from her eyes,"I don't want him to take anypony else away from me!"
Mozenwrath coughed as she got up, her horn glowing.
"Yeah, and what are you going to do about Sunset? Your friend?" Applejack asked, stepping front of Twilight. "That maybe Mozenwrath's soul, but what about her body, her soul. You gonna kill her too?"
"Well, what do you got?" Trixie asked.
"There are two ways to activate a soul gem. You either put the gem to an item and let it bond, or you use a little of your own blood to activate it and bind the soul to you," she then looked up. "There is just one problem. It requires the death of the opponent.”
"But we can't kill Sunset's body, how can we be so sure she can use it, that is if the soul gem actually picks Mozenwrath. We might catch both by mistake," Trixie said.
Twilight shook her head,"But... I..." She shuddered, her coat going back to it's normal color,"I'm sorry."
"Yeah, you should be." Mozenwrath chuckled as he charged his horn, only for him to be tackled by a mumluk wearing a fez and a purple vest,"What the- What are..." His eyes widened as he looked into the mumluk's face,"You...
Each mare said nothing, choosing instead to hug her tightly. There were some tears in their eye as they held their friend close. The sounds of struggle from behind alerted them to the fight, "What on earth?" Rarity asked.
"Is that-" Rainbow Dash began.
"Street Rat?" Pinkie asked, watching the mumluk nodding.
Trixie growled, "Ok, plan now!"
Sunshine looked to the gem, to the mamluk, and then to the six. She sighed as she put the gem to her heart, "After I am done with this, place the gem onto Sunset. Then you will have to convince my daughter to fight back. If not, the gem might take her too."
"What are you plan... no!" Will said, running to Sunshine's side, but was too late. She gasped as she watched Sunshine stab the soul gem into her chest.
Sunshine gasped as she looked at the gem in her chest, "T-that hurt, less than I thought." she finished as she fell to the ground.
"Sunshine!" Trixie shouted.
"Don't! Go save my daughter, now!" moaned Sunshine. "You will then have to put the gem onto my body."
Will shook her head, but watched in shock as Trixie grabbed the gem and ran towards Sunset. Will quickly followed as she could hear Sunshine moan, 'sorry'.
Twilight gasped when Sunshine stabbed herself,"No!" She yelled,"Darn it, she should've let me think!" She turned and followed Trixie,"So, how are we going to do this?"
"She just said, 'put this onto Sunset'," Trixie said, putting the gem onto the body of Sunset. As the first face touched her, a blinding purple light shot up, collapsing into a dome around the struggling mare. From inside, they could hear echos of Sunset’s soft breathing. Trixie looked at her horn, seeing the threat connecting Sunset's soul, "Sunset! Can you hear us?"
"Twilight, call her!" Will called out.
"Sunset!" Twilight shouted,"Can you hear us?"
Sunset laughed as she flew through the sky. Looking down, she could see her palace of gold and silver, and all the little ponies milling about. She landed on a cloud, thinking about all the fun times she and her friends had-
"Sunset!"
"Twilight? Trixie?" She said, looking around,"Leave me alone." She said with a growl.
Trixie raised an eyebrow at this, "Leave you alone?"
"Why would we do that silly? We want you to come out and back. Come on, show that meanie Mozey who's boss," Pinkie Pie said.
"I'm not coming to a world that continues to show me how wrong I was. I refuse to keep failing, I refuse to keep losing control.." Sunset growled.
Applejack stepped forward, "Look Ah know that you were shown how much of a monster you were by the elements. Twilight gave us that theory, but it was also showing you that you had a chance to change. It was giving you a chance to change for the better!"
"And you think what you are doing is better? You're giving control to a jerk like Mozenwrath!" Dash yelled.
"Mozenwrath promised to take me away from that. From the horrors of the real world..." Sunset said
"But, you can't stay cooped in the darkness forever. You need to face the horrors, and move forward from your mistakes," Fluttershy said.
"Dear, is this really what you want?" Rarity asked. "This gem will steal you away from us all if you let it."
"But I've done so much..." Sunset whimpered.
"But, you've also accomplished so much more, please... Sunset," will pleaded.
"What have I done?" Sunset asked.
Trixie stepped forward, "A lot. Allow Trixie to show you-" she then began to illuminate the girls and the world, creating illusions as she talked. " Though you were born to a lowly status, you were taken above to the ranks of power by Celestia herself. Though sometimes ignored, Trixie has no doubt you were loved." she then made images of Celestia and Sunset hug each other. "You fell, hard, turned into a manipulative monster and caused fear across the school. You even sought to sow seeds of confusion and terror in Equestria, but the elements forced you to see the wrong of your life. Then you did something amazing, something magical, something no pony could do.
"And that would be?" Sunset asked.
“You lived," Trixie smiled and then highlighted the si bearers. Above them, images of their human forms were shown. "And you made friends with them. The elements gave you a choice, and you chose to become friends with them. Then, you came back here by force. Did you chose to not help Twilight with her mass spell? No! Did you choose not to research the heart, no! But most important, you chose to become close to these seven. All of them."
Rainbow Dash watched as a spotlight shined on her, a part of the hate plague threatened to bubble up, but then it vanished for a moment as a flash of purple came to her eyes, "You know... it was kind of cool to come with us like you did."
"The gal managed to keep Mozenwrath at bay, that is certainly something," Applejack said.
Pinkie Pie smiled, "I kind of wish the other us were here. They probably have a lot of memories of her accomplishments too."
“You kept helping us, even when you didn’t need to,” Fluttershy smiled.
Rarity gave a warm smile, “You gave your heart to us and kept it open, we couldn’t ask for more.”
Sunset looked down for a minute, before looking up again and flying,"Mozenwrath, get the buck out of my body!" She screamed.
Mozenwrath's spirit was forcefully pushed out. He looked at his hooves, before feeling the pull of the soul gem. He slammed his hooves on the ground, attempting to stay, before a spirit of a princess Saddle Arabian bucked him in the face, causing him to fly towards the gem. He laughed,"Fools, I still win, even if you defeat me," He glared at Jasmine and Street Rat," You hear me, I'll never die, never give up, and I'll never surrender! I'll find a way out, I always do!" He screamed as the soul gem pulled him in.
Will grunted as she grabbed the gem. Then she looked at Sunshine and ran to her. Taking the still charging soul gem , she rammed it into Sunshine's body, "Have fun being trapped in an unmoving, unthinking, corpse!" the soul gem glowed brightly, shining with a blind light as it was absorbed into Sunshine's body.
"That was the plan!" Trixie said, "Once a soul is binded to an object, it is impossible to break free."
Mozenwrath smiled as he entered the gem,"Nothing's impossible..."
Sunset got up, and smiled at the group, before feeling her bones break, cuts appearing on her body, and her mouth bleeding. She began to scream wildly from the pain.
"Sunset!" The girls screamed as they went to to her.
Fluttershy began to look over her body, "Broken ribs, massive lacerations, jaw broken, fractures, it's like the only reason she took on so much damage was because Mozenwrath kept her fighting."
"It's ok," Applejack said, putting a hoof to Twilight's shoulder.
"You can fix this, right?" Rainbow Dash asked Fluttershy.
Fluttershy let out a whimper, "There is only so much I can do."
A white horn touched Sunset's forehead, "Sleep for now, my little Sunset."
Sunset stopped screaming as her body went limp.
Twilight just stared at Sunset, her eyes wide.
"I'll take care of her for now," Celestia said, lifting the mare onto her back. She held back a tear as she ran a hoof alongside her face. "This spell will heal her while she sleeps, but if she wakes up from it... that is up to her." She then walked to Twilight, and hugged her, "My faithful student, it will be all right."
Twilight stared into the distance, her eyes showing no trace of emotion or any of the words affecting her. Applejack walked to Twilight, "Twilight? Come now, this isn't funny. Speak to me."
"Yeah, it's not that bad," Dahs said. "Sunset wsi going to be ok, she's going to live. Twilight?” Twilight's eyes dilated to pinpricks as she continued to stare
"Please darling," Rarity said, coming up to her. "Don't run away from this. Don't do this to your friends, your family."
"Come on Twilight," Pinkie said, holding her friend's cheeks. "You were aiming at Mozey, not Sunset!"
"Too..." Twilight whispered.
"Too?" Will asked.
Twilight collapsed,"Too strong..." she shook
"Too strong? Do you mean...you?" Trixie asked.
Twilight simply shook, and breathed heavily.
Celestia looked to Luna, and nodded for her to take Sunshine's body somewhere well hidden. Then she knelt beside her student, "Twilight, you are indeed very powerful. That is why I trained you, but I know that power like yours needed to be tempered."
Twilight shook her head,"I lost control..."
"Which is another reason why," she looked at the seven around her. "I had you befriend them. They can help you."
Dash leaned in, "So you lost control one time, Twi. It ain't no, big deal, really. It happens to the best of us. You just need to pick yourself up again."
"But, I've always been in control, I've never lost it before, what if it happens again?" Twilight shuddered.
Applejack then playfully punched Twilight's shoulder, "Then I guess we'll just have to punch ya again."
"Well, I could always use superspeed to tie her down," Rainbow Dash chuckled.
"I would prefer if we just talked her down. Or maybe just find ways to help her," Fluttershy said.
Twilight smiled a little,"but I don't know if you'll be able to stop me like that next time."
" I don't know, give me a little time, and trial and error," Rainbow Dash joked. "Besides, try all you want, and you'll never be faster than me."
"Rainbow," Applejack nudged her friend.
"It's true," Rainbow Dash chuckled.
"Ooooh, Or we can pretend to lose control again too and make her see how silly she's being," Pinkie giggled.
Will then smiled, "Basically, what they're saying, is that... they will find a way. No matter how they do it, they will find a way."
Twilight looked at them and smiled,"... Thanks girls."
Celestia places a comforting hoof on Twilight's shoulder, and then hugged her close, "You'll never have to worry about losing control. Because you have them," she smiled (something I never had). The others immediately joined in, and Twilight could've sworn that she saw Sunset hugging too.
Twilight sniffled as she leaned in to the hug.
Using her magic, Celestia gave Twilight the glove and the horseshoes, "You'll be needing this for the gate. I will take Sunset home."
Trixie sighed, and looked to Luna, "Mistress, Trixie is sorry, but she failed. She found Sunshine, but..." she trailed off, a tear rolling down her cheek.
Luna gave a solemn nod,"I don't think there was anything you could've done, my student." She looked at Sunshine,"I will make sure she gets a proper burial."
Twilight took the glove,"Thank you, Princess." She gave a sigh,"I wish I could've caught it in time."
"I think she was planning on it," Trixie said, looking down as the princesses flew away. "I don't think she wanted to make it."
Applejack sighed, and then looked to Twilight, "So, shall we get to that gate."
"Valtor is still out there, and we need to save Will," Rarity said.
Twilight looked up, her eyes glaring,"Yes, we need to get to the gate, for Sunset!"
The bearers nodded and walked after Twilight. Will landed next to Trixie, "So, what are you going to do?"
"Isn't it obvious," Trixie said, flipping her mane. "I am going with them. Without Sunset, they are one down and thus weaker. They need the Great and Powerful Trixie in order to sa-"
"Hey, Trix! Ya coming or what?" Rainbow Dash shouted at the edge of the city.
"W-wait up!" Trixie said, the Carpet flying right behind her.
The eight ponies stood together at the edge of the town, keeping their eyes forward. Reaching up to adjust her hat, Applejack looked back to her friends and smiled. Feeling a light musical beat in her chest, she sang
Now here we are once again.
"Come y'all, let's get moving, " Applejack said, running ahead of the group.
Smirking, Rainbow dash flew just ahead of the walking group, adding her voice to the song
A journey we face, a fight we're sure to win
"Valtor doesn't stand a chance!" she chuckled.
Listening to the beat, Pinkie added
We'll get to the gate and save the day.
"Then we'll party, " Pinkie giggled as she skipped ahead.
Rarity walked over some sand dunes, making sure to not trip. She arched an eyebrow at how easily Applejack walked.
I know we'll make it through, Somehow we always do
Twilight flew above Rarity, helping her onto Carpet. Then she looked down at each of her friends, new and old.
We've got each other and that's enough. I don't know what I'd do without you girls
Even though this might be tough.
Fluttershy flew next to Will, and placed a hoof onto her shoulder.
Now Will, have no fear You know we are right here
Rainbow Dash then winked to Will as she flew to Carpet's side
No dragon will get the best of us, just let ‘im try
Looking from one to another, the six joined together as one to sing
We've face much worse in the past Facing down dangers where you look We've always come through in the past
Applejack almost falls down a hole, only to be helped up by Rainbow Dash
Always loyal
Fluttershy dusted AJ off and smiled back at her.
Always Kind and honest
At night, the group rested. Rarity then heard Pinkie shivering, and then leaned to give her a coat.
Always Generous
Pinkie smiled at Rarity
Always Happy to be
Twilight breathed softly at the sight
Together
The next morning, the group continued their journey. Trixie turned to Will, and smiled.
We've faced god and demons before
"And they've won, every time,"
From Discord to mad unicorns
"And the occasional alicorn," Rarity added.
And through it all, I've had no fear.
"Because I was with my friends, I knew I was alright, " Fluttershy added.
And when we've made our way Then we'll save the day.
Will smiled, and added her voice to the song
We've faced worse in the past Rummaging for answers in the journey
We've always come through in the past
Rainbow Dash smiled as she flew in a circle
Always loyal
Applejack opened her eyes wide as she ran ahead
Always Kind and honest
Rarity nodded as she looked ahead
Always Generous and faithful
Pinkie Pie giggled as they neared the canyon
Always happy
Twilight breathed softly as she lifted the glove
Always loyal Always Kind and Honest Always faithful and generous Always forgiving and happy To be together
Somewhere, as Sunset slept on Celestia's back, she whispered "Together ."
A giant tiger's head rose from the sand, "What brings the bearers to the Cave of Wonders ?"
"We've come to enter the Gate." Twilight said.
The tiger's head nodded solemnly, opening his mouth to reveal a portal. The bearers took a deep breath and began to walk through it.
Author's Note
The song is,of course, always together from Princess Trixie.
Anyway, this is kind of interesting, see...this whole Mozenwrath saga was devloped and created by my little brother. I had no idea that he was going to do this, but here you are. Heck, I was going to have Sunset taken out back during the heart chapter and have ko for the rest of the journey. Now, though, we have this awesome adventure from the little mare. Kind of like my love for sunset acutally. I didn't like her as much in the first film, but after RR I couldn't imagine the movies without her and I am now a fan.
Sunshine, her fate was always to die. Heck, I was planning on havign her take the hit for Twilight when I was using the soul stone, but, things change and I think what I have now works better.
the light of the gate gave way to an overwhelming darkness, and an overwhelming feeling of cold that permeated the area. As the bearers all stood together in the darkness, Pinkie looked up, “Hey, who turned out the sun?”
“Uh, Twilight, how did we come here at night?” Applejack asked.
Twilight shook her head, “I know, this is weird. The last two times we went into another dimension we were at the same time that we left our world. The time discrepancy-”
“Girls...did you hear that?” Rainbow Dash asked s her ear twitched at the sound of rustling bushes.
A shout of "Trixie!" resounded from the bushes as a rainbow maned, cyan pegasus tackled the cyan unicorn.
"Wait, wha-" Trixie exclaimed as she was tackled by the blue blur.
Growling, Rainbow shouted,"Hey! get off my friend!" flying over, she tackled the pegasus with a flying kick.
The pegasus gasped as she was kicked. She got up and turned before gasping,"Uh-oh..."
A purple unicorn walked out of the bushes,"Rainbow Dash, what are..." She looked at the group,"Oh no."
"I am trying to protect Trixie from... me?" Rainbow Dash said, stepping back.
"Twilight? What are you doing here?" Applejack asked, looking at her friend’s counterpart.
“Have you noticed, Will? No wings,” Rarity whispered as she looked at the other Twilight.
Trixie got up, dusting off her hat, "More importantly, why was Trixie attacked?"
The other Dash looked at the Trixie before her, “Long story, trust me.”
Unicorn Twilight looked around,"Girls!" She looked at Applejack, and then hugged her,"I missed you." And then the other Rainbow Dash immediately hugged her as well.
Applejack opened her eyes in shock at the sudden hug, "Um, please to meet ya, again? Was, the other me gone long?"
"Um, sorry, but we, um that is we aren't-" Fluttershy began, only for Rarity to take over.
"What she means is, we aren't your versions of your friends and we are right now a little confused."
"I know, it's a little complicated," Will said.
Unicorn Twilight nodded,"I'm aware of that, it's just..." She looked away,"Although I'm sure our Applejack is okay, this world's Applejack is... gone."
Princess Twilight blinked,"Run that by me again?"
Unicorn Twilight looked at her alicorn self,"Okay, you see, this Rainbow Dash and I are also not of this universe, we got here through a teleportation accident. We've been stuck here trying to help this world get back on it's feet, because in this world, Twilight, we didn't get the Elements to work the first time, and we were unable to stop Nightmare Moon."
"Wait, wait, wait," Rainbow said. "Run that part of the elements not working here again?"
"Is it because Ah died?" Applejack asked.
The Other Rainbow Dash growled,"No, you died shortly before we defeated Nightmare Moon ourselves. It was actually this world's version of me, because she agreed to Nightmare Moon's offer!"
This was met with a loud and collective, "What???"
"I know right?" Rainbow Dash growled,"Supposedly, she didn't care about you guys!"
"That's stupid," Princess Twilight said,"If she didn't care, why did she go anyway?" She looked at her unicorn self,"Wait, you said you defeated Nightmare Moon?"
Unicorn Twilight nodded,"We had to use this version of Rainbow for Honesty, and we purified her." Twilight then looked to the group, “So how did you get here?”
Will stepped forward, "We were on a quest to find something called the heart of worlds. To get to it we have been opening gates that will open the path to heart. We used a key to open a portal to this world."
“Now, why is she traveling with you/’ Dash asked, pointing a hoof at Trixie, and then one to Will, “And who the buck are you.”
“My name is Will Vandom. I am the one who is able to lead the others to the hearts, and they are trying to help me with my memories,” will said.
Trixie gave a flashy bow, “And Trixie is traveling with these seven because she is their friend and they needed her after the lost of sompony close to her.’
“I don’t see when I would ever be desperate enough to need your help,” Dash remarks, much to Rainbow’s anger.
Princess Twilight stepped forward, the darkness hiding her wings, “Maybe we should talk more as we head to you base.”
Dash let out as a gap a she got a good look at Princess Twilight, “Whoa, whoa whoa!!!! What’s with the wings?”
“I’m an alicorn in your world?” gasped Twilight as she ran a hoof along Princess Twi’s feathers. “But, how...Just how did we-”
“Long story, but I can tell you about while we walk,” Princess Twilight said with a smile.
As they walked, Pinkie began to pull out small little note card and writing down. Rarity looked over and whispered, "What are you doing?"
"You'll see," Pinkie said.
“-and you wouldn’t believe the books I had to read,” Princess Twilight said. Looking back up at the moon, she asked of her unicorn counterpart, “So where's Celestia?" the Princess asked.
Unicorn Twilight fell silent.
"Twilight? What happened...no," Rarity gasped.
Applejack shook her head, "No, she can't be."
“But, how can she be dead?" Will take, a look of horror on her face.
Unicorn Twilight sighed,"I guess Nightmare Moon just couldn't... hold herself in."
Princess Twilight frowned,"Then why is the sun not out? Celestia isn't that connected to it."
"I... don't know. That's what we're trying to fix, and the main reason we're not home." the unicorn said.
"So where are the othe-ooof!" Before Applejack could say anything else, a pink blur passed her by. When she look down, she saw a name tag 'AJ 1"
Twilight has a tag that red, "Prinny Twi”
Prinny Twi blinked at the name tag, and then chuckled,"Thanks Pinkie."
Pinkie Pie rushed back to her side, the name tag reading 'Pink13 P13' "You're welcome Prinny.
Dash, who wore the tag that read 'Rainbow 1" shook her head, "So where are the others?"
Uni-Twi turned to Rainbow,"They're at Canterlot, doing some rebuilding. Come, I'll lead you there."
The journey to Canterlot did not take long for the group of dimensional travelers, for the grove that they appeared in was not too far from the city. As they traveled along the darken path, much of their conversation was filled with the two universes comparing notes and stories. Laughs were had amongst the group, while Applejack whispered to Will, “Hey, you sure we ain't messing with their timeline by telling them what is happening.:
“No,” Will shook her head. “They already know about another world, they already have enough differences to deal with.”
Prinny looked at her unicorn self,"So, where's Shining and Cadence?"
"I'm not sure. They haven't shown up in the month since we've been here." Uni-twi looked away, a little bit of a tear in her eyes, “I hope they're ok.”
Trixie followed along, grumbling to herself, "First thing they do is tackle Trixie. She swears..."
Rainbow Dash landed by her alternate self, "So, why did you go after Trixie?"
Uni-Twi looked at Trixie,"Well, she was one of Nightmare Moon's generals. At one point, she took Luna's powers and we had to stop her by trapping her in the moon." She glared at Rainbow 2,"Something that somepony should've thought about!"
Rainbow 2 chuckled nervously, putting a hoof to the back of her head"Sorry about that."
Trixie stood back in shock, shaking her head. Quickly putting on her game face, she followed the group. Her hooves trembled in fear as she tried to shake the horror from her mind and tried to listen to her friend’s voices. She felt a hoof on her back, and looked up into Pinkie’s blue eyes, “It's ok.”
"Ok, so," Dash said, flying backwards, "Basically, life is hell and we wound up in one of the worst possible scenarios we coul. Life just gets better and better."
“Hey, it was better than when we first got here, somewhat." Rainbow 2 said with a frown.
"Yes, Pinkie's not crazy anymore." Uni-Twi said.
Dash looked over at Pinkie, who looked like she was still trying to figure out nicknames, "Crazy in what way?"
"Think Pinkamena, but worse." Rainbow 2 said.
Prinny looked at her unicorn self, ignoring the conversation between the two Rainbows,"But there's still no sun." She looked up, and frowned,"Hold on." Her horn glowed.
"What are trying to do Twi?" Applejack asked as they stopped within the front of the gates to the castle.
"I'm using my magic to see in the dark..." She gasped,"There is a sun, but it's covered in... some sort of shadow..." She looked at Uni-Twi,"Does the name Sombra ring any bells?"
"No?" Uni-Twi said.
"How about Discord?"
"Sorry," the unicorn thought,"I did see a statue of a thing called that."
"Oh, dear." Prinny said with a frown.
This caused Rainbow Dash to shudder. Applejack arched an eyebrow at this, "Wait, y'all never fought Discord?"
"No, did you fight him?" Uni-Twi asked
"Why would a sun be covered in shadow?" asked Will.
Prinny looked at her younger self and nodded. She looked at Will,"I don't know, but I do have an idea." She looked around,"As soon as we get to Canterlot, we'll find out."
"Stop!" A big stallion came up from the unicorn's light,"State your business."
Dash landed in front of the others, while Trixie hid behind the back, trying to hide. Applejack stepped forward, "Hold on, we don't mean to cause any trouble.
The stallion stepped back a bit at Applejack, his face turning pale"Y-y-you're dead!"
Uni-Twi stepped,"Relax, she's just Applejack's cousin, Pearjack. Don't worry about them, they're just here to help with the rebuilding."
The stallion gave a sigh of relief, before turning," Alright, but only for you." He opened the door to various bits of fires with ponies milling about.
"Pearjack?" Applejack whispered to herself.
"I think it is a cute name," Rarity said.
Prinny blushed as she looked over her shoulder at Applejack, “It was easier than saying we are alternate versions of our counterparts here but not the same ones that came from their world.”
“Yeah, because we are from an alternate world but not the same alternate world that they,” Pinkie held her head as she screamed, “Arg! Alternate dimensional travel is hard.”
Prinny let out a giggle at her friend’s antics and then looked to the path that led to the gardens, “"I'm going to the Canterlot Gardens for a bit." She said, using her horn to light her way.
Uni-Twi turned to the others,"Alright, we're going to meet some of your other selves, this is going to be a shock to them, so be gentle."
The girls nodded, Trixie tried to shy away from the group. Putting her hat over her eyes, the blue unicorn followed PRinny to the gardens, trying her best to hide her face from the rest of the town and the guards that might see her.
Uni-Twi led the group into a small hut just a distance from the caste. Inside she walked into a room with a round table,"Everypony, we have guests!"
As the rest of the group waited outside for Twilight to introduce the group, Applejack whispered,"Ok, now remember, they aint used to all of us yet, so be calm when we walk in there,"
Almost as if on cue, Rarity used thread to tie Pinkie's legs together, "And that means no jumping in and exclaiming ‘Surprise!’, Pinkie."
"Awwwww," Pinkie frowned, putting her party cannon away.
"Let’s not forget that there are going to be three Rainbows there, One villain, and their Applejack is dead," Will said.
Rainbow Dash frowned and rolled her eyes, "So basically... awkward city."
"Yeah, so let's be careful everypony," Applejack said, walking into the doorway as Twilight finished talking. "Uh, Howdy?"
Inside, a pink pony would be sleeping on the table, another Rarity had turned and gasped in shock, and another Fluttershy made a squeak sound.
"Twilight, tha-tha-" Rarity walked up to Applejack,"How?"
Pinkie, now free, sat in the back and began to write on her note cards, and then looked around in surprise at the lack of Trixie. Arching her eyebrow, she walked away, but was stopped by Rarity's hoof. Silently, her Rarity shook her head and gave out a little sigh. Pinkie Pie backed away and nodded slowly, a little bit of a frown creasing her features.
Applejack sighed, and then looked away, "Ah'm sorry rare, but...Ah'm another Applejack. That's how."
"Um, hi," Fluttershy said to the group.
Will waved, "Hi."
"I... " Rarity 2 backed off, the slow realization hitting her hard. "I realize that..." She looked away,"Why are you here? And who is that?" she indicated Will.
"This is Will, she has been helping us to travel between dimensions and we are here to help you dear," Rarity said, looking at herself. She noticed that her other self looked ragged and very tired, "My word."
Pinkie smiled, bouncing to each mare and putting a name tag. going to her other self, she put down, 'sleepy me' and went back to the group. By the time she was done, everypony had their own name tag. She had a big grin as she put her marker away, “There we are,” the party mare said. “Now me and my friends are Applejack-1, Dash, Rarity-1, Fluttershy-1, Will-1, and P1nk3 P13. While you’re messy Rare, Sleepy me, Ultra shy, Rainbow, and Uni-Twi.”
As Pinkie giggled at her naming convention, Rainbow strode to argue about her new name. Dash stepped forward and sighed, stopping her counterpart"That' not the only reason. We're here looking fo rsomething called a heart to stop some sort of evil dragon back in our world."
Rarity 2 sighed,"I'm afraid I don't know about any heart. I'm not sure how you can help us, we're not having an easy time ourselves, especially without Cadence..." She looked away,"What do you mean,'Evil dragon?" She asked
"Long story, but to sum up," Will began. "Evil Dragon, wants ancient heart to assume dominance over the multiverse, gave me a mind rape, we traveled, and saved ponies."
Pinkie waved her hooves, “We also met other versions of ourselves, fought some interesting villains, got armor, sang songs, redeemed bad guys, went through tests, met gods, sav-”
“Ah think they got it Pinks,” Applejack said, putting a hoof into Pinkie’s mouth. The sleepy Pinkie giggled and kicked her leg.
"What happened to Cadence?" Fluttershy asked.
"We're not sure." Rarity looked at the table,"The last time she was seen was in Manehattan."
"What about Shining?" Applejack asked, looking at Rarity.
"We assume that he's with Cadence." Rarity said.
As Applejack looked over the notes and plans for reconstruction and food efforts on the wall, the mare chuckled, "How are the reconstruction efforts going anyway? Ah bet Appelbloom is trying her hardest to get into everything ain't she?"
Rare gulped,"Oh, there's..." She looked away, a sob coming from her,"I'm sorry, I couldn't save them..."
"...What?" Applejack asked, all the color drained from her face.
"Please, tell you are... this is a joke yes?" Rarity asked, trembling.
Rarity 2 stayed silent.
as Rarity looked into the sad eyes of her counterpart, her eyes began to fill with water. trembling, she backed into Applejack and was immediately embraced by her earth pony friend. Rainbow Dash joined them, holding her friends tightly and trying to hide Applejack’s face. "No..." the orange mare looked down and way, trying to hide her tears, which did not stop rarity from crying. Dash held her friends close, her own tears rolling down her cheek.
Fluttershy looked to the sleeping Pinkie and put a blanket over her. Looking over her shoulder, she finally noticed a pony in a black wonderbolts garb flying in, "Rainbow Dash?"
The pony looked away,"Just the Captain."
Uni-Twi looked at her,"I thought you were wandering?"
The Captain walked up,"There's a reason for that: Luna is missing."
Fluttershy gasped, "Missing?"
“What?!” yelled Rainbow, flying out, but was stopped by Applejack grabbing her tail.
"While she and I were in Fillydelphia, a strange shadow attacked us, and the next thing I knew, she was missing." The Captain said.
"What did the shadow look like?" Pinkie asked.
"It had some sort of dark green smoke. I don't know, it was kind of a blur." The Captain said.
"Oh, was it a speedy blur or one of those indistinct blurs that you can't really say what it is?" Pinkie asked.
"The latter." The Captain said in an annoyed tone. The Captain frowned as she saw Dash,"Great, more alternate selves..."
"Um Pinkie, I think she would rather talk to the others," Fluttershy said. Looking back to the Captain, she nudged her head to follow.
"I know, isn't this great?" Pinkie said, smiling as she lead the captain further into the room.
the new arrivals helped to pull Dash, Applejack, and Rarity out of their sadness and pay attention to her. Steadying herself, Dash looked to the captain,
"Nice outfit."
"Thanks, nice armor." The Captain said.
"And who are you," Applejack asked, regaining her composure. She then shot Rarity a look that asked if she was alright and silently her friend nodded.
"I'm the Captain, and that's... all you need to hear for now." She gave a sad look at Uni-Twi.
“Fine, be mysterious," Dash rolled her eyes, not seeing the Captain's look towards Uni-Twi.
"Anyway, I'm not sure if you heard, but Luna's been taken by a shadow creature with green flame." The Captain said.
"What?" asked the group.
This caused Rainbow to throw her hooves up as she roared, "great, a rescue mission too!!! Why not have us stop a war while we’re at it, or "
“Well, you don't have to do it if you don't want to!" The Captain said, interrupting Dash’s rant.
"We want to, trust us," Applejack said.
Rainbow Dash hoof bumped the air, "Yeah, its what we do best after all."
Rarity rolled her eyes, "They might be a little excited, but they are right. We will be doing all we can to fix all of this.'
The Captain scoffed,"I'm not sure what you all can do. After all, what do you have that they don’t?"
A smirk came to Dash’s lips, “Watch us.”
Rarity smiled, "Well, once we have our friend here. We can do some investigations."
"Your friend?" The Captain asked.
"Another version of me." Uni-Twi said.
"Oh, great, more nerds." The Captain rolled her eyes.
"Hey, that nerd happens to be my friend," growls Dash.
"And mine too, but let's try to work with," The Other Rainbow glared at the Captain,"... her."
"And what's wrong with her" Applejack asked.
"She's this world's Rainbow..." Ultra-shy whispered, her head down
Rainbow Dash growled and stared at the tritor, "WHAT? Shes the little coward that turned this world into this, I'll kill jerk. Let me go Aj!" Rainbow was stopped by Applejack biting down on her tail.
"Hold on there, Sugarcube. We can talk about that later, right now we need to find Luna," Applejack said.
“But, she-”
Applejack shook her head, “Rainbow, you know we don’t have time to waste with vendettas and fights. Not when other ponies need us.”
"Plus, she's kind of the Element of Honesty," Uni-Twi said.
"I had my reasons." The Captain said simply.
Prinny-Twi walked up to a statue of a draconequus,"Well, you still haven't escaped. Guess things are too boring, aren't they." She frowned, her horn glowing,"I could... but no, you're my final option." She placed a hoof on the statue, only to hear Discord's voice
"Hello, Twily!"
"Discord!? What are-" Prinny-Twi gasped.
"Relax, I'm not your Discord. I just said that to get a rise out of you. Now, I know why you are here, and I can tell you, for a price." Discord said.
"If you think I'm freeing you, you have another thing coming. Plus, what do you have for me?" Prinny Twi asked.
"Information on the Heart of Despair here. I don't want freedom, yet, what I want, is for Luna to ascend to the throne."
"Why do you want Luna back on the throne?" Twilight asked.
"Because Celestia is dead." Discord said simply.
Twilight blinked, and then gasped,"You want somepony to play with, because it'd be too easy without a princess to annoy!"
"I hate victory, Twilight, and I need a challenge." Discord said, an illusion appeared in Twilight’s mind of him on his knees begging.
"Alright, I'll bring Luna back. Now tell me about the Heart." Prinny said.
"The heart is in a place long since lost
"..." Twilight frowned as she took her hoof off,"Why did I expect a straight answer?" She then heard crying near another statue. Prinny walked over to the source of the crying, only to find a yellow unicorn kneeling over a statue of Celestia,"Sunset?" She whispered.
"Why? Why did you have to go, just when I had my plan ready!?" Sunset yelled to the memorial. She raised her hooves and began to pound on the statue.
Prinny Twi frowned,"Trixie," She looked behind her at nothing,"I think she needs our help."
With a sigh, Trixie decloaked, "How did you know?"
“I figured you wouldn't want to stay with them." Prinny said," Going with me was be the best course of action for you."
Trixie chuckled, "And here Trixie thought you just used magic to fine me."
Prinny's face scrunched up,"Ok, I may have done that..."
"So, how do we help her?" Trixie asked.
Twilight walked up to her,"Sunset?"
"Leave me alone." Sunset sniffled, her head held low.
"We are here to help you and you want us to leave you alone? Was Trixie ever this bad?" Trixie asked.
Twilight simply nodded,"Also remember that this Sunset didn't have the same experiences." She whispered. She looked at the unicorn before her,"Sunset..."
"How do you know my name anyway!?" Sunset shouted.
"We're... friends, Sunset." Twilight said, putting a wing over her.
"This is Princess Twilight, and I am the Great and powerful Trixie," she said with a bow. "We know your name because you must be the powerful Sunset, bravest of the brave and boldest of the bold." Trixie said, quoting one of her favorite characters.
"But, I'm not that well known, I mean, Celestia didn't tell a whole lot of ponies of my feats..." Sunset frowned.
“Trust Trixie, you are well known to her," she smiled softly. “You... have been there for her.’ Twilight looked at Trixie as she lost her showboat persona for a second and put a hoof onto her friend.
"Heh, thanks." Sunset frowned, her eyes mixed with rage and sorrow, "Who killed my mother?"
"Nightmare <oon," trixie said.
“I'm going to kill her!" Sunset got up, her horn glowing.
"And how are you going to do that" Trixi asked, eyebrow arched. with a shake of her head she added, “Make her laugh?”
"I'm... not sure, but I'll find a way!" Sunset yelled.
Trixie shook her head "Overconfident much?"
Prinny Twi looked at Trixie,"Pot, meet Kettle..." She muttered.
Trixie looked back at Twilight, "And what is that supposed to mean?"
Twilight grinned, her eyes glowing a bit magenta,"Nothing." She looked at Sunset,"I'm afraid Nightmare Moon's dead, Sunset."
Sunset dropped a hoof,"You mean, I've even been denied my revenge!?" She snarled up to Twilight’s face
"Ye, and now she's Luna. But Trust trixie, revenge is not a good journey. Better to honor Celestia by getting the sun back," Trixie said with smile.
Sunset frowned,"Bring the sun back? Why, how did it get lost?" She shook her head,"Never mind, I'll help you bring it back."
“Trust me,” Twilight said with a smile as she put a hoof to Trixie’s shoulder and smiled at Sunset, “She would want it this way.”
“But how are you going to do it?” Sunset asked.
Trixie smiled, "Such is the mysterious ways of the Great and Powerful Trixie and her assistant, the Princess.
Prinny's eyes went magenta,"Excuse me, You are my assistant." She said with a smile.
Sunset raised an eyebrow,"Trixie... why does that name sound familiar?"
Trixie suddenly realize what she just said, "Did say I was Trixie? I mean i was...Checker, Checker Monarch." as the name escaped her lips, she shuddered in revulsion.
Sunset frowned,"Are you hiding something from me?"
Nothing, nothing a all," Trixie said as she turned to walk away.
Sunset reached out to stop the mare, but Twilight shook her head, “She has her reasons.”
The three ponies made their way to the small house where the other members of the bearers of the elements and their universal counterparts waited. As the door opened, Prinny Twilight remarked, “"Alright, what did we miss?"
Trixie entered the tent next, followed by Sunset. She turned to look at the group, "Greetings my new friends, I am Checker Monarch. I was hoping to ask about what had happened to my sister."
Rarity blinked,"Are you... Trixie's sister?"
"Why, yes I am, " Trixie lied. "I used to play with her when she was younger. I took great care of her and was very kind."
Rarity looked down,"I'm sorry, but... your sister's been lost."
"Oh, my gosh, What happened?" Checker asked.
Rarity sighed,"Trixie turned evil and we had to trap her on the moon."
"Oh, my gosh, poor Trixie," said Checker, shaking her head.
Applejack noticed a bead of sweat on Trixie's brow, and a shudder from her back as she lied. A part of her told her to ask Trixie more about her sister and to offer a shoulder for her, but she chose to focus on the task at hand. Turning to look at Prinny she took a breath, "Twi, we got some bad news," Applejack said. "It seems that this world's Luna has gone missing."
Prinny gasped,"What!? Oh, great, more on our plate!" she frowned,"Hold on, I'll use my magic to find any clues..." Her horn glowed.Prinny frowned,"I'm feeling two Alicorn energies, but one's dormant, in Manehattan."
"Two?" asked Will.
Prinny nodded,"It appears that the dormant one... is Cadence."
"then, what about Luna?" Fluttershy asked.
"Luna is more fuzzy, but I think she's in the north somewhere..." Prinny looked at the inhabitants of the tent,"I think they need to be woken up." She noted the shocked looks everypony gave her.
“Well,” Rainbow Dash noted the looks of shock on the others faces.
Rarity put her hoof to her chin and said, “Dears, don’t you know it's impolite to stare?”
" I think the fact that I'm an alicorn kind of surprised them a little." Twilight said.
Pinkie grinned, "I think i got it!" Taking out a big alarm clock, she hit the button.
The alarm woke everyone back up,
The Captain coughed as blinked,"Should I be worried that there's an Alicorn Twilight around?"
Prinny looked at the Captain,"Do you have a reason to be worried?"
"Uh, yeah," Applejack chuckled. "Kind of forgot to mention that our Twilight is an alicorn."
Prinny nodded as she fluffed up her wings. Her eyes went magenta again,"Bowing is optional. Now, what do we want to do first?"
Dash shook her head a little, before looking up, "If you ask me, I think finding Luna is the most important."
"We also have Cadence to think about," Will said, smiling at Twilight. "We might find Shining Armor."
Prinny nodded,"Alright, we'll send a team to find Luna, and one to find Cadence."
Uni-Twi raised a hoof,"I'd like to find Cadence."
And Ah'll-" Applejack paused when she saw the newcomer, who had been hiding in the corner" Sunset?"
Rarity then nudged her friend, "Not her, remember what we've been dealing with."
"Oh yeah," Applejack whispered as Pinkie went over to hug Sunset,
"Heya Sunny." Pinkie smiled, not caring that this was not her friend.
Sunset blinked,"How do you know me?" She looked at Pinkie.
"She knows everypony." Prinny said with a smile.
Uni-Twi whispered into Applejack's ear,"Who is she?"
Pinkie Pie nodded and put a card onto Sunset that read 'sunny!'
"Her name is Sunset shimmer, she's..." Applejack began.
Trixie leapt in, "Celestia's old student and she came here t to help us. With no alternative motives, right? Especially with any desire to see her teacher dead, correct?
"Sunset nodded,"Uh, all of my motives that I did have were gone due to death of my mother." She frowned.
"OH, I'm so sorry," Fluttershy said, hugging Sunset close.
Sunset wiped a tear from her face,"Thank you," She gulped at seeing Fluttershy,"I'll go help find Luna if you like."
"Ah'll go and look for Luna," Applejack said.
"OOH! I call team Cadence!" Pinkie cheered.
Trixie smiled, "I'll go and look for Luna.
Rarity 2 nodded,"I guess I'll go for Cadence."
Sleepy Pinkie woke up,"Luna for me!"
The Captain nodded,"I'll look for Luna, It's my right."
"I'll go search for Luna as well," Messy Rarity said. She looked to her counterpart in her armor, “You look better suited for finding Cadence.”
Fluttershy looked to Twilight, "What are you going to do Prinny?"
Prinny looked at Fluttershy,"I'm going to look for Luna."
"I'll go for Luna, besides, somepony has to keep an eye on Traitor over here," Dash said.
"I'll go after Cadence," Will said.
Prinny looked at Dash,"Traitor?"
The Captain looked at her,"She means me."
"Oh-" Prinny immediately grabbed The Captain's neck and slammed her to the ground,"Give me one reason why I shouldn't beat the crap out of you!?" Her eyes glowed magenta as she yelled.
Applejack went to Prinny, "Because, THEY need her."
"Really? I don't think they need a traitor." Prinny growled, her grip tightening.
Uni-Twi ran to her,"She's right, she's our Element of Honesty!" She gave a bewildered look to Applejack that asked,"What's going on with her?"
"Um, personal issues. Back in our world we just lost a very good friend to a monster. She still hasn't gotten over it," Applejack said, looking away.
Rarity added, "She also takes our friendship very seriously. There was a monster that tried to kill us all by using her as a trap."
The Captain gasped as Prinny let her go,"Must've been awful. Dang, she's strong for a nerd..."
"You should see her when she's really mad," chuckled Dash.
Uni-Twi got up,"Everypony ready to go?"
they all nodded at once.
Will sighed as the train went on through the Equestrian countryside. She hated the feeling of separation that went through her. She had already been separated from one set of friends and now she has gone through it again. Turning her head, she looked back at Pinkie, who was talking to Uni-Twi a mile a minute, "Please tell me she isn't messing up the timeline."
"-and then Discord sent a whole bunch of balloons out, and they started to laugh. It wasn't as fun as you might think," Pinkie said.
Uni-Twi covered her ears,"Please Pinkie, you don't know the ramifications this could have on me!"
"And not even five minutes in, and she is already messing with things," Will said. With a chuckle, she added, “Well, at least she won’t mess it up too badly.”
Pinkie then looked at Uni-Twi, "So, how do you think they are doing? Your friends back in your own world?"
Uni-Twi sat back,"I... don't know. I'm pretty sure they're out looking for us right now, probably worried sick, or thinking that we're dead."
"They are probably turning the whole country inside out looking for you," Fluttershy nodded.
Will went back to looking out the window, tracing an outline of her cutie mark. She began to wonder how long it has been since she came here, and if she really had been separated from her friend for that long. A longing sigh escaped her lips as she laid back onto the seat.
Uni-Twi looked at Will,"Hey, you okay?"
"Oh," Will said, turning her head away, "Just thinking of some... distant friends."
"They'll be ok," Fluttershy said, rubbing Will's back.
Rainbow smirked,"Hey, I'm sure you'll get back to them!"
Will smiled, having to admit, that these girls were becoming some very close friends with her. Looking back at Uni-Twi she asked, "So what's the plan?"
"Well, first we'll start asking around to see if anypony seen Cadance. If nothing comes up, we'll split up and start searching areas around the city for her." Uni-Twi said.
Fluttershy stepped forward and looked to Uni-twi, “But, what if we don’t find anypony who will know about her?”
“Somepony must surely know about her,” Rarity remarked, “How hard would it be to misplace an alicorn?”
Uni-Twi looked out the window,"Uh, we're heading the wrong way." She said, getting up.
Rainbow went to the front car,"Hey, what's the big idea?"
A white unicorn stallion with a blue mane coughed,"We had to go somewhere else. Manehatten is a death zone now."
“Wait a sec," Pinkie said, taking a cup of water and spitting it out, "WHAT?"
The white unicorn, without turning his head, nodded,"Yep, ever since that hot princess and that handsome, brave, awesome unicorn failed in protecting the place against a bunch of shadow creatures, it's been a hell hole."
Pinkie inched closer to the stallion, "So, how did he fail?"
"S-shadow creatures?" Fluttershy trembled.
"Well, his magic just couldn't stop all those strange looking creatures." The stallion shook his head,"Even his beautiful and strong wife couldn't hold out against them. Those creatures appeared shortly after Nightmare Moon was defeated."
"Any idea what they are?" asked Will.
"Well, before I- er the unicorn took his wife here, the alicorn mentioned something about 'The Crystal King's return.'" the unicorn said.
Will put a hoof to her chin, "Crystal king, doesn't that sound like..."
"Wait, I-" Pinkie said, running over and removing the hat. With a wide eye look, she exclaimed, "Shining!!!"
The unicorn stammered,"Shining? Who's that? Awesome name though..."
Turning to look back in the cart, Pinkie shouted, "Hey Twilight, I found this world's Shining!!"
Uni-Twi ran up,"Shiny!?"Uni-Twi gave Shining a big hug.
Shining sighed,"Aw, and my disguise was so good too..."
"Um, yes it was," Fluttershy lied. "I was fooled."
Rainbow rolled her eyes, "Really?"
“Well, um no...I just wanted to make Shining feel better,’ Fluttershy said.
Shining smiled,"Yay!" He looked at the others with a frown,"Yes, unfortunately we're taking a little detour." He frowned,"Cadence needs you more then you could believe."
"How so?" Rarity asked.
Shining sighed,"When Nightmare Moon came, Cadence and I decided to set up a small resistance faction in Manehattan."
Uni-Twi gasped,"There was a resistance?"
Shining nodded,"We would've started it, had Nightmare Moon not been defeated," He smiled at his sister,"After that, we stayed in Manehattan to rebuild, until a week ago when these shadows attacked. As I've said, we failed stopping them, causing me and Cadence to have to flee. Cadence mentioned the return of a king, and then she suddenly went unconscious."
The group gasped, "Where is she now?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"There's a cave just south of the train station. I'll lead you there when we stop." Shining said.
"That will be a great help," Will said, nodding her thanks.
As Shining Armor turned to continue the train on its destination, Twilight raised a hoof to speak to him, but the white unicorn turned and said, “Don’t say it... just let me live with the fantasy for a little bit longer.”
Twilight pulled back and nodded, as Rainbow landed next to her, “You two were close?”
Twilight nodded as she leaned into her Rainbow’s shoulder, “I miss home sometimes.’
“I know,’ Will said, looking into her stone. she sighed, “I have a brother too... right?” in her mind, a young boy about five began to fade into a white haze.
The train stopped, and Shining Armor lead them out, leading them through the snow towards a small cave with a fire lit inside it. Shining entered the cave and shouted,"Honey, I'm home!" He frowned,"Not awake yet..." inside, Cadence was resting on a small tarp.
Fluttershy walked to her and put a hoof onto her forehead, "No fever."
"You said she's been like this since the shadows attacked?" Will asked.
Fluttershy gasped, "Did you see if she got attacked? Or if a black tendril hit her?"
“Or if you had hear a cackling noise, or sa a cat walking around?” Rarity asked, looking around.
“”What does a cat and black tendril have to with anything?” Rainbow asked, forehooves crossed.
“You don’t want to know. But she’s a big meanie that you don’t want to mess with,” Pinkie pie said.
Shining sighed as he shook his head,"I was too busy fighting other creatures to notice."
On Cadence's side, a black mark pulsed. Rarity looked to the pulsing black mark and turned to look at Twilight, “Twilight?”
Uni-Twi walked up to Cadence and used her horn. She grunted,"Does the name Sombra mean anything?"
Fluttershy gasped, "Sombra?"
"Oh, that was the big meanie that took over the empire!" Pinkie said.
Will nodded, "He enslaved several ponies and put them through tortures that I can't imagine. At least that was what I was told. He would continously mind rape them, and that was the least of what he did."
"Okay, because as I'm scanning her body, I'm hearing his name being spoken, along with other words I can't understand."
"Can you describe them dear?" Rarity asked.
" It sounds a little like "Revertar inclina ad me, et adorabunt me , rex Sombra"
Shining frowned as he looked at Cadence,"That's mark's gotten bigger..."
"Oh, no," squeaked Fluttershy.
Will stepped forward, "Rex Sombra, King Sombra. What is the rest... Gah I wish I paid attention to Latin."
"Latin? Never mind," Twilight frowned,"If that mark's getting bigger, then we have to find a way to fix it, but how?" She thought for a moment,"If I had one of the creatures here, I could see what I could do."
Rainbw Dash looked to Pinkie and smiled, "On it," and with that she took off.
Twilight raised a hoof,"Wait-" She frowned,"She could have at least waited for the plan..."
Fluttershy let out a small giggle I almost forgot how brashs he could be. She seems more mature now.’
“What was you plan, dear?" Rarity asked.
"I... haven't thought of one yet, but it didn't involve running off half-cocked!" Twilight shouted out to the cave.
Will looked, "Should we stop her or wait for her to get into trouble?"
Twilight sighed,"Let's go help her."
Rainbow would come across a moving pony-like shadow walking around.
"And there we are!" Dash smirked as she flew after the shadow.
The shadow looked up, and screamed as it sent out tendrils after Dash. Dash smirked as she began to dodge, "And that is how I knew you were going to attack. You scream like a bucking banshee. Now to hope my buds can get her," she said, moving around.
The Creature screamed and wailed as it tried to reach for the pegasus, only for it to be trapped in a bubble of magic. Twilight walked up to it,"Alright, now we can get some answers."
"How can you be so sure it can talk?" asked Will.
"Just because I'm a shadow creature, doesn't mean I am incapable of speech." The Shadow creature said, his Trottingham accent appearing as he spoke.
"Oh, sorry, she didn't mean anything rude," Fluttershy said with a bow.
Twilight walked up to the shadow creature,"Alright, what did you do to Cadence?"
The shadow creature made a crooked smile,"We made a mark that will turn her to our King's control."
“Just like Valtor. Why do these villains have spells like this?” Will asked herself.
Dash growled, "How do we get it off? And who is this king?
"Oh, the only way to get it off, is to use the blood of the one who struck her, or defeat Sombra, our king."
“Using blood, how horrid,” Rarity said, shaking her head in disgust.
"And where is Sombra?" Will asked.
"In the Empire of Lost Souls, the place that was lost to centuries, the Crystal Empire.
"Oh, great, and let me guess," Dash began
"There's going to be an overwhelming amount of you there?" Will finished.
"Exactly, child." The creature hissed.
"Hey, I'm 22!" Dah shouted.
Will nodded, "18."
"I am a thousand years old, to me, you are a child."
"So you're an old geezer," Dash remarked.
"Rainbow, don't antagonize the eldritch abomination!" Twilight shouted.
"She... He... it started it!" Dash shouted.
Pinkie giggled, "You know, I think our Dashie is a little more mature."
"Well, maybe a little," Fluttershy said, whispering.
"Well, a smooch," Pinkie said.
"So, I take it you all aren't going to let me go?" The creature asked.
"Well, that depends, are you planning on hurting more ponies when we o?" Will asked.
"Uh, if I say no, would you believe me?"
"Nope," Dash said.
"Most definitely not," Rarity agreed.
"Not for all of the cupcakes," Pinkie noded.
"Yeah, no," Will said.
"Sorry, but we really don't trust you,"Fluttershy said.
"Not really." Twilight said,"Besides, I need you to help me figure out which monster we need to find to cure Cadence!" She grinned as she pulled the creature along in her bubble of magic.
Fluttershy tapped the bubble, "Is he going to be ok in there?"
Twilight nodded,"As long as he cooperates, at least."
Shining looked up from Cadance's bed to see the creature,"What in Celestia's name!?"
“This thing is connected to what's hurting Cadence right now," Will said. "And he is also a lead to helping us cure her," saud will
Shining went up to the creature,"Alright, tell me how to fix her!?"
The creature chuckled,"There is not much I can tell you, the creature that struck her is probably gone by now. Perhaps if you'd search the Empire..."
Dash smirked, "and you will be happy to point the guy out to us, won't you?"
"Oh, but you're a little late." The creature said, pointing to Cadence.
"Too late, what the buck...oh no," Dash turned her head to look at Cadence.
Will gulped and looked to Cadence, "Oh, this is not good."
Cadence was sitting up, her eyes still closed, but her breathing went ragged.Cadence's eyes opened to green irises." Yes, Grandfather." She turned to them and got up, horn glowing. Cadence silently walked towards them. She looked them over, and then walked towards the cave entrance.
Pinkie leapt in front of cadence and put a pillow in front of the alicorn, ‘Wait a sec. Don’t go anywhere.’ The alicorn ignored the pink mare and continued her journey..
Dash growled, "Hey, don't ignore us!!"
Twilight teleported in front of her foalsitter,"Cadence, what are-" She was picked up in Cadence's magic, and thrown away. Cadence's horn glowed.
Pinkie used her party cannon to fire out a bunch of balloons to catch Twilight, While Dash flew up in front of the alicorn, "What's the big idea!!!"
A beam shot out of Cadence's horn, the same time as a beam came out in the distance
Trixie walked behind the others, looking down at the ground. She could feel the pain in her heart growling slowly with each step they took. every once in awhile, she would look up at the group, only to turn away as she saw them walking in front of her. A small shudder escaped her lips as she thought about her other self, hurting her her friends “I... I could’ve become-”
Sunset looked behind her,"Are you okay?"
Trixie sighed and looked away from Sunset, "I'm fine...just fine."
"You don't look fine." She used her magic to put up a barrier around them,"Now, talk to me."
Trixie sighe, "You are so much like my Sunset it isn't even funny . I was told that this world's version of me went mad and stole the power of Luna. Then she was thrown and sealed in the moon."
"... yeah, I figured you were lying about being Checker. Who’s she?” Sunset asked.
“The most vile, horrible, and cruel pony that i have ever met. Every memory i have her ends in tears and rage,’ Trixie growled.
“And, why the deception? they should realize that you aren’t their Trixie,’ Sunset said.
Trixie growled a little, slamming her hoof to the ground with tears sliding down her cheek, ‘I... I know I shouldn’t be worried about that. That they would realize that I am not their Trixie but...but,” she then looked at Sunset, “ You try and look at them in the face knowing that if you had just did one thing different, one thing wrong,” she pointed her hoof up to the sky, “That could’ve been me! All I wanted was power when i was younger, and dreamed of nothing more than revenge. If it wasn’t for them, if I wasn’t smart enough to be friends with them and open my heart, then i could’ve been just a crazy. This version of me betrayed one of the closet ponies in my life without mercy, what if I am just as bad,’
"Well there's nothing too wrong with power, at least, if there was only someone to show it too." Sunset sighed,"Celestia was the main reason I came here, but with her gone, I've got no motivation. All I dreamed of was showing how strong I was to her and now-”
Trixie put a hoof onto Sunset's shoulder, "honoring her memory is a good place to start-"
"Hey Trix, if you are done making the moves on Sunset, let's get going!" Dash shoute, flying ahead with the other bearers.
Sunset blushed,"Oh my!"
Prinny looked up as the air got colder,"I think I see something up ahead..." She said as the familiar spires of the Crystal Empire got closer.
Rainbow Dash smiled, but then looked at Twilight, "Hey Twilight, you don't think that he's back too do you?
Twilight growled,"It's a possibility."
The Captain looked at them,"Who's back?"
"Sombra," Rainbow Dash said punching her hooves together. She then looked into the Captain's goggles, "You might like him, he's a total di-"
Applejack interrupted with a hoof over Rainbow's mouth, "He's a monster.
The Captain glared at Rainbow,"I don't just like any ahole I come across."
"Could've fooled me." Twilight said. She frowned, noticing the blackened crystals, and various shadows moving about.
"Twilight, did you catch that?" Rarity asked, a shadow moving out of the corner of her eye.
"Ok, anypony getting flashbacks to the heartless?" Rainbow asked.
"The what?" Trixie asked.
Applejack walked back to Trixie and sunset, “Long story, but they are firce little beasts.”
A tendril lashed out at them, followed by several other tendrils striking at the group. In a blur, Rainbow Dash slashed at the tendril with her wingblade. Rarity brought out vorpal and looked around, "Uh, oh."
Several shadow creature surrounded them. Each pony got into a fighting stance, ready to protect each other, while ready to strike out against any attack that would come at hem.
"Stop." A figure arose in-between them. He had a red tipped horn, and a black coat. He wore a silver crown,"What brings you to my kingdom?"
"Sombra," said a few of the ponies.
Rainbow Dash growled and got into a stance, "Ready to fight when you give the word, Twilight."
Sombra held out a hoof,"Please," He cocked his head,"Princess, I believe? Let this be a more diplomatic mission."
"A diplomatic Misson? asked Rarity.
"Should we?" Rainbow asked.
Twilight frowned,"He's not attacking, so let's hear him out." She looked at Sombra,"Do you know where Princess Luna is."
"I have her." Sombra answered.
Trixie made her horn glow, ready to hold onto Rhe Captain in case of her racing. Rarity looked up at him, "Why do you have her?"
"I need her to help awaken the Heart of Despair." Sombra said simply,"That'll bring me closer to the Heart of Worlds."
"What? W-what do you know about the heart of worlds?" Rainbow asked, a look of shock in her eyes.
"I know that it's a very powerful object, that, should I acquire it, I'll become god-like." Sombra said.
“And how will Luna help you awaken the heart?" Rarity asked.
"Simple, Her blood, and my granddaughter's magic will unlock the heart's magic." Sombra said.
"You're granddaughter?" Twilight asked.
"Mi Amore Cadenza."
Sleepy Pinkie let out a gasp, while Dash rolled her eyes, "And if this was our world's Pinkie she would have a comeback for that."
Applejack growled, "And what makes you think we're going to let you anywhere near the heart?"
"Simple, I'm already enacting my plan. This is just a shell you're talking to." Sombra gave a wicked grin.
"What?" they all asked.
Rainbow Dash growled, "Oh you got to be bucking kidding me!!”
Sombra chuckled as Twilight fired a beam at him,"We've got to get to the castle!" She shouted.
The others nodded, following Twilight. Applejack ran alongside Twilight and asked, "Twilight, have you noticed something's kind of missing from here?"
"No Crystal ponies, I haven't seen any of the slaves around here," Applejack said.
Sombra's voice echoed,"Maybe it's because I decided to make them more... useful." Twilight gasped as she looked at one of the shadow creatures.
"No, no, you bucking monster!" Applejack growled.
Trixie lowered her hat over her eyes, and looked to Sunset, "Sunset... I think you may have your motivation
Sunset growled,"Oh yeah!" She said, glaring up at the castle.
In the window of the castle, a dark blue light shimmered.
Twilight's horn glowed as she pushed the creatures away.
Applejack stomped her hooves, allowing her armor to shake the ground, while Dash spun in a circle, allowing her armor to help blow the creatures away.
Twilight burst down the door,"Be careful everypony, Sombra really likes his traps, and stairs." She gulped as she looked up, only to find a boulder rolling in her direction.
Applejack bucked the boulder hard, "Like that one?"The boulder exploded in fire
Rainbow Dash used her wing to blow some of the fire away, While Applejack kicked up some dust to hold back the flame, "Of course it exploded, why wouldn't it!
Twilight shook her head,"Huh, making a trap explode... must investigate later." she flew up the stairs as several spikes came at them.
Dash rolled her eyes, "I think I encounter one too many spikes in my life."
"Twilight, tell me that you ain't planning on using them for the treebar." Applejack said, kicking the spikes away.
"Relax, I wouldn't dare use them on the Treebrary." Twilight grinned,"Now if I had my own castle..." She used her magic to block some swinging hammers.
Sleepy Pinkie gasped and sighed, "Oh look, hammers. This place has everything."
Rainbow growled, "Will somepony please get her up, she is starting to make me think of Maude!"
"Spikes, hammers?" Trixie muttered as she walked to one hallway, "Why not a hallway that has intermittent flamethrowers?"
Sombra's voice chuckled,"Oh, I also have acid spewers thrown in the mix!" Flamethrowers and acid spewers were then shooting out at them.
"BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCK!" Yelled Trixie.
"Plans?" Applejack asked Twilight.
Twilight's horn glowed,"Stay close to me!" She said as a shield went up around them.
Each girl nodded, and got close to Twilight.Twilight moved the shield through the flames. The group then found themselves in a large empty room. Trixie looked around the empty room, and shouted," Ok, what else you got?"
"Trixie," Applejack face hoofed, "Don't say that.
A large pony decked out in spiked armor flew down from the roof. He growled as he pulled out a mace.
"And that's the reason why you don't say that," Applejack said as she ran at the soldier and bucked him in the face. Pulling back, she looked at the soldier with a smirk that begged him to get up again.
The solder spat as he got up, and kicked at Applejack.Applejack was pushed back thanks to the hit, causing her to shake off the the hit. Looking back up at the soldier, she raced at him and delivered another three punches with her hooves The soldier blocked, and then punched at her three times.Applejack took the hits, being pushed, back. A smirk still crossed her face as she waved her hoof to ask for another shot
The stallion ran at her with the mace.Only for the stallion to get zapped by a magenta eyed Twilight, who laughed hysterically,"Oh, I'm such a stealer..."
Applejack walked over to Twilight and playfully hit her with her hat, "Ah called dibs!"
The Captain rolled her eyes, "Are you girls seriously..."
"I don't recall those words coming out of your mouth!" Twilight stuck her tongue out.
Sombra's voice groaned,"Are you serious?"
"Don't worry AJ. Next monster or bad guy, we can kill steal from her," Rainbow Dash chuckled.
Trixie growled and stepped forward, "You two are incorrect, if anypony is going to take a victory away from Twilight Sparkle, it will be the GRRRRRREAT AND POWERFUL T-Checker Monarch!"
"Dear Sombra, I am dreadfully afraid that they are quite serious," Rarity said with a look of shock at the bickering mares.
The Captain growled, ‘We are in the middle of the bad guy’s hideout and you girls a trying to decide who kicks who’s flank?”
Sunset shook her head,"No, I call dibs."
“Don’t encourage them!” the Captain yelled.
“Well, Captain, when you have friends like these,” Prinny said, her magenta eyes glowing, “You kind of know that you will end up winning.”
Turning around, Twilight led the group up the flight of stairs. They ran up the the flights of stairs leading up to the top of the highest tower of the castle. once reaching the top, Applejack turned and bucked the door down revealing Sombra standing next to a Luna propped up on a cross.
Each mare got into a fighting stance, while Trixie looked on in shock. Rainbow Dash was the first to speak, "Let her go."
"No, my plan is too far ahead." Sombra said, as Luna's eye began to glow, as a light shone in the distance. Luna's horn glowed as it fired a beam of light into the heavens, allowing a large glow of light, causing a fortress to appear in the sky.
"Anypony care to tell me what that is?" Trixie asked looking up with wide eyes.
"Don't know, but Ah know that ain't good," Applejack said, turning to look at Sombra.
Sombra chuckled,"That is the Place of Despair, caused by using the magic of Crystal Royalty, and the Princess of the Sun. Considering that I lacked Celestia, I had to use a substitute."
"So, what are you going to do, and what makes you think we are going to let you do t?"Asked Dash.
"I'm going to fly up there, and then I'm going to use the Heart to take over this world." Sombra said,"And I know you won't let me do it, but that's why I'm using Cadence's magic to take control of your friends over in the distance."
"Like that will happen," Rainbow Dash said with a roll of her eyes, "There is no way they are going to be controlled that easily."
"Oh, really? Come, servants!" Sombra said, as a purple unicorn teleported in front of Prinny. She had eyes of green.
Applejack gulped, "Uh oh, don't tell me..."
A lighting bolt struk from the shadows as a blue pegasus landed next to Sombra, "My apologies master."
Prinny stepped back from her unicorn self,"Oh, come on..."
Sombra chuckled as a pink alicorn appeared with a white unicorn stallion,"Grandfather, I have brought your warriors."
"Good, keep them distracted while I obtain my treasure!" Sombra laughed.
Pinkie Pie stepped forward, her party cannon aimed," Party... time," she smiled sinisterly as she prepared to fire.
"Wait, since they still have their armor, then that means," Trixie's eye widened as she pulled Sunset out of the way of Fluttershy's wingblades.
Rarity turned and jumped away from a sword strike from her alternate self, “Well, this may be a problem.W
Sunset gasped,"Holy-! Where did they get those toys!?"
Dash looked to Prinny, and then to Sombra as he flew up to the castle, “Kind of need a plan here!”
“Girls, think you can handle our friends?” Twilight asked the others, and much to her satisfaction they nodded in agreement. looking up at the escaping unicorn, and then to Will, she told Trixie, “I need a way to distract them so I can get to Sombra.”
A smirk came to Trixie's lips as she looked at Sunset, "Shimmer, tell me... what size do you wear?"
Sunset blinked at Trixie,"Uh, that's a bit personal, but eight?"
"Good," Trixie said as she zapped Sunset with a spell, putting her into a showgirl outfit that showed off a bit of flank. The Captain let out a wolf whistle as she saw, and Trixie shook her head, "Oh great Twilight Sparkle, watch be amazed by the astounding feats of the Great and Powerful... Checker Monarch! First, my lovely assistant will make us all, disappear!"
Sunset blinked at her showmare outfit, before nodding as she used her magic. Trixie’s horn glowed brightly along with Sunset’s, making the room flash in bright lights and explode with loud music. Swirls of blinding color and light surrounded the ponies.
Twilight was the first to open her eyes and saw that she was outside of the castle, facing up at the stairs that led to the castle of Despair. Will was quickly following behind her. Narrowing her focus, Twilight flew as fast s she could, occasionally looking back to see if the blue pegasus was following her.
Trixie smiled to herself as she stood in the room, “And boom! Trixie’s amazing and stupendous roulette spell saved us all! And now to find out who-” the unicorn’s monologue was interrupted by a spell from Twilight Sparkle.
“For the king!” she shouted, firing another fireball at Trixie.
Trixie gasped a she rolled out of the way of the shot, “Of course Trixie gets to face a mad unicorn with alicorn like power. What’s worse... this one won’t be holding back.’ she muttered to herself as she ran away from the next fireball, watching as each shot began to increase in power and width. “Hope the others are faring better than me.’
Rainbow Dash shook her head and looked around in the courtyard, trying to get her bearings. Quickly hearing the sound of a wing blade whizzing by her, she turned to look at her attacker, “Heh, Fluttershy? I have to stop you/ easy.”
“Will it be?” asked Fluttershy calmly.
“Well, duh!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, flexing her wings and showing off her wingblades. “You could never beat me. Not in a million years.”
“That so?” Fluttershy asked, blinking her eyes at Dash. ‘Then hit me.”
Growling at the mare’s seeming confidence, the blue mare flew straight at her old friend. Reaching back with her right hoof, she readied a punch and threw it at Fluttershy, stopping within an inch of hitting her. With a growl, Dah threw another punch and another, barely coming within an inch of Fluttershy’s nose with each strike, “W-w-why can’t I hit you?”
Fluttershy let out a giggle as she pushed a hoof through her pink mane and smiled evilly, raising her wings to slash at Rainbow Dash, barely cutting her mane, “Simple, you can never hurt me. Because you are too afraid of going too far. You know how delicate I am compared to the others. Applejack, Twilight, Pinkie, and maybe Rarity could take one of your blows, but not me.”
“N-not true. You aren’t that delicate,” Dash said, finding herself on the defensive from Fluttershy’s assault.
“Will and inner strength, yes. But, I don’t have your muscles or training. I can break, and you know that now,” almost teasingly, the buttery pegasus looked down at the sound of crashing glass as Dash and the Captain began a harsh duel. “You of a few years ago would of attacked. BUt not now, not when you truly started to feel empathy for other ponies. Weird, your compassion has become a weakness.” Growling, Fluttershy flew at Rainbow with her wings outstretched.
Gasping, Rainbow Dash flew down underneath her friend and began to fly away. There was a cruel smile on the pegasus’s face as she flew after Dash, occasionally catching up and slashing at her with wings. Dash would occasionally bob and weave out of the way of some trees, while trying to keep her eyes on Fluttershy. Blocking the next strike, Rainbow argued, “N-no, you’re wrong! I-ugggh!” he argument was interrupted by a punch from Fluttershy that sent her tumbling into the ground with a thud. Slowly, Rainbow Dash got to her hooves and shook her head, eyes flashing purple.
Landing on the ground, Fluttershy began to walk slowly towards Rainbow Dash menacingly, “ but, there is something else...isn’t there? You are missing your rage from your attacks, almost as if you are thinking about your attacks. Interesting.”
“What is she talking about?” Dash thought to herself, feeling the armor’s power over lighting kicking in, crackling over her body. “ It's just common knowledge, right? Use the surrounding environment o my advantage and engage ome aerodynamic maneuvers. After all, if I don’t hold back, logically... nopony can catch me” her eyes flashing back into magenta, Dash flew off into the sky, turning into a living lightning bolt.
Fluttershy smiled as she flew after her longtime friend.
Applejack backed up against a wall as Vorpal struck against her golden greaves. The orange mare let out several grunts as she began to block the rapid strikes of Rarity's blade, doing her best to keep the sharp sword from coming into contact with her body. With a mighty shove, applejack managed to push Rarity back, “Now listen Rares. Ah’ve never wanted to fight you, (mainly because Ah would win,) and Ah still don’t. So please stop this!’
Rarity only smiled in response, slashing sideways at Applejack. This cause the mare to duck and roll out of the way. Adjusting her hat, the orange mare raced at her friend, lasso in mouth in an attempt to tie her down. As she neared her target, she was besieged by a wave of crystals and diamonds. Some of them barely making their way past her armor and cutting into her flesh. Growling, Applejack ran to Rarity, only to be hit with another wave of energy. Slowly, she got up and watched As Rarity walked to her, waving Vorpal slowly, “Buck,” the farmer said, putting out some blood. ‘she knows me too well. She knows I like letting the idiots wear themselves out, and she is doing the same with me by holding back.’ jumping to the side she thought, “Come on, AJ. She’s your best friend, you should know how to fight her one-on-one.”
Overhead, applejack could hear blades clashing, followed by the crashing of a pegasus as she crashed into Applejack, “Hey there, AJ. How’s it going?” Rainbow Dash asked, shaking her head.
“Not good, bout you?” Applejack asked, fixing her hat.
“I can’t hit Fluttershy,” Dash growled. “I’m too afraid of hurting her.”
“Ah know, can't hit Rarity because she knows how to break a pony down,” Applejack grumbled. “Heh, maybe Ah should’ve become a dressmaker, they seem to be badass.’
Rainbow Dash chuckled as Rarity and Fluttershy stood side-by-side, “Just be glad pinkie isn’t here. She could take us both out.”
Unknown to the girls, Pinkie had her party cannon aimed at the two mares, “Ready, aim and-”
“Tag,” Sleepy Pinkie said, before she began to bounce away. Unable to resist, the pink mare began to chase after her counterpart.
“So, plans!” Rainbow asked her friend.
“Yeah, switch,” Applejack said.
“I can’t hit Fluttershy, what makes you think you can?” Dash asked.
Applejack smirked, “Because, Ah can tie her up and get to her. You can stay in the air and dodge Rarity for a while. She may be a good shot, but you are a quick target.’
“Ooooh, sneaky. I like it,’ Dash chuckled.
‘Aint sneaky, common sense,’ smirked Applejack as she ran at Fluttershy, leaving Dash to charge at Rarity.
Trixie could hear Sunset letting out a roar of anger as she began to fight Cadence and Shining. Turning her head, she looked at Fluttershy as she watched the fight in fear and then turned back to Twilight, “So, Trixie is alone in this fight. Fine with her, she has faced Twilight when she was an alicorn and won. How hard can this be-AHHHHHH!”
The unicorn grinned as she threw a lightning bolt at the blue mare, “You will now die. For all of the crimes that you have done.’
“To be fair, this is a completely YEOOOW!” Trixie shouted as she ducked under another fireball ‘Twilight Sparkle, princess of whatever...GET YOUR FLANK MOVING AND SAve THE DAY ALREADY!!!”
If Twilight heard Trixie’s plea, she did not show it as she dodged a lighting bolt from Will. Narrowing her eyes, she fired off an ice shard at Will, that broke into particles that froze her wings and caused the red maned pegasus to hit the ground. Panting, Twilight looked to the path that Sombra took and ran down it, Will in tow. As she neared a small chamber, she found Sombra standing in the middle of a room with a bunch of hearts,"Multiple copies of the Heart of Despair!?" he shouted
Twilight chuckled as she came up behind him,"I figured it wasn't going to be easy." She frowned as she looked around,"Which one is the real one?"
Sombra charged his horn,"That one," He tapped one of the hearts, only to scream as his body was turned to crystal.
Twilight frowned, only to hear a ringing sound,"... Use my ear!" She remembered Discord's words. She closed her eyes as she listened for the ringing of Will's jewel, corresponding with the ringing of the Heart of Despair,"There!" She turned to a simple pale heart on the right. She ran to it.
Elsewhere, Rarity began to slow down her attacks on Rainbow Dash and began to sway back and forth. As Rainbow Dash watched Rarity sway, she smiled and flew down to her and picked her up, “Come on Rare, you need to get to Twilight!” she said as she flew Rarity into the clouds and into the castle. Setting the white unicorn down, she watched as Rarity walked instinctively to Twilight’s locatio.
Will began to blink her eyes open, "Where am I?"
“You're in the fortress. You were kind of mind controlled." Twilight said,"Now go to that heart, now!" She said,"It should fix everything if the pattern's the same!"
Will nodded, placing her hoof on it as Rarity was placed onto the ground next to Twilight, "Here Twilight." she said looking at her friend as she felt the magic wash over her.
Twilight nodded as she touched the Heart.
As Rarity touched the heart, her eyes became a blazing white.
Twilight and Will would find themselves in a white void, the world barren except for a group of figures in the distance, "Twilight, where is everyone?"
"Welcome, scion of magi and bearer, have you come to open the door to the heart, " the voice boomed.
Twilight looked at the group of figures and looked up,"Yes, we are, who are those figures?"
The world of the void seemed to shrink as Twilight's friends appeared before them in chains, a stick in the middle draining them. Next to them was a crying pegasus with short black hair."
Twilight gasped,"Everypony!" She looked at the stick and went to pull it out.
As Twilight touched the stick, she would feel a drain on her magic. As if her life fore had been drained. Will walked to hay lin, "Hay Lin, what's wrong-AHHH!" she screamed as she put a hoof onto the pegasus's body, feeling a memory slip away.
Scion of magic, Bearer of the heart ," The voice boomed. "You must be ready to give you memories and your magic to save your friends ."
Twilight gasped as her magic drained,"No..." She growled,"I have to save these ponies, they're my life!" She pulled on the stick even harder.
Will gasped, "But my memories are all I ha-Hay Lin!" To her horror, the pegasus began to fade away slowly.
"Without your memories, she will fade bearer," whispered the voice.
"No, I won't let her fade!" Shouted Will.
Rarity looked around, hearing the screams of Will and Twilight, "What on earth? What's happening to my friends!"
"Generosity... "
"So, is this my test?" Rarity asked. "Sacrifice myself? Fine, I am always willing-"
"No, that is not all of your test ," the voice continued.
"What? Then what is..." Rarity asked.
"While your deeds of generosity are great, they are only good if you know about them, correct ," the voice boomed.
Rarity nodded, "Why yes, it would be nice to be known for some of the things I have done. Why is that important?"
As Rarity asked, the white void began to shift. The floor beneath her dropped, forming a series of stairs, 23 of them, "You must climb each of these stairs to reach and help you friends ."
"Shouldn't' be to hard," Rarity said, stepping onto the first step, only to scream as her magi was drained.
In Twilight's mind
"Oh, we are going to..." the white unicorn said before she faded away from Twilight's memory. While she could still remember Rarity's name and where she lived. The day she met her was gone from her mind .
Rarity looked down at her hoof and gasped, "MY hoof, it's faded!"
"As well as your magic ," the voice said.
twilight gasped,"No... I don't want to lose their memories," She looked around,"But... they need me..."
