The Great Lepidoptera

Freedom. That was my only sensation. I was no longer shackled to the earth. I was one with the wind and sky. I didn't feel Applejack's weight, or hear the cries of the ponies. I was suspended in pure bliss...but only for a moment.

I suddenly felt Applejack's weight pulling me down, and quickly began flapping my wings in an attempt to remain airborne. We were nearing the shore, but the river was just below us. I panicked. We'd be swept away by the current! I pumped my wings harder, straining to stay aloft. We eventually crashed onto opposite shore. It was painful, but at least we were still alive.

"Ugh," muttered Applejack, rubbing the back of her head.

"Hold on," I said. "Lemme check that." I gently grasped her skull, making sure she didn't have any bumps or bruises. When I was satisfied she was okay, I let her go. Twilight teleported across the river, and we were all there. And then, we began to climb up the steep cliffs towards Tirek's lair.

Tirek gazed into the crystal ball, smiling wickedly. His prey would be here soon. After he had imprisoned or enslaved them all, he would then be able to carry out his plan. Then, the world would be his to rule.

The dark lord wondered what he would do about the moth-woman. She was too powerful to merely turn into a beast for his chariot. She'd break the spell and return to normal. She could probably break out of his strongest prison.

"Well, then I'll just have to kill you," he chuckled. He entertained the thought of slowly ripping her wings off.

This was going to be the best night ever.

Gasping, we eventually clambered over the top of the cliff. I sat up, and surveyed the surrounding area. We could be easily sighted from our current position, and probably already had been.

Out of one of the windows flew a chariot, pulled by four dragons. A demonic centaur was seated in the chariot.

"Tirek," I growled. This was the fiend threatening the ponies. He held a small, twitching bag up in the air. I somehow sensed that it contained a good deal of dark magic, which would be unleashed if he opened it. I was not about to let that happen.

I shot up into the air, speeding towards Tirek. I slammed foot-first into Tirek's face, breaking his nose. He oofed and dropped the bag. I did a 360 and dove towards the bag. Tirek did likewise. We got closer...and closer... and closer...we both reached for the bag...and then Firefly caught it in her mouth and zoomed off.

Tirek roared in rage as I cheered. Then I felt something grab my ankle, and I was yanked downwards, finally meeting face-to-face with the tyrant.

"You've caused me more trouble than you're worth, moth-woman," he snarled. His hand lit up with magic. "Pesky insects like you need to be exterminated."

Before I could make a move, he shot a blast of magic at me, but something jumped between me and the magic. It was some kind of flying monkey. He shrieked in pain, and began to spiral downwards. I punch Tirek in the face, then dove after the monkey. I caught him, then lowered him gently onto a random pile of hay on the roof.

"Thanks for sa-" I began.

"Don't," he groaned, "thank me yet. Save...the ponies first." He gently touched the locket around my neck, then his arm fell.

I couldn't believe it. This...thing...whoever he was, just died to save me, and I didn't even know his name. I looked up, and watched as the dark chariot pursued Firefly, practically on top of her. I saw Tirek grin manically as his fist began to glow again.

Tirek. I clenched my fists. This was his fault. And if I let him, another innocent would die today.

Screaming, I charged at the chariot, flying faster than I thought possible. I crashed directly into Tirek, smashing him through the floor of the chariot and slamming onto the roof. I managed to pin him for a second, before he threw me off. I landed neatly behind him.

"You bitch!" he screamed. "I will wipe you off the face of this planet!!!" He lunged at me, but I jumped out of the way, and he strangled thin air. I did a spinning back kick, smacking him hard in his back. Something there snapped, and he howled in pain and fury. I then grabbed his tail, spun him over my head a few times, and smashed him against the ground.

"It's over Tirek," I said. "Now, ge-" A dragon's tail smashed into me, and I was sent flying. Another dragon picked up Tirek in its talons, dropping a small bag into his hands. I quickly surveyed the area for Firefly, and spotted her limp body several yards away.

If I hadn't been angry before, I definitely was now. They had hurt one my ponies. The locket around my neck had begun to glow. I ripped it off and opened. Out fluttered a little piece of rainbow. I stared at it in disbelief. How could such a little thing stop Tirek?

Tirek, laughing, opened the bag, crying, "BEHOLD THE POWER OF DARKNESS!!! Living darkness flowed out, swirling all over the place. Its power was incredible. I couldn't possibly stop it.

I took the small rainbow in my hand, whispering, "Please...save us...do it for the ponies...for the strange monkey that saved me...please...help us..." Tears streaked my face. A tiny voice, clear and joyful as a bell, said I can only do it with your help.

"I-I'll do anything!" I cried. "Tell me what to do." The voice said, Just give me a boost.

I didn't have the slightest idea what the voice meant. It's not like I had any rainbow recharging powers or anything.

"Wait a sec," I murmured. On this crazy journey, it seemed as though I had gained the powers of the divine moth I had intended to portray. One of her powers was that she could fire magic beams. Perhaps I could somehow channel magic into the Rainbow, powering it up.

The darkness began to snake down towards me and the Rainbow. I closed my eyes and began to focus, trying to channel my energy into my hands. After what felt like ages, my hands warmed up, and began to glow. I sensed the Rainbow absorbing my power, and it began to brighten. Eventually, I sensed it had more than enough power to overcome the darkness. I drew my hands back, and then launched the Rainbow at the darkness. The two collided, and struggle for dominance between light and dark ensued.

It seemed as though neither was winning. Sometimes one would seem to almost win, only for the other to make a comeback. It was a terrible stalemate.

I stood by and watched, unable to do anything. Channeling my magic into the Rainbow had drained me almost entirely, and I doubted that giving it anymore would be good for my health. Tirek watched from above, looking smug. The darkness seemed to be winning. The Rainbow began to crack.

"NO!" I summoned all the energy I had left in my body, and blasted the darkness with it. It flinched, and everything was consumed by the Rainbow. My last memory was of Tirek screaming, and then I blacked out.

Something heavy sat on my chest. "Wake UP!" squeaked a familiar voice. I opened my eyes. I was surrounded by ponies. The small pony from earlier was grinning from ear to ear. "You saved us!" she cheered.

"I-I did?" I whispered.

"Indeed you did," a deep voice said. I sat up, and saw a man dressed in royal garments.

"W-who are you?" I asked.

The man replied, "I was a prince who Tirek enslaved and turned into a demon. I was the one who saved you." My eyes widened. "And thanks to you," he continued, smiling, "I have been restored to my human form."

The ponies cheered, and I along with them. I had saved the world.

The weeks following the battle at Midnight Castle, I had explored Ponyland and Dream Castle. I also gave the Rainbow of Light to Megan, since she planned on staying in Ponyland longer than I did. Every day we searched for the rainbow that acted as a portal between Ponyland and Earth, but to no avail.

One day, I was especially exhausted. I floated down onto a mountain, and lay beneath a large rock, with the intent of taking a short nap.