The Red Horn

Outside the hustle and bustle of the train station was the peaceful Crystal Empire. Since it was spring break, the streets were filled with ponies. Some trotted passively, others galloped down the road to get to their hotels. Other than that, there was no tension. In the castle however, there was a lot of tension. The tension started in the room Twilight was staying in.

The three princesses and Shining Armor accompanied the stressed Alicorn. She slumped in a chair, facing the window. She couldn’t dare to look at their faces. When they first came in, Twilight saw their lifeless bodies huddled in a pool of blood.

“Ugh, if only I had destroyed the horn too.” Princess Cadence bellowed.

Shining Armor wrapped his giant leg around his wife’s shoulder.

“It isn’t your fault Cadence. We didn’t know about the horn then.”

The room remained silent. Every pony stared at Twilight. Her mane and coat were dull. Her wings tightened themselves against her back. She glared out the window with a lethargic face. Only her eyes were full of life. She gaped out the window with a hot stunned look.

“Should I tell my friends that I will not be returning to Ponyville?” She asked still facing the window. The princesses and her brother eyeballed one another.

Luna sighed, “I think is it best not to tell them. If they knew about this, they would be in great danger.”

Twilight leaned out of the chair. Her forehead pressed up against the cool glass, her breath fogged the window

“But all of you are also in danger. I can’t stay in this room forever.” She moped. “Why not just kill me with the Crystal heart?”

Cadence gasped, “Twilight that is not an option!”

“I know place where you can isolate yourself Twilight.” Luna replied.

Twilight’s ears perked up.

“It is a small cabin near an abandoned village. I use to go there to clear my thoughts.”

“Thank you, Princess Luna. But what about my friends?”

“I will tell your friends Twilight. Luna can escort you to the cabin.” Celestia replied stepping forward.

Twilight sighed, “Shining Armor?”

“Y-yeah Twily…” he said in shaky voice.

“Please don’t tell mom and dad about all of this. I don’t want to put them at risk.”

Shining shook his mane and sighed, “That’s a tall order little sis. I’ll try not to tell them. But they’re going to find out sooner or later. But I have to let the guards know…just in case you attack us.”

At the nick of time, a guard knocked on the door, “Your majesties, Princess Twilight Sparkle’s friends are here to visit her.” He announced behind the door.

Celestia sighed, “Tell her friends that I will meet them down stairs as soon as possible.”

“Very well my Princess.” He replied back.

Twilight leaned back into the chair. Her ears flattened and her heart pounded in her chest. She didn’t want to leave her friends, but she didn’t want to see them harmed either.

The tension made its way down into the dining hall. The rest of mane six and Spike sat in their chairs without making a sound. They didn’t touch there breakfast either. A servant came in out filling drinks. The sound of his clopping echoed throughout the dining hall. Spike poked his jewel omelet with his fork. Pinkie gaped at her chocolate milk. Rarity sipped her crystal berry juice. Rainbowdash tapped her hoof on the floor. Fluttershy looked at the floor and hid her face behind her mane. Applejack creased the silky white table cloth.

Spike slammed his claws on the table.

“That’s it, I’m going up stairs…”

“Hold on there Spike. Princess Celestia said she come down here as soon as possible.” Applejack reminded the dragon

The room fell silent again. Spike snorted and sat down.

“Aren’t any you a little suspicious? By now Twilight would’ve come out of her guest room. She would give us a lecture, every pony apologizes, and things go back to normal.” Rainbow Dash bellowed.

Applejack paused. She clenched her teeth and exhaled. “That’s what I was expecting too.”

The ponies and the dragon came to a hush when they heard heavy hoof steps treading towards them. They saw an Alicorn shadow linger on the wall. However, their smiles faded when Celestia showed herself. She stood before the table with a stern look, but her eyes were glassy and concerned.

The other ponies and the dragon bowed in front of her. The princess returned a nod and bit her lip. She was confident upstairs, but she felt intimidated in front of Twilight’s friends. Celestia knew that these ponies would do anything for their friend.

“Princess Celestia?” said a young, boyish voice. The princess’s eyes narrowed down towards the young dragon.

“Yes Spike?” she said trying not to sound shaky.

“Is Twilight going to be okay?” his green eyes beamed at her.

Celestia’s ears flattened and her wings tensed up on her back. The others gathered around her. Their ears flattened when they saw Celestia’s worried expression.