"Your magic is the only thing that is keeping them alive, Magic ," the voice said as it began to drain her. Her friends were slowly healing, becoming healthier.
"Generosity ," The voice said. "Every step you take, will shatter another memory they have of you. Every step will drain you of your magic. On the other hand, the bearer and Twilight will regain their magic and memories, but not of you ."
"You mean...I will be sacrificing my identity to save them?" Rarity asked.
"Yes, when you reach that final step, you will never again wield magic. The others will not know of you. The world will never again know of Rarity Belle, " the voice said. "When ponies pass you by on the street, they will forget you in an instant."
"But, my element-"
"Will find a new chosen one, and the power will go to her ," the voice said.
"So, I will become..."
"Useless, and unwanted ," The voice said.
Rarity looked down at her hooves and then to the stairs...
"Shucks Rarity, you didn't need to-"
"IT belonged to your mother, I insist!"
"Rainbow Dash, I am sorry..."
"Fluttershy, you are much too lovely to stay here."
"Pinkie you...are marvelous .
Looking at the next step, she immediately took one, followed by another
"OH Twilight, you simply must le..."
"Ok Twilight, what do you nee...
Two more memories of Rarity faded from Twilight's mind. Unable to remember the name of her family or cat.
Twilight screamed as she continued to pull,"Come on!"
"Hay Lin, I-AHHHH!!!!" she screamed as Hay Lin began to grow brighter. Twilight's magic began to grow as she pulled.
Rarity continued to walk each step, "My friends...” the white mare groaned as she took another step, a painful shot of electricity followed each step as her magic and memory were ripped from her body.
"Oh don't worry about it dear, that de...
"Oh manehatten what...
"If you hurt one..."
"Twilight, about the wed..."
"Oooonly ten more steps," Rarity whispered.
"You'll fade you know. You won't even be a unicorn, just a plain white earth pony with a horn ," the voice said.
"I don't care," Rarity whimpered, crawling onto the next step
"What does that fro.. ."
"Argh!" Twilight pulled even harder.
"...goodbye," Rarity cried as she placed her last hoof onto the step.
"You have to believe that we will....
There was a blinding flash when Twilight pulled out the stick. When she opened her eyes, she would see Rarity sitting in front of her.
"Rarity!" Twilight gasped as she gave her a big hug.
Will smiled as Hay Lin turned and hugged her. Giggling, the pegasus smiled, "Thank you for remembering me."
"This is Xanadu, it's supposed to be paradise," the asian girl smiled.
"Hey Will, want to see the new design I had made?
"You are welcome," Will smiled.
Rarity opened her eyes wide, "Wait, you remember me?"
"Well, of course!" Twilight blinked,"Is there any reason for me not to?"
Rarity looked confused, "Well, it's just that the voice-"
"Of course it told you that," growled a white unicorn with green mane. "It had to lie to see if you would hold true to your generosity, even if it meant that you lost your own identity. Or some other crud like that." the unicorn rolled her eyes, "Waste of time if ya asked me."
Twilight frowned,"Well, you're kind of rude..."
"Well, excuse me Prinny, but I hated the fact that the voice put you through that," the unicorn growled.
"And who are you, ruffian?" Rarity asked.
"Gusty Hurricane," Gusty said. "And you are generosity's successor, joy. And I bet Prinny is the new Magic?"
"Well, yes," Twilight frowned,"Wait, the voice is separate from you guys?"
"Yeah, apparently," Gusty said. "When Mimic began to work with the alicorns, she said she would put our spirits in here waiting for the bearers to come. That is when we are to meet with them and give them the poem that would help them find the heart of worlds. Too blasted complicated if ask me. I'd rather get to the point and kick their asses before they can get to me. But you know..."
Twilight sighed,"Just get to the poem already," She blinked,"Wait, what was that about Mimic?"
"I said Mimic helped to get our spirits here," Gusty sighed.
"Well, can you tell me more about her!?" Twilight's eyes sparkled.
"I don't know Twilight, she seems a bit-" Rarity began.
Gusty stepped forward, ""Hey, just because I am little grumpy doesn't mean I don't care about her! Mimic wa one of the best unicorns I've ever met, even if she could be a bit selfish and forget that she needed others sometimes. All the time she was sick she wanted us to find the alicorns, get them to protect the heart from the darkness, bring light to the land, leave our mark! What about us? Didn't she care?"
Twilight placed a hoof on Gusty's shoulder,"Trust me, she probably cared more about you than herself."
Rainbow's voice spoke in her head,"Oh, don't get mushy again, Twi."
"T-thanks," Gusty said, sighing.
Gusty sighed and looked up at the white void, "Loyalty will tested at the final gate,Then the six will rift Leaving Faith and the bearer to journey to the path
The six must remember the bonds of others And join again
The will lose Faith as they reach the end of their journey.
Twilight frowned as her mind processed the words,"Six will rift..." She gasped,"Wait, what!?"
"That's what the poem said, I can't make sense of it. Neither the rest of us," Gusty shook her head. "I was too busty trying my best to not go over and knock some sense into Mimic's skull."
"Wait, so what did you do for this place?" Will asked.
Gusty smiled softly, "I helped a friend."
"Come on, Jade. Your dad wouldn't want you to stay here," Gust said.
The light blue earth saddle arabian nodded and wiped a tear from her eyes, "You're right”
"Helped her with what?" Twilight asked, her face curling into a determined snarl as Rainbow's voice echoed,
"Oh no, are you going to let that happen!?" Rainbow shouted in her mind.
"I got Jade to actually get moving and help save her kingdom again. Then I immediately began to head for home. I heard Fizz found a way to save Mimic. So I ran home as soon as possible," Gusty said.
"And then what happened dear?" Rarity asked.
"I can't say. My spirit can't go that far, besides," she said as they faded, "You have to go back."
The trio would be back at the Crystal Palace, as Shining grabbed Prinny in a hug.Shining was soon joined by the others as thy glomped her and the others. Rainbow Dash whispered, "He does know that isn't his Twilight, right?"
Applejack whispered,"Let 'em have this."
Rainbow Dash nodded as she watched the siblings have their moment. Trixie took a few steps away from the group, trying to keep hidden, only for Pinkie to smile, "See you."
"Pinkie!?" Trixie yelped, "What are you-no never mind/"
"Why are you walking away? Don't you want to be part of the hugging?" Pinkie asked.
In response, Trixie pointed to the moon, "Trixie will, but with you. Right now, Checker Monarch has nothing to do with them."
"But Trixie-"
"No! I know that isn't me, but that isn't important! I almost killed my mentor here. A mare who has done nothing for me but has given me the chance I need. This wasn't just taking over a town, this was almost a murder and it was all my fault. How can they forgive any Trixie?"
"Well, It seems that Twilight is just like our Twilight. So... I think that means it will be easy," Pinkie said, walking away, before giving a yawn, "Besides... I forgive you."
Trixie cocked an eyebrow in shock as she realized that she was talking to the wrong Pinkie. Then she shook her head and looked for Sunset.
Will smiled softly as she looked down at her pendant, watching it glow slightly brighter than before, before watching the sibling reunion with a smile.
Sunset looked out over the horizon, watching as the moon began to fall, and a light shone, blinding the inhabitants of the world for a bit.
"Arg, hat the Buck?" Dash asked.
Fluttershy blocked the view with her wings," Is that..."
"The sun?" Applejack asked.
Uni-Twi gasped,"The sun, it's normal again!" She hugged her Rainbow Dash,"This is wonderful!"
"You're welcome..." Cadence moaned as her horn glowed.
As Rainbow Dash watched the two hug, she raised her hoof to make a snarky comment, only to get nudged by Applejack. Rarity looked at Cadence with a gasp, you did this, Princess?"
Cadence gasped,"Yeah, figured that without Celestia, the world needed somepony who could control the sun."
"Need practice?" Luna asked, walking up to the princess.
"Yes, and who could possibly be close enough to Celestia that she could give a few lessons on how to control the sun?" Trixie asked, looking to Sunset.
Sunset blinked,"B-b-but I wouldn't. I mean- I guess I could..."
Luna raised a hoof,"I could give a few pointers myself."
Trixie looked at Sunset, "Tell me the truth, did you ever planned on really killing Celestia, or did you just want to prove to her that you were more powerful?"
"I..." She sighed,"I just planned on proving that I am powerful and that I can lead, I can exceed her expectations! But, with her gone... I have no motivation..."
"Rainbow Dash landed next to sunset, her eyes turning violet, "Then help them. they need someone like you when Twilight leaves."
"They do?" Sunset turned,'What's wrong with her eyes?"
"What do you mean?" Trixie asked.
"Uh, nothing." Sunset shook her head,"Must've been seeing things. But, how, I mean, I'm no teacher..."
Rainbow Dash smile and said, "We all have to start somewhere. Just Ggve her what you know."
"Twilight?" Trixie asked herself.
"Hey, Twi," Applejack asked
Both Twilights turned,"Yes?"
Applejack shook her head, (Celestia Ah hate dimension hopping ) "Prinny."
Prinny looked at Applejack,"What is it?"
"Ah was just thinking, do you find it odd that we haven't found any new armor here?" Applejack asked, looking out from the rest of the group. "Ah mean, in the last two worlds we visited, we found some armor belonging to those gods. Here, nothing."
Prinny put a hoof to her chin,"That is odd. Perhaps the Queens couldn't find anything to give us?"
Pinkie Pie smiled as she looked up ,"OH, nice save on that one author."
Rainbow Dash then looked to the other Twilight and Rainbow, "So, you two heading back?”
Twilight looked around,"Well, I'm not sure if we should? I mean, that would leave this world without two elements."
Sunset looked at her,"We'll find some, but if any threat comes along, we'll handle it."
"But we don't know how to come back anyway!" Uni-Twi said, only for a portal to open up behind them,"Oh."
Will looked down a her pendant, smiling as the energy glowed from it, "Nice one."
Rainbow Dash leaned to Applejack, "Five bits on Shining becoming Loyalty and Sunny Magic."
"You're on," Applejack smiled.
The ponies of darkness each walked to their Twilight and Rainbow, hugging them and giving their warm farewells.
The two teared up as they hugged back, and turned to enter the portal.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Uni-Twi gasped as she saw several pink clouds giving out chocolate rain, and her greyed out friends walking around snarling,"What happened here?"
Discord chuckled as he floated above Twilight and Rainbow,"Wouldn't you like to know?"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A portal opened up behind the others.
"Well, time to go," Applejack said, looking behind her.
“Do you think they'll be ok?" Will asked.
Twilight looked back,"I think they'll be just fine." she said as they began to leave.
As they stepped out of the portal, the tiger's head began to glow bright and shoot out a light into the heavens. As the light went into the sky, it hit the constellation of Gusty causing her stars to glow. The three beams that hit each constellation began to turn, connecting to one spot.
Valtor watched the lights with a sinister smile, "Yes, show me the fourth gate. Reveal to me where it is!"
Celestia put Sunset onto the bed, kissing her forehead, "Sleep well my daughter."
"Your majesty," a white unicorn said, running in.
"Esteem, what is it?"
"The lights, the ones you told us to keep an eye on? They are converging!" Esteem said.
Celestia looked out the window and gasped, "Oh, stars. They've done it.”
"Look the lights!" Applejack aid, pointing to where the lights began to hit.
"Twilight, dear, do you have any idea where they are pointing to?"
Twilight nodded,"It looks like they're pointing to- Oh-"
Valtor’s smile faded as he looked at the lights, "You've got to be-"
"Bucking kidding us-" Rainbow said.
"It's-" Servant gasped.
"Right back-" Fluttershy began.
The entire group yelled,"Where we started!?"
"You must admit, it is quite clever," Rarity said.
Trixie rolled her eyes and grumbled, "Oh, shut up."
Valtor fell onto back, wings extended as he laughed, "HAHAHAHHAHAHhaHAHAH! OH, brilliant, just brilliant! The queens are pure geniuses, hiding the gate right in the middle of Equestria. Any demon searching for it would give up or be defeated by the time they reached the second or third gate. The challenge of this all was if you were determined to see the quest through."
Servant looked at the glowing lights, "But why? Why make it a quest at all? Why not put the barriers in front of the final gate?"
"To make sure that the ones who are traveling to the heart have the same light of the queens." Valtor smiled. "A single person could never make the journey, but a group of friends..."
"So, now do we wait for the key?" Servant asked.
"No," Valtor shook his head. " I can now search to the final key on my own and open the last gate to enter the Heart of Happiness. Loyalty still has our present correct?"
"Yes," Servant said.
"Good, we now can isolate her, the bearer, and the key," Valtor said.
"But you still need Magic," Servant said.
"Or her soul," Valtor smiled, looking to the castle of Canterlot.
Twilight sighed,"Let's just get to the train back home...
The mares agreed.
As they rested on the night before near Agrabah, Will looked up to the sky and smiled softly to herself, "I know... I know it feels like I am starting to lose myself. That it feels like I am losing track of who I am and why I am here. I," Will shuddered, "I can't even remember my mom's face anymore. All I have left are my powers, this pendant, and something else. Something important," Will smiled softly, "The feeling that somewhere you guys are out there! I can feel you, in my heart. Somehow, your names never left me! Irma, Taranee, Cornelia, Hay Lin! I an remember you all and I know you are out there!"
As Will said this, she could feel a light glowing from within. The heart of Kandrakar began to glow with a bright pink energy. Sighing, she placed a hoof onto the pendant, and for a moment, she could see the others. Looking up into the sky she started to sing. It was a melody she felt in her heart with a soft beat that slowly built up.
[Will]A true, true friend helps a friend in need A friend will be there to help them see A true, true friend helps a friend in need To see the light that shines from a true, true friend
In her eyes, she could see Irma on a boat. She could see her standing alone against four powerful monsters as she looked on from the crow's nest. She could see a faint smile on the auburn haired girl's face, but knew the truth
Irma, I know needs our help You smile but I know Deep down inside You are hurting the most I can see
The light from her pendant shot out, flying through the dimensions and to a distant world. In that world, Irma looked up from her position on the crow's nest. That was when she heard a voice singing, "Will?" she asked herself as she looked around, seeing a faint pink light, "What are you saying? That I need help? No, no...I'm good, really." She saw a flash of Cornelia standing against a fierce cat monster, ,But I bet Cornelia needs us first."
[Will]A true, true friend helps a friend in need A friend will be there to help you see A true, true friend helps a friend in need To see the light that shines from a true, true friend.
Softly, Irma followed along with the beat. Siling as Will reached out her hand for her.Cornelia needs our help The girl is going to try hard, doing what she can But if we try and give it a chance I think we can save her, if you understand
Will nodded and took Irma's hand as the girl began to glow with a green light, and followed her through the dimensions to where ornelia was. Their voiced mixing as they flew
[Will, Irma,]A true, true friend helps a friend in need A friend will be there to help them see A true, true friend helps a friend in need To see the light that shines from a true, true friend.
Looking up to the sky, she thought she saw two brightly colored lights. As they descended, she felt warmer, as if two young women were standing by her side. Glowing a little, she looked to the sky and added her own voice to the song. In her mind, she saw Taranee standing in a world of darkness, and looked up determined.
[Cornelia]Taranee needs our help She's all alone in the night She is standing against everything But if we stand together, we can stop her plight
The three girls looked at one another, and placed their hands on top of one another. As they touched, Cornelia glowed with a dark blue light and found herself flying through the multiverse.
Taranee stood in front of the dark hut, sighing. Then her ears perked at the sound of singing. "Cornelia? Irma? Will?" She asked, her smile brightening as she looked in the direction of the song, but saw nopony there. As the song continued in her head, she began to feel the warmth and the calmness of the other three by her. It was if, somehow, they were with her at that moment.
[Will, Irma, Cornelia]A true, true friend helps a friend in need A friend will be there to help them see A true, true friend helps a friend in need To see the light that shines from a true, true friend
"Hay Lin, we need you too..." Taranee said, seeing hay Lin in a world full of plumbers and a princess.
[Taranee]We all need you We’re all sad here for a while Our lives are all down We can’t seem to smile But if you feel like helpin' We be ever so grateful If you get your butt here And start making us cheerful
The girl glowed their bright light and flew off into the multiverse. As they Landed, they felt a happy girl rah behind them and give them a big hug.
Hey Lin: All right everybody, let's get out there and smile!
The girls looked to each other, smiles on their faces as they began to glow bright. Somehow, across the multiverse, the worlds that they were on began to glow bright as well, shingin as a beacon to the other worlds. On each planet that their voie could be heard, their song rung out.
[W.I.T.C.H]A true, true friend helps a friend in need A friend will be there to help them see A true, true friend helps a friend in need To see the light! (To see the light!) That shines! (That shines!) From a true, true friend!
Will opened her eyes as she looked up and smiled. Silently, she whispered,”I'll find you”
Twilight's horn stopped glowing, and a red light appeared on the tip,"Just a little further..." She whispered to herself.
“Master, what is this?" Servant asked, her curiosity peaked.
"A Time Spell," Valtor said, standing in front of a large magical bubble, "I had to raid the most powerful sorcerer I knew to get it, but I did it. You know, I admire Starswirl, but his knowledge and power only went so far," his claws began to glow and he put his claws to the bubble, "He only knew of magic from the dawn of time, but as for me and my mother, we know of magic from beyond the dawn of time. Thus, I know of the deeper magic, back when the virtues were but foals nursing on their mother's teat! So thus, I know of a more powerful time spell."
"Genius sire," bowed Servant as she backed up.
"Chronos, I wish to bend to laws of time. Allow me to manipulate the web to control the unlimited worlds!"
"What was that Twi?" Applejack asked, watching s Twilight’s horn glowed. the train ride for the girls was very slow and uneventful.
“Just... some modifications, nothing major." Twilight gave a smile and then walked off,"I'm going to get myself some coffee!"
As Twilight walked, the train began to shake and rattle. Applejack looked outside and gasped, "Twilight, Something's up with Equestria!!!"
Twilight looked outside,"What!?"
As the train neared the border of the country, waves of purple, white, orange, pink, yellow, and dark blue began to rhythmically beat out. Sending out waves of energy that made the train shake, "Twilight! Wwwwwwwhat
"Tttttthiiiiissss mmmmmaaaakiiinnngnggg mmmmeeeeee ddooooo theeeee silllllllyyyyy vvvvvvvooooooiiiiiccceeee agaaaaaaaiiiiinnnnn," Pinkie said, vibrating.
Valtor smiled as his hands continued to manipulate the temporal lines.
It's astounding Time is fleeting Power takes it toll
Listen closely
Servant chuckled, "Not for very much longer."
I've got to keep control
Around the bearers, the train changed forms. Sometimes to just a flatbed, others to a car, while all around them ponies from various eras began to buzz in and out.
Twilight looked around,"It's like time is changing around us!"
With a bultstrious laugh, Valtor began to sing with the beat
I Do the TIME WARP Drinking those moments when The power would take me!
Servant began to laugh
and the void would be calling
LET'S SEND THEN THROUGH A TiME WARP! LET'S SEND ThEM THrough A TiME WARP!!!"
"Who could be doing this?" Applejack asked as she saw two fillies run by her and then turn into adult mares in an instant.
Rainbow Dash got jostled in her seat and thrown into Pinkie Pie, "Who do you think?"
"Valtorrrrrr!" Trixie said as she was pushed into Twilight.
Slamming his right hand into the orb, Valtor commanded
It's just a shift to the left
Then her twisted his claw to the right
And then a jump to the riiiiiiiiight
and then push it like this!
Servant looked at her staff and watched as the land of Equestria began to feel the effect of the time warp as well
But its rifts That'll really drive you insaaaaaneee
LEt's send them through a time warp again! LEt's send them through a time warp again!
"Luna, your majesty!" painted Sunshine Smiles as he ran into Luna's room, "There is something wrong with the country. Look!"
When Luna looked out, she would see the city become dust, vibrant, and the dust again
Luna gasped,"Valtor!" She teleported to Celestia
Twilight gasped as her seat changed to wood, plastic,and steel
Celestia looked over Sunset, before turning to Luna, "Luna, what's going on?"
Servant smiled as she watched some ponies run in terror as the world continued to radically change
This is dreamy To watch fantasy crumbling! They can't stop you
Valtor laughedNo, not at all
Looking back at his orb, he grabbed a line from it and pushed it to the side
In this dimension With my own intention Secluded, I control all
Fluttershy let out a gasp as she was almost thrown from her seat, but Rainbow Dash caught her and pulled her in. Rarity used her magic to start helping ponies.
Servant snickered
With a bit of a mind flip
A grey pegasus gasped in shock as she watched her daughter age before her eyes. Looking with fear, she ran to the back door, only to find the blue box gone.
They're in a time slip
"Starlight!" a white earth pony shouted, his equal sign cutie mark hidden beneath his cloak. "You need to see this!"
"I know," shouted the pink unicorn, her mane in pigtails. "Time is changing!"
Valtor laugh as he grabbed another time stream,
And nothing can be the same
"Time, it's unraveling!" Luna shouted.
Twilight used her magic, to anchor herself and her friends, while trying to catch several other ponies.
“Valtor! He must be trying to mess with the time stream and slow down Twilight and the others. Luna, come with me!" Celestia said, running out the hallway.
They'll be with sensation and put under sedation!
The two sang in unison
LEt's send them through a Time WARP Let's send them through a time warp!!
A Celestia ran down the stairs with Luna she explained
Well mommy told of a spell to be done when Time goes to hell This is a surprise But we have to stop That dragon with the devil's eyes Put your horn to the glass and together we can fix time again and correct it again
Let's send them through a time warp Let's send them through a time warp!
Celestia looked to Luna, "Put your horn on the left!"
"I guess you take the one on the right!" She did as her sister instructed.
“Now let's do this!"
As Valtor felt Celestia and Luna cast the spell, he began to laughThe trap has been sprung!
Servant began to laughNow let's bring it to light!
And really drive them insaneeeeeee
Once again the two began to sing in unison
Let's send them through a time warp Let's send them through a time warp!!
The rumbling in the train stopped, but the waves continued to hit the car, "Twilight, Ah've got a bad-" before she could say anything more, the orange wave hit her and wiped her from existence.
lets do the time warp again,
“Applejack!" Twilight shouted.
Just a twist to the left
The white wave hit Rarity, wiping her out
Then a jump to the right
"Rarity!" Pinkie shouted as she jumped to where her friend disappeared, only to get hit as well
And then we do this!
Rainbow Dash saw a yellow wave flew towards Fluttershy, "Fluttershy!" leaping out, she reached her hoof to hold onto her friend, only to watch in despair as Fluttershy’s hoof faded away
But it will be this that will drive them insannnnneeee
A dark blue wave flew and hit Trixie, "Twi-"
LEts send then through a time warp!
"Rarity, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Trixie!" Twilight shouted, tears running down her face as she attempted to use her magic.As she used her magi, the wave hit Twilight, wiping her out as well.
Lets do the time warp...again.
As the train entered the station, Will and rainbow Dash stepped out. Tears ran down Wil's eyes a she collapsed to her knees shaking. Dash sat on her knees and screamed "VALTOR!!!!!!!"
Author's Note
Thanks Zolt
This...was an interesting chapter on two fronts.
First was just how much fun it was to go into the world of "Night Never Ended ". This was one of my favorite fics in the early days of the fandom was so glad to be there for the ending. As a matter of fact, this was my way of doing a sequel to all of that. You can thank Zolr for the use of Sombra though. Also, Rarity's test is a reference to Video Girl Ai. I love that whole staircase scene.
Second, was just trying to write a song and dance for Time wrap like I did. I think I am getting better and more extravigant with these. Wether or not that is a good thing remains to be seen.
And now, a time travel arc...have fun fans
Eons ago...
For a few moments, Twilight laid there on the ground, her world being nothing but a swirling mass of colors and shapes when she found herself being thrown through the portal. When Twilight woke up, a young unicorn looked at her, "Wow, you look like the Queen of Friendship."
When Twilight looked at the unicorn, her memories of what had happened moments ago had hit her. Twilight then turned away, tears in her eyes,"I couldn't save them..." She muttered.
"Save who?" the unicorn asked, looking up at Twilight. "And why are you crying?"
"My friends, they're all gone. My magic couldn't stop them." Twilight sobbed into the ground.
A loud and boisterous voice shouted from the hill, "Cadet, what do you think... is that a unicorn crying?" the mare asked, walking with long strides. Brushing a hoof through her white mane, the pony shouted, "Dry your tears,young alicorn! Whatever problems that you may have, I FAITH, can make them vanish!"
"She said her friends are gone," the little filly said, backing away as the pony spread her wings in shock.
"Her friends have banished you say?" the mare said, her horn picking up a flower and handing it to Twilight, "Dry your tears! for I, Faith, will help with that you need!" she then gave Twilight a hug, "Just know that you are not alone! Perhaps I, Fatih, will be able to help you find your compatriots."
"Um, mistress, shouldn't we-"
"See, young alicorn, I faith, am a very powerful magical user myself!" Smirked the dark blue alicorn.
Twilight gasped,"Trixie !?" She shook her head as she giggled a bit,"No that's impossible." She blinked,"Uh, what year is this?"
The year? Well before I, Faith, tell you what it is, you must understand something. There are two times here! The first, and most important, is Faith time, and anytime that I, Faith, am here is FAITH TIME!" Faith smirked, "Then there is the other times that the other queens go by, and that year is Queen Majesty reign 120! Why do you ask?"
Twilight gasped,"Oh, I'm in the friggin' past. " She muttered,"I wonder if Trixie has Trixie time. Don't want to ask, though. " She looked up at Faith,"Can you take me to Queen Majesty?"
Faith noded, "Why yes I, Faith,can! As a matter of fact, that was my next stop. I, Faith, was just showing my new apprentice how to control a tiny fireball."
The unicorn nodded and generated a fireball, "Cool huh? Think I will be great as you?"
"One day, little Swirl, one day," Faith then put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder, "Now come, damsel! We must be off, and then you can tell I, FAITH, all about your harrowing tragedy!"
Alright," Twilight nodded as she told Faith everything. She talked at length about her adventure so far, but made sure to leave out anything that might ruin the timeline.
"Indeed, your adventure is truly one of epic proportions,” Faith said, putting a hoof to her chin. “This Valtor sounds like similar to the Darkness that one pony came to the queens to ask for help in stopping.”
"The... Darkness?" Twilight asked.
“It's what me and Forgiveness have been calling what is trying to get to the heart of worlds. When Cunning tried to scry, she was hit back with a vision of a black thing reaching its claws to the heart," Faith said.
"Hmm, can the Queens do anything about it?" Twilight asked, then a teenage alicorn mare walked by with a wreath cutie mark,"Terra?" Twilight asked for a bit.
"Ah the little sister! Have you heard of her in your time?" Faith asked
"Uh, yeah, let's say that she's very important..." Twilight said.
“Well, to Queen Majesty, she is very important," Faith chuckled as a little black alicorn colt ran by.
"Come back here Terra, give me back my doll," squeaked the colt.
Faith chuckled, "and that would be lil Titan."
Twilight began to chuckle,"Oh, you don't know how funny this is right now!" She said as Terra began to play keep away.
"Ir is pretty funny right now, if you ask I, Faith," Faith chuckled as they neared the castle.
Twilight looked up at the castle, admiring the sight. The large purple castle resembled the castles of old, complete with parapets and flags holding banners high. Throughout the castle pegasi and earth ponies began to hustle and bustle around, making the large imposing castle seem like a collection of ants swarming it. Ahead of them, a orange alicorn with wavy red and yellow hair stood, waiting for them, "Forgiveness," Faith said, walking towards the other alicorn with a smirk.
Forgiveness bowed, before shaking her old friend’s hoof"Faith, and who is this young one?" She asked, looking down at Twilight.
"Sunset...?" Twilight whispered.
"Her name is Twilight Sparkle, a friend from out of time. It seems that she got separated from her true companions and I, Fatih, have chosen to help her," Faith said, a smile on her lips.
"Out of time, you say?" Forgiveness looked down at Twilight,"Come on then, I think Majesty can help."
Twilight began to think,’Huh, I wonder if my magic is translating them, I mean, the language should've changed...’
"Forgiveness, speaking of Majesty, have you found anything more about her or Mimic's condition?"
“Wait, Majesty's condition?" Twilight asked.
"Sorry, I meant information about Majesty, and about Mimic's condition," said Faith. " See the alicorn Queens are quite curious as to how Mimic knew of the heart of worlds. And, they are also curious as to why Majesty is allowing the last of the children of the first unicorn to descend into just a state."
"That's the thing, Majesty has been really cryptic as of late." Forgiveness said,"She keeps saying that she'll only give the displaced one a proper explanation”
“Hmmm,"Faith looked down at Twilight and smiled, "Sounds like anypony you know?"
Twilight nodded,"Wow, crypticness must run in the family," She muttered,"Okay, take me to Majesty!"
The two alicorns nodded and walked with Twilight towards the throne room, only to be halted by a white unicorn with a two toned mane of red and blue, "Excuse me, but Queen Majesty is busy right now. Could you please wait for about thirty minutes?"
"What is she doing?" Asked Faith.
"I don't know, but she said it's important," Moondancer said. "But it could have something to do with what Wind Whistler is studying in the library."
"Wind Whistler!?" Twilight squeed,"Ooh, can I help her!
Moondancer noded and pointed down the hall, "The library is down that way."
As Twilight ran to the library, she would see a room that was filled with shelves and resembled much of the libraries in Canterlot. From wall to wall there were shelves upon shelves. The book having been strewn about the library in various towers and piles.When Twilight looked down the the center of the room, she would find the books stacked in ordered piles. Some taller than others while others were opened, "No no no, this is not good. This is absurd," said a light blue pegasus with a light pink mane. on her flank was three whistles, "No, how can this be. Hmph, out of date."
Twilight gasped,"Oh, my goodness," Her mouth watered at the organization of the books. She ran to the pegasus,"Anything I can help with!?" She asked with a big grin.
The pegasus poked her head out from behind one tower of books, "Yes, you can help me get 'Gethersmane's points of relativity."
Twilight gasped,"That book's been lost time!" She said, trying to find the book.
"Quit incorrect, it has not been lost in time, but it was only lost due to poor managerial set up," Wind Whistler said, looking over the books.
"Oh, but you see, I'm from the future, so to me it was lost to time! Maybe if we fix the managerial set up, we can better keep a volume for the future!" Twilight said.
Wind Whistler poked her head up, eyes wide, "The... future?" for a moment, the normally stoic pegasus smiled and flew to Twilight. "How did you manage such a feat? How far along are you? When did you get here? You must tell me all you can. Oh..." she flew back ,"Sorry, lost control there.
"That's okay, I do it too!" Twilight grinned,"As a matter of fact, you're famous in my time! Oh, if it weren't going to mess with the timeline, I'd tell you everything!"
"No, telling me about the future will be most inadvisable," Wind Whistler said, pulling out a book. "Unless we run on a multiverse theory, then anything that happens to this timeline and anything you tell me will only have an effect on the timeline here. Oh, this is so fascinating, I wish we had time to correlate theories."
"Oh, yes! But my friends are in danger, and I have priorities..." Twilight frowned.
"I understand, this is why I am here," she said looking at another book, and then taking to the air, "I assume you have heard of Mimic and her current state?"
"Yes, let's just say I've kind of saw the past before through someone else's eyes." Twilight sighed.
"Hmmm, spiritual transference. Interesting," Wind Whistler said, "Must more of Mimic's 'plan' and the reason she split me and the others up. Still doesn't answer the important questions."
"Like what?" Twilight asked.
"Why those spots, when you look at them as a pieces, they are quite unremarkable," Wind Whistler said, "A land under sea, a forest full of flutter ponies, and then the arid desert. There is nothing connecting the three locations. Or the one I went to."
"Where did you go?" Twilight asked.
“Some plains that we quite far from here, next to Mount Avalon," Wind whistler said, "I found nothing there, except maybe for a forest that I have no idea about why it is there. So, I returned here to discover help for Mimic."
"And I guess you didn't think of anything you were supposed to do there, did you?" Twilight asked. “She visited the site where Ponyville is going to be.”
"No,I did not," Wind Whistler sighed, "It doesn't' make sense, what is the connection." Wind Whistler tapped her hoof against her chin, "And why is Mimic's magic only now destroying her?"
Twilight frowned,"It has something to do with the Heart of Worlds. Do you think it's reaching out to her?"
"The Heart of Worlds, that is another puzzle," Wind Whistler sat on her haunches. "What is a Heart?"
"Well, I understood it as some sort of symbol of power in a universe." Twilight remembered her previous adventures,"I saw several when I traveled to other worlds.
" Hmmm, the other worlds, could you tell me about them. You do not need to give up anything that will change the timeline, but just the bare facts..” She then sat there and listened intently to Twilight, taking note of everything that Twilight had seen throughout the world, “"Wait... heartless... nobodies... darkness... a need... A NEED!" Wind whistler shouted ass she began to look through the books.
"A need?" Twilight asked.
"Yes, the heartless needed to know who they really were, the nobodies needed to know that they were there own ponies and become embraced with hope, and the world of darkness needed a light to show them the way. Each world needed a virtue to be brought to them in order to save it. That is what they were testing for," Wind Whistle smiled.
Twilight gasped,"You're right! But where does that lead us?" She asked.
"I do not know, but I do believe that the reason why Mimic sent us to those locations was because that was where the portals were at their weakest and we were sent there to fix it. We are serving a harmonic convergence to help create a stronger barrier to the Heart of Worlds, with mine as a centerpiece," Wind Whistler said, but then sighed, "But this does not answer what need i serve. The others I understand: Gusty is always willing to give of herself, Fizzy is kind and ridiculous, while Truly is truthful. This leaves me."
“Hmm, would you do anything for Mimic?" Twilight asked.
Wind Whistler nodded, "I know I can be callus sometimes, but make no mistake, I would stand with all of them to the death."
Oh, no! You're not that callus!" Twilight grinned,"As a matter of fact, I kind of admire you.
"You do?" asked Wind Whistler.
Twilight nodded,"You're intelligent, hard-working, and you use big words. I even wanted to be you when I was a filly!"
Wind Whistler smiled softly, "Thank you."
Twilight smiled,"Don't thank me yet, I'm not done helping you figure this out!"
"Right, so now we know that this is meant to help the heart of world's. This makes me worry for Majesty and the Queens, what if they can not handle whatever it is that is after the Heart of World's and why is Mimic suffering?"
"Miss Twilight," Moondancer said, "Queen Majesty will see you now."
Twilight turned to Moondancer,"Thank you," She looked at Wind Whistler,"I'll see you in a bit!" She trotted off.
Moondancer led Twilight to the throne room, "Presenting, Princess Twilight Sparkle."
As Twilight walked into the throne room, she was taken aback by the sight of the white unicorn that stood before her. "Um, hello?" Twilight meekly said,'Oh my gosh, I'm speaking with Queen Majesty, in the past! Oh, I am having such a nerdgas m !"
"Welcome Princess," Majesty nodded and bowed to Twilight, her vibrant blue mane seemed to droop around her, "And what brings you to me, Princess
"Uh, I'm kind of time displaced right now, but I want to help Wind Whistler figure out why Mimic's acting weird."
Majesty sighed, "Ahh, the time displaced one. I knew you would arrive soon. Come sit," the queen said, putting a cushion underneath Twilight.
Twilight sat down,"My Queen, you don't know how... exhilarating this is for me."
"Oh, has my legacy been revered that far?" asked Majesty, the white alicorn smiling
Twilight nodded,"Yeah, I mean," She frowned,"I'm not supposed to tell aren't I?" She sighed.
"It would make me a little happier to know."
"Well, I'm not going to tell you too much, but," She smiled,"Let's just say the future is in good hooves, for now at least."
Majesty sighed, putting a hoof onto her chest, "Good, I am glad that my legacy has endured. I was a little concerned."
"Concerned?" Twilight asked.
"Yes, Majesty sighed. "You know that Mimic has been sensing the darkness that is coming for the Heart of Worlds, and how Mimic is getting sicker thanks to her overwhelming power?"
"Yes?" Twilight asked.
"I had felt the darkness coming to the heart since Mimic's symptoms had first started. I thought it was my duty to try and stop him from getting to the heart and taking its power, before moving onto Mimic herself. The Darkness needs a body after all, so I-" Majesty then began to cough, a small splatter of black blood dribbled from her chin. "S-sorry.
Twilight gasped as she ran up to Majesty,"Majesty! This... I can't let you do this!" Twilight's horn glowed, scanning Majesty's body.
"It's...it's too late, Twilight," the alicorn sighed. "I-I brought it upon myself when I challenged the Darkness to combat alone. I thought that it was my duty alone to protect Mimic, but he was too strong. He blasted me with all he had and left me with this curse. I know what will happen. I will become corrupted, and turn into a nightmare. Then it will be up to Mimic and the others to stop me. My sister," a tear fell down from her cheek, "Will ascend the throne after me, and the alicorns..." she paused.
"The alicorns, the Queens of Harmony can help!" Twilight said, flying back a little,"Let me go get them!"
"They are heading into battle with the Darkness," said Majesty. "I do not know if they will win, or if they will lose and fade away into their souls and rejoin The Harmony Tree, but, that is why I influenced Mimic's vision."
"Y-you were the one who gave Mimic her vision?" Twilight asked, hovering in the air.
Rainbow's voice went inside her head,"Twi, now's not the time to interrogate her, we need to save her!"
"Of a sort, I gave her a vision of four locations, in trouble. It was up to her to pick the right mares for the job. She knew her friends better than anypony," she coughed, more black blood dribbled out.
"So, how was that spot that Wind Whistler went to in trouble." Twilight asked.
"Twi.. ." Rainbow's voice echoed
“Wait, there was nothing there?" Majesty asked. "This makes no sense, she should have found a place where she was needed. I gave Mimic the vision of four places where the dimensional fabric was at its weakest. She was supposed to pick four ponies of noble virtues that would’ve been able to perform a great task that would’ve helped to seal the barrier and save that world. This would’ve helped to protect the Heart of Worlds by adding an extra seal to protect it.
"Maybe... she's needed here?" Twilight flew closer to the window."
"Perhaps, but why was the area she went to abandoned? What purpose could she serve here?"
"Protect you!" Twilight's eyes glowed magenta as she opened the window,"I'm going to the Queens!" She said as she flew off,"Come on, Twilight, you need to save her life, just... find a place with six alicorns who look somewhat like your friends !" She thought, as a shadow of Rainbow Dash flew above her
Majesty let out a gasp as she watched Twilight leave, "I don't need protection! I am assigned to my fate!!"
Wind Whistler caught sight of Twilight flying overhead,"Where are you going?" Wind Whistler asked, flying with Twilight.
"Majesty's in trouble, and I'm going to save her!" Twilight shouted.
“What? In trouble from what?" asked Wind Whistler. "And how can I help?”
"She's absorbed a few pieces of darkness, and she may turn into a Nightmare. I need you to look out for her while I get the Queens!" Twilight shouted.
"What is a Nightmare?"
"It's a being that sort of like all of a pony's evil traits magnified."Twilight said, flying ahead
"What?! And Majesty is becoming infected by all of that? And I assume she is resigned to her fate?" Wind Whistler said
"Yeah, and I'm not letting her die like she wants to!" Twilight shouted, a rainbow streak appearing in her mane.
Shaking her head, the light blue pegasus asked"And how do you plan on doing this? How do you plan on saving her?"
"First, I'm going to find the Queens, and then I'm asking them to cure her, and then, barring that, I'm creating a new spell on my own!" Rainbow Dash shouted.
"Create a new spell?” Wind Whistler could only look on in shock at the alicorn’s raw determination. Ten she added, “ Quite illogical for you to put forth this effort for a pony you only heard about in legends.”
"It's a life!" Rainbow Dash cried out,"I'm not about to let her die, even if it's the past and she's probably going to die anyway, I'm going to make sure she survives!"
Wind Whistler smiled at this and nodded, "You are right. Come on. There is something that I saw back on that plain that might be interesting."
Rainbow Dash nodded, as her eyes went back to purple, and the rainbow streak disappeared,"What did you see?" Twilight asked.
When they landed on the plane, Wind Whistler walked a few feet in front of Twilight, "I saw something shining right around-Ah... here we are." she then picked up a small gem. "Tell me, does this look like a seed to you?"
Twilight held the gem in her magic and looked it over, “It kind of does.”
As the gem floated in the air, the crystal began to glow brightly before transforming into a large portal, “That must be the key!”
“The... key?” Wind Whistler said, looking at Twilight curiously.
“Each of the three gates was protected by a key that we had to get in order to open the portal. And each of those keys were attached to you in order to keep it seal when one of you did a great task,” Twilight said.
“Like what?” Wind Whistler asked.
Twilight looked to the pegasus, “Well, Truly helped to save the seaponies, Fizzy helped to get the flutter ponies out of the dark, and Gusty helped push Jade back onto her road of being a hero.”
“Which leaves me, and what my role in all of this is,” Wind Whistler said. “And how can I and the other form a key. Of the four of us, only Fizzy is capable of magic.”
“That, Wind Whistler,” Twilight said, stepping through the portal. “Is the last piece of the puzzle.”
Stepping through the portal with Twilight, they found themselves in a barren land, dust and wind billowing around them, "Twilight, was it like this for the other worlds that you have visited."
"No, at least," She looked around,"There were more buildings."
"Loyalty, we are being followed. Check to see if Twilight has found us." A voice said.
The rainbow alicorn nodded and turned, to see the purple alicorn with the blue pegasus, "Yes, and she has brought a friend
Twilight looked at the alicorns, and flew to them,"Please, your majest-" She blinked,"How did you know my name?"
Loyalty shook her head, "I am not sure of all of the details. That's Friendship's job."
Friendship smiled,"Twilight, I should know the pony who's been riding my memories for these past few weeks." She looked at Wind Whistler,"And you must be Wind Whistler."
Y-yes, your majesty.," Wind Whistler bowed. "Riding memories?"
Friendship smiled,"I'll explain... later. Right now, what brings you here?"
"Queen Majesty, she's dying. She fears that she may turn nightmare.,” Twilight said.
Friendship gasped,"So that's why she's been so distant!" She looked at the other five,"What do you think we should do?"
Honesty sighed, "We’re still making sure of the locks of the Heart of Worlds at still working.”
"But, we can't let Majesty go nightmare!" Generosity said, shaking her head.
Friendship frowned,"Honesty, Loyalty, you and I will go check the locks of the Heart of Worlds. Kindness, Generosity, Laughter, you go help Majesty."
Kindness nodded, spreading her wings wide and flying over to them, "Come along, you two." her voice was soft and whispering, like a calm breeze.
"Oh, this is going to be good," cheered Laughter as she ran ahead through the portal, chittering and giggling all the while.
Twilight shuddered,"Oh, Celestia, she's a god-like Pinkie..." She muttered as she followed the alicorns.
"What was that, dear alicorn," said the sultry voice of Generosity, her mane billowing softly. She tucked the alicorn's chin and smiled softly.
“Uh, nothing." Twilight thought for a moment,"If Friendship knew about me, do you know about my friends?"
Generosity smiled, "Only bits and pieces. Friendship gave us hints about what each one of them looks like and how they act." she breathed slowly, "I have to admit, I am proud to know about the one who inherits my armor."
As Wind Whistler followed she moved next to Twilight, "Twilight, do you know where they went in your time?"
"I'm sorry, I don't." Twilight said,"And that worries me."
"It scares me as well," nodded Wind Whistle as they stepped back onto the plane of their world.
Twilight flew up and lead them back the castle,"I hope we're not too late..." she thought.
As they reached dream castle, they could feel a small rumbling, "Hey, this feels funny!" squeaked Laughter
"Oh, no..." Twilight whispered.
Laughter ran at the speed of light, putting up pillows when the explosion sounded. After the rumble of the explosion, ponies began to land on the ground as a loud laughter began to sound out through the land, "Oh my." whispered Kindness.
"I suppose that is what we are worried for," Generosity said.
"Oh no... MIMIC!" screamed Wind Whistler, taking off.
Twilight watched in horror, and then her eyes turned magenta,"Alright, let's hold her down, and then we'll figure a way to save her!" She flew up and towards the sound of laughter.
From the hole that was once the throne room, a white figure sat on the throne. Her wings were wide and veinous, much like a bat's. Her dark blue eyes watched in rapture as Twilight and the three Queens arrived to her, "Hello, my fellow alicorns." chuckled the alicorn formally known as Majesty. When the waved a hoof,three unicorns were forced to bow, "Welcome to my new home. Please call me Nightmare Magnificence! Bow before my glory!" her eyes gleamed with an evil shine.
Twilight bit her lip,"... I'm going to stop Majesty for now. Do you three think you can do something about Mimic?" Her horn glowed as her body was covered in a shield.
Kindness nodded, and placed her hoof onto the shield, "I can keep you safe."
Generosity looked over her shoulder and whispered to Laughter. The pink alicorn nodded and raced off in a blur.
Twilight walked slowly towards Nightmare Magnificence,"Majesty, I know you're in there, you can fight this."
"Fight it? why? I am a god! A queen that has finally taken her proper place," laughed Majesty. "I have the power to change the world, I have the proper ability to actually control the ponies and keep them safe. I am the queen that the ponies of this world needs!!"
Twilight flared her wings,"Majesty, this is not keeping them safe. You are listening to lies perpetuated by the Darkness you absorbed." She ran at her,"And I will save you from it!"
"Save me? who is going to save you from yourself?" Majesty asked, firing a blast of fire magic at Twilight and then taking flight. "How do you think I am not keeping them safe?"
"Mimic," shouted wind whistler as she continued to fly though the shaking building, only to find a light green hoof near some rubble. "No."
"W-windy?" smiled the unicorn, coughing slowly. "Hey there."
"Mimic, are you ok?" the pegasus asked, running her hoof through her friend's mane. "What happened?"
Mimic coughed a little, "Majesty heard I was getting worse and went to me, she wanted to try and help me. B-but she started to twitch and rock in pain when she got nea-" she began to cough violently, "that was when she began to turn. I-I think she lost control f the darkness."
“Majesty was infected?" asked Wind Whistler.
"Why do you think I sent you out there? Sh-she wanted to save me, but I wanted to save her instead," smiled Mimic weakly. "She is just too important to this world."
"Illogical, you are important to this world, just as much as the queen," Wind Whistler said.
"B-but without her, the races could crumble. What would you rather save, one or many?"
"Logic states that it would be more provincial to save the many," Wind Whistler said, holding the head of Mimic, "but I believe that it is more advantageous to try and save everypony, no matter what."
"But, what if you-"
"There is always a third way, there is no such thing as only one solution," Wind Whistler smiled.
"But I am... so far gone. If I die now, then my power could stop her," Mimic moaned. "Let me go, Windy.Let me give my power to Terra and she can stop her sister.”
"No! I refuse," Wind Whistler said, looking down at her friend and shaking her head.
Tears rolled down Mimic's cheeks, "What choice do I have?"
"Aw, there's always a choice, look there," pointed Laughter as three ponies came running towards the the two mares.
Wind Whistler smiled, "Mimic, I know I can be... callous and to the point, but please understand this. You cannot give up and abandon the ponies you care about, no matter what. Quitting is so, pointless. What do you learn from by quitting, what is there to gain."
"Y-you would continue to stand with me, even if there is no point?" Mimic whimpered.
"I would stand with all of you, because I would always find a way to help," nodded Wind Whistler.
The blast of fire hit Twilight, sending her flying to the ground. Twilight coughed as she got up,"I... don't need saving." She put her barrier up again and fired a bolt of magic at her. Majesty smirked and flew up and around the bolt and dived towards Twilight. A lighting bolt crackled along Majesty’s horn and shattered the purple alicorn’s shield electrocuting her. As Twilight screamed in pain, the armor began to redirect the lighting through her body and into her front hoof. Clapping her hooves together, she launched the combination of fire and lighting at Majesty, blasting her out of the air.
MAjesty crashed to the ground and shook her head. Looking above her, she saw Twilight surrounded by yellow arrows, “Flare Arrow!” shouted Twilight as she launched the arrows at Majesty. Majesty created her own hail of ice arrows and sent them flying at Twilight, each arrow hitting each other in a mash of attack, creating steam.
For a moment, Twilight panted, waiting for the next attack. As the steam cleared, she saw Majesty charging a golden bolt of light. Firing the bolt, Twilight blocked her shot with her shield. Then, she began to push the shield back, pushing maJesty and the energy backwards slowly. Majesty grunted trying her best to hold back the power.
With a final grunt, the alicorn broke the struggle and flew into the air, growling at Twilight, “Stand down princess! Surrender, for you are facing a god of magic.”
Twilight smiled as she began to waver, “ Stand down, queen of old... I am magic!” then she took off in a sprint, creating after image and after image. Majesty watched as Twilight used the shadow spell to keep her eyes busy. Then the alicorn screamed in pain as a rock pillar hit her in the side and sent her into the sky. As Majesty hovered, she struck Twilight with a white lighting bolt, “Tell me... little alicorn, are you tired?”
Twilight gasped,"I'm... just fine..." She fired a beam of magic at Majesty.
Before Wind Whistler could say any more, she hear three sets of footsteps running towards her. Looking up, she saw Gust, Truly, and Fizzy being led by Laughter. Laughter giggled and flew up, “I’ll let this go to you girls, I have to hold in Twilight’s fight.”
"Mimic!!" shouted the three mares.
Gusty sat next to the green unicorn, "Mimic, we're here! It's going to be ok, trust me. Wind Whistler, what's happening to her."
"Her magic is taking its toll, it's going to kill her," Wind Whistler said.
"Then put her magic into me!"
"No, you can't," whimpered Mimic
Fizzy nuzzled Mimic, "I brought the horseshoes, she should be fine right?"
"I don't know," Wind Whistler shook her head. "Put them on."
"Oh, y'all don't know anything about fixing shoes. Let me try," smiled Truly, getting down to each hoof and began to fixing the shoes on each leg. As she finished with the final shoe, she muttered, “Just a little more and there!”
Generosity smiled at Laughter, "Well, will you look at this. five mares,united by friendship."
"Caring for one another," Smiled Kindness.
"I think you know what's going to happen," smiled Laughter. "And they do too."
"Please Mimic, we need you," Wind Whistler said, a tear falling down her face. "Please."
Truly shook her head, “Please, no... just... not after all we have been through.”
Gusty began to cry as she sat next to Mimic, “Please Mimic, I’ll never forgive you if you die.”
“Please Mimic, say something!” Fizzy cried.
Mimic's hoof lightly touched the seed that Wind Whistler had with her," U-unite."
The two alicorns stared each other down as they stood in the ruins of the castle, their blades drawn. Majesty grinned as she glared at Twilight, “Tell me Twilight, did you ever think you could beat me?”
“No,” Twilight panted, sweat rolling down her head, “Just keep you busy.”
“Busy? For what?” Majesty asked.
“Your salvation,” Twilight said, racing at MAjesty as a beam of light shown out from the distance.
L e t me tell you a story, Majesty...
Wind Whistler closed her eyes, feeling the flames lick her wings, "W-what on earth?" The flames began to crawl up her body, covering her, and bonding to her body.
Once there were six dragons, friends to the Q ueens of Harmony. They were sent by B ahumut to find and protect the source of magic in the multiverse. So they traveled the multiverse, finding clues and soon found the font of magical energy .The purple dragon lost her five friends in the course of the journey. So heartbroken was she, that she used the magic for one selfish thing... to bring back her friends.
"Something's weird," Gusty muttered, feeling the wind on her horn becoming stronger. The wind slowly enveloped her in a tornado.
The six dragons used the magic to bring it forth across the universe, giving the earth ponies their strength, the pegasi the power over the weather and flight, and the unicorns their spells . The five dragons then sealed their power into five orbs, known as aurameres and placed them within the halls of Kandrakar
"M-mimic?" muttered Fizzy. Water began to pool at her feet before washing over her body
Soon the dragons died, but not before making sure that the world that they loved so much and the ponies they cared for were protected. Thus, they made sure that, one day, their power would fall upon five who will protect the multiverse as the Queens protect H armony
"Where's-" Truly was interrupted by the blinding light from Mimic. Around her, her body began to get covered in earth.
Six queens to protect harmony of the multiverse, they will be the knights who will make sure that the virtues that we all hold dear will be safe. They will inspire others with their light. But five guardians will rise to protect against the corruption of the multiverse and to aid the Q ueens.
Mimic began to softly speak, "five elementals, protecting one princess and guarding the heart. This will happen and will always happen. We are guardians! Quintessence."
"Fire,"
"Water"
"Wind"
"Earth"
Each pony said this, as if the words were always in their hearts, and their bodies began to glow brightly.
As Twilight finished her story, she panted, “Heh, so...that was the meaning of that story. Heh, thanks Mom,” she then fainted.
Terra looked on in fear, watching the five lights fly off, "S-sister." the alicorn whispered.
Magnificence smiled as she lifted her sword above her head, only to be hit by fire and wind. Looking up at the two offenders, she growled at seeing Wind Whistler and Gusty at her side. As she charged off, Truly used her earth magic to pick up Twilight and put her outside.
The nightmare growled at the five newcomers, and slowly lifted her hoof to beckon the five, "Come then, fight me."
"Well, we aren't gonna kill her are we?" asked Truly.
Mimic shook her head, "No, we just need to beat her." Mimic said, charging her lighting and shooting it out at Magnificence. The alicorn screamed as the lighting struck her body and returned with a crack or the earth, shaking the four earth bound ponies. As the earth shook, Wind Whistler sent out waves of fire at Magnificence, singing her wings. Taking off, the white alicorn charged at her opponent.
Turely used her earth magic to lift up the other mares, while Gusty took flight with her wind magic, sending out tornadoes at the alicorn to send her tumbling in the air. Magnificence growled and sent a lighting bolt out that struck at Gusty, hitting her hard in the chest. Fizzy gasped and sent a stream of water at Magnificence, who blocked it with her wings.
Mimic smiled and sent a lighting bolt at Magnificent, electrifying her. The alicor flew to the lighting user and uppercutted her hard in the chin. However, her back wa opened for a strike from Wind Whistler. Magnificence used her own wind power to blow her away.
Terra watched this in horror, "Sister!!! Please!!!"
"You know what you must do," Generosity said.
Friendship walked up with her friend from a portal, "You must join them."
"M-me?" Terra asked.
"It takes six," Loyalty said, smirking.
Terra nodded, running to the battlefield. She flew up to catch a falling Mimic and landed her down on the ground. Magnificence smirked at her sister, "Poor sister. I am going to have to kill you. See, I know about your daughters, oh yes. One of them...one of them will bring darkness to us all. And I plan on stopping it."
"No, you won't," whispered Terra, as she levitated her horn, magic glowing.
Mimic looked to her four friends, uniting their magic with Terra's, shooting at once. Magnificence screamed as she felt the magic hit her hard. Wind Whistler let out a gasp, "I-is that the Rainbow of Light? Is that what happened to it?"
"Yes, it went into the Heart of Equestria, which is in my hooves," Mimic said, showing her hooves as the rainbow struck Magnificence hard.
Friendship gently levitated Twilight on her back,"You know what must happen now." She whispered to herself.
Mimic smiled as she watched Majesty return to normal, before landing down herself and breathing softly, "There, it's done."
"My stars, was... was that really us?" asked Truly, looking down at her element flowing around her.
"Yes indeed, it seems that we were chosen not for our virtues, but for our magic as well. Each one of us were needed, because we were needed to protect someone or something. Be it the pride of a nation, a group of ponies, or another's destiny. I was meant to protect,"
"Me," Mimic said, smiling.
"So, how does Twilight get home," Terra ased.
"I think I might know, but first, I need to let Twilight have the third piece," Mimic said, giving Twilight a medallion, "This is Friendship’s medallion. It lets her feel wherever her friends are ad."
Friendship smiled, holding Twilight close,"When you awake, you'll be near your two friends..." She whispered in her ear. And with that, Twilight vanished.
The present
Will sat at the station, her eyes wide in shock, "Come on, Will! Let's go!" Rainbow said, trying to pull Will away. The chromatic pegasus sighed, and shook her head. Twitching her ear, she heard a voice from the station. Looking up at a cloud, she flew up where she saw a figure in a cloak, "You!"
"Yes, me. I wanted to talk to you abou-"
"You bucking monster! This wasn't the deal! The deal was I kept this thing in me, take out Sunset, and keep an eye on Will, you never said a bucking thing about taking my friends away!" Dash yelled.
The figure in the cloak sighed, "The master had a change of plans. It seems that he wants to isolate both you and the Heart to get to the last gate."
"Bt, doesn't he need Twilight to complete the test?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"No, he just needs Magic's soul. It can be anypony with the potential to become an Element of Magic in any world," the figure in the cloak said.
Rainbow Dash put a hoof to her chin in thought, before opening her eyes wide, "Wait, Trixie and Twilight are gone, that leaves... no. he wouldn't!"
"Yes, he would. He plans on visiting Sunset tonight, and convince her to stay asleep," the servant said.
"I thought he was done with her. He can't kill her!" Dash argued.
The figure shook her head, "Yes he can and he will. As such, you have a new mission. Keep Will distracted."
"You expect me to leave Sunset alone?" Rainbow Dash growled, watching the hooded figure nod. "No, I can't. I would never," she grunted as she felt the insignia glow on her neck.
"Remember, you fail to obey, and you will release the spell. Twilight will die, and the others will be infected by the plague. Now, do it," the figure said.
Dash could only nod as she flew back to Will who was walking away.
Twilight’s voice echoed in her head,”Rainbow, it’s alright. Just wait a little longer. Remember, trust me, I will help you through this.”
Thousands of years ago
Fluttershy looked around her, eyes opened wide in horror as the darkness loomed over her. She squeaked and whimpered as she heard the cracks and moans of the world around her. Letting out tiny whimpers she back up a little more towards the bushes, but stopped when she heard a whimpering noise. Looking inside, she saw a pair of blue eyes, "Oh, who is there?" called out the pegasus to the little shivering thing in the bushes.
"Eep!" A little blue alicorn filly curled up in the bushes,"Don't eat me!"
"Oh, don't worry, I won't eat you. My teeth are much too flat. It's ok," Fluttershy calmly said, offering her hoof. "I won't hurt you, I promise."
The little filly looked up, and slowly raised her hoof to Fluttershy's.Gently, the buttery pegasus took the little filly by the hoof and helped her out.
The filly shook her light blue mane,"Thank you pretty lady!" She looked up with a soft smile.
You are welcome," Fluttershy smiled softly as she rubbed the little filly's mane. "My name is Fluttershy. What's your name, little one?"
The filly kicked the ground,"Luna." She looked up with big eyes.
"Luna? " Fluttershy said, in wonder (Could she be? No... it couldn't be possible. Luna has never said that she was this small and helpless.) "Well, Luna... what are you doing out here in this big forest all by yourself?"
"Well, I was trying to fly out of the castle to show my big sister what I've learned, but then I looked down," She looked down at the ground,"and my wings stopped. Next thing I know, I was lost..."
"Your wings stopped? OH you poor thing," Fluttershy said, looking back at the wings. Then she realized what went wrong, "What scared you up there?"
"I, um," Luna shuffled a bit,"I guess I'm just a bit scared of heights..."
“That's alright," Fluttershy said, laying on her stomach next to the alicorn. "I get scared of heights too."
"But I'm a princess! I'm not supposed to be scared of heights!" Luna kicked a pebble,"I'm supposed to be strong, and brave, and awesome, just like my big sister!"
"Well, I'm a pegasus and I am supposed to fly, but I am terribly afraid of heights too. As a matter of fact there are a lot of things that scare me," Fluttershy said, smiling softly. " You don't need to make yourself anything but the best you that you are. No one would look down on you for that."
A little filly Dash put her hoof onto the filly Fluttershy's shoulder, "Besides, anypony sas differently will get a hoof ful of Dash!"
"Beides, brave alicorns do get scared," Fluttershy said. "My dear friend Twilight is afraid losing her friends, and my friend Dash is the bravest pony I know, and she's afraid becoming alone."
Luna began to sniffle,"Really? So even Momma can get scared?"
Yes," Fluttershy said, wiping a tear with her wing ,"Even your momma."
"But Momma is the second strongest pony in the world!" Luna raised her hooves in emphasis,"Tia's the first strongest."
"But, being strong, doesn't mean that you aren't always fearless,"Fluttershy said, trying to remember something Applejack had told her once. "It’s all about conquering our fears.
"Really?" Luna cocked her head.
"Yes, really. Sometimes you need to be big and loud to prove it, like how my friend Rainbow Dash is big and loud. Or sometimes, you need to hide it all the way in, like my friend Applejack.,"
"Oh," Luna looked down for a bit,"So if Tia's acting strong during a monster attack, she could also be afraid?”
Fluttershy nodded, "Yes, because she's afraid of what the monster will do if she lets it get away he might hurt you."
"So, do you think Tia, Momma and Poppa are scared for me right now?" Luna asked.
“Most definatall, shall we go to your home?" Fluttershy asked, holding out her hoof’
"Uh-huh!" She pointed forward,"Momma said I should look towards the blue light if I'm ever lost!" She jumped on Fluttershy's back,"Let's go!"
A shadow passed them.Fluttershy giggled at the little filly's enthusiasm and nodded. Turning around she began to walk towards the blue light. A shadow went in front of Fluttershy,"Wait, little one, you aren't going too soon, are you?"
Fluttershy stepped back, putting Luna behind her,”Who are you?”
"Is my name so forgotten now?" The shadow slinked over to Fluttershy,"I am a small part of the being known as Pandemonium, trapped forever by Majesty's spirit."
"Pandemonium?" Fluttershy asked.
Pandemonium sighed,"In the beginning, young one, there was nothing, until two creatures were born: Cosmos and Pandemonium. Cosmos was a being of order, and Pandemonium was a being of chaos. The two saw each other as opponents and began to battle each other. They are still fighting to this day, as their blood from the conflict is what makes the seeds that create the TRees that build the planets of the universe. I am but many aspects of Pandemonium that he sends to crush those of Cosmos, such as Majesty. And I have been stuck here for years, slowly losing myself."
Fluttershy blinked,”Is Discord one of your aspects? And what do you want with Luna?”
"Discord? No, I don't want Luna, I just wanted to talk one last time, to someone who will listen." Pandemonium said,"I didn't want to be forgotten."
Fluttershy sat Luna down, "Are you afraid of being forgotten?"
"Yes. You see, I'm slowly losing myself to time, and soon, I will forget how to move, or to speak. I will be nothing more than just the background to this place. This is why I've been keeping the creatures away from you, so you will remember me when others have forgotten."
"I'm so sorry to hear that," she said rubbing the shadow's hand. "Thank you for protecting us. Is there anything I or Luna can do to help you?
"Just... never forget." The shadow said, before disappearing as a white alicorn filly with a pink mane and tail appeared,"Luna!" She screamed as she ran to Fluttershy.
"W-wait," Fluttershy said, reaching out with a hoof, and looking down. She then turned to the white alicorn, "Oh, hello there. Is this your sister?"
"Tia!" Luna said, running to the filly as a larger green alicorn came up.
Tia hugged her little sister, and then looked up at Fluttershy,"Were you taking care of her?"
"Y-yes I was," Fluttershy said, looking up at the green alicorn, she bowed, "Um, are you their mother?"
"Yes, I am Queen Terra. Thank you for bring-" She blinked,"Kindness?"
"Kindness? Oh no, my name's Fluttershy," the kind pegasus said with a bow.
Terra smiled,"Sorry, you remind me of one of the Queens of Harmony." She bowed,"Greetings, Dear Fluttershy. Thank you again for finding my youngest daughter." Her horn began to glow as she pulled out a piece of paper.
"You are welcome, your majesty. I was doing my best to make sure she was ok," Fluttershy said. Then looking at the papr, she asked, "What is that?"
"This is a letter from Kindness. She told me to give this to FLuttershy, should I meet her." She handed Fluttershy the letter.
"Dear Fluttershy,
Don't worry, let Terra bring you home, Twilight is heading there as we speak, thanks to Friendship. Don't let Valtor worry you, for he has not won. The key to the gate, is in the place you least expect.
One thing to note, prophecies are not always right.
Signed, Kindness
Fluttershy looked at the letter oddly, before looking back up at Terra, "Are you going to bring me home?"
Terra nodded,"If you wish."
Luna held on to Fluttershy,"Wait, I want to play with her a little bit!"
Fluttershy knew it was better than to jump on the hooves of a queen, so she asked, "May she?"
"Very well, but she mustn't stay too long, little Luna." Terra said with a smile.
"Yay!" Luna hugged Fluttershy's neck.
"Come along," Fluttershy said, taking Luna a little bit deeper into the woods. As she walked, she said, "I'll show you some of the little nocturnal creatures”
"Wow!" Luna said as she followed Fluttershy.
Celestia looked up at her mommy,"Can I go too?"
"Sure, be back by sunset!" Terra said with a smile as Celestia followed the two.
"Now this," Fluttershy said, pointing up to a little bat as it flew to her hoof, "Is fruit bat."
"It's so cute!" Luna said, petting the bat.
The bat let out a small squeak as it was petted, before flying off into the night. A small lemur landed onto Celestia's horn, before jumping off. Fluttershy giggled at the sight before taking them on further through their journey, while a little tarantula crawled along Luna's back.
Celestia squeaked as she saw the tarantula,"Lulu!" She exclaimed.
Luna giggled as the tarantula came across her back,"It tickles."
"OH, don't worry Tia, Tarantulas aren't poisonous," she said as she picked the little arachnid with her hoof. "See, he just wanted to say hello." the little creature then waved kindly at Tia before crawling away.
Tia gulped,"It's just that, spiders kind of creep me out..."
Luna giggled,"Don't worry, Tia, I'll protect you!"
Fluttershy giggled as a team of fireflies flew to the young princess of the sun and flew around her head like a wreath, while a little one landed on top of Luna's nose. Just up ahead, six little kits ran together. This made Fluttershy smile a little to herself. She then saw a seventh little kit that looked sad and lonely, trying to be alone. The little Pegasus smiled softly and nudged the lightly orange kit to her six firend, “There you are... Sunset.”
Luna giggled as the firefly flew off. Fluttershy led the duo through the woods, petting a wolf and helping Luna feed a possum. She then taught Celestia how to hold a little ocelot. Celestia giggled as she held the ocelot
Luna snuggled up to Celestia as they walked with Fluttershy, and Luna let out a yawn.Fluttershy smiled softly, "Is somepony getting sleepy?"
Luna's eyes drooped,"No, I" She yawned again.
Fluttershy smiled softly as she let a few kits rub up against Celestia's leg, while the crickets began to play a soft melody
All the stars, they shine for you
Fluttershy helped a little mouse to a tree and gave one to Celestia, letting her help the little family reunion. From above, a soft hooting was heard as an owl floated over to Luna and landed onto her back. A little catfish jumped over the two sisters
Dream, child so dear
Luna leaned on Celestia's shoulder as Celestia began to feel her eyes droop.
Fluttershy nodded, leading the two fillies back home. The animals around them adding their own music
In time I see, in time I see
As she neared the clearing where Terra stood, the two fillies had fallen asleep on each other.
Dream, child so dear
Terra smiled as she gave Fluttershy a medallion,"This will calm all who are near you..." She whispered.
"Thank you, your majesty," Flutter bowed, before the energy made her vanish into the ether.
Rainbow Dash walked calmly towards the library, while Will slowly followed her. As the cyan mare continued to walk, she would occasionally look over her shoulder at her companion before looking back. After a few more minutes of awkward silence, she discovered that Will had stopped, “Will, what is-”
“How do you keep going?” Will asked Rainbow Dash.
“What do you mean?” Dash asked.
“Through all of this? Our friends are gone, separated by time thanks to Valtor, My memories are going away, and you are ready to head to a library to find information you can’t even you,” Will said. “How do you keep going?”
Rainbow Dash shrugged, “I...just do. Too many ponies count on me for me to quit. And I never leave a pony hanging if it’s important.”
“Even if it looks hopeless?” Will ased.
“Here’s the thing,” Dash chuckled as she opened the library door, “I make my own hope, and then tell the ponies t follow me.”
"Momma, Momma, look! That pony just popped out of nowhere!" a little unicorn colt said.
The mare smiled, "Sure she did sweetie."
"S-sweetie? Momma," Applejack asked herself as she got up and shook her head. "Uggh, where am Ah?"
A stallion came up to her,”Ya’ll right?”
"Y-yeah, Ah fine, just hit my head," Applejack said getting to her hooves and dusting her hat off. Looking up, she let out a gasp as she gazed at the large yellow stallion before her. He matched the height of her big brother, and had a very thick stubble. His yellow coat seemed to match the bright sun around him, only interrupted by the large apple on his flank, "P-paw?" she whispered, before hugging him tightly.
The stallion blinked,"Excuse me?" He chuckled,"Ah've never been mistaken for somepony's dad before!"
A blush came to Applejack's face as she pulled away, "S-sorry. It's just that, ya reminded me of somepony important. What's your name?" she asked, looking around at the city of Canterlot. She had been there enough that the white spires and the castle had become an usual sight.
"The name's Rambo Apple, and you?" He tipped his hat.
"A-" Applejack paused, from the appearance of her father, she knew she was back in time. Shaking her head, she said, "Abbigail Johnson sir."
"Abbigail? Odd name, but A'ight!" He smiled,"What brings ya down here?"
"Well, Ah was traveling with some friends, when me and them got separated. And well, Ah just kind of want to find them and head back home."Applejack said, tiling her hat, hoping to miss the gaze of her father. Catching a sight of a newspaper, she remarked (Hmmm, just a day away from my brithday)
"Oh, mighty sorry about that!" Rambo looked around,"Ah'm right now trying to find a gift for mah daughter-to-be! Maybe we can help each other?"
"Why sure we can," Applejack smiled. "Your daugher? Why, you must pretty proud of that. What kind of gift were you thinking of?"
"Ah was thinking maybe a bow fer her? Or Ah could give her a hat like mine." Rambo said with a smile,"Ah'm so happy to get another kid, Big Mac don't have to be so lonely anymore!"
Applejack chuckled, "Ah know, bet he was always playing with dolls and trying to pretend that they were his little siblings. Wanting them to come alive and play with him or to show off his little tricks."
“Yah, and he won’t admit it.” Rambo laughed
"Because he was slightly embarrassed by it. But you wouldn't care, right?" Applejack laughed as they walked into the shopping district. The laughs that escaped her throat were both a little happy and a little sad.
"Ya sound like ya have experience?" Rambo asked as they looked around the shop.
"Daddy, look, I'm a knight!" A white unicorn colt said.
"That's nice, Shining." Night Light said with a smile.
Applejack chucked at the sight (Wish Twilight were here to see this) "Yeah, Ah have a brother who the same way."
“Oh, that's pretty funny. Is he a nice big brother?" Rambo asked, as a white stallion with glasses walked by them, carrying some boxes.
"Keep on boxing my stuff, Fancy Pants!" A stallion said.
"Yes sir." Fancy Pants said in a very calm voice.
"The best," Applejack sighed as she picked up a little doll. She could overhear a small white filly giggle.
"Fluer, don't stare at the stallion. It’s not polite."
"But he is so cute, mom," said the filly. "Isn't he, Sassy?"
"I agree." A slightly taller unicorn filly said.
Rambo looked at the doll,"Ya know, sometimes Ah secretly put a doll under Big Mac's door. He thinks it comes from Santa Hooves." He said with a smile.
(So that's where he picked it up. That little trickster .") Applejack thought to herself, and then said, "Trust me, that doll is the one. A-She will love it.
A little orange filly ran by, with a white unicorn with a pink mane and tail running after her,"Come back, Sunset!" The mare caught a glimpse of Applejack,"Honesty?" She shook her head as she ran after her charge.
As the orange filly ran by, Applejack muttered, "Wait she's older than all of us?" she then smiled as she watched Sunset run by her. Reaching down, she scooped up the orange filly, "Where's the fire, kid?"
Rambo smiled,"Thanks, Ah think she would- whoa!" He chuckled as Applejack picked up the four-year old.
"I'm wooking for the Cwoud Monster!" Sunset shouted, her little hooves in the air.
A gruff voice flew down at high speeds,"Whoa, what's this about cloud monster?" Said a rainbow maned stallion.
"This brave little filly was on the hunt for a 'Cloud Monster' Applejack said. giving a little chuckle as she sat the little one back down to the white alicorn. As Applejack looked up at the stallion, she smiled, "Ah don't know if those things would be coming to Canterlot though."
The white unicorn nodded,"Thank you, it's very difficult with somepony her age, I just wonder how my mother handled this." The unicorn ran off.
With a grin the stallion walked towards the two,"Are you kidding!? Those things go all over the place. They're harmless though." He looked at Rambo,"You having a kid, Ram?"
"Eeyup! How about you, Blaze?" Rambo said.
"Well one day, I mean me and Firefly just got married." Rainbow Blaze said.
Applejack chuckled, "Just don't get those two together too soon. They will be competitive like nopony's business. Your houses won't survive." There was a smile on her lips as she thinks about her dear friend.
"Like us right now!?" Blaze chuckled,"After all, my daughter or son will be the fastest in Equestria- no, the world!"
"Yeah, whatever, mah daughter's gonna be the strongest mare in the world!" Rambo said with a grin.
Applejack playfully flexed her bicep, reminding herself of how her paw was right. She then noticed one stetson, "Hay P-Rambo, get her this hat. It's a nice one for your collection."
Rambo looked behind them,"Hey, this hat is perfect! Thanks AJ!" He said, picking it up.
A low growl was heard.
"No prob, Ra," Appleack said, only to turn at the sound of a growl, "What in Tarnation?"
A large dog barreled over Blaze and jumped up at Rambo,"Hey there Hank!" He said as the dog licked his face.
“Hank?" Applejack asked herself.
(Wheeee!" the little filly cheered as she rode on the large dog's back )
"Hank!" she smiled as she walked over to the dog and petted his head.
Hank turned, and sniffed AJ before jumping up and licking her.
"Hank just loves new ponies, doesn't he?" Rambo said with a chuckle.
Blaze shook his head,"Yeah, and barreling over pegasi..."
"Y-yeah,"Applejack chuckled as the dog licked her. She rubbed the brown dog's head and smiled, "Hey buddy. I bet you can't wait to have some adorable pups." she tried her best to not to cry as she got to her hooves and putting her hat back on her head.
Rambo smiled,"Come on, Gala's making apple cobbler at our hotel." He motioned behind him,"Y'all can come too!"
Blaze grinned,"Sweet! Gala's cobblers are almost as good as her cider!" He said, as Hank led Applejack to a large hotel.
"M-Gala's making apple cobbler?" Applejack said with a smile. "Well, what are we waiting fer?" she cheered, running out.
Rambo went into the hotel,"Darling, Ah brought guests!" He said with a smile.
The pregnant mare came out from her kitchen, "Hunny! Welcome," Gala said, her red coat showing off her orange trees on her flank. She hugged her husband and kissed him deeply. Applejack tried her best not to turn green at the sight, making Gala notice, "Oh, and who is this?"
"This is Abbigail Johnson, she's kinda separated from her friends!" Rambo said, with a kiss on Gala's cheek.
Blaze grinned as he flew in,"Hey there, Gala, where's the little colt?"
"In the other room, he is," he smirked, "having another 'conference'." she smiled as she hugged Blaze. "How's Firefly?"
Applejack walked into the hotel room and saw in a corner, a little red colt talking to some dolls. She tried to repress a giggle at the sight.
("Big mac?" asked little Applejack. "Why are you playing with my dolls?"
"I am not playing, I am having a conference," Big mac said.
"Can I listen?" Applejack asked.
Big Mac frowned at first, and then smiled, "Eeyup." )
Applejack shook her head, "Keep having that conference, kid."
"Will you two be staying for supper?" asked Gala.
He flew to the table,"And of course I'm staying for supper!"
Gala smiled and hugged her friend, "Ah'll get everything read." she walked by Applejack, "Miss Abbigail, you know how to cook, right?"
"Why, sure Ah do," Applejack sighed under breath, "Ah learned from the best."
("Honey, isn't she too young to cook?" Rambo said.
"Not at all, look at her right now," said Gala, point to the little filly as she held a spoon and put it into the bowl.
