Chapters In the distant realm of Tartarus, a bloody war was fought between the forces of Equestria and the forces of Tartarus and Everfree Forest. Corpses were strewn on the ground, some whole, others cut in half both ways, and others had missing heads. All of these bloody corpses were a failed attempt to save Equestria from Tartarus. Parasprites fed on the intestines of the fallen ponies from both realms. In the distance, a pyramid stood with a purple pillar of souls spewing from the top. Inside of this pillar were the only two ponies standing: Celestia and Nightmare Moon. Nightmare Moon’s intent was to merge Tartarus with Equestria, and she had successfully done so. Celestia was trying to make one last stand against Nightmare Moon, but she was failing miserably.
~~~
Celestia was thrown to the ground by Nightmare Moon. Nightmare Moon walked up to the fallen warrior.
“Where are the Elder Gods Celestia?” she asked. Then she chuckled and picked up the fallen guardian. “Their pathetic Pony Kombat shackles me no longer.” Nightmare Moon started to batter Celestia with numerous hits to the face. Then she threw her across the top of the pyramid. As Celestia flew, her amulet on her chest fell off and landed on the ground. It shattered as Celestia hit the stone.
Celestia rolled onto her back as Nightmare Moon summoned her Wrath Hammer.
“They masquerade as alicorns,” Nightmare Moon sneered. “But are mere toothless fillies.” Nightmare Moon stomped on Celestia’s chest to make a point. “My darkness spreads,” she said. “It is the end of all things. Armageddon.”
“Stop!” Celestia pleaded.
“It is done,” Nightmare Moon said in defiance as she picked up Celestia. “Your time has passed.” Nightmare Moon threw Celestia once more in the opposite direction. As Celestia landed, she tried to pick herself back up, and as she did so, Nightmare Moon spoke.
“Ages wasted in foolish resistance,” she muttered. Celestia saw the shattered fragments of her amulet.
“Now is the dawn of my rule,” Nightmare Moon snarled. Celestia picked up the shattered pieces of her amulet, and as she did so, they began to crackle with energy. Celestia spoke ancient words to the Elder Gods. Nightmare Moon chuckled as Celestia did this.
“Yes,” Nightmare Moon said. “Pray to your soul, as your world ends.” Nightmare Moon swung her hammer at Celestia. But before she made contact, Celestia spoke 3 words that would change Equestria's fate.
“She must win!” And in that moment, Celestia was killed. But the whole thing was a vision, shown to the past Celestia. Following future Celestia’s death were multiple flashbacks of the Pony Kombat timeline in reverse order. After these flashbacks, the past Celestia groaned and closed her eyes to try and ease the pain of the visions. Twilight Sparkle of the Unicorn noticed.
“Princess Celestia, what is wrong?” she questioned.
“Strange visions,” Celestia answered. She then heard a faint shimmer coming from her amulet. She then took it off to see what had happened. The blue crystal in the middle had been cracked.
“Your amulet!” Twilight Sparkle exclaimed, worried.
“It is nothing Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia assured as she put her amulet back on. Then she became serious. “The tournament begins.” 5 rows of ponies walked down the set of seats in the courtyard of Sunset Shimmer’s Castle. There were other Kombatants standing with Celestia and Twilight Sparkle. Sunset Shimmer was standing in front of her throne. She motioned for the audience to sit down. The Pony Kombat tournament had begun.
“Kombatants,” Sunset Shimmer began. “I am Sunset Shimmer. In the coming days, each of you will fight. Some are here of their own foliation. Others were brought here by chance.” As the pony sorceress went on, Shining Armor, a successful movie star in Canterlot, looked over at a young pony with a pink and orange mane.
“Hey beautiful,” he said trying to sound cool. “Shining Armor.” The young pony wasn’t impressed.
“Good for you,” she replied.
“What?” Shining Armor asked. “Pony Strike? Citizen Armor? Pony Mime? None of those ring a bell?” But the young pony, Cadence, a Special Forces mare, was just getting more and more annoyed with the stuck up movie star. Cadence looked over at the entrance to the courtyard and saw her sworn enemy.
“Vinyl,” she muttered under her breath.
“Vinyl?” Shining Armor asked, mistaking the criminal for the name of a movie. “Wasn’t in that one.” Sunset Shimmer, unaware that Shining Armor and Cadence weren’t listening, continued.
“You participate in the most important Pony Kombat in history,” she said. “This tournament, the tenth after nine Tartarus victories, will determine Equestria’s fate. If you defeat all of your opponents, you will face one final challenge. Me.” Shining Armor scoffed at what Sunset Shimmer had just said.
“That young pony’s the final challenge?” he mocked. “They might as well give me the belt right now.” Cadence turned away in disgust.
“Uh, they do have belts, right?” Shining Armor questioned. Suddenly, as if from nowhere, Sunset Shimmer appeared behind Shining Armor, startling him.
“What?!” Shining Armor exclaimed. “How did you…” Sunset Shimmer cut him off.
“Appearances can be deceiving,” she informed.
“Our first Kombatant will be Mr. Armor,” Sunset Shimmer announced. Shining Armor tried to look cool for Cadence, but Cadence just turned away.
“That’s right, that’s right!” Shining Armor bragged. “Who’s it gonna be?” He looked around at the other Kombatants.
“Spike!” Sunset Shimmer said. The audience began to clap. From the top of a nearby roof, Spike, a pony-sized dragon who stood on his back feet, appeared and jumped in front of Shining Armor, which was a far distance.
“Nice stunt,” Shining Armor commented, clearly impressed. “Who’s your agent?”
“Begin!” Sunset Shimmer yelled out. Shining Armor was ready.
“All right!” he exclaimed. “It’s show time!” Shining Armor and Spike got into a fighting position and began to fight. Shining Armor started things off quickly with some fast punches and kicks. Spike immediately retaliated with some hits of his own. But Shining Armor quickly overpowered Spike and knocked him to the ground, and Spike didn’t get up.
“He got owned!” Shining Armor cried out. “That’s it! Ha-ha! Oh yeah. I am so pretty.” Twilight Sparkle shook her head in disgust. Shining Armor pointed at other Kombatants and bragged.
“And I’m taking you down, I’m taking you down, I’m taking you out, I’m taking you out,” then he pointed at Cadence. “And I’m taking you out for dinner.” Then he chuckled. But Cadence just groaned with disgust.
“Now for your second challenge Mr. Armor,” Sunset Shimmer announced. “Zecora!” Zecora, a Changeling Kombatant with pointed teeth, jumped down from the same platform Sunset Shimmer’s throne was sitting on, again an impressive jump.
“Ok,” Shining Armor said. “Nice makeup, but is it really necessary?” As he said this, Zecora revealed two huge blades rested in her sides. Shining Armor was in amazement.
“They will taste your flesh!” Zecora taunted, and got into a ready position. Shining Armor did the same, and the fight began. At first, Shining Armor had trouble avoiding Zecora’s blades. But after switching up strategies and giving a little gift from his legs to Zecora’s gut, he knocked Zecora to the ground and won the fight.
“Man, I love those blades!” Shining Armor said, amazed. “My producer has got to meet you. We’re doing Pony Scissorfists, and…” But he was once again interrupted.
“Congratulations Mr. Armor,” Sunset Shimmer said. “Now finish her!”
“Finish her?” Shining Armor asked surprised. “Yeah right.”
“Kill her!” Sunset Shimmer wanted to see some blood spilled. Shining Armor looked around the courtyard at the other Kombatants. They were all looking at him, some slowly shaking their heads.
“Whoa,” Shining Armor said. “Whoa, whoa, wait a second. I’m not gonna kill anypony.” Sunset Shimmer was clearly not happy with this decision.
“Very well,” she said. Then she stood up. “The tournament will resume at dawn.” Then she and all of the other Kombatants walked out of the courtyard.
“What, that’s it?” Shining Armor questioned. “Really?” He was surprised how short that had lasted. “Now where’d that mare go?” Celestia and Twilight Sparkle walked up to Shining Armor.
“You fought well,” Celestia said.
“Thanks,” Shining Armor replied. Then he noticed Celestia’s straw hat. “Nice hat.” Twilight Sparkle took offense of this and confronted Shining Armor.
“You should be more respectful of Princess Celestia,” she said. “She is the protector of Equestria, and the Princess of Thunder.”
“Look, I don’t know what kind of roleplaying you ponies are into,” Shining Armor said. “But count me out.” Twilight Sparkle took even more offense from this.
“This tournament is more than a chance for personal glory.” She growled. “We are fighting for the very survival of Equestria!” Shining Armor was confused.
“What are you talking about?” he wondered.
“Your last opponent was Changeling,” Celestia informed. “She was born with those blades.” Shining Armor didn’t believe this.
“Yeah,” he said in defiance. “Those things are real.” Celestia continued.
“She represents Tartarus,” she said. “If you had lost, the Empress, Nightmare Moon, would have come one step closer from physically absorbing our world into hers.” But Shining Armor still didn’t believe Celestia.
“Tartarus,” he mocked. “Right, right.” Twilight Sparkle was just about fed up with Shining Armor.
“The Elder Gods created the Pony Kombat tournament to give Equestria a chance to defend itself,” Celestia tried to explain. “But if we lose this time, Nightmare Moon will conquer all.” Shining Armor ended Celestia’s sentence with “Da-da-daaa!” like someone in a movie had just explained something that was really bad.
“Look girls,” he explained. “I’m an actor. I save the world for the cameras. If this ‘Empress,’ is really a threat, call the military. Me? I’ve got a date with a mare. Ciao!” As Shining Armor walked away, Twilight Sparkle looked disgusted.
“What do you see in him?” she asked Celestia.
“He is a hero Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia answered. “Though he may not yet know it.” Twilight Sparkle felt as if this were extremely untrue. Was Celestia lying?
~~~
On one of the many bridges of the island’s spiked pit, Cadence was talking to her evacuation helicopter pilot.
“We know you want a signal for evac,” she said, her voice crackling with static. “But there’s no island.”
“I’m standing on it,” Cadence argued. “Just lock onto my wrist-com.”
“Ok,” the pilot agreed. “What is your current status?”
“They have Big Mac,” Cadence replied. “And if I don’t fight in this crazy tournament, they’ll kill him. I’m going to try to…” Shining Armor interrupted her.
“Need help?” he asked. “I specialize in rescuing ponies in distress.” Cadence sighed.
“You again,” she muttered. “Look, I’ve got serious problems here. I’m in no mood to be hit on by some movie star.”
“Come on,” Shining Armor said. “A pony like you shouldn’t be wandering around this freak show alone.” Cadence ignored him and walked in the direction Shining Armor had come from. Shining Armor grabbed her shoulder.
“Look,” he said. “I can’t let you run loose without an escort.” Cadence shrugged him off and kicked him in the chest. Then she kicked him in the face, sending him falling onto his back.
“I don’t need an escort!” Cadence said in anger. “And I’m sure as hell not your mare!” She got into a fighting position and Shining Armor, after he got up, did the same. Shining Armor and Cadence traded blows on the narrow bridge. Multiple times both of the fighters nearly fell of the edge. After a short battle, Shining Armor knocked Cadence to the ground.
“Ha-ha!” he said. “Not bad for a…” he paused. “…mare. Look, sorry about that.” Shining Armor reached out his hoof to help Cadence up, but Cadence slapped it away.
“I don’t need your help,” she raged.
“Fine,” Shining Armor said. “Have it your way. I’ll just leave you to your problems.”
“Good idea,” said a voice from behind Shining Armor. It was Vinyl. Vinyl picked up Shining Armor and threw him over the side of the bridge.
“Now that he’s softened you up,” Vinyl evilly sneered. “It’s my turn.” She walked up to Cadence.
“Not stallion enough for a fair fight?” Cadence asked.
“I don’t do fair,” Vinyl replied. Her mechanical eye was glowing with a red light. Shining Armor heard the voices. Somehow, he had miraculously grabbed a spike sticking out of the bridge’s side. He tried to pull himself back up, but he slipped and nearly fell to his death in the bloody pit.
“…couldn’t have done it without ya,” Vinyl sneered.
“S.F. is on the way,” Cadence said. “You won’t get far.”
“Oh I got a knack for survival,” Vinyl denied. “You on the other hoof, are gonna die here.” Right as she said that, Shining Armor leaped back onto the bridge.
“Step away from the mare,” he ordered. Vinyl gave him a sour look.
“Fans think my moves are all wirework and special effects,” Shining Armor said. “Truth is, I am the special effects.” Shining Armor and Vinyl engaged fighting positions and duked it out. Vinyl immediately tried throwing knives at Shining Armor, but Shining Armor easily avoided them. After that, it was all downhill for Vinyl. Shining Armor delivered numerous punches across Vinyl’s face, gave her some kicks to the gut, and finally hit her three times in the gut so hard that her pelvis cracked. Vinyl could not get up after that.
“Throw that on your…teacup…shrimp,” Shining Armor taunted, not very well.
“Thanks,” Cadence said.
“No problem,” Shining Armor replied. “Who is that mare anyway?” he reached out his hoof, but then remembering what Cadence had done earlier, pulled it back. But thinking that Shining Armor didn’t seem to be that bad of a stallion, Cadence reached her hoof out to let Shining Armor help her up.
“Her name’s Vinyl,” she said as Shining Armor helped her up. “She was an informant in our Black Stallion investigation. Big time arms dealers. Turns out she was their leader, giving us the runaround. A lot of our guys got killed because of her.”
“So that’s not a costume?” Shining Armor asked surprised. “You’re actual military?”
“Special Forces,” Cadence answered.
“Get out!” Shining Armor exclaimed. “So you know about this threat to the world stuff, right? Celestia called in the cavalry.”
“Celestia?” Cadence asked. “No idea who you’re talking about.” She turned around to find Vinyl gone.
“Damn!” she muttered.
“She couldn’t have gotten very far,” Shining Armor assured.
“She’ll have to wait,” Cadence said. “I appreciate your help Armor.”
“Shining Armor,” Shining Armor politely corrected.
“But right now I’ve got things to take care of,” Cadence said. “My C.O. is locked up on this island somewhere. I have to find him.” Then she left. Shining Armor grinned. He liked this mare’s no quit attitude.
Cadence slowly rounded a corner and into a dark, dusty, and bloody cavern. She called out to her partner.
“Big Mac!” she called out quietly. “Big Mac, you in here?” She cautiously entered the lair in search of Major Big Macintosh. She found him hunched over holding onto the bars of a prison cell. He was severely wounded.
“Oh my Celestia,” Cadence gasped. Big Mac groaned. Cadence walked up to the prison cell. “What did they do to you?”
“Run girl,” Big Mac said. “Run.” Just then, Sunset Shimmer and two guards entered the lair.
“Ms. Cadence,” he said. “You do not disappoint. I have been expecting you.”
“Let him go!” Cadence demanded. “We’re not part of your tournament.”
“On the contrary,” Sunset Shimmer corrected. “You are very much a contestant. You will face Rainbow Dash of the Pegasi clan of assassins. As soon as she said this, an ice sculpture of Rainbow Dash formed from the bottom up in front of Cadence. It then shattered to reveal Rainbow Dash. She entered a battle position. Cadence walked up to her opponent and readied for battle.
“Now you will feel death’s cold embrace,” Rainbow Dash said. The fight began with Rainbow Dash creating a fake ice clone of herself. But Cadence didn’t fall for the trick. She instead gave some swift kicks to Rainbow Dash and used her back hooves to twist Rainbow Dash’s neck, which made her upper vertebrae crack and split. Cadence then rose her and Rainbow Dash into the air still kicking, then grabbed Rainbow Dash with her legs and threw her into the ground head first, cracking her skull. That pretty much ended the fight right there.
“Done,” Cadence said. “We’re leaving.” Just then, Celestia appeared from a column of lightning. Cadence was mad at Sunset Shimmer.
“Stand in my way and I’ll kick your a…” she said, but Sunset Shimmer cut her off.
“A challenge?” Sunset Shimmer asked. Celestia suddenly had a vision of the future. It showed Twilight Sparkle defeating Sunset Shimmer in Pony Kombat. Celestia saw that this was what should happen, so she stood in Cadence’s way of Sunset Shimmer.
“No,” Celestia said. “You will not be the one to challenge Sunset Shimmer.” Cadence then became furious.
“You want some too?” she asked. “Fine by me!” Celestia and Cadence entered battle positions and fought. Cadence fought quickly and efficiently against Celestia and won without taking a single hit. Flawless Victory.
“Enough of this!” Cadence cried. She walked up to Celestia and got ready to finish her.
“Shield your eyes,” Celestia ordered.
“What?” Cadence asked, clearly confused. Celestia repeated herself.
“Shield your eyes,” she said. Her eyes started to glow with a searing light that filled the area. Cadence, Sunset Shimmer, and the guards covered their eyes to block out the light. Cadence walked up to the Shining Armor Big Mac was in and used her special energy rings to break him free.
“Big Mac, come on!” she ordered. “We’re out of here!”
“’Bout time,” Big Mac said. As they escaped, the two guards that were with Sunset Shimmer went after them.
“You aided their escape,” Sunset Shimmer said to Celestia.
“You allowed them to escape,” Celestia countered.
“They will not get far,” Sunset Shimmer sneered as she followed her guards.
~~~
Outside of the lair in Sunset Shimmer’s garden, Cadence and Big Mac were trying to escape.
“Come on Big Mac,” Cadence said. “Move it! That’s an order.” Big Mac groaned.
“So you’re in charge now?” he asked sarcastically. Cadence ignored him and called Special Forces on her wrist-com.
“Special Forces Command, this is Cadence,” she said. “Where’s that evac?”
“They are en route and coming to you shortly,” the commander said.
“Affirmative,” Cadence said. Then she turned to Big Mac. “Almost home soldier.” Just then, two other ponies, Pinkie Pie and Rarity, entered the garden.
“By order of Sunset Shimmer, no pony leaves this island,” Pinkie Pie said.
“I don’t have time for this,” Cadence said. “Out of my way.” Rarity and Pinkie Pie double teamed on Cadence. But Cadence had no problem taking out both of them. She however did have some trouble outmaneuvering Pinkie Pie’s razor edged fans and Rarity’s staff. Once or twice she missed a couple of uppercuts too, but she still won.
“Sure don’t need any more surprises like them,” she said to herself. She turned to Big Mac to make sure he was ok. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m fine,” Big Mac fibbed.
“Liar,” Cadence said. “After I get you to base I’m coming back. Vinyl’s still on this island somewhere.”
“You’re obsession with her is gonna get you killed,” Big Mac warned.
