Broken Order

Chapter 2

Reasons

In a hazy realm, a figure clad in a simple beige dress looked upon a bowl in her hand.

"Luna…" Celestia spoke, yet she knew that the person standing before her pupil was not her real sister. It was the reflection of her sister, the Luna of this world, not the one of Equestria, who was sealed away to preserve the balance.

She had expected as much, for Celestia had long felt the presence of a being similar to her sister who roam this world. As she gazed upon her 'sister', her heart breaks at what she was going to have to do, what she must do.

"Twilight," Celestia whispered, "Twilight, wake up…"

In reality, on a street filled with mist, Luna gazed upon Applejack who was cradling the prone form of Twilight in her arms.

Beside her stood two members of the Shadowbolts who attacked Twilight. Mistmane, a green haired teenage boy, and Nighteye, a broad shouldered man whose eyes were hidden in the shadows of his cap.

Above in the sky, on crimson wings soared Shadowing, who was in fact indirectly responsible for Twilight's condition.

"My lady," bowed Mistmane, "We were about to bring the girl to you. There was no need to project your image unto this depraved city."

"I was growing bored." Admitted the Lady of the Night, "Downfall had brought his disciple and her friend to hunt some Netherflies, hence I thought that it would be much more entertaining to see my nemesis' protégé myself."

"To be honest," She continued, purple glowing eyes fixed upon the prone form of Twilight. "I must admit I'm disappointed. To think that the disciple of the one who would bring about my sealing would be so… pathetic."

"Twilight isn't pathetic," muttered Applejack.

"Excuse me?"

Applejack leveled her eyes at the Dark Lady, and in shaky voice continued.

"Twi isn't p-pathetic! It took three of them to take her down!"

"Which is why she is pathetic." Laughed Luna, shaking with mirth. "Someone who went down so easily before three of the Shadowbolts is full of nothing but weakness!"

"However," Luna smiled, "how are you able to talk in my presence? Has your blood not been frozen in your veins?"

Applejack kept quiet, she attempted to suppress her fear, but a slight tremble betrayed her courage.

"You are special," continued Luna, "and I'll love to see why."

Quicker than one can blink, the Dark Lady dissolved into a pile of smoke, which poured into Applejack. Applejack could only blink once, and then the darkness took her.

"What now?" Hissed Nighteye, "do we wait?"

"Unfortunately yes," Mistmane said, "we do not know what Luna plans to do with that cowgirl. Let's not do anything unnecessary."

"But could this mean," started Shadowing as she landed, the crimson wings fading away, "that another…?"

"I do not know," admitted Mistmane, "but I hope so, ever since Downfall brought in that girl, we have been getting replaced in our duties, and this cowgirl has great potential. If she should join us, the Shadowbolts, we'll definitely have the fighting strength to level the playing field."

"What about the Onyxguards," asked Nighteye, "wouldn't they want someone like her too?"

"Doubtfully," smiled Mistmane, "those three idiots are far too self-centered to want an additional contestant for our lady's attention."

Assured, the three of them looked upon the sleeping form of Applejack, and smiled.

Boots crunching into the dirt, Applejack walked along a dusty road. She recognized the route; after all, it was the way home.

'Where am I?' She wondered, 'Wasn't I with someone else just now?'

Try as she might, Applejack could not remember anything. Shrugging, she brushed aside her concerns; after all, she can get worried when she remembers it later.

However, as she continued her stroll, she failed to notice the faint outline of the moon in the presence of the day.

Luna smiled as she followed Applejack. The young girl had failed to notice that she was within a dream.

'Why is she so interested in such a young girl?' The question had always bugged at Luna ever since she had entered Applejack's dream. After all, there was just something that piqued Luna's interest when Applejack met her eyes.

Something Luna was sure she should know; yet remain out of her knowledge.

'No matter,' She thought, 'a young girl could never defeat one such as me.'

After all, once all this is over, she would have not only vanquished a threat, but also gained a subordinate.

"This is boring", complained Shadowing as she leaned against a lamppost, "how long is her majesty going to take?"

"As long as she needs," returned Mistmane, "after all, who could actually deny her what she wishes?"

"Ha! Maybe that girl over there?" Laughed Shadowing, indicating the still unconscious form of Twilight, "after all, her majesty did send us to apprehend her."