"Look Aomma, Ah'm a cook. Amma making fwitters and cobbewr," Little Applejack said .)
"Let me get those bowls for you, mam," Applejack said, standing on her hind legs and grabbing some bowls.
"Hun, Ah may be expecting anytime now, but-"
"Ah am still able to work," Applejack said at the same time. "Ah just wanted to help you out."
"My, what a hard worker, Ah hope the little gal takes some lessons," Gala said, rubbing her stomach.
Rambo chuckled,"AJ, careful, she's a bit stubborn, even Ah couldn't convince her to let me help sometimes!" He said as he walked up behind Gala, and began to put his hooves on hers.
"That's because you know Ah would beat ya uyp," chuckled Gala as she put her head to her husband's.
Applejack smiled softly at this sight, trying her best not cry.
Blaze laughed,"Sweet Celestia, you two are acting more lovy-dovy then me and Firefly! I'm going to have to rectify that when I get home..."
“Fine then, you can then tell Fly how much better my hubby is when you are done," Gala smiled, much to Applejack's chagrin.
After the supper was cooked, Applejack sat down with the others, "So, you going home after this?"
"Yup," Gala smiled, "We had to make an emergency run of some apple pie and were just staying tonight."
"Ah got to wrestle an unicorn," Big Mac cheered. "And Mr. Belle signed my hoofball."
Blaze laughed,"Magnum Belle? That's awesome, little dude!" Blaze rubbed the colt's head.
Applejack chuckled (Well, that's four down. Ah half expect to see Fluttershy's mom and then the pie family to show up .)
A knock came at the door,"Ah'll get it!" Rambo went to the door, and opened it,"Posey?"
A yellow earth pony garbed in guard armor stood in the door,"Hello, Rambo." She said in a loud voice.
"Ya want to come in?" Rambo asked.
"Sorry, but I didn't come for a friendly talk. I came to tell you that you need to stay inside." Posey said immediately.
Applejack stood up, moving the chair aside, "Stay inside, why?"
"A Hydra has been spotting heading here. We don't know if it's going to attack yet, but there's a chance it might." Posey looked at all of them,"You may have to delay coming home, Apples, I apologize."
“No, its all right," Gala said, holding her son, "Better be safe than sorry."
"Have any idea where the thang's been spotted?" Applejack asked.
"About 45 meters west from here." Posey said,"Don’t worry, we'll handle it."
Applejack looked back to her mother and then to the guard, "Ok."
Gala sighed, "Granny's going to be worried about us."
"She's Ma, she always worried!" Rambo said with a laugh.
Blaze grinned,"That thing better not come here, though, or it'll contend with me!"
Posey nodded,"Stay safe citizen." She looked at Applejack,"When this is over, the Princess needs to see you."
"Me? Why me?" Applejack asked. She then shook her head (Oh, Twilight is going to kill me if i end up messing up the timeline .)
"She didn't say, ma'am." Posey said. She looked at Gala,"Good luck on your foal."
Gala smiled, "Thanks Poesy."
Applejack went to a window, looking back to her parents and the to the window, "I want to be with my friends, but my family..."
A loud rumbling was heard and outside, Applejack could see the side of the hydra walking by. "Oh, no," Gala said, looking down at her son and then the door. Only to see Applejack running to the door, "Abbigail!"
"Don't worry, Ah got it M-Gala!" she said. Closing the door behind her, she ran outside, her hooves hitting the ground with a quick stride. Applejack ran outside, looking up at the monster, and pushed down her hat. For the moment, she was glad nopony was around, "Hello, beastie. The name is Abbigail Jaquiline III, Applejack to my friends, and I am here to say...howdy ."
The monster roared in response as he charged at the mare, who charged back. Two of his four heads raised up and launched at applejack as she charged at the monster. Applejack dodged to the left of the first strike and then bucked the fourth head hard (Wouldn't it be something if Ah was the reason why that one head was an idiot? )
The fourth head wobbled, and stuck it's tongue out. The other three heads gasped, and turned to AJ, and charged her. Three of its heads snapped at her, and for each head that struck out at her, she jumped and rolled out of the way. When the fourth head recovered from its daze, it struck out at her again. Using the greeves in her armor, she blocked the jaws from closing on her body. With a grunt, she pushed the head into the air and then bucked its neck. The three roared in anger and swiped a tail at their mare, hitting her and sending her roll across the ground. Slowly getting up, she rolled out of the way of the stomp. Then she bucked it hard in the side of the body.
Applejack smirked, waved a hoof at the beast and turned and ran for a bit, leading it away from the hotel. Turning back around she ran along its side and began to kick at it with her fore hoof, letting the armor do its work.The hydra roared as it flew into a building. It got up and roared again as it bit at Applejack. The head thrashed AJ around. Treating the head like a while bull, Applejack held onto it, guiding it around (Ah should be running and hiding like everypony else. Letting the guards or somepony else handle this. Heck, Ah did run when Ah met this feller back at the swamp, but that was because Ah knew Ah was outmatched and didn't need to fight. But right now, my maw and paw are there needing me. Guess Ah blame ya Twilight .)
(Ah never could leave a pony behind when they were in trouble and the moment you looked like ya needed help, Ah jumped in. So Ah guess... ya helped become a hero. Thanks .") Smirking Applejack let out a shout with with a "YEEEEEEEHA!!" . Leaping off, she bucked the second head and ran off to the border of Canterlot. The hydra roared and chased after her.The hydra roared as it began to be lead closer to the border of Canterlot, where a brown stallion was waiting with a grey earth pony on his back. As Applejack saw the two ponies, sh shouted, hey! What are ya'll doing out here?" she said, jumping to the wo.
The stallion looked up at the hydra, and held up his hoof,"Cut it out."
The hydra stopped, and blinked, before walking away.
The filly said in an emotionless tone,"Yay, you saved me."
"Your welcome, Maude."
"How in the hey," Applejack asked herself as she walked to the stallion, "Thanks. And a pleasure to to see that the little filly is all right."
"No problem, Ma'am, I was just doin' what's best for my family." Igneous tipped his top hat and walked away.
Applejack chuckled, shaking her head ,"And lo, do we see where Pinkie gets her randomness fro-"
"She's comin’! She's comin’," Big Mac called out, the little colt's legs running past Applejack.
"Who's coming?" Applejack asked.
Big mac smiled, "Mah baby sister, paw wants me to run to the doctor."
Applejack’s eyes opened wide at the news and quickly ran from the little colt. Panting, she ran up the stairs to where she could hear screaming. Both of the male and female variety. Opening the door, she saw her father at her mother’s side while Blaze was panicking, Blaze was flying around the hotel,"Oh, what do I do, what do I do!?"
Rambo yelled from inside,"Shut up, and help me!"
Applejack raced in, and then looked up at Blaze, ""Get some towels and tell the staff Ah apologize for what Ah about to do to them. Meanwhile we got to get her to lay down," with a quiet determination, the mare laid her mother down. Applejack’s nerves were quieted down by the memories he had of helping a few deliveries before from her other family members.
"If you tell me it’s going to be all right, I will RIP YOU DAMNABLE THROAT OUT!!!" growled Gala as she broked Rambo's hoof.
applejack shook her head, "Ah'm not gonna say it, just start pushing a little more
Blaze nodded as he did what he was told.
Rambo screamed,"Ya'll think Ah should get used to this!"
"If you go for a third, you won't be, trust me," Applejack said.
Gala screamed, "Like I am going to fucking let his dick anywhere near me agaiiiiiiiiiin!"
(Yes you will, and you will be saying far worst than what you are saying here ) Applejack chuckled.
("Maw still loves Paw, right granny?" asked Applejack.
The green mare nodded, "Yes, don't worry Applejack. She's just saying what all mothers go through when they are bringing in a new child."
"Granny... why is mah sister trying to kill Maw? ")
"This thing is killing me!!!" Gala screamed.
"No she isn't" Applejack said as Gala crushed another limb of Rambo.
"Ah'm losing my legs, Ah think she's gonna make me a cripple!" RAmbo gasped.
“Just a little longer, Ah see it's head," (Or mah head, man time travel is confusing! )
"Just a little-"
"FUCK YOU ALLL!!!!” Gala screamed.
"Come on, honey, just a little more!" Rambo said in pain.
"Fuck you AHHHHH!" Gala let out a scream as a crying began to ring out.
Applejack smiled as she looked at the baby in her hooves. the little yellow tuff of hair on top matched the little freckles that dotted her cheeks. Applejack chuckled as she wiped the younger version of herself down, "Here."
"T-thank you," Gala smiled, "My little Abbigail."
Applejack watched as her mother held her young self in her arms and began to turn away, trying to hide her tears. She had a smile to herself as she walked away a little. "Your welcome... Maw," she whispered.
A bright light emanated from the door,"That's always a beautiful thing to watch." Celestia's voice came.
"Princess," Applejack bowed.
"Come with me, Applejack," Celestia whispered as the doctor come from beside her.
Rambo put a hoof onto Applejack's shoulder, "One minte..you highness." at Celestia's nodding, Rambo walsed to a corner. He then sighed, "That's you over there, in my wife's hooves... aren't you?"
"H-how did ya know," Applejack asked.
"Your hat. It's one of the most prized hats in my collection, and one I promised to give my daughter one day." Rambo smiled softly.
"Y-yeah," Applejack said, reaching her hoof out.
"Look, whatever it is that you know about the future, Ah don't want to know," with a sigh he pulled Applejack into a hug, "Ah'm just glad that my daughter grew into a fine mare."
"More than that Paw, A...Ah've been doing so much, you should see the farm Ah kept it up nicely and A-Ah've taken good care of granny, and Ah made some great friends and AH-"
Rambo put a hoof to Applejack's lips, stopping her, "Say no more. Ah can probably guess what you have done, just by seeing how fast you ran out there, how you took care of Gala. You've become a great mare, one that Ah am proud of."
Tears began to roll down Applejack's cheeks, "T-thanks Paw."
"Ah'm dead, in your time... aren't I?" Rambo asked as Applejack began to cry. "Ah new it. Well, if Ah've used to the time to raise a great child like you, then no regrets."
"Paw, A-A," Applejack broke down, hugging her father tightly. "Ah love you, Ah love you so much, Ah miss you."
"Shhh, Ah love you too, Abbigail. No go, Rambo said. "The princess needs you."
Applejack nodded. But before she walked out the door, she walked to the sleeping Gala, "Maw, thank you. Thank you for teaching me to keep my head on straight, to be honest and brave, and thank you...for getting me this far." She then hugged her, and kissed her young self on the forehead "And you keep out of trouble. Love you...Maw."
As Applejack walked with Celestia, Gala whispered, "Goodbye, Abbigail. Give him hell."
Celestia gave Applejack a hug with her wing. She gave her a medallion with a letter,"My mother told me to give a mare like you this. This medallion will allow you to see the truth hidden behind lies."
"T-thank you, your highness," Applejack sad. As she looked at the medallion, she began to think, "Wait, how did your mom know-?"
Celestia smiled as her horn glowed and teleported Applejack away.
Applejack,
I apologize for what Valtor has done. If there was a way for me to stop it, I would. But it's up to you to do what your element compels you to do. Protect your friends.
Honesty.
Author's Note
Thanks Zolt for the editing.
This chapter was fun to come up with. I wanted a chance to give the girls some alone time after showing off how cool they were as a team. So, I split them up in this manner. It was also a chance to exploe their bonds and who they were as characters.
Also, I love Apple family moments.
This was also a chance for me to see what it was like for me, as a writer, to write each mare alone. How did I write them when they were by themselves.
Rarity slowly woke up, finding herself laying on top of a pad with several yellow circles lying on it. Looking around, she found herself in a grey room where a stallion sat behind a console, "My word, where am I?"
The stallion pressed a button on his chest,"Captain, I've found the source of the anomaly. It's... a mare." He looked at Rarity,"Who are you?"
Rarity slowly got up, her legs slightly wobbly, "A pleasure to meet you. MY name is Rarity. Care to tell me where I-oof-am and why I am so wobbly?"
A door to the side slid open as a purple unicorn mare dressed in red with gold pins on her lapel entered,"You are on the starship ESS Celestia. I am it's captain, Twilight Sparkle, and you are most likely suffering from temporal dizziness."
"Twilight! How did you get here," Rarity said with a gasp. Then she stepped, "Wait, temporal? So, you are just a future Twilight?"
Captain Twilight raised an eyebrow,"So you are from the past? Come with me, Rarity, I'm going to have our doctor check on you."
"Yes, that would be best," Rarity said, walking with Twilight. "Pardon me for asking, but did you say, Captain Twilight Sparkle, as in we are on a ship?"
"Yes, we are on a ship." Captain Twilight said,"And please, call me Twilight, Ma'am, you are not under my command."
"Of course, Twilight," Rarity smiled, seeing a lot of her Twilight in this future pony. Turning around and looking out the window, she let out a gasp, "We're in space?"
"Yes, ma'am, we're on a continuing mission to explore strange new life, and seek out new civilizations." Captain Twilight explained.
There was a small part of Rarity that made her squee, "Um, excuse me, but may I use the ladies room for a second."
"It's to your right, Ma'am." Captain Twilight pointed to two doors with a blue stallion and a pink mare symbols.
Rarity quietly ran in and began to squeal, "A starship! A real starship! Oh, if my friends were here they would never let my fangirliness down!" after a few moments she walked woul and nodded, "Let's continue.
Captain Twilight nodded as she led Rarity down the corridors. Several ponies in gold uniforms passed them by, along with some elks and rhinos. Twilight went to a door, and a pink head popped,"Hi, Capy!" She looked at Rarity,"Ooh, is this a new patient!?"
"Pinkie?" Rarity asked.
"That's the name! Dr. Pinkamena Roxanne Pi!" Pinkie said with a grin. She grabbed Rarity and took her inside,"Let's have a look at you!"
"Why certinllliee" Rarity yelped as she was dragged inside.
Pinkie took out a small device that went over Rarity,"Hmm, how do you feel right now?"
"A little whoozy at first, but right now I feel better," Rarity said.
The device beeped and Pinkie nodded as she pulled out a smaller device and put it on Rarity's head,"There ya go! Now you won't get any diseases with your slightly weaker immune system!"
"You only put a device on my head," Rarity remarked.
"Duh, it was an immuno-syringe! It produces a positronic field that keeps the bad germs away!" Pinkie said with a smile.
"Um, right," Rarity said, shaking her head to get some of the techno-babble out of her head, "So am I free to go, or is Dr. Pinkie going to give me a cupcake before leaving (probably won't just because my Pinkie would doesn't me-"
"Here ya go! Old family recipe!" Pinkie grinned as she gave Rarity a cupcake.
Rarity paused for a moment, then took the pastry in her magic and began to eat it There was a small smile on her lips a she ate, content at her friend's ability to stay the same throughout history. Turning to walk out, sh met up with the captain, "Um, Twilight, I am quite curious, but when am I?"
"You are in Celestial Year 1265." Captain Twilight said.
"300 years, my word," Rarity looked down, her eyes wide in shock. Looking up, she then asked, "And I suppose that Spike, Celestia,and Luna are all right?"
"Yes, Celestia and Luna are now queens, while Spike is on Acapulcolt Planet for his retirement plan." Twilight said.
"Oh, how wonderful for them," Rarity said, choosing not to ask questions about her friends, for fear of the timeline. "You wouldn't happen to have seen if anypony else has time traveled recently have you?
"Not that we know of yet." Twilight said, before her badge beeped,
"Um, I just did the checks on the engines, Miss Captain Ma'am..." A quiet voice said.
"I expect the report at 1600 hours, Lt. Fluttershy." Twilight looked up at Rarity,"Come on, I've already set up some quarters for you.
Rarity smiled at the hospitality, "Oh, thank you Twilight, you are too kind. Where are the guest cabins?"
Twilight indicated a room to her right as she lead Rarity along,"Right there. We'll figure out a way to get you home later. I'll send somepony to keep you company."
"Thanks you," Rarity said as she walked into the cabin.
The cabin itself was standard, with a bed and a table. On the end of the room wa a window that showed the stars passing by. Rarity sighed at seeing the plainness of the room, "Oh, thi will not do, not at all. Computer... what can you replicate for me beyond food?"
"What do you desire?" The computer said in a husky male voice.
"Ooh, well somepony is a dear," Rarity smiled at the sexual sounding voice. Flipping her mane, she began a long list of items.
After a few moments, her room was changed. The bed was now decorated in a glitter fest of sparkles, while the table now had a doily. The window had curtains and the carpeting was now light blue. Rarity wiped her forehead as she looked over the room, "Not bad, it will do for now. Now to take a shower, I must be a mess." Walking slowly to the shower stall, the white unicorn looked over her shoulder at the comm, "Now, Mr. Voice, I expect you to be a gentlestallion and not peek in on me as I shower?" she said with a wink.
"Very well, ma'am." The camera in the corner turned off.
Rarity smiled as she stepped in and let the shower wash over her. Using her magic to do her mane and comb over her, she let her mind wander to her friends and the others. (I wonder how the others are doing at this moment. Have they found their own way back? Or are they lost as well?) she sighed as she ran the soap along her back rubbing her forelegs lowly.
She gave a small chuckle when she saw a small cut on her shoulder, "And where did you come from? Or were you there all of this time??" shaking her head, she leaned back a little against the shower wall, letting some of the water run down her chest and sides. "If only the nobles could see me now... they would be crazed. A lady not minding a few cuts? Well of course, after all it was in the service of a good friend. And if asked would I do it again... of course I would."
Running some of the soap along her flank, she smiled,” After all, a lady never leaves a pony alone if they are in need, and I am a lady first and foremost. Now, to enjoy my time aboard this ship as much a I can!" she said, turning off the water and walking out in her bathrobe and towel wrapped around her head.
A beeping sound came at the door.
“Just a minute!" Rarity sang, pulling out a small closet that the replicator gave her and began to put on the outfit, "I need to get decent.
"Miss Rarity, we don't normally wear clothes, unless it's a uniform." Applejack's voice came through the door.
Rarity smiled widely as she heard Applejack's voice, and walked to the door and opened it, "Well, it will not do for a lady like myself to remain naked while others are clothed.”
Applejack was dressed in a golden version of Twilight's uniform,"That's not a bad thing, Rarity." She tipped her hat,"Excuse me, I forgot to introduce myself, Ah'm the Chief of Security, Applejack!"
"Rarity Belle," Rarity said, putting her hood to her white uniform that she was wearing and gave a little bow. "I assume that you were the one Twilight said she would send to keep me company?"
"Eeyup! Ya are a very special guest, Ma'am. If there's anything ya need, just let me know!" Applejack said with a smile.
"Is there any chance I can see the bridge?" Rarity asked with a curt smile.
Applejack scratched the back of her head,"Welp, we're not on Red Alert, so yeah, Ah can show ya."
"Thank you," Rarity said, ready to follow Applejack.
The bridge was large, with Twilight sitting in the center, while a certain rainbow colored pegasus was in a blue uniform off to the side.
Rarity looked around at the bridged, amazed at the sights. Looking to Rainbow Dash, she walked to her, "Excuse me, miss, but what do you serve on board the ship?
Rainbow turned to Rarity and smirked while holding up her sunglasses,"I'm the navigator! And occasional weapons pony."
(OH sweet Celestia, she's our navigator," Rarity thought to herself, resisting the urge to shiver. Walking from the side of the railing to stand next to Twilight, she asked, "So, where is the ship heading?"
"Well, we were heading for the Narn Nebula for some explorations." She looked up,"In fact, one of its planets is coming up right now."
"May I watch, you can understand that I have never seen a planet from here before," Rairt passed.
"That is alright, but you'll have to realize that we're going to have several security guards keep watch of you." Twilight said,"We don't know what will happen if you die before going back in time."
"You don't think that it will be That dangerous, do you?" Rarity asked
Rainbow shuddered,"We've lost many a gold-shirt to random flank monsters..."
Rarity nodded and stood next to Twilight, "Right, I understand." she said with a small shudder of her own.
"Good. Applejack, Pinkie and I will go on the away team." Twilight got up,"Rainbow, you have the helm."
Rarity followed behind the group, her desire to see something new was burning in her. She hoped that the world might give her a chance to get some inspiration
The group transported to a large red forest, with an eerie silence surrounding them.
Twilight pulled out a small device and began to scan it,"I don't see any readings. Sparkle to Ship, What can you scan, Sunset?"
Sunset's voice came out of Twilight's badge,"I'm getting some minor life form readings, but there's something to the west of you, I can't make it out."
"S-Sunset?!" Rarity gasped.
"Yes, our science officer." Twilight explained.
"Fitting," Rarity smiled as she walked around, looking at the flora and fauna,. taking a small look at the west, she asked, "What do you think is there?
"Maybe some sort of anomaly, a secret base, or a vault filled with horrific experiments." Twilight said,"It could be anything."
"And each one of them sounds seemly dreadful," Rarity said. (And let me guess, Applejack is going to be eag-"
Applejack stood in front of them,"Alright, let's get a move on, Yee-haw!"
"Well, color me surprised." Rarity said chasing after the orange mare
They came up to a large metal building, with a door broken in.
"Oh my, what could've done this?" asked Rarity.
Applejack frowned as she lead the group into the building. Around them were several scraps of metal, and blood was on the walls. Sounds of scraping were heard from beyond.
Rarity stepped to the side of Applejack and turned her head to the sound of scraping, "Who's there?"
A moaning sound came from a room to Rarity's right.
“Oh, dear Celestia, please don't let that be a monster. I have had just fixed my mane," she said, looking into the room.
A bloodied pony was rummaging through some shelves.
"S-sir, are you alright?"
The bloodied pony turned, revealing a red light from his eye,"Rarity Belle. " He walked towards her,"You will come with me."
Um, I would rather not," Rarity said, "Especially if you are as bloodied and horrid looking as you are!”
"Magi-Borg!" Twilight ran into the room fired a beam of magic at the thing.
"M...Magi-Borg?" Rarity asked.
"Beings made out of magi-tech that look like real creatures, but are actually cybernetic monstrosities bent on assimilating others.” Twilight said, getting in front of Rarity.
"And that thing wants to... uggh!" she groaned, unsheathing Vorpal
"Yes, but how did it know who you were?" Twilight asked.
"More importantly, don't forget that where there's one, there's usually more." Applejack looked behind her as some shuffling sounds came from beyond.
"Maybe it looked up some ancient history?” Rarity asked, getting ready for a fight.
Several ponies shuffled out, their red sights trained on them.
Rarity sent her blade through some of the bot's legs, cutting them down. Then she rolled out of the way of the laser bolts and shots. Moving nimbly, she ran from side to side, trying to keep one step ahead of the fire.
Applejack put her hoof out forward, holding a small device on it that fired on the borgs.
"Be careful, they'll adapt!" Twilight shouted.
Rarity sighed, "How predictable, of course they would. " she groaned as she watched her blade bounce off the shield. "How many are there?"
Dr. PInkie looked around,"OH, about ten."
Twilight gently pushed Rarity towards her,"We're going to have to retreat."
"Don't do that, Captain." A deep voice said,"I barely got to see you."
Twilight gasped,"Prosen Con!"
"Who?" Rarity asked
A tall alicorn stallion with a brown coat and a white mane stepped in between the Magi-Borg,"That would be me."
"Oh-ohhhhoh!" Rarity blushed, "A pleasure to meet you sir. I am Lady Rarity, and what, pray tell are you doing with these dastardly Borgs?"
"I had just taken them over," Con said,"Rarity, I remember your face. I've seen you when you were older." He put his hoof to her chin.
"I do hope it was a pleasant meeting," Rarity said, a small blush coming to her white cheeks
"You just stood there, admiring my physique, until you realized my plan." Con growled.
"Much... like I am doing Now?" Rarity chuckled and backed up to where the others stood, "But... how are you so young?"
"I was sealed by your children the moment I attempted to seize my rightful place as a prince." Con said with a frown.
Rarity smirked, "Ah, I see, you're a madstallion then."
"That's what you said before, and it still angers me." Con scoffed as he walked back to his borg,"I see you must plan on trying to stop me from killing Celestia and Luna."
"You plan on killing the princesses? How?" Rarity asked.
"By assimilating them with these." Con indicated the Magi-Borg.
"And what makes you think that anypony here will let you? And why take revenge, surely a handsome stallion like yourself can find something better to do with his time?"
Con scraped his hoof on the floor,"Do you realize that I've been stuck in stone for centuries?"
"And surely that must mean you must have a desire to see how have changed since your return," Rarity said.
"Actually, no. The anger I feel right now is the only thing keeping me sane. It kept me sane as I was trapped." Con said with a frown.
"I am sorry to hear that, that you let your own anger rob you of anything more than a thirst for revenge," Rarity said, looking down and shaking her head.
"Do not pity me." Con said, tapping his hoof,"Take them." He said, commanding the Magi-Borg to attack.
"O'Flien! Beam us out!" Twilight shouted, causing the group to beam back to the ship.
Rarity looked back at the teleport and sighed, "What a shame. I feel sorry for him.
Applejack frowned,"Yeah, if you ignore the atrocities he committed during the Eugenics Wars..."
"The Eugenics Wars?" Rarity asked
Twilight sighed,"40 years into your future, an arms race will be started between the Zebras and the Equestrians. The result of this was a scientist who wanted to create some sort of super pony by genetically engineering alicorns. Con was one of those ponies, and one of the most dangerous. Con decided to go against the plan to be used as a soldier, and instead go for Celestia and Luna's throne.
"And that is when my children stopped him," Rarity said.
Twilight nodded,"They used their Harmonic Powers to seal him in stone and sent him to space."
"And that is where we are," Rarity said. "How are we going to stop him"
"Well, first we have to find him." Twilight said, leading Rarity to the Bridge,"And I believe you can help."
"How?" Rarity asked.
"I'll answer that, if that's alright with you." Fluttershy appeared in the hall.
Rarity smiled (Fluttershy is still Fluttershy) "Well of course dear.”
"You see, I have a special kind of device that can track specially enhanced lifeforms.” Fluttershy said, looking up at Rarity.
"And how will I fit in?" Rarity cocked her head.
"You do have a locator spell right?" Fluttershy asked.
"Why yes, though I mainly use i to locate gems," Rarity said.
"Well, could you locate part of your own DNA?" Fluttershy asked,"If not, I'm sure Sunset would help."
"I could try," Rarity said, closing her eyes and making her horn ignite with blue energy
"Good, because you see, Con was enhanced using the blood of the previous bearers of the Elements." Flutters said.
"I see, and that is why you need me," Rarity said,nodding as she looked around, "
Fluttershy gave Rarity the device,"Now, put your magic into-" an explosion rocked the ship.
"MY word!" Rarity exclaimed
"We're under attack, Red Alert!" Twilight shouted, causing a red light to blare across the area. She ran to the bridge, where a large horse-ship was firing on them.
"And what by Celestia is that?" Rarity asked, hooves on the rail.
"Captain, she's hailing us!" Trixie said at her communications post.
"On screen!" Twilight said.
Con appeared on screen,"Did you really think you can escape from me?"
"Oh, hello again, mr. Con," Rarity said with a bo
"Lady Rarity." Con bowed,"It will be a pleasure dueling you to the death."
"A duel? Are... you challenging me?" Rarity asked.
"Well, of course! It will be a pleasure to fight the illustrious Rarity in a duel, especially since you are in your prime." Con bowed.
"Well," Rarity said, sashaying down the side of the bridge, putting a hoof through her mane, "I thank you. I won't deny that you are correct, that I am in my prime. The my swordmare skill is a good as it's ever been. But, how can I be sure you won't attack them while I duel you? Or that you have something up your sleeve. Forgive for asking, but you must understand that ponies lie you usually have something up your sleeve."
"I will be honest. My ponies will be attacking your ship while we duel. They will only stop when I fall." Con said.
Rarity's movements caused the entire bridge to watch her behind.
"And what, pray tell," Rarity asked, twirling her mane, and winking at Rainbow Dash, "will happen when I fall?”
(Can you call for backup? she wrote with her hoof "Or escape?")
"Then we will launch an all out assault on your ship." Con said.
Dash regained her composure, and gave a silent nod as she pointed to Trixie.
"There is something that still troubles, me," Rarity continues, sliding up against Trixie, before spreading a little bit of her legs for Con "How can I be so sure they won't attack of their own whim when I win. Or they will get their own comrades."
(If it looks like I will fall, run. And then send a message to my friends, I am so sorry.")
Trixie gave a small salute.
"They respect my orders, Rarity. Though, if they do attack, you are in your right to fight them." Con said simply.
"Very well then, what are the terms of the duel?" Rarity asked, sashaying to the screen, looking over her shoulder and smiling softly to her friends.
"In my ship, there is a holo-deck. We will both enter and I will set up an arena, and then we use our blades to fight." Con said, pulling out a rapier.
Rarity nodded, "And when is the duel?"
"At 1500 hours tomorrow. Don't be late." Con said, as the transmission cut.
"My good sir," Rarity said, walking away with a wink, "A lady is never late, she is always on time."
Applejack looked at Rarity,"Ya sure about this?"
"Yes," Rarity said, "I can be used as a distraction and I no that I can beat him. ee may have the strength, but i have the skill."
Twilight got up and looked at her,"But, you shouldn't throw your life away like that. He could still kill you!"
"He will not," Rarity smiled, "Because... I will win, and besides....s o will you."
Twilight blinked, and then blushed,"What makes you say that, I'm not that good..."
“Because, I know your ancestor, and she would never quit. I bet you know of a way to handle those nasty borg ruffians and are figuring out several ways to win right now, are you not?"
Twilight looked down and gave a nod,"Well, I do have something of a plan: The Harmony Drive."
"The harmony drive?" Rarity asked.
"Where we use the Powers of Harmony to fire a massive phaser that can destroy anything."
"Do you mean the Elements?" Rarity asked, "Are they still here?"
"Uh, sort of. You see, somehow the-" She looked at Rarity,"Does the name Tirek mean anything?"
"You mean that old foals tale that I used to scare Sweetie Belle every nightmare night?" Rarity asked.
"... Yeah, give it a few months." Twilight said simply,"Me, Sunset, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rainbow, and Applejack will go to the Engine Room to power the Drive.
"And you will beam me to Con's ship," Rarity said, nodding. "Are you sure it will work?"
"Well, it's worked on Borg before. The amount of Harmonic Convergence is too much for them to adapt, but it leaves us tired." Twilight said.
"Well, here's hoping that back-up for the Borg doesn't come while I am gone. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go and freshen up for my duel," Rarity smiled.
A door opened up as Sunset came out,"Can I help? I really want to talk to a time-displaced pony!"
"Of course dear. I might have questions for you as well." Rarity said as she smiled at Sunset.
"So, what's it like in your time? I did lots of research, but I want to know what it's like to actually be there!" Sunset squealed.
"A lot less technologically advanced, and a lot more down to earth," Rarity aid. "Celestia and Luna are still princesses, and the six of us are still great friends.”
"I bet you were, oh!" She beamed,"What about my ancestor, what was she like?"
Rarity smiled softly, "Only the nicest mare you could meet. While, she had some troubles in the beginning, deep down, she was a true friend and I was lucky to have met her.”
"Wow, I mean, I heard she was cool, but..." Sunset stared wide eyed in awe as the ship's hair salon went passed them.
"OH my, a hair salon! Come on, we can talk more there!" Rarity said, taking Sunset in. "So tell, me more about why you joined?
Sunset sighed,"Well, I joined because I wanted to see the galaxy, and all the different organisms it had.”
As the hair stylist went to work, Rarity nodded, "I know the feeling. One of the thing I loved about adventuring with my friends is seeing the various cultures and worlds. It's how I got some of my better ideas."
"Wow, oh, I wish I could say some of the outfits you made, but I don't want to ruin the timeline." Sunset whimpered.
Rarity nodded, "Do not worry, I won't ask. I prefer to be surprised."
"Good." Sunset said. She sighed,"Do you ever get scared, doing things like this?"
"Most of the ime," Rarity said. "Most of the time it’s the excitement of traveling and seeing something brand new that keeps my spirit up. But, I do indeed get scared. I am only a seamstress with skill in swordsmareship after all. However, there is something that I am more afraid of than fighting
"What's that?" Sunset asked.
"Letting a potential friend die knowing that there was something I could do to help," Rarity sighed as she felt one of the hair stylist run shampoo through her mane. "Applejack, Rainbow Dash, they'll jump at the chance to help because it’s either the right thing to do or it’s exciting for them. Me... I need to be helpful, I need to be there and do something for somepony and help them. When I saw Twilight run into the library that day, I knew she was going to need somepony to help her. I didn't know what it was, but I knew I was going to help in someway. Guess it's just my element I suppose.
"Wow, I always wondered what it was that made you go into that library that day..." Sunset sighed. She grinned a little,"Hey, I'm working on a project in the holodeck, would you like to see it?
"I am not sure of the others’ reasons, but I think you'll find we all have our own," Rarity nodded. Getting up with her man now done in a top-knot, she smiled, "Why of course dear.
Sunset lead Rarity to a small door that opened to a small grid-like room,"Activate, Ponyville, circa 1013." The room shifted to a perfect replica of Ponyville.
Rarity gasped in amazement, "It's beautiful. You have been working on this?"
Sunset nodded,"The Old Ponyville's only a shadow of what this is, so I've been making a program to recreate it as it was."
"You did a marvelous job," Rarity said, walking through the streets. She had a soft smile when she looked at her boutique, "Simply amazing. Why do you have such a love for the past?"
"My parents were archeologists, and it's kind of something I've always had an interest in, even though my talent's in biology." Sunset said, walking next to Golden Oaks.
Rarity nodded, "I can understand, my talent is in gem finding and making things beautiful, but I love to create dresses and renovate old things."
Sunset smiled,"Oh, yes! I know that you're responsible for making the Castle of the Two Sisters like brand new!"
"One of my better accomplishments," Rarity smiled, putting a hoof onto her chest with pride
"Oh, that's not all, you also-" She covered her own mouth,"Oh, I'm not supposed to tell! Oh, time travel's hard!"
"Indeed," Rarity said opening the door to the library, "There is so much I want to know, so much I want to ask, but I know I can't.”
"Yeah, it's just as bad with us because there's so much I want to tell you." Sunset looked around at the library.
"I can imagine dear," Rarity said, and then looked to Sunset, "I take this to mean that... Sunset will be staying in Equestria?"
"Well, yes and no." Sunset said, with a frown,"It won't be spoiling too much, but, Sunset will go back and forth between worlds at times."
Rarity smiled, "We, at least she will survive. We were all worried about her back home. “
Sunset smiled,"I know how that is. I have to watch my captain risk her life almost daily." She looked on her hoof,"I think you may want to get some rest."
"Just a little bit longer?" Rarity asked, "I want to enjoy home for a little bit more.”
"Sure." Sunset said, smiling at Rarity.
Rarity sat in the middle of the library and began to read a little. After a few moments, she put the book away, and walked to Sunset, "You did a marvelous job with this program."
"Thank you, I tried my best to put together the actual books that Twilight had here." Sunset said with a nod,"She actually preserved a list in the archives of every book she had here."
"Of course, I wouldn't expect anything les," she said, walking out, "How far does this extend? to the edge of Everfree?"
"At least." Sunset said,"I'm still trying to recreate Fluttershy's cottage."
Rarity smiled and pulled out a photo, "Would this do?"
The picture was of her as a young adult standing in front of Fluttershy's cottage, the yellow pegasus now with a mane in a bun.
"Oh, this is an early photo of you?" Sunset said in shock.
"It was when I first met Fluttershy, the poor thing was so scared of going outside. But i could not let a beauty lie that e confined, so I took her to a spa,” Rarity said.
"Wow," Sunset took out a notepad and began to write,"This is fascinating new information!"
"You're quite welcome, though it’s a shame Pinkie isn't here," Rarity said as they walked to the edge of the holodeck, "She has a plethora of stories."
"Oh, I bet she does, though, I can imagine she'll talk a mile a minute, and I wouldn't be able to jot it down fast enough..." Sunset chuckled.
"Oh, did you you know that one point I met Rainbow Dash when," Rarity then began to talk fast while bouncing around the ship before shooting confetti out of her mane, "Like that?"
Sunset laughed,"Yeah, like that!"
"Trust me dear," Rarity smiled, "Pinie would be a lot faster."
"I guess. My Pinkie told me a lot about her, even when I don't ask..." Sunset mused.
"Like her ancestor right?" Rarity asked.
"Yes, like ancestor like descendant."Sunset nodded,"I wonder if your descendant is just like you."
"That's right, I haven't seen my descendant," Rarity said walking down the hall to her room, "You wouldn't happen to have a clue about her?"
"No, I don't." Sunset said,"I haven't gotten the chance to look."
"Well, I hope to stay long enough to meet her, it would be an interesting experience," Rarity said, walking to her door
"I hope so too, although,"Sunset giggled,"It would be awkward."
Rarity giggled and went into the room. She let out a sigh as she looked out at the stars they passed her by. Her mind drifted back to the holodeck recreation, and her own little life back in her time. With a smile, she placed a hoof to the window, "I have to do all I can, to protect them."
"Would you like some tea before you go to sleep?" The computer asked.
"Yes, please," Rarity said, sitting on her chair.
A spot of tea appeared in Rarity's hoof.
Rarity nodded and took the cup of tea and sat down, taking in the smell of the tea's aroma.
"Come on Rarity, take your tea. It's only right for a lady," the white unicorn with a red mane said, sitting at a table.
"But Uncle, if you want me to be a lady, why do you keep training me in swordsmareship?" Rarity asked, sitting across from her uncle. Hearing a squeak, she looked over to the crawling Sweetie Belle, "Sweetie, don't play with Uncle Esteem's-"
The unicorn chuckled as he gripped the baby unicorn in his magic and turned her around towards some plush toys. Taking a sip of his tea, he looked back at Rarity, "What do you think a noble is?"
"Fancy, well-to-do, and is someone who uses his power," Rarity said.
There was a frustrated sigh escaping his lips, "These Canterlot 'nobles' have so ruined what it means to be nobility. There is more to being a noble and a lady than walking around in the latest fashions and having the most money.”Esteem remarked, "A good noble should not be afraid of helping others, to be able to stand for something, and most importantly put his talents to helping others than himself."
"Is that why you chose to be a guard and Father chose to give up all of his sports earnings?" Rarity asked as Sweetie Belle crawled to rarity. The white unicorn sighed and picked her sister up, trying to keep the squirming little foal under control.
"Yes, my brother could've taken you to live the high life in Canterlot, instead he chose a quiet life in Ponyville with... Pearl," he sighed at the last name. Shaking his head he looked at Rarity, "I hope that you learn what it means to be a lady from your visits with me."
"Yes, Uncle Esteem, i do," rarity smiled.
"To be generous to those who need it, to be always at somepony's service, and to give all you can for somepony else," Rarity smiled, thinking back.
(Are you ok, Rarity? You are covered in-"
"It's ok Pinkie, really," Rarity said, licking the frosting from her hooves, "This is for your parents anniversary after all."
"Ok, so this trick is going to take some time and-what's with the swimsuit," Rainbow Dash asked.
"I am not about to ruin my coat!"
"Rarity, you barely have time to-"
"Tut tu Applejack, watch the mistress at work!" Rarity smiled.)
"Hmmm, still time before my battle, I wonder if Fluttershy or Pinkie need help," Rarity said, getting up and heading to the med-lab.
Pinkie was looking intensly at a computer, her eyes closed.
"Is she asleep?" Rarity wondered as she walked closer.
A loud snoring came from Pinkie's mouth.
Rarity giggled and put a blanket onto the pink pony and walked away.
Pinkie then appeared in the doorway in front of Rarity,"Hi Rarity!"
"Why am I surprised!" Rarity screeched when she jumped in the air
Pinkie giggled,"I get that a lot." She sat back down in her chair,"So, how are you feeling?"
"Fine," Rarity said, nodding, "a little worried about the upcoming battle and for all of you, but fine."
"No need to worry about us."Pinkie smiled,"We've been through worse, just like that encounter with the Serpents-" She was interrupted by a rhino entering the room.
"Excuse me, I need your help!" The rhino said, then he pointed to his shoulder,"My punching shoulder's acting weird!"
Pinkie nodded and turned to Rarity,"All of my other nurses are asleep, so I'll need your help."
Rarity nodded, "What do you need me to do-punchin shoulder?"
"Rarity, punch him in the shoulder." Pinkie said,"And see if he screams in pain."
Rarity nodded and gave a direct punch to the shoulder
“OW!" The rhino said.
"Ah, I figured as much." Pinkie went over and used a device on his shoulder,"You've over-exerted yourself again! I told you to be careful!"
"But," The rhino frowned,"I need to get stronger!"
"Well, right now, you have to rest that shoulder of yours before any permanent damage is made!" Pinkie glared at him.
Rarity looked at Pinkie, "Need anything for the arm?"
"Yes, you see that little spray on the table? That's a hypo-spray. Put to his arm and press the button." Pinkie said.
Nodding, Rarity gave the rhino a hypo
The rhino smiled,"Thank you, little pony!" He patted Rarity on the head,"I'll try to be careful! And you better be careful too, Fabulous Warrior!" He smiled as he left the room.
"My, he's energetic isn't he? I never seen something like him before
"Well, he was one of the first aliens we met!" Pinkie said,"The Rhinos were once our enemies once First Contact was made... until we introduced them to the Yaks. Now we're buddies!"
"The Raks?" Rarity asked, "I think I have hear rumors about them."
"Oh, right, you haven't met them yet..." Pinkie whispered,"Oh, I shouldn't have said that! I'm a bad pony!" she covered her mouth.
"It's ok, it's fine," Rarity said, putting a hoof onto Pinkie's shoulder, "It’s one a minor spoiler, as long as you didn't say anything big."
"Oh, you're right," Pinkie gave a quick smile,"At least it wasn't big."
"Yes, lie Twilight's home being destroyed or her gaining a student or something," Rarity remarked.
Pinkie gave a nervous grin,"Yeah, that would be silly!"
Rarity went to the engine room to look in on Fluttershy
Fluttershy was sitting in a chair, using a screwdriver on a small device.
"Fluttershy what are you working on?" Rarity asked
Fluttershy gasped as she saw Rarity,"Rarity! Oh, I'm just doing a little light bulb trick for my daughter."
"...Your daughter?" Rarity asked.
"Yes, you see, I adopted a little filly a few years back. She's resting back in my quarters right now though." Fluttershy said.
"That is so sweet," Rarity said with a smile. "You aren't worried about her being a on a big starship?
"No, because I know she's safe, thanks to my captain." Fluttershy gave a soft smile.
"You put a lot of trust in her," Rarity nodded, "You've been working together long?"
"Oh, yes, for three years." Fluttershy said.
"Three years," Rarity said impressed as she sat with the image of her old friend. "Almost as long as me and my friends. How did you meet?"
"Oh, it was when she decided to come ask for my aid." Fluttershy explained,"She recruited me to help explore the galaxy after finding out that I built this ship."
"You built this? Amazing!" Rarity said
Fluttershy blushed,"It's not that amazing..."
"But it is, constructing your own starship and making sure it works" Rarity smiled.
Fluttershy blushed even harder,"Well, I mean, some ponies might do it better..."
"I think not," Rarity said with a smile, "Yours is unique so it makes it the best for you dear. “
Fluttershy began to slump under the table,"Oh, my..."
Rarity chuckled, "So modest."
Trixie chuckled behind her,"Yes, it's hard to believe she's an officer of the Federation."
"Oh, hello Trixie," Rarity smiled as the blue mare arrived,"I am a little curious as to how you arrived on this ship.
Trixie smiled,"That is a long, great tale of magnificent adventure-"
"She was at a bar, and when the Capt'n asked her to be her communicator, she jumped at the chance in a millisecond." Applejack said, leaning to the side.
"I suppose you had seen it yourself?" Rarity asked.
Applejack smiled as Trixie grumbled about her lost dramatic story,"Yeah, I was Twilight's first recruit. We were in the academy together, and that friendship is what made her decide to pick me."
"Was she anything like the past Twilight? Very studious?" Rarity smiled.
Applejack looked around,"Well, not exactly." She whispered in Rarity's ear,"You didn't hear this from me, but Twi? She never studied, yet she always passed her classes. She usually spent her time joyriding in hover-carriages. She's not proud of that."
"I can imagine," Rarity said. "What changed?"
"Well, one day she got into a fight with a couple of Rhinos, with one stabbing her in the chest. When she woke up, she realized how quickly she could die, so she decided to make the most of her life."
"A fight? But why was she in a fight," Rarity asked, watching as Pinkie came by to pass around drinks.
Trixie sighed,"That's because of me. You see, I decided to gamble with them on pool, and I won, but the Rhinos' tempers flared, I fought them, Twilight joined in because she saw me in trouble, and the rest is history."
"And that is when she had found each of you," Rarity said, bringing out some blankets and resting with the team as they went to some barracks.
"Yeah, she even found a way to grab me." Dash said, flying up above them,"I was busy testing out some bi-planes when she found me."
"...Bi-planes?" Rarity asked
"Yeah, where a pony takes a wheel and uses a lever to control a flying machine. I was testing it for my little brother, Scootaloo."
"Brother!!" Rarity said in shock, "Sorry, I am used to my Scootaloo being a filly."
Rainbow laughed,"Figured I'd get that reaction." She looked down at Rarity,"Hey, did my ancestor really do the Sonic Rainboom?"
"Oh yes, she did," Rarity smiled. "She performed it a Cadence's wedding and once when she was very young. It helped me find my cutie mark and bound us by a string of destiny."
"Wow, amazing." She yawned,"I always thought she was the best pegasus ever."
"Well, I won't say the best. Both she and Fluttershy were pretty good I must say," Rarity yawned
"Yeah, but she's better..." Rainbow slowly fell asleep.
“Ancestral favoritism," Rarity uttered, falling asleep.
A loud ringing noise woke them up.
"What was that?" Rarity asked, jumping up.
"That's the alarm." Rainbow said angrily, before pulling the covers over her,"I wish she would change it!"
"Wake up or warning?" Rarity asked, shooting up.
"Wake up, an annoying one!" Rainbow shouted.
"It works." Twilight said, walking in.
"Good morning captain, "Rarity smiled.
"Morning, Rarity." She motioned towards the door,"Ready for your breakfast?"
Rarity noded, "Oh yes, I cannot wait to taste some future cuisine."
"Good, replicate some apples from Zacherle IV, computer!" Twilight said,"Those are really juicy."
"Mmmm," Rarity smile taking a plate and eating "You are right, very tasty”
"So, how was talking to everypony last night?" Twilight asked.
"Wonderful, it truly felt like I was back home," Rarity said, "Why didn't you join us?"
"I... didn't want to intrude." Twilight gave a soft chuckle,"You were bonding so well with them.
"Oh, we wouldn't have minded," Rarity said, "we would've loved the company."
Twilight blushed,"But I get so busy with Captain duties,"She gave a sad sigh,"Some days, I don't think I spend too much time with them..."
"Well, I do happen to know of a few scheduling tools, "Rarity smiled.
"Really?" Twilight asked.
"Why yes," Rarity said, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a sheet with her magic. "Twilight gave it to me for my birthday last year."
Twilight gasped,"Are... you okay with giving it to me?"
"I..." Twilight smiled as she took the paper,"Thank you." She pulled something out of her uniform,"Here, take this medallion as thanks."
Rarity smiled, "Thank you."
"Now, don't you have a duel to get to?" Twilight said with a smile.
"Oh, of course," Rarity said, walking away. "I just want to help a friend first." she said with a wink as she walked to the transporter bay, "All right, I am ready."
O'Flien sent Rarity to the other ship.
Con was waiting for her, various Borg surrounded him as grey wiring laid out before her.
"I take it to mean that is your holodeck?" Rarity asked.
"No my dear. The Magi-Borg have a poor sense of decorating." He said with a smile. He took her by the hoof and lead Rarity down a long corridor to a large door. He pressed a few buttons, allowing the door to open to reveal a small field, with Canterlot in the distance.
"Well, maybe I can help later," Rarity said as she watched the field appear before her. Looking up at Canterlot she smiled, "Hmmmm, thank you so much for making it homey."
"I'd thought you'd like it." Con smiled, bringing out a rapier,"It is as beautiful as I remember it."
"Indeed it is," Rarit said, bringing out her sword Vorpal and pointing it at him. "You still can stand down."
"No, this for all that time spent forcing me to go through space in eternal torment!" He stabbed at her.
“Shame, vengeance is so unbecoming," Rarity said, blocking the stab and pushing it to the side. Jumping to his left, she stabbed twice and followed up with an upper slash. Con stepped to the side of the stabs and grunted as the slash hit his face. He did a vertical slash across her barrel, watching her movements carefully. Rarity let out a yelp as the sword manage to pass through the armor. Taking a swipe, she aimed at his legs before going for the flank with a thrust
Con leaped over the swipe before parrying the thrust. He swung downwards and then thrusted forward.With a quick slash, Rarity parried the hit, but was unprepared for the stab in her shoulder. With a yelp of Pain, Rarity stared at Con. Stepping back, she thrusted three times bfro slashing upwards and then into a cross slash, following with a thrust.Con took all of the hits to his body. He smirked as he licked the blood from his muzzle and cross slashed at her, and then swiped at her legs.
Rarity pulled back in disgust that licking of blood, and then blocked the cross slash before thrusting back. She groaned when she felt the sword cut into her leg.
Con sidestepped the thrust as the area shook, causing some bits of the hologram to fizzle. He thrusted forwards at Rarity's chest.
Con blocked the slash, as the area around them began to catch flames. He twirled and slashed at Rarity.The slashes cutting Rarity's back, leaving a deep red gash. As he returned to his position, the flames began to make a line across the battlefield while a girder fell in between them. Jumping onto it, Rarity quickly began to run up it.
Con jumped and ran down it, swinging his sword at her as explosions were heard.
Rairt blocked each swipe and strike with her blade, At one point the two were in a blladelock, "This place is exploding, is your vengeance that powerful?"
"Yes, I will die happily, knowing my vengeance is satisfied!" Con pushed forward as debris began to fall around them.
"You're mad!" Rarity said, pulling the blade down and then slash at the midsection of Con. Watching as the girder began to crumble, Rarity used her magic to pull a piece of debris to her and jump onto it, keeping herself afloat.
Con screamed as he was slashed. He leaped up several piles of debris and jumped to strike at Rarity,"Perhaps I am mad. But it is only you who made me that way! You, your friends, and your children!"
"I have no control over what a pony does with their lives," Rarity said, keeping herself aloft with her magic.
Con flew up in the air and struck down with his blade,"Is that an excuse? I won't bother saying more, you'll know of your mistakes in time!" Several spears of metal fell with him.
Rarity let out a grunt as the blades collided, causing her to crash down with the spears. Getting up, Rarity yelped in pain as one of the spears stabbed her hind leg. Looked around she braced herself for a torus slash, holding the spears in her magic from hitting Con.
Con looked up,"Why are you keeping the spears away from me?"
Rarity threw the spears away, "Can't let a strapping stallion like you die that easily, right? Not while you are a good fighter.”
Con smirked,"You could've ended this quickly if let them fall!" He thrusted at her.
"Well, it would no be fitting if you did not die by my hoof," Rarity said thrusting at the same time.
The blades struck along each other until Rarity's blade struck Con in the heart. Con looked down, blood splattering from his mouth,"Well, it looks like you've won." He said as the ship began to explode around them,"Thank you..."
A fire ball came towards Rarity, only for two white hooves to wrap around her.
The ship exploded in a rainbow, the mares on the deck looked intensely.
Twilight sat down in her chair,"She's... not responding." She put her hooves to her face,"We lost her..."
"Lost who, now?" Celestia said from behind her, holding Rarity in her hooves.
"Rarity landed on the ground, panting. Looking down at her wounds, she saw that her body was healed, "What on earth... Princess Celestia!" exclaimed the unicorn as she bowed before the queen, "My apologies for the title, force of habit."
Celestia smiled,"That's alright." Suddenly, the entire bridge glomped Rarity,"And I see they're happy to see you too!"
"Girls," Rarity said, her decor forgotten as she hugged them back, "I am so glad that you are all right.
"We're alright? We're glad you're okay!" Twilight said, wiping a tear from her eye.
"No, was more worry about you lot." Rarity said. "I was hoping that you all wouldn't die on me," Rarity said with a tear.
"You idiot." Rainbow chuckled,"You were in more danger than us!"
Rarity smiled, "Not really... I had you waiting in the wings."
Twilight's eyes widened,"I... thank you."
Celestia chuckled,"You seem to have no problem making new friends."
"Well, I was stuck in an unknown world with familiar faces, the best way to survive is to make friends in this case," Rarity said with a toss of her mane
Celestia smiled, as she looked at the medallion,"Oh, you've already acquired Generosity's medallion?"
"Is that what this is?" Rarity asked, holding up the medallion.
Celestia nodded,"It grants its wearer the ability of foresight: You can detect the owner of any object you touch.”
"Amazing," Rarity said in amazement. "It also seems that my predecessor also knew good fashion."
Celestia nodded, before giving Rarity a letter,"Here, I'm sorry you had to wait so long to get it."
Dear Rarity,
It is my understanding that Valtor has trapped you. For that, I am sorry. I know he's a beast, and all seems hopeless, but fear not! Trust in Twilight, for she has a plan.
Generosity.
Rarity nodded, and then turned to her friends, "My friends, thank you for letting me stay on your ship and stay here. Than you”
Twilight hugged Rarity,"No, thank you for being our friend." The rest of the crew nodded in agreement.
Celestia looked at Rarity,"Your Trixie was also here back on Harmonia. Perhaps you'll pass each other," She said with a smile.
"Oh I do hope so," Rarity said, looking at the portal, "I am ready
Celestia nodded as her horn glowed, bringing Rarity back.
Author's Note
Thanks to Zoltan for the edits.
This is actuall the first of three parts. ITgot so long I decded to break them up, and this cn serve as a breather chapter
(Warning: This is the part where the fic will go off the rails. I and Zoltan tried to edit it with the best jokes we could but it was hard to do. If you wish to skip it, thn wait until tomorrow. Second, this is a small crossover with the other fic ‘Darkest of Tides’ and as such is FOE centric. Don’t worry, there’ll be no references, but there will be some spoilers for that fic.
Still here after all that? Good, you have amazing stamina. Now, lay back, relax and think of England.)
Pinkie Pie yawned and stretched out her legs, before scratching her ear a little. Standing to her hooves, she began to look around, "Wow, some trip, huh, girls? Girls?" she looked around, her eyes wide in terror. "Oh no!"
As she began to look around her surroundings, she saw nothing but wastes for miles and miles on end. Above her was a dark grey cloud cover passing by. Gasping, she looked at the dead trees, and the lack of pony life, "Wait, wasteland, cloud cover, no ponies. I've been sent to a horrible post-apocalyptic Wasteland, my friends are all seperate and I ran out of cupcakes. AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!"
Screaming, she began to run around in circles, running terrified, with her eyes closed. Stopping for a second, she said, "Wait a minute, remember what Granny Pie taught you"
In Pinkie's mind, a white pegasus appeared, 'Remember Pinkie, if you are even in a wasteland alone... wait, you're in a post-apocalyptic wasteland? PANIC!!!
"Right, Panic," Pinkie then screamed again and began to run around in circles.
A oranged maned mare in a silver suit of armor watched the spectacle in shock. She put a hoof to her ear,"Admiral, I-uh, I'm seeing something strange. No. No, I don't know why I'm surprised either." She walked up to Pinkie,"Hey!"
For the moment, Pinkie Pie continued to run in fear and terror. As she ran, a smoke cloud in the shape of herself began to form. The cloud looked at the new pony and then grabbed Pinkie by her tail, stopping her. the cloud then pointed to the new pony. Pinkie looked at the smoke cloud in curiosity, then to the pony. Letting loose a gasp, she ran to the pony and smiled, "A NEW PONY!! Please to meet you I'm Pinkie Pie! I would make a party for you, but I have no idea where I am."
The mare blinked, her mind racing to process what she just saw,"Uh, Lt. Trish Houston. You're in the Equestrian Wasteland. Why don't I take you to my base with me?"
"Trish Houston...?" Pinkie blinked at the weird name, cocking her head to the side. shaking t, she nodded, "Yep! Lead the way Trishie!!!! Maybe you can help me find my friends."
'Trishie?' Trish thought as she lead Pinkie along. They trotted through the wasteland and towards a large silver building with several ponies in similar armor to Trish milling about. Trish walked up to one at the front entrance and saluted,"Lt. Trish Houston, I brought my guest."
At the soldier's nod, Trish went in. The room they entered was circular, with a few silver chairs strewn about,"Wait here, I'll bring my boss." She said, walking away.
"Pinkie Pie?" A deep voice boomed.
Pinkie Pie watched at the ponies in armor walked by, "Ooooh cool knights. Hi, hi hi hi," he squeaked saying hi to each pony as they walked by.
Once she was in the circular room, she found a seat to sit in, before jumping at the deep voice, "Who's there!!!"
A large pony in grey armor walked to her seat,"Y-you're dead." He said,"Unless," He pointed to himself,"Do you recognize me, Pinkie?"
"I'm a zombie" Pinkie said, before pausing. "But, then why don't I want any brains? Oh, I guess I must be dead here in this world! Hmm?" she heard the steel Rangers question. Then reaching into her hair, she pulled out a rolodex, "Wait a sec!
"Hmmm, steel pony steel pony, steel pony. Nope, don't remember!"
"Applesnack, my name is Applesnack." the steel pony said, sounding a bit disappointed.
"Applesnack! Ok, now we're getting somewhere!!!" Pinkie cheered. Looking at the rolodex, "Let's see, Appleback, cack,dack,eack,fack, gack,hack,iack,jack,lack,mack,nackpaddywackgivaadogabone,oack,pack (he works as a baggage salespony), quack, rack (She's sexy), snack! A lovely mare who has a crush on Braebern, but is afraid to admit so she dates Silver Star. Are you a mare?"
Applesnack stopped for a moment,"No, I'm not a mare..."
"Then sorry," Pinkie said, putting away her rolodex. She then hugged the stallion, "But that is ok, we can know each other now. Here," she then handed Steelhooves a muffin.
"I... I can't eat that." Applesnack said,"I'm stuck in this armor."
A stallion in a blue uniform with stubble in his chin walked up and smiled,"I could have one."
“Yay," cheered Pinkie as she gave the other stallion one. Then looking back at Steelhooves, Pinkie said, "Don't worry. I'll find you one that you can eat." she said before looking at the new pony, and you are?"
"I am Admiral Castor Dane, you can call me Dane." He smiled. He looked at Applesnack,"I'll care of her, she may be just what we needed." He motioned towards a hall,"Come, I'll explain everything on the way."
"Okie dokie lokie!!" Pinkie said, bouncing alongside Dane.
"I'm sure you have some questions, Miss Pie." Dane said as several doors passed them.
"Yep, I do! Where are my friends, what time era am I in, whose bright idea was Other M, where am I, why does peter piper pick a pack of pickled peppers?"
"Your friends are possibly back home, you are in an alternate universe 212 years in the future, don't know, in the Equestrian Wasteland inside a modified Stable, and I really can't do tongue twisters." He chuckled.
Pinkie's tongue was twisted, "Neither can I."
Dane chuckled,"The stories were true, you are strange." He stopped at a door and opened in,"Come in."
Inside was a large rectangular table with seven chairs. A pony in light blue armor stood at the side with a crooked horn. A creature with three claws sat in blue armor looking at Pinkie. A dark red thing with a floating head sat with it's legs on the table. A large magma creature had its hooves on the table. A yellow slug like thing with four slithery hooves scratched the table. A creature with silver armor and a yellow visor laid on the table.
Oh, my sweet baby Celestia... ALIUMS!!!!!! Pinkie ran to each one and put on a party hat. Then, pulling out a party cannon from out of nowhere, she fired it, shooting up a sign that said 'Welcome to Earf from Will Smith" then she brought out a machine
Welcome Welcome
Welcome Welcome
Welcome Welcome
Welcome Welcome
Then the machine fired out a giant cake with a little Pinkie Pie toy standing over a frustrated Twilight that said in pink icing "I was right all along Twi-Twi"
"Ohh, it’s no fun if Twilight isn't here to share it." Pinkie whimpered.
The aliens just stood dumbfounded.
The silver one just shook his head,"I knew pirates like you. Name's Weavel."
The blue one chuckled, and bowed,"Madam Pinkie Pie, I am Noxus."
The magma one went to the cake,"Spire." He took a bite.
The yellow one laughed hysterically,"Kanden, and you look like one who can get on Sylux's nerves, which is awesome!"
The light blue one turned her head in disgust,"He's referring to me. Dane, why is she here?"
The red one shook his head,"You're a weird one, Cupcake." He held out a spiked limb,”Trace.”
"I'm not a Cupcake, This is Cupcake," she said, bringing out a photo marked ‘for my sweet hubby’
“See?" Pinkie said. Then smiling she shook the hooves of all present. Putting on a oven mitt fr spire.
The sight caused Noxus blush profusely.
Dane smiled,"Now that introductions were made, time to explain why you are all here." He grabbed a button, and a fold-away screen appeared behind him, showing eight figures," We have a problem: These eight."
"Who are those?" Trace asked.
Dane pressed a button, showing a Pinkie Pie with greying mane,"This is 42, a clone of Pinkie that somehow got brought back to life. She is trying to gain power over the wasteland. That is why I'm glad the real Pinkie is here, for she may be too strong for us. She is trying to attain victory using seven soldiers known as the Seven Deadly Sins."
A picture of a decayed donkey appeared,"Cranky Doodle, alias, Sloth. He has the power to produce the deadly Pink Cloud."
A picture of a minotaur appeared,"Steel Determination, alias: Wrath. He uses drugs to enhance his amazing strength."
A picture of a zebra appeared,"Zen, alias: Envy. She has the power to be invisible, allowing her to become a great sniper."
A picture of a crazed Unicorn appeared,"Cutter, alias: Greed. He creates a shield around him, making him nigh invulnerable."
A picture of a pegasus appeared,"Snake Eyes, alias: Lust. Her wings can cut through any metal."
A picture of a unicorn with a sullen expression appeared,"Back, alias: Gluttony. His body allows him to steal magic from anywhere."
An alicorn appeared,"Unknown, only goes by Pride. We have very little information about her powers."
Dane looked at all of them,"These creatures are trying to create an army in Hoofington, and it is up to us to stop them."
"Can't Samus handle them?" Weavel asked.
"She's too busy. She can't be everywhere at once, and this is a problem that must be stopped now. Any questions?"
Sylux raised a hoof,"Do we have to babysit the crazy one?"
Pinkie Pie was dressed in a grey tank top and green pants, he mane done in an over the top style, "Are we gonna win this time?" she asked, her voice very deep and manly
One of the slides showed Pinkie at a new year's party with a lampshade on her head, changing it, it then showed Dane at a party dancing with a mostly naked woman, and then the next slide shows a crayon drawing of Pinkie holding the bounty hunters with a message, 'my new friends."
Dane gasped at the picture of him,"Um, you didn't see that!"
Spire cocked his head,"How did she...?"
Dane blinked,"Yes?"
Trace stretched his appendages and looked at Dane,"I'd have to agree with Syx, is it a good idea to bring her along?"
"There'll be a 3,000 credit bonus for you." Dane said with a smile.
Kanden raised his arms,"We're in!"
"Besides, how am I supposed to have any character development if I don't go?" Pinkie Pie asked, then heard a bark. Turning her head to look towards the sound of the barking, she smiled, "Benji, you son of a bitch!" she giggled as she walked to the dog, her hoof becoming buff with a bulging bicep. The dog smirked as well, holding up a buff paw and grasping in a manly hoofshake.
The Bounty Hunters stared at this.
"..." Sylux charged her horncannon,"I think I'm going to kill her before this mission's over."
Pinkie Pie bounced back to the group of bounty hunters, while the old furry dog walked away, smoking a cig and fixing its eyepatch. There was a big grin on her face as she said, "Alrighty, I am ready to go on this adventure, but first, I need some equipment!!!"
The old dog watched, and smiled serenely at the pink mare. Quietl he walked back into the shadows, but not before nodding to Dane.
Dane slowly nodded at the dog, before laughing to himself. He looked at Pinkie,"The armory's all yours. Just go to the west wing."
Pinkie Pie nodded and walked down the long corridor of the stable, making her way to the first door, "Hmmm, West Wing"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JivPEYjYd20
"Nope!" with a skip, sh walked to the next door, "West Wing"
"I would like to call this cabinet to order," Obama said, before waving hi to Pinkie Pie.
"Nope!" Pinkie Pie opened the next door to see a long wing of an airplane as it soared through the clouds. Shaking her head, she made her way to the next door marked west wing and walked down the allway. Smiling she trotted down the hallway to the armory.
The Armory opened up to walls filled with rocket launchers, bazookas, tanks, pistols, rifles, gatling guns, pie-launchers, party cannons, and a kitten.
There was a big grin on Pinkie's face as she walked into the armory. At first,she passed by the pistol and rifles. Along the wall the rifles read "Big gun, bigger gun, biggest gun, BFG10000. Gun that has significance to the plot as a metaphor for broken bonds being rehealed through heart and serves a as a message of reconnecting through lost time."
"In this part of the chapter?" Pinkie asked, before shaking her head. "Try Rarity's part."
On another wall the guns were racked up with "small, tiny, world's tiniest gun." Pinkie Pie used a magnifying glass to see the tiny pistol.
Pinkie Pie continued t walk through the armor, taking note of the various racks. Slowly she walked by one rack in particular, "Hmmm, I'll take this, and this, and this. Thanks Pierre." she said after taking some parsley, sage, rosemary, and tine.
"No problem Madame Pinkie, and thanks for visiting my spice rack," Pierre said.
Her trip bypassed the weapon racks also nabbed her a brand new comic. And then she walked past a mare standing next to a bunch of swords, "Nice rack."
"Why thank you," blushed an armored Sunset Shimmer.
When she went to the rocket launchers, she pulled out the collector’s bazooka gum and put it into her pocket. Then she walked by the tanks, and looked one in particular closely. Nodding she walked away and went to the grenades. Pulling them out, Pinkie made a note, "Must make pineapple cake later." Then she walked to the pie-launchers and party cannons, and then began to put those into her pockets. The last thing she grabbed was the little Kitten, who licked her cheek affectionately. She then whistled, "Hey Latias!"
A red and white plane pokemon appeared, "Yes?"
"Take this kitten to Fluttershy," Pinkie said.
Nodding the bird plane flew off, Kitten in tow. Pinkie then made her way to a cafeteria and came back with cakes, pies, and other foods. "Ok, I'm ready
Spire grabbed one of the cakes,"Yum!"
Dane lead the group to a hanger,"Alright, I uploaded a map into Weavel's armor. This plane will lead you to Hoofington, and then you will land in an abandoned warehouse in the end of the street. I should warn you, 42 has made a majority of the town into her own personal fortress."
"Ooooh, can I fly?" Pinkie Pie asked.
“No!" The hunters said in unison.
"Awww," Pinkie Pie frowned as she walked to the seat and sat down in it.
The hunters took their seats as a pilot started the plane up.
"Better get prepared for a bumpy ride, Cupcake." Trace said to Pinkie,"I'm sure you don't have planes where you come from."
"Well, we have airshipppppppppssss!" Pinkie squealed as the plane took off. Squealing, she exclaimed, "WHHHHEEEE!!!!!
Noxus chuckled,"Well, at least we won't get bored on the way there..."
Sylux growled,"I'm going to kill her, slowly."
"Save it for the enemy, Syk, geez." Weavel rolled his neck.
Kanden rubbed his hands together,"Oh, I can't wait."
Pinkie Pie walked to Sylux and smiled, "So, what kind of of alium are you?"
"That's none of your business." Sylux growled, scraping the seat she sat on.
"Oh, is it a secret? It's ok, I can keep a secret really well!" Pinkie Pie smiled
"I said it's none of your business, you little puff ball!" Sylux yelled.
Pinkie let out a gasp, "How did you know my Granny Pie's nickname for me!!!!"
Sylux muttered,"You're not going to leave me alone, are you?"
"NNNNNNNNOOPE!" Pinkie Pie nodded. "You are wayyyy to much of a grumpy frumpy."
SYlux sighed, putting her hooves to her head and taking off her helmet to reveal a red-haired mare with a green coat,"I'm part Zebesian thanks to some genetic augments, but I look like you lot."
"COOOL!" Pinkie squealed. "I am part unicorn on my poppa's side and part pegasus on my momma's side! And you-" she said, walking to Weavel, "You were a pirate?"
Weavel smirked,"Yep! Born and raised, then I left."
"Why did you leave?"
"Because my boss was an A-hole who tried to steal my free will." Weavel growled.
Pinkie noddd like a sage and then pronked over to Noxus, "I like your name, it’s silly."
Noxus smiled,"Well, in your language, it does mean teddy bear." He laughed.
There was a gasp and a giant hug from Pinkie Pie as she glomped the alien.
Noxus laughed as he hugged her back.
Giggling, Pinkie bounced away and to a window. or a few moments, she let out a sigh and looked back over her shoulder at nothing. Taking a deep breath, she let out a small sniffle and went back to watch the world pass under her out the window.
Spire sat down next to Pinkie,"That's the sound of loneliness. You miss your friends."
"Yeah, I... I do. A whole lot. I want Twilight to see all this cool futurey stuff, and Rarity to see some of your cool uniforms, and Applejack to help with some of the greens, and Fluttershy to talk to some of those weird animals, and Trixie to play a magic trick, and Will to be fine again, and for Sunset to wake up, and for Dashie..." she sniffled when she thought of her last friend.
"For Dashie?" Spire asked.
"For her to be ok again. She's hiding something deep down, and I just know it. But she won't show it," Pinkie giggled, " Because she is big strong Dashie.”
"Holding stuff in? I know a person like that." Spire leaned back.
"Who?" Pinkie asked as she leaned back in the chair, almost tripping.
"Samus Aran. She's kind of the seventh member of our team, but she can't join us due to the fact that she's also on a mission." Spire said.
"OH, what kind of mission, a secret mission or a mission that is actually just another story being told?" Pinkie asked.
"I guess it would be another story being told by fate." Spire smiled,"You know, for a weird one, you do have some interesting insight."
"Or Cupcake could just be crazy!" Trace yelled from the back.
"Well, it depends on who you asks or who is writing," Pinkie giggled.
Kanden blinked,"Is it just me, or does she talk weird? What do you mean by writing?"
"Duh, the writing in this book," Pinkie said, bringing out a novel. On the cover was a picture of her and the other bearers. Twilight held her element of magic above her head, splitting the image in half. In one side was her friends,standing in dramatic poses, all wearing armor. On the other side were them as humans, blades aloft and shimmering with their colors. Above their heads were the green eyes of Sunset Shimmer. The book read, 'Equestria Girls: an adventure spanning worlds."
Kanden looked at the book,"Let me read that, I don't want to get any more bored by this journey!"
"Sure," Pinkie Pie said, throwing the book at Kanden. Smiling, "Of course, if you get bored, I know of some fun things we can play while we travel!"
Kanden looked at Pinkie,"And those would be?"
Pinkie Pie brought out some cards...
*Three hours later*
Pinkie Pie sat next to a bunch of armor, weapons, and underwear, "Straight Flush, hand it over Sylux!"
Sylux removed her hair bow,"I can't believe you talked me into this..."
Trace chuckled,"I can't believe you of all people wear a small bow!"
"It makes me feel pretty!" Sylux yelled
"We have arrived!" The Pilot said, trying to get his hat back on.
"Yay!" Pinkie Pie cheered, walking to the door, "So, are we going to sky dive? Huh, huh, huh, huh?"
The pilot gulped,"Uh, don’t you need parachutes!?"
"No we don't!" Kanden said, kicking the door down and jumping. The other hunters followed suit, with Spire grabbing Pinkie,"Come, I'll make sure you don't get squashed by the impact!"
'It's ok," Pinkie Pie said, laughing, "I brought a parachute!" as she fell she brought out a: Pairofshoes, pairochoots,parakeet,pairopants,parrot shoes, and a glider. "Darn, I thought I had one!"
"How did you fit all of that- you know what I'm not going to ask." Spire grabbed Pinkie and jumped off, landing into a hole of a large warehouse.
"Wheeeeeeeeee!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she flew through the air. Once they landed in the warehouse, Pinkie Pie began to look around, "Hello? Anypony here?"
Sylux put a hoof to her mouth,"We don't want anyone to hear us yet!"
Weavel frowned,"We may have alerted something. I see a red dot coming towards us on my visor’s radar."
Muffled, Pinkie Pie waved, “Hello scary thing from within the shadows! I'm sorry, I can't say hi right now but Sylux has her hoof to my mouth."
"What was that noise?" A pony in rusted metal armor came around the corner,"Come out little snowflake!"
Pinkie Pie slipped out from Sylux's grip and jumped to the pony in rusted armor, "That was me! HI!!!!!
The pony grinned madly,"Hi!" He brought out a pistol, but before he could fire, his head was blown off by Trace.
"Hey!" Pinkie said, holding her hooves out in front of the head as it began to gush out blood, "Let's keep it PG-13!!!"
The hunters looked around,"PG-13?" Sylux facehoofed,"She needs to talk normal... " She muttered as the group went to the door.
Outside, several raiders were milling about, while a couple of ponies in chains began to chisel rock.
"Hey, what those ponies doing? "asked Pinkie pie as she watched the chiseling rock. "And that is no way to rock farm!!"
"Slaves." Noxus growled, jumping out and fired a blue laser at the raiders.
"Noxus, you stupid hero!" Sylux shouted as the other hunters jumped out,"You blew our cover!"
Pinkie Pie pulled back a large blanket from flying in the air, "Yeah and it was a nice one too!" she then pulled out her party cannon, "Could you guys get Noxie back for a second? I don't want to hit him."
The hunters looked at the cannon as Spire gently pulled Noxus back.
The raiders growled and began charging, "Wait for it..."
They approached ever closer, teeth bared as they snarled, "Wait...
Their weapons drawn, they approached ever closer, "Wait...Hey, could Raider number 54-"
"Me?" questioned 54.
"Yeah you, move to the left by about 3 cm?" Pinkie asked. The raider nodded and moved back with his friends before charging again.
"Wait."
They were within inches of Pinkie when she smiled, "Thank you. FIRE!!!!!" pressing the button on the party cannon, lot of things happened at once. A ball that seemed to glow with energy flew out, the party cannon opened up to present a hundred little party cannons, all of which fired streamers, a pie echoed off of several slaves collars, growing bigger with each hit, and then flew to the air. As the raiders were tied up in streamers and with the ball, getting covered in wrapping and bows, Pinkie moved the raiders to a center spot and brought out a camera, pulling the other hunters into the shot for a group hug as the giant pie hit the raiders, covering them in a big pile of dough.
Pulling out the photo, Pinkie smiled, "and that is one for the scrapbook," she said, pulling out a scrap book marked 'My time traveling adventures."Looking at the photo again Pinkie growled, "Oh, number 54... you moved!"
"sorry” whimpered 54
A voice laughed over the intercom,"Oh, I haven't heard that sound in ages! Hello, Pinkie."
"Who was that? Is that you Maude? I'm sorry for ruining your favorite spelling book. I know you are still a little mad about it...”
200 years ago
Maude frowned, "I am a little grumpy, but I forgive you pinkie, I always will"
the present
"Thanks Maude.” Pinkie smiled
"No, I'm 42, your most evil clone!" 42 said.
"Gasp!" Pinie said, looking around, "Where are you and how did you escape Twilight?"
"I didn't. In this world, I was an experiment created to be a super-soldier for war. Created by you and Twilight. Now, I'm awake here, ready to make the world mine!" She laughed maniacally.
"A super-soldier! A really cool one or an Ultimates one?"
"Well, I am evil..." 42 said.
"Ah, so Ultimates," Pinkie said with a solemn nod. The she growled, "We’ll never let you get away with this!!!!"
"Too bad! I will! Raiders, kill her on sight!" 42 yelled,"Oh, and her little friends too."
"Ha! Jokes on you, I put them all into a pie," Pinkie said, sticking her tounge out.
"I have reserves in my buildings!"
"Oh yeah, well I have..." Pinkie leaned in to Sylux, "What do I have?"