“I trusted her,” Cadence said.
“Yeah, we all did,” Big Mac argued.
“But I was the one she used,” Cadence regretted. She heard rotating helicopter blades. “I think our ride’s here.” She got up and waved so the pilot would see her. As the helicopter made an attempt to land, a fireball flew through the air and destroyed the chopper.
“No!” Cadence cried. She looked behind her to see Sunset Shimmer and Vinyl there. Sunset Shimmer had thrown the fireball. “Damn you!”
“You have a challenger,” Sunset Shimmer said. “Vinyl.” Cadence got ready to fight.
“Pretty boy ain’t gonna save ya this time,” Vinyl taunted. She and Cadence began to fight. Two bitter enemies duked it out. Out of sheer anger, Cadence quickly overpowered Vinyl and twisted her neck and cracked her skull like she did with Rainbow Dash. Cadence won the fight through sheer ferocity.
“You’re coming with me,” Cadence said. As she walked up to Vinyl, Sunset Shimmer blocked her path.
“Vinyl is not your prisoner,” she said.
“At least help Big Mac,” Cadence said. “He needs a medic.” Sunset Shimmer just chuckled and walked away.
“Bitch,” Cadence growled. As Vinyl, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie walked by, she sighed in anger. Suddenly, she heard a voice.
“There she is!” It was Shining Armor. With him were Celestia and Twilight Sparkle. “Cadence, are you all right?” Shining Armor saw Big Mac. “Hey, looks like you found him. ‘Sup Sarge?”
“He’s a…” Cadence saw Celestia walking toward Big Mac. “Hey! What are you doing?” she asked. Celestia built up electricity in her horn.
“It’s fine,” Shining Armor assured. “She’s cool.” Big Mac began to glow with a blue light.
“Big Mac!” Cadence cried.
“Relax,” Shining Armor said. “Seriously, she’s cool.” Big Mac was glowing brighter now, a result of Celestia healing him. When Celestia was done, all of Big Mac’s wounds were healed.
“That’s amazing.” Big Mac said.
“Told ya,” Shining Armor said. “Turns out she’s a Princess!”
“Thank you, Celestia,” Cadence said.
“Gratitude is unnecessary,” Celestia said. She turned to everypony. “I have foreseen events, like memories of my future. They lead me to believe that you are all linked to Equestria’s fate.”
“What have you foreseen?” Twilight Sparkle asked.
“In my visions,” Celestia said. “Nightmare Moon becomes invincible. She destroys all life in Equestria. We will all die. I believe these flashes are a guide to defeating Nightmare Moon. But disrupting the flow of time can have serious consequences.”
“I’m not worried,” Shining Armor said. “I bet you could win this thing no problem.”
“Unless directly challenged I cannot participate,” Celestia said.
“Then what should we do?” Shining Armor asked. “Besides standing around looking pretty.” He looked at Cadence when he said that.
“For now, the tournament must run its course,” Celestia said.
“All right then,” Cadence said. “We’re with you Celestia.” The fighters against Sunset Shimmer had assembled, and they were ready to face whatever was thrown at them.
The next morning at Sunset Shimmer’s Courtyard, the Kombatants had gathered for the second day of the Pony Kombat tournament. Celestia looked over at a nearby guard. As she did so, she had another vision. It showed Babs Seed fighting in the tournament. Celestia saw this as a sign and walked over to the guard.
“Kombatants,” Sunset Shimmer announced. “The next match will now begin.” Almost immediately, a pony appeared in the middle of the courtyard from a column of fire. The audience clapped to show their support.
“Fluttershy,” Sunset Shimmer said. “Specter of the Everfree Forest. Resurrected by the sorceress Octavia. Who among you is worthy of this challenge?”
“Where is the Pegasi, Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy hissed. “She killed my family and clan. I will have her head!” Celestia spoke to the guard.
“I know it is you Babs Seed,” she said. “The Unicorn monks chose Twilight Sparkle to represent your order in this tournament.”
“I am Twilight Sparkle’s equal!” Babs Seed retorted.
“That remains to be seen,” Celestia said.
“Watch and see,” Babs Seed defied. She took off her guards outfit and approached Fluttershy. “I accept the challenge!” Twilight Sparkle saw her.
“Babs Seed,” she gasped. Sunset Shimmer scowled.
“Never mind the Pegasi,” Babs Seed said. “Now you face a Unicorn.” She entered a battle position.
“You will regret your impulsiveness,” Fluttershy snarled as she readied for battle. Babs Seed teleported behind Fluttershy and attempted to make an attack, but the Fluttershy there was a fake. Fluttershy threw her spear at Babs Seed. It struck her and Fluttershy said, “Get over here!” She pulled Babs Seed to her and laid numerous punches and kicks to Babs Seed’s head, winning the fight.
“You are not yet a warrior,” Fluttershy said.
“Babs Seed!” Twilight Sparkle cried as she ran over to her.
“Listen when your elders speak,” Celestia said to Babs Seed. “You could not win this fight.” Babs Seed groaned as Twilight Sparkle and Celestia helped her off the courtyard.
“I have defeated a challenger Sunset Shimmer,” Fluttershy said. “I demand Rainbow Dash!” Celestia suddenly had a vision. It showed Fluttershy holding Rainbow Dash’s head. The remains of Rainbow Dash then morphed into a black Pegasi ninja aiding Sunset Shimmer.
“You will demand nothing,” Sunset Shimmer said. Then she announced Fluttershy’s next opponent. “Scootaloo!” The audience clapped as Scootaloo, a Pegasus Indian, approached Fluttershy.
“Your aggression is misplaced,” she said.
“What do you know of my…” Fluttershy said. She was cut off.
“You are not the only pony whose people have been victimized,” Scootaloo said. “But I have found new purpose in serving the spirits.” She got ready to fight. “I do not cling to the past.”
“You no longer seek retribution?” Fluttershy asked. “You dishonor your kind. I will honor the memory of my fallen.” Fluttershy and Scootaloo fought viciously. A punch to the face by Fluttershy, a kick to the back by Scootaloo, a spear to the chest by Fluttershy, followed by “Get over here!” Fluttershy eventually overpowered Scootaloo and took her down.
“The spirits have forsaken you, Pegasus,” Fluttershy said.
“An impressive start,” Sunset Shimmer said.
“You waste my time sorceress!” Fluttershy yelled.
“Restraint, Fluttershy!” Octavia commanded. Fluttershy reluctantly obeyed her master.
“You will fight Rainbow Dash soon enough,” Sunset Shimmer assured. She stood up and left, a sign that the tournament has been paused. Everyone else began to leave as well.
“Fluttershy,” Celestia said. “I understand your desire for revenge, but Scootaloo is right. There are other ways that you may find peace.”
“Rainbow Dash deserves death,” Fluttershy said.
“Defeat Rainbow Dash if you must but do not kill her,” Celestia persuaded. “I fear her death will give rise to a more treacherous foe.”
“I will have my revenge!” Fluttershy denied.
“Spare Rainbow Dash’s life,” Celestia said. “And I will request that the Elder Gods return the Pegasus Ponies to the realm of mares.” Fluttershy reluctantly agreed to this and Celestia walked off.
~~~
That night in Sunset Shimmer’s throne room, the tournament had continued. Applejack and Fleetfoot of the Pegasi were discussing something.
“I understand that there are better fits to the Grand Mare’s plan,” Applejack said. “But her plan goes against Pegasi principles.” Applejack had mechanical wings attached to her back, as members of the Pegasi had to have wings.
“We are Pegasi, Applejack,” Fleetfoot argued. “We will obey the Grand Mare’s commands.”
“It means giving up our free will,” Applejack retorted. “Our souls. It will turn us into…” she was cut off by Fleetfoot. Fleetfoot saw Fluttershy walking towards them.
“Fluttershy,” she grumbled.
“Your inferior clan is dead,” Applejack said. “Soon you will join them.”
“My clan may walk Equestria once more,” Fluttershy denied. Applejack shoved Fluttershy back. Sunset Shimmer saw.
“A challenge!” She announced. “Fluttershy versus Applejack and Fleetfoot!”
“Your obsession with Rainbow Dash ends here,” Applejack said. She and Fluttershy fought bitterly. Because Fleetfoot and Applejack were both Pegasi, Fluttershy had no problem taking them both down out of pure anger, even though she was double teamed on. Once, Fleetfoot even tried using her flamethrower, but it had no effect on Fluttershy, who won.
“I will have my revenge,” she said. “But I will not kill Rainbow Dash.” Celestia nodded at her.
“Will not?” came a voice at the back of the room. It was Rainbow Dash. “Or can not?”
“You,” Fluttershy hissed. The two ninjas faced each other.
“Your family is dead,” Rainbow Dash said. “You will suffer as they did. To hell with your clan.”
“No,” Fluttershy said. “To hell with you!” As she said this, she grabbed Rainbow Dash and teleported her and herself to the depths of the Everfree Forest. Rainbow Dash looked around.
“The Everfree Forest,” she said.
“This is where I was reborn,” Fluttershy said. “This is where you will pay!” Both ninjas fought like they had never before. Two bitter foes of two different clans battled. Fire against ice. The winner was clear: Fluttershy. She kicked Rainbow Dash in the face so hard, her jaws cracked. Rainbow Dash fell over, giving Fluttershy the opening to stomp on her chest, cracking her ribcage.
“I have avenged my family and clan,” Fluttershy said. Just then, Octavia appeared.
“This is your retribution?” she questioned. “Fluttershy, kill her.”
“I…” Fluttershy stammered. “I will not. She has been beaten.”
“Have you forgotten?” Octavia asked. She used her magic to summon a flashback from Fluttershy’s past.
“What is this?” Fluttershy asked. The flashback showed the Pegasus Ponies being murdered by the Pegasi. Fluttershy was in shock. “No.” The flashback continued showing a Pegasi member cutting off a Pegasus pony’s head, and another Pegasi stabbing an Earth pony in the heart. While this happened, Rainbow Dash got up, in pain from her defeat. In the midst of the massacre, Rainbow Dash was shown leading the entire thing. Fluttershy was in shock.
“Your clan,” Octavia said. “Your family.” She changed the flashback to another of Fluttershy’s husband hiding from the massacre in his home, holding a crying foal which was Fluttershy’s daughter. Rainbow Dash opened the door to the house, her sword in hoof. She drew it as Fluttershy’s husband cried for mercy. But Rainbow Dash did not listen and murdered both the foal and the husband. Fluttershy was enraged.
“NO!!!” she cried. The flashback dissipated revealing Rainbow Dash.
“That is not me!” Rainbow Dash cried. But Fluttershy, desensitized by rage, did not even hear Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy ripped off her mask to reveal her true head: a flaming skull. In doing so, she mercilessly slaughtered Rainbow Dash with fire.
~~~
Back in the throne room, the Kombatants were talking among themselves. Fluttershy appeared in the middle of the room, holding something behind her back and looking forlorn. The Kombatants turned to see. Sunset Shimmer smiled, hoping Rainbow Dash was killed. Celestia was not so hopeful of that outcome. Fluttershy slowly pulled out Rainbow Dash’s skull from behind her back. It was charred with ash.
“Ouch,” Shining Armor said. Cadence grimaced. Fluttershy dropped the skull of her fallen enemy on the ground. It broke into pieces with a crash. Fluttershy cried out and disappeared in a column of fire, leaving only the broken skull laying in the middle of the room. Celestia walked up to it, grieved.
“Despite my efforts,” she said. “My vision has come to pass.” Applejack came up next to Celestia. “An unfortunate outcome, as she once defended Equestria from the forces of Tirek and Octavia.”
“Fluttershy will pay for this,” Applejack said.
“Rainbow Dash’s fate is her own doing,” Celestia said.
“Her own doing?!” Applejack raged.
“The Pegasi have a history of making ruinous choices,” Celestia said. Infuriated, Applejack stormed off. “Such as the Cyber Initiative.” Celestia said. Applejack stopped and turned around.
“I am among those speaking out against the Grand Mare’s plan,” Applejack retorted. “To surgically transform the Pegasi into, glorified robots, it kills our intuition. Our instincts.”
“Did you speak out against the Pegasi’s participation in this tournament?” Celestia asked.
“We were invited by Sunset Shimmer,” Applejack said.
“She pays you to kill Equestrian warriors,” Celestia said. “Betraying your own realm? I expect better, even from an assassin.”
“My loyalty is to the Grand Mare,” Applejack said.
“Victory for Sunset Shimmer means the end of Equestria,” Celestia informed. “And the Pegasi.” But Applejack merely stormed off like she didn’t care. As she left, Zecora followed her quietly. Things were not looking up for Equestria, and Sunset Shimmer seemed as if she would win the tournament.
Applejack walked out onto the spiked pit’s bridge to think. Suddenly, from behind, Zecora and Chrysalis came up behind her.
“What are you doing?” Applejack asked. I am not here to fight you. I’m assigned to kill Shining Armor.”
“Sunset Shimmer no longer has need of you,” Chrysalis said.
“What do you mean?” Applejack inquired.
“She is terminating your agreement,” Chrysalis answered. “And you.” Applejack and Chrysalis began to fight. Being a magic-wielding Changeling gave Chrysalis an advantage, but Applejack managed to overpower her anyway. She gave a surprise gift to Chrysalis: a net which trapped her, and a bomb that exploded in Chrysalis’s face. After a few kicks to the head, it was all over for Chrysalis.
“I need to have a talk with your master,” Applejack said. Zecora ran up behind Applejack, blades out.
“This fight is not over!” she cried.
“You mean to finish me?” Applejack scoffed. “You couldn’t even stop the actor.” Zecora and Applejack began to fight. Compared to Chrysalis’s enhanced magic, Zecora’s blades were nothing. Applejack easily overpowered Zecora and took her down.
“Now this fight is over,” Applejack taunted. She then gave some thought to Chrysalis's statement. “Sunset Shimmer has turned on me. I need to find out why.” Applejack headed back to the courtyard. When she got there, she found the Kombatants had already gathered. She looked over at Celestia. Celestia nodded, signaling Applejack to confront Sunset Shimmer. Fleetfoot was talking to Sunset Shimmer. Applejack walked up to them.
“Fleetfoot, we need to talk,” she said. “Our host tried to have me killed.”
“You were speaking to the Thunder Princess,” Sunset Shimmer said. “Your indiscretion has jeopardized my plan.” Fleetfoot stood up for Applejack.
“Applejack is Pegasi,” she said. “She will complete her task.”
“We shall see,” Sunset Shimmer hissed. She turned to the other Kombatants. “The next match will be Applejack versus Shining Armor.”
“What, me?” Shining Armor asked. “All right then.” Shining Armor walked up to Applejack. “Not everyone gets to rumble with a celebrity,” he said. “Ready for your beat down, sunshine? Here it comes!” Applejack and Shining Armor began to fight. Applejack had no trouble avoiding the cocky movie star’s attacks. She threw nets at Shining Armor to prevent him from getting too close. Bombs kept Shining Armor at bay as well. Within minutes, Shining Armor was defeated.
“That should shut you up,” Applejack said. She walked over to Shining Armor and picked him up by the throat.
“Finish him!” Sunset Shimmer called out. Applejack hesitated. She looked over at Sunset Shimmer, then at Celestia. Celestia shook her head. Applejack thought about her decision. She finally made up her mind.
“I won’t kill him,” Applejack said. She put down Shining Armor, who rubbed his throat, because he was choking. Sunset Shimmer snarled. She was not happy with Applejack. Celestia, however, nodded. She felt that Applejack had made the right decision. As Applejack left the courtyard, Fleetfoot followed her with an angry look. She wasn’t happy with Applejack either. In Sunset Shimmer’s garden, Fleetfoot scolded Applejack.
“You were commanded to kill Shining Armor,” she said. “You disobeyed.”
“I eliminated him from the tournament,” Applejack confronted. “He didn’t need to die.”
“You have broken your oath.” Fleetfoot said.
“I used my judgment!” Applejack retorted. Fleetfoot was fed up with Applejack.
“The Cyber Initiative will eliminate insubordination.” Fleetfoot said.
“We are not machines, Fleetfoot,” Applejack said. “I chose to serve the Pegasi, but I will not surrender my free will!” Applejack and Fleetfoot fought fiercely. Between Applejack’s nets and bombs against Fleetfoot’s rockets and fire, it was a close match. But Applejack gave Fleetfoot a little bone snapping action. She threw Fleetfoot into the air and kicked her stomach, cracking her ribs. Applejack then grabbed Fleetfoot upside-down and dropped, cracking her skull and vertebrae. This move ended the fight.
“Tell the Grand Mare I am finished,” Applejack said. Fleetfoot pulled herself up, fuming.
“No one leaves the Pegasi,” she said. Applejack responded to this by kicking Fleetfoot in the face, knocking her out. Applejack then left the garden. A rebel had entered the playing field. Applejack would not surrender her soul and free will to becoming a cyborg.
Chapter 5: Twilight Sparkle
That night in the throne room, the Kombatants had gathered. Sunset Shimmer had an announcement.
“Kombatants,” she called. “I present this latest creation of Nightmare Moon. She is many warriors, their souls fused into one being. Behold, Spitfire!” Spitfire showed off for the other Kombatants by revealing her soul-filled power. Vinyl, who was standing nearby, chuckled with delight. She liked this creation.
“Be wary Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia said. “She is unlike anything you have ever fought before.” Twilight Sparkle nodded.
“Twilight Sparkle,” Sunset Shimmer called. “You are the sole Equestrian warrior to progress to this final stage of the tournament.
“I am ready,” Twilight Sparkle said as she prepared for battle with Spitfire.
“We are many,” Spitfire said, with the voice of many. “You are one. We will destroy you.” Spitfire got ready to fight. Twilight Sparkle decided since she was the only Equestrian warrior left, she would end this fight quickly. She started things off with some swift kicks to the face. Spitfire teleported like a fool though, and Twilight Sparkle did have some trouble avoiding her attacks. But after a swift bicycle kick maneuver by Twilight Sparkle, the match was over.
“Equestria will not fall into your master’s hooves,” Twilight Sparkle said. Celestia and Babs Seed walked up to Twilight Sparkle and smiled. As the Equestrian warriors left, Pinkie Pie walked up to Sunset Shimmer.
“She is a greater threat than anticipated,” she said. “I will ensure that she does not reach the final challenge.” Sunset Shimmer allowed Pinkie Pie to do so. Pinkie Pie left the throne room and followed Twilight Sparkle.
~~~
In Sunset Shimmer’s garden, Twilight Sparkle was training for the final challenge of the tournament.