“Twilight is fine. She…” Celestia went cotton mouthed.

“She?” Rainbow Dash said slyly.

“Rainbow…” Applejack scolded.

Celestia nearly slammed her hooves into the ceramic floor.

“Twilight will not be returning to Ponyville!”

The others gasped and looked at one another in concern. Rainbow Dash soared above Princess Celestia. She flapped her wings furiously, hovering over the long horn that held great power.

“Why isn’t Twilight returning to Ponyville?” she snapped.

“Rainbow, what has gotton into ya?” Applejack took Rainbow’s tail in-between her teeth and tugged her to the floor.

“It’s all right Applejack, Rainbow Dash has the right to be worried about her friend.” Celestia said calmly.

Spike lowered his head and shuffled his feet, “I want to see Twilight. I have to say goodbye…”

“I am truly sorry Spike, but you may not see Twilight.” Celestia said in a hurt voice.

Tears formed into the dragon’s eyes. The scales on the sides of his head flattened. He dashed over towards Fluttershy and wept on her soft chest. Fluttershy embraced Spike. Tears rolled down her yellow cheeks.

“It’s alright Spike,” she whispered, “I’m hurt and confused too.”

A single tear appeared on Celestia’s face. Her long flowing mane dulled. She felt a slight tug and looked down to see Pinkie Pie. Her curly, puffy mane deflated. The bright colors on her body faded.

Celestia bit her lip hard, but not enough for it to bleed. She bowed her head. She opened her eyes and saw the hazy floor. It was a swirl of colors blending into one another. The only thing she could made out was her tears hitting the floor.

“Hold on a gosh darn second, Princess Twilight Sparkle is in trouble and you expect us to leave her be?” Applejack exclaimed. She blushed and took off her hat. She felt bad for yelling at the co-ruler of Equestria.

“I’m sorry Princess Celestia…I didn’t mean…” she began to say in an airy voice.

“Don’t feel sorry Applejack. Twilight’s our friend. She would be there for us if we were in trouble.” Rainbow Dash said proudly.

Celestia blew out a shaky breath, “Rainbow Dash, it’s not like that…”

“There must be something we can do. Can’t we use our Rainbow Power?” Rarity asked.

Celestia’s teeth tightened and she trembled, “No one’s magic can help Twilight…”

“Maybe we could use one of her spell books or something.” Pinkie Pie chimed in.

Celestia jerked her head up. The whites in her eyes turned a vivid crimson. The tears flowing down her face evaporated into the air. Her mane transformed into flames.

“Twilight is not herself! If she sees you or even gets a glance of you, you will surly die! Twilight has become a monster! If she went back to Ponyville with all of you, she will destroy everything! She will kill every pony, foals won’t even be spared! Stop trying to help Twilight! Stop trying to come up with solutions! There is nothing you can do to help her! Do you realize how hard this is for me too? I don’t want to lose Twilight either, but it is the only way! The only things all of you can do is go back to Ponyville and stay there!”

Celestia’s body heaved as she cooled down. Her mane went back to normal, but it still it was dull. The red in her eyes faded to white. Bags appeared under her eyes and her coat dimmed to gray.

The others cowered in the corner of the room. Fluttershy held on to Spike tightly, both of them were balling. The others grasped onto each other and quivered as one. Celestia glared at them with hurt eyes. She moaned.

“Forgive me, I let my fears get to the best of me. However, I am not over exaggerating. Twilight is dangerous to be around.” She said swallowing her tears.

“W-will T-twilight still be our friend?” Pinkie Pie asked in-between sobs.

Celestia bowed her head again and sighed, “I don’t know.”

***

Twilight’s wings grew weary. Her head ached and her horn burned. The two princesses had been flying for hours. To Twilight’s surprise, she didn’t know how big Equestria was. She saw deer villages and mountain goat towns. But, most of time trees and waterfalls were below them. On the other hand, the trip was unpleasant. Twilight tried to focus on following Princess Luna, but this voice kept speaking to her. Twilight’s blood shot eyes darted here and there, trying to find the speaker.

Twilight…Princess Twilight…kill the moon Alicorn…kill her NOW. What are you waiting for? Kill her, this is your only chance…

Twilight shook her head furiously and flapped her wings even harder.

Don’t try to resist me…I am you after all. You will fall into darkness. You will become blood thirsty. You will obey me…

Twilight moaned, her saddle bag slipped a little on her back. Luna glanced behind her.