"You would be foolish to think that something out there could threatened our lady." Replied Nighteye, "her power is immense, and her will? Unquestionably powerful."

"Correct," agreed Mistmane, "and I doubt that someone could actually scratch her, much less a girl who was taken down by all three of us."

"Technically," interjected Shadowing, "it was my plan."

"That wouldn't have worked without our help." Countered Mistmane.

"While we are on the subject of power," wondered Nighteye, "how powerful is Downfall's disciple anyway? In fact… How powerful is Downfall himself?"

Silence descended upon the team, as each Shadowbolt contemplated this new food for thought.

"Weaker than our lady," declared Mistmane, "has to be, else he wouldn't be serving as her royal advisor."

"I agree," said Shadowing, "but how powerful is he?"

"I don't think we know," admitted Nighteye, "he has never displayed his full capabilities once, not even when training us. His apprentice, on the other hand, is good enough to take out a Blighthorn by herself, something none of us can accomplish individually."

"Bah!" Spat Shadowing, "Bugger just got a lucky shot I suppose."

"Or, it could be she's just that good." Admitted Mistmane.

"I still think it's a lucky shot." Said Shadowing stubbornly.

"Well, no matter how powerful she is," Said Mistmane carefully, "we are on the same side, so I doubt that there will be any cause to worry, after all, mission's completed, we'll get the credit anyway."

Unknown to the Shadowbolts, they do have something to worry about. So intent were they on their discussion that none of them noticed Twilight's body twitched.

Applejack continued walking along the road, lost in thought, as she tries to remember what had she forgotten.

'I dunno what I forgotten,' she thought, 'but if I'm this worried about it, it's got to be very important!'

However, faster than she can blink, a vortex descended from the sky. Whipping up gusts of wicked wind, it was all Applejack could do to stay on the ground. Slowly, before her very eyes, a shadow emerged from within it, forming the shape of woman.

Eyes glowing eerily, the shadow gazed upon Applejack and spoke.

"To be honest," It said, voice carrying over to Applejack over the raging wind, "I'm surprised at how dense you are. Even after sending you to a dream world, I can't believe that after so long, you STILL have not remembered what happened."

"Dream world?" Shouted Applejack back, "dense? I have no idea what in the world you're talking about! What in the world are you anyway?"

"What I am?" Laughed the shadow, "Come on now, is it that hard to remember?"

"So what if it is?" Yelled Applejack.

"Fine," sighed the shadow, "I'll enlighten you. Remember a fallen friend? One you were holding in your arms? Come on now, that should be enough for your memories to return right?"

'A fallen friend.' Thought Applejack, 'one I held in my arms? Somehow that all seems so familiar, yet I could not put my thu-'

Like a struck of a lightning bolt, Applejack remembered what occurred. She had been saving the new girl from a bunch of bullies, who turns out to be bullies with some weird magic powers. Than the new girl took a hit for her and was landed in an unconscious state. That was when an evil-feeling lady appeared who did something to her. An evil being called…

"Luna…" whispered Applejack, feeling her legs grow weak.

"That'll be Princess Luna to you, young girl." Said the Shadow, as the raging wind came to a sudden stop, "and I'll be expecting such proper respect from now on."

"Respect?" Replied a shocked Applejack, "You attacked that young girl? What manner of respect do you achieve to get through that?"

"It appears you still do not know who you are dealing with." Said Luna, "I suppose I'll have no choice but to enlighten you."

Gesturing with a hand, the shadow pointed a finger at Applejack, who screamed as a series of pain assaulted her senses.

As Applejack writhed on the ground, the Shadow laughed and grew larger, surrounding Applejack.

"I am supreme!" Proclaimed Luna, "this is a world of dreams, young girl, and I, the ruler of the night hold sway upon this very plane! Know that there would be NOTHING that could stand in my way! Not your will, nor any knowledge you possessed."

"Yet!" She continued, a dark tentacle stroking the trembling form of Applejack on the ground, "I am a kind soul. You could serve ME, and enjoy privileges not known to mortals like you. Or, you could resist, and continue the rest of your life on a dark route unlit by either the stars or the moon."

Applejack slowly stood, her weak form aided by the writhing tentacles that helped her up. Looking at the shadow in the eye, Applejack said.