"Us?" Sylux said,"We're kind of a seven-pony army."
"Right!" I have them!" Pinkie cheered.
"That will do you no good!" 42 laughed,"I have Seven Sins that will easily kill them!"
"Well, I have a big fish!" Pinkie said bringing out a giant fish.
Said fish then looked around, "My word, how peculiar. I must go back to my reading," he then put on his favorite monocle and brought out a book to read.
42 growled and then threw a whale from out of nowhere, “Well, I have a bigger fish!”
“Well, I have fanboy rage!” Pinkie said, putting on a pair of glasses and began to speak with a snotty voice “That latet episode was trite!”
“Well I have angry reviewer rage!” 42 shouted, putting on a hat, “This comic suxs!!!”
“Well, I have a pie!”
“What kind?” asked 42.
“Blueberry,” Pinkie laughed manically.
“Drat and double drat, she beat me!!” 42 growled, “"Well, that won't matter, because I will still take over the world!"
Pinkie Pie narrowed her eyes, “then I will stop you, Carghe!!!" and then ran off into the horizon.
Weavel ran up and grabbed Pinkie,"Our next destination is this way..." He dragged her off.
"Right," Pinkie said, turning around and trying to run the other direction, in spite of her being carried away.
Weavel shook his head,"This is going to be a long mission..."
Noxus lead them through the streets, looking left and right. A sound of hoofsteps could be heard in front of them.
Pinkie Pie leaned in to look around the corner. "What do you think it is?"
A couple of raiders were pacing back and forth
"Man, I can't believe we're forced to guard this place for Greed. What is so important here, anyway?" one of them asked.
"He says a memento of his lost 'Lenore' is here someplace, or something." The other said.
Pinkie asked, "a memento of who?"
"A lost Lenore or some bullcrap." The raider said.then looked up at a giant shadow.
"Nevermore... eeep."The raider said, with wide whimpering eyes.
The other raider whimpered,"I knew I should've moved to Shady Sands!"
Pinkie then proceeded to know the raider guard out with a giant raven plush
"Good work, Cupcake!" Trace said, walking the door they were guarding,"Now let's see what's inside."
Spire raised his hoof, and smashed the door in.
Inside was a small room with a shrine that had the name,'Lilith' on it.
"Aw, and I just found the keys," Pinkie said.
"Get the hell out of there!" A stallion shouted behind them.
"Why?" Pinkie said, walking to the shrine, "and who's Lilith?"
Greed glared at Pinkie,"My marefriend, somepony who was separated from me!"
"Aw, how was she sperate?" Pinkie asked.
"I stayed in Chicacolt to fight a gang war, and she left." He sighed sadly,"And now she is lost to me."
Pinkie looked to the shrine and sighed, "I'm sorry to hear that. My friends are lost to me too."
"Aw, it's a shame I'd have to kill you before you meet them again." Greed said.
"Yeah, it is a sha-what?" Pimkie asked.
Greed threw a punch at Pinkie
Pinkie ducked and went over to the bounty hunters, "Ok, so, what is the plan?”
Trace fired a shot at Greed, who's coat absorbed it,"I have no idea!"
Pinkie looked from her party cannon, "Hey, Mister Greed? While you are kicking our flanks, want to give a long monologue about your powers and why were are doomed?"
Greed raised an eyebrow,"Why would I do a stupid thing like that?"
"Because it would help us know how to beat you!" Pinkie said, then took a few minutes to think, "Or was I supposed to keep that part quiet?"
Sylux pulled Pinkie back,"Pinkie, the point of a plan is to NOT LET THE VILLAIN KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING!"
Noxus frowned as he whispered,"Maybe we should aim for the eyes?"
"Brilliant!" Pinkie said, reaching into her pocket and bringing out a pie bazooka, "Taste hot crust filling with a nice soft goog center and whipped topping you beast!” she then began to fire pies at Greed.
Greed blinked,"Pies!?" Then he felt them hit his face,"mmm, lemon-meringue."
"Darn it, that was supposed to be cherry," Pinkie said, and then she thought, "Hey, are you sure your shield isn't made of granite?"
"My shield is made of pure carbon, and is totally indestructible, why?" Greed asked.
Pinkie then brought out a large pencil sharpener, "Oh no weason...You guys keep fighting the big meanie."
Weavel struck at him with a blade,"You," Greed smiled,"I sense something in you. You're as greedy as I am." He chuckled.
"Just a little more," Pinkie said, aiming the sharpener.
"What are you talking about?" Weavel held him in place.
"I can smell the greed off of you. You want power, you want strength! You're just like me..." Greed chuckled.
"Just a little more," Pinkie said, moving just a bit.
Weavel said nothing as he attempted to push Greed back.
“There!" Pinkie said, slamming Greed into the giant pencil sharpener. She then began to spin the handle really fast until Greed pulled out, really really tiny. As in a little new born colt.
Greed squeaked,"What did you do? I'm tiny and a pencil!" He jumped up and down,"This is insulting!"
"No, insulting would be me putting an eraser on your tushie," Pinkie said, hiding said eraser on her back.
"You no good (Censored for the reader's convenience) I'm gonna (Seriously, this is like Deadpool in Super Hero Squad, I can't have him cuss that much, or do too much violence.) you so hard!" Greed raged.
Pinkie Pie growled, "As a member of the amish community, I find that very offensive so-" Pinkie looked to Weavel and threw him a bar of soap, "Fire away grizzly!"
Weavel took the soap, and nodded before he washed out Greed's mouth.
"Pitiful." A voice from above said.
"Oh sweet Celestia, is that you Limey? I'm sorry that I left you behind when Mom caught us cussing, but it was you or me!" Pinkie said, looking up.
(200 years ago)
"You're forgiven, Pinkie, but just don't think I am going to go easy on you when I see you again-Och!" Limestone yelped as she was hit on the back of the head by Maude.
200 years later
"Thanks Limey!" Pinkie said.
"No," an alicorn flew down,"I am Pride." Her horn glowed as she picked up Greed,"You shall be punished, Greed." Greed screamed as her horn sucked out smoke from his nostrils.
Pinkie let out a gasp," Hey, what are you doing to him?"
"I'm draining him, and then I'm leaving." Pride said, before teleporting away.
Noxus fired at the spot where she once was,"Get back here!"
Greed wheezed as he layed on the ground.
Pinkie ran over to Greed, "Oh my Celestia, Greed! I'm so sorry, I didn't want this. What can I do to help you? How?"
Greed looked at Pinkie,"Write... Write a note..."
Pinkie nodded, and pulled out a sheet of paper. She then grabbed Greed by the body and put his head to the paper, "Ok, tell me what to write." she said, tears in her eyes.
'Lilith, it's Cutter. I just want to say... I'm sorry. I fought that gang war to protect you, so we could have a place to get married... Lilith, my love, I'm sorry for not going with you... and it looks like I'll never see you again... good bye..." Cutter coughed,"That's it."
"I...I'm sorry," Pinkie said a she sat him back down in a pencil box. "I, really didn't mean for you to end up like this. Don't worry... you'll see her again one day," Pinkie sniffled a little. "Mommy usually says that ponies like you tend to find each other again."
Cutter gave a soft smile,"Thank... you..." His eyes closed.
Spire shot his magmaul to the box, burning it.
Pinkie Pie nodded and brought a little kazoo, playing it.
"We just did this with a pencil box." Sylux said as she saluted.
"We've gone native." Trace said with a hint of sadness in his voice.
Wiping the tears away, Pinkie Pie smiled and hugged the six hunter, " Welcome home!!!"
Sylux muttered,"Let's just move on, I think I hear some raiders in the west..."
"Ok Syle!" Pinkie said, jumping up onto Sylux's bak
Sylux gasped,"God you're heavy..." She groaned as they went towards a large metal door.
"Hey, who're those a-holes?" A raider said from above.
"We're the a-holes who need to work out aggression and you're Raider number 54! It's been pages! Here, have a sack of caps and a low free yogurt," Pinkis said, handing #54 the yogurt and caps
54 gasped,"You again!" He took the yogurt and caps,"Now I'll take my revenge!"
Pinkie opened the yogurt, which immediately became a giant hand that picked up 54, banged him around a bit and then threw him into three stories over, bounced into Applejack’s Day Off and then back here. Where Pinkie waited with a giant frying pan
54 whimpered as he fell off the frying pan.
"Anypony else want to mess with Barbra? Or James?" sh then brought out a Wok, "I should warn you, Barbra and James are having marital problems right now and they need to work out their issues. Seriously...they need to get their act together, they know they love each other."
The other raiders looked at each other in confusion, before charging at them.
“CHARGE! Pinkie said, but then stopped for a second as she looked at the two pans, "Seriously? Now! Come on...bthink of your kids," Pinkie said, bringing out three little saucepans. "Come on, we need to get-"
Bang!
"She was interrupted by a shot that struck the wok. The bullet pirced the wok and left a giant hole in it, and then it fell out of Pinkie's hooves, "James!" cried out Barbra as she ran to her husband's side.
"Daddy!" called the three children.
"Babs... I am so sorry. I am sorry I was so unfaithful. I never meant to cheat on you with Jasmine, the sugar tray. I was lost and confused. But I-I-" he moaned
"Don't talk, rest now," Barbra said, taking her husband's handle and crying into it.
James coughed up bits of stuck rice, "No, I need to say this. I loved you. Please, Jasmine is pregnant with my child, take care of her, please...they are innocent.'
Barbra rubbed her flat end, "I'll help raise both our children, my husband."she said, tears falling down. Then she watched as her husband closed his eyes, "James... James? JAMES!!!!! Those bastards!!!"
Pinkie then picked up her pan, which now had a pair of googly eyes that were narrowed into a set of angry eyes, lowered eyebrows, and a sunhat. Growling, Pinkie yelled in a soft female voice, "You will pay for taking my children's father away!!!" she then charged into the thick of battle.
"And thus, did a legend get born. Of a pan who would stand against the darkness. Her name would become revered, but the story of her two children not yet born... would be legends," Pinkie narrated as she began to hit the raiders with her pan.
Sylux screamed in rage,"You don't make sense!" She zapped several raiders,"I'm going to take my anger on these defenseless a-holes!"
With Pinkie making audible noises, she began to bash and knock out raiders left and right. Some raiders tried to jump from up above, but Pinkie miraculously would dodge out of the way of their jumps, as if she was able to see their movements coming. Two raiders aimed their guns at her, But Pinkie threw some bubble gum into their rivals.
Looking at Weavel, Pinkie happily bounced on top of his head, causing the rider that aimed his scope at him to miss the shot. Pinkie then called out to Noxus, and when he turned, a raider with a sword managed to slip up.
Noxus fired at the raider with the sword, freezing them while Spire knocked several of them aside.
Pinkie Pie grabbed one of the frozen raiders and used his bodie to ride across the battlefield, throwing slices of plates at each raider and throwing static balloons that latched onto the raiders and sent them flying.;
Weavel cut several of them down, while Kanden let out a whoop as he fired electro balls at several of his foes.
Pinkie brought out a bat, "Hey Kanden! Fast ball!"
Kanden smiled and threw a raider to Pinkie.
Pinkie then knocked the raider into a group of a bunch of his friends, Then she hit one of Kanden's electro balls into the air. The raiders all watched and began to chase after it like trying to get a baseball, but then as the ball fell onto them... they remembered that those things hurt
The other raiders facehoofed at their comrades’ apparent idiocy. They then turned and noticed the hunters all pointing their guns at them.
"Alright, Omega formation!: Noxus shouted.
"You're lucky, this move is more powerful with Samus around." Trace chuckled.
Pinkie had her cannon out, and then arched an eyebrow. Reaching into her pocket she pulled out Sylux's Badass Bounty Hunter Manual and read it it for a second before putting it back. Then she went back to aiming it.
The entire group fired as one, releasing a beam of pure white energy, striking the raiders down.
"That was so cool! And Twilight said adding the 'Cool White Beam' to my Party Cannon from the Gods was a silly idea. Well, who's laughing now, Twi-Twi!?"
she then brought out a hoof puppet that looked like Twilight, but with a pair of large nerd glasses on, "You are Pinkie. I understand your brilliance."
"Sci-Twi, what are you doing here? This timeline hasn't gotten to Friendship Games yet," Pinkie asked the puppet.
Sci-Twi blushed, "Oh sorry."
Then a Twilight with little wings popped up on her other hoof, "Sorry Pinkie, I was still time-traveling. Yes, you're right, I bow to your brilliance."
"Than you," Pinkie said, bowing to her puppet.
Weavel gave a sad sigh as the others broke apart.
"You ok, Weavel?" Pinkie asked.
"No," Weavel said,"It's what Greed said about me."
"Oh that," Pinkie said, rolling her eyes back, "I wouldn't pay him no mind. He was just being a big jerk about who he was. He was just wanting very pony else to be like him."
"But... I did want power." Weavel said,"That's how I met these guys! I wanted technology and went on a mission to gain a powerful weapon!"
"Yeah," Pinkie said, sitting with Weavel, "But do you want it now?"
"Well, some part of me does." He looked at Pinkie,"Maybe it's the pirate in me."
Pinkie chuckled, "Well, of course some part of you does! You can't change that, any more than my friends can stop from being who they are, no matter how they grow."
Applejack shook her head as she watched Trixie's show end, "Ah can't believe it. After all she has been through, that mare is still loud, ego-centric, and full of herself. Ah mean she's just like-"
Pinkie popped out from under her friend's hat, "How you still are going to put a mountain on your shoulders even though we keep telling you stop, but you never are going to learn because you are about as stubborn as Maude on a bad day?"
"H... yeah," Applejack said.
"Some part of you will always have that reflex, but" Pinkie smiled. 'You know what's important?"
"What?" Weavel asked.
"Who you are now," Pinkie giggle. "You're here and a little smarter. You don't want to be that pirate anymore, and what is what makes you stronger than he is, because you can go through his bad traits and be your own cool stallion."
Weavel nodded,"Thanks, I needed that."
The group walked on, until a sound of banging reached their ears.
"Wait," Pinkie asked, "Banging as in the sound of clanging or banging as in in something that would definitely amp up the rating?
Clanging
"Thanks" Pinkie said, before pronking off in the direction of the banging. Then after walking away from the banging couple, went to the sound of the clanging, "I wonder what that is?"
"Hunters, come out and play~" A voice said,”Hunters, come out and play~!”
"OK! Play what?" Pinkie asked, bringing out a ton of board games, most were Hasbro variety, "Because why would I want to play anything else?"
"Meh," Weavel brought out a NES,"We're more fans of video games."
A pony in power armor came out, and began to fire a gatling gun.
"EEEP!" Pinke shouted running away from he gatling gun, "crud, crudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrudcrud!!!!!!"
Spire stood in front of them, and blasted a magma shot into the pony.
Pinkie popped up from behind Spire, "And this is why we brought him!"
"I mean,that is why I brought her?" Pinkie said, point to Sylux.
Sylux began to tap on her arm.
"Oh no, go on, finish what you're doing. We're good. Don't forget to tag it," Pinkie said.
Sylux looked up and fired her electro gun, before getting stopped by Kanden,"Wait,"
The minotaur looked at Kanden,"Ah, I sense that we are kindred spirits. You are as wrathful as I."
"Wait, if you’re Wrath, then where are Don, Mike, and Leo?" Pinkie asked.
Wrath blinked,"What are you talking about?"
"Your name, duh!" Pinki then looked at her list of most wanted, "OH, Wrath! Sorry, you pronunciation makes it sound like Raph. An old poker friend of mine!"
Wrath blinked,"Uh, nevermind. I challenge your greenish-yellow friend to a duel"
"Wait, aren't you going this wrong?" Pinkie said handing wrath a tiny glove, "Now slap him."
Wrath sighed, then slapped Kanden with the glove, which Kanden grabbed and threw to the floor.
Pinkie Pie then struggled to give Kandan a giant glove that belonged to Ultraman, and let him have it "Now, you slap him"
Kanden chuckled,"Okay!" He slapped Wrath.
Pinkie smiled as she watched Wrath fly around, "He'll be back, until then. Are you sure that you are ready for this being duel?"
Kanden nodded,"This is what I was made for, literally."
"You were... made for it?" Pinkie asked, raised an eyebrow while she push out the world’s tiniest pillow in preparation for when Wrath landed again.
"Yeah, I was created as a super-soldier" Kanden said.
"Well, yeah, but I thought you were made as a super soldier to help other, not just fighting and kicking Wrath's heiney," Pinkie said.
"No I was created to fight, and kill." Kanden said," That's all I'm for, really."
Pinkie frowned a little, "Aw, don't say that. I bet there is more to you. I bet you can make some awesome cakes!" Pinkie smiled as Wrath hit the world tiniest pillow with a soft thump
"Huh, how comfortable!" Wrath said.
"Cakes?" Kanden said.
"Cakes pies, anything you might like to do in your spare time," Pinkie said, a bright smile on her face.
Kanden put a hoof to his chin,"I'll think about-" He blocked a fist from Wrath.
Pinkie, now in a cheerleader outfit, grinned, "I'll leave this to you
Kanden punched Wrath in the stomach, and sent an electric shock through him. Wrath growled, punching Kanden across the room. Kanden got up, and picked up a spear to throw at him, stabbing Wrath in the chest. Wrath ran at Kanden, and swung his arm to knock him down. Kanden suddenly hit him between the legs, and then sent several electric balls at his chest. Kanden kicked him in the back for good measure.
"Rick-a-brack kick that guy in the back,"Pinkie said, putting on cheerleader outfits for the other hunters, "Come on, let’s give it to him!! Go Kanden, Go Kaden, give that no sass, just up and kick his- “
Wrath uttered an,”Ah, grass!” He said as he hit the ground.
Sylux growled,"This is degrading..."
Kanden was grabbed by Wrath and thrown to the wall. Kanden struggled, before aiming his Volt Driver into his face, zapping him. Kanden then grabbed both his arms and threw him to the ground.
Wrath then slammed Kanden hard against the ground. That was when Pinkie appeared, dressed in a lovely dress, "Kanden, don't fail now. Remember your heart and all that you fight for. We... We've haven’t been together long enough for you to lose your heart now. Think of me. Think of Spire, who you know you want to be with, despite your heart now where it is going. Now fight."
Kanden got up and began to punch Wrath repeatedly, and then headbutted him before back kicking him to the wall. He aimed his Volt Driver into him.
Wrath screamed, before falling. He began to laugh,"That... was fun..."
"Aw, glad you enjoy it so much!" Pinkie giggled.
Wrath coughed,"Thank you... now I can die in peace..."
"Wait, what?" Pinkie asked, a little shocked, "Oh come o, it wasn't that bad, was it?"
"My Volt Driver did a lot of internal damage." Kanden said looking down at the ground.
Wrath coughed,"If... I had to go... this is how I would want it..."
“But... can;t we fix him?" Pinkie asked, feeling a little down, "But, why would you want to die like this?"
"Because..." Wrath smiled,"I don't wish to under the control... of that monster..."
"But...there has to be a better way than getting killed," Pinkie said, looking down.
"This is alright... I'll be in Valhalla where my kids are...."
"Is... there anything more we can do to help you?” Pinkie asked, sniffling a little.
"Burn my... body..." Wrath said as his eyes began to close. Energy began to emit from his body, and into the horn of Pride.
"You!" Pinkie growled when she saw Pride. "Couldn't you wait until he was better before using a vampire move?"
"No." Pride said, teleporting away.
"You know, that was only her second appeared in this little story and already I want to mash her face into some pudding!" Pinkie growled.
"Us too." Noxus growled.
"So, let’s roll," Pinkie said, getting to Sylux's back. Looking to Kanden, she smiled, "Anyway, as I was telling you before. You could probably find something more to enjoy than just being a super soldier. You just need to-”
Twilight smiled as she hugged her friend, "Thanks Pinkie” She held up her law scroll and began to write.
“-Try," Pinkie said.
"Try," Kanden smiled,"Yeah, I'll do that."
"So, who do you guys think is next?" Pinkie asked lay with her back on Sylux
Trace cocked his Imperialist rifle,"I hope it's Envy. I'm itching to get a good shot off of her."
"Oh, I hope it’s not lust," Pinkie said. "Considering the usual material that the writers have been throwing the innuendo jokes will be through the roof!"
A deep sigh was heard,"Hello Pinkie."
Pinkie Pie gasped as she heard the voice, "Oh, my Celestia!!!!" turning around, she saw the donkey. "CRANKY!!!!" with a small sonic boom, she jumped off of Sylux and glomped her old friend.
"Pinkie, what are you doing here?" Cranky asked in a muffled voice.
"Oh, I time traveled... and dimension hopped, apparently," Pinkie said with a big grin. Then she go to the top of the cart, "So... what's in the cart?"
"Dead things, please don't touch them." Cranky tried to say.
"Why?" Pinkie asked, lifting up the cart. "I mean, you will really stink if you have dead things littered around.”
"It's supposed to be symbolic." He sighed,"Look, I'm really not supposed to talk to you like this. I'm supposed to be evil now."
"Aw, don't be evil, Cranky, that's boring!" Pinkie said, smiling.
"But's it's all I can be! Ever since..." Cranky stopped.
"Since when?" Pinkie asked.
"Matilda died." Cranky whispered.
"Wait, oh my gosh, I’m so sorry," Pinkie said, hugging Cranky.
Cranky whimpered,"She couldn't escape the bombs, Pinkie, I tried to protect her, but she pushed me into the stable..."
Pinkie did let go as she held Cranky close, saying nothing as she let him cry into her shoulder
"Matilda... why..." Cranky cried.
Pride appeared,"I suppose I should've expected this."
"If you touch him., I swear I'll never forgive you!" Pinkie growled, turning to look at Pride.
Pride smiled as Cranky began to scream,"Sorry, Pinkie." Cranky gasped
"No, no, nonnonono. Cranky, please, don't," Pinkie looked at Pride, aiming her bazooka, "Get back here you monster!"
"No." Pride said, before teleporting away.
42's voice echoed,"Aw, did we take your friend away?"
Pinkie Pie collapsed to her knees as she cried, letting Noxus pet her, "Y-yes, yes she did. that monster took away my friend. And now I just want to beat her. Like I am going to beat you!!!"
"As if. Can you really beat yourself?" 42 asked.
"I beat myself off plenty of times...” Pinkie muttered.
42 coughed,"Um, TMI."
"And after I am done beating you off, I will hoof paint you across the fur with your hide. Then I will butter your muffin like you wouldn't believe, followed by a quick visit to the batcave. After which, I will play with your piano for hours and hours. Then you and I will knit ourselves into a frenzy. Why am I turned on?" Pinkie said.
The hunters just stood.
"Why am I turned on?" Trace asked.
Pinkie cocked her head, "I have no idea maybe you have a few things you want to tell us? But that is not important right now Right now, it's the face that I am gonna kick your sweet patootie and you have stopped listening to me haven't you. But lo! I see you," Pinkie said. walking slowly towards a pair of blue eyes. "I see you, think you can trick me with your innocent cute eyes. What do you think I am a nicom-" she turned the lights on to see her reflection "Poop."
Spire looked around,"When did the lights go OFF?!"
"Oh, found an old light switch right behind you," Pinkie said, pointing behind the hunters.
Spire blinked as he looked behind them,"Okay..."
Noxus put a claw on Pinkie's back,"Hey, I know you lost a friend, I'm sorry."
Pinkie shot up, and then lowered her shoulders. For a few moments, she began to sniffle,"H-hey, don't worry about e. I'll be ok, really."
"Are you sure?" Noxus asked.
Pinkie brought out a big smile ,"Yeparoonie!I am perfectly fine. I... got a hold of things, don't worry."
Noxus nodded,"Alright then, let's move on." He turned to the door,"Anyone got a key?"
"I do!" Pinkie said, bringing out a giant ram, "do your duty, Battering!" Then she stuck a needle into the ram's behind, causn him to ram right into the door.
Raider 54 stood behind the door, eating a donut.
The ram slammed the door, which in turn, squished Raider 54. As the donut few into the air, Pinkie Pie grabbed it in her mouth and chomped on it, "Yum! Thanks!!!"
Raider 54 whimpered as he attempted to readjust himself.
Pinkie lifted the door, "Oh, hey Aumber 54!"
"Ow." 54 said simply.
"How does he keep appearing so much?" Spire asked.
"Oh,. I recognize his cutie mark, he’s of the running gag clan," Pinkie smiled
"The what?" Sylux asked.
Smiling, Pinkie nodded, "The running gag clan, they tend to pop up once in a while to remind ponies of a joke they like.":
"That's just... weird." Sylux said with a shake of her head.
An alarm sounded in the room.
As Pinkie heard the alarm she jumped to the head of the nearest bounty hunter, "What was that?"
"Oh, we just alerted the nearest security bots." Noxus said. He pointed to a large sentry bot coming their way.
"That's bad," Pinkie said. "Should I panic?"
Trace chuckled,"Nah, we've faced a lot worse." The hunters aimed their guns at the thing as it fired a missile at them.
"Well, I am still going to panic... AHHHHHHHH!!!!" Pinkie screamed as she ran around the robot. As she kept screaming, she began to look at the bolts and nuts of the bot, measured them and began to scribbled them on a note las. Her voice still ringing and echoing in the room, the quick earth pony took out a wrench and a screwdriver and began to attack the bolts and nuts of the bot. Then, still screaming at the top of her lungs, she ran to Sylux and Noxus, giving them each a piece of a rubber band. Thenm when the band was stretched,she pulled out "The World's Third Largest Hammer, and began to pull it out. Screaming still, she launched the hammer the bot. "I'm done," Pinkie smiled at the hammer hit the bot with a light tap. Afetr the hammer hit with a little tap, the bot exploded.
Weavel put up a claw,"What are the second and third largest?"
The bot exploded behind them, "They are only to revealed in my time of greatest need. That, or an evil killer Dinosaur Turtle coming out of th woodwork, mutated by the MAS into capturing potential princesses.” Pinkie explained.
A giant dinosaur turtle came out of the building. It roared,"Where is the next princess!?"
Pinkie sighed, "She is in the next fic over you large reptilian monstrosity!" with a growl, she brought out a large green wallet with a letter L and the words 'The Second Largest mallet in the world, and slammed the dino turtle over into the nearest Pony fic.
"See what I mean? and I swear it happens everytime I mention D...you know." Pinkie said, putting the hammer back into hammerspace
...
No, I am not sorry for that last one
Sylux cocked her head,"How, what?"
A seemingly random earth pony cocked his head,"I agree."
"Oh, hi there seemingly random unicorn!" Pinkie said, waving hi.
"Hey, I'm Gluttony." The stallion said.
"Hey Gluttony, I'm Pinkie Pie," Pinkie said, "Hey...um Sylux, what wa the names of the sins?"
Sylux aimed her horncannon at Gluttony,"One of them, was Gluttony."
Gluttony's mouth gave a faint glow,"Please don't do that, man."
"Why?" Pinkie Pie asked
"'Cuz then I'd have to eat that energy, man. Like, I get real hungry, and I just can't resist, man."
"But man, do you always like, have to eat that crazy energy?" Pinkie asked, now dressed with a beatnik cap and purple sweater. Noxus now found himself with a drum, Weavel with a guitar, Sylux in a maid outfit serving drinks to a bunch of random raiders, enclave, alicorns, and a mime,. All of whom had coffee in front of them as Gluttony continued to talk on stage along with Pinkie.
Trace had a tambourine, a peace necklace, and wore a single sunglass, and Spire was inside a lava lamp, looking very unhappy.
"But man, I get real hungry..." Gluttony said.
Sylux grumbled,"Why am I in this dress?"
"How about some sweet rolls, you cool cat?" Pinkie asked
"Sure." The stallion said, holding out his hoof.
Pinkie, very nicely put the sweet roll into the stallion's hoof.
Gluttony ate the sweet roll.
"See, as a matter of fact," Pinkie then put on a red jacket," Lets what else we can feed you!"
Pulling out a large over, Pinkie grabbed Spire by the head while she handed everypony else some baking tools. Then she smiled at Gluttony
How come you're always such a fussy young man
Pinkie Pie started to cook up various sweets and treats, while the other hunters started to cook to the beat. On Pinkie's back read "My cakes belong to the world, my heart belongs to Cheese Sandwich"
Don't want to argue, I don't want to debate
Jumping up onto a table, she began to dance around, spinning and twirling to the music as she bent over and handed a huge plate of twinkies
Your table manners are some cryin' shame
A cake rolled out from one of the ovens, and then Pinkie popped out of it, wearing a black bikini top and a banner that read, "Free party with every lick" across her belly. Taking out a tower of pies, she threw it at Gluttony
You better listen, better do what you're told
Suddenly, the bounty hunters found themselves facing off against the sins, only to have Pinkie pop up in between them,
I don't care if you're full
Eat it, eat it, eat it, eat it
42 slammed her phone on the table,"What do you mean they're having a musical number!?"
Pride frowned,"It is quite strange, Ma'am, they just started to sing."
Pinkie looked up at the heavens, "42, if you are a real pie, then you know one cannot resist the allure of the musical number! It is the Mystery of the Pie, right Marble?"
(200 years ago)
Marble smiled and nodded "Mmmmhmmm."
(210 years later)
"And that is how I became the musician I am today" the stallion said to Samus as she passed him by in the "Darkest of Tides Reunion Movie"
(5 years ago)
"And now they are performing a conga line down the street to the warehouse where we stored the gin, vodka, tonic, budweiser, miller, red wine, white wine, blue wine, pink wine, black wine, yellow wine, Samuel Adams, fosters, orange juice, the bourbon, and the omega party cannon that runs on alcohol MK30. Anything else to report ma’am?" The raider said over the phone. He looked in shock as a stallion gave him a strange look.
“How did I get here?” Sam Adams asked.
"... Stop them?" 42 suggested.
"Yes ma’am!" The raider said, running to the warehouse and opening the door, and jumped back when Pinkie popped her head out, a wet t-shirt o n her body.
"Oh shoot!" Pinkie said, turning to look into the warehouse, "Guys calm down, it’s the Dean, turn down the music." turning to smile, she grinned, "Yeessss?"
"What is going on in there?" the raider asked, suddenly dressed in a suit.
"So totally not a wild frat party and I was so not involved in a wet t-shirt contest. Hehe, it’s chilly," Pinkie giggled.
In the back a raider asked, "Shouldn't it be a wet underwear contest?"
"Look" an alicorn grumbled, "We ordered 20 t-shirts and we are going to use them!"
"Oh, I see, not a frat party. Ok, but if you two get out of line, then it’s the ax for you and Beta House," the raider said.
"Ok, Dean Bean," Pinkie said, waving by.
Bean then walked away, only to get hit with green slime, "BETA HOUSE" growling he brought out a phone, "42, it’s those college students, they're at it again and I have proof!"
42 was suddenly dressed in a suit, and sitting at a desk with the name tag,”Headmaster 42”. She growled as she slammed her hoof on the desk,”Darn it, Bean! Go over, and teach them a lesson!”
"Right!" said Bean as he opened the warehouse door, and stepped back when Pinkie Pie popped out in black eyeliner, and wearing a black 'Heavy Metal Heads Apocalypse 1306 tour" shirt.
"Dude! rock on! This was like the most head bangiest tour ever! Here, have a t-shirt!!!!" Pinkie said, banging her head as she gave Bean a t-shirt.
"Dude like that is awesome!" said the stallion, who suddenly wore a mohawk, before walking away, "42, that was like the most awesome concert ever!"
"C-c-c-concert!? You fool! You're playing right into her hooves! Go back and kill her!" 42 said, dressed with a long white beard and a suit that had a name tag,”Typical Non-Fun ‘Old Person.” She drank her tea,”Most unorthodox!”
"Yes mam!" he said., going back to the door, opening it to only reveal Pinkie with an yamaka on her head.
"Oj, you're just in time! I found out that Sylux never had a Bar Mitzvah, so I threw one for her!" Pinkie said, waving to her friend as she partied to the musc. "Here, Matzel Tov!"
The stallion took the glass," Why, thank you! Such a nice mare" he skipped and then called 42" 42, there was a really nice Bar Mitzva going on in there. You should really get Sylux a present."
"You’re right, I should." 42 said, now wearing a yamaka. She out of the phone and went to knock on the door,"I've come to give Sylux a present!"
The warehouse opened to several beaten and dead alicorns, ex-enclave soldiers, raiders, and a very fat Gluttony.All of this was obscured from 42's vision by a very giant bomb, with Pinkie resting on top of it, "Ah, it took 3 party cannons, several costume changes, and a ton of cake batter, but it was all worth it for this one party bomb," she sighed as she aimed her very large Party Bomb MX 30000 at 42, "Boom." she said calmly
42 could only look on with terror. She held up a sign that said,"Eep."
(CENSORED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE!!!)
Gluttony sighed in contentment,"That was fun man."
"Tell me about it man," Pinki said, pulling out a lollipop from her white cream covered body, sucked on it and blew out a cherry smoke ring, "Was it good for you? Because it was for me. and the best part is... I think we shocked Pride long enough so she won't kill you!"
"Then what's that weird smoke from my nose?" Gluttony asked.
Noxus turned and fired on Pride, who put up a barrier against it.
Growling, Pinkie Pie yelled, "Hey, you get back here! Leave him alone!" she said throwing potatoes.
"No." Pride said, teleporting away as Gluttony's eyes began to droop.
"Oh, what's happening..." Gluttony said, his eyes looking at Pinkie.
"Gluttony, nonono," Pinkie said, running to him. "You are going to be all right. Ok, stay here, you can do this, come on." she whimpered.
"Hey, tell that Sylux girl to come closer...." Gluttony said.
Pinkie nodded, and brought Sylux to the fallen earth pony.
"You, you thirst for power. You are as gluttonous as I in that respect." He looked at Sylux,"It's that thirst that keeps you going, and will destroy you in the end..." His eyes closed.
Pinkie Pie trembled a little as she watched the rotund earth pony fade away, and began to whimper. Sniffling, she muttered, "And I thought... that maybe that would've saved him. I thought that maybe getting weird and distracting Pride would've protected him." tears rolled down her cheeks, but then she sniffed and put on her smiled. "He's wrong, isn't he Sylux."
Sylux said nothing, but only looked away.
Pinkie played with Sly's mane, Because I think he is."
"He's right. That's part of how I got started. After the Galactic Federation killed my parents, I decided to get stronger, but it wasn't enough. I needed more power! Do you understand, I am power hungry!" Sylux yelled.
Pinkie giggled, "Nope! Because I am not seeing it! I mean, if you were power hungry then why are you hanging out with us right now? Why haven't you killed us all when our backs are turned, why are you here at all?"
Sylux scoffed,"Because..." She turned away,"because you're my..."
A seductive female voice echoed,"Aw, ain't that cute?"
"Come on, say it... say it, I won't stop pestering you until-" Pinkie paused as she heard the voice. "Mom, is that you? I'm sorry fro walking in on you and Dad."
(200 years ago)
"It's ok Pinkamena," Cloudy said.
(300 years later)
Trixie walked alongside Arch, "So Arch, tell me more about the... hey what?"
(100 years ago)
Pinkie looked with an arched eyebrow ,"If we get any weirder with these timelines we are going to need a map, or Chris Noland."
A black coated mare swayed her hips as she walked to Pinkie,"Hello there, I'm Lust
"HI!" Pinkie squeaked, waving to the black mare, "I'm Pinkie Pie."
Lust swished her tail in Pinkie's direction,"Ooh, hello cutie." She raised a wing and sliced at her.
"Yipe!" Pinkie squeaked, "Why did you do that? And how! And what do you work out with!
"I have metal wingblades, and I workout with Bowflex!" She flexed her biceps.
"Oh, nice and posable," Pinkie said, "I run on the high calorie diet!"
"Oh, nice!" she ducked under a swipe from Sylux. She then swiped at Pinkie again.
"Thank you, you ain't so bad yourself," Pinkie said, holding up a rubber bat and hitting Lust
Lust blinked,"Rubber? How annoying!" She sliced the bat in half.
The bat then suck to the blade, "A gummy bat!" Pinkie said.
"What!?" She tried to shake the bat off.
It began to stick to her sides and legs, while it did Pinkie fired a confetti shot, "All wrapped up!”
Lust moaned as she got wrapped up,"Oooh, Kinky."
"Oh you like that huh?" Pinkie asked.
"Oh, baby, yes!"
"How about I just pour hot chocolate and whipped cream on your sexy body!!" Pinkie said.
"Oh yes!" Lust said.
The male members of the Hunters began to open their eyes wide.
"Fine then," Pinkie said, as she began to lick the cream off of Lust’s body. Then she began to massage her flanks as well, "And here, how about a massage?”
"Oh, oh, OH!" Lust began to moan as Pinkie gently moved along her smooth body.
Fic rating: Teen
"And how about I nibble on your crunch little neck and ear, nom," Pinkie said, while rubbing ice cream along her sexy back. Pinkie then began to whisper and lightly blow in her ear.
The male hunters crossed their legs.
Rating: Teen+
Pinkie pushed Lust down, running her hoof along her enemy's chest, "Yeah, that's right you like this, don't ya?"
"Oooh yes." Lust moaned.
Rating: Mature.
Pinkie then began to kiss along the neck and shoulder, taking out an eclair and sliding it up and down Lust's body, reaching her belly button.
The male hunters then fainted.
Fic rating: Mature+
Pinkie growed lustfully, "That's it babe, just enjoy the big Finish!" she said, pulling back the white eclair and pushing it forward, releasing the creamy goodness on the legs, "Sorry, I usually let loose inside..."
“That's okay, I don't mind." Lust licked off the frosting.
Rating: Why is this not on AdultFanfiction!!?
Pinkie got up, "Shall I buy you dinner, m’lady?"
"Oh, thank you!" Lust said, then she screamed as Pride appeared behind her.
"No, nononono, no again" Pinkie said,pushing Lust out of that, and then put her into a brick house, "You aren't coming anywhere near her!”
Pride back hoofed Pinkie away and used her horn to suck Lust's energy.
Pinkie let out a grunt of pain as she is thrown into the side of the building, her ribs bruising, "Owwww...." slowly getting up, her eyes open in horror as Lust's energy was taken
Lust fell to the ground as Pride disappeared. Lust coughed as she looked up at Spire,"You... you Lust for the sounds of your people. You're like me in that respect..."
Pinkie stood slowly back up (Don’t feel it, don't let it show.) she thought to herself, quickly wiping her tears away and smiling, "Well of course he does. We all get a little homesick once in awhile. But, I bet he is just as happy here in his new home!" with a little bounce, she patted Spir on the back, "Ain’t ya?"
Spire gave a heavy sigh,"My people are presumed dead, but I keep searching, hoping to find a trace of them."
"I know." Lust coughed,"I wish to find out what happened to my race: The Flutter Ponies. Please, Hunter, find out what happened... to them." She smiled as her body became a soft pink color and her wings went transparent, before her eyes closed.
Pinkie's eyes went wide when she saw the flutterpony, "Oh...you poor thing. I'm so sorry." she said, hugging the lifeless body. She gave a few soft sobs before getting up. A smile on her face, she began to hop away, "Come on, we still have one sin to meet!"
Trace grinned,"Good, I want a little duel with her!" he said as the group broke the door down and walked across the street. A shot hit the ground at Pinkie's hoof.
“HEY! Watch it little bullet, I was walking here!" Pinkie said, growled.
William J Bullet (formerly of Japan, so traditionally you should say his last name first) popped out of the ground with his top hat and monocle and bowed, "My deepest apologies" and then he flew off.
Raider Number 54 ran to the place where he shot Pinkie,"But-How-Why?"
"Simple, your airspeed was off by a kilometers, you didn't adjust for drag, and your eye piece is missing, As for why, because it was a joke, duh!" she said. "But don't worry, I can help you adjust for drag.”
(Sparkler appeared with a little stick in her magic, "Ok kids, let’s see if you can outsmart the reader!" Sparkler said to a gathered group of ponified digidestined
Yay!
"Now, what is another term for drag?"
Crossdressing!
"And is the author the type to make an obvious joke?"
Yes!
"Which means that he will probably go for another joke just to through the read off, right?"
YAY!!!!!
"Lets watch!”)
Pinkie, somehow, Put 54 into a go cart with a powerful engine on the back. Next to him was a pony with a helmet and a M5 on the said of his cart, "Thee, this guy will teach you all you need to know about drag racing. Ready, Mach?"
"Yes I am," Mach Go said, looking down the street.
"Now, I will need to select your road for you," Pinkie said, grabbing the Wii U remote from Spire, "Now, let’s see, Ah ! Rainbow Road, good luck!" hse said, pressing the start button sending both Speed and 54 racing off into the distance.
"No, not Rainbow Road!" 54 screamed.
Another bullet struck Pinkie's cheek. A shine glimmered from afar in a nearby building
"Ow!" Pinkie squeaked t the bullet cut her cheek, "Who shot that?"
Trace turned and aimed his Imperialist Mk II at the shine,"Envy." He fired, blocking another bullet shot.
"Ok, that was cool but impossible to do." Pinkie said, pointing out with a chart, before ducking under the buillet.
"Ok, I need to do something to find the sniper, hmmm... what would Twilight do?"
Pinkie then popped up with Twilight's hair style, "Books! First we'll triangulate the mesmerism and then double check the additions."
"No that's it, how about Dashie?"
"Ok, so I'll fly in awesome," Pinkie said, with Dash's mane style," No, Fluttershy?"
"Eeeeep," Pinkie squeaked in a perfect imitation of Fluttershy's voice, "No, Rarity?"
"Darling, we should really invite the shooter to tea," Pinkie said, laying back on a couch," No, Applejack?"
"Whoo doggy, Ah bet if just smash right through that sucker we'll be in business!" Pinkie said, "No, that isn't it...hmmm, what would pop do?"
(200 years earlier)
"I would put a rock through it" Quartz said, nodding sagely
(19 years earlier)
"I don't understand, most babies would be asleep, but yours is bouncing in her crib. Ever since we let that Apple Family walk by..." the doctor said, looking at two month old Pinkie.
(210 years later)
"Thanks Pop!" Pinkie said, grabbing a little bitty rock.
Sylux looked at Pinkie,"What's a rock going to do?" She asked as Trace shot another bullet out of the air.
"Shh, it's sleeping.” Pinkie said. Then she smiled as the rock woke up and rolled over with a cap and diploma, "He just graduated to college you know."
"... it's a rock." Sylux asked,"How is it sentient?"
Spire looked at her.
"You're an alien, you don't count!" Sylux yelled as a bullet hit her helmet.
Weavel held up a claw,”The pirates had a golem named Thardus.”
“That also doesn’t count!” Sylux shouted.
"Aw, now he graduated college and has a family," Pinkie smiled as there wa now a big rock, a little rock, two baby rocks, and a dog rock (woof). "Now, he is kissing her goodbye before going off to war." Pinkie then loaded the rock into Trace's gun, "fire behind you!"
Trace blinked,"Sure thing, Cupcake..." He fired behind himself without looking.
The rock flew through the air, hitting the wall. It then bounced off the wall and to the sky where it hit a passing by spritebot, where it flew down through space into a pipe. Hiere it swirled around until it shot out into a rubber band fatcory and into a rubber band. Then it began to pull back against the band until it shot out of the factory and through a window. It then bounced off three walls until it broke into another window and bounced alongside a wall and rolled down the stairs, where a raider kicked it into the air and bounced off a wandering mime. The mime grew angry, picked the rock in his magic and threw it out the window, where it struck Envy upside the head.
Envy fell out of the building and rolled towards them,"You, you are a good shot. No wonder I sense a kindred spirit within you, Trace."
"What do you mean a kindred spirit?" Trace asked.
"You too are envious of others. You are only the second best shot, and the sixth best Hunter, compared to Samus Ara-" She gasped as Pride used her horn to suck out her essence.
Pride should then realize that she sucked out a ballon, "Surprise!" Pinkie said, shaking her flank. "I was expecting you this time, and that is why I switched her with that!” She rolled. “HA! Youhave to be pretty quick to get one over Pinkamena Diane Pie!"
Pride snarled, taking Pinkie in her Telekinesis and throwing her to the wall,"Imbecile!"
"AHH!" Pinkie yelled, and slowly got up shaking her head,"Y-you are just grumpy that I tricked you- Why is everything spinny?"
Pride used a shield to block the other hunters’ shots as she took Envy in her grasp and sucked her essence out,"There, now my plan can begin." She teleported away.
Noxus ran to Pinkie,"Are you alright?"
"F-fine," Pinkie said, breathing slowly as she cleared her head. Then she looked up at Trace, "Are you alright?"
Trace nodded,"I'm fine. She just told the truth about me." He said with a sigh,"I'm not the best, that's the problem. Samus is better than all of us in our eyes."
Pinkie Pie shrugged her shoulders, "So?"
"So, that means I'm probably never going to be the best!" Trace sighed,"It's not too bad, it gives me something to strive for." he chuckled
"Exactly, and besides! It’s always fun to improve," Pinkie said, "The best are always at the top, but bet you they have someone better than them. This means you are helping her as well! And that makes it all the more fun!”
Trace looked at Pinkie,"That actually makes me feel better, thanks."
Noxus smiled at Pinkie,"You know, for a weird mare, you certainly have a lot of insight." He looked at the door to a large building,"Now, let us go to our final battles."
"Insight? But I can't see inside of me," Pinkie said with a smile. "Right, let’s go rock and kick some skinny patooie!" she said putting on goggles from out of nowhere.
The hunters broke the door down, and saw a whole army of raiders waiting for them.
42 chuckled from her office"Hahaha, I suppose I'll have to kill you the fast way!"
Suddenly, Raider 54 stood in front of the army,"No!"
"54?" 42 asked.
"My real name is Reoccurring Gag!" He splashed himself with water, turning his mane and coat to their natural blue color,"And I'm joining their side!" He put on a headband as his body gained rippling muscles. He pulled out two sub-machine guns and fired on the army, despite being an earth pony,"You go on ahead, I'll handle these guys!" He said, his voice deepening
"Thanks Gag!" Pinkie smiled, offering a hoof bump to her new friend, "You are one of the good ones!"
Gag nodded,"You're one of the best! Now go!" he saluted them.
The hunters went through the door to reveal 42 sitting in a chair still covered in confetti,"Welcome to my parlor, said the spider to the fly!"
Pinkie growled, "So we meet at last, or the last time. It’s time we end this you miserable monster!" she said running to a mirror and attacking it.
The mirror monster screamed like a little schoolgirl and ran away. Turning around, she then glared at 42, "And as for you.. .it’s time to defeat you."
42 shook her head,"No, it's time to defeat you!" She suddenly appeared in front of Pinkie and slammed a pie in her face.
Pinkie growled lowly and brought out a cake and slammed it into her face, "Take this!!"
42 sputtered and hit her with a cupcake,"No, take this!"
Nomming the cupcake, Pinkie brought out a small party cannon!
42 brought out a medium sized party cannon!
Pinkie brought out a giant sized part cannon
42 brought out an even bigger party cannon.
Pinkie ran out of the room and came back with a party tank
"Oh, you got to be-"42 shook her head and brought out a party helicopter.
"Nope, dead serious," Pinkie said, bringing out a party 47 Blackbird. While Cyclops piloted.
42 growled and brought a party mecha
Pinkie ran and brought out a party Wing Zero that combined onto the back of a Party Voltron
42 then threw up her hooves,"Okay, you win, I give up! There's no way I can top that!"
"Aw,"Pinkie said, putting away her rookie party Digimon and jumping down, "So, now what, will you give up your wicked ways and help the wasteland?"
42 scoffed,"Never-ugh!" She gasped as an ice spear came through her stomach.
"I grow tired of this charade." Pride snarled,"I swear, you both are imbeciles unworthy of this world!"
"Pride! Y-you monster!" Pinkie said, turning to look at Pride, her tears rolling down her cheeks, "How can you keep doing this to other ponies? What did they do to you?
"42 was an imbecile I brought back to life so I could unleash those statues." Pride explained, sending ice spears at Pinkie,"I killed the other sins so I could have their power, so I could be... complete."
Pinkie let out a gasp as she ducked and jumped over the ice spears, one of them just barely cutting her side, "Complete? You're missing a piece? Which one, a wing, a leg?"
"No, you see," Pride put up a shield to protect against the shots from the hunters,"The statues were made from the shards of a being known as Hatred! By absorbing the other sins, I would complete Hatred, and become the embodiment of your complete opposite!" She cackled madly as her coat grew black, and her eyes became slitted.
"But that would mean that you would become... uh oh," Pinkie said looking up in the sky, "A Nightmare. Eeep."
Lightning struck the ground as Pride grew bigger and her wings grew batlike,"Now I will kill you, and this world!" Noxus stood in front of Pinkie,"Noxus, you who take pride in your morals, killing you and Pinkie would rob this place of its moral center!" She fired a lightning bolt at them as Noxus tried to fire on her.
Pinkie bounced on top of Noxus to get him out of the way, "And what makes you think killing me will do anything? All it will do is make you more cranky! Besides," she ran at Pride and booped her ont the nose, "You'll have to catch me, you're it!"
Pride growled as she charged her horn and fired several bolts at Pinkie as she ran after her,"Get back here, you simpleton!"
Her coat began to stand on end and shiver as she felt the shots stream across her. It was as if her Pinkie sense was reacting to each shot, and made her roll and jump away from the shots, even if some managed to catch bits of her mane and coat. Looking over her shoulder, she stuck out her tounge and pulled down her lower eyelid. Fast she began to run up the stairs of the building.
Pride growled, flying after her,"You can't run forever!"
Noxus looked on in shock, and then began to chuckle,"This is too ridiculous."
"Why sure I can!” Pinkie said, winking at her with a smile. "I have boundless energy and a cheerful smile. I can keep going forever!" letting out a cheer, she ran along the wall then a wave of fire came up from behind her, and then bounced off the walls when a series of electric bolts began to hit her. "And you know, Noxus isn't just the world's moral center.. he's theirs. Because they are all friends, and they all need a guy like that! Always. That is why you-" she slid back for a few seconds to jam two pies in her eyes, "Are a jerky mcjerk nutt because you killed you friends!" rolling back into position, she kept running.
"They weren't my friends! They were hopeless creatures!" Pride tore walls apart, and sent them at Pinkie.
Trace began to chuckle himself.
One of the walls seemed to hit Pinkie, but another look showed that she was on top of one. When two more came at her, she began to jump from one to one, using each as a platform to ride. As she rode, she began to giggle."That's where you were wrong, they weren't hopeless. Anymore than my friends are hopeless," she said, one of the pieces of rubble cutting her cheek."
“Friends, what a disgusting term!" Pride used her horn to send fireballs at Pinkie.
Sylux couldn't help but laugh a little herself.
As Pinkie rode on one of the walls, she watched as the fireball came at her. Smirking, she twisted a baseball cap on her head and began to hit the fireballs with her baseball bat, "No it’s not, it’s a great term. Like cotton candy, rainbows, or hugs! what you got against it?" she said, landing on the top of one step. As Pride flew at her, she ran right into a giant rubber band, "When you fly back, mind giving me back my bowling pins when you answer my question."
As she was slingshotted back down a few floors, Pride could see ten pins waiting for her. Which she strukc and knocked them all down. After a few minutes, a giant rail came down and pushed the pins away.
The sight caused Pinkie to roll on the ground giggling and laughing.
Pride flew up and used the pins to strike at Pinkie,”I don’t need any of that!”
Trace began to snicker
One of the pins manages to hit Pinkie hard in the stomach, and another hit her head. Slowly getting up , she rubbed her forehead and shook it, "That's just silly. Of course you need them!" she said, smiling as she ran back up the stairs, shaking her rump at the alicorn.
Pride snarled, sending several red lightning bolts at Pinkie,"Silence! You are useless, laughter is pointless!"
Kanden began to laugh in spite of himself.
"Ooooh, Pretty lightning!" Pinkie said, running faster, "Can you make different colors?"
Pride began to roar,"You are an imbecile, why are you bearer of a powerful object!?" She screamed as she created spikes underneath Pinkie.
Spire too, began to laugh.
Pinkie let out a yelp as she jumped from one of the spikes, one of them cutting into her hind legs and drawing blood. Wincing in pin, she ran to the top of the building and and found herself out of running space, "OOOPs! ran out of building." she said, panting, and the began to giggle when rain started to fall from the sky. In spite of the downpour, her mane never lost its bounce, "Hehehe. It's raining, its’ raining, and I will be your umbrella."
Her ears perked when she heard Pride maker her way to the top, "You're wrong you know, Laughter... isn't worthless. Not at all," her lead was lowered as she smiled, "You know why I am the Bearer of Laughter? Let me tell you a story."
The other bounty hunters continued to laugh as they came up behind Pride, aiming their guns on her.
Pride growled,"I don't have time for your tales!" She raised her hoof at her.
“One day, a long time ago, my Granny Pie died. It... was the first time I had ever known about a pony dieing. After we had left the funeral, we were all sad, <omma especially. When I looked up at the sky, I saw it had started to rain. As it continued to rain, I did something that nopony else did. I smiled," the grin on her face grew, "I smiled and then I began to laugh. I started to laugh so much, that my family joined in too. Mom, Dad, Marble, Limey, and, even Maude, we all just started laughing. And when we started to laughing... the rain stopped. We don't know why, but I think I do," Pinkie slowly raised her head, "Granny Pie was sad that we were all crying over her, and when I laughed, I showed that we were happy and she could sleep happily."
When Pinkie lifted her head, a big smile was plastered on her face, "And that is why laughter is important! It's meant to make you see that life really isn't that bad, that no matter what, you can find a little bit of hope and excitement that make you look forward to the next day. Or finding the right thing to say to make somepony feel better, even if you slip up." she then brought out her large hammer, with a giant red M on it 'The World's Largest Hammer, meant to be used only during badass hero moments."
The bounty hunters jumped to Pinkie's side, and aimed.
Pride stepped back, shaking her head,"Stop that laughing!" Her horn glowed,"Die, die, die!"
"Can't help it," Pinkie said with a smile. "That's just who I am. I like letting ponies see how silly they're being about their fears, or try to lighten a serious mood with a quick gag. That's just who I am. Look at them, I helped them see a little of how silly their fears and doubts are and how much there is to each of their lives. This is why," she spun her hammer in a circle.
The hunters charged and fired their weapons into the hammer, powering it up.
Pride growled as she fired at Pinkie.
"You can never take away my smile," Pinkie said, striking the beam with her hammer and destroying it, then she threw the hammer at Pride. As the hammer struck Pride, she could hear every laugh that Pinkie had ever brought. As the laughter echoed, Pinkie added, "And this is why friend are not useless... they help you find the will to laugh again.
Pride screamed as the hammer hit her, sending her flying causing her to vaporize.
Pinkie smiled as the hammer came back, "And that is how you do it!" she then stuck her tongue out at what was let of pride.
The hunters laughed as they hugged Pinkie.
"Well, mission accomplished!" Noxus said with a smile.
"Indeed!" A large pink alicorn suddenly appeared.
Pinkie Pie smiled wide when she saw the pink alicorn, "CADENCE!!!" she said, charging and running to glomp the alicorn. As she did, she noticed Recurring Gag flying up in a jet pack and saluting her, before flying to parts unknown.
Cadence chuckled,"Hello, Pinkie, I've been expecting you!" She said with a smile.
"Wait, you have?" Pinkie asked, looking up at Cadence. "OOOOh did you dect me with ancient alicorn tk powers?"
Cadence chuckled and shook her head,"No, I was told by a mysterious pony that you would come." She pulled out a medal and a letter,"She gave me these."
Hi, Pinkie!
Yeah, just want to say good luck on defeating that big ol meanie Valtor! Here's a medal that allows you to read minds, but only in emergencies, or plot important events.
Laughter
.Pinkie wrote in the letter,
Dear Laughter,
Thanks! Good luck in your future adventures, hope to see you soon.
Love, Pinkie.
Silly Pinkie! You're already seeing me, in you!
Laughter.
OH of course I am! Silly me.
Pinkie
That's okay, we're both silly!
Laughter
Cadence raised an eyebrow,"I'm not even going to ask..."
"Inner humor, Cadey." Pinkie say, smiling. Then goring to her friends, she gave them all a giant hug, "I am going to miss you guy. I hope that you will show up for the big party at the finale."
"Thanks, you've truly become our friend." Noxus said with a smile,"Go, your other friends need you."
"I know," Pinkie said, skipping to joining Cadence, before pausing and looking over her shoulder, "Oh, and Tell Samus that Will is ok and is with us! She misses her friends and will be back with them soon."
"Sure, Cupcake!" Trace said as Cadence used her magic to whisk Pinkie away. As Pinkie disappeared, eight ponies walked up behind the bounty hunters, "Was that my aunt Pinkie?" asked Nyx, raising an eyebrow.
"Guys, why were you traveling with a ministry mare?" asked Little Pip.
Regina raised an eyebrow, "And why are you all smiling?"
Noxus looked at them,"It's a long story..."
Samus cocked her head,"It must be."
Claire, a blue pegasus with a green mane and tail coughed,"You look like you've been through a lot."
Avarok, an elk, raised her eyebrows,"And I do not believe I have ever seen you all so happy."
Puppysmiles giggled, "Well, tell us!"
"Yeah, we're all ears," Sunny said.
Author's Note
Thanks zolt.
Oh, sweet Celestia this crack chapter is going to require some explainig. First of all, the sins and 42 are from different FOE fics. While the bounty hunters are from etroid PRim hunters that became characters in the Fallout Equestria rp :Darkest of Tides that I am playing with my little brother.
When I decided to send six of our girls across time, I decided that I wanted to do future and go to Fallout. IT is just that Pinkie became the target and well...this happened.
Sometimes when I do humor, I like to go by Zuckerberg logic. Throw as many jokes against the viewer as possible, that way if one fails then the next joke should be funny.
Trixie slowly woke up, shaking her head, "Oooooh, what happened to Trixie's head." Getting to her shaking hooves, she began to look around herself as her vision came back into view.
A pony in a lab coat came into the room, throwing his hooves into the air"Welcome, to the World of Tomorrow!"
"What?" Trixie said flatly.
A purple unicorn machine entered the room next. She had purple eyes and a glowing mouth,"You are in the year 1265."
"Sparkle!" Trixie exclaimed, hugging the unicorn, "Wait... year 1265? That explains the machine... How did I-”
"Exactly, I am Sparkle-Bot 3000." Sparkle-Bot cocked her head as her horn beeped,"It appears you came here magically.”
"I should've figured," Trixie said, walking away from the bot, "where am I? And how are you the 3000 model?"
"You are in Neo-Canterlot, and my previous two models were far less advanced than I," Sparkle-Bot beeped,"I recognize you now from my databanks. You are Trixie Lulamoon the First."
"The first you say?" Trixie smiled. "You mean that there were others that are just as powerful and great as Trixie? That Trixie's legacy has continued on! Oh, this is fantastic" As Trixie cheered, she suddenly realized that she was about to spoil things.
"As you are from the past, I am inclined to keep information from you. However, I am obligated to take you to the Queens." Sparkle-Bot said.
The... Queens? What?" Trixie asked, shocked as she followed the Sparkle-Bot. Sparkle lead her out into the city, which had ponies flying around in carriages and robots cleaning the streets. Sparkle turned and pointed up at a large metal castle with circuits positioned around its walls. The city itself was a strange mix of old and new, with much of the marble now replaced with steel and circuitry
"Wow," Trixie called out, impressed by what she had been seeing. "How did you get some of this stuff, and what is all of that and the flying around
"Magical hover tech. You won't see that in your time for another thirty years. We have made our tech and quickened our technological advancements in the two hundred years since you've been gone." Sparkle said as she lead Trixie along,"We better be careful here.”
"Why? And please don't say killer mutants," Trixie shuddered, "Trixie hates killer mutants."
"No, not unless we go into the lands in the south. No, we have to worry about the Mechanoids." Sparkle said.
"Trixie is scared that you took her seriously," Trixie groaned, "Wait... Mechanoids?"
"Yes, evil corporate robots created by The Institution." Sparkle said,"Their main goal is to kill all equines."
"What's the Institution?" Trixie asked.
"An evil organization that builds robots to kill others, as opposed to the Sparkle Corporation, which makes helpful robots like me." Sparkle-Bot said.
Trixie arched an eyebrow, "Why hasn't anypony tried to stop them? And who is behind it?"
"We can't find their location. Every Mechanoid we capture self-destructs before we can get any information on it. We have no idea who is behind this organization, yet."
Trixie looked up at the castle and then to Sparkle-Bot.With one more look at the castle, she let out a slow sigh and then smiled, "The Queens... they can send me back to the time Trixie left, right. Then come on!" she said, turning and beginning to walk away
Sparkle-Bot's eyes blinked,"Where are you going?"
Trixie turned and smiled, "Well, you just said there is an evil organization creating robots that kill ponies, and there is nopony trying to stop them. Which means this place needs a hero, and they," Trixie pointed a hoof to Castle, "would never forgive Trixie if she did not try and help these ponies. After all," the magician then straightened her hat, "A hero does no less.'”
Sparkle-bot's eyes blinked and then she raised a hoof, before stopping,"Alright, if you truly want to do that, then you're going to have to go to the H.A.R.M.O.N.Y. HQ and get a Runner's license."
"Sounds easy enough,” Trixie said, turning around to follow the Sparkle-Bot.
"On the contrary, Runners have to go through some tough tests!" Sparkle said, as she lead her to a large tower with a pony aiming a gun symbol on the front. the doors opened automatically as the two went through.
Trixie slowly walked through, looking at the walls and the building. feeling a little dwarfed, she tried to put on her usual confidence, "Trixie can handle any test!"
"Okay, but I can't guarantee your safety." She went to the front desk and spoke with the clerk,"I have one pony who wishes to take the Runner test."
The clerk chewed her bubble gum,"The testing room is in the back."
Trixie smiled with confidence as she walked to the back room. With a shrug of her shoulders, she strutted in.
A brown coated, brown maned stallion in a trenchcoat was working on a small weapon in a bench while several doors lay beyond him. He turned at the noise.
"Cain, this mare wants to become a runner." Sparkle said.
Cain looked at Trixie,"Are you sure
"Trixie wants to help take down these bots, of course he is sure," Trixie said.
Cain looked at Trixie,"You realize that it's a dangerous job to take, that these mechanoids have the ability to tear your head off and munch on your brains, that these robots look so much like us, that you won't know who's friend, or who's foe. Are you really sure?"
Trixie's eyes widened in horror as the stallion told her this. The words dripped through her ears and went into her skull bringing out the most horrifying images in her head. she gulped and sweated for a minute. Then taking her breath, her eyes narrowed in steel determination, "Trixie has faced gods, mad sorcerers, and the loss of a friend. She is ready for hell if need be!!!"
Cain gave chuckled,"Well, you have enthusiasm, at least. Go into the room beyond for your first test."
"But your friend will have to stay here." He looked at Sparkle.
Trixie nodded and walked into the room. she smirked as she looked into the room, "Please, Trixie was trained by Princess luna, what could you possibly throw at her that will scare her?"
The light's turned off. Trixie would soon feel her magic leave her as a small pistol fell near her."W-what?" Trixie asked, stumbling as she felt her magic disappear.after a few tries, she called out, “What happened to Trixie's magic?"
A laser blast burned Trixie's hoof. With a yelp of pain, Trixie leapt back,"Yeow!!" Trixie rolled and picked up the gun with her mouth "Give Trixie a warning!!!"
There was a slow mechanical thudding coming from the shadows as a machine began to walk out. The mechanical skeleton stood out with an open jaw and a red light glowing brightly, from the red light a bright beam of energy shot out at Trixie.
"A mouth-" she paused to roll out the way, running to a wall. Taking aim, she closed her eyes and fired a shot. A ping sound was heard as the machine continued to walk towards Trixie.
Sunset's voice could be heard,"Trixie! Run to the left, I'll help you!"
"Sunset?" Trixie whispered to herself. She noddd her head and ran to the left.The beams blasted the ground that Trixie left. She would then bump into the familiar form of Sunset.Trixie opened her eyes wide and smiled,"Sunset!” she exclaimed, hugging her.
Sunset smiled,"Hello, Trixie." Sunset placed her hooves to Trixie's neck,"It's good to see you." She said, slowly tightening her grip.
Trixie began to gasp as the grip tightened and began to fire in fear as she was strangled, "How dare you!"
"Well, you shouldn't trust anyone you see, even your own friends." Sunset chuckled madly.
Trixie growled and fired her gun at her, panting. he began to look around her to see where the next attack would come.Sunset's eyes widened as her head sparked from the shot. Several blades came up from under Trixie, spinning like saws. “EEEEP!" Trixie yelped as she jumped from the blades and landed at the side. She smiled coolly as she looked up at the monitor as if to ask for more
Several more robots came into the room, and charged their horns, firing waves of electricity.Trixie let out a gasp and began to run from the electricity, jumping and ducking under the waves. A robot smashed through the floor to grab at Trixie. "Oh, now that is just, AHHHHH!" Trixie screamed as she hoof grabbed at her leg and began to squeeze. Growing, he began to fire at the ground.
The bullets bounced off the robot as it's head popped out to fire a beam off of her. Trixie let out a yelp and jumped back, looking around as the other robots came at her. The robots came closer, and charged their horns.
"Stop." Cain said, entering the room,"Your skills need work."
"What? In what way?" Trixie asked.
"You were too trusting, freaked out when several machines were attacking, and you panicked too much."
Trixie raised a hoof to argue, only to look down to her side and grumbled, " She didn't panic that often"
“If you can't handle several robots surrounding you, then you aren't fit to be a Runner, however." Cain sighed,"We may have to take you anyway."
"Just give Trixie a chance and she wil-what?" asked Trixie.
"There are very few of us, mainly because most ponies are too scared to fight these things." Cain motioned behind him,"Come, I'll train you to become a Runner."
Trixie nodded and followed him. Cain led her to an area with a wall of weapons. Next to it was a shooting gallery,"Pick a weapon." He indicated the wall.
On it was: a pistol, a tiny gun, a rifle, and a big cannon. Trixie picked up the tiny gun "Oh you gotta be kidding Trixie, there is no way she could do anything with this. Now this,: she said, picking the large cannon, "Screams Trixie.”
"Oh, the Noisy Cricket," Cain indicated the small gun,"That's actually pretty good, but that cannon's a bit unwieldy."
"Please, Trixie has-whoaaa!" she yelled as the cannon's knock back flew her back a little. "Maybe she will take the Cricket.” She said as she raised a hoof.
Cain gave her the Cricket,"Now, hit the robot dummy in the head."Trixie looked to her Sparkle-Bot and shook her head. aiming, she fired her gun
Sparkle blinked,"What?"
The dummy's head exploded into several tiny pieces.
"The center of a mechanoid's head is its weak point." Cain said.
Trixie smiled as she looked a the gun, "Trixie thinks she likes this.”
Cain nodded,"Come on, let me show you the computer room, so you could read up on more." He pulled out a card,"This is your temporary Runner's license. It's good until you finish in this timeline."
Trixie looked at the computer and then to Cain. giving her shoulders a shrug she muttered, "shouldn't be too hard. how much is there to read anyway?"
A large wall of text scrolled from the computer,"It might take a while." Cain said.
"Ok, Trixie is out!" She said, trying to move away, but stopping. She let out an irritated sigh as she sat back in the seat, remembering how often Luna told her to study and look at everything before going into a task.
'Mechanoids have been appearing for a year since the disappearance of the Monarch Corporation and the reveal of The Institute. They have the ability to take the form of anypony by creating artificial skin. It is this ability that makes it hard to trust ponies. The Mechanoids are hard to distinguish from flesh and blood, however, they only appear at night, and they've been known to lack compassion in their eyes. Their only known weakness is a small spot on the base of the head, all the other parts are covered in armor. The Sparkle Corporation has funded the Runners to track down and fight these things.' The computer finished
"The Monarch corporation," Trixie shuddered, feeling the eyes of her sister on the back of her head. " and of course, Twilight would come up with something for this."
"Indeed, the Sparkle Corporation has been the rival of the Monarch Corporation for years." Sparkle-Bot said.
A beeping sound came and Cain pulled up a device to his ear,"Yeah? At the old library? I'll send the rookie." He pulled the device down,"We got a job for you, kid. There's a sighting of something suspicious at the old Golden Oaks Memorial Library in Old Ponyville."
Trixie nodded and got up, “Wait... Memorial Library, what happened to the old one?"
"Spoilers, Trixie, spoilers." Sparkle-Bot said, leading Trixie out,"Your gear is in the locker room."
Trixie nodded and began to pull out the gear, "Ok, so... what do we got here?"There was a long coat with some Kevlar lining, a case with an energy pack for the Noisy Cricket, and a pair of boots with jets on the end.
Trixie took the boots and the energy pack, not wanting to mess up her cape, ""Trixie looks better in a cape,' she said, running off.
Sparkle-Bot followed her,"I shall help you on this mission, I am well equipped with various spells to deal with the Mechanoids!" She said as they got onto a train bound for Old Ponyville.
Trixie smiled, "Good, you can be Trixie's lovely assistant, her faithful sidekick”
"Of course, I'm always happy to help!" Sparkle-Bot said as the train sped over to Old Ponyville.
An ad sounded over the speakers,"Live the good life at the off world colonies!"
"Remember to buy Clover Perfume!"
“Just for the taste of it, Sparkle-Coke!”
A pony looking suspiciously like Checker Monarch walked by Trixie.
Trixie looked at the mare that passed her by
"Remember Trixie, there is only one rule,” The blue unicorn laughed "Only the best rule.”
Getting up from seat on the train, Trixie walked after the pony, "Hey!"
The mare stopped and turned, her long coat flapping behind her as her white mane flipped and twirled. She grinned widely,"Yes?" She said in Checker's voice,"Are you here to talk to the greatest Runner in existence?"
Trixie growled, wanting to punch her, "Sorry, you just reminded Trixie of somepony she used to know."
"Really?" The mare leaned in,"Was she great like me?" She held out her hoof,"Archmon Reckech, but you can call me Arch."
Trixie growled, "No, she was a horrible monster that lived to destroy lives because it amused her. Perhaps Arch, you are better. It’s shame though, your title will be revoked.'
“Well, as it turns-" She stopped,"Excuse me?"
“Trixie said, your title will be revoked, for now...SHE IS THE GREATEST RUNNER!!!"
Arch sputtered,"Are you crazy?" She laughed,"You're a rookie, you'd die as soon as you meet a Mechanoid!" She leaned in,"You'd be better off at home, where it's safe and you won't die! I, on the other hoof, can easily handle robots without even using magic!
Trixie brushed a hoof through her silver mane, "Well, Trixie can take these monsters down without even use a gun. Neigh, she can handle it with just the use of her tail." Pushing her nose against Arch, she growled "What makes you think that YOU'RE so superior?"
Arch pushed against her,”I’m older and more experienced!”
Trixie pushed back harder, "Age and experience isn't everything you know! Sometimes you need raw talent and exceptional ability that comes from being new and fresh." she then put a hoof onto the blue unicorn's chest, "And exceptionally beautiful!"
"Oh, yes, beauty is going to win this one." Arch rolled her eyes,"All that raw talent means nothing if you don't know how to use it!" She pushed even harder
“TRRRRRRRRRRIXIE know plenty of how to wield her unbelievable alicorn-like talent! She knows how to wield it like the legendary Twilight Sparkle of old, the powerful Sunset Shimmer, and the intelligent Trixie of old. Why her very name establishes that her use of her talent is godlike!" Trixie pushed back harder
"Oh yeah, you give the air of godliness!" Arch rolled her eyes again,"You're just full of it-"
A quiet, mechanical voice tried to speak,"Um, excuse me."
"Quiet!" Trixie shouted to the mechanical voice. Putting a hoof onto Arch's chest, she smirked, "Why not put your money where your mouth is? My ring is just outside."
Arch nodded as the train slowed,"Oh, you really want to do this?"
"Um, please?" The voice said, coming from a yellow robot with a pair of wings.
"Yeah, you and me, let’s do this!" Trixie said, putting a hoof to Arch's nose and flicking it. "And you little bot, keep out of this!"
"Oh, um, I'm sorry..." Flutterbot went back to the room, where a chromatic maned robot gasped.
Arch shook her head, and nodded, walking out of the train and beckoning with her hoof.
Trixie followed, then, a she got off, she looked, "Wait, I think your wallet dropped." she said, looking back onto the train and pointing to the dropped license.
Arch gasped as Sparkle-Bot went and picked it up. The robot walked over and gave Arch the license,"Here you go!"
Trixie growled, “Stupid Sparkle-bot, ruining my plan!” she thought to herself before answering, "Right, Well, Trixie is glad to have se-" with a quick refelx, she pulled Sparkle-Bot off the train, and used her magic to activate to send it it on iit way. "HHAHA! You see Sparkle-bot. This is why Trixie always wins!!!! Because she has master the art of fighting without fighting!
Arch stood behind Trixie,"You realize you just inconvenienced everyone off that train, right?"
The sound of flapping came from behind them,"Are you the two mares who wouldn't listen to Flutterbot?"
"Maybe, why are you looking for them?" Trixie asked.
The cyan robot punched Trixie,"No messing with the other passengers, and no messing with the train!" Rainbot Dash flew off.
Arch knelt down to Trixie,"Are you alright?"
“Uggh," Trixie laid in pain, looking up at the Sparkle-bot. "Tell Arch and her twin sister that Trixie will not be making it tonight. She has to go and play with Mommy." she said before falling back down.
After a few moments, Trixie got back up and put a ice back on her bruised eye, "Ok, what the Buck was that?"
“That was Rainbot Dash.” Arch said,”It was mad at you for ignoring Flutterbot.”
“Why would it care, and why would that Flutterbot care if I was agitating... you," Trixie looked at Old Ponyville, her eyes wide. As some of the new sky cars flew overhead, the lights of the refurbished toan to suck her in. There wa a tearful smile that came to her as she began to walk ahead, looking up and down the streets. Stopping by the museum, she looked inside, "Should I? I could be spoiling our entire adventure... but, Trixie can't resist. " but before she went in, she saw the bronze statue of the elements.
A soft smile came to her lips as she walked to it and ran her hoof along the statute, "Hey...”
"The Rainbots are fiercely loyal." Arch went up to Trixie and looked up at the statue,"Amazing."
"Are you sure you want to take a detour?" Sparkle-bot said,"We do have a job to do."
"Yeah," Trixie whispered, her confidence and ego gone. Narrowing her eyes, she nodded "Right, let’s go!"
"Are you okay?" Arch asked,"You lost yourself there." She placed a hoof on Trixie's shoulder.
Like a switch had been pulled, Trixie's ego returned, "Of course she is fine! It’s that when she is put in the presence of legends, she needed to pay her respects! As a way to show that she matches up to them!
Arch frowned as she tapped her hoof,"There is something you are not telling me." She shook her head,"but you can tell me when you're ready, kid." She turned.
Trixie looked ahead, before turning to Sparkle bot, "So, where is this mechanoid?"
"According to my scanners, there should be something in there." She pointed to a large crystaline tree with the sign "Ponyville Memorial Library"
Arch went in front of Trixie,"Alright, stay behind me," She said, noticing that nopony had gone around the area. She opened the door with her magic.
Trixie looked at the tree with a raised eyebrow, "Where did this come from?" she asked herself. Deciding to follow the ponies she stayed behind, using her magic to light up the area.
They would see a large lobby with books and papers flown around the floor. Near one of the doors was a trail of blood.
"That blood has been there for one hour." Sparkle-bot said.
Trixie walked to the blood, and ran her hoof along the rail, "Wonder where it leads?" she asked her self as she began to follow the trail.
The trail would lead to a small hallway, where a body of a headless mare lay on the wall.
Arch nodded,"Mechanoids are insanely strong, so they could twist other ponies heads off."
Sparkle-Bot went over to the body and scanned,"This appears to be Clip Record, a Runner of two years. If she's here, perhaps her Rari-Bot is here as well."
"How can we find her bot?" Trixie asked, walking up to the body and began to look her over.
The body held a small pistol and a few bullets along with a note that said, "Sweet Apple Acres."
"Let me look." Sparkle's eyes glowed,"The robot is in the next room over."
The next room had a white unicorn bot with sparks coming from it's side.