“Remember Bon Bon’s teachings,” Celestia said. “For my vision to be realized, you must not let emotion overpower you.”
“Your visions,” Twilight Sparkle inquired. “What causes them?”
“My future self sent them to me,” Celestia said. “Perhaps to ensure some outcome.”
“Or to prevent one,” Twilight Sparkle added. Just then, Celestia had a vision. It showed her future self saying “She must win!” Celestia thought about this.
“She must win,” she said. “Those are my last words before I die. I believe it is you who must win.” Celestia took off her amulet. “This amulet was forged by the Elder Gods.” She said. “It cracked here, in the present, after my first vision. If we choose wisely, the future will be secured, and the cracks healed.”
“I trust you will make the right decisions,” Twilight Sparkle said.
“We must trust in the Elder Gods, Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia said. She then disappeared in a column of lighting, leaving Twilight Sparkle to think about what she had said. Just then, Pinkie Pie appeared. She tried to kick Twilight Sparkle, but it was blocked. The two fighters traded weak blows with each other until Pinkie Pie backed up.
“You’re good,” Twilight Sparkle said. “Show me more.”
“Do not underestimate me, Unicorn,” Pinkie Pie said. She and Twilight Sparkle began to fight for real. Because of Pinkie Pie’s fans, Twilight Sparkle did have some trouble not taking a hit. But after some well-placed hits, Twilight Sparkle knocked Pinkie Pie up into the air with an uppercut that cracked her jaw. As Pinkie Pie fell, Twilight Sparkle kicked her jaw again, cracking it further. That ended the fight.
“I am impressed,” Twilight Sparkle said. She walked over to Pinkie Pie, who was trying to pull herself up. She got onto her knees.
“Do it,” she said, looking at the ground.
“Do what?” Twilight Sparkle asked.
“Kill me.” Pinkie Pie said.
“Why would I do that?” Twilight Sparkle wondered.
“I came to kill you,” Pinkie Pie said. “I failed my Empress. I have disgraced her. You must kill me.”
“I will not,” Twilight Sparkle refused. Pinkie Pie looked up. “This encounter never took place,” Twilight Sparkle assured. “You have disgraced no one.” As Twilight Sparkle turned to leave, she turned around. “I hope we meet again,” she said. “Under different circumstances.” Pinkie Pie thought about this. Why had Twilight Sparkle spared her?
~~~
In the courtyard, Twilight Sparkle, Celestia, and Babs Seed entered through the large doors. It was time for the final challenge.
“Kombatants,” Sunset Shimmer announced. “Only one Equestrian warrior remains. The Unicorn, Twilight Sparkle. Is she ready to bear such a heavy burden? Equestria’s fate is in her hooves.” She turned to Twilight Sparkle. “Your opponent will be Fluttershy.” Fluttershy appeared from fire. All regret of killing Rainbow Dash seemed to have vanished.
“I do not fear you demon,” Twilight Sparkle said.
“Fighting with Fluttershy,” Sunset Shimmer went on. “The sorceress Octavia.” Octavia appeared from a green portal. She chuckled as she approached Twilight Sparkle. Twilight Sparkle prepared for Pony Kombat.
“You have already lost,” Fluttershy said, and she readied for battle. The fight lasted a while because the fight was two against one, but after defeating Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle did a cartwheel and uppercut Octavia like she had done with Pinkie Pie. She then kicked Octavia’s jaw, ending the fight.
“As I said,” Twilight Sparkle repeated. “I do not fear you. I pity you.” Sunset Shimmer snarled.
“You have done well,” Celestia said. “But the tournament is not yet over.”
“Scarlet,” Twilight Sparkle remembered. Overhearing them, Shining Armor leaned over to Cadence.
“What’s a Scarlet?” he asked. Cadence just shrugged.
“Twilight Sparkle,” Sunset Shimmer said. “It has been years since an Equestrian warrior has progressed this far. As the reigning champion, she is far above your ability.” Twilight Sparkle breathed. “To the lair with you!” Sunset Shimmer opened up a portal to Scarlet’s Lair, and Twilight Sparkle fell through. Twilight Sparkle landed on her back with a thud. She stood up and prepared for the fight. Scarlet was behind her.
“I did not expect to fight in this tournament,” Scarlet grunted. “But eventually, even the Unicorn would produce a warrior worthy of a Changeling.”
“I know who you are,” Twilight Sparkle said. “And I am ready for you.” The fight began.
“I will give you a warrior’s death,” Scarlet said. Twilight Sparkle immediately started things off with some swift punches and kicks. Because of Scarlet’s enormous size, she was hard to throw around, and she was a heavy hitter. But that didn’t matter to Twilight Sparkle, as she quickly defeated Scarlet with her learned skills.
“It seems the Unicorn trained a warrior greater than a Changeling,” Twilight Sparkle said. As Scarlet lay defeated, Twilight Sparkle bowed to show respect. Just then, a portal appeared to the throne room. Twilight Sparkle was ready to face Sunset Shimmer.
As the Kombatants and Sunset Shimmer waited, Sunset Shimmer was eager to see Scarlet appear from the portal. But instead came Twilight Sparkle. Angered, Sunset Shimmer rose from her throne and approached Twilight Sparkle.
“Sunset Shimmer,” Twilight Sparkle said. “Only one fight remains. Face me in Pony Kombat!”
“So be it,” Sunset Shimmer said. The final fight of the tournament began. Twilight Sparkle quickly took down Sunset Shimmer with some quick and deadly kicks, punches, uppercuts and a fast bicycle kick. Flawless Victory.
“Say it!” Twilight Sparkle ordered. Sunset Shimmer had trouble getting up, but when she finally did, she said the two words that ended the Pony Kombat tournament.
“I concede,” she said. The other Equestrian warriors cheered.
“She has saved Equestria,” Celestia said. The ceiling of the throne room lit up with an orange light. It was the Elder Gods signaling that Sunset Shimmer had lost. The Kombatants from Tartarus left through a portal. As they did, Pinkie Pie looked back at Twilight Sparkle, and Twilight Sparkle smiled at her. As the portal back to Tartarus closed. Celestia walked up to Twilight Sparkle and bowed. Twilight Sparkle bowed back. Equestria had been saved. Celestia remembered her amulet. She took it off to see if the cracks had healed. To her surprise and horror, they only got worse. Celestia was confused and shocked. Why hadn’t the cracks healed? Equestria was saved, right?
~~~
In the distant realm of Tartarus, Nightmare Moon was furious with Sunset Shimmer.
“You failed me!” she shouted. “Five hundred years I have waited, and now I must wait five hundred more.” Nightmare Moon was not at all happy.
“My empress,” Sunset Shimmer pleaded. “All is not lost!” Nightmare Moon grunted.
“Curse the Elder Gods and their tournament,” she muttered. “I should have taken Equestria by force. But I am bound by their rules, rules that cannot be broken.”
“My empress,” Sunset Shimmer said.
“Kill her,” Nightmare Moon said. As Pinkie Pie raised her fans, Sunset Shimmer made one last effort to persuade Nightmare Moon.
“What if the rules were changed?” she said desperately.
“Pinkie Pie,” Nightmare Moon held up her hoof, motioning for Pinkie Pie not to kill Sunset Shimmer yet. Nightmare Moon turned to Sunset Shimmer.
“Continue,” she said. And Sunset Shimmer proceeded to tell her master about this plan.
~~~
Back at the Unicorn Academy, Twilight Sparkle was held a ceremony for saving Equestria. It was held in the center of the academy. All of the academy’s students were there, and so were the other Equestrian Kombatants: Shining Armor, Cadence, Big Mac, Babs Seed, and Scootaloo. Twilight Sparkle walked down the two rows of audience to Celestia. One of the Unicorn monks walked up to Celestia holding the medal that was presented to the Pony Kombat victor. The medal was golden with the Pony Kombat symbol on it. Celestia placed it around Twilight Sparkle’s neck and the audience cheered. Twilight Sparkle had won Pony Kombat, but was Equestria really saved, or was Nightmare Moon closer than ever to conquering the realm?
After the ceremony for Twilight Sparkle had ended, Celestia and Big Mac were talking on a balcony. It was around twilight, and the sun had just set.
“I do not understand why my amulet is further damaged,” Celestia said. “‘She must win!’ If not Twilight Sparkle, then who?”
“You got me,” Big Mac said while smoking a cigarette. “I’m not sure anypony could do what she did. Beat Sunset Shimmer like a chump.” As if on cue, Sunset Shimmer walked up to Celestia and Big Mac. Celestia noticed, but didn’t turn to her.
“Here to congratulate us on our victory, sorceress?” Celestia mocked. Big Mac turned, surprised.
“What!?” he said. “Sunset Shimmer?” Big Mac didn’t understand how and why Sunset Shimmer was back in Equestria. He threw away his cigarette
“You have been revitalized, I see,” Celestia said. “I didn’t realize your master was in the habit of rewarding failure.”
“The Empress has an offer, Celestia,” Sunset Shimmer said. “A new tournament.” Celestia scoffed.
“I do not see any reason to participate in any plan of yours,” she said.
“The Empress proposes a single tournament, to replace the current system of ten,” Sunset Shimmer explained. “It will be held in Tartarus. If Equestria does not win, Tartarus will absorb it. But if Equestria wins, Nightmare Moon will abandon her claim to it. Forever.” Celestia gave the matter a quick and easy thought.
“Give your Empress my regards,” she said, refusing to participate. Sunset Shimmer smiled evilly. She used her magic to open up a massive portal to Tartarus. Changeling warriors stormed the academy grounds. In fury, Celestia attacked Sunset Shimmer. As they fought, Big Mac jumped off the balcony to fight off the attackers. He punched one in the face, head-butted another, and kneed another still in the face. He stomped on the warrior’s face. But Big Mac was soon overpowered and ganged up on. He took some hard hits before being flung onto the ground. A Changeling warrior stomped on his face and everything went black.
~~~
“… I now know what we must do,” Celestia said as Big Mac came to. He groaned.
“Anypony get the number of that guy that…?” Big Mac asked. He felt something wrong. “Wait,” he asked “Where’s Cadence?”
“Sunset Shimmer has taken her,” Celestia said.
“We gotta find her!” Big Mac said.
“We must follow them!” Babs Seed agreed. Celestia held up her hoof to stop Babs Seed.
“Sunset Shimmer has made it clear that Equestria will be under constant threat unless I agree to a new tournament,” Celestia said. She suddenly had a vision. It showed Twilight Sparkle standing over the defeated Nightmare Moon, who had a hole in her chest.
“Another vision?” Big Mac asked.
“Yes,” Celestia replied. “I saw Twilight Sparkle win the proposed tournament. I believe we must attend.” She turned to Twilight Sparkle. “But my earlier vision of your victory over Sunset Shimmer was not the solution I sought,” Celestia said. “Therefore, this premonition must show an event I need to change. Perhaps ‘She must win!’ refers to another.” Twilight Sparkle understood.
“Hear me, Elder Gods!” Celestia called. “I accept the terms proposed by Nightmare Moon!” A column of bright light surrounded the fighters. The Elder Gods had heard Celestia’s call. When the light had subsided, Celestia spoke.
“We go to Tartarus,” she announced.
~~~
In Nightmare Moon’s throne room in Tartarus, Scarlet was giving Nightmare Moon an amulet, whatever the reason. Nightmare Moon looked at it for a moment, then gave it back to Scarlet. Celestia, Shining Armor, and Big Mac walked into the throne room, but no pony noticed.
“I assume that’s the big mare herself,” Big Mac said, looking at Nightmare Moon.
“The tall black mare with the battle helmet on her head?” Shining Armor asked. “And why aren’t the Kung Fu Twins here helping us?”
“I sent Twilight Sparkle and Babs Seed to free their Unicorn masters,” Celestia said. “I expected Cadence to be here with Sunset Shimmer.”
“She better not have a scratch on her!” Big Mac fumed. He stormed toward Sunset Shimmer.
“Wait!” Celestia cried. “This is a tournament!” Sunset Shimmer saw Big Mac.
“Ah,” she said. “Equestria delegation has arrived. And we have a volunteer for first combat.”
“What?” Big Mac asked.
“The tournament will begin!” Nightmare Moon announced. The audience of Changeling cheered.
“Big Macintosh,” Sunset Shimmer said. “You will face Zecora!” The Changeling audience cheered. Zecora walked into her position.
“Damn you’re ugly!” Big Mac said. Zecora did not find this amusing.
“My blades will find your heart!” she snarled, and the fight began. Big Mac started with a quick and powerful blow that knocked Zecora onto her back. Big Mac pounded the ground, creating a shockwave that caused Zecora to fly into the air. Big Mac grabbed her, but Zecora opened up her blades and caught Big Mac by surprise. After some quick and fast combos from both Kombatants, Big Mac grabbed Zecora and slammed her onto the ground so hard, she didn’t get up.
“You shouldn’t be running with those,” Big Mac said. He then walked up to Sunset Shimmer. “Where’s Cadence?” he demanded. Sunset Shimmer smirked.
“Tell me, Major Macintosh,” she said. “Do you and she do anything other than rescue one another?” Big Mac did not like Sunset Shimmer’s mouth. “Your next opponent will be…” Sunset Shimmer was interrupted by Spike. “What is it?!” she growled. Spike whispered something that only Sunset Shimmer could hear. Apparently it was good news, because Sunset Shimmer was pleased.
“Excellent,” she said. She turned to the audience. “It seems I have oppressing matters to attend to. With the Empress’s permission, we will reconvene later.” Nightmare Moon allowed this. Sunset Shimmer bowed and walked off with Spike. The audience and Nightmare Moon left as well.
“What was that all about?” Big Mac asked. “I think we should follow them.” Just then, Celestia had another vision. It showed Cadence chained up in Nightmare Moon’s coliseum.
“You ok?” Big Mac asked. Celestia looked distressed.
“Cadence,” she said. “She is to be executed. Our hours are compromised here in Tartarus. But I will be able to transport us near enough to her.” At that, she, Shining Armor, and Big Mac left the throne room.
~~~
Celestia had transported the group to what seemed to be some kind of foundry. Shining Armor wasn’t impressed.
“Maybe you could try for even nearer next time,” he said. “Where are we?”
“I will inform you the instant I know,” Celestia said. Big Mac was messing around with his wrist-com. He sighed.
“Wish this damn tracking device worked in here,” he muttered.
“This is just like my movie ‘Time Smashers’” Shining Armor said. “We were going around and…”
“Give it a rest, will ya?” Big Mac interrupted. “You’re making my ears hurt.” Shining Armor stopped for a moment.
“So what’s the deal with you and Cadence anyway?” he asked. “She’s smoke’n hot.”
“It’s not like that,” Big Mac said. “I’m her C.O.”
“A honey like that under my command...” Shining Armor started.
“You’ll want to stop talking now,” Big Mac warned. Shining Armor stopped, but started right back up.
“But if it’s not like that,” he said. “Then you wouldn’t mind if I…”
“That’s it!” Big Mac yelled. “Time somepony shut you the hell up!” He and Shining Armor began to fight. The two fighters traded blows. But thanks to Big Mac’s more high tech equipment and rage, he had no problem taking down the cocky movie star.
“How you like that, Mr. A-Miz?” Big Mac taunted.
“Enough!” Celestia said. “Big Macintosh, you will restrain yourself.”
“Yeah,” Big Mac said. “But he…” Celestia stopped him.
“Somepony approaches,” she said.
“Good,” Big Mac said. “Maybe somepony else needs their ass whupped.” Rarity entered the room. “Looking for something?” Big Mac asked.
“The armory is restricted,” Rarity said. “You will leave now.”
“You’re going to have to ask nicer than that,” Big Mac said. He and Rarity began to fight. After trading quick and efficient hits, Big Mac grabbed Rarity, threw her into the air, and did a back breaker with his knee on her side, causing her intestines to crack. Somehow. Big Mac then did the same maneuver, but this time with his back, on Pinkie’s back. The match was over.
“Wrong place, wrong time, lady!” Big Mac said. Shining Armor walked up to Big Mac.
“Feel better?” he asked. Big Mac felt the need to apologize.
“Uh, listen Shining Armor,” he said. “I…”
“Don’t worry about it,” Shining Armor said. He looked down at the defeated Rarity. “At least we know where we are now, thanks to her,” he said.
“Yes,” Celestia agreed. “And where we must go.” She walked off.
“Listen to me,” Big Mac told Shining Armor. Shining Armor tried to say something, but Big Mac cut him off.
“Come on, Shining Armor.” He said. Shining Armor followed Big Mac and Celestia.
In the acid pools of Tartarus, a group of Changeling warriors were playing some sort of game with diamond-shaped dice. Chrysalis was there, along with Cadence, who was hoisted up by ropes above the acid.
“What is it with you Changeling and underground ses-pools?” she asked.
“If you had not dishonored yourself by attempting escape,” Chrysalis said. “We would not be here in the sewer.” Big Mac, Celestia, and Shining Armor ran into the room.
“Cadence!” Shining Armor cried out. Everypony in the room looked at the intruders.
“Guards!” Chrysalis cried. “Stop them!” The Changeling warriors got up.
“So much for the surprise attack,” Big Mac said. Suddenly, a door slammed down behind the Equestria fighters. Big Mac ran up to one of the Changeling guards, who was swinging a spiked, double sided club. Big Mac avoided the swings, grabbed the club out of the guard’s hooves, and knocked him into the acid with it. As the guard landed into the acid, he sizzled like bacon as his flesh and muscle dissolved into a bloody mess. He jumped over the other guards, leaving them to Celestia and Shining Armor.
“She is the Empress’s property, stallion” Chrysalis said.
“She’s no pony’s ‘property’!” Big Mac denied. He and Chrysalis fought fiercely. Big Mac’s extra tech equipment and armor helped him match Chrysalis’s magic abilities. With a couple hard punches and kicks, Big Mac put Chrysalis down. Flawless Victory.
“I guess magic don’t make a difference,” Big Mac taunted. He walked up to Cadence to help her down.
“You sure have a way with mares,” Cadence said.
“You know me,” Big Mac said as he pulled Cadence onto the narrow platform. “I’m a class act.” He used his knife to cut the ropes binding Cadence.
“Thanks,” Cadence said. “What took you so long?”
“He was busy hitting me in the face,” Shining Armor said. Cadence chuckled. A faint beeping was heard. It was Cadence’s wrist-com.
“That’s weird,” she said. “I’ve got two sets of readings. Heavy tech signals, both of them.”
