Bravery, in a time of Despair

by StarLeap

Rating: teen
Tags: Tragedy, Twilight Sparkle, Main 6, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Alternate Universe, Princess Luna, Original Character, Adventure, Princess Celestia
Length: 3452

In a crumbling world, unexpected heros can rise from unexpected places

Kinmto, a savage pony skilled in Ancient and forbiddon magic has arisen to challenge equestria. In a long brutal war the waves of demon like creatures seem endless. Can the four princesses discover a way to end the invasion, or do they watch there kingdom fall into ruin?

This story will contain
~Light (if any) gore scenes and should not be veiwed by children under the age of 10 Thank you

-My little pony is owned by Hashbro, all rights reserved-

Published 2014-06-10 22:00:02 UTC
Last updated 2014-06-19 06:29:23 UTC

Chapter 1: The rise of a savage

Snow coverd the land as Celestia walked, Her hooves sunk into the white field, leaving a hole in the cold and desolate place. She glanced behind her, watching Luna, and Twilight treck. Celestia returned her gaze infront of them, Feeling unsure in the desolate enviorment. As far as she could tell nopony had been to this place in centuries, She could barely make out the rotting houses more than a mile away. Even at the pace they were going it'd take a few hours to reach.

Origanally Celestia was opposed to Twilite joining them on this journy, but she wouldn't stop insisting. So with a heavy heart she, Luna, and Twilight carried out a very prestigouise task. They were to find the village of lost time and recover as many books on Ancient magic as nessacery. This whole accident started around the time Celestia banished Nightmare Moon, This Aura hung around after she was gone. Celestia beleived it was her imagination and left it be, Which was her first mistake. Soon after the defeat of Lord Tirek Twilight was ambushed in the night, nearly killed by a unknown assalient.

After the reports came in of similer attacks, Celestia realized her mistake, and now she paid dearly for it. He was regaining power and wasn't going to stop until a army of demon like ponys knocked on the castle door.

"P-princess C-Celestia" Twilights teeth chatterd as she trugged through the snow, focasing on the village infront of them, If anypony was passing out on this trip. It would not be her.

"Yes Twilight?" She replied in a calm voice, and a bold stature, But Twilight could see she was scared. Her mane shook as she spoke, and she glanced nervously to the sides often.

"What exactly are we facing? You never told me whats going on!" Twilight paced her breathing, keeping her head clear.

"A long thought dead pony who weilds Ancient magic. He once Terrorized the world, but our parents put a end to his rein more than a Millenium ago" Celestia picked up the pace, forcing Luna and Twilight to scramble behind her.

"It appears he has returned to seak revenge for what our parents did" Luna chipped in, Making Twilight shudder from more than the cold.

They didn't notice the village untill it was right ontop them. as they trotted through the town, broken windows and burnt roofs stood out like a sore thumb, Giving the lost village a eeiry aura. Many shadows seemed to move along with them, and the very town it self lacked brightness and color. They kept walking toward a giant tower, with snow and wing howling around the sturdy structure.

Upon reaching it's door, Celestia's horn began to glow a yellow color. On the door there were 6 locks, and as twilight investigaed them, Celestia pulled a key from her saddle bag, levitating it to the lock at the very top. As the key twisted in the lock the door shuddered, and opened with a loud squeek. Celestia cast a light from her horn and ventured inside the desolet tower, Followed by a confused Twilight and Luna.

"If you only need one key, why are there so many locks on the door" Twilight asked, her voice echoing throughout the halls. The darkness enveloped them like a blanket.

"It's a simple juke, ment to unnerve those who would use this libery for evil deeds." Celestia led the way through the tower. They climbed many stairs and even had to back track once, But finally they made it to the libery. Candles lit themselves upon their entry, Twilight let a Gasp escape her lips, rows upon rows of frail old looking books were stacked up to the ceiling, which was atleast 10 meters high. The room was shapped like a circle and in the middle sat a creeky looking table. A chandilier hung from the ceiling rocking gently back and forth and casting shadows everywhere it could. The butterflys in Twilights stomache disapeared as she examined every inch of the room. This was by far the biggest libery in all of Equestria.