Trixie took the note and put it in a small poket in her cape, smiling at the knowledge that the farm was still there. Looking at the sparking bt, Trixie sat down, "Oh, how Trixie wishes she was good with tech."
Arch sighed,"Let me see." She knelt down and frowned,"The thing's too heavilly damaged for me to fix it."
Sparkle knelt down to it,"Let me see if I can't access it's files." When she did, a sound came from her, before a mare's voice came,
"This is Clip, I just found out some new information about the mechanoids that H.A.R.M.O.N.Y. should know, but I can't divulge any information here. If you are listening, find my old computer at my family's old barn." A loud crash was heard,"Rari-bot, run!" A squelching noise was heard.
Trixie's heart fell to her stomach, "Uh... girls, didn't Spark-bot just say that this blood was an hour old?"
"Why yes." Sparkle said,"Why?"
"Because, Trixie is quite curious as to lhow long they would've been waiting for us," she gulped.
A crashing sound could be heard as several small robot spiders came into view.
"Spider-droids." Arch said.
"A Mechanoid scout bot." Sparkle explained as they leaped at Trixie, only to be deflected by Arch.
"Why would they have those!" Trixie asked, before ducking out of the way of one and firing her magic at another. "Other than the world hates Trixie."
"Apparently, they left a while ago, and set these up to attack us!" Arch fired on several of the scouts, before kicking one aside.
Trixie growled, "Oh, so they find us unworthy to settle things with their own hooves? HA! Must have been afraid!" as she gloated she fired off another bolt of magic.
"Of course, they saw me!" Arch grinned as she stepped on one.
Sparkle-Bot's eyes beeped,"It could also be possible that they're setting up a trap."
"And we tripped it. They should be thankful," Trixie said, "That Trixie decided to grace their little trap with her presance!!"
"Actually I was referring to when we head to Sweet Apple Acres. They are probably going to ambush us there." Sparkle said, stomping on the last scout.
"Well, shall we keep them waiting," Smiled Trixie as she used her magic to create a score card behind her (Trixie-22, Arch- -1000)
Arch growled, using her magic to change the board to (Trixie- 0 Arch- 1,000,000). She nodded,"However, I don't think we should go without a plan."
Trixie changed it back to an even number, "And what do you suggest?"
"Well, when we go there, you and Sparkle-Bot will go in the back, where they're less likely to attack, while I head in the front!" Arch changed it to an odd number.
"That plan is foolish," Trixie said. "What we will do is , me and Sparkle-Bot go into the back while you assault the front!"
Sparkle was about to raise her hoof, when Arch shook her head at her,"Very well." She walked away.
Sweet Apple Acres had gained several more buildings, including a gift shop and a small apple museum. However, there was a distinct lack of ponies.
"W-where are all of the ponie?" Trixie asked out loud as she began to look around the museum
A loud crashing noise could be heard as the sound of a whimpering pony came in the distance.
Trixie's eyes opened wide and ran to the sound, "What happened?
A small grey unicorn mare with a brown mane yelped as she ran behind a TV,"I'm just a TV repair pony, please don't hurt me!"
“Don’t worry, the great and powerful Trixie wouldn’t harm a fly!” Trixie said, holding her hoof up into the air.
"What about Mirage?" Sparkle-bot asked.
The mare's head popped out,"You... don't want to hurt me?" She slowly stuck a hoof out,"Listen, I don't have anything to do with breaking into that bedroom!"
Trixie muttered under her breath, "Cat-ladies are the exception." She turned to the mare, "What bedroom?"
"Um, the original bedroom of Applejack, the Element of Honesty herself," She gulped,"Look, I may have picked a few locks when I was a filly, but I have nothing to do with that!"
"You still kept the bedroom in pristine condition in 200 years?" Trixie asked. She then looked at the mare, "With what?"
"The door, it's been broken into!" She pointed to the bedroom, where a broken door lay.
"Wait here," Trixie said, walkng into the bedroom. Looking around she began to scan the room for clues.
The bed was turned over, the hat rack was in pieces, and the room was filled with papers. At the end of the room was a sparking computer. In one of the papers, the words'Jack' were written. ,"
Trxie growled, "Spakle, don’t supposed you can get anything frin that thgn, can you? she asked looking a the computer as she waed t th e paper and picked up to read
The paper read
"Jack
CY 992
Honesty
CY 1100"
Sparkle scanned the computer,"Input name."
"Trixie wants you to put in the name... Jack" Trixie said hoping she knew how this worked.
"Input accepted. Date of birth." Sparkle said.
"Ummm, 992?" Trixie guessed
"Correct. Element?"
"Honesty!"
“Date of death?”
"CY 1100...Wait, she lives tht long?!" Trixie shouted.
"Correct, Earth Ponies are known to live long lives." Sparkle said,"Processing information: One file located, Author: Clip Record, descendant of Applejack. Play?"
"Yes," Trixie said, sitting back. Looking to Sparkle-Bot, she asked, "Would you happen to have a peanut butter cracker on you?"
A peanut butter cracker dispensed itself from Sparkle's abdomen,"Here.
"Hello, my name is Clip. If you are hearing this, then I am dead.
I have recently found some new information regarding the mechanoids, and their possible origins.
It seems the reason that they only appear at night is because the sun is dangerous to their circuits. They try to solve this by wearing mass amounts of sunscreen to protect themselves. I have also seen the symbol of the Monarch Corporation on their bodies, suggesting a connection with the disappearance of the company and the arrival of the Institute. I do believe more clues could be found in the old Monarch warehouse, but only a member of the Lulamoon family could enter it."
Tiie looked at little squicked by thr action, but took the cracker in her mouth an began to eat it. s the name monacher reachered her ear, she growled, "Monarch! Where is the Monarch Company warehouse?"
"The main warehouse is located in Neo-Canterlot, by the Joe's Donut Shop.” Sparkle said.
Trixie smiled, "Well, now that we have that down... Trixie will check out the museum!" the blue unicorn smirked, walking ahead.
A couple of gunshots were heard as the TV mare shrieked and hid away.
A robot had fallen over with a hole in it's head while Arch stood over it.
Trixie cursed under her breath, "Damn, Trixie knew she forgot something." she then ran out of the hallway, and looked to the mar hiding. Smirking, she put a illusion spell over the spot before running to arch, "Leave some for Trixie!"
Arch chuckled,"Sorry kid," She turned,"I do believe I got them all."
Trixie growled, "No fair, Trixie wanted at least a few of them." she then turned to her illusion, and then back to Arch, "So you sure it’s safe to come out?"
Arch looked around,"If there were more, I'm sure they'd have come out by now." She gave a soft smile,"Look on the bright side, you're safe."
"Trixie was not scared or worried," she said, dispelling her illusion. "She was very conifdent that she could handle it!"
"That's the problem! You would get too reckless with that confidence and get killed!" Arch growled,"I don't want you to die on my watch!"
Trixie shrugged, "The only reason why Trixie has such confidence, is because she knows that she is the best. And that is why she won't die," she then pushed Arch's nose. Smiling she walked to the repair pony's hiding place, "Hey, it’s alright now. The great and powerful Trixie and her assistants saved ou. You are safe now, miss-"
The mare's head popped out,"Little Pip, thank you." She gulped as she walked out,"I never expected to come across a Mechanoid, they're scarier then I thought..."
"Assistant? You're more like my assistant!" Arch muttered
"Well, there are tour guide tv's around here that my boss wanted me to fix." Little Pip said, scratching the back of her head,"I don't know why he sent me here specifically, even though I'm just a new employee."
"Your boss wouldn't happen to be Red Eye, would it?" Sparkle asked.
Little Pip nodded.
"Who's Red Eye?" Trixie asked.
"The head of Unity Tech. They are collaborators with Sparkle Corp." Sparkle said.
"What does Unity Tech do?" Trixie looked at Sparkle bot, her curosity piqued
"They create parts and machines for recreational use. It was Red Eye who created the computer." Sparkle said.
"So, it was he who made that hard-to-use thing," Trixie said, grumbling under her breath. "Little Pip, are you sure there isn't any other skill that you have that would make you appropriate for any of this?"
"Um, I'm good at lockpicking?" Little Pip squicked,"I was kind of a criminal in my fillyhood..."
Trixie raised an an eyebrow, "You were a what?"
"I... kinda broke and entered into a lot of places." Little Pip chuckled,"I was trying to find my cutie mark!"
Trixie huckled, "Remind Trixie to introduce you to three little fillies. Trust her, she has seen worst attempts to get your cutie mark."
"Really?" Little Pip gasped,"So, why are you asking about my ski-" She walked backwards,"No! I'm not going with you!"
"Trixie is only curious as to why he would want you you specifically," Trixie said, holding up her hooves,
"Well, I can pick locks which would make me useful in entering places such as warehouses and I'm also small..." Little Pip slowly ended her sentence.
"Really small," muttered Trixie under her breath. "So that would mean... they wanted something here?"
"But, what could they possibly want here?" Little Pip asked,"Although, I did find this disk meant for a tour guide in the museum." She pulled out a small disk.
Trixie took the disk in her magic and smiled, "And the gods of coincidence seem to favor the Great and Powerful Trixie!”
"Well, then, let's head to the museum." Arch said,"We don't have to pay over there, we've got clearance."
"Good," Tixie said, looking to her hat, "Trixie's wallet is back home." turning to look to Little Pip, she asked, "Are you going to be ok, getting home?"
"I should be fine, I'm pretty good at running, and hiding, and making squeaky noises." Little Pip gulped.
Trixie arched an eyebrow, "Squeaky noises?"
"Uh, my wife tells me I make the best squeaky noises." Little Pip blushed.
"..." Trixie stood there, shivering,"T-thankyouforthatinfo,Trixiemustbegoingnowcomealongarch." Trixie said, her eyes wide as she ran off.
Arch turned green as she and Sparkle followed Trixie.
After a few minutes of running Trixie stopped in front of the museum, "Ok, remind me to know that information if we EVER have to visit her home."
"I understand." Arch said with a nod as she walked to the front of the museum.
Sparkle turned to Trixie,"Anything you find out here, must not be told to the ponies in your time."
"Please, what is the worst that Trixie will find in there," she said, walking into the museum and putting in the disk
"Welcome to the Ponyville History Museum, founded by Trixie's adopted daughter, Star Lulamoon."
"See, Like Trixie-What?!" she yelled.
"Good evening, Red Eye, would you like to see the special exhibit?"
A deep voice sounded behind them,"Yes."
Trixie's hat shot up as she felt the hair of her coat stand up, "Arch, tell Trixie your voice deepened." she then turned around to look at the direction of the voice.
Arch shook her head,
"Incorrect:Red Eye is simply behind us." Sparkle said as they turned to see a red-coated, black maned stallion in a suit behind them. He seemed to have a glowing red right eye.
"Hello. Any particular reason you are using my disk?" Red Eye asked.
"Very simple, we found it outside of Sweet Apple Acres and were curious as to who it belonged to. Figuring it must be here, we decided to try it out. Very are very sorry for the inconvenience, Mr. Red Eye. May Trixie ask as to how your eye-”
"I was born without an eye." Red Eye said simply. He smiled,"Well, since you started it, will you join me?"
"Of course," Trixie said with a bow, beckoning the others to follow.
As they walked, Red Eye spoke,"In the late 1000s, Twilight helped to create her new corporation with her new robotic technology. The robots were meant for recreational use, until the Mechanoids appeared. It is said that Twilight created those robots to get back at the aging Checker Monarch."
Trixie growled at the name, "Checker Monarch," her eyes narrowed in rage, "Not that I don't already have a thousand things she could've done, what did she due to spur the wrath f Twilight?"
“That I do not know.” Red Eye turned to Trixie,”I apologize for my secrecy, I did not want anyone to know that the CEO of a major corporation lost an important disk.”
"Understandable sir," Trixie said, nodding. "No one wants to reveal anything like that."
"Of course, it would be embarrassing." Red Eye used a key to open a door to a room filled with robots,"These are prototype machines that were used throughout the years."
In awe, Trixie began to walk down the halls of machines, taking in every model and trying to read each card about the various models.
"Model 1: Metal Gear: Robot designed to use Balefire Bombs against enemy threats. This is a scaled down model." One card indicated of a a four legged tank with an eye on the right side
"Model 3B: Helping Hoof: Primitive Machine designed to do housework." A spherical robot with three eyes, and four arms on the bottom
Pinkie's voice said,"Pinkie-Bot: Designed to do parties." said of a Pinkie shaped robot.
"Balefire Bombs?" Trixie asked aloud as she walked to the next model, "Helping Hoof. Maybe later." She walked by one particular mecha that was shaped like a pony, "An Orbital Frame? What’s a..." she paused and looked at the Pinkie bot-"When did you get here?"
The Pinkie-bot giggled,"I walked, silly!" She patted Trixie on the head, and then produced a small bowl,"Neo-Canterlot pizza?"
"Neo...Canterlot pizza?" Trixie asked confused.
Pinkie nodded,"First you take a piece of pizza," She took a piece of pizza out,"And place it over some soup of your choice, like noodle soup!" She placed it over the bowl of soup,"Try it!"
Trixie smiled, "Of course, why didn't Trixie think of doing such a thing. Trixie must try this again later," she said, dropping the pizza into the soup. After a few moments, the slice rose back up from the yellow broth. Smiling, she took the slice into her mouth and ate it, "Hmmmm, needs a little of this," she then took out a jar of peanut butter and rubbed it along the slice. After taking another bite she moaned, "Perfect." (Note to Trixie, take back this recipe for later.) "Tell Trixie, how did this recipe come about?
"Oh, it was created by you after you defeated the big bad of this fic!" Pinkie Bot said, her teeth lightening up,"Here ya go!" she handed Trixie the recipe.
Trixie groaned, "Trixie refuses to think about the paradox that has caused."
Sparkle beeped,”Pinkie, you shouldn’t have done that!”
“Oh, don't worry, I'm sure this won't have any repercussions!" Pinkie sang.
Sparkle-Bot shook her head,"You might have broken several time laws."
"Oh, don't be like that, Sparky!" She appeared suddenly beside the purple robot,and patted her on the head,"It could have been worse: It might have been a predestination paradox!"
Trixie shook her head, trying her best to not think of the problems with the time stream. Instead, she continued to look at the various robots that lined the walls.
“Sprite-Bot, Model X-35: A machine built for surveillance." A small mechanical parasprite.
"Cypher: A camera robot made to detect spies." A small lifesaver attached to a camera on the bottom.
"Turret bot: Flying machine of intense hot death.” A turret with four legs.
Trixie walked by a small yellow orb bot, "Hmmm, 'cute droid' model 8. And an R2 Unit."
She then walked by a scale model of a "RX-78 Mobile Suit, Name: Gundam."
"Veritech fighter," Trixie read, eating her neo Canterlot pizza. "Mazinger, Golion, these robot are impressive Red Eye."
"Indeed, in the hundred years since Sparkle's death, and the Cold War, we as a species have evolved our technology to exceptional levels." Red Eye said with a smile,"It's a shame the Mechanoids are around though."
"'The cold-" Trixie paused, trying to figure out if she should ask about that.
"The Cold War. It started when the zebras found a meteor of unimaginable power. Some equestrians got jealous, and started looking for more powerful magical objects, all the way until the zebra czar fell from power and a president was created. It's very complicated, more than what I could tell you." Red Eye said.
"And that was when we started getting these mechanoids," Trixie said, running a hoof along one machine. "Hsa anypony been able to see inside of them or know what makes them tick?"
"We've tried, but their insides are so well-coded that they're nearly impossible to crack." Red Eye said with a frown.
Trixie arched an eyebrow, "Ok, so going on that Trixie might actually have an idea what coding means, anything else known about these mechanoids that your group might have heard?"
"Well, we heard that they like slightly cold climates like in Neo-Canterlot or the Crystal Empire." Red Eye said.
"Trixie sees," she said, turning away from the machine, "Trixie thanks you for you time, Mr. Eye. Come along assistants, we have other places to hunt." with a turn of her cape Trixie walked out, subtly writing down on paper about Red Eye.
Arch frowned,"I am not your assistant!"
"I am. I am happy to help anypony I can!" Sparkle-Bot trotted behind them
Trixie smirked at Arch, “See, Sparkle-Bot knows her place."
Arch frowned,"She's a robot based on Twilight, she's supposed to be nice about it! But you should be my assistant, you know, the pony who stays behind where she wouldn't get killed!?"
“But, if Trixie stayed behind,' she said, bowing before jumping onto a bench and raising her hooves into the sky, "Then no pony would be able to her her magnificence. Such a loss would be a crime. She needs to be in front so the world can see how great of a fighter she is!"
That was when she was hit in the face with a cupcake,"Get a job!" shouted a random pony
Slowly, Trixie licked the frosting off, "It isn't even Trixie's favorite flavor.”
"Right, I'll get you peanut butter and hot sauce cupcakes later." Arch said, getting to the train.
"And sprinkles," Trixie added, walking onto the train.
"And sprinkles." Arch hid a smile as she went to her seat.
Sitting down next to Arch, Trixie looked to her companion, "So, what made you want to become a Runner? If you are to be Trixie's subordinate, then we might as well get to know each other."
Arch looked at Trixie, and fell silent,"Let's just say... it was the last request from my mother..."
"Your...mother," Trixie whispered.
"Yes, before she died, she told me to help stop these monstrous robots..." She looked away.
Trixie nodded, "Trixie knows how it feels, to have a mother you want to honor." Trixie looked to Sparkle-Bot, "So, what can you Tell Trixie about Neo-Canterlot."
Sparkle's eyes glinted,"Well, Neo-Canterlot was created after the original Canterlot was destroyed by a hideous beast known as Blargoth. It is where Luna and Celestia made themselves Queens after dueling Hydia at Tartarus. It is where many ambassadors go to have meetings, or to visit. As a matter of fact..."
Trixie was trying her best not to fall asleep, but she calmly noddd, and went, "Yes?"
"The city is known for it's many attractions such as the Everlasting..."
Drooping her eyes, Trixie began to lull off to sleep.
Arch began to use her magic to pull Trixie's cape over her like a blanket, and then gently laid Trixie's head on her shoulder.
Trixie leaned in Arch's shoulder and let out a light snore as she began to sleep. With a little yawn, she whispered, "Why can't you stay like this, Checker?"
Arch's eyes widened in a bit of fright as she looked down at Trixie,"She's just dreaming..." She caressed her mane.
("So, you got your cutie mark? Nothing special, Trixie, it's just shows you can do everything we unicorns can do for," the older blue unicorn said with a low growl, a sneer on her lips.
"I don't need your help, why? Because I don't need a weakling like you."
Checker monarch looked at a drawing of her and Trixie, done in crayn. The older mare smiled for a few moments, before slowly tearing it apart, "It wasn't good enough"
"Oh, did you get kicked out of Celestia's school? I am so sorry, but it goes to show how well you studied... right?" Checker said, throwing away an acceptance letter)
Trixie let out a small whimper as she snuggled against Arch.
"It's alright, it gets better, little sis, I promise." Arch leaned her head on Trixie's.
"I hope so..." Trixie whispered.
Soon enough, the city of Neo-Canterlot loomed over head. Through the tall neon skyscrapers, the sky chariots flew by. The ponies below the lit city continued their business, hustling bustling through the streets as if they were in their own worlds. so bright was the light the emanated from the city, no pony could really tell the night from the day.
Arch looked around,"This place gets more beautiful the more I look at it."
"This, is beautiful?" Trixie asked her companion. "It feels noisy to Trixie." the mare said putting down her cap over her eyes.
"You are just not used to this kind of city life. Come on, we have a warehouse to investigate!" Arch said with a smile.
"Yes, we do," Trixie smiled, walking ahead of her two companions.
"What are you doing walking ahead!? What if a mechanoid were to attack!?" Arch went ahead of Trixie.
Trixie put a hoof to the mare's shoulder, "Because Trixie is the leader of this little team and this is the one who will go ahead." she said with a flip of the hat.
"I am older, so I have to be the leader!" Arch argued.
Very well then, old fogey, age before beauty," Trixie said with a bow.
Arch growled,"I am only five years older than you!" She shouted.
"Thus, and older and slower mare," Trixie stuck her tongue out at her rival.
"Well you are young and arrogant!" Arch blew a raspberry at her.
"Trixie refers the term 'awesome and loving it!'" Trixie said, pushing her forehead to Arch and blowing out a raspberry back.
"Oh, you've done so many awesome things!" She rolled her eyes,"Did you defeat an army of robots? I think not!"
Sparkle raised her hoof,"Um, madams, we have arrived."
"No, but Trixie has looked at a dream-god being twice and make her blink!" Trixie looked to Sparkle, "Thank you Miss Bot."
Arch nodded as they neared the warehouse. At the entrance to the shutter doors was a large blue light. A voice rang out,"Please use retinal scan."
"Hmmm, who owned this wherehouse again?" Trixie asked.
"The Monarch Corporation." Sparkle said
"So, it would make sense that somepony with that lineage or their workers would be able to open it," Smirking, Trixie lowered her head (Ok sis, let’s see how much our blood line dwindled after all this time.) She then opened her eye to the scanner.
"Scanning. Identity confirmed, welcome, Vice-President Trixie Lulamoon."
Tixie pulled back, "What?"
Sparkle looked at Trixie,"You are the Vice-President, apparently."
"But, why, how? Trixie never, she means..." (Why would Trixie be seen as a vice-president?) she asked herself as she walked in.
Inside were towers of boxes. The area was dark except for small bits of light. In the back, there was a door with a slight glow.
"Trixie has to wonder what is in all of these boxes," the blue unicorn muttered to herself as she looked to the back, "Now, we what do we have here?”
The door was locked. Upon closer inspection, the door had a sign saying,"Back Room."
Trixie frowned and looked back at Arch, "Any lockpicking spells?"
Arch smirked,"I got one," She said, bringing out her pistol and shooting the door handle
"Trixie was going to try that next!" growled the unicorn.
The door opened to a small room with a computer. The screen showed a flashing message.
'Please enter password."
Around the room were newspaper clippings talking about Trixie.
Trixie looked at the newspaper clippings. For a few moments, her ego began to take over her mind, "Hmmmm, clippings. I wonder what they say about the Great and Powerful Trixie!!!" using her magic, she began to pull on some of them and began to read them.
'Trixie saves Hoofington again." Trixie's name was underlined.
'Trixie accepts the Golden Wand at the Magicians Festival." The word Magician was underlined.
"Trixie becomes greatest magician in the world after defeat of Marthlok." The word Greatest was underlined
"Hmmm," Trixie muttered to herself before typing in, "Trixie Greatest Magician.' into the computer. Then she picked up the clipping of Marthlock "Ok, now tell Trixie how she defeated a powerful magic user and became the greatest mage in all of Equestria!!” she then began to look at it.
Sparkle-Bot took the clipping away,"Sorry, no spoilers."
The screen showed a message,"Hello, Ms. Monarch. Would you like to access your contingency video?"
“But... fine!" Trixie grumbled and turned to look at the screen, "yes. Monarch would. She would also love it if the computer were to refer her by a vulgarity before every mention of her name for now on."
The computer had another message,"Don't you already beat yourself up, Ms. Monarch?"
“What?” Trixie whispered to herself.
A video appeared of a snow-covered plain,"Trixie," Checker's voice came out,"If you are watching this, then all is going according to plan. Under this plain southwest of the Crystal Empire is the lab for the Mechanoid project, which I fear may go ary, no thanks to Spark Lulamoon. Trixie, if you are still alive, you are the only one able to stop the Mechanoids, please, save Equestria, before it is too late."
"Me? You... want me to stop it? But, why? And what do you mean beat yourself up? What makes you think that Trixie is going to do this? And who are you to say what is your plan! You could not have predicted Valtor!" Trixie growled as she grabbed the side of the screen, and then pressed her face against it. Tears began to form in her eyes, "Why are you, of all ponies, putting faith in the Great and Powerful Trixie! Why do you have faith in me!!!!"
"That is the question I must ask." A voice came from behind them.
Arch turned and backed away as a blue mare with a pink mane and tail came in with several ponies next to her,"Hello, Grandmama! It is I, Spark Lulamoon."
"But you should be dead by now." Sparkle said.
"Nope! Alive and well." Spark chuckled.
"Spark Lulamoon? Grandma? What?" Trixie asked, looking around the room at the ponies entering the room
"I am your granddaughter. After you adopted Star Lulamoon, she met a nice young stallion, and had me and my sister, Trixie Lulamoon II." Spark said with a grin,"I grew up to be business pony, and I worked at the Monarch Corporation, where I took the seat from Great Aunt Checker. Good Riddance, I say." She gave a smile,"Now I have the Mechanoids to myself!"
Trixie looked side to side, "Why do you care for having mechanoids? And what are you planning on doing to us?"
"Simple, I want to take over the world with machines. No more do I have to worry about food, water, and all those other things that other living ponies worry about." Spark chuckled,"And I'm going to kill you.” The robots behind her charged their mouth beams.
Arch looked behind her,"There's a vent behind us. Run, I'll hold them off." She whispered.
"What about you?" Trixie asked
"I'll be alright." Arch said with a smile,"I'm tough, I'll survive."
"Incorrect, that is a lie." Sparkle said.
"Shut up. If Trixie doesn't get out of here, you force her out!" Arch glared at Sparkle-Bot.
"No, Trixie has a plan, if she could just use a ligh-"
Sparkle grabbed Trixie,"I'm getting you out." She said, breaking through the vents. She could hear Arch scream as laser blasts sounded out.
"Poor, obsolete Arch..." Spark's voice said.
"Ach!" Trixie yelled as she was dragged out, struggling against Sparkle. Angry, she glared at her computer companion, "How could you! Trixie could've gotten us all out!! We needed to save her, Trixie... she's dead isn't she?" Trixie asked, tears welling up in her eyes.
"That..." Sparkle said,"You could've died, too."
Trixie growled, wanting to disagree with the Sparkle-Bot. But instead, found a building to lean her back again and began to slump to the ground, letting the tears roll down her cheeks. Growling, the pue her hat down in front of her eyes, "Trixie...I...feel like I lost a sister. I didn't even know her that long. And I...I..." she cried a little more, choking back a sob, "Stupid rain!!
Sparkle-Bot sat down next to Trixie, and placed a hoof on her shoulder,"There, there."
"Arch, Sunset... why does it feel like whenever Trixie finds a sister, she loses her!" she said, slamming a hoof onto the ground. Lifting up her hoof, she whimpered and said, "I didn't want to win you. I never really do. I rather have them out there waiting for me so I can challenge them and prove I can win.
"You didn't lose Sunset." Sparkle said,"Or Arch. Are they not with you right now?"
"Yeah, I guess they kind of are. Heh, Look at me, grieving ovr a friend that I didn't even know how you spelt the name of.
Spark thought about it,”"A-R-C-H-M-O-N R-E-C-K-E-C-H,"
“Thanks,” Trixie said, sniffling a little,” I must look like a total loser. She did that to me, you know. Twilight and the others. I would'nt even have cared about them so much if Twilight didn't teach me friendship and now... here I am," Trixie sighed.
She looked down at Trixie,"And now you are here, able to save the future. Will you do it?"
Trixie got up, putting her game face back on, "Of course Trixie could! She is the one who can... say those letters again?"
"A-R-C-H-M-O-N R-E-C-K-E-C-H," Sparkle repeated.
Trixie took out a piece of paper and began to write down the letters. After looking down at the paper for a few minutes, she began to rearrange the letters in a different order. After a few moments, she let out a gasp, "What?!!!!
Checker Monarch
"But, what... what does this mean?" she asked herself as she put the paper back into her hat, "Sparkle, come , we have a case to solve and a future to save and a sister to ask question about!!" she said as she straightened up her hat and cape before running away and leaping in a dramatic fashion.
"Agreed." Sparkle trotted after Trixie, before asking,"Was that leap really necessary?"
Trixie stood on a small stand, twisting her hat and smiling, "Of course, because how else will Trixie prove her dynamic awesomeness. Her glory, and her beautiful style! Why, without that, there is not Trixie at all, just Beatrix and no pony wants to be called that. No there is only room for the Great and Powerful TRIXIE!!!" she said, throwing her hat into the air
A cupcake fell into Trixie's face,"Get a job!"
Trixie calmly wiped the cupcake off her face, "And they still don't get Trixie's favorite flavor!"
Sparkle went towards the train station,"Shall we start at the Crystal Empire?"
"Let’s,' Trixie smirked, licking some of the cupcake off.
Sparkle lead Trixie to the train as it headed towards the Crystal Empire.Trixie looked out the window as the train traveled down the tracks, "So is Cadence..."
"Dead, I'm afraid." Sparkle said,"Ascended alicorns don't have the immortality of natural ones, such as Empress Flurry Heart."
"Trixie sees...wait, Flurry Heart!?" Trixie exclaimed
"Then, I will rip the unnamed princess away from Cadence’s body before the child has a chance to breathe life. " Mirage gloated
"So that is what Mirage meant by that. Cadence was pregnant at the time! Oh, if Trixie hadn't already kicked Mirage's tail..." Trixie growled.
"Indeed, it would've been horrible. It is a good thing that you have defeated Mirage four times." Sparkle said.
"F-four?!"
"Yes. I'm afraid that's all I can tell you." Sparkle said.
A smirk came to Trixie's lips as she said, "I look forward to the other two times."
"Oh trust me, they are going to be interesting." Sparkle said as the Crystal Empire came into view.
Much like it was in the past, the Crystal empire shone like a beacon in the cold north. However, unlike the past, the crystals were now mixed with the technology of the new age. Cyber tech seemed to mix in with the crystalline buildings like a leech latching onto the cides. In its own way, the city was beautiful. As the train rode in, Trixie quickly got off,, and began to look around
Several guards lined up in front of Trixie,"I was told you'd be coming." A pink alicorn with a three toned mane walked in front of them,"I am Empress Flurry Heart, welcome to my Empire."
Trixie's eyes widened at the sight of the princess’ equipment, "Sweet baby Celestia, they're huge~~!!!”
The mare giggled,"Thank you!" She folded her wings at her sides,"Now, I assume you're here for your final mission. A source told me about you."
"A source? Who and what did they say?" Trixie asked.
"They simply said,'You are a trusted ally, and a friend." Flurry Heart said,"But that's all they want you to know." She motioned with her wing,"Come, I know where you must go.”
Trixie chuckled, "You are like your mother... she wouldn't be one for staying behind."
Flurry nodded,"I know, Dad used to tell me stories." she lead Trixie along
"Trixie can only imagine," she said, following Flurry
Flurry lead Trixie out of the barrier, where several ponies were building flying machines. In the distance, a large metal door could be seen.Trixie looked on in awe at the flying machines she walked, taking note of the large metal door, she walked towards it.
She door produced a light that scanned Trixie,"Welcome, Vice-President Trixie." the door opened.
"This is as far as I can take you." Flurry said.
"Thanks" Trixie said, walking forward
Sparkle looked around as Trixie walked down the long stairway. A light shown from a doorway. Inside were several tubes with robotic ponies inside."And this just got creepy," Trixie shuddered. Moving a little closer she looked at some of the tube
Suddenly, one of the robots in the tubes moved its eyes to Trixie. It raised its hoof and smashed the tube to lunge at Trixie.
Trixie let out a gasp of shock before jumping back and firing the gun at it, destroying its head. "Ok, that was a bad move. Sparkle, never let Trixie get close again!"
"Affirmative, I will keep you away." Sparkle said.
Along the floor were wires leading to a small pod that had vital signs on a screen near it. The pod had the name,"Checker Monarch," written on it.
Trixie's eyes widened," No... Checker!" she then went to look at the vital signs and began to look over the pod.
There was a small button on the pod, reading,"Voice Command."
"Vice-president Trixie," Trixie said without a second thought. "How long has this mare been stuck here? Why is she here?" she asked, her questions coming before her mind could catch up.
"100 years ago." The computer said,"The biology in this mare is being used to power Mechanoids. Removal of biological component will stop Mechanoid activity."
“How can I free her?" Trixie asked After I free you, I have some questions, then I am going to slap you!
Opening pod." The pod hiss with fog as it opened, revealing a grey maned wrinkled unicorn mare with tubes and a breathalyzer attached to her. Her eyes opened,"Trixie?" She gasped, her eyes going to her sister, and raising a hoof to her face. She smirked a bit,"What's your secret, you look so young...”
Trixie gasped when she saw her sister once again. Emotions began to bubble in her eyes. Pure anger at the mare who had made her life hell for years, and a desire for revenge. Growling, Trixie pushed her sister's hoof away as she glared into her sister's violet eyes, "How could you. How could you want me to do all of this. To stop the mechanoids. Why did you have any faith in Trixie?”
Checker chuckled,"A lot can change, Trix. That temporal anomaly showed me my future, and it was wrong. That vision caused me to walk the planet in search of myself, and then I came back here, to start up a company." She looked up at Trixie,"You're my sister, I know how strong and capable you are, and that anger in your eyes is the reason you can defeat the Mechanoids.” She coughed,” Unplug my machine, kill me."
Trixie stepped back from what Checker had just said, and began to tremble, "Y-you, what? But, after all this time, Tri-I hated, and I wanted it to go on. It was my strength. Hating you, that was the only thing I had left to be mad about And now you..." as soon as the words hit Trixie's ears, they drooped, "You want me to what? N-no, I can't! Not when it seems like you've finally become the sister I always wanted. You can't expect me to ‘kill you!
Hate is such a stupid drive. I feel stupid for going that far." She looked at Trixie,"The moment I came back was the moment I decided to do everything I can to better my future, and yours. I created the Mechanoids to help ponykind, but that was not to be, thanks to Spark. My last manipulation, at that point, was to get you to stop her." tears welled up in her eyes,"Kill me, Trixie, and you'll have one last obstacle."
"How... how can you expect me to kill anypony, even my own sister," Trixie asked, crying, she closed her eyes to try and stop her tears.
"Come on, little sis," She put a hoof to Trixie's cheek again,"Do it. It's easy, I'm a monster, a worthless monster that shouldn't live anymore. I don't deserve life. Just take the pistol, and fire."
"Trixie, she may be right, that machine is feeding off of her." Sparkle said,"It seems to give her her pain."
Without anyone seeing it, a mechanoid began to rise behind them. Growling, the robot jumped. Trixie jumped out of the way and fired, the shot going through the robot and into Checker's heart. As she lowed her gun, Trixie's horn began to lose its glow.
The mechanoid fell, as Checker's chest began to bleed,"Hehe, it looks like fate won again. Good job, I love..." Checker's eyes drooped as the EKG beeped. A door opened beyond them.
Trixie sighed as she watched the mechanoid stopped it's glow. Mumbling under her breath, she said, "Yeah... fate." Trying her best to stop the tears from flowing down her face, she continued to walk through the open door.
Spark sat on a throne, a figure in a cage next to her was sparking,"Aw, did you kill your big sister?"
Showtime Trixie smiled a little, "Why no, she did not. Trixie just had to stop a mechanoid. See, the Great and Powerful Trixie doesn't like the idea of killing. Now, whoever you got into that cage, let her go before Trixie demonstrates to you, why she is the greatest of Luna's students.”
Spark chuckled,"No." She said, as the cage moved closer to reveal Arch, with half of her face torn off to reveal a Mechanoid skull.
"A mechanoid!" Sparkle said.
"Yes, the first that Checker created just for the purpose of being the 'Best Sister Ever." Spark chuckled,"She was created to protect ponies and be the sister Checker could never be. It was the last thing she wanted to do, after watching you for so long, and protecting you."
"Protecting me?" Trixie asked, looking puzzled. "How has she EVER protected me?"
"When she came back, she put surveillance all over you, sending snipers out to kill anypony who might be a threat to you, paying for stuff you couldn't, and sending nice gifts.
“She's going to that... for me?" Trixie felt a tear go down her eye. Narrowing her eyes, she smiled, "All the more reason why Trixie needs to save that mare in that cage and put an end to you, grandaughter." the mare grinned as she pulled out a gun."
Spark got up,"Not happening. You see," Bits of metal began to form around her,"I'm a new model of Mechanoid. One that is far superior, with none of the previous weaknesses. You're welcome to try to kill me, of course."
"You're right, Trixie can try!" she said, firing round after round at the mechanoid.
Spark walked slowly towards Trixie, the shots bouncing off.
Sparkle charged her horn, and made a shot at her, which also bounced off,"Oh no."
Trixie then threw down her gun and sighed. A small smirk crossed her lips as she looked up at Spark, tipped her hat over her eyes and pointed a hoof, “Your next line is: ‘There is nothing you can do.’”
Spark laughed maniacally,"There is nothing you can do!" her laughter then died down when she realized what Trixie had just said. Looking on, she gasped in horror when she saw the ‘Trixie’ fall down as a mechanoid. With a flick of her head, she saw Trixie standing behind her, Arch leaning onto the blue mare’s shoulders. “What?”
Tipping her hat with her magic, Trixie remarked, “Before she entered the room, Trixie put herself in a magical cloak spell. This one blocked ponies sight and made Trixie invisible. Of course she banked on one thing that kept her hidden.”
“What is that?” Spark asked.
“That you are Trixie’s granddaughter, and thus,” she thrusted her hoof out, “You would be too busy gloating to hear Trixie’s hoofsteps!!! This allowed Trixie to sneak over and save Arch.”
“So, now what?” asked Spark. “You just saw how invincible I am, how much power I am. You are just a little stage magician, and you are out of tricks.”
“Who says Trixie is out of her tricks?” Trixie asked, levitating the gun to her hoof.
“A gun? Ha!” Spark laughed.
Trixie shook her head, “No, not a gun.” in a flash, her gun turned into a sword that flared with electricity, “A sword of lighting. Trixie is willing to bet that if she rams this sword into your chest, you will create a pretty explosion.”
“You wouldn’t dare, you would end your own life,” Spark sneered.
Trixie shrugged, “And there is the paradox. But, it’s ok, Trixie likes to en-”
Before she could finish, Arch pushed Trixie out of the way and then grabbed Spark, “Trixie, go! I’ll finish her off.”
“No,” Trixie said, turning off the illusion off on her sword and turning it back to the gun. “Trixie has a plan, if you just let Trixie-”
“No, you go, I’ll handle this,” Arch said. “I'm going to set off a bomb in my body that'll destroy her and everything else in this place!" She smiled,"I'll be fine, because you'll be safe, and I'll have succeeded in the mission your sister gave to me."
"What? But that's crazy! You'll kill yourself! Trixie can't lose another sister. S-she just can't!” Trixie yelled, tears beginning to run down her eyes."
"It's okay," Arch smiled,"When you go back to the past, Checker will start to change, and you'll get another chance."
Trixie held out a hoo but then pulled it back, "Sparkle, let's go." she said, covering her hat over her eyes and running off. Using her magic, she began to throw the mechanoids to block the exit
Sparkle nodded as she ran with Trixie out the exit.
"Looks like we'll be seeing each other in Robo-Tartarus, bitch!" Arch laughed as the place blew up.
Sparkle jumped on Trixie, shielding her from the blast.As Sparkle landed on top of Trixie, the blue unicorn made sure to turn her head, hoping that she did not see her cry into the ground. Her tears rolled down her cheek as she began to think of her sister, and how much was lost.
Sparkle got off of Trixie and patted her back,"There, there."
Trixie wiped her eyes, and sighed, "Thank you.' (I might have lost one sister, but I'll be damned before I lose seven more)
"You did well, my dear student." A deep voice came from the sky.
"Auntie Luna!" Flurry Heart shouted.
At the sound of the familiar voice, Trixie turned and bowed, "Mistress! Trixie is so happy to see you!" she said, her tail wagging.
Luna flew down, her mane glittering with many stars. She looked as tall as Celestia, with her face full of regalness,"And I am happy to see you again, Trixie." She smiled,"I have been watching you, I even told Flurry Heart to help you."
"Luna, you've grown," smiled Trixie as she forgot her place for the moment and ran to her teacher, hugging her blue leg. Smiling, Trixie whimpered, "T-thank you for watching over me."
Luna caressed Trixie's mane,"You've grown yourself, Trixie."
"Not that much, Princess,' Trixie blushed as she enjoyed the feeling of Luna's hoof. "Luna, will Trixie... remember all of this? Trixie means, will she remember enough to help Checker?"
"Yes, but I don't know if you can change this future." Luna smiled,"But don't let that deter you, time is ever fluid, like a river."
Trixie nodded, "Yes, she knows. She knows," she then sighed and looked to the Sparkle-Bot, "Hey... thanks. For being there."
“I am always happy to help!" Sparkle-bot beeped happily.
"Oh," Luna pulled out a letter,"Here, it's from the Alicorn Faith. She wanted me to wait until this time to give you this."
Dear Trixie,
Fight on, and keep the Faith alive. I'm afraid I can't give you anything special, but know this: you don't need anything fancy to be awesome!
Faith.
"Well, at least the alicorn knows Trixie all too well," she smirked. "Ok Luna, I'm ready."
"Alright. Oh, and I should let you know, Rarity is alright. My sister is bringing her back as we speak." Luna smiled as she used her horn to teleport Trixie away.
"Wait you mean Rarity wa-" Trixie was cut off thanks to the spell.
As Rarity walked through the portal, she saw a wisp of a white tail pass her by. Smiling, she ran, following the tail.
Twilight got up, finding herself alone on a long road, with several different timelines passing by her. Standing up, she swiveled her head back and forth, trying to see a way out. Then her eyes caught a glint of a blue light down the path. Narrowing her eyes she raced forward.
Rainbow Dash began looking through the library at Golden Oaks, "Come on, there has to be something here."
Will began walking around, a look of terror in her eyes, "Dash..."
"Something, an egghead’s book on time travel or something-"
"Dash... where did I come from?" asked Will.
Fluttershy sighed, floating through the temporal wave, and then smiled when she saw a purple light walking towards a cyan one.
"Van...hoover," Dash dropped the book she was holding, "Will, don't tell me..."
"I think I'm losing more of my memories," Will said, shuddering, "I can't remember my hom town, my family! I...I-
Applejack adjusted her hat, following the glowing orbs of light that flew ahead of her. Feeling a nudge from the side, she smiled when she saw a grinning Pinkie Pie.
"No, don't start failing on me now, Will," Dash said. "We are going to get to the Heart of Worlds, stop Valtor, and then make him undo whatever it is he did to your memories!"
Rarity followed close behind, only to watch a light blue blur pass her by. Shocked, she then smiled as the mare caught sight of the other orbs.
"Now, come on, we need to sa-"
"HOLD ON! WE WILL NOT COMMENCE THE PLANNING, NOT UNTIL TRIXIE HAS MADE HER ENTRANCE!!" Trixie said, appearing from the portal in a flash of light.
"T... Trixie!" Dash said, smiling.
Trixie tipped her hat, "Any doubt? It seems that Trixie is the fir-"
"Trixie, you could've waited up!" Applejack smiled, stepping in and noogying Trixie. "Ah swear, the mare is so impatient."
"Probably was waiting to get home as soon as possible, "Rarity smiled as she went in the door with a bow.
Fluttershy nodded and then was interrupted by a squeaky voice, "This world, spins faster than you know ooh ooh, I love that song! Hey Dashie!!!” Pinkie bounced into the room.
"Girls, you...where's Twilight?" Rainbow asked.
Author's Note
Want to know a secret? In the original version of this chapter, Trixie was the first, I changed it up because I figured I should finish wiht the mane six first.
In case you didn't figure it out, Snatcher is one of my favorite games of all time. I decided that, since I was in the future, might as well do my own personal tribute to it
Twilight tapped her pawns up on the chess board,"All my pieces are out of danger. Did you really think you've won with that?" She asked her cloaked opponent,"Trust me, all you did was make us stronger. My plan has already succeeded, especially once we find the last Heart."
"If your friend lives," the cloaked figure said with a smile.
A bright purple light came from behind them, as Twilight appeared, with one of her eyes having turned permanently magenta,"Over here." she said with a smile.
Rainbow Dash and Will immediately hugged the returned ponies, who returned the giant hug, "How, when-"
Applejack interrupted Dash, "Would you believe that Ah met our parents and helped give birth to myself?"
Trixie arched an eyebrow, "What?"
"Well, certainly no less harrowing than what I did: meeting space ponies," Rarity smiled.
Pinkie, bouncing around, squealed, "I met bounty hunters!!!!”
"Um, I..." with a turn of her head, Fluttershy whisper, "took care of Celestia and Luna as fillies."
Twilight grinned,"I got to go to the past and meet the Queens of Harmony and it was magnificent, except for the part where I got my flank beat by an insane Queen Majesty..." Twilight then frowned,"And then Queen Friendship brought me back to the past."
Trixie smiled, "Well, Trixie helped saved the future with nothing but her wits, skill, and-"
"So did you see if any of the queens knew where the key was or where that gate is. Because, we kind of have to hurry," Rainbow Dash said, interrupting Trixie.
“Actually," Twilight looked at Dash,"I happened to have found out that the key is an ancient crystal held by Wind Whistler herself!" She smiled,"And I believe that the gate is... is..." She looked around, her eyes scanning the windows of the library, and then chuckled,"Right where we're standing."
"What," the group yelled out in unison.
Twilight walked around the library,"I took a good look at the area where Wind Whistler used the key, and it is structured and looks almost exactly like the spot where Ponyville will be built, and the portal was at the center: Here." Twilight said with a grin,"Now it's just a matter of finding the key, which means," She shouted up the stairs,"Spike! We're back, and I need you to take a letter!"
Spike nodded and ran down the stairs, "Right Twilight!" smiling he brought out a quill and paper.
"Dear Princess Celestia," Twilight said after clearing her throat,"In my travels, I have found that keys are needed to access the various Hearts that will lead to the Heart of Worlds. One of these keys was owned by Wind Whistler herself. I humbly ask if you know anything about it's whereabouts. Thank you.
Your faithful friend,
Princess Twilight Sparkle."
After a few moments, Spike wrote it down and then burned the letter. Once he did, a message came back,
"Dear Princess Twilight,
I am afraid... the key will have to wait.
Signed, Celestia"
Twilight gasped,"Something must be wrong!" She said, looking out the window at Canterlot.
Valtor walked through the hospital his claws behind his back, "I swear, you think they didn't want me here." he said, looking at the fallen bodies of the guards, burns and claw marks on their bodies.” A shame, I probably would've shown leniency if they had just gotten out of my way.”
With a smirk he burned down a door at the end of the hallway, revealing Sunset in bed with tubes attached to her body. A sick smile crept across Valtor's face as he place a claw to her head. With a steady push, his magic glowed green, "Look at you, you were so willing to die for you friends that you became the arbiter of my virus, and now you are asleep. Maybe forever. Well, we can't have that...you see I need your soul and this spell-"
“Get your hands off of my daughter!" Celestia said, storming in, Luna by her side.
Valtor turned and bowed, "Welcome, princess.”
Luna brought out a sword at Valtor,"Stay away from her, Heathen!"
"A sword, rude," Valtor said. "I was only paying my respects to the young dear."
"...respects?" Celestia asked, seeing the green glow on Sunset, her body writing. Narrowing her eyes, she growled, "What did you do!?"
"Remember that little spell Mirage pt onto Twilight a month ago? Think of this as the same type, only much more intense. I give her an hour before her heart gives out. Then her soul is mine. Of course, I would-" before he could finish, he was thrown out the window by Celestia’s magic. "Luna, fight him, keep him away from this place.”
Luna nodded,"Good luck, Sister!" She flew out the window, her horn shooting a bolt out at Valtor. Valtor spread out his wings and flew away, barely dodging the bolt. In return, he threw a lightning bolt at Luna. Luna used her sword to take the lightning and twirl it around herself before sending it back at Valtor.
Vatlor barely had time to make a wing shield as the lighting hit him. With a yelp of pain, he flew past the buildings of Canterlot, throwing out fireballs and ice spears.Flying above Luna, Valtor laughed, "You know what's fun, Luna? Tia is going to be faced with a nightmare of her own sins. In helping her student, she is going to get herself killed. HAHAHAHAH!!!
"You don't know my sister!" Luna shouted, using a shield to block the spells,"She and her daughter are stronger than you know!" She charged at him for a kick.
The kick hit Vator hard, sending him flying into a building, popping out the other side with shard of glass in his wings, "Oh, I have no doubt, but I wonder how long she can last." he askled throwing a two ice spears at Luna before flying through the roof.
Luna dodged one, before a bit of her fur was sliced by the second."She will prevail!" She charged a lightning bolt at him.
Celestia knelt beside Sunset and allowed her horn to glow a bright yellow. Leaning in, she tapped her horn to the unicorns forehead, "I am not as good as my sister in dream walking, but I will go to tartarus for my children."
When she woe up, she would find herself in chains, the voices of various ponies shouting at her.
"You used a pony as a weapon, betrayed a foals trust."
"Weakling,"
"You put too much trust in a mare,"
"Weakling."
Celestia lowered her head, feeling every insult hit her hard. For a moment, she lowered her head, "I know, let my sins be bare."
A younger Celestia turned from her little sister, "Stoop it with this foolishness, you are being a child."
"Sunset, get out, and think about what it means to be my pupil," Celestia frowned at the tear filled Sunset.
"You have a lot to think about....
Celestia sighed as she heard the insults, "You think this is enough to break me? Do you not think these are the nightmares that have haunted me all my life?" struggling, she began to move one foreleg after the other, straining against the chains. "Sunset, Luna, Twilight, I have done so much wrong. They look at me and see the sun, but I know what shadows lie behind me."
"Monster,
"Tyrant
"Weakling!"
"You call me weak? So, I failed to see plants sent by Discord? Heh, I am very powerful but not omniscient," Celestia said, pulling free of a chain. "And if you want to talk about Chrysalis... I held back. I always hold back. If I let loose my power at full all the time...Then there would be a lot more deaths."
"Coward,"
"Betrayer
"User.
"Are you talking to me about how I let Twilight fight my battles? Or how I let others win? Tell me voices, what is to be gained by me fighting your battles for you?" Celestia asked.
....
"I thought so. You want me to hand the wins to you? You want to become complacent? To be given everything?
....
"No answer? Good," Celestia smiled, breaking another chain.
"Sins
"User
"Luna
Celestia winced, stepping back, "I will never forgive myself. She will always be my greatest failure. But, let me ask you this. What could you do differently. Take the population of Equestria and force them to love something they fear?"
"Suns-"
"Do not change the subject, but yes..." Celestia sighed. "I failed her."
"Twilight"
"Weapon-"
Celestia's eyes burned with a bright flame as she broke the final chain. Flying up into the sky she shouted, "DO NOT LET THOSE WORDS BLEED FroM YOUR LIPS EVER AGAIN!!!"
The voice shuddered.
"Not once had I EVER thought of my students as my weapons. I had always thought them of my daughters and I would have sacrificed everything for them." Chains reached for her only to be burned away. "They were always given the chance to be safe, but I never took them over. Anytime they wanted, they could've left my side or said no. I wouldn't care. I did what any mother would, I gave them the tools they needed to succeed their destiny."
The voice screamed in pain as the sun burned away the darkness.
"Sunset and Twilight, they never let me down. I couldn't care if they were chosen or not. I would've helped them no matter what. But, I will never treat them any less than the brightest stars in my life."
"Who... are you?" Sunset's voice asked.
Celestia then turned to the voice, "Sunset?"
"Who are you?" Sunset asked," What am I?"
"I am Celestia solaris..." Celestia smiled, "A friend. You are Sunset Shimmer, a student of mine. You were... meant to help my sister and then, become a hero of the people. But, that was what I wanted, you were always free to become who you chose."
"Why am I here?"
"Because a mad stallion forced you to fight your sister," Celestia said. "Since then, you have kept yourself in a coma. Why is that? Do you fear your past? Or your present?"
"I am... afraid." Sunset whimpered,"Past, present, future. Why am I afraid? Who is my sister?"
"Twilight Sparkle.”
"Why should I go back? I don't want to leave..."
"Don't you have something important to come back to?" Celestia asked. "Is it truly better to be stuck here?"
"Something... important?" Sunset asked.
"Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack, Trixie, and Twilight Sparkle. Can you tell me that those are not important to you?" Celestia asked.
"But... how can I go back to them? After all I've done?" Sunset asked.
"You idiot!" Twilight's voice shouted,"We've stopped caring a long time ago! Come on, we need you!"
"T-Twilight... how can I come back?" Sunset asked.
A purple hoof appeared out from the shadows,"Both of you, take my hoof."
Valtor held the lighting bolt in his claw, growling in pain. In his other he lifted up a boulder and sent it flying at Luna .Luna caught the boulder in her magic,"You won't win, Valtor!" She threw it back him, bursting it to flames.
Valtor grunted and slammed his fist into Luna's jaw Luna grabbed the fist and flew him down to the ground, ready to slam him down. As Valtor flew down to the ground, he slashed and clawed at Luna, only to stop when his back hit the ground. A small crater from beneath him as she slowly got up. Luna ran up and punched him in the face.Valtor reeled back from the hit and then uppercutted Luna in the chin, cutting her. Then he took off, breathing fire and shooting lighting.
Luna leaned back and then her eyes glowed as she flew after him, countering his magic with her own aan sending bolt after bolt at him,"You will not win!”
With a cracking zap, Valtor fired a stream of lighting at Princess Luna.
The lightning was blocked by a speeding cyan pony. The rainbow maned pegasus took the lightning and rode it to punch Valtor.
Valtor landed with a crash, and slowly got up, "No...” He said as Rainbow landed ahead of him
Applejack stood with Luna and tipped her hat, "Well, howdy Valtor."
"A pleasure," Rarity bowed.
"Um... hi?" Flutters squeaked.
"Miss us?" Pinkie said.
Trixie went to Luna's side, "Are you alright?
Luna nodded,"I am fine, thank you everypony."
"NO NO NO! This is Bullshit, This Bullshit, NO!" shouted Valtor, "How did any of your come back?"
A purple blast came at Valtor as Twilight flew down,"Simple, you underestimated the Queens of Harmony, and us!" She said, glaring at him. She looked back at Luna,"Don't worry, Sunset's going to be fine."
Valtor took a step back, "Oh, this might actually be unpleasant."
"Big time," Will said, lighting coursing along her limbs.
"Well, then, let-"
"Master, let us leave for now, we have failed," an old mare said, producing a portal.
"Wait, who are-" before Applejack could ask. the two vanished in a blast of light.
Twilight frowned,"That mare..." She looked back at everyone,"Alright, let's go check on Sunset!"
Sunset opened her eyes slowly,"Mom, Twilight?"
"Sunset," Celestia said with a smile, tears in her eyes. "Welcome home, my little sun."
Sunset's eyes filled with tears as she hugged Celestia's neck,"I missed you!"
"Not as much as I missed you," Celestia said with tears in her eyes as she hugged her student. "I-I thought I would never hear your voice again.
Applejack looked to Twilight, "Should we interrupt them?"
Twilight shook her head,"Let's leave them be for now." she wiped a tear from her eye.
“Right," Fluttershy nodded and turned away.
Trixie looked to Luna, "Um, Luna... think you could find and send a message to Checker Monarch? Tell her Trixie said... she forgives her."
Luna nodded,"Very well." She said, and then she walked out,"I must take my leave, the ponies at Night Court always get antsy."
Trixie arched an eyebrow, "Why did Trixie shudder at the name Night Court?"
Rainbow Dash smiled as the two ponies continued to cry and then looked at Wil, "It'll be ok. We got this."
"Thank you," Will nodded.
Celestia broke the embrace and turned to the outside, "Ok, you can come in now."
Twilight entered the door and immediately hugged Sunset,"I'm so glad you're okay!"
Sunset winced,"Ow, I'm still in a bit of pain..."
Trixie hugged Sunset lightly, "Oh, Trixie is so... uh, what Trixie means is, is that she is glad that you are all right."
Sunset chuckled,"Thank you, so," She looked at them all,"What have you all been doing?"
"Oh, we've been traveling through time, fighting giant monsters, and oh I met some bad future ponies!" Pinkie said.
"Stuck here while they have had all the fun," Rainbow Dash said with a roll of the eyes.
Sunset chuckled,"And I've been stuck here, unable to help you." She sighed,"I wish I could've been there."
"You were!" Pinkie said. "We all met you again! I mean, I saw a mare who looked just like you lead me to some of the weapons on the ship!"
"I saw you back on the ship." Rarity said.
"A little fox version of you," Fluttershy said.
Trixie smiled, "You were a clone for me."
"And I..." Applejack smiled. "Well, let’s put it this way, you are the most adorable little filly.”
"Well," Sunset chuckled, putting a hoof to her chin,"Remind me to go back to Starswirl's archive later, when I get better."
"Yes, rest. I want my student to be bright and well again," Celestia said with a smile. "And as for you, Twilight. I am proud that you broke through the dream spell that Valtor had made."
"Thanks Celestia,"Twilight chuckled,"I guess all those times dealing with Mirage allowed me some sort of immunity to those kinds of spells." She then put a hoof to her chest,"Which make me even more awesome!"
"What was that Twilight?" Celestia asked, looking at her and noticing the mismatched eyes.
Trixie grumbled, "Just one more thing for Trixie to beat.”
"That makes me more awesome, do I have to make myself clear?" Twilight said, a cocky tone being added to her voice.
"Hey, Twilight, are you alright? You're acting kind of like-” Rarity asked with a raised eyebrow.
Rainbow Dash nodded, "Her attitude just shows that she has started to get a little more confidence in herself." One of her eyes had turned purple.
"And maybe she is trying to show a new side of herself." Leaning in Celestia whispered (whatever it is you are planning, I hope you have it under control.) Then, looking at the others, she asked. "Now, what were you calling me for?"
Twilight whispered,"Oh, trust me, everything's going according to plan." She looked up at Celestia,"We believe that the last key to the gate over here in Equestria-"
Sunset blinked,"The last gate's over here!?" She facehoofed,"You've got to be kidding me..."
"You're telling Trixie!!" Trixie frowned.
"Anyway, the last key was a crystal held by Wind Whistler. Do you have any information on that?" Twilight asked
Celestia looked to Twilight, "Wind Whistler's gem, I seem to remember her being buried with it. In the Canterlot crypts for legends below the Gardens. As a matter of fact, she told Mom to be buried with her possessions, for the Magic wielder to come."
Twilight gulped,"Well, we have to dig up a grave, great." She shuddered.
"Actually, the tombs are usually above ground," Celestia said. "Don't worry, no grave robbing."
"Oh, thank heavens," Rairy said.
"Whew," Twilight said,"Okay, let's head there, and grab the key!"
"Oh, and Fluttershy... Thank you," Celestia winked
Within minutes, the group reached the tomb. It was surrounded by four other tombs, with each one with a symbol. One of a flame, one of a water drop, one of a breeze, one of a rock, and another by a tree. On Wind Whistlers tomb it read, "In Twilight's arms, I thank you. To find the gem, remember what keeps the world in balance, not war or strife, but something far more precious
"Something far more precious..." Twilight muttered,"Friendship? Am I looking for the Tree of Harmony?"
Trixie grumbled, "Oh, great, more riddles! Why not just say what you frakking mean? Why not just say something like "place your hoof onto the opposite element of your test or something to represent harmony!"
Applejack tapped her hoof onto her chin, "Wait..." she walked to the wind stone, she placed her hoof onto it and watched it glow.
"Excuse Trixie, she needs to scream," Trixie said as she walked off."
Twilight smiled,"That's it! Everypony, find the opposite element to your test and place your hooves on it!"
Pinkie hopped over to the rock stone and placed her hoof onto the earth stone, followed by Rarity touching fire, and Rainbow Dash looking to Flutters, "Well?"
"But, I wasn't with one of the elements," Fluttershy said.
"Then, i guess that leaves me," Dash said, placing her hoof onto the stone of water.
At once, the four stone glowed gentle, before the table in the center opened and revealed a crystal in the center, "And there we are." Pinkie said with a smile.
Twilight took the crystal,"Good, now let's head to back to the library!"
The girls all nodded, turning to walk out of the garden.
Valtor slammed his fist against the wall, "We were so close! I had Luna on the ropes, the soul of Magic in my hands, and the key ready. Then that miserable Twilight and her friends had to come back!"
"Perhaps it was fortunate, sire," Servant said.
"Fortunate? How?" Valtor asked.
Servant smiled, "Because, now we have eight virtues instead of 6 that are ready to make the journey into the heart of worlds, and the friendship they share will allow them to survive the next trials."
"At the same time, we will be one step behind and they can get to the heart before us!" Vatlor growled.
"The legend says that once the four doors are open, the gate to the heart of worlds will appear and be accessible," Servant said.
"Yes, but without a guardian at my side-"
Servant interrupted him, "I know of a former guardian who can help you. Once the final gate is opened, we can enter it and will be protected. While the bearers will have to deal with our... surprise."
"Speaking of the guardians, how are they?" Valrot asked.
Narisa lowered her head, closing her eyes. For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, when she opened them again, she smiled, "The bounty huntress, Samus Aran, has picked up the other three bearers and is en route to the water bearer, Irma."
"Too soon, we don't have the gate open yet," Valtor shook his head.
"Do not fear, sire. My barrier around this world will keep us safe from Samus's ship and hidden from that technical wizard of theirs."
"Perfect"
====================================
Sunset watched from the balcony of Canterlot Castle, watching the light in the distance go off as the septet entered another world. Placing a hoof to her chest, she let out a long sigh, “You wish to be with them?” Celestia said, joining with her former student, placing a hoof on the unicorn's shoulder.
Sunset looked down and shook her head, “I know they’ll need me soon, I can feel it. And... I need to be there, I have to.”
“So,” a warm smile crossed her lips as Celestia sat with her student, looking down at her, “ My little Sunset has grown up and changed so much.”
“I have,” Sunset said, turning up toe smile warmly at Celestia. “At first, I just wanted power. I craved to be the best and make sure that so many ponies knew it, to make them bow and kiss my hooves. But I see I was wrong. The elements were trying to show me that. That’s why they inflicted that punishment on me, guess they love their irony huh?”
“Such as the way of a lot of the world. The princess who wants love for her night now has night eternal, a being of chaos is stuck in perpetual order, and the mare who encourages friendship, keeps winding up alone.” Celestia sighed.
Sunset snuggled closely to her mother figure, “You didn’t lose me... I just got mislead. When I met my mother, back in Saddle Arabia, I was just so angry with her that I wanted to end her. But, in a way, I am glad to have met her. When I saw her... I thought about you.”
“Me?” Celestia said.
“Yeah,” Sunset said, running a hoof behind her head. “I thought about how much like a real mom you can be, to both me and Twilight. You care for us, teach us stuff, but you also trust us to make our own decisions. You know that we can handle it on our own. Because you trust us.”
“Yes, I do,” Celestia said, smiling. “I never give you something that I do not believe that you were never capable of.”
“Um, Celestia?” Sunset asked, looking down, “What if I never left, and you found out I wasn’t able to become an element of magic. Would you still have believed in me, that I could become something great?”
Celestia smiled softly, “I think you would've become something greater than the world could’ve imagine, and I still do. However, if you had stayed behind, and helped Twilight...”
“Yes?” Sunset asked, looking up at her mentor.
“I could see you becoming just as powerful as a princess as she is. Or rather, her protector,” Celestia said.
“She doesn’t need-”
Celestia smiled, “Why are big sisters born first? To protect their little siblings. And that is what you are. What you will always be. You never needed wings or a crown to be special. Just my little sunset.”
“Thanks,” Sunset nuzzled Celestia before walking away, “Now I need to-”
“Rest, my little girl!”
“But, but,” Sunset opposed, before being dragged away.
“I said, sleep!” Celestia said with a smile.
“Yes...” Sunset said, defeated, “Mom.”
Author's Note
Thanks Zolt!
Sorry, for the short chapter, but I think we needed a breather chapter
Trixie shook her head and looked about the castle, feeling a certain sense of awe at looking at the stone walls. Rainbow Dash flew to the air, looking for the portal. Will took a few steps forward and found in the antechamber where the elements were, two giant rainbow doors, "Guys? I found it!"
Twilight gasped in a combination of awe and excitement."Yes!" She ran over and pushed her hooves onto the door.
As the doors began to slowly open, they could hear a low rumbling. Snarling and growling was heard as they began to look around.Twilight sighed as she brought out Equinox,"Oh, come on!"
Some timberwolves appeared, but were completely burned away by fire, wind, water, and earth. Will smiled, "Girls, is it really you?"
Her jubilation wa cut short when the four mares walked out from the shadows, "Not quite," whispered a redhead as she held up a water sphere.
Valtor opened the door as he looked to Servant, "And who are they?"
"Old friends of mine. Altimeres that I had to use some magic to craft," Servant said, a soft smile on her lips. "I do know they will be a good enough distraction. ."
"Will, are those?" Applejack asked, looking at the pegasus as she hovered on the wind, and then to the blonde pony pegasus as she crafted flames. then she looked at brown earth pony with vines coming from her limbs.
"No, those aren't my friends, I... never saw them before in my life."
"Well, whoever it is we got this," Dash said. Only to find herself enveloped in a blue aura.
"No, you girls have a job to do," Trixie said, throwing Will and the bearers into the portal, and then slowly began to close it. There was a confident smirk as Trixie said, "Don't worry Trixie has this. She'll keep them distracted, just get the freaking heart before Valtor does.” and with that, she closed the door in front of the 7
Trixie gulped and then narrowed her eyes at the four, spinning her spear at the ponies, "Trixie...is going to hurt.”
Twilight gasped,"Trixie!" She sighed,"Must she be so dramatic!?" She turned and growled.
Fluttershy sighed as she looked at the door, "Trixie..."
In front of them was a single white hallway, with a glowing white doorway at the very end.She'll be fine," Twilight said, looking at Fluttershy,"She's survived worse." She walked towards the light.
"Wow, what a nice welcome," Dash said, rolling her eyes as she looked at the end of the long hallway and flew towards it.
There was a large circular room, where a cyan alicorn stood, her eyes blazing red and her mane a flowing auburn. She charged her horn as she stepped forward.
"What one earth?" Rarity asked.
"Um, excuse me, Ms. Alicorn who are you?" Fluttershy asked.
"I am your God." It said,"And your judgement given form." She charged her horn, firing a beam of white light on them.
Fluttershy gasped, using her wings to protect them all. Will looked up at the alicorn, "God? But you-"
Samus sighed as she looked at the eight mares before her, "Look guys, before we go against God, there is something I have to say."
Regina, a griffon, held up a bottle, "Oh, look out, the big mare is gonna make a Nyx style speech!"
"I don't make friendship speeches all the time!" Nyx argued, a little red on her black nose.
A yellow pegasus with a black primary feather giggled, "You do hun."
"Sunny, protect your finace, the princess commands it!" Nyx said, holding her hoof up.
A pink filly giggled and looked up from her comic, "What are you trying to say sissy?"
"Thanks Puppy," Samus said, lowering her head and smiling, "This isn't easy for me to say. I have always been the type of girl who fought alone. Go in, kill everything that hated me, and go out. I never really thought about what I had left behind, or what my actions had done to the world."
Another pegasus nodded, "You left a lot of places better."
"Yes, and in some cases worse. The thing is, I am a bounty hunter, and I thought a hero. I guess I am, but you guys helped me learn something important, when it comes to being a hero," Samus began. "It's hard to stay to your ideals, because there are alw ays something or someone that will make you question it. You can and will be forced to see things that you don't want to see. However, though you may question them, a hero can stay true to who they are without losing that ideal.No one is truly perfect and there is no black or white. Most importantly, you taught me to value something I just threw away."
"And what is that?" An Elk said.
"Friendship," Samus said, rubbing Puppy's head. "I saw what it means to have friends. When Armstrong forced me to see those images, you protected me. When I kept getting cut down, you reminded me why I was a hero. And for that... I thank you guys."
A grey unicorn mare held up her bottle, "Don't cut yourself short. If it weren't for you, we’ all be alone or dead. So, you saved us." Little Pip smiled.
A zebra in a cloak looked on as Samus made her speech, and smiled.
Samus nodded and looked up at the cloud barrier...
Take my life, Take my land
Samus Aran appeared before Will and smiled, "Will."
Will shook her head, seeing the fight commence between the six mares. With a shout, she looked at the symbol, "Twilight, come here."
Twilight blocked the laser with a shield as she went to Will, the scenery changing to an arena above the clouds. She looked down, seeing a shotgun, a small device and a revolver, a staff, a sphere with a lightning bolt inside, three guns and a feather, a shield, and a pegasus feather with a cyborg leg. A voice rang in her head,"Touch one, she will help you!"
"I recognize that voice..." Twilight muttered as she looked at Will,"We must touch one of these."
God flew above them, yellow energy surging through her hooves as she punched Applejack. Applejack reeled back from the blow and struck back with two of her own. Rainbow dash flew in from above with lightning kicks.
"Which one?" Will asked as she touched the three guns
The symbol glowed, summoning a griffon to shoot at God. God dodged the gunfire before firing a white beam of light back at them.
Pinkie Pie giggled, "Ooh, let me try!" she said, bouncing and pressing the button with the staff.
Applejack leapt onto the back of God and wrapped her hooves around its neck to pull it back for Rarity. Rarity charged and and slashed it, "And what gives you the right to call yourself our god?" the mare asked as growled.
God flailed, twisting and thrusting before catching Rarity's blade with her hooves,"I am greater and more powerful than you!"
An elk appeared, and used her staff to launch Pinkie towards God.
Pinkie Squaled with joy as she brought out her large hammer and smashed god's face. Fluttershy looked at the shield and hit it, while Rainbow Dash joined in and touched the feather.
God gasped as she was sent reeling back. The feather produced a cyborg pegasus and the shield produced a black alicorn. The pegasus brought out a rainbow colored pistol and fired a lightning bullet God, while the alicorn brought out a sword and looked at Twilight.
Twilight nodded as she went to her and brought out Equinox and they both ran at God, slashing at him.
Applejack jumped off and pressed the lightning bolt orb, leaving Rarity to press the device. Will fired her lighting, "Being powerful doesn't give you that right!"
As the orb was pressed, a deep guttural voice boomed,"Does it, now?"
God stopped in her tracks as a platinum spear-like tail went through her,"You did your job, now I'll kill you." A creature with a diamond shaped head, long talons and a platinum, smooth body appeared from the shadows.
Little Pip fired her gun at the thing, hitting him in the eye.
A pony in a suit of purple and silver armor appeared, her horn charging with power as she laughed,"Figured you'd be here, Ridley."
Twilight blinked,"Um, why are you talking? The others didn't speak."
The mare turned to Twilight and shrugged,"I don't know, I don't even know why I'm here." She looked at Ridley and fired on him. She stepped back with Twilight.
Twilight blinked,"And you're not disappearing either."
Will looked at the being in armor, "S-Samus" she whispered, feeling some sort of connection as the Heart of Kandrakar glowed softly.
"Wait, is that a dragon?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"You know, Ah knew we would be facin’ one of them sooner or water," Applejack said, looking back to Dash with a smile, "Fastball special?"
Nodding , Rainbow Dash picked up Applejack and threw her, the earth pony's hooves bared.
Ridley sent up his claw to grab Applejack, wincing as the earth pony hurt his claw.
Samus blinked,"Will, how did you know my name?" She shook her head before turning to Ridley and chuckled,"Answer that later, let's handle this As-"
"Language! I expect that of the bad guy, not of you." Fluttershy admonished.
"A-hole..."Samus muttered, before firing missiles from her horncannon at him.
Ridley looked at them,"I created that shade to test your abilities, I know your styles now,"He charged his mouth with blue flame and fired a long breath fire on them.
Fluttershy stood in front of them, using her shield to protect her friends. Rainbow Dash generated lighting on her wings to strike at Ridley and shocked him
Ridley growled as the lightning shocked him, before Samus fired a green beam at his mouth. He flew up and went around several times, creating three speed mirages that fired beams at them.
Rainbow Dash flew after Ridley, her own speed catching up. Twilight began to form a shield to protect them while Rarity lifted up rock and threw them for Applejack to buck at the dragon.
The dragon attempted to swat the rocks away before getting knocked aside by Rainbow. He and Rainbow went into the horizon, becoming dots that struck several times before Ridley was sent flying into the arena. He kneeled, coughing as Twilight fired a beam of energy, dissipating him and the room back into a white void. Yet, Samus still stayed.
Dash smirked, "And that is how you do it." she flew down to Twilight and high hoofed her.
Will turned to look at Samus, "Thanks for your help, Miss Aran."
Samus' armor came off to reveal a yellow mare with a green mane and tail wearing a blue suit,"No problem, Will." She looked at the door beyond,"I think I'll help you with the rest. Knowing tests like these, there'll bound to be more dangerous obstacles later on."
Twilight put a hoof to her chin,"Okay...”
Rainbow Dash flew up and saw a chamber with a elevator, "Ok, didn't think a place like this would have elevators."
Samus' eye twitched,"Aw, come on!" She yelled to the heavens.
Twilight sat in the elevator and hummed to herself,"I don't see why you're upset..." She said as the elevator stopped at a glowing door.
Beyond the door sat Nightmare Moon, who was drinking tea with a white alicorn that had a platinum blonde braided mane.
The seven looked at the scene and could only remark, "What?!"
Nightmare Moon smiled,"Welcome. Have a seat."
The white alicorn turned and looked at Will. She got up and slowly walked to her, tears filling her eyes,"Will?"
"Y-yes?" Will said, confused.
"The elements where they always have been,right behind me!" Taranee, now a brown earth pony said.
"What?" Nightmare Moon said.
"It's simple. What is a spark, but something that ignites something else. A passion or in this case, friendship," Taranee looked at Sunset, Rarity, Lightning Dust, Spitfire , Pinkie and Octavia, "Those six have shown so much of that during this journey. Pinkie’s generosity, Rarity’s honesty Octavia’s loyalty,Lightning Dust’s laughter, and Spitfire's kindness."
"And I suppose you're Magic?" asked Nightmare moon.
"No, I'm not from this world, But Sunset is. And together, they'll take back the night!" Taranee said.
In a white void she smiled at Will "Darkness. Come home Will!"
"How do you know who I am?" asked WIll
The mare put a hoof to Will's face,"You... of course." She shook her head,"It's me, Elyon."
Twilight gasped,"I recognize your voice! you spoke to me in a dream!"
Nightmare Moon looked at the group,"I wasn't actually a villain in this world. In fact, Valtor didn't even summon this world."
"E-Elyon?" Will said, blinking, before smiling in realization and hugging her od friend.
"What do ya mean, summon?" Applejack asked
Elyon hugged Will, tears flowing from her eyes,"You remember! The Heart of Worlds is doing its job!"
Twilight looked at Elyon,"What do you mean?"
Elyon looked at Twilight,"As time goes on, as you get closer to the heart, Will will regain her lost memories."
Nightmare Moon sat back,"Valtor is using worlds that are connected by his claws to summon memories of past villains to stall you. Normally, they were to fight you, and you were without any help, but Queen Elyon used a spell to access memories of heroes from those worlds to give you aid, and summoned this one to give you sanctuary."
“So that means he's ahead of us?!" Applejack asked, growling in rage
"Oh Elyon, I am so happy to see you again," she cried, and the Will asked. "How did you get here?"
Elyon smiled,"I was able to access the Heart of Worlds normally, having the Heart of Meridian's power does that." She looked at the rest of the group,"Yes, unfortunately he's ahead of you. It's taking all I can just to send these shades and talk to. Already I'm feeling my presence here wane."
Samus raised a hoof,"I have a question, how am I staying here?"
Elyon looked at her,"Each one of these worlds have been tampered with by Valtor, thus he is able to use them against you. I used memories to help you. However, you, Samus, have been in each one of them, which means you are able to help in each world. As for your sentience in comparison to the others, I can only guess that your own willpower is keeping you here for as long as they are in the Heart of Worlds. Once they are done with the last world, though, you will disappear ."
Dash smiled and high hoofed Samus, "Still awesome to have her here though!!
Samus high hoofed her back,"Aw yeah."
Elyon looked at her transparent hoof,"I don't have much time here," She looked at Will,"Will, trust in them, and they will help you. The worlds beyond this one will get more and more difficult, but I have faith in you." She gave a sad smile,"The others are coming, I promise,"She said as she slowly began to disappear.
Will stepped forward, "Elyon, wait!. Where... are they?" She then sighed, lowering her wings as she sat, letting out a little sniffle. She then felt six other hooves onto her back.