“Technology,” Celestia wondered. “Then they cannot be of Tartarus. We need to confront the source of each signal. We might discover the one of whose victory I must ensure.”
“Wait,” Shining Armor said. “What about us? What are we, chop liver?” Celestia gave him a look. “What?” Shining Armor asked.
“Perhaps you are right, Shining Armor,” Celestia said. “You will stay close to me.”
“Great!” Shining Armor said. “I…”
“Close as a shadow,” Celestia interrupted. “And twice as silent.” Shining Armor didn’t like this quote.
“Cadence, you’re with me,” Big Mac said. “I’m keeping my eye on you.” He turned to Celestia. “Celestia,” he said. “Looks like you’ll need to teleport yourself about 30 clicks that way.” A mission to find a technological source had begun. What will the Kombatants find out about these heavy tech signals?
On the shores of a Tartarus execution beach, two ninjas were trying to stay out of sight. One of them was called Derpy Hooves. The other was named Lightning.
“We should stay together Lightning,” Derpy Hooves said. “Assuming your sister’s identity will certainly draw attention. Not all of it welcome.”
“You are right, Derpy Hooves,” Lightning said. “But assuming Dashie’s identity is the best way to honor her.”
“Let us proceed then,” Derpy said. “Rainbow Dash.” Rainbow Dash looked around.
“We should separate,” she said. “Our fellow Pegasi will not be far behind after our absence is discovered.”
“If only they had been more forthcoming about your sister’s demise,” Derpy said. “We will find Sunset Shimmer. She will tell us all she knows.”
“If she killed Dashie,” Rainbow Dash said. “She will die.” Rainbow Dash turned to Derpy Hooves to say good-bye.
“Be stealthful as the night,” she started.
“And deadly as the dawn,” Derpy finished. This phrase was the Pegasi’s way of saying good-bye and good luck. Rainbow Dash left the beach, leaving Derpy Hooves on her own. As Derpy watched Rainbow Dash leave, Pinkie Pie walked up to her.
“The Empress was wise to send me here,” she said. “The Pegasi do walk uninvited in this realm.”
“Wise as your Empress might be,” Derpy said. “She was foolish to send her ‘housemaid’ to interfere with Pegasi business.” Pinkie Pie did not take this joke lightly.
“I am Pinkie Pie!” she stormed. “Princess of Tartarus! And I deal harshly with sharp-tongued intruders!” Derpy and Pinkie Pie began to fight. Derpy Hooves had the unique ability to teleport through puffs of smoke. She quickly turned the tides on Pinkie Pie, whose razor-edged fans could not keep up with Derpy’s teleportation. Derpy grabbed Pinkie Pie and threw her to the ground head first, breaking Pinkie Pie’s jaw. As Pinkie Pie tried to recover, Derpy kicked her in the face, cracking her skull. In a matter of minutes, Derpy Hooves won the fight.
“Where there is smoke, there is fire!” Derpy taunted. As Pinkie Pie lay defeated, Derpy Hooves walked up to her.
“Sleep well, princess,” she said. She then walked off to search for Sunset Shimmer. Derpy entered the Living Forest of Tartarus, where she found Vinyl and Sunset Shimmer. Vinyl was demonstrating heavy weaponry for sale to Sunset Shimmer. Vinyl chuckled.
“A whole army toting these,” she said. “No one in Tartarus or Equestria could stand up to you.” Vinyl fired off another round, which exploded in the distance.
“Well done,” Sunset Shimmer said. “You may tell your other Black Stallion that I am very interested in your merchandise.” Vinyl wasted another round of ammunition to show off. Derpy decided she had enough. She walked toward Vinyl and Sunset Shimmer. She was mad.
“Sunset Shimmer!” she said. Vinyl and Sunset Shimmer looked over.
“I’ll take care of her,” Vinyl said. “No charge.” She walked up to Derpy Hooves.
“One dead Pegasi,” she announced. “In a tic.” Derpy and Vinyl fought brutally. Vinyl and Derpy countered each other equally, but Derpy eventually got the upper hoof with her smoke abilities. She quickly won the fight.
“Stay down!” Derpy ordered. “I will have words with your associate.” Sunset Shimmer walked up to Derpy.
“Tell me what you know of Rainbow Dash’s death,” Derpy Hooves demanded. In that moment, Spike appeared next to Sunset Shimmer, and Sunset Shimmer morphed into the Rainbow Dash that was killed by Fluttershy. Smoky was in shock.
“Despite her failure at my tournament,” Sunset Shimmer said. “I wager she was more powerful than you, Pegasi.”
“Assuming her form will not give you her skills, shape-shifter!” Derpy countered.
“Let us see if smoke can freeze,” Sunset Shimmer taunted. She and Spike double-teamed on Derpy, but that didn’t matter. Derpy fought efficiently against her foes. Even though Sunset Shimmer stayed in the form of Rainbow Dash, Derpy was undeterred by the illusion. After some decisive blows, Smoky Hooves took down her opponents.
“Now answer me!” Derpy demanded. “What do you know of Rainbow Dash?” But before Sunset Shimmer could say anything, Smoky was struck in the face by something. Something invisible. Derpy Hooves was confused.
“Derpy Hooves,” a voice in the woods said. Derpy was repeatedly struck by something hard, until Fleetfoot appeared. But Fleetfoot was different. She looked cybernetic.
“You have disobeyed the directive to obey the Pegasi ponies,” Fleetfoot said.
“Fleetfoot?” Derpy asked.
“You will return with us to begin your transformation,” Fleetfoot ordered.
“You actually did it,” Derpy Hooves said. “You’re cyborg!”
“We are the Pegasi,” Fleetfoot said. “More stealthful than the night. More deadly than the dawn!” Fleetfoot and Derpy fought. The highly advanced technology of the Pegasi design seemed as if it would be too much for Derpy. But that was proved wrong, as Derpy took down Fleetfoot without batting an eye.
“I will never submit!” Derpy cried. As she walked away from Fleetfoot, more Pegasi cyborgs surrounded her and subdued her. Derpy was to be taken to the Pegasi Temple to become a cyborg herself. Just then, Celestia and Shining Armor teleported into the woods.
“There is great energy here,” Celestia said. Shining Armor tapped her shoulder.
“Uh, Celestia,” he said as he pointed to the subdued Derpy Hooves. Celestia looked, then had a vision. It showed Derpy Hooves in her pony form, then as a cyborg.
“They must not take her,” Celestia said. She built up energy in her horn and launched it at the Pegasi. The electricity short-circuited the cyborgs’ systems and rendered them defenseless. Fleetfoot, however, got up and teleported away. The other Pegasi fell over as Derpy wondered what the hell just happened. As she saw Celestia, she bowed to show respect and gratitude.
“Thank you, Celestia,” she said. “I am called Derpy Hooves. Why are you here in Tartarus?”
“To participate in a tournament to save Equestria,” Celestia answered. “Join us, Derpy.”
“Forgive me,” Derpy said. “But Fleetfoot was looking for me. She is hunting for Rainbow Dash.” Shining Armor was confused.
“Rainbow Dash?” he asked. “Call me crazy with a ‘K’, but didn’t we see her die?”
“The Grand Mare intends to turn every Pegasi into a cyborg,” Derpy explained. “My friend is in danger.”
“The tournament,” Celestia realized. “I have a feeling your friend will be there.”
“Then let us go,” Derpy said. “Rainbow Dash’s soul depends on it.” What will happen to Rainbow Dash? With Fleetfoot hunting her down, another sister of the Pegasi may fall to the hooves of evil.
In the Tartarus Soul Chamber, Rainbow Dash had just defeated a Pegasi cyborg and frozen her in ice.
“A pity you could not have cooperated,” Rainbow Dash said coldly. Applejack entered the chamber. She had also become a cyborg.
“You are ordered to return to the Pegasi Temple for assimilation,” Applejack commanded.
“Applejack!” Rainbow Dash cried.
“I am Pegasi unit P-4D4,” Applejack corrected. “You will come with me.”
“I am sorry for what they did to you,” Rainbow Dash said. “But I will not comply!” Applejack was determined to bring Rainbow Dash back, even if she had to use force. Applejack teleported around, making her hard to hit. But after a well-placed ice clone of Rainbow Dash Applejack froze in place and was left vulnerable. Rainbow Dash ended the fight quickly. Flawless Victory.
“I will face the Pegasi when my task is done,” Rainbow Dash assured. “Not before.” Applejack teleported away as Big Mac and Cadence entered the chamber.
“The readings were getting stronger, and now they’re gone,” Cadence said. “I…” Big Mac pointed at Rainbow Dash.
“Rainbow Dash?” Cadence asked. “But… you’re dead.”
“I am not the Rainbow Dash you speak of,” Rainbow Dash said. “She was my sister.”
“Your… sister?” Cadence asked.
“I am only hear to learn Rainbow Dash’s fate,” Rainbow Dash said. Cadence and Big Mac looked at each other, wondering if this new Rainbow Dash should learn the truth. Big Mac nodded.
“She was killed by somepony named Fluttershy,” Cadence said.
“Where would I find her?” Rainbow Dash anxiously wondered.
“Try the coliseum,” Cadence answered. “That’s where…” A pulsing sound interrupted Cadence. The three fighters looked over at the green column of souls inside of the main chamber. Souls began to spew from the column.
“You have disturbed our regeneration process,” a voice said. Spitfire appeared in front of the column.
“Spitfire,” Big Mac said. He rushed at Spitfire and made an attempt to kick her, but Spitfire caught Big Mac’s leg with her psychic abilities. She slowly moves Big Mac’s leg away as she grabbed the other one. Big Mac fought to try and free himself. Spitfire stretched out Big Mac’s legs to the point of coming out of their sockets. Spitfire made one final move. She ripped Big Mac’s legs off of his body. Big Mac screamed in pain as Spitfire knocked him over.
“Big Mac!” Cadence cried. Cadence used her energy rings to stop the bleeding. “Stay with me, Big Mac!” Spitfire walked up to Rainbow Dash.
“We will break you as well,” she taunted.
“Not if I break you first!” Rainbow Dash retorted. Spitfire was regenerated, making her very deadly. But Rainbow Dash and her ice abilities quickly ended the fight for her opponent.
“I remain whole, for now,” Rainbow Dash said. Cadence was trying to reach Special Forces Command.
“Cadence to Command!” she cried desperately. “Cadence to Command, do you copy?” Nothing but static. “Cadence to Command, do you read?” Rainbow Dash walked up to Cadence.
“Did you stop the bleeding?” she asked.
“Yeah,” Cadence said. “But he needs a medic as soon as possible.”
“I must go to the coliseum,” Rainbow Dash said.
“But I need your help to…” Cadence was interrupted.
“There is a portal to the south,” Rainbow Dash informed. “You can use it to transport yourselves back to Equestria.” Rainbow Dash left.
“Mother-f…” Cadence stopped, not wanting to waste her breath. “That portal better be close.” She picked up Big Mac and carried him off.
~~~
In Nightmare Moon’s Coliseum, a fight was occurring. Pinkie Pie was battling a random fighter from Equestria. Pinkie Pie knocked the fighter onto her back and raised her fan to kill her.
“I failed,” the fighter said. “I deserve death.” Pinkie Pie found these words familiar, as she had said something similar to Twilight Sparkle. Pinkie Pie hesitated to kill the fighter.
“Kill her!” Nightmare Moon ordered. When Pinkie Pie did not do so, Nightmare Moon growled and killed the fighter herself with dark magic. Pinkie Pie watched in horror.
“Pinkie Pie!” Nightmare Moon called. “You will join me.” Pinkie Pie walked over to Nightmare Moon’s side. Rainbow Dash saw this as her chance to avenge her sister. She walked up to Nightmare Moon.
“Nightmare Moon,” she said. “I challenge Fluttershy, the murderer of my sister. You will bring her before me.”
“No one makes demands of the Empress!” Sunset Shimmer said. She looked for another opponent. “Spike!” Spike approached Rainbow Dash. The fight began. Rainbow Dash used ice weapons and clones to match the acid of Spike. It was close, but Rainbow Dash won the fight with efficiency.
“I would kill you,” Rainbow Dash said. “But that is not my purpose here.” Spike rolled off the battlefield.
“Your followers hold you in high esteem, warlord,” Rainbow Dash said. “They fight and die for your amusement. My sister participated in this folly. I do so only to face his killer.” Nightmare Moon looked at Rainbow Dash.
“And you shall,” she said. Octavia summoned Fluttershy. Fluttershy appeared in front of Rainbow Dash.
“What is this?” she asked. “You are not Rainbow Dash!”
“I am her family and clan,” Rainbow Dash said. “I fight for her honor.”
“She had no honor!” Fluttershy yelled. “You will die as she did!” The fight that followed was a brutal one. Rainbow Dash fought to avenge her sister, who died at the hoofs of this demon. Rainbow Dash thrust her hoof into Fluttershy’s stomach, formed an ice ball, and shattered it. The fragments of ice injured Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash then grabbed Fluttershy’s head and gave it a hard head-butt, cracking Fluttershy’s skull. The fight was over.
“For my sister!” Rainbow Dash cried as she got ready to finish Fluttershy. As she built up an ice blast, Pegasi cyborgs surrounded her and prepared her for transport to the Grand Mare. Fluttershy saw her chance and disappeared. Fleetfoot and Applejack appeared in front of Nightmare Moon.
“Who now interrupts the Empress’s tournament?” Sunset Shimmer demanded. Celestia, Shining Armor, and Derpy Hooves entered the coliseum. Derpy saw Rainbow Dash.
“Rainbow Dash?!” she cried. “No!” Celestia stopped her.
“You cannot save her,” she said. “Stay here, or they will take you as well.” Fleetfoot and Applejack requested something of the Empress.
“…We request that we take him back to the Pegasi Temple for judgment.” Fleetfoot said.
“And what do I gain from granting this bold request?” Nightmare Moon inquired.
“The Pegasi’s loyalty and service,” Applejack answered.
“Very well,” Nightmare Moon agreed. “She is yours.” The Pegasi assassins bowed to Nightmare Moon.
“The flow of time has been changed,” Celestia said. “I spared Derpy Hooves this fate, only to watch this new Rainbow Dash fall.”
“No,” Rainbow Dash said. “I will not be turned!” The Pegasi teleported away with Rainbow Dash. Nightmare Moon watched, then turned to Pinkie Pie.
“Pinkie Pie,” she said. “How is it that Equestria ninjas brazenly appear before me when the princess of Tartarus was sent to intercept them?” Nightmare Moon was not happy at all.
“Look,” Pinkie Pie said. “I…”
“Be gone!” Nightmare Moon ordered. Pinkie Pie walked away as the tournament continued.
“Pinkie Pie’s fate is a slender rain of the calm before the storm,” Celestia said. “If it can be uprooted altogether…” Celestia stopped mid-sentence. She went after Pinkie Pie.
“Sure,” Shining Armor said. “Let’s go ruin someone else’s life.” He followed Celestia. Derpy did not follow right away, as she silently mourned of the loss of her friend, Rainbow Dash.
Pinkie Pie and Rarity were talking on the beach.
“Is this how you show your loyalty Rarity?” Pinkie Pie asked. “You follow me when I clearly wish to be alone? Then you abrade me? I will not be scolded like some foal!”
“You need to be careful,” Rarity said. “I have never seen your Empress this angry with you.” Pinkie Pie merely shunned off Rarity and walked away.
“You are a princess,” Pinkie said. “The Empress expects more from…”
“I know what she expects!” Pinkie Pie yelled. Rarity gave her a hard glare.
“We will talk later,” Rarity said. “When you are in more of a mind to listen.” With that, Rarity walked off. Pinkie Pie shook her head. Celestia, Shining Armor, and Derpy Hooves appeared behind Pinkie Pie. Pinkie Pie looked.
“Princess Pinkie Pie,” Celestia said. “I request an audience…”
“Equestrians!” Pinkie Pie cried. “You dare approach me?”
“Hey listen, honey,” Shining Armor said. “We don’t want to fight.”
“But we will if we must,” Derpy Hooves added.
“You will learn respect!” Pinkie Pie stormed. She engaged in combat with Derpy Hooves and Shining Armor. With her razor-edged fans, Pinkie Pie had complete control of the ensuing fight. She threw fans at her foes, cutting them up with their deadly blades. Pinkie Pie quickly ended the encounter.
“Nightmare Moon wants death to follow combat,” she said. “I will give it to her.”
“Perhaps Twilight Sparkle was wrong about you,” Celestia said. “Or perhaps she sensed as I do, that there is conflict in you.” Celestia helped up Shining Armor.
“Thanks,” he said as he cracked his neck. It hurt. “Ow. Couldn’t have seen that in one of your hot flashes?” Celestia merely let Shining Armor walk away.
“Something whispers to you that circumstances should be different,” Celestia said to Pinkie Pie. “That you should be different. You are much more like Trixie than Nightmare Mo…” Celestia suddenly had a vision. It showed the resurrected Trixie, and she seemed angry. “But she is dead,” Celestia said.
“My mother is dead, yes,” Pinkie Pie said. “Why do you…”
“You need answers, Pinkie Pie,” Celestia said. “I can help you find them, if you will trust in me. Go to Sunset Shimmer’s flesh pits. Much will be revealed there.”
“The flesh pits?” Pinkie Pie worried. “But I am forbidden to…”
“Yes,” Celestia agreed. “You are. And why is that?”
“I… don’t know,” Pinkie Pie said. “Tell me.”
“You must discover your true path,” Celestia said. “You will know.” Celestia walked off with her other fighters and teleported away. Pinkie Pie thought about what Celestia had said. Should she go to the flesh pits?
~~~
Pinkie Pie made her way through the living forest to find the flesh pits of Sunset Shimmer. As she made the journey, she felt as if she was being followed.
“Show yourself, Rarity,” she demanded. “I know you’re following me. Again.”
“Following you still,” Rarity said as she emerged from the shrubbery. “I know where you are going. I am ordered to prevent you from going there.”
“Why is that?” Pinkie Pie inquired.
“I do not question the Empress’s commands,” Rarity said. “Pinkie Pie, please. Turn back.”
“I cannot,” Pinkie Pie said. “This path might lead me to the truth. I am sorry Rarity, but I will not allow you to stop me.” Desperate to get to the flesh pits, Pinkie Pie would do anything, even fight her friend. She was so desperate, she won the fight flawlessly. Flawless Victory.
“I tried to warn you,” Pinkie Pie said. As she looked down at Rarity, she felt regret.
“This is something I have to do,” Pinkie Pie said. Pinkie Pie left the living forest.