“Hang in there Twilight. We’re almost there.” She said in a calm voice.

Twilight nodded and glided over the bushels of green below her.

Maybe, I could give you a little incentive…if you listen to me, you can have great power. Your friends won’t be able to stop agreeing with you. Every pony will be kissing your flank. You can be the ruler of all of Equestria. No, all of the world.

Luna glanced behind her again. She was about to turn her head away, but something unsettling happened. An eerie grin appeared on Twilight’s face. Her eyes were green and scarlet. Her coat was dark violet. Her mane remained the same. The tip of her horn grew jagged.

“Twilight are you alright?”

Twilight snapped out of her trip. Her coat and eyes went back to normal. Her horn remained jagged.

“I’m fine Luna…” she replied closing her eyes.

Luna faced away from Twilight and kept her eyes straight ahead. Her ears slightly flattened.

The two princesses finally came to a small village. The houses were made out of oak trees. The roofs were made out of more oak. Luna and Twilight landed on the ground. Twilight looked around her surroundings. Doors were wrenched off. Windows were cracked or missing glass. Paint peeled off the houses. A window shutter banged on a house. A dirty pony doll was smothered in the dusty ground. Some tin pony soldiers were scattered here and there. Roofs caved in. Cobwebs clung to every nook cranny of the houses. Some blankets, still on a close line, snapped in the wind.

“Princess Luna, what happened to all of the ponies who lived here?” Twilight asked in a small voice.

“There used to be a breed of Parasprite that only ate flesh.” Luna said in a low voice.

Twilight quivered, “I think I heard enough.”

Luna chuckled, “Don’t worry Princess Twilight Sparkle. That breed of Parasprite is extinct. Unfortunately, they devoured most of the ponies in this village. The surviving ponies escaped and made a new village elsewhere.”

“How did they go extinct?” Twilight asked gloomily.

“Celestia and I found their hive and destroyed it. Some unicorns gathered the rest of them and bred a new Parasprite.”

Twilight staggered behind Luna until they got to the cabin.

“Ah, here we are.” Luna said cheerfully.

The shabby cabin looked crooked and small. The dark pine wood was bleached. A single window shutter dangled from a window. Old grass and moss spewed out of the chimney.

Luna led Twilight into the cabin. Grass and barley stained the wood floor. An ancient fireplace was so charred, it looked like a black hole in the cabin. A big black caldron sat next to the fireplace. A large table in the middle of the room was turned on its side. Dried leaves and used nests huddled in corners of the cabin. A small white mouse darted to the other side of the cabin. Cobwebs lingered on the walls and hung out by the windows. A thin sheet of dust clung to the windows and other surfaces.

Luna’s magic aura swept across the cabin. Cobwebs and dust vanished. The place looked cleaner, but the smell of wet wood still lingered in the air.

“You can graze on the grass outside. The grass is very sweet here.” Luna said.

Twilight’s eyes were distant and dull. Luna inched closer to her.

“Are you sure this is what you want Twilight?” Luna said. Her eyes dimmed.

Twilight gave Luna a sad simper, “I’ll get used to it. Hurry home, I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”

“But won’t you be lonely out here?”

“The lonelier the better. I won’t be able to hurt any pony if there is no pony around.” Twilight said bravely.

The two princess sat in coherence for a moment. Luna broke the silence with a warm embrace. Hot tears streamed out of their eyes. They broke their hug and looked at each other.

“You are a very brave Alicorn. You are a very special Alicorn. You care about others so much, you are willing to isolate yourself to protect them. You are my idol Princess Twilight.”

Luna hugged her again. After a few seconds, she pushed herself away from Twilight. She galloped out of the cabin and took to the skies.

Twilight went to the window and watched Luna until she was out of sight. Twilight dragged her body away from the window. She plopped her bag on the floor. She slumped near the fire place. She collapsed her body on the floor and wept.

***

The sun peered over the land, shedding its light and warmth over Equestria. Birds chirped in trees. A deer and her fawn grazed near the pond. A fog hovered over the pond. Frogs croaked while dragon flies flew to their next destination. Small woodland creatures scampered out of borrows and trees. A vixen nursed her kits inside an old shed near Twilight’s cabin.