Samus smiled,"Will, they're probably with me right now, and we're going through a world where we had to fight an insane Goddess of Order, but we're fine." she said as she put a hoof on her back.
Twilight nodded,"I know that they will come for you now, and they do exist."
Nightmare Moon sat back,"You can stay here to rest, but once you leave, there will no longer be a sanctuary for you."
Pinkie Pie bounced to Nightmare moon, "So, what kind of world?"
"What do you mean?" Nightmare Moon asked.
"Well, you said you can from a different world and I was wondering what kind you came from," Pinkie said.
"Well, when Celestia used the Elements on me, I turned them against her, thus earning me the victory. This lead to a lengthy thousand years where my eternal night ruled, but seeing that my ponies couldn't be fed, I made a deal with Discord to grow crops without sunlight." Nightmare Moon explained,"Of course, later on I found out that Celestia had been depowered and was wondering the earth as an old mare for all of my rule, and that's what my Element Bearers used the Elements to do: Give Celestia her strength back.
"Quite an interesting story," Rarity said, drinking some tea.
Will smiled, "Good job, Taranee."
Nightmare Moon smiled at Will,"If it were not for her, I would not have reunited with my sister."
Will smiled as she watched the others walk to the next door, "Come on, Will, we need to go."Dash shouted, walking to the pegasus.
Nightmare Moon waved to them as she and the room disappeared.
The next room had a staircase leading to a room with an alicorn stallion wearing a long billowy black cape. He had white hair and piercing red eyes.
"Oh, dear," Rarity said, shaking her head, "That cape..."
"Oh definitely a villain, look at his hair," Pinkie said.
Ghaleon cocked his head at Pinkie,"What do you mean?"
"Well, world destroying bad guys have white hair like that. I mean, Trixie wanted to some destruction for a while," Pinkie giggled.
"And just who are you?" Applejack asked.
Samus nodded,"Yeah, do you know how many people I've fought that wore eyeliner and a white wig that keep calling themselves 'Sephiroth?'"
"I am the Magic Emperor, Ghaleon." Ghaleon said, the area around them changing to a sky fortress,"I terrorized my world to revive the Goddess Althena."
"She didn't want to be revived, Ghaleon." Samus said.
"That's horrible," Fluttershy said.
(Will saw a fight between Samus, Taranee and a few others. She watched as a young girl ran up the stairs to a trapped soul, and she was singing.
Taranee sighed" Song. "
"Wouldn't you move the world to bring back someone you care about?" Ghaleon asked Fluttershy.
Yes, but not if meant hurting others,” Fluttershy said
Ghaleon chuckled,"Then you truly are a better mare than I." He charged his horn as several orbs came swerving at them.
Fluttershy sighed, "That's because I have been able to fill my life up with something more than just romance. I was able to fill my life up with friends who told me to get out and become something more. To teach me that it’s ok to be afraid, because they’re there to wash away my fears."
I'm not a mare I'm not a stallion I am something that you'll never understand
Fluttershy flew up and blocked the orbs, allowing for Rainbow Dash to fly under her and strike at Ghaleon while charged with lighting. Applejack used her lasso to pull Ghaleon to Rarity who slashed him with her sword. Pinkie looked to Fluttershy and smiled
I'll never beat you I'll never lie And if you're evil I'll forgive you by and by
Brining out her party boombs, she threw them at Ghaleon. Ghaleon stepped back from the blows, his horn charging as he flew up and struck the ground with lightning. He landed and began to walk towards them. Growling, Ghaleon could feel a drumbeat making him sing in a different tone.
Your butt is mine Gonna tell you right Just show your face In broad daylight
Ghaleon began to moonwalk backwards as he threw blows at Applejack
I'm telling you On how I feel Gonna hurt your mind Don't shoot to kill
He used magic to strike at Will's mind
Come on, come on, Lay it on me All right...
The girls screamed as the lightning coursed through their bodies, hitting them hard. This left Applejack open to the blows from Ghaleon. Will struggled to get up, but the mind attack caused her to scream in pain.
(Will finds herself in darkness, alone. Then she sees twelve hooves reach out for her. Looking up, she can see the smiling faces of her friends, "Almost there" she whispered as she took the hooves. As she did, she saw someone else's' memories.
"Sissy is the best!"
"Hey, you protected my friends, thanks," Irma said.
Hay Lin giggled as she hugged Samsu, "Thanks for showing up. Now we can go find Will and the others."
"She...did she go on a long journey too?
In the background she could hear the element bearers singing
U - I would die 4 u, yeah Darling if u want me 2 U - I would die 4 u)
Will shook her head and fired a stream of lighting at Ghaleon
I'm not your lover I'm your friend I am something that you'll never comprehend
Rainbow Dash was the first to recover and flew at Ghaleon, her wingblades extended
No need 2 worry No need 2 cry
A tornado began to form as she started to cut Ghaleon
Twilight looked down, and noticed four symbols, a lightning bolt, a sword, a dragon, and a wave of water. She nodded to Will.
Ghaleon gasped as the blades cut into him. He tried to grab the lightning but it shocked him.
I'm giving you On count of three To show your stuff Or let it be... I'm telling you Just watch your mouth I know your game What you're about
Ghaleon flew over to them, a wall of fire coming at his hooves, before he kicked it.
Well they say the sky's the limit And to me that's really true But my friend you have seen nothing Just wait 'til I get through...
He summoned a bolt of lightning at Fluttershy, only for Samus to catch it and then redirect it back at him.
A mare in dragon armor, a stallion with a big sword, a colt with sorcerer's robes, and a griffon with a mace appeared out of their symbols.
Ghaleon made several swords appear as he struck at them, began to move towards them and proceeded to summon beams of light at them.
Because I'm bad, I'm bad - come on (Bad bad - really, really bad) You know I'm bad, I'm bad - you know it (Bad bad - really, really bad) You know I'm bad, I'm bad - come on, you know (Bad bad - really, reall y bad)
Ghaleon flew up into the air, and summoned a meteor above them.
And the whole world has to Answer right now Just to tell you once again, Who's bad...
Rainbow Dash Picked up Fluttershy, helping her to get her shield to the various ponies as they fought
I'm not a pony I am a dove I'm your conscious I am love All I really need is 2 know that U believe
Applejack joined in, ignoring the cuts and slashes to deliver blow after blow into Ghaleon's body
Yeah, I would die 4 u, yeah Darling if u want me 2 U - I would die 4 u
Ghaleon gasped as he flew into the air in pain
The word is out You're doin' wrong Gonna lock you up Before too long, Your lyin' eyes
He slammed his hooves into the ground, causing it to shake.
Gonna tell you right So listen up Don't make a fight, Your talk is cheap You're not a man You're throwin' stones To hide your hands
Ghaleon spun around and kicked a tornado to them.
Rainbow Dash let out a shout as she spun a counterbalance to the tornado
Yeah, say one more time
U - I would die 4 u
The ponies stood as one, weapons drawn and magic ignited, as Twilight took the lead.
Darling if u want me 2 U - I would die 4 u 2 3 4 U
I would die 4 u
Ghaleon screamed as he tried to block the beam with his own.
You know I'm bad, I'm bad - you know it (Bad bad - really, really bad) You know I'm bad - you know - hoo! (Bad bad - really, really bad) You know I'm bad - I'm bad - you know it, you know (Bad bad - really, really bad) And the whole world has to answer right now (And the whole world has to answer right now) Just to tell you once again... (Just to tell you once again) Who's bad?
He screamed as the beam destroyed him.
Rainbow Dash had a smirked as she high fived her friends, "That was awesome!!!"
"I feel a little sorry o\for him. I wonder why he would go so far for that in his world. Will are you-" Fluttershy paused and smiled when she saw Will hugging the illusion of Taranee tightly.
"Don't forget me, be safe," Will whispered.
"I will, Will. Good luck," Taranee said, fading away.
Taranee looked to Samus "Samus, did we see Will when we fought Ghaleon?"
"Not that I can recall," Samus said shaking her head.
"For a brief minute, I thought I saw her. I don't know why I thought about that world, it just came to me," Taranee said, smiling softly .
Samus put a hoof to her chin,"Why is it that everytime I'm in that world, we start singing?" She asked as the door before them opened.
Twilight shrugged,"I didn't notice."
The door was a spiraling staircase leading upwards, "Onwards and upwards," Applejack said.
Will began to walk with Samus, "Do you know, how are they. Is there anything you can tell me about what they are doing?"
Pinkie Pie bounced up the steps, smiling, and then looked down at the void, "Wow!"
"What is it...oh my," Rarity said, getting a good look around her. All around them there were many lights, many portals. Some stairs and elevators were working, others were broken. But each seemed to be heading to a place that was far out of sight of the traveling party.
Samus smiled,"There's no harm in telling you." She looked at Will,"They miss you. Going through each world? It was hard, but you were the main reason they kept going. Trust me, they've seen some awful things, but they kept fighting, because they knew they had to find you again."
Twilight looked around,"Where do we go!?"
Will smiled as the light shown up ahead, "We go up." she said wiping a tear from her eye as she walked to the top of the stairs and opened them.
Once inside of the room, they found themselves in a deep dark cave. A tree symbol laid in the back, "What the?" Applejack asked.
Twilight looked around as she went to the center,"Who’s here this time?"
There is a slow plod of hooves along the ground, "So, this is where the heart led me all this time. Into the battleground between the guardian and the dragon. But, to complicate matters, there is the advent of the element bearers here as well," the black cat pushed up his glasses with the heel of his palm.
"Look at that Twilight, he's like...
"Mirage," Pinkie gasped looking at the cat man in the long black coat.
Twilight turned with a glare,"Who are you?
"Black-Cat Kuro, leader of the Black Cat Pirates," Kuro then sighed. "Sadly, my grandest plans were all ruined by the Guardian of Earth and the Navigator who is Guardian of the Heart now. I had everything in hand. The plague was working perfectly until the Heart broke it."
Nami sighed, "I realized she wasn't my mother, but you messed with my heart you bastard. I was actually happy to have a mom again and you took it from me."
"Nami, I can handle him, you break the heart and save my sister" Cornelia said) "You almost killed her," growled Will.
"Plague!? You don't mean the Hate Plague!?" Twilight gasped.
Samus growled,"I heard about you. You used Nami's own mother against her!"
"That wasn't her mother... just some woman who disguised herself. See, I knew it would drive her to find the heart and come to me," Kuro said, pushing up his glasses. "She had one of the many gems I sought. The one that could unlock the Heart of Worlds."
"You bastard!" Applejack shouted, "Using her mother like that, even if it is a copy, is just cruel."
"So, that is life," Kuro said, shrugging.
Twilight frowned,"You're the second cat person I'm mad at!" She looked at the others,"I'm not going to become racist because of this, am I?"
Samus growled,"You lowly son of a Biii-gun!" She charged her horncannon.
"If you really think you can beat me, then try," Kuro said, moving side to side. Then in an instant, he vanished. Then, claw marks appeared on each of tje girls bodies.
Samus growled as the claw marks skidded her armor,"Damn it!"
Twilight gasped,"Oh, you want to go that fast, huh?" She put her horn to the ground, turning it into ice.
Applejack growls, and then saw the ice. Smirking she ran to the front of the ice and readied a punch. Smiling Pinkie Pie put on ice skates and make little divots, forcing Kuro to slide and slam into Applejacks hoof.
Twilight ran up to Kuro and zapped him with a magic bolt.
Kuro let out a scream and collapsed to his knees.
"Well, that was-"before Dash could say anything more, Kuro's body began to glow black and red
Twilight stepped back,"Um, what's happening?"
Samus scanned Kuro with her visor.
“Specimen is gaining the power of the hate plague. Danger level rising to 10%” Her visor said.
Cornelia and NAmi stood back to back, one was glowing green and the other with the elements. "Let's do this.”
Cornelia stood with her sister as she smiled at Will. "Navigator. a heart dedicated to sisterhood."
"Did he just become?"
"The epitome of the rage virus? Yes!" Kuro began to laugh.
Twilight frowned,"Pinkie?"
"You got it!" Pinkie said, leaping at Kuro and wrapping around his neck. "What i...” he paused when he saw his power dissipated," Uh oh..."
The group nodded,"The big uh-oh!" They said as they all, minus Flutters punched him.
Fluttershy just shook her head disdainfully
The world around them turned back to white as Twilight smirked,"That wasn't too hard."
Samus snickered,"Yeah, wait til the next one." She began to laugh.
Rainbow Dash looked at the room as a set of stair appeared, leading to a large coin, "Can that be me?" she asked herself.
“What was that?" Samus asked as she walked just behind her.
Rainbow shook her head,”Nothing.”
The next room was a large bank, with symbols on the ground:A dollar sign, a gas gun, a rock symbol, and a fireball.
Will looked down, "Cornelia, and Taranee's symbols."
"But what's that other stuff?" Pinkie asked.
"None of your concern!" Shouted a duck who floated in the air. Her black hair flowing behind her.,
"What on earth?" Rarity said, looking up at the floating dukcc.
"That's a duck, why is that a duck?" Applejack asked.
Rainbow Dash looked wide eyes, "Magica De Spell? There is an universe where she’s real!?"
"What?" Will asked shocked, "They have Ducktales comics in this world?"
A quick flash of memory went through her head "Elyon, I don't believe it. Scrooge comics in Meridian."
"Yes, seems to be an universal constant. Dunkin Donuts, Scrooge Mcduck comics, and Pizza." Elyon said.
"Yeah, she was like my favorite villain on that comic," Dash said.
Twilight shrugged,"I was always more of a Gargoyles fan."
Samus looked at her,"You too!?" they high-hoofed each other.
Magica laughed,"I'm glad I am so recognizable!"
Will shook her head as her mind flashed back.
"Oh, this is so exciting! I can't believe we are actually here!!!" Taranee cheered.
Cornelia sighed and smiled at Will, "Childhood. Will, we are watching you, don't worry, we'll keep you safe.
"Shame we are gonna have to beat you," Rainbow Dash smirked
"No, it is you who will be beaten!" Magica charged her wings as she summoned bolts of lightning at them.
Samus grabbed the lightning in her hooves and tossed it to the side.
Lightning crackled around Will's wings as she took off into the air and threw her lighting bolts at Magica
Magica put a shield around herself for the lightning and then sent a fireball Will's way.
Rarity used her blade to cut the fireball in half and sent out Vorpal to cut the ball in half. Then she spun her blade in a circle to stab at Magica. Pinkie Pie giggled as she pressed the gas gun button
Magica gasped as the blade went into her shoulder. Then her eyes went wide as a duck in a purple outfit came out swinging on a grapple to kick her in the face.
Pinkie Pie smiled as she held onto the duck and kicked Magica in the stomach, Applejack and Dash hit the buttons in sync, bringing out Cornelia and Taranee who fired their elements together. Fluttershy looked at the coin button and hit it.
Magica flew back and barely got up when a duck in a top hat came up to her, glaring down at her.
"Oh, no. Not you!" Magica whimpered.
"Yea, me!" Scrooge said as he walked back and used his cane to launch Pinkie at her
Pinkie giggled and spun in a ball to hit MAgica straight in the stomach.
Magica gasped as she slammed into the wall,"Valtor didn't pay me enough for this!" She said as she disappeared.
Scrooge nodded as he turned and walked away into the light,"Ya did good, ya did good."
Pinkie Pie wiped a tear away, "Why am I crying?"
Will ran to Cornelia and Taranee, giving them both a hug, "Will, Y-you are..."
"Ok," Cornelia cried hugging Will tightly. "We have been worried. Are you doing ok Are you fine?"
"I'm ok, Cornelia, don't worry," Will said to their fading images.
Cornelia looked to Samus, "Samus, we didn't have Will wiht us back at Duckburg? Did we?"
Twilight put a hoof onto Will's shoulder, and nodded.
A white pipe appeared in the middle of the room.
"What," all but one asked.
Pinkie Pie smiled and ran to the tube, "I got to say this place knows how to have fun. WHEEEE!!!!!!
Twilight raised a hoof,"You know what? I'm not even going to ask." She said as they all went into the pipe.
The pipe then appeared and all of them were now 8-bit sprites.
"What?!" Applejack asked, her dialogue box being written out beneath her mouth.
Samus' dialogue box appeared,"I feel at home like this for some reason..."
"I don't!" Dash said, her sprite bouncing up and down, "I just feel weird."
Pinkie giggled when her text box popped up, "That's because the room hadn't updated to 16 bit yet, I think that's over there!
The group went over to the next room, where Samus exclaimed,"Ah! I can finally move my arms diagonally! And now I can crouch! There are so many new directions I can take now!"
Applejack's dialogue box then appeared," And I can even lift things easier."
"Yeah, but I think this is a Super NES, no blast-processing," Will frowned. Then she bounced up and down, "So where is the villain?"
Dark Conquest ran out of the studio for Fall of Starfleet, "Paradox, what is going on? Icy is supposed to appear in this fight!"
Paradox had a pair of glasses on as she looked over the script,"I don't know! It's like she ran out!" She took her glasses off,"We have to find her! Otherwise, we'd lose readers!"
Dark Conquest, "Readers, we have readers? My fic gets more than that and the other guys still haven’t read the latest chapter of Fall of Starfleet yet." Looks at you "For shame!"
"Look," God boomed, coming from the Darkest of Tides set, "I don't care what we have to do but we have to come up with something!!"
Dark Conquest shook his head, "Look, Doxy, you find Icy, I'll just throw some random video game gags at them!"
"My word, is that a giant tetris block coming at us?" Rarity asked.
"A..." Twilight blinked, her eyes going wide,"Must. Place. Neatly!" She said as she tried to grab it.
Several more blocks began to fall towards Twilight, while music played above
"What in the hay? Rainbow, can you make-"
"Can’'t hear you, busy!" Dash said, getting into an advanced car "Come on, Falcon."
"Show me your moves!"Captain Falcon said, before driving Dash off
Dash then leapt out to punch Shao Kahn
"Rainbow Punch!"
Will then shouted, "Captain Dash!"
Twilight squeed as she began to place the blocks together.
Samus growled,"Well, we lost two! Now what!?"
"Pray that we don’t find something that'll distract Pinkie-"
"Wheee!!!" Pinkie Pie said, dancing alongside a red creature with two eye stalks and a big yellow-brown blob
"Well, we lost her," Applejack said with a frown.
Fluttershy sighed, "Well, at least I know that hey-IS THAT A ROWLETT?" she squealed, chasing after the 16 bit pokemon.
"I do hope that the writers will fix this," AJ said following Link
Samus shouted up to the heavens,”Hah, I’m already a video game character! What are you going to do with me!?”
Iron Man flew in from the sky,”Samus, we need your help.”
“Oh.” She shrugged as she followed Iron Man to New York City
Rarity gasped as an Arwing appeared and opened it’s cockpit for her,”Yay!” She jumped in.
"Well, if if if if-" Will stuttered.
That was when everything was covered up with a blue screen.
Dark Conquest spat out his coffee, "SHIT!!!"
"What happened?" God asked, seeing the blue screen.
"I was trying to update the game to become playstation era, you know like the joke tradition followed, but then this happened," Conquest said, hitting the side of the screen.
"Buck, and Para isn't back yet-"
*Elsewhere*
A little bunny with big eyes said, "She went to the beach." as Para left, the cute sweet bunny looked down at the fox. "Now, it’s time to die!" she said, holding up the bloodied knife"
"HELP ME!: screamed the fox, his legs missing.
*Back here*
"We need to do something!"
When the screen rebooted, suddenly the gang were looking at Titan from the Immortal Game... and they looked like muppets.
"Girls," Twilight said,"I think I'm a muppet."
Pinkie Pie smiled, "YAY! I always wanted to try being a muppet!"
"You will bow to me!" Titan said, bringing out his sword and slashing lightly at them.
"Really? Muppets?" Dark Conquest yelled.
"You have the controller!"
On some beach.
Icy drank her tea, "Man, it’s good to finally have a vacation."
"Hello, Icy~" A voice said from behind her.
"No!" Twilight said, bringing her sword out and fighting. Samus began to fire little plush pellets at Titan.
Icy shivered, "That is not Paradox, that is no paradox."
Closing her eyes, she turned to the sound.
God smiled, " I think I god it!"
That was when everyone was a block cgi sprite and the perspective was top down.
Paradox grabbed Icy,"Yes, it's Paradox! Come to put you back to work!"
Samus looked around,"What happened!?"
Twilight turned,"I don't know, and why is everyone talking funny!?"
"What! Talking, funny?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Twilight, what do you mean!?" Rarity asked.
ICy grabbed onto her chair, "No! I just found a good spot, I won't go back there!!!
Paradox snapped her fingers, turning the chair into whipped cream,"You're going back!"
Twilight pointed,"Your mouths! They're robotic!"
"So yours!" Will shouted, "I guess what is what happens when you are the master of unlocking!"
"I won't not to that insanity, who knows what they will do," Icy screamed, "Beat me off screen in some one-off gag!"
Paradox shook her head,"I promise that won't happen! Come on, it's not gonna be that bad!" She said as she dragged the struggling Icy away.
"Ah!" Samus shouted,"That acting!"
Icy screamed, "No, I don't wanna, you don't pay me for this!!"
"How about I pay you 500 bucks?"Paradox suggested.
"1000 and a cameo in Fall of Starfleet!"
"Deal!"
As the bearers all rode chocobos while three metal gears chased them, Will thrusted her hoof into the air, "I think I know what's happening!"
"What?" asked Applejack.
"The Fallout roleplay is getting intense!" Will said.
Twilight blinked,"What do you mean? What does that have to do with anything?"
"Well you know how it goes!" Pinkie said. "Every time one of the rps get a little more darker and intense than the other the hacks up there make one lighter to help the mood."
"They always seem to do that!" Will said, "Let me see what's going on over there," she then used the heart to rip a temporary hole to look at the Fallout rp.
Samus looked in,"Aw, I remember that." She sniffled.
The metal gears stopped chasing them and sighed too.
They all watched the RP and began to cry as the scenes played out.
ICy bellowed from the other side, now looking like a balloon, "I didn't cry, not one bit. The writer is a hack!!"
Samus blinked,"Why are you a balloon?
"These two idiots called Bub and Bob attacked me!" Icy cried.
"Bub and Bob?" Twilight asked.
At that point, two little dragons came up behind Icy and kicked her in the shins. This caused Icy to turn back to normal, "Bub and Bob!" she growled, writing own in her to kill page.
Samus scoffed and rolled her eyes,"What a weenie."
"I am not an-uh oh," Icy said, seeing the buttons rise. " Oh no!" running over, she began to try and stop them from rising.
“Buttons?" Twilight asked.
ICy growled, "You know, these little things" she said pointing to the button of a mushroom with eyes that winked at her and a little tornado. "See.. oh sh-”
Twilight smirked as she and Rarity pushed those buttons, summoning Princess Peach, who was showering.
"Eek! Warn me!" Peach said before grabbing her pink dress and putting it on.
Will stood there and got her vision. Which is basically self-indulgent because this basically me celebrating how I had worked for two long years on this thing. I mean, can you believe it? Two years, I have done this thing for two freaking years!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T59EDTqqW0A
Hay Lin smiled, "Fun. It was fun, we need to come here some time
That was Hay Lin appeared out of a cake and threw the pie to Pinkie.
Peach then hit Icy with a frying pan before Samus decked her.
A tornado hit Icy hard before she looked to the audience, "Don’t worry guys, the cool stuff is incoming. It's just that the Fallout stuff got really good," then she was blasted against the wall
The room went back to normal.
Twilight sighed and lowered her head,"Thank Celestia..."
Pinkie Pie giggled, "That was so much fun! Let's go again!"
"No!" Was the response most of them gave as a black door appeared before them.
Will shuddered a little, "Why do I feel cold?" she asked herself as she pressed her hoof to the black door, opening it.
"I'm scared," Hay Lin shuddered.
Irma lightly punched her, "Eh, stop being a whimp.
What?" Will asked herself, "Irma would never-"
“Girls, listen to me!" Will shouted as a woman in golden armor began to walk to them.
"Shut up , you are such a little twerp!"
Will backed away, as she did, the memories stopped, "Will? Something wrong?" Applejack asked.
"Getting memories, that aren't my own. They're my friends,but they are saying something I know they would never say," Will said, shaking her head. Turning her head back up at the door, she gasped when she saw the next memory that flashed through her.
Will backed away, seeing her friends corpses in front of her, "No, you killed them." Trembling Will held out her hand, "Please Galaxia, spare me, you can have the heart."
The woman in armor could only sneer as she stabbed Will.
Will screamed and backed away, "My friends, she..."
Fluttershy went to Will and put a hoof onto her shoulder, "Will? Will it’s ok, we are all here."
"T-that world, it's poison." Will stated simply.
Samus frowned as she went to the door,"That world..." She turned to them,"It is world devoid of any heroes. Most that tried to stand up to the ruler, Queen Galaxia, end up dead, or insane." She shuddered,"Going through that door will lead us to nothing but terror."
"But there is no going back." Twilight said, walking up to it,"We have to do this, otherwise, Valtor will win!"
Samus nodded,"We have to be careful, for Galaxia was one of the most powerful creature the Guardians and I have ever faced. Only one thing was stronger than her."
"A gal who took on you and the guardians all at once and you call her strong," Applejack let out a whistle, "Hate to see that."
Before she could open it, Dash pushed the door open with Twilight, "Like Twilight said, we have to go. If we don't Valtor wins."
And Will might lose more of her memories! Pinkie Pie added.
They entered to see a plane of destroyed buildings and wrecked vehicles. Bodies were strewn about the area as a mare with a red mane and golden armor sat on a throne. On the ground where the earth, water, and fire symbols.
"Oh my," Fluttershy trembled as she moved to stand next to Dash.
The cyan mare growled, "You, did you do this?"
"You... were the woman who killed my friend," Will said. Then she shook her head, "No, you killed another me's friends."
Galaxia stood up and looked at Fluttershy,"Fear? Good, that is what I enjoy seeing." She looked at Will,"And I shall do the same to you." She charged up her horn to blast them with golden energy.
Twilight went in front of them to put up a shield, only to watch it break,"Oh, buck me." She said as she was thrown to the back.
Rarity used her magic to catch Twilight, "Are you alright?"
Will frowned and growled, "You heartless monster. I will make you pay."
"My grandmother, she she-"
"It's ok, it will be all right," Cornelia said, hugging her.
Hay Lin smiled, "Do you know why we won this fight?"
Will flew into the sky and threw a lightning bolt at Galaxia.
Twilight shook her head,"I'm fine, the armor took the brunt of the hit." She looked up and fired a magic bolt into Galaxia. Galaxia used both hooves to catch both attacks when a missile from Samus hit her in the face. The smoke cleared into an unfazed expression.
Rainbow Dash flew in slashing at Galaxia with her wings. Using her rope, Applejack tried to pull Galaxia at Dash while Pinkie Pie fired round after round of her party cannon.
Will looked down at the button for fire
"That monster, she could've. I-I-"
"But you didn't Cornelia, "Hay Lin smiled, "Because we're here.
Cornelia smiled, "We all had something they didn't."
Galaxia pulled Applejack up towards Dash, before growling at the confetti,"What is this stuff?" She fired on Pinkie.
"Confetti mix with a few bits of the batter I use in my piezooka," Pinkie said, yelping and ducking under each blast, one shot singing her mane.
Rarity side stepped and slashed with Vorpal while Fluttershy used her wings to blow the confetti around Galaxi.
Will nodded as she began to hit each circle, a flood of memories hitting her
Taranee, Cornelia, and Hay Lin smiling and laughing with one another. Playing with some puppets.
Taranee speaking to them, Though Will can't make out the words, she can see tears from her eyes.
Taranee stepped forward, "We had the will. We knew you were there waiting.
Samus ran under her, firing her hyper beam into the queen before Galaxia flew down to Rarity to fire a beam into her. She frowned as she noticed a bit of her armor cracking.
Rarity let out a shout of pain as the blast hit her backside. Concentrating, she sent Applejack into the air so she can get a hit.
Will smiled as the three figures appeared from the symbols, each holding their magic. With almost a silent nod, each girl ran to their respective element bearer.
Galaxia grunted as she felt Applejack hit her,before knocking her off and looking at the Guardians with their bearers. She charged her horn and sent a sweeping laser at them.
Cornelia used a rocky pillar to send Applejack into the air, While Fluttershy ran under her to use the shield to block the sweeping lase. Hay Lin used her tornado to keep Rarity hidden, Allowing her to use her sword from behind while Wil struck out with her lighting. Taranee used her fire magic to turn Rainbow Dash into a living fireball,
Twilight used her magic to make her own lightning to combine with Will's to strike at Galaxia.
Galaxia attempted to block with a shield, before a super missile came with the blows, breaking it and throwing her to the ground. She got up and growled, her armor turning black and her teeth sharpening. A hideous laughter came from her as her coat turned gray and two black wings sprouted from her body.
Will panted, a scowl on her face," Of course there is a one winged angel form, there is always a one winged form."
'Galaxia' laughed,"Yes, it's always going to be that way!" a new male voice spoke with her,"Behold, my true form."
"Hatred." Samus growled.
"Please, Sammy, call me Dark Conquest!" The thing laughed.
Dash leaned to Pinkie Pie, giggling, "Dark Conquest, what a name."
"Why did you call him Hatred?" Will asked.
"Hey, my momma gave me that name!" Conquest said. He smiled,"I'm powered by hatred, you see, and this world was full of it! But at the time I came here to take over, I was weak, so I used Galaxia as a vessel for my power."
"How could you?" Fluttershy said.
Rarity shook her head, "How horrid, feeding on hatred, and using somepony else for your own deeds!"
Twilight frowned,"Wow, feeding on hatred?" She shook her head,"How... sad."
Dark Conquest growled,"Don't start with that! I already had trouble with another version of you doing that!" He charged his horn,"Now I'm going to kill you before I lose again!"
"Shame," Dash smirked.
"Ya already lost!" Applejack said, running to Conquest to upper cut his jaw.
Will took flight and began to throw lightning bolt after lightning bolt at DC
Conquest growled as he grabbed Applejack's hoof before feeling the lightning strike at him,"Tell me, what is it that gives you hate?" He said, raising his hoof, before Twilight zapped him with a bolt of magic.
"I-" Rarity paused as she went in with a sword swipe as she could almost feel Conquest going into her innermost thoughts.
Selfish nobels, giving them a bad name. How dare they even call me common,. Ooooh, there are days when I hate my parents!
she shuddered and shook her head, "Wha?"
Applejack pushed Rarity out of the way, and then groaned,
Ah can't stand liars! Ah hate them, Ah hate the bandits that killed my pa.
Dark Conquest chuckled,"Yes, feed me your rage!" He turned to the reader,"I always wanted to say that!"
Samus gasped,"He's looking into your- argh!" She felt something dig into her skull
Damn pirates, killing my parents. Damn God, Goddess, Ridley and all those who hurt innocents! I hate them all!
Twilight growled, as she felt him dig into her mind.
How dare he hurt my friends? How dare Mirage harm those I care about!?
Conquest laughed,”Yes, feed me your rage!” He turned to the reader,”I always wanted to say that.”
Will shouted, flying at Conquest, trying to ignore the buzzing in her head.
He killed my friends in this world. I hate him, hate him, HATE!!!!!
Rainbow dash shuddered, "No, oh no not-"
The hate plague in her body made her think of something she was trying to shun "You hate them, all your friends you despise them
Pinkie raced to each of them, "Girls come on, please!"
Stupid Limey! How could she make Marble cry! It wasn't her fault, I hate her!
"Hey, that was just that one time! I didn't hate her that much, I was just a little mad!" Pinkie shouted.
"Maude, I hate my parents! I hate them. Would it hurt so much for them to smile at least once at my jokes or to let me play with something other than rocks?"
"Pinkie, You don't mean that.You don't really hate them
"She's right, I never hated mom and pop, I was just angry that one time!" Pinkie shouted in defiance.
In Fluttershy's mind was a void, no hatred.
Conquest laughed as he floated in the air, sending out bolts of lightning at them,"Yes, your hatred is so delicious!"
Twilight looked Pinkie and Fluttershy,"They're actively fighting it..." She looked at Samus,"You thinking what I'm thinking?"
Samus smirked,"Ever played volleyball?"
Conquest suddenly found Samus right in front of him, grabbing his hooves,"Oh, you Sammy, are a banquet to me. Tell me, what makes you think you can beat me?"
"I can't. I'm just a distraction for Applejack."
Then Conquest was kicked up into the sky, before Rainbow and Will flew up,”Spike!” Rainbow shouted, spiking him down to Twilight and Rarity who used their hooves to knock him towards the waiting hooves of Pinkie Pie.
Conquest turned and widened his eyes,"Not again." He said in a high pitched voice. He felt Pinkie Pie grab a hold of him causing him to burn,” This will not be the last you'll see of me, Twilight! I will have my re-" He was cut off as his entire body turned to ashes and the room became plain white.
We conquered him," Cornelia said, smiling.
"Because we had each other," Haylin nodded.
"And all of your memories," Taranee said.
Hay Lin looked to Samus, "Um, Samus...I think we need to call Techna. Something's screwy, I just thought about the Galaxia world.
"Why? That place was-"
"Yeah, but Will was there!" Hay Lin said. "She was cheering us on and telling us to not give up!"
Taranee shook her head, "This...this is impossible. We never had Will in those adventures."
"That can only mean," ...
"She's calling to us!!!"
" Two more." Samus said,"One world with Irma, and the world of Chaos and Order."
Twilight smiled,"You know, surprisingly, Galaxia was tougher without Conquest..."
"Well, duh!" Dash smirked as she flew ahead of the group, "Because he couldn't handle this!"
Twilight shrugged,"Hatred's a stupid thing to power up on anyway,"She said as she went through the door.
"Personally I prefer to power up on cakes, cookies and ice cream!' Pinkie said bouncing ahead of them.
The room began to change, into a circular room. Slowly stepping out from four doors was a pony with a long black cloak, a crouched unicorn with a crooked smile, a mare with a pink mane, and a mar e with a long green mane, Rarity was the first to remark, "Ugh, how garish."
"Oh, four?" Twilight asked,"That's different."
The mare with long green hair smiled, "Well, when Valtor touched this world, he had us all attack and destroy people's lives,"
"I assume the heart broug t all four of us here because of our battles.” The stallion in the cloak said.
Twilight looked around,"Okay, how are we dividing this up?"
Samus slammed her hooves together,"I can get the strongest."
"Perhaps" the pink maned mare whispered, "We draw straws?
"You want the strongest Samus, you mean me," Battle whispered.
Samus smirked,"Good." Her horn cannon charged,"Any one want to join me? There would be two each."
Applejack smirked, "I'm with ya."
"Oh, dibs on the creepy scientist," Pinkie bounced, taking Twilight with her.
"I think I'll handle the mother,' Fluttershy said, Rainbow Dash joining her towards the pink maned one..
Will looked at the witch, "Guess that leaves me and Rarity
Twilight frowned at the professor,"I don't know why, but looking at you makes me mad."
"Why thank you," the scientist bowed.
That was when the ground began to shake, making eighteen round buttons appear around them. Nine of them had a symbol of a planet glowing in a bright color. The other nine each had a flag on it, with an unique jolly roger on it: A straw hat, a long nose skull, a swordsman, a chef, a skull with an ok, a reindeer, a cyborg, a skull with many hands, and a cyborg. In the center was a water drop, "Holy!" Dash shouted.
Twilight gasped in shock,"Think there's enough buttons!?"
(eighteen people stood facing of against one another, and then a light flashed leading them to stand together s won, facing four. Irma appeared to Will, "It was crazy over here. Probably one of the more epic adventures you had ever seen.. that's what happens when you see the Heart of the Pirate: Home, friends, and dreams.)
Will’ eyes charged with electricity as sh charged to Darcy hitting the button to commence the fight, Irma appearing in ablaze of water
Twilight flew to Tomoe, hitting one of the buttons.
Samus charged her Ice Beam as she hit another button.
Irma looked to Will, and smiled when she blasted the four with water, distracting longe enugu to the battle proper to begin. As Twilight ran at Tomoe, Pinkie hit a seperate button and fired her part cannon as a woman with short blue air fired ice along side a little reindeer who struck with his horns.
Battle held out his hand and burned the ice beam with a smile,
Samus frowned,"That's near sub-zero temperatures, you are doing the impossible!" She shook her head as she fired at the flames repeatedly.
Twilight grabbed Tomoe and threw him at the reindeer.
"Black flames," Smiled Battle as he fired a black fireball,
Tomoe screamed as the reindeer knocked thin to the air and got slashed by a girl in a short cut hair.
Mother moved to the left of Rainbow's hit, watching as Dash sped up to keep in front of her eyes. That was Mother saw Fluttershy began to hit the three buttons in a row, summon a woman with orange hair that launched thunder balls after thunder balls, a young girl with ice smacking her lips, and a woman with long black hair using her hand to punch Mother
Samus ducked under the fire ball before touching a button.
Twilight teleported up to Tomoe and struck him with Equinox.
When Samus touche the button a guy with a straw hat appeared, delivering multiple blows a onc. Applejack followed the movements and stuck hard, wincing at the burns on her armored hoof
Twilight flew up and began to blast at Tomoe.
Samus ran along up to Battle and used her Ice Spreader missile on him.
Applejack hit two more buttons, summoning a girl wielding a scepter that fired a blast at Battle. As he was blinded by the shot, Applejack ran in and began to deliver blow after blow into Battle's stomach.
Mother shook her eyes, trying to look past the dust that Fluttershy kicked up. In between her coughs, Rainbow Dash began to slice and cut at her with her wing blades.
Darcy leapt side to side, throwing dark bolts at Will, keeping a distance away from Rarity's blade.
Samus breathed in and out, letting yellow energy come over her before she began to strike Battle in his stomach.
Twilight flew into Tomoe at high speeds.
The four villains stood back one side, panting, and staring down at the eight. Just the same, the eight stood at the other side, growling, staring at their opponents with an iron will determination
Twilight scraped her hoof on the ground, ready to charge them.
The was a lone silence for but a brief moment. Then wind the wind picked up, blowing a bit of dust across the battlefield, that was their cure to charge at each other all at once. Their hooves and pells striking at one another. And, in a blink, it was over, ""Ok," Dash looked around, watching the room slowly faded away, "Who else wants some?
Twilight sheathed her sword as the world faded away,"Rainbow, don't give them ideas!"
A bright doorway appeared before them. A sense of calm came over the Bearers and Will.
Samus frowned,"Cosmos,"
"Who?" asked Will as she flew next to Samus.
Rarity sighed, "My word, it feels so... peaceful."
"Yeah, Ah kind of like it," Applejack said.
Samus growled,"Cosmos. In the world we went to, we were thrown into a war between a man who wanted to destroy, and a man who wanted to control. After we beat those two, she came." She looked at Will,"You see, after a being known as Chaos was killed in the world we went to, Cosmos went insane, and tried to take control of the world for herself by keeping everyone's minds the same, removing all free will." She looked at the Bearers,"She was tough to beat because if you had a heart of order, she could take control of you."
Twilight would go through the door and see Celestia standing before her,"Princess?"
"Hello, Twilight, come into my hooves." The princess beckoned towards her.
Will would see Taranee, Hay Lin, Irma, and Cornelia sitting together,"Will, you came!" Hay Lin said.
“G-girls?" Will asked, her eyes wide as she ran to her friends. "What are you doing sitting around here?"
"Abbigail," whispered a voice.
Applejack turned her head, "Momma?"
"Sweetie Bell?" Rarity asked seeing her little sister waving.
"What's going on?" Fluttershy asked.
"Fluttershy, dear," Fluttershy's mom called.
Fluttershy smiled, "Mom."
"Pinkie," Maude stood, with a rock in her hoof.
"Maude!" Pinkie giggled as she ran to her sister."
"Hey, Dash!" Rainbow Blaze flapped in the air,"Come on over here."
"Dad?" Dash asked, then winced and began to groan, "Why am I hurting so bad.' Her eyes shot up, "The hate plague..." she winced a little more as she flew to her father
Samus gasped as she saw the eyes of the group go blank as a six-winged, eight legged white alicorn with a flowing blonde mane and tail appeared before her,"Cosmos!" Samus said, firing her rainbow colored Hyper Beam at her.
Cosmos stopped the beam shots before picking Samus up in her white magic,"There is no princess to stop me now. They will join me as they were meant to."
"Girls, I missed you so much. Taranee, Irma, Hay Lin, Cornelia. I want you to meet," she looked behind her. "Where are they?"
"Where are who?" Taranee asked.
"MY friends. The element bearers: Twilight, Rainbow, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rarity," Will said.
Irma sighed and hugged her, "I wish this could be a little longer. But Will, I'm not real."
"W-what?" Will asked.
Cornelia sighed, "You are stuck in a dream that Cosmos is holding you in. The only reason why you aren't fully under her control is-"
"-Because this is just a heart image version of her, A memory. Besides," Hay Lin touched Will's heart of Kandrakar, "this is ight now pulling you towards us.You know this is near the end of your journey. Now, come on."
"You know they are waiting, Twilight will be the first to reawaken," said Elyon
Cosmos slammed Samus to the ground,"They will stay here, in my hooves..."
Samus coughed,"That's where you're wrong..." She laughed.
Celestia smiled, holding Twilight's hoof,"Twilight, this is hard for you to believe, but I'm not real."
Twilight blinked,"What do you mean?"
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Celestia asked.
For a brief second, her md flashed. She was back at the castle of two sisters "Twilight!" Again her heart felt warm when she was there.
"Friendship isn't easy, but it is worth fighting for!" Standing against a being of chaos, she was not afraid.
"Twilight Ah-" the apology fades. She was scared, frightened that she messed up once so many times, but one look in her eyes reminded her why she would always forgive them.
"You look like a princess," a faint whisper, a calm voice that said one thing. No matter the change, they would always be by her side.
"How can we protect Equestria?" Dash asked, but Twilight knew the answer, she always new, because they would stand together through hell if need to.
A spool of thread, a small singet, a coin, a flower, a rubber chicken. Seemed so small, yet they meant something more. A magician's cap and a yearbook showed more than just an item. Then Twilight could see Will's hoof sticking through a portal, "Twilight."
"So Maude, I have got to say that-" Pinkie turned to see Twilight, a rubber chicken on her back. "Sorry Fake Maude, but I got to go. Hero thing." Pinkie grinned before skipping away
Dash looked at a wonderbolts badge that hung on her vest, glowing a slight purple, "Dad... See ya!" she said before flying off.
Rarity pulled on a rainbow thread to give to Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle then smiled and waved her away. Rarity nodded.
Applejack growled, "You keep pulling that card, thinking it can hurt me. Well, you're wrong. Ah am stronger than that!" She walked off, rage in her eyes.
Fluttershy gave her mother a hug, "Mom," she said looking at the flower in her mane. "Tell Zephyr, I love him. Bye."
they then each reached out a hoof for Twilight.
A light flashed as they all woke up. Twilight turned to Cosmos with a glare.
Cosmos knocked Samus away,"How did you escape?" She said with a cock of her head.
Will could only smirk, "You are Cosmos, Harmony... can't you figure it out?
"Friendship? That's impossible, Friendship is one of my domains, you could not escape with that!" Cosmos said, walking towards them.
"Wrong, "Dash said, stepping forward.
"The moment she came into the picture, it became hers," Applejack nodded to twilight.
Will shook her head, "No, you're wrong. It's only one part of the puzzle. It belongs to all of you. Something like friendship, shouldn't be held by any one pony. but by a group. It's why the elements are at their strongest when all are together
Cosmos chuckled as Samus got back up behind her,"That is a nice speech." She charged her horn,"I admit, I would be proud of you if I didn't want to force into my hooves right now!"
In a flash, Applejac wrapped her rope around the horn and pulled it up. Fluttershy used her wings to blow dust into Cosmos eyes while Pinkie Pie fired her party cannon at her stomach. Rarity slashed both their legs while Rainbow Dash began to grab Cosmos/ nc, "Samsu, Twilight, Will, now!" Wll smiled a she fired a bolt of lighting at Cosmos
Samus and Twilight both fired beams at Cosmos. A shield of energy came over the alicorn as she used it to drive everypony back,"This would be easier if you just gave in." Cosmos frowned, unfazed as she stomped towards.
"Did you just tell us to give in?" Applejack asked, smirking
"Yes, but you won't, will you?" Cosmos asked, her horn glowing, her face an expressionless mask,
"Not," Rainbow Dash started
"On," Applejack continued.
"Your" Rarity smiled
"Ever" Pinkie added
"Loving" Fluttershy said
"Life!" Twilight shouted.
"Very well," Cosmos summoned a large orb of light at them, only for that orb to stop in mid-air. The sound of cackiling was heard as a transparent paw held the orb.
"Oh, Cosmy!" Discord's voice chuckled,"It's been too long!"
"Discord?" Fluttershy gasp
The air above them peeled off to reveal Discord's form. He patted Fluttershy on the head,"Hello, Flutters!"
"Chaos, stay away from my children." Cosmos growled.
"What are you doing here?" Fluttershy said.
Discord grinned,”I felt Cosmos’ energy, and I knew that this version of her was bad news, so I came to lend a paw!”
"Hey, the big dumb lizard-horse thing can hang out with who he wants. He’s..." with the next word she let out an audible shudder, "Flutters’ friend."
Discord winked at Rainbow,"I'm your friend too, Dashie!"
"He is a poisonous creature that doesn't deserve to live!" Cosmos growled.
"He's also a living being and has a right to live like anypony else," Fluttershy objected
"Yeah, and besides, at least I know where I stand." Discord stuck his tongue out at her,"You don't know anything."
Cosmos walked towards Fluttershy,"You are defending him?"
"Yes, because he is my friend. Because I think anything deserves a chance to live how her wants.' Fluttershy said.
Cosmos smiled,"That is why you are my favorite element, Fluttershy." She said, reaching her hoof out before Discord batted it away.
"Oh, no, you ain't getting them again!" He grabbed Fluttershy and flew out of the way, and then blew Cosmos a raspberry.
Fluttershy could only let out an eep as Discord grabbed her.
"You ain’t getting any of us again," Applejack said walking around her and narrowing her eyes.
"Shouldn't a being of pure harmony not play favorites with the elements?" asked Rarity
Cosmos thought for a moment, as her horn glowed, pulling the bearers' weapons from them and over to her,"You are right, I should go with with all of you."
"Hey, I liked that cannon!" Pinkie said, watching her cannon flying away.
Rainbow Dash frowned at the lost of her wing blades, "What are you doing with our weapons!?"
The weapons floated alongside Cosmos as shadows formed around them.
Rainbow's wingblades disappeared as a pink blur slammed into her. The pink pegasus flew above her, her electric blue mane flowing, Dash's wingblades shining off of her,"Think you're fast kid? You've got nothing on me."
"M-Mom?" Dash asked shaking her head as she looked to the pony. The with a shake of her mane, she flew up to her. "Yeah, I am pretty fast, fastest thing in the room!"
A white pegasus with a poofy yellow mane appeared in front of Pinkie,"Surprise!" She said firing Pinkie's party cannon at her.
"Woah!" Pinkie shouted, ducking under the cannon. She then giggled. "Oh, you got me good on this one!"
Equinox flew at Twilight as a mint green alicorn started to walk slowly towards her.
Twilight gulped,"Oh, buck me, not Mimic."
Applejack cracked her neck, "Ok, so who is mine?"
A sound of fumbling could be heard as Applejack was knocked into by an orange earth pony who looked similar to her,"Ow!" The pony said, rubbing her head.
Applejack rubbed her head, "Ow, watch where you are going you clumsy-ok this is weird." she noticed the apples on the other mare’s flank.
A pale unicorn sipped a cup of tea as she held Vorpal up to Rarity,"I must say, this is truly a fine sword."
"It is, isn't it? Care to give it back, I have grown quite attached to it as of late," Rarity asked
Discord looked down at Cosmos,"What about Fluttershy over here?" He kept his claw clenched over the yellow pegasus.
Cosmos looked up at him,"I'll take her myself."
Samus fired on Cosmos,"No, you won't!"
Fluttershy watched as Samus got ready to fight, "No Samus, she wants me. She can have me." she then looked to Discord and smiled, "I'll be fine." and with that, she walked calmly towards Cosmos.
(I'm scared, I am so scared right now.)
her eyes narrowed as she walked to Cosmos
(But, they need me. I am more scared of failing them, of seeing them die. I could care less of what happens to me-
"Fluttershy, are you ok?"
"Yes Zephyr, I'm fine."
"But that lighting bird, she, and your legs-"
"I had to protect you."
-
But, I couldn't live with myself if I let anypony get hurt. That's why I went with Twilight, I knew somehow... there had to be something I could do to help )
With an indomitable will, Fluttershy stood in front of Cosmos, waiting, "Your move."
Rainbow Dash flew up above Firefly, "So, what makes you think you are gonna win this?"
Firefly nodded, a sly grin forming on her face, “Because I have the experience. Half of the moves you mastered... I invented.”
“Shame,” Rainbow Dash smirked before taking off, “Then that means you are still a rookie.”
The made Firefly growl as she flew after Dash, the lightning crackling on her wing blades as she flew. Her speed increased enough that she soon caught up with the speedster, allowing herself to use the blades to cut through the armor and into Dash’s side. Rainbow yelped in pain as the sharp metal cut into her, making her corkscrew out of control.
Before crashing to the ground, Rainbow Dash quickly snapped herself out of her drift and flew back up, giving an direct uppercut to Firefly’s chin. As the blow landed, Firefly flipped in a circle and delivered a right kick into Dash’s midsection. As the pegasus caught her breath, Firefly began to fly around Rainbow Dash, using the wingblade’s magic to create a powerful tornado. As the tornado began to suck Rainbow Dash up, the wing blades cutting into her body, she struggled to see through the rushing wind.
Crossing her forelegs across her body for added protection, she spun in a corkscrew to pull herself out of a of the tornado and through the top. Once out she flew back in and began to create an opposing force to the tornado, stopping the wind.
Firefly, pushing through her own confusion, made two fly by acros Rainbow Dash, cutting into her back and stomach. Making a curve to strike Dash again, the cyan mar mare flew out of the way of the attack and flew away from Firefly. The pink pegasus decided to fly after Rainbow Dash in a vertical manner, trying to cut Dash in half.
Rarity glared at the mare who was playing with her sword, “It is, isn't it? Care to give it back, I have grown quite attached to it as of late," Rarity asked.
Sparkler swung the blade at Rarity's mane. With her eyes wide in shock at the mare’s speed, Rarity ducked under the blade. Before he could stand, Sparkler began to stab and thrust at Rarity, trying to impale her with the blade. By the time Rarity managed to get back to her hooves, the blad swiped horizontally at her, almost cutting her neck.
Sparkler looked at Rarity with a smile, looking down the length of the blade at the mare. Rarity made subtle moves to the left, looking at their opponent cautiously. Her eyes drifted to her saddlebags, and then back to Sparkler. Sighing, she began to make her horn glow and open the bag. Before she could pull what she wanted out of her bag, Sparkler jabbed her blade at Rarity throat only to get blinded by the light from hr horn.
When Sparkler cleared her vision, she found some garment from Saddle Arabia around her. When she lifted her hoof to pull it down, Rarity grabbed her hoof and judo threw Sparkled across the field. Then she smiled as she calmly picked up her garment, put it back into her bag, and then gave a flip of her hair.
Sparkler got up, and growled, splitting her blade into pieces and sent them flying towards Rarity. With a gasp, Rarity pulled her armor off and used it as makeshift shield before quickly putting it back on. Rarity again circled Sparkler, looking for another weapon to throw her off. Rarity ran at Sparkler, and was impaled.
Surprise appeared behind Pinkie and swatted at her with a mallet. Pinkie flew back from the hit with the mallet and brought out a rubber ball to through it. Surprise giggled and bounced it back, right into Pinkie’s croquet mallet.
The white pegasus then took to the sky and began to drop water bombs towards Pinkie. Moving quickly, she began to run away from the falling bombs, watching behind her, and then Pinkie put a small trampoline in front of her,. Jumping on it, she bounced above Surprise and tied a rope around her eyes. Pulling a cowboy hat from her mane, she began to ride Suprise across the sky.
Surprise giggled as she tossed and turned in the air, smiling like a little devil. Stopping her flight for a bit, she raised her wings to tickle Pinkie Pie in the thighs causing her to tumble off Surprise's back. Shaking her head, Pinkie Pie looked back up at the flyer and brought out a sling shot.
Giggling, Surprise flew over Pinkie’s slingshot and flew behind her. In a bit of acrobatics, Pinkie Pie jumped over Surprise and let her hit the slingshot while Pinkie hit Surprise with a pie. Bouncing away, Pinkie then waved her hoof with a big smile.
Surprise giggled and brought out the mallet again.
The mare suddenly tripped into Applejack,"Whoa! Sometimes, I think I have four left hooves!"
"Ah can see that!" Applejack said, looking confused at her opponent.
Aj got up and walked to her, before tumbling into a punch and a kick into Applejacks face and chest. Applejack shook her head from the hit, and got ready to fight. Rearing her hoof back, she tried to punch the older pony, but AJ tripped and made her missed. As Applejack tripped over her own two hooves, the other similar color mare reached back to buck her, but instead hit her in the head.
As Applejack recovered, she shook her head, “This mare, is making me kick my own flank.”
Twilight stared down Mimic, her eyes narrowing at the yellow-green unicorn. Her analytical mind broke down her opponent piece by piece, knowing all too well the power of the unicorn before her and the magic that lied within. Carefully she took a step to the left, trying to judge the striking speed of Mimic’s swordplay.
When she made her step, Mimic struck out, striking the ground next to her. Twilight nodded, and turned her attention back to the mare before her, the violet eyes scanning for a weak point, “Can’t move to try an opening. Her speed in gathering mana is probably unmatched, and she probably knows more about magic than I had forgotten. So what do I have left?” she looked down ather hooves and began to dig a little trough in the ground.
Mimic watched this action with an air of curiosity and took a step. This made Twilight step back and dig another trough. With another step, Mimic stepped again and Twilight created another trough. She then used her wings to take off to the air, causing three pillars to shoot out of the ground. Effortlessly Mimic jumped out of the way of the three. This made Twilight smile as she charged the pillars with lighting magic. The pillars the connecter their circuit together and zapped mimic.
Mimic screamed in pain as the lighting surged through her body, causing bits of her fur to crackle form the burn. Taking control of the living with her sword she used her blade as a lightning rod and slammed the blade into the ground, nullifying the lighting.
With a flick of her head,s he looked to Twilight and formed a bright ball of magical energy at the tip. Letting out a gasp, Twilight quickly moved out of th way before the sunbeam could hit her directly, wincing as the beam burnt her flank. Staying in the air, she quickly began to dodge and weave out of the way from Mimic’s magic sun beams.
Taking a quick breather in the air, she quickly blocked the next beam of light coming from Mimic, although it did not stop the heat from coming through her barrier. Through her sweat, she narrowed her eyes at Mimic, looking beyond her and at Equinox. Closing her eyes, she teleported out of the beam’s path and to Mimic’s side. With a quick charge of her horn, she blasted Mimic with a gust of wind. With the unicorn distract, Twilight made a run for her blade igniting her horn to grab at it.
This was stopped by the sword being pulled out of her TK grasp and then slash across her shoulders, making Twilight slide and fall across the ground. Looking up from her prone position, she saw how Mimic withstood her wind attack. The light yellow unicorn was now covered in a body of stone. Lifting up the ground before her, Twilight blocked the attacks from Mimic breaking her stone armor and sending the debris right at her.
Moving away from her improvised shield, Twilight fired a series of ice spears at Mimic, making the unicorn place a heat shield around,her to melt the ice. Collapsing the fire shield into a fireball, Mimic fired it a Twilight and hit the alicorns’ chest, sending her back. Letting out a cough from the fireball and soot, she looked to Mimic and charged her horn with a fire aura. Mimic could only smirk as she generated an ice and water barrier. With a smile, Twilight changed her magic aura to a lighting arc and dropped a pillar of lightning down on Mimic.
With a groan of pain, Mimic brushed off the attack. Looking back at Twilight, she lowered her horn and began to chant,” Darkness beyond twilight.”
Twilight gasped, having read and heard of the dragon slave spell, but never had the time to study it. It was always just a curiosity to her, but now she was staring down the barrel of the spell she knew Mimic was close to finishing. As she watched, though, she heard the words from Mimic’s mouth and feel the magic flow through the area. Closing her eyes, she began to copy the magic in her head, quickly saying the incantation to herself and catching up with Mimic, “Let all the fools who stand in our way, be destroyed by the power you and I possess.”
“DRAGON!”
“Slave”! Shouted Twilight in unison with Mimic, their magis striking each other in a blinding flash.
Fluttershy would then slowly started to feel herself getting weaker as Cosmos drew nearer, her mind slowly fading before Discord pulled her back,"No!" He said, before shooting confetti at Cosmos,"Fluttershy, think for a moment." He said pulling her up to his face,"Why would I keep you safe most of all?"
“Oh my goodness, I didn't think she would be that powerful," Fluttershy said.
Twilight teleported next to Fluttershy,"Besides, I don't think we'd let you go it alone, we're your friends, we do these things together!" She said.
“How can we actually get close to her," Will asked to herself.
Samus stood next to Will,"We need some sort of plan... where are those symbols?" She muttered.
“That’s what I want to know,” Will said. On the floor were the symbols of the Guardians, and one of a sword and a rose.
"The girls, but who is the sword and rose?" Will asked herself.
Discord looked down at Fluttershy,"Do you trust me?" He asked,"I do have a crazy idea."
"Terra Branford." Samus said,"A powerful mage. She may be able to help."
Discord smirked as he snapped his fingers, giving Pinkie Pie a mallet,"Hammer of Angry Pie."
Twilight gasped as Mimic struck her with Equinox, only to find a book in her magic blocking it,"Book of Emo Sparkle."
As Applejack got up, a candy cane rope appeared next to her,"Rope of Liarjack."
A licorice bow and lollipop arrows appeared on Rarity,"Bow of Greedity."
As Rainbow flew, a pair of shades appeared on her,"Shades of Traitor Dash."
"And," A bucket of taffy appeared in Fluttershy's hooves,"Bucket of Fluttercruel. Chaotic weapons for an orderly being."
"Now that's more like it!" Applejack said, taking the rope and running ahead of the other Applejack. Then she stretched it in front of her.
Rarity blocked the sword with her bow, and then splashed tea in front of Sparkler. Backing up a few feet, she started firing a few rounds of her bow.
Pinkie Pie parried Surprises hammer like a sword.
"Shades? What good are shades gonna do, other then make me look awesome?" Dash asked in mid flight.
Rainbow's shades then suddenly became an airplane HUD.
Will pressed down on the sword and rose, then she pressed the elements. Fluttershy looked to Discord, "Fly me up!"
The other Applejack tripped over the rope, causing her to twirl around the rope,"What in the...?"
Sparkler sputtered as the lollipops hit her,"Ew, sticky!"
Surprise gasped as she backed away. She smiled,locking her hammer with Pinkie's.
Twilight searched the book,"Hmm, fireball?" she used her horn to summon a large paddle ball with a little fire ball, and began to pelt Mimic.
Discord looked down at Fluttershy,"You got it!" He carried her up.
A white green haired unicorn mare appeared and used her sword to block an energy shot from Cosmos.
"Oh, now this is nice!" Rainbow Dash laughed, flying high and then turning around, now with two pineapples on her wings. Spinning in mid air, she fired the fruit at her opponent.
"Blame-" Applejack readed back
"Discord," Rarity said, firing another volley.
Pinkie Pie kept up her duel with Surprise, all the while humming a song.
Terra launched forward, followed by a tornado, fire, water, and earth
Surprise hummed along as she fought against her.
Cosmos gasped as she was pushed back, causing the shades to fade.
Discord laughed,"Twili, turn to page Banana!"
Twilight began to flip the pages,"Huh, How to make a Rainbow of Darkness in Six Easy Steps!"
"Ok, now this I got to see," Rainbow Dash said, flying down.
"What does it say Twilight?" Applejack asked.
"Okay, Fluttershy, you have to dance with a pair of maracas, Rarity, you have to put on a crap-ton of mud, Applejack you have to put on a ton of makeup, Rainbow, you have to flip your hair and whine about your insecurities, Pinkie, you have to read the phone book, and I have to make a fish face." Twilight finished.
Fluttershy giggled, but the other five turned their heads to glare at Discord. After letting out a sigh they went into Pinkie's bag and pulled out the items necessary.
"I just love dipping in mud," Rarity grumbled, putting on the mud.
As Applejack put on makeup, she grumbled, "You know what's coming."
"Yep, the alternate way is in invisible ink!" Pinkie said, pulling out the Manehatten phonebook.
"But my mane doesn’t look right!" Dash flipped her hair and whined.
Cosmos growled as she summoned the Rainbow of Light above her,"No, you will not defeat me in such a ridiculous manner!"
Twilight made a fish face as their weapons glowed. Six lights appeared above them, and did the Can-Can, then the Macarena, and then the Harlem Shake before turning into a moonbow that went forward into Cosmos' rainbow.
"I will win. Harmony will always win!" Cosmos shouted, before her shield blocked the five guardians' combined attacks.
Samus' horn cannon began to split apart as a message on her visor said,"Zero Laser, activate." She fired the Zero Laser into Cosmos' shield.
Cosmos grunted aloud as her shield began to fade, then she heard Sunset's voice,"Can't keep it up, can you!?" Before a yellow beam struck her from behind.
"You are Order Incarnate." Trixie said, appearing with Sunset in a puff of smoke,"That pretty much means you are too OCD to keep that little beam going with all of these attacks!" She sent her spear at Cosmos.
Cosmos grunted before her Rainbow began to give way to the Rainbow of Darkness. The Rainbow of Darkness formed a grinning face with a large chin before striking her.
Twilight panted as they went to the ground, before seeing Cosmos' slowly fading form,"Heh," Cosmos began to laugh as she began to slowly disintegrate,"My champions, I'm so proud of you..." She said as she disappeared.
"Did she just say she was proud of us?" Dash asked.
Discord chuckled,"You triumphed. Remember, she is Order, and was a goody good before going loco. You are her children after all."
Twilight looked up,"So, if the Rainbow of Light turns you to stone, what happens if the Rainbow of Darkness hit the real Cosmos?"
Discord grinned as he put up a TV screen that showed a black stallion with a white mane and tail mixing a bowl and shouting out the window of an insane asylum,"We're having soup, today!"
Samus chuckled, before looking at her fading hoof,"Wow, guess my job really is done here."
Sunset panted as Applejack caught Trixie before she could topple over,"Trixie," Trixie said,"Trixie is pooped. When this is all over, can we grab a Zebrican yogurt? Trixie saw that on the way here, and she wants to try it..."
Sunset smiled at them,"Oh, Celestia is going to kill me." She muttered.
Pinkie Pie saw the fading Samus and frowned, "Do you really have to go?"
"She has to," Will said, stepping forward, "She is just a spirit. The real Samus, she is with my friends right now. This is what this has been all about, isn't it. The Heart of Worlds..."
"What is it, Will?" Rarity asked.
"It's helping the heart of Kandrakar connect with them, it's trying to act like a beacon to bring the others here. It wants my friends to help us," Will smiled widely.
("Ok, now I know you felt that!" Irma said, looking at her friends.
"Sammus, get Tecna and tell her," Taranee began, but Tecna's voice interrupted.
"I am already on it. I saw a blip on my radar that pointed to her," The purple haired fairy said.)
"It's not over yet, Trixie," Applejack said, smiling as she looked at the magician.
Rainbow Dash shook her head, "Just how did you two get here?"
Samus gave a salute to Pinkie,"Don't worry, you'll see me again soon, and I'll bring friends..." She said as she disappeared.
Trixie looked up at Applejack with weak eyes,"Maybe later then..."
Sunset smiled,"Well, I teleported to the Castle of the Two Sisters after interrogating Spike, and I helped Trixie win her battle. Then we went through the door and found these empty rooms, and we heard noises from beyond."
"Darn it Discord!" Twilight suddenly shouted.
"What?" Sunset asked in shock.
"I put a UV ray on the pages of the Book of Emo Sparkle." Twilight said, holding it up
"A loaf of bread
Discord laughed maniacally,"What, too obvious?"
"Only a little," Fluttershy, reassuringly patting Discord on the arm.
"And let me guess, you didn't tell the princess?" Dash asked.
Applejack sighed as she leaned back, "The princess is gonna have kittens."
"You didn't interrogate the poor dear too badly, did you?" Rarity asked.
Pinkie Pie hopped to Trixie, "You going to be all right?"
"HA! Trixie is invincible!" Trixie proclaimed, thrusting her hooves into the air, wincing a little.
Sunset muttered,"Yeah, I know Celestia Ll kill me for this, but I have to be here." She chuckled,"And I only slightly... threatened Spike's comic book collection."
Pinkie giggled, while Rarity gasp and with a playful smile said, "You monster!"
"Do you need to lean on me Trixie?" Applejack asked.
Trixie wavered a little, "N-no, Trixie only needs a moment and she can get right into the final battle."
""I think the door is-" Will began, but the sound of two doors opening interrupted her. Turning she saw the massive doorway leading to a room of light, "There.
Discord bowed,"And this is where I'll take my leave. Good luck, my little ponies." He laughed as he disappeared, taking the weapons of chaos with him.
Twilight shook her head,"I don't think so Trixie," She looked at the doors opening,"There we go, the last hurdle."
Trixie gasped, "What? The final battle and you are sidelining the Great and Powerful Trixie?"
Fluttershy reached into her bag and pulled out some medical supplies, "Sunset, make sure she has this. And keep her here."
"Trixie does not believe this, Trixie-is starting to taste pink," she then fell down.
Sunset grabbed Trixie and nodded,"I'll keep her safe. We'll be rooting for you!" She said with a smile.
Twilight looked at Dash,"Ready for this?" She put a hoof on the pegasus' shoulder,"Do you trust me?"
"Of course Twi," Dash said. "To the end of time if I need to." she smiled as she stepped through the doors.
Trixie then shouted, "You seven come back safe. I will never forgive you if you don't!"
As they all gave a hooves up, they stepped into the doorway and through the light.
Once they had stepped into the door, they were embraced by a white room, one with a long hallway that led to an entrance hall. Before they stepped through, however, Rainbow Dash's eyes began to flare up, "Guys... get away from me."
""Why?" Applejack asked, and then noticed the look in her eyes, "Dash?"
"Guys, the hate plague... Sunset wasn't patient zero, she wasn't the harbinger... it was me. I was told to-AHHHHH!
All of the ponies stood back in shock... except for Twilight who put on a pair of sunglasses and a smug smirk as she neared Rainbow,"Yep, right on schedule. Let's see, your next words are, I don't wanna do this, why am I not trying to kill you with my words right now and trying to break you by using my most violent insults?"
"I don't wanna do this, I am really sorry, Why am I not trying to kill you with my words right now and trying to break you by using my most violent insults?" Dash asked.
Twilight grinned as Fluttershy sneezed behind her. She trotted over and booped Rainbow on the nose,"Rainbow, I just solved your little problem!" She turned to the others,"You all may have noticed that me and Rainbow have had our personalities a bit switched?"
"I noticed!" Pinkie said, waving her hoof in the air.
"So did Ah. Why?" Applejack asked
Twilight walked around, her horn glowing as a screen appeared,"You see, I noticed something was wrong with Rainbow since the very beginning, but I couldn't exactly figure out what was wrong until I spoke to Luna back with the Flutter Ponies." She said, an image of ehr speaking with Luna came up,"She led me to Rainbow's dream, where I took a little trip down her memories, and saw this," She showed an image of Rainbow speaking with the cloaked mare,"Upon hearing the terms the Servant gave to Rainbow-I presume she did this a few hours before Sunset's arrival-I decided to do something about it." She looked at Dash,"I pointed Applejack in your direction to check on you, and distract you for a bit so I could get a spell ready, then I knocked you out and proceeded to operate. Unfortunately, The spell was really powerful, and if I made a wrong move, I could activate it early by accident. So, instead of just plain old removing it... I decided to dilute it! I put a piece of my own soul in you while taking a piece of your soul within me! I also did a little shadow spell to keep the idea that I did this a secret, just in case Servant ever tried to check on you. This spell would make it look like everything's the same. But I digress, I switched our souls around so the spell would have 2 ponies to work on, which would weaken its power. Also, I redirected it's target, so instead of the hate plague going in Rainbow, it went into Fluttershy, giving her a sneeze. As for the effect that will kill me? Notice the red horn and pained looks I gave every so often?" She smiled,"That was it. Instead of killing me, it gave me a slight headache. Any questions?"
The mares each raised a hoof, Applejack being the first, "And you sure you both are ok?"
"That red horn thing isn't permanent is it?" Rarity asked.
"Do you need some headache medicine?" Fluttershy asked.
"Do you know you are scary when you play chess?" Will asked.
"What is the population of Manehatten?" Pinkie asked.
"Yes, our souls will be back to normal shortly, I don't want to have all these sports statistics and records I have to beat. The red horn will go away in a few seconds as will the headache. Yes, because I learned from the best; and 8.406 million." Twilight said in order of the questions asked.
Dash shook her head, "Yeah and I don't want to be thinking and reading all of those boring books all of my life!"
Twilight chuckled, before looking ahead of the hallway,"Now, I know who's really behind this," She said, walking forward,"All of the clues showed me the true mastermind of all this."
"The real mastermind?" Applejack asked as they walked through the hallway.
"You'll see." Twilight said,
Author's Note
Thanks Zolt for the edits.
Now, all of those fights that they are having. Those are the different Rps that were being done in the background of the fic while this story had been on its long journey.
Darkest of Tides (Being published)
Heart of Darkness (Unpublished, Taranee story)
Guardain song (Taranee and Samus team up)
Heart of the Navigator (Unpublished, Cornelia story)
Tales of a duck (Cornelia and Samus team up n duckberg)
Heart of the Mushroom kingdom (Trust me, it was Insane and that is one with Hay Lin. Yes, it was a bunch of random gags. unpublished)
Galaxia Conquest (Hay Lin help Samus in a world where an alterante Samus Aran has killed the senshi. This is based off of a fic called Blood Moon, where I explored the after effects of a hate fic and what happens when you kill the protagonist of the mane seires. Dark Conquest is from For the Ones we love, but I am making a slight reference to Legendbringer's "Fall of Starfleet" and this is my guess on how to beat the guy.)
Heart of the pirate (Yes,another one piece world. This one has IRma and the straw hats racing against the Oppisto pirates, who are expies of the Sailor Senshi, to find the heart. Out of the four hearts, this was my favorite to do. Unpublished.)
Emperor Skywalker (Irma joins the band and they have to work with Terra Bransford to fight Sepiroth and an evil Luke skywalker.)
All in all, this was a fun way to remember just how I came after everything I been through. Two long years people. The longest I have ever continually worked on a story and made it work.
As they stepped through the doors, they entered the large room. In the center was a large multicolored tree made out of gems. Occasionally, the tree would throb and a pulse of rainbow energy would flow from it. Through various holes, little lines began to flow into the tree's branches. Taking a look up, Rainbow Dash decided to try and fly to the top, and after a few moments, she came back down, "That thing is easily as tall as Canterlot Mountain, I couldn't get to the top."
"It is the Heart of Worlds, maybe it’s just that size because of hits connection to so many worlds," Will said, walking around the base of the tree.
Applejack looked at the fruit and noticed the gems, "Are those hearts?"
"They are beautiful," Rarity said.
Valtor let out a small chuckle as he stepped out from behind the tree, "Welcome, everypony.”
Twilight caressed the tree,"So... beautiful. I think I hear voices from these gems..." She turned to Valtor and slowly walked towards him,"So, where's your little friend?"
"I do not need Servant here. I am the only one who-AHHH" Valtor screamed as he collapsed to the ground.
Standing behind him was his servant, tapping her staff against his back, "You role here in this game has ended."
"Yes, mistress," Valtor said, standing back up. His normally blue eyes were now turned yellow.
"Who are you?" Will asked.
The servant smiled softly, "The truth."
"The truth? What's that supposed to mean?" Applejack asked as Servant walked to Will.
"Will's truth. Will do you know what is real?" Servan tasked.
Twilight teleported in front of Servant,"Back away from her." She glared at her,"I know who you are: Nerissa!"
"Nerissa?" Rainbow Dash asked, "Who is that?"
Twilight looked at Servant,"Nerissa, the Keeper of the Heart before Will." She looked at Dash,"When I used the Heart of Kandrakar to find the last gate to the Heart of Worlds, I saw all of the past Guardians, which included her and four others. I thought nothing of it at first, until we were attacked by those guardians at the doors, and I couldn't help but realize just why they were there, unless someone close to them created them to hold us off." She looked at Nerissa,"My suspicions were further compounded when Samus explained why that dragon attacked us in the Wasteland world."
(Samus looked at Twilight,"Valtor may have sent people after me, but he didn't know me. Instead, it was Ridley who placed my opponents in those spots because only he could calculate mine and my companions' hoofsteps."
Twilight blinked,"So, only your mortal enemy knew you well enough to hurt you better than Valtor? Hmm...")
"It was then I figured,'Why would Valtor go after Will?' My answer: Not by his own will. Someone who knew her would attack her and her friends, or at least point Valtor in their direction. And for what? The Heart of Worlds. Valtor didn't just simply find out about it on his own, only somepony with the knowledge of many worlds would know about it." Twilight glared at Nerissa,"You brought Valtor back to life, you manipulated him and led him to Will and her friends so you could get the keys to the Heart of Worlds, because you knew that you weren't yet strong enough to take the Bearers of the Elements on! You gave Rainbow the hate plague to give yourself and Valtor time to figure out how to find the keys, and then you followed us as we found the keys, realizing you couldn't solve the puzzles on your own, so you waited until the doors were open, and then you sent golems of your own friends to make sure Trixie was too tired to help us. I bet you even pointed the spirit of Mozenwrath in Sunset's direction just so she would be too busy with Trixie during the final battle! Tell me, why would you be horrible to your own friends' faces as tools?"
"Yes, dear Will, why?" Nerissa said, smiling. "Why would a former guardian use her friends as tools?"
"Because, because you needed to-"
"Provide you with the truth, Will. This is a dream, all a dream. Think about it, unicorns, pegasi, saving the day with friendship? Doesn't it all sound like a wonderful dream? A dream where you are a brave hero who keeps the heart of Kandrakar safe from harm. Now, if you need to wake up once more, just give me the Heart."
"Don't do it Will!" Dash shouted.
Nerissa smiled, "Or maybe she is tricking you. After all, if I was the former holder of the heart, why didn't I just ask my friends for help like the former guardian I am. Why, it’s almost like she is lying. Tell me, why do you have memories of being in this world, of protecting Equestria along side her, and being a champion? Because it’s all a fake! The real world can only happen if you give me the Heart."
"Give you the Heart?" Will asked, holding up the Heart of Kandrakar.
Nerissa smiled at Twilight, "You did well to figure some things out. But know this, everything was a part of my plan."
Will began to hand the heart, but stopped when her eyes went white.
Will found herself with her five friends, facing down Nightmare Moon as they gave the bearers the Heart. Taranee looked at her, "Hold on Will. We are coming."
A human Rainbow Dash appeared, standing with a sword, "Don't betray who you are."
Applejack, covered in powered armor swung in, "Be true to yourself. What do you know to be true. Can't you hear them?"
"What's the plan?" Hay Lin said, standing on a mushroom.
Pinkie Pie bounced in, wearing a sailor uniform, "Remember what you learned from all of this? Now, what is more important? This?" Pinkie asked, pointing to Will's head.
Fluttershy, dressed in a robe, touched Will's heart, "Or this."
"We use our magic and combine the hearts to locate hers!" Cornelia, standing on a ship said.
Imra nodded on the same ship, "All of us."
Rarity flew in on a plane, "Will, your memories are right there. Just reach in and find them.
Each of the guardians placed their hands on top of one another and Will did the same, followed by Elyon.
Will blinked, "Nerissa..." she said, holding the heart just inches away from the witch, "You have to get up early in the morning to trick me!"
With a blast of lighting, Will jumped back and then smiled at Twilight, "Thanks. I am kind of sorry that I am not a part of this world. Would've loved to have met you before."