"Remeber Luna, Twilight these books are here because they are to dangerous, we only take what we need" Celestia's calm and quite voice filled the room, and Twilight immidiatly began looking through the nearest books, levitating them with her horn. Astronomy, Biology, Even Basic Physics were listed here, Each looked older than the last. There were enough books to last Twilight her life. LOoking up at the towering bookshelf, she saw a lone book on the very top, it's cover worn and coverd in dust. Using her wings, she brought herself up to the book and began reading it while it floated in midair

"Princess Celestia, is this what we're looking for?" Twilight motioned the book towards her fellow princess, and Celestia took a glance at it's cover Nodding.

"This should be it, Luna and i have found some other tomes regarding the Ancient magic aswell, did you bring some books as i requested?" Celestia levitated the book into her saddle bag as Twilight nodded her head, brining some books from her saddlebag

"I'm sorry but i have to ask you give them up. This tower will not let us leave with knowledge if we do not give knowledge in return" Twilight nodded and placed the books on shelves acording to there subject, then flew down and stood by the two princesses.

They turned and began to walk out of the Ancient libery, and Twilight gave on last long look to the books. She wish she could stay longer, but Cadance needed her help, and so she had to leave. They walked through the town, and began the long treck home, hoping they wern't to late with this important knowledge.

Author's Note

This story was brought to you by!

This epic picture right here.

~http://dalagar.deviantart.com/art/Twilight-Sparkle-Magic-open-eyes-391718131

(I do not own this picture, just the story that i have made dor it)

More soon! untill then keep imagining

Chapter 2: Bones of the past

Author's Note

Another chapter! YAY! This was delayed a bit, sorry

Enjoy the show!

Chapter 2: Bones of the past

Cadence worried about them every night. Every time the moon seemed slow to rise Cadence was freaking out, despite what ShiningArmor said she just couldn't help it. She had thought about writing them letters, But soon concluded that was stupid. Seeing as they didn't have a mailbox or anything. So she sat in Canterlot, dealing with the nobles and worrying her Hooves off every night.

Furthermore the Princesses were the least of her worries. A Hooded pony was reported almost every night, The murders continued and Cadence was plainly annoyed. He never left so much evidence that he could be found, yet always just enough to tell it was him. They scored canterlot many times and never yielded any results.

The night guard were outside her door every night after the first noble was killed in his sleep, and some nights ShinningArmor stood at her door. While it usually ended without a hitch, he never gave up on his post. Not even when the night guard passed by. Tonight felt like any other normal night. Crickets chirping in the garden, Darkness gently falling in the castle corners. Yet something felt off, almost as a aura was watching.

ShinningArmor took guarding his wife very seriously, Not a single night was went by without him checking on the guards. And this night, it was just him sitting in front of Cadences door. She went to bed hours ago and Shining took it upon himself to keep her safe. But everything was progressing as normal, Crickets chirping fountains pouring water into basins quietly in the distance. And most importantly the eerily quiet hallways. Besides the occasional Passing of a guard nothing went on in the hallway. It was too well guarded.

Tapping broke the silence as Shining’s ears twitch, It sounded like hooves on a cold floor, which meant another guard was passing by. Yet they seemed to be getting closer, and this hallway was not to be entered by any guard without permission from Shining, Did he give anypony permission? he couldn't remember. His head was boggled with different memories and he couldn't seem to sort them out. He squinted into the darkness and felt his heart drop in his chest.

Shinning was about to cry out in alarm, but a flash of metal and searing pain followed after identifying the creature. His voice would not work, Pain rippled up his throat and Shining realized his vocal cords and air tubes where cut. Blood filled his lungs and he began coughing it onto the floor. Yet still no sound left his snout. Shining felt his eyes getting hazy and his life slipping away, with just enough power to use his horn, he drew his sword and flung it at the assailant. The sword stopped in midair, caught by another magical force and Shining felt his power fade.

The doors squeaked open, and Cadence expected to see Shining come through, smiling and telling her everything was fine. But instead stood a pony with a cloak wrapped around it's torso, The hood pulled down and she could see his tan head. The mane was a wreck, and his pupils were dilated, giving him a insane look. Cadence looked down at his hooves, to see blood trickling from the doorway. Her heart plummeted in her chest and Cadence tried to get as far away from the assailant as possible. His smile cutting her confidence like butter.

"Hello, Princess Cadence" It spoke with a dark tone, it's smile growing wider at her light sobs.

"W-who......What did you do to ShinningArmor!" Cadence hoped he was still alive, if anypony could beat this thing back it was him

"Oh, he is none of your concern. Just know he will die if you don't tell me exactly what i want" it stopped it's hoof on the ground, making Cadence shudder in fear.