Inside the cabin, Twilight’s unconscious body was sprawled out on the floor. The white mouse crawled over towards the sleeping Alicorn. Her whiskers twitched and her small pink eyes glimmered. Twilight’s ear twitched in her sleep. This startled the mouse and she scurried away.

Twilight’s eyes fluttered open. The left side of her face felt sticky and numb. She lifted herself off the floor. She rubbed her damp cheek. She felt sore from sleeping on the floor.

Light poured into the cabin. Dust particles danced and swayed in the light. The shadow of a bird darted pass the wall. A rumbling noise echoed in the room. It sounded wet and grumpy.

Twilight realized the rumbling came from her stomach. She couldn’t remember the last time she ate. She hauled her jaded body over towards the door. She shoved the door open with her hoof. She squinted her eyes at the sun’s bright light. Her ears ached at the sounds of cicadas buzzing. Twilight gazed at the view. Tall blades of grass looked like ocean waves as the wind blew at them. She trotted over towards the grass and grazed.

Luna was right, the grass tasted sweet. Twilight grazed at the grass with dew drops stuck to them. As the grass filled her belly and quenched her thirst, she felt blue. The sweet tasting grass reminded her of Pinkie Pie. Pinkie’s cupcakes always tasted sweet. Twilight stopped grazing. She treaded over towards a big tree by the pond. She sat against the tree, the leafy branches shielded her from the sun. She watched dragonflies hover over the pond. A single cloud rolled by in the sky. A tiny white rabbit hopped out of the tall grass. He looked around with alerted eyes. When he glanced at Twilight, he hopped away. Twilight sulked, the white rabbit reminded her of Angel Bunny. Angel Bunny reminded her of Fluttershy.

The forlorn Alicorn walked away from the tree and sat by the pond. Her flank sank into the wet sand. It felt cold, but Twilight didn’t mind. The air was thick and moist, she knew it was going to be a hot day. The smell of moss and dirt made Twilight feel torpid. The humid air wasn’t keeping her cognizant either.

Twilight scooted closer to the pond. The cool water touched her coat. She glared at her reflection in the water. She saw that her horn was sharper than usual. She poked her horn and felt a slight pinch.

“Ouch…” she examined her hoof. The tip of it bled a little.

She sucked on her hoof and fixed her eyes on the pond. The shimmering water looked ravishing…like Rarity. Twilight grimaced and darted away from the pond. As she galloped, she felt something hard, smooch under her hoof. She looked down and found a smashed red apple. Obviously, the apple reminded her of Applejack.

“Look at the bright side Twilight, at least your friends aren’t forgotten.” She said under her breath.

A hawk screeched above her head. She looked up at the blue sky and saw the hawk glide in the air.

“How could I forget about Rainbow Dash?” she sighed.

The Alicorn walked back into the cabin. When she got inside, her legs buckled underneath her. She closed her eyes and hoped she wouldn’t see any frightening images. Fortunately, she didn’t.

Twilight opened her eyes and glared at her frumpy looking saddle bag. She opened it up, but then stopped. She glowered at the bag. Twilight’s forehead wrinkled and she concentrated. She unfastened the straps and then stopped again. She got up and went up to the bag.

She stood over it and glared at the magic aura that was engulfed by her magic. She knew that she was unfastening the saddle bag, but her magic aura was off. It was black instead of magenta.

Twilight’s heart knocked on her rib cage. Her legs felt like jelly. A sharp pain coursed through her horn. She was in so much discomfort, she keeled over. Black, green, and violet sparks burst from her jagged horn. It stretched and grew more ragged. The black magic aura slithered around the cabin. It wrapped itself around the caldron and shattered it into a million pieces. The black aura burned the leaves and empty nests. The white mouse tried to escape, but the aura caught her. A tiny ring of dark magic skewed itself around the mouse’s neck. It strangled her until her neck snapped. She let out a tiny squeak and went limp.

The dark magic finally calmed down. Once the horn was stretched out enough, it sucked the black aura back into it. Twilight flipped over on her back. Her wings spread themselves out and her body twitched. She surged as perspiration dripped off her face.

Twilight didn’t know how long she’d been on the floor. She searched around the cabin. Her vision doubled and every inch of her body throbbed. Her horn smarted the most. She assessed her horn. It was longer, uneven, and warm.

The distressed Alicorn raced outside. When she got to the pond, she halted above the shaky waters. She peered into her reflection. She choked at the sight of her appearance. Her horn looked an awful lot like King Sombra’s horn.