Nerissa spat, "No, it was all so perfect. Everything you did was according to my plans!"
Twilight hugged Will,"That's alright, I'm glad to meet you now!" She turned to Nerissa,"You haven't learned anything from this experience, have you? Think, how did we follow your so-called plan, if it was your plan and not mine." Twilight grinned,"You have a problem, you've forgotten what friendship means, and that's the chink in your armor."
"Simple, because I guided you. I just pointed you in the direction I needed. I gave Valtor his tools and weapons to succeed. Even separated the guardians incase my plans here failed so I can still gain four hearts. Speaking of, Valtor, prepare yourself, Samus is coming."
Twilight shook her head,"You don't get it at all. Will's friends will still prevail, so will Samus. And you may have thought you've planned everything, but we managed to counter everything you've got and more."
Will growled, "You ruined my graduation day."
Will sighed as she sat on the rim of the fountain, the others sitting with her. Irma stretched her arms to the sky and made some water spray out, "And in one day, we are gonna be graduating!! No more classes, no more nerds, and no more idiots."
"Just our futures ahead of us and our whole lives," Cornelia said, laying back and taking in the sunlight.
Will pulled up a knee and mumbled, "No more adventures, no more W.I.T.C.H, no more us."
"What do you mean, Will?" asked Hey Lin, frowning at Will's comment.
The holder of the heart got up and walked away from the fountain, "After all of this is done, what's next. Oh yeah, we all separate! Irma has been offered that nice DJ job in Lewiston. Taranee, you and Nigel are-"
"Gonna travel for a bit and then I was going to go to college while he plays his music," Taranee sighed.
Hay Lin jumped up and smiled, "Me and Eric are going to a cooking academy. Well, I am going to art school, Eric wants to cook so we can mix the two!"
"And I was thinking of spending time between college and Caleb in Meridian," Cornelia said putting her hand to her chest.
"And me? I'm stuck here!" Will said, throwing her hands into the air. "Spending tie with the most wonderful boyfriend in the world, watching the world pass me by while my friends...go on."
Cornelia was the first to reach out and hug Will tightly, "Hey, none of that. Come on, we are supposed to be happy."
"Yeah, besides, it's not like you can't teleport to us when you need to," Hay Lin giggled.
"But, it's not the same. It's not walking over to see you or wanting to sleep over or playing a game. You all are moving miles away," Will said
"And in spite of that, if you are ever in trouble, we will be there by your side," Taranee said, putting a hand on Will's shoulder. "We will always be together."
"Yeah," Irma said getting off of the fountain. "Look at us. We have been through more worlds than I can shake a stick at, and we have probably seen more variations on us than most superheroes in their whole lives. It's going to take more than that to wipe that much history from us."
"It's just that, I have known you since I was 12. We have done so much, been through so much, to lose all of that is-"
"Never gonna happen. I'll fight my way to you, if I have to," Irma said, hugging her friend tightly.
*The next morning*
Will yawned, and rolled out of bed. As she got dress,she reached into a cage and pet a little squirrel, "Well, here it is, Mr. Snuggles III, the next adventure. Better make it a good one, huh?"
The creature gave a little squeak as Will made her way to the door. With a smile, she shouted, "Bye guys!"
The electronics all began to cheer for Will, saying their goodbyes. She walked down the stairs and smiled at her mother and stepfather before walking out of the door. As she walked, she kept her head low to the ground, "They don't get it. Even the greatest of teams usually separate after time away. The JLA, Avengers, hell even the Titans. They all seem to just go away. I just wish I had some-"
Her thoughts were interrupted by the scream of Irma as she was blasted through a wall. Letting loose a gasp of horror ,s eh ran to the fight, "Update."
"Well, you know that creepy guy that talked to the four of us? Valtor? Yeah, he's the bad guy," Irma said.
"Hang on, I got this. Guard-" her summoning, was interrupted by a loud explosion. After a few moments of blackness, she got up, only to watch as her worse nightmare came to life. Her friend Hay Lin, vaporized. Then She could stand still as she watched Irma and Cornelia get vaporized in the same way. Before she old ove, Valtor grabbed her by the neck.
"And for you, it’s time to-"
"Give back my friends you-" Taranee ran up, her hand bursting into flames
"Go to a world of darkness" Valtor said, wiping away Taranee.
"And then there was one," Nerissa said, walking out with her cane tightly in her hand.
"Nerissa? You-"
"Orchestrated all of this? Yes, I did. Now, it is time for you to do your job. Gone from the bonds that can protect, gone from the links of memory, you will find yourself surrounded but a lone as you bring me the heart of worlds!" And in a flash, Will was gone.
"Not, everything. Samus's will is soon to be broken, and she is here. Valtor, kill her!"
Valtor nodded, and disappeared. Then the olden pony smiled, "Counter everything? How about this? See, this was why I tried to break Will's memory, so she can hand me the Heart of Kandrakar. But I will still use this!" she said placing a hoof on to the Heart of Worlds
The blast washed over Nerissa, "Nice try, but did you think that this was going to be easy. Now prepare to-"
Will was distracted for a moment, when she saw a glowing light out of the corner of her eyes. Turning to it, she walked to the light.
(A few hours ago, before the bearers entered the portal to the heart)
Deep in space, the four guardians looked at the monitor, "Well, give, Tecna." said Irma, "How are we going to get to Will?"
"Well, from what I can guess, the closeness of the Heart of Worlds is helping the Heart of Kandrakar reach out to you four. There is just one problem," Tecna said.
Taranee looked confused, "What?"
"Even with the advancements to Samus' ship, you can't go to that world. There seems to be a barrier surrounding the planet. IF you try to go there as you are now... it will bounce you off," Tecna said.
Cornelia growled, "Then how are we going to get to Will!?"
"That is where we come in. Samus?"
"Yeah?" Samus held her arm cannon.
"I want you to take their four heart they collected and head to the top of the ship. Once there, I want you to fire at these coordinates," typing on her key pad, she fed Samus a lot of space coordinates. "Fire at this spot and rip a hole into the dimensional border."
"But I thought we needed roads or a fold to travel," Asked Irma.
Tecna smiled, "Those are the 'normal ways'. We are going to use a shortcut. You girls will have to guide the ship to the world."
A fairy with red hair walked in, "What do we do?"
"We are going to combine our magic to hold the rip open and let them through. That way it won't close on them and cause the path to collapse," Tecna said, transforming.
Taranee gave Samus her heart, "All right, let do this. I'll pilot, Irma, Hay Lin, keep this ship cool. Cornelia, guide me."
Samus went to the platform to leave her ship,"Don't break anything!" She said with a chuckle as she went to the top of her ship. She charged her armcannon to fire on the specified coordinates.
As the beam hit , Tecna looked to her five friends, "Here is what we need to do, we need to combine our magic and hold that portal open."
Nodding, each fairy placed their hands together. Outside, five points of light appeared on the rift that was left in the wake of the beam, open it wide.
Taranee narrowed her eyes and threw down the lever and fired the ship headlong into the portal. As the ship flew, man world passed them by, many variations and changes within the world's appeared before their eyes as they flew. Soon, Imra looked out the window, "Look, there it is." she shouted pointed the to the world covered in a pink bubble, "That's where Will is!"
"But, what's that dark light?" Hay Lin asked.
To answer her question, a black figure hit the side of the ship, before floating up and landing on top. Staring down at Samus, Valtor smiled, "Well, hello Huntress. Are the Guardians with you?"
Samus aimed her armcannon at him,"I think you know what I'm going to say!"
"I see you have come ready. Good, then we don't need to introduce ourselves, Miss Aran," Valtor chuckled as he looked at his wrist. "But I think a change in clothes is right now necessary.” in a flash of light he was dressed in power armor much like Samus's. Orange gauntlets and a white breast plate. Cyan legs and a pink arm cannon, his visor was yellow to match his purple helmet. "The Harmony suit, it seems that the heart of world is symmetrical."
Samus began to snicker,"Your armcannon's pink!" She shook her head,"Seriously, get a more original wardrobe. But before we attack, I want to ask: Why me?"
"Why you?" Valtor asked, walking around Samus, "Simple, because you had the easiest spirit to break."
"Excuse me!?" Samus growled,"Okay, Color Kid, explain yourself." Samus circled Valtor.
Valtor walked, keeping his eyes on Samus, waving his hand to show a world, with visions appearing before her, "At this point in your timeline, you have lost an innocent baby, a hope for a new world. Your foes have seemed to gain immortality while you have been getting weaker every battle. They changed while you were still the same. Soon, you would even have to challenge the federation itself. But right now, you are still reeling from losing another homeworld, and destroying many species. It was the perfect time to break you."
The world that appeared before Samsu changed to show strange pony like beings on their hind legs, saluting a tri-horn leader, "Nerissa wanted to send you here, because it and you share something in common that would help break you.
"And that would be, Captain Rainbow?" Samus frowned at the image of the tri-horned leader.
"Hatred," Valtor said, showing images of ponies getting mind-raped, imprisoned unfairly, ponies being beaten down, racism, unjust killing, letting ponies kill themselves, ponies not helping others, lies being prevalent, and military commanders ruling instead of peace, "The world is filled with just as much hatred as you are."
Samus began to chuckle and then laughed,"Really? Do you have that little faith in me? In the will of others? Here's the problem:People are stronger and less hate-filled than you think. Hatred? Hah! That doesn't last, Valtor. Tell me, are those images all that happens? Is there anything in that world you didn't show? But you won't show it, will you? Because that will prove you wrong: That I and so many others aren't as hate-filled as you'd like to believe. And we are not weak-willed. Sure, I had my fair share of losses, but I can jump those hurdles. I've handled worse. And showing me things that 'remind me' of how 'evil' I've been? Well, everything's all well and good if you only show one side of everything! I did believe what you said for a little while, but then I had others to remind me of who I really am! Not everything's black and white, Valtor! But you don't believe that, do you? You just sit back on your high-horse, believing that you have control when you don't. That's it, isn't it?" Samus chuckled,"You talk big, you'd like to say that you're behind everything, but you don't! Ridley knew me enough to place my dead allies and enemies in spots he knew I'd come to, and he brought together my friends in Equestria just to hurt them! He was the real big bad of that place, you just gave him the tools! All those worlds I went in with the Guardians had separate villains, all who did a much better job of fighting me and my friends than you! And those villains you tried to go after the Hearts? Let me guess, they had their own plans, didn't they? They were in control, not you! You just gave them the tools. but now, you're under the control of Nerissa, making you into the tools you tried to make others. However, this angers you, doesn't it? You have no control over anything, do you? Is that it? Are you... jealous of the control we have? Of our free will that you lack!?"
"Ridley was my pawn! He was acting under my will, I was the one who told him how to hurt you. He was to be my weapon to help break you. When you entered that world of hate, I would've had you question your ideals, your life, and your own power until you succumbed to the hatred. you would've left them behind, you would've caused so much hatred and then when you came here, I would made you see your own folly and then break you, as I ripped the hearts from your body." behind his visor, his dragon eyes glowed red. "I am no one's pawn but my own!!!:
"And there's your problem: You're too cocky." Samus' eyes glared through the visor, her blue eyes almost glowing,"You want to believe that everyone has the same mindset as you, don't you? You want to say,'Everyone's the same, I can easily break a woman who's seen much worse than I could throw at her!' Of course, you did make me question my ideals, but then again, who doesn't question themselves every now and then? Even Nyx and Noxus, the two nicest people I ever knew, had those problems. And you immediately assumed Ridley was your pawn? But he specifically requested you give him magic and the ability to access some alternate universes, and to send him back two years in the Wasteland so he could plan ahead. And, if you had your way, only half of your so-called pawns would've reached me. One didn't even reach me, he was captured by the other bounty hunters. But Ridley managed to get them all after me, and even though several steps ahead. He thought about the friends I would acquire, even lead them all to me, and made a plan for that; in fact, he even wanted to hurt them to get to me. He knew Houston may fail in breaking me, and thought to use an alternate Twilight to access the SPP so he could have a chance to destroy the world! He made those plans, not you!" Samus growled,"That's your problem, you don't think ahead! You don't understand other people's strength!" She scoffed,"Aren't you working under Nerissa? Aren't you her pawn? What about your mother? What about the Three Witches? Oh, yes, I heard your story from Techna." She said, scanning him.
In a flash of light, Valtor drove his elbow into Samus's visor, "Do not talk about my mother, witch."
Samus fell back and then back flipped back onto her feet,"Ooh, Mommy issues, much?" She fired her super missiles at him.
Using his speed boost, he began to dodge the super missiles until he got close and rammed his knee into Samus chest. Then he aimed his cannon at her head and fired an ice beam.
Samus gasped as she was hit in the chest before narrowly dodging the ice beam,"Okay, what the fuck kind of steroids are you using!?" She said.
"Hyper Mode, activate," Her visor said, giving Samus a blue electrical aura around her. Her visor turned blue while her suit's silver bits turned bright blue. Samus fired her Hyper Beam at him, before rolling into a morph ball.
"It’s the power of the Heart of Worlds, the power of Harmony," chuckled Valtor as he used the Speed Boost to phase through the Hyper Beam and then kicked Samsu like a ball.
"We got to help her!" shouted Cornelia.
Taranee shook her head, "No, we need to get to Will."
"But how?" IRma asked, then they began to hear Will's voice.
"You hear that?" Taranee asked.
Hay Lin nodded with a big grin, "It's Will! She's calling to us!"
"But how can we get to her?" Cornelia asked.
"Our heart!" Taranee said, her eyes widened. "It's why we have been getting vision so far. The Heart of Kandrakar has been calling to us, it is still binding us to her. If we can just focus on her then..."
"Then we can get to her!" Hay Lin smiled.
Taranee nodded, "Everyone, join hands and focus on Will!"
As each girl closed their eyes, they could see Will's hand reaching out for her. There was a smile as they too reached out to hold her hand and in a flash they faded,
Samus coughed as she turned back to normal,"So, the Heart of Worlds makes you look fabulous? Never knew that!" She breathed hard,"Can't even hit him with Hyper Mode? That's cheating..."
"Tell me, Samus," smiled Valtor as he cracked his knuckles and stretched his body, "Have you ever tried out all of your suit’s abilities at once?" he charged a Shinespark and ran at Samus, using the plasma beam to encase himself in fire, and then jumped into her with a screw attack."
Samus grunted as she attempted to sidestep the screw attack,"You idiot! That plasma's hot as the sun, you'd hurt yourself too..." She panted, watching her energy tanks go lower and lower. She leaped up and attempted to screw attack into him.
Valtor used the ice beam to cool himself down, smirking behind his visor. Then he screw attacked Samsu, their twin screws hitting at once. After a second, Valtor landed, no damage. With a smile he chuckled, "There, I screwed you."
Samus grunted, trying to get up as her energy neared one. She laughed to herself, giving him the middle finger, ready to press the self-destruct button in her visor in one last ditch effort...
Then a girl in blue ar mor ran in front of her, firing an energy pistol at him,"Stay away from her, you son of a bitch!"
"Claire?" Samus asked.
Valtor stepped back, "What?! Who on-"
Three rounds sounded from the heavens. When he looked up, he sawa grey mare with a brown mane. The mare was in a long spaceship marked 'Normandy' Peaking out from her scope, she smiled at Samus, "Miss us?"
A blade slashed across Valtor's chest and a pair of hooves hit the ground. NArrowing the dragon eyes, the black mare growled, "As Princess of Equestria, I demand you back down, before I forget my vow."
A pair of guns fired from a passing griffon, "Hey Samus! Avarok is here too, but the old fart just has to make a badass entrance."
A staff hit Valtor's back before landing next to Samus,"I fail to understand how I am that old." The elk looked behind her,"Xenion's with Puppy and Sunny in the ship, just in case."
Samus gasped as she looked at the Normandy,"Don't start thinking I owe you anything, Shepard!" She shook her fist.
A red-headed woman pressed a finger to her commlink, smirking, "Let's just say this is payment for Centauri Prime." she said wiping her hand through her brown hair.
Nyx looked to Samus and smiled, "So, that is what your armor normally looks like. It fits you."
Little Pip was lowered to the ground with her own magic and patted a hoof onto Samsung's back, "The other hunters are planning on coming. Tell me, does standing like that hurt?”
Samus chuckled,"No, this is how I'm normally like."
A blue haired girl came in front of them, holding a dragon shield to block one of Valtor's attacks,"No one hurts my friend!" She looked at Samus,"Techna found a way to give me back my powers for a day."
A buff black haired guy smashed his sword on Valtor along with a cat-girl hitting him in the side with a mace.,"We're not letting you go, dragon-man!"
The girl blinked behind her,"Those are ponies..."
A brown haired young man shocked Valtor with electricity. He flipped his brown hair.
Regina landed and smirked, "And griffon, and elk. Our zebra is up on the ship."
Valtor began to back up as he watched the army start to get bigger, "What on earth..." He winced as he felt more beings enter the battlefield, above he could see two ships, a pipe, and another set or bearers. Frowning, he closed his eyes to send his magic into the air to distract the incoming fights. Before looking back at Samsu, "So what if you have gained more friends. I will still-"
A loud plume of smoke appeared behind Valtor,"I am the terror that flaps in the night, I am the rust that covers your armor, I am..." A duck clad in a purple cape and hat appeared,"I am... Darkwing Duck!" he said, before shooting his gas gun in Valtor's face.
Try as he might, Valtor's helm could not wipe away the glue that held fast to his visor. When he finally removed the offending material he was met with a saber strike. Looking up, he growled at the arrival of a brown haired woman in robes, "You think that this army can stop me? I am invincible, I am the god here, and you are nothing by my pawns."
Looking up, he created a new shadow clone to attack the Normandy. A giant dragon. His eyes widened when he began to watch the dragon attacked by several starships, "What on earth?
A green haired woman landed in front of Valtor, her body turning into a pink beast before sending a wave of green blades at him,"Riot Blade!"
Several lasers shots came at him,"Are we late?" Trace said, coming up with five other hunters in other ships.
"Yes you are, assholes!" Samus laughed,"Get on over here!"
As the crew grouped together, they all began to glow, with particles flowing off of them.
Terra looked at them,"What is this...?"
Samus' visor gave a message,"Heart of Pirate, Charging."
Samus smiled, getting up as her energy tanks began to fill up,"Hyper Mode: Omega Drive." Her visor said as a blinding light engulfed her
Samus' armor turned bright orange, with yellow lining her joints. The green lines in her body turned indigo while her armcannon turned blue. Her visor had turned purple. She splayed out her hand, a red cape flapped into existence as she shot out to her left. She smiled as her missiles went to infinite,"Thank you, everyone." She aimed her armcannon at Valtor,"Stay back for now,I got this. Valtor, you know what the difference between you and me is?" She fired a super missile at him, before suddenly appearing behind him and elbowing him into the missile,"I earned this!"
. Valtor screamed in pain as the missile hit his face. Turning around he tired to kick her while firing his ice beam
If Samus felt that kick, she didn't show it as she grabbed the ice and crushed it in her hand,"And another difference?" Samus jumped and screw attacked into him before firing her golden hyper beam into him,"I make this suit look good!"
Valtor coughed as he got up, and ran at her, before getting punched in the visor. Valtor stepped back, and charged his armcannon in a rage,”Zero Laser...”
Samus nonchalantly charged her beam, her visor showing,”Omega Laser, activate.” She fired a golden beam to counter the rainbow beam that Valtor fired. The beams collided, until the golden beam overtook the other, striking Valtor.
Valtor screamed as he felt his suit being destroyed. In the sky a giant rainbow of light shown forth. Standing in a pile of ashes, Valtor stumbled towards Samus, hands out ready to strangle her.
Samus smirked,"Oh, and Vally?" She flicked him away into Equestria, before turning,"It pays to not be heartless." She threw her hearts into the air before catching them.
Author's Note
A lot to explain here.
So, as you know, all of this was part of a massive undertaking by myself involving five rps. This fight with Samus is the culmination of those five. There are vaarious characters here from Lunar, Darkwing Duck, Mass effect, FOE, and many more.
Will walked closer and held out her hoof, ""Girls? I'm here! Over here! Come on."
She reached closer, seeing the four hooves reach for her. Then in a flash, where there was one pegasus, was now five ponies. After laying down on the ground for a few moments, Will opened her eyes with a blink and looked at the group on top of her, "G-girls? GIRLS!"
"Will!" the four shouted as she hugged Will.
Hey Lin, being a little pegasus, fluttered as she hugged Will, "Will, we missed you so much! You wouldn't believe the wacky things we did to get here."
"Couldn't you have landed in a world where we are still humans? "Cornelia asked, running a hoof through her blonde mane.
Taranee shrugged, "It ain't so bad, really." her brown earth pony shoulders turning in a circle.
"Hey, its pretty awesome anyway," Ima said, looking at the six bearers, "So, you must be the guys who protected her. Thanks so much!”
Twilight frowned at Nerissa before looking at Will's friends with a smile,"Hi, sorry we have to meet under these circumstances..."
"Eh, no big deal," Irma shrugged.
Cornelia gasped at Rarity, "OH, I love your mane. We have got to share tips."
"Thank you my dear, your horn care is exquisite-"
"Excuse me, my dear friends," Nerissa said, her body slowly becoming younger as she spoke, "Have we forgotten something?"
"Wait," Taranee said, putting a hoof to her chin as she watch Nerissa become as young as they were, "Nerissa is the villain?"
"Shoot!" Hay Lin said, hovering without flapping her wings, "I had money on Maleficent. We never fight her."
"Well, Will, are you ready?"
Wil held out the heart and shouted, "Guardians Unite!"
In a flash, the five mares were covered in a blinding spectrum of colors. As the light shaded, the elements that surrounded each mare faded, leaving them transformed. Each had a pair of large fairy wings on their backs and looked suitably older. Irma allowed the water to turn into a ball on her hand, her long blue shirt covered with a pink sash, "Water!" smirked the earth pony.
"Fire!" shouted Taranee, the flames licking her brown fur that wat covered in her purple top that chowed off her little belly.
"Earth!" Cornelia said, vines binding to her legs her outfit looking the most like a dress of the five."
Hay Lin flew in a circle, creating a tornado,"Air!" her out fit was like strings of blue and pink that wrapped around her.
"Quintessence!" Will said, lighting flowing along her body. as she landed with her pink and blue outfit, she smiled at the others, "It's good to be back."
"Twilight, I want a transformation. We need a transformation sequence," Rainbow Dash said.
Twilight shook her head,"No, Rainbow, not unless we get something like Rainbow Power or whatever..."
Lighting crackled along Nerissa's hooves as she growled, "I am going to enjoy wiping every variation of you mares from the face of the multiverse. I will relish in using your corpses to establish my new order.”
Nerissa sent out a lighting bolt at Twilight, before ducking under the sword slash by Rarity. Cornelia waves her hoof up, creating a tunnel of earth with a fist. Irma and Hay Lin used their magic to make the tunnel into ice which allowed Pinkie to skate along it and Hit Nerissa with her party cannon.
Pulling back, the witch growled and sent out a lighting storm that hit the mares with a powerful strike. Struggling in pain, Fluttershy put up a shield around the, blocking the lighting. Nodding, Rainbow and Will flew up and began to take control of the lighting by kicking it, opening the portal for Twilight. Cornelia floated some stones for Twilight to fire.
Twilight charged her magic to strike the stones into Nerissa. three of the stones struck Nerissa in the shoulder and leg. Enraged, she ran forward, only to meet Applejack. Applejack began to deliver punches and kicks at Nerissa, and with effort, the witch managed to dodge each hit. Then she returned with an earth covered punch what sent Applejack flying. The palermo pony was quickly caught by Hay Lin, while down below, Will and Irma fired a wave of electrified water at Nerissa.
Nerissa created a shield, diverting the water. Then she broke from the shield to move to Irma and shock her into a wall and then began to swipe her staff at Will. Will barely had time to dodge each blow, but when one hit came at her head, it was blocked by Rarity.Rarity and Nerissa went sword to staff, as the heart of world continued to pulse with energy, almost in tone to the batter.
With a quick evade, Nerissa managed to hit Rarity had rin the side, swiping her away. Turning around she was confronted by a wall of flame. BEhind her, a wall of rock spikes appeared. Taking flight, she had to block the attack from Twilight.
Twilight struck with Equinox, before charging her horn to try and disrupt Nerissa's shield. When Nerissa's shield broke, Cornelia shot up Applejack and Pinkie Pie in the air. Nerissa growled and prepared a spell, only to be distracted by a whirlwind of yellow and blue. When her vision cleared, she received double blows from the earth ponies, causing her to crash down to the ground. After slowly rising back up, she blocked a lighting bolt, redirecting it back to Irma. Then she blocked a bolder and slammed it against Fluttershy. With a growl , she flew at Hay Lin, charges a lightning bolt.
Rainbow Dash intercepted her, slashing out with her wing blades. Nerissa hit Dash hard in the side with her staff, leaving Hay lin Time to fly up and hit her with a whirlwind strike. Taranee added her fire magic and Cornelia added the eart. Nerissa, roared, sending the stones and flames away, hitting all of the mares present. Then with a flash, everything went black.
When Twilight and Will opened their eyes, they would find themselves facing down Nerissa. The white witch was now a giant centaur with flaming energy on her hands. One hand held a glove, the other a sword. With a blast she fired black magic at the two.
Hey Lin looked to Rarity, and together they began to look around their battlefield. In the center of the room, Nerissa, created an ice storm that struck at the two ponies. In another place, Dash and Taranee found themselves in the Castle of the Two Sisters, facing Nerissa as she attacked them with her sword. On a boat, Irma and Pinkie glared down a Narissa wreathed in black flame. Applejack and Cornelia stood in front of a Nessia with long claws.
Fluttershy looked around, trying to find the others. Then she let you an eep when she saw a Nerissa with bat like purple dragon wings. Twilight put up a shield against the blast before using her horn to summon earth spikes from under Nerissa.
Nerissa yelled in pain as the spike hit her and in return she fired a black magic bolt at Twilight. Will intercepted the blast with her lighting and flew around the centaur, striking with bolt after bolt. The centaur backhanded Will away, sending her through several trees. The centaur then fired a bolt at Twilight, before grabbing one of the spikes and throwing it at her.
Taranee dodged from the black sphere of energy from Nerissa, trying to keep away from the energy blasts. When she was against the wall, the next shot was sliced in half by Rainbow Dash. Holding up a hoof to form a blade, Nerissa charged at Rainbow Dash, bringing blade against wing blade. The two ponies collided in the air briefly before flying high into the sky.
There was a smirk on Rainbow Dash's' face, but that did not last as the black disk that had formed on Nerissa's tail flew around and struck Rainbow in the back, sending her falling. Taranee caught Rainbow Dash, quickly moving from the next blast, but unable to dodge Nerissa's blade which cut deep into Taranee's back.
Applejack blocked the hoof blades from Nerissa, pushing back against her as they grappled. USing her earth magic, Corneal caused a crack to form beneath the two. Moving deftly Applejack leaped from the crevice and managed to punche Nerissa in the face in mid air. Looking down, Applejack tried to see Nerissa's body, but was surprised to not see her hangin on.
Instead, she and Cornelia were attacked by several slashes in the back and side.
Nerissa blew a gold blast at Rarity, which began to make Rarity's armor freeze her in place. Jumping to the side, Hey Lin blew a strong powerful gust at Nerissa, blowing her back into a wall. Looking over, Hey Lin smiled when Rarity nodded that the was ok, and the jumped out of the way when a golden beam shot out from the crewater. When another fired, Rarity cut the beam in half with vorpal.
Nerissa, took to the sky, sending town a hail of ice spikes and spears onto the two heroes, cutting into their bodies.
Irma began to hold back the fire with her water, in spite of the sweat forming on her face from the exertion. Given a wink to Pinkie, the pink mare followed suit and leapt into the air, firing her party cannon rapidly at NErissa. Unable to react in time, the former guardian was belted with streaminer and pie batter. With an enraged growl, Nerissa charged at her and slashed Pinkie in the chest with a lightsaber. There was a smirk on her face as she looked at the slashed Pinkie.
This look was then replaced with shock as Pinkie appeared, with a little cut on her side. Nerissa then turned to look at the balloon she had cut. With a growl she turned to to the two.
Fluttershy let out a scream of pain as she was ut deep by the dragon Nerissa and began to fly away. Carefully she held up shields to ward off the flames and the claw marks. But the force winds had buffeted her and send her flying into the forest. The area was around her was dead, so no animals to save her and she knew Nerissa would not fall for the stare.
Looking up, she watched as Nerissa slammed a claw into the ground, barely missing the mare. DEftly, the mare flew up into the sky, and took a whiff of the air. Curious, she dare another flight to the dragon, only to get tail whipped through the woods again.
Twilight gasped as she grabbed the spike and threw it to the ground, before copying the centaur's own bolt and throwing it at her. Twilight then teleported behind her and turned her sword into flames and slashing at her legs.
Will followed suit, throwing her lighting at the centaur's legs where Twilight slashed. Nerissa let out a roar and fired her bolts at Twilight and Will, just barely missing the two in-flight ponies.
Rainbow Dash helped Taranee up. Smiling, Taranee nodded to Dash, and the young pegasus nodded as she flew straight at Nerissa. The witch was ready and slashed at Rainbow Dash, just barely nicking Dash’s stomach. But the pegasus went undaunted as she flew in a circle, Taranee adding a tornado of fire to Dash's spin.
Struggling through the slashed, Cornelia placed her hand onto the ground, feeling for Nerissa. Opening her eyes wide, she raised a bit of earth, tripping the speedster. As Nerissa fell, Applejack responded with a direct hoof to the face. Growling the slashed at Applejack's face, cutting deep. Cornelia blocked the next strike, creating n earthen fist that struck at Nerissa sending her into a wall.
The ice spikes stabbed and slashed into Hay Lin's and Rarity's backs and legs, leaving bloody marks where they hit. Looking up through the hail storm, Hay Lin began to concentrate, blowing up a wind storm that sent the spike soaring into the sky. With the little bit of relief, Rarity began to cut through what was left, clearing the way for Hay Lin to go invisible and fly up behind Nerissa to blow her into Rarity's waiting sword. Rarity then ducked under an ice sword, blocking it with her own, allowing Hay Lin to ht Nerissa with a wind punch.
Racing at Irma, she slashed at the water bearer's leg, cutting into it. Irma screamed in pain, but used a water bullet to slip up Nerissa. Pinkie then hit Nerissa with a mallet, knocking her down. Nerissa hit Pinkie with a dark blast of energy, and then hit Irma with the lightsaber's hilt. Shaking her head, Irma sent a wave of water that blasted Nerissa away from the two. Pinkie then fired her party cannon at Nerissa, blasting her with a confetti ball.
Fluttershy flew close to the dragon, slashing at her belly. Nerissa roared and swatted Fluttershy. Fluttershy struggled to get up as the dragon came closer. Then the yellow pegasus smiled as Nerissa's stomach started to tremble
Twilight flew up into the sky, charged her horn, and then dive bombed her, causing a purple shield to wrap around herself as she struck Nerissa in the chest. Nerissa let out a yell of pain as her body vanished.
In the heart room, Nerissa stood in front of the heart of worlds, blood dripping from her body. Looking up, she could see the guardians and bearers in similar states of pain. Gashes and broken limbs were on each mare. Blood had been smeared on the floor and some of the mares wavered back and forth from the pain that they were in. Nerissa growled, "No, not yet. I won't lose. Not when I’m so close to my ultimate destiny."
"Give it up Nessie! You lost," Dash's aid with a snarl.
"Not yet, I have yet to tap more into the power of the heart. I had brought so many allies’ power into my side but one. She will be your downfall!" Nerissa said, laughing as the golden energy of Cosmos began to surround her. Holding her hoof to the heart, she began to laugh as her body started to change and morph.
"Oh my," Fluttershy said, looking on in horror.
"What is happening?" Cornelia asked.
Will covered her eyes against the light, "She's tapping into Cosmos’ power, and using the Heart of Worlds to temper it for her to gain control, but where is no way she can--"
Her voice was drowned out by an explosion of light. From with in the light, an alicorn's hoof stepped out, followed by a dragon's claw. Then the bipedal creature stood to its full height, her long slender snake like body towering over the mares. Holding up a black cat's paw and a pheonix’s talon, Nerissa began to laugh, throwing back her horse head and letting her mismatched horn scratch the Heart of Worlds tree, "HAHAHAHA!!! This is too perfect! Of course, if there is one true constant in the universe is its love of irony."
"She's become a draconequus!" Rarity said.
'In order to become an arbiter of harmony and order, I need to be chaos incarnate," chuckled Nerissa.
Twilight struggled to get up,"No..." She looked at the Heart of Worlds, before looking back at her friends,"We're too weak right now... maybe we can access the Heart..." She muttered to herself,"It's a big mass of omniversal energy, Nerissa can't have taken all of it!" She charged her horn to teleport herself closer to the Heart and sprinted towards it.
"Not this time," Nerissa said, picking Twilight up by her magic and throwing her into the rest of the group. "This is the end of it all. I am order, I am the new law, and you are the old. Welcome to the new world." and with a snap of her fingers, the bearers and guardians were incinerated.
Outside of the chamber, "Sunset!" Celestia said, hugging her former student, "You and I are going to have a long talky young lady. Where is Twilight?"
Trixie struggled to gte up, "In there."
"Are you sure? I cannot feel them," Luna whispered.
"Trixie’s sure," the blue magician said, smiling, "Sparkle will not leave me behind. Not now."
In the chamber, Nerissa continued to laugh, not seeing the faint beam of a teleportation. The 11 mares laid there, unmoving, their bodies broken Twilight laid over, her horn still glowing. The inner light of Twilight began to glow, "Magic."
Applejack turned her head to look, "Honesty."
"Loyalty," Dash rolled over, her face looking as sure as ever.
"Generosity" Rarity began to glow softly.
"Laughter," Pinkie Pie began to giggle.
"Kindness," Fluttershy smiled as she felt an all too familiar warmth in her body.
The guardians could feel the heart of worlds reach out to them, their light beginning to shine brighter.
Nerissa, turned around to see the bright rainbow shine out, "No, I vaporized you. You should be-" Nerissa was interrupted by a blinding flash of light
.Twilight pointed Equinox, which had become a beam of light in place of a blade, and beckoned Nerissa towards them. Nerissa growled and flew at them, snapping her fingers in order to change their bodies. Yet, she opened her eyes wide in horror when it seemed to do nothing to them. Raising her claw, she slashed at Twilight, but Rainbow Dash flew behind her and delivered a hundred blows into the back. Applejack found her hooves enhanced by Cornelia’s earth and punched at Nerissa.
Roaring, Nerissa threw fireball after a fireball at Twilight. Fluttershy used her shield to deflect the fireballs, leaving Nerissa open for Twilight.Twilight slashed at Nerissa, before kicking her in the side and then charged her horn for a hundred lightning bolts.Nerissa tried holding back the lighting with one paw, trying to focus it, but Twilight's lightning was joined in by Will's. From behind, out of her mane, Pinkie Pie appeared and hit Nerissa with a hammer, sending her flying into a wall. Getting up, Nerissa was slashed twice by Rarity, getting splashed and struck by a torrent of water sending the former guardian through the wall and through the walls.
Struggling Nerissa got up and looked on in horror as each of the alicorns began to glow a bright rainbow of light, "No..."
Twilight's eyes glowed a blinding white as the rainbow began to form a helix.
Author's Note
Not much else to say other than gt ready for the epilouge
"No, no, no!!!" Screamed Nerissa as the rainbow double helix blasted her hard, knocking her against the tree. Screaming in pain, Nerissa began to fade into the either, her bod dissipating. After the rainbow had finished, each girl came out of their zenith mode, "Whoa, what happened to Nerissa?" rma asked.
Will walked to the Heart of Worlds, watching as Nerissa seemed to appear in each gem, "The Heart of Worlds is sending her on a long journey through the universes. She is probably going to be stuck, going from dimension to dimension, trying to find her perfect world of order. But always failing. The tree has given her the ultimate punishment.
"Twilight, wake up!" Hay Lin said. "Twilight!" Hay Lin said, poking at the motionless alicorn.
Cornelia walked over to Applejack, "No, this is-"
"Just like when we first went Zenith," Taranee said, rubbing a hoof along Rainbow Dash's face.
"What should we do?" Hay Lin asked.
Will walked to the girls, "Girls? I know you can hear me. It's Will. You helped me, and now-"
Inside Twilight's mind, she was a little filly, being walked by her mother and father to a library, "Isn't his perfect Twilight?
"Everything you ever wanted?"
there were books, and on the covers were ones of a lighting bolt, a butterfly, an apple, a gem and a balloon, "Do you think it's time to rest now?"
"Rainbow Dash?" asked Spitfire as she smiled at the filly. "You can stop here if you like. It's done."
Rainbow smiled, flying gently along the breeze, not seeing the balloon, butterfly, star, gem, and apple clouds.
"You have gone so far, done so much," Big Mac said, holding the little filly Applejack up. Applejack giggled as she held a little diamond, a butterfly landing on her back, a balloon floated by a rainbow, while a star shone
"Other can take over. But if you wish to go back," Rarity's mom said, letting Rarity play with an apple and a balloon. Outside a butterfly flew by a rainbow, a star
"We won't' stop you," said Fluttershy's mom as she looked at the sleeping filly, resting with an apple, under a rainbow, with a gem in her mane. Above her a balloon flew by a star
"You have achieved harmony with your element, you deserve a reward," Pinkie's mom said, smiling softly. Pinkie bounced by a star, wishing on it with a rainbow at her back, a half eaten apple, a butterfly plush holding a gem.
"Twilight, this is Will. If you want to come home... just remember what brought us here. What got you here, what's keeping you all together this time!"
The filly Twilight smiled as she looked at all of the books, but she frowned,"This is what I want... but my friends aren't here..."
“They aren't here" Fluttershy whimpered.
"Bring them home," Applejack said, crying.
"Bring them home please," Pinkie said, a tear forming in her eye.
"I need them," Rarity whispered.
Rainbow Dash smiled, "I need them. And I know how!" flying as high as she could, she broke the sound barrier in an instant, creating a sonic rainboom. This light flashed to each mare, calling to them like a siren.
As Applejack saw the light, she rain to the source, growing older with each step, a filly, a teen, and soon a mare with her cutie mark shining bright.
Pinkie Pie skipped to the light, growling older and poofier. In contrast, Fluttershy grew quieter, while Rarity grew more lovely, each reaching the spot of light, with their cutie marks shining bright.
Twilight turned and walked, her body growing larger, wings sprouting from her back as her cutie mark glowed brighter. Her walk turned into a trot, and then into a gallop as she raced to her friends.
As Rainbow Dash landed, she smiled at her friends. Each mare smiled softly at one another, feeling their hearts joining as one. There was an inner light that shone from each, reminding them of the good times that they all shared. There was only one thing to do when they were together once more.
A group hug.
Pinkie Pie blinked, her eyes opening, "Wow.'
Dash, now a normal pegasus, hoof bumped, "Hey yeah! That kicked ass!"
"Indeed, it was quite remarkable," Rarity said, feeling her power drain.
"Twilight, what the buck happened back there?" Applejack asked.
Twilight groaned as she held her head and looked up,"We got as close as possible to our Elements, which kind of led us to what can only be described as our heaven, at least that's my theory." She slowly got up,"You know, I think we're forgetting something..."
Valtor's body fell to the ground in a crater.
"Valtor!" the girls cried out, elements and weapons bared.
The dragon's head lifted up for a second to say,"Momma, I want to go back home and make lots of cookies..." before letting his head back into the crater.
The group breathed a sigh of relief as their weapons dropped.
"Twilight Sparkle!" Trixie shouted, "You magnificent mare you. You think that this means you have anything over Trixie? Well, she will prove you wrong."
Celestia smiled, "Congratulations, my faithful student, you have done it." Turning her head to Valtor, she smiled at the bounty huntress that landed with her spaceship, "Samus, would make sure he gets to a proper prison?"
Rainbow Dash sighed as she leaned back, "Look we won... can we go home now?"
"Yeah, let's" Applejack said.
Samus gave a grin as several other ships landed,"Trust me, I will." She walked over and picked Valtor up,"Sending threats through eight universes, terrorizing others, murder, theft, and being a douche, yeah, bringing you in alive will earn me millions!"
(The next day)
Spike watched as Sunset Shimmer began to put away some of the books in Golden Oaks, "Are you sure you are ok with this? Staying here? Twilight says that the portal may be destroyed for now and we have no way of knowing if you get home. But, are you ok?"
Sunset sighed,"Yes and no. I know we can find a way back home, but I'm really missing my friends on the other side..."
"Aw, We miss you too," Pinkie said, trying to balance on her hooves.
Applejack brushed her green skirt aside, "We all do."
"I swear, how do ponies manage to go naked 24/7" Rarity said.
"Well, we just kind of-" Sunset looked back at them, then back to the bookshelf, then back to them,"How in the-?"
Dash put a hoof to her chin, "Well, we were all waiting by the destroyed statue, trying to figure out how to open it to see you again when-"
"This rift opened right in front of us and this red-haired fairy girl popped out. She asked if we were missing you and we all said 'uh uh!' and she said that she had you waiting for us and we needed to step through the portal and then poof! Here we are. We all hugged and met Twilight and our other selves and then ran here!"
Sunset then began to tear up,"I missed you!" She said, jumping off of the ladder and glomping her friends.
Twilight sat with Samus as she looked into the brig,"Is this going to hold?"
Samus nodded,"The brig can hold anything, even him."
Twilight looked inside at the dragon,"He looks... broken."
"Everything he ever knew was a lie, of course he's broken." Samus said before turning,"I'll help you fix the mirror on the other side, my ship has gathered enough dimensional energy to pass through universes with ease."
"Valtor." Twilight said through the glass,"I'm... sorry you lost your friend."
Valtor looked down, "I trusted her. I believed in her and she... used me. After all we had been through, she used me like everyone else did. My mother, the witches, and Nerissa. They just wanted me for m magic, and nothing else." frowning, he looked at Twilight, "And why are you showing me pity?"
"Because,"Twilight sighed,"I hated that you were used. I hated that you became this way because of how others treated you. I-" She shook her head,"I feel like if thing were different, you could be a good person, and you still have that chance!" She looked away,"Samus talked with someone called a Zone Cop about your imprisonment, and I managed to convince that cop that you shouldn't be executed." She chuckled,"I got a weird look from both of them, but I said that you could change, that you could grow from this. If this were a year ago, I wouldn't have done that, but ever since Discord? I feel like even someone like you has a chance of life."
Valtor smiled softly,and then laughed, "HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa! Only in Equestria! Only in a world where friendship is valued so highly. And only a princess of friendship would offer her hoof like you have. And you know what?" Valtor looked at the wall, "I have grown tired of being used as someone's dog. Attacking because they want me to, or because they order it. I want to be able to fight for something else. Who knows, maybe give this little friendship thin a try. Fine, what are the conditions?"
"You will be taken to a devastated world by the Zone Cops." Twilight explained,"Your power will be enough to restore it to normal. Under their supervision, of course. If you can heal a world and make it safe for others, then they will let you go."
Valtor smiled, "And in a sense, I get my own world to take... I like it."
Will looked on at the reunion of Sunset and the others, a soft smile on her lips, "Well, that's done. Now we can get back home to our own dimension."
"Wait, before we go, can we stay for the party?" Hay Lin asked.
Will arched an eyebrow, "Party? What Party?"
"Well, me and the Pinkies figured that since this is one of the few times we have so many of us together for something this big and we might not all see each other again, why not celebrate with a big party?!"
"And you guys already have it all set up, don't you?" Will asked.
"Just out in the field outside of town. We couldn't hold it in the town because we might destroy it," Hay Lin blushed.
"And I kind of agreed to DJ the whole thing with Vinyl," Irma smiled.
Cornelia nodded, "And I kind of did agree to help Applejack with the apples."
"And I did want to read up on this place's history," Taranee said.
Will laughed and smiled, "Well, how can I say no? Let's party !!"
Twilight squealed with glee as she spoke with a couple of elks.
A pegasus mare laid back as she sighed,"Shame Storm can't be here."
Samus smiled,"At least she'll be happy knowing things are alright, Claire." She got up,"Come on, let's mingle."
A group of ship captains began to talk with one another, smirking as they clanked their drinks together.
Rainbow Dash looked at her opponents, a smirk on her face as she chased off.
Luna took a seat with Celestia, "You knew, didn't you?"
"Know what?" Celestia asked as the party went on.
"You knew that Elyon was sending Twilight messages, you knew that Twilight and the others would find the Heart of Worlds, and you knew how this would turn out! Admit it," Luna said, looking at Celestia.
"If one thing I had learned from Mom is always true, keep your card close, and know who to trust," Celestia chuckled.
An Applejack took and apple and smiled at her other world self, "Applejack, don't worry, we nobodies are fine."
Will looked down, "Why didn't Samus go to that world?"
"What are you thinking about?" Taranee asked.
"Why would Nerissa let Samus go to that world?" Will said. "It doesn't make sense. She-"
"Was going to wind up in a world where she would've killed everypony," Elyon said, smiling. "But, I had used a spell to send Samus to get the greatest weapon in our arsenal. The weapon that Nerissa could never have."
"Friendship[?" asked Irma.
Elyon winked, "Of course."
Hey Lin then looked up at WIll, "So...still worried?"
Will sighed and looked at the element bearers as they began to mingle and talk. She smiled as she shook her head, "You know what? No. not anymore. I've come realize that, memories or no, distance or close, there is something that connects us all. It's something that draws us close to one another and helps us go through hell when we need it. A kind hoof, a generous gift, a hopeful smile, an honest back, a loyal shoulder, or just the magic of all the things we share. When we focus on those, distance for best friends like us is nothing.
“I guess that's what is truly the Heart of Worlds: Dreams, hopes, friendships, and our love for each other," Will said with a smile.
Celestia walked by, "What a wonderful lesson. I will have to let Twilight hear that. Queen Elyon, thank you for helping my student."
"My pleasure, Princess." Elyon said.
“I think I've heard everything I needed." Twilight said, walking next to Celestia,"Thanks, by the way." She said to Elyon.
Samus walked up to Elyon,"So you're the one I have to blame for those eight!" She said with a smile.
A zebra stood off to the distance, her cloak flapping behind her.
Elelyon looked at the eighth and smile, "I don't see you complaining."
The party winded down and everyone began to go home, leaving behind the guardians and the bearers, plus 2, "We'll wait on the other side" Other FLuttershy said, walking through the portal.
Will sighed as she gave each mare a hug, "I am going to miss you girls! So much!"
"I just wish we had more of a chance to spend time here as a group, "Cornelia said, frowning.
Irma nodded, "Yeah, but-"
"We still have graduation to get to," Trainees said.
"Is it even there?" Hay Lin asked.
"I checked, the school was fixed, I don't really know how," Will said.
(back on earth)
Tecna smiled as she began to pack her stuff up. Bloom hugged her from behind, "Me and girls fixed the school. a little going away present."
"Thanks," Tecna said.
"You know, everything you did, the saving of the girls and all of the effort you put through...you did great," smiled the owner of the dragon flame.
"Thanks, Bloom," Tecna smiled.
(Equestria)
"Twilight, thank, for you know everything,.," Will smiled. She then pulled out a small medallion, “If you ever need help, for anything, call us. We’ll be there in a flash.”
Trixie then looked to Sunset, "So, you feeling better? Starting to feel complete now or is Trixie going to give you a therapy session and remind you that you are a great gal?"
Sunset smiled,"Nah, I'm feeling a lot better. Although, it's going to be hectic going through the school. They don't quite trust me yet." She hugged Trixie,"I'll visit you all again someday, if you make it so the mirror doesn't work on a timescale."
Twilight held up some blueprints,"Already on it!"
"You better, Trixie needs an assistant," Trixie smiled and then turned away. "Now, if you'll excuse Tricia, she and her flying companion are going back to her show in Las Pegasus. Come along, Carpet!"
Will smiled, "We need to get going to. Bye!"
Samus sat next to her ship,"It's your turn to fly first class." She said to Will before they left
Will smiled as she rode the ride of her life with her four friends.
And so each group left, leaving behind only the six bearers of the elements left. Applejack was the first to speak, "Whoowhee! What a crazy few months it's been. Losing the elements, getting all those items-"
"Mirage attacking, again. Dimensional hopping baddies," Dash sid, leaning back.
Pinkie nodded, "I feel like we have been through 300 parties at once."
"Yes, I am quite ready for a break myself" Rarity said, laying on her belly.
"What about you Twilight?" Fluttershy asked.
.
Twilight yawned,"Yeah, I think we're overdue for a break."
As Twilight yawned, the sky began to blacken. Celestia, weary, crawled to Twilight, "Twilight, it's Tirek. He stole Luna's magic and-" she then then fainted as a large red and black centaur stood over the element bearers, a limp Discord in hand. He threw the draconequus away as he glared at them, "You weak pathetic foals, I've come fro your magic!"
Rainbow Dash got into a fighting stance, followed by Applejack cracking her neck, Rarity spun a sword, Pinkie Pie smiled, and Fluttershy nervously stood with them
Twilight's horn glowed,"I don't think so!" she stepped forward.
The end
Twilight Sparkle/Nyx/Wind Whistler: Tara Strong
The new castle stood, and Twilight smiled at her friends.
Sunset Shimmer: Rebecca Shoichet
Principal Celestia stood with three students, introducing them to Sunset. The trio had evil smiles on their lips.
Will Vandom: Kelly Sables
The Witch girls all stood together in front of the school, their graduation outfits on. Turning to look at one another, they smiled softly
Serena Berman: Elyon Brown
Eleyon looked at the worlds and smiled to herself, content. Then she looked to the world that Samus would've went to, and smled softly
Nerissa: Kathie Soucie
Valtor looked at the statue that the people made of him and smiled softly. Looking down at the gem in his hand, he chuckled as he saw Nersissa fighting to get out.
Mozenwrath: Quinton Flynn
Thanks to Hasbro, all of my readers, and everyone who made my favorite shows.
A man sat in his chair, looking up a spell book, "And you say you released Nerissa why?"
"Because, I needed to see how far she could go, to test the usefulness of the power of friendship. Seeing as how multiversal entities have failed," the british voice chuckled, "Well, couldn't hurt to bank on using something that has proven to be effective."
"And yet, it still failed," the man in the chair said, drumming his fingers together.
"Yes, but now I know what to attack. Attacking the head is pointless, it’s best to hit the heart," chuckled the british voice.
The man got up from his chair and then walked to the window, "Why the interest in that world of ponies?"
"Simple," the british man chuckled. "It has more power than anything my long time enemies have ever seen. It can allow me to hold onto the very virtues of the world and corrupt them."
"I see, and you wish to continue this little game of yours? Seeking more of these beings you find at them?" the man asked.
"Yes, unless you find a problem with it?" the man asked.
"No, I think it is a wonderous idea. In fact I-"
"Mr. Xanatos, Lex Luthor and Tony Stark are here for your meeting. Shall I tell them you are busy," asked a tall man with blonde hair.
David Xanatos shook his head and turned around, "Oh no, Owen. Let them in, I was just about to finish my three o'clock."
"Yes, Mister Xanatos," Owen said.
"By your leave then," the british man said, opening a portal with a red gem. The red gem had a disjointed and messed up face on it. The eyes and nose were out of alignment.
"By your leave, Mr. Brando," Xanatos said with a smile.
Dio winked and disappeared, the red rem giving off a haunting hole
Xanatos: Jonathan Frakes
Samus leaned in on her ship as she put away her items that she gathered into her special vault. She perked her ears as she turned to the sound of a research team calling her.
And Jennifer Hale as Samus Aran.
The Bearers gently placed their weapons, medallions and armors back into the vault in Canterlot, letting them rest until needed once again...
Author's Note
Thanks Zolt for the editing!
Expect a blog post detailing the adventure to get this, my longest story, out and more details in the coming week.
What does it mean to be separated? What does it mean to be lost? I believe that separation is an illusion, like loneliness. As long as the bonds we share are there, we will never be alone. We are bonded together by the harmony of our world, by the heart of those who have touched us, and by the hearts of good friends.
-Queen Elyon the 1st from the legend of the 5
Twilight found herself stuck in an empty void of blackness, surrounded by four lights each one a different color; red, green,blue, and white.
“Protect!” Called a voice.
“Protect,” the alicorn asked, looking left and right, “Protect who? What?”
“Protect,” the voice said, becoming a bright light in the distance, while the four lights began to dissipate, “Please princess protect...”
“Protect who?” Twilight asked, running towards the bright pink light.
“Protect the heart, please Princess Twilight, protect the heart!” Pleaded the voice.
“The heart?” Asked Twilight, arching an eyebrow, “What heart? Do you mean the crystal heart? A heart of the pony? How do you know who I am?”
“Protect her, she can’t save them, without you,” the voice faded.
“Who? What are you? How do you know who I am?”Asked Twilight, as a pair of dark yellow eyes appeared.
“Do not worry, Princess,” the voice behind the eyes chuckled, the yellow eyes becoming slitted and dragon like. “I’ll keep the heart safe, for a while.”
“What?” Twilight asked before becoming enveloped in fire.
Twilight let out a gasp of shock as she was rudely awakened from her nightmare.She quickly looked around to see if her awakening had woken up her little dragon assistant, Spike. She smiled as she noticed that the small bed was empty, meaning that the little drake must be getting breakfast ready. Getting out of the bed, she used her magic to comb her mane out of its frazzled state and walked to a small diary that she had placed next to her bed.
“Dream journal entry #5,” she began, the book immediately beginning to write itself as she spoke. “For the past five days, I have been having weird dreams, dreams of ponies enveloped by magic,” as she continued,looking into the mirror to see if there was anything wrong with her wings.
“The first dream was of a brown maned pegasus surrounded by water, not drowning. It was almost as if she was living in it. At first, I had chalked it up to Pinkie’s ‘extra sugar bomb triple chocolate cider shake explosion of energy’ that I had tried the night before.” Twilight let out a small chuckle as she shook her head, “never again. But then came the second night, where I saw a unicorn surrounded by fire, not getting burned. This was followed by a third dream where I saw an unicorn surrounded by trees, making them grow as if she was an Earth pony. That was when I talked with Rarity about the dreams and she suggested that I put them down in this journal. This leads me to dream four where I saw an Earth pony flying in the air, as if she was a pegasus.”
Putting down her brush, the alicorn walked back to the dream journal and looked at it, “But this new dream, is interesting. All of the other dreams were silent, like I was watching an event from a mirror, with the exception of this one. This one came with a plea and then was followed by a dragon. What could all of this mean? What was the dragon, and what did that voice mean by, ‘protect the heart?’”
Twilight was suddenly shaken out of her thoughts by a knock on her door, “Who is that?” She questioned, teleporting down to the ground level of her library and opened the door.
When she did, she was shocked to see a light blue pegasus with a red mane standing in the front of her door.
“H-help,” the mare said as she fainted in the doorframe.
“Oh my Celestia!” Twilight exclaimed, alarmed, “Spike get the bed ready and then run to the hospital and get nurse Redheart.”
“Sure, Twilight, but why?” Spike let his voice carry from upstairs while he cleared the bed. Twilight, wrapping the limp form of the mare in her magic, carried her up to the bed, “Whoa!, What happened to her?”
“I don’t know, she just came to the door and fainted,” Twilight said as she lowered the mare to the bed, and covered her.
As Twilight began to cover the fallen mare, Spike noticed the cutie mark, “Whoa, check out the weird cutie mark. What do you think it means?” Spike asked.
“I don’t really know, Spike,” Twilight said, looking at the two pink balls of energy, circling each other on her flank.
“Its a mystery.”
The Heart of worlds Chapter 1: Journey of the Heart
“I can’t believe I finally made it, the end of high school,” a smile came to the young woman’s face as she walked in her graduation outfit. “No more school, soon to be going to college and...” She stopped herself as she walked outside the grounds,“far away from everyone I care about.”
“Hey there babe,” a voice came from behind her, giving her a hug.
“Matt!” She exclaimed happily, giving her boyfriend a hug and kissing him.
“Graduation day, looking forward to it?” Asked Matt.
“Except for the fact that my best friends might be separating, yeah,” the young girl said, dejectedly.
“I see,” Matt said a little down, looking at his depressed lady. Smiling a little, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a small box, “Hey, I think I might know what make you feel better.”
“What Matt?” She asked, but before she could get an answer she heard a scream and a battle cry, “That sounded like Irma! I got to go!” She said as she ran off into a blaze of light.
“MATT! IRMA!”The red headed mare screamed as she sat up, covered in a cold sweat.
“Calm down, you’re safe,” said a white mare with a pink mane as she placed her hooves on to the blue pegasus, trying to calm her down.
Panting, she looked down at her hooves, almost as if she was looking at them for the first time, “W-where am I?” She asked, trying to figure out her body.
“You’re in Princess Twilight Sparkle’s library. I came here to make sure that you are all right,” the nurse said as she removed the stethoscope from the mare’s body.
“Well, she seems to be all right. No major wounds, illnesses, or anything like that, she just seemed to be exhausted.”
“Thanks for coming, Redheart,” Twilight said as she walked to the bedside of the redhead.
“You’re welcome, miss Sparkle,” the nurse pony said as she walked out of the loft and down the stairs.
Turning her head away from the vacating nurse, Twilight looked at the sitting mare, “So, what is your name miss?”
“My name is Will Vandom, and I’m sorry for intruding in on you like this,” replied Will, looking to the princess. “I don’t even know how I got here to be honest. All I can remember is that me and my friends were-AHHHH!” Will screamed, holding her head as memories flooded her mind, switching between images of her with her friends as a bunch of hairless apes, to her with her friends as ponies.
“Hey, welcome to middle school. Or as I like to call it, hell!” An auburn girl said, a smirk drawing on her face, before turning into a pony.
“Don’t worry, she’ll be fine. I’ve got her,” a blonde pony smiled before changing into a human and back again.
A brown pony with dark purple hair smiled at Will, "Please to meet you, I am Taranee."
“SURPRISE!” Yelled a dark haired oriental girl, changing her image back into a pony
Twilight quickly placed a hoof onto Will’s shoulder, and looked at her with concern, “Are you all right?”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Will said, looking up with a smile, “I guess I’m just getting a headache from being hungry.”
“Oh, don’t tell her that, now she will begin to think of so many ways to help you fix that problem, and give you steps on what causes a headache,” a voice on the wall complained.
As Will got off the bed, she turned around to look for the voice, only to see a clock, “What?”
“I said, let’s head to Sugar Cube Corner to get you something to eat,” Twilight said, heading to the stairs, “and then we can talk about what happened to you and your friends and how we can find them again.”
“Uh, sure,” Will said, following Twilight.
“Oh sure,” a frazzled british voice said from the kitchen, “go to the pink maniac instead of your fridge!”
Will quickly turned her head to the kitchen, raising an eyebrow at the sound. Shaking her head, she tried to ignore it and follow the alicorn.
Once the two mares made their way to the shop, a bubbly pink pony hopped right up to the two, “HEY TWILIGHT!” Turning her head, she looked at Will with a big smile,
“Oh my gosh! A new pony! Hi there, my name is Pinkie Pie, and welcome to Ponyville! Since you’re new here, I’ll go and grab you a fresh muffin straight out of the oven!”
“She really shouldn’t. In my opinion, I think the cupcakes I helped made were better today,” A voice called out from the kitchen.
“I think I’ll have the cupcakes instead,” said Will.
“Are you sure? The muffins are really good!” Pinkie said excitedly.
“Yeah, your...” Will fumbled for a moment on her words as she looked into the bakery kitchen and saw only a stove. “STOVE?!”
Twilight arched an eyebrow, “The stove just talked to you?”
“Well, sort of, kind of, yeah...I mean when Pinkie Pie offered the muffin to me, the stove told me that the cupcakes were better,” Will said, looking at the stove confused.
“Oh, sometimes I think I can hear the Cakes talking to me, but then that is just me being really hungry!” Pinkie said with glee as she brought back a cupcake and gave it to Will.
“You can talk to technology?” Twilight asked, unsure if this mare was telling the truth or not.
“I guess so,” Will said looking down at the cupcake, “I...don’t know. This is all too weird-AHHH!” Will screamed as she hunched over, holding her head in her hooves.
“Another headache?” Twilight asked, reaching over to the mare in concern.
“Yeah, I-” Will began to sway back and forth as she felt the pain subside, while a blue portal began open next to her.
“What?” Was all Twilight had time to asked as a firebolt spell came from the blue portal, striking her in the side, and sending her flying.
“Twilight!” Screamed Pinkie as she was lifted up by a magical aura and thrown against the wall.
As Twilight slowly got up from the blast, she got a good look at the attacker, “S-Sunset?”
“Hello, Sparkle,” the two toned mare said, a symbol of a black V glowing brightly on her forehead.
“I thought I come home and take something from you. Namely, everything.” Turning her head over her shoulder, she looked at the prone Pinkie.
Looking up from the table, Will’s eyes began to crackle with electricity. As she raised her hooves in front of her, she could feel the air crackle around her, “NO! Get...AWAY!” Screaming, in fear and worry for her new friends, she thrusted out her hooves to let out a torrent of electricity from her outstretched hooves.
“What?” Was Twilight’s only response as she watched this display of unicorn like magic coming from a simple pegasus. as a pendant appeared around her neck. As the lightning struck the yellow unicorn, hitting her hard enough to knock her out but not to kill her, the pendant glowed a bright pink and sealed the portal.
“Will, that was...”Twilight said, looking shocked as she got to her hooves. Her eyes widened in surprise as the blue pegasus wass bathed in an etherial light, and a pink necklace appeared around her neck. Without a word, the pendant glowed bright pink and shot out at Sunset and the portal.
“AHHHHH!” Sunset screamed as the symbol on her head was wiped from her and the portal closed behind her. As the magic dissappated, Will slowly lowered back down and looked at herself in shock.
Will just stood there, looking at the pendant and her hooves. Looking back at Twilight, her eyes looked on in fear, “What am I?”
Author's Note
Thanks to Werewolves for being a fun prereader.
This fic goes out to all you W.I.T.C.H. fans out there that wanted a pony and W.I.T.C.H crossover, hope you enjoy.
Normally, the loudest noise that could be heard in Taurus would be the sound of hammers hitting anvils. This was not a normal day as it was graced by the presence of Twilight Sparkle, Equestria’s newest princess and avid bookworm. Sadly, she was in her lecturing mood, and this meant that her voice rang loud and clear with extensive knowledge that was able to drown out the sound of the foundries, “Saddle Arabians also had been known to-”
Trixie gulped, before covering her ears, "Anypony have a sound dampening spell?"
"Don't worry, I got this," Will smirked. "Hey Twilight, I think there is a book burning going on in the library. We better hurry."
Twilight stopped,"What!?"
Sunset blinked,"Why didn't I think of that?"
Will giggled as she flew up and ahead, "Helps to have a friend who is also a bookworm."
"Be as it may, we better get over there and stop her going mad," Rarity chuckled.
As the group of eight made their way to the library, they could hear Twilight trotting to the front desk. As she looked at the body of the minotaur, she raised her hoof and yelled "I, Princess Twilight Elizabeth Sparkle, demand that you stop this madness!"
The minotaur, who was sitting at his desk, looked back at Twilight, "I am sorry, but I am trying to write a review to this one fanfic book about how horrible their story was before I even read it because it is in a genre I don't like!”
Twilight blinked,"But I..." She turned to glare at Will,"You just don't want more knowledge..." She muttered as she walked off.
Sunset walked up to the librarian,"Um, where do you keep your books on Street Rat?"
"I hope she isn’t too upset," will said, a small bit of guilt coming over her.
"Check legends and myths, down that way," the minotaur said, going back to his book
“Thank you!" Sunset said, turning and heading for the section. As she walked, she smiled at Will,"Don't worry, if she can forgive me for all the things I did, then she won't hold a grudge for one little joke."
Rainbow Dash grumbled, "Can't freaking believe that we're back here.”
Twilight perused the shelves,"I know, isn't it amazing!?" She looked at a title,"Street Rat's Legacy." And pulled it out.
The book read: "In the early times of Saddle arabia, much of it was under siege by cruel and heartless ponies. As opposed to the harmonious magic of Equestria, full of light, the land of Saddle Arabia was darkness. Many sorcerers, warlocks, demons, and monsters roamed the land. Causing devastation and murder in their wake. It was only through the arrival of the diamond in the rough, the one they called Street Rat. He bravely defeated the darkness that covered the land and brought the light to the world. Over his many battles and heroics, he met many foes, one was named Mirage." The picture showed an image of a cat-woman sitting on a throne, ponies screaming behind her.
Twilight growled,"Must you continue to haunt me, monster?" She muttered to herself as she flipped the page.
Fluttershy put a hoof on to Twilight's shoulder in understanding.
"Another foe that he faced was name Mozenwrath, a powerful sorcerer. Not much was known about him, other than rumors. It is said that Street Rat left behind many treasures after his many adventures came to an end, including a object known only as Street Rat's Legacy, an unknown gem that he discovered on his last adventure.
"Oh, that is a nice painting !" Mozenwrath said as Sunset looked over Twilight's shoulder at his painting.
"It's a gem!" Twilight said,"Though why would Sunshine be looking for it? And where is it?" She flipped the page again.
"The location of this gem has been lost in the sands of time, surrounding the lands of Saddle Arabia."
"Sands of Time..." Twilight frowned,"That might mean that Sunshine could also be lost."
Sunset sighed,"Does that mean our search is over?"
Twilight shook her head,"No. We'll find a way to search the Sands of Time. But that'll be later." She got up,"We have a shark to find! Fluttershy, you're the animal expert, prepare yourself!" She said with a grin.
"What?" Fluttershy squeaked.
Twilight put a hoof on the pegasus' shoulder,"Fluttershy, I know you can do it. After all, one of your animal friends is a fierce bear! I think you can handle a shark."
"Well, it is just a large shark. But I never talked to a land shark before," Fluttershy said, shaking her head a little.
"And this is our chance to see if you can't talk to one!" Twilight beamed,"I mean, it's a new specimen! A life form we have never seen before!" Her eyes began to twinkle,"Oh, think of what we could learn!"
Fluttershy hid back a little, too shy to admit that she was excited to see a land shark as well. Rainbow Dash just scoffed, "So, are we just gonna sit on our flanks for two day?"
“Nope, we’re going to actively hunt for it,” Twilight smiled.
“So, we are actually going to actively hunt a giant shark that can and will most likely kill us?” Sunset sighed, “You go on some weird adventures, Twilight.”
Twilight did not hear Sunset’s remark as she turned to Applejack and Rainbow Dash, “Your job, and AJ's as well, is to actually round up the shark, so Fluttershy could talk to it."
"Sweet!" Rainbow Dash said, high hoofing her friend.
Twilight looked at Will,"Will, you and the others will join me in trying to surround and trap the shark."
Will nodded, and Trixie looked at Twilight, "And Trixie assumes you have a plan for trapping it?"
Twilight nodded,"Since it's a treasure shark, we might be able to bait it out when we get near it with some treasure of our own. If we hold it up in the air and watch as it soars overhead, Trixie, you and I will use our magic to hold in place."
"We could us some gems from the state treasury room. I don't' think Minos will mind," Will said.
"Well, what are we waiting for, let gt this plan on the way," shouted Rainbow Dash as she began to fly out of the room.
"Of course he won't mind, I mean, we do plan on giving the gems back." Twilight frowned as she watched Rainbow leave,"I really wish she'd stop running off in a hurry."
"Don't worry Twi, give her a few moments and she'll realize that she has no idea where she's going," Applejack said, putting a hoof on to Twilight's shoulder.
Twilight chuckled,"Yeah, that does give me comfort." She walked out of the library.
"Though I wonder how long it will take?" Sunset asked.
Rainbow Dash flew back, carrying the gems but a blush on her face as she rubbed the back of her head, “So... where are we headed?” this caused the girls to laugh in return.
The mares walked to the north of the city, where the vast plain of the rest of Tauros spread out before them. For countless miles, it was like somepony had painted the very land green, with the afternoon sun over head giving the land a soft golden hue. The wind blew softly through the green grass to make it look like wave of the ocean. Rarity looked on in awe, "My word, its so lovely."
"So... beautiful." Sunset said in awe.
"Wow." Twilight could only say.
"Amazing," Will said.
"We got to find the shark, in all of this?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Rarity smiled, "Well, I can use my gem detecting spell. Now that I know the area, I should be able to find his general location."
"Yeah, but even so, it could take us weeks we don't' have," Applejack said.
At the mention of this, a dust cloud came up from the distance.
Twilight's eye's widened,"Or we could find it now!" She shouted, pointing towards the dust cloud.
Rarity arched an eyebrow at this, "Wait, I don't feel any gems."
Before Rarity could say anything more, the dust cloud passed them by and suddenly stopped. Once the dust cleared, a small group of ostrach creatures appeared before them. Feathers slicked down, colored blue with white tips that ended in a swirl, and with long white legs that ended in red claws. Their combs were all spiked, with little white tufts on their breasts.
Rainbow Dash stared at the birds in awe, "Twilight... are those, Speeders?"
A Speeder turned to Dash,"Ya got that right! We're the fastest things around!" His shiny necklace bounced as he nodded.
"That is so COOL!" Rainbow Dash said, but then smirked, "But ya got it wrong, I'm the fastest thing."
"Pardon me, sir, but what is that lovely necklace you're wearing?" ased Rarity.
"Oh, this? This is my shark bait!" He leaned in to Rarity,"I heard there's a treasure shark in the area, and I want to catch it!" He turned to Dash,"Oh, really, you’re the fastest?"
A confident smirk on her face, the cyan mare leaned up, "Yeah."
"Want to test that theory?" The Speeder went up in her face, a smirk slowly crawling up his face.
"Heck yeah!" Rainbow Dash said, pushing her face against his.
"Um, excuse me, my. Speeder?" Fluttershy asked, walking up to one particular speeder. "But, um, why are you looking for the shark?"
Another speeder smiled at Fluttershy,"Simple, the thing's dangerous, and we love danger, right boys!?"
The other speeders nodded vigorously.
"You won't hurt him when you catch him will you? He doesn't seem that dangerous," Fluttershy said, looking at the Speeders.
"Flutters, I think they will. I mean look at them, they look fast and unbelievably badass," Rainbow Dash said, looking at the head speeder.
"What's that insinga on your wings, the RR?" Applejack asked.
"Oh, not too badly, we'll just catch him just to say we did!" The lead one smiled,"And this symbol means that we are the Riders of Ramon!" They all said in unison.
"My dear gentlebirds, me and my companions are looking for the same shark. Perhaps you could help us?" Rarity asked.
The speeders looked at each other, then back to Rarity,"First, she must race me!" The leader pointed to Dash.
Will looked shocked, "But do we-"
"All right, bring it on!" Rainbow Dash smirked as she landed in a crouch.
".- ave that kind of time."
As Will facehoofed, Sunset put hoof on to her back, “Forget it she’s gone.”
The lead speeder smirked,"Alrighty then!" He crouched and wavered,"We go to that mountain and back, ready?"
"Ready," Rainbow Dash said, crouching with the ostrach, spreading her wings.
"Go!" He sped off towards the mountain.
Smiling, Rainbow Dash took off, flapping her wings as hard as she could. For the briefest of seconds, it looked like they were on equal footing when it came to speed, but the Speeder quickly pulled ahead. The cyan pegasus's eyes opened wide in shock at the bird, and then narrowed her brown in determination as she began to flap her wings with stronger and harder flaps.
The rider turned his head, and smiled warmly as he watched the rainbow pegasus catching up. If one could look, one could almost say that he wa impressed with the speed that she was putting on. Deciding to amp up his speed, he ran just a little faster at that point, his legs running so fast that they resembled a figure 8.
Being a little shocked at the extended run that the speeder took, Rainbow Dash reared up and began to fly just as hard, pushing herself to the limits. she smiled as she saw the ostrich coming into view and their halfway mark with him. Grinning she flew a little faster, the anger and rage that she had been feeling the past few days vanishing for a moment as she flew hard to catch up with the blue ostrich.
As they reached the mountain, the two gave each other a look that said that neither was at their limit, and turned and began to run even faster.
Sunset gasped,"That speed..."
"That's our boss. Samard never gives up!" One of the ostriches said.
"Neither does Rainbow Dash." Twilight said, with a confident smile.
Rainbow Dash looked at the rival ostrich, a look on her fact that said that she wasn't even done yet. Looking ahead, she put her head into the mindset of what the others needed this win for, what they needed her for. With that in mind, a cone began to appear in front of Rainbow Dash. The ostrich opened his eyes in shock and then pointed forward, a similar cone forming over his beak.
"Here it comes!" Pinkie jumped in excitement
Will looked at Pinkie Pie with a raised brow, “What is?”
“Watch,” Applejack said.
The intense speed flrw the wind harshly against both of their feathers and fur, causing small little ripples in their bodies as they reached the sound barrier. With a smirk from both of their eyes, the both shattered the barrier with a large boom.
Sunset gasped as the boom happened,"Holy Celestia!"
With a laugh coming from both runners, they pushed themselves through the speed barriers as they became blurs to the viewpoint from the cheerleaders. Rainbow's own prismatic orb spreading out from her boom
Within a few scant seconds, they arrived at the finished line, Dash panting as the sweat rolled down her face, "HA!"
Samard collapsed,"You... win."
The others gasped, and then one of them went to Rainbow Dash,"My friend, since you have beaten our leader, you will now be given a great honor!" He used his wing to hand her a RR badge,"You are now a Rider of Ramon!"
"SUHWEEET!!" Shouted Rainbow Dash as she pumped the air.
Samard panted as one of his men picked him up,"Alright, we'll help you." He looked to the right,"I do believe that the shark was seen that way."
The girls nodded, each getting on top of the ostriches, "Oh, this is going to be fun!" Pinkie exclaimed.
"Thank you so much," Fluttershy said.
"No problem, little one!" The ostrich said to Fluttershy as they sped off.
On they sped through the majestic plains of the minotaur homeland, making the ground past beneath them in a blur. Trailing behind the speedsters was a giant and powerful dust cloud, making them look for all who saw them to be nothing more than a moving cloud of smoke. For the riders that rested on the backs of the fast moving ostriches, their world became a menagerie of color and loud whipping air. Intermingled with the fast moving speeders were the various yells from the nine riders
"EEEEEEEEEE!" Rarity screamed as they sped through the wide open plains.
"YEhaaaaaa!!!" Yelled Applejack.
"Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!" Pinkie squealed.
Will smiled with excitement, "WHAOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!"
Rainbow Dash stuck her hoof out in excitement, "YES!!"
"Twilight you and your bright ideas!!!" Trixie shouted, staring at Twilight.
"Yeah, why did I end up going through this three times in one daaaay!" Twilight screamed.
"Because it's awesome!!!" Rainbow Dash replied.
"You know, I rather liked living!" Sunset screamed.
On the side of the group, Pinkie Pie began to notice the beat of the steps of the birds. Slowly, she began to bop her head to the tune of the slow and steady rhythm, allowing the continuous thumping to give her inspiration. The wind and the breeze seemed to add to the song as she began to smile. Pinkie Pie giggled, moving side to side on the neck of the ostrach, " Rollin' Rollin' Rollin '
Applejack laughed loudly and joined in, bringing out her banjo to join in.
Rain and wind and weather
Rarity shook her head, taking a deep sigh and looking ahead as she tried to fix her mane
All the things I'm missin'
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy sat side by side and sang in unison
Move 'em on
Sunset and Twilight sat side by side ad smiled at each other, letting their voices into the beat
Cut 'em out
The riders chuckled as they joined in, the song getting them pumped
Keep movin', movin', movin'
Trixie shook her head as she tried to keep her hat straight on
Will smiled, taking a deep breath to join with the others
My heart's calculatin'
Together, the entire group sung together.
Cut em' out
Yah! (whip crack)
Off into the distant plains did the riders ride, a journey that could’ve taken days vanished in a few seconds. Through the many grassy plains and small hills the travelers made their way. Before long, they had reached a part where their gems began to glow softly. For a few moments, the area was deathly quiet, until the ground began to shake hard beneath them. Twilight grabbed on to one of the ostriches,"Whoa!"