In Sunset Shimmer’s flesh pits, Pinkie Pie entered. The place was horrific. Body parts in bloody messes on the floor, dead bodies of failed experiments floating in water tanks, cleavers and saws hanging from chains on the ceiling. Pinkie Pie had never seen such terrifying things. In one of the water tanks, she saw a dead body of what seemed to look like a clone of herself with Changeling teeth and a straight mane.
“What in the name of…” Pinkie Pie wondered. She backed away and found another clone exactly the same as the one in the tank, only, this one was lying flat on a bloody table. Pinkie Pie stared at this terrifying creation.
“She looks like me,” she gasped. The clone suddenly opened her eyes. Pinkie Pie was startled.
“Sister,” the clone said. She got up from the table and approached Pinkie Pie.
“So pretty,” she said creepily. “So fair. So sad and alone. Come. Let us be a family.”
“You are not my family!” Pinkie Pie denied. “You are a monstrosity!” Pinkie Pie was disgusted by this creepy clone of herself. She decided to put this thing out of her misery. She teleported behind the creature and stabbed her closed fans into her skull. She then teleported in front of the clone, pulled out the blades, then stabbed the clone in the eyes, putting down the monster.
“Farewell, ‘sister’!” Pinkie Pie said. Sunset Shimmer walked in front of Pinkie Pie.
“That is no way to treat your sibling,” she said.
“Despicable swine,” Pinkie Pie fumed. “Do you think my Empress will stand for this? These… abominations you have created here?!”
“I am merely perfecting you, princess,” Sunset Shimmer said. “As difficult as that might be.”
“Silence!” Pinkie Pie yelled. “I will drag you to Nightmare Moon by your mane!” In a fury, Pinkie Pie fought Sunset Shimmer. She fought well, fueled by rage. She threw her fans at Sunset Shimmer fast. She stabbed her blades into Sunset Shimmer’s skull and eyes like she had done with her “sister.” The fight was over.
“Get up!” Pinkie Pie ordered. She picked up Sunset Shimmer. “You will stand before the Empress and confess your deeds.” Pinkie Pie escorted Sunset Shimmer to Nightmare Moon.
In Nightmare Moon’s throne room, Sunset Shimmer was confronted.
“I would not disturb you, Nightmare Moon, if this matter was not of utmost importance,” Pinkie Pie said. “I felt you should know what Sunset Shimmer has been doing as of late. This conjurer has created hard replicas of me, cross bred with Changeling blood! One of them was alive. It attacked me.” Nightmare Moon walked up to Pinkie Pie and Sunset Shimmer. She looked at Pinkie Pie, then Sunset Shimmer.
“Well done, sorceress,” she said. Pinkie Pie was in shock.
“You know?!” she said in disbelief. “You approve?! How could you?! My own Empress…”
“Enough!” Nightmare Moon yelled. “Your mother was a weakling Canterlot Queen. I annihilated her husband while merging his realm with Tartarus, and took her as my wife. If only I had not allowed Trixie to convince me of your worth. But now, I have a true daughter!” Pinkie Pie couldn’t believe this.
“Celestia was right,” she said. “You have lied to me my entire life.”
“Escort her to the tower,” Nightmare Moon ordered. “I will make an example of her.” Two Changeling took Pinkie Pie away.
“Return to the flesh pits,” Nightmare Moon said to Sunset Shimmer. “Bring me my daughter. Pinkamena.” As the two Changeling led Pinkie Pie away, Rarity saw.
“I have failed you Pinkie Pie,” she said. “Now I will make amends.” Rarity followed the captured Pinkie Pie. It was unclear what would happen to Equestria with this new menace. Pinkamena was indeed a force to be reckoned with.
In the hot and heavy foundry, Zecora and another Changeling were loading the firearms Sunset Shimmer had bought from Vinyl into crates, preparing for an assault on Equestria.
“That is all of them,” Zecora said. The other Changeling held up a gun the wrong way, pointing it at Zecora. Zecora noticed and took it out of the Changeling’s grasp.
“That is no toy!” She yelled. “It belongs to Sunset Shimmer. We are finished. Return to your post.” The Changeling left the foundry as Zecora put the gun back. She heard the entryway open. Rarity walked in. Zecora blocked her path.
“Stand aside,” Rarity ordered. “I will see Pinkie Pie.”
“Nopony enters the tower!” Zecora said.
“You are an excellent guard dog, Zecora,” Rarity said. “But you must learn to heel.”
“I do not take orders from you!” Zecora yelled. She and Rarity began to fight. Rarity used her long staff and boomerang to gain an advantage over Zecora’s blades. Rarity quickly ended the fight.
“Good boy,” Rarity taunted. Zecora groaned. She couldn’t get up.
“Canterlot kind have no loyalty,” Zecora said.
“Blind loyalty is not a good thing as I have learned,” Rarity said as she stood over Zecora. “You must keep your eyes open to anticipate the finishing blow.”
“What are you talking…” Zecora demanded. But before she could finish, Rarity stomped on her face, knocking her out.
“You make it too easy,” Rarity said. She left the foundry and entered the tower. She found Pinkie Pie tied to a statue. Chrysalis was talking to her.
“If you had not dishonored yourself…” Chrysalis said, but was cut off by Pinkie Pie.
“Rarity!” Pinkie Pie cried. Chrysalis looked over and saw Rarity.
“My orders are clear,” she said. “Nopony is allowed in the tower.
“Yet as you can see,” Rarity said. “I am here.”
“Here to help the Princess escape,” Chrysalis said. “You would deny her execution?! The only means of regaining her honor?!”
“We have very different concepts of honor, Changeling,” Rarity informed. Chrysalis attacked Rarity. Rarity countered with her staff to Chrysalis’s head. The fight seemed evenly matched, but eventually, Rarity won.
“Not much of a jailer, are you?” Rarity said. She walked up to Pinkie Pie.
“Now then your highness,” she said. “Let us see how quickly we can remove these bonds.”
“Rarity, I…” Pinkie started to apologize.
“I am too,” Rarity said. From beyond the entrance, Zecora could faintly be heard yelling.
“Stop her!” Zecora cried.
“Don’t let her get away!” Pinkamena said.
“Go,” Pinkie said. “Find Celestia. Ask for her help.” Rarity reluctantly left Pinkie Pie alone to seek out Celestia.
~~~
Rarity ran as far as she could from the tower out onto the beach.
“That should distance me from any pursuers,” she thought out loud. Just then, Pinkamena appeared in front of her. Rarity gasped.
“Others pursue,” Pinkamena said. “I find.”
“By the gods,” Rarity gasped. “You are Pinkamena.”
“You must return with me,” Pinkamena creepily said. “There is to be a celebration for my sister. She’s going awaaa-aaay.” Creeped out by the tone in Pinkamena’s voice, Rarity immediately engaged in combat. Rarity used her staff and boomerangs to her advantage against Pinkamena’s savage nature. Pinkamena’s sai kept her up and fighting for a while, but Rarity eventually won.
“I am more of a sister to Pinkie Pie than you,” she said. “I must find Celestia.”
“She is here,” Celestia said as she teleported in front of Rarity. Derpy stormed up to Rarity, mistaking Pinkamena for Pinkie Pie.
“Pinkie Pie turns away from Nightmare Moon, so you attack her rather than join her?!” She fumed. Rarity was confused.
“This is not…”
“Derpy, stop!” Celestia said. “That is not Pinkie Pie.”
“You will come no closer,” Derpy raged. She attacked Rarity. Through self-defense, Rarity fought back. She ran behind Derpy and ran her staff into Derpy’s gut, bruising it. She then broke Derpy’s spine with her staff’s short end. Rarity knocked Derpy back and won.
“I did not wish to do that,” Rarity said. Celestia walked over to Derpy to help her up.
“Princess Celestia,” Rarity said. “I come at the request of…”
“Princess?” Shining Armor asked as Rarity went on. “I was with Derpy. I thought she was a bad guy. Bad girl. Guess she turned another one. What’s Celestia got that I haven’t got?”
“God-like power?” Twilight Sparkle said, knowing she was right.
“A personality that is not at all like sanding paper?” Babs Seed added.
“Jerks,” Shining Armor said. Twilight and Babs Seed chuckled.
“…she is to be executed,” Rarity finished. “We do not have much time.” Twilight overheard and ran over to Rarity.
“Pinkie Pie?” she asked. “Executed? Where is she?”
“Held captive in the tower of Nightmare Moon’s fortress. Twilight Sparkle started to speak, but Celestia cut her off.
“I am not pleased with this outcome either, Twilight,” Celestia said. “But there is no time. We must return to the tournament.”
“But you are responsible for her capture!” Twilight Sparkle stormed. “You persuaded her to turn against Nightmare Moon!”
“Princess Celestia,” Babs Seed said. “We can free her as others fight in our stead, then join you thereafter.” Celestia gave this matter some thought.
“Very well,” She said. Babs Seed and Twilight Sparkle left.
“We will meet you at the coliseum,” Babs Seed called as they left. Celestia felt that this course of action was extremely risky. What if Equestria lost the tournament while Twilight and Babs Seed were freeing Pinkie Pie? Lives hang in the balance, and time is running out.
Babs Seed and Twilight Sparkle walked into the tower where Pinkie Pie was being kept.
“I hope your friend is worth Princess Celestia's anger, Twilight Sparkle,” Babs Seed said.
“Notice that I am ignoring you,” Twilight responded coldly. She looked around for Pinkie Pie. Pinkie was nowhere to be found.
“They must have relocated Pinkie Pie,” Babs Seed pointed out. Suddenly, the doors behind them opened, and Chrysalis came through them. The doors in front of them opened as well, and Shadow Dash entered the tower.
“We have indeed,” she said. “We knew somepony would come for her.” Twilight Sparkle and Babs Seed prepared to fight their adversaries. Twilight took Chrysalis and Babs Seed took Shadow Dash.
“May you join her in death,” Shadow Dash said. She and Babs Seed began to fight. With both of them possessing the ability to teleport, very few hits were actually landed. Babs Seed used her razor-edged hat to gain a slight advantage over Shadow Dash's dark magic, eventually winning the fight.
“Be thankful I choose not to spill your tainted blood,” Babs Seed warned. As Shadow Dash lay groaning, Babs Seed walked up to her.
“Who are you?” she asked. “There is something… familiar.” Babs Seed could hear Twilight Sparkle fighting Chrysalis. She looked over and saw Twilight getting beaten rather badly.
“You need any help?” Babs Seed asked. “Dark magic against light is hardly a fair fight.” Just then, a booming voice came from behind. It was Scarlet.
“Twilight Sparkle?!” she cried out as Babs Seed turned around. Scarlet gave a roar, ready to fight Twilight Sparkle once again.
“You have had your match against Twilight Sparkle,” Babs Seed informed. “Now you will face me!” Scarlet and Babs Seed began to fight. The powerful Changeling fought long and hard against Babs Seed, but Babs' will to win was stronger and more powerful. She quickly won her match.
“Now if you have any honor left,” she said. “You will tell us where Pinkie Pie is.” Twilight Sparkle had just defeated Chrysalis, and had come over to help confront Scarlet.
“She has been taken to the coliseum,” Scarlet said, reluctantly. “Where she has no doubt been executed.”
“You lie!” Twilight raged as she stomped on Scarlet's face.
“She may yet live,” Babs Seed said. “Let us go.” Twilight Sparkle and Babs Seed left the tower to rescue Pinkie Pie.
~~~
At the coliseum of Tartarus, Shining Armor was fighting Spitfire, and losing badly. Spitfire landed hard blow after hard blow. As Shining Armor made an attempt to attack, Spitfire grabbed his leg and snapped it backwards, after which knocking him over, ending the fight.
“Spitfire wins!” Sunset Shimmer cried out to the audience. They cheered loudly. As Shining Armor was pulled off the arena, Twilight Sparkle and Babs Seed entered the tournament. They looked around for Pinkie Pie. Twilight Sparkle found her chained up to broken pillars.
“There's Pinkie Pie,” she said. “I must free her.” As Twilight ran over, Celestia tried to stop her.
“Not now,” Celestia said. “Derpy and Shining Armor have been defeated, and I no longer sense Big Mac or Cadence’s presence here in Tartarus. Despite my doubts as to whether you are Equestria's savior, you must fight!”
“But I am not 'she who must win',” Twilight said. Celestia glared after her as Twilight went to free Pinkie Pie. Nightmare Moon watched Twilight Sparkle, then called out to Celestia.
“Celestia,” she said. “Put forth a worthy champion, if you can.” Babs Seed began to enter, but stopped for Celestia's approval. Celestia looked over at Babs Seed.
“Perhaps you are meant to be the victor,” Celestia said. Babs Seed nodded and entered the battlefield. Celestia watched with anticipation. Nightmare Moon announced Babs Seeds opponents.
“You will face Sunset Shimmer,” she called out. Sunset Shimmer chuckled. But Nightmare Moon wasn't done yet. “And Octavia.” Octavia and Sunset Shimmer walked out onto the field to fight. This duo worried Celestia.
“No Equestrian mare could stop this Deadly Alliance,” Octavia said.
“On that, we agree,” Sunset Shimmer said. The fight began. Babs Seed began to fight quickly. Sunset Shimmer and Octavia tagged out often, giving Babs Seed a hard time fighting both of them. Eventually, Babs Seed took down both sorceresses and won the fight.
“It is done!” Babs Seed cried out.
“No Babs Seed,” Sunset Shimmer hissed. “Not nearly so.” As she got up, a cage in the coliseum wall opened. Another Changeling warrior named Narzissa entered the arena and the audience cheered loudly. Narzissa roared out, causing the audience to cheer even louder. Babs Seed narrowed her eyes and clenched her teeth. Narzissa approached her.
“I will eat your heart!” she bellowed. The fight began. Narzissa was even more powerful than Scarlet, making her even more of a threat. The fight lasted a while, with equal blows being landed. But Babs Seed suddenly made hard contact with Narzissa's neck, breaking the vertebrae. As Narzissa clenched her neck, bent over, Babs Seed gave a hard chop to the back of the neck, breaking Narzissa's vertebrae even further. This maneuver ended the fight. Babs Seed chuckled at her victory. The audience booed at Babs Seed. However, Babs merely took off her hat and gave a bow. She then turned to Celestia.
“See, Celestia?” she asked. “Equestria is free...” Her victory was rudely interrupted by Nightmare Moon, who snapped Babs Seed's neck and instantly killed her. The audience roared with approval.
“Babs Seed!” Celestia cried.
“No!” Twilight Sparkle yelled. Celestia built up electricity, furious.
“I will tear the flesh from your bones!” she cried out. Twilight Sparkle tackled Nightmare Moon and knocked her down. The two wrestled for a bit before getting up. Nightmare Moon laughed.
“Worthless mare,” she said. “Do you know who I am?”
“The murderer of my friend?!” Twilight rhetorically responded, pissed.
“I am Nightmare Moon, Conqueror of Worlds!” Nightmare Moon announced. “You will taste no victory.”
“You will taste your own blood!” Twilight Sparkle growled. The final fight of the Tartarus tournament began with a brutal start. Twilight Sparkle immediately began beating down on Nightmare Moon, furious at the murder of her friend. She took next to no hits as she furiously took down Nightmare Moon. As Nightmare Moon was knocked to the ground, Twilight yelled at her.
“On your feet!” she yelled. Nightmare Moon struggled to get up off the hard dirt as Twilight Sparkle encircled her. Celestia looked on. When Nightmare Moon finally stood up, Twilight Sparkle charged up a flaming hoof.
“For Babs Seed, the Unicorns, and Equestria!” she cried. She charged at Nightmare Moon and plunged a fiery hoof into her chest. The punch passed throught Nightmare Moon's heart and out her back. She gasped for air as Twilight Sparkle gritted her teeth, trying to kill Nightmare Moon faster. When she felt she had her hoof in Nightmare Moon long enough, Twilight pulled it out. Nightmare Moon fell to her knees, gasping. She coughed out one breath of blood before falling to the ground, dead. Sunset Shimmer was in shock.
“I cannot believe Equestria has won!” she cried. A golden light lit up above Twilight Sparkle.
“The Elder Gods have spoken,” Celestia said. “Equestria is free of Nightmare Moon forever.” Sunset Shimmer beckoned for the Tartarus warriors to leave the coliseum. Pinkie Pie walked up to Twilight Sparkle, who was still looking down at the fallen Nightmare Moon. Twilight looked at her and briefly smiled. But the smile faded as she walked over to Babs Seed's body. She and Pinkie Pie knelt down.
“But the price of victory was almost too steep to pay,” Celestia said. “Babs Seed's death is my fault. I encouraged her. Our triumph was not meant to be achieved in this way. I see now. 'She must win' refers to you.” She motioned at Twilight Sparkle. “But to prevent Armageddon, you needed to defeat Nightmare Moon, not Sunset Shimmer.” Celestia took off her amulet to watch the cracks heal. But to her abject surprise and horror, they only got worse.
“It cannot be,” she gasped. “Nightmare Moon is dead. Yet the future remains unchanged.” Twilight Sparkle looked up in surprise. Celestia didn't understand why the cracks had not healed, despite Twilight Sparkle's victory against Nightmare Moon.
~~~
In Nightmare Moon's throne room, Chrysalis, Sombra, Pinkamena, Fleetfoot, Applejack, Zecora, Scarlet, Sunset Shimmer, and Shadow Dash were arguing among themselves.
“Nightmare Moon is finished,” Scarlet said.
“Pinkamena is her heir,” Zecora said. “She should rule.”
“Pinkamena?” Sunset Shimmer asked. “She exists only because of my sorcery.”
“And you breath because I restrain mine,” said a voice behind the group. It was Nightmare Moon, alive and walking, but wounded. Octavia was with her.
“Empress!” Chrysalis cried.
“You live!” Scarlet cried. All in the room bowed except for Sunset Shimmer.
“I am not so easily killed,” Nightmare Moon said. “Octavia accelerated my recovery.”
“Empress, I...” Sunset Shimmer began.
“Not. One. Word.” Nightmare Moon hissed. “Because of you, Tartarus can no longer merge with Equestria!”
“There may yet be an alternative, Empress,” Octavia said. “Invasion.”
“What?! Invasion?” Sunset Shimmer said. Nightmare Moon held up her hoof to stop her from speaking further.
“Do you mock me?” Nightmare Moon asked Octavia. “Trixie's ward prevents me from stepping foot in Equestria.”
“Have you considered why she chose to betray you in this particular fashion?” Octavia asked.
“Of course!” Nightmare Moon said. “But even after a millennia, her motives are a mystery.”