"A-and wh-what do you w-want to know?" Cadence peeked around the corner despite herself, and saw Shining laying on the ground, blood trailing out of his mouth

"Where are the other three Princesses, and what do they wish to accomplish?" He held a steady gaze, staring directly into her eyes. Which made Cadence even more scared.

"I-i'll never tell you anything to do with the others!" Cadence shouted loud enough for the closest guards to hear.

"You should have cooperated Cadence, now i'll have to kill you to" Metal darts levitated around him, and with a flick of his horn they shot forward closing in on cadence with alarming speed. Metal dug into her coat and she screamed in pain, More and more pain seared through her body. It was torture, The darts never seemed to stop. Until one scored her in the heart. Everything stopped moving and Cadence slumped to the floor a bright light shining overhead. The pain numbed and the world grew dull without color. Cadence felt her life slip away, and she smiled, knowing she would be with ShinningArmor shortly.

Twilight was dumbfounded, Both her brother and Cadence were killed a night before they returned to canterlot. With the castle seeming compromised they planned on heading to Ponyville and disappearing off the grid for a while. But it was hard to dissapear when you had three princesses on one train. They managed to stay undetected all the way to Ponyville, and most of the way to twilights castle. Then PinkiePie had to pop up at that moment.

“HIII~! Twilight!~” Pinkie Pie shouted as loud as she possibly could. Alerting every pony on the street of her attendance.

“PinkiePie! Could you keep it down...please?” Twilight glanced back at the other two princesses, giving them her best reassuring smile

“Ohh! are you on some sort of secret mission!?” she whispered in Twilights ear as they continued to her castle

“Maybe we should go someplace more secluded?” Princess Celestia whispered loud enough for the four of them to hear

“Maybe Fluttershy’s house would suffice?” Luna voiced her opinion and Twilight nodded.

“PinkiePie, go get everyone and bring them to FlutterShy’s house please.” Twilight asked as politely as possible.

“Yes sir!” PinkiePie saluted and was gone in a flash of smoke, How she ran so fast. Twilight could never even begin to fathom. They 3 princesses trotted through ponyville and arrived at FlutterShy’s house, to see the others had already arrived. They were busy talking to that they didn’t notice twilight arrive.

She, luna and Celestia pulled down their hoods and Twilight walked past her friends, knocking on Fluttershy’s door. The door squeaked open and FlutterShy looked cautiously outside. Upon seeing twilight she swung the door open in a hurry

“Your back!” She hugged Twilight closely, then noticed the other two princesses behind her.

“Don’t freak out, but we’ve got a serious matter that we need to discuss, and your house is the only secluded place we can use.” Twilight gave her best smile to FlutterShy.

“Oh, you're always welcome at my house Princesses!” FlutterShy spoke nervously, dashing inside and rearranging a few things then inviting them all in

“We are very grateful for this FlutterShy, we honestly have nopony else to turn to” Celestia spoke in her clear tone, making each matter seem small in comparison

“As you may have heard of Princess Cadence’s…….unfathomable end in canterlot. we simply cannot trusts castles any further” Luna addressed each of them, the other 5 elements of Harmony.

“I’m sure you’ve heard rumors. But i can assure you that we are on top of the problem” Celestia spoke, soothing the others emotions. Twilight however was more worried than ever. What kind of creature can kill an Alicorn so easily?

“We have some books gathered from a certain library far away, that may give us hints on what we are dealing with. We’d like you to help us search through them” Twilight spoke as she hovered the 10 or so books out of each of their pack.

“We understand if you do not wish to help us, we are asking a lot” Luna added, and the three princesses looked at each of them for a answer. They took a moment to process the information, looked at each other with confused looks

“Of course we’ll help you sugercube!” Applejack was the first to speak, and the others nodded in agreement. Each seemed

Chapter 3: Laws of the Future

They were still fighting, 3 years after the incident. Star felt his hooves sink into the snow as the galloped towards the Northern Mountains. He could hear the creatures behind him, breathing their bones and armor clanking in the falling night. When he heard that the Princesses armies were destroyed and Equestria’s leaders we captured he simply couldn’t sit back and enjoy the show. So he stole from the Canterlot barracks and marched towards the battlefield with no training in combat at all.