The ground parted as the Shark breached land, letting out a howl of pain and agony, "Wait!" yelled Fluttershy as she watched the shark appear. Looking closely, she could see red fluid leaking out of the shark's body as it laid on its side, "no," she whispered a she flew to the fallen beast, its breathing shallow. Her blue eyes tinged with a look of worry for the poor animal, she began to hover around the creatures bleeding body, looking over each wound. As the shark moaned and gasped in pain, the blood seemed to drip faster and a new wound seemed to open up.
Twilight gasped as she ran towards it, taking a quick look at Fluttershy,"Is there anything we can do for it?"
Samard walked up to the shark,"Such a shame, we didn't want it dead..."
"I’m going to try and save it." Fluttershy looked at Rarity, "Rarity, if you please!"
Without a second word, the white unicorn lifted some of the clothes she bought and handed it to Fluttershy, winching when the pegasus and Dash began to tear it up, "Fluttershy, I don't think you can-"
"NO!" she softly shouted, putting up as much as she could, "Twilight, Sunset, Trixie, could you please hold these gauzes to the wounds. Riders, could you help?" she then heard the growling, "No, please stop talking like that sir. I am going to save you..." she looked to her wings, "Maybe..."
The unicorns used their magic to push gauzes in, while the riders did the same. Rarity continued to offer up what pieces of cloth and clothes that she could to the other ponies for the gauze. As the ponies began to patch up the wounds, Fluttershy looked at Mediena, and flew to them, putting them on her wings. She tried to flap them, using them to see if they had a healing spell," Come on, please... work, let me save him."
the shark moaned in pain.
"No, I don't care who did this, you are going to be alive, then you can tell us all you want," Fluttershy said, tears flowing down her face as Rainbow Dash flew up and put a hoof to her back.
"Flutters-"
"No..." Fluttershy denied, shaking her head as tears came to her eyes.
Pinkie looked down, wanting to go up to Fluttershy. As Fluttershy continued to plead with the wings and cry, the others could only watch on in helplessness as Fluttershy continued to push herself to the limit. As if they could hear her, the wings began to glow softly, pulsating with a little pink light. With each beat of her wings, the pink blades began to send out small little mites of yellow dust that covered the large beast. The wind from the wings flowed over the shark, causing it to glow a similar yellow to Fluttershy. the wounds on the monster shark began to slowly dissipate, the blood disappearing.
Twilight sighed in relief,"Good. Does it know who did this?" She looked at Fluttershy.
Fluttershy landed and began to talk to the shark, "Ok, I see, yes. I understand." she then turned to the others, "It was attacked by a zebra shaman who wanted to grab the magic horseshoes. He but up a fight, but he lost. The shaman apparently wanted to prove his power so he tried to kill him.
"How horrid," Rarity said.
"The poor thing..." Twilight said.
"Zebra shaman...? Ask about the horseshoes. " Mozenwrath said.
"Of course you would only care about those." Sunset growled.
"Think: If the zebra has those. .."
Sunset gasped,"Did he manage to take them?"
The shark growled weakly,"Yes, he did." Fluttershy nodded.
Rainbow Dash punched her hooves together, "Ok, who's up for a shaman whoopin!?"
Samard nodded,"Does he know where this zebra was last spotted?"
"In a cave, about the west of here," she looked to the shark, "Um your welcome... oh no, you don't need to do that!"
"What did he say?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"He said in gratitude, he is going to name his first ten children after me," Fluttershy blushed.
Twilight shook her head,"Yeah, him and about half of Equestria wants to do that." She muttered as she turned west.
Rainbow Dash chuckled, "And how many wants to name them after you?
Twilight frowned,"Too many."
Will slowly got onto her rider and her mind was flooded with another memory.
"This is will, irma, Taranee, Cornelia, and Hay Lin," Elyon smile as she took them to to a day care.
"Uh, hi?" Will said.
The blonde shook her head, "I wasn't talking to you, I was introducing the kids to you,. The people of Meridian hae taen to naming some of of their kids after you."
"Awww, how adorable," Hay Lin said, watching as the five kids played together.
"So wich one is Cornelia?" asked Irma.
"The boy," Eleyon said, much to the dismay of her unicorn friend. "His twin sister is Irma."
the three other girls began to laugh at this as Irma and Cornelia shook their heads
"Right. C'mon, Riders, Let's ride!" Samard yelled as they sped north.
Valtor smiled as he stepped away from the cave, "And here they come. Have fun with them, my dear friend."
"You are not going to help me stop and kill them? Doesn't one of them have a Heart," asked the Shaman.
"Why yes, one does. But, you see my problem is that a heart has to be given to me. I think I will wait until you have her begging for mercy before I take the heart," the black dragon smiled as he walked away.
"You are just going to await the outcome, aren't you, my lord?" asked Servant.
"Yes. Either he will kill them and leave me with the Heart of Kandrakar or they will kill him and opened the next gate,” Valtor said as he walked through the portal.
The ostriches stopped in front of the cave, allowing the others to climb off.
"Be careful, if he's wielding the horseshoes, who knows what he could do..." Twilight said.
"He could become like a god." Sunset said.
"Please don't let him say that..." Twilight muttered,"I've had enough of villains saying that!"
The shaman chuckled as he stepped out of the cave, "Fine then, I will dispense with the cliche, and just make a simple demand. The unicorns and alicorn, hand them over." he held out his hoof and flashed a toothy grin.
"Why?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Did you know I have\ a way to absorb an unicorn's magic?" asked the shaman.
Twilight gasped,"You can steal magic!?"
"And what makes you think we're just going to walk over there?" Sunset said, emphasizing herself with a stomp.
"Why yes, I can," the zebra chuckled. "Its a simple recipe. I just cut the alicorn off, grind it down into a fine powder, and rub it along my staff. It allows me to absorb an unicorn's magic. Though, unlike some, it doesn't allow me to absorb cutie mark talent as well."
"What kind of monster could do that?" Applejack asked.
"Pray you don't meet him," growled the zebra. "And you are going to come here, because I will make you." he then lifted a hoof to cause the ground to shake, the hind hoof glowed and made him float.
Twilight stepped back, her horn glowing,"We're not giving in!"
Sunset looked up,"Any plans on how to get those things off?"
Trixie looked up, watching as the clouds over head began to merge and create a storm, "We need to trick him somehow."
Rainbow Dash moved to the side from a lighting bolt, and then swerved to move from a jutting piece of ground, "Open to ideas!"
"If this is what he's like with the horseshoes, Ah hate to see what he's like with your power Twi," Applejack said, kicking a stone block.
Twilight put up a shield to block another bolt,"I don't even want to think about it!"
"Any ideas, Mozy?" Sunset said as she blasted a beam at the zebra.
"Sorry, I've only heard of this guy, I've never faced him ." Mozenwrath said.
The zebra stood to the side, barely dodging the bolt, "Hmmm, now, let’s see what other spell I can conjure." his staff then glowed, making the ground slowly rise and causing some skeletons to rise. "Did you know there was an unicorn who could manipulate the bones of a pony body?"
"Oh, buck me!" Applejack said as they were getting surrounded.
Trixie looked to the cave where he stood and then back to Sunset,"Sunset, how is your precision?" she then looked to Fluttershy.
Sunset looked,"Pretty good, why?"
“Just trust the Great and Powerful one,” Trixie winked as she began to hear the sounds of mud being moved.
From behind Rarity, a muddy hand touched her shoulder, "Ugh! MUD! " she shrieked as she cut into it with vorpal. Turning to her let, she jumped at the sight of three mud monsters rising from the ground. Soon they became surrounded by skeletons and mud men.The shaman then smiled as his horseshoe glowed bright, summoning a large storm cloud to attack the group. As the storm began to rage, Rainbow Dash and Will began to handle the clouds.
As the number of monsters and obstacles rose, Trixie looked to Twilight, "Trixie apologies, but she is going have to borrow Fluttershy."
Twilight looked at Trixie, before slicing a mud skeleton in half,"What are you doing?"
"Just trust her," Trixie then whispered to Fluttershy her plan.
Hearing this, the yellow pegasus squeaked, "B-but I."
"Do it," Trixie said, Looking to sunset," when she goes invisible, levitate her behind the shaman.”
Sunset nodded,"Okay!"
Trixie turned to look at Fluttershy and pointed her horn at the buttery yellow pegasus. Igniting her horn with a faint blue aura, she began to envelop Fluttershy with her illusion magic. With a soft shimmer, Fluttershy vanished in an instant, leaving behind only a faint shimmer of where she was. Sunset then nodded, igniting her horn and carefully lifted up Fluttershy into the air, “She can fly you know,” Sunset commented as she lifted her up.
“Yes, she can. But, she won't because she is afraid to and her skill is lacking. Besides do you want to trust the suicidal one to this trick?” Trixie asked, much to Sunset’s giggling.
Fluttershy landed behind the Shaman, watching him cast his spells, "Oh, I do hope that you don-" she squeaked as the shaman turned to face her.
"Nice try trickster. But It takes more than that to fool me," he sneered as he used his hoof to enlarge the storm and then generated a rock slide to block the entrance. "Princess, I hope you have fun with my pet. Don't worry, I'll kill Kindness slowly."
the ground beneath the bearers and the riders began to shake as a mud giant slowly rose from the ground, his fierce eyes on the young ponies.
"FLUTTERSHY!" Rainbow Dash screamed as she punched the rock wall.
Twilight turned to the rock slide, and then to the mud giant, a look of fear mixed with leadership in her eyes, "Applejack, you and I go help Rainbow get to Fluttershy, everypony else, try to handle the giant-"
"We, will handle the giant!" one rider said,"You all focus on saving your friend!" The ostriches squawked as they charged the giant.
Twilight nodded as she turned and used her magic to tear open the rocks. Applejack and Pinkie Pie leapt onto the slide and began to punch at the rocks alongside Rainbow Dash. the three unicorns began to pull the rocks away while Will began to blast holes with her lighting power.
As each mare struggled to get through the rocks, the shaman looked to Fluttershy, magic flowing off of his staff as he stared at her cruelly "You know, I was always curious as to Kindness's point. I mean I have heard the legends of the bearers, but Kindness always seemed to most pathetic. Loyalty inspires, Generosity can give for the greater good, Honesty earns trust, heck, even Laughter brings out hope. But Kindness," he blasted near Fluttershy. "Kindness is weak."
Fluttershy crawled out of the way of the next shot, trying to find a way to hide until her friends get there. her hoof then hits some bones, "These..."
"The inhabitants, a small tribe of rodents who betrayed me some years ago," the shaman chuckled.
"You killed them," she whispered, remembering how this was the same shaman who almost killed the shark. "Why? Why did you do this?"
"Because I require power, and power is what give me meaning. Kindness such as you, would never understand," The Shaman smirked as he fired a fire blast, that deflected off of Mediena.
"I know, I am weak, I know I am afraid of so much, but," Fluttershy looked at the shaman,trembling. "I do understand monsters like you."
Twilight growled as she heard flames,"Oh no you don't!" She yelled, her horn gripping every rock she could find and pulling them all out.
“Please don’t die! I won’t forgive myself if you die,” Trixie growled as she forced another rock off.
Sunset grunted,"Come on, I don't want to lose you, Fluttershy!" She pulled more rocks out as the sounds of fighting became louder behind them.
Inside the cave, Fluttershy's shield held strong, before she used the wings to cut off the blast "Monsters like you think you can hurt so many because you have the power. But, this isn't power, you are just weak!"
"And you are any better? What can you do little one?" The Shaman asked. as he prepared to fire another blast.
As the fire blast launched from the shaman’s staff "Beat you without having to hit you," Fluttershy whispered as she flew up to the rocks above on the ceiling. the Shaman threw a wind cutter at her, causing one of the rocks to fall, and Fluttershy to dodge. Getting on the ground, the yellow pegasus doge each shot rolling and fluttering. The shaman took a menacing step forward, causing the ground rumble beneath her and tripping her to the ground.
Before she could take to the air, the zebra leaped at her, slamming his staff hard onto her back. As she yelped in pain, the zebra began to launch another strike at her prone form. Using an instinct that she never knew she had, Fluttershy lifted up her wing blade to block the hit. Moving as fast as she could, Fluttershy used her wings to block several of the shots from the zebra. There was a scowl on his face as he backed her against the wall, one of annoyance and rage. Leaping back, he fired a fireblast at the pegasus. To his shock,Fluttershy flew out of the way of the blast.
With a cruel smile, he activated the weather shoe, causing a small tornado to begin bellowing in the cave. This caused Fluttershy to tumble and buffer against the harsh winds. Rocks everywhere began to cut into her body.Her ears twitched, and she managed to correct herself to handle the harsh tornado. Finding a safe spot, she waited until he was done. Looking behind her, she flew out of the way of his next strike. She barely managed to dodge the last hit as she neared a small mound. Looking at it, she sighed and then looked back at the shaman.
"You never knew what animals live here, do you?" Fluttershy asked. She began to walk slowly towards the the shaman.
"What do you mean, there are...AHHHHH!" he screamed as he began to feel bites along his his fur. Looking along his body, he saw thousands of little dots running along his body. Another scream erupted from his throat as he saw a green snake bite on his hind leg.
"Fire ants and snakes," Fluttershy said calmly a she walked to the shaman. Bats began to fly around her, helping to remove some of the dust and lick her wounds, “Bats too. They helped me with your tornado.”
The shaman swiped at Fluttershy with his staff, Fluttershy just barely dodging each hit. On shot managed to cut into her left shoulder and another managed to hit her in the legs. Wincing she blocked the next shot with her wing blade, "You have been a very VERY NAUGHTY MAGE! You killed without needing too and you hurt too many others, not you will go and think about what you did!" she said, her eyes bearing down on him. Her stare seemed to burrow into his very soul, and he began to back up. He found himself unable to move, unable to blink as he continued to stare into Fluttershy’s harsh stare. Trebling, the stallion let out a blood curdling yell. This caused the magic spells to fade away and the stones to disappear.
Sunset blinked at the sound,"What was that? It sounded like a little kid crying for his mom."
Twilight smirked,"Maybe Fluttershy used her secret weapon." She smiled as she watched the rocks fell apart, and saw the Shaman sat in the corner, crying like a small child. Next to him sat Fluttershy with the four horseshoes and patting him comfortably with a gentle hoof.
When she saw the others, she quickly flew over to her friends, "Oh, hello girls ."
Will stood there in shock, "How, I mean, I knew what she could do with animals, but... “
Sunset could only gawk as the bearers of the elements ran in for a hug with the pegasus. Trixie closed the unicorn’s mouth and snickered, “You should see it when she’s trying.”
Twilight gave Fluttershy a hug,"That's Fluttershy for you!" Then she screamed as she felt something crawl by her. She hid behind Fluttershy as the snake went back to it’s home.
Samard went towards them,"Indeed, I have heard legends of the Stare before, but I never thought I'd see somepony who uses it!"
Fluttershy blushed and hid behind her mane, “Oh no, it was nothing really.”
"Nothing!?" Samard picked Fluttershy up,"What you can do is magnificent! Do not be so humble!"
Twilight walked over to Yhe Shaman,"Thank you for the horseshoes!" She said as she used her magic to grab the horseshoes from Fluttershy. Then a flash came over her.
Once again she was in the body of the alicorn known as Friendship. She looked upon a small unicorn,"Fizzy..." Twilight said as Honesty spoke up.
“What are you doing here, young one?"
Fizzy gulped a little nervously at seeing the sight of the six alicorns, "Um, well, you see. Gee what was I here for?"
"A little light headed isn’t she?" asked Loyalty
Twilight looked at Loyalty,"Sounds like a certain Queen," She looked at Laughter. She turned to Fizzy,"It has to have something to do with your friend Mimic."
Fizzy laughed, "Oh yeah, silly me. I can be so silly sometimes. Mimic was telling me how it feels like the Heart of Worlds is in danger. You know, ever since Mozenwrath was defeated and Street Rat disappeared, it just seems like everything has gotten a, little worse," Fizzy said, looking down.
Kindness walked over to Fizzy,"How so, little one?" She draped a wing over the unicorn.
Fizzy looked down, "Well, there has been some of my friends disappearing lately, and I've heard that Majesty has been feeling weaker lately, but... Ok, its Mimic!" a few tears began to slide down Fizzy's face, "I think she's dying!"
"Oh my!" Kindness exclaimed,"You poor thing."
"Yes, we've seen Mimic." Twilight said,"But Majesty?"
"Perhaps there is something the elder Queen didn't tell us." Honesty said,"We should talk to her."
"Later, but first," Twilight looked down at Fizzy,"Why do you think coming here will help?"
"I thought you six coming here might have a way to save Mimic. Please, she's one of my best friends and I would do anything to keep her safe!" the green unicorn cried into Kindness's wing.
"Hmm," Twilight thought for a moment,"I think I have an idea, but you'll have to come with us. Loyalty, get Speed to send a message to Majesty's little sister, Princess Terra.”
“Where are we going?” Fizzy asked
"In the land of the minotaurs, the God of the Forge awaits." Twilight said,"He should be able to give your friend a set of magical items to sustain her magic."
"However, Buddy may also need your help before doing so." Honesty said,"His land is dying you see."
"Dying? from what?" asekd Fizzy.
"Well, there is a bit of a blight on the crops in their land, and they require someone to help them with it. Plus, their king is... really too serious and really needs a good laugh." Laughter said with a giggle as Twilight began to fade away back into the present. As the dream faded, Fuzzy smiled and ran off.
"Is it wrong that I want to put her in silly poses when she does that?" Samard asked as Twilight slowly came back to consciousness.
Twilight's eyes fluttered,"Please don't do that."
Pinkie Pie was already near Twilight with a mischievous grin on her face, "Awwwwww."
Twilight shot a look at Pinkie before looking at the others,"I had another one of those visions, with Fizzy this time."
"What was it about?" Rarity asked.
"Visions?" asked Trixie, looking at the others.
"Yeah, the last time we did this, Twilight got all of these crazy visions about all of us as alicorns and seeing some old dead mare," Rainbow Dash said.
"Fizzy was talking about how Mimic was sick and after Mozenwrath's defeat, everything seemed to go downhill, like how Queen Majesty's health began to fail." Twilight sai
"Queen Majesty?" Dash asked.
"Isn't that just repeating yourself?" Trixie asked.
Twilight frowned,"Hey, I don't come up with these names!"
"Queen Majesty? Oh, she really got on my nerves ." Mozenwrath growled.
Applejack looked at Twilight, "So how was everything going downhill?"
"Well, from what I've heard, some of her friends went missing, Mimic went sick, and of course you know about Majesty." Twilight said.
The girls listened, Dash cocked her head to the sie, "So, did that vision of yous said where the gate is?"
"Gate!?" Samard exclaimed,"ARe you speaking of the gate of Fizzy!? Why we know where that is! 'tis in the land of the Flutter Ponies!
Dash smiled, "So does that mean..."
"Oh dear sweet Celestia, not another ride," Trixie moaned.
Fluttershy then looked at the zebra, "But wait, what are we going to do about him?"
One of the speeders grabbed him,"Oh, we shall take him to our city to put him on trial!"
Samard grinned,"Hop on! We shall take you as far as the Flutter Ponies' forest!"
"Whoo hoo!" Pinkie cheered and leapt on top. Fluttershy painted the zebra on the foreleg in comfort and got on to her Speeder. Trixie shot Sunset a look that said, 'see you in the next life'.
Sunset whimpered,"Here we go agaiiiiiiiiinnnn!" She shouted as the speeders sped off towards a large forest.
Within moments, the nine ponies arrived at the forest. After getting off, Fluttershy gave hers a hug, "Thank you for taking us here and putting the shaman on trial. Excuse me, mr. Shaman, just what was your name?"
"Alex Large." the shaman said, as the Riders of Ramon left.
Applejack looked into the forest, "I wonder if the Flutter Ponies are still here."
"Oh, I hope we can meet some!" Pinkie exclaimed. Then she felt her tail twitching.
"I hope so too, though I don't think they're going to make it easy. Flutter Ponies are rare to find." Twilight said, then the sound of screaming could be heard as a pony with gossamer wings landed on Twilight.
“Twilight!" the girls screamed. Applejack and Rainbow Dash pulled the pony with gossamer wings off of their friend. Pinkie Pie skipped over to the alicorn, "Are you alright Twi-Twi?"
Will looked at the pony as Fluttershy tended to her, "Who are you miss?"
Twilight got up,"You know, I'm starting to think my head is a magnet for these situations!"
Trixie chuckled, "Well, it is fun."
The pink coated pony shook her head, and then looked at Fluttershy,"Oh, my gosh!" She fluttered over to her,"A pegasus! A real live pegasus! I'd never thought I'd see one!" The white maned flutter pony stopped herself,"Oh wait, I forgot! My name is Lily!"
"Um...Fluttershy," squeaked the pegasus below a normal sound level.
"WOW A REAL LIVE FLUTTERPONY! I DIDN'T THINK WE WOULD SEE ONE! I Mean I ALWAYS HOPE THAT I COULD MEET ONE TODAY! OH MY GOSH I HAVE TO INTRODUCE YOU, MY NAME IS PINKIE PIE! THAT'S RAINBOW DASH, FLUTTERSHY, RARITY, APPLEJACK, TRIXIE, WILL, SUNSET SHIMMER, AND THE PONY YOU KOED IS PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE!!!" Pinkie Pie said, bouncing like a maniac.
"Oh wow! An earth pony! two of them! And another pegasus! two unicorns! and an alicorn! This is so amazing! I can't believe I got to meet all of you, oh I have to get you to meet my friends-"
"Oh Celestia there are two of them." Sunset muttered.
Will whispered to Sunset, "Remind me to show you Hay Lin."
"This is nothing, we had 20 of them once," Rainbow Dash said.
"Oh, you should. Come on let's go! I really love meeting new ponies!" Pinkie said, smiling.
"Okay!" Lily turned to the others,"But you're going to have to be careful, they don't like outsiders very much."
Fluttershy gulped, "How much don't they like outsiders."
"Well, it's kind of hard to get them talking you see," She looked at all of them,"An outsider kind of summoned Erebus on them, and they've been a little miffed at that ever since. Queen Rosedust has said that only one outsider has ever been allowed in our kingdom: Fizzy. If they saw an outsider, they would looked at them with scrutiny."
"Why did this outsider summon Erebus on those guys?" Applejack asked.
"An why only Fizzy?" asked Will.
"Well, I'm not sure of the details, I kinda fell asleep through those parts, but I do know that Fizzy was considered one of the most diplomatic mares in existence! I think she may have been brought with the Queens of Harmony's blessing..." Lily said with a thoughtful look.
Dash looked at Pinkie and then to Lily, "Diplomatic, really?"
Fluttershy saw something look at her from the corner of her eye. With a little eep she backed up to Twilight.
Twilight blinked as Fluttershy bumped into her,"Something wrong?"
“I thought a I saw," she squeaked when she saw a flash of white again. Tuning he watched as a little white creature walked before her, turned its head to the side, and then pulled back with a rattling noise.
Twilight heard the rattling noise and blinked when she saw the thing.
Lily nodded vigorously"Uh-Huh!" She turned to the thing,"Oh, a Kodama!"
"Hello, Mr. Kodama," Fluttershy said, watching as the little guy disappeared.
"They are kind of cute." Sunset said.
"If we're lucky, we might meet the Great Forest Spirit on our way!" Lily said.
“Great Forest Spirit?” Rainbow Dash asked, rolling her eyes at the sight of something cute.
"Oh, it's this really big guy that watches over and protects us! It's said that when he gets mad, he becomes a horrible monster!" Lily said with a smile.
"What?" squeaked Fluttershy.
"Just making sure, but this great feller aint one to get easily mad, is he?" asked Applejack walking next to Lilly.
"Oh of course not! Unless you do something really bad of course." Lily said with a smile.
Rainbow Dash immediately shot a quick look at Sunset. Will nodded in understanding. As they walked, Fluttershy noticed a large beast with giant antlers, who looked at her and deep into her eyes. Softly, he smiled before fading away into the forest.
They soon neared a large clearing.
"Halt!" A flutter pony in guard armor flew down in front of them,"Go no further."
Pinkie skipped to the head ot the group, "Hey there! why did you stop us?"
"Excuse my friend, dear Flutter Pony," Rarity said with a bow, "but we are traveling on a mission to meet the Flutter Ponies, is this their kingdom?"
"You can't meet our race." The guard hissed, then turned to Lily,"What were you thinking bringing outsiders here?"
"Well, sis, they are nice ponies!" Lily said,"What harm could they do?"
"Considering our company, plenty," grumbled Rainbow Dash beneath her breath.
"I keep telling you, no outsiders!" The guard said to Lily.
"Aw come on! These ponies really need to go in," She leaned in with a pout,"Please let them in?"
"Uh oh, its the little sister pout," Pinkie said. "No big sib can resist that!”
The guard began to fidget,"Oh, the boss is going to have my hide..." She shook her head,"Fine, just stop giving me that look!"
"Told ya,"Pinkie giggled.
Applejack shook her head, "That would've never worked on Big <ac."
Twilight turned to Applejack,"Really? I mean, it always worked on Shining Armor!"
"Nope!" Applejack said, her liar face on full blast. She then sighed, "Ok, so Ah had him wrapped around my little bitty hoof when I was a filly."
"I figured as much," Twilight gave a knowing nod.
Lily led them to a large gate, her sister gave them a look,"You all better head straight for the Queen. Explain your presence to her first and foremost."
"Got it," Will said, walking ahead with the others.
"Imagine, two meetings with royalty in one day," Rarity sighed.
"Wouldn't be too happy there Rares," Applejack said, looked back and forth, "They don't look too happy to see us."
Twilight frowned as she noticed all the flutter ponies giving them dirty looks as they walked towards a small palace.
Lily sighed as she noticed,"They're so abrasive..." She muttered.
"They're being elusive too," Applejack said.
Trixie looked at all of them, "Hmph, must not be too used to seeing greatness in front of them!"
"Yes, Trixie, they don't realize your greatness, thus they are looking at us suspiciously!" Twilight rolled her eyes.
"Exactly," Trixie said with a hoof on her chest.
Sunset and Twilight rolled their eyes at the same time.
Lily soon lead them up to the front gates,"Excuse me, I have some visitors to see the Queen."
The guards leaned in and snorted.
"Well, I never" Rarity stated at the snort.
Lily opened the doors as the group entered. The palace inside was filled with all kinds of flowers. At the end of the hall was a tall mare looking impassively at them.
“She must be the queen," Rarity said, looking at the tall mare and quickly bowing towards her.
"Howdy, your majesty,"Applejack said.
The Queen frowned at them, and then sighed,"What brings you to my realm, so unexpectedly?" She looked at Will, and saw her necklace,"... You have the Heart of Kandrakar?"
Will noded, holding her pendant in her hoof, "Yes, your highness. We came here because we are looking for the gate."
"Indeed," Rosedust said,"Well, I'm afraid you're unable to get to it."
"What? WHY?!" Growled Rainbow Dash, about to fly up into the queen's face, but was stopped by Applejack. "What is it wit my tail that you like to use it as a grabbing thing?"
"Like my friend asked, why? Is it because of your distrust?" Twilight asked,"I assure you, we have no intention of doing anything wrong."
Rosedust looked up at Twilight,"No," She looked to her left,"The gate is also near the resting place of Erebus. I fear that if you go near that gate, you'd awaken him again."
"Phh,"Dash shrugged. "Is that all? What did this big old erk do that was so scary anyway?"
"As brutish as my friend is being, I can assure you, that you have our word we have no intention of awaking him," Rarity shook her
Rosedust frowned at Dash, then she looked at the others,"Erebus stole our shadows. When he did this, it forced us to stay out of the sunlight, for fear that our bodies would burn up."
"What!?" the girls screamed.
"Is that, even possible?" Trixie asked Twilight.
Will looked up, "I am sorry to hear that."
"Yeah, I mean, it would be horrible to not get out of the sun for a bit," Pinkie said, sitting down on her rump for a bit.
Twilight turned to Trixie,"I've heard legends..." She looked up at Rosedust,"Why would Erebus be so close to the gate?"
Rosedust frowned,"That is my fault. I wanted to make sure no-one got to it, in case they found the key."
"But, we need to get to it, for our friend" She looked at Will,"And we have to make sure that Valtor doesn't get to it as well!"
Rosedust's eyes widened,"Valtor!?" She frowned,"This is a terrible predicament indeed. I still can't let you go, though."
Twilight scowled,"But-" Then an idea came into her head as she took a peek at Fluttershy,"What if we talk to Erebus?"
"Talk to him?" Rosedust asked.
"You know, reform it?" Twilight said,"We've been able to do it before."
“Yeah, like with Dissy!” Pinkie exclaimed.
Rosedust raised an eyebrow,"Dissy?"
"Discord." Twilight said,"We had Fluttershy reform him, somewhat."
"What!? You were able to reform the spirit of chaos?" Rosedust blinked a few times, before laying back,"If you are telling the truth, then I will let you go. If you are lying" She glared at them,"My wrath will be great."
"Um, just how bad are we talking about," gulped Will.
“Let us just say that you will not leave here with your intestines intact.” Rosedust said with a stoic face.
"Wait, how are we supposed to prove that we reformed him? What, are we supposed to just say, ‘hey Discord, get your misshapen flank over here?’"
Rosedust looked at them,"Well, they do say that Discord comes when his name is called."
Almost on cue, Discord appeared in a bathrobe in front of Dash,"You called?"
“AHHH!" Dah screamed as she jumped in the air at the sudden appearance of Discord, much to the giggles of Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.
"That's Dis-" Will was about to say something when she shook head
"Why hello guard -oh, are you trying to mess with her memories of me ?" Discord asked, looking away from the guardians as they went from human to pony. "Nice try my friend, but once you met someone as wonderful as me, it’s hard to forget. Oh don't worry, I wont ruin her surprise, I just want to see how this little plan of yours will play out. But, never try to mess with me again buddy... either of you.
Will shook her head, looking back up at the mismatched spirit. Trixie let out a small glp a she stepped back, "So, how do we prove that he is reformed to the queen?"
Fluttershy stopped giggling and flew up to the lord of chaos, "Now Discord, as much a we love your humor," the grumblings of the other eight mares did not deter her from her talk, "We have a small favor to saske of you."
"Sure, Flutters," Discord leaned in,"What do you want?" He said in a menacing tone.
Fluttershy remained unmoving from his tone, "Well, the queen wants some proof that you are reformed. Maybe you could do something nice for them to sho-"
"Like become a giant shade for them to keep them from the sunlight while we go an talk to Erebus!" Pinkie said, bouncing to the Draconequus.
"Erebus!?" Discord exclaimed,"That guy owes me money!" He turned to Rosedust,"Queenie, I'll make sure your people are nice and shaded."
"You'll do that?" Rosedust looked back at the group,"Very well, then I'll take you to the gate."
"YAY!!!" Pinkie cheered, and looked to Discord, "Thanks Dissy!!"
"No problem, Pinkie!" He patted the pony on the head. He teleported away. The next thing the Flutter Ponies knew, a large umbrella had appeared over the sun.
Rosedust got up,"Come with me," She said as she walked away to a large set of doors. She placed a hoof on them, causing a symbol to light up and open the doors. They revealed a large room with a wall that contained the symbol of Fizzy. Near the center, a smoke creature was moving.
"Ah'm guessing...that's Erebus," Applejack said, watching the smoke creature moving within.
Pinkie bounce in, "HEY SMOKEY!!!!! Could you tone it down? We can't see you!!"
The smoke creature produced green eyes,"I am here, why have you come? Are you here to gloat some more?"
"Eeep!" Fluttershy squeaked as the eyes appeared.
"Gloat, heavens no, we are here to-" Rarity was about to say.
"Talk to you and say hi!" Pinkie said.
"Say... hi? Do you know what I am?" Erebus growled,"I have been around since the dawn of life itself, my eyes have seen civilizations live and die, and I have experienced more wondrous things that you can never imagine. And all you want is to speak!?”
Pinkie Pie nodded quickly, "Uh huh!"
"Should we be trying to save her?" Will asked in worry.
Twilight looked at Will with a smile,"Only if she's in danger."
"I mean, yeah, you are a giant smoke monster capable of stealing shadows and force us to never ever see the sun again. Buuuuuuuuuut... we've met worse."
"What!?" Erebus' eyes went closer,"How could you possibly have met worse!?"
Pinkie Pie sat in front of the smoke monster, and brought out some cake, "Cake? Well, anyway. yeah! I mean, we met this mare who wanted to cast EVERYTHING into darkness and kill us all, and then we met this guy who was going to turn us into slaves if we didn't save the day, and of course lets not get into DISCORD!"
Erebus took the cake, and ate it,"You... met Discord? And won?"
Pinkie had both cake and two milkshakes, "Won, and he is now her-," she pointed to Fluttershy,, who meekly waved hi, "- friend."
"Uh, she knows that this might make him fight us," Will said, hiding her Heart.
Applejack chuckled, "Will, hun... you don't know Pinkie."
"Also, want to know who else we met? Huh, do ya? huhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuh?" the pink mare asked, giving Erebus a chocolate milkshake," Here, you look like a chocolate big smoke thing of doom."
“Chocolate? I've always wanted to try that." He took the milkshake,"Who else did you meet?"
“WEEE! I knew you were loco for coco!" Pinkie cheered.
"How-" Will asked, watching on in shock.
Rainbow Dash whispered, "That mare knew my favorite dessert when she just met me."
"Ready," Pinkie then whispered, "Mirage! Twice! Once she put us in her lair and then when she split Twily's mind seven ways. Made her face her worst dreams. I wouldn't know, I was there for her being a little filly. She was sooooooo cute!!!!! "
"You... beat Mirage!?" Erebus had a hint of fear in his voice,"You must be some kind of amazing!"
In unison, Rainbow Dash and Trixie blew on their hooves and wiped their chests. Pinkie kept on, "Yes! That my best friends are. But lets talk about your life. What kind of things did you meet?"
"Well, I've had a poker game with Discord, I've met two Old Gods that gave me power, and I've spoken to Queen Majesty." Erebus said.
Pinkie eye were wide as she talked, "Wow. That is so cool, what was she like? Wait, two old gods? Were they like super old?"
Erebus sighed,”Majesty was magnificent. Her beauty knew no equal, but her temper was fierce.” He looked at Pinkie,"The Old Gods are extremely old. They've claimed to have seen the birth of the Tree of Harmony itself!" Erebus said.
"Did they plant it?" Pinkie asked, sitting with Erebus on his left side, pulling out a seat and sitting with him.
"No, but they saw who did." Erebus said,"If I saw who did, I would go insane."
"Like talking to Pinkie won't do the same," Rainbow Dash muttered.
"So, besides stealing shadows, what do you like doing? And why steal shadows, they can't be too tasty," Pinkie asked.
"Well, I just thought stealing shadows was all I could do. I never thought to try anything else." The smoke monster said.
"Never ever?" Pinkie asked, patting the smoke creature's arm
"No, not ever." Erebus sighed.
"Well, then-" Pinkie grinned, as she grabbed Erebus by the arm. "Let's go-"
Will looked on in shock as she pendant glowed for a few moments and began to cut a hole open "WHAT?"
"Will, what did you-" Trixie began.
"I have no idea, it just did that!" Will said watching as Pinkie pulled Erebus into the portal. (did it react to Pinkie's desire?)
Then they began to hear Pinkie began to sing
Lets go and run for miles
The girls looked in and saw to their amazement, the heart opened up a portal to an amusement park. Applejack looked to her friends, "Want to ask questions or help Erebus?"
Sunset's eyes' widened,"It seems like she finds a new way to surprise me everyday..."
Twilight smiled,"Come on, let's help him out!" She said as they ran to the amusement park, Rosedust and Lily included. The group split up as they ran through the portal, each mare finding their own game to play. All the while Pinkie’s loud voice could be heard singing
Rip it up
And get the feeling not the word.
Ev'rypony have fun tonight
Pinkie Pie took Erebus to different rides and to different games, letting him have a good time.
Out in the world tonight
Will looked at Rosedust, "How the buck did you get here?"
Rosedust shook her head,"I have no clue." She then turned,"Hey, a roller coaster!"
Rip it up
Rainbow Dash and Applejack began to play a strength contest.
Everypony have fun tonight
Rarity and Fluttershy got onto a roller coaster and began to ride up it
When we get home
Pinkie Pie led Erebus to some seaside attractions and some slides
Across Equestria
Everypony have fun tonight
Soon, Pinkie Pie led Erebus back to the portal, "So, did you see all of the other fun things you could've done besides stealing shadows?
Erebus nodded, or at least the smoke beast equivalent of nodding,"Yes, I realize that. Thank you Pinkie Pie!" He said,"Now, I'm off to go have fun!"
Rosedust just stared slack jawed,"Who... are you ponies?"
Pinkie smiled, "I told you silly. That's Rainbow Dash, Will, Fluttershy, Trixie, Sunset shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, and Rarity. We come from Equestria and help those in need." and with that, Pinkie walked away, leaving behind a cupcake.
Twilight smiled,"So, you willing to let us go to the gate?"
Rosedust nodded as she took the cupcake,"Yeah, of course! I mean, what you just did, legends will be told of you for ages to come!" She left,"I'll be here when you come back!"
"Yeah, legends, just like what every other novelist had said about us." Twilight said as she went towards the gate. She pulled out the four horseshoes. They glowed, along with Fizzy's symbol to open up a doorway to a world with darkened houses and transparent, featureless ponies walking around in what looked to be Ponyville. In the distance, a white fortress could be seen.
“Where are we?" asked Trixie.
"In a world that is incomplete." Said a cloaked figure with a white muzzle sticking out.
"Celestia?" Twilight asked as she recognized her voice.
"Run, it's a Nobody, Run !" Mozenwrath said.
Author's Note
Thanks zolt.
Ok, so in case you might not know. The shaman here and the shark ae both references to the Aladdin tv series. I really liked the monster and the episode so I decided to bring him back for one more adventure.
The speeders were all my brother's idea, but their design is something I came up with. Yes, their colors all match Sonic.
So, with this chapter, Trixie is offically a member of the team. While we also see the Myazki fanboy in me kick in.
When the blinding flash of light faded from the portal, Twilight saw a land filled with pony skeletons and broken buildings. On all of the skeletons were remnants of golden jewelry with gems encrusted on them. Fluttershy let out a squeak of fear as she saw the skeletons. Trixie's eyes wandered in horror while Applejack walked up to one with jewellery, "Twilight, look at this."
Twilight took it and gasped in shock,"It's," She noticed the orange apple,"the Element of Honesty..." She looked around,"Are all these ponies former bearers?"
"It looks like it," Rainbow Dash said, looking at the bodies.
Rarity shuddered at seeing the Element of Generosity bound to a foal's corpse, "But, why leave them like this? Why not give them a proper burial?"
"A war?" Trixie asked her hoof to her chin, "Or a dumping ground."
Twilight scanned the fields,"Why are there so many?" She walked forward,"Where are we supposed to go!? There's nopony here!" She shouted up to the clouds.
A dark tendril slithered on the ground.
"Let me go do some checking around," Rainbow Dash said, flying up into the sky and taking off.
Applejack raised a hoof, "Rainbow! Be careful... "
"Something scary is going to happen, I can feel it," Pinkie said, shuddering.
Fluttershy let out a small shudder and a squeak, "Twilight, I don't like this. I can't even hear any animals.
Twilight looked at Fluttershy,"I know, it's... frightening." She noticed a screen on the ground attached to a skeleton's hoof. She walked over and tapped it, and then heard a voice.
"If you are hearing this, run. There is... something here. Something that defies... no. No please," Her voice screamed before cutting.
Rainbow would notice that the sky was filled with nothing but bleeding eyes. Voices carried on the wind
"Help."
"Help."
"Help!"
"That's... not a good sign," Applejack said.
"Anypony else see any other screens or something..." Will then walked up to the screen. "Hey buddy, wake up. How's it going," Will said, using her magic to zwp a small lighting change into the screen. "What's your name?"
"What is she doing?" Trixie asked.
"That's right, Will can talk to electronics!" Rarity said.
Pinkie thrusted her hooves into the air, "Thank you, previously-explained-powers-and-chekhov's-guns!!!"
"Ah!" The screen said,"Thank you. My name is Mr. Pip-Buck 4000." He gave a sigh,"My owner's dead, isn't she?"
Will nodded solemnly, "Yeah, she is... what happened here? Why all the bodies?"
"My master had a theory that these bodies are those that were attempting to find the last gate to the Heart of Worlds. That is what my master and her friends were doing." Mr. Pip said,"But then... something came. A... thing came and devoured them each, leaving nothing but bone. It was so horrible, they could not look at it without feeling pain."
"Did you manage to get a good look at it?" Will asked.
Rainbow Dash flew back, "Ok, I saw nothing for miles, except for eyes. And is she-"
"Talking to a computer, yes." Trixie nodded. "you know, Trixie is just a magician. She shouldn't be in these situations monthly!!"
"Yep, this is our life now." Twilight said with a frown. The Element Bearers would then feel a deep shiver down their spines.
"No... Celestia no..." Mr. Pip said,"Oh... I can't even..." He began to fizzle,"Dark, everything... RUN!" He screamed before shorting out.
"Twilight... did ya feel that?" Appejack said, her eyes wide.
"Feel what? Trixie feels nothing," Trixie asked.
"Ok, I normally don't say this, but I think we need to run!" Rainbow Dash said, looking around.
Will took off to the air, “Right." then she looked down at Mr. Pip "Night, buddy."
Twilight nodded as she ran. She looked back and saw a glimpse of a large being. This being had a mass of tendrils for a mane, while on it's head where several hooves in the shape of a horn. In place of it's eyes were mouths, while its long snout protruded out from its face. Its body had endlessly writhing tendrils, and some even had small faces screaming from it. Bones came out of its barrel, with eyes looking out at them. Its legs were pulsating black masses of several hooves. Twilight's eyes hurt at the sight.
"Right, that thing thing looks hideous," Rainbow Dash commented when she saw the sight, only to wince in pain.
Applejac narrowed her head as they ran, "Any plans, Twilight?"
"Well, we can't hit it if we can't look, so, everypony run to a safe place!" She looked up at a mostly intact tower,"There!"
The creature opened its maw of thousands of teeth, and screamed in several voices. Loud thumping noises came as the creature slowly made it' way towards them, every step making a screaming sound. It then spoke in many voices,"Baorark, cuka omd ba craomkad. Harv ka. Kerr Ma. Wrara ek kae kukkae."
"That'll work!" Rainbow Dash said, "Everypony pick a non-flyer!" she said, reaching down to grab Applejack.
Will followed suit, grabbing Pinkie Pie. Trixie pulled out Carpet and began to fly after them
Twilight picked up Rarity in her magic and flew up to the tower window, where the group crouched behind a wall.
The creature screamed as it stared at the tower. Waiting. It spoke,"Avodam, Baorark. Avodamad Baorark. Wros ok I? Wru ok I? Dea, Dea, DEA!"
Twilight winced at the sounds,"My Celestia." Her utterance of the word caused a scream to emanate, hurting her even more,"Argh!"
"Twilight!" Fluttershy said, putting up a shield with her armor.
"I want to know how we can fight it," Rainbow Dash growled.
"Why were there so many bearers," Will asked. "What would bearers want with the Heart of Worlds and the last Heart? The only reason why we've been hunting it is because we need to stop Valtor."
Rarity began to walk along the perimeter of the room she was in. Trixie soon followed her.
Applejack walked up to the shield, still unable to see the monster, "What the buck is it even saying?"
Twilight got up and shook her head,"I don't know, and that frightens me."
Rarity would see a brown decorated door, that had a light coming from the bottom.
"Hmmm, a door," Rarity said, looking at it.
Trixie walked to it, "Open it?"
"No,no, dear. Not yet." she then put her ear to the door to listen for any sound.
"Think the other worlds were dealing with something just as bad as Valtor and that's why they needed the heart of worlds?" Applejack asked.
The sound of rustling paper and mad laughter came from the door,"Yes, yes, that's it, maybe that's how we win..." It sounded like Twilight's voice.
"Perhaps." Twilight said,"It makes me shudder to think about what's happening to their worlds now."
"Twilight?" Rarity whispered, "Twilight, I think there is someone behind this door," Rarity said, waving to Twilight.
Twilight nodded as she went to the door, when it suddenly opened to reveal a unicorn Twilight. However, her mane was bloodied, her eyes bleeding black and her mouth in a wide grin. Bits of her coat were charred and her cutie mark had faded,"Hello! You must be my new hallucinations! Hi!"
"Oh my..." Fluttershy whispered in horror as she looked at the pony.
Pinkie, a smile still somehow plastered on her face, waved, "HI! Yeah, we're a bunch of your hallucinations! Who is the big scary thing of unknown horror down below?"
"And what happened to you?" Rarity asked.
"Oh, I don't know, that thing's what killed my friends and made me go mad!" Mad Twilight chuckled,"I haven't decided a name for it in case it gains more power!" She beckoned them inside,"Come, I'll show you my library!" Black blood came from her lips.
"I don't know, should we?" Asked Applejack.
Rainbow Dash, one eye light purple nodded, "It is the only way to solve what's going on."
Twilight nodded,"Besides, it's not like she's going to kill us or anything!"
Mad Twilight shook her head,"Oh, no! How could I kill figneutons of my imagnining!" She laughed maniacally.
"Are you native to this world?" Will asked.
"Nope-alope! Like you," Twilight said, coming over to a table with a book marked,"Elements of Harmony,"I came from another universe ravaged by a monster known as Sombra, but I failed!" She laughed,"It's really funny know that I think about it, oh wait." She suddenly shouted,"NO IT ISN'T!"
Twilight looked at the book,"Hammer of Life: Lachesis, Spear of Faith: Dolos?" She said, looking at one page.
"Artefacts?" Wil ased as the names passed through her ears.
Rainbow Dash looked to the insane Twilight, "But, when how did you get like that?"
Twilight nodded,"It says something about special weapons, but not much else."
"I looked into it too much, unfortunately." Mad Twilight said,"Dear Princess Celestia, today I learned, don't look into a horror too long! You'll get nutty!" She fell onto the floor and began to roll around, giggling.
Twilight looked up, and noticed a blue spear hanging from a wall with Trixie's cutie mark,"Hmm."
Pinkie happily joined in with the rolling maniac," Wow, this is fun!"
"Pinkie!" applejack said, to which Pinkie sighed and got up. As a frown creased her face, Applejack said, "You know she's...."
"I know, I was hoping she would be a little happier," Pinkie said.
"My cutie mark?" Trixie said, looking at the spear. "Hmph, impressive spear."
The Spear glowed as Trixie neared it
A vision appeared in Trixie's mind, of a blue alicorn mare using the spear to take lightning and send it back at her opponents,"Dolos."
A smile crossed Trixie's lips as she shouted, "Bout freaking time!!!" glowing her horn, she pulled her spear to her. "Oh, how Trixie had been waiting for you sweetie"
"Uh, Twilight, are you sure we should be letting her have that thing?" Rainbow Dash asked as Trixie hugged the weapon and placed it on her back.
Twilight shrugged,"Let her, she's been waiting for a long time to have something like that." She looked at the book,"That's the Spear of Faith, where's the Hammer of Life?"
A shimmering sound came to Will's ear.
Will turned towards the shimmering, "What? she began to take a few more steps to the sound.
As she walked, four shadows walked beside her, wielding laser blades:One of earth, one of fire, one of water, and one of air. In front of her, an armored figure walked. The shimmering got louder as a hammer came into view, electricity coming off of it.
"Will?" whispered each of the voices as she reached out and grabbed her hammer in her hoof.
The Hammer charged her body with electricity,"Lachesis." In her mind, a vision of a woman standing in front of four girls held a hammer in her hand, shouting,"Guardians Unite!" Transforming them.
A ringing went in Servant's ear, and a bit of electricity went through her horn.
Servant winced, "Ah, what?"
"Problems?" Valtor ased.
"Nothing sire, just...memories," Servant said.
Will walked away with the hammer in hoof, "What... was that?" she asked herself.
"So, we got two weapons. How are we going to use them to take out the big guy don’t there?" Rainbow Dash asked, "If we can?"
Twilight sat back and sighed, ignoring Mad Twilight's screams of,"You can't! You're stuck here forever!"
Twilight looked at them,"Well, it appears that it would be too dangerous for us to fight it. We can't look at, or hear it. But those two aren't Element Bearers, they can stand it." She looked at Trixie,"But I can't ask you two to go out there and fight it."
Trixie spun her spear in her music, "You Don't need to. The Great and Powerful Trixie will be able to fight the monster off and help you. But first, sign this-" she then handed a paper that read
'I, Twilight Sparkle, hereby admit that there is at least one monster that I need the Great and Powerful Trixie's help to fight. I submit that in spite of my awesome power, Trixie is still second to me and thus is the most powerful unicorn on the planet. Her skills in the realms of magic are so amazing that she can handle beasts that I, Twilight Sparkle, cannot.
----------------------------------------"
"Just a formality." Trixie gave a smile
"How long have you carried that?" Applejack asked.
Twilight blinked,"I... but how- you couldn't have-" She shook her head and took the piece of paper,"Alright, I'll sign this..." she began to rewrite some bits
"I, Twilight Sparkle, despite some of my limits, am still more awesome than Trixie. While she is the most powerful unicorn on the planet, being an Alicorn, I'm still stronger. So, ha, ha.
Trixie shrugged, "Fair enough. Trixie will take it. Come Will, we have a monster to vanquish!"
"Right," Will said, taking flight.
Applejack looked to Twilight, "You realize there'll be no living with her now right?"
Twilight sighed,"Don't worry, I know of a few ways to keep her calm." she gave a chuckle.
The creature looked down at Trixie and Will as they came out of the tower, the eyes in its rib cage studied them closely.
"Eyes... in the rib cage?" Trixie asked, shuddering lightly."
"You act like that is the most horrifying aspect of the monster," Will said, lighting coursing through her hammer and wings.
Trixie shook her head, "Not at all."
Several pieces of bone came out of the creature's body, causing it to bleed. Sounds of screaming children were heard as the blood fell to the ground. The bones turned into sickles and struck at them.
Trixie spun her spear and slammed it into the ground, trying to block the syckels, "Now this... this is the creepy part!"
"Got it," Will said taking off and throwing her lighting bammer at the horn of the monster.
Jumping away from the spear, Trixie ran to the side of the beast and began to thrust her spear repeatedly at it, trying to cut at the legs.
The horn twitched and screamed in shock. Wails of children came out as the legs were sliced into. Tears fell from the legs, causing the creature to turn it's head at Trixie. It's mouthed eyes shot out teeth at her.
Trixie let out a gasp of horror and braced for the hit, but Will used the hammer and lighting bolts from ti to block the beam. Moving quickly the blue pegasus began to slam the monster against the neck. Moving arway, she folded her ears to try and block out the screams.
Trixie, now recovered, aimed her spear and stabbed at the leg once more, thrusting her blade hard into it.
The blood poured from the leg, dripping down to Trixie before lashing out at her.
The creature pulled back it's neck in pain, revealing a pulsating red orb in it's throat.
Trixie screaming pain as the blood lashed at her, cutting her leg deeply. Will flew down, but Trixie pushed her away with magic. With a slight nudge, she pointed toward the red orb and cloaked Will. Trixie then ran in front of the monster and began to limp away stabbing at the blood and right leg of the beast.
The creature tumbled as its other leg was hit. The leg then began to unfurl as it began to laugh in a million voices. Its orb pulsated faster.
Cloaked, Will struck against the red orb with the power of her lighting. Trixie began to shake her head, trying to get the laughter out of her head.
The creature stopped as the orb was hit. It turned a bright white as the creature began to shudder. There was a bright light, and in place of the creature, was an alicorn. The alicorn looked at will, the white orb glowing on it's horn. Its eyes began to bleed, and its mouth cut into a smile. It began to laugh maniacally, showing bloody teeth, as it shot several beams at Will.
Will let out a gasp and started to fly around the beams, trying to dodge. One of the beams managed to clip her wing and sent her crashing into the ground. Trixie went to help her up and fired a fire rocked into the aliro cnrs eyes. Charging the spread with her hammer's electricity, Trixie flung her spear at the orb
The creature cried the sounds of birthing mares as the orb was hit. The thing stepped back as the orb shook a bit, turning a brown color. A bright flash appeared, changing the thing into a platinum dragon. The brown orb in its center was covered by bloody scales in a second. The creature's head split into three, the separate parts turning into a separate head as the creature screamed in pain. It looked down and fired a black flame at them.
Trixie grabbed Will in her magic and jumped out the way of the beam. Looking at the skeletons, she fired at them with her magic, causing them to stand up and take the shot. Then she looked at Trixie, who nodded, Trixie lifted Will and launched her at the dragon, hitting the scales with her hammer, when the scales shatter, Trixie threw her spear at the orb.
The dragon screamed in their friend's voices. A bright flash occured as the orb turned blue.
In it's place was a filly about half their size. She wore a crooked crown and a bloodied necklace. She was crying tears of black blood as she pointed to her orb on her chest. She wailed constantly.
The screamed caused them to both hit the ground. When they got up, they saw the filly, "It's... crying?" Trixie said.
"Why? It' been trying to kill us through most of the fight..."Will whispered.
"Yes, and now it's pointing to the orb. Why?" Trixie asked. She then looked ot Will. "Will, Trixie is going to have to trust you. That hammer of yours, it’s supposed to be life, correct?"
"Yes, why-Trixie!" Will shouted as she watched Trixie run to the filly and began to pull on the orb with her magic and hooves.
"Child, Trixie knows you are in a lot of pain, but please... calm down!" Trixie grunted, wincing in pain. "How about if Trixie tells you a story?."
Her horn blazing bright, images began to fly around her and the filly, while Will began to look around in panic. Then she began to pick up her hammer and sent lighting into Trixie as she began her story.
The filly screamed, but as the lightning coursed through the orb, she began to smile.
"Once there was a little filly who desired to be the best, to prove herself as the greatest thing on the planet. But, at a cost. It made her very lonely," the images showed a little filly playing on stage, looking around and seeing no pony around. "'This is ok!' the filly thought. 'I am fine with being alone! I am the best' so she proved it again and again. Until one day, a mare beat her and showed her that she was not the best. This made the filly mad."
The image showed a little mare with a hat and a cape growling at a bear and a unicorn, only to be pushed aside.
"Then a goddess came.She told the little filly that being the best was not always the way, that you could become great with ponie by her side. So she sent her on a quest," the images showed the filly with a hat and cape walking to six magres and saving them from a cat, and then with five mares at her side, "to save the day by beating an evil dream demon. This filly learned, that she was the best now, because she wasn't alone."
With a smile, Trixie looked at Will, "This mare also went to help another filly who was lost. Her memories were fading from her. But, she wanted to show her that her friends will be connected by something bigger... their heart's/" Trixie then showed five hearts surrounding a pegasus.
The filly smiled as the orb changed to have lightning bolts in it. A bright flash emanated from her.
In her place was a creature that had a minotaur's left hoof, a Gorilla's right leg, a long green body, a hawk's left talon, a tiger's right paw, a horse head with a single fang, long white hair, mismatched eyes, a goat's horn, and a Longhorn's horn.
The female draconequus cracked her neck,"Wow, thanks! I don't know what I would've done if I was that thing for much longer!"
Twilight watched the thing with wide eyes,"What?!"
Rainbow flew above her,"What."
Applejack held her hat,"What?"
Rarity held her mane,"My word."
Pinkie blinked,"Ok, when I'm confused, that's bad."
Fluttershy's eyes widened,"I don't have anything to say right now..."
Mad Twilight blinked,"Huh, that very circumstance seemed to have restored my sanity just enough for me to go: What the Buck!?"
Will raised an eyebrow. "what?"
"Trixie is too weak to ask... what." Trixie said fainting
The draconequus held her claw out,"Oh, sorry! I didn't introduce myself! My name's Paradox!"
Pinkie Pie bounced up, "Hi, Doxy!!
Applejack held up a hoof, "Ok, what in the hay?”
Twilight stammered and shook her head as she and the rest of the group went down to her,"Yeah, what happened?"
Paradox leaned back on a cloud,"Well, let's start at the beginning. I work for the Omniversal Macrocosm to help fix mistakes in universes. I'm meant to stop worlds from going out of balance, getting destroyed, etc, etc. I also frequent going here to help give the Heart of Happiness to those who have found the other three gates to the Heart of Worlds. You see," She snapped her fingers, turning the world into a large golden palace,"This was meant to be your multiverse's guardian world, but something, I don't know which, corrupted it, and me as well. That something fed me the Heart of Happiness and turned me into that thing."
Rainbow Dash growled, "You're a freaking draconequus, how can you not know?'
"Wait," Will said," You mean, thi wa supposed to be this world's Kandrakar?”
"Well, Dashie," Paradox appeared beside the pegasus,"Draconequi are not omniscient!" She looked at Will,"Yes, this was Equestria's Kandrakar."
"No, they're annoying," grumbled Rainbow Dash
"Amazing," Will said, looking awestruck at the castle. "I hope I can show the others this one days: Irma, Cornelia, Hay Lin, and Taranee. It's funny... Kandrakar and them seem to be the only things I can remember any more." she let out a little sniff.
Twilight put a hoof on Will's shoulder,"It's okay, once we get to the bottom of this, we'll find a way to get your memories back." She looked back at the orb,"Come on, we have to do the test."
Paradox patted Dash on the head,"Aw, you know you love us!"
Rainbow Dash grumbled and shook her head as Will walked to the orb. The redheaded pegasus smiled, "You know, it’s kind of nice to be able to do this for once without worrying about you guys in the middle of a fight."
"Thank goodness these tests happen in a blink of an eye, otherwise we would be wondering how come nopony attacked you while you were under!" Pinkie Pie giggled.
Rainbow Dash's eyes went blank as she joined Will in touching the orb.
Twilight did the same as she touched the orb.
A voice slowly boomed out across the white void, "Bearer of Loyalty, Bearer of Magic, and Guardian. Welcome to your final test."
Rainbow Dash looked around, "Ok, so what is it?" she asked, cocking her head side to side. "The girls all told me about your other tests. You made Fluttershy walk through thrones to teach Twilight about kindness, had Applejack pick the real her, Pinkie Pie fought depression, and Rarity was about to sacrifice herself. So what is it? Choosing between my friends and country? Ha! Fat chance, I pick them any day, ideals? Ha! I already picked them over who I am. So what is it?"
"You are confident," chuckled the voice lowly.
"Because I know I am going to beat this," Dash smirked.
"We'll see, your test will come soon enough,"
Rainbow Dash walked in front of Twilight Sparkle, 'Oh look gals, it's little miss perfect."
"The paranoid kiss up," applejack said.
Pinkie Pie smirked, "The one who'll break down if she fails."
"Why is she even on this journey?" Rarity asked, "Why not go hme, fake princess."
Will looked at Taranee as the brown earth pony walked to her, "Taranee, am I glad to see-AHHH!" she screamed as fire burned her legs. "W-what?"
"Hand over the heart, Will," Irma said.
Rainbow Dash saw from her side of the veil, Twilight's eyes and Will's eyes being turned white, "What is going on?"
"The test..."The voice said.
Twilight looked around her,"Everypony, wh-what are you saying?"
"I think you know exactly what I'm saying," Rainbow Dash said, pressing her forehoof to Twilight's chest, "You are a paranoid, overthinking, bookworm! I'm surprised you made it this far without trying to overanalyze something."
"No, it's going to be worst, she's gonna have a freakout. But, that can be expected," Applejack said. "She never earned those things, they were given to her by the princess."
"Fake princess, fake princess," Fluttershy mocked.
"I wonder, what is her title anyway? Princess of Friendship, ha! Pinkie earned that more than she did. And without having as many mistakes in her repertoire. How many time have you made a mistake... Sparkle? She still hates me, I bet," Trixie said, blowing on her hoof.
Will flew back only to get hit by a tornado, "Tsk, and here I thought she was a tough cookie. Oh cry and cry."
Rainbow Dash could see tears in their eyes, "What are you doing to them! You're hurting them!"
"No, I'm not a fake, I did earn this title, I did!" Twilight said, beginning to curl up.
"Oh, now she's starting to cry about it. And how did she ever earn the title," Applejack growled sinisterly.
"It helps that she never had a dream," Rarity said shrugging her shoulders.
Will flew out of the way of a rock, "Did you ever think we actually cared? We would've been fine without you. Even with a different bearer."
"Then stop the test," the voice said.
"Fine I will!" I dash said, only to get punched in the face. When she looked up, she saw Applejack smiling. "No, not this!"
"Let's dance... sugarcube," Applejack said.
"B-b-but I did have a dream, didn't I..." Twilight shook her head several times,"Please stop."
"Oh sure you did," Pinkie chuckled, "That was just to sit around in your library and read and read. Even Fluttershy had more of a dream than you!"
"Girls, please no, don't-" Will whimpered getting hit by a tornado.
Hay Lin sneered, "Don't what? Abandon you? Leave you with your boy toy? Stop caring? Ha! You are just means to an end."
Dash fell back as Pinkie hit her with a cannon, "Come on Dashie, fight. Give up. You've given up on us before."
"Oh, that old chestnut? Heh," Rainbow Dash chuckled, "Already went through that with Twilight. You are gonna have to try harder to get me to-AHHHH!"
Rarity pulled back a bloodied blade as she glared at Rainbow Dash, "Fight and win. You can't save them other wise."
"No, I try, I really do..." Twilight shook her head.
"Bet she is going to do what Mirage thought she would one day," Sunset said, smiling, "Turn evil and try to kill us all. All the while blaming us or throwing each one of us under the bridge because she's never made a mistake."
A light pink mare with a little star cutie mark laughed, "No, she is just going to abandon them all and run away."
"That's what she does. Cry and run away. That or blame everypony else without think about her mistakes. How can she be a princess when she makes mistakes?" Rainbow Dash taunted.
A water orb lifted above Will's head, "So, are you gonna run or fight?"
Dash flew away from Rarity's strike and readie a punch, only to stop an inch from Fluttershy, "Who are ya aiming at?"
"No, I-" Dash flew in another direction.
"You never could," Fluttershy chuckled, "Hit me."
"I won't fight them!"
"No..." Twilight shook her head,"No..." She looked down and looked up at them,"I'm not going to turn evil, I'm not what you think I am!"
"You are, it's what you do," said Rainbow Dash plainly. "Always jumping to conclusions, always wanting to jump down the wrong trail. For a genius, you don't think very often,"
"Will backed up into a corner, "No, please...no."
Dash backed up, "I know you all want to kill me...
"Let's go girls," said Pinkie Pie, "Let the fake Princess stew." there was a blade next to Twilight that appeared."
"...and I know that sometimes, we mess up. We get mad, or hate each other. But, if you think I would ever raise a hoof against my friends or run away...
Will shivered, a knife appeared next to her.
"THEN YOU DON'T KNOW ME AT ALL!" Dash yelled as she flew out from the position she was in, creating a sonic rainboom as she flew to Twilight.
Twilight's magic picked up the sword, her face never leaving the ground.
Dash touched Twilight, "Twilight, please, tell me you ain't letting those guys get to you. Please tell me that you aren't going to abandon all of us. I know you, you're better than this. You wouldn't abandon a friend anymore than I would you. So what if we said some bad things, so what if we made mistakes, " Dash grunted as she held Twilight close, "You're the one who thinks we should try and fix them. That's why you didn't give up on me even though I can be the world's biggest idiot, and why I will never give up on you. Even if we hate each other, even if you became Tirek himself... I would be by your side. And you would stand by me."
Twilight stopped, and began to chuckled,"Aw, you do have a soft side." She threw the sword to the ground, shattering it.
Dash turned away, "Only a little. And I only let a few ponies see it." she then turned to Will, "Come on Will, do let them get to you. Are you really going to abandon everything now!?"
Twilight went over to Will,"Will, don't abandon your friends! Sure, they act like jerks sometimes, but who doesn't? Real friends stick with you, no matter what happens, and you should do the same."
Will blinked away the tears, and then looked to Twilight, "T-thank you."
"You have chosen to stay your hoof, even though your friends were against you.Your loyalty to them is admirable, showing that you would stand next to them, even when it seems that all are against you.""
Dash brushed her nose, "Hey, I never leave anyone hanging. I couldn't just up and deck any of my friends, at least not right away."
"Yes, and that is one of your more admirable traits," Wind Whistler said, fading into existence.
Twilight immediately hugged Wind Whistler,"Yay!"
Wind Whistler, trying her best to keep her emotions in check, smiled as she hugged Twilight, "Oh Twilight, I am so glad that you made it this far. Confidently, I was a little worried that this final test would be very harrowing for you. There are some loyalty bearers who respond with the hoof first."
Dash noticed her stare, "And what is that look supposed to be?"
"Nothing," Wind Whistler said, shaking her head.
"So..." Twilight said,"All the other ponies gave this nice little speech, what about you?"
"Well, I was thinking that, perhaps you would be curious as to what happened to me and the others, and how I was able to set this defense up," smiled Wind Whistler. "I think Dash may already know what it means to be loyal, even when it seems that all are against you. Much like you do.
"Oh, yes, I want to know everything about your defenses!" Twilight said, her eyes twinkling.
Rainbow Dash shot forward, "Me too!" Her tail wagged.
"After we awoken as guardians, Mimic was well enough to tell us why those four spots were chosen. It seems the Queens knew of their time was coming to an end and needed to make sure that their titles were in good hooves. So she and I took mental... impressions of the each of us at those points in our journeys and put them into the portals. Luckily, you told me of the worlds you visited so I could guide Mimic to the different locations and put the impressions.
Twilight blinked,"Wait, if it was I who told you the locations in the first place, then who started it? Who told you first? Oh, I hate time travel..."
"Maybe there's a world where a young human girl started it, or perhaps the loop started it because I had a plan all along. The world is full of many possibilities."
"So what happened next?" Will asked.
"After Mimic went to each world and found each of the hearts, she put the spirits within. Then we went home. She didn’t tell us about the tests in the real world, only that she used our energy to form each one. I guess she used ones that would've driven even the Queens to their breaking points."
Twilight smirked,"Well, that shows our awesomeness, doesn't it?" She said, a cyan shadow behind her.
"Indeed," Rainbow Dash nodded, the violet shadow hovering. "Though, do you know who did the voices?"
"It was not me, and I know it wasn't Mimic. She just said it was a surprise."
"A surprise?" Twilight scratched her head,"Great, that's going to be on my mind all day!"
"On any note, you may go,” Wind Whistler smiled as the portal opened.
From beyond the line of sight of their heroes, two alicorns watched, "You were too rough, Titan." said the green one with auburn hair
"I had to be, Terra, they were getting too good at solving my trials." said the black one with white hair.
Twilight gave Wind Whistler one last hug before going away.
As Will opened her eyes, she found Fluttershy and the others sharing tea and s’mores, "Um, what is going on here?"
Rainbow Dash shook her head, "That is what I want to know."
Paradox chuckled,"Well, we got bored, so we decided to have a small picnic while we wait for you!"
"But..but..." Dash began, trying to figure it out.
Pinkie giggled, "Just relax, you girls had a tough test."
Twilight sighed,"She's right, let's go have some tea." she said, sitting down.
"Paradox," Will said, taking her spot with the others. "You said you sometimes come here to give the Heart of Happiness to those who opened the other gates, that means there were others hunting for the Heart of Worlds like us. Why? Why were they hunting for the heart of worlds and what were the ponies like?"
"Oh yes, please," Rainbow Dash said, smiling.
"Well," Paradox made a couch appear and leaned on it,"Some come here to gain the power to stop evil from corrupting their worlds. Some come to take over their worlds, all with such different personalities and outlooks, it's hard to describe them all."
Rainbow Dash shook her head, "Can't even imagine a bearer who would want to take over her world."
"What is going to happen to the ponies that died here?" Fluttershy asked.
Paradox smiled,"The good news is that now that this place is restored, the ponies who died here will start to come back to life. However, that will take a long time. But, since alternate universes work on a different time scale, they will go back to exactly the time they left."
Fluttershy smiled as she sat back and breathed a sigh of relief. Rarity took a small bite of her cake, "This world is very nice, when it’s not covered in death and a monster."
"Ah bet that thing is what it’s like for a Draconequus to go Nightmare," Applejack said, drinking her tea.
Rainbow Dash flew up a little as Trixie began to stir, "I would love to check this place out... if we weren't busy."
"Ugh, did we win, are we alive?" Trixie asked, her eyes opening, "and Twilight, do Trixie a favor. If she EVER tries to do something so suicidally heroic like that... stop her. Freeze her or something but stop her."
Twilight chuckled,"Trixie, I don't think I could stop you if I tried." she said as she shook her head.
Paradox thought for a moment,"Well, there's not too much to see, and only an hour has passed in your world right now..."
"An hour!" Dash shouted," We got to get moving, who know what Vitro has done while we were gone and-"
"Sugarcube, calm down, We don't know where the gate to the Heart of Worlds is, and neither does he. So, let’s go before anything else does happen.” Applejack said, holding Rainbow’s tail in her mouth.
Paradox smirked,"And that's your advantage: I do know where the Heart of Worlds is located." She floated above them,"Just remember your origins, and it will be there."
"What in tarnation does that mean," Applejack asked.
Trixie looked on with wide eyes and screamed, "AHHHHHH! Another Luna damnable riddle!!! Trixie swears the next one she hears is going to get a whoopin!!!"
Twilight thought for a moment,"Remember our origins..." She gasped,"I know where we need to go!"
Paradox grinned,"Great!" She snapped her fingers, making a gate appear,"Here ya go."
"Let’s go," Rainbow Dash said, walking through the portal.
Sunset looked at the light and nodded, looking at a letter with Twilight's cutie mark,"They need me."
Valtor smiled, "It's time, let’s see where the little group is heading!
"Alright everypony, go home." Twilight said, turning to them as they left the doorway
“Excuse me for asking my dear," Rarity asked, "But, what do you mean?"
"Yeah, why?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Trixie's ears drooped, “Great, Trixie now has to walk all the way back to Hoofington!" Then she looked at Carpet, "Or not.”
Twilight gave out the previous keys,"Paradox said go back to your origins, basically, go to your parent’s home." She looked at Will,"Me and Will are going to Canterlot, and then I'm going to use a spell on her Heart. That may activate the other keys where you all are." She looked at Trixie,"You don't have to go anywhere, though."
Applejack nodded, "All right Twilight. Ah trust ya."
"Trixie will meet you when you find the location," Trixie nodded.
Will took flight, holding her heart, " Do you think this will work?"
Twilight flew alongside her,"If not, then we're all doomed to die a horrible death." She smiled"No pressure."
"Sure, no pressure," Will chuckled as she flew off to Canterlot and landed near a house in the middle of a long street.
Twilight walked up and accidentally knocked on Night Light’s nose as he opened the door,”Oops! Sorry, Dad!”
Night Light rubbed his nose with a chuckled,”I deserved that. Your mother and I saw you two flying in, and I guess I kinda got a little excited.”
Will took a step forward,”Um, hello, Mr. Sparkle.”
“Ah, one of Twilight’s friends, come on in, all of Twilight’s friends are welcome in our home.” Night Light led them inside, where the smell of freshly baked cookies entered Will’s nostrils.
Twilight gave an excited,”Mmm, Mom, do you always have to make cookies, just in case I just so happen to drop by?”
A white unicorn mare came out, holding a batch of cookies,”Of course, wouldn’t want you to come here hungry.” Velvet looked at Will,”I always make enough for Twilight’s friends as well.”
Will nodded as she took a cookie,”Thanks, Mrs. Sparkle.”
“Honey, Mrs. Sparkle was my Mom, call me Velvet.” Velvet gave a wink.
Will chuckled,”Okay, Velvet.”
Twilight nodded as she munched on a cookie,”I wish I could say I was just visiting, but-”
“I know, I know,” Velvet said,”You have a mission to complete.”
Night Light sighed,”We’re kind of used to that. Your room’s upstairs, sweetie.”
“Thanks!” Twilight said, giving both a kiss on the cheek before running up the stairs.
Twilight sat in the middle of her childhood room with Will, touching her horn to Will’s heart.
Rarity slowly opened the door to her parent’s home, only to be met with a shout of,”Rarity!” and a little white blur that grabbed her barrel.
Rarity rubbed Sweetie’s head,”Hello, Sweetie Belle,”
“Oh, my stars!” Pearl came out of the living room, smiling at Rarity,”Dearie, what brings you to our house?”
Rarity held Mozenwrath’s glove in her hoof,”Well, I have to activate this for Twilight.”
“Oh,” Magnum said, looking up from his hat,”Saving the world business!”
“Yes, saving the world business,”Rarity gave a sigh as she went up to the attic and placed the glove down.
Sweetie followed,”Can I watch?”
“Just don’t touch anything, and if it makes any weird noises, run.” Rarity said simply as she put her horn to the thing, causing it to glow.
Pinkie Pie took the two horseshoes up to her farm as she knocked on the door. She was then greeted by a grey earth pony with a neutral expression,”Hi, Maude! You visiting too!?”
Maude nodded,”Yes. Let me guess, saving the world business?”
Pinkie gave several nods,”Uh-huh! I have to take these up to find the Heart of Worlds!”
An angry voice yelled from inside the house,”Don’t make too much noise while you’re doing that!”
“I won’t, Limey!”Pinkie rolled her eyes as she skipped up the stairs, horseshoes in hoof.
Applejack trotted up the stairs to her room, tipping her hat to the spirits of her parents before entering with the rainbow sea-shell in hoof.
Apple Bloom, Big Mac, and Granny Smith looked from behind her,”That thang’s not gonna explode, is it?” the youngest asked.
“Nah.” AJ shook her head,”Ah hope.” She said before the shell glowed.
Fluttershy took the other two horseshoes up to her home, quietly tip-toeing in so not to surprise her easily frightened parents. She walked up to her old room only to hear the sound of,”Hey, Flutterbutter!”
Fluttershy felt a pang of something she only felt when seeing her younger brother: Annoyance,”Zephyr, I would appreciate it if you keep quiet. You know how Mom and Dad can get!”
Zephyr put his hoof around her,”Aw, come on, Sis! I just saw you after a long time! I want to see what brings you here!?”
“Saving the world business, and I’d be glad if you’d,” She turned and glared at him,”Be quiet, because if you mess this up, I will be very cross!” She went into her room, where the horseshoes glowed.
Each beam collided as one, pushing back the clouds to reveal the constellation of Mimic. The brightest star on the body glowed faintly and shone down on a particular spot.
Twilight gasped as she saw the location,"The Castle of the Two Sisters..." She looked at Will,"Let's go!"
Valtor watched the lights from within the everfree, "So I was right! I WAS FREAKING RIGHT THAT IT WAS NEAR THE TREE OF HARMONY?? GAHHHHH!”
Servant put a hoof onto Valtor's shoulder, "It is all right, my lord, we have made it this far. Now the gate is open and we can make our way to the castle before the others. We will have time to secure the heart and maybe lay some presents for the bearers."
"True," Valtor smiled as he nodded and looked to the nearby castle. "And the Guardian's friends are so far away."
"They are in an alternate world as we speak, facing off against immense odds; however, I think it is something those four can handle."
Twilight and Will landed in front of the bridge and began to walk to the Castle. Applejack tipped her hat as she walked next to them. Rainbow Dash flew down and smirked as she walked beside them. Trixie appeared in a puff of lightning and walked beside Twilight. Fluttershy fluttered down next to them, and softly stepped forward. Rarity flipped her mane as she sashayed down with them. A puff of confetti came out from the side and Pinkie Pie hopped next to them.
Applejack smirked as she looked at the castle, "Hard to believe we came back here after we left the Elements, huh?"
"I don't know, I don't think they had ever truly left us," Rarity said. "This journey and everything we've been though: Mirage, the tests, the worlds. Don't they just tell you something?"
"Yeah," Dash smiled at Twilight, "We never needed any gems to remind us that we are the elements."
"We just needed to be here together," Pinkie said.
The group continued to walked to the castle, across the bridge and into the doors, "Um, anypony worry that this might be easy?" Fluttershy squeaked.
Twilight rolled her eyes,"Oh, yes, saying that won't get us into trouble."
Author's Note
Thanks zolt.
Rainbow's test was fun to come up with, I wanted to touch on something that Dash hadn't really been through before