“She realized the safeguards made by the Elder Gods of Pony Kombat are but fiction. She sacrificed herself to give protection the Elder Gods could not, so Equestria could not suffer as had Canterlot.”
“Indeed,” Nightmare Moon agreed.
“I have mastered the spells necessary for her resurrection,” Octavia continued. “Her ward will be nullified, and with it, the barrier that prevents your entry to Equestria. I will return her to you, of course. You will find her much more… cooperative.”
“This is a very magnanimous offer,” Nightmare Moon said, intrigued.
“I wish only to serve, Empress,” Octavia said.
“I am weary of sorcerers, Octavia,” Nightmare Moon said. “Prove your worth. Bring her to me.”
~~~
In the desert of Tartarus, Shadow Dash was watching over a spell Octavia had cast earlier. A green cloud of necromancy was encircling a point on the sand, where Trixie was buried. Octavia walked up next to Shadow Dash to view progress. A skeletal hoof burst from the sand. It was Trixie's. Octavia smiled. Another skeletal hoof emerged from the sand and proceeded to pull the skeleton from the sand. When the skeleton had fully emerged, Octavia flipped it over onto its back and began to restore the flesh and internal organs. Trixie screamed in pain as she was brought back to life. Shadow Dash got ready to fight. When the process had finished, Trixie sat up and began to gasp for air. Octavia knelt down.
“Trixie,” she said.
“Octavia?” Trixie asked.
“Nightmare Moon looks forward to your return,” Octavia said.
“The Empress?” Trixie remembered. “Yes.” Octavia motioned for Shadow Dash to relax. Shadow Dash let her guard down.
“What of Pinkie Pie?” Trixie asked.
“Pinkie Pie now allies herself with Equestria,” Octavia said. Trixie gave this some thought.
“Then she is no longer my daughter,” Trixie grumbled. “Take me to Nightmare Moon.”
“Yes ma'am,” Octavia said. She stood up. “The invasion of Equestria can now begin.” With Trixie resurrected, Equestria was now under the threat of invasion. The Pony Kombat tournament had been won by Equestria, but now invasion was imminent and would threaten the realm.
“Incoming! Incoming!” a Manehattanite military soldier cried out. A missle exploded in the streets, destroying a car. Tartarus had begun its invasion of Equestria, and had unleashed its forces. Equestria's military had dispatched tanks and helicopters to try and beat back the Tartarus army. Police sirens wailed as they tried to escort innocents away from the fighting. Lines of cars were piled up on the streets to attempt to make a barrier, but the large monsters simply knocked them over. Explosions rocked the city of Manehattan as the fighting continued.
On a skyscraper rooftop, two Manehattan police officers were inspecting the damage from above.
“...15, 16, 17, 18,” Applebloom counted out loud. “Sweetie Belle, call it in.”
“Base, Filly Two,” Sweetie Belle spoke to the base. “We count eighteen, one eight bogey, southbound on Olympic.”
“Roger that,” the base operator responded.
“Filly Two out,” Sweetie Belle said. She turned off her radio and looked down at the carnage. “This is not happening.”
“Not what I was thinking when I swore to protect and serve,” Applebloom added. Sweetie Belle noticed something climbing the side of the building. It was Spike.
“What is that?” she asked. Applebloom looked down.
“I'm thinking shoot first, ask questions later,” she said.
“Fine with me,” Sweetie Belle responded. She and Applebloom pulled out their assault rifles and opened fire on Spike. He avoided each shot as he climbed. He jumped up and landed on the roof behind Applebloom and Sweetie Belle.
“Pistols!” Applebloom cried as she pulled out her handgun. Sweetie Belle pulled out her handgun and shot at Spike. Spike created a force field made of acid to protect himself from the bullets. When Sweetie Belle went to reload, Spike saw his chance and spat his tongue out at Sweetie Belle, knocking her back. He retracted his tongue and fired it at Applebloom, which knocked her handgun out of her hoof.
“Enough of this!” Applebloom yelled. “It's you and me, freak show!” Spike saw a fight coming and got ready. Applebloom got ready for hand to hand combat. Spike had never encountered Applebloom's police brutality before, so he had a tough time keeping up. Applebloom used her police equipment to her advantage to win the fight.
“Heh,” Applebloom chuckled. “Spitting? Sticking out your tongue? Bet your momma's real proud.” Spike groaned on the roof. Applebloom suddenly remembered Sweetie Belle, who was leaned up against a ventilation box.
“Come on,” Applebloom said as she picked up her partner. “We're going street level. We've been compromised.”
“It's not safe down there,” Sweetie Belle argued.
“Better there than here,” Applebloom said. Sweetie Belle sighed as she followed Applebloom down to the street.
~~~
On the street, a squad of military ponies were pulling back. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle looked to see why. A giant monster was chasing them. It stomped past the glass door, not noticing Applebloom or Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle noticed Pinkamena standing on a nearby overpass which hung suspended over the river.
“Applebloom, check her out,” Sweetie Belle said. Applebloom looked. “Whattaya think?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Friend or foe?”
“Foe,” Applebloom promptly responded. Judging from how Pinkamena was dressed, Sweetie Belle thought otherwise. Pinkamena was outfitted with a purple skintight suit.
“Dressed like that?!” Sweetie Belle asked, surprised.
“Definitely foe,” Applebloom firmly said. “Cover me.” The two officers left the building and approached Pinkamena. Applebloom approached first.
“Hey! What're you doing out here?” she asked. Pinkamena giggled.
“Just looking for a new playmate,” she hissed. With her Changeling blood, Pinkamena's fighting style was different than Spike's. But Applebloom was trained for such situations. Pinkamena's sai were no match for Applebloom's guns and military training. Applebloom won the fight quickly.
“You're coming with me,” Applebloom ordered. As she approached Pinkamena, a loud roar startled her. Applebloom looked up as a massive dragon flew overhead. Pinkamena growled and charged at Applebloom, but a barrage of lightning sent her down. Celestia flew down in front of Applebloom.
“Who… who are you?” Applebloom asked. Before Celestia could answer, she had another vision. To Applebloom, Celestia seemed to be in pain. “Are you alright?” Applebloom asked. She and Celestia suddenly heard a roar. They looked over to see Shining Armor and Sombra locked in combat on a distant overpass. Celestia flew over.
“Shining Armor fighting a giant monster?” Applebloom asked. “What is this? Time Smashers?” Celestia fired lightning at Sombra to get him off of Shining Armor, then blasted towards him. She smashed Sombra through the overpass and down into the river. Sweetie Belle walked up to Applebloom.
“That mare just shot lightning from her hooves,” she said. “How'd she do that?”
“No idea,” Applebloom said. Another roar. It came from Narzissa. “Spread out!” Applebloom ordered. “Give her multiple targets.” Sweetie Belle moved away from Applebloom and was immediately burned from Narzissa's fire breath. Sweetie Belle screamed and fell to the ground. Applebloom pulled up her assault rifle.
“Ponies,” Narzissa mocked. “They're less ugly when they burn.” Applebloom immediately put away her assault rifle and began to fight. She had just faced two other-worldly threats, so Narzissa was nothing. Applebloom quickly took down the powerful Changeling. Flawless Victory. Applebloom looked down at her hooves.
“Never knew I had it in me,” she said to herself. Sweetie Belle moaned on the ground. “Sweetie Belle!” Applebloom cried. She picked up her radio. “Base! Filly Two!”
“I read you, Filly Two,” the operator said.
“Need medivac, current position,” Applebloom said. “Sweetie Belle is down. Third degree burns.” As Applebloom spoke, she was unaware that Spitfire was walking up behind her.
“Medivac unit routing to you on...” Spitfire used her magic to pick up Applebloom and hover her above the ground.
“What the…?!” Applebloom cried.
“Say again?” the base operator asked. “Filly Two, report!” Applebloom was thrown down into the subway tunnel and onto the hard concrete. As she struggled to get up, Spitfire hovered down after her.
“The Empress will have your soul,” Spitfire said.
“Yeah?” Applebloom taunted. “Come and get it!” She and Spitfire engaged in combat in the subway. Applebloom hadn't encountered an opponent who could teleport yet, but she didn't care. She shined a bright flashlight in Spitfire's eyes, causing Spitfire to drop to her knees. Applebloom rammed the butt of the flashlight into the top of Spitfire's skull, cracking it. She then pulled out one of her police batons and ran it into Spitfire's jaw, breaking it. Applebloom finally pulled out a handheld taser and jammed it into Spitfire's neck, electrocuting her. Spitfire fell over, defeated.
“I think I'll be keeping my soul,” Applebloom gasped. A voice came from the top of the subway stairwell.
“I have been searching for you, Applebloom,” Scootaloo said. Applebloom pulled out her handgun and pointed it at Scootaloo.
“Well you found me,” she said. “Who are you?”
“I am Scootaloo,” Scootaloo answered. “Princess Celestia is gathering Equestria's defenders. You are among them.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Applebloom demanded.
“Celestia leads the defense against the Tartarus invaders,” Scootaloo explained. “She is our best hope for survival.”
“Yeah, well, Equestria Defender is about ten steps above my pay grade,” Applebloom said.
“I see you doubt yourself,” Scootaloo said. “Even after your victories. Come.” Applebloom thought about this matter, then agreed. She lowered her gun and followed Scootaloo outside. When they reached the spot where Sweetie Belle was lying, they found her gone.
“What?” Applebloom gasped. “Where is she? Medivac hasn't been here.”
“Perhaps she has gone to find help,” Scootaloo suggested.
“No,” Applebloom denied. “She was way too banged up. Somepony took her.” Scootaloo and Applebloom thought about who could have taken Sweetie Belle. With the invasion of Equestria under way, the situation seemed bleak for Equestria and its inhabitants.
Chapter 13: Sweetie Belle
In Sunset Shimmer's flesh pits, Vinyl fitted another piece of the mask into place. It slid in easily and locked onto the mechanisms. Her patient barely breathed. Just barely enough to keep her conscious. Vinyl slipped on a tube for breathing purposes onto the mask, then reached over for the final piece. The front of the mask. She picked it up and placed it onto the mechanisms of the mask. It locked into place and the tube opened up. The patient on the operating table began to breathe normally, but with a metallic tone. Vinyl stepped away from the table. Sweetie Belle groaned as she began to breathe.
“Easy there, mate,” Vinyl told her. “You've had a rough one.” Sweetie Belle looked up.
“Vinyl?” she asked. Vinyl chuckled.
“In the flesh,” she said. Sweetie Belle started to remember what had happened on the street of Manehattan.
“I was… on fire,” she remembered.
“Burnt to a crisp, you were,” Vinyl helped. “Good thing I found ya.” Sweetie Belle felt the iron mask attached to her face. She gasped.
“I'm hideous,” she grumbled.
“Sunset Shimmer's magic healed the rest of you,” Vinyl said. “But your lungs...eh...”
“Take it off,” Sweetie Belle demanded.
“Can't,” Vinyl simply said. “It's permanent.”
“What?!” Sweetie Belle gasped.
“No mask, no breathing,” Vinyl said. Sweetie Belle sat up from the table, feeling the rough exterior of the iron mask.
“I'm a freak!” she gasped, horrified. Vinyl picked up a pair of melee weapons she had been working on. Two Shuang Gou blades. She inspected her work, then walked over to Sweetie Belle.
“Go on,” she said. “Give 'em a whirl.” Sweetie Belle looked at the weapons she once wielded when she was still a member of the Black Stallion.
“I don't use those anymore,” she told Vinyl.
“Yeah, your a proper police now,” Vinyl remembered. She looked at Sweetie Belle with a hint of regret in her eyes. “The Black Stallion ain't the same without you, mate,” she said. “You should come back. We're in the money on this war!” Vinyl probably shouldn't have said that out loud, because Sweetie Belle got suspicious. She walked up close to Vinyl.
“You sold those monsters their firepower,” she figured out.
“Guilty as charged,” Vinyl admitted.
“This is your fault!” Sweetie Belle raged.
“What are you hot about, eh?” Vinyl responded. “You're here, ain't ya?”
“I should be dead!” Sweetie Belle stormed. “Now you're gonna be!” Sweetie Belle fought with Vinyl. What she found was that the respirator had allowed her to breath much faster without ill effect, giving her and edge up in the speed category over Vinyl. Sweetie Belle quickly took down Vinyl.
“Now how do I get out of here?” Sweetie Belle demanded.
“Not so keen about being dead now, are ya?” Vinyl asked. Sweetie Belle picked up the Shuang Gou blades.
“How do I get out of here?” she repeated. Vinyl chuckled.
“Good luck,” she said. “Nopony gets out of Tartarus without Nightmare Moon's say so.”
“Tartarus?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Nightmare Moon?” She held the tip of one of her blades to Vinyl's throat.
“Nightmare Moon's the big boss around here,” Vinyl informed. “And soon, Equestria's new master.”
“Where is she?” Sweetie Belle demanded. She brought the tip of the blade closer to Vinyl's throat.
“Don't bother,” Vinyl retorted. “You can't get near her.”
“No,” Sweetie Belle agreed. “But I'm guessing you can.” She picked up Vinyl and pulled one of Vinyl's knives from her boot. Sweetie Belle held it up to Vinyl's back and forced her to move along.
~~~
In Nightmare Moon's throne room, Pinkamena and a squad of Tartarus warriors came through a large green portal, carrying Sombra's dead body.
“What is this?” Nightmare Moon howled.
“Celestia has killed Sombra,” Pinkamena informed her Empress. Vinyl and Sweetie Belle entered the throne room from the side entrance.
“That's her, on the throne?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“You're a bright genius, you are,” Vinyl answered. Sweetie Belle poked her in the back with her knife. Trixie was speaking with Nightmare Moon.
“I will go to Equestria to finish Sombra's work,” she said. Nightmare Moon thought about this matter.
“Yes,” she finally answered. “Sunset Shimmer.” Sunset walked up to Nightmare Moon.
“Yes, Empress?” she asked.
“Trixie requires something of you,” Nightmare Moon said. She used her magic to absorb Sunset Shimmer's soul.
“See there?” Vinyl asked. “I'm thinking she's a bit much...” Sweetie Belle hit her in the head with the butt of the knife, knocking Vinyl out.
“I can take her,” she said. Nightmare Moon transferred Sunset Shimmer's soul into Trixie. Trixie groaned and writhed in agony as Sweetie Belle approached her. She eventually started to embrace the pain. Pinkamena stopped Sweetie Belle from coming closer. Shadow Dash teleported over to do the same.
“Nopony attacks the Empress!” Pinkamena cried. She and Shadow Dash double teamed on Sweetie Belle. But before either of them could land an attack, Sweetie Belle dashed around them in circles. Sweetie Belle dashed past Shadow Dash, making her spin. Sweetie Belle slid in front of Shadow Dash and rammed her hooves into Shadow Dash's knees, breaking them backwards. As Shadow Dash gripped her knees in pain, Sweetie Belle stabbed the end of her Shuang Gou blades into Shadow Dash's back, breaking the upper bones. Pinkamena and Shadow Dash couldn't keep up with Sweetie Belle, and were defeated quickly.
“And I thought I was a freak,” Sweetie Belle said, disgusted at Pinkamena's appearance. Tartarus warriors surrounded Sweetie Belle.
“Octavia! Seal the portal!” Nightmare Moon ordered. Octavia began to close the portal back to Equestria.
“Time to go,” Sweetie Belle told herself. She ran over to the portal, much faster than she thought. She looked down at her hooves in disbelief, then jumped through the portal. She landed on the sidewalk next to a building back in the ruins of Manehattan. The portal closed behind her. Sweetie Belle rolled onto her back. Exhausted from her recent victories, she lay there for a time before getting up. She finally sat up and looked around.
“This speed's incredible!” she thought out loud. “Must be a side effect of the healing magic.” Behind her, a pony with a HUD scanned her for authorization. Finding no match, the pony approached Sweetie Belle.
“You are not authorized for portal use,” the pony said.
“Yeah?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Says who?” She turned around. Behind her was another Pegasi cyborg. A blue one.
“Rainbow Dash,” the cyborg said. “P-420.”
“Heh,” Sweetie Belle chuckled. “You say that like it means something.”
“As you will discover,” the cybernetic Rainbow Dash responded. Following her programming, she attacked Sweetie Belle for unauthorized portal use. But Sweetie Belle quickly overpowered Cyber Rainbow Dash and defeated her.
“Not as cool as you thought,” Sweetie Belle taunted. Chrysalis walked up.
“Why do you turn on your sister, Pegasi?” she asked.
“That is not my sister,” Sweetie Belle said. “She is machine. I am Equestrian.”
“You do not appear Equestrian,” Chrysalis responded.
“Don't let the mask fool you,” Sweetie Belle warned. Chrysalis attacked Sweetie Belle, but that proved to be a mistake. Sweetie Belle dashed around Chrysalis, making fast connections and putting her down. Flawless Victory.
“It's starting to feel like the old days,” Sweetie Belle thought out loud. “Only faster.” Derpy and Celestia walked up behind Sweetie Belle.
“Rainbow Dash!” Derpy cried. She ran over to Cyber Rainbow Dash's motionless body. Celestia spoke to Sweetie Belle.
“You have great power indeed, Sweetie Belle,” she said. Sweetie Belle recognized Celestia.
“Wait,” she said. “You're the lightning mare. You helped Applebloom.” Sweetie Belle suddenly remembered Applebloom. “Applebloom!” she cried. “Is she...”
“She is safe,” Celestia assured. “She has joined us in the fight against Nightmare Moon. We would welcome your aid also.” Derpy was trying to get Rainbow Dash to wake up.
“Rainbow Dash,” she called.
“That which made her Rainbow Dash no longer exists,” Celestia informed.
“She is my friend,” Derpy pleaded. “What they did to her, it is… hideous.” Sweetie Belle felt a connection between Rainbow Dash and herself. Two Equestrians, disfigured beyond their control.
“Your right,” Sweetie Belle said. “We have to help her if we can.” She walked over to Cyber Rainbow Dash to help Derpy lift her up. With Nightmare Moon's forces held back for now, the time had come to aid and old friend.
Chapter 14: Cyber Rainbow Dash
“Well, here goes nothing,” Big Mac said. Cyber Rainbow Dash's HUD started up again.
“Do you think this will work?” Shining Armor asked.
“I don't know,” Big Mac responded. “I've never done this before.” Rainbow Dash's HUD tried to link with the Tartarus core, but failed. The automatic override kicked in, and her slaving protocols were disabled. Her higher brain fuctions were restored as Derpy hunched over her.