"You are quite a scary creature, you know that?"

"I am," admitted Luna, "but I can be kind and benevolent as well."

"My granny once told me, that a kind and benevolent person is the best person to followed."

"Yes," agreed Luna, "just swear allegiance to me and all shall be yours."

"But," Applejack interjected, "She also said, that a kind and benevolent person is one that others determine, and from what I see, you are anything but kind and benevolent!"

Her body tinged with orange light, which began to dispel the shadows surrounding her, she continued.

"You recruited people who employ violence to suit your desires, you have no qualms over hurting people when they deny your wishes. And you have the nerve to call yourself kind and benevolent? Bah! You are just anything but that!"

Luna recoiled from the light, but quickly stabilized herself. With eyes as cold as ice gazing hungrily at Applejack, she said.

"You had been far too honest, dear sweet girl," Such was the strength of the voice alone that it almost drove Applejack to her knees. "I would value your opinions, I'm sure. Yet, I feel a very powerful urge to make you mine…"

Without warning, the shadows surged forward and engulfed Applejack, who struggled within their grasp, the orange light surrounding her body fading before the onslaught of the darkness.

'No!' Thought Applejack, as she felt her conscience slipping away, 'I can't do this! She's…. She's far too….'

At that moment, a sudden warmth entered her body, dispelling the coldness surrounding her limbs and a pale blue light shone forth to wipe away the darkness covering her eyes. That was when Applejack beheld her.

A young girl who looked no more than ten years old, sporting pale blue hair and covered in nothing more than a simple dress stood between her and the Shadow creature.

"What?" Spat the Shadow, obviously surprised, "Who ar- No! It cannot be!"

"Correct, Luna," Said the girl, "I too am Luna."

Equestrian-Luna was glad she made it in time; after all, she had only a few minutes heads-up from her sister to save a beleaguered girl.

Beholding her alter ego in this plane's Dreamscape, the world of dreams, she could not help but feel a tinge of sorrow.

"Well done Applejack," She said, "if you had not held out as you did, I would not have been able to save you."

"Uh… do we know each other?" Asked the cowgirl, "and what's all that about being Luna?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes, I know you," Equestrian-Luna replied, "but only the you from my world. In fact I am not from your world, I am her from my world."

"Yesssssss," hissed Shadow-Luna, "I am you, you are me, however, we are not equals. In fact, I am willing to wager that it's taking next to all of your current power to maintain your presence here!"

"Applejack, I'm going to get you out of here. Once out, either make a run for it, or stay and help Twilight who's fighting the Shadowbolts in the material realm." Said Equestrian-Luna.

"I don't really know what's going on," replied Applejack, "but ok, I'm in."

"Fools!" Laughed Shadow-Luna, "you have no power in this world! It's taking all you can to stay here! What hope do you have against me?"

Seemingly producing a scroll out of thin air, Equestrian-Luna held it up.

"This."

"And what is that?" Laughed her counterpart.

"I was once a monster," explained Equestrian-Luna, "and I had terrorized people's minds through their dreams. Ever since I reformed, I had developed a measure to prevent such things from occurring again. And as we are practically one and the same, you should know what that means!"

"No!" Roared Shadow-Luna, diving towards her alter ego, "You shall not!"

"Constellations of the sky, Heed me!"

Applejack watched in amazement as Shadow-Luna crashed into pale blue forcefield that appeared faster than one could blink.

"NO! NO!" Wailed Shadow-Luna, as she continuously smashed into the forcefield in vain, "YOU CANNOT DO THIS!"

Ignoring her, Equestrian-Luna raised the glowing scroll up into the sky.

"Patterns in the sky who tell the fate of many. Moon who gives comfort in darkness. Stars that point the way. I beseech you, for one thousand full moons, Bar the being named Luna from the Land of Dreams so many can be at peace!"

"NOOOOOOOO!" Roared Shadow-Luna, "I CURSE YOOOOOOOOU!"

Applejack shut her eyes as a bright light engulfed the scene. However, before she did, she could see the faint outline of the girl smiling at her, and a voice, which said.

'Applejack, time for me to leave, time for you to go.'

Applejack awoke at a scene of chaos. Sitting up, she beheld the scene of battle.