But maybe you should hear the events leading up to this point? After Twilight discovered a spell for rising heros in the ancient spell book, They foolishly enacted the magic. In the end only making things worse. The hero they expected had changed sides long ago and together he joined Kinmto the Unicorn behind this war, Captured the 5 elements of Harmony. The battle in the northern mountains was an attempt to retrieve them. But it only made things worse. Star drew his sword, clamping his jaw down on it’s hilt and rushing a skellington warrior stabbing the sword through it’s hollow bones he flicked his head upwards, wrenching the sword and the things head free. Galloping past the bodies of fallen ponies and skellington beasts alike Star saw his target.

The mountain stood at around two thousand feet tall and took 4 days to scale. At the very top a burning black fortress stood out in the white snow covered landscape. Looking up towards the massive structure made Star feel nauseous not only were the 3 Alicorn Princesses trapped inside, but also the 6 elements of harmony.

An arrow whized past Star’s ear, and he looked over to see skellington ice archers. Trusting the gift Discord gave him, he rolled to the side. Combat maneuvers filling his head Sword in mouth he rushed the archers as they reloaded, dodging more arrows and leaping into the air, Bringing his sword down onto the first archers head. The other came at him with a sword made of black. More combat moves came to mind and Star blocked the strike, Pushing the creature back with a giant shove, he brought the sword into its head. Returning it into a lump of bones.

“Do not worry Princesses, I’m coming for you” Sheathing the sword he looked up at the fortress feeling Discords gift release his movements. Star galloped into the fort, Determination and perseverance becoming his allies.

Further and further he delved into the halls of black that glew quietly with golden torch light. Until he found what he was looking for. Killing the gaurd he took the keys and trotted down into the dungeon.

“Your Highnesses!” Star called as he came down into a long dark hallway. No light from the skies could be seen, and the torches on the walls were long since extinguished. the dungeon smelt like a sewer of rot and decay, But bravely star checked each cage.

“Over here!” A very broken voice called, barely reaching his ears. Star trotted up to the cage and looked at the three alicorns. They looked pathetic their armor torn and their spirits broken. But as he opened the cage, they each were filled with hope

“Where are the Elements?” He asked as the three mares stood to full height.

“Somewhere down the hall on the left side, You should find them easily” The white mare with her multicolored mane sparkling in the dim light

“You came with a army i presume?” A black mare asked, her mane reflecting the night sky.

“Just me your highnesses, However i do come with Aid, Discord has lent me amulets that will strengthen your magic. This is the reason for my tardiness to which i apologize” Star pulled 3 amulets with a symbol that corresponded to each mares cutie marks placing each over the correct pony’s head.

Once the amulet was around the princesses neck’s they glowed and the 3 mares stood a little taller, and seemed to radiate power. Star took off down the hall, soon coming to the cell which held the 5 elements. Unlocking the doors he gave them gifts from Discord and lead the way out of the dungeon.

“We can’t leave yet! We haven't beaten Kinmto” The element of Loyalty stopped him once they exited the dungeon entrance.

“I did not come all this way to see you fail at this quest. You must escape with me now or all is lost.” Star begged them, his voice growing urgent.

“Equestria is without unity, and if i do not return with you all civil wars will grow even more prominent. We cannot delay your safe return, Also you lack the power to take Kinmto even with these gifts from discord it took me days to figure out how to use it properly.” He explained, holding his amulet in his hoof. For the first time in days he really examined it, The silver necklace was strung up by a small string. It was in the shape of a sword, and the string ran through the pommel of the sword.

“You said Equestria is without unity? Who has taken charge in our absence?” Luna stepped forward, questioning him with her stare.

“Discord was the only creature with enough magic power to raise the sun and moon. He has taken to the task while prince blueblood is holding all the political meetings. However most nobles agree he should not be on the throne and are planning an uprising” Star motioned to the nearest door. His message was clear, They had to leave. Each of them nodded understandingly and the took to a steady gallop. Amulets lending them strength to their limbs

“Princesses, you must take to the sky and arrive before us. With your presence in the throne rooms all will begin to resolve itself.” Luna and Celestia nodded

“I’m staying with you the entire way” Twilight said, Having no objections star nodded in return as Luna and Celestia took to the sky, gaining speed in a flash.

Star looked back at the broken looking ponies behind him. It would take a while to reach the Crystal Empire.

Broken, But still strong

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.