“Rainbow Dash?” she asked. The HUD scanned Derpy as she turned to Big Mac. “Can she hear me?” Derpy asked Big Mac.
“She should,” Big Mac suggested. Derpy looked back at Rainbow Dash,
“Rainbow Dash,” she called.
“Yes, Derpy?” Cyber Rainbow Dash asked.
“How do you feel?” Derpy asked. Cyber Rainbow Dash sat up and groaned. “What is it?” Derpy asked. Cyber Rainbow Dash seemed to be in mental pain.
“I remember nothing,” she said. “All I remember is Nightmare Moon.” Derpy put a hoof on Cyber Dash's shoulder. “She must not be allowed to merge the realms.” Cyber Rainbow Dash remembered. She was sitting on a table in a temple.
“Princess Celestia, how can Rainbow Dash best help us?” Scootaloo asked.
“I do not know,” Celestia answered. “My attempts to alter future events have had negative consequences. Rainbow Dash should never have undergone this transformation. Enlisting her may only further divert the flow of time.”
“We need intel, right?” Applebloom asked. “Let's send her back to Tartarus undercover.”
“They will be unaware of my defection,” Cyber Rainbow Dash agreed. “I could deceive them.” Celestia thought about this course of action, then agreed.
~~~
In Tartarus, Fleetfoot, Applejack, and Shadow Dash were preparing another assault on Equestria. Cyber Rainbow Dash emerged from the portal and walked up to Fleetfoot.
“You report late,” Fleetfoot grumbled. “Where is the intruder?”
“I killed her in Equestria,” Cyber Rainbow Dash lied.
“She should have been saved for interrogation,” Fleetfoot reminded.
“She was formidable,” Cyber Rainbow Dash fibbed. “I had no choice.” Fleetfoot looked at Cyber Rainbow Dash coldly.
“Follow me,” she said. “We must lead a new mission.” Fleetfoot walked back to the portal and went through it. Cyber Rainbow Dash followed.
Back in the subway tunnels, a portal from Tartarus opened. Fleetfoot and Cyber Rainbow Dash walked through it.
“What mission brings us here?” Cyber Rainbow Dash asked.
“I have scanned your neural net fiber wove,” Fleetfoot answered. “Your memory banks have been recalibrated.”
“Impossible,” Cyber Rainbow Dash lied.
“The experience has been deleted from your system,” Fleetfoot confronted. “Remove your access panel.” As Fleetfoot went to open Cyber Rainbow Dash's chest, Cyber Dash grabbed Fleetfoot's hoof and sent her flying back. Fleetfoot fell to the ground with a metal scraping.
“Your programming has been corrupted,” Fleetfoot realized.
“My soul was corrupted,” Cyber Rainbow Dash corrected. “Now it is cleansed.” The two cyborgs engaged in combat. With both of them possessing tough exteriors, the fight lasted for some time. But Cyber Rainbow Dash eventually got the upper hoof and got behind Fleetfoot. She created a large ice ball and bashed it against Fleetfoot's skull, fracturing it. She then formed a large ice blade and stabbed into Fleetfoot's back, spitting her vertebrae. Fleetfoot fell over, defeated.
“Artificial enhancements are no substitute for the Equestrian soul,” Cyber Rainbow Dash informed. She walked up to Fleetfoot and began a data transfer. She transferred the most recent mission parameters from Fleetfoot's memory banks into hers. There was a map leading to a graveyard, up in a belltower. What to go there for, Cyber Rainbow Dash did not know. But she did know that she had to be there.
“Thank you, Fleetfoot,” Cyber Rainbow Dash said. She got up and left for the graveyard.
~~~
At the top of the local cemetery belltower, up in the clockworks, Vinyl was having some fun torturing a group of Equestrian military soldiers. Narzissa and Scarlet were there as well, spectating the light torture. Vinyl shot a laser from her mechanical eye, giving one of the soldiers a slight burn. She and the two Changeling warriors laughed with delight. Vinyl shot another soldier and laughed again. Cyber Rainbow Dash entered the clocktower. She approached the group. Vinyl noticed.
“Finally!” she cried. “C'mon. We gotta get them to the graveyard at Fillydelphia.” Vinyl turned to the captive soldiers. “On your feet, all of ya!”
“For what purpose?” Cyber Rainbow Dash asked.
“Don't care, really,” Vinyl said. “So long as I get paid.” Narzissa and Scarlet were trying to get the soldiers to stand up.
“She said on your feet!” Narzissa cried.
“Come on!” Scarlet growled. “Up.” Narzissa and Scarlet lunged at the soldiers, but Cyber Rainbow Dash froze them solid.
“Hey!” Vinyl cried. “What are…” Cyber Rainbow Dash froze her as well. Cyber Rainbow Dash then turned to the soldiers.
“I will help you,” she told them. She grabbed the end of the chain that was used to bind them. She froze the long string of chain and the cuffs on the soldiers’ hooves. She then hit her end hard with an iron hoof, and the whole string of chain shattered, freeing the soldiers. Narzissa and Scarlet began to break free from the ice.
“Go!” Cyber Rainbow Dash ordered. “All of you! Now!”
“Let's go! Come on!” one of the soldiers cried out. All of the soldiers ran past Narzissa and Scarlet and began to climb down the belltower. Just as the last soldier made it to the stairwell, Narzissa and Scarlet broke free. Narzissa growled and approached Cyber Rainbow Dash.
“Your treachery will be punished!” she growled. Scarlet joined the fight. With the combined might of two Changeling warriors, the odds seemed impossible. But Cyber Rainbow Dash had the technology of the Pegasi, and she defeated her adversaries.
“All those teeth and claws and yet still overmatched,” Cyber Rainbow Dash taunted. As she stood victorious, the belltower began to shake. The bells at the top rang out as the quake shook Cyber Rainbow Dash. She looked toward the stairwell. Each and every one of the soldiers were tossed from the stairwell by Spitfire.
“Behind me!” Cyber Rainbow Dash ordered. The soldiers got up and filed behind Cyber Rainbow Dash. Spitfire floated up the stairwell and approached Cyber Rainbow Dash.
“Come no further, fiend of Tartarus!” Cyber Rainbow Dash commanded. She began battle with her opponent. Spitfire was furious that another pony had allied themselves with Equestria. That didn't matter to Cyber Rainbow Dash. She defeated Spitfire and knocked her to the ground.
“You are not so fearsome,” Cyber Rainbow Dash said. The soldiers surrounded Cyber Rainbow Dash and congratulated her.
“Thanks,” one of them said. “I thought we were done.”
“I must go,” Cyber Rainbow Dash said. “I must investigate the graveyard.”
“We'd go with, but we have to return to our unit,” another soldier said.
“That is for the best,” Cyber Rainbow Dash responded. She left the soldiers.
“Good luck,” the first soldier called after her.
“She ain't gonna need luck,” the second soldier said, admiring the technological marvel before her.
~~~
At the graveyard in Fillydelphia, Octavia and Shadow Dash were performing a ritual of some sort. Octavia spoke strange words as Shadow Dash used dark magic to make the spell go faster. A group of innocent Equestrian ponies had been captured. Cyber Rainbow Dash watched from afar.
“This is Rainbow Dash,” she said to her communication mic. In the temple, Cadence was listening. “I've encountered Octavia.” Cyber Rainbow Dash continued. “She seems to be casting a spell.” Celestia suddenly had a vision. It showed a monstrous tornado containing all of Equestria's souls.
“Celestia, what is it?” Scootaloo asked. “What did you see?”
“One of Nightmare Moon's soulnados,” Celestia answered. “On a scale I thought unimaginable. All of Equestria's souls imprisoned, absorbed by Nightmare Moon, multiplying her power.”
“That is what Rainbow Dash has found?” Scootaloo questioned. Celestia looked at her amulet. It broke a little further.
“No matter my efforts, the future remains in peril,” she worried. “How could I have failed Equestria?”
“Do not lose faith in the spirits, Celestia,” Scootaloo comforted. “They will guide you, and protect you.” Scootaloo turned to Cadence to speak to Cyber Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow Dash,” she called. “We will disrupt the soulnado. I will be there momentarily.”
“Hurry,” Rainbow Dash said. “The spell appears to be nearly complete.” Rainbow Dash stood up and approached Octavia and Shadow Dash.
“Who is that?” Octavia questioned.
“The one Vinyl warned us about,” Shadow Dash answered. “She is mine.” She stopped working on the spell and confronted Cyber Rainbow Dash. “You,” she snarled. “You are not worthy of the name 'Rainbow Dash'.”
“Who are you to judge?” Cyber Rainbow Dash asked.
“I wore those colors before you,” Shadow Dash said. Cyber Rainbow Dash suddenly realized the truth.
“Dashie?!” she cried.
“Yes, Lightning,” Shadow Dash said. “It is I. Octavia restored me.”
“Restored?” Cyber Rainbow Dash argued. “You and I both, we are flawed copies of our former selves.”
“I have no flaws,” Shadow Dash denied. “Octavia has perfected me.”
“For what end?!” Cyber Rainbow Dash yelled. “To serve the Everfree Forest and Tartarus?”
“It suits my purpose,” Shadow Dash admitted.
“Sister...” Cyber Rainbow Dash began.
“We have shared blood,” Shadow Dash denied again. “But we are not sisters.”
“Then I will not regret your defeat,” Cyber Rainbow Dash said. Sister battled sister in a brutal match. Both fighters fought viciously in an attempt to convince the other. Shadow Dash's dark magic countered Cyber Rainbow Dash's ice and vise versa. Cyber Rainbow Dash kicked Shadow Dash to disorient her, then formed a large ice ball. She smashed it against the back of Shadow Dash's head, cracking the skull. Cyber Rainbow Dash then formed a large ice sword and stabbed her former sister in the back, shattering her vertebrae. The fight was over.
“You are right,” Cyber Rainbow Dash agreed. “We are not sisters.” Octavia had finished the spell while the fight occurred. A thin green tornado formed and shot up towards the sky. It grew as more of Equestria's souls were sucked into it. Cyber Rainbow Dash tried to hold her ground as much as she could, but the soulnado was growing larger and more powerful every second. Equestria seemed to be out of options, and hope was running out.
As the soulnado grew in size and power, Octavia snickered. Equestria was nearly in Nightmare Moon's grasp. Cyber Rainbow Dash held her ground to avoid getting sucked into the soulnado. Scootaloo suddenly ran up beside her.
“Go!” Scootaloo cried. “Your soul is not safe!” Cyber Rainbow Dash nodded and ran back to the temple.
“Equestria's fate is sealed, Scootaloo,” Octavia said.
“Not yet,” Scootaloo denied. “We fight until the end.” Scootaloo and Octavia fought. Possessing the power of her deceased ancestors, Scootaloo used weapons made from pure energy. She used axes, arrows, and lightning to counter Octavia's dark magic. Scootaloo eventually won the fight.
“Your time is over,” Scootaloo growled. Shadow Dash had recovered. She noticed Scootaloo and began to fight. Scootaloo and Shadow Dash traded weak blows mere feet from the soulnado. After a few rounds of this, Scootaloo had enough. She kicked Shadow Dash into the air into suction range of the soulnado. As Shadow Dash spiraled upward, the green soulnado began to turn purple. Octavia scowled and escaped from the imminent blast back to Tartarus. Scootaloo put up an energy shield to protect herself. The soulnado, now completely disrupted, exploded. The souls of Equestria flew in all directions, shattering gravestones and one lone tree. Scootaloo flew back from the shockwave. As the shock subsided, Scootaloo pulled herself up and said a prayer to the spirits.
~~~
Back in the temple, the rest of Equestria's defenders anxiously waited for Scootaloo's return. Celestia was in distress, for the cracks in her amulet had still not healed. The defenders were speaking of the future.
“But how do we know?” Cadence asked. “Celestia could be having visions of possible futures, not the future.”
“Cadence's right,” Big Mac agreed. “Was I supposed to have my legs replaced with these?” He showed the defenders his mechanical legs. “Or was it caused from interfering with the timeline?”
“My head hurts just thinking about it,” Shining Armor said.
“This isn't helpful,” Pinkie Pie said. “We cannot second-guess our decisions. Celestia, what are your thoughts?” Celestia didn't answer. She seemed to be in a trance, staring off into the distance, looking forlorn. “Celestia?” Pinkie asked. Celestia suddenly came to.
“Yes,” she managed. “That is best.” She obviously did not hear Pinkie Pie's question.
“What is our next objective?” Cyber Rainbow Dash asked.
“Scootaloo!” Twilight Sparkle cried. The defenders turned to see Scootaloo approach them.
“It is done,” Scootaloo said. “Equestria's souls are safe.” As the defenders breathed a sigh of relief, Celestia took off her amulet. To her horror, the cracks only worsened.
“No!” she cried. “Oh, is it not enough?!” Celestia pounded a hoof on the alter, startling Twilight Sparkle. The defenders looked at Celestia, concerned.
“I must speak with the Elder Gods,” Celestia decided. “Nightmare Moon's violation must be punished!”
“The battle is joined here, in Equestria,” Twilight Sparkle argued.
“We cannot win without the Elder Gods,” Celestia stayed.
“But Princess,” Twilight pleaded.
“Twilight,” Shining Armor said. “Close as a shadow.”
“Scootaloo,” Celestia called. “You will lead until we return.”
“As you wish, Princess,” Scootaloo accepted. Celestia teleported to the Temple of the Elder Gods with Twilight Sparkle. The defenders were left alone.
“Well, now what?” Applebloom asked. “Standing around here won't do us any good.” Cyber Rainbow Dash suddenly had an uneasy feeling.
“Wait,” she ordered. She let her senses take over. “The Pegasi!” she exclaimed. “They surround us.” Many Pegasi cyborgs, along with Fleetfoot and Applejack, appeared around the defenders. They all got ready to fight.
“So much for standing around,” Applebloom said.
“Attack!” Scootaloo cried. The defenders took on the Pegasi. Scootaloo took Applejack. Applejack immediately struck Scootaloo in the chest knocking her back.
“My speed and skill are beyond you,” Applejack calculated. Scootaloo and Applejack fought brutally. Scootaloo anticipated each of Applejack's attacks and won the fight. Flawless Victory.
“Pure speed and skill will not win this war, Applejack,” Scootaloo muttered. She noticed Derpy Hooves battling Fleetfoot. Derpy threw weak punches, for she was drained. Fleetfoot caught one of Derpy's punches.
“You are weak, Derpy,” Fleetfoot growled. She knocked Derpy onto her back. “Now do you understand?” Fleetfoot asked. “The power of the Grand Mare's vision?” She prepared to finish Derpy. Scootaloo threw an energy axe into Fleetfoot's iron chest, which of course only gained Fleetfoot's attention.
“You are no match for the power of the spirits,” Scootaloo said. Fleetfoot was more vicious than Applejack, therefore being a more powerful and unpredictable opponent. Scootaloo however did not rely on predictability, and won the battle through strategy and skill.
“Perhaps even you can be saved,” Scootaloo said. As the defenders finished their battles with the Pegasi, they were all drained. Cyber Rainbow Dash began hacking into the Pegasi's logs to find out why they had come. Scootaloo looked around for other surprises. Pinkie Pie felt a familiar pressense.
“What is it?” Scootaloo asked. Pinkie Pie looked behind Scootaloo and saw a familiar face, yet very different.
“Mother,” Pinkie Pie gasped. Trixie screamed loudly and prolonged, disorienting the defenders. Scootaloo however, stood firm, unfazed.
“Come forward, if you dare!” Trixie cried. “I will finish what the Pegasi could not!” The defenders stood ready.
“Let's do this,” Big Mac said.
“Attack!” Scootaloo cried out. She attacked Trixie first, and was immediately knocked to the floor. Shining Armor had the same result. Even Sweetie Belle's speed was no match for Trixie. Trixie knocked Sweetie Belle to the floor and stomped on her chest, killing her. Trixie chuckled. Applebloom made an attempt to avenge her partner, but was brought to her knees. Trixie quickly cut off Applebloom's breathing, instantly killing her. Cyber Rainbow Dash attacked, but Trixie overloaded her systems Cyber Rainbow Dash fell to the ground, dead. Big Mac ran up and Trixie immediately ran the spike of her heel into Big Mac's throat, cutting off his breathing. Derpy was brought to her knees and her neck was snapped. Cadence was simply kicked to the ground. When Rarity attacked, Trixie grabbed her throat. Pinkie Pie tried to interfere and save her friend, but she was kicked back. Trixie drove her hoof into Rarity's gut and ripped out her liver. Pinkie Pie attacked again, but was beaten to hell and knocked to the floor. Trixie picked her up and delivered more hard hits to Pinkie Pie. Trixie finished with a high kick to Pinkie's face, knocking her to the floor once again. Pinkie Pie groaned on the floor of the temple. She tried to pick herself up as Trixie approached.
“Mother, please,” Pinkie begged.
“I am no longer your mother,” Trixie denied.
“Mother, this is not your way,” Pinkie Pie pleaded. “Nightmare Moon has corrupted you.”
“Nightmare Moon has resurrected me,” Trixie exclaimed. “You have betrayed her. Embraced a pathetic cause.”
“Remember Canterlot, Mother,” Pinkie Pie tried. “Remember your rule before Nightmare Moon's invasion.”
“Quiet, child,” Trixie hushed. “It is time for you to join your friends.” Trixie built up power as she prepared to steal Pinkie Pie's soul, the same way Nightmare Moon had done with Sunset Shimmer. Scootaloo approached Trixie from behind.
“Monster!” Scootaloo cried. Trixie stopped her procedure and turned to Scootaloo.
“Still alive?” she questioned. Pinkie fell to the ground. “No matter,” Trixie said. “Soon, you will reunite with your ancestors.” Trixie and Scootaloo began a brutal fight. Scootaloo, enraged at Trixie, fought like she had never fought before. Trixie put up quite a fight, as she had just murdered almost all of Equestria's defenders. Scootaloo, however, would not give up. She got behind Trixie and drove two axes into Trixie's shoulders, shattering the shoulder blades. Scootaloo then kicked Trixie in the back so hard, her backbone was fractured. The battle was won by Scootaloo.
“Now, Trixie, face the spirit's judgment!” Scootaloo cried. Trixie stood right back up as if nothing had happened. She laughed as Scootaloo began to say a ritual prayer to the spirits. Scootaloo began to glow with a blue light, and her eyes lit up white. She shot spiritual lightning from her hooves at Trixie. Nearby, Cadence was still alive. She looked to the sky and called for Celestia.