Twilight, who apparently had recovered, was exchanging fire with the three Shadowbolts, who surprisingly were sporting many wounds.

"Applejack!" Yelled Twilight, glancing at her briefly before deflecting a surge of green electricity, "You're awake!"

"What?" Yelled the green-haired teen, "She looks normal! What went wrong?"

That was when a terrible tremor shook the area.

"HOW DARE YOU!" Cursed a terrifying voice that echoed endlessly.

Instinctively, everyone looked up to see a roiling screen of smoke, and the translucent woman with a look of utmost fury etched upon her face.

"Uh-oh," Said Twilight, "Did you mess her up bad?"

"Yup," agreed Applejack.

"SHADOWBOLTS! WHY HAVE YOU NOT DISPATCHED THESE MISFITS?"

"My lady," said the green-haired teen, "my deepest apologies, we were caught off guard by that girl who recovered faster than we expected!"

"NO MATTER!" Luna boomed, "RELEASE YOUR ENERGY, MY FORM IS TOO FAR TO UTILISE MINE. I WILL DISPATCH THEM WITH THE MOST APPROPRIATE SERVANT!"

"But, your hig-"

"NOW!"

"Yes my lady!"

All of the Shadowbolts dropping to their knees, a flow of dark-blue light erupted from each of them, all directed at Luna.

"SUMMONING: ROCK DAEMON!" Roared Luna.

The earth shook once more, and Applejack could hardly maintain her balance. However, when she saw what caused it, she could not believe her eyes.

A large figure detached itself from the street. A grin etched to its face, the humanoid made of rock, which was easily 30 meters tall, towered over both her and Twilight.

"CRUSH THEM!" Commanded Luna.

As the Monster swung its fist towards Applejack, Twilight dashed over shouting,

"Barrier!"

The impact created a shockwave that left cracks in the ground, yet the purple hexagon shield held its own.

With a wave of the hand, Twilight dispelled the shield and pointed at the parody of a human.

"Pulse Blast!"

A magenta ray of light, larger than anything Applejack had seen Twilight conjured, leapt out of Twilight's palm before slamming into the moving statue, pushing it back a few whole meters. However, as the smoked cleared, the grinning face of the golem looked upon them, unscathed.

"What? That's my strongest spell!" Exclaimed Twilight.

The rock demon however strode forward, preparing another blow aiming for Twilight, who stood her ground. As the fist descended, Twilight met it with the same Hexagonal shield, the shockwave between the two opposing forces almost knocking Applejack back. This time, however, Twilight dispelled the shield and held both her hands up.

"Retribution!"

This time, a shockwave erupted from Twilight's hands, slamming into the golem. For a moment, it looked as if the lump of stone would hold its ground, when the impact lifted a small distance into the air and sent it crashing a short distance away, creating a tremor akin to the one when it first appeared.

"You did it!" Yelled Applejack.

For a moment she believed herself, until the area shook again and the monstrosity of a statue stood up again, unscathed.

"What?" Said Twilight, disbelief clear upon her face, "how can this be? I hit it with the same force it struck my shield! How can it not be scratched?"

"FOOLS!" Boomed Luna, "THE ROCK DAEMON IS IMPERVIOUS TO SPELLS. NOT EVEN A STRENGTH OF ITS OWN CALIBER COULD DAMAGE IT. YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE YOUR STUDIES LONG BEFORE YOU OPPOSE ME!"

"DESTROY!" Commanded Luna.

The Rock Daemon, taking large strides, which shook the ground, lifted its fist for another attack. Twilight as usual, stood her ground, creating the Hexagonal Shield as the fist came swinging down.

This time, however, was different.

After the fist was repelled, Twilight grimaced and the shield shattered, her headband and bracelet suddenly fading away as the pieces of the shield fell to the ground, followed by Twilight. As she fell, Applejack found herself dashing over and supporting Twilight.

"Sorry," gasped Twilight, "those spells took a lot out of me, not to mention the fighting before."

"It's okay," assured Applejack, "you did all you could."

As the Rock Daemon stood over them, Twilight turned towards Applejack, tear stained eyes gazing apologetically at her.

"Sorry," whispered Twilight, "If only I didn't come here, you wouldn't be in this mess."

"Don't fret it," comforted Applejack, "At least I know I'm did the right thing, helping out a friend, right?"