“Celestia!” she weakly called. “Celestia, where are you?”
~~~
Celestia was, in fact, in another realm, in the Temple of the Elder Gods with Twilight Sparkle.
“Elder Gods, I beseech you,” Celestia said to the Elder Gods. “Equestria is in danger.”
“We are aware of your plight, Celestia,” the Elder Gods said in unison.
“Then you must intervene on Equestria's behalf,” Celestia begged.
“We cannot,” said the Elder Gods.
“But Nightmare Moon,” Celestia pleaded. “Twilight Sparkle has bested her twice, yet she...”
“Nightmare Moon has not violated the rules of Pony Kombat,” the Elder Gods explained.
“What?!” Celestia gasped. “She invades Equestria as we speak!”
“Invasion is not itself a transgression,” the Elder Gods continued. “It is the merger of realms that is perscribed.”
“A distinction without a difference!” Celestia yelled. “Innocents are dying at the hooves of Tartarus!”
“It is regretable,” the Elder Gods admitted. “But the Pony Kombat tournaments are not intended to prevent certain outcomes. They are only intended to maintain balance among the realms.
“Please,” Celestia begged. “You must.”
“We have spoken,” the Elder Gods said. They faded from their places, leaving Celestia and Twilight Sparkle alone in the temple. Celestia had pleaded for help, yet none would come.
“The last doors are closing,” she said, forlorn. “We are nearly trapped.” Twilight Sparkle and Celestia stood in the temple for a time, wondering what to do.
~~~
Trixie threw Scootaloo against the alter. The side shattered as Scootaloo broke through it. Trixie and Scootaloo had continued to fight as Celestia pleaded. Trixie grabbed Scootaloo around the waist with her mane and hoisted Scootaloo up above the temple floor. Scootaloo struggled to escape.
“Victory is mine, Pegasus,” Trixie declared. She began to steal Scootaloo's soul.
“Not… if I… take it… from you!” Scootaloo managed to yell. She said a special prayer to her ancestors as her soul was drained from her body. Trixie laughed as Scootaloo did this. Celestia and Twilight Sparkle teleported into the temple. They saw the mess of bodies on the floor and Scootaloo hoisted up by Trixie.
“By the Elder Gods!” Twilight exclaimed. She and Celestia ran over to assist Scootaloo, but it was too late. Scootaloo finished her prayer. She cried out in pain as a blue column of light absorbed her and Trixie. The ancestors had heard Scootaloo's plea. Trixie was destroyed by the spirit's wrath, as was Scootaloo. When the light cleared, Trixie and Scootaloo were gone. Twilight Sparkle and Celestia looked in awe. Twilight suddenly heard a groan from a corner of the temple.
“Pinkie Pie!” Twilight cried. Celestia ran over with Twilight to Pinkie Pie, who was severely wounded.
“Twilight,” Pinkie managed to say. “You were right. I wish we had met… under… different… circumstances.” With that, Pinkie Pie breathed her last breath and died in front of Twilight Sparkle.
“Pinkie Pie!” Twilight begged. As Pinkie Pie's body became motionless, Twilight Sparkle fell to her knees.
“They are dead,” Twilight mourned.
“Twilight, I...” Celestia began.
“We abandoned them,” Twilght said, ignoring Celesita. “And they're dead.”
“My heart too, is heavy with their sacrifice,” Celestia said.
“They're deaths achieve nothing!” Twilight fumed. Celestia looked, forlorn, at Pinkie Pie's lifeless body. She looked at her amulet, only to see more cracks form.
“What is next, Celestia?!” Twilight raged. “Tell me the future! How do we honor their 'sacrifice'?!” Celestia thought for a moment.
“I climbed to heaven,” she said as she put her amulet back. “Now I must plunge into the depths. I will go to Octavia, ally our realm with hers against the forces of Tartarus.”
“What?!” Twilight asked, shocked. “Grable before Octavia?! What will she demand? What price will be paid?!”
“Would any price be too high to save Equestia?” Celestia questioned. Twilight Sparkle shook her head.
“I had prayed it not true,” she said, hatred growing inside her. “But you have gone mad, Celestia.” Celestia felt that she was losing her student. “Your visions,” Twilight said. “They are nothing. The delusions of an adult mind.”
“Twilight, please,” Celestia pleaded. She was interrupted by groans of pain. Twilight Sparkle looked to see Cadence and Shining Armor attempt to pick themselves up. They had survived Trixie's attack.
“Enough,” Twilight said. “I must help the wounded. Leave on your hopeless quest.” Twilight Sparkle stood up and stormed over to help Cadence and Shining Armor.
“May the Elder Gods protect you,” Celestia prayed. She teleported to the Everfree Forest in search of Octavia, hopeful she would help Equestria. Celestia was determined to save Equestria, no matter the price.
In the depths of the Everfree Forest, Celestia appeared to seek out Octavia.
“Octavia!” she called. “Octavia!” Fluttershy appeared in front of Celestia. Celestia sighed. “It disappoints me to see you here,” she said.
“Save your pity,” Fluttershy snarled.
“I will have an audience with Octavia,” Celestia demanded.
“You may address me,” Fluttershy denied. “I will inform her.”
“Is this why you chose not to save your family and clan?” Celestia questioned. “To maintain your place at her feet?!”
“Do not talk of my family, Celestia!” Fluttershy fumed.
“Fetch your master, Fluttershy!” Celestia ordered. “I will speak with her!”
“You speak only with me!” Fluttershy denied. She and Celestia fought. Celestia would risk everything to save Equestia, but she would not let some pawn of Octavia's stop her. Being the Princess of Thunder, Celestia had no trouble defeating Fluttershy.
“Now, Fluttershy!” Celestia commanded. “Fetch your master!” Fluttershy teleported away and Octavia teleported in.
“You seek an audience?” Octavia asked.
“I seek cooperation,” Celestia corrected. “Between Equestria and the Everfree Forest.”
“Losing the battle, are you?” Octavia asked, knowing she was correct.
“We will prevail,” Celestia assured. “But with the Everfree Forest fighting at our side...”
“Do I look like a fool, Celestia?” Octavia questioned. “Equestria's defenses are overwhelmed. You have mere hours.”
“Name your terms,” Celestia said.
“What do you offer?” Octavia asked, interested in what Celestia would give her.
“I offer...” Celestia thought. “I offer the souls of Equestrian warriors who die in this conflict.” At this, Octavia laughed hysterically. She could not believe what Celestia was offering. Celestia remained firm. “They would agree,” she said.
“You are cavalier with other mare's souls,” Octavia said. She walked away, unsatisfied.
“Not just others!” Celestia yelled. “I offer my own soul as well. If I die, you will have it.” Octavia stopped.
“How noble Celestia,” she said. She turned and faced Celestia. “But utterly pointless.” Octavia summoned her new pawns. Every single one of Equestria's defenders, their souls under Octavia's control, including Trixie's. They were cracked and their eyes glowed red, almost zombie-like.
“No!” Celestia cried.
“You see,” Octavia said. “Their souls are already mine. Nightmare Moon's payment for the Everfree Forest's allegiance.”
“No,” Celestia cried. “This was not meant to be!”
“Equestria has lost, Celestia,” Octavia said. “Now so shall you.” She turned to her pawns. “Finish her.” Big Mac, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle stepped forward.
“As you command, my master,” Big Mac said. He prepared to fight. But being only a physical soul made him weaker than a normal Kombatant. Celestia fought Big Mac and easily bested him. Applebloom immediately stepped up and began to fight. Celestia defeated her as well. Sweetie Belle followed, her mask shredded and her oxygen tank battered. Celestia regretted every blow she landed on her foe, as Sweetie Belle was a willing defender. Celestia defeated Sweetie Belle with ease.
“May the Elder Gods watch over you,” Celestia prayed.
“The Elder Gods cannot help them,” Octavia said. “Their souls are mine.” She called forth Pinkie Pie, Scootaloo, and Babs Seed.
“You have sealed our fate in this place, Thunder Princess,” Pinkie Pie said. “You have condemned us all!” Pinkie Pie was first up to battle Celestia. Celestia was done fighting her own, but she had no choice. She battled and defeated Pinkie Pie, then Scootaloo, and finally Babs Seed.
“Curse you, Octavia!” Celestia fumed.
“Nightmare Moon's victory is nearly complete,” Octavia informed. “Soon she will arrive in Equestria.”
“No!” Celestia yelled. “The Elder Gods cannot allow it!”
“The Elder Gods are wingless,” Octavia said. “Your world is near destruction, yet they do not act.”
“They must!” Celestia stormed. “Only through Pony Kombat may Nightmare Moon merge the realms, lest she face the judgment of the Elder Gods.” Finally, after this entire time, Celestia figured out the riddle. “Lest she face the judgment of the Elder Gods!” she exclaimed. “'She must win!'”
“It is you who will face judgment, Celestia,” Octavia growled.
“Thank you, Octavia,” Celestia thanked. “I now know what must be done.” Celestia teleported out of the Everfree Forest. Octavia scowled.
~~~
Celestia appeared on top of a skyscraper in Manehattan, where a massive portal to Tartarus has opened. Nightmare Moon's throne had already been set up on the rooftop, and Equestria was in ruin. Twilight Sparkle entered the scene and noticed Celestia.
“Back from the Everfree Forest empty-hooved, I see,” she scowled.
“Twilight!” Celestia cried. “Twilight, I now know what we must do. We must allow Nightmare Moon to merge the realms!”
“That is insane!” Twilight cried.
“The Elder Gods forbid it without victory in Pony Kombat!” Celestia explained. “What she does, the Elder Gods' fury will fall upon her!” Twilight Sparkle shook her head, denying Celestia's words. “Defeating Nightmare Moon before the merge is but temporary!” Celestia continued. “She will return, bringing Armageddon! I have foreseen it!”
“Enough, Celestia!” Twilight Sparkle yelled. She heard the portal before her pulse. Celestia turned to see Nightmare Moon begin to enter the realm of Equestria. Nightmare Moon savored the moment, knowing her victory was imminent.
“She is here,” Twilight Sparkle gasped. She approached the portal, but Celestia held her back.
“No, do as I say,” Celestia ordered. “Have faith in the Elder Gods. Have faith in me.” Twilight Sparkle shook her head and continued toward Nightmare Moon. “Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia commanded. “I cannot let you fight Nightmare Moon!”
“Then you are my enemy!” Twilight Sparkle raged. She fought Celestia out of bitter anger, swearing to herself that her former master had gone mad. Celestia fought back to try and stall Twilight Sparkle from fighting Nightmare Moon. In an attempt to stop Twilight, Celestia fought hard and knocked her former student to the ground.
“Twilight Sparkle, do not interfere,” Celestia asked. As Twilight struggled to get up, Nightmare Moon was inching closer and closer to victory. Cadence and Shining Armor ran onto the rooftop and saw Celestia. Twilight Sparkle continued to run toward Nightmare Moon to end this madness.
“Twilight Sparkle, stop!” Celestia cried. She shot lightning in Twilight's path blocking her from Nightmare Moon. Twilight became furious and charged up a fiery hoof.
“Twilight! Celestia! No!” Shining Armor cried. He and Cadence ran over to try and stop the fight.
“Enough of your madness!” Twilight Sparkle stormed. “If you must die, so be it!” Twilight Sparkle charged at Celestia in an attempt to murder her. Out of instinct, Celestia built up an electricity shield, which proved to be a bad choice. Twilight Sparkle's fire joined with Celestia's lightning, electrocuting and burning herself all at once. She cried out in pain.
“By my sister!” Celestia cried. “No!” Celestia ran over to Twilight Sparkle, who fell onto the floor of the roof. Celestia knelt down. “No,” she moaned. “This was not meant to happen.”
“What did you do?” Shining Armor asked. Celestia held Twilight Sparkle's head in shame.
“Twilight, forgive me,” Celestia begged. Twilight managed to gasp a few more breaths of life.
“You… have killed us… all,” Twilight groaned. Twilight Sparkle died in Celestia's hooves, unwilling to trust her. Celestia closed her eyes and mourned over her pupil's death at her hooves. As she did so, Nightmare Moon stepped into Equestria.
“Come on,” Cadence said to Shining Armor. “It's up to us.” They charged at Nightmare Moon to fight, but that proved pointless. Nightmare Moon laughed and knocked them both back. Celestia looked up and saw that Nightmare Moon had successfully merged Equestria with Tartarus. She stood up and bowed before Nightmare Moon.
“Ah, Celestia,” Nightmare Moon said. “You have come to your senses.”
“Equestrian citizens suffer,” Celestia informed. “Further resistance serves no purpose.” Nightmare Moon shook her head, denying the fact that Celestia was giving up.
“All these ages you have fought me,” Nightmare Moon said. “You denied me my rightful claim. Not this time.” Nightmare Moon knocked Celestia onto her back. As she did so, Celestia had the same vision as her first one. Her being defeated by Nightmare Moon. The vision jumped on and off constantly.
“The Elder Gods fear me now,” Nightmare Moon said. She chuckled and picked up Celestia. “Their pathetic Pony Kombat shackles me no longer,” Nightmare Moon went on. She battered Celestia with hits, just as Celestia had foreseen. Nightmare Moon threw Celestia across the rooftop. The amulet on Celestia's chest, the thing that was her guide, fell off and hit the rooftop floor. It shattered on impact and was completely broken. Celestia landed near the rooftop edge, nearly falling off.
“They masquerade as alicorns,” Nightmare Moon spoke. “But are mere toothless fillies.” Celestia rolled over, and Nightmare Moon stomped on her chest. “I know you can feel it,” Nightmare Moon said. “It is the end of all things.”
“Elder Gods, where are you?” Celestia pleaded. “Why do you forsake me?” Nightmare Moon picked up Celestia.
“Your time has passed,” Nightmare Moon growled. She threw Celestia again. Celestia tried to pick herself up as Nightmare Moon continued monologing. “Ages wasted in foolish resistance,” Nightmare Moon snarled. “I have won.”
“Yes,” Celestia admitted. “You have won.”
“Now Celestia,” Nightmare Moon finished. “Your world ends.” She raised her hammer to finish Celestia. She brought it down. Suddenly, the darkened sky shook with thunder. Nightmare Moon stopped to see what was happening. Orange lighting fell from the heavens, and an orange ball of fire appeared in the sky. Celestia looked in awe. The Elder Gods had noticed Nightmare Moon's unauthorized merging of realms, and had come to intervene. From the fireball came six golden alicorns. They flew down and around Celestia, lifting her into the air. Nightmare Moon watched in anger as the Elder Gods revitalized and spoke through Celestia.
“You violate our will, Nightmare Moon,” they said. “You merge realms without victory in Pony Kombat. Our penalty is clear.” The Elder Gods built up god-like magic within Celestia and shot it at Nightmare Moon. But Nightmare Moon only chuckled and felt the pain-inducing magic as refreshing. The Elder Gods saw this and stopped. The only way to stop Nightmare Moon was to weaken her through battle.
“An anemic effort from ineffectual deities!” Nightmare Moon cried. “Today, I become the Elder Mare!” The final battle for Equestria began. Celestia with the power of the Elder Gods vs Nightmare Moon. The bout began with Nightmare Moon lunging at Celestia. Celestia teleported behind Nightmare Moon and delivered the first hit. The two warriors battled on the rooftop, the realms merging. Celestia teleported around and delivered blow after blow to Nightmare Moon. But as Nightmare Moon had proved, she could take all the abuse and give just as much. Nightmare Moon flew at Celestia and sent her to the ground. Nightmare Moon picked up Celestia's hoof and stomped on her head, cracking her skull. Nightmare Moon picked Celestia up off the floor and headbutted her in the skull, breaking it to the point of near nothing. Celestia flew to the ground and lay there. Celestia was not about to go down yet either. She stood back up and attacked Nightmare Moon.
Celestia brutally beat down on Nightmare Moon and launched a ball of lighting at her, disorienting her senses. Celestia teleported behind Nightmare Moon and kicked her in the back, breaking her spine. Celestia teleported back in front of Nightmare Moon and gave a powerful strike to her skull, cracking it. She knocked Nightmare Moon back onto the ground with a powerful lightning ball. As Nightmare Moon got up, she was immediately met with an uppercut to the jaw which sent her back to the ground. As Nightmare Moon struggled to get back up, Celestia stood over her. Overcome with rage, Nightmare Moon stood up and attacked Celestia. Celestia acted quickly and sent the power of the Elder Gods flying at Nightmare Moon. The Elder Gods bit at Nightmare Moon as she cried out in pain. Celestia fell to her knees as the last bit of magic flew at Nightmare Moon. The cries of pain grew louder and louder as the Elder Gods gave Nightmare Moon her punishment. Nightmare Moon lit up with an orange light and shot up towards the heavens. She exploded as the Elder Gods finished her off. As the explosion dissipated, the dark clouds parted and made way for the sun. Celestia looked up, closed her eyes, and let the warm rays of the sun beam down on her. The worst was over. Nightmare Moon had been defeated. Permanently. As the last bit of dark cloud faded, Celestia looked down at her amulet, which had been made whole. Cracked as it was. She took it off and watched, satisfied, as the cracks finally healed.
“It is over,” Celestia sighed. She put the amulet back on as Cadence and Shining Armor, who had recovered, helped her up. “But only at the gravest of costs,” Celestia added. She, Cadence, and Shining Armor walked up to Twilight Sparkle's charred and lifeless body. “So many are gone,” Celestia mourned. “Their light has sunk into the earth. I am responsible for their loss.”
“You did what you had to,” Cadence said. “To protect Equestria.” She began to cry at the loss of her many friends. “Losses in war… are...” Cadence tried to hold back her tears. “Are inevitable.”
“Come,” Celestia said. “Let us tend the fallen. Then we must help our realm rebuild. Our work has only just begun.” Celestia teleported away with Cadende, Shining Armor, and Twilight Sparkle's body, leaving only Nightmare Moon's smoking helm on the rooftop. A portal from Everfree Forest opened up, and Octavia walked through it. She picked up Nightmare Moon's broken helm and gazed at it. A hologram of her master, Lord Tirek, appeared next to her.
“Your plan worked to perfection, Lord Tirek,” she congratulated.
“Nightmare Moon was blinded by rage,” Tirek explained. “How easily she was convinced that the Elder Gods would ignore her merging the realms.”
“Yet the Thunder Princess still lives,” Octavia took into account.
“No matter,” Tirek said. “Neither Tartarus nor Equestria can now withstand the Everfree Forest's onslaught. It is time. Soon I will be free. Equestria and Tartarus will be ours.”