"Friend?" Asked Twilight.

"Yeah," confirmed Applejack, "after all we been through, even if only over a short time, I'm mighty confident I could call you that."

"Friend," whispered Twilight, hugging Applejack.

"Yeah," said Applejack, "friend."

Then the fist swung down.

Twilight could not comprehend what had happened. When she closed her eyes, preparing to die, she felt Applejack lift her embrace and when Twilight opened her eyes, she could not believe what she saw.

Applejack was standing before the golem, but she was different. A metal head protector with an orange jewel the shape of an apple adorned her forehead. Her hands were armored with steel gauntlets that reflected the moonlight, a chestplate guarded her upper body and a pair of metal greaves covered her legs.

Twilight could only watch on in amazement as Applejack strode forward and met the incoming fist with one of her own.

One punch was all it took.

The resulting shockwave not only shattered the streets, but it broke the golem apart, to Twilight's amazement. As the pieces of the golem turned to dust, Applejack gazed upon the shocked face of Luna who looked on in disbelief.

"Your highness!" Shouted Shadowing, "We can still fight!"

As Twilight looked upon Luna, she saw that the form is slowly fading.

"Retreat," croaked Luna, in a defeated voice, "Shadowbolts, retreat."

"But my lady!" protested Mistmane.

"In your condition, there's no way you could defeat them," said Luna, "furthermore, I cannot provide any more form of aid to you. I have to project my image here because I'm denied entry to this city by the tinkering of a meddlesome spirit, and today's endeavor had seen me barred from the Dreamscape." Laughing bitterly, she continued, "With your power spent and my options deprived, it's time we retreat. We lost this one."

For a moment, it looked as if the Shadowbolts would defy her orders and attack Applejack. However, one by one, they nodded their heads, and in a few seconds, three pairs of red wings opened up, carrying their owners into the sky. Shadowing was the last to go, but not before she spared Applejack a look of utmost hatred before she fled into the night sky.

Before fading completely from view, Luna left a message.

"Rest well, Guardians of Harmony, and celebrate your victory tonight. You'll need all the cheer and rest you could get before I have you experience absolute despair and pain."

As Luna faded, the skies cleared and the moonlight cast its bright light over the city.

Applejack then dropped straight to the floor, her armor vanishing, she gave a trembling thumbs-up to Twilight.

"Good work there, partner," laughed Applejack, her voice trembling, "you must f-far more dangerous than I thought. Do you do this on a daily basis?"

"No," admitted Twilight, "I mean… I faced monsters before, but nothing like this."

"Oh, that's quite a relief," grimaced Applejack, "Cause I'm most likely getting messed up in something waaaaay over my head here."

"Don't worry," laughed Twilight, "You'll get used to it."

Applejack stood up, and then clutched her arm, grimacing as she did so.

"Ooooh, used a bit too much strength there. That thing's as hard as a boulder!"

"You're hurt!" Exclaimed Twilight as she tried to get to her feet, but tripped and fell.

"You're not in too good a shape yourself," giggled Applejack, as she walked over and helped Twilight to her feet.

"Thanks," muttered Twilight, and added in a whisper," and thanks for earlier."

"No problem," said Applejack, "I mean, that's what friends do for each other right?"

"Yeah…" Agreed Twilight, "but how did you get those armor?"

"The armor?" repeated Applejack, "Well, when you hugged me, something in your pocket flew out, and sank into my flesh. Then I saw a tree."

"A tree?" Echoed Twilight.

"Yeah, a apple tree." Confirmed Applejack, "except that this one's quite different, then it spoke to me."

"It spoke?"

"Listen, if you're gonna keep interrupting me, I'll leave the storytelling for later."

"Sorry."

"So it spoke to me," continued Applejack, "and asked me a few questions. I reckon I must have made it happy with my answers cause it laughed and then… those armor stuff appeared on me and I did what I did."

"That's what happened to me!" Exclaimed Twilight.

"Which part?"

"The stone sinking into my flash, and the vision! And that I need to get home now before curfew or else my parents will give me a scolding."

"Won't they question those bruises?"

"Well," replied Twilight, "I believe I have to make up some stories."

"Lying ain't nice," lectured Applejack, "How about this, tomorrow's Saturday right? A sleepover at my house?"

"I don't know…"

"C'mon, that's better than lying. Just tell your parents that you agreed to a sleepover at the house of one of the first friends you made in P.H.S. and that you won't be coming home tonight. Tell them that this friend won't take no for an answer."

"Are you sure? But won't your family question your injuries too?"

"No worries," assured Applejack, "I go home with bruises most of the time. So how about it?"

"I suppose so…" Said Twilight hesitantly.

"Perfect!" Smiled Applejack, "now you have a phone call to make, and we got a sleepover to attend. Where we'll have to tend to our wounds and you have some explaining to do."

"Yes ma'am." Giggled Twilight.

'Hello Twilight.' A serene voice suddenly sounded.

"Woah!" Exclaimed Applejack, "did someone just call you?"

"You can hear her?" Said Twilight.

'Of course she can,' replied Celestia, 'All the Guardians can communicate with me and anyone I so choose. Also, I apologize for my earlier disappearance. I had to rush to retrieve my sister who was in a state of limbo due to using her own counterspell on both herself and this world's Luna. By the way, what did I miss?'

Luna sits upon her throne, located at the top of the three daises in the room, gazing forlornly at the dark empty hall of her throne room. In her mind, she could not forget the incidents of the day, replaying what happened over and over again in her brain.

So immersed was she in the happenings of the past that she barely noticed the two oaken doors swinging open and the three Shadowbolts who marched and knelt before her.

"Yes?" Said Luna distractedly.

"We apologize for our incompetence, my lady!" Said Mistmane, "and we beg your forgiveness!"

Clearing her head, Luna gazed upon her loyal subjects.

"There was nothing that could be done," she reminded them gently, "in fact, I was too blinded by rage that I acted too rashly and utilized your energies."

"It was the best course of action, your highness," replied Shadowing, "they were just fortunate to have dispatched the Golem."

"Yes," agreed Luna, "fortunate to have another Guardian of Harmony accompanying our target at the scene. And also fortunate enough to have been able to awakened their power at the same time. Luck plays such a significant role, does it not?"

"Yet luck does not determine everything." Interjected a new voice.

Luna looked up to see a dark armored figure stride into the room. Dressed as an armored knight would be, with a simple helm covering his facial features, each step the figure took seemed to increase the room's tension.

"Downfall," hissed Shadowing.

Kneeling before the dais of which the throne was seated upon, Downfall spoke, his deep voice echoing across the room.

"I have return from the hunt, your highness, and my apprentice has procured some fascinating results."

"Which is?" inquired Luna.

"She has not only hunted the Netherwings but also tamed those we captured, a remarkable feat for one so young." Replied Downfall.

"Excellent," smiled Luna, "Those Netherwings would make a fine addition to our arsenal. Where is she now?"

"After dealing with the homework I assigned her, She would be with her friend, recuperating from her ordeal, your highness." Returned Downfall, "I believed that she needs her rest, hence I hope your highness would pardon her absence."

"I forgive her absence," said Luna, "and I believe you have heard about our failure?"

"Yes," Said Downfall, "and I agree with your highness, that summoning a Rock Daemon is not the best course of action."

"How bold can you get, Downfall?" Yelled Mistmane, "Our Lady is tired form the ordeal, the last thing she need n-"

"Enough!" Snapped Luna, "Downfall is right, and it is his job to use his logic to help me with my decision. Such is the duty of the Royal Advisor."

Turning her gaze upon Downfall, Luna continued.

"But today is not a lost cause, we have learned much from our defeat, and the Shadowbolts are to relay all of today's events to Royal Advisor Downfall."

"Yes, my lady!" Affirmed Mistmane.

"And how long before she is ready, my advisor?"

"She's ready when I believe her to be, your highness," replied Downfall, "which would be after the next fight."

"Why after the next battle?" Questioned Luna.

"Her character demands it, but after the next fight would be hers."

"Very well," said Luna, leaning back into the shadows of the throne, eyes glittering in the darkness, "I believe you."

"Rest easy," Said Downfall, eyes glowing within his helm, "She will not fail us."

As a crash echoed throughout the entire castle, Downfall commented casually.

"That must be my student, finishing her assignment."

"Which is?" Prompted Shadowing.

"Taking care of a Rock Daemon, why did you ask?"